Shipping method and system
First Claim
1. A method for determining an appropriate shipping carrier for a plurality of shipping carriers for a parcel, comprising:
- providing computer-readable information relating to at least one of a destination, delivery date, and delivery mode of the parcel;
obtaining a volume of the parcel;
measuring a weight of the parcel;
inputting the computer-readable information, weight, and volume into a computer; and
selecting the appropriate shipping carrier for the parcel based on the computer-readable information, weight, and volume.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for determining an appropriate (e.g., least expensive) shipping carrier of a plurality of shipping carriers for a parcel comprises associating with the parcel computer-readable information relating to at least a destination, delivery date, and delivery mode of the parcel. The method further comprises measuring a weight and volume of the parcel and inputting the computer-readable information, weight, and volume into a computer. The method still further comprises using the computer, selecting the appropriate shipping carrier for the parcel. A system is also provided for determining a most appropriate shipping carrier.
67 Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A method for determining an appropriate shipping carrier for a plurality of shipping carriers for a parcel, comprising:
-
providing computer-readable information relating to at least one of a destination, delivery date, and delivery mode of the parcel;
obtaining a volume of the parcel;
measuring a weight of the parcel;
inputting the computer-readable information, weight, and volume into a computer; and
selecting the appropriate shipping carrier for the parcel based on the computer-readable information, weight, and volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method for determining the least expensive shipping carrier for a parcel, comprising:
-
preparing an invoice having bar coded information that includes at least one of a delivery destination, a delivery date, and a delivery mode of the parcel;
utilizing a bar code scanner to read the invoice and to input the information into a computer system;
measuring dimensions of the parcel to determine a volume of the parcel and inputting the dimensions into the computer system;
weighing the parcel and inputting the weight into the computer system; and
selecting the least expensive shipping carrier for the parcel based on a search conducted by the computer system that utilizes the information, the dimensions, and the weight of the parcel. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A system for determining a most appropriate shipping carrier for a parcel, comprising:
-
an input device constructed and arranged to read an invoice associated with the parcel as the parcel moves along a conveying path, said invoice having bar coded information that includes at least one of a delivery destination, a delivery date, and a delivery mode of the parcel;
a scanning device provided along the path, said scanning device constructed and arranged to measure the dimensions of the parcel to determine the volume of the parcel;
a weighing device along the path, said weighing device constructed and arranged to determine the weight of the parcel; and
a computer system to receive the information obtained by the input device, the scanning device, and the weighing device as the parcel moves along the path, the computer system selecting the most appropriate shipping carrier for the parcel based on a search conducted by the computer system that utilizes the information, the volume, and the weight of the parcel. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
Specification