Courier independent system and method for the delivery of goods ordered by the internet
First Claim
1. In an e-commerce computer network system accessible via the Internet, a method of arranging delivery of an item ordered by a customer from a web browser linked to the Internet, the method comprising:
- receiving a first address from the customer via the web browser, wherein the address is received by the e-commerce computer network from the customer;
locating a collection point for the delivery of the item, the collection point including a plurality of lockers, the plurality of lockers having a plurality of physical configurations, locating the collection point further including searching a collection point database, wherein the collection point database is remote from the e-commerce network and is coupled to the e-commerce network via the Internet;
identifying the collection point in the collection point database;
selecting a courier from a plurality of couriers listed in a courier database to deliver the item from a warehouse to the collection point.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are described for arranging delivery of an item ordered from the Internet to a automated collection point by selecting one of a number of couriers. The plurality of couriers may be stored in a database accessible by the e tailer, either locally or remotely. The courier may be selected on the basis of price. In embodiments, the user is sent a plurality of prices for delivering the item to the collection point by the plurality of couriers. In some such embodiments, the system then selects the courier with the lowest price. The system may also determine whether or not couriers listed in the database deliver to the requested automated collection point. A string identifier may be sent from the e tailer to the customer via the web client. The string identifier may indicate an identifier for the courier; it embodiments, it may indicate a password for entry to the locker in the automated collection point. In some embodiments, the string identifier may be dynamically generated.
185 Citations
51 Claims
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1. In an e-commerce computer network system accessible via the Internet, a method of arranging delivery of an item ordered by a customer from a web browser linked to the Internet, the method comprising:
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receiving a first address from the customer via the web browser, wherein the address is received by the e-commerce computer network from the customer;
locating a collection point for the delivery of the item, the collection point including a plurality of lockers, the plurality of lockers having a plurality of physical configurations, locating the collection point further including searching a collection point database, wherein the collection point database is remote from the e-commerce network and is coupled to the e-commerce network via the Internet;
identifying the collection point in the collection point database;
selecting a courier from a plurality of couriers listed in a courier database to deliver the item from a warehouse to the collection point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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15. A product delivery system comprising:
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an e commerce portal, the e commerce comprising a first computer network coupled to the Internet which allows goods to be ordered via the Internet;
a courier database listing a plurality of couriers, the courier database in communication with the e commerce network via a data link;
a plurality of collection points, each of the plurality of collection points including a plurality of automated lockers, wherein the plurality of collection points have distinct geographical locations and each of the plurality of collection points includes a central server in communication with the e commerce portal via the Internet;
a collection point database, the collection point database in communication with the e commerce network via the Internet, the collection point database containing a plurality of collection point records, each of the plurality of collection point records including a first collection point field indicating a collection point from the plurality of collection points, a second collection point field indicating a location for the collection point.
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27. A method of processing a web-based order for a consumer product, wherein the consumer product is ordered by a user via a web client from an e commerce web portal, and the consumer product is to be delivered to a collection point from a plurality of collection points, the collection points having geographically diverse locations, the method comprising:
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receiving the order from the client for the item, wherein the order is received from the web client by a first server at the web portal;
identifying an first geographic address, the first geographic address corresponding to a residence of the user;
identifying a collection point for the delivery of the consumer product, wherein the collection point is selected from a collection point database, such that the collection point has a second geographical address, the second geographical address being within a predetermined proximity of the first geographical address;
searching a courier database for a plurality of couriers which deliver to the second geographical address;
for each courier of the plurality of couriers, determining a price for delivery of the item to the second geographical address by the courier;
displaying a shipping options web page at the web client, the shipping options web pages listing the price for delivery of the item for each courier of the plurality of couriers.
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37. In an e-commerce computer network system accessible via the Internet, a method of arranging delivery of an item ordered by a customer from a web browser linked to the Internet, the method comprising:
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receiving a first address from the customer via the web browser, wherein the address is received by the e commerce computer network from the customer;
locating a collection point for the delivery of the item, the collection point including a plurality of lockers, the plurality of lockers having a plurality of physical configurations, locating the collection point further including retrieving a cookie, the cookie stored locally at the web browser, the cookie identifying the collection point preferred by the customer;
determining if a locker from the plurality of lockers is physically dimensioned to accommodate the item;
determining if the locker is available for delivery of the item at a customer selected time;
selecting a courier from a plurality of couriers listed in a courier database to deliver the item from a warehouse to the locker at the collection point. sending a string identifier from the e-commerce network system to the customer via the web client, the string identifier indicating a password for entry to the locker.
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Specification