System and method for arranging shipment and insurance for an item

• US 20020120475A1
• Filed: 11/07/2001
• Published: 08/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nihon Dot Com Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nihon Dot Com Company Limited
• Inventors: Morimoto, Nobuyoshi
• Granted Patent: US 9,710,740 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/00 Medicinal preparations containing peptides peptides containing beta-lactam rings A61K31/00; cyclic dipeptides not having in their molecule any other peptide link than those which form their ring, e.g. piperazine-2,5-diones, A61K31/00; ergot alkaloids of the cyclic peptide type A61K31/48; containing macromolecular compounds having statistically distributed amino acid units A61K31/74; medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies A61K39/00; medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients, e.g. peptides as drug carriers, A61K47/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 23/14 of tags , labels, cards, coupons, decorations or the like B65D23/008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/205 Means for the attachment of labels, cards, coupons or the like; cards or coupons for the other types of rigid or semi-rigid containers B65D25/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4212 Information or decoration elements, e.g. content indicators, or for mailing B65D5/522 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 79/02 Arrangements or devices for indicating incorrect storage or transport B65D79/005 takes precedence ; measuring devices G01
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0029 the arrangement being specially adapted for wireless interrogation of grouped or bundled articles tagged with wireless record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0631 Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

A system and method for arranging shipment and insurance for items being shipped in containers with memory devices. An intelligent shipping agent may receive a request to ship an item. The intelligent shipping agent may search a database or solicit quotations to obtain shipping and insurance services for an item to be shipped from an origination to a final destination. The intelligent agent may find an entry in the database or may select a vendor based on received quotations. The selection may maximize value of a product or service at the lowest cost. The memory device may store shipping and insurance information related to the item being shipped in a data file. The memory device may include input devices and sensors to gather and store information before, during and after shipment.

Claims

1. A method for arranging insurance for an item, wherein the method comprises:

receiving a request to insure the item being shipped from an origination to a final destination;

searching a database for a cost effective insurer, wherein the cost effective insurance provides a specified level of insurance coverage for the item;

generating a data file comprising at least the following;

item information, and

insurer information; and

storing the data file in a memory device that accompanies the item.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory device is configured to allow the data file to be updated at any time before, during or after the shipment.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising packing the item in a container for shipping, wherein the container is configured to fit with multiple other containers in a carrier.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising forwarding copies of at least a portion of the data file via the network to one or more of the parties involved in the shipping, wherein the parties include at least an originator of the request to ship the item, a recipient of the item at the final destination, and at least one insurance company.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising forwarding copies of the data file via the network to one or more predetermined email addresses.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising forwarding a copy of the data file via a network to a central server.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising shipping the item using the least expensive routing.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the data file further comprises contact information for at least one of the insurance companies that will insure the item.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising storing the data file on a server connected to a network, wherein the server provides access to the data file via the network.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein storing the data file comprises data in an XML format.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the network data is exchanged in an XML format.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the data file further comprises item weight information.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the data file further comprises item handling information.

14. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the data file further comprises item content information.

15. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the data file further comprises insurance information.

16. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the data file further comprises one or more digital images of the item before, during, or after shipping.

17. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the data file further comprises one or more digital images of the item showing the physical condition of the item upon receipt.

18. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory device comprises an air testing device configured to test air samples for contaminants and to store test results in the data file.

19. A system for arranging insurance for an item being shipped, wherein the system comprises:

a memory device, wherein the memory device stores information about the item, wherein the memory device accompanies the item; and

a server connected to the memory device, wherein the server is configured to communicate with the memory device using a network, wherein the server is configured to;

receive a request to insure the item being shipped from an origination to a final destination;

search a database for a cost effective insurance, wherein the cost effective insurance provides maximum insurance coverage for the item for the least cost;

generate a data file comprising at least the following;

item information, and

insurer information; and

store the data file in the memory device that accompanies the item.

20. A carrier medium which stores program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable by a computer system to implement a method of:

receiving a request to insure the item being shipped from an origination to a final destination;

searching a database for a cost effective insurance, wherein the cost effective insurance provides maximum insurance coverage for the item for the least cost;

generating a data file comprising at least the following;

item information, and

insurer information; and

storing the data file in a memory device that accompanies the item.