Method and apparatus for efficient package delivery and storage
First Claim
1. A method for efficient delivery of packages for recipients comprising:
- delivering the packages in bulk for a plurality of different recipients in a single delivery stop to a destination centralized pickup location; and
loading the bulk delivered packages randomly into an automated system of storage locker bins, the automated system of storage locker bins enabling self-service retrieval of the bulk delivered packages by the recipients.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for the efficient bulk package delivery for recipients. Items ordered by different customers from different retailers, suppliers or manufacturers can be organized by common item identifiers and shipped in bulk from retailers or manufacturers, to an origination regional distribution center. The items can be sorted at the origination regional distribution center in bulk based on the location of destination regional distribution centers that can serve destination centralized pickup locations chosen by the customers placing the orders for those items. The sorted items, still organized by a common identifier, can be transported in bulk to the destination regional distribution center identified for those items. Ordered items can be sorted by recipient and the destination centralized pickup location specified in the customer'"'"'s order and packed into recipient-specific packages at the destination regional distribution center. The packages can be transported in bulk to the destination centralized pickup locations where they can be randomly loaded into any available locker bins in an automated system of stationary and moveable, configurable storage locker bins. During loading, an association can be made between an identifier of the locker bin and an identifier of the bulk delivered package for subsequent self service identification and retrieval. An electronic notification of the delivery can be automatically dispatched to the recipient by the automated system of storage locker bins to alert the recipient of the delivery.
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Citations
59 Claims
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1. A method for efficient delivery of packages for recipients comprising:
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delivering the packages in bulk for a plurality of different recipients in a single delivery stop to a destination centralized pickup location; and
loading the bulk delivered packages randomly into an automated system of storage locker bins, the automated system of storage locker bins enabling self-service retrieval of the bulk delivered packages by the recipients. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method for efficient delivery of packages for recipients comprising:
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creating the packages for recipients, the packages being created by at least one of a shipper and a party contracted by a shipper to create packages; and
delivering the created packages in bulk for a plurality of different recipients in a single delivery stop to a destination centralized pickup location, the delivering being done by the shipper. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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59. A method for efficient delivery of package for recipients comprising:
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aggregating customer order information to determine a total ordered quantity for an item, the customer order comprising at least an ordered item quantity;
picking quantities of items in bulk at an order fulfillment site based upon the aggregated information, the picked quantities of items being organized by a common item identifier;
transporting the picked quantities of item in bulk from the order fulfillment site to a distribution facility;
sorting order quantity information according to at least one of a distribution facility, a destination centralized pickup location, a destination local distribution hub location and a local market, the local market being a grouping unit representing a grouping of at least one of destination centralized pickup locations and destination local distribution hub locations; and
sorting the transported items at the distribution facility according to the sorted order quantity information.
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Specification