Systems and methods for use in electronic processing of foreign origin and export shipments and/or passengers and baggage at security check points

• US 20030167240A1
• Filed: 05/13/2002
• Published: 09/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Parcel Service Of America Incorporated (United Parcel Service Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: United Parcel Service Of America Incorporated (United Parcel Service Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hutchins, Angie, Campbell, Greg, Rigdon, Terry W., Collins, William Brent, Napier, Deborah B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,738,995 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/404
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

The present invention provides systems and methods for processing foreign origin parcels through Customs and individuals through security checkpoints. The system includes a database stored on a computer readable medium having data records associated with each foreign origin parcel or individual. Associated with the database is a processor having a search engine for performing searches on the information in the data records based on criteria selected by a user. The system further includes an interface. The interface allows the user to select search criteria to be used by the processor to search the data records. The interface displays the results of the search to the user and allows the user to select parcels or individuals identified during the search for inspection. In addition, the processor and interface allows the user to electronically store notes taken during the inspection, such that the information related to the inspection can be electronically archived.

Claims

1. An electronic system for processing parcels comprising:

a database stored on a computer readable medium having data records associated with each parcel and containing information related to the parcel;

a processor associated with said database having a search engine for performing searches on the information in the data records of said database using criteria selected by a user; and

an interface associated with said processor, said interface allows a user to select search criteria used by said processor to search the data records and displays the results of a search to the user, wherein said interface further allows the user to select parcels identified during a search for inspection.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said processor creates a data file in said database containing a list of the parcels selected by the user and information associated with each selected parcel from the data record for the parcel stored in said database to thereby provide an electronic manifest of the parcels selected for inspection.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein each data record of said database includes status information associated with each parcel, the status information indicating either a hold status for the parcel or a release status for the parcel, wherein prior to selection by the user each parcel has an associated hold status, and wherein after the selection of parcels by the user for inspection, said processor alters the status in each data record associated with parcels not selected by the user to a release status and said sorting system processes the parcels having a release status for shipment.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein each data record of said database includes status information associated with each parcel, the status information indicating either a hold status for the parcel or a release status for the parcel, wherein said interface provides the user with status data for each parcel selected for inspection and allows the user to alter the status of the parcel following inspection.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said interface allows the user to enter inspection information concerning parcels inspected by the user, and wherein said processor stores the information in said database to thereby provide an electronic record of the inspection of a parcel.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein said processor via said interface allows a user to retrieve stored inspection information concerning parcels inspected for generation of reports related to the inspection.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein said interface allows the user to perform preliminary tests on the information associated with each parcel by selecting different search criteria in a test mode, and wherein said processor using the search engine searches the data utilizing the search criteria and said interface displays the results of the search to the user.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein said interface allows the user to store resulting desired search criteria determined during the test mode for use by said processor in normal operation to search the information and display results to the user for purposes of inspection.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein there is a plurality of possible users each having an unique identification code, wherein said interface allows each user to select individual search criteria and said processor stores the search criteria along with the user'"'"'s identification code.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein said processor, using the search engine, searches the data records of the database using the search criteria selected by each user and stores, in separate files in said database, the results of each search along with the user'"'"'s identification code.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein said interface allows a user access to the search results associated with the user'"'"'s identification code and allows the user to select parcels from the search results for inspection.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein said processor creates a manifest data file in said database for each search for each user containing a list of the parcels selected by the user and the information associated with each selected parcel to thereby provide an electronic manifest for each user of the parcels selected for inspection by the user.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein said interface allows the user to update the manifest data file associated with the user'"'"'s identification code during inspection to indicate which of the selected parcels on the manifest have been inspected.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein said processor uses the manifest data file associated with each user to display on the interface a report displaying each inspector and the number of parcels selected for inspection by each inspector.

15. An electronic system for processing parcels comprising:

a database stored on a computer readable medium having data records associated with each parcel and containing information related to the parcel;

a processor associated with said database having a search engine for performing searches on the information in the data records of said database using criteria selected by a user; and

an interface associated with said processor, said interface allows a user to select search criteria used by said processor to search the data records and displays the results of a search to the user, wherein said interface further allows the user to select parcels identified during a search for inspection.

16. An electronic system for processing foreign origin parcels comprising:

an acquisition data management system having a database for receiving and storing in data files information related to foreign origin parcels as the parcels are submitted for delivery;

a broker data management system having a database for receiving and storing data files for each parcel from said acquisition data management system, wherein said broker data management system provides information concerning each parcel to a broker who, at a minimum, assesses fees for importation of each parcel; and

a Customs processing system for use in performing Customs inspections of foreign origin parcels, said Customs processing system comprising;

a database for receiving and storing data files for each parcel from said acquisition data management system;

a processor associated with said database having a search engine for performing searches on the information in the data records based on criteria selected by a user; and

an interface associated with said processor, said interface allows a user to select search criteria used by said processor to search the data records and displays the results of a search, wherein said interface further allows the user to select parcels identified during a search for inspection.

17. An electronic system for processing export parcels comprising:

an acquisition data management system having a database for receiving and storing in data files information related to export parcels as the parcels are submitted for delivery; and

an export processing system for use in performing export inspections of export parcels, said export processing system comprising;

a database for receiving and storing data files for each parcel from said acquisition data management system;

a processor associated with said database having a search engine for performing searches on the information in the data records based on criteria selected by a user; and

an interface associated with said processor, said interface allows a user to select search criteria used by said processor to search the data records and displays the results of a search, wherein said interface further allows the user to select parcels identified during a search for inspection.

18. A method for processing parcels comprising the steps of:

storing in a database in data records information associated with each parcel;

displaying electronically to a user search criteria that can be used to search the information stored in the database;

selecting electronically search criteria to use in searching the database for parcels to be inspected;

searching the database electronically based on the search criteria selected by the user;

displaying electronically to the user the results of a search;

selecting electronically for inspection parcels identified during the search; and

routing the parcels selected by the user to an inspection location.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said storing step further creates a data file in the database containing a list of the parcels selected by the user and information associated with each selected parcel from the data records for the parcel stored in the database to thereby provide an electronic manifest of the parcels selected for inspection.

20. A method according to claim 19 further comprising the step of displaying the manifest to the user.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein each data record of the database includes status information associated with each parcel, the status information indicating either a hold status for the parcel or a release status for the parcel, wherein said displaying the manifest step displays status data for each parcel selected for inspection.

22. A method according to claim 21 further comprising the step of altering the status of the parcel on the manifest following inspection.

23. A method according to claim 18, wherein said storing step stores with each data record status information associated with each parcel, the status information indicating either a hold status for the parcel or a release status for the parcel, wherein prior to said selecting step by the user each parcel has an associated hold status, and wherein after said selection step said method further comprises the step of altering the status in each data record associated with parcels not selected by the user to a release status and said routing system processes the parcels having a release status for shipment.

24. A method according to claim 18 further comprising the step of electronically entering inspection information concerning parcels inspected by the user, and said storing step stores the information in the database to thereby provide an electronic record of the inspection of a parcel.

25. A method according to claim 24 further comprising the step of retrieving stored inspection information concerning parcels inspected for generation of reports related to the inspection.

26. A method according to claim 18, wherein said selecting a search criteria step allows the user to perform preliminary tests on the information associated with each parcel by allowing a user to select different search criteria in a test mode, and wherein said searching step searches the data using the search criteria and said displaying the results step displays the results of the search to the user.

27. A method according to claim 26, wherein said storing step stores resulting desired search criteria determined during the test mode for use by said searching step in normal operation to search the information and display results to the user for purposes of inspection.

28. A method according to claim 18, wherein there is a plurality of possible users each having an unique identification code, wherein said selecting search criteria step allows each user to select individual search criteria and said storing step stores the search criteria along with the user'"'"'s identification code.

29. A method according to claim 28, wherein said searching step searches the data records of the database using the search criteria selected by each user and said storing step stores in separate files in the database the results of each search along with the user'"'"'s identification code.

30. A method according to claim 29, wherein said selecting parcels for inspection step select parcels from the search results for inspection.

31. A method according to claim 30, wherein said storing step further creates a manifest data file in the database for each search for each user containing a list of the parcels selected by the user and the information associated with each selected parcel to thereby provide an electronic manifest for each user of the parcels selected for inspection by the user.

32. A method according to claim 31, wherein said routing step uses the manifest data files stored in said database by said processor to route parcels selected by the user to the user'"'"'s location based on the user identification code.

33. A method according to claim 31 further comprising the step of updating the manifest data file associated with the user'"'"'s identification code during inspection to indicate which of the selected parcels on the manifest have been inspected.

34. A method according to claim 33 further comprising the step of displaying a report of each inspector and the number of parcels selected for inspection by each inspector.

35. An electronic system for use in evaluating individuals in prior to entrance into a secure environment comprising:

a database stored on a computer readable medium having data records associated with each individual attempting to gain access to the secure environment containing information related to the individual;

a processor associated with said database having a search engine for performing searches on the information in the data records of said database using criteria selected by a user; and

an interface associated with said processor, said interface allows a user to select search criteria used by said processor to search the data records and displays the results of a search to the user, wherein said interface further allows the user to select individuals identified during a search for further investigation.

36. A system according to claim 35, wherein said processor creates a data file in said database containing a list of the individuals selected by the user and information associated with each selected individual from the data record for the individual stored in said database to thereby provide an electronic manifest of the individuals selected for investigation.

37. A system according to claim 35, wherein each data record of said database includes status information associated with each individual, the status information indicating either a hold status for the individual or a release status for the individual, wherein prior to selection by the user each individual has an associated hold status, and wherein after the selection of individuals by the user for inspection, said processor alters the status in each data record associated with individuals not selected by the user to a release status and said sorting system processes the individuals having a release status for shipment.

38. A system according to claim 35, wherein each data record of said database includes status information associated with each individual, the status information indicating either a hold status for the individual or a release status for the individual, wherein said interface provides the user with status data for each individual selected for inspection and allows the user to alter the status for the individual following investigation.

39. A system according to claim 35, wherein said interface allows the user to enter information concerning individuals investigated by the user, and wherein said processor stores the information in said database to thereby provide an electronic record of the investigation.

40. A system according to claim 35, wherein there is a plurality of possible users each having an unique identification code, wherein said interface allows each user to select individual search criteria and said processor stores the search criteria along with the user'"'"'s identification code.