Method and system for interfacing with a shipping service

• US 20070106781A1
• Filed: 12/12/2006
• Published: 05/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schneider Logistics Incorporated (Schneider National Carriers Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Schneider Logistics Incorporated (Schneider National Carriers Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schommer, Robert, Olson, Douglas, Hancock, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 7,499,997 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06312 Adjustment or analysis of established resource schedule, e.g. resource or task levelling, or dynamic rescheduling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06315 Needs-based resource requirements planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials

Abstract

A logistics node receives a purchase order from a customer. The logistics node selects an appropriate carrier to transport products specified in the purchase order and conveys shipping instructions to the selected carrier. The logistics node also coordinates the shipment by interacting with a source node (associated with a supplier of the products) and a destination node (associated with the recipient of the products). According to one exemplary feature, the logistics node provides an interface that permits users involved in the distribution chain to track the status of the shipments without having to enter tracking codes that are unique to individual carriers. According to another exemplary feature, the interface allows a user to access multiple “levels” of information regarding a shipment, including information pertaining to an individual product within a shipment containing multiple products. According to another exemplary feature, the interface allows a user to change the priority status associated with particular products that have already been presented for shipment. According to another exemplary feature, the interface provides different “views” for use by different respective users. Each of the views provides a corresponding different set of tools for use in interacting with the freight managing service.

Claims

1-14. -14. (canceled)

15. A logistics node for administering the shipment of a product from a source node to a destination node, comprising:

an interface unit for coupling the logistics node with at least one remote entity;

a processing unit coupled to the interface unit for controlling the operation of the logistics node;

a database coupled to the processing unit for storing information pertaining to the shipment of a product from the source node to the destination node;

logic for providing a user with an option to examine shipment information using first and second levels of detail, wherein the second level of detail is more refined compared to the first level of detail;

logic for allowing a user to select the first or second level of detail; and

logic for providing shipping information to the user corresponding to the selected level of detail.

16. The logistics node of claim 15, wherein the first level of detail provides information concerning a shipment load, and the second level of detail provides information pertaining to an individual product on the shipment load.

17. A method for administering the shipment of a product from a source node to a destination node, comprising:

providing a freight management tool to a user;

providing the user an interface with which to interact with the freight management tool;

providing the user with an option to examine shipment information using a first level of detail;

providing the user with an option to examine shipment information using a second level of detail, wherein the second level of detail is more refined compared to the first level of detail;

allowing a user to select the first or second level of detail; and

providing shipping information to the user corresponding to the selected level of detail.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first level of detail provides information concerning a shipment load, and the second level of detail provides information pertaining to an individual product on the shipment load.

19-20. -20. (canceled)