Method of and apparatus for translating shipping documents

• US 20080179398A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 07/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cameron Dee Dryden, Jeffrey Robert Smith, Ole-Petter Skaaksrud, Robert Russell Rhodes, Wayne Luke Gordon, Xiaoxun Zhu
• Original Assignee: Cameron Dee Dryden, Jeffrey Robert Smith, Ole-Petter Skaaksrud, Robert Russell Rhodes, Wayne Luke Gordon, Xiaoxun Zhu
• Inventors: Zhu, Xiaoxun, Skaaksrud, Ole-Petter, Gordon, Wayne Luke, Smith, Jeffrey Robert, Dryden, Cameron Dee, Rhodes, Robert Russell
• Granted Patent: US 7,837,105 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/384
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

A method of translating a shipping document regarding one or more shipment items being shipped, tracked and delivered to a final destination using a Web-based shipping, tracking, and delivery information network. At the point of shipment pickup, the method involves digitally imaging an original shipping document (or shipping label) in connection with a shipment, at one or more image resolutions. The bar-coded shipment tracking number graphically represented in the original shipping document is automatically read, and its character data string is automatically encoded into the header of the corresponding digital image file and/or the name of the digital image file. While the shipment is being delivered to the first scanning point in the network, the digital image file is transmitted over a wireless communication link to one or more digital image processing application servers supported on the network. The digital images are processed so that shipping information contained in the digital images (and indexed with the original shipment tracking number) is automatically abstracted/recognized, and loaded into the shipping information RDBMS maintained on the network. When the delivered shipment arrives at the first scanning point in the network, the bar-coded shipment tracking number (contained in the original shipping document) is read, and corresponding shipping information maintained in an RDBMS is accessed. A unique network-assigned shipping label is automatically generated, and the unique network-assigned shipping label is applied to the shipment items at the first scanning point in the network, for use in managing future services supported on the network.

Claims

1. A method of translating a shipping document regarding one or more shipment items being shipped, tracked and delivered to a final destination using a Web-based shipping, tracking, and delivery information network, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) at the point of shipment pickup, digitally imaging an original shipping document (or shipping label) in connection with a shipment at one or more image resolutions;

(b) automatically reading the bar-coded shipment tracking number graphically represented in the original shipping document and automatically encoding its character data string into the header of the corresponding digital image file and/or the name of the digital image file;

(c) while the shipment is being delivered to the first scanning point in the network, transmitting the digital image file over a wireless communication link to one or more digital image processing application servers supported on the network, and processing said digital images so that shipping information contained in the digital images (and indexed with the original shipment tracking number) is automatically abstracted/recognized, and loaded into the shipping information RDBMS maintained on the network;

(d) when the delivered shipment arrives at the first scanning point in the network, reading the bar-coded shipment tracking number (contained in the original shipping document), and accessing corresponding shipping information maintained in an RDBMS;

(e) automatically generating a unique network-assigned shipping label; and

(f) applying said unique network-assigned shipping label to the shipment items at the first scanning point in the network, for use in managing future services supported on said network.

2. A method of translating a shipping document comprising the steps of:

(a) at the first scanning point in the network, reading the bar-coded shipment tracking number contained in the original shipping label using an optical scanning device or an imaging-based bar code reading device, so as to access shipping information stored in an RDBMS corresponding to the shipment.

3. A method of translating a shipping document, comprising the steps of:

(a) after reading an original shipment tracking number at a first scanning point in a shipping and delivery network and accessing a RDBMS, generating a unique network-assigned shipping label, including a 2D bar-coded label (encoded with a unique network-assigned shipment tracking number as well as shipping information abstracted from an original shipping document);

(b) applying said shipping label to the shipment; and

(c) thereafter, at subsequent scanning points in said network, reading the 2D bar-coded label so as to access shipping information encoded therein and sort and route the shipment through said network to its destination indicated by the shipping information contained in said 2D bar-coded label.

4. A method of translating a shipping document, comprising the steps of:

(a) after reading an original shipment tracking number at a first scanning point in a shipping an delivery network and accessing an RDBMS maintained therein, generating the unique network-assigned shipping label, including a 1D bar-coded label encoded with unique network-assigned shipment tracking number, and applying the shipping label to the shipment; and

(b) thereafter, at subsequent scanning points in the network, reading the shipment tracking number contained in the unique network-assigned shipping label, accessing said RDBMS therewith and using shipping information stored in said RDBMS to sort and route the shipment through said network to its destination indicated in said RDBMS.

5. Apparatus for translating a shipping document comprising:

a first subsystem for reading an original shipment tracking number at a first scanning point in a shipping and delivery network and accessing an RDBMS supported on said network;

a second subsystem for generating the unique network-assigned shipping label, including a 1D bar-coded label encoded with unique network-assigned shipment tracking number, and applying the shipping label to the package;

a third subsystem, located at subsequent sorting and routing hubs in said network, for reading the shipment tracking number contained in the unique network-assigned shipping label; and

a fourth subsystem for accessing the RDBMS therewith and using shipping information stored in said RDBMS to sort and route the shipment through said network to its destination indicated in said RDBMS.

6. A method of translating a shipping document comprising:

(a) reading an original shipment tracking number at a first scanning point in a shipping and delivery network and accessing an RDBMS therewith, and

(b) then using shipping information stored in said RDBMS so as to sort and route the shipment through said network to its destination indicated in said RDBMS.

7. Apparatus for translating a shipping document comprising:

a device for reading an original shipment tracking number at a first scanning point in a shipping and delivery network and accessing an RDBMS therewith; and

a system for accessing shipping information stored in said RDBMS so as to sort and route the shipment through said network to its destination indicated in said RDBMS.