Electronic shipment planner

• US 20090172509A1
• Filed: 03/05/2009
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABF Freight Systems Incorporated (ArcBest Corp.)
• Original Assignee: ABF Freight Systems Incorporated (ArcBest Corp.)
• Inventors: Davidson, Robert A., Newcity, Michael, Goux, Corey
• Granted Patent: US 8,037,400 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/205
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/106 Display of layout of documents; Previewing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06311 Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting

Abstract

An electronic shipment planner is adapted for electronically presenting shipment and scheduling information to a user. The shipment and scheduling information includes at least one shipment event date. The shipment planner is linked to a shipment data repository containing shipment and scheduling information. A system interface communicates with the shipment data repository. An interactive shipment data link is electronically associated with the shipment and scheduling information, and cooperates with the system interface as commanded by the user to access and retrieve the associated shipment and scheduling information contained in the shipment data repository. A calendar display interface displays the shipment planner to the user in a calendar format, such that the interactive shipment data link is provided on the shipment event date associated with the shipment and scheduling information.

Claims

1. An electronic shipment planner adapted for electronically presenting shipment and scheduling information to a user, said shipment planner comprising:

(a) a shipment data repository containing shipment and scheduling information for a plurality of shipment events;

(b) a system interface communicating with said shipment data repository;

(c) a calendar display interface for displaying said shipment planner to the user in a calendar format, said calendar format comprising a tabular register of days;

(d) a plurality of interactive shipment data links contained within certain days displayed in said calendar display interface, and electronically associated with the shipment and scheduling information, said plurality of shipment data links cooperating with said system interface as commanded by the user to access and retrieve the associated shipment and scheduling information contained in said shipment data repository, and said plurality of shipment data links comprising;

(i) a plurality of first shipment event data links;

(ii) a plurality of second shipment event data links; and

(iii) said calendar display interface further comprising a first data code visually distinguishing all of said first shipment event data links contained within said tabular register of days, and a second data code visually distinguishing all of said second shipment event data links contained within said tabular register of days.

2. An electronic shipment planner according to claim 1, and comprising shipment data input means communicating with said shipment data repository for loading shipment and scheduling information into said shipment data repository.

3. An electronic shipment planner according to claim 1, wherein said system interface comprises a Web browser.

4. An electronic shipment planner according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of shipment data links comprises a predetermined portion of the shipment and scheduling information.

5. An electronic shipment planner according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of shipment data links comprises a shipment reference code.

6. An electronic shipment planner according to claim 5, wherein said shipment reference code is selected from the group consisting of a bill of lading number and a purchase order number.

7. An electronic shipment planner according to claim 1, wherein said first and second data codes comprise color-coding to readily distinguish said first and second shipment event data links.

8. An electronic shipment planner according to claim 7, and comprising a legend for indicating the color-code for said first and second shipment event data links.

9. An electronic shipment planner according to claim 1, and comprising a display options data repository containing format parameters for customizing the format of said calendar display interface.

10. An electronic shipment planner according to claim 9, and comprising a display options data interface communicating with said display options data repository for setting desired format parameters contained in said display options data repository.

11. An electronic shipment planner according to claim 1, and comprising an input device for selecting said interactive shipment data link from said calendar display interface.

12. An electronic shipment planner according to claim 11, wherein said input device comprises a computer mouse.

13. An electronic shipment planner according to claim 1, and comprising a report data repository containing profile parameters for displaying the shipment and scheduling information in a customized user report.

14. An electronic shipment planner according to claim 13, and comprising a report data interface communicating with said report data repository for setting desired profile parameters contained in said report data repository.

15. An electronic shipment planner according to claim 1, and comprising a personal event data repository containing personal event information of the user, the personal event information being associated with a personal event date.

16. An electronic shipment planner according to claim 15, and comprising a personal event data interface communicating with said personal event data repository for loading personal event information into said personal event data repository.

17. An electronic shipment planner according to claim 16, and comprising an interactive personal event data link electronically associated with the personal event information, and cooperating with said system interface as commanded by the user to access and retrieve the associated personal event information contained in said personal event data repository.

18. An electronic shipment planner according to claim 17, wherein said personal event data link comprises a predetermined portion of the personal event information

19. An electronic shipment planner according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of first shipment event data links is associated with shipment event data comprising one of a group consisting of inbound freight, outbound freight, and third party freight.

20. An electronic shipment planner according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of second shipment event data links is associated with shipment event data comprising one of a group consisting of inbound freight, outbound freight, and third party freight.