METHOD FOR SHIPPING DELIVERIES; SHIPPING STATION AND LOGISTICS SYSTEM

• US 20100036674A1
• Filed: 03/19/2008
• Published: 02/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
• Original Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
• Inventors: Johnson, Brian
• Application Number:
  US12/532,376
• Publication Number:
  US 20100036674A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1.100
• 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 50/28 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading, distribution or shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/32 Post and telecommunications franking apparatus G07B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/60 Business processes related to postal services shipping G06Q10/083; franking apparatus G07B17/00

Abstract

There is provided a system and method for operating an electronic parcel compartment system, whereby at least one user is authorized to deposit a shipment so that the shipment can be forwarded to a logistics service provider. An exemplary method comprises acquiring data about an intended shipment and user data by a first acquisition device separated from the electronic parcel compartment system. The exemplary method also comprises supplementing the shipment information pertaining to the shipment via a second acquisition device located at the electronic parcel compartment system. The exemplary method additionally comprises verifying access rights of the user with a verification device that is arranged within the electronic parcel compartment system, by associating the acquired user data with a stored user profile and verifying validity of the acquired shipment.

Claims

1-13. -13. (canceled)

14. A method for operating an electronic parcel compartment system, whereby at least one user is authorized to deposit a shipment so that the shipment can be forwarded to a logistics service provider, the method comprising:

acquiring data about an intended shipment and user data by a first acquisition device separated from the electronic parcel compartment system;

supplementing the shipment information pertaining to the shipment via a second acquisition device located at the electronic parcel compartment system; and

verifying access rights of the user with a verification device that is arranged within the electronic parcel compartment system, by associating the acquired user data with a stored user profile and verifying validity of the acquired shipment.

15. The method recited in claim 14, wherein the first acquisition device is connected to the internet.

16. The method recited in claim 14, wherein the second acquisition device comprises a terminal located at the electronic parcel compartment system.

17. The method recited in claim 14, comprising storing information acquired at the first acquisition device in a key tag.

18. The method recited in claim 14, wherein the acquiring of data about the intended shipment by the first acquisition device includes information about intended deliveries.

19. The method recited in claim 14, wherein the information about the intended shipment contains an indication of items intended for shipment.

20. The method recited in claim 14, comprising scanning a key tag at the electronic parcel compartment system.

21. The method recited in claim 14, wherein the electronic parcel compartment system includes a display.

22. The method recited in claim 14, comprising displaying information about pre-entered items on a display.

23. The method recited in claim 14, wherein a key tag contains information about the user.

24. An electronic parcel compartment system, comprising:

a scanner that is adapted to read information entered at a first acquisition device and stored in a key tag from the key tag;

a second acquisition device that is adapted to acquire supplementing shipment information; and

a verification device arranged within the electronic parcel compartment system.

25. The electronic parcel compartment system recited in claim 24, wherein the first acquisition device is connected to the internet.

26. The electronic parcel compartment system recited in claim 24, wherein the second acquisition device comprises a terminal located at the electronic parcel compartment system.

27. The electronic parcel compartment system recited in claim 24, wherein the information acquired by the first acquisition device includes information about intended deliveries.

28. The electronic parcel compartment system recited in claim 24, wherein the information acquired from the first acquisition device comprises information about an intended shipment that contains an indication of items intended for shipment.

29. The electronic parcel compartment system recited in claim 24, comprising a display.

30. The electronic parcel compartment system recited in claim 29, wherein the electronic parcel compartment system is adapted to display information about pre-entered items on the display.

31. The electronic parcel compartment system recited in claim 24, wherein the key tag contains information about the user.

32. A logistics system that is adapted to carry out a transport of shipments, the logistics system comprising:

a first acquisition device;

a scanner that is adapted to read information entered at the first acquisition device and stored in a key tag from the key tag;

a second acquisition device that is adapted to acquire supplementing shipment information;

a verification device arranged within the electronic parcel compartment system;

a central control computer that is adapted to communicate with the first acquisition device; and

an electronic parcel compartment system, located separately with respect to the first acquisition device.

33. The logistics system recited in claim 32, wherein the first acquisition device is connected to the internet.