SCHEDULED DELIVERY SERVICE SYSTEMS, APPARATUSES, METHODS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAMS EMBODIED ON COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIA
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a processor configured to;
receive, by electronic data communication over a network, consignee order information from a consignee order file stored in a memory device, said consignee order information including at least a consignee delivery address;
retrieve, from a carrier data storage device, scheduled delivery service rules used to determine whether scheduled delivery service is available to a consignee delivery address; and
determine if scheduled delivery service is available to the consignee delivery address, based at least in part on one or more of the scheduled delivery service rules selected from the group consisting of frequency of failed delivery attempts rules;
driver release rules;
traffic congestion information rules;
traffic accident rules;
inclement weather rules;
visiting dignitary rules;
announced road construction rules;
signature required rules; and
number of left turns rules.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system that enables a carrier to provide scheduled delivery service to a consignee is provided. The disclosed system allows the carrier to receive a consignee order from a consignor, determine whether scheduled delivery service is available, and, if scheduled delivery service is available, determine time windows from which the consignee may select for scheduled delivery. Scheduled delivery service may be available if the consignee delivery address is located within an area in which signature is required for delivery, there is a high frequency of failed delivery attempts, or there is a high frequency of inclement weather or traffic congestion/accidents, among other factors. The carrier may determine time windows from which a consignee may select based on the frequency of failed delivery attempts, inclement weather, and/or traffic congestion/accidents in the area surrounding or leading to the consignee delivery address, among other factors.
92 Citations
112 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
a processor configured to; receive, by electronic data communication over a network, consignee order information from a consignee order file stored in a memory device, said consignee order information including at least a consignee delivery address; retrieve, from a carrier data storage device, scheduled delivery service rules used to determine whether scheduled delivery service is available to a consignee delivery address; and determine if scheduled delivery service is available to the consignee delivery address, based at least in part on one or more of the scheduled delivery service rules selected from the group consisting of frequency of failed delivery attempts rules;
driver release rules;
traffic congestion information rules;
traffic accident rules;
inclement weather rules;
visiting dignitary rules;
announced road construction rules;
signature required rules; and
number of left turns rules.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 20, 21, 22, 23, 35, 36)
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6-7. -7. (canceled)
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10-19. -19. (canceled)
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24-34. -34. (canceled)
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37. A method comprising:
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receiving by an apparatus, by electronic data communication over a network, consignee order information from a consignee order file stored in a memory device, said consignee order information including at least a consignee delivery address; retrieving by the apparatus, from a carrier data storage device, scheduled delivery service rules used to determine whether scheduled delivery service is available to a consignee delivery address; and determining by the apparatus if scheduled delivery service is available to the consignee delivery address, based at least in part on one or more of the scheduled delivery service rules selected from the group consisting of frequency of failed delivery attempts rules;
driver release rules;
traffic congestion information rules;
traffic accident rules;
inclement weather rules;visiting dignitary rules;
announced road construction rules;
signature required rules; and
number of left turns rules. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 44, 58, 59)
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41-43. -43. (canceled)
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45-57. -57. (canceled)
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60-111. -111. (canceled)
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112. A system comprising:
a carrier device configured to; receive, by electronic data communication over a network, consignee order information from a consignee order file stored in a memory device, said consignee order information including at least a consignee delivery address; retrieve, from a carrier data storage device, scheduled delivery service rules used to determine whether scheduled delivery service is available to a consignee delivery address; determine if scheduled delivery service is available to the consignee delivery address, based at least in part on one or more of the scheduled delivery service rules selected from the group consisting of frequency of failed delivery attempts rules;
driver release rules;
traffic congestion information rules;
traffic accident rules;
inclement weather rules;
visiting dignitary rules;
announced road construction rules;
signature required rules; and
number of left turns rules;retrieve, from a carrier data storage device, upon determining that scheduled delivery service is available to the consignee delivery address, time window factors that are used to determine one or more time windows in which scheduled delivery service is available to the consignee delivery address; determine one or more time windows in which the delivery can be scheduled, said one or more time windows based on the delivery having one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of non-driver release area;
high send again area;
high traffic congestion area;
high traffic accident area;
high inclement weather area;
shipment designated signature required;
high left turn route; and
consignee non-delivery time window;store, in the carrier data storage device, the one or more time windows in which the delivery can be scheduled; provide to the consignee, by electronic data communication over a network, the one or more time windows in which the delivery can be scheduled; receive an indication from the consignee, by electronic data communication over the network, said indication including a consignee selection of one of the one or more time windows; and store, in the carrier data storage device, the consignee selection of one of the one or more time windows.
Specification