CUSTOMER CONTROLLED MANAGEMENT OF SHIPMENTS
First Claim
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1. A method for providing information regarding the delivery of at least one item to a customer, the method comprising:
- storing communication preferences for providing information to a customer regarding an item to be delivered to the customer, wherein the communication preferences (1) identify at least one communication format and at least one corresponding electronic destination address to be used in providing the information to the customer, and (2) define a time period prior to a first delivery attempt of the item in which a message providing the information is to be transmitted to the at least one corresponding electronic destination address;
automatically generating a message providing the information regarding the item to be delivered to the customer; and
automatically transmitting the message to the at least one corresponding electronic destination address within the defined time period prior to the first delivery attempt of the item to the customer.
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Abstract
Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for customer controlled management of shipments. For example, in various embodiments, a customer can provide information prior to a first delivery attempt of an item by a carrier to receive messages regarding shipment of the item and to have the item delivered in accordance with the provided information.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for providing information regarding the delivery of at least one item to a customer, the method comprising:
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storing communication preferences for providing information to a customer regarding an item to be delivered to the customer, wherein the communication preferences (1) identify at least one communication format and at least one corresponding electronic destination address to be used in providing the information to the customer, and (2) define a time period prior to a first delivery attempt of the item in which a message providing the information is to be transmitted to the at least one corresponding electronic destination address; automatically generating a message providing the information regarding the item to be delivered to the customer; and automatically transmitting the message to the at least one corresponding electronic destination address within the defined time period prior to the first delivery attempt of the item to the customer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least:
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store communication preferences for providing information to a customer regarding an item to be delivered to the customer, wherein the communication preferences (1) identify at least one communication format and at least one corresponding electronic destination address to be used in providing the information to the customer, and (2) define a time period prior to a first delivery attempt of the item in which a message providing the information is to be transmitted to the at least one corresponding electronic destination address; automatically generate a message providing the information regarding the item to be delivered to the customer; and automatically transmit the message to the at least one corresponding electronic destination address within the defined time period prior to the first delivery attempt of the item to the customer. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer program product for providing information regarding the delivery of at least one item to a customer, the computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:
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an executable portion configured to store communication preferences for providing information to a customer regarding an item to be delivered to the customer, wherein the communication preferences (1) identify at least one communication format and at least one corresponding electronic destination address to be used in providing the information to the customer, and (2) define a time period prior to a first delivery attempt of the item in which a message providing the information is to be transmitted to the at least one corresponding electronic destination address; an executable portion configured to automatically generate a message providing the information regarding the item to be delivered to the customer; and an executable portion configured to automatically transmit the message to the at least one corresponding electronic destination address within the defined time period prior to the first delivery attempt of the item to the customer. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification