CUSTOMER CONTROLLED MANAGEMENT OF SHIPMENTS

• US 20120303542A1
• Filed: 06/30/2011
• Published: 11/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: United Parcel Service Of America Incorporated (United Parcel Service Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: United Parcel Service Of America Incorporated (United Parcel Service Incorporated)
• Inventors: Marcus, Stuart, Bowling, Russell, Slayton, John, Campbell, Randy
• Application Number:
  US13/174,306
• Publication Number:
  US 20120303542A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/330
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

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.

Claims

1. A method for changing delivery options for at least one item to be delivered by a carrier, the method comprising:

electronically storing shipping data corresponding to an item to be delivered to a customer by a carrier;

causing display of at least a portion of the shipping data corresponding to the item to be delivered to the customer;

electronically receiving a request to change at least one delivery option for the item, wherein (1) the at least one delivery option is selected from the group consisting of an expected delivery date, a delivery location, and a delivery time, and (2) the request to change the at least one delivery option is received prior to a first delivery attempt of the item;

electronically accepting the request to change the at least one delivery option for the item; and

updating the shipping data to reflect acceptance of the request to change the at least one delivery option, wherein the item is subsequently delivered in accordance with the at least one delivery option.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving the shipping data from a scan of the item.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing communication preferences for providing information regarding the item, 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 the 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.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one communication format is selected from the group consisting of a text message, an email message, and a voice message.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the message further indicates that an in-person signature from the customer is requested for delivery of the item.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein (1) the shipping data further indicates that an in-person signature from the customer is requested for delivery of the item, (2) the method further comprises electronically receiving authorization from the customer to deliver the item without an in-person signature from the customer, and (3) the authorization is received (a) after shipment of the item has begun and (b) prior to the first delivery attempt of the item.

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:

store shipping data corresponding to an item to be delivered to a customer by a carrier;

cause display of at least a portion of the shipping data corresponding to the item to be delivered to the customer;

receive a request to change at least one delivery option for the item, wherein (1) the at least one delivery option is selected from the group consisting of an expected delivery date, a delivery location, and a delivery time, and (2) the request to change the at least one delivery option is received prior to a first delivery attempt of the item;

accept the request to change the at least one delivery option for the item; and

update the shipping data to reflect acceptance of the request to change the at least one delivery option, wherein the item is subsequently delivered in accordance with the at least one delivery option.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to receive the shipping data from a scan of the item.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to:

store communication preferences for providing information regarding the item, 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 the 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.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one communication format is selected from the group consisting of a text message, an email message, and a voice message.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the message further indicates that an in-person signature from the customer is requested for delivery of the item.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein (1) the shipping data further indicates that an in-person signature from the customer is requested for delivery of the item, (2) the memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to receive authorization from the customer to deliver the item without an in-person signature from the customer, and (3) the authorization is received (a) after shipment of the item has begun and (b) prior to the first delivery attempt of the item.

13. A computer program product for changing delivery options for at least one item to be delivered by a carrier, 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:

an executable portion configured to store shipping data corresponding to an item to be delivered to a customer by a carrier;

an executable portion configured to cause display of at least a portion of the shipping data corresponding to the item to be delivered to the customer;

an executable portion configured to receive a request to change at least one delivery option for the item, wherein (1) the at least one delivery option is selected from the group consisting of an expected delivery date, a delivery location, and a delivery time, and (2) the request to change the at least one delivery option is received prior to a first delivery attempt of the item;

an executable portion configured to accept the request to change the at least one delivery option for the item; and

an executable portion configured to update the shipping data to reflect acceptance of the request to change the at least one delivery option, wherein the item is subsequently delivered in accordance with the at least one delivery option.

14. The computer program product of claim 13 further comprising an executable portion configured to receive the shipping data from a scan of the item.

15. The computer program product of claim 13 further comprising:

an executable portion configured to store communication preferences for providing information regarding the item, 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 the 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.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the at least one communication format is selected from the group consisting of a text message, an email message, and a voice message.

17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the message further indicates that an in-person signature from the customer is requested for delivery of the item.

18. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein (1) the shipping data further indicates that an in-person signature from the customer is requested for delivery of the item, (2) the computer program product further comprises an executable portion configured to receive authorization from the customer to deliver the item without an in-person signature from the customer, and (3) the authorization is received (a) after shipment of the item has begun and (b) prior to the first delivery attempt of the item.