Method And System To Facilitate Same Day Delivery Of Items To A Customer

• US 20140095350A1
• Filed: 09/30/2013
• Published: 04/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Wal Mart Stores Inc (WalMart Inc.)
• Inventors: Carr, David Jon, Ramsden, Richard Mark
• Granted Patent: US 10,127,517 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26.8
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08355 Routing methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing

Abstract

Techniques for allowing a store to provide same day delivery to customers are disclosed. The techniques include receiving a delivery location for delivery of the item with a customer order, providing the delivery location to a delivery server, the delivery server comparing the delivery location to existing delivery locations for a same day delivery route, and providing potential delivery times to the store server. The techniques also include the store server correlating the possible delivery times with predetermined delivery windows, presenting to the customer potential delivery windows for the order, and receiving from the customer a selection of a delivery window.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method comprising:

a store server presenting items for purchase to a customer via a website;

the store server receiving an order of an item from the customer;

the store server receiving customer information from the customer including a delivery location for delivery of the item;

the store server providing the delivery location to a delivery server;

the delivery server comparing the delivery location to existing delivery locations for a delivery route;

the delivery server providing potential delivery times to the store server;

the store server correlating the possible delivery times with predetermined delivery windows;

the store server presenting to the customer potential delivery windows for the order; and

the store server receiving from the customer a selection of a delivery window.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method more specifically comprises:

the delivery server comparing the delivery location to existing delivery locations for a delivery route which is scheduled on the same day as the order is placed;

the delivery server providing potential delivery times on the scheduled delivery route to the store server;

the store server presenting to the customer potential same day delivery windows for the order.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing the delivery location to existing delivery locations for a delivery route comprises determining latitude and longitude coordinates for the delivery location and comparing the delivery location to a delivery route.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing the delivery location to existing delivery locations for a delivery route comprises determining transit time to the delivery location relative to first and second previously scheduled delivery locations and determining if sufficient time exists between the first and second delivery locations to travel to the delivery location.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

the store server receiving a finalized order from the customer;

the store server notifying the delivery server of the selected delivery time; and

the delivery server allocating time on a delivery route to deliver the customer order.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

closing a delivery route to additional orders when a cutoff time is reached;

the delivery server providing a delivery route and scheduled delivery times to the store server;

the store server appending additional customer information to the scheduled delivery times; and

the store server providing a delivery route, delivery schedule, and customer information to a delivery service.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the store server providing order information to an order fulfillment computer;

and

the order fulfillment computer providing a specific route through a brick and mortar store to a store employee to collect items for the order.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the method comprises:

the order fulfillment computer storing a predetermined picking route corresponding to a brick and mortar store; and

the order fulfillment computer ordering items for the customer order sequentially according to the picking route.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the method comprises:

the store server providing order information for a plurality of customer orders to an order fulfillment computer;

the order fulfillment computer storing a predetermined picking route corresponding to a brick and mortar store;

the order fulfillment computer grouping items from the plurality of customer orders together; and

the order fulfillment computer ordering items for the plurality of customer orders sequentially according to the picking route.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the method further comprises:

scanning an item UPC code via a handheld device; and

the handheld device printing a label for an item to indicate a customer order to which an item pertains.

11. A computer system comprising:

a web store module programmed to;

present items for purchase to a customer via a website;

receive an order of an item from the customer;

receive customer information from the customer including a delivery location for delivery of the item;

provide the delivery location to a delivery module;

wherein the delivery module is programmed to;

compare the delivery location to existing delivery locations for a delivery route;

provide potential delivery times to the web store module;

wherein the web store module is further programmed to;

correlate the possible delivery times with predetermined delivery windows;

present to the customer potential delivery windows for the order; and

receive from the customer a selection of a delivery window.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the delivery module is more specifically programmed to:

compare the delivery location to existing delivery locations for a delivery route which is scheduled on the same day as the order is placed;

provide potential delivery times on the scheduled delivery route to the web store module; and

wherein the web store module is more specifically programmed to;

present to the customer potential same day delivery windows for the order.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the delivery module is more specifically programmed to:

compare the delivery location to existing delivery locations for a delivery route by determining latitude and longitude coordinates for the delivery location and comparing the delivery location to a delivery route.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the delivery module is more specifically programmed to:

compare the delivery location to existing delivery locations for a delivery route by determining transit time to the delivery location relative to first and second previously scheduled delivery locations and determining if sufficient time exists between the first and second delivery locations to travel to the delivery location.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the web store module is programmed to:

receive a finalized order from the customer;

notify the delivery module of the selected delivery time; and

wherein the delivery module is programmed to;

allocate time on a delivery route to deliver the customer order.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the system is further programmed to:

close a delivery route to additional orders when a cutoff time is reached;

wherein the delivery module is programmed to;

provide a delivery route and scheduled delivery times to the web store module; and

wherein the web store module is programmed to;

append additional customer information to the scheduled delivery times; and

provide a delivery route, delivery schedule, and customer information to a delivery service.

17. The system of claim 11, further comprising an order fulfillment module, and wherein the web store module is programmed to:

provide order information to an order fulfillment module; and

the order fulfillment module is programmed to;

provide a specific route through a brick and mortar store to a store employee to collect items for the order.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the order fulfillment module is programmed to:

store a predetermined picking route corresponding to a brick and mortar store; and

order items for the customer order sequentially according to the picking route.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein:

the web store module is programmed to;

provide order information for a plurality of customer orders to the order fulfillment module;

the order fulfillment module is programmed to;

store a predetermined picking route corresponding to a brick and mortar store;

group items from the plurality of customer orders together; and

order items for the plurality of customer orders sequentially according to the picking route.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the system further comprises:

a handheld device programmed to;

scan an item UPC code; and

print a label for an item to indicate a customer order to which an item pertains.