SYSTEM AND METHOD OF COORDINATING DISTRIBUTION OF AN ITEM

• US 20140172739A1
• Filed: 12/17/2013
• Published: 06/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Anderson, Mary P., Wilson, James D., Lawson, Angela D., Bolha, Rosemarie
• Granted Patent: US 9,710,780 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/338
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08355 Routing methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0836 Recipient pick-ups

Abstract

A system and method for coordinating item delivery is disclosed. The system includes a control hub configured to receive item information, a dynamic routing system configured to provide routing instructions, and a handheld device configured to receive routing instructions. The control hub controls and coordinates receiving and transmitting item information, including pick-up and delivery schedules, and other item information.

Claims

1. A system for distributing a plurality of items to a plurality of destinations comprising:

a control hub configured to receive item information for each of the plurality of items and to generate a unique identifier for each of the plurality of items, the unique identifier associated with the received item information for the corresponding item of the plurality of items;

a dynamic routing system in communication with the control hub, wherein the control hub is configured to provide at least part of the item information to the dynamic routing system and to receive routing instructions from the dynamic routing system;

a sorter in communication with the control hub, the sorter being configured to sort the plurality of items according to the item information and the routing instructions;

a device in wireless communication with the control hub, wherein the control hub wirelessly communicates routing instructions to the device; and

a user interface in communication with the control hub, the user interface configured to send information and queries to and receive information and queries from the control hub, the information and queries related to delivery, a pick-up, and tracking of a delivery status of one of the plurality of items, wherein the control hub is configured to associate information and queries received from the device with the stored item information for the corresponding item of the plurality of items.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a payment system in communication with the control hub, the payment system configured to provide payment information regarding at least one of the plurality of items.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the item information comprises at least one of a pick-up location, delivery location, vendor name, recipient name, item dimensions, and delivery instructions.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein upon receiving item information for the plurality of items, the dynamic routing system is configured to generate routing instructions for the of the plurality of items and is configured to assign at least one of the plurality of items a route sequence number.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the routing instructions provide a route optimized to minimize the time required for the pick-up and delivery of the plurality of items.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein, the control hub is configured to receive the routing instructions and the route sequence number for the plurality of items, and wherein the control hub associates the item information of each of the plurality of items with the routing instructions and route sequence number for the corresponding item of the plurality of items.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the control hub is further configured to associate the routing instructions and the route sequence number for each of the plurality of items with the unique identifier for the corresponding item of the plurality of items.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the sorter is configured to receive the associated item information, routing instructions, and route sequence number from the control hub, and is configured to sort the of the plurality of items according to the received associated item information, routing instructions, and route sequence number.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the control hub is configured to receive payment information from the payment system, and is configured to associate a payment status with one or more of the plurality of items.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is accessible via a network remote from the control hub.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the control hub is configured to query the handheld device regarding the delivery status of one of the plurality of items and is further configured to provide the query results to the user interface.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the delivery status comprises at least one of pick-up confirmation, delivery confirmation, or item location.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the routing instructions received from the control hub comprise a pick-up schedule, a delivery schedule, pick-up route, and delivery route, for at least one of the plurality of items and wherein the handheld device is configured to provide directions for the pick-up route and delivery route using a global positioning system

14. The system of claim 7, wherein the control hub is configured to associate the item information, routing instructions, and route sequence number to the sorter and the handheld device such that each of the plurality of items is scheduled for pick-up and delivery on the same day.

15. A method of delivering a plurality of items to a plurality of destinations comprising:

receiving, via a control hub, item information for each of the plurality of items;

storing the item information for each of the plurality of items in a database accessible by the control hub;

generating a unique identifier for each of the plurality of items, the unique identifier being associated with the stored item information for the corresponding item of the plurality of items;

providing at least a portion of the stored item information for at least one of the plurality of items to a dynamic routing system;

generating routing instructions in the dynamic routing system, the routing instructions comprising optimal pick-up and delivery routes for at least one of the plurality of items;

sorting the plurality of items according to the associated item information;

receiving the routing instructions in the control hub and wirelessly communicating the routing instructions to a plurality of handheld devices, wherein the handheld devices display route information for each of the plurality of items;

receiving pick-up and delivery confirmations for at least some of the plurality of items from the handheld device;

providing pick-up and delivery status information for at least one of the plurality of items from the handheld device to a user interface;

associating the pick-up and delivery status information for at least some of the plurality of items with the item information stored in the database; and

providing real-time pick-up and delivery information for at least one of the plurality of items to the control hub.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the item information comprises at least one of pick-up location, delivery location, vendor name, recipient name, item dimension, or delivery instructions.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising assigning a route sequence number to one or more of the plurality of items.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the control hub receives the routing instructions and the route sequence number from the dynamic routing system, and associates the item information of each of the plurality of items with the routing instructions and the route sequence number for the corresponding item of the plurality of items.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising associating the routing instructions and the route sequence number for each of the plurality of items with the unique identifier for the corresponding item of the plurality of items in the control hub.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising receiving a payment status for one or more of the plurality of items and associating the payment status with the one or more of the plurality of items.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the user interface is accessible remote from the control hub.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein receiving pick-up and delivery status from the handheld device comprises querying the handheld device in response to an input received via the user interface, and providing the pick-up and delivery status from the handheld device to the user interface via the control hub in response to the query.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the handheld device provides directions for the optimal pick-up route and delivery route for each of the plurality of items, using a global positioning system.

24. The method of claim 18 wherein associating the item information of each of the plurality of items with the routing instructions and the route sequence number for the corresponding item of the plurality of items comprises:

generating pick-up and delivery schedules such that each of the plurality of items is picked up and delivered on the same day; and

transmitting the pick-up and delivery schedules to the plurality of handheld devices.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein the item information received via the control hub comprises a time restriction on pick up or delivery.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising:

evaluating whether available resources are sufficient to meet the time restrictions on pick up or delivery;

requesting additional resources if available resources are insufficient;

receiving additional resources; and

revising the routing instructions according to the additional resources.

27. A method of routing delivery resources comprising:

requesting agent identification information, wherein the agent identification information identifies a particular agent;

receiving the agent identification;

transmitting the agent identification information to a control hub;

receiving a route identification number;

receiving route information associated with the route identification number, wherein the route information comprises item information for two or more items;

displaying navigation information for a first item of the two or more items;

receiving confirmation of item disposition;

transmitting confirmation of item disposition to the control hub; and

displaying navigation information for a second item of the two or more items.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the item information comprises a pick up address.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the item information comprises a delivery address.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the item disposition comprises confirmation of item pick up or delivery.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein receiving confirmation of item disposition comprises receiving a scan of a barcode.

32. A system for coordinating distribution of one or more items comprising:

means for receiving, via a control hub, item information for each of the plurality of items;

means for storing the item information for each of the plurality of items in a database accessible by the control hub;

means for generating a unique identifier for each of the plurality of items, the unique identifier being associated with the stored item information for the corresponding item of the plurality of items;

means for providing at least a portion of the stored item information for at least one of the plurality of items to a dynamic routing system;

means for generating routing instructions in the dynamic routing system, the routing instructions comprising optimal pick-up and delivery routes for at least one of the plurality of items;

means for sorting the plurality of items according to the associated item information;

means for receiving the routing instructions in the control hub and wirelessly communicating the routing instructions to a plurality of handheld devices, wherein the handheld devices display route information for each of the plurality of items;

means for receiving pick-up and delivery confirmations for at least some of the plurality of items from the handheld device;

means for providing pick-up and delivery status information for at least one of the plurality of items from the handheld device to a user interface;

means for associating the pick-up and delivery status information for at least some of the plurality of items with the item information stored in the database; and

means for providing real-time pick-up and delivery information for at least one of the plurality of items to the control hub.