METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MANAGING SHIPPED OBJECTS

• US 20150046361A1
• Filed: 08/07/2013
• Published: 02/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fedex Corporate Services Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fedex Corporate Services Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Williams, Amber Moriah, Shirokova, Cheri Bailey, Veitenheimer, John Marshall, Mays, Amy, Shoup, Jessica Jordan, Ajmera, Surendra
• Granted Patent: US 10,984,368 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/330
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping

Abstract

Methods and systems are disclosed for managing shipped physical objects. The methods and systems comprise receiving data associated with a journey of the shipped object and determining, using a processor, alert conditions based on the received data. Alert conditions are representative of risk of damage, loss, or delay associated with the shipped object. In addition, the methods and systems comprise transmitting one or more alternative options for mitigating the alert condition to a user, receiving a selection of one of the alternative options, and modifying the journey based on the received selection.

Claims

1. A method for managing a shipped physical object, comprising:

receiving data associated with a journey of the shipped object;

determining, using a processor, an alert condition based on the received data, wherein the alert condition is representative of a risk of damage, loss, or delay associated with the shipped object;

transmitting a plurality of alternative options and one or more recommendations for mitigating the alert condition to a user;

receiving a selection of one of the alternative options; and

modifying the journey based on the received selection.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

calculating, using the processor, a probability of success for each of the one or more alternative options.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein

the one or more recommendations highlight an alternative option having the highest probability of success.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the probability of success comprises a likelihood that the one or more alternative options will mitigate the alert condition.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein modifying the journey comprises one or more of:

transferring the object to a different carrier,

changing a method of transportation for transporting the object,

transferring the object to a different trip, or

changing shipping speed.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the processor is a component of a server operated by a shipping carrier, and the user is a customer of the shipping carrier.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert condition is detected before the journey begins.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert condition is detected while the journey is in progress.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining comprises recognizing, in the received data, a trend or pattern indicative of the alert condition.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

simulating the effects of weather forecasts or seasonal weather patterns on the shipped object,

wherein determining comprises determining at least one alternative option to mitigate the simulated effects.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

simulating the effect of at least one of the alternative options on the journey; and

presenting the simulated effect of the at least one of the alternative options.

17. The server of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors detect the alert condition before the journey begins.

18. The server of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors detect the alert condition while the journey is in progress.

19. The server of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

recognize, in the data, a trend or pattern indicative of the alert condition.

12. A server configured to manage a shipped physical object, comprising:

one or more memory devices configured to store executable instructions; and

one or more processors configured to execute the stored executable instructions to;

receive data associated with a journey of the shipped object;

determine an alert condition based on the received data, wherein the alert condition is representative of a risk of damage, loss, or delay associated with the shipped object;

transmit a plurality of alternative options and one or more recommendations for mitigating the one or more alert conditions to a user;

receive a selection of the one of the alternative options; and

modify the journey based on the selection.

13. The server of claim 12, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

calculate a probability of success for each of the one or more alternative options, wherein the probability of success comprises a likelihood that the one or more alternative options will mitigate the alert condition.

14. The server of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

transmit the one or more recommendations that highlight an alternative option having the highest probability of success.

15. The server of claim 12, wherein the one or more processors are configured to modify the journey by:

transferring the object to a different carrier,

changing a method of transportation for transporting the object,

transferring the object to a different trip, or

changing shipping speed.

16. The server of claim 12, wherein the server is operated by a shipping carrier, and the user is a customer of the shipping carrier.

20. The server of claim 12, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

simulate the effects of weather forecasts or seasonal weather patterns on the shipped object,

wherein the one or more processors determine at least one alternative option to mitigate the simulated effects.

21. The server of claim 12, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

simulate the effect of at least one of the alternative options on the journey; and

present the simulated effect of the at least one of the alternative options.

22. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions for causing one or more processors to perform a method for managing a shipped physical object, comprising:

receiving data associated with a journey of the shipped object;

determining an alert condition based on the received data, wherein the alert condition is representative of a risk of damage, loss, or delay associated with the shipped object;

transmitting a plurality of alternative options and one or more recommendations for mitigating the alert condition to a user;

receiving a selection of one of the alternative options; and

modifying the journey based on the received selection.