Shipper and Carrier Interaction Optimization Platform
First Claim
1. A system for optimizing selection of a carrier for a shipment, the system comprising:
- an interaction optimization platform comprising;
a shipper interface configured for receiving information input from a shipper regarding shipment requirements;
a carrier interface configured for receiving information input from a carrier regarding equipment capabilities and/or availability; and
a progress interface configured to display shipment information;
a server configured to;
accept input from the shipper interface and the carrier interface;
execute one or more programs to match a carrier with one or more shipment;
accept information regarding the location of one or more mobile devices that execute the carrier interface; and
generate graphical representations of shipment information for viewing using the progress interface; and
one or more mobile computing devices for displaying one or more of the shipper interface, carrier interface, and/or progress interface.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A shipper and carrier interaction optimization platform can include an internet based web page, application for a handheld device, a dedicated device with a graphical user interface, or any combination thereof for one or more shipper to enter shipment requirements and/or bids for use of a carrier'"'"'s equipment. One or more carriers can enter equipment specifications, such as equipment type, availability, and minimum payment amount accepted, as well as bids for employment to ship goods via the shipper and carrier interaction optimization platform. The platform can automate matching shippers and carriers for each shipment, provide information regarding shipment status, and help carriers to maximize the amount of time their vehicles carry cargo. Systems may include a shipper interface, a carrier interface, one or more handheld devices running the interaction optimization platform, and positioning software and/or hardware to indicate the location of the one or more handheld devices used by shipment carriers.
54 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for optimizing selection of a carrier for a shipment, the system comprising:
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an interaction optimization platform comprising; a shipper interface configured for receiving information input from a shipper regarding shipment requirements; a carrier interface configured for receiving information input from a carrier regarding equipment capabilities and/or availability; and a progress interface configured to display shipment information; a server configured to; accept input from the shipper interface and the carrier interface; execute one or more programs to match a carrier with one or more shipment; accept information regarding the location of one or more mobile devices that execute the carrier interface; and generate graphical representations of shipment information for viewing using the progress interface; and one or more mobile computing devices for displaying one or more of the shipper interface, carrier interface, and/or progress interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for optimizing shipper and carrier interaction comprising:
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creating a shipper profile for a shipper using an interaction optimization platform; uploading a set of business rules associated with the shipper to a server, using the interaction optimization platform; uploading a contract associated with a shipment belonging to the shipper to a server, using the interaction optimization platform; and selecting a carrier from one or more carriers presented by the interaction optimization platform as a potential suitable carrier, wherein each potential suitable carrier agrees, via a carrier interface of the interaction optimization platform, to conform to the set of business rules and contract associated with the shipment and each potential suitable carrier is confirmed by the interaction optimization platform to meet a set of shipment requirements defined by the shipper.
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11. A method for optimizing shipper and carrier interaction comprising:
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creating a carrier profile using an interaction optimization platform; installing, downloading, or activating a carrier interface on a mobile computing device associated with a driver, the driver associated with the carrier; accepting, via the carrier interface, a set of business rules and a contract for a shipment; and associating, via the carrier interface, the shipment with the mobile computing device associated with the driver, wherein the mobile computing device is configured to accept and/or generate location information for the mobile computing device and relay that location information to a server according to the interaction optimization platform.
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12. A method for optimizing shipper and carrier interaction comprising:
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accepting a shipper profile submitted via a shipper interface; accepting a carrier profile submitted via a carrier interface; accepting a set of business rules from a shipper submitted via the shipper interface; accepting a contract for a shipment from the shipper submitted via the shipper interface; displaying one or more potential suitable carriers to the shipper via the shipper interface, each of the one or more potential suitable carriers meeting a set of shipment requirements defined by the shipper; accepting a selection from the shipper of one of the one or more potential suitable carriers to deliver the shipment, the selection made via the shipper interface; displaying information regarding the shipment to a selected potential suitable carrier for acceptance, the information regarding the shipment comprising the set of business rules, the contract, and the shipment requirements; associating the shipment with a mobile computing device associated with a selected driver, the mobile computing device configured to present information to and accept input from the selected driver via the carrier interface, wherein the selected driver is associated with the selected potential suitable carrier; accepting location information from the mobile computing device; and displaying, via a progress interface, a location of the shipment on a map;
an estimated time until shipment pick-up;
an estimated time until shipment delivery;
an estimated time until a check-point is reached;
a shipment exception; and
any combination thereof. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification