Parcel Processing System and Method

• US 20160239789A1
• Filed: 05/12/2015
• Published: 08/18/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: One Stop Mailing, LLC
• Original Assignee: One Stop Mailing, LLC
• Inventors: Hanks, Gina Marie
• Granted Patent: US 10,346,788 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing

Abstract

A parcel processing system configured to select a permitted shipping service level from among the plurality of permitted shipping service levels based on a plurality of rules, control the sorting of the parcel into one of a plurality of shipping containers, and bill customers.

Claims

1. A system for processing a plurality of parcels to be shipped, the parcels including a plurality of scanable parcel identifiers thereon, the system comprising:

a scanner configured to a scan the parcel identifiers for the parcels;

a database in which a plurality of customer profile data structures are stored, each customer profile data structure being associated with a customer, and each of a plurality of the customer profile data structures comprising data indicative of a plurality of billing rules and preferences for its associated customer; and

a processor in cooperation with the scanner and the database, the processor configured to;

receive a plurality of the parcel identifiers from the scanner; and

for each received parcel identifier, (1) determine a destination for the parcel corresponding to that parcel identifier based on the parcel identifier received from the scanner, (2) determine a delivery time frame for shipping the parcel corresponding to that parcel identifier, (3) determine a customer associated with the parcel corresponding to that parcel identifier, (4) retrieve from the database the customer profile data structure associated with the determined customer, (5) select a shipping service level from the retrieved customer profile data structure based on a plurality of rules applied to the determined destination and the determined delivery time frame, the rules configured to identify for selection a shipping service level that is estimated to deliver the parcel to the destination within the delivery time frame at the lowest monetary cost, (6) receive parcel size data indicative of a size of the parcel, (7) calculate a cost to ship the parcel to the destination based on the determined shipping service level and the received parcel size data, and (8) generate a bill for the determined customer that includes the calculated cost to ship the parcel.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to generate shipping label data for each parcel in accordance with the selected shipping service level.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising a printer configured to print a shipping label for the parcel based on the generated shipping label data.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the parcel size data comprises data indicative of the parcel'"'"'s weight.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising a scale connected to the processor, wherein the scale is configured to measure the parcel'"'"'s weight.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the parcel size data comprises data indicative of the parcel'"'"'s dimensions.

7. The system of claim 6 further comprising a dimension scanner connected to the processor, wherein the dimension scanner is configured to determine the parcel'"'"'s dimensions.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the parcels include a bar code thereon, the bar code comprising encoded data that includes the parcel identifier and a destination zip code;

wherein each of a plurality of the customer profile data structures comprise data that specifies the length and start value within the bar code where the destination zip code is to be found for parcels of the customer associated with that customer profile data structure;

wherein the scanner is further configured to scan the bar codes of the parcels; and

wherein the processor is further configured to (1) receive the scanner bar code data from the scanner, and (2) map the received bar code data to find the destination zip codes therein based on the specifications of the customer profile data structures.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive the parcel identification from the scanner;

determine a cost center of the customer based on the parcel identification data; and

generate billing information for the parcel based on the determined cost center.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to determine one of a plurality of shipping containers each parcel is to be sorted into, and wherein the system further comprises:

a conveyer system configured to move the parcels to any of a plurality of shipping containers, the conveyer system including at least one mechanical sorter under control of the processor to selectively sort the parcels for movement into selected ones of the shipping containers based on the determined shipping container; and

wherein the processor is further configured to provide control instructions for the mechanical sorter based on a drop point determined by the determined shipping service level and the determined destination for each parcel, the control instructions configured to define which shipping container each parcel is to be sorted into

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the scanner is a mobile scanner in communication with the processor, the mobile scanner having a screen for displaying information to an employee;

wherein the processor is further configured to determine one of a plurality of shipping containers each parcel is to be sorted into based on a drop point determined by the determined shipping service level and the determined destination for each parcel;

wherein the processor is further configured to send a message to the mobile scanner indicating the shipping container each parcel is to be sorted into; and

wherein the mobile scanner displays the message received from the processor to the employee through the mobile scanner'"'"'s screen.

12. A method comprising:

receiving data representing (1) a destination for a parcel to be shipped and (2) a delivery time frame for shipping the parcel;

determining a customer associated with the parcel;

referencing a customer profile data structure associated with the determined customer, wherein the referenced customer profile data structure comprises data indicative of a plurality of billing rules and preferences for the determined customer;

determining a shipping service level from among a plurality of shipping service levels based on a plurality of rules applied to the received data, the rules operating on the received data to identify which of the shipping service levels is estimated to deliver the parcel to the destination within the delivery time frame at the lowest monetary cost;

receiving parcel size data indicative of a size of the parcel;

calculating a cost to ship the parcel to the destination based on the determined shipping service level and the received parcel size data;

generating a bill for the determined customer that includes the calculated cost to ship the parcel; and

wherein the method steps are performed by a processor.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising sending the generated bill to a client computer associated with the determined customer.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the sending step comprises the processor sending the generated bill to the client computer associated with the determined customer through a webserver.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the customer profile data structure comprises data indicative of a plurality of permitted service levels;

and

wherein the determining a shipping service level step comprises the processor selecting a permitted shipping service level from among the plurality of permitted shipping service levels based on the plurality of rules applied to the received data, the rules operating on the received data to identify which of the permitted shipping service levels is estimated to deliver the parcel to the destination within the delivery time frame at the lowest monetary cost.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the customer profile data structure comprises data indicative of monetary costs for each permitted shipping service level, and wherein the data indicative of the monetary costs is specific to the determined customer;

and

wherein the determining a shipping service level step comprises the processor referencing the data indicative of monetary costs specific to the determined customer to determine the permitted shipping service levels that is estimated to deliver the parcel to the destination within the delivery time frame at the lowest monetary cost.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the parcel size data comprises data indicative of the parcel'"'"'s weight.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the customer profile data structure comprises indicating that all parcels having a weight under one pound are all billed at the same monetary rate.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein the parcel size data comprises data indicative of the parcel'"'"'s dimensions.

20. The method of claim 12 wherein the customer profile data structure references a data structure comprising data that lists shipping rates for dimension ranges for each shipping service level.

21. The method of claim 12 wherein the customer profile data structure comprises data indicating whether the processor should list the full destination address for the parcel in the generated bill;

and

wherein the generating step comprising the processor listing the full destination address for the parcel in the generated bill when the customer profile data indicates that the processor should include the full destination address for the parcel.

22. The method of claim 12 wherein the customer profile data structure comprises data indicating whether the processor should calculate and list in the generated bill a comparison value that compares the calculated cost to a monetary cost the customer would been charged had the customer used the United States Postal Office (USPS) to ship the parcel;

and

wherein the generating step comprising the processor listing comparison value in the generated bill when the customer profile data indicates that the processor should include comparison value.

23. The method of claim 12 wherein the calculating step comprises:

the processor receiving data indicating that the customer requested delivery confirmation for the parcel;

the processor referencing the customer profile to determine a delivery confirmation fee; and

the processor adding the delivery confirmation fee to the calculated cost.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the delivery confirmation fee is based on the selected shipping service level.

25. The method of claim 12 wherein the calculating step comprises:

the processor referencing the customer profile to determine a fuel surcharge fee for the selected service level; and

the processor adding the fuel surcharge fee to the calculated cost.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the fuel surcharge fee is a default fee.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein the fuel surcharge fee is a fee unique to the customer, and wherein the customer profile data structure stores data indicative of the fuel surcharge fee unique to the customer.

28. The method of claim 12 wherein the customer profile data structure comprises data indicative of a billing cycle for the customer;

and

wherein the processor performs the generating the bill step occurs at the end of the billing cycle.

29. The method of claim 12 wherein the customer profile data structure comprises data indicating that the bill is generated when a bill of lading is closed;

and

wherein the processor performs the generating the bill step when the bill of lading closes.

30. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

the processor receiving parcel identification data from a scanner that scans an identifier on the parcel;

the processor determining a cost center of the customer based on the parcel identification data; and

the processor generating the bill for the parcel based on the determined cost center.

31. The method of claim 30 further comprising the processor receiving another parcel identification data from the scanner that scans another identifier on another parcel;

the processor determining another cost center of the customer based on the another parcel identification data; and

the processor generating another bill for the another parcel based on the determined another cost center.

32. The method of claim 30 wherein the bill comprises a plurality of columns, each column listing a different type of data, and wherein the customer profile data comprises data indicative of column placement data within the bill for the customer;

and

wherein the generating the bill step comprises the processor placing the columns in the generated bill according to the column placement data.

33. The method of claim 12 further comprising the processor referencing a customer file storing data representing the parcel;

and

the processor amending the data representing the parcel in the customer file to indicate that the processor has billed the customer for shipping the parcel.

34. A computer program product comprising:

a plurality of processor-executable instructions that are resident on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the instructions are configured, upon execution by a processor, to cause a computer to;

receive data representing (1) a destination for a parcel to be shipped and (2) a delivery time frame for shipping the parcel;

determine a customer associated with the parcel;

reference a customer profile data structure associated with the determined customer, wherein the referenced customer profile data structure comprises data indicative of a plurality of billing rules and preferences for the determined customer;

determine a shipping service level from among the plurality of shipping service levels based on a plurality of rules applied to the received data, the rules operating on the received data to identify which of the shipping service levels is estimated to deliver the parcel to the destination within the delivery time frame at the lowest monetary cost;

receive parcel size data indicative of a size of the parcel;

calculate a cost to ship the parcel to the destination based on the determined shipping service level and the received parcel size data; and

generate a bill for the determined customer that includes the calculated cost to ship the parcel.

35. A method for scanning machine-readable indicia on a parcel to be shipped to automatically generate a bill for shipping the parcel, the method comprising:

scanning, by a scanner, machine-readable indicia on a parcel, the machine-readable indicia comprising data indicative of (1) an identifier for the parcel, and (2) a destination for the parcel;

a processor determining the parcel identifier and the parcel destination based on the scanned machine-readable indicia;

a processor referencing a plurality of data structures in a database based on the determined parcel identifier, the referenced data structures associating the parcel identifier with (1) data indicative of a customer that is shipping the parcel, (2) data indicative of a permitted shipping service level for the parcel with respect to the customer, (2) a cost for shipping the parcel to the determined destination in accordance with the permitted shipping service level;

a processor determining a shipping service level for the parcel in accordance with the referenced data structures;

a processor determining a cost to the customer for shipping the parcel to the determined destination using the determined shipping service level in accordance with the referenced data structures;

generating a shipping label for the parcel based on the determined shipping service level;

depositing the parcel and the generated shipping label in a shipping container associated with the determined parcel destination and the determined shipping service level; and

generating a bill to the customer based on the determined cost.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the machine-readable indicia comprises a bar code.

37. The method of claim 35 further comprising:

attaching the shipping label to the parcel; and

wherein the depositing step comprises depositing the parcel including its attached shipping label in the shipping container associated with the determined parcel destination and the determined shipping service level.

38. The method of claim 35 further comprising:

conveying the parcel along a conveyer system;

wherein the scanning step comprises the scanner scanning the machine-readable indicia while the parcel is on the conveyer system; and

wherein the processor performs its steps while the parcel is on the conveyer system.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the depositing step further comprises:

the conveyer system, based on a control instruction from the processor, sorting the parcel for deposit in the shipping container associated with the determined parcel destination and the determined shipping service level.

40. The method of claim 35 further comprising:

based on the referenced data structures, a processor generating a notification to a human through a user interface, the notification configured to instruct the human which of a plurality of shipping containers the parcel is to be deposited in.

41. The method of claim 35 further comprising:

based on the scanned machine-readable indicia and the referenced data structures, a processor determining a cost center of the customer that is attributable to the parcel; and

wherein the bill generating step comprises generating the bill for the determined cost center of the customer.

42. The method of claim 35 further comprising:

repeating the method steps for a plurality of parcels identified by a customer file, wherein the customer file identifies a plurality of cost centers of the customers attributable to a plurality of the parcels; and

wherein the bill generating step comprises generating a plurality of bills for the parcels of the customer file, including separate bills for the parcels of each cost center identified by the customer file.

43. The method of claim 35 further comprising:

based on the referenced data structures, customizing a layout for the generated bill.

44. The method of claim 35, wherein the referenced data structures associating the parcel identifier data are indicative of a plurality of permitted shipping service levels for the parcel with respect to the customer.

45. The method of claim 44 further comprising selecting one of the plurality of permitted shipping service levels based on a plurality of rules applied to the determined destination and the determined delivery time frame, the rules configured to identify for selection a shipping service level that is estimated to deliver the parcel to the destination within the delivery time frame at the lowest monetary cost.

46. The method of claim 35 further comprising:

the processor generating a manifest comprising a description of the parcel to be sent to the shipping carrier, wherein the manifest complies with manifest requirements set by the shipping carrier.

47. The method of claim 35 further comprising:

the processor receiving a data file from a customer computer system through a network, wherein the data file comprises data identifying the parcel and a destination zip code for the parcel.

48. The method of claim 47 wherein the processor determines the destination for the parcel using the destination zip code in the data file.

49. The method of claim 47 wherein the processor ignores the destination zip code in the data file and determines the destination for the parcel using the scanned destination for the parcel.