Carrier management method and system having auto-rate shopping
First Claim
1. In a carrier management system including a scale for weighing parcels to be shipped, a computer connected to receive data from said scale related to the weight of a parcel thereon, and input means enabling an operator to input information to said computer, said input means including a plurality of keys including separate first input selection keys, the computer having a data base for storing shipping charge data for a plurality of shipping classes, based upon the weight of a parcel of said scale, said computer comprising means responsive to the operation of said first keys for determining shipping charges for predetermined shipping classes represented by data in said data base, the improvement wherein said input means further comprises an auto-rate selection key, and said computer comprises means responsive to operation of said auto-rate selection key for determining shipping charges of the least costly shipping class of a predetermined subgroup of shipping classes represented by data in said data base, and wherein said system further comprises means responsive to the depression of a determined key on said input means for determining the shipping charges for the next least costly shipping class of said subgroup.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A carrier management system includes a scale for weighing parcels to be shipped, a computer connected to receive data from the scale related to the weight of a parcel thereon, and first input keys enabling the input of information. The computer has a data base for storing shipping charge data for a plurality of carriers and/or shipping classes, based upon the weight of a parcel of the scale. The computer is responsive to the operation of the first keys for determining shipping charges for predetermined carriers and/or shipping classes represented by data in the data base. The input includes auto-rate selection key, and the computer is responsive to operation of the auto-rate selection key for determining shipping charges of the least costly carrier and/or shipping class of a predetermined subgroup of carriers and/or shipping classes represented by data in the data base. In one operating mode, the computer may determined the next least costly shipping charges. The computer is responsive to the operation of determined keys of the input means for controlling the carriers and/or shipping classes within the subgroup, as well as for controlling the operating mode thereof.
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Citations
6 Claims
- 1. In a carrier management system including a scale for weighing parcels to be shipped, a computer connected to receive data from said scale related to the weight of a parcel thereon, and input means enabling an operator to input information to said computer, said input means including a plurality of keys including separate first input selection keys, the computer having a data base for storing shipping charge data for a plurality of shipping classes, based upon the weight of a parcel of said scale, said computer comprising means responsive to the operation of said first keys for determining shipping charges for predetermined shipping classes represented by data in said data base, the improvement wherein said input means further comprises an auto-rate selection key, and said computer comprises means responsive to operation of said auto-rate selection key for determining shipping charges of the least costly shipping class of a predetermined subgroup of shipping classes represented by data in said data base, and wherein said system further comprises means responsive to the depression of a determined key on said input means for determining the shipping charges for the next least costly shipping class of said subgroup.
Specification