Remote activation of rating capabilities in a computerized parcel manifest system
First Claim
1. A method of activating a capability to access a selected rate table in a system for automatically calculating parcel shipment charges, said system comprising a microprocessor and memory means for storing data accessible to said microprocessor, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) storing in said memory means a plurality of rate tables, each of said rate tables containing data for calculating parcel shipment charges;
(b) disabling access by said microprocessor to one or more of said stored rate tables;
(c) transmitting an activation request to a data center, said request including information that identifies said system and selects one of said disabled rate tables;
(d) in response to said activation request, receiving an activation code from said data center; and
activating access by said microprocessor to said selected one of said disabled rate tables by entering said received activation code into said system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided for activating a rating capability in a microprocessor-based parcel manifest system. The method includes storing in the system'"'"'s memory a number of rate tables, each containing data for calculating parcel shipment charges, and disabling access to one or more of the rate table. A rate activation request, which includes information that identifies the system and the rate table to be activated, is transmitted to a data center. In response to the request, an activation code is received from the data center. Access to the rate table is activated by entering the received code into the system.
Activation of a rate table may be temporary and subject to a time deadline.
127 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of activating a capability to access a selected rate table in a system for automatically calculating parcel shipment charges, said system comprising a microprocessor and memory means for storing data accessible to said microprocessor, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing in said memory means a plurality of rate tables, each of said rate tables containing data for calculating parcel shipment charges; (b) disabling access by said microprocessor to one or more of said stored rate tables; (c) transmitting an activation request to a data center, said request including information that identifies said system and selects one of said disabled rate tables; (d) in response to said activation request, receiving an activation code from said data center; and
activating access by said microprocessor to said selected one of said disabled rate tables by entering said received activation code into said system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of activating a capability to access a rate table representing a discounted rate structure in a system for automatically calculating parcel shipment charges, said system comprising a microprocessor and a memory means for storing data accessible to said microprocessor, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing in said memory means a plurality of rate tables, a first rate table of said plurality representing a discounted rate structure for a class of parcel carriage service, the other rate table or tables of said plurality each representing alternative rate structures for said class of service; (b) entering a discount activation code into said system; and (c) in response to said entering of said code, enabling access to said first rate table for calculating rates for said class of service and disabling access to said other rate table or tables. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for automatically calculating parcel shipment charges comprising memory means, display means, a keyboard, weight data entry means for entering weight data concerning parcels to be processed by said system, and a microprocessor connected for communication with said memory means, said display means, said keyboard and said weight data entry means, said memory means storing a plurality of rate tables, each of said rate tables containing rate data for calculating parcel shipment charges, access to one or more of said stored rate tables having been disabled, said microprocessor being programmed to:
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(i) receive input via said keyboard, said input requesting enabling of access to one of said disabled rate tables; (ii) in response to said input, generate a rate activation request code, said code comprising information that identifies said system and said requested rate table; (iii) receive a rate activation code; and (iv) in response to receipt of said activation code, enable access to said requested rate table for the purpose of calculating parcel shipment charges by use of said rate data contained in said requested table. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification