Method for implementing electronic data interchange (EDI) in the processing of manifests and parcel inquiry/responses for multiple carriers in a parcel processing system
DCFirst Claim
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1. A method for implementing one of a plurality of electronic data interchange standards to process documentation in a parcel processing system, comprising:
- (a) enabling a parcel processing system to utilize one or more of a plurality of electronic data interchange standards when in communication with a corresponding parcel processing system;
(b) selecting a first carrier from among a list of carriers, wherein said selection is made based upon pre-selected criteria;
(c) determining whether said selected carrier possesses an electronic data interchange capability necessary for said corresponding parcel processing system;
(d) rejecting said selected carrier if said selected carrier does not possess a corresponding electronic data interchange capability, and determining a next available carrier meeting said pre-selected criteria;
(e) accepting said selected carrier or said next available carrier if said selected carrier or said next available carrier possesses a corresponding electronic data interchange capability;
(f) selecting an electronic data interchange standard that is compatible with said electronic data interchange capability of said accepted carrier;
(g) reading from a database those fields necessary to construct a manifest in a format in conformance with requirements of said accepted carrier;
(h) translating said constructed manifest into an electronic data interchange standard that matches that of said accepted carrier; and
(i) transmitting said translated manifest to said accepted carrier by transmission means for reception by said corresponding parcel processing system.
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Abstract
The subject invention relates to the generation, transmission, reception and/or use electronically, of parcel manifest and inquiry data over a carrier management or shipping system that utilizes electronic data interchange or EDI. This generation, transmission, reception and/or use of EDI will replace or reduce the current methods of using paper manifests and manual phone inquiries associated with carrier management and shipping systems.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for implementing one of a plurality of electronic data interchange standards to process documentation in a parcel processing system, comprising:
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(a) enabling a parcel processing system to utilize one or more of a plurality of electronic data interchange standards when in communication with a corresponding parcel processing system; (b) selecting a first carrier from among a list of carriers, wherein said selection is made based upon pre-selected criteria; (c) determining whether said selected carrier possesses an electronic data interchange capability necessary for said corresponding parcel processing system; (d) rejecting said selected carrier if said selected carrier does not possess a corresponding electronic data interchange capability, and determining a next available carrier meeting said pre-selected criteria; (e) accepting said selected carrier or said next available carrier if said selected carrier or said next available carrier possesses a corresponding electronic data interchange capability; (f) selecting an electronic data interchange standard that is compatible with said electronic data interchange capability of said accepted carrier; (g) reading from a database those fields necessary to construct a manifest in a format in conformance with requirements of said accepted carrier; (h) translating said constructed manifest into an electronic data interchange standard that matches that of said accepted carrier; and (i) transmitting said translated manifest to said accepted carrier by transmission means for reception by said corresponding parcel processing system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for implementing one of a plurality of electronic data interchange standards to process documentation in a parcel processing system, comprising:
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(a) selecting a carrier from within said parcel processing system from among a plurality of carriers wherein said selected carrier is capable of receiving an electronic manifest; (b) requesting of said parcel processing system that said electronic manifest be generated for said selected carrier; (c) generating said electronic manifest in accordance with manifest requirements for said selected carrier; (d) logging said request for said manifest generation in an electronic data interchange log and notifying a system operator of said request by display means; (e) transmitting said manifest to a designated next destination; (f) receiving a confirmation of said transmission of said manifest from said next destination; and (g) placing said confirmation in a memory location of said parcel processing system to be acted upon by said parcel processing system. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for implementing one of a plurality of electronic data interchange standards to process documentation in a parcel processing system, comprising:
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(a) enabling a parcel processing system to utilize one or more of a plurality of electronic data interchange standards when in communication with a corresponding parcel processing system; (b) selecting a carrier based upon a set of pre-selected criteria; (c) determining whether said selected carrier possesses an electronic data interchange capability necessary for said corresponding parcel processing system; (d) rejecting said selected carrier if said selected carrier does not possess a corresponding electronic data interchange capability, then determining a next available carrier meeting said pre-selected criteria; and
accepting said selected carrier or said next available carrier if said selected carrier or said next available carrier possesses a corresponding electronic data interchange capability;(e) selecting an electronic data interchange standard that is compatible with said electronic data interchange capability of said accepted carrier; (f) reading from a database those fields necessary to construct an inquiry in a format in conformance with requirements of said accepted carrier; (g) translating said constructed inquiry into an electronic data interchange standard that matches that of said accepted carrier; (h) transmitting said translated inquiry to said accepted carrier by transmission means for reception by said corresponding parcel processing system; (i) receiving a response or a non-response to said constructed inquiry from said corresponding parcel processing system; and (j) updating an EDI report field with said response or with said non-response.
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Specification