Method and system for brokering excess carrier capacity
First Claim
1. A method for brokering carrier capacity comprising the steps of:
- (a) entering carrier capacity data from a first node into a transportation database in a data processing system, said capacity data identifying carrier capacity available by specific units of volume for a particular route at a particular time and identifying the mode of transportation;
(b) entering a request for a route into said data processing system at a second node by defining said requested route;
(c) comparing said requested route with said carrier capacity data entered into said data processing system to determine whether or not a route match exists;
(d) displaying a list of matching routes to a system operator;
(e) selecting a matching route from said list of matching routes;
(f) saving said matching route selection to a transaction database;
(g) assigning a transaction code to said saved matching route selection; and
(h) decrementing availability of said matching route selection from said data in said transportation database.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is a method for brokering carrier capacity. The method comprises a dual path; one path that allows entry into a data processing system of available carrier capacity which is comprised of a list of parameters which define that capacity, and the second path which allows access to that capacity. Each entry point to the system has data entry means for either entering carrier capacity or entering a request for available routes, or both. Available capacity entries are confirmed, saved in a transportation database, and assigned a pre-transaction code. Path two involves entering a request for available capacity by defining a requested route based upon a list of parameters. The system compares available capacity with the requested route to determine whether or not a match exists. The system operator selects an appropriate matched entry which must then be confirmed. Upon confirmation, selected matches are saved to a transaction database and assigned a transaction code. If no match is determined, then the requested route data is saved to a request database. A request database locator program is then activated for the purpose of querying the transportation database at pre-determined intervals to determine if a matching capacity has been subsequently entered. If a matching capacity has been subsequently entered, then a prompt is sent to the requesting site indicating that a match has been found and that confirmation is required; otherwise, the request database locator program will continue to query the transportation database until the routine is terminated.
105 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for brokering carrier capacity comprising the steps of:
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(a) entering carrier capacity data from a first node into a transportation database in a data processing system, said capacity data identifying carrier capacity available by specific units of volume for a particular route at a particular time and identifying the mode of transportation; (b) entering a request for a route into said data processing system at a second node by defining said requested route; (c) comparing said requested route with said carrier capacity data entered into said data processing system to determine whether or not a route match exists; (d) displaying a list of matching routes to a system operator; (e) selecting a matching route from said list of matching routes; (f) saving said matching route selection to a transaction database; (g) assigning a transaction code to said saved matching route selection; and (h) decrementing availability of said matching route selection from said data in said transportation database. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. Apparatus for brokering carrier capacity, comprising:
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(a) data processing means for accepting a first listing of carrier capacity parameters for a delivery route and storing said parameters for later comparison to a second listing of requested carrier capacity parameters;
wherein said carrier capacity parameters further comprise volume increments, mode of transportation, and time parameters of said delivery route;
said data processing means further for comparing said first listing to said second listing;(b) means for determining a matched entry on said first listing and said second listing based upon said comparison of said carrier capacity parameters of said first listing and/or subsequent listings to said second listing; (c) means for displaying said matched entry to a system operator; (d) means for selecting said matched entry from among a possible plurality of matched entries; (e) means for confirming said selection; and (f) means for decrementing a volume measurement representative of said selection from said stored carrier capacity parameters and further for recalculating the available capacity on the basis of units of volume available to said mode of transportation at a particular time.
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16. A method for brokering carrier capacity comprising the steps of:
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(a) entering carrier capacity data into a data processing system having a real time clock for comparing actual time with carrier capacity data;
said entering step further comprising entering a list of parameters that define available carrier capacity by volume increments into said data processing system, confirming said entry, and then saving said entry in a transportation database as available routes and assigning a pre-transaction code to said entry;(b) entering a request for available routes into said data processing system, said request entry step further comprising defining a route and confirming that said defined route is a requested route; (c) comparing said requested route with said available routes entered into said transportation database to determine whether or not a route match exists; (d) activating a request database locator program within said data processing system for the purpose of querying said transportation database at predetermined time intervals to determine if a matching route selection has been entered into said transportation database; (e) displaying a list of matching routes and corresponding pre-transaction code to a system operator; (f) selecting a matching route by selecting its code from said list of matching routes, and then confirming said matching route selection; and (g) saving said matching route selection to a transaction database and assigning a transaction code to said matching route selection. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification