Parcel delivery notice

• US 6,902,109 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2003
• Issued: 06/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United Parcel Service Of America Incorporated (United Parcel Service Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: United Parcel Service Of America Incorporated (United Parcel Service Incorporated)
• Inventors: Miller, Matt, Barta, Craig, Aubuchon, Scott, Garcia, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thien M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Caputo, Lisa M.
• Application Number:
  US10/646,375
• Publication Number:
  US 20040084519A1
• Time in Patent Office: 657 Days
• Field of Search: 235/385, 235/375, 705/22
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

Generally described, under on aspect of the invention, a single unique delivery notice is left at the particular location. However, just before it is left, this notice is electronically “linked” to the parcel(s) which were undeliverable. This can be done by a handheld portable data acquisition device which includes a conventional scanning means, allowing information to be scanned from the delivery notice as well as labels on the parcels, and stored on the handheld portable data acquisition device. If ten parcels were undeliverable, only one delivery notice is left behind but is electronically “linked” to all ten packages. The intended recipient can then contact the delivery service via the internet (or other suitable network) or by phone, by using information provided on the delivery notice. By providing the delivery service with unique information from the delivery notice, the intended recipient can get valuable information regarding the undelivered parcels. Such information can include shipper name, how many packages from each shipper, time of attempted delivery, COD status, etc. Arrangements can then be made to have the package(s) redelivered, held at a local operation center, redirected, or returned.

Claims

1. A system for delivering a plurality of unique items each having unique identities and each having a different machine-readable item code readable therefrom, said system comprising:

A) a delivery notice having a unique machine-readable delivery notice code thereon;

B) a code-reading device configured to read said machine-readable delivery notice code from said delivery notice as well as to read said machine-readable item code from each of said plurality of items, such that a delivery notice code is read and a plurality of item codes are read; and

C) a code storing device, said device configured to store said delivery notice code and said plurality of item codes.

2. A system for delivering a plurality of unique items each having unique identities and each having a different machine-readable item code readable therefrom, said system comprising:

A) a delivery notice having a unique machine-readable delivery notice code thereon;

B) a code-reading device configured to read said machine-readable delivery notice code from said delivery notice as well as to read said machine-readable item code from each of said plurality of items, such that a delivery notice code is read and a plurality of item codes are read; and

C) a code storing and linking device, said device configured to store said delivery notice code and said plurality of item codes and also configured to provide a link between said delivery notice code and said plurality of item codes.

3. A system for delivering a plurality of unique items each having unique identities and each having a different machine-readable item code readable therefrom, said system comprising:

A) a delivery notice having a unique machine-readable delivery notice code thereon;

B) a code-reading and storing device configured to read said machine-readable delivery notice code from said delivery notice, configured to read said machine-readable item code from each of said plurality of items, and configured to store said delivery notice code and said plurality of item codes; and

C) a storing and serving device configured to receive information relating to said delivery notice code and said plurality of item codes from said code-reading and storing device, said storing and serving device also configured to provide information upon request relating to said plurality of unique items upon the receipt of information relating to said delivery notice.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said storing and service device is configured to receive and provide said information via an internet connection.

5. A system for delivering a plurality of unique items each having unique identities and each having a different machine-readable item cede readable therefrom, said system comprising:

A) a delivery notice having a unique machine-readable delivery notice code thereon;

B) a code-reading and storing device configured to read said machine-readable delivery notice code from said delivery notice, configured to read said machine-readable item code from each of said plurality af items, and configured to store said delivery notice code and said plurality of item codes; and

C) a storing linking and serving device configured to receive information relating to said delivery notice code and said plurality of item codes from said code-reading and storing device, said storing linking and serving device also configured to link said delivery notice code relative to said plurality of item codes to allow it to provide information upon request relating to said plurality of unique items upon the receipt of information relating to said delivery notice.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said storing and service device is configured to receive and provide said information via an internet connection.

7. A system for delivering a plurality of unique items each having unique identities and each having a different machine-readable item code readable therefrom, said system comprising:

A) a delivery notice having a unique machine-readable delivery notice code thereon;

B) a code-reading device configured to read said machine-readable delivery notice code from said delivery notice, and also configured to read said machine-readable item code from each of said plurality of items;

C) a code-storing device configured to store said delivery notice code and said plurality of item codes; and

D) a linking device configured to link said delivery notice relative to said plurality of items.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

E) a reporting device for reporting information regarding each of said plurality of unique items in response to receipt of a description of said delivery notice.

9. A system for delivering a plurality of unique items each having unique identities and each having a different machine-readable item code readable therefrom, said system comprising:

A) a delivery notice having a unique first machine-readable delivery notice code and a unique second human-readable notice code thereon,

B) a code-reading device configured to read said machine-readable delivery notice code from said delivery notice, and also configured to read said machine-readable item code from each of said plurality of items;

C) a code-storing device configured to store said delivery notice code and said plurality of item codes; and

D) a linking device configured to link said delivery notice relative to said plurality of items; and

E) a reporting device configured to report information regarding each of said plurality of unique items in response to receipt of said second human-readable notice code.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said reporting device comprises a computer server configured to store data associated with said machine-readable delivery notice code from said delivery notice, and also configured to store data associated with said machine-readable item code.

11. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said reading in step “

B”

is done by scanning.

12. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said linking in step “

D”

is done electronically.

13. A method for delivering a plurality of unique items each having unique identities and each having a different machine-readable item code readable therefrom, said method including the steps of:

A) providing a delivery notice having a unique machine-readable delivery notice code thereon;

B) machine reading said machine-readable delivery notice code from said delivery notice and storing corresponding electronic data associated with said machine-readable delivery notice code;

C) machine reading said machine-readable item code from each of said plurality of items, and storing electronic data associated with said plurality of items; and

D) electronically linking said electronic data associated with said machine-readable delivery notice code with said electronic data associated with said plurality of items.

14. A method for delivering a plurality of unique items each having unique identities and each having a different machine-readable item code readable therefrom, said method including the steps of:

A) providing a delivery notice having a unique machine-readable delivery notice code thereon;

B) machine reading said machine-readable delivery notice code from said delivery notice and storing corresponding electronic data associated with said machine-readable delivery notice code;

C) machine reading said machine-readable item code from each of said plurality of items, and storing electronic data associated with said plurality of items;

D) electronically linking said electronic data associated with said machine-readable delivery notice code with said electronic data associated with said plurality of items; and

E) reporting information regarding each of said plurality of unique items in response to receipt of a description of said delivery notice.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein in step “

E”

, said receipt of a description of said delivery notice is accomplished at least in part by use of the internet, and wherein said reporting of said information regarding each of said plurality of unique items is accomplished at least in part by use of the internet.

16. A method for delivering a plurality of unique items each having unique identities and each having a different machine-readable item code readable therefrom, said method including the steps of:

A) providing a delivery notice having a unique machine-readable first delivery notice code and a unique human-readable second delivery notice code thereon;

B) machine reading said machine-readable delivery notice code from said delivery notice and storing corresponding electronic data associated with said machine-readable delivery notice code;

C) machine reading said machine-readable item code from each of said plurality of items, and storing electronic data associated with said plurality of items;

D) electronically linking said electronic data associated with said machine-readable delivery notice code with said electronic data associated with said plurality of items; and

E) reporting information regarding each of said plurality of unique items in response to receipt of said human-readable second delivery notice code.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein in step “

E”

, said receipt of said human-readable second delivery notice code is accomplished at least in part by use of the internet, and wherein said reporting of said information regarding each of said plurality of unique items is accomplished at least in part by use of the internet.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein in step “

A”

, said machine-readable first delivery notice code includes common data relative to said human-readable second delivery notice code.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein said human-readable indicia is an alphanumeric sequence.

20. A method for delivering a plurality of unique items each having unique identities and each having a different machine-readable item code readable therefrom, said method including the use of a handheld data acquisition device and comprising the steps of:

A) providing a delivery notice having a unique machine-readable delivery notice code thereon;

B) machine reading said machine-readable delivery notice code from said delivery notice and storing corresponding electronic data associated with said machine-readable delivery notice code on said handheld data acquisition device;

C) machine reading said machine-readable item code from each of said plurality of items, and storing electronic data associated with said plurality of items on said handheld data acquisition device;

D) electronically linking said electronic data associated with said machine-readable delivery notice code with said electronic data associated with said plurality of items; and

E) reporting information regarding each of said plurality of unique items in response to receipt of a description of said delivery notice.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein in step “

E”

, said receipt of a description of said delivery notice is accomplished at least in part by use of the internet, and wherein said reporting of said information regarding each of said plurality of unique items is accomplished at least in part by use of the internet.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein in step “

D”

, said linking is done on said handheld data acquisition device.

23. A method for delivering a plurality of unique items each having unique identities and each having a different machine-readable item code readable therefrom, said method including the use of a handheld data acquisition device and a computer server and comprising the steps of:

A) providing a delivery notice having a unique machine-readable delivery notice code thereon;

B) machine reading said machine-readable delivery notice code from said delivery notice and storing corresponding electronic data associated with said machine-readable delivery notice code on said handheld data acquisition device;

C) machine reading said machine-readable item code from each of said plurality of items, and storing electronic data associated with said plurality of items on said handheld data acquisition device;

D) transferring said electronic data associated with said machine-readable delivery notice code from said handheld data acquisition device to said server as well as transferring said electronic data associated with said plurality of items from said handheld data acquisition device to said server;

E) electronically linking said electronic data on said server associated with said machine-readable delivery notice code with said electronic data on said server associated with said plurality of items; and

F) reporting information regarding each of said plurality of unique items in response to receipt of a description of said delivery notice.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein in step “

F”

, said receipt of a description of said delivery notice is accomplished at least in part by use of the internet, and wherein said reporting of said information regarding each of said plurality of unique items is accomplished at least in part by use of the internet.

25. A method for delivering a plurality of unique items each having unique identities and each having a different machine-readable item code readable therefrom, said method including the steps of:

A) providing a delivery notice having a unique machine-readable delivery notice code thereon;

B) attempting the delivery of said plurality of unique items at a designated address under a set of predetermined delivery rules;

C) delivering said items if said delivery rules are met;

D) proceeding to the following steps if said delivery rules are not met;

E) machine reading said machine-readable delivery notice code from said delivery notice and storing corresponding electronic data associated with said machine-readable delivery notice code;

F) machine reading said machine-readable item code from each of said plurality of items, and storing electronic data associated with said plurality of items;

G) electronically linking said electronic data associated with said machine-readable delivery notice code with said electronic data associated with said plurality of items; and

H) reporting information regarding each of said plurality of unique items in response to receipt of a description of said delivery notice.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein in step “

H”

, said receipt of a description of said delivery notice is accomplished at least in part by use of the internet, and wherein said reporting of said information regarding each of said plurality of unique items is accomplished at least in part by use of the internet.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein in step “

H”

, said receipt of a description of said delivery notice is accomplished at least in part by use of a telephone connection, and wherein said reporting of said information regarding each of said plurality of unique items is accomplished at least in part by use of a telephone connection.

28. A method for delivering, to an intended recipient, a plurality of unique items each having unique identities and each having a different machine-readable item code readable therefrom, said method including the steps of:

A) providing a delivery notice having a unique machine-readable delivery notice code thereon;

B) attempting the delivery of said plurality of unique items at a designated address of said intended recipient under a set of predetermined delivery rules;

C) delivering said items to said intended recipient if said delivery rules are met;

D) retaining said items and proceeding to the following steps if said delivery rules are not met;

E) machine reading said machine-readable delivery notice code from said delivery notice and storing corresponding electronic data associated with said machine-readable delivery notice code;

F) machine reading said machine-readable item code from each of said plurality of items, and storing electronic data associated with said plurality of items;

G) electronically linking said electronic data associated with said machine-readable delivery notice code with said electronic data associated with said machine-readable delivery notice code;

H) reporting information regarding each of said plurality of unique items in response to receipt of a description of delivery notice from said intended recipient; and

I) modifying delivery plans based upon subsequent instructions from said intended recipient.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein in step “

G”

, linking is provided on a computer server.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein in step “

G”

, linking is first provided on a handheld device and then transferred to a computer server where said linking is again provided on said server.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein in step “

H”

, said receipt of a description of said delivery notice is accomplished at least in part by use of the internet, and wherein said reporting of said information regarding each of said plurality of unique items is accomplished at least in part by use of the internet.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein in step “

H”

, said receipt of a description of said delivery notice is accomplished at least in part by use of a telephone connection, and wherein said reporting of said information regarding each of said plurality of unique items is accomplished at least in part by use of a telephone connection.

33. A method for exchanging a plurality of unique items, each of said items having a unique identity, said method including the steps of:

A) associating with each of said items a different machine-readable item code;

B) providing a notice having a unique machine-readable notice code thereon;

C) machine reading said machine-readable notice code from said notice and storing corresponding electronic data associate d with said machine-readable notice code;

D) storing electronic data associated with said plurality of items based on said item code from each of said plurality of items; and

E) electronically linking said electronic data associated with said machine-readable notice code with said electronic data associated with said plurality of items.

34. A method for delivering a plurality of unique items each having unique identities and each having a different machine-readable item code readable therefrom, said method including the steps of:

A) providing a first delivery notice having a first unique machine-readable delivery notice code thereon;

B) attempting a first delivery of said plurality of first unique items at a designated address under a set of predetermined delivery rules;

C) delivering said first plurality of items if said delivery rules are met;

D) proceeding to the following steps if said delivery rules are not met;

E) machine reading said first machine-readable delivery notice code from said first delivery notice and storing corresponding electronic data associated with said first machine-readable delivery notice code;

F) machine reading said machine-readable item code from each of said first plurality of items, and storing electronic data associated with said first plurality of items;

G) electronically linking said electronic data associated with said first machine-readable delivery notice code with said electronic data associated with said first plurality of items;

H) attempting a second delivery of said plurality of first unique items and at least one additional unique item at the designated address under a set of predetermined delivery rules;

I) delivering said first plurality of items and said at least one additional unique item if said delivery rules are met;

J) proceeding to the following steps if said delivery rules are not met;

K) providing a second delivery notice having a second unique machine-readable delivery notice code thereon;

L) machine reading said second machine-readable delivery notice code from said second delivery notice and storing corresponding electronic data associated with said second machine-readable delivery notice code;

M) machine reading said machine-readable item code from each of said first plurality of items and said at least one additional unique item, and storing electronic data associated with said first plurality of items and said at least one additional unique item;

N) electronically linking said electronic data associated with said second machine-readable delivery notice code with said electronic data associated with said first plurality of items and said at least one additional unique item;

O) reporting information regarding each of said first plurality of unique items in response to receipt of a description of said first delivery notice; and

P) reporting information regarding each of said first plurality of unique items and said at least one additional unique item in response to receipt of a description of said second delivery notice.