Method and apparatus for mobile pickup stations

• US 7,110,958 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2000
• Issued: 09/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ping Yang
• Original Assignee: Ping Yang
• Inventors: Yang, Ping
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafiz, Tariq R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOSWELL, BETH V
• Application Number:
  US09/733,873
• Publication Number:
  US 20020072945A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,111 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705/7, 705/8, 705/9, 705/23, 705/26, 705/28, 700/231, 700/232, 700/237
• US Class Current: 705/7.26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06316 Sequencing of tasks or work
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping

Abstract

A method and system for scheduling delivery and delivery of products to buyers. A Mobile Pickup Station (MPS) server is placed within a computer network and receives product shipping instructions from buyers or third party sellers. The MPS server determines optimal pickup points using buyer commuting information and buyer delivery requests. A MPS, carrying a buyer'"'"'s products, is dispatched to an optimal pickup point chosen by the buyer. A MPS may be used to both deliver and receive products. In an alternative embodiment, a MPS server finds stores with buyer desired products along the buyer'"'"'s commuting route.

Claims

1. A method for scheduling and delivery of a product to a buyer along a commuting route, comprising:

receiving an order of a product from a buyer by a seller;

receiving commuting route information from the buyer by a server, the commuting route information including a beginning address and an ending address;

identifying a commuting route of the buyer comprising selecting at least one commuting route parameter and calculating by the server the commuting route based on the commuting route parameter, the commuting route connecting the beginning address and the ending address;

receiving commuting route information from a second buyer of the seller by the server, the second buyer commuting route information including a second buyer beginning address and a second buyer ending address;

identifying a commuting route of the second buyer comprising selecting at least one second buyer commuting route parameter and calculating for the second buyer by the server a second buyer commuting route based on the second buyer commuting route parameter, the second buyer commuting route connecting the second buyer beginning address and the second buyer ending address;

recognition by the seller of an overlapped route segment within the identified commuting routes;

selecting a pickup point along the overlapped route segment;

loading the buyer ordered product to a mobile pick up station at a warehouse that is in communication with the server;

dispatching the mobile pickup station to the selected pickup point, the mobile pickup station containing the product ordered by the buyer; and

stationing the mobile pick up station at the pick up point, the mobile pick up station being removable from the pick up point;

whereby

the buyer may pick up the order from the mobile pick up station.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting a pickup point further comprises:

receiving a channel width from the buyer;

calculating a channel area using the channel width and the route information;

determining a set of pickup points from the plurality of pickup points based on the channel area; and

selecting from the set of pickup points a pickup point.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting a pick up point being further determined by using an approximate buyer route concentration based on route usage.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a specification of the buyer'"'"'s preferred products from the buyer by the server; and

ordering a product for the buyer by the server using the specification.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

receiving a date from the buyer by the server; and

delivering the product by the server using a mobile pick station according to the date.

6. The method for scheduling and delivery of a product to a buyer along the buyer'"'"'s commuting route as set forth in claim 4, further comprising:

the buyer accessing a server via a communications network; and

receiving route information from the buyer by the server via the communications network.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising reminding the buyer via email that a product delivery is scheduled at the pickup point.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising reminding the buyer telephonically that a product delivery is scheduled at the pickup point.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein;

the mobile pickup station includes a plurality of lockers for containing products, each of the plurality of lockers having a unique access code; and

giving the buyer an access code for a locker containing the buyer'"'"'s product, the locker selected from the plurality of lockers.

10. The method in claim 1 further comprising:

determining by the server prior to dispatching the mobile pickup station a station time for the mobile pickup station, the station time starting at a specific time and ending at a second specific time;

stationing the mobile pick up station at the pick up point for the station time;

the mobile pick up station being removable from the pick up point when the station time ends;

releasing the product by an operator of the mobile pickup station when the buyer or his agent arrives at the pick up point to pick up the product; and

returning the product to a warehouse by the mobile pickup station if the buyer or his agent fails to arrive at the pickup point to pickup the product during the station time.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the station time ends when the product is released.

12. The method in claim 1 wherein the selecting of a pickup point further comprising:

displaying by the server a map, the map displaying a plurality of pickup points selected by the server; and

selecting by the buyer from the plurality of pickup points a pickup point.

13. The method in claim 12 further comprising:

determining by the server prior to dispatching the mobile pickup station a station time for the mobile pickup station, the station time starting at a specific time and ending at a second specific time;

stationing the mobile pick up station at the pick up point for the station time;

the mobile pick up station being removable from the pick up point when a the station time ends;

releasing the product by an operator of the mobile pickup station when the buyer or his agent arrives at the pick up point to pick up the product; and

returning the product to a warehouse by the mobile pickup station if the buyer or his agent fails to arrive at the pickup point to pickup the product during the station time.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the station time ends when the product is released.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

receiving a specification of the buyer'"'"'s preferred products from the buyer by the server; and

ordering a product for the buyer by the server using the specification.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

receiving a date from the buyer by the server; and

delivering the product by the server using a mobile pick station according to the date.

17. A method for scheduling and delivery of a product to a buyer by a server using a third party seller affiliate, comprising:

receiving an order for a product from a buyer;

receiving commuting route information from the buyer, the commuting route information including a beginning address and an ending address;

identifying a commuting route of the buyer comprising selecting at least one commuting route parameter and calculating by the server the commuting route based on the commuting route parameter, the commuting route connecting the beginning address and the ending address;

receiving commuting route information from a second buyer, the second buyer commuting route information including a second buyer beginning address and a second buyer ending address;

identifying a commuting route of the second buyer comprising selecting at least one second buyer commuting route parameter and calculating for the second buyer by the server a second buyer commuting route based on the second buyer commuting route parameter, the second buyer commuting route connecting the second buyer beginning address and the second buyer ending address;

recognition by the server of an overlapped route segment within the identified commuting routes;

selecting a pickup point along the overlapped route segment;

selecting a third party seller affiliate from a plurality of third party sellers based on the location of the pickup point;

loading the buyer ordered product to a mobile pick up station at a third party affiliate'"'"'s warehouse by the third party affiliate;

dispatching by the third party seller affiliate the mobile pickup station to the selected pickup point, the mobile pickup station containing the products ordered by the buyer; and

stationing the mobile pick up station at the pick up point;

the mobile pick up station being removable from the pick up point;

whereby

the buyer may pick up the order from the mobile pick up station.

18. The method for scheduling and delivery of a product to a buyer by a server using a third party seller affiliate as set forth in claim 17, further comprising:

the buyer accessing the server via a communications network;

receiving an order for a product from a buyer by the server via the communications network; and

receiving route information from a buyer by the server via the a communications network.

19. A method for scheduling and delivery of a product to a buyer along the buyer'"'"'s commuting route, comprising:

receiving a buyer'"'"'s commuting route information from the buyer, the route information including a beginning address and an ending address;

receiving a channel width from the buyer;

calculating a channel area using the channel width and the route information;

determining a set of pickup points from a plurality of pickup points based on the channel area;

selecting from the set of pickup points a pickup point;

dispatching a mobile pickup station to the pickup point, the mobile pickup station containing a product ordered by the buyer; and

stationing the mobile pick up station at the pick up point, the mobile pick up station being removable from the pick up point;

whereby

the buyer may pick up the order from the mobile pick up station.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the plurality of pickup points is determined using an approximate buyer route concentration based on route usage.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

receiving a plurality of routes from a plurality of buyers; and

determining the plurality of pickup points based on the plurality of routes.

22. The method for scheduling and delivery of a product to a buyer along the buyer'"'"'s commuting route as set forth in claim 19, further comprising:

the buyer accessing a server via a communications network;

receiving route information from the buyer by the server via the communications network; and

receiving a channel width from the buyer by the server via the communications network.

23. A data processing system adapted to schedule and deliver a product to a buyer along a commuting route, comprising:

a processor;

a memory operably coupled to the processor and having program instructions stored therein, the processor being operable to execute the program instructions, the program instructions including;

receiving an order of a product from a buyer by a seller;

receiving commuting route information from the buyer by a server, the commuting route information including a beginning address and an ending address;

identifying a commuting route of the buyer comprising selecting at least one commuting route parameter and calculating by the server the commuting route based on the commuting route parameter, the commuting route connecting the beginning address and the ending address;

receiving commuting route information from a second buyer of the seller by the server, the second buyer commuting route information including a second buyer beginning address and a second buyer ending address;

identifying a commuting route of the second buyer comprising selecting at least one second buyer commuting route parameter and calculating for the second buyer by the server a second buyer commuting route based on the second buyer commuting route parameter, the second buyer commuting route connecting the second buyer beginning address and the second buyer ending address;

recognition by the seller of an overlapped route segment within the identified commuting routes; and

selecting a pickup point along the overlapped route segment;

administrating loading of the buyer ordered product to a mobile pick up station at a warehouse that is in communication with the server;

administrating dispatching of the mobile pickup station to the selected pickup point, the mobile pickup station containing the product ordered by the buyer; and

administrating stationing of the mobile pick up station at the pick up point;

the mobile pick up station being removable from the pick up point;

whereby

the buyer may pick up the order from the mobile pick up station.

24. The data processing system of claim 23, wherein the program instructions for selecting a pickup point further include:

receiving a channel width from the buyer;

calculating a channel area using the channel width and the route information;

determining a set of pickup points from the plurality of pickup points based on the channel area;

selecting from the set of pickup points a pickup point.

25. The data processing system of claim 23, the program instructions further including:

selecting a pick up point by using an approximate buyer route concentration based on route usage.

26. The data processing system of claim 23, the program instructions further including:

receiving a specification of the buyer'"'"'s preferred products from the buyer by the server; and

ordering a product for the buyer by the server using the specification.

27. The data processing system of claim 26, the program instructions further including:

receiving a date from the buyer by the server; and

delivering the product by the server according to the date.

28. The data processing system of claim 23, the program instructions further including reminding the buyer via email that a product delivery is scheduled at the pickup point.

29. The data processing system of claim 23, the program instructions further including reminding the buyer telephonically that a product delivery is scheduled at the pickup point.

30. The data processing system of claim 23, wherein the program instructions further include:

determining by the server prior to dispatching the mobile pickup station a station time for the mobile pickup station, the station time starting at a specific time and ending at a second specific time;

administrating stationing of the mobile pick up station at the pick up point for the station time;

the mobile pick up station being removable from the pick up point when the station time ends;

administrating releasing of the product by an operator of the mobile pickup station when the buyer or his agent arrives at the pick up point to pick up the product; and

administrating returning of the product to a warehouse by the mobile pickup station if the buyer or his agent fails to arrive at the pickup point to pickup the product during the station time.

31. The data processing system of claim 30, wherein the program instructions further include:

the station time ends when the product is released.

32. The data processing system of claim 23 wherein the program instructions for selecting a pickup point further include:

displaying by the server a map, the map displaying a plurality of pickup points selected by the server; and

selecting by the buyer from the plurality of pickup points a pickup point.

33. The data processing system of claim 32, wherein the program instructions further including:

determining by the server prior to dispatching the mobile pickup station a station time for the mobile pickup station, the station time starting at a specific time and ending at a second specific time;

administrating stationing of the mobile pick up station at the pick up point for the station time;

the mobile pick up station being removable from the pick up point when the station time ends;

administrating releasing of the product by an operator of the mobile pickup station when the buyer or his agent arrives at the pick up point to pick up the product; and

administrating returning of the product to a warehouse by the mobile pickup station if the buyer or his agent fails to arrive at the pickup point to pickup the product during the station time.

34. The data processing system of claim 33, wherein the program instructions further including:

the station time ends when the product is released.

35. The data processing system of claim 34, the program instructions further including:

receiving a specification of the buyer'"'"'s preferred products from the buyer by the server; and

ordering a product for the buyer by the server using the specification.

36. The data processing system of claim 35, the program instructions further including:

receiving a date from the buyer by the server; and

delivering the product by the server using a mobile pick station according to the date.

37. A data processing system adapted to schedule and deliver a product to a buyer by a server using a third party seller affiliate, comprising:

a processor;

a memory operably coupled to the processor and having program instructions stored therein, the processor being operable to execute the program instructions, the program instructions including;

receiving an order for a product from a buyer;

receiving commuting route information from the buyer, the route information including a beginning address and an ending address;

identifying a commuting route of the buyer comprising selecting at least one commuting route parameter and calculating by the server the commuting route based on the commuting route parameter, the commuting route connecting the beginning address and the ending address;

receiving commuting route information from a second buyer, the second buyer commuting route information including a second buyer beginning address and a second buyer ending address;

identifying a commuting route of the second buyer comprising selecting at least one second buyer commuting route parameter and calculating for the second buyer by the server a second buyer commuting route based on the second buyer commuting route parameter, the second buyer commuting route connecting the second buyer beginning address and the second buyer ending address;

recognition of an overlapped route segment within the identified commuting routes;

selecting a pickup point along the overlapped route segment; and

selecting a third party seller affiliate from a plurality of third party sellers based on the location of the pickup point;

administrating loading of the buyer ordered product to a mobile pick up station at a third party affiliate'"'"'s warehouse by the third party affiliate;

administrating dispatching by the third party seller affiliate of the mobile pickup station to the selected pickup point, the mobile pickup station containing the products ordered by the buyer; and

administrating stationing of the mobile pick up station at the pick up point;

the mobile pick up station being removable from the pick up point;

whereby the buyer may pick up the order from the mobile pick up station.

38. A method for scheduling and delivery of a product comprising:

receiving an order of a product from a buyer by a server;

receiving commuting route information from the buyer and at least one other buyer;

each of the commuting route information including a beginning address and an ending address;

identifying for each buyer a commuting route comprising selecting at least one commuting route parameter and calculating for the buyer by the server the commuting route based on the commuting route parameter, the commuting route connecting the buyer beginning address and the buyer ending address;

generating by the server an overlapped route segment within the identified commuting routes;

selecting a pickup point along the overlapped route segment;

loading the buyer ordered product to a mobile pick up station at a warehouse that is in communication with the server;

dispatching the mobile pickup station to the selected pickup point, the mobile pickup station containing the product ordered by the buyer; and

stationing the mobile pick up station at the pick up point;

the mobile pick up station being removable from the pick up point;

whereby

a buyer may pick up the order from the mobile pick up station.

39. The method in claim 38 further comprising:

determining by the server prior to dispatching the mobile pickup station a station time for the mobile pickup station, the station time starting at a specific time and ending at a second specific time;

stationing the mobile pick up station at the pick up point for the station time;

the mobile pick up station being removable from the pick up point when the station time ends;

releasing the product by an operator of the mobile pickup station when to the buyer or his agent arrives at the pick up point to pick up the product; and

returning the product to a warehouse by the mobile pickup station if the buyer or his agent fails to arrive at the pickup point to pickup the product during the station time.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the station time ends when the product is released.

41. A data processing system adapted to schedule and deliver a product comprising:

a processor; and

a memory operably coupled to the processor and having program instructions stored therein, the processor being operable to execute the program instructions, the program instructions including;

receiving an order of a product from a buyer by a server;

receiving commuting route information from the buyer and at least one other buyer;

each of the commuting route information including a beginning address and an ending address;

identifying for each buyer a commuting route comprising selecting at least one commuting route parameter and calculating for the buyer by the server the commuting route based on the commuting route parameter, the commuting route connecting the buyer beginning address and the buyer ending address;

generating by the server an overlapped route segment within the identified commuting routes;

selecting a pickup point along the overlapped route segment;

administrating loading of the buyer ordered product to a mobile pick up station at a warehouse that is in communication with the server;

administrating dispatching of the mobile pickup station to the selected pickup point, the mobile pickup station containing the product ordered by the buyer; and

administrating stationing of the mobile pick up station at the pick up point;

the mobile pick up station being removable from the pick up point;

whereby

a buyer may pick up the order from the mobile pick up station.

42. The data processing system of claim 41, wherein the program instructions further include:

determining by the server prior to dispatching the mobile pickup station a station time for the mobile pickup station, the station time starting at a specific time and ending at a second specific time;

administrating stationing of the mobile pick up station at the pick up point for the station time;

the mobile pick up station being removable from the pick up point when the station time ends;

administrating releasing of the product by an operator of the mobile pickup station when the buyer or his agent arrives at the pick up point to pick up the product; and

administrating returning of the product to a warehouse by the mobile pickup station if the buyer or his agent fails to arrive at the pickup point to pickup the product during the station time.

43. The data processing system of claim 42 wherein the program instructions including:

the station time ends when the product is released.

44. A method for scheduling and delivery of a product comprising:

receiving an order of a first product from a first buyer by a server;

receiving first commuting route information from said first buyer and second commuting route information from a second buyer;

said first commuting route information including a first beginning address and a first ending address;

said second commuting route information including a second beginning address and a second ending address;

identifying for said first buyer a first commuting route comprising selecting at least one first commuting route parameter and calculating for said first buyer by said server said first commuting route based on said first commuting route parameter, said first commuting route connecting said first buyer beginning address and said first buyer ending address;

identifying for said second buyer a second commuting route of said second buyer comprising selecting at least one second commuting route parameter and calculating for said second buyer by said server said second commuting route based on said second commuting route parameter, said second commuting route connecting said second buyer beginning address and said second buyer ending address;

generating by said server an overlapped route segment between said first and second identified commuting routes;

selecting a pickup point along said overlapped route segment;

loading said first buyer ordered product to a mobile pick up station at a warehouse that is in communication with the server;

dispatching said mobile pickup station to said selected pickup point, said mobile pickup station containing said first product ordered by said first buyer; and

stationing said mobile pick up station at said pick up point;

said mobile pick up station being removable from said pick up point;

whereby

said first buyer may pick up said order from said mobile pick up station.

45. The method in claim 44 further comprising:

determining by the server prior to dispatching the mobile pickup station a station time for the mobile pickup station, the station time starting at a specific time and ending at a second specific time; and

stationing said mobile pick up station at said pick up point for said station time;

said mobile pick up station being removable from said pick up point when said station time ends;

releasing said product to said first buyer when said first buyer arrives at said pick up point to pick up said product.

46. The method of claim 45 wherein:

said station time ends when said first buyer picks up said product.

47. The method in claim 45 wherein:

said first buyer designates a third party recipient; and

releasing said first product to said third party recipient when said third party recipient arrives at said mobile pick up point to pick up said order.

48. The method of claim 47, further comprising:

receiving a specification of said first buyer'"'"'s preferred products from said first buyer by said server; and

ordering a product for said first buyer by said server using said specification.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

receiving a date from said first buyer by said server; and

delivering said first product by said server using a mobile pick station according to said date.

50. The method of claim 47 wherein:

said station time ends when said third party recipient picks up said product.

51. A data processing system adapted to schedule and deliver a product comprising:

a processor; and

a memory operably coupled to said processor and having program instructions stored therein, said processor being operable to execute said program instructions, said program instructions including;

receiving an order of a first product from a first buyer by a server;

a receiving first commuting route information from said first buyer and second commuting route information from a second buyer;

said first commuting route information including a first beginning address and a first ending address;

said second commuting route information including a second beginning address and a second ending address;

identifying for said first buyer a first commuting route comprising selecting at least one first commuting route parameter and calculating for said first buyer by said server said first commuting route based on said first commuting route parameter, said first commuting route connecting said first buyer beginning address and said first buyer ending address;

identifying for said second buyer a second commuting route of said second buyer comprising selecting at least one second commuting route parameter and calculating for said second buyer by said server said second commuting route based on said second commuting route parameter, said second commuting route connecting said second buyer beginning address and said second buyer ending address;

generating by said server an overlapped route segment between said first and second identified commuting routes;

selecting a pickup point along said overlapped route segment;

administrating loading of said first buyer ordered product to a mobile pick up station at a warehouse that is in communication with the server;

administrating dispatching of said mobile pickup station to said selected pickup point, said mobile pickup station containing said first product ordered by said first buyer; and

administrating stationing of said mobile pick up station at said pick up point;

said mobile pick up station being removable from said pick up point;

whereby said first buyer may pick up said order from said mobile pick up station.

52. The data processing system of claim 51, wherein said program instructions further include:

determining by the server prior to dispatching the mobile pickup station a station time for the mobile pickup station, the station time starting at a specific time and ending at a second specific time;

administrating stationing of said mobile pick up station at said pick up point for said station time;

said mobile pick up station removable from said pick up point when said station time ends; and

administrating releasing of said product to said first buyer when said first buyer arrives at said pick up point to pick up said product during the station time.

53. The data processing system of claim 52 wherein said program instructions including:

said station time ends when said first buyer picks up said product.

54. The data processing system of claim 52 wherein said program instructions including:

said first buyer designating a third party recipient and releasing said product to said third party recipient when said third party recipient arrives at said mobile pick up point to pick up said order.

55. The data processing system of claim 54, said program instructions further including:

receiving a specification of said first buyer'"'"'s preferred products from said buyer by said server; and

ordering a product for said first buyer by said server using said specification.

56. The data processing system of claim 55, said program instructions further including:

receiving a date from said first buyer by said server; and

delivering said product by said server using a mobile pick station according to said date.

57. The data processing system of claim 54 wherein said program instructions including:

said station time ends when said third party recipient picks up said product.

58. A method for scheduling and delivery of a product to a buyer along a commuting route, comprising:

receiving an order of a product from a buyer;

receiving commuting route information from the buyer by a server, the commuting route information including a beginning address and an ending address;

identifying a commuting route of the buyer comprising selecting at least one commuting route parameter and calculating by the server the commuting route based on the commuting route parameter, the commuting route connecting the beginning address and the ending address;

selecting a pickup point along the identified commuting route, including;

receiving a channel width from the buyer;

calculating a channel area using the channel width and the route information;

determining a set of pickup points from the plurality of pickup points based on the channel area; and

selecting from the set of pickup points a pickup point;

loading the buyer ordered product to a mobile pick up station at a warehouse that is in communication with the server;

dispatching the mobile pickup station to the selected pickup point, the mobile pickup station containing the product ordered by the buyer; and

stationing the mobile pick up station at the pick up point, the mobile pick up station being removable from the pick up point;

whereby

the buyer may pick up the order from the mobile pick up station.

59. A data processing system adapted to schedule and deliver a product to a buyer along a commuting route, comprising:

a processor;

a memory operably coupled to the processor and having program instructions stored therein, the processor being operable to execute the program instructions, the program instructions including;

receiving an order of a product from a buyer;

receiving commuting route information from the buyer by a server, the commuting route information including a beginning address and an ending address;

identifying a commuting route of the buyer comprising selecting at least one commuting route parameter and calculating by the server the commuting route based on the commuting route parameter, the commuting route connecting the beginning address and the ending address;

selecting a pickup point along the identified commuting route, including;

receiving a channel width from the buyer;

calculating a channel area using the channel width and the route information;

determining a set of pickup points from the plurality of pickup points based on the channel area; and

selecting from the set of pickup points a pickup point;

administrating loading of the buyer ordered product to a mobile pick up station at a warehouse that is in communication with the server;

administrating dispatching of the mobile pickup station to the selected pickup point, the mobile pickup station containing the product ordered by the buyer; and

administrating stationing of the mobile pick up station at the pick up point;

the mobile pick up station being removable from the pick up point;

whereby

the buyer may pick up the order from the mobile pick up station.