Inbound package tracking systems and methods

• US 7,574,447 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2003
• Issued: 08/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• 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: Cornelius, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Pardo; Thuy N
• Application Number:
  US10/409,688
• Publication Number:
  US 20040215588A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,317 Days
• Field of Search: 705/22, 705/1, 705/6, 705/26, 705/28, 705/37, 705/407, 707/1, 707/2, 707/3, 707/4, 707/10, 707/100, 707/102, 707/104.1, 707/101, 707/103.X, 707/103.R, 707/9, 707/103.Y, 700/213, 709/219, 235/384
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/025 Coordination of plural reservations, e.g. plural trip segments, transportation combined with accommodation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

The present invention discloses systems and methods for tracking packages inbound to a user. One embodiment of the invention discloses a process by which shipping information is analyzed to determine the various ways in which shippers have previously identified a consignee location. A consignee alias table is generated that lists the various combinations of consignee name and address used by shippers to identify the consignee location. Package level detail is then received from a carrier and compared against a consignee alias database to identify packages that are inbound to the consignee location, and a consignee location table is updated that monitors the status and anticipated delivery date of all packages inbound to the consignee location.

Claims

1. A method of tracking packages inbound to a consignee, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a consignee table configured to receive and store shipping data;

generating a consignee alias database for storing a plurality of data combinations, each data combination including a consignee alias name and a consignee alias address, wherein said step of generating a consignee alias database comprises;

(a) identifying one or more packages shipped to said consignee during a predetermined period of time;

(b) capturing a tracking number for each of said one or more packages;

(c) querying a manifest database with said tracking number and retrieving stored shipping detail related to said tracking number, said stored shipping detail including a stored consignee name and a stored consignee address;

(d) comparing said stored shipping data against said alias database; and

(e) adding said stored shipping data to said consignee alias database if said stored shipping data includes a consignee name and consignee address not already stored in said consignee alias database;

capturing current shipping detail about a package in transit, said current shipping detail including a consignee name and a consignee address;

comparing said current shipping detail against said alias database; and

updating said consignee table with said current shipping detail if said current shipping detail matches one of said plurality of data combinations.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

forecasting an expected delivery date of said package; and

updating said consignee table with said expected delivery date.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an updated delivery date based upon the consignee table.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein querying a manifest database with said tracking number comprises querying a package detail database.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein updating said consignee table with said current shipping detail if said current shipping detail matches one of said plurality of data combinations.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a consignee table configured to receive and store shipping data comprises providing a consignee table for each of said one or more receiving locations.