Systems and methods for providing a digital image and disposition of a good damaged during transit

• US 7,640,169 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2004
• Issued: 12/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2004
• 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: Horton, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes; John W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wu; Rob
• Application Number:
  US11/015,049
• Publication Number:
  US 20060136236A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,838 Days
• Field of Search: 705/4, 705/22, 705/28, 235/469
• US Class Current: 705/1.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for determining the disposition of a shipped good, such as a car, damaged during transit. After the damage is detected, a digital image of the is obtained. The image is uploaded to a server typically along with the vehicle identification number and/or other identification data. The server determines the appropriate individual(s) to be contacted, and generates a notification message, typically including the URL of a web site where further information can be obtained. The appropriate individual (“user”) logs onto the server to view the digital images and provides input regarding the disposition of the good. The user may direct the damaged car to a repair shop, a dealer, or another destination. Alternatively, the user may indicate delivery of the car as originally planned. The server may notify other systems of the disposition as well. Other embodiments apply to the disposition of delivered packages.

Claims

1. A method for providing the disposition of a good that is being transported by a carrier and that has been damaged during transit to an intended delivery location, said method comprising:

receiving, at a server, digital image data of the damaged good wherein the digital image data of the damaged good is provided by the carrier while the carrier is transporting the damaged good, but prior to attempting delivery of the damaged good to the intended delivery location;

receiving, at the server, identification data associated with the damaged good;

storing the digital image data in association with the identification data in a database operatively connected to the server;

retrieving notification data associated with the identification data, wherein the notification data comprises an electronic message address of a user;

using the electronic message address to generate a notification message to the user;

receiving an electronic request at the server transmitted from the user over a communication network requesting the digital image data of the damaged good;

transmitting at least a portion of the digital image data from the server to the user;

receiving, at the server prior to said carrier attempting delivery of the damaged good to said intended delivery location, an electronic message transmitted by the user, wherein the electronic message provides an indication from the user regarding the disposition of the delivery of the damaged good, said indication having been made by said user after said user has had the opportunity to view the portion of the digital image data;

storing the indication from the user in the database in association with the identification data; and

in response to the indication indicating that the intended recipient wishes to receive the damaged item despite the damage to the item, delivering the damaged item to the intended recipient; and

in response to the indication indicating that the intended recipient does not wish to receive the damaged item despite the damage to said item, not delivering the damaged item to the intended recipient.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the identification data associated with the damaged good comprises a vehicle identification number.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the notification message generated to the user is in the form of an email message and comprises an address for a web site.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of receiving the digital image data associated with the damaged good comprises receiving the digital image data with date data and GPS location data.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving first identification data and first authorization information from the user; and

determining if the first identification data and first authorization information respectively match second identification data and second authorization information.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein presenting at least a portion of the digital image data on a web site to the user comprises transmitting a JPEG data file over the Internet to a client browser executing on a personal computer.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting the indication provided by the user from the server to a shipping resource scheduling system.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising using a portable computing device having an integrated digital camera for producing the digital image data, the portable computing device capable of wirelessly transmitting the digital image.