Method and system for cross-carrier parcel tracking

• US 7,693,723 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2002
• Issued: 04/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Postal Service United States The
• Original Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Wade, James P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gart; Matthew S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ADE, OGER GARCIA
• Application Number:
  US10/166,491
• Publication Number:
  US 20030009351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,857 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705/5
• US Class Current: 705/333
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0639 Performance analysis of employees; Performance analysis of enterprise or organisation operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0831 Overseas transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0834 Choice of carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

A system and method is provided that enables a carrier of a mailpiece, such as a national postal service, to track a mailpiece as it passes from the control of a first carrier to the control of another, second carrier. The tracking of the mailpiece continues until the mailpiece is delivered, by the second carrier, to its ultimate recipient. In this manner the first carrier, who had control of the mailpiece when first posted, can monitor the handling of the mailpiece and can calculate delivery times when the mailpiece was in the control of the second carrier. The method and system of the present invention will find particular application to a national postal service seeking to track delivery performance of internationally addressed express mail that is first domestically posted and then ultimately delivered in a foreign country by the postal service of the foreign country.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for physically delivering parcels using at least two cooperating carriers, the method comprising:

physically transporting, using a first carrier, a first parcel from a first sender, the first parcel being addressed to a first recipient;

physically transporting using a second carrier, a second parcel from a second sender, the second parcel being addressed to a second recipient;

establishing a first carrier delivery performance standard for the first carrier;

establishing a second carrier delivery performance standard for the second carrier;

establishing a first carrier delivery charge payable by the second carrier to the first carrier when the first carrier meets the first carrier delivery performance standard and enabling computer-implemented payment of the first carrier delivery charge by the second carrier to the first carrier;

establishing a second carrier delivery charge payable by the first carrier to the second carrier when the second carrier meets the second carrier delivery performance standard and enabling computer-implemented payment of the second carrier delivery charge by the first carrier to the second carrier;

handing-off the first parcel from the first carrier to the second carrier;

handing-off the second parcel from the second carrier to the first carrier;

recording, using a computer, a first time keyed to the receipt of the first parcel by the second carrier;

recording, using a computer, a second time keyed to receipt of the second parcel by the first carrier;

physically delivering, via the second carrier, the first parcel to the first recipient;

physically delivering via the first carrier, the second parcel to the second recipient;

recording a third time keyed to delivery of the first parcel to the first recipient;

recording a fourth time keyed to delivery of the second parcel to the second recipient;

using a computer, calculating an elapsed time delivery time for the first parcel by determining the difference between the third time and the first time and thereby determining whether the first carrier met the first carrier delivery performance standard and earned all of the first carrier delivery charge;

using a computer, calculating an elapsed time delivery time for the second parcel by determining the difference between the fourth time and the second time and thereby determining whether the second carrier met the second carrier delivery performance standard and earned all of the second carrier delivery charge;

using a computer, crediting a balancing payment from the second carrier to the first carrier when the elapsed time for delivery of the first parcel exceeds a prescribed performance standard for the second carrier; and

using a computer, crediting a balancing payment from the first carrier to the second carrier when the elapsed time for delivery of the second parcel exceeds a prescribed performance standard for the first carrier.

2. The method of claim 1 further including transmitting, within a prescribed time period, data from the first and second carriers to a third party, and wherein the third party determines the extent of any monetary payment credit.

3. The method of claim 2 further including sending messages from the third party to the first and second carriers notifying of any monetary payment due.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the monetary payment occurs on a periodic basis.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the monetary payment from a first carrier to a second carrier is offset by any monetary payment due from the second carrier to the first carrier.