Apparatus, systems and methods for online, multi-carrier, multi-service parcel shipping management determination of ratable weight for multiple carriers

• US 7,818,267 B1
• Filed: 10/06/2000
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Auctane LLC (Stamps.com, Inc.), Iship Incorporated (United Parcel Service Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Stamps.com, Inc., Iship Incorporated (United Parcel Service Incorporated)
• Inventors: Liu, Jinyue, Bilibin, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Plucinski; Jamisue A
• Application Number:
  US09/685,077
• Time in Patent Office: 3,665 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1
• US Class Current: 705/335
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/025 Coordination of plural reservations, e.g. plural trip segments, transportation combined with accommodation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063 Operations research, analysis or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0631 Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06311 Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group
• 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 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0834 Choice of carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08345 Pricing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0835 Relationships between shipper or supplier and carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1093 Calendar-based scheduling for persons or groups

Abstract

The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods that apply, in response to a request by any particular user of a plurality of users, each Carrier'"'"'s rules for determining a ratable weight, including calculating a “dimensional weight” according to physical dimensions and weight of a particular parcel, and determining a “billable weight” according to physical dimensions, dimensional weight and actual weight of a particular parcel. The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods that determine, in response to a request by any particular user of a plurality of users, whether each of the plurality of Carriers supports shipping the particular package. For each of the Carriers that support shipping the particular parcel, the present invention applies the Carrier'"'"'s parcel shipment pricing rules to the ratable weight of the particular parcel and to other factors regarding the Shipper'"'"'s shipping requirements in order to determine a price that each Carrier would charge for shipping the particular parcel.

Claims

1. A shipping management computer system, said shipping management computer system comprising at least one computer device, wherein said shipping management computer system is programmed to:

(A) receive, via a first remote user client computer device of a plurality of remote user client computer devices, a first input from a first user associated with the first remote user client computer device, said first input comprising first set of parcel specifications for a first parcel, wherein the shipping management computer system is operable to associate a first user-specific origin identifier with the first user, wherein the first user accesses the shipping management computer system via a global communications network via the first remote user client computer device, wherein the first remote user client computer device is adapted for communication via the global communications network, and wherein the first set of parcel specifications comprises a first set of physical dimensions of the first parcel and a first physical weight of the first parcel; and

(B) in response to the first input;

(1) apply a respective set of carrier-specific dimensional weight calculation rules, for each respective carrier of a plurality of carriers, to the first set of parcel specifications to calculate a respective carrier-specific dimensional weight according to the first set of physical dimensions of the first parcel in view of the first physical weight of the first parcel; and

(2) apply a respective set of carrier-specific billable weight rules, for each respective carrier of the plurality of carriers, to the first set of parcel specifications to determine a respective carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the respective carrier, wherein the respective carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the respective carrier is selected from a group consisting of;

the physical weight of the first parcel, the respective carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel for the respective carrier calculated in step (B)(1), a respective carrier-specific oversize weight of the first parcel, and a respective carrier-specific letter weight.

2. The shipping management computer system of claim 1, wherein the respective carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the respective carrier is the physical weight of the first parcel.

3. The shipping management computer system of claim 1, wherein the respective carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the respective carrier is the first carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel for the first carrier calculated in Step (B)(1).

4. The shipping management computer system of claim 1, wherein the respective carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the respective carrier is the first carrier-specific oversize weight of the first parcel.

5. The shipping management computer system of claim 1, wherein the respective carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the respective carrier is the first carrier-specific letter weight.

6. The shipping management computer system of claim 1, said shipping management computer system further programmed to:

(C) identify each respective carrier of the plurality of carriers that would support shipping the first parcel according to the respective carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel for the respective carrier calculated in Step (B)(1), and according to a respective carrier-specific dimensional weight limitation for the respective carrier;

(D)) for each respective carrier that would support shipping the first parcel, for each respective delivery service of a plurality of delivery services offered by the respective carrier, calculate a respective service-specific, carrier-specific shipping rate for shipping the first parcel using the respective carrier-specific billable weight determined for the respective carrier in Step (B)(2); and

(E) generate an online comparison display to a first display monitor operable with the first remote user client computer device, wherein said online comparison display comprises an indication of each respective service-specific shipping rate for shipping the first parcel calculated in Step (D).

7. A shipping management computer system, said shipping management computer system comprising at least one computer device, wherein said shipping management computer system is programmed to:

(A) receive, via a first remote-user client computer device of a plurality of remote user client computer devices, a first input from a first user associated with the first remote user client computer device, said first input comprising a first set of parcel specifications for a first parcel to be shipped by the first user, wherein the shipping management computer system is operable to associate a first user-specific origin identifier with the first user, wherein the first user accesses the shipping management computer system via a global communications network via the first remote user client computer device, wherein the first remote user client computer device is adapted for communication via the global communications network, and wherein the first set of parcel specifications comprises a first set of physical dimensions of the first parcel and a first physical weight of the first parcel;

(B) in response to a first request by the first user of the plurality of users to ship the first parcel, calculate, for each respective carrier of a plurality of carriers, a respective carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel according to the first set of parcel specifications for the first parcel, according to a respective set of dimensional weight calculations rules for the respective carrier, and according to the first set of physical dimensions of the first parcel in view of the first physical weight of the first parcel; and

(C) in response to the request by the first user to ship the first parcel;

(1) identify each respective carrier of the plurality of carriers that would support shipping the first parcel according to the respective carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel for the respective carrier calculated in Step (B), and according to a respective carrier-specific dimensional weight limitation for the respective carrier; and

(2) apply a respective set of carrier-specific billable weight rules, for each respective carrier of the plurality of carriers, to the first set of parcel specifications to determine a respective carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the respective carrier, wherein the respective carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the respective carrier is selected from a group consisting of;

the physical weight of the first parcel, the respective carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel for the respective carrier calculated in step (B), a respective carrier-specific oversize weight of the first parcel, and a respective carrier-specific letter weight.

8. The shipping management computer system of claim 7, wherein the respective carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the respective carrier is the physical weight of the first parcel.

9. The shipping management computer system of claim 7, wherein the respective carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the respective carrier is the first carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel for the first carrier calculated in Step (B)(1).

10. The shipping management computer system of claim 7, wherein the respective carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the respective carrier is the first carrier-specific oversize weight of the first parcel.

11. The shipping management computer system of claim 7, wherein the respective carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the respective carrier is the first carrier-specific letter weight.

12. The shipping management computer system of claim 7, said shipping management computer system further programmed to:

(D) for each respective carrier identified in Step (C)(1) that would support shipping the first parcel, for each respective delivery service of a plurality of delivery services offered by the respective carrier, calculate a respective service-specific, carrier-specific shipping rate for shipping the first parcel using the respective carrier-specific billable weight determined for the respective carrier in Step (C)(2); and

(E) generate an online comparison display to a first display monitor operable with the first remote user client computer device, wherein said online comparison display comprises an indication of each respective service-specific shipping rate for shipping the first parcel calculated in Step (D).

13. A shipping management computer system, said shipping management computer system comprising at least one computer device, wherein said shipping management computer system is programmed to:

(A) receive, via a first remote-user client computer device of a plurality of remote user client computer devices, a first input from a first user associated with the first remote user client computer device, said first input comprising a first set of parcel specifications for a first parcel, wherein the shipping management computer system is operable to associate a first user-specific origin identifier is with the first user, wherein the first user accesses the shipping management computer system via a global communications network via the first remote user client computer device, wherein the first remote user client computer device is adapted for communication via the global communications network, and wherein the first set of parcel specifications comprises a first set of physical dimensions of the first parcel and a first physical weight of the first parcel; and

(B) in response to a first request by the first user of the plurality of users to ship the first parcel, for each respective carrier of a plurality of carriers;

(1) calculate a respective carrier-specific dimensional weight for the first parcel according to the first set of parcel specifications and according to a respective set of dimensional weight calculation rules for the respective carrier, wherein each respective carrier-specific dimensional weight is calculated according to the first set of physical dimensions of the first parcel in view of the first physical weight of the first parcel;

(2) determine whether the respective carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel calculated in Step (B)(1) for the respective carrier exceeds a corresponding respective carrier-specific dimensional weight limitation for the respective carrier; and

(3) in response to determining that the respective carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel calculated in Step (B)(1) does not exceed the corresponding respective carrier-specific dimensional weight limitation for the respective carrier, designate the respective carrier as a respective supporting carrier for shipping the first parcel.

14. The shipping management computer system of claim 13, said shipping management computer system further programmed to:

(C) apply a respective set of carrier-specific billable weight rules, for each respective carrier of the plurality of carriers, to the first set of parcel specifications to determine a respective carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the respective carrier, wherein the respective carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the respective carrier is selected, according to the respective set of carrier-specific billable weight rules, from a group consisting of;

the physical weight of the first parcel, the respective carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel for the respective carrier calculated in step (B)(1), a respective carrier-specific oversize weight of the first parcel, and a respective carrier-specific letter weight.

15. The shipping management computer system of claim 14, said shipping management computer system further programmed to:

(D) for each respective delivery service of a plurality of delivery services offered by each respective supporting carrier, calculate a respective service-specific, carrier-specific shipping rate for shipping the first parcel.

16. The shipping management computer system of claim 15, said shipping management computer system further programmed to:

(E) receive, via a second remote user client computer device of the plurality of remote user client computer devices, a second input from a second user associated with the second remote user client computer device of a second set of parcel specifications for a second parcel, wherein the shipping management computer system is operable to associate a second user-specific origin identifier with the second user, wherein the second user accesses the shipping management computer system via the global communications network via the second remote-user client computer device, wherein the second remote user client computer device is adapted for communication via the global communications network, and wherein the second set of parcel specifications comprises a second set of physical dimensions of the second parcel and a second physical weight of the second parcel; and

(F) in response to a second request by the second user of the plurality of users to ship the second parcel, for each respective carrier of a plurality of carriers;

(1) calculate a respective carrier-specific dimensional weight of the second parcel according to the second set of parcel specifications, according to a respective set of dimensional weight calculation rules for the respective carrier, and according to the second set of physical dimensions of the second parcel in view of the second physical weight of the second parcel;

(2) determine whether the respective carrier-specific dimensional weight of the second parcel calculated in Step (F)(1) for the respective carrier exceeds a corresponding respective carrier-specific dimensional weight limitation for the respective carrier; and

(3) in response to determining that the respective carrier specific dimensional weight of the second parcel calculated in Step (F)(1) does not exceed the corresponding respective carrier-specific dimensional weight limitation for the respective carrier, designate the respective carrier as a respective supporting carrier.

17. The shipping management computer system of claim 15, said shipping management computer system further programmed to:

(E) generate an online comparison display of the respective service-specific, carrier-specific shipping rates for shipping the first parcel to a first display monitor configured with the first remote user client computer device of the particular respective user.

18. A method, using a shipping management computer system, for managing shipping of a plurality of parcels shipped by any one of a plurality of carriers, the method comprising:

(A) receiving, by the shipping management computer system, via a first remote user client computer device of a plurality of-remote user client computer devices, a first input, said first input comprising a first set of parcel specifications for a first parcel to be shipped by a first user, wherein the first set of parcel specifications comprises a first set of physical specifications about the first parcel, and wherein the first set of physical specifications about the first parcel is selected from a group consisting of;

(1) a first set of physical dimensions of the first parcel and a first physical weight of the first parcel, and

(2) a first type of parcel and the first physical weight of the first parcel; and

(B) in response to the first input, for a first carrier of a plurality of carriers;

(1) calculating, by the shipping management computer system, a first carrier-specific dimensional weight according to a first set of carrier-specific dimensional weight calculation rules, in view of the first set of physical specifications about the first parcel; and

(2) determining, by the shipping management computer system, a first carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the first carrier, wherein the first carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the first carrier is selected, according to a first set of carrier-specific billable weight rules, from a group consisting of;

the physical weight of the first parcel, the first carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel for the first carrier calculated in Step (B)(1), a first carrier-specific oversize weight of the first parcel, and a first carrier-specific letter weight.

19. The method of claim 18, said method further comprising:

(C) determining, by the shipping management computer system, whether the first carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel calculated in Step (B)(1) for the first carrier exceeds a corresponding first carrier-specific dimensional weight limitation for the first carrier; and

(D) in response to determining that the first carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel calculated in Step (B)(1) does not exceed the corresponding first carrier-specific dimensional weight limitation for the first carrier, designating, by the shipping management computer system, the first carrier as a first supporting carrier for shipping the first parcel.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the first carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the first carrier is the physical weight of the first parcel.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the first carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the first carrier is the first carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel for the first carrier calculated in Step (B)(1).

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the first carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the first carrier is the first carrier-specific oversize weight of the first parcel.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the first carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the first carrier is the first carrier-specific letter weight.

24. The method of claim 18, said method further comprising:

(C) determining, by the shipping management computer system, whether the first carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel calculated in Step (B)(1) for the first carrier exceeds a corresponding first carrier-specific dimensional weight limitation for the first carrier; and

(D) in response to determining that the first carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel calculated in Step (B)(1) does not exceed the corresponding first carrier-specific dimensional weight limitation for the first carrier, for each respective delivery service of a plurality of delivery services offered by the first carrier;

calculating, by the shipping management computer system, a respective service-specific shipping rate for shipping the first parcel.

25. The method of claim 24, said method further comprising

(E) generating an online comparison display of each respective service-specific shipping rate for shipping the first parcel calculated in Step (D) to a first display monitor operable with the first remote user client computer device.

26. The method of claim 18, said method further comprising:

(C) in response to the first input, for a second carrier of the plurality of carriers;

(1) calculating, by the shipping management computer system, a second carrier-specific dimensional weight according to a second set of carrier-specific dimensional weight calculation rules, in view of the first set of physical specifications about the first parcel; and

(2) determining, by the shipping management computer system, a second carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the second carrier, wherein the second carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the second carrier is selected, according to a second set of carrier-specific billable weight rules, from a group consisting of;

the physical weight of the first parcel, the second carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel for the second carrier calculated in Step (C)(1), a second carrier-specific oversize weight of the first parcel, and a second carrier-specific letter weight.

27. The method of claim 26, said method further comprising:

(D) determining, by the shipping management computer system, whether the first carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel calculated in Step (B)(1) for the first carrier exceeds a corresponding first carrier-specific dimensional weight limitation for the first carrier;

(E) in response to determining that the first carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel calculated in Step (B)(1) does not exceed the corresponding first carrier-specific dimensional weight limitation for the first carrier, designating, by the shipping management computer system, the first carrier as a first supporting carrier for shipping the first parcel;

(F) determining, by the shipping management computer system, whether the second carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel calculated in Step (C)(1) for the second carrier exceeds a corresponding second carrier-specific dimensional weight limitation for the second carrier; and

(G) in response to determining that the second carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel calculated in Step (C)(1) does not exceed the corresponding second carrier-specific dimensional weight limitation for the second carrier, designating, by the shipping management computer system, the second carrier as a second supporting carrier for shipping the first parcel.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the second carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the second carrier is the physical weight of the first parcel.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the second carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the second carrier is the second carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel for the second carrier calculated in Step (C)(1).

30. The method of claim 26, wherein the second carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the second carrier is the second carrier-specific oversize weight of the first parcel.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein the second carrier-specific billable weight of the first parcel for the second carrier is the second carrier-specific letter weight.

32. The method of claim 26, said method further comprising:

(D) determining, by the shipping management computer system, whether the first carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel calculated in Step (B)(1) for the first carrier exceeds a corresponding first carrier-specific dimensional weight limitation for the first carrier;

(E) in response to determining that the first carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel calculated in Step (B)(1) does not exceed the corresponding first carrier-specific dimensional weight limitation for the first carrier, for each respective delivery service of a plurality of delivery services offered by the first carrier, calculating, by the shipping management computer system, a first respective service-specific shipping rate for shipping the first parcel;

(F) determining, by the shipping management computer system, whether the second carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel calculated in Step (C)(1) for the second carrier exceeds a corresponding second carrier-specific dimensional weight limitation for the second carrier; and

(G) in response to determining that the second carrier-specific dimensional weight of the first parcel calculated in Step (C)(1) does not exceed the corresponding second carrier-specific dimensional weight limitation for the second carrier, for each respective delivery service of a plurality of delivery services offered by the second carrier, calculating, by the shipping management computer system, a second respective service-specific shipping rate for shipping the first parcel.

33. The method of claim 32, said method further comprising:

(H) generating an online comparison display to a first display monitor operable with the first remote user client computer device, wherein said online comparison display comprises an indication of each first respective service-specific shipping rate for shipping the first parcel calculated in Step (E) and an indication of each second respective service-specific shipping rate for shipping the first parcel calculated in Step (G).