Manifest generation and download systems and methods

• US 7,895,132 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2003
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2003
• 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: Davidson, Mark, Anderson, Duane, Perez, Juan, Holsen, Jim
• Primary Examiner(s): Jabr; Fadey S
• Application Number:
  US10/745,468
• Publication Number:
  US 20050137933A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,619 Days
• Field of Search: 705 7- 9, 705/11, 701204-210, 340/904, 340988-994
• US Class Current: 705/338
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08355 Routing methods

Abstract

The present invention is directed to systems and methods to generate a manifest of work that is to be performed by a driver. Specifically, systems and methods are described in the context of a package delivery system to generate a manifest of deliveries and pickups to be performed by a driver and to download the generated manifest to a portable computing device used by the driver to service the route.

Claims

1. A system for generating a manifest of work in a package delivery system, said system comprising:

a data capture system comprising a first device configured to capture shipping label data for a plurality of packages that are bound to a designated geographic location, said shipping label data comprising at least one package destination address and at least one service level; and

a work allocation system comprising a second device that is configured to assign each of said packages to one of a plurality of preexisting delivery routes based at least in part on said shipping label data;

wherein;

(A) the second device is further configured to;

monitor said assigned packages and to generate a manifest of work for each of said plurality of preexisting delivery routes; and

generate the manifest to comprise one or more assignments in a predetermined order, wherein at least one of the assignments is associated with a time for completing delivery of at least one of the packages;

(B) the system further comprises a portable computing device that is configured to;

facilitate display of the assignments in the predetermined order, the order comprising a sequential order in which the assignments are to be completed;

receive said manifest of work in an electronic format;

receive one or more updates to the electronic manifest from the second device;

revise the electronic manifest by adding or removing at least one assignment corresponding to delivery of one of said packages based on at least one of the updates received; and

reposition the at least one assignment higher in the displayed predetermined order to increase priority in response to determining a current time that is within a predetermined time period of the time for completing delivery,

wherein said portable computing device comprises a timing device configured to track an amount of time remaining before the expiration of a pending time deadline associated with the assignments, wherein said portable computing device is configured to dynamically update the manifest by adjusting the position of said assignments in said predetermined order to meet the timing deadline if the amount of time remaining is less than a predetermined minimum.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said second device is configured to assign packages based at least in part on said package destination address and said service level.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said second device is configured to assign said packages to said routes by comparing said destination address and said service level against a dispatch plan.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said second device is configured to generate the manifest of work to comprise a list of locations and a sequence of servicing said locations.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said second device is configured to generate said sequence of servicing based on a dispatch plan.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein said portable computing device is configured to display said manifest of work in accordance with said sequence of servicing.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device is configured to receive the at least one update after the portable computing device leaves a pre-load facility.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device is configured to electronically transfer the work assigned to the manifest to a second manifest on a second portable computing device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the second device is configured to associate each assignment with a delivery location, wherein the portable computing device comprises a global positioning system (GPS) configured to determine a current location of the portable computing device, and in response to the portable computing device detecting that the current location is within a predetermined distance from a delivery location associated with at least one of the assignments, the portable computing device is configured to reposition the at least one assignment higher in the displayed predetermined order signifying an increased priority.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the second device is further configured to associate each of the one or more assignments with one or more corresponding delivery locations;

the portable computing device is further configured to;

estimate a current location of the portable computing device based at least in part on completion of at least one assignment; and

determine a delivery location, among the delivery locations, that is nearest to the current location;

reposition an assignment higher in the displayed predetermined order signifying an increased priority in response to detecting that the determined delivery location corresponds to the assignment.

11. A package delivery system that generates a manifest for each of a plurality of preexisting routes and downloads said manifest to a plurality of portable computing devices, said delivery system comprising:

a data capture system comprising a first device configured to capture shipping label data from a plurality of packages, the shipping label data comprising at least one package destination address and at least one service level;

a work allocation system comprising a second device configured to assign each of said plurality of packages to one of said preexisting routes based at least in part on said shipping label data, wherein;

(A) the second device is configured to;

generate said manifest for each of said plurality of preexisting delivery routes, wherein said manifest includes a list of packages that have been assigned to one of said preexisting delivery routes; and

generate the manifest to comprise one or more assignments in a predetermined order, wherein at least one of the assignments is associated with a time for completing delivery of at least one of the packages;

a route manager device that is configured to download said manifest to at least one of said portable computing device associated with said one of said preexisting delivery routes;

(B) the portable computing device is configured to;

facilitate display of the assignments in the predetermined order, the order comprising a sequential order in which the assignments are to be completed;

receive one or more updates to said manifest from the second device;

use at least one of the updates to add a new assignment to the manifest corresponding to delivery of one of said packages, or to remove at least one assignment from the manifest corresponding to delivery of one of said packages; and

reposition the at least one assignment higher in the displayed predetermined order to increase priority in response to determining a current time that is within a predetermined time period of the time for completing delivery,

wherein said portable computing device comprises a timing device configured to track an amount of time remaining before the expiration of a pending time deadline associated with the assignments, wherein said portable computing device is configured to dynamically update the manifest by adjusting the position of said assignments in said predetermined order to meet the timing deadline if the amount of time remaining is less than a predetermined minimum.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said second device is configured to assign said packages to one of said preexisting delivery routes based at least in part on said package destination address.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein said second device is configured to assign said packages to one of said preexisting delivery routes based at least in part on said package destination address and said service level.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein said first device is configured to capture the shipping label data further comprising a target delivery time, and said second device is configured to assign said packages to one of said preexisting delivery routes based at least in part on said package destination address and said target delivery time.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the portable computing device is configured to receive the at least one update after the portable computing device leaves a pre-load facility.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the portable computing device is configured to electronically transfer the work assigned to the manifest to a second manifest on a second portable computing device.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the second device is configured to associate each assignment with a delivery location, wherein the portable computing device comprises a global positioning system (GPS) configured to determine a current location of the portable computing device, and in response to the portable computing device detecting that the current location is within a predetermined distance from a delivery location associated with at least one of the assignments, the portable computing device is configured to reposition the at least one assignment higher in the displayed predetermined order signifying an increased priority.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein:

the second device is further configured to associate each of the one or more assignments with one or more corresponding delivery locations;

the portable computing device is further configured to;

estimate a current location of the portable computing device based at least in part on completion of at least one assignment; and

determine a delivery location, among the delivery locations, that is nearest to the current location;

reposition an assignment higher in the displayed predetermined order signifying an increased priority in response to detecting that the determined delivery location corresponds to the assignment.

19. A system for generating a manifest that lists one or more units of work that are scheduled to be completed on a preexisting route for a given day, said system comprising:

(A) a data capture system comprising a first device that is configured to identify locations where said one or more units of work are to be completed, said locations specified in shipping label data comprising at least one service level;

(B) a work allocation system comprising a second device that is configured to assign each of said units of work to one of a plurality of preexisting routes based at least in part on said identified locations;

wherein the second device is further configured to;

monitor said assigned units of work and generate said manifest for each of said plurality of preexisting routes; and

generate the manifest to comprise one or more assignments in a predetermined order, wherein at least one of the assignments is associated with a time for completing delivery of at least one of said units of work;

(C) a portable computing device associated with one or more of said plurality of preexisting routes, said portable computing device being configured to;

facilitate display of the assignments in the predetermined order, the order comprising a sequential order in which the assignments are to be completed;

receive said manifest in an electronic format;

receive one or more updates to the electronic manifest from the second device;

use at least one of the updates to add a new assignment to the electronic manifest corresponding to one of said units of work, or to remove at least one assignment from the electronic manifest corresponding to one of said units of work; and

reposition the at least one assignment higher in the displayed predetermined order to increase priority in response to determining a current time that is within a predetermined time period of the time for completing delivery,

wherein said portable computing device comprises a timing device configured to track an amount of time remaining before the expiration of a pending time deadline associated with the assignments, wherein said portable computing device is configured to dynamically update the manifest by adjusting the position of said assignments in said predetermined order to meet the timing deadline if the amount of time remaining is less than a predetermined minimum.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising a route manager device configured to control a download of said manifest to said portable computing device.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein said portable computing device is further configured to receive said manifest via wireless transmission.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein said portable computing device is further configured to receive said manifest via an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) interface.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein said portable computing device is configured to display said manifest to a user.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said portable computing device is configured to display said units of work in a sequence that said units of work are to be completed in accordance with said preexisting route.

25. The system of claim 19, wherein said portable computing device includes a microprocessor, a memory, a display, an input device, an input-output (I/O) interface and a clock.

26. The system of claim 19, wherein the portable computing device is configured to receive the at least one update after the portable computing device leaves a pre-load facility.

27. The system of claim 19, wherein the portable computing device is configured to electronically transfer the work assigned to the manifest to a second manifest on a second portable computing device.

28. The system of claim 19, wherein the second device is configured to associate each assignment with a delivery location, wherein the portable computing device comprises a global positioning system (GPS) configured to determine a current location of the portable computing device, and in response to the portable computing device detecting that the current location is within a predetermined distance from a delivery location associated with at least one of the assignments, the portable computing device is configured to reposition the at least one assignment higher in the displayed predetermined order signifying an increased priority.

29. The system of claim 19, wherein:

the second device is further configured to associate each of the one or more assignments with one or more corresponding delivery locations;

the portable computing device is further configured to;

estimate a current location of the portable computing device based at least in part on completion of at least one assignment; and

determine a delivery location, among the delivery locations, that is nearest to the current location;

reposition an assignment higher in the displayed predetermined order signifying an increased priority in response to detecting that the determined delivery location corresponds to the assignment.

30. A system for generating a manifest comprising:

(A) a data capture system comprising a first device configured to identify a plurality of locations where units of work are to be completed, said locations specified in shipping label data comprising at least one service level;

(B) a work allocation system comprising a second device configured to assign each of said units of work to one of a plurality of preexisting routes based at least in part on said identified location of said unit of work, wherein each of said preexisting routes lists a plurality of locations in a geographic area and a predefined order to service said locations, wherein said second device is further configured to;

monitor said assigned units of work and to generate a manifest for each of said plurality of preexisting routes, and wherein each manifest lists units of work to be completed on one of said plurality of preexisting routes; and

generate the manifest to comprise one or more assignments in a predetermined order, wherein at least one of the assignments is associated with a time for completing delivery of the units of work;

(C) a portable computing device associated with each of said preexisting routes configured to;

facilitate display of the assignments in the predetermined order, the order comprises a sequential order in which the assignments are to be completed;

receive said manifest in an electronic format for said preexisting route to which said portable computing device is associated;

receive one or more updates to the electronic manifest from the second device;

use at least one of the updates to add a new assignment to the electronic manifest corresponding to one of said units of work, or to remove at least one assignment from the electronic manifest corresponding to one of said units of work; and

reposition the at least one assignment higher in the displayed predetermined order to increase priority in response to determining a current time that is within a predetermined time period of the time for completing delivery,

wherein said portable computing device comprises a timing device configured to track an amount of time remaining before the expiration of a pending time deadline associated with one or more of said units of work, wherein said portable computing device is configured to dynamically update the electronic manifest by adjusting the position of said one or more of said units of work in said predetermined order to meet the timing deadline if the amount of time remaining is less than a predetermined minimum.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the second device is configured to assign a time deadline for completing a unit of work associated with one or more of said units of work.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein said portable computing device is configured to dynamically update the electronic manifest by adjusting said predetermined order to meet one or more of said time deadlines.

33. The system of claim 30, wherein said portable computing device comprises a timing device that is configured to determine said current time.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein said portable computing device is configured to dynamically update the electronic manifest by repositioning a unit of work higher in said predetermined order if said unit of work has an associated time deadline and said time deadline is within a predetermined range of said current time.

35. The system of claim 30, wherein said portable computing device is configured to analyze said manifest and to display a next unit of work to be completed in accordance with said predetermined order.

36. The system of claim 30, wherein said portable computing device is configured to update said manifest in response to an addition of a new unit of work or a change to an existing unit of work.

37. The system of claim 30, wherein said portable computing device comprises a wireless device through which said portable computing device is configured to receive updates to said electronic manifest.

38. The system of claim 30, wherein said portable computing device comprises an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) interface through which said portable computing device is configured to receive updates to said electronic manifest.

39. The system of claim 30, wherein the portable computing device is configured to receive the at least one update after the portable computing device leaves a pre-load facility.

40. The system of claim 30, wherein the portable computing device is configured to electronically transfer the work assigned to the manifest to a second manifest on a second portable computing device.

41. The system of claim 30, wherein the second device is configured to associate each assignment with a delivery location, wherein the portable computing device comprises a global positioning system (GPS) configured to determine a current location of the portable computing device, and in response to the portable computing device detecting that the current location is within a predetermined distance from a delivery location of at least one of the assignments, the portable computing device is configured to reposition the at least one assignment higher in the displayed predetermined order signifying an increased priority.

42. The system of claim 30, wherein the portable computing device is configured to notify the user if the number of packages delivered at a current location does not equal the number of packages manifested for delivery at the current location.

43. The system of claim 30, wherein said portable computing device is configured to analyze said manifest and to display a list of units of work to be completed at a current location of the portable computing device.

44. The system of claim 30, wherein:

the second device is further configured to associate each of the one or more assignments with one or more corresponding delivery locations;

the portable computing device is further configured to;

estimate a current location of the portable computing device based at least in part on completion of at least one assignment; and

determine a delivery location, among the delivery locations, that is nearest to the current location;

reposition an assignment higher in the displayed predetermined order signifying an increased priority in response to detecting that the determined delivery location corresponds to the assignment.