Item tracking and anticipated delivery confirmation system method

• US 8,255,235 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2001
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Aldstadt, Harry
• Primary Examiner(s): ADE, OGER GARCIA
• Application Number:
  US10/488,762
• Publication Number:
  US 20040249652A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,008 Days
• Field of Search: 700/115
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

This disclosure describes systems and methods for electronically tracking information. The tracking information may includes arrival information regarding an arrival of the item and processing information regarding processing of the item.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to execute a method for providing tracking information for an item shipped by a sender, comprising:

receiving an advance shipping notice data file comprising anticipated arrival information from the sender regarding an anticipated arrival of a shipment comprising a plurality of items, each item comprising a first barcode and a second barcode, wherein the anticipated arrival information includes;

an anticipated drop date for the anticipated shipment comprising the plurality of items,

a predetermined shipment identification identifying the anticipated shipment, and

a predetermined sender identification identifying the sender;

receiving a first shipment with a first shipment identification;

comparing the first shipment identification to the predetermined shipment identification;

notifying the sender with confirmed arrival information confirming the arrival of each item in the first shipment when the first shipment identification matches the predetermined shipment identification; and

scanning the first barcode and the second barcode of each item, the first barcode being utilized by a delivery service provider for delivering the item, and the second barcode not being needed by the delivery service provider to deliver the item and comprising information provided by the sender.

2. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises providing the sender with scanned information associated with the second barcode.

3. The computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein the method further comprises providing the confirmed arrival information and the scanned information via a website.

4. The computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein the method further comprises providing the confirmed arrival information and the scanned information via a file transfer protocol.

5. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises providing the confirmed arrival information and the scanned information electronically.

6. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises receiving the advance shipping notice data file electronically from the sender.

7. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises receiving the advance shipping notice data file electronically from a company on behalf of the sender.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the anticipated arrival information further includes at least one of:

a facility code indicating a receiving facility for the anticipated shipment; and

an estimated drop time for the anticipated shipment.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the anticipated arrival information further includes at least one of:

an items name providing a description of the anticipated shipment;

a service code indicating a level of service for the anticipated shipment;

a total items number indicating a total number of items dropped in the anticipated shipment;

a total track number indicating a total number of items dropped in the anticipated shipment for tracking;

a tracking identification indicating an identification associated with each item; and

a presort level indicating a level of sortation for the anticipated shipment.

10. A computer-implemented method for providing tracking information for an item associated with a sender, comprising:

receiving, by a processor, an advance shipping notice data file comprising pre-arrival information from the sender regarding an anticipated arrival of a shipment comprising a plurality of items, each item comprising a first barcode and a second barcode, wherein the anticipated arrival information includes;

an anticipated drop date for the anticipated shipment comprising the plurality of items,

a predetermined shipment identification identifying the anticipated shipment, and

a predetermined sender identification identifying the sender;

receiving, by the processor, a first shipment with a first shipment identification;

comparing, by the processor, the first shipment identification to the predetermined shipment identification;

notifying, by the processor, the sender with confirmed arrival information confirming the arrival of each item in the first shipment when the first shipment identification matches the predetermined shipment identification; and

scanning the first barcode and the second barcode of each item, the first barcode being utilized by a delivery service provider for delivering the item, and the second barcode not being needed by the delivery service provider to deliver the item and comprising information provided by the sender, wherein said notification further provides the sender with scanned information associated with the second barcode.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising providing the confirmed arrival information and the scanned information via a website.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising providing the confirmed arrival information and the scanned information via a file transfer protocol.

13. A system for providing tracking information for an item associated with a sender, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to;

receive an advance shipping notice data file comprising pre-arrival information from the sender regarding an anticipated arrival of a shipment comprising a plurality of items, each item comprising a first barcode and a second barcode, wherein the anticipated arrival information includes;

an anticipated drop date for the anticipated shipment comprising the plurality of items,

a predetermined shipment identification identifying the anticipated shipment, and

a predetermined sender identification identifying the sender;

receive a first shipment with a first shipment identification;

compare the first shipment identification to the predetermined shipment identification;

notify the sender with confirmed arrival information confirming the arrival of each item in the first shipment when the first shipment identification matches the predetermined shipment identification; and

scan the first barcode and the second barcode of each item, the first barcode being utilized by a delivery service provider for delivering the item, and the second barcode not being needed by the delivery service provider to deliver the item and comprising information provided by the sender, wherein said notification further provides the sender with scanned information associated with the second barcode.