Surface air management systems and methods
First Claim
1. A method, implemented using a distributed computer system, of managing delivery carriers, comprising:
- receiving a first set of delivery data from a first mail processor at a first computer of the distributed computer system;
receiving a second set of delivery data from a second mail processor at a second computer of the distributed computer system;
determining, using the distributed computer system, routes for delivery for the first mail processor based on a first set of business rules applied to the first set of delivery data;
determining, using the distributed computer system, routes for delivery for the second mail processor based on a second set of business rules applied to the second set of delivery data;
assigning, using the distributed computer system, mail items to delivery carriers based on the determined routes;
transmitting, using the distributed computer system, mail item assignment information to the first mail processor and the second mail processor;
monitoring the determined routes, wherein monitoring includes;
receiving update information from the delivery carriers while the mail items are being delivered on the determined routes, wherein the update information relates to at least one of the routes for delivery and a capacity of the delivery carriers; and
dynamically reassigning the mail items to different delivery carriers based on the update information received from the delivery carriers during monitoring.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for assigning mail items to carriers, comprising at least one server containing a mail assignment engine. The mail assignment engine is operative to receive delivery data from the mail processors, determine routes for delivery using the delivery data and a set of business rules, assign the mail items to carriers based on the determined routes, and transmit mail item assignment information to the mail processors. The mail assignment engine may determine the routes using a database including files for active, planned, and closed routes. The mail assignment engine may also use business rules, which may comprise cost consideration, delivery options, and route delay information.
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Citations
61 Claims
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1. A method, implemented using a distributed computer system, of managing delivery carriers, comprising:
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receiving a first set of delivery data from a first mail processor at a first computer of the distributed computer system; receiving a second set of delivery data from a second mail processor at a second computer of the distributed computer system; determining, using the distributed computer system, routes for delivery for the first mail processor based on a first set of business rules applied to the first set of delivery data; determining, using the distributed computer system, routes for delivery for the second mail processor based on a second set of business rules applied to the second set of delivery data; assigning, using the distributed computer system, mail items to delivery carriers based on the determined routes; transmitting, using the distributed computer system, mail item assignment information to the first mail processor and the second mail processor; monitoring the determined routes, wherein monitoring includes; receiving update information from the delivery carriers while the mail items are being delivered on the determined routes, wherein the update information relates to at least one of the routes for delivery and a capacity of the delivery carriers; and dynamically reassigning the mail items to different delivery carriers based on the update information received from the delivery carriers during monitoring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A distributed computer system for managing delivery carriers, comprising:
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means for receiving a first set of delivery data from a first mail processor at a first computer of the distributed computer system; means for receiving a second set of delivery data from a second mail processor at a second computer of the distributed computer system; means for determining routes for delivery, using the first computer, based on a first set of business rules applied to the first set of delivery data; means for determining routes for delivery, using the second computer, based on a second set of business rules applied to the second set of delivery data; means for assigning mail items to delivery carriers based on the determined routes; means for transmitting mail item assignment information to the first mail processor and the second mail processor; means for monitoring the determined routes, wherein monitoring includes; receiving update information from the delivery carriers while the mail items are being delivered on the determined routes, wherein the update information relates to at least one of the routes for delivery and a capacity of the delivery carriers; and means for dynamically reassigning the mail items to different delivery carriers based on the update information received from the delivery carriers during monitoring. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A solid computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing stages, comprising:
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receiving a first set of delivery data from a first mail processor; receiving a second set of delivery data from a second mail processor; determining routes for delivery for the first mail processor based on a first set of business rules applied to the first set of delivery data; determining routes for delivery for the second mail processor based on a second set of business rules applied to the second set of delivery data; assigning mail items to delivery carriers based on the determined routes; transmitting mail item assignment information to the first mail processor and the second mail processor; monitoring the determined routes, wherein monitoring includes; receiving update information from the delivery carriers while the mail items are being delivered on the determined routes, wherein the update information relates to at least one of the routes for delivery and a capacity of the delivery carriers; and dynamically reassigning the mail items to different delivery carriers based on the update information received from the delivery carriers during monitoring. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A distributed system for managing delivery carriers, comprising:
at least one server containing a mail assignment engine, the mail assignment engine operative to; receive a first set of delivery data from a first mail processor; receive a second set of delivery data from a second mail processor; determine routes for delivery for the first mail processor based on a first set of business rules applied to the first set of delivery data; determine routes for delivery for the second mail processor based on a second set of business rules applied to the second set of delivery data; assign mail items to carriers based on the determined routes; transmit mail item assignment information to the first mail processor and the second mail processor; monitor the determined routes, wherein monitoring includes; receiving update information from the delivery carriers while the mail items are being delivered on the predetermined routes, wherein the update information relates to at least one of the routes for delivery and a capacity of the delivery carriers; and dynamically reassign the mail items to different delivery carriers based on the update information received from the delivery carriers during monitoring. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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61. A system for tagging mail items, comprising:
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a first computer for executing a first software component, the first software component including computer-executable instructions for; receiving a first set of delivery data; transmitting the first set of delivery data to a mail item assignment system; receiving mail item assignment information from the mail item assignment system after the mail item assignment system assigns a first set of mail items to a delivery carrier and an associated delivery route, wherein the assignment is based on a first set of business rules applied to the first set of delivery data; receiving information indicating reassignment of the first set of mail items after the mail item assignment system dynamically reassigns the first set of mail items to a different delivery carrier based on monitoring the delivery route after the first set of mail items are assigned to the delivery route, wherein monitoring includes receiving update information from the previously assigned delivery carrier while the first set of mail items are being delivered on the assigned delivery route, the update information including information concerning at least one of a previously assigned delivery route and a capacity of the previously assigned delivery carrier; and printing labels containing mail item routing information; and a second computer for executing a second software component, the second software component including computer-executable instructions for; receiving a second set of delivery data; transmitting the second set of delivery data to the mail item assignment system; receiving mail item assignment information from the mail item assignment system after the mail item assignment system assigns a second set of mail items to a delivery carrier and an associated delivery route, wherein the assignment is based on a second set of business rules applied to the second set of delivery data; receiving information indicating reassignment of the second set of mail items after the mail item assignment system dynamically reassigns the second set of mail items to a different delivery carrier based on monitoring the delivery route after the second set of mail items are assigned to the delivery route, wherein monitoring includes receiving update information from the previously assigned delivery carrier while the second set of mail items are being delivered on the assigned delivery route, the update information including information concerning at least one of a previously assigned delivery route and a capacity of the previously assigned delivery carrier; and printing labels containing mail item routing information.
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Specification