Internet package shipping systems and methods
First Claim
1. A method for shipping a package from a shipping service provider'"'"'s customer to an intended recipient, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a customer-entered order to ship a package, the customer-entered order including a same day on call pickup option, from an Internet accessible computer system operated by a customer;
validating shipping information associated with the customer-entered order, by an Internet-accessible shipping computer system (ISS), including validating whether a shipping service provider is capable of picking up the package on the same day;
in response to successfully validating the shipping information, communicating printer indicia to the customer at the Internet accessible computer system such that the customer is able to print a label for affixation to the package, the label containing predetermined label shipping information;
acquiring the package from the customer via the shipping service provider;
scanning a label affixed to the package to obtain the label shipping information from the label on the package;
delivering the package to the intended recipient in accordance with the shipping information entered by the customer and label shipping information obtained from the label affixed to the package; and
in response to unsuccessfully validating the shipping information, generating at least one alternative shipping option, by the ISS, and displaying the alternative shipping option to the customer.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for shipping a package from a package sender to an intended recipient, utilizing Internet communications to place shipping orders, request on demand package pickup, maintain and utilize pre-stored profile information, view shipping history, track orders, etc. A package sender with an Internet-accessible computer accesses an Internet site and associated shipping system operated by a shipping service provider. The package sender enters information required for shipping the package, including shipping options and methods for payment, and the shipment transaction is validated. If the transaction is validated, printer indicia are communicated to the customer'"'"'s computer, which is enabled to locally print a prepaid label containing special machine-readable as well as human-readable indicia. The shipping service provider acquires the package by drop-off, standard pickup or on call pickup, scans the machine readable indicia, verifies other indicia of authenticity, and processes the package in accordance with information encoded on the label.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for shipping a package from a shipping service provider'"'"'s customer to an intended recipient, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a customer-entered order to ship a package, the customer-entered order including a same day on call pickup option, from an Internet accessible computer system operated by a customer; validating shipping information associated with the customer-entered order, by an Internet-accessible shipping computer system (ISS), including validating whether a shipping service provider is capable of picking up the package on the same day; in response to successfully validating the shipping information, communicating printer indicia to the customer at the Internet accessible computer system such that the customer is able to print a label for affixation to the package, the label containing predetermined label shipping information; acquiring the package from the customer via the shipping service provider; scanning a label affixed to the package to obtain the label shipping information from the label on the package; delivering the package to the intended recipient in accordance with the shipping information entered by the customer and label shipping information obtained from the label affixed to the package; and in response to unsuccessfully validating the shipping information, generating at least one alternative shipping option, by the ISS, and displaying the alternative shipping option to the customer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for shipping a package from a shipping service provider'"'"'s customer to an intended recipient, comprising:
at least one computer processor configured to; receive a customer-entered order to ship a package, the customer-entered order including a same day on call pickup option, from an Internet accessible computer system operated by a customer; validate shipping information associated with the customer-entered order, including validating whether a shipping service provider is capable of picking up the package on the same day; in response to successfully validating the shipping information, communicate printer indicia to the customer at the Internet accessible computer system such that the customer is able to print a label for affixation to the package, the label containing predetermined label shipping information, wherein the package can be acquired from the customer via the shipping service provider, a label affixed to the package can be scanned to obtain the label shipping information from the label on the package, and the package can be delivered to the intended recipient in accordance with the shipping information entered by the customer and label shipping information obtained from the label affixed to the package; and in response to unsuccessfully validating the shipping information; generate at least one alternative shipping option; and display the alternative shipping option.
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14. A method for shipping a package from a package sender to an intended recipient via a shipping service provider, the package sender having an Internet-accessible computer system, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an Internet-accessible shipping computer system (ISS) associated with the shipping service provider; displaying a data entry form on the package sender'"'"'s computer system for entry of shipping information by the package sender; receiving shipping information entered by the package sender from the package sender'"'"'s computer system at the ISS via the Internet; determining a selected mode of entry of the package into the shipping service provider'"'"'s package handling system, by the ISS, including a customer selection of on demand pickup on a same day; validating predetermined shipping information, by the ISS, including whether the shipping service provider can provide on demand pickup of the package on the same day; in response to successfully validating the predetermined shipping information, communicating predetermined shipping label information for display on the package sender'"'"'s computer system and printing of a customized shipping label; and acquiring the package and associated customized shipping label for introduction into the shipping service provider'"'"'s package handling system, whereby the shipping service provider accepts and handles the package with the customized shipping label associated therewith in the same manner as a package having a preprinted shipping label; in response to unsuccessfully validating the predetermined shipping information, generating at least one alternative shipping option, by the ISS, and displaying the alternative option on the Internet accessible computer system. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for shipping a package from a package sender to an intended recipient via a shipping service provider, the package sender having an Internet-accessible computer system, the system comprising:
at least one computer processor associated with the shipping service provider and configured to; receive shipping information entered by the package sender via the package sender'"'"'s computer system via the Internet; display a data entry form on the package sender'"'"'s computer system for entry of shipping information by the package sender; determine a selected mode of entry of the package into the shipping service provider'"'"'s package handling system, including a customer selection of on demand pickup on a same day; validate the shipping information, including whether the shipping service provider can provide on demand pickup of the package on the same day; in response to successfully validating the shipping information, communicate predetermined shipping label information for display on the package sender'"'"'s computer system, wherein the package sender is able to print a customized shipping label based on the shipping label information, and the shipping service provider can acquire the package and associated customized shipping label for introduction into the shipping service provider'"'"'s package handling system; and in response to unsuccessfully validating the shipping information; generate at least one alternative shipping option; and display the alternative option to the customer.
Specification