Delivery management systems and methods for zero-inventory distribution

• US 10,437,435 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2015
• Issued: 10/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deliveright Logistics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Deliveright Logistics Incorporated
• Inventors: Ladden, Douglas M., Merians, Richard, Anavim, Ori
• Primary Examiner(s): Ulrich, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US14/947,086
• Publication Number:
  US 20160171438A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,418 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06316 Sequencing of tasks or work
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0837 Return transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/0004 Industrial image inspection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/611 where the recognised objects include parts of the human body

Abstract

Systems for delivery management are provided. According to one embodiment, the system includes a manifest component configured to aggregate a plurality of items into a manifest, an identifier component configured to identify respective items within the aggregated plurality of items using the manifest, a tracking component configured to calculate a delivery route and track the plurality of items during a plurality of delivery events, and an inspection component configured to require inspection of the respective items at each of the plurality of delivery events. The delivery systems can ensure quality and manage connections between distributors and manufacturers by incorporating required checks through each step of a delivery (e.g., pick up, freight aggregation, line shipping, local shipping, etc.). Inspections at delivery transitions can be required and include each time a good (e.g., an item) is moved on or off a delivery truck, and transitions between delivery areas within specific location.

Claims

1. A system for delivery management execution, the system comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one non-transitory computer readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to operate at least one user interface, wherein the at least one user interface includes a plurality of delivery management information views, including;

a delivery view operable to display manifest scheduling information, including delivery routing information displays;

an inspection view operable to display order verification information, including in the inspection view visual displays for capturing inspection information displayed responsive to identified delivery events; and

wherein the user interface further includes a lockout mode configured to limit access to at least the delivery routing information displays provided in the delivery view such that subsequent delivery information is inaccessible or obscured,

wherein the user interface is configured to enter the lockout mode responsive to a determination that required information has not been submitted,

wherein a displayed lockout view indicates a current lockout status and limits user access to the subsequent delivery routing information or obscures information associated with a delivery route, and

wherein the user interface includes a display of an executable visualization for transitioning the user interface to an information entry view from the lockout view, wherein the information entry view is configured to accept submission of the required information to resolve the lockout status.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the determination that required information has not been submitted includes identification that required inspection information has not been submitted.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the determination that required information has not been submitted includes identification that information submitted in response to required inspection information does not meet validation analysis.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the determination that required information has not been submitted includes receipt of a status identifier from a remote system indicating that required inspection information has not been submitted.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the determination that required information has not been submitted includes receipt of a status identifier from a remote system indicating that information submitted in response to required inspection information does not meet validation testing.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the inspection view is configured to require entry of the inspection information displayed responsive to identification of a delivery event, wherein the delivery event includes a customer delivery.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the inspection view includes access to one or more imaging visualizations for capturing images of one or more items.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the imaging visualizations include views for capturing a plurality of visualizable angles of each respective one of the one or more items.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the instructions, when the executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to analyze a current field of view of a camera to determine that one of the plurality of visualizable angles of the each respective one of the one or more items is possible to capture.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the instructions, when the executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to analyze a current field of view of a camera to determine that the current field of view matches one of the plurality of visualizable angles of the each respective one of the one or more items.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the instructions, when the executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to automatically capture an image of the each respective one of the one or more items responsive to determining that the current field of view matches the one of the plurality of visualizable angles of the each respective one of the one or more items and is in focus.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a tracking view operable to display tracking information for one or more items being fabricated or delivered.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the tracking view includes at least an integrated display of a delivery route having at least a first delivery location and at least a second delivery location.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the lockout view is of the delivery route and the tracking view includes either a normal view or the lockout view, wherein the lockout view is configured to obscure information associated with the delivery route.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the lockout view includes a notification display, wherein the notification display includes or is the executable visualization for transitioning the user interface to the information entry view.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the lockout view includes a notification display, wherein the notification display includes or is the executable visualization for transitioning the user interface to the information entry view.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is further configured to display an alert responsive to any transition from required input displays and functionality to another view, wherein the alert indicates a current lockout status and provides an information display indicating information necessary to resolve the lockout status.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes

a line item view including visual elements to display line item information associated with one or more items;

and

wherein the user interface is configured to transition a current display on a computer device between any of the delivery management information views responsive to user input.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when the executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to require inspection information at the delivery events, wherein the required information includes images of an area surrounding one or more items at a delivery location.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the instructions, when the executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to trigger the lockout mode of operation upon determining that the required information has not been submitted or is not valid.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface further includes a damage reporting view including a display for accepting description of damage to one or more items, and for requiring images of the one or more items that have been damaged.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the user interface further includes a remediation view for generating and displaying automated options for resolving identified damage for customer acceptance.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface further includes a customer validation view displayed responsive to receiving inspection information for one or more items, wherein the customer validation view requires a custom affirmation of the captured inspection information.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is further configured to limit access to customer delivery functions, including inspection functions, until information associated with a delivery status indicates that a delivery is proximate based on location information or imminent based on estimated delivery time.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the information entry view includes or comprises the visual displays for capturing inspection information.