Online tracking of delivery status information over a computer network
First Claim
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1. A method of providing online tracking of delivery status information of a plurality of orders over a computer network, comprising the steps of:
- communicating delivery status information regarding at least one order from at least one non-web tracking carrier shipping the at least one order to a server associated with a supplier from whom the at least one order originated, storing the delivery status information on the server, receiving, at the server, a request from a customer to view delivery status information for a selected order, determining whether a carrier shipping the selected order is a web tracking carrier or a non-web tracking carrier, retrieving the stored delivery status information from the server if it is determined that the carrier shipping the selected order is a non-web tracking carrier, formulating an internal request for delivery status information for the selected order if it is determined that the carrier is a web tracking carrier, transmitting said internal request to the carrier, receiving delivery status information from the carrier for the selected order, and displaying the delivery status information to the customer.
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Abstract
A method and system for tracking, over a computer network, orders placed with a supplier and shipped by any of a variety of different carriers, the tracking taking place entirely within the confines of the supplier'"'"'s web site. By providing for electronic communication of delivery status information between a variety of different carriers and the supplier'"'"'s server, the supplier is able to provide online tracking information to a customer regardless of the individual manner of delivery.
325 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of providing online tracking of delivery status information of a plurality of orders over a computer network, comprising the steps of:
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communicating delivery status information regarding at least one order from at least one non-web tracking carrier shipping the at least one order to a server associated with a supplier from whom the at least one order originated, storing the delivery status information on the server, receiving, at the server, a request from a customer to view delivery status information for a selected order, determining whether a carrier shipping the selected order is a web tracking carrier or a non-web tracking carrier, retrieving the stored delivery status information from the server if it is determined that the carrier shipping the selected order is a non-web tracking carrier, formulating an internal request for delivery status information for the selected order if it is determined that the carrier is a web tracking carrier, transmitting said internal request to the carrier, receiving delivery status information from the carrier for the selected order, and displaying the delivery status information to the customer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of providing online tracking of delivery status information of orders over a computer network, comprising the steps of:
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receiving, at a server, a plurality of orders from at least one customer, sourcing the plurality of orders from a warehouse for delivery to the at least one customer, receiving, from the warehouse, shipping information relating to each of the plurality of orders, the shipping information including a carrier designation and a unique order designation assigned by the carrier, the carrier designation limited to one of several authorized carriers, wherein at least one of the carriers is a non-web tracking carrier, storing the shipping information for each of the plurality of orders on the server, communicating delivery status information to the server utilizing the unique order designation regarding at least one order from at least one non-web tracking carrier shipping the at least one order, storing the delivery status information on the server, receiving, at the server, a request from a customer to view delivery status information for a selected order, determining whether a carrier shipping the selected order is a web tracking carrier or a non-web tracking carrier, retrieving the stored delivery status information from the server if it is determined that the carrier shipping the selected order is a non-web tracking carrier, formulating an internal request for delivery status information for the selected order if it is determined that the carrier is a web tracking carrier, transmitting said internal request to the carrier, receiving delivery status information from the carrier for the selected order, and displaying the delivery status information to the customer. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
preparing, by the at least one non-web tracking carrier, the delivery status information into a predetermined common format for delivery by electronic data interchange.
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19. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of periodically updating, at the server, the delivery status information regarding the orders shipped by the at least one non-web tracking carrier.
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20. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of automatically updating, at the server, delivery status information regarding the plurality of orders pursuant to a predetermined schedule.
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21. The method of claim 16 wherein the shipping information is stored in a first database and the delivery status information is stored in a second database.
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22. A computer readable storage medium for incorporating instructions for providing online tracking of delivery status information orders, the instructions comprising:
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communicating delivery status information regarding at least one order from at least one non-web tracking carrier shipping the at least one order to a server associated with a supplier from whom the at least one order originated, storing the delivery status information on the server, receiving, at the server, a request from a customer to view delivery status information for a selected order, determining whether a carrier shipping the selected order is a web tracking carrier or a non-web tracking carrier, retrieving the stored delivery status information from the server if it is determined that the carrier shipping the selected order is a non-web tracking carrier, formulating an internal request for delivery status information for the selected order if it is determined that the carrier is a web tracking carrier, transmitting said internal request to the carrier, receiving delivery status information from the carrier for the selected order, and displaying the delivery status information to the customer.
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Specification