Methods for processing and transferring shipping documentation data from a vehicle

• US 8,321,307 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2011
• Issued: 11/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: R+L Carriers, Inc.
• Original Assignee: R+L Carriers, Inc.
• Inventors: Roberts, Ralph L., Naghshineh, Steve F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaawat, Mussa A
• Application Number:
  US13/289,271
• Publication Number:
  US 20120054078A1
• Time in Patent Office: 389 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 705/29
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08355 Routing methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0838 Historical data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting

Abstract

The present invention automates the process of receiving transportation documentation and producing advance loading manifests therefrom to optimize load planning and dynamic product shipment and delivery control. Methods provide for receipt of the transportation documentation, initial preparation, and transmission of the documentation from on board a vehicle or while the vehicle is in transit.

Claims

1. A method for processing and transferring shipping documentation data from a vehicle to a remote processor, the method comprising:

presenting an electronic shipping form on a mobile data transmission device associated with the vehicle, wherein the electronic shipping form comprises shipping information for at least one package;

receiving user-inputted information corresponding to the electronic shipping form using the mobile data transmission device, wherein the use-inputted information comprises a verification by a driver of the electronic shipping form;

converting the electronic shipping form and the user-inputted information into one or more wireless signals; and

wirelessly transmitting the one or more wireless signals corresponding to the electronic shipping form and the user-inputted information from a vehicle'"'"'s mobile location using the mobile data transmission device to the remote processor for further processing of the electronic shipping document, wherein the remote processor extracts and generates billing information in advance of arrival of the at least one package at an arrival destination;

wherein the acts of presenting an electronic shipping form;

receiving user-inputted information;

converting the electronic shipping form and the user-inputted information; and

wirelessly transmitting are performed by the mobile data transmission device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a customer acceptance corresponding to the electronic shipping form using the mobile data transmission device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein at least one of the user-inputted information and the customer acceptance are received from a display device of the mobile data transmission device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-inputted information is received from at least one of a mouse device and a keyboard.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-inputted information comprises at least one of driver comments and customer-entered information associated with the electronic shipping form.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic shipping form is a bill a lading.