EP1332442A4 - Systeme de suivi perfectionne par l'image - Google Patents

Systeme de suivi perfectionne par l'image

Info

Publication number
EP1332442A4
EP1332442A4 EP00967250A EP00967250A EP1332442A4 EP 1332442 A4 EP1332442 A4 EP 1332442A4 EP 00967250 A EP00967250 A EP 00967250A EP 00967250 A EP00967250 A EP 00967250A EP 1332442 A4 EP1332442 A4 EP 1332442A4
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
package
image
tracking information
database
user
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00967250A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1332442A1 (fr
Inventor
Christopher A Baker
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mailcode Inc
Original Assignee
Mailcode Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mailcode Inc filed Critical Mailcode Inc
Publication of EP1332442A1 publication Critical patent/EP1332442A1/fr
Publication of EP1332442A4 publication Critical patent/EP1332442A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to shipment tracking, and more particularly, but not exclusively, relates to a query system for tracking the transit and delivery of parcels.
  • the package identifier for a given package is typically communicated by the sender to the recipient, who then uses that package identifier to query the carrier's system for the status of that particular package.
  • the sender may even employ customer service staff to perform tracking queries on behalf of recipients.
  • the communication of such package identifiers and/or employment of such staff can impose a significant burden. There is thus a need for further contributions to tracking system technology.
  • One form of the present invention is a unique tracking system. Further forms include query systems and methods for tracking the status of deliveries. Still further forms include a database of tracking information, wherein tracking records are linked to one or more images of the parcel being tracked. Yet other forms display one or more images of each of a plurality of packages for which tracking information is available, accept a user's selection of a package, and display that package' s tracking information.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a tracking system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a flow chart of query session using a system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram of data tables according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a computer for use in one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the present invention relates to a system for providing tracking data regarding packages that are being or have been transported by a carrier from a shipper to a receiver.
  • packages the terms "package,” “parcel,” “shipment,” and “item” refer to any object or set of objects sent from one entity to another via a courier or delivery service, regardless of what (if anything) encloses the item (e.g., an envelope or box) or what entity transports it (e.g., postal service, Federal Express, United Parcel Service, local courier, etc.).
  • a "carrier” as a single organization that receives, transports, and delivers the parcel, and also provides additional services and functions as described herein.
  • sender 21 sends package 23 to recipient
  • Sender 21 provides package 23 to carrier 31 for delivery to recipient 25.
  • identification data regarding package 23 is collected, and one or more images of package 23 are acquired.
  • the identification data may, for example, be recorded by traditional data entry methods based on a written form.
  • the identification data is imported into system 20 from a computer operated by sender 21.
  • the identification data is acquired by optical character recognition (OCR) techniques from an image of, for example, the address block on the package, the shipping label, the entire package 23, or a combination of these.
  • OCR software such as ARS (marketed by Lockheed Martin Corporation, 1801 State Route 17C, Owego, New York, USA) may be used in this data acquisition process.
  • the images may be acquired, for example, by a hand scanner, digital camera, video camera, or other image acquisition device as is known in the art. In various embodiments, such devices may be manually or automatically operated, and may be integrated at any point in the process with one or more portions of the transport mechanisms within block 32 or elsewhere.
  • Carrier 31 then transports package 23 (shown in transit as package 23 a) to a transit checkpoint 33.
  • transit checkpoint 33 the identity of package 23 is noted along with the date and time of the notation and location of the checkpoint.
  • the notation is transmitted to server 41 and stored in a database as discussed below.
  • Transit checkpoint 33 might, for example, be situated on a truck, operated by carrier 31, that picks up packages from a retail center, consolidator, service bureau, or high- volume shipper.
  • Package 23 (shown in transit as package 23b) is then taken by transport 34 to another transit checkpoint 35 (for example, a hub operated by carrier 31). The identity and location of package 23 are recorded along with the location of transit checkpoint 35, analogously to the record made at transit checkpoint 33. Package 23 is then transferred at transport block 36 to delivery unit 37. Delivery unit 37 delivers package 23 to recipient 25, recording the date and time of delivery with server 41.
  • transit checkpoint 35 for example, a hub operated by carrier 31.
  • Delivery unit 37 delivers package 23 to recipient 25, recording the date and time of delivery with server 41.
  • checkpoints may be included in system 20, according to the preferences of carrier 31 and its customers. For example, it may be desirable to record the time and location as each package is loaded onto or unloaded from a vehicle, and/or as it arrives at and/or departs from a building or other facility. Furthermore, additional information may be recorded with these notations as needed or desired by the relevant parties. For example, an identification of the person and/or device(s) that are recording the presence of the package, or a collection, batch, or group identifier of the package may be stored.
  • Further data such as the identity, address, or other information regarding the sender 21 and/or recipient 25, may be collected at data collection block 32, and stored in server 41.
  • a method according to one embodiment of the present invention for retrieving tracking information from server 41 will now be described with continuing reference to FIG. 1, and with additional reference to FIG. 2. This process begins at START block 100.
  • server 41 prompts the user for search criteria to be used in the retrieval of tracking information for a desired package. These criteria may include, for example, a ZIP code or postal code of the sender or recipient of the package, month and year of shipment, recipient's name, approximate weight of the parcel, and/or the recipient's street name. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, these and other criteria may be mandatory or optional as needed or desired in a particular system.
  • the user enters and submits one or more search criteria. The user's entries are preferably checked for proper formatting and substantive validity prior to actual submission to server 41.
  • the server filters records in its database according to the criteria submitted by the user (at block 120).
  • the matching records are counted, then (at decision block 140) the count is compared to a maximum number MAXJQVIGS of images that may displayed in later steps. If the count is too high (positive result from decision block 140), the server reports the total number of matching records and requests additional criteria, which will be used to further filter the available tracking records.
  • the user submits the additional criteria at block 160. Those criteria are preferably validated prior to submission as discussed above in relation to block 120. The method returns to block 130, at which the server again retrieves and counts the responsive records.
  • the images associated with the matching records are displayed at block 170. These images preferably assist the user in identifying the package for which tracking information is desired.
  • the images are displayed in a page encoded in HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), which is displayed at terminal 43 by a World-Wide Web browser application.
  • the user can select a package by "clicking" a pointing device (such as a mouse) or by pressing one or more appropriate keys to follow a link associated with the images displayed at block 170 above.
  • the server After the user has selected a package for which to retrieve tracking information (in block 180), the server generates a display of tracking information for the selected parcel (block 190). The method ends at END point 199.
  • FIG. 3 shows a record structure for one embodiment of the present invention and will now be discussed with continuing reference to items in FIG. 1.
  • Package Record Table 201 preferably stored in server 41, is a database table that stores a record for each parcel processed through system 20. Each parcel in system 20 has a unique Package Identifier, which is stored in PkglD column 211 of table 201. Data regarding each parcel is stored in remaining columns 213 of table 201. As discussed above, this data may include an account number for sender 21; the name, address, city, state, and ZIP code of the recipient 25; and date, time, and location of the parcel's entry into system 20.
  • ImgLink column 215 contains at least one link to at least one image associated with the parcel represented by a given record.
  • This at least one image is used in the display and selection steps shown in block 170 and block 180 in FIG. 2.
  • the data in one or more fields of table 201 may be encoded in any suitable manner, for example, in a compressed form for more efficient storage, retrieval, and transmission.
  • Checkpoint event table 203 stores data concerning each package's transport through the various checkpoints of carrier 31.
  • a new record is added to table 203.
  • the new record includes an identifier for the package, the date and time at which the package was noted to be at transit checkpoint 33, 35, and the location at which the notation was made.
  • a record might reflect that the package with Package ID 001349 had its bar code scanned at 4:57 a.m. on January 27, 2001, by scanning unit 62314.
  • Another table or other file (not shown) in digital storage unit 219 might reflect that scanning unit 62314 was at that time aboard a particular delivery truck in a particular city.
  • a user when a user queries the system and server 41 filters and counts responsive records (see block 130 in FIG. 2), it may do so by submitting a query to the database containing table 201, for example using SQL.
  • the system then follows the links in the ImgLink field 215 of the matching records, displaying the images, for example, in an HTML response page.
  • the user selects the package for which he or she desires tracking information by selecting the appropriate image.
  • This may be done by any suitable input means, for example, by "clicking" a button of a mouse-style pointing device while an on-screen cursor is over the appropriate image or associated text, by pressing one or more keys on a keyboard that are associated with the display related to the desired package, or any other method that would occur to one skilled in the art.
  • the package identifier for that record (in column PkgID 211 in table 201) is used to find associated tracking event records in table 203. Those records are then, for example, sorted by date and time, and displayed in an HTML result page.
  • workstation 240 A computer that functions as server 41 in one embodiment of the invention will now be discussed in relation to FIG. 4.
  • the various hardware and software components that implement the above systems are combined in workstation 240.
  • the programs, modules, and tasks described above are encoded on hard disc 242 for execution by processor 244.
  • Workstation 240 may include more than one processor or CPU and more than one type of memory 246, where memory 246 is representative of one or more types.
  • processor 244 may be comprised of one or more components configured as a single unit. Alternatively, when of a multi-component form, processor 244 may have one or more components located remotely relative to the others.
  • processor 244 may be of the electronic variety defining digital circuitry, analog circuitry, or both.
  • processor 244 is of a conventional, integrated circuit microprocessor arrangement, such as one or more PENTIUM II or PENTIUM III processors supplied by INTEL Corporation of 2200 Mission College Boulevard, Santa Clara, California, 95052, USA.
  • Memory 246 may include one or more types of solid-state electronic memory, magnetic memory, or optical memory, just to name a few.
  • memory 246 may include solid-state electronic Random Access Memory (RAM), Sequentially Accessible Memory (SAM) (such as the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) variety or the Last-In First-Out (LIFO) variety), Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM), Electrically Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), or Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM); an optical disc memory (such as a DVD or CD ROM); a magnetically encoded hard disc, floppy disc, tape, or cartridge media; or a combination of any of these memory types.
  • RAM solid-state electronic Random Access Memory
  • SAM Sequentially Accessible Memory
  • PROM Programmable Read Only Memory
  • EPROM Electrically Programmable Read Only Memory
  • EEPROM Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory
  • an optical disc memory such as a DVD or CD ROM
  • Monitor 250 provides visual output from workstation 250 to any human operators or attendants (not shown) of server 41. Additional input device(s) 252 and output device(s) 254 provide interfaces with other computing and/or human entities. Further, workstation 240 may include additional and/or alternative components as would occur to one skilled in the art.
  • additional information regarding package 23 and/or the shipment thereof is displayed with the images to which the links in column 215 of table 201 point. Such an arrangement might assist the user of the query system in properly identifying the package for which tracking information is desired.
  • reduced-size (“thumbnail”) images are displayed at block 170 (see FIG. 2), and full-size images are displayed with the tracking information at block 190.
  • images associated with packages are stored as BLOBs (binary large objects) in the same table or database as other package shipment and identity information.
  • images are stored in files separately from the information in the package identity and tracking database.
  • a single image or set of images can be re-used for multiple packages.
  • This type of embodiment might find one particularly useful application, for example, in the context of a mail-order company, for which many packages may be shipped but a few standard sizes and shapes of shipping carton are used.

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  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Quality & Reliability (AREA)
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
  • Human Resources & Organizations (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Operations Research (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Tourism & Hospitality (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Information Retrieval, Db Structures And Fs Structures Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un nouveau système de suivi (20). Dans un mode de réalisation, une image est mise en relation (215) avec des informations de suivi dans une base de données (201, 203). Cette image est utilisée pour aider un utilisateur à rechercher les informations de suivi. Dans un autre mode de réalisation, une base de données (201, 203) contenant des informations de suivi comporte au moins un lien (215) vers au moins une image d'un ensemble (23). En réponse à l'entrée (120) d'une série de critères de recherche, une série d'enregistrements est identifiée (130) et les images correspondant à ces enregistrements sont affichées (170) pour l'utilisateur. Ce dernier utilise alors ces images pour sélectionner (180) un ensemble précis (23), au sujet duquel des informations de suivi sont nécessaires. En réponse à cette sélection, le système affiche (190) les informations de suivi demandées.
EP00967250A 2000-10-03 2000-10-03 Systeme de suivi perfectionne par l'image Withdrawn EP1332442A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2000/027155 WO2002029639A1 (fr) 2000-10-03 2000-10-03 Systeme de suivi perfectionne par l'image

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1332442A1 EP1332442A1 (fr) 2003-08-06
EP1332442A4 true EP1332442A4 (fr) 2007-12-05

Family

ID=21741836

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00967250A Withdrawn EP1332442A4 (fr) 2000-10-03 2000-10-03 Systeme de suivi perfectionne par l'image

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1332442A4 (fr)
AU (1) AU2000277474A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2002029639A1 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998016884A1 (fr) * 1996-10-17 1998-04-23 Motorola Inc. Dispositif pour lecture d'un systeme de navigation de reseau electronique et unite peripherique utilisable avec ce dispositif
WO2000026811A1 (fr) * 1998-10-30 2000-05-11 Kinko's Ventures, Inc. Auto-verification et acheminement d'un document
EP1036602A2 (fr) * 1999-03-17 2000-09-20 Hitachi, Ltd. Dispositif de distribution d'articles

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5313051A (en) * 1992-04-06 1994-05-17 International Business Machines Corp. Paperless parcel tracking system
US6094642A (en) * 1997-10-24 2000-07-25 Federal Express Corporation Integrated data collection and transmission system and method of tracking package data

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998016884A1 (fr) * 1996-10-17 1998-04-23 Motorola Inc. Dispositif pour lecture d'un systeme de navigation de reseau electronique et unite peripherique utilisable avec ce dispositif
WO2000026811A1 (fr) * 1998-10-30 2000-05-11 Kinko's Ventures, Inc. Auto-verification et acheminement d'un document
EP1036602A2 (fr) * 1999-03-17 2000-09-20 Hitachi, Ltd. Dispositif de distribution d'articles

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO0229639A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1332442A1 (fr) 2003-08-06
AU2000277474A1 (en) 2002-04-15
WO2002029639A1 (fr) 2002-04-11

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