WO2007139509A2

WO2007139509A2 - Methodology of tracking delivery of consignments

Info

Publication number: WO2007139509A2
Application number: PCT/SG2006/000134
Authority: WO
Inventors: Soo Keong Koh
Original assignee: Toll (Asia) Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2006-05-31
Filing date: 2006-05-31
Publication date: 2007-12-06
Also published as: WO2007139509A3

Abstract

A method of confirming receipt of a consignment (36) comprising recording in a tracking system (24) an identifier (22) of the consignment. A readable form (34) of the identifier is associated with the consignment for transport. The consignment and the readable form of the identifier are transported to a recipient (48). Upon receipt of the consignment, the recipient makes an indication acknowledging receipt of the consignment, the readable form of the identifier is electronically read and an image of the recipient's indication is photographically captured (50). The read identifier and captured image are transmitted (62) to the tracking system.

Description

METHODOLOGY OF TRACKING DELIVERY OF CONSIGNMENTS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to deliveries of consignments and the tracking thereof.

Background of the Invention

Goods (including documents) are transported all over the world. Some are transported a short distance, such as within a city, some are transported between cities, some are transported between countries. Goods (hereinafter referred to as a "consignment") are transported in many forms, for example as a single document in an envelope, as a parcel of goods in a pouch, as a pallet of goods, as a container of goods or indeed, as many containers of goods. In each of these cases, the sender of the consignment creates a delivery note which accompanies the shipment to the consignee in order to facilitate acknowledgement of receiving the consignment. It is common practice for the consignee to initial, sign, and/or stamp the delivery note so as to confirm receipt of the consignment. The delivery note is usually a paper document in multiple-ply. One copy of the delivery note is retained by the consignee for future reference, another copy is retained by the transporter of the consignment to be sent back to the sender as proof-of-delivery and usually the transporter retains another copy. Based on the proof of delivery information, on the signed delivery note, the sender can proceed to bill the recipient and the transporter can bill the sender.

The problem with returning a paper proof-of-delivery note is that it entails a long turn-around time and is prone to error due to manual data entry into a computer system for tracking deliveries. Furthermore, it requires allocation of staff to perform the data entry to update the back- office system upon return of the signed paper delivery order. The long turn-around time is often due to the geographic distance the delivery personnel travel from a distribution centre to drop off locations which often includes multiple leg deliveries.

Sometimes the transporter collects the signed delivery notes for consolidation of proof-of-delivery information, which often adds to the delay in the proof-of-delivery information being sent to the consignment sender.

Some steps have been attempted to be made to address these problems, but have not gone far enough.

One example is where a Short Message Service (SMS) message is sent regarding the delivery status. The message is sent via a mobile telephone network from the delivery personnel to a team of data entry personnel at a distribution centre. The data entry personnel update the status of the delivery in a back office system. However the paper delivery notes are still returned by the delivery personnel to the distribution centre for compilation and filing. A large number of people are still required to perform this function and due to the additional manual data entry, the accuracy of data can actually diminish due to there being an increased number of points of failure.

Another system that attempts to address these problems is the use of (off-line) portable devices like a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) . A bar code reader can be attached to the PDA to improve data capturing accuracy. While re-entry of proof of delivery information at a distribution centre is eliminated since the data is collected and stored in the PDA, it is only downloaded to a central server after the transporter returns to the distribution centre, the information is not available in a timely manner. Furthermore, there is a large investment to equip every one of the delivery personnel with PDA devices .

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art in any country.

In the claims of this application and in the description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the words "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

The present invention seeks to address the abovementioned problems in an improved manner.

Summary of the Present Invention

In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of confirming receipt of a consignment comprising: providing a tracking system; recording in the tracking system an identifier of the consignment; associating a machine readable form of the identifier with the consignment for transport; transporting the consignment along with the machine readable form of the identifier to a recipient; upon receipt of the consignment, the recipient making an indication acknowledging receipt of the consignment, electronically reading the machine readable form of the identifier, and photographically capturing an image of the recipient's indication; transmitting to the tracking system the read identifier and captured image.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of tracking delivery of a consignment comprising: providing a tracking system; allocating a mobile device having an identifier of the device to a consignment; recording in the tracking system an association an identifier of the consignment with an identifier of the device; associating a machine readable form of the identifier with the consignment for transport; transporting the consignment, the machine readable form of the identifier and the mobile device to a recipient; upon receipt of the consignment, the recipient making an indication acknowledging receipt of the consignment, electronically reading the machine readable form of the identifier, and capturing the image of the recipient's indication; transmitting to the tracking system the identifier of the mobile device, the read identifier and captured image.

In one embodiment the mobile device electronically reads the machine readable form of the identifier and captures the image of the recipient's indication. In one embodiment the mobile device transmits the identifier of the mobile device, the read identifier and captured image to the tracking system.

In one embodiment the mobile device is a mobile telephone having a camera, wherein the camera is used to capture the image of the recipient's indication.

In one embodiment upon receipt of the identifier of the mobile device, the read identifier and captured image by the tracking system, the tracking system confirms that the received mobile device identifier was allocated to the consignment .

In one embodiment the method further comprises billing the recipient for the consignment.

In one embodiment the method further comprises billing the party sending the consignment for the delivery costs.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a consignment tracking system comprising: storage for recording an identifier of a consignment being sent; a receiver for receiving a transmission of an electronically read identifier of the consignment and a photographically captured image of a recipient's indication acknowledging receipt of the consignment; an indication device for indicating the consignment has been received upon receipt of the read identifier and captured image. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a consignment tracking system comprising: storage for recording an association of an identifier of a consignment being sent with an identifier of a mobile device allocated to the consignment; a receiver for receiving a transmission of an electronically read identifier of the consignment, the identifier of the mobile device and a captured image of a recipient's indication acknowledging receipt of the consignment; an indication device for indicating the consignment has been received upon receipt of the identifier of the mobile device, the read identifier and captured image.

In one embodiment the tracking system further comprises a locating device arranged to query the mobile device for its location. Alternatively the tracking system further comprises a locating device arranged to track the location of the mobile device. Preferably the locating device is arranged to receive a transmitted signal from the mobile device by one or more of a network of base stations . Preferably the base stations are part of a mobile (cell) telephone network.

In one embodiment the transmission of the identifier of the mobile device, the read identifier and captured image is via a mobile telephone network. Preferably the receiver includes an interface to the mobile telephone network. In one embodiment the tracking system further comprises a billing subsystem arranged to bill the recipient for the consignment.

In one embodiment the system further comprises a billing system for billing the party sending the consignment for the delivery costs.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program for controlling a computer to operate as a consignment tracking system comprising instructions to: record an association of an identifier of a consignment being sent with an identifier of a mobile device allocated to the consignment; receive a transmission of an electronically read identifier of the consignment, the identifier of the mobile device and a captured image of a recipient' s indication acknowledging receipt of the consignment; indicate the consignment has been received upon receipt of the identifier of the mobile device, the read identifier and captured image.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer readable storage medium comprising the above computer program in computing apparatus readable form.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a mobile device for use with a system for tracking a consignment comprising: a unique identifier of the mobile device; a recorder of an identifier of the consignment; a reader for reading a machine readable form of the identifier; a camera for capturing an image of indication acknowledging receipt of the consignment made by a recipient; a transmitter for sending to a tracking system the identifier of the mobile device, the read identifier and captured image in a predefined format.

Preferably the transmitter process for sending data to the tracking system is automated.

Summary of the Drawings

In order to provide a better understanding, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a business flow process between apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a system 10 for tracking consignments. This system 10 includes a

Warehouse Management System (WMS) server 14, a BIZTaIk server 18, a Proof-of-Delivery (POD) server 24 and a printer 32. Servers 14, 18 and 24 may be implemented on individual machines or maybe implemented on a single machine. The BIZTaIk server 18 serves as an interface between the WMS server 14 and the POD server 24. In some implementations of the present invention the BIZTaIk server 18 may be unnecessary. The WMS server 14 is configured to receive sales orders 12 which comprise delivery instructions for delivering a consignment 36 to a delivery location 46. The sales order 12 may also have or be associated with a purchase price for the consignment in the case where the consignment is a package of goods which have been purchased by the receiver. The sales order may further indicate or be associated with a delivery charge. The WMS server 14 generates a delivery note number 16 which is provided to the BIZTaIk server 18. The BIZTaIk server 18 updates the delivery status information at 20 which is provided to the WMS server 14 and which can be viewed by a user at 66. The delivery status update at this stage would be that a delivery number has been allocated to the order and that the package is being prepared for shipping, or similar.

The delivery note number is provided 22 by the BIZTaIk server 18 to the POD server 24. The POD server 24 maintains a POD signature database 26 which records signature images against delivery numbers.

The POD server 24 sends 28 the delivery note number, via a Digital Wireless Service to a mobile (cell) telephone 30 of an assigned delivery person 38. The mobile telephone 30 includes a camera. Downloading the delivery note number and any other information to the mobile telephone 30 is via digital wireless data network services such as high speed circuits with data (HSCSD) , General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) , Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) or Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) .

The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of the telephone is used to identify the mobile telephone 30 of the delivery person carrying the consignment 36.

This is received by the POD server 24 and recorded in the POD database 26. The delivery person's mobile telephone 30 thus contains a delivery note number which is an identifier of the consignment 36. The POD server 14 will update the delivery status to indicate that the consignment has been sent. This is sent 64 to the BIZTaIk server 18 and in turn 20 to the WMS server 14.

The WMS server 14 prints a delivery note 34 using printer 32. The delivery note 34 includes a barcode, which is an encoded form of the delivery note number or a number which is mapped to the delivery note number. The delivery person 38 receives the delivery note 34 and consignment 36, and dispatches it.

In some instances the dispatch will be via long haul truck 40, or will possibly include transport by sea or aircraft. The final delivery stage is often by a delivery van 44 (or motorcycle or equivalent) whereupon the consignment 36 is delivered to the delivery location 46.

The recipient of the consignment 36 signs 48 the delivery note confirming that the consignment 36 has been delivered. The delivery person 38 uses his mobile telephone at 50 to scan the barcode on the delivery note and uses the camera of the mobile telephone 30 to take a photograph of the signed delivery note. The IMEI number, the scanned barcode and the photograph are wirelessly transmitted from the mobile telephone 50 (now at the delivery location) back to the sender, via a telco communication tower 52 at a local base station, through a digital network 54 to a telco communication server 56, and then via the internet through the sender's firewall 60 so that the signature image and delivery status information 62 is then provided to the POD server 24. The POD server 24 can then update POD signature database 26. An update of the database 26 delivery status information to

"received" is sent 64 to the BIZTaIk server 18, which in turn can transfer 20 that updated status information to - li the WMS server 14. The updated status information can be displayed again to an operator of the sending service at 66.

Along the course of the delivery, if the shipment passes through multiple points of transport, the transfer of the delivery order number from one mobile telephone 30 to another mobile telephone 42 is conducted via digital wireless data network transfer. This is performed by the new delivery person scanning the barcode printed on the delivery note with the new delivery person' s mobile telephone 42. This is sent back to the POD server 24, which then assigns the delivery note to the mobile telephone 42 of the next delivery person. The scanned barcode is sent back to the POD server 24 via the telco communication tower 52, through the digital network 54 to the telco communication server 56, and then via the internet 58 through the firewall 62. An update of the processing of the delivery is then made by the POD server 24 and via the BIZTaIk server 18 with the WMS server 14 the POD database 26.

At scheduled intervals, for example five minutes, the POD server 24 can send 64 and 20 the delivery status information to the WMS server 14. When the delivery is received the delivery order can be closed. At this point the billing process can start whereby the sender can be billed for the transportation costs and the sender can bill the recipient for any costs of the consignment, which if appropriate may include purchase costs.

Additionally if the location of the consignment is sought during transit then it is possible to track the location of the delivery person via his mobile telephone 30/42. As the mobile telephone 30/42 registers with base stations 52 of the mobile telephone network through which it is traveling this can then be used to roughly track the location. Information from the base station can be sent to the POD server 24 and checked to track the location of the delivery person using a database in which a reference to a mobile telephone base station 52 can be used to look up location information.

The present invention provides advantages over prior systems due to its ability to capture and quickly provide proof of delivery information back to the consignment tracking system to improve business and a customer cash conversion cycle. Furthermore, it reduces data errors due to elimination of manual input of information. Furthermore, implantation by a low cost mobile camera telephone and use of off-the-shelf third party software applications keeps the implementation costs low and extends the scalability of the invention. A mobile telephone operating system such as Symbian Operating System, which is supported by many mobile telephone manufacturers, can provide a platform for the mobile client development.

The mobile telephone can run a specialized client computer program to facilitate the receipt of the delivery note number by reporting its location as it travels through the coverage of telephone network base stations, capturing the barcode of the consignment, capturing the photograph of the recipient's signature and formatting the data which is sent back to the tracking system. Data storage of delivery details and completed task and signature images in the mobile device memory can be downloaded using a mobile device cradle connected to a server to remove the used data. Another option is that once the data is sent back to the tracking system, the tracking system acknowledges the receipt of data, and the data is automatically deleted in the mobile device. It will be appreciated that the present invention can be used as a delivery system of warehouse goods as illustrated. It will also be appreciated that the present system can be used for example by a courier business or other shipping business.

Modifications and variations may be made to the present invention without departing from the basic inventive concepts. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention the nature of which to be determined from the foregoing description and appended claims.

Claims

- IA - The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A method of confirming receipt of a consignment comprising: providing a tracking system; recording in the tracking system an identifier of the consignment; associating a machine readable form of the identifier with the consignment for transport; transporting the consignment along with the machine readable form of the identifier to a recipient; upon receipt of the consignment, the recipient making an indication acknowledging receipt of the consignment, electronically reading the machine readable form of the identifier, and photographically capturing an image of the recipient's indication; transmitting to the tracking system the read identifier and captured image.

2. A method of tracking delivery of a consignment comprising: providing a tracking system; allocating a mobile device having an identifier of the device to a consignment; recording in the tracking system an association of an identifier of the consignment with an identifier of the device; associating a machine readable form of the identifier with the consignment for transport; transporting the consignment, the machine readable form of the identifier and the mobile device to a recipient; upon receipt of the consignment, the recipient making an indication acknowledging receipt of the consignment, electronically reading the machine readable form of the identifier, and capturing the image of the recipient's indication; transmitting to the tracking system the identifier of the mobile device, the read identifier and captured image.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the mobile device electronically reads the machine readable form of the identifier and captures the image of the recipient's indication.

4. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mobile device is a mobile telephone having a camera, wherein the camera is used to capture the image of the recipient's indication.

5. A method according to claims 1 to 4, wherein upon receipt of the identifier of the mobile device, the read identifier and captured image by the tracking system, the tracking system confirms that the received mobile device identifier was allocated to the consignment.

6. A method according to claims 1 to 5, wherein the method further comprises billing the recipient for the consignment .

7. A method according to claims 1 to 6, wherein the method further comprises billing the party sending the consignment for the delivery costs.

8. A consignment tracking system comprising: storage for recording an identifier of a consignment being sent; a receiver for receiving a transmission of an electronically read identifier of the consignment and a photographically captured image of a recipient's indication acknowledging receipt of the consignment; an indication device for indicating the consignment have been received upon receipt of the read identifier and captured image.

9. A consignment tracking system comprising: storage means for recording an association of an identifier of a consignment being sent with an identifier of a mobile device allocated to the consignment; receiver means for receiving a transmission of an electronically read identifier of the consignment, the identifier of the mobile device and a captured image of a recipient's indication acknowledging receipt of the consignment; an indication device for indicating the consignment has been received upon receipt of the identifier of the mobile device, the read identifier and captured image.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein the tracking system further comprises a locating device arranged to query the mobile device for its location.

11. A system according to claim 9, wherein the tracking system further comprises a locating device arranged to track the location of the mobile device.

12. A system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the locating device is arranged to receive a transmitted signal from the mobile device by one or more of a network of base stations.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein the base stations are part of a mobile (cell) telephone network.

14. A system according to claims 9 to 13, wherein the transmission of the identifier of the mobile device, the read identifier and captured image is via a mobile telephone network.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein the receiver includes an interface to the mobile telephone network.

16. A system according to claims 9 to 15, wherein the tracking system further comprises a billing subsystem arranged to bill the recipient for the consignment.

17. A system according to claims 9 to 16, wherein the system further comprises a billing subsystem for billing the party sending the consignment for the delivery costs.

18. A computer program for controlling a computer to operate as a consignment tracking system comprising instructions to: record an association of an identifier of a consignment being sent with an identifier of a mobile device allocated to the consignment; receive a transmission of an electronically read identifier of the consignment, the identifier of the mobile device and a captured image of a recipient's indication acknowledging receipt of the consignment; indicate the consignment has been received upon receipt of the identifier of the mobile device, the read identifier and captured image.

19. A computer readable storage medium comprising the computer program according to claim 18 in computing apparatus readable form.

20. A mobile device for use with a system for tracking a consignment comprising: a unique identifier of the mobile device; a recorder of an identifier of the consignment; a reader for reading a machine readable form of the identifier; a camera for capturing an image of indication acknowledging receipt of the consignment made by a recipient; a transmitter for sending to a tracking system the identifier of the mobile device, the read identifier and captured image in a predefined format.

21. A mobile device according to claim 20, wherein the transmitter process for sending data to the tracking system is automated.