WO2017065687A1

WO2017065687A1 - System and method for the provision of on-demand courier services via an innovative automated matching process

Info

Publication number: WO2017065687A1
Application number: PCT/SG2015/050392
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tiong Meng TAN; Aleksandr DANILOV
Original assignee: Zap Delivery Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2015-10-15
Filing date: 2015-10-15
Publication date: 2017-04-20

Abstract

The invention provides a system and method for matching senders of items to the nearest available courier via real-time Global Positioning System technologies. Senders request for a courier pick-up through an application. The sender's delivery requests are then published and broadcasted to a plurality of available couriers. The invention will automatically assign the nearest and best suited courier to perform the delivery. The invention further provides for enhanced security during the delivery transaction. The invention therefore ensures the secure passage of the parcel from the sender to the intended recipient and does so in a simple, fast and efficient manner.

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE PROVISION OF ON-DEMAND COURIER SERVICES VIA AN INNOVATIVE AUTOMATED MATCHING PROCESS

BACKGROUND

[0001] The global courier parcels market is a multibillion-dollar industry, still projected for stable growth in the next few years and one which will be driven by the continued growth of electronic commerce and online stores.

[0002] Given the immense potential for growth and the size of the industry, there have however been few disruptive technologies and innovations that could return a cheaper, better and faster experience for the consumer, who in this specification are senders of the parcels or items via courier and/or delivery services.

[0003] In a traditional scenario, when a sender needs to order a courier service, he or she needs to call the courier company's hotline and order a pickup service from the company's customer service representative. Alternatively, he or she can schedule a pick-up online through the courier company's website, if such a service is even available.

[0004] The courier company then relays the request to its own couriers, who may be limited in number, or who may be busy attending to other service requests already. By the time the request is received and accepted by an available courier, a substantial amount of time may have passed, and the service provided is therefore neither efficient, prompt nor cost-effective.

[0005] Problems or further pain points the sender may encounter during the ordering of a courier service includes instances where the sender is unaware of the location and/or proximity of the courier relative to the sender's own location, and therefore the sender is unaware of when the courier will arrive for the pick-up of the parcel. Further, the sender may similarly be unaware of the location of the parcel at any point in time during the delivery transaction. The sender is also unaware of when the parcel will arrive at the intended recipient's location and/or whether the delivery item was actually received by the correct intended recipient.

[0006] Further, conventional delivery processes today primarily rely on signatures (digital or otherwise) obtained from the intended recipients of the parcels, for verification purposes. However, with the advancement of mobile communications, the conventional method for verification of delivery is rapidly becoming obsolete and unreliable.

[0007] Whilst more advanced delivery processes may utilise digitalised signatures stored in a central database, which may be retrieved and checked by senders, mere reliance on signatures for delivery verification is an unreliable safeguard as a signature of a person who receives a parcel is at best only an indication of receipt of the parcel, and does little in verifying the identity of the person who received the parcel, and that such recipient was indeed the sender's intended recipient.

[0008] The danger in such unsecured transactions is apparent as, where the intended recipient is absent, another individual may easily sign off for the parcel and thereafter abscond with the parcel, and thereby gain access to the contents of the parcel. There is also an additional need to be able to easily track parcels which have been delivered to wrong addresses or individuals. In view of the foregoing, a more reliable form of delivery verification is needed, and which this invention further seeks to address.

[0009] Presently, senders of parcels are therefore left to ponder a myriad of doubts and uncertainties during the delivery transaction. Perhaps, the biggest pain point is the non-availability and/or the non-accessibility of instant pick-up and immediate delivery services by couriers. Even if such immediate delivery services are available, such services are usually charged at an extremely high premium that effectively prohibits and dissuades senders from ordering such a service at all. [0010] This invention therefore seeks to address the pain points which currently plague such delivery and courier services.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The invention described enables individuals who wish to deliver a document and/or parcel, to be automatically matched to a courier who is available and best suited to carry out the delivery request ("Assigned Courier"), in as few as 3 taps and/or clicks on the proprietary multi-platform software ("Application") installed on the sender's smart device, such as a smart phone and/or tablet, a mobile phone or a computer respectively ("Device(s)"). Further, the Application shall also be installed and/or from an operated Assigned Courier's Device, an on-premises and/or cloud based dedicated server and/or databases therein and which shall at all times be connected through a wireless mobile communications network and/or a wide area network ("Communications Network").

[0012] Senders and Assigned Couriers are engaged with each other through the proprietary Application on their respective Devices. This shared platform and its associated interface thus provides a medium for convenient and seamless communication between senders and the Assigned Couriers to whom they are matched.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the invention further provides for automatic route generation and plotting for an Assigned Courier. The route plotted shall be the most efficient route between the pick-up and delivery location and/or locations.

[0014] In another embodiment, the invention further comprises an algorithm for the assignment of multiple delivery jobs to a single courier within multiple pick-up locations, within a certain proximity of the way en-route to the fulfilment of the Assigned Courier's pre-assigned delivery request. [0015] The invention thus enables the fast, effective and efficient pick-up and delivery of parcels from senders to their intended recipients by the Assigned Courier who is automatically matched to the sender.

[0016] According to one embodiment, a delivery request can be completed within 1 to 2 hours if delivery conditions such as traffic conditions and the proximity of sender to the Assigned Courier are favourable.

[0017] In the ideal embodiment of the invention, the delivery request may be completed in as little as 0.5 to 1 hour where delivery conditions are optimal, for example where the sender and the recipient are located within the same geographical zone and the traffic conditions are optimal.

[0018] The invention further comprises an enhanced verification, authentication and secured handover process whereby secure numeric codes are employed at key milestones of the delivery in order to authenticate and verify the identity of parties involved in the delivery transaction.

[0019] In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the invention's Application shall be adapted to generate secure six-digit numeric codes to be keyed in by senders and their intended recipients respectively at key milestones of the delivery, and this allows for the enhanced security of the delivery transaction by authenticating and verifying the parties' identities at such key milestones.

[0020] In another embodiment of this invention, the enhanced verification, authentication and secured handover process may utilise other forms of verification and authentication, in addition to the invention's use of the unique six-digit numeric code. Such other forms of enhanced verification and authentication shall include, but is not limited to, biometric pattern matching and/or voice pattern recognition and matching. [0021] The Application is available for download, installation and/or operation via the iOS App Store, the Android App Store and/or an online web- browser accessible via the sender's respective Device.

[0022] As such, the invention may be operated fully using common, everyday devices which the abovementioned individuals are accustomed to using, and thereby obviates the additional need for the employment of sophisticated or specialised additional equipment for the operation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The following descriptions, considered together with the accompanying drawings will provide more clarity and a more detailed explanation of the invention, wherein:

[0024] FIG. 1 is an overview of the automated delivery transaction matching and workflow management process and includes a description of the enhanced verification, authentication and secured handover system and method;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a focussed view of the enhanced verification, authentication and secured handover function of the invention; and

[0026] FIG. 3 is an exemplary overview of the automated delivery transaction matching, workflow management and enhanced verification, authentication and secured handover system and method from the perspective of a courier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] According to FIG. 1 , for a Sender to place an order for a courier delivery service, the sender shall first log into the Application on their Device, and said Device is to be connected to a Communications Network.

[0028] It is presumed that the sender had already downloaded the Application onto his Device, and the sender had already provided his relevant personal and other required data and had thus acquired his personalised user account on the Application.

[0029] The sender's location shall then be determined through the Application 100, and the determination of the sender's location can be carried out in two ways.

[0030] The sender's current geographic location may be determined programmatically on an onscreen map within the Application installed on the sender's Device via the Application's real-time Global Positioning System ("GPS") tracking capabilities 101 , and the sender's current location as tracked by the Application is set as the pick-up location of the document and/or parcel. This way, no manual involvement on the sender's part is required for the input of the location of pick-up of the document and/or parcel.

[0031] Alternatively, the pick-up location may be input manually 102 by the sender through the keying in of the said pick-up location into the Application.

[0032] Once the sender's location has been determined, the sender then inputs 103 his mobile number into the Application and other information which may be pertinent to the delivery transaction such as the sender's pickup details. For example should the sender be unable to be physically present to handover the document and/or parcel to the Assigned Courier, the sender may instruct the Assigned Courier in this manner to collect the document and/or parcel from the sender's representative instead.

[0033] The sender then inputs the intended recipient's location 104, and as with the determination of the sender's location, the determination of the intended recipient's location may be carried out in two ways.

[0034] In the preferred embodiment, it is presumed that the intended recipient had already downloaded the Application onto his Device and the current geographic location of the intended recipient is determined programmatically via real-time GPS tracking capabilities within the Application installed on the intended recipient's smart device 105, and the intended recipient's current location as tracked by the Application is set as the delivery location of the document and/or parcel. In this way, no manual involvement on the sender's part is required for the input of the location of delivery of the document and/or parcel. Alternatively, the sender may select the intended recipient's location from a dropdown menu on the Application, which shall list the 5 most recent transacted locations within the Application. In this way, no further manual involvement is required from the sender, and allows for the easy selection of the intended recipient's location details.

[0035] If however the intended recipient does not have the Application downloaded on his Device, and if the sender had not previously input the intended recipient's location into his Application, then the intended recipient's location may be input manually 106 by the sender through the keying in of the said location into the Application.

[0036] Once the intended recipient's location is determined, the sender then inputs the mobile number of the intended recipient into Application, and other information which may be pertinent to the delivery transaction such as the details of the intended recipient 107. For example, should the intended recipient be unable to be physically present to receive the document and/or parcel from the Assigned Courier, the sender may instruct the Assigned Courier via the Application to handover the document and/or parcel to the intended recipient's representative instead.

[0037] The sender next selects the type of item to be delivered 108 via a dropdown menu within the Application, which will contain a range of options for the sender to select, such as documents (i.e. lightweight and compact articles such as letters) and/or parcels (i.e. bulkier and heavier articles such as large boxes).

[0038] The sender will also have the option to add 109 any special comments, requests or instructions for the Assigned Courier as regards the document and/or parcel to be delivered. For example, if the document and/or parcel to be delivered is fragile, the sender may make the Assigned Courier aware of the fragility of the document and/or parcel, and further issue special handling instructions to the Assigned Courier.

[0039] Next, the sender then confirms the delivery details 110 and the order for the delivery courier service. The sender does so by confirming the pick-up location, delivery location, size of the item, price for the payment of the delivery, and the mobile numbers of both the sender and the intended recipient (or the intended recipient's representative).

[0040] An electronic payment gateway 114, incorporated into the Application then allows for the almost instantaneous calculation of the delivery fees payable by way of a proprietary algorithm 111. According to the preferred embodiment, the delivery fee payable is calculated by reference to certain indicators including but not limited to the total distance of the delivery transaction, the time of the day and the day of the week that the delivery request is made thereon, the size and weight of the parcels and/or items, and any other special requests as specified by the sender.

[0041] The sender is notified via the Application as to the delivery fee that he or she will have to pay. Within the electronic payment gateway, the sender may thereafter further nominate 111 , from a range of payment methods, a method by which he or she wishes to pay for the said delivery fee. According to the preferred embodiment, the sender may choose from a variety of methods of payment, including but not limited to payment by credit card, payment from the sender's bank account, or by other electronic methods of payment. After selecting his preferred method of payment, the sender inputs his payment information within the electronic payment gateway and thereafter the sender will be able to review his or her payment methods 111 prior to making the payment.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is a function for the sender to save his or her preferred method(s) of payment and the details of such payment methods within the electronic payment gateway, thereby enabling the sender greater ease in making payment for subsequent deliveries. The sender's saved preferred methods of payment will thereafter appear within a dropdown menu within the electronic payment gateway, and can be easily selected by the sender.

[0043] Payment is automatically deducted 112 from the sender's nominated credit card or bank account or any other preferred electronic payment methods after the document and/or parcel is delivered to the intended recipient i.e. upon completion of the delivery transaction.

[0044] The said payment amount due to the Assigned Courier shall be held in escrow 113 for up to 14 days, subject to the sender's feedback of the Assigned Courier, via the review mechanism on the invention's Application, and where there is no further dispute and/or claims from the sender in relation to the delivery transaction and/or with the Assigned Courier.

[0045] Once the sender has nominated a payment method and the requisite payment details are entered into the electronic payment gateway, the sender's delivery request will be published on the Application 115, and all the sender has to do at this point is to wait 116 for a courier to shortly be automatically assigned to carry out the delivery request.

[0046] In one embodiment, as soon as the system receives the delivery request, it will then execute a matching process by first identifying the plurality of couriers who are within a 0.5 kilometre radius from the sender's location via the GPS location tracking feature on the Application installed on the couriers' Device, and the delivery request will then be broadcasted to the said plurality of couriers ( Initial Broadcast ").

[0047] The said plurality of couriers will then be able to bid for the delivery job and the system will thereafter assign the said request from the sender to the nearest and best suited courier via the proprietary transaction matching algorithm in the invention. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the factors that shall be taken into consideration for the matching of the sender to the courier shall include but is not limited to the courier's proximity, the courier's rating and reviews of the courier on the Application, the courier's duration of service under this invention, the courier's number successfully completed deliveries, and so on.

[0048] In the preferred embodiment of invention, if the sender's delivery request receives no bids within a 15 to 30 second interval after the Initial Broadcast, the system will automatically republish and rebroadcast the sender's delivery request to a plurality of couriers within a 1 kilometre radius to the sender.

[0049] If there are still no bids from couriers within the 1 kilometre radius after a further interval 15 to 30 seconds has lapsed, then the system will automatically cancel the sender's delivery request, and will notify the sender of any such cancellation via the Application.

[0050] In another embodiment, if there are no bids received, then the system will continue to rebroadcast and republish the sender's delivery request in further increments of 0.5 kilometres from that of the Initial Broadcast, up to a maximum radius of 5 kilometres to 10 kilometres or until the delivery request is accepted and thereafter assigned an Assigned Courier whichever being earlier. The determination of the maximum radius shall be dependent on the vastness of the land area and/or population density of the geographical location of the sender and the courier.

[0051] If there are bids received from the plurality of couriers and thereafter a successful assignment of the Assigned Courier 117 by the system, the sender will receive via the Application identifying information as published in relation to the Assigned Courier's profile within the Assigned Courier's Application. Such information includes but is not limited to the Assigned Courier's cellular contact number and photograph. Further, a unique six-digit numeric code will be generated 118 and sent via Short Messaging System ("SMS") and/or through other Push Notification methods to the sender's Device 119. [0052] The unique six-digit numeric code generated by the system is for the purpose of verifying and authenticating the identities of the parties in the delivery transaction, namely the sender, the intended recipient and the Assigned Courier. This delivery authentication system will be described further below.

[0053] Once the Assigned Courier is assigned to the sender's delivery request, and thereafter the Assigned Courier commences travelling to the sender's location, the sender then need only wait for the Assigned Courier to arrive at the pickup location 120. The system will automatically track and generate the Assigned Courier's GPS location to the sender via the sender's Application, and the sender is therefore able to track the Assigned Courier's location through the Application at all times until the completion of the delivery transaction. From the point in time of the successful assignment of the Assigned Courier, the location of the Assigned Courier can be tracked 124 in real-time by the sender via the GPS location tracking feature on the Assigned Courier's Application.

[0054] The Assigned Courier thereafter arrives at the sender's location to effect the handing over of the document and/or parcel from the sender 121 and the sender shall then, at the Assigned Courier's request, input the unique six- digit numeric code into the Assigned Courier's application 122.

[0055] The system will then verify and authenticate the input of the said unique six-digit numeric code into the Assigned Courier's Application and the successful verification of the six-digit numeric code signifies a proper handover of the document and/or parcel from the sender to the Assigned Courier and the commencement of the delivery 123, and upon the commencement of the delivery, the system will automatically track and generate the Assigned Courier's GPS location to the intended recipient via the intended recipient's Application, and the intended recipient is therefore able to track the Assigned Courier's location through the Application until the completion of the delivery transaction. From the point in time of the commencement of the delivery, the location of the Assigned Courier can be tracked 124 in real-time by the intended recipient via the GPS location tracking feature on the Assigned Courier's Application.

[0056] A further unique six-digit numeric code shall then be generated 125 and sent via SMS and/or other Push Notification methods to the intended recipient 126. This further unique six-digit numeric code shall be for the purpose of verifying and authenticating the handing over of the delivered document and/or parcel to the intended recipient by the Assigned Courier.

[0057] Once the Assigned Courier arrives at the intended recipient's location, the intended recipient shall, at the Assigned Courier's request, input the unique six-digit numeric code into the Assigned Courier's Application for the said verification purposes 127.

[0058] Upon the authentication of the intended recipient's unique six-digit numeric code by the system, the handover process of the delivery document and/or parcel is verified and this signifies that the parcel has been successfully handed over by the Assigned Courier to the correct intended recipient and the delivery transaction is therefore successfully completed.

[0059] The sender is then notified through an SMS and/or other Push Notification methods through the Application and on the sender's Device of the status of the delivery being successfully completed 128.

[0060] After the sender is notified of the successful delivery, the sender will be able to, through a review and rating mechanism within the Application, rate the quality of and provide feedback on the service rendered by the Assigned Courier 129.

[0061] Payment is also automatically effected by the system 130 and the money that is deducted from the sender's nominated credit card or bank account or any other preferred electronic payment methods as accepted by the invention's payment gateway, is released to the Assigned Courier after a certain escrow period not exceeding 14 days, subject to the sender's feedback of the Assigned Courier, via the abovementioned rating and review platform, and subject to there being no further dispute and/or claims from the sender in relation to the delivery and/or with the Assigned Courier.

[0062] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary, focussed view of the enhanced verification, authentication and secured handover function of the invention.

[0063] After a courier accepts a delivery job 200, the sender will receive a notification that a courier has been assigned to carry out the requested delivery 201.

[0064] The system will then in turn generate the six-digit numeric code 203, and thereafter, sends the said code to the sender via a Push Notification method 204 or through an SMS gateway 205 via SMS 206 to the sender's Device, and the data signifying the assignment of the courier to the sender is concurrently communicated to the database 202.

[0065] When the Assigned Courier reaches the sender, the said six-digit numeric code is input by the sender into the Assigned Courier's Device 207, and the said code goes through a process of verification 208. This involves the contacting of the database 202 to determine if the code input by the sender matches the code generated 203.

[0066] If the correct six-digit numeric code is keyed into the Assigned Courier's Device 210 and a match is obtained, the sender hands over the document and/or parcel to be delivered to the Assigned Courier and the Assigned Courier shall then commence delivery of the document and/or parcel 211.

[0067] In the event that the six-digit numeric code which is keyed into the Assigned Courier's Device is incorrect 209, the sender shall be prompted by the Application to re-enter the six-digit numeric code for verification 208, and the process described may be repeated until the correct six-digit numeric code is entered and accepted by the system 210. [0068] It shall be noted here that the Assigned Courier shall not at any point have any knowledge of the said six-digit numeric code to be keyed into his Device.

[0069] Once the correct code is entered into the Courier's Device and delivery of the document and/or parcel commences, the system in turn generates a further six-digit numeric code 212 and the data signifying this milestone is communicated to the database 213.

[0070] The further six-digit numeric code is to be input into the Assigned Courier's Device by the intended recipient upon delivery of the document and/or parcel. This further six-digit numeric code is therefore sent to the intended recipient's Device, either via a Push Notification method 214 or through an SMS Gateway 215 by SMS 216 to the sender's Device.

[0071] When the Assigned Courier reaches the intended recipient, the said further six-digit numeric code is input by the intended recipient into the Assigned Courier's Device 217, and the code goes through a process of verification 218. This, as above, involves the contacting of the database 213 to determine if the code input by the intended recipient matches the code generated 212.

[0072] If the correct code is keyed into the Assigned Courier's Device 220 and a match is obtained, the Assigned Courier hands over the document and/or parcel to the intended recipient, thus signifying the successful completion of the delivery transaction 221.

[0073] If, however, the code keyed in to the Assigned Courier's Device by the intended recipient is incorrect 219, the intended recipient shall be prompted by the Application to re-enter the code for verification 218, and the process described may be repeated until the correct code is entered 220. The document and/or parcel to be delivered will not be handed over to the intended recipient unless a correct code is input by the intended recipient into the Assigned Courier's Device.

[0074] It shall be noted again here that the Assigned Courier shall not at any point have any knowledge of the said code to be keyed into his Device.

[0075] FIG. 3 is an exemplary overview of the automated delivery transaction matching, workflow management and enhanced verification, authentication and secured handover system and method from the perspective of a courier.

[0076] A potential courier who wishes to perform a delivery job shall log into the Application on his Device, which shall be connected to a Communications Network. Thereafter, the potential courier activates his "Available" status on the Application 300, thus signifying that the courier is open and available to accepting delivery jobs.

[0077] Thereafter, the potential courier will be able to view, on the Application, a list of all currently available delivery requests from senders within the prescribed vicinity of the potential courier's location and which have been published via the Application 301 , and with such list being generated from the data of such delivery requests stored in the database 308. The courier may thereafter bid for and thereafter claim a job 304 from the list of delivery requests published on the Application.

[0078] In addition to being able to view the list of all currently available delivery requests, the courier may also concurrently receive notifications via the Push Notification methods 302 sent to the courier's Device, notifying the courier of delivery requests as and when such requests may be published and broadcasted by senders within the courier's vicinity. The courier upon receiving such notifications may either choose to reject the job 303 or accept and therefore claim the job 304.

[0079] If the courier decides to reject the job, the courier may thereafter continue to await further notifications via a Push Notification method 303 or continue to monitor the list of currently available delivery requests 301 until the courier decides to claim a job 304.

[0080] Once a delivery job is claimed by the courier 304, data signifying this event is transmitted to the database 308 and the listing of the delivery job is therefore removed from the list of currently available requests 301 , and the courier is in turn matched to the sender (i.e. the other individual from whom the delivery request originated), and the potential courier thereafter becomes an Assigned Courier for the said delivery requested.

[0081] Once an Assigned Courier has been assigned for the said delivery request, the sender is notified by SMS and/or via a Push Notification method of the successful assignment of the Assigned Courier to carry out the requested delivery. The six-digit numeric code, for the verification and authentication of the Assigned Courier by the sender is generated and thereafter sent to the sender by SMS and/or a Push Notification method 305 to the sender's Device.

[0082] The Assigned Courier then travels to the sender's location, whereupon the Assigned Courier shall allow the sender to input the six-digit numeric code referred to above into the Assigned Courier's Device 306. The code input by the sender goes through a process of verification 307 wherein the database 308 is contacted to determine if the code input by the sender is correct and therefore matches the code generated by the system.

[0083] After the sender inputs the correct code into the Assigned Courier's Device, the Assigned Courier shall accept the handover of the document and/or parcel from the sender and the process of delivery commences 309 with the Assigned Courier setting off for the intended recipient's location with the document and/or parcel in tow. At this point, the Assigned Courier's commencement of delivery is notified to both sender and the intended recipient and a further six-digit numeric code is sent to the intended recipient by SMS and/or a Push Notification method 310 on the intended recipient's Device. [0084] After the Assigned Courier reaches the intended recipient's location, the Assigned Courier shall allow the intended recipient to input the further six- digit numeric code into his Device 311. The code input by the sender goes through a process of verification 307 wherein the database 308 is contacted to determine if the code input by the intended recipient is correct and therefore matches the code generated by the system.

[0085] After the intended recipient inputs the correct code into the Assigned Courier's Device, the Assigned Courier shall hand over the document and/or parcel from the sender to the intended recipient, thus signifying the completion of the delivery process 312. The sender is at this point notified of the completion of the delivery process 313 by SMS and/or a Push Notification method.

[0086] After the successful completion of the delivery, the Assigned Courier may then continue to monitor the list of delivery requests on the Application 301 and/or await the receipt of further notifications via the Push Notification methods notifying him of delivery requests from senders in the Assigned Courier's prescribed vicinity 302.

Claims

CLAIMS What is clamed is:

1 . An automated delivery transaction matching and enhanced verification, authentication and secure delivery system comprising an Application: adapted to allow senders of documents and/or parcels to request for a delivery job, and to then allow a plurality of available couriers within the senders vicinity to then bid for the delivery job as requested by the sender; adapted to receive, record, store and determine the essential information of the sender's requested delivery job and thereafter to publish and broadcast such delivery information to the said plurality of available couriers within the sender's vicinity; adapted to assign an Assigned Courier, from the plurality of couriers within the vicinity of the sender, who are ready, willing and able to accept the sender's published delivery request, and who had bid for the sender's requested delivery job; adapted to track and monitor the location of the courier and the documents and/or parcels to be delivered at any point during the delivery via a GPS location tracking feature; adapted to allow senders to make payment for successfully completed deliveries via an electronic payment gateway; adapted to allow senders to rate the service rendered by an Assigned Courier after the completion of each delivery via a review and rating mechanism; and adapted to allow for the screening of prospective couriers at the time of registration on the Application and to generate secure codes to be keyed in by senders and their intended recipients respectively at key milestones of the delivery.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the secure codes shall be unique six-digit numeric codes that are generated at key milestones of the delivery.

3. The system according to claim 2 wherein the six-digit numeric code shall be sent to the sender upon the assignment of an Assigned Courier for the sender's requested delivery job, and where a further six-digit numeric code shall be sent to the intended recipient upon the pick-up of the sender's documents and/or parcels by the Assigned Courier.

4. The system according to claim 3 wherein the six-digit numeric codes shall be transmitted to the senders' and/or intended recipients' respective Device via a Communications Network, and in the form of an SMS and/or a Push Notification method.

5. The system according to claim 4 wherein the six-digit numeric codes are adapted to allow the sender to verify and authenticate the Assigned Courier's identity at the time of pick-up, and further allows the Assigned Courier to verify and authenticate the intended recipient's identity at the time of the handing over of the documents and/or parcels to the intended recipient.

6. The system according to claim 5 wherein the six-digit numeric code shall be processed and verified once it has been input into the Assigned Courier's Application on the Assigned Courier's Device by the sender when the documents and/or parcels are handed over to the Assigned Courier by the sender, and which shall therefore signify the commencement of the delivery.

7. The system according to claim 6 wherein the six-digit numeric code shall be processed and verified once it has been input into the Assigned Courier's Application on the Assigned Courier's Device by the intended recipient when the documents and/or parcels are handed over to the intended recipient by the Assigned Courier, and which shall therefore signify the successful completion of the delivery.

8. The system according to claim 7 wherein the Application is further adapted to automatically transmit an SMS and/or Push Notification to sender and the intended recipient upon the commencement of the delivery and to the sender upon the successful completion of the delivery.

9. The system according to claim 8 wherein the Application is further adapted to allow and/or deny the registration of a prospective Assigned Courier depending on the information provided by the prospective Assigned Courier at the time of registration and on the results of the preliminary checks conducted on the prospective Assigned Courier at the time of such registration.

10. The system according to claim 1 wherein the Application further comprises of a proprietary algorithm which is adapted to assign an Assigned Courier based on key considerations which includes but is not limited to the relative proximity of available couriers to the sender, the amount of positive reviews each courier has received by users of the Application and/or the rating given to each courier therein, the duration of each courier's use of the Application, the number of successful delivery jobs completed by each courier and the mode of transport adopted by each courier, which may include but is not limited to cars, taxis, vans, motorcycles, bicycles, buses, mass rapid transit (i.e. trains), roller blades or by foot.

1 1 . The system according to claim 10 wherein the Application is adapted to receive, record, store and determine the senders essential information, including but not limited to the sender's and the intended recipient's location via GPS location tracking and/or manual entry, a description of the documents and/or parcels to be delivered, any further special delivery requirements and/or requests and the mobile phone numbers of both sender and the sender's intended recipient.

12. The system according to claim 1 1 wherein the Application is further adapted to retain the essential information of senders who regularly use the Application, such as the sender's and the intended recipient's addresses, the addresses of the sender's recent delivery requests, and/or the sender's and intended recipient's mobile phone numbers.

13. The system according to claim 12 wherein the Application is further adapted to process and thereafter automatically publish and broadcast the sender's delivery request to the Applications on the Devices of the plurality of available couriers located within a 0.5 kilometre radius to the sender and which shall allow the said plurality of available couriers to bid on the sender's published and broadcasted delivery request.

14. The system according to claim 13 wherein the Application is further adapted to automatically republish and rebroadcast the senders delivery request to a further plurality of available couriers located within a further 0.5 kilometre proximity from the Initial Broadcast, after a 1 5 to 30 second interval, to a radius of 1 kilometre or more, depending on the vastness of the land area and/or the population density of the sender's geographical location, and in the event that no bids are received from the plurality of available couriers to whom the Initial Broadcast was first transmitted.

15. The system according to claim 14 wherein the Application is further adapted to automatically cancel the sender's republished and rebroadcasted delivery request and notify the sender of such cancellation via the Application after a 15 to 30 second interval if no bids are received from the plurality of available couriers, and after the maximum number of times the delivery request has been republished and rebroadcasted or until the maximum radius has been met on the Application.

16. The system according to claim 15 wherein the Application is further adapted to allow the sender of documents and/or parcels to request for a delivery job in as little as 3 taps or clicks on the sender's respective

Device.

17. The requested delivery job according to claim 16 wherein the delivery of the sender's documents and/or parcels to the senders intended recipient is completed within 1 hour for delivery requests within the same geographical zone.

18. The system according to claim 1 wherein the Application is further adapted to monitor, manage and optimise the entire delivery transaction, from the determination of the sender's delivery request, to the execution of the delivery by the Assigned Courier and to the completion of the delivery upon the receipt of the documents and/or parcels by the intended recipient.

19. The system according to claim 18 wherein the Application is further adapted to allow the sender and/or the intended recipient to check and/or track he GPS location of the Assigned Courier and the status of delivery at any time via the Application.

20. The system according to claim 19 wherein the Application is further adapted to compile positive reviews and ratings given to an Assigned Courier by the sender upon the completion of the delivery request.

21 . The system according to claim 20 wherein the Application is further adapted to calculate and reflect on the Application, the average rating of an Assigned Courier from the said courier's successfully completed deliveries.

22. The system according to claim 21 wherein the Application is further adapted to allow the sender to record negative feedback, disagreements and/or disputes disagreements and/or disputes as between the sender and/or the Assigned Courier.

23. The system according to claim 1 wherein the Application and the electronic payment gateway therein further comprises a proprietary fare calculation algorithm to automatically calculate the delivery fees payable by the sender upon the sender's request for the delivery.

24. The system according to claim 23 wherein the proprietary fare calculation algorithm is further adapted to automatically calculate the delivery fees payable based on, amongst other factors, the total distance of the delivery transaction, the time of the day and the day of the week that the delivery request is made thereon, the size and weight of the documents and/or parcels, and any other special requests as specified by the sender.

25. The delivery fees payable according to claim 24 shall be automatically deducted from the sender's preferred mode of electronic payment (such as the sender's credit card and/or nominated bank accounts), and which shall be held in escrow until the sender has confirmed the completion of the delivery via the Application and until a 14 day period has lapsed from the date of the sender's delivery request and if there are no disagreements and/or disputes as between the sender and/or the Assigned Courier.

26. An automated delivery transaction matching and enhanced verification, authentication and secure delivery method comprising an Application: adapted to allow senders of documents and/or parcels to request for a delivery job, and to then allow a plurality of available couriers within the sender's vicinity to then bid for the delivery job as requested by the sender; adapted to receive, record, store and determine the essential information of the senders requested delivery job and thereafter to publish and broadcast such delivery information to the said plurality of available couriers within the sender's vicinity; adapted to assign an Assigned Courier, from the plurality of couriers within the vicinity of the sender, who are ready, willing and able to accept the senders published delivery request, and who had bid for the sender's requested delivery job; adapted to track and monitor the location of the courier and the documents and/or parcels to be delivered at any point during the delivery via a GPS location tracking feature; adapted to allow senders to make payment for successfully completed deliveries via an electronic payment gateway; adapted to allow senders to rate the service rendered by an Assigned Courier after the completion of each delivery via a review and rating mechanism; and adapted to allow for the screening of prospective couriers at the time of registration on the Application and to generate secure codes to be keyed in by senders and their intended recipients respectively at key milestones of the delivery.

27. The method according to claim 26 wherein the secure codes shall be unique six-digit numeric codes that are generated at key milestones of the delivery.

28. The method according to claim 27 wherein the six-digit numeric code shall be sent to the sender upon the assignment of an Assigned Courier for the senders requested delivery job, and where a further six-digit numeric code shall be sent to the intended recipient upon the pick-up of the sender's documents and/or parcels by the Assigned Courier.

29. The method according to claim 28 wherein the six-digit numeric codes shall be transmitted to the senders' and/or intended recipients' respective Device via a Communications Network, and in the form of an SMS and/or a Push Notification method.

30. The method according to claim 29 wherein the six-digit numeric codes are adapted to allow the sender to verify and authenticate the Assigned Courier's identity at the time of pick-up, and further allows the Assigned Courier to verify and authenticate the intended recipient's identity at the time of the handing over of the documents and/or parcels to the intended recipient.

31 . The method according to claim 30 wherein the six-digit numeric code shall be processed and verified once it has been input into the Assigned Courier's Application on the Assigned Courier's Device by the sender when the documents and/or parcels are handed over to the Assigned Courier by the sender, and which shall therefore signify the commencement of the delivery.

32. The method according to claim 31 wherein the six-digit numeric code shall be processed and verified once it has been input into the Assigned Courier's Application on the Assigned Courier's Device by the intended recipient when the documents and/or parcels are handed over to the intended recipient by the Assigned Courier, and which shall therefore signify the successful completion of the delivery.

The method according to claim 32 wherein the Application is further adapted to automatically transmit an SMS and/or Push Notification to sender and the intended recipient upon the commencement of the delivery and to the sender upon the successful completion of the delivery.

34. The method according to claim 33 wherein the Application is further adapted to allow and/or deny the registration of a prospective Assigned Courier depending on the information provided by the prospective Assigned Courier at the time of registration and on the results of the preliminary checks conducted on the prospective Assigned Courier at the time of such registration.

35. The method according to claim 26 wherein the Application further comprises of a proprietary algorithm which is adapted to assign an Assigned Courier based on key considerations which includes but is not limited to the relative proximity of available couriers to the sender, the amount of positive reviews each courier has received by users of the Application and/or the rating given to each courier therein, the duration of each courier's use of the Application, the number of successful delivery jobs completed by each courier and the mode of transport adopted by each courier, which may include but is not limited to cars, taxis, vans, motorcycles, bicycles, buses, mass rapid transit (i.e. trains), roller blades or by foot.

36. The method according to claim 35 wherein the Application is adapted to receive, record, store and determine the sender's essential information, including but not limited to the senders and the intended recipient's location via GPS location tracking and/or manual entry, a description of the documents and/or parcels to be delivered, any further special delivery requirements and/or requests and the mobile phone numbers of both sender and the sender's intended recipient.

37. The method according to claim 36 wherein the Application is further adapted to retain the essential information of senders who regularly use the Application, such as the sender's and the intended recipient's addresses, the addresses of the sender's recent delivery requests, and/or the sender's and intended recipient's mobile phone numbers.

38. The method according to claim 37 wherein the Application is further adapted to process and thereafter automatically publish and broadcast the sender's delivery request to the Applications on the Devices of the plurality of available couriers located within a 0.5 kilometre radius to the sender and which shall allow the said plurality of available couriers to bid on the sender's published and broadcasted delivery request.

39. The method according to claim 38 wherein the Application is further adapted to automatically republish and rebroadcast the senders delivery request to a further plurality of available couriers located within a further 0.5 kilometre proximity from the Initial Broadcast, after a 15 to 30 second interval, to a radius of 1 kilometre or more, depending on the vastness of the land area and/or the population density of the sender's geographical location, and in the event that no bids are received from the plurality of available couriers to whom the Initial Broadcast was first transmitted.

40. The method according to claim 39 wherein the Application is further adapted to automatically cancel the sender's republished and rebroadcasted delivery request and notify the sender of such cancellation via the Application after a 15 to 30 second interval if no bids are received from the plurality of available couriers, and after the maximum number of times the delivery request has been republished and rebroadcasted or until the maximum radius has been met on the Application.

41 . The method according to claim 40 wherein the Application is further adapted to allow the sender of documents and/or parcels to request for a delivery job in as little as 3 taps or clicks on the sender's respective Device.

42. The requested delivery job according to claim 41 wherein the delivery of the sender's documents and/or parcels to the sender's intended recipient is completed within 1 hour for delivery requests within the same geographical zone.

43. The method according to claim 26 wherein the Application is further adapted to monitor, manage and optimise the entire delivery transaction, from the determination of the senders delivery request, to the execution of the delivery by the Assigned Courier and to the completion of the delivery upon the receipt of the documents and/or parcels by the intended recipient.

44. The method according to claim 43 wherein the Application is further adapted to allow the sender and/or the intended recipient to check and/or track he GPS location of the Assigned Courier and the status of delivery at any time via the Application.

45. The method according to claim 44 wherein the Application is further adapted to compile positive reviews and ratings given to an Assigned Courier by the sender upon the completion of the delivery request.

46. The method according to claim 45 wherein the Application is further adapted to calculate and reflect on the Application, the average rating of an Assigned Courier from the said courier's successfully completed deliveries.

47. The method according to claim 46 wherein the Application is further adapted to allow the sender to record negative feedback, disagreements and/or disputes disagreements and/or disputes as between the sender and/or the Assigned Courier.

48. The method according to claim 26 wherein the Application and the electronic payment gateway therein further comprises a proprietary fare calculation algorithm to automatically calculate the delivery fees payable by the sender upon the sender's request for the delivery.

49. The method according to claim 48 wherein the proprietary fare calculation algorithm is further adapted to automatically calculate the delivery fees payable based on, amongst other factors, the total distance of the delivery transaction, the time of the day and the day of the week that the delivery request is made thereon, the size and weight of the documents and/or parcels, and any other special requests as specified by the sender.

50. The delivery fees payable according to claim 49 shall be automatically deducted from the senders preferred mode of electronic payment (such as the sender's credit card and/or nominated bank accounts), and which shall be held in escrow until the sender has confirmed the completion of the delivery via the Application and until a 14 day period has lapsed from the date of the sender's delivery request and if there are no disagreements and/or disputes as between the sender and/or the Assigned Courier.