JP5128258B2 - Method and system for providing incoming and outgoing shipping information - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides a method and system for delivering collective information-based services without using query numbers. A notification system and method for a user to actively update package information is disclosed.

  Package tracking is an inseparable part of the package delivery service. With this service, the customer can track the goods shipped by the customer or shipped to the customer. With the advent of the Internet, commercial carriers such as United Parcel Service (UPS) have allowed customers to track their shipments online. Some businesses have incorporated more integrated shipment tracking capabilities into their internal trading systems. Thus, businesses have the ability to initiate trading events based on shipping status information received from commercial carriers.

  Most of the shipment tracking services well known in the art operate on a shipment basis, requiring the customer to query the carrier's database for the shipment reference number associated with the tracked shipment. As a result, it is difficult for a company that handles a large number of incoming or outgoing shipments to track all of its shipments currently in transit. Companies often encounter the messy task of individually tracking a large number of shipments, or the risk of being surprised when they arrive at a shipping center without sufficient assistance to clean up an unusually large number of shipments. Thus, there is an unmet need within the industry for a method and system for tracking shipments that overcomes this and other problems.

  The present invention relates generally to a system and method for enabling a user to see the shipments they receive and ship. In a preferred embodiment, a subscription system is described that allows a user to determine the frequency and format of package visibility information, and various methods for automating and customizing the presentation of package visibility information to the user. The tool is explained.

  In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a shipment tracking system is described that allows an incoming shipment to be viewed. This system includes a carrier database that stores shipment information about one or more shipments being transported by the carrier's system, and searches the shipment information for location identifiers associated with the user. A visibility engine in communication with the carrier database configured to identify incoming shipments and a network configured to receive shipping information associated with incoming shipments. And a user computer communicating with the viewing engine.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, a package tracking system is described that allows an incoming package to be viewed. This system includes a carrier database that stores detailed shipment-level information about one or more shipments being transported by the carrier's system, and surveys the shipment information to provide details at the shipment level. A visual engine in communication with the carrier database configured to identify a shipment arriving at a location identifier associated with the user using a location identifier in the And a user computer that communicates with the viewing engine over a network configured to receive shipping information.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, a package tracking system is described that allows an incoming package to be viewed. This system includes a carrier database that stores shipment information about one or more shipments being transported by the carrier's system, and a search for the shipment information to arrive at a location identifier associated with the user. A visual engine in communication with the carrier database configured to identify a shipment to be received, and configured to receive shipping information associated with the incoming shipment, and through the shipment visual engine. And a user computer in communication with the viewing engine over a network, further configured to initiate a request to track the item.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, a package tracking system is described that allows an incoming package to be viewed. This system includes a carrier database that stores shipment information about one or more shipments being transported by the carrier's system, and a search for the shipment information to arrive at a location identifier associated with the user. A visual engine in communication with the carrier database configured to identify the shipment to be received, and configured to receive shipping information associated with the incoming shipment, wherein the visual engine is in a specified format. And a user computer in communication with the viewing engine via a network, further configured to request shipping information.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, a package tracking system is described that allows an incoming package to be viewed. This system includes a carrier database that stores shipment information about one or more shipments being transported by the carrier's system, and a search for the shipment information to arrive at a location identifier associated with the user. A visual engine in communication with the carrier database configured to identify the shipment to be received, and configured to receive shipping information associated with the incoming shipment, and the visual engine is in XML format, comma separated A computer for user communicating with the viewing engine over a network, further configured to request shipping information in at least one of a value format and a flat file format It is.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, a package tracking system is described that allows an incoming package to be viewed. This system includes a carrier database that stores shipment information about one or more shipments being transported by the carrier's system, and a search for the shipment information to arrive at a location identifier associated with the user. A visibility engine configured to identify the shipment to be communicated with, and configured to receive shipping information associated with the incoming shipment and to specify how often the shipment information is received. And a user computer that communicates with the viewing engine via a network.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, a package tracking system is described that allows an incoming package to be viewed. This system includes a carrier database that stores shipment information about one or more shipments being transported by the carrier's system, and a search for the shipment information to arrive at a location identifier associated with the user. A visual engine in communication with the carrier database configured to identify the shipment to be received, and configured to receive shipping information associated with the incoming shipment, and an inbound notification service And a computer for a user communicating with the viewing engine over a network, further configured to receive at least one of an inbound and delivery notification service.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, a package tracking system is described that allows an incoming package to be viewed. This system includes a carrier database that stores detailed shipment-level information about one or more shipments being transported by the carrier's system, and a location relevant to the user by examining the shipment information. A visual engine in communication with the carrier database configured to identify an incoming shipment in the distinguished name, and via a network configured to receive shipping information associated with the incoming shipment; And a user computer in communication with the viewing engine, wherein the computer is further configured to calculate an expected delivery date for the incoming shipment.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for tracking a shipment that allows a user to receive data regarding the shipment that arrives at the user is described. The method includes the steps of creating an inbound subscription for the user, specifying at least one location identifier for the user and further specifying the format and frequency of receiving incoming shipment tracking data; Identifying shipment data relating to shipments being transported in the system, identifying shipments that have arrived at the user by comparing at least one location identifier against the retrieved shipment data; Collecting incoming shipment tracking data for the shipment and sending incoming shipment tracking data to the user based on the arrival reservation.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, a shipment tracking method is described that allows a user to receive data regarding shipments arriving at the user. The method includes the steps of creating an arrival reservation for the user, specifying at least one location identifier for the user, and further specifying the format and frequency of receiving incoming shipment tracking data; Obtaining shipment data for a plurality of shipments; identifying a shipment that has arrived at a user by comparing at least one location identifier against the obtained shipment data; and Collecting incoming shipment tracking data and sending incoming shipment tracking data to a user based on an arrival reservation, wherein each of the at least one location identifier has a unique acceptance Related to position.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, a shipment tracking method is described that allows a user to receive data regarding shipments arriving at the user. The method includes the steps of creating an arrival reservation for the user, specifying at least one location identifier for the user, and further specifying the format and frequency of receiving incoming shipment tracking data; Obtaining shipment data for a plurality of shipments; identifying a shipment that has arrived at a user by comparing at least one location identifier against the obtained shipment data; and Collecting incoming shipment tracking data and sending incoming shipment tracking data to the user based on the arrival reservation, wherein sending the incoming shipment tracking data here comprises: Occurs based on the frequency specified by the incoming reservation.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, a shipment tracking method is described that allows a user to receive data regarding shipments arriving at the user. The method includes creating a fee-based arrival reservation for a user, specifying at least one location identifier for the user, and further specifying a format and frequency for receiving incoming shipment tracking data; and a carrier system Obtaining shipment data relating to the shipment being transported at the step, identifying at least one location identifier by comparing at least one location identifier against the obtained shipment data, and identifying the shipment Collecting incoming shipment tracking data for the item and sending incoming shipment tracking data to the user based on the arrival reservation.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, a shipment tracking method is described that allows a user to receive data regarding shipments arriving at the user. The method includes the steps of creating an arrival reservation for the user, specifying at least one location identifier for the user, and further specifying the format and frequency of receiving incoming shipment tracking data; Obtaining shipment data for a plurality of shipments; identifying a shipment that has arrived at a user by comparing at least one location identifier against the obtained shipment data; and Collecting incoming shipment tracking data and sending incoming shipment tracking data to the user based on the incoming booking, wherein the incoming booking is associated with the carrier account; The step of identifying shipments arriving at the user comprises at least a location identifier and a carrier account. One of comprising the step of comparing the acquired shipping data.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, a shipment tracking system is described that allows a shipment shipped from a user to be viewed. This system includes a carrier database that stores shipment information about one or more shipments being transported by the carrier's system and examines the shipment information to identify shipments sent by the user. A viewing engine configured to communicate with the carrier database, and a user computer communicating with the viewing engine via a network configured to receive shipping information associated with the shipment to be shipped; Is included.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, a shipment tracking system is described that allows a shipment shipped from a user to be viewed. This system includes a carrier database that stores shipment information about one or more shipments being transported by the carrier's system and examines the shipment information to identify shipments sent by the user. A viewing engine configured to communicate with the carrier database and a user computer communicating with the viewing engine over a network configured to receive shipping information associated with the shipment being shipped. Included, where the user's computer initiates a request to track the shipment being shipped through the shipment viewing engine, and the viewing engine sends the shipment information in a specified format and at a specified frequency. Further configured to require sending.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a shipment tracking system is described that enables a user to receive information regarding shipments that arrive at and are shipped from the user. The system includes a carrier database for storing shipment information relating to the goods being transported by the carrier system, a visual engine in communication with the carrier database, and a user computer in communication with the visual engine. And the viewing engine is configured to make an arrival reservation for the user, wherein the arrival reservation specifies at least one location identifier for the user, and the viewing engine compares the at least one location identifier with the shipping information. Configured to identify shipments arriving at the user, the viewing engine is further configured to create an outbound subscription for the user, the shipping reservation specifies an account identifier for the user, and the viewing engine User by comparing account distinguished name with shipping information Configured to identify shipped shipments, and the visual engine provides shipment information about the shipments coming to and from the user at the frequency specified in the arrival reservation or the shipping reservation Further configured.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a shipment tracking system is described that enables a user to receive information regarding shipments that arrive at and are shipped from the user. The system includes a carrier database for storing shipment information relating to the goods being transported by the carrier system, a visual engine in communication with the carrier database, and a user computer in communication with the visual engine. And the viewing engine is configured to make an arrival reservation for the user, wherein the arrival reservation specifies at least one location identifier for the user, and the viewing engine compares the at least one location identifier with the shipping information. Configured to identify shipments arriving at the user, the viewing engine is further configured to make a shipping reservation for the user, the shipping reservation specifies an account identifier for the user, and the viewing engine identifies the account identifier Shipments shipped from the user by comparing with shipping information It is configured to identify, visually engine further configured to provide in the specified format in the shipment information of the arrival reservation or ships reservation for shipment being shipped from coming to the user and the user.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a shipment tracking system is described that enables a user to receive information regarding shipments that arrive at and are shipped from the user. The system includes a carrier database for storing shipment information relating to the goods being transported by the carrier system, a visual engine in communication with the carrier database, and a user computer in communication with the visual engine. And the viewing engine is configured to make an arrival reservation for the user, wherein the arrival reservation specifies at least one location identifier for the user, and the viewing engine compares the at least one location identifier with the shipping information. Configured to identify shipments arriving at the user, the viewing engine is further configured to make a shipping reservation for the user, the shipping reservation specifies an account identifier for the user, and the viewing engine identifies the account identifier Shipments shipped from the user by comparing with shipping information Is configured to identify, online file tool for download to automate the retrieval of shipment information is present on the computer.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a shipment tracking system is described that enables a user to receive information regarding shipments that arrive at and are shipped from the user. The system includes a carrier database for storing shipment information relating to the goods being transported by the carrier system, a visual engine in communication with the carrier database, and a user computer in communication with the visual engine. And the viewing engine is configured to make an arrival reservation for the user, wherein the arrival reservation specifies at least one location identifier for the user, and the viewing engine compares the at least one location identifier with the shipping information. Configured to identify shipments arriving at the user, the viewing engine is further configured to make a shipping reservation for the user, the shipping reservation specifies an account identifier for the user, and the viewing engine identifies the account identifier Shipments shipped from the user by comparing with shipping information An automatic access and file download application is present on the computer configured to identify, and the application generates an XML request based on at least one user-defined parameter and is specified by an incoming or outgoing reservation. Configured to retrieve and store shipment information in a specific location and format.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a shipment tracking system is described that enables a user to receive information regarding shipments that arrive at and are shipped from the user. The system includes a carrier database for storing shipment information relating to the goods being transported by the carrier system, a visual engine in communication with the carrier database, and a user computer in communication with the visual engine. And the viewing engine is configured to make an arrival reservation for the user, wherein the arrival reservation specifies at least one location identifier for the user, and the viewing engine compares the at least one location identifier with the shipping information. Configured to identify shipments arriving at the user, the viewing engine is further configured to make a shipping reservation for the user, the shipping reservation specifies an account identifier for the user, and the viewing engine identifies the account identifier Shipments shipped from the user by comparing with shipping information An innovative proactive notification tool that is configured to identify and provides users with the ability to request proactive notification of events as the shipment progresses through the carrier system Exists on.

  Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

  The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout.

  Many variations and other embodiments of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the doctrine advantages shown in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. Thus, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that variations and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are used in this application, these terms are general and are used for illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[Overview]
A visual tracking system 10 for incoming and outgoing shipments (hereinafter referred to as a shipment visibility system 10) will now be described. This system 10 allows commercial carriers, such as UPS, to identify shipments that are in transit for or from a particular user. In a preferred embodiment, a tracking notice is created by the carrier and delivered to the user via one or more notification systems described herein. In a preferred embodiment, these notices provide package level details (PLD) information to the user. This information includes shipping information of the destination and the shipping source, and exclusion and delivery data during transportation. In another disclosed embodiment, another notification data is provided to the user. This data includes, but is not limited to, delivery date and delivery time, delivery address, order number, COD amount and signature image.

  The components of the transported goods visualizing system 10 include a position identification number, hereinafter referred to as LID. This LID is a unique identification name indicating a specific receiving position for a predetermined user. As will be described in more detail later, the LID combined with the user-specified information allows the selected user to receive shipment information regarding the shipment arriving at and / or shipped from the location associated with the LID. Can do.

  The following section describes a method for a user to view an incoming shipment using LID according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the user creates an LID, the process begins. The user then instructs his vendor to include the LID in the shipping information for the shipment toward that location. When the shipment including the LID is shipped, the carrier acquires the data of the PLD including the LID, and the shipment viewing system 10 confirms that the shipment is going to a location related to the LID. As described herein, in the preferred embodiment, shipments destined for a given reservation are identified by LID and shipper UPS account number. In a cycle and format determined by the user's reservation information, the user receives information about the shipment arriving at the specified location.

  In the case of a shipment to be shipped, the shipment is viewed by having the shipper include the LID in these shipments to be tracked. As the shipment moves through the carrier system, the shipment is scanned and PLD data is sent to the shipment viewing system 10. The shipment information is then formatted and sent to the reservation holder at the time interval and format specified in the reservation. In this way, the reservation person periodically receives update data for confirming the position and estimated delivery time of the shipment sent by the reservation person.

  The package viewing system 10 further includes a management function that allows a user, known as a company administrator, to allow and manage access to the reservations account. In a preferred embodiment, this management function includes multiple levels of management and at least one of LID administrator, company administrator and user account administrator. Some or all of these administrators can allow others to access, use or change the user's account. Also, in the preferred embodiment, one or more of these administrators can manage the security, attributes and payments for the user's account.

[Transported goods visual recognition system]
FIG. 1 shows a high level block diagram of a shipment viewing system 10 according to the present invention. The reservation person computer 30 communicates with a package visibility front-end 35 via the network 40. In the preferred embodiment, the booking computer accesses the shipment viewing front end 35 from a website on the Internet and the document is sent to a browser application running on the booking computer 30.

  The visual front end 35 also communicates with the visual engine 45. This visual engine 45 in turn communicates with the reservation database 50, the shipment visual database 55 and one or more carrier databases 60. In the preferred embodiment, the visibility engine 45 resides on the same server as the database (hereinafter referred to as a package visibility server). However, one skilled in the art will readily recognize that one or more databases can reside on separate servers or other computer systems. These components are then described separately, ie, one or more applications and / or databases can be divided into separate applications and / or files by functions well known in the art or by other means. .

  In the preferred embodiment, the viewing front end 35 is configured to obtain user information from the reservation computer 30 and is a means by which tracking notifications are provided to the reservation. The visual engine 45 is a back-end or server-side application that processes reservation information and shipment tracking information and communicates with the carrier and reservation system. The reservation database 50 is a database in which data of a reservation person and account management data are stored. For illustrative purposes, one database is shown, but those skilled in the art will recognize that user information and reservation information can be stored across multiple databases. The shipment visualizing database 55 is a storage area for storing information on incoming and outgoing shipments. In the preferred embodiment, the data used to generate the tracking notification is obtained from the package viewing database 55. The carrier database 60 shown in FIG. 1 represents a database in the carrier system that stores information on PLDs related to the goods being transported. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that multiple databases can be used for this function.

[Viewing process of incoming shipments]
The following sections describe the process by which a reservationr can see the shipments that arrive at one or more LIDs associated with the reservation. FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram illustrating the steps for receiving visible information about incoming shipments when a user makes a reservation.

  In step 1, the reservation person logs in to the visual recognition system. It is preferable that a reservation person accesses a website and inputs login information from a web page dedicated to the function. Alternatively, the registrant contacts a customer service representative. The customer service agent inputs information to the transported goods visualizing system 10 in accordance with an instruction from the reservation person. If the reservation is already registered in the viewing system, the login procedure requires the reservation to enter a valid user ID and password. If the reservation is a new user, another step is required. In this step, the reservation person is instructed to enter personal information and / or payment information.

  In a preferred embodiment, a carrier, such as UPS, operates the package viewing system 10 and the reservation is required to have a valid carrier account before access to the package viewing system 10 is granted. . In such a case, the user information from the previously existing carrier account is not required for a new reservation to re-enter this information, and the shipment viewing system 10 from the carrier user account database. Sent to. In any case, necessary information on the reservation person is acquired and stored in the reservation database 50.

  In step 2, the reservation person is instructed to create an incoming reservation name. This reservation name must be unique to the reservation person, since one reservation person may make multiple reservations. However, since the reservation is associated with a specific reservation, the reservation name need not be unique for all reservations. As an example, a first reservation person who transacts using two warehouses has a first arrival reservation named “Arriving at the Main Street Warehouse” and a second arrival reservation named “Arriving at the Maple Avenue Warehouse”. May make. As long as these reservation names are unique to the first reservation person, it does not matter if the second reservation person uses the same reservation name for another user account.

  In step 3, the reservation person is instructed to associate the reservation with the payment account. In the preferred embodiment, the shipment viewing system 10 is a fee-based system, so this association is necessary. However, the present invention is equally advantageous when performed as a free service, in which case the step of associating a reservation with a payment account can be omitted.

  3A and 3B are screen shots illustrating a web page that can be used to obtain incoming reservation information from a reservation person. In this figure, the arrival and dispatch visual tracking system 10 is sold as a Quantum View (R) system having an incoming part of the system called Quantum View Inbound (R). Through this web page, the reservation person inputs a reservation person name of a maximum of 21 characters in the reservation name field 100. The reservation person may enter the reservation by manually entering the payment account into the reservation payment account field 105 or by identifying the payment account from a list of payment accounts associated with the reservation person in the reservation payment account menu 110. Has the option to associate with a payment account.

  Associating a payment account with an incoming reservation is done automatically or requires an additional authentication step. In a preferred embodiment, if the user intends to associate a payment account with a new reservation, the shipment viewing system 10 automatically sends an email requesting an authentication to the email address associated with the payment account. In some cases, a payment account may have multiple email addresses and / or multiple people who are authorized to allow the addition of reservations to the account, in which case the user making the new reservation is You are instructed to choose among authorized persons to grant the request. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the approval process can be done via email, fax, web page, or other methods known in the art.

  In step 4 of FIG. 2, the user has two options for incoming services, namely the option to select between incoming notification and incoming / delivered notification. In the preferred embodiment, the arrival notification service option provides for updated exceptions such as expected delivery date and delivery date changes for shipments entering the user. This service calculates the shipping date shipped from / to the address information and LID, the planned delivery date (SDD), and the re-planned delivery date (RDD) (with the exception of delivery). Also provide other information, including exception updates. In the preferred embodiment, the arrival and delivery notification service options include the delivery date and time, signature, COD quantity, order number, and full delivery address in addition to all the features of the arrival notification service options. , Including delivery information regarding shipments shipped to and received by the LID. In a preferred embodiment, shipping information provided to satisfy these services is sent via one or more carrier applications or other methods well known in the art. Next, relevant information is acquired by the viewing engine and sent to the reservation holder.

  In step 5, one or more LIDs are assigned to the reservation. In a preferred embodiment, by one of the following three methods: a new LID can be created for the reservation, the user can select from a list of current LIDs, or the user can manually enter the LID, Associate the LID with the reservation. The method of creating a new LID is described in more detail below. For this reason, the next section describes how to add the current LID to a new arrival reservation.

  4A and 4B are screen shots illustrating web pages that can be used to instruct the user to associate one or more LIDs with the incoming reservation. In this figure, the user can link to another web page to create a new LID, select the current LID from the LID pull-down menu 115, or manually enter the LID. A list of LIDs associated with the reservation is shown in FIG. 4B, and the reservation has the option to add and / or delete LIDs from this list. In a preferred embodiment, at least one administrator is associated with each LID and needs to approve the request before the LID is added to the reservation. The request to add the LID to the reservation and the approval and / or rejection of this request by the LID administrator may be made via email, fax, web page or other communication means well known in the art. In another embodiment, an authentication code or password is required before the LID can be associated with the reservation. In yet another embodiment, a specific user can be pre-approved to associate a specific LID with a new reservation. Other means of maintaining administrative security and management are well known in the art and can be used with the present invention. Further details regarding the management hierarchy are described below.

  In step 6 of FIG. 2, the user is instructed to select a format for notification of an incoming reservation. In the preferred embodiment, the notification file is formatted as a comma separated value, a flat file, or an XML file. However, other file formats are well known in the art and are equally preferred for the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the user is instructed to enter an email address at step 6 and a suitably formatted notification file is sent to the user as an email attachment. In another embodiment, an incoming notification file needs to be downloaded from a web page or other location, and an email address is used to notify the user when the file is available. Other methods of delivering incoming notification data are well known in the art and will be described later. The user can select and / or configure any of these methods in step 6 of the booking process.

  The next section describes how to create a new LID. FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram illustrating the steps for a user to create a new LID, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

  In step 10, the user is instructed to enter a new LID using a combination of numbers and / or letters. In the preferred embodiment, the LID entered by the user must be a unique identifier that the shipment viewing system 10 uses to report shipping information. The user is also instructed to describe the LID and the address of the receiving location associated with that LID.

  In a preferred embodiment, when a user creates a new LID, the user becomes an LID administrator for that LID and receives the ability to approve or reject when other users use the LID. Thus, when a user creates a new LID, the user first agrees to a click-thru license agreement that requires the user to accept the period and conditions associated with the LID administrator role. There is a need (step 15). In another embodiment, the LID creator does not automatically assume the responsibility of the LID administrator, and one LID administrator is assigned to any LID created by the user or group of users. Further, the license agreement associated with the LID administrator can be entered offline or via other means well known in the art.

  In step 20 of the LID creation process, the user is required to associate one or more vendor account numbers with the LID. The user can associate many or a few vendor account numbers with the LID if desired. In the preferred embodiment, only shipments from vendors whose accounts are associated with LIDs are reported in the notification report. The ability for an LID administrator to limit vendor accounts associated with a particular LID provides security and management for the incoming notification process. For example, if an unauthorized vendor or other entity includes an LID in the shipment, the user will not receive an incoming notification and will not be charged for it. In the preferred embodiment, only authorized vendors that include LID information in the shipments directed to the receiving location associated with the LID are included in the data of the incoming notification.

  In step 25, the user creates a new LID and instructs the vendor to include the LID in the shipment that the vendor sends to the receiving location associated with the LID. In one embodiment, the vendor receives an email when the vendor email address is associated with the vendor account number and the vendor account number is added to the LID. In another embodiment, another step is included in the LID creation process that allows the user to customize email to the vendor that instructs the vendor regarding the use of the new LID. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that other ways of communicating the instructions to the vendor are well known in the art and are equally suitable for the present invention. For this reason, in another embodiment, the LID information is transmitted from the reservation person to his / her vendor outside the shipment visualizing system 10.

  In step 30, the vendor adds a new LID to the shipping information for the shipment toward the receiving location associated with the LID. By the vendor, the LID information is manually entered into the vendor's shipping system and automatically included in the PLD for each shipment destined for the receiving location. In the preferred embodiment, the shipment viewing system 10 is operated by a carrier who reserves specific fields for LID data. When the vendor ships the shipment toward the receiving position related to the LID and includes this LID in the shipment information, the carrier's back-end system recognizes the LID data, and the shipment information is recognized by the visual engine 45. Send to. The shipment visual engine 45 identifies, assembles and updates the shipment information for these shipments in the carrier's system that has LID data in the shipment information. This information is then collected and reported to the reservation person using the notification method described below based on a special reservation request.

[Process for visually confirming shipment of shipment]
The next section describes a method for enabling a user to view a shipment sent from one or more user account numbers. FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram illustrating the steps for a user to make a reservation to receive visual information regarding the shipment to be shipped.
In step 100, the user logs in to the package viewing system 10. Preferably, the user / booker accesses the website and enters login information from a web page dedicated to that function. Alternatively, the reservation person contacts the person in charge of the customer service, who receives the instruction from the reservation person and inputs information to the transported goods visualizing system 10. If the reservation is already registered in the viewing system, the login procedure requires the user to enter a valid user ID and password. If the reservation is a new user, another step is required. In this step, the user is instructed to enter personal information and / or payment information.

  In a preferred embodiment, a carrier such as UPS operates the package viewing system 10 and the user is required to have a valid carrier account before access to the package viewing system 10 is granted. In such a case, the user information from the previously existing carrier account is not required for a new reservation to re-enter this information, and the shipment viewing system 10 from the carrier user account database. Sent to. In any case, necessary information on the reservation person is acquired and stored in the reservation database 50.

  In step 110, the reservation person is instructed to create a shipping reservation name. Since a single reservation person may make a plurality of reservations, this shipping reservation name must be unique to the reservation person. However, as with incoming reservation names, shipping reservation names are not necessarily unique to all reservation holders because shipping reservations are associated with a particular reservation holder.

  At step 120, the reservation person is instructed to select among available shipping reservation options including shipping notifications, delivery notifications and exception notifications. In the preferred embodiment, the shipping notification service option provides complete information about the shipment being shipped, including important supply chain status updates through delivery with shipment date, exception and delivery details. To do. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the reservation holder can add other data elements related to the shipped shipment to the notification report. In a preferred embodiment, the delivery notification service options include delivery details, invoice information, including shipment date, delivery date and time, order number, complete delivery address, amount of COD collected, and other delivery information. (Manifest information). This information can be adjusted again according to the needs of the individual subscriber. Finally, the exception notification service option provides information about shipments shipped without making a planned delivery date. In a preferred embodiment, a subscriber who chooses to receive the exception notification option receives an exception status update and a re-planned delivery date estimate. In a preferred embodiment, shipping information provided to satisfy these services is sent via one or more carrier applications or via other methods known in the art. Next, relevant information is acquired by the viewing engine and sent to the reservation holder.

  In step 130, the reservation person is instructed to associate the shipping reservation with the payment account. In the preferred embodiment, the shipment viewing system 10 is a fee-based system, so this association is necessary. However, the present invention is equally advantageous when performed as a free service, in which case the step of associating a shipping reservation with a payment account can be omitted.

  7A and 7C are screen shots illustrating web pages that can be used to obtain shipping reservation information from the user. In this figure, the arrival and dispatch visual tracking system 10 is sold as a Quantum View (R) system having a dispatch portion of the system called Quantum View Outbound (R). Via this web page, the user inputs a reservation name of up to 21 characters into the reservation name field 100. The user may enter the payment account by manually entering the payment account into the reservation payment account field 105 or by identifying the payment account from a list of payment accounts associated with the user in the reservation payment account menu 110. Has an option to associate with

  Associating a payment account with a shipping reservation is done automatically or requires an additional authentication step. In a preferred embodiment, if the user intends to associate a payment account with a new reservation, the shipment viewing system 10 automatically sends an email requesting an authentication to the email address associated with the payment account. In some cases, a payment account may have multiple email addresses and / or multiple people who are authorized to allow the addition of reservations to the account, in which case the user making a new reservation may request You are instructed to select from authorized persons to allow. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the approval process can be done via email, fax, web page, or other methods known in the art.

  In step 140 of FIG. 6, the user is prompted to enter one or more carrier account numbers 125 used for the shipping notification service. In the preferred embodiment, the carrier account number 125 is the account number used by the carrier customer when shipping the shipment through the carrier system. When a shipment is shipped using the carrier account number 125 associated with the shipping reservation, the information for this shipment is identified, assembled and updated by the viewing engine 45. The shipment information is then collected and reported to the user using one or more notification methods described below based on the shipping reservation requirements.

  8A and 8B are screen shots illustrating several ways in which the carrier account number 125 is associated with the shipping reservation. One option available to the user is to select from a pull-down menu of carrier account number 125. In the preferred embodiment, this pull-down menu shows the carrier account number 125 associated with the user ID of the person making the shipping reservation. Alternatively, the user enters the carrier account number 125 in the account number field. If the user manually enters the carrier account number 125, the verification routine verifies that the entered account number is a valid carrier account. In addition, if the user is not authorized to use the entered carrier account number, the system 10 creates an authentication request email and sends the request to the email address associated with the carrier entered by the user.

  Returning to FIG. 6, in step 150, the user is instructed to select a format for the shipping reservation notification. In a preferred embodiment, the shipping notification file is selected from a format including a comma separated value file, a flat file, or an XML file. Other file formats are well known in the art and are equally preferred for the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the user is prompted to enter an email address and a suitably formatted notification file is sent to the user as an email attachment. In another embodiment, the shipping notification file is downloaded from a web page or other location, and an email address is used to notify the user when the file is available for download. Other methods of delivering shipping notification data are well known in the art and will be described later. The user can select and / or configure any of these methods in step 140 of the shipping reservation process.

[Establishment of company administrator]
The following section describes the process by which an administrator is established using the shipment viewing system 10. In the preferred embodiment, the administrator manages the user's account and information to ensure that only authorized users can make reservations and request billing for the user's account.

  The first management level for the user's account is a company administrator. This company administrator, in a preferred embodiment, receives an email notification of making his management request, approving or rejecting a request made by another user, requesting another service, or a pending request. It is permitted to prevent future management requests by individual users and to remove authority to one or more sub-administrators. FIG. 9 is a high-level process flowchart illustrating the steps necessary to establish an enterprise administrator according to an embodiment of the present invention. In general, this process requires that a request for a user's corporate authority be verified by the account owner. As used herein, the term “account owner” refers to a user who manages an account or a user who has been delegated administrative rights to the account.

  In step 200, the user issues a request to receive corporate job authority for the user's account. In a preferred embodiment, the user is instructed to confirm the user's account such that the user requests authority and an email is sent to the account owner. The account owner approves or rejects this request. If approval is granted, the process proceeds to step 210, and if the user's request is rejected, the shipment viewing system 10 indicates that the user has been rejected by email, a web page document, or in the art. Communicate through other well-known notification means.

  In step 210, the account owner receives a notification that a request for job authority has been made. This notification can be through email, fax, mail, web page or other communication means well known in the art. In the preferred embodiment, this notification includes a PIN created by the shipment viewing system 10 in response to a request for corporate job authority.

  In step 220, the PIN is realized. If the account owner is also a user with the requested corporate authority, the account owner can log into the shipment viewing system 10 and activate the PIN. However, if the company administrator is not the owner of the account, the account owner is responsible for forwarding the PIN to the user who receives the business authority of the company. In such a case, one or both of the account owner and the company administrator are required to log into the viewing system 10 and activate the PIN. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other methods for providing job authority can be used with the present invention. In another embodiment, for example, the account owner receives a notification that the user has requested corporate job authority. To approve this request, the account owner logs into the package viewing system 10. If approved by the account owner, a PIN is created and sent directly to the new company administrator. In some embodiments, both the account owner and the company administrator are required to activate the PIN, but in other embodiments, only one of the account owner and the company administrator activates the PIN. It is necessary to do. In yet another embodiment, the company administrator logs in to the management login screen of the shipment viewing system 10 and activates the PIN. Also, initial login is required to occur within a predetermined time to ensure that the appropriate party has received the PIN. PIN activation can be performed in various ways well known in the art. In the preferred embodiment, PIN activation occurs when a hypertext link to a PIN uniform resource locator (URL) is activated.

  Another management level that can be used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is a sub-administrator. FIG. 10 is a high-level process flowchart illustrating the steps necessary to manage sub-administrators according to an embodiment of the present invention. In step 300, the user issues a request to receive sub-administrator authority. In the preferred embodiment, the user can request two sub-administrator rights, including the right to approve the reservation payment request and the right to access the shipping information to verify the account. Other types of authority for sub-administrators will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  In step 310, a user request for sub-administrator authority is sent to the company administrator. In the preferred embodiment, the company administrator of the account has the authority to grant or deny requests for sub-administrator authority. In another embodiment, the account owner needs to grant or deny any request for sub-administrator rights, or the account owner and enterprise administrator need to approve the request for sub-administrators together. In yet another embodiment, the enterprise administrator and / or account owner can give the sub-administrator authority to grant or deny requests for sub-administrator authority.

  In step 320, the user's request for sub-administrator rights is granted or denied. In the preferred embodiment, the user is notified via email that the request to the sub-administrator has been granted and / or denied. Alternatively, the user's profile in the package viewing system 10 is updated to reflect that the request has been granted or denied, and the user must check his profile to determine the status of the request. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that other methods of providing the desired status are well known in the art and can be used with the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, a person who has the authority to grant and deny requests for management can explain the reasons for allowing and / or denying. This additional information is available to the user who initiated the request either by email or by the user's profile. For example, if a user's request for administrative authority is denied, the user can click on a link in his profile to obtain additional information regarding why the request was denied.

  Another management level that can be utilized within the preferred embodiment of the present invention is the LID administrator. As mentioned above, one role of the LID administrator is to allow and / or deny using or accessing the LID in the incoming reservation. When one LID manager is assigned to each LID, a plurality of LIDs are assigned to one LID manager. In the preferred embodiment, the user who creates the LID will automatically be responsible for the LID administrator. In another embodiment, the account owner, company administrator, or one or more sub-administrators assume the role of LID administrator. Thus, in this alternative embodiment, at least one administrator must authorize the use of the incoming reservation LID.

[Notification system]
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention includes various notification methods and systems. The shipment viewing system 10 provides the ability to receive a subset of tracking information specific to shipments that arrive at or leave the user at the user who makes the reservation. Information available to the user includes, but is not limited to, delivery information, exception information, invoices and origin information. Each of these is described in more detail below.

  In a preferred embodiment, a user can make a reservation with the viewing system 10 of the present invention via an Internet website. This process is a fee-based booking and the user has the option to book on a subset of the services provided. In one embodiment, the user has the option to subscribe to three shipping services: exception notification, shipping notification, and delivery notification, and two incoming services, arrival notification and arrival / delivery notification. If a user reserves more than one reservation-based service, the user is instructed or given to enter a reservation name corresponding to the service. Further, as part of the reservation process, the user is instructed to specify the file format of the information sent to the user. In one embodiment, the user needs to specify one file format to be used for all reservation services. However, in another embodiment, the user can select different file formats for different services. For purposes of explanation, the following section describes the process when a user requests an XML file format. Although the XML format is well known in the art, those skilled in the art will recognize that a number of other file formats are known that can be used with the present invention.

  The Ship View Service provides a method for a booking user to obtain by requesting a data message that includes shipment information for one or more carrier account numbers. In one embodiment, the shipping visibility service consists of three services that can be designated by the reservation person during the booking process: a shipping notification, an exception notification, and a delivery notification. In general, shipping notices provide information about shipments shipped from the booking user, including, but not limited to, shipping chain status updates through shipping with shipping date, exception and delivery details. Absent. The delivery notice provides delivery details and invoice information, including shipping date, delivery date and time, order number, complete delivery address, amount of COD collected. The exception notification provides information about shipments that do not make a planned delivery date, and in a preferred embodiment includes a re-planned delivery date.

  The arrival visibility service provides a way for a subscriber to obtain a data message by requesting shipping information regarding one or more UPS account numbers. In one embodiment, the arrival-visibility service consists of two services that can be designated by the reserving user during the reservation process: arrival notification and arrival / delivery notification. The incoming notification provides an expected delivery date for incoming shipments and an exception update that may change the delivery date. In a preferred embodiment, this service includes address information and shipping updates shipped to and from the LID, planned delivery dates, and exception updates where re-planned delivery dates are calculated. Information is also provided. The arrival / delivery notice includes all of these functions and is shipped to and received by the LID, including delivery date and time, signature, COD quantity, order number, and full delivery address. Contains delivery information about the shipment.

[Online file download tool]
FIG. 11 is a system diagram illustrating communication between an online file download tool (hereinafter referred to as XML online tool 200) and various back-end applications of the visual recognition system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. . The XML online tool 200 functions as an application programming interface between the customer and the back-end system. Since XML is a common file format well known in the art, XML is used in this application, but those skilled in the art will readily recognize that other file formats can also be used with the present invention.

  In this figure, the reservation search system 205 is a back-end application in the transported goods visualizing system 10. The transported product visualizing system 10 communicates with the XML online tool 200 via the network 40 to process and manage the listing and searching of the reservation file from the reservation database 50. Another back-end system, referred to herein as a membership services application 210, communicates with the XML online tool 200 to provide security and access to customers.

  FIG. 12 is a process flowchart illustrating how a customer's XML request is processed. In step 400, the customer submits an XML request to the XML online tool 200. In step 410, the XML online tool 200 verifies this XML request. The verification process confirms the customer's right to access the XML online tool 200 and its associated version. In the preferred embodiment, the customer needs to submit a valid user ID, password, and access authorization number, and this information is sent over the network 40 to the membership service application 210. If the customer is properly qualified, the process proceeds to step 420 where the XML request is processed. If the validation process fails because the customer does not provide a valid user ID or password or is not allowed to perform the action requested by the customer, the XML online tool 200 will identify an error code that identifies the problem. To return.

  In step 420, the XML online tool 200 sends an XML request to the reservation search system 205 via the network 40, and in step 430, the reservation search system 205 verifies the request. In the preferred embodiment, the booking search system 205 verifies the format of the data containing the XML request. To explain, if a reservation name or file name is sent in the XML request, the reservation search system 205 confirms that the received reservation name and / or file name has an appropriate data length and character type. Check.

  The XML request submitted by the customer can contain different types of information. For example, the customer can request all unread data (ie, data not previously provided to the customer) for the subscriber identifier. Alternatively, the customer can submit a reservation identifier and at least one reservation, which will receive unread data associated with the identified reservation. In another embodiment, the XML request may include a reservation identifier, a reservation name, and at least one file name. In such a case, the subscriber search system 205 retrieves all data (read data and unread data) for the identified reservation and format and returns this data to the identified file name. In yet another embodiment, the customer can request all data (read data and unread data) for the subscriber identifier within a specified date and time. In yet another embodiment, the customer can request all data for the reservation identifier for a specific reservation name within a specified date and time. These are just a few types of data retrieval requests submitted by customers via the XML tool 200. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other types of XML requests can be submitted using the described systems and processes.

  In step 440, the reservation person search system 205 communicates with the reservation database 50 to obtain the data identified in the XML request by the customer. In step 450, the booking search system 205 formats this data and sends it to the XML online tool 200 via the network 40. Finally, at step 460, the XML online tool 200 returns an appropriately formatted response to the customer.

[Auto load]
Another aspect of the present invention is an automatic access file download application 250 (hereinafter referred to as an autoload application 250) and a method by which a customer can schedule an automatic download of his reservation data. The autoload application 250 is installed on the customer's computer system and communicates with the XML online tool 200 to generate an XML request based on user-defined parameters. Based on the customer-defined schedule, the autoloading application 250 automatically generates the customer's XML request and retrieves the reservation's data at the location and format specified by the customer's incoming and / or shipping reservation. And memorize.

  FIG. 13 is a process flowchart illustrating the steps for installing and configuring the autoload application 250. In step 500, the customer obtains a copy of the autoload application 250. In the preferred embodiment, the customer downloads the autoload application 250 from the provider's site. Alternatively, the autoload application 250 is provided to the customer on a CD-ROM or other electronic medium, or by file transfer means well known in the art.

  In step 510, the customer installs the autoload application 250 by executing the install executable file. Once the autoload application 250 is installed, the customer is instructed to enter a user ID and password. In step 520, the user ID and password are sent to the XML online tool 200 and transferred to the member service application 210 via the network 40. In the preferred embodiment, the membership service application 210 manages the granting of access rights to customers. As part of the installation and configuration of the autoload application 250, the member service application 210 agrees to one or more license agreements relating to the customer's use and access to the subscriber's data. Request. In step 530, the customer agrees to a license agreement for one or more accesses, and an access key is assigned to the customer. In one embodiment, this access key assigned to the customer is automatically embedded in all communications between the autoloading application 250 and the customer. Alternatively, if the automatic access application 250 is set or reset, the customer is instructed to re-enter the access key.

  In step 540, the customer is instructed to set up the autoload application 250. In a preferred embodiment, the configuration options specify the ability to create one or more reserved names, specify the file format (including but not limited to XML, flat file or comma-separated values), the frequency of data updates (Ie, a specified number of days in a week and / or a designated time for a scheduled date), and the target location where the file needs to be sent. In addition, customers can specify the types of records that are automatically downloaded. In this way, the customer can customize the download for his specific request. One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that there are many ways to customize a file download scheduling application in accordance with the present invention.

  In step 550, once the autoload application 250 is installed and configured, it automatically generates and submits an XML request for the customer according to the schedule that the customer made. In this way, the customer does not need to manually submit an XML request using the XML online tool 200 or manually connect to the website and download the booking data from the website. The automatically updated reservation data is received. If a problem occurs while the autoload application 250 is sending an XML request and downloading the reservation data, an error message is displayed. In case of a network problem, the autoload application 250 tries to connect to the backend system three or more times. Then, after the last attempt, if the autoload application 250 is still unable to connect, an error message is displayed. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the autoload application 250 compares the active state of each reservation identified by the customer and returns only the reservation data from the active reservation. If the autoload application 250 determines that one or more requested reservations are not active, the autoload application 250 returns an error code indicating that the requested reservation is in an inactive state. Similarly, in the preferred embodiment, the autoloading application 250 returns an additional message when the reservation state changes from inactive or paused to active.

[Active notification tool]
Another aspect of the present invention is a notification system and method for actively notifying changes in the status of one or more shipments. In a preferred embodiment, the proactive notification tool 275 requires notification of important events that occur during the progress of shipments or shipments, including but not limited to shipments, exceptions (delays), and shipments. Provide capability to customers. Using this proactive notification tool 275, the customer can be proactively notified of any of these events and / or the customer can request to send notifications elsewhere.

  In contrast to the system described above, the proactive notification tool 275 uses the package inquiry number rather than the customer order number to identify the information to be obtained. Unlike the user of the notification system and method described above, the user of the active notification tool 275 does not need to obtain a service reservation. Although the aggressive notification tool 275 can operate as a fee-based service, the tool can base the fee on the requested notification service for the shipment inquiry number per request.

  Notification is required for one or more shipments. In a preferred embodiment, the types of notifications available to the booking customer include shipping notifications, exception notifications and delivery notifications. A shipping notification is an email notification message to one or more individuals that informs the requester's contact list that the carrier has received the shipment or shipment. The exception notification is an e-mail notification message for one or more individuals when the scheduled delivery date is changed and the delivery date is planned again. A delivery notification is an email notification message to one or more individuals involved in the delivery of a shipment or shipment including date, time and recipient name.

  FIG. 14 illustrates an aggressive notification tool 275 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The customer communicates with the active notification engine 280 via the network 40. The notification engine 280 is separated into a front-end application and a back-end application. In operation, the customer contacts the active notification front end 285 via the network 40 using a web browser. The front-end application 285 enables the customer to request an active notification service and obtains information necessary for processing the request (hereinafter referred to as notification request data). The front end application 285 obtains notification request data from the customer and verifies the data in the request. In the preferred embodiment, the front end application 285 directs the customer to confirm the shipment inquiry number or the number to which notifications are sent. For each requested shipment inquiry number, the customer will use the requested notification type (ie, shipment, exception and / or delivery) and email address (or this technology) used for notification purposes. Other notification methods well known in the field are required to be confirmed. Further, if this proactive notification process is based on fees, the front end application 285 obtains billing information and / or payment information. In one embodiment, the billing process (ie, communication with the billing system and / or payment system) is handled by the front end application 285. In another embodiment, billing information is captured by the front-end application 285 and sent to the back-end application 290 that processes the billing process and / or payment process.

  The aggressive notification back-end application 290 receives the notification request data acquired by the front-end application 285 and stores this data in the aggressive notification database 295. Periodically or according to customer-specified schedules, the backend application 290 queries one or more carrier tracking databases 60 using the shipment inquiry number. The backend application 290 creates an object for the notification email server 300 each time a match occurs based on the type of service, query number and / or state change throughout the lifecycle of the shipment. In the preferred embodiment, the object is then sent to the notification email server 300 via a message queue or other message middleware well known in the art. The notification email server 300 receives an object from the back-end application 290 and extracts notification data from the object. This data is then mapped to an appropriate positive notification message and sent to the email recipient specified in the object.

  Many variations and other embodiments of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the doctrine advantages shown in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. Thus, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that variations and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are used in this application, these terms are general and used for illustration only and are not used to limit the scope of the present invention.

It is a high-level block diagram of the transportation visual recognition system by embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram illustrating the steps used to create an inbound visibility subscription. FIG. A and B are diagrams showing web pages for acquiring arrival reservation information from a user. A and B are diagrams illustrating web pages that instruct the user to associate one or more location identifiers with an arrival reservation. FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram illustrating the steps used to create a location identifier. FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram illustrating the steps used to create a shipping visibility reservation. AC is a figure which shows the web page which acquires the shipping reservation information from a user. A and B are web pages illustrating several ways of associating a carrier account with a shipping reservation. FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram illustrating the steps used to establish an enterprise administrator. FIG. 6 is a process flowchart illustrating the steps used to establish a sub-administrator. FIG. 3 is a system diagram illustrating communication between an XML online tool of a shipment viewing system and various back-end applications, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram illustrating how an XML request is processed. FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram illustrating the steps used to install and configure an autoloading application. It is a figure explaining the innovative notification tool by embodiment of this invention.

Claims (9)

A shipment tracking system for notifying said user of shipments shipped by one or more identified shippers and being transported by a carrier system to a location associated with the user, comprising:
A processor;
A memory in communication with the processor;
A user interface in communication with the processor, the user interface in communication with the user's computer to receive a unique location identifier indicating a particular receiving location for a given user from the user's computer;
Storing the unique location identifier in the memory in association with the location;
further,
One or more carriers' databases in communication with the processor, wherein the one or more identified shipments are configured to store package information about a plurality of packages being transported in the carrier's system; A transporter database in which the shipment information related to the shipment shipped from a person and being transported to the location includes the unique location identifier;
At least one of the plurality of shipments is shipped from the one or more identified shippers and is being transported to the location;
The memory stores an application that can be executed by the processor, and the application executes shipment information about a plurality of shipments being transported in the carrier system by executing the processor for the one or more carriers. Receive from database,
Inspecting the package information received with respect to the unique location identifier to identify the at least one shipment in transit to the location using the unique location identifier;
Sending a notification via the user interface to the user's computer that the at least one shipment is arriving at the location;
Shipment tracking system configured as follows. The transport of claim 1, wherein the application is further executable by the processor to predict an arrival time for the at least one package and to notify the user of the predicted value. Product tracking system. The user interface is configured to receive a list of shippers from the user's computer that the user is authorized to use the unique location identifier. Shipment tracking system.   4. The application of claim 3, wherein the application is further executable by the processor to send the unique location identifier to a computer associated with each shipper in the list of shippers. Shipment tracking system. A method of tracking shipments that enables a user to receive information about shipments arriving at a location associated with the user from one or more shippers, comprising:
Receiving a unique location identifier indicating a particular receiving location for a given user by the processor running on a server via a processor and a user interface in communication with the user's computer;
Storing the unique location identifier associated with the location in a memory running on the server;
Receiving shipment information for each of a plurality of shipments by said processor and storing in said memory, said plurality of shipments being at least one sent from said one or more shippers to said user; The package information associated with the at least one package includes the unique location identifier;
Examining the package information received with respect to the unique location identifier by the processor to identify the at least one shipment as a shipment arriving at the location using the unique location identifier; ,
Sending a notification of the at least one incoming shipment to the user's computer by the processor via the user interface;
A method comprising the steps of: Predicting a delivery time for the at least one incoming shipment using the processor;
Sending a notification of the at least one expected delivery time by the processor to the user's computer via the user interface;
The method of claim 5, further comprising:   The method of claim 6, further comprising sending a notification of any change in the at least one expected delivery time by the processor to the user's computer via the user interface.   Sending a notification of the at least one incoming shipment to the user's computer via the user interface to the user's computer includes accessing a database having shipment information about the at least one incoming shipment. 6. The method of claim 5, comprising providing to the user via the user interface.   Sending a notification of the at least one incoming shipment by the processor to the user's computer via the user interface includes a file containing shipment information about the at least one incoming shipment. The method of claim 5 including sending to the user's computer via

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