Abstract:
A system including an environmental sensor that can travel with a product within a carrier's logistics network. The environmental sensor being configured to sense an environmental condition capable of affecting the product to generate product environment data. The system includes a scanner configured to read product environment data from the environmental sensor. The system also includes a hub control unit configured to communicate with the scanner and receive the product environment data from the scanner and determines whether the product environment data transcends a limit of exposure of the product to an environmental condition. The hub control unit is also configured to generate a transporting instruction to redirect transport of the product to an alternate destination different from its original destination if the hub control unit determines that the product environment data indicates the environmental condition of the product has transcended the limit of exposure.
Abstract:
Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for dispensing a travel path applicant. For example, a computing entity can monitor the location of a maintenance vehicle and/or its travel path to dispense travel path applicants accordingly.
Abstract:
A shipping system for shipping packages involving the coordinated use of at least a first carrier and a second carrier. The shipping system includes physical delivery facilities for the physical delivery of packages, the physical delivery facilities including at least one transfer location at which the second carrier may take over delivery responsibilities for a package.
Abstract:
A system and method in which a buyer registers for a buyer's shipping account and uses the shipping account to pay shipping costs associated with purchases made over the Internet. When a buyer purchases merchandise over the Internet from either a retailer's website or from an individual through an online auction, the buyer is capable of controlling the shipping process by logging on to their buyer's shipping account. Among other things, the buyer can use their shipping account to select the desired type of shipping service (overnight air or ground) and populate a shipping label with shipping information such as delivery address, return address, and preferred delivery time windows. Once the shipping label has been populated and verified, the shipping label is electronically transferred to the seller for use in shipping the package. The system and methods of the present invention allow the buyer greater control over the shipping process. In many cases, the present invention will also help buyers/receivers control costs by eliminating the shipper's shipping and handling fee.
Abstract:
A shipping system for shipping packages involving the coordinated use of at least a first carrier and a second carrier. The shipping system includes physical delivery facilities for the physical delivery of packages, the physical delivery facilities including at least one transfer location at which the second carrier may take over delivery responsibilities for a package.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for facilitating secured loan transactions are provided. Drivers of a fleet of parcel delivery vehicles associated with a particular common carrier are used to pick up collateral from a borrower to secure a loan. A driver visits the borrower's address as part of executing parcel delivery transactions to pick up the collateral. The driver may verify the borrower's identity and the validity of the collateral when receiving the collateral. An indication of the receipt of the borrower's collateral is provided to a system accessible by a lending facilitator, such as via the driver's DIAD. The indication can be used by the peer-to-peer lending facilitator to determine a level of risk associated with entering into a loan transaction with the borrower and/or an interest rate for the loan. In some cases, the collateral is delivered to a third party escrow service.
Abstract:
This application discloses a method and system for facilitating the delivery of a mail piece bearing a post office box identifier to a United States Postal Service Branch, for final delivery to a post office box. The system facilitates the delivery by scanning the mail piece and obtaining the mail piece's destination information. If the destination information includes a post office box identifier, e.g., P.O. Box #1234, the system determines a street address of the post office location containing P.O. Box #1234. The street address is determined using the zip code contained within the destination information. Once the street address is determined, a new label, bearing the street address of the USPS branch location is affixed to the mail piece so that the mail piece can be delivered to the consignee.
Abstract:
This application discloses a method and system for facilitating the delivery of a mail piece bearing a post office box identifier to a United States Postal Service Branch, for final delivery to a post office box. The system facilitates the delivery by scanning the mail piece and obtaining the mail piece's destination information. If the destination information includes a post office box identifier, e.g., P.O. Box #1234, the system determines a street address of the post office location containing P.O. Box #1234. The street address is determined using the zip code contained within the destination information. Once the street address is determined, a new label, bearing the street address of the USPS branch location is affixed to the mail piece so that the mail piece can be delivered to the consignee.
Abstract:
Systems and methods disclosed herein use environmental sensor technology to enhance the tracking and transporting capabilities of a product delivery system. The systems and methods provide the capability to track and verify the environmental condition(s) to which a product is subjected during its transportation or movement through a supply chain. In particular, the systems and methods allow a sender, a receiver, and other authorized persons to access or interrogate environmental data that describes the environmental conditions to which a product within a container has been subjected during transport from the sender to the receiver. The systems and methods also permit in-transit intercept handling when it is determined that a package was unexpectedly subjected to an environmental condition that by definition makes it unfit for delivery to the original receiver.
Abstract:
The application discloses a method and system for processing packages designated for special handling and notifying an appropriate party as to whether special handling has been applied to these designated packages. The system prepares carrier personnel in advance for the arrival of such packages. Detailed package information for a current day's shipments is sent electronically from a consignor to the carrier, which sorts the information and makes it available to carrier personnel at package handling centers where special handling will be verified or applied. Notification of the status of the packages is transmitted to the consignor by e-mail, pager, or posting on a secure web site. Resolution of exceptions is expedited by the accessibility of information as provided by the system. Carrier management can readily monitor the operation of the system both in real time and historically.