System and method for processing package delivery

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9317831-B2
Application number	US-46988509-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 21, 2009
Priority date	Jan 17, 2002
Publication date	Apr 19, 2016
Grant date	Apr 19, 2016

Abstract

A method for processing packages is provided. A package is received at an intermediate shipping site and a delivery authorization status corresponding to the package is determined based on a threshold of some characteristic of the package. The package is delivered if the authorization status is that delivery is acceptable and the package is not delivered if the authorization status is that delivery is not acceptable. The acceptability of the package for delivery is determined by a response that an addressee provides to an electronic message notification of package availability. The electronic response preferably contains some authenticating information regarding the package.

First claim

That which is claimed is:

1. A method for processing packages by a package carrier, the method comprising:
receiving, at a server, electronic package information associated with a package, the electronic package information determined via a radio frequency identification mechanism;
receiving, at the server, an electronic message sent from a network address associated with an addressee of the package;
electronically comparing, by the server, the electronic package information to at least a portion of the electronic message sent from the network address associated with the addressee;
confirming, by the server, delivery of the package to the addressee in response to the electronic package information matching the at least the portion of the electronic message; and
designating, by the server, the package for non-delivery in response to the electronic package information failing to match the at least the portion of the electronic message.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic package information comprises one of weight, size, quantity, sender identity, recipient identity, contents, mailing date and approximate delivery date.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising analyzing one parameter of weight, value, size, quantity, sender identity, recipient identity, contents mailing date and approximate delivery date and comparing the parameter with a threshold level to determine that the package requires delivery authorization.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending an electronic notification to the addressee associated with the package.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising requesting confirmation of the electronic package information.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least the portion of the electronic message comprises at least one of weight, value, size, quantity, sender identity, recipient identity, contents, mailing date and approximate delivery date.

7. The method of claim 4 , further comprising receiving a request for additional information sent from the network address associated with the addressee.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a digital image associated with a sender of the package.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising designating the package for delivery in response to the match between an identification of a sender of the package and a list of senders associated with the addressee.

10. A system, comprising:
a processor; and
a memory storing code that when executed causes the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:
receiving electronic package information associated with a package to be delivered by a package carrier, the electronic package information determined by a radio frequency identification mechanism;
determining an addressee associated with the package requires delivery authorization;
sending an electronic notification associated with the package to a network address associated with the addressee;
receiving an electronic message sent from the network address in response to the electronic notification;
generating an electronic database having electronic data fields containing information determined from segments parsed from the electronic message;
electronically comparing the electronic package information to the electronic data fields containing the information determined from the segments parsed from the electronic message;
determining a match between the electronic package information and at least one of the electronic data fields containing the information determined from the segments parsed from the electronic message; and
confirming delivery of the package to the addressee in response to the match.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the operations further comprise determining the electronic package information fails to match the at least one of the electronic data fields.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the operations further comprise declining the delivery in response to the electronic package information failing to match the at least one of the electronic data fields.

13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the operations further comprise segmenting the electronic message.

14. The system of claim 10 , wherein the operations further comprise parsing the electronic message.

15. A memory device storing code that when executed causes a processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:
receiving electronic package information associated with a package to be delivered by a package carrier, the electronic package information determined by a radio frequency identification mechanism;
determining an addressee associated with the package requires delivery authorization;
sending an electronic notification associated with the package to a network address associated with the addressee;
receiving an electronic message sent from the network address in response to the electronic notification;
generating an electronic database having electronic data fields containing information determined from segments parsed from the electronic message;
electronically comparing the electronic package information to the electronic data fields containing the information determined from the segments parsed from the electronic message;
determining a match between the electronic package information and at least one of the electronic data fields containing the information determined from the segments parsed from the electronic message; and
confirming delivery of the package to the addressee in response to the match.

16. The memory device of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise determining the electronic package information fails to match the at least one of the electronic data fields.

17. The memory device of claim 16 , wherein the operations further comprise declining the delivery in response to the electronic package information failing to match the at least one of the electronic data fields.

18. The memory device of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise segmenting the electronic message.

19. The memory device of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise parsing the electronic message.

Assignees

• Silver Edward Michael
• Roberts Linda Ann
• Nguyen Hong Thi
• Zellner Samuel N
• At & T Ip I Lp

Inventors

• Silver Edward Michael
• Roberts Linda Ann
• Nguyen Hong Thi
• Zellner Samuel N

Classifications

• G06Q10/08 Primary

  Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management · CPC title

• G06K7/10544

  by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum · CPC title

• H04L51/046

  Interoperability with other network applications or services · CPC title

• G06Q10/083 Primary

  Shipping · CPC title