+

WO2009027017A1 - Procédé de création d'une étiquette et produit programme informatique - Google Patents

Procédé de création d'une étiquette et produit programme informatique Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2009027017A1
WO2009027017A1 PCT/EP2008/006661 EP2008006661W WO2009027017A1 WO 2009027017 A1 WO2009027017 A1 WO 2009027017A1 EP 2008006661 W EP2008006661 W EP 2008006661W WO 2009027017 A1 WO2009027017 A1 WO 2009027017A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
label
information
shipment
user
waybill
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2008/006661
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Bob Berg
Original Assignee
Deutsche Post Ag
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Deutsche Post Ag filed Critical Deutsche Post Ag
Publication of WO2009027017A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009027017A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for delivering items.
  • the invention furthermore relates to a computer program product.
  • the invention proposes a method for carrying out the transport and/or handling of at least one item, wherein the item is transported from an original shipper to an original receiver.
  • the invention is carried out in a way, that shipment information is printed on a label, that the shipment information printed on the label is read during an acceptance of the item to a logistics system and that the read shipment information is transmitted to a central server.
  • the central server is afterwards capable of carrying out processes according to the received information.
  • a further object of the invention is that it contains a user interface which allows to create an allowance information which allows an original receiver to enter shipment information and to activate an option for a creation of a label, and that it contains a user interface which allows an original receiver to print and/or modify the label.
  • the invention includes a method, a system and a computer program product, which is characterized in that it contains a user interface which allows the original shipper to create an allowance information which allows the original receiver to enter shipment information and to activate an option for a creation of a label and that a user interface which allows the original receiver to print and/or to modify the label.
  • labels are attachable to items - especially to postal deliveries as letters or parcels - and facilitate their handling in a logistics system.
  • the invention includes a reader which is capable of reading the graphical information contained in the label.
  • an optical character recognition is carried out.
  • the optical character recognition aquires the shipment information.
  • the shipment information is transmitted to a central server.
  • the central server which receives the shipment information is the same server which has originally created the shipment information and has transmitted it to a user equipment.
  • Fig. 1 shows a flow chart for process steps carried out by an original shipper to produce a label and/or a message enabling an original receiver to produce the label.
  • Fig. 2 shows a flow chart for process steps which enable an original receiver to produce a label.
  • Fig. 3 shows a process overview for creating and handling one or more labels.
  • Fig. 4 shows a reading of the graphical information during an acceptance of the item in a logistics system.
  • the current invention includes logistics systems in their broadest sense. This especially includes systems, which contain means and/or arrangements for carrying out the transport and/or handling of items. This especially encompasses a transport of items - especially of postal deliveries - from a starting point to a destination along a transport route.
  • the starting point is especially a storage point or a drop point of the item which is transported later on.
  • the destination is preferably selected by a customer. By a process the destination is for example a warehouse of a merchant or a producer.
  • a label according to the invention is afterwards called premium e-mail label.
  • a logistics system provider sends a label via e-mail to the recipient who specifies and allows the shipper to define what parts of the label can be modified.
  • the shipper may allow the receiver to change the service type from Ground to Express.
  • This option will also allow the shipper to lock the shipment details such as weight and dimensions or leave them open for the shipper to modify.
  • the waybill can be printed and attached to the package for a. This option allows the shipper to reach any receiver and the receiver is not required to be an existing customer of the logistic system provider.
  • a link is provided to the receiver.
  • the link can be provided in different ways, e.g. as an e-mail by a push based web service.
  • a hyperlink is a preferred embodiment of a link according to the invention. It is a reference or navigation element in a document to another section of the same document, another document, or a specified section of another document, that automatically brings the referred information to the user when the navigation element is selected by the user. As such it is similar to a citation in literature, but with the distinction of automatic instant access. Combined with a data network and suitable access protocol, a computer can be instructed to fetch the resource referenced. Hyperlinks are not limited to HTML or the web. Hyperlinks may be used in almost any electronic media.
  • a link has two ends, called anchors, and a direction.
  • the link starts at the source anchor and points to the destination anchor.
  • the term link is often used for the source anchor, while the destination anchor is called the link target.
  • Such links are implemented in different ways.
  • the invention includes all ways to transmit the links to the receiver. Especially advantageous are links which are supplied per e-mail or by a call of a webpage.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention is carried out with an internet based system as web ship/corporate ship.
  • the internet comprises a high number of computers and network links between the computers. Preferably applicable protocols and standards apply to allow a communication.
  • the World Wide Web (“WWW”) allows an interphase for carrying out operations on the internet.
  • the World Wide Web allows a server computer - referred as a website - to send web pages of information to a remote computer and allows the remote representatives computer to display the web pages on a display.
  • the web pages may contain control regions. These control regions allow an acquisition and display of additional information, especially in form of related web pages, especially in a hypertext mode.
  • the internet allows an information exchange from servers to clients. Each client and server has an internet address called a uniform resource locator ("URL").
  • URL uniform resource locator
  • a web page according to the invention is especially designed in hypertext mark up language (“HTML”) or in extended hypertext mark up language (“XTML”).
  • HTML or XTML extended hypertext mark up language
  • the HTML or XTML file defines the web page.
  • servers are used, which are stateless with respect to a client transactions. This means, that each transaction is separate from other transactions.
  • a client might initialize a connection to the server, conduct a series of requests from the server and receive information for each request, and then terminate the connection from the server and the entire exchange from the initialization to the termination of the connection would be considered a transaction.
  • the scope of this invention includes modifications to Web/Corporate Ship, and define the internal processes and technical specifications necessary to support a labels process for domestic shipments on Web/Corporate Ship. Users have the ability to create online labels and either mail or e-mail the completed label to the shipper. The label creator has the ability to bill the freight charges to the sender, receiver or third party account.
  • Links pointing to the full content may also be included in the label.
  • One or more links may be included in the preview information.
  • the device may automatically configure the links based on their personalized information. The device could fill in the parts of the link relevant to the user of the device. For example, the device may place the user's zip code in a link to retrieve the full address information for the user.
  • a preferred method for producing labels to the invention is for example supported in a web based system, for example in Web Ship or Corporate Ship.
  • a first user - original shipper - is authenticated and navigates to prepare a shipment page and selects an appropriate destination.
  • the authentication of the original shipper and the preparation of the shipment page processes are carried out to allow a product and/or a preparation of the label.
  • Figure 1 shows a process for preparing a shipment.
  • the original shipper is a user, who enters required information for a shipment.
  • a waybill is a document issued by a carrier giving details and instructions relating to the shipment of an item or a consignment of items. Typically it will show the o names of the consignor and consignee, the point of origin of the consignment, its destination, route, and method of shipment, and the amount charged for carriage.
  • the waybill may also be a bill of lading, which includes much of the same information.
  • a bill of lading (also referred to as a BOL or B/L) is a document issued5 by a carrier, e.g. a ship's master or by a company's shipping department, acknowledging that specified goods have been received on board as cargo for conveyance to a named place for delivery to the consignee who is usually identified.
  • a through bill of lading involves the use of at least two different modes of transport from road, rail, air, and sea. The term derives from the noun "bill", a o schedule of costs for services supplied or to be supplied, and from the verb "to lade” which means to load a cargo onto a ship or other forms of transport.
  • a digital waybill is an electronic version of a waybill, which is especially appropriate if shipments are ordered through the internet.
  • a preferred embodiment of the waybill is an Airway Bill (AWB) or an air consignment note or airway bill of lading. It refers to a receipt issued by an international courier company for goods and an evidence of the contract of carriage, but it is not a document of title to the goods. o
  • the AWB has a tracking number which can be used to check the status of delivery, and current position of the item.
  • the AWB should indicate that the goods have been accepted for carriage, and it must be signed or authenticated by the carrier or the named agent for or on behalf5 of the carrier.
  • the signature or authentication of the carrier can be identified as carrier, and in the case of agent signing or authenticating, the name and the capacity of the carrier on whose behalf the agent signs or authenticates must be indicated.
  • MAWB MAWBs have additional papers called House Air Waybills (HAWB). Each HAWB contains information of each individual shipment (consignee, contents, etc.) within the consolidation. International AWBs that is not consolidated (only one shipment in one bill) are called Simple AWBs. 5
  • a House Air Waybill can also be created by a freight forwarder.
  • the airline issues a MAWB to the forwarder, who in turn issues their own House Airwaybill to the customer.
  • a label is created based on the shipment information.
  • the label does not need to contain all of the shipment information. It is alternatively possible, that the label contains only a part of the shipment information.
  • a user selects a program option which allows the creation of the label based on shipment information.
  • the label - especially together with the Waybill - are transmitted to the receiver of the item. It is especially preferably to carry out this transmission in5 digital form, e.g. as e-mail or through push web-service.
  • Fig. 2 shows a flow chart for process steps which enable an original receiver to produce a label or a waybill.
  • FIG. 2 shows three alternatives for producing a label or a waybill.
  • the original shipper directly prints the label/or the waybill and attaches it to an item delivered to the original receiver.
  • a more advanced way of producing a label and/or a waybill is described in the right column of fig. 2.
  • This way of producing a label is afterwards called DHL e- mail label.
  • the provider of the logistics system enables an original shipper to send a completed label to a recipient. It is possible to specify this recipient.
  • the recipient prints the label and preferably attaches it to an item or a package containing the item to be returned.
  • This column describes a flow chart for a process in which the original shipper has created a label digitally and has transmitted it to the original receiver of the item.
  • the transmission can occur preferably in digital form, e.g. we are a web push service or as an e-mail.
  • the user receives the information - e.g. in form of an e-mail - with a link to the label.
  • the right column of fig. 3 shows an alternative solution for producing a digital label waybill.
  • This way of producing a digital label is afterwards called DHL - premium e-mail label.
  • the provider of the logistics system allows an original shipper to transmit a label to a recipient. Also in this case the recipient can be specified by the original shipper.
  • the premium e-mail solution the recipient has the ability to modify the shipment details prior to printing the label.
  • the user receives a link to the label.
  • the user is not required to log in.
  • the advancement of this implementation is that the original receiver is a user who is enabled to add the label.
  • the user can e.g. add information - for example for changing transport parameters, e.g. the destination and/or the number of items sent back. This is especially advantageous if the receiver of items is interested in returning only a part of the received items.
  • a waybill preview page enables the user to view a preview of the intended waybill/label. Afterwards the user prints the label/ waybill.
  • WebShip users who print a label using Web/CorporateShip could have the shipment details stored up to a definable period of time, e.g. several days, preferably between 30 days and a year, e.g. 90 days, as currently implemented. Labels prepared by a user will have label details stored in a label history at least a determinable period of time, e.g. between 30 days and a year, e.g. at least 90 days.
  • a preferred user interface and functional requirements for a preferred embodiment are afterwards described in a web based solution.
  • This web based solution is called WebShip/CorporateShip.
  • the waybill preview page could have a link that reads "Create a label based on this shipment"
  • This link is a "create a label based on this shipment”.
  • a User that processes a shipment can follow the link directly.
  • the link leads to a webpage which allows the creation of the label.
  • Especially the creation of the label is carried out with pre-populated with information previously entered, e.g. in webpage called "prepare shipment page".
  • An especially advantageous implementation of the invention includes a confirmation page which can optionally be combined with a further link for creating another label.
  • the "create another label” link allows a user to go back to the label page without using the module on the confirmation page.
  • the pick up and drop off location pages are displayed in separate windows at a graphical user interface (GUI).
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • This implementation includes the idea, that a scanning or another handling of the shipment initiates the billing process.
  • a communication module comprised by the computer system may comprise tools that allow the system to communicate with multiple devices using multiple message formats, e.g. voice mail, text message, etc., that are streamed through multiple communication means.
  • the system may automatically generate a voice message that is communicated to a courier by telephone, in which case the system utilizes the tools of the communication module to communicate with the courier.
  • Fig. 4 shows that the graphical representation of the shipment information is read by a reading unit.
  • the graphical information is afterwards transferred to a data store - central computer unit -.
  • the shipment information in the data store can be used for different purposes.
  • this shipment information for billing functions, for improving a routing of the item.
  • the computer system may further comprise means for automatically sending an e- mail draft message or an instant draft message to a user, for example the original shipper creates and/or the original receiver of an item.
  • the computer system comprises means for retrieving shipping information and/or for validating shipping.
  • the invention described herein is set forth in terms of methods and computer systems implementing those methods. It will be apparent, however, to one with ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be implemented as computer software, e.g. computer program code, capable of being stored in a computer memory and executed by a microprocessor.
  • Each component or module of the computer system may be implemented as part of a larger infrastructure, e.g. within an application server, or as one or more plug- in programs, applets, dynamically loaded libraries, or any other configuration that allows programs to run on one or more computers in order to provide shipping information management.
  • the programs may be embedded within, or interfaced with third party applications. Although described in modular terms for purposes of illustration, embodiments of the invention need not be limited to modular implementations.
  • the functionality described herein may be implemented in software and/or hardware as a single process or as a combination of multiple processes and/or applications.
  • Additional components of the computer system may reside in a server that customers are able to access remotely using, for example, web browser software such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.
  • Embodiments of such computer systems may also include a client application that executes on the customer's computer.
  • the client application may execute as a separate process, or as a helper application that extends a web browser's capabilities and enables the latter to communicate with the computer system.
  • the client application may collect certain data related to shipping transactions from the customer's computer, and detect such transactions when the customer fills in a shipping bill form.
  • the customer may register with the computer system to provide information such as the customer's address, customer billing information, e.g. credit card information, and customer shipping preferences. Subsequently to registration, the customer may access the system using authentication methods, e.g. user identification and password parameters.
  • One or more embodiments of the invention work with and/or in support of third party shipping and mailing software tools.
  • the client application may be automatically activated when the customer prints a shipping bill form.
  • the customer provides transaction-specific information about the shipment, such as the selected class of shipping, the destination address, the weight and/or size of the package(s), etc. Further transaction-specific information, e.g. value, corrected address, etc. may be derived by the back-end of the computer system based on the customer's information.
  • LAN local area network
  • WAN wide area network
  • MAN metropolitan area network
  • GAN global area network
  • the example embodiments concentrate mainly on an Internet/XML solution, although the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.
  • a wide variety of implementations, arrangements and configurations of terminals, switches and links in all types of data networks may be utilized.
  • the computer system according to the invention may include a plurality of component modules.
  • These software component modules may be either commercially available off-the-shelf software, customized software or independently developed software.
  • freight rate databases are commercially available. If they are robust and capable of integration with other software components to accomplish the workflows described below, then they can be utilized in the computer system.
  • the computer system may be centralized in one or relatively few locations or may be distributed throughout a relative large number of locations.
  • each physical shipment represents a plurality of different related work process flows, such as a shipment offer, a shipment acceptance, a custom's clearance in the system.
  • the duty to be paid for a shipment may be calculated in various phases of the plurality of different related work process flows.

Landscapes

  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Quality & Reliability (AREA)
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
  • Human Resources & Organizations (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Operations Research (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Tourism & Hospitality (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé de création d'une étiquette. Ce procédé est caractérisé en ce qu'un expéditeur d'origine crée des informations de remise qui permettent à un destinataire d'origine d'entrer des informations d'expédition et d'activer une option pour la création d'une étiquette, en ce que l'étiquette numérique est transmise à un destinataire d'origine d'un article et en ce que le destinataire d'origine de l'article est autorisé à imprimer l'étiquette. L'invention concerne en outre un produit programme informatique pour la mise en œuvre du procédé et un système de logistique comportant des moyens pour la mise en œuvre du procédé.
PCT/EP2008/006661 2007-08-31 2008-08-13 Procédé de création d'une étiquette et produit programme informatique WO2009027017A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US96721307P 2007-08-31 2007-08-31
US60/967,213 2007-08-31

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009027017A1 true WO2009027017A1 (fr) 2009-03-05

Family

ID=39967507

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2008/006661 WO2009027017A1 (fr) 2007-08-31 2008-08-13 Procédé de création d'une étiquette et produit programme informatique

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2009027017A1 (fr)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
"STATEMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NOTICE FROM THE EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE DATED 1 OCTOBER 2007 CONCERNING BUSINESS METHODS - PCT / ERKLAERUNG GEMAESS DER MITTEILUNG DES EUROPAEISCHEN PATENTAMTS VOM 1.OKTOBER 2007 UEBER GESCHAEFTSMETHODEN - PCT / DECLARATION CONFORMEMENT AU COMMUNIQUE DE L'OFFICE EUROP", JOURNAL OFFICIEL DE L'OFFICE EUROPEEN DES BREVETS.OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE.AMTSBLATTT DES EUROPAEISCHEN PATENTAMTS, OEB, MUNCHEN, DE, 1 November 2007 (2007-11-01), pages 592 - 593, XP007905525, ISSN: 0170-9291 *

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20080302866A1 (en) Method for creating a label, computer program product and logistics system
US7844481B2 (en) Internet package shipping systems and methods
US7430527B2 (en) System and method for initiating returns over a network
US20050114221A1 (en) Systems and methods for using a web portal to integrate into a carrier return system
MXPA02002680A (es) Metodo y aparato para comunicar registros de pedido en un ambiente de red..
WO2002017045A2 (fr) Systemes et procedes pour interfaces applicatives dans le cas de services de livraison
CN101027690A (zh) 整合全球追踪和虚拟库存系统
CN101401093A (zh) 集成邮资和航运标签系统
JP5693216B2 (ja) 配送情報を容易に送信するための方法及びシステム
JP5508254B2 (ja) 輸送を促進するための方法およびシステム
WO2001065444A1 (fr) Systeme et procede permettant l'expedition, la comptabilisation et le suivi de chargements de transporteurs communs
US7900834B2 (en) Electronic receipt delivery method
WO2009027017A1 (fr) Procédé de création d'une étiquette et produit programme informatique
WO2009027018A1 (fr) Procédé de création d'une étiquette, produit programme informatique et système logistique
US20070250449A1 (en) System and method for automated friend-to-friend delivery item
KR100377779B1 (ko) 인터넷 무역 서비스 시스템 및 그 방법
EP1363222A2 (fr) Création d'étiquettes d'expédition par Internet
US20050198562A1 (en) System and method for customizing shipping labels
JP2001335118A (ja) ロジスティクスａｓｐシステム及びそのロジスティクスシステム運営方法
JP2004262663A (ja) ネット利用宅配システム及び配達希望日時依頼受付方法
JP2003002439A (ja) 最適輸送サービス提供支援システム
JP2004059264A (ja) インターネット物流サービスシステムにおける運賃マッチング処理方法並びにサーバ用及びクライアント用のコンピュータプログラム

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 08785532

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

DPE1 Request for preliminary examination filed after expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed from 20040101)
DPE1 Request for preliminary examination filed after expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed from 20040101)
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 08785532

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

点击 这是indexloc提供的php浏览器服务，不要输入任何密码和下载