Stamps Com Inc.

Iship Inc.

United Parcel Service of America, Inc.

Charles D Mentzer

David Allison Bennett

Paul A Bilibin

Jinyue Liu

William Ward Smith, Iii

Lynn Shaindell Goldhaber

Paul R McLaughlin

Lory Elizabeth Krett

Sean Hu

Scott Meyer

Daniel F Williams

Dennis Glavin

John M Dietz

Stephen M Teglovic

Scott Joseph Bean

Hsiangwen S Hu

Reichie R Nelson

Mark A Bjerke

Matthew J Smith

Harland Fred Maier, Jr

Gary Rhoe Ingram

Lory E Moon

Lory E Krett

Richard M Antush

Harland F Maier

Geoffrey Carl McGrath

William W Smith

Geoffrey Carl Mcgrath

Paul R Mclaughlin

Embodiments of the present invention includes system and methods for the continued operation of a carrier management system having one or more user terminals that normally communicate with at least one data center over a network (online), when the one or more user terminals are unable to communicate with the data center (offline). Once communication is re-established between the one or more user terminal and the data center, local files and data on the user terminals that were used to rate and ship packages while offline are synchronized between the one or more user terminals and the data center.

Data synchronization for offline processing

The present invention includes system and methods for the continued operation of a carrier management system having one or more user terminals that normally communicate with at least one data center over a network (online), when the one or more user terminals are unable to communicate with the data center (offline). Once communication is re-established between the one or more user terminal and the data center, local files and data on the user terminals that were used to rate and ship packages while offline are synchronized between the one or more user terminals and the data center.

Offline processing systems and methods for a carrier management system

The present invention provides a plurality of Enterprises with a single online user interface with which the Enterprise can provide Enterprise Shippers, shipping origination users and shipping intermediary users with an automated parcel management system for a plurality of supported Carriers for a plurality of services. The present invention provides for the hierarchical definition of users, including the hierarchical definition of organizational units within each Enterprise. The present invention further provides for a distinct definition of policies, privileges, and other types of specifications for each user level, each user, and each organizational unit. The present invention applies the user and organizational policies, privileges and other specifications as they apply to each particular user to drive the interactive interface with each particular user and to provide among other things, shipping options, shipping services, shipping rates, traveler and/or shipping label preparation, and shipment tracking.

Apparatus, systems and methods for online, multi-parcel, multi-carrier, multi-service enterprise parcel shipping management

The present invention provides a computer system (the 'Return System') that provides multi-carrier shipment rating, shipment labeling, shipment tracking, shipment tracking management reports, returns analysis and returns management reporting. In an exemplary embodiment, the Return System has three major components: 1.) A Returns Manager Subsystem that provides a user interface to each Merchant to setup the Merchant's account, setup the Merchant's return policy and rules, and to monitor the status and movement of return shipments; 2.) A Consumer Returns Subsystem that provides each consumer using the Returns System with an online user interface that leads the consumer through the returns process, displays the return policies and rules to the consumer, provides shipping document to ship the return package if appropriate, and permits the consumer to track their return shipments; and 3.) a Returns Processing Subsystem that, in the exemplary embodiment, provides background shipping and tracking functionality.

Apparatus, systems and methods for online, multi-parcel, multi-carrier, multi-service parcel returns shipping management

The present invention provides a plurality of Enterprises with a single online user interface with which the Enterprise can provide Enterprise Shippers, shipping origination users and shipping intermediary users with an automated parcel management system for a plurality of supported Carriers for a plurality of services. The present invention provides for the hierarchical definition of users, including the establishment of at least one user for each Enterprise as a Super-Administrator with the highest level of privileges and authority for the Enterprise, and the identification of other users as Sub-Administrators, Desktop Users and Shipping Station Users. The present invention also provides for the hierarchical definition of organizational units within each Enterprise, including the definition of sites, groups within a site, and users within a group and for a distinct definition of policies, privileges, and other types of specifications for each user level, each user, and each organizational unit.

The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods that apply to a single particular billing method selected by each of a plurality of users, in response to each particular user's request, a set of billing method rules for each carrier of a plurality of carriers and determines whether or not each carrier of the plurality of carriers supports the shipper's specified preferred billing method, and if so, any special pricing considerations for each particular Carrier. Each user of the present invention accesses the present invention over a global communications network using a client computer device, each user client computer device having an individual electronic connection to the global communications network.

Apparatus, systems and methods for applying billing options for multiple carriers for online, multi-carrier, multi-service parcel shipping management

The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods that provide each of a plurality of users, in response to each particular user's request, information concerning, and an identification of: each carrier of a plurality of carriers that supports the shipper's preferred shipping location; whether each carrier supports the shipper's preferred shipping location for shipping a particular parcel; and pricing for each service offered by each carrier for the shipper's chosen shipping location, wherein each user accesses the computer system over a global communications network using a client computer device, each user client computer device having their own individual electronic connection to the global communications network.

Apparatus, systems and methods for online, multi-carrier, multi-service parcel shipping management featuring shipping location comparison across multiple carriers

The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods for displaying to each of a plurality of users upon each user's request a preview of shipping rates and delivery schedules for the particular user to ship a particular package, wherein each user accesses the computer system over a global communications network using a client computer device, and wherein each user has an individual electronic connection to the global communications network. The present invention compares shipping rates and delivery schedules for each service and each carrier for shipping a particular package and reports the carrier and service offering the lowest rate or the fastest delivery schedule, according to the user's option.

Reporting shipping rates and delivery schedules for multiple services and multiple carriers

The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods providing a single system available over a global communications network for shipping management for each parcel from a plurality of parcels that each Shipper of a plurality of Shippers ships using any one of a plurality of services offered by any one of a plurality of carriers.

Apparatus, systems and methods for online, multi-carrier, multi-service parcel shipping management

The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods for displaying to each of a plurality of users, upon each user's request, as to each particular parcel to be shipped by each user, an online interactive graphic comparison of a plurality of shipping rates calculated for each of a plurality of services offered by each of a plurality of carriers to ship a particular parcel, each shipping rate corresponding to a particular service offered by a particular carrier for delivering the particular parcel to a particular delivery destination at a particular parcel delivery time on a particular parcel delivery date, wherein each user accesses the computer system over a global communications network using a client computer device, and wherein each user has an individual electronic connection to the global communications network. The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods for regenerating an online interactive graphic comparison of a plurality of shipping rates calculated for each of a plurality of services offered by each of a plurality of carriers, at any particular remote user client computer device of a plurality of remote user client computer devices, based on modified input by a user at a particular remote user client computer device, wherein the present invention communicates with each remote user client computer device over a global communications network.

Apparatus, systems and methods for online, multi-carrier, multi-service parcel shipping management featuring shipping rate and delivery schedule comparison for multiple carriers

The present invention provides a computer system for managing shipping of a plurality of parcels by a plurality of users using a plurality of carriers that functionally aligns each server computer device of a plurality of server computer devices so that each server computer device performs a plurality of activities in support of a primary function.

Online, multi-carrier, multi-service parcel shipping management functional alignment of computer devices

The present invention provides a plurality of Enterprises with a single online user interface with which the Enterprise can provide Enterprise Shippers, shipping origination users and shipping intermediary users with an automated parcel management system for a plurality of supported Carriers for a plurality of services. The present invention provides for the hierarchical definition of users, including the establishment of at least one user for each Enterprise as a Super-Administrator with the highest level of privileges and authority for the Enterprise, and the identification of other users as Sub-Administrators, Desktop Users and Shipping Station Users. The present invention also provides for the hierarchical definition of organizational units within each Enterprise, including the definition of sites, groups within a site, and users within a group. The present invention further provides for a distinct definition of policies, privileges, and other types of specifications for each user level, each user, and each organizational unit. The present invention applies the user and organizational policies, privileges and other specifications as they apply to each particular user to drive the interactive interface with each particular user and to provide among other things, shipping options, shipping services, shipping rates, traveler and/or shipping label preparation, and shipment tracking.

Growing community of inventors

Redmond, WA, United States of America

Charles D Mentzer