Pitney Bowes Inc.

Glen A Boucher

Kenneth Karbowski

Terri A Carroll

Edward M Rauh

Jacques E Hasbani

Angela M Njo

Richard J Krouch

Brian D Flesser

Christopher S Kallas

Ronald S Miller

A tracking system and method uses a multi-threaded controller to automatically and periodically generate tracking objects that are presented to carrier tracking websites. The tracking objects are retrieved from input queues that receive tracking requests from a scheduler. The carrier tracking website updates the status of package delivery which in turn updates the data in the shipping system server with respect to tracking information. This updated information can be used to automatically generate E-mail notification of package delivery as well as for updated purposes. An instant track component allows a user to obtain prioritized tracking information from the associated carrier tracking website.

Method and system for multi-carrier package tracking

A system and method of retrieving shipment data uses destination information, as well as the carrier and level of service data models to retrieve the appropriate shipment data which complies with the selected parameters. The delivery commitment systems returns information concerning the number of days, the delivery, the latest time of delivery, whether the delivery is guaranteed based upon selected parameters concerning the origin and destination of the package. Carrier specific data can be stored in a common, carrier-independent form including an origin map, (optional) one or more destination maps, a service token map, a zone token map, and a delivery commitment matrix. Origins and destinations can be defined by five-digit ZIP codes and the service can be identified by a TokenID. Each origin can be mapped to a destination within the destination map, where each destination in the destination map is resolved to a service level index. The desired class of service, as identified by a carrier's TokenID, is resolved in a look-up table to a service column index. The service level index and the service column index are then used as indices into a delivery commitment matrix so as to provide delivery commitment data. Zone mapping is also supported to obtain such delivery commitment data.

Method and system for resolution of carrier specific data utilizing a generic data model

The invention is a method and system of updating a set of data objects within a Data Access System (DAS). The method begins by initiating a communication link between a client and a host data processing system. Once a communications link is established, a set of object tables is uploaded from the client data processing system to the host. The object tables are read at the host; and, a determination is made as to which data objects in the set of object tables are to be updated. It is also determined which data objects in the set of object tables is to be simply maintained. A new set of object tables is then constructed at the host data processing system and transmitted to the client data processing system. Upon receipt of the new file tables, the client system performs the task of verifying accurate receipt of the new set of object tables prior to restarting the client data processing system. The verification step includes saving at the host, a first data map of the new set of object tables as a record of which objects were transmitted. The new set of object tables is then received and saved within a memory of the client data processing system before retransmitting the new set of object tables as a second data map back to the host from the client. The second data map is then compared with the first data map to form a comparison, and if the first data map and the second data map do not match, then the verification is nulled.

Method and system for changing rating data via internet or modem in a carrier management system

The present invention discloses a package tracking system and method in which a sender and a recipient of a package are provided e-mail messages including information from a sender or carrier web page and the package location status. The present invention uses a network-based service for transferring tracking information from a package carrier and the sender to the requesting party. A package tracking request, including a tracking number and an e-mail address is submitted to a data center. This tracking request is stored in a set of queues, separated by a specific carrier identification number into tracking segment requests, and then sent to the tracking website of the selected carrier in accordance with the capabilities of each carrier's website. The carrier package tracking results from the website and the information from the sender or carrier website are gathered and stored at the database. An e-mail message is sent to the intended recipient including the status and any information gathered from the sender's website.

Method for parcel tracking on the internet with e-mail notification

A carrier rate module contains item rating instructions for rating an item for a carrier and self-registration instructions for storing registration information in a registry about the carrier rate module. The self-registration instructions are stored at an entry point with a predefined name so that a standard registration program can invoke the self-registration instructions through the entry point. The registration information stored in the registry includes a carrier identifier for the carrier in a one-to-one association with a module identifier. The module identifier indicates how to load the carrier rate module, so that a carrier manager librarian can identify an entry point of the item rating instructions based on the registration information stored in the registry.

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Ansonia, CT, United States of America

Glen A Boucher