United Parcel Service of America, Inc.

Robert Klingenberg

Sumeet Pradeep Shroff

Joe Rizzo

Joe S Rizzo

Daniel Franz

Dave Barnes

Chris Schenken

Robert Vogel

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing personalized delivery services by a carrier providing a package delivery service. For example, a consignee may indicate a delivery preference to be applied to delivery of a package, such as indicating a specific location where the package is to be left upon delivery, if the consignee is not present to accept the package. In one embodiment, the consignee may be notified by the carrier of the scheduled delivery of the package, and may be linked to the carrier's web site to indicate a delivery preference. Alternatively, the delivery preference may be indicated by the consignee proactively accessing the web site. After conveying a delivery preference, the carrier's systems communicate the delivery preference at the appropriate time to a portable computing device which informs the delivery personnel of the consignee's delivery preference. Other embodiments allow the consignor to indicate delivery preferences.

Systems and methods for providing personalized delivery services

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing personalized delivery services by a carrier providing a package delivery service. For example, a consignee may indicate a delivery preference to be applied to delivery of a package, such as indicating a specific location where the package is to be left upon delivery, if the consignee is not present to accept the package. In one embodiment, the consignee may be notified by the carrier of the scheduled delivery of the package prior to a first delivery attempt, and may be linked to the carrier's web site to indicate a delivery preference. Alternatively, the delivery preference may be indicated by the consignee proactively accessing the web site. After conveying a delivery preference, the carrier's systems communicate the delivery preference at the appropriate time to a portable computing device which informs the delivery personnel of the consignee's delivery preference. Other embodiments allow the consignor to indicate delivery preferences.

The present invention overcomes deficiencies in the prior art by providing a PIN-based system for managing delivery of privileged information, which utilizes 'third-party' authorization. In one embodiment this system includes the use of three separate parties, a First Party, a Second Party, and a Third Party. The First Party initially 'registers' with the Second Party by providing self-authenticating core registration information. This registration provides the First Party with a first set of privileges. The First Party may then ask for a PIN number in order to obtain a second set of privileges to observe information provided by the Second Party which is related to a Third Party. In requesting the PIN, the First Party must provide additional registration information (beyond the core information) to the Second Party relating to the Third Party, which the Second Party can authenticate due to an existing relationship which can be checked. The Second Party then forwards the PIN request to the Third Party along with the First Party's basic registration information. A PIN administrator at the Third Party's location can be designated by the First or the Third party. The Third Party then can decide whether to forward the PIN to the First Party. If the PIN is so forwarded, the First Party then may use the PIN to gain the requested additional access privileges. The second set of privileges can be dynamically modified by the Third Party. Although at least three parties can be involved, two of these parties could be the same.

Method and apparatus for authorizing the transfer of information

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing personalized delivery services by a carrier providing a package delivery service. Typically, the consignee indicates a delivery preference to be applied to delivery of a package, such as indicating a specific location where the package is to be left upon delivery, if the consignee is not present to accept the package. In one embodiment, the consignee may be notified by the carrier of the scheduled delivery of the package, and may be linked to the carrier's web site to indicate a delivery preference. Alternatively, the delivery preference may be indicated by the consignee proactively accessing the web site. After conveying a delivery preference, the carrier's systems communicate the delivery preference at the appropriate time to a portable computing device which informs the delivery personnel of the consignee's delivery preference. Other embodiments allow the consignor to indicate delivery preferences.

The present invention includes the use of at least three separate parties, a First Party, a Second Party, and a Third Party, with the First Party holding First Party Information, and the Third Party having an interest in Third Party Information held by the Second Party. The First Party requests to access Third Party Information held by the Second Party. The First Party's request is forwarded from the Second Party to the Third Party and is accompanied by some form of authorization information. Authorization is provided to the First Party by the Third Party by the transfer of the authorization information from the Third Party to said First Party, which authorizes the First Party to obtain the Third Party Information from the Second Party. Although at least three parties can be involved, two of these parties could be the same.

Growing community of inventors

Atlanta, GA, United States of America

Robert Klingenberg