Patent ID: 9042922
Filing Date: 2015-05-26
Classification: G06Q,H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for managing carrier status via the Short Message Service (SMS) by a centralized system in a multi-carrier environment, comprising: a) associating, by a dispatcher of a carrier, a driver with a first load to be transported, using an SMS-enabled cellphone number of the driver; b) storing the association of driver and load in a database of the system using a centralized server comprising a processor and non-volatile storage media, along with a unique identifier of the carrier; c) transmitting, by the server to the driver, a first instruction as a text message to the driver's cell phone, wherein the first instruction contains information about the first load's location, along with instructions for replying upon arrival; d) receiving, by the server from the driver, a first response consistent with the instructions for replying upon arrival; e) updating, by the server, a status associated with the driver's first response in the database; f) transmitting, by the server to the driver, a second instruction as a text message to the driver's cell phone, wherein the second instruction contains instructions for replying upon departure; g) receiving, by the server from the driver, a second response consistent with the instructions for replying upon departure; h) updating, by the server, a status associated with the driver's second response; i) repeating (a)-(h) for a second load to be transported for the driver; j) repeating (a)-(i) for a second driver of a second carrier; and k) providing, by the centralized system, status reports related to both the driver and associated load, and the second driver and associated load.