Patent ID: 7426484
Filing Date: 2008-09-16
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method of distributing items, said method comprising: obtaining each item listed in a first order of one or more items, said first order being associated with a first customer; obtaining each item listed in a second order of one or more items, said second order being associated with a second customer; placing each item from the first order into a first sub-package; associating a first sub-package identifier with the first sub-package; associating a first customer identifier with the first sub-package identifier, the first customer identifier being associated with the first customer; placing each item from the second order into a second sub-package; associating a second sub-package identifier with the second sub-package; associating a second customer identifier with the second sub-package identifier, the second customer identifier being associated with the second customer; placing the first and second sub-packages into a consolidated package that is associated with a consolidated package tracking identifier; associating the first and second sub-package identifiers with the consolidated package tracking identifier; shipping the consolidated package to a localized distribution center; while executing said step of shipping the consolidated package, tracking the shipment of the consolidated package to the localized distribution center; receiving and unpacking the consolidated package at the localized distribution center; controlling access to the first and second sub-packages at the localized distribution center; making the first sub-package available to the first customer for retrieval at the distribution center; and making the second sub-package available to the second customer for retrieval at the distribution center.