Patent ID: 7437305
Filing Date: 2008-10-14
Classification: G06F,G06Q,H04L

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented method for scheduling delivery of an order by an electronic commerce system via a wide area network, the electronic commerce system having a transportation system, said method comprising: generating a delivery interface in which a plurality of delivery windows are presented, the plurality of delivery windows being presented for scheduling delivery of the order using at least one of a plurality of existing delivery routes, the delivery interface that is generated being dependent on at least delivery routes information and a location of a customer; transmitting the delivery interface to a remote computer via the wide area network, the remote computer being associated with the customer that has placed the order; in response to selection by the customer of a first one of the plurality of delivery windows via the remote computer, determining via access to the transportation system of the electronic commerce system whether the order may be delivered in the first delivery window; and where it is determined that the order may be delivered in the first delivery window, scheduling delivery of the order in the first delivery window, wherein said method is performed prior to beginning delivery of the order, wherein generating the delivery interface comprises determining which of the plurality of delivery windows are available for delivery of the order with reference to currently available delivery resources, and wherein determining which of the plurality of delivery windows are available comprises estimating in accordance with an estimated order size whether the order may be accommodated by at least one of the plurality of existing delivery routes.