Patent ID: 7810724
Filing Date: 2010-10-12
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method of shipping, tracking, and delivering a shipment of packages over an Internet-based shipping, tracking, and delivery network including (i) a digital image capture and processing device with memory storage provided at a point of shipment pickup, (ii) at least a first scanning point capable of scanning packages in said shipment and routing said packages to a point of destination, (iii) sorting and routing hubs located along routes leading to said point of destination, and (iv) a central processing station having a network application server and a database management system (DBMS) operably connected to the infrastructure of the Internet, and wherein said shipment of packages has an original shipping document assigned an original shipment tracking number, and each package in said shipment has an original shipping label containing said original shipment tracking number, said method comprising the steps: (A) at said point of shipment pickup, (B) while said shipment is being transported from said point of shipment pickup to said first scanning point, (C) at said first scanning point, (i) reading the original shipment tracking number on said package in said shipment, and accessing said shipping information stored in said DBMS associated with said package, and (ii) using shipping information accessed from said DBMS to sort and route said package toward said point of destination, and (D) at each said sorting and routing hub, (i) reading the original shipment tracking number on said package in said shipment, and accessing said shipping information stored in said DBMS associated with said package, and (ii) using shipping information accessed from said DBMS to sort and route said package to said point of destination, whereby the delivery time of said shipment of packages to said point of destination is shortened by virtue of shipping information being extracted from said original shipping document and stored and made available in said DBMS while the shipment is being transported to said first scanning point, so that said shipping information is available for sorting and routing of each said package at the time when each said package in said shipment arrives at said first scanning point, and at each said sorting and routing hub.