Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7792863?ie=ISO-8859-1&dq=5537618
Timestamp: 2015-01-25 15:29:47
Document Index: 188935499

Matched Legal Cases: ['ARTA1', 'ARTA2', 'ARTA3', 'ARTB1', 'ARTB2', 'ARTC1', 'ARTC2', 'ARTD1']

Patent US7792863 - Harmonized tariff schedule classification using decision tree database - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA Harmonized Tariff Schedule Classification system and method is disclosed using an integrated Trade Compliance System (TCS) that includes a decision tree for classifying products based on HTS codes. In one aspect, an analyst may access the TCS and select a commodity group appropriate for the product...http://www.google.com/patents/US7792863?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7792863 - Harmonized tariff schedule classification using decision tree databaseAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7792863 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 10/745,956Publication dateSep 7, 2010Filing dateDec 24, 2003Priority dateDec 27, 2002Fee statusPaidAlso published asUS7475079, US7693854, US7739248, US8015120, US8073873, US8121928, US20050004894, US20050010431, US20050015390, US20050021358, US20050033592, US20050060259, US20050177426Publication number10745956, 745956, US 7792863 B2, US 7792863B2, US-B2-7792863, US7792863 B2, US7792863B2InventorsAnthony Uy, Tom Potts, Frederic Holmes, Laurie Peach, Matt Halterman, Mark Swirt, Junko SweetOriginal AssigneeHonda Motor Co., Ltd.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (34), Non-Patent Citations (1), Classifications (26), Legal Events (3) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetHarmonized tariff schedule classification using decision tree databaseUS 7792863 B2Abstract A Harmonized Tariff Schedule Classification system and method is disclosed using an integrated Trade Compliance System (TCS) that includes a decision tree for classifying products based on HTS codes. In one aspect, an analyst may access the TCS and select a commodity group appropriate for the product to be imported. Thereupon, the analyst may navigate through a decision tree which includes questions regarding the nature of the product (e.g., function, composition, etc.). The analyst finally arrives at a specific HTS code, which is assigned to the product. In other aspect, a company utilizing an internal classification system for its products creates an internal-to-commodity group map, thereby enabling an analyst to associate an internal classification with a relevant commodity group for classification purposes. In other aspect, the internal classifications may be mapped directly to an HTS code rather than to a commodity group.
1. Computer readable storage media which contains a program of instructions which instructions when executed by a computer program under operator control perform the following method of Harmonized Tariff Schedule (�HTS�) classification for assigning each of a plurality of imported products to their correct HTS code using a computer system having one or more physical storage devices:
8. A Harmonized Tariff Schedule (�HTS�) classification system for assigning each of a plurality of imported products to their correct HTS code comprising:
15. Computer readable storage media which contains a program of instructions which instructions when executed by a computer program under operator control perform the following method of Harmonized Tariff Schedule (�HTS�) classification for assigning each of a plurality of imported products to their correct HTS code:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to eight United States provisional applications, as follows: 1) TRADE COMPLIANCE SYSTEM, Frederic Holmes and Tom Potts, inventors, U.S. Provisional Patent Ser. No. 60/436,679, filed Dec. 27, 2002; 2) HARMONIZED TARIFF SCHEDULE CLASSIFICATION USING DECISION TREE DATABASE, Frederic Holmes, Tom Potts and Anthony Uy, inventors, U.S. Provisional Patent Ser. No. 60/484,884, filed Jul. 2, 2003; 3) TWO-PASS HARMONIZED TARIFF SCHEDULE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM, Frederic Holmes, Tom Potts and Anthony Uy, inventors, U.S. Provisional Patent Ser. No. 60/485,025, filed Jul. 2, 2003; 4) HARMONIZED TARIFF SCHEDULE CLASSIFICATION USING ENTRY DATA, Frederic Holmes, Tom Potts and Anthony Uy, inventors, U.S. Provisional Patent Ser. No. 60/484,845, filed Jul. 2, 2003; 5) CUSTOMS DUTY AUDIT USING POST ENTRY DATA, Frederic Holmes, Tom Potts and Anthony Uy, inventors, U.S. Provisional Patent Ser. No. 60/484,844, filed Jul. 2, 2003; 6) LINKING CUSTOMS ENTRY PACKETS To ELECTRONIC ENTRIES, Frederic Holmes, Tom Potts and Anthony Uy, inventors, U.S. Provisional Patent Ser. No. 60/484,843, Jul. 2, 2003; 7) ELECTRONIC REIMBURSEMENT OF CUSTOMS BROKER, Frederic Holmes, Tom Potts and Anthony Uy, inventors, U.S. Provisional Patent Ser. No. 60/484,835, filed Jul. 2, 2003; and 8) TRADE COMPLIANCE SYSTEM ONLINE SCREEN NAVIGATION AND LINKAGE, Frederic Holmes, Tom Potts and Anthony Uy, inventors, U.S. Provisional Patent Ser. No. 60/487,858, filed Jul. 15, 2003. The content of these applications is incorporated herein by reference as though fully set forth herein.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION In one aspect of the present invention, an HTS classification process may assign each of a plurality of imported products to an HTS code selected from a plurality of HTS codes including creating a classification database containing a plurality of product classifications organized in a top-down decision tree with a top level, a bottom level, and one or more intermediate levels, each product classification being in the top or in an intermediate level, a plurality of HTS codes being in the bottom level, and each product classification being linked to a product classification at the next lower level or to an HTS code at the bottom level, and, for each product starting at the top of the decision tree by selecting the product classification that best describes the product, continuing down the tree through all linked intermediate levels by continuing to select the product classifications that best describe the product until arriving at the bottom level of the tree to a linked HTS code, and assigning the HTS code at the bottom level of the tree to the product.
FIG. 4 shows an example of the decision tree according to an embodiment of the invention. The decision tree is implemented in this embodiment as a part of the pre-entry process as described in greater detail in connection with FIG. 2. Letters A, B, and C represent respective commodity groups. Using the TCS system, the analyst can select the appropriate commodity group for the product he or she wishes to classify. The analyst thereupon navigates to a first subgroup which may include option F. If the analyst selects commodity group B, for example, the analyst's selection may link to sub-group F, which presents to the analyst in one embodiment a question about the product (such as the identity, function or composition of the part). These questions may be classification tools provided by U.S. Customs and used for determining appropriate HTS codes for tariff rates. The analyst in this example has three options in a second sub-group consisting of options G, H, and I. In one embodiment, G, H, and I represent second questions concerning the nature of the product to be classified. For example, G, H and I may provide various options relevant to the composition of the product at issue. Depending on the analyst's selection, the analyst may be navigated to a third subgroup comprising a series of additional questions regarding the part at issue�namely, J, K, L, M, N, 0 and P. Assuming the analyst selects J, the analyst is brought in this example to a fourth subgroup which includes question Q. The analyst then answers the question by selecting, e.g., one of two answers S and T. Assuming the analyst selects S, the analyst is brought to the correct HTS code for that product, which is thereby assigned by the TCS system to the applicable HTS code. This code can subsequently be transmitted along with other information to the pertinent data repository as well as to the customs broker as various shipments for importation are scheduled.
The illustrative screen 802 in FIG. 8 contains a number of fields useful for the analyst to navigate through the TCS in performing the various pre-entry functions. A classify �Item Search� section 803 of the screen, for instance, may allow the user to select different sets of search path criteria depending on the function the user is performing. In this example, a partial item ID is keyed into the first search path along with search criteria Div=N and Classify Status=Classified. The user may then press the Inquire command 807 to execute the search and obtain the desired information of the item at issue.
In other embodiments, mappings may be created within the TCS which link various internal classifications only to commodity groups, or only to HTS codes. FIG. 14 is an illustration of a database map 1401 wherein internal classifications based on function are all linked directly to HTS codes. �FCN1� corresponds here to three items, labeled for illustrative purposes �PARTA1�, �PARTA2� and �PARTA3�. These parts correspond, respectively, to 10-digit HTS codes �CODEA1�, �CODEA2� and �CODEA3�. Likewise, �FCN2� contains parts �PARTB1� and �PARTB2�, which are linked respectively to �CODEA4� and �CODEA5�. �FCN3� links to �PARTC1� and �PARTC2�, which respectively map to �CODEA6� and �CODEA7�. Finally, �FCN4� links to �PARTD1� which is mapped to HTS code �CODEA8�.
FIG. 25 shows an example of a TCS screen 2502 containing links to the electronically recorded entry packet information 135. In this example, an �Entry History� number 2504 is assigned to the entry packet for subsequent identification purposes. The entry packet shown has three elements. The user may navigate to the CF7501 Customs form by clicking on the link 2501. The user may also access directly the Commercial Invoice of the shipment associated with the entry packet by simply clicking on the link 2505. The user may also navigate to the EDI by selecting link 2503. The entry packet may be linked in other embodiments to additional information. An illustration of the 7501 form related to the entry packet is shown in the screen 2602 of FIG. 26.
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ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE NAME OF LAURIE PEACH SHOULD APPEAR CORRECTLY ON THE NOTICE OF RECORDATION;ASSIGNORS:UY, ANTHONY;POTTS, TOM;HOLMES, FREDERIC AND OTHERS;US-ASSIGNMENT DATABASE UPDATED:20100512;REEL/FRAME:24370/135Effective date: 20040809Owner name: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., JAPANFree format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NAME OF INVENTOR LAURIE PEACH PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 015111 FRAME 0859. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE NAME OF LAURIE PEACH SHOULD APPEAR CORRECTLY ON THE NOTICE OF RECORDATION;ASSIGNORS:UY, ANTHONY;POTTS, TOM;HOLMES, FREDERIC;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:024370/0135Sep 8, 2004ASAssignmentOwner name: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., JAPANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:UY, ANTHONY;POTTS, TOM;HOLMES, FREDERIC;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:015111/0859Effective date: 20040809RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services