Patent ID: 7693723

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for physically delivering parcels using at least two cooperating carriers, the method comprising: physically transporting, using a first carrier, a first parcel from a first sender, the first parcel being addressed to a first recipient; physically transporting using a second carrier, a second parcel from a second sender, the second parcel being addressed to a second recipient; establishing a first carrier delivery performance standard for the first carrier; establishing a second carrier delivery performance standard for the second carrier; establishing a first carrier delivery charge payable by the second carrier to the first carrier when the first carrier meets the first carrier delivery performance standard and enabling computer-implemented payment of the first carrier delivery charge by the second carrier to the first carrier; establishing a second carrier delivery charge payable by the first carrier to the second carrier when the second carrier meets the second carrier delivery performance standard and enabling computer-implemented payment of the second carrier delivery charge by the first carrier to the second carrier; handing-off the first parcel from the first carrier to the second carrier; handing-off the second parcel from the second carrier to the first carrier; recording, using a computer, a first time keyed to the receipt of the first parcel by the second carrier; recording, using a computer, a second time keyed to receipt of the second parcel by the first carrier; physically delivering, via the second carrier, the first parcel to the first recipient; physically delivering via the first carrier, the second parcel to the second recipient; recording a third time keyed to delivery of the first parcel to the first recipient; recording a fourth time keyed to delivery of the second parcel to the second recipient; using a computer, calculating an elapsed time delivery time for the first parcel by determining the difference between the third time and the first time and thereby determining whether the first carrier met the first carrier delivery performance standard and earned all of the first carrier delivery charge; using a computer, calculating an elapsed time delivery time for the second parcel by determining the difference between the fourth time and the second time and thereby determining whether the second carrier met the second carrier delivery performance standard and earned all of the second carrier delivery charge; using a computer, crediting a balancing payment from the second carrier to the first carrier when the elapsed time for delivery of the first parcel exceeds a prescribed performance standard for the second carrier; and using a computer, crediting a balancing payment from the first carrier to the second carrier when the elapsed time for delivery of the second parcel exceeds a prescribed performance standard for the first carrier.