System and method for providing real-time tracking of items in a distribution network
AssigneeUnited States Postal Service
InventorsStephen M. Dearing, Kuldip K. Goyal, Carla F. Sherry, Amy B. Cradic, C. Scot Atkins, Himesh A. Patel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods of processing items. Items in a distribution network or process may be scanned at every handling point in the distribution network, and each scan is recorded in a central repository. The scan information can be used to generate real-time access to data, analytical tools, predictive tools, and tracking reports.
Claims13
A method for delivering items comprising:
- storing geofence data for a plurality of delivery points and information regarding items for delivery to the plurality of delivery points;
- detecting the geographic location of a mobile computing device along a delivery route comprising the plurality of delivery points;
- determining the mobile computing device's geographic location with regard to a geofence for one of the plurality of delivery points to which at least one of the plurality of items is to be delivered;
- generating a delivery notification based on the determination of the mobile computing device's geographic location with regard to the geofence;
- and
- sending the generated item delivery notification to an item recipient of the at least one of the plurality of items.
The method of claim 10, further comprising recording a handling event in the data repository based on the determining of the location of the mobile device regard to a geofence for one of the plurality of delivery points to which at least one of the plurality of items is to be delivered.
A system for delivering items comprising:
- means for storing geofence data for a plurality of delivery points and information regarding items for delivery to the plurality of delivery points;
- means for detecting the geographic location of a mobile computing device along a delivery route comprising the plurality of delivery points;
- means for determining the mobile computing device's geographic location with regard to a geofence for one of the plurality of delivery points to which at least one of the plurality of items is to be delivered;
- means for generating a delivery notification based on the determination of the mobile computing device's geographic location with regard to the geofence;
- and
- means for sending the generated item delivery notification to an item recipient of the at least one of the plurality of items.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.