Back to results
US 9,836,718 B2Granted
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.
Claims31
A system for providing access to a distribution network comprising:
- a scanner configured to scan a plurality of computer readable codes on a plurality of items in a distribution network, each of the computer readable codes including a sender identifier, the scanner further configured to generate scan data for each of the plurality of items and configured to associate the sender identifier with the scan data for each of the plurality of items;
- a data repository in communication with the scanner, the data repository configured to store the scan data;
- an interface configured to receive a specific sender identifier, to receive a user request for delivery performance attributes, to select the scan data stored in the data repository for items associated with the sender identifier and to communicate the selected scan data to a processor;
- wherein the processor is configured to receive the selected scan data and diagnose delivery performance based on the selected scan data, to generate a delivery performance report and correct a delivery performance issue according to the diagnosis of a delivery performance issue.
1 more element
A method for providing access to a distribution network comprising:
- scanning a plurality of computer readable codes including a sender identifier on a plurality of items in a distribution network
- generating scan data for each of the plurality of items based;
- associating the sender identifier with the scan data for each of the plurality of items;
- storing the scan data in a data repository;
- generating an interface;
- receiving at the interface a specific sender identifier, and a user request for delivery performance attributes;
- selecting scan data based on the received request for items of the plurality of items that are associated with the specific sender identifier;
- communicating the selected scan data from the data repository to a processor;
- diagnosing delivery performance issues, using the processor, based on the selected scan data;
- generating a delivery performance report based on the diagnosis of delivery performance;
- communicating the delivery performance report to the user via the interface;
- and
- correcting a delivery performance issue according to the diagnosis of a delivery performance issue.
10 more elements
A system for providing access to a distribution network comprising:
- means for scanning a plurality of computer readable codes on a plurality of items, the plurality of computer readable codes including a sender identifier, in a distribution network
- means for generating scan data for each of the plurality of items;
- means for associating the sender identifier with the scan data;
- means for storing the scan data in a data repository;
- means for generating an interface;
- means for receiving at the interface a specific sender identifier and a request for delivery performance measurement from a user;
- means for selecting scan data based on the received request for items of the plurality of items that are associated with the specific sender identifier
- means for communicating the selected scan data from the data repository to a processor;
- means for diagnosing delivery performance, using the processor, based on the selected scan data;
- means for generating a delivery performance report based on the diagnosis of delivery performance;
- means for communicating the delivery performance report to the user via the interface;
- and
- means for correcting a delivery performance issue according to the diagnosis of delivery performance.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.