System, method and computer program product for containerized shipping of mail pieces

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/807,679 filed on Mar. 24, 2004 and entitled “A Computer System for Routing Package Deliveries,” which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. U.S. application Ser. No. 10/807,679 claims priority to U.S. Application No. 60/464,529, filed Apr. 22, 2003, which is also hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to the technology of mail handling and more particularly to computer systems, devices, processes and methods for pre-sorting mail before entry into a postal service delivery system.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Many government postal services, including the United States Postal Service, offer a reduced postage rate for pre-sorted mail. Pre-sorting reduces the processing burden on the postal service and speeds delivery. Postal service regulations often impose stringent standards for pre-sorted mail which are expensive and difficult to meet, especially for mail senders with fewer than several thousand mail pieces. Standards governing such characteristics as batch volume, size uniformity, destination variety, batch certification, typeface, zip code length, and bar coding, make it difficult to obtain the lowest rate for pre-sorted mail.

[0006] A mail sender may employ personnel and buy specialized equipment to pre-sort its mail, or it may use the services of a mail pre-sorting facility. Mail pre-sorting facilities stay abreast of postal regulations and offer pre-sorting services along with documentation certifying that each batch of pre-sorted mail complies with postal service regulations. Most mail pre-sorting facilities, however, only serve customers with large batches of mail; for example, greater than two thousand pieces. Low-volume customers, therefore, must perform their own sorting and regulation compliance or pay the higher postage rate. Many low-volume customers lack the technology and the personnel to pre-sort and meet the stringent postal regulations, so instead they pay the higher postage rate.

[0007] Customers with the technology, equipment, and personnel may be able to achieve the level of pre-sorting necessary to qualify for a reduced postage rate. The postal regulations typically include a list of published rates which are correlated to the degree of pre-sorting accomplished and other factors. For example, a batch of two thousand or more mail pieces, of similar weight and size, may qualify for a lower rate instead of the first-class or full rate. To earn this kind of discount, the customer must learn and comply with the regulations and published rates of the local postal service, apply postage to each mail piece at the published rate using a postage meter to accommodate a decimal rate pre-sort the entire batch as required, prepare documents such as a certificate and/or a manifest certifying compliance with the applicable postal regulations, and then deliver the sorted batch to the local post office because such a batch would be too large for collection by a mail carrier.

[0008] The low-volume customer, therefore, is faced with multiple barriers to entry when seeking a reduced postage rate. From the pre-sorting task to the burden of transporting the batch to a post office, the low-volume customer is prohibited in many cases from obtaining a reduced postage rate in an economically feasible manner.

[0009] In some countries, government postal services sort incoming mail using both manual labor and sorting machines. Commercial pre-sorting, where available, reduces the processing burden on the postal service and speeds delivery. Most pre-sorting businesses, however, will only sort large batches of mail; for example, greater than two thousand pieces. Smaller batches, therefore, are often submitted directly to the postal service for sorting and delivery.

[0010] The burden of sorting these smaller batches of up to two thousand pieces creates additional expense for the postal service and causes a delay in mail delivery. Increased sorting expenses often result in higher postage rates and/or unacceptable delays in delivery. Where commercial pre-sorting is not available, the postal service must carry the burden of sorting incoming batches of all sizes.

[0011] Many postal services lack the resources to continually upgrade and install new sorting equipment. As the number and variety of incoming mail increases, the need to successfully manage and allocate sorting resources becomes more important. In some cases, a postal service depends on commercial pre-sorting to handle the very large batches of mail, while depending upon its own sorting equipment to handle the smaller batches.

[0012] Many businesses in the developing economies generate medium-sized batches of mail that are too small for commercial pre-sorting (less than two thousand pieces, for example), but yet are so large that the batch imposes a significant burden on the postal service. For example, if a few businesses each submit a batch of eighteen hundred mail pieces on a single day to be sorted, such a request may be beyond the sorting capacity of the post office. The burden caused by these medium-sized batches is a technical problem requiring an innovative solution.

[0013] Most mail senders lack the technology, equipment, and knowledge to do their own pre-sorting. Some postal services promulgate rules and regulations for pre-sorted mail that are difficult or impractical to learn and understand for the customer who only has an occasional, medium-sized batch of mail. Furthermore, many postal services require documentation such as a certificates and detailed manifests to certify compliance with the applicable postal regulations. Customers who do not pre-sort on a regular basis will be unfamiliar with the current requirements.

[0014] While some postal services publish reduced postage rates for pre-sorted mail, many government postal services only offer reduced postage rates to customers who have the knowledge and the willingness to negotiate for a lower rate. Customers with ongoing relationships with the local postal service may be able to achieve a lower rate, but customers who only seldom have a large batch of mail typically lack the resources and information to contact the postal service and obtain a lower rate. Also, customers unfamiliar with the local customs and practices typically decide to submit their medium-sized batches directly to the postal service for sorting instead of taking the time and incurring the expense associated with learning about and negotiating with the postal service.

[0015] Because of these barriers to entry for lower-volume mail senders, many government postal services face increasing demands on already-overburdened sorting equipment.

[0016] It would therefore be advantageous to have a method and system of processing mail pieces for low-volume mail senders that earns a reduced postage rate by pre-sorting relatively small batches of mail prior to receipt by a postal service. It would also be advantageous to have a method and system for enabling low-volume mail senders to participate in a discounted-rate mail system of the postal service.

[0017] The present invention meets the above needs, and achieves other advantages, by providing a mail delivery system for facilitating delivery and tracking of a plurality of mail pieces sorted into a plurality of containers to a postal service. Generally, the mail delivery system includes various systems that are configured to obtain mail piece information describing the mail pieces sorted into the containers, associate the mail piece information with identifiers of the containers into which they were sorted, track delivery of the containers by gathering delivery information associated with the container identifiers and associate the mail piece information with the container tracking information using the container identifiers. Advantageously, the present invention solves the technical problem of how to accurately and efficiently track individual mail pieces even when the mail pieces are inside a container. Some of the more detailed embodiments of the mail delivery system of the present invention are described below.

[0018] For example, the mail delivery system of one embodiment of the present invention includes a mail piece information apparatus configured to determine information about each of the mail pieces by optically scanning barcodes or delivery addresses of the mail pieces. A sorting apparatus of the system is configured to direct the mail pieces amongst a plurality of containers and includes a controller configured to associate the mail piece information of the mail pieces in each of the containers with an identifier of the container. For instance, the sorting apparatus may correlate the order in which the mail pieces were directed to the container with the order in which shipment services are requested for the containers via a shipment order interface of the mail delivery system. Manifests describing the mail pieces in the containers, and delivery of the containers to a postal service location, are generated by the system by correlating, using the identifier, tracking information associated with the container identifiers with the contents information associated the container identifiers.

[0019] Another embodiment of the present invention includes a mail delivery information system for facilitating delivery of a plurality of mail pieces to a postal service. Included in the mail delivery information system is a mail piece information apparatus that is configured to determine mail piece information associated with each of the mail pieces. An identification generation apparatus is configured to generate a plurality of identifiers, wherein each of the identifiers is associated with a respective one of a plurality of containers. Connected in communication with the mail piece information apparatus and the identification generation apparatus, is a sorting apparatus controller. The sorting apparatus controller is configured to obtain the mail piece information associated with each of the mail pieces from the mail piece information apparatus and the identifier associated with each of the containers from the identification generation apparatus. In addition, the sorting apparatus controller is configured to direct a portion of the mail pieces to a selected one of the containers using the mail piece information and correlate the portion of the mail pieces with the identifier of the selected container. A tracking computer system of the mail delivery information system is connected in communication with a plurality of tracking devices. The tracking computer system is configured to receive tracking information from one of the tracking devices, wherein the information indicates detection, at a postal service transfer location, of the identifier associated with the selected container. Connected in communication with the sorting apparatus controller, the tracking system and the postal service is an electronic manifest generation system. The manifest generation system is configured to obtain the tracking information from the tracking system. In addition, the manifest generation system can generate a manifest by correlating, using the identifier of the container, the mail piece information associated with each of the mail pieces in the container and the tracking information indicated detection of the container at the postal service transfer location. Further, the manifest generation system can be configured to communicate the manifest to the postal service so as to facilitate billing and further delivery of the mail pieces.

[0020] The mail piece information system can determine the mail piece information using a scanner which generates the mail piece information by optically scanning each of the mail pieces. For instance, the scanner may be capable of optical character recognition allowing it to recognize delivery information printed on each of the mail pieces. Alternatively, the mail piece information system may include a scanner configured to scan a barcode on each of the mail pieces.

[0021] In an instance where the mail piece information or the mail piece barcode includes delivery information, the sorting apparatus controller may be further configured to sort the mail pieces into containers based on a zip code of the delivery information. For instance, all of the mail in a single container may be bound to the same zip code.

[0022] To facilitate a determination of which mail pieces are in a container, the sorting apparatus may be configured to track a number and an order of the mail pieces directed to each of the containers prior to closing of the containers. The number and order of mail pieces can then be used to correlate the delivery information of the mail pieces sorted into each of the containers with the identifier of each of the containers.

[0023] In another aspect, the tracking information indicates optical detection of the identifiers associated with the container because the tracking devices are capable of an optical scan. Also, the tracking computer system may be further configured to receive tracking information from other tracking devices indicating detection of the identifiers along a delivery route to the postal service transfer location. This additional delivery route tracking information may be correlated with the identifier of the container in the manifest by the manifest generation system.

[0024] As another aspect, the system may further include a mail piece counter that is configured to record a customer identity, receive a plurality of mail pieces associated with the customer identity, generate a count of the mail pieces and associate the count with the customer identity. A billing computer system connected in communication with the mail piece counter is configured to obtain the count and calculate a cost of sorting and delivery services for the mail pieces, wherein the cost is in proportion to the count. Further, the billing system may be configured to generate an electronic bill describing the calculated cost of the sorting and delivery services, and submit the bill to the consignor. Payment may also be received by the billing system, such as by electronic payment of funds for the electronic bill.

[0025] In still another aspect, the billing system may cooperate with the electronic manifest generation system to determine an amount of funds for payment to the postal service for the services described in the manifest and transmit the funds to the postal service.

[0026] The identification generation apparatus may also be further configured to generate a label for each of the containers having its respective one of the identifiers. For instance, the identification generation apparatus may be include a label printing device which can print out a label with an identifier. The label may then be affixed to the container.

[0027] The present invention has many advantages. For example, the containerized mail shipping system of the present invention allows tracking of mail pieces even when inside the containers. Shipping of mail in containers advantageously allows the sorted state of the mail pieces to be maintained so that qualifications for discounted shipping rates can be met. In addition, the containerized mail shipping system is capable of creating manifests describing the contents of each of the containers, the number of mail pieces submitted by each consignor, the number, identity, origin and destination of mail pieces sorted and shipped to the postal service at the end of each day and delivery of the mail pieces and containers to the postal service. These manifests, and other information, can be transmitted electronically to the various parties involved in delivery of the mail pieces, including the consignor and the postal service to facilitate billing and auditing for the deliveries.

[0028] Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a containerized mail delivery system of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of a local sorting facility of the containerized mail delivery system of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of a computer system of the sorting facility depicted in FIG. 2;

[0032] FIG. 4 is a schematic depiction of a shipping computer system of the containerized mail delivery system of FIG. 1;

[0033] FIG. 5 is a schematic depiction of a containerized mail shipping system of another embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 6 is a schematic depiction of a containerized mail shipping system of yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 7 is a schematic depiction of a processing system of a containerized mail shipping system of another embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 8 is a schematic of a combined carrier shipping system of the present invention that can be selectively combined or operated with the containerized mail delivery system shown in FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 9 is a schematic of the physical delivery facilities of the combined carrier shipping system shown in FIG. 8;

[0038] FIG. 10 is a label containing indicia to facilitate transfer of delivery from a first to a second carrier and also from the second carrier to a recipient, said label being another embodiment of the present invention that can be selectively combined or operated with the containerized mail delivery system shown in FIG. 1;

[0039] FIG. 11 is a schematic of another embodiment of a combined carrier shipping system of the present invention including the creation of electronic manifests that can be selectively combined or operated with the containerized mail delivery system shown in FIG. 1;

[0040] FIG. 12 is a schematic of another embodiment of a combined carrier shipping system of the present invention that can be selectively combined or operated with the containerized mail delivery system shown in FIG. 1;

[0041] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a first carrier computer system of yet another embodiment of the present invention that can be selectively combined or operated with the containerized mail delivery system shown in FIG. 1;

[0042] FIG. 14 is a schematic of a flow of tracking information in a shipping system according to the present invention that can be selectively combined or operated with the containerized mail delivery system shown in FIG. 1;

[0043] FIG. 15 is a schematic of a flow of preprocessing of a package by a shipper of shipping system illustrated in FIG. 8;

[0044] FIG. 16 is a schematic of another embodiment of a combined carrier shipping system of the present invention including an electronic mail confirmation of delivery sent to a recipient that can be selectively combined or operated with the containerized mail delivery system shown in FIG. 1;

[0045] FIG. 17 is a schematic of a billing system of another embodiment of the present invention that can be selectively combined or operated with the containerized mail delivery system shown in FIG. 1;

[0046] FIG. 18 is a schematic of a quality control system of another embodiment of the present invention that can be selectively combined or operated with the containerized mail delivery system shown in FIG. 1;

[0047] FIG. 19 is a schematic of a returns system of another embodiment of the present invention that can be selectively combined or operated with the containerized mail delivery system shown in FIG. 1; and

[0048] FIG. 20 is a another label containing indicia to facilitate transfer of delivery from a first to a second carrier and also from the second carrier to a recipient, said label being another embodiment of the present invention that can be selectively combined or operated with the containerized mail delivery system shown in FIG. 1.

[0049] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0050] A containerized mail shipping system 10 of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. Generally, the containerized mail shipping system 10 includes a plurality of delivery vehicles 18, sorting facilities (such as a regional sorting facility 19 and a local sorting facility 20), a shipping computer system 21 and a plurality of tracking devices, such as delivery information acquisition devices (DIAD's) 22.

[0051] Together, these various components (and other components as described below) of the containerized mail shipping system 10 record information associated with each of a plurality of mail pieces 12 submitted by a consignor 11, sort the mail pieces amongst a plurality of containers 13, deliver the containers to a postal service 14 and obtain tracking information indicating delivery of the containers, as shown in FIG. 1. The system 10 can also correlate the tracking information with the sorting information to generate various reports, manifests and bills. Advantageously, the present invention solves the technical problem of how to accurately and efficiently track individual mail pieces even when the mail pieces are inside a container.

[0052] It should be noted that in FIG. 1 solid lines indicate movement of the mail pieces 12, dotted lines indicate movement of information and intermittent dashed and dotted lines indicate the movement of funds. Arrows on these lines indicate preferred directions of movement, but other directions may also occur and still be within the scope of the present invention.

[0053] The term “container” as used herein includes anything that can hold two or more of the mail pieces 12 and can include small containers such as trays, bags, boxes, cartons, envelopes, cord for tying the mail pieces into a bundle, etc., or large containers such as igloos, rail cars and trailers.

[0054] Preferably, the mail pieces delivered by the system 10 are flat mail pieces that are readily scanned to obtain delivery information and readily sorted at a relatively high throughput. However, other types of mail such as irregularly shaped mail, packages and mixtures of the same can also be sorted, containerized, delivered, tracked, etc., by the containerized mail shipping system.

[0055] The term “consignor” as used herein describes any person, firm or other entity that is submitting one or more packages, letters or other type of mail pieces 12 for at least partial delivery by the containerized mail shipping system 10. More than one consignor can be served by the containerized mail shipping system, but a single consignor is shown in FIG. 1 for simplicity. Preferably, the consignor 11 is submitting unsorted, or partially sorted, mail pieces 12 for further sorting by the containerized mail shipping system 10 in an effort to garner discounted rates by the postal service 14. However, the containerized mail shipping system 10 could also be employed to merely more efficiently deliver the mail pieces 12 in the containers 13 to other private carriers or directly to the intended recipient. Therefore, the term “recipient” as used herein is also to be broadly construed and includes any person, firm or other entity receiving the mail pieces 12.

[0056] The consignor 11 may have its own computer system 23 that is connected via a network 24 to the shipping computer system 21, as is shown in FIG. 1. The consignor computer system 23 is configured to interact with the shipping computer system 21 to electronically send and receive information on the mail pieces 12. For instance, the shipping computer system can provide tracking information evidencing delivery of the mail pieces to the postal service 14, electronic copies of manifests, bills, reports and other documents associated with the mail pieces, as will be described below. In one option, the consignor computer system 23 can partially perform some of the tasks of the containerized mail shipping system (such as scanning of the mail pieces 12) and forward this information via the network 24 to the shipping computer system 21.

[0057] It should be noted that the term “network” as used herein should be construed broadly to include all types of electronically assisted communication such as wireless networks, local area networks, public networks such as the Internet, public telephone networks, or various combinations of different networks.

[0058] Mail pieces 12 that originate at the consignor 11 are delivered by one or more delivery vehicles 18 to the regional sorting facility 19. These delivery vehicles can include various aircraft, trucks, carts, railroads, conveyors, or any other manual or automatic system or device for transporting the mail pieces 12. The delivery vehicles 18 can be owned and operated by the carrier having the shipping computer system 21, or can be the vehicles of contract carriers hired for particular deliveries and routes, or the delivery vehicles 18 could also be controlled or operated wholly, or partially by the consignor 11. For instance, the initial delivery by the vehicles 18 of the mail pieces 12 to the regional sorting facility 19 may be performed by a truck of the consignor 11.

[0059] The mail pieces 12 shipped to the regional sorting facility 19 are typically unsorted at their arrival at the regional sorting facility. The regional sorting facility is preferably located within a relatively short ground-transportation distance from the consignor 11. The regional sorting facility 19 sorts the mail pieces 12 using a delivery address of each of the mail pieces wherein the delivery address includes a zip code. In particular, the mail pieces are sorted into a plurality of groups based on the zip code of each of the pieces.

[0060] Generally, the mail pieces are sorted into groups that correspond to locations that are closer to the final delivery address, i.e., “local” locations, such as the metropolitan area within which falls the delivery address. Sorting of the mail pieces 12 at the regional sorting facility 19 can be manual or automatic and the operation of such facilities is generally known, and is therefore not described herein in any further detail. In addition, as described below, pre-sorting prior to sorting the mail pieces into the containers 13 for tracking is preferred but not necessary for the present invention. In another option, presorting may be performed by the consignor 11 allowing shipment of the mail pieces 12 directly to the local sorting facility 20.

[0061] The groups of the mail pieces 12, subsequent to the regional sorting, are delivered by one or more delivery vehicles 18 to the local sorting facility 20. Due to the generally larger distances of such deliveries, air transport delivery vehicles are often employed. Of course in cases where the local sorting facility 20 is relatively close, or the same as, the regional sorting facility (e.g., wherein delivery from and to the same zip code by the consignor 11 is desired) ground transport, carts, conveyors and other short distance delivery vehicles 18 may be employed.

[0062] Referring now to FIG. 2, the local sorting facility includes a mail scanning apparatus 26, a mail directing apparatus 27, a sorting facility computer system 28 and a label printer 29. The sorting facility computer system 28 is part of the shipping computer system 21, includes a sorting apparatus controller 41, and is connected in communication, such as via a local area network (not shown), with the mail scanning apparatus 26. The mail scanning apparatus is configured to optically scan, or otherwise electronically obtain, information printed on each of the mail pieces. For instance, if the information is a printed address, including a zip code, the mail scanning apparatus 26 may be configured for optical character recognition (OCR) wherein the image of the printed characters is captured and processed to determine the individual characters. For information in a more machine-friendly format, such as a linear barcode, a two-dimensional maxi-code symbol or a multi-stacked bar code, the mail scanning apparatus may include a laser scanner configured to convert the images into one or more reference numbers or strings associated with mail piece information submitted to the containerized mail shipping system 10 by the consignor 11, as will be described in more detail below.

[0063] Preferably, however, each of the mail pieces 12 includes a machine-readable linear barcode that reflects a standard of the postal service and includes information on the zip code of the destination of the mail piece. The barcode information associated with each of the mail pieces can then be uploaded to the sorting apparatus controller 41, as shown in FIG. 3. The barcode (and its associated reference string) may also be used to retrieve more detailed information associated with each of the mail pieces that was submitted by the consignor computer system 23 to the sorting facility computer system 28 or a carrier computer system 34, or that was detected at the regional sorting facility 19 during the pre-sort, as shown in FIG. 4. Such mail piece information may include the full delivery address, the name of the recipient 15, the weight of the mail piece, amount of postage or other payment submitted with the mail piece, its mail classification and an indication of its contents, or other information used to facilitate containerizing, tracking and billing.

[0064] It should be noted that other printed and non-printed information associated with the mail pieces 12 could also be automatically obtained from each of the mail pieces, such as a complete address marked on each of the mail pieces. If detailed enough, this information may obviate the need for obtaining information associated with the mail pieces from the regional sorting facility 19, or from the consignor computer system 23. As another alternative, obtaining the zip code, which may be part of the reference string associated with the barcode, or some other indication sufficient enough to allow sorting of the mail pieces 12 into the bins (e.g., a destination city).

[0065] The sorting facility computer system 28 is also connected in communication with the mail directing apparatus 27. In particular, the sorting apparatus controller 41 of the sorting facility computer system 28 is configured to process the information from the mail scanning apparatus 26 into sorting commands and communicate the sorting commands to the mail directing apparatus 27 so as to direct each of the mail pieces to its appropriate one of the containers 13. For instance, the zip code of the mail piece could be extracted from the barcode on each of the mail pieces 12 and used to direct the mail piece to one of the containers 13 designated for that zip code via a conveyor belt or other apparatus.

[0066] The sorting apparatus controller 41 can determine the contents of each of the containers 13 by tracking the mail pieces 13 directed to the container before the container is removed and replaced by another container. Closure of the containers 13 is typically indicated by a container closure sensor 99 that is connected in communication with the sorting apparatus controller 41 and “pings,” or otherwise signals, the controller when the container has been closed and removed.

[0067] A buffer of the mail directing apparatus 27 allows 10 to 15 seconds for replacement with the new container. During this time, some of the mail pieces directed to the chute that leads to the container associated with a selected destination zip code will be sent to a rejection bin. These rejected mail pieces are then reloaded for sorting and the scanned information associated with these mail pieces cancelled in the database associated with the mail scanning apparatus 26. Once one of the containers 13 is removed, the sorting facility person logs onto a shipping order interface 43 of the sorting facility computer system 28 to prepare the container for shipment, including creation of a tracking label for each of the containers, as shown in FIG. 3 and as described in further detail below.

[0068] Further connected in communication with the sorting facility computer system 28 is the label printer 29, as shown in FIG. 2. This allows the sorting facility computer system 28 to communicate a tracking label image to the label printer 29 for printing as a container tracking label 32 and fixation to one of the containers 13 after entry of the container into the shipping order interface 43. Communication of the sorting facility computer system 28 with the label printer 29 begins with entry of shipping information associated with the container into the shipping order interface 43, as will be further described below.

[0069] The tracking label 32 preferably includes a container identifier and shipping information associated with the container. The shipping information, for instance, may include a human-readable postal service location address to which the container is to be delivered for release of the mail pieces 12. The identifier preferably includes a unique alphanumeric string that identifies the container, such as a randomly generated 1Z tracking number having a format similar to the following “1Z 510 20T OL 9501 9216.” Beneath the tracking number is preferably a tracking number barcode (which is also part of the identifier) that is a coded version of the tracking number and facilitates automated scanning of the tracking number. It should be noted, however, that other types of machine and human-readable identifiers which are currently available, or may become available in the future, may be employed and still be within the scope of the present invention, such as a maxi-code or stacked barcode that are easily machine detectable and relatively information dense.

[0070] It should be noted that the depictions of the mail scanning apparatus 26, the mail directing apparatus 27, the sorting facility computer system 28 and the label printer 29 are symbolic. Each of these components can comprise one or more devices and/or systems, such as collections and portions of various devices, computer hardware, software, firm-ware, interconnecting networks, etc., that are capable of performing the functions described herein. In addition, some aspects of the sorting occurring in the local sorting facility 20 may be performed manually, such as directing mail flows to different ones of the containers 13 under the control and direction of the sorting facility computer system 28.

[0071] In addition, each of the components need not be discrete in that their functions may overlap or contribute to each other. For instance, the sorting facility computer system 28 may include hardware and software associated with the label printer 29 that is physically separate from a server which contains a processor for manipulating data associated with the address information. Similarly, hardware and software resident on the mail scanning apparatus 26 may process and correlate the scanned mail piece information with the container identifiers. More specific details on the mechanical operation of the scanning apparatus 26, the directing apparatus 27 and the label printer 29 are not included herein being known to those of skill in the art.

[0072] Optionally, in lieu of the label printer 29, the containers 13 may be marked or labeled in other ways, such as being directly printed on with a barcode or tagged with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag that can be detected by scanning devices (such as the DIAD's 22) which in this aspect would include RFID tag readers, each with an antenna, transceiver and decoder, positioned along the delivery route. These RFID tags include circuitry configured to electromagnetically broadcast the identifier in response to being exposed to the electromagnetic field emitted by a reader of the DIAD or other scanning device. Unlike barcodes, this may occur from a distance, at a relatively quick rate (on the order of 100 milliseconds) and without contact, allowing the containers 13 to be detected during unloading from vehicles, or even during passage by in vehicles. Also, the RFID tags may be active tags that can record information from each detecting reader to keep track of their own route, and this information can be uploaded by the final reader to obtain the tracking information indicating the route of the containers. As another option, the containers themselves could be made unique to indicate the container's identity and possibly some common aspect of the mail pieces 12 contained therein, such as by having a color or molded symbol indicating an identity of the container and its need for delivery to a particular zip code.

[0073] Sorting and containerizing of the mail pieces 12 occurs in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 at a single location that is local to the delivery addresses of the mail pieces. However, sorting and containerizing could occur in other locations, including other more distant locations, or in several locations with several steps spread amongst different locations each having portions of the sorting facilities, as long as the mail pieces are sorted amongst the containers 13 in a manner that allows the sorting facility computer system 28 to determine the mail piece information associated with the mail pieces 12 in each of the containers and the containers are marked so as to allow tracking of the containers and the mail pieces associated with the containers. Further, the speed of operation of the mail scanning apparatus 26, the mail directing apparatus 27, the sorting facility computer system 28, the label printer 29, etc., may be increased (such as by increasing the number of sorting assemblies, printers, etc.) to allow for greater throughput of mail pieces 12 at the local sorting facility 20.

[0074] Referring once again to FIG. 2, the flow of mail pieces 12 and information through the local sorting facility 20 is indicated by various arrows. In particular, block arrows indicate flow of physical things such as the mail pieces 12 and the container tracking label 32, and dotted lines indicate flows of electronic information. Typically, mail pieces 12 are dropped off by the delivery vehicles 18 and are loaded into the mail scanning apparatus 26 in a relatively large volume, as indicated by large block arrow 35. The mail scanning apparatus 26 scans the mail pieces 12 and the mail directing apparatus 27 diverts the mail pieces in relatively lesser volumes, as indicated by the smaller block arrows 36, to the containers 13.

[0075] As is described above, the sorting apparatus controller 41 receives the mail piece barcode information (as indicated by the dotted line 37) and uses it to generate and send sorting instructions (dotted line 38) to the mail directing apparatus 27. Also, the sorting facility computer system 28 obtains the identifiers generated by the shipping order interface 43 and sends tracking label printing instructions (dotted line 39) to the label printer 29. In turn, the label printer 29 prints the container tracking label 32 which is then affixed (block arrow 40) to a respective one of the containers 13. The containers 13 are then loaded into one of the delivery vehicles 18 for shipping to the postal service 14.

[0076] FIG. 3 illustrates in greater detail the sorting facility computer system 28 which is preferably a part of the shipping computer system 21. The sorting facility computer system 28 includes the sorting apparatus controller 41, the shipping order interface 43, a label image generator 44, an end-of-day (EOD) container detail database 45 and a summary barcode and manifest generator 46.

[0077] The shipping order interface 43 provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for prompting and recording shipping information for each of the containers 13. For instance, the shipping order interface 43 may prompt and record input of delivery, and other, information for the containers 13 including a destination address, such as the local delivery facilities of the postal service 14, at which the mail pieces 12 can be removed from the containers and their delivery to the recipient 15 completed.

[0078] The shipping order interface 43 may be configured to facilitate entry of the destination address for the container. For instance, the location of each of the containers 13 and its associated chute on the sorting apparatus may be graphically indicated on a GUI by the shipping order interface. Selection of the appropriate chute and container results in the shipping order interface 43 retrieving the zip code associated with that chute and the bulk mail center 70 associated with that zip code. This information is then used to pre-populate the destination address for the container. The shipping order interface 43 may be further configured to record and associate other information with the container, such as an identity of the consignor and billing information associated with the mail pieces 12. The shipping order interface 43 also includes logic for generating, selecting from a pre-allocated pool, or otherwise obtaining, an identifier for each of the containers 13. It should be noted that the shipping order interface 43 may not be entirely resident on the sorting facility computer system 28, and may be, for instance, generated as a web page using hyper-text markup language, or other GUI, sourced from the carrier computer system 34.

[0079] The label image generator 44 is connected in communication with the shipping order interface 43 and is capable of obtaining the container identifier, destination address and other information for each of the containers 13 from the shipping order interface. The label image generator is configured to generate a label image including the identifier and the destination address for the container, and then send the label image to the label printer 29. As shown in FIG. 2 and as described above, this label image is used to print the tracking label 32 which is then affixed to one of the containers 13.

[0080] Also connected in communication with the shipping order interface 43 is the EOD container detail database 45. The EOD database is configured to obtain the information associated with each of the containers 13, e.g., the identifier assigned to each of the containers, the origin and destination addresses of the container and the consignor's identity, from the shipping order interface 43 and has logic for formatting the container shipping information into a spreadsheet, or other organized electronic file, summarizing each day's container shipments. The EOD database 45 also includes data storage capabilities for storing the electronic file of container shipping information.

[0081] The sorting apparatus controller 41 is the portion of the sorting facility computer system 28 that is configured to obtain the mail piece barcode from the mail scanning apparatus 26 and to direct the mail pieces to the containers 13 using the zip code, or other information extracted from the barcode, or detected from the mail pieces, as described above in more detail in reference to FIG. 2.

[0082] Connected in communication with the manifest generator 46 are the EOD database 45 and the sorting apparatus controller 41. The manifest generator 46 is configured to obtain the container shipping information (including the identifier associated with each of the containers 13) from the EOD database 45, or directly from the shipping order interface 43, as each of the containers is entered into the shipping order interface 43. The manifest generator 46 is further configured to obtain, from the sorting apparatus controller 41, the mail piece information, such as the mail piece barcodes, for each batch of mail pieces 12 sorted into the container and an indication of the chute and location of the container.

[0083] This information, along with the timing of its entry, allows the manifest generator to correlate the mail piece barcodes with the container identifier, which is used to generate an electronic container contents manifest 54 describing the mail piece barcode, or other mail piece information, associated with each of the mail pieces 12 in a respective one of the containers 13 and the container shipping information obtained from the shipping order interface 43. The container contents manifest 54 for each of the containers 13 of an entire shipment or period (e.g., at the end of a day) can then be printed and placed in each of the containers, such as in a pocket on the container. Also, the container contents manifest 54 for each of the containers 13 of a particular consignor 11 can be compiled in a report that is sent, or otherwise made available, to the consignor, along with tracking information obtained from the carrier computer system 34, as will be described in more detail below.

[0084] The manifest generator 46 is also configured to generate a summary barcode image 55 for the container contents manifest 54 that includes additional information on the container, such as a reference number that associates the container with the location of the local sorting facility 20 and a name and number of the consignor 11. Each summary barcode image 55 may be included on a paper version of the container contents manifest 54 (if a paper version is used) to speed scanning of the manifest by the carrier computer system 34 as the containers 13 are delivered. The summary barcode image 55 could also be associated with electronic versions of the container contents manifest 54.

[0085] Preferably, the container contents manifest 54 sent to the postal service 14 is formatted using a standard acceptable by the postal service for obtaining presorting discounts. For instance, the manifest generator 46 may have logic configured to place the container shipping information into the “8125” type manifest of the U.S. Postal Service for obtaining discounts on presorted mail. Additional details on the 8125 manifest are explained in more detail in commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application No. 60/464,529, filed Apr. 22, 2003.

[0086] As is shown in FIG. 2, the local sorting facility computer system 28 is connected in communication with the carrier computer system 34, allowing the carrier computer system to obtain the container shipping and mail piece barcode information correlated by the manifest generator 46. Referring now to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the carrier computer system 34 is also connected in communication with the consignor computer system 23, a regional sorting facility computer system 17, a postal service computer system 57, a customer access system 49, an electronic verification system (EVS) 52 and a carrier funds account system 16. As will be described below, these connections allow the carrier computer system 34 to coordinate, in what could be described as a hub-and-spoke system, the flow of shipping, mail piece and tracking information to create manifests, provide access for other parties to the information and control the flow of funds for payment for the shipping services.

[0087] The consignor computer system 23 is configured to electronically send mail piece information to the carrier computer system 34. For instance, the consignor computer system 23 may contain delivery addresses for bulk mail correlated with their barcodes which have been printed on the mail pieces 12 in compliance with postal service rules. In another aspect, the mail pieces may already include the delivery addresses and bar codes and the consignor computer system 23 has scanned the mail pieces to obtain the information. Further, the mail pieces may have been subject to other processing by the consignor to determine additional information for association with the mail piece barcodes, such as weight, size, return address, contents, etc., that can be later used by the rest of the containerized mail shipping system 10. As another alternative, or in addition to the consignor computer system 23 sending mail piece information, the regional sorting facility computer system 17 may be configured to obtain and send mail piece information to the carrier computer system 34 wherein the mail piece information is obtained during scanning and other processing of the mail pieces 12.

[0088] The consignor computer system 23 may also be configured to send billing and funds transfer information (as represented by the intermittent dashed and dotted line and the “$” sign on FIG. 4) to the carrier computer system 34. The billing information preferably includes instructions for an electronic debit or credit of funds in payment for the services provided by the carrier, including funds for the pre-sorting, containerizing of the mail pieces 12 and delivery of the containers 13, and funds for the delivery by the postal service 14 of the mail pieces to the recipient 15. These funds are preferably correlated with the mail piece information, including different characteristics of the mail pieces, such as type of delivery, size, weight and other information that affects the cost of delivery. Therefore, each of the mail pieces 12 would preferably be identified by its barcode which is associated with its mail piece information and cost information.

[0089] After receiving the mail piece information and billing information correlated with the mail piece barcodes, and the container information, including container identifier, correlated with the mail piece barcodes, the carrier computer system 34 is configured to associate the mail piece information with the container information using the mail piece barcodes, or identifying information extracted from the mail piece barcodes. In this manner, all of the details about the mail pieces in each of the containers, including delivery address, weight, postage, number of mail pieces, etc., are correlated with the identifier of that container and can be stored and distributed to the other systems by the carrier computer system.

[0090] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the carrier computer system 34 is configured to parse, process, and distribute the container, mail piece and billing information to the other connected systems. For example, the carrier computer system is configured to send the container and mail piece information to the electronic verification system 53 and the customer access system 49. Also, the carrier computer system can send the mail piece information correlated with its mail piece billing information, including any funds or instructions to transfer funds associated with the delivery of the mail pieces 12 for selected time periods or batches of containers, to the postal service computer system, as shown in FIG. 4. Similarly, the container information and container billing information, including any funds or instructions to transfer funds for shipment of the containers 13, can be routed to the carrier funds account system 16. The postal service computer system 57 and the carrier funds account system 16 can audit, archive, redistributed or perform other types of desired processing on the information sent by the carrier computer system 34.

[0091] The carrier computer system may include logic for calculating the amount of the funds to which the carrier and the postal service are entitled using the container and mail piece information. For instance, the carrier computer system 34 may have logic that determines the number of containers 13 shipped during a day and the number and delivery service type of the mail pieces 12 in each of the day's containers and applies these numbers to agreed-upon shipping rates to determine the fractional distribution of the amount of funds remitted by the consignor computer system 23.

[0092] The electronic verification system 53 preferably includes a delivery information area location system (DIALS) 51, a container level detail system 50 and a matching system 53. The delivery information area location system 51 is connected in communication with one or more of a plurality of tracking devices which together are part of a tracking system for tracking the containers 13. Each of the tracking devices is preferably positioned, or able to be positioned, at one or more postal service locations, such as at a bulk mail center 70 of the postal service 14, as shown in FIG. 1. When the tracking devices detect one of the containers 13 (e.g., by laser scanning the tracking label 32) the container identifier and other tracking data, such as the time of scanning and a postal service facility identifier, are sent electronically to the delivery information area location system 51.

[0093] Due to its recent collection, this new tracking system data is classified by the delivery information area location system 51 as “live” tracking data which can, optionally, be sent to archival storage by the delivery information area location system after a period of time, such as 20 days. Preferably, the tracking devices can also be positioned along the delivery path of the containers 13 so as to be capable of obtaining tracking information from a container as it travels through points along its delivery path prior to its arrival at the postal service 14.

[0094] Preferably, the delivery information area location system 51 is connected in communication over one or a number of different types of wireless networks to a tracking device in the form of the DIAD 22 shown in FIG. 4. The DIAD 22 is portable and is carried by the delivery driver delivering the package to the bulk mail center 70 of the postal service 14, or other intermediate physical pickup or delivery location along the path of package travel. The DIAD 22 includes one or more of a wireless wide area network data radio, a wireless local area network data radio or a wireless personal area network data radio. The wireless wide area network radio advantageously allows real-time or near real-time communication as data is entered into the DIAD, without connection to a docking station for recognition of the data by an optical link, as is required by some other types of tracking devices.

[0095] The DIAD also preferably includes a barcode scanner (such as a laser scanner), a signature capture window and a global positioning sensor (GPS). The barcode scanner is configured for reading the identifier barcode on the container tracking label 32 to register detection of the container label. The GPS provides time, date, latitude, longitude and other position-based information that is then associated with the identifier of the container tracking label 32. Notably, this information may also be used to determine if the delivery was close to the actual, correct bulk mail center 70 location. The signature capture window (not shown) is capable of electronically capturing writing by a stylus on a touch-sensitive screen. This window is used to collect a signature at the bulk mail center acknowledging receipt of the containers 13 in a particular delivery. As will be noted below, the DIAD may also be configured to download the container contents manifest 54 for each of the containers 13 at the time of their release to the bulk mail center 70.

[0096] It should be noted that other types of scanning device, other than the laser scanner of the DIAD described above, may be employed to detect the identifiers on the containers 13 and still be within the scope of the present invention. For instance, the identifiers could be detected using a CCD camera that records a digital image of the identifier and then uses optical character recognition to determine an identifier in the form of an alphanumeric string (such as the 1Z tracking number shown above). Alternatively, the CCD camera may process the image of a machine-readable, encoded version of the identifier (such as a barcode, stacked barcode, 2D maxi-code, etc.) which it looks up from an associated database or applies a standard translation algorithm to decode the encoded symbol or string.

[0097] As another option, the DIAD 22 may include an RFID tag reader that includes a transceiver and antenna that emit an electromagnetic pulse or field to which the RFID tag is responsive (i.e., a transponder) with its own signal that is captured and decoded into a tracking number or string. Regardless, the identifier in some encoded, decoded or partially decoded form is captured from the container and is transmitted via a network to the delivery information area location system 51 for additional processing and use as an electronic key by other parts of the system 10 to locate the container and mail piece information associated with the identifier.

[0098] The container level detail system 50 is configured to collect the container and mail piece information as it is received from the carrier computer system 34. Similar to the delivery information area location system 51, the container level detail system is preferably a “live” system that retains the container and mail piece information for a period of time (e.g., 20 days) before being sent to archival storage. Regardless, the matching system 53 is configured via matching logic to combine the tracking information with the container and mail piece information into an audit manifest, as shown in FIG. 4. The matching logic correlates the container identifier detected by the DIAD's 22 and supplied by the DIALS 51 with the same container identifier associated with the container and mail piece information from the carrier computer system 34.

[0099] This information can then be organized by the verification system 52 into the audit manifest which is preferably grouped by container. For instance, the audit manifest may be a single electronic file listing the identifiers of all of the containers 13 shipped during a day (e.g., every day at 8 PM) by the carrier. The identifier of each of the containers would have listed therewith its container information, tracking information indicating detection of delivery of the container at the bulk mail center 70 and the barcodes of the mail pieces in that container. In turn, each of the mail piece barcodes would have listed therewith the associated mail piece information and billing information. The billing information may also be configured into summary billing information, including container and mail piece payment totals for the entire day. Variations of the organization of the audit manifest are possible and typically will depend upon the format desired or needed by a postal service quality control (QC) audit system 56 which receives the audit manifest.

[0100] The QC system is preferably capable of performing multiple closed-loop audits and quality control checks for the containerized mail shipping system 10 using the audit manifest to ensure proper tracking, delivery and payment for delivery of the mail pieces 12. These quality control processes include, for example, matching of the mail piece barcodes later scanned by the postal service equipment at the bulk mail center 70 with the mail piece barcodes listed in the audit manifest. Also, the QC system 56 may be capable of doing periodic weight, number and delivery class checks against the audit manifest to ensure accuracy. As another option, the QC system may be capable of comparing the mail piece information in the audit manifest with mail piece information obtained from the consignor 11, such as from the consignor computer system 23, to ensure that all of the mail pieces submitted were billed for and delivered.

[0101] Other aspects of the containerized mail shipping system 10 can be used to facilitate additional quality control checks and audits. For instance, the containers 13 detected by the delivery information area location system 51 can be compared to the containers listed on the EOD database 45 to ensure that all of the containers were delivered to the postal service location. In yet another option, the container contents manifest 54 for each of the containers 13 may be downloaded by one of the DIAD's 22 at the bulk mail center 70.

[0102] In this aspect, the containers 13 in the shipment are easily identified by scanning information on the tracking label 32 of each of the containers. As each tracking label 32 is scanned its barcode is decoded into the container identifier which is sent to the DIALS 51. The DIALS obtains the container contents manifest 54 corresponding to the container identifier from the container detail system 50 and sends the container contents manifest back over the network to the DIAD so that it can be displayed on the DIAD screen. The container contents manifest 54 can then be checked against the actual container contents by the personnel at the bulk mail center 70 prior to signing the DIAD.

[0103] In an aspect wherein the DIAD 22 is an RFID reader, an active tag could be used on the container which has stored in its memory the container contents manifest 54 which can be read by the RFID reader. This information could then be uploaded to the postal service computer system 57, or displayed similar on the DIAD, for confirmation of the contents of the container and signature by the bulk mail center personnel.

[0104] Additional details of the QC systems described above, and other QC systems that can be integrated with or layered onto the containerized shipping system 10 of the present invention are described below in reference to a combined shipping system 310 of another embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] Referring again to FIG. 4, the customer access system 49 receives the container and mail piece information from the carrier computer system 34, and could optionally receive the billing information from the carrier computer system and the container tracking information from the delivery information area location system 51. Generally, the customer access system 49 is configured to provide access to the various parties involved in the transaction for shipping the mail pieces 12, including the consignor 11 and the recipient 15. For example, progress of delivery of the mail pieces 12 could be indicated by tracking information showing the progress of delivery of one of the containers 13 and an associated list of the barcodes of the particular mail pieces in the container.

[0106] The postal service preferably includes the above-described bulk mail center 70, a destination delivery unit (DDU) 71 and its own delivery vehicles 18. The bulk mail center 70 is capable of taking the presorted mail pieces 12 delivered by the containerized mail delivery system 10 and further sorting the mail pieces into groups for delivery to one or more destination delivery units. The destination delivery unit is an even more local facility (e.g., such as a local post office) than the bulk mail center 70 and is typically the final stop before delivery of the mail pieces 12 to the recipient(s) 15. However, the containerized mail delivery system 10 of the present invention may also be capable of delivering mail pieces 12 in the containers 13 directly to the destination delivery unit 71 with the appropriate amount of sorting.

[0107] It should also be noted that the containerized mail delivery system 10 can deliver the packages to other, intermediate parties that are not a postal service, to its own sorting facilities, or even directly to the recipient 15, as long as the mail pieces 12 in each of the containers 13 are identified, associated with the container and delivery of the container is tracked. Therefore, the term “consignee” is used herein to designate the potential range of recipients of the mail pieces 12 delivered in the containers 13 by the containerized mail shipping system 10 of the present invention.

[0108] During operation of the containerized mail shipping system 10 of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the mail pieces 12 are submitted by the consignor 11 to the delivery vehicle 18 which carries the mail in an unsorted condition to the regional sorting facility 19, as shown in FIG. 1. At the regional sorting facility 19, a rough sort of the mail pieces 12 is performed to identify mail pieces directed to a particular region served by the local sorting facility 20. These mail pieces are then sent via additional delivery vehicles 18 (such as via air transport) to the local sorting facility 20.

[0109] At the local sorting facility, the mail pieces 12 are scanned, sorted and containerized, as shown in FIG. 2. During this process, the sorting apparatus controller 41 records the mail piece information, including the barcode of each of the mail pieces 12, by scanning the mail pieces and then directs sorting of the mail pieces amongst the containers 13. As the mail pieces 12 are sorted, the sorting apparatus controller 41 records the container into which each of the mail pieces are sorted based on the scanned information. In addition, each of the containers 13 has its shipping information entered into the shipping order interface 43, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0110] The shipping order interface generates or obtains an identifier for each of the containers 13 and sends the container shipping information associated with the container identifiers to the EOD database 45, the manifest generator 46 and the label generator 44. The label generator 44 uses the container shipping information and the identifier to generate and print the container tracking label 32 for each of the containers 13. The container tracking labels are then affixed to the containers, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0111] Referring again to FIG. 3, the manifest generator 46 obtains the mail piece barcodes associated with each of the container identifiers from the sorting apparatus controller 41 and the container shipping information from the EOD database 45. The manifest generator 46 creates the container contents manifest 54 by correlating the mail piece information (e.g., the mail piece barcodes) with the container shipping information, including the identifiers of the containers. Also, the manifest generator 46 creates the summary barcode 55 that describes certain aspects of the container, including its origin, destination and the consignor identity. The container contents manifest 54 and summary barcode 55 are printed on a paper manifest for shipping with the container and the electronic data is otherwise made available to the carrier computer system 34.

[0112] At the end of a day, the carrier computer system 34 obtains the remaining mail piece information and the billing information from the consignor computer system 23 and uses the barcodes of the mail pieces 12 to combine the mail piece information and the billing information with the container information. The carrier computer system 34 then determines the amount of funds due for delivery of the containers by the carrier and forwards the container information and container billing information (such as an electronic credit of funds) to the carrier funds account system 16. Also, the carrier computer system determines the amount of funds due for delivery of the day's mail pieces 12 and forwards the mail piece information and mail piece billing information (such as an electronic credit of funds) to the postal service computer system 57.

[0113] The containers 13 are picked up by delivery vehicles 18 for delivery to the postal service bulk mail center 70 and are unloaded at the bulk mail center, as shown in FIG. 1. As each container is unloaded, its tracking label 32 is scanned with the DIAD 22 or other tracking device, which identifies the container and optionally downloads the container contents manifest 54 onto the DIAD for reviewing and signing by a postal service person.

[0114] The delivery information area location system 51 obtains the tracking information from the DIAD 22 indicating delivery of the containers 13, including the identifier, time and date associated with detection of the containers, as well as the location of the containers and the signature of the postal service person. The container level detail system 50 obtains (or already has) the container and mail piece information, including the mail piece information associated with each of the container identifiers. As each container identifier is detected and the matching system obtains and matches the container information and the mail piece information with the tracking information using the container identifier. If the option of downloading the container contents manifest 54 is used, the matched mail piece information associated with the container identifier is sent to DIALS for download to the DIAD.

[0115] The mail pieces 12 are then further sorted by the postal service 14 at the bulk mail center 70 and loaded onto delivery vehicles 18. The delivery vehicles deliver the mail pieces 12 to the destination delivery unit 71 for final sorting and delivery by further vehicles to the recipient 15. At the end of a day, or other suitable time period, the electronic verification system 52 uploads and correlates container contents manifest information, container tracking information and mail piece information for the various quality control checks and audits described above. Also, this information is made available to the other parties in various billing manifests for electronic payment and auditing, as also described above.

[0116] An alternative embodiment of the shipping computer system 21 of the present invention is shown schematically in FIG. 5. The shipping computer system includes a processor 80 that communicates with other elements within the computer system 21 via a bus 81. Also included in the shipping computer system 22 are input and output devices 82, including the DIADs used for tracking and various terminals for receiving and displaying data within the system. The shipping computer system 22 further includes memory 84, which preferably includes both read only memory (ROM) 85 and random access memory (RAM) 86. The ROM 85 is used to store a basic input/output system (BIOS) 87 containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the shipping computer system 21. A system interface 83 enables communication with other computer systems, such as the consignor computer system 23 and the carrier computer system 34.

[0117] In addition, the shipping computer system 21 includes at least one storage device 88, such as a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, or optical disk drive, for storing information on various computer-readable media, such as a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, or a CD-ROM disk. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, each of these storage devices 88 is connected to the system bus by an appropriate interface. The storage devices 88 and their associated computer-readable media provide non-volatile storage for the shipping computer system 22. It is important to note that the computer-readable media described above could be replaced by any other type of computer-readable media known in the art. Such media include, for example, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks, and Bernoulli cartridges.

[0118] A number of program modules may be stored by the various storage devices, such as within RAM 86 (as shown in FIG. 5) or within the storage device 88 (as not shown for clarity). Such program modules include an operating system 89, a mail scanning module 90, a mail sorting module 91, an identification generator module 92, a label generating module 93, a tracking module 94, a manifest generating module 95, a verification module 96 and a billing module 97. As described both above and below, the mail scanning and sorting modules 90, 91 control the scanning and directing apparatuses 26, 27, collecting mail piece information and sorting the mail pieces 12 amongst appropriate ones of the containers 13. The identification generator module 92 generates identifiers for the container labels, images of which are generated by the label generating module 93. The tracking module 94 collects tracking information on the movement of the containers 13. The manifest generating module 95 collects and correlates the mail piece information and container information to create the container contents manifest 54. The verification module 96 obtains the tracking information, container information and mail piece information and constructs an audit manifest. The billing module 97 calculates the cost of the various sorting and shipping services and allocates any funds submitted by the consignee accordingly.

[0119] It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that one or more of the components of the computer systems described herein may be located geographically remotely from other components. Furthermore, one or more of the components may be combined, and additional components performing the functions described herein may be included in the consignor and postal service computer systems 23, 57.

[0120] For example, one embodiment of a computer of the containerized mail shipping system 10 is illustrated that can be used to practice aspects of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the processor 80, such as a microprocessor, is used to execute software instructions for carrying out the above-defined steps and functions, such as sorting, scanning, identification generation, manifest generation, etc. The processor receives power from a power supply 117 that also provides power to the other components as necessary. The processor 80 communicates using the data bus 81 that is typically 16 or 32 bits wide (e.g., in parallel). The data bus 81 is used to convey data and program instructions, typically, between the processor and memory. In the present embodiment, memory can be considered primary memory 86 that is RAM or other forms which retain the contents only during operation, or it may be non-volatile 85, such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH, or other types of memory that retain the memory contents at all times. The memory could also be secondary memory 104, such as disk storage, that stores large amount of data. In some embodiments, the disk storage may communicate with the processor using an I/O bus 106 instead or a dedicated bus (not shown). The secondary memory may be a floppy disk, hard disk, compact disk, DVD, or any other type of mass storage type known to those skilled in the computer arts.

[0121] The processor 80 also communicates with various peripherals or external devices using an I/O bus 106. In the present embodiment, a peripheral I/O controller 107 is used to provide standard interfaces, such as RS-232, RS422, DIN, USB, or other interfaces as appropriate to interface various input/output devices. Typical input/output devices include local printers, such as the label printer 29, a monitor 108, a keyboard 109, and a mouse 110 or other typical pointing devices (e.g., rollerball, trackpad, joystick, etc.).

[0122] The processor 80 typically also communicates using a communications I/O controller 111 with external communication networks, and may use a variety of interfaces such as data communication oriented protocols 112 such as X.25, ISDN, DSL, cable modems, etc. The communications controller 111 may also incorporate a modem (not shown) for interfacing and communicating with a standard telephone line 113. Finally, the communications I/O controller may incorporate an Ethernet interface 114 for communicating over a LAN. Any of these interfaces may be used to access the Internet, intranets, LANs, or other data communication facilitites.

[0123] Finally, the processor 80 may communicate with a wireless interface 116 that is operatively connected to an antenna 115 for communicating wirelessly with another devices, using for example, one of the IEEE 802.11 protocols, 802.15.4 protocol, or a standard 3G wireless telecommunications protocols, such as CDMA2000 1x EV-DO, GPRS, W-CDMA, or other protocol.

[0124] An alternative embodiment of a processing system of the containerized mail shipping system 10 than may be used is shown in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, a distributed communication and processing architecture is shown involving a server 120 communicating with either a local client computer 126a, such as a computer displaying GUIs associated with the shipping order interface 43 and connected to the sorting facility system 28, or a remote client computer 126b, such as the consignor computer system 23 or the postal service computer 57. The server 120 typically comprises a processor 121 that communicates with a database 122, which can be viewed as a form of secondary memory, as well as primary memory 124. The processor also communicates with external devices using an I/O controller 123 that typically interfaces with a LAN 125. The LAN may provide local connectivity to a networked printer, such as the label printer 29, and the local client computer 126a. These may be located in the same facility as the server, though not necessarily in the same room. Communication with remote devices typically is accomplished by routing data from the LAN 125 over a communications facility to the Internet 127. The remote client computer 126b may execute a web browser, so that the remote client 126b may interact with the server as required by transmitted data through the Internet 127, over the LAN 125, and to the server 120. For instance, the server 120 may be part of the shipping computer system 21 that is configured to operate as the customer access system 49 and receive requests from the consignor computer system 13 (which is a type of remote client computer 126b) or the postal service computer system 57 (which is also a type of remote client computer 126b) for various data, such as the container and audit manifests.

[0125] Those skilled in the art of data networking will realize that many other alternatives and architectures are possible and can be used to practice the principles of the present invention. The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 can be modified in different ways and be within the scope of the present invention as claimed.

[0126] In other embodiments, the containerized mail shipping system 10 of the present invention can be employed with, or have selected incorporated aspects and functions of, the system 310 for combining the shipping services of multiple carriers, as shown in FIGS. 8-20. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the combined shipping system ships packages (used herein to refer to any item being delivered, for example, parcels or mail, such as the mail pieces 12 or the containers 13 described above), from a shipper 311 to a consignee or recipient 312.

[0127] In one exemplary embodiment, the containerized shipping system 10 may be used to deliver the packages of the combined shipping system 310 in the containers 13, wherein the first carrier operates the containerized mail shipping system 10 and uses it to track and manifest deliveries to the second carrier (in this case the postal service 14) which completes deliveries of the packages to the recipient 15 (which, in this instance, is analogous to the consignee 312). In an alternative embodiment, the combined shipping system 310 can be used to coordinate the efforts of multiple carriers to deliver the containers 13 from the consignor 11 to the postal service 14 (wherein the postal service 14 is analogous to the consignee 312). Of course other combinations of the various aspects are possible and still within the scope of the present invention. To this end, some, but not all, analogous aspects of the containerized mail shipping system 10 and the combined shipping system 310 have been identified herein. The term “analogous” as used herein is not intended to indicate identical function or structure of the systems, but to indicate possible instances of overlapping structure or function wherein the two systems may be combined, exchanged, overlaid or are otherwise complementary or similar.

[0128] The combined shipping system 310 has a variety of physical facilities for facilitating delivery of packages (movement of which is indicated by the solid lines), including line haulers 313 (analogous to delivery vehicles 18), a sorting hub 314 (analogous to regional and local sorting facilities 19, 20), a preload facility 315 (analogous to the bulk mail center 70) and carrier delivery facilities (vehicles, personnel, etc.) 316, each of which are preferably operated by a first carrier, as shown in FIG. 9. A second carrier (e.g., the USPS), operates its own destination delivery unit 317 and carrier delivery facilities 318 (analogous to the bulk mail center 70), which in the case of the USPS are local post offices and mail delivery personnel, vehicles, etc. The conventional operation of such USPS systems is well known.

[0129] Referring again to FIG. 8, the combined shipping system 310 also includes a variety of communications systems that are preferably electronic in nature. The communication systems include a shipper computer system 320 (analogous to consignor computer system 23) connected electronically via a network 321 to a first carrier computer system 322 (analogous to the carrier computer system 34) and a second carrier computer system 323 (which may be analogous to the carrier computer system 34 and/or the postal service computer system 57). The first and second carrier computer systems 322, 323 are also connected via a network 324. Generally, the communication systems allow the efforts of the physical facilities of the two carriers and the shipper 311 to be coordinated for efficient delivery of (and billing for delivery of) the packages.

[0130] Information (movement of which is indicated by the dashed lines) conveyed through the communication systems includes package information, e.g., package level details (PLD) such as an origin, destination and weight of each of the packages, which facilitates sorting and delivery of the packages and billing for the delivery services. In addition, the communication systems collect, record and report tracking information to the carriers, the shipper 311, the recipient 312 and any other interested parties.

[0131] The shipper 311 can be a retail shipping outlet, a business shipping a high volume of packages, or any other person or entity wishing to ship packages using the combined shipping system 310. In one aspect, the shipper 311 may agree to perform limited pre-processing activities in the combined shipping system 310, such as those described below which are facilitated by use of the computer system 320, in communication with the first carrier computer system 322.

[0132] The shipper's computer system 320 has software distributed by the first carrier making it configured to record the PLD information necessary to sort, meter and ship each of the packages. In one example, the computer system 320 of the shipper 311 is connectable over the network 321 to a web server of the first carrier computer system 322. The web server of the first carrier computer system is configured to send data across the network to display web pages on the shipper computer system 320. Alternatively, the shipper 311 could be directly equipped with software downloaded from the first carrier computer system 322, or sent on media by the first carrier for installation on the shipper computer system 320.

[0133] Preferably, package aggregation will be disabled for the PLD upload (i.e., each package will be registered as a single shipment) so that the carrier is not accountable for delivering all of the packages together. Also preferably, PLD information is uploaded daily, or even multiple times per day, as trailers are closed for pickup by the line hauler 313. Retransmission may be performed to ensure that all of the PLD information has been uploaded. The PLD information can also be provided in printed form as a manifest, including a summary of barcodes of the packages on the trailer, to the pickup driver of the line hauler.

[0134] Regardless of the source of the software, the computer system 320 preferably includes software logic for processing all types of parcels according to zip code, weight and tracking number. In addition, the shipper computer system may also include rate information that can be updated periodically by the carrier computer systems 322, 323 via the networks 321, 324, or by other data input or transfer. Further, the shipper computer system 320 may include a database of zip codes separated into groups or indexed by population density, which preferably distinguishes urban and rural destinations. Other software logic may be configured to obtain, or generate, tracking numbers for the packages for both carriers. Rate, zip code, DDU location and other information is preferably updated on a regular basis (e.g., quarterly) to reflect current information and changes thereto.

[0135] Using the software logic, the shipper computer system 320 is configured to prompt and record entry of the PLD shipping information by the shipper 311, such as through the presentation of a graphical-user interface with fields for entry of the PLD information. To facilitate accurate recording of package weights, the computer system 320 may include a scale 326. In addition to the scale 326, the shipper's computer system 320 may also include a label printing device 327 (analogous to the label printer 29) or other type of printer. Once the PLD information has been entered or recorded, the logic of the computer system 320 is configured to use the database of zip codes to match the package zip code with a classification of the package's destination address, which in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 8 includes the rural or urban classification. In addition to classifying the destination address, the shipper computer system 320 may also have logic and data for determining the destination delivery unit 317 of the second carrier, which corresponds to the recipient's address, if necessary.

[0136] The software logic enables the shipper computer system 320 to alert the shipper as to whether the destination address of the recipient 312 is rural or urban and to generate the appropriate label according to the classification. An appropriate label 325 (analogous to container tracking label 32) is shown in FIG. 10. Preferably, the urban-bound packages receive a standard first carrier label and are generally handled like a regular package delivered by the first carrier.

[0137] Alternatively, for the rural packages (or packages in areas where delivery is not cost-effective for the first carrier due to a lack of facilities, roads, etc.) the shipper may be offered a combined carrier delivery level of service. If the shipper selects this option, the shipper system 320 generates a combination label 325 as shown in FIG. 10. In one embodiment, the combination label 325 (analogous to container tracking label 32) includes a second carrier address field 328 that indicates the destination delivery unit 317 (analogous to destination delivery unit 71) to which the first carrier is to deliver the package, as shown in FIG. 10. Above the second carrier address field 328 is a return address field 344 of the shipper 311 and a package weight field 345, which in the illustrated label 325 of FIG. 10 is 3 pounds.

[0138] Beneath the second carrier delivery address field 328 is a first carrier alphanumeric internal routing code 329 determining the first carrier sorting hub 314 (in FIG. 10 the sorting hub is FL 335 and 0-04 indicates the conveyor belt within the sorting hub) to which the line haulers 313 are to deliver the package. Next to the internal routing code 329 is a Maxicode symbol 330 (a machine readable two-dimensional or dense code) and below the alphanumeric routing code 329 is a barcode symbol 331. The Maxicode symbol 330 contains most or all of the information shown on the label 325 and at least a portion of the PLD information for the package. The bar code 331 duplicates the information contained in the alphanumeric routing code 329, allowing the routing information to be determined using several types of scanning devices.

[0139] Beneath the codes 329-331 is a service name field 332 and a service icon 333 indicating the level or type of shipping service, which in the illustrated label is light-weight package (LWP) ground shipping with the icon “L”. Beneath the service name field 332 is a first carrier tracking number (in the illustrated label “1Z 510 20T OL 9501 9216”) field 334. Beneath the tracking number field is a tracking number barcode 335 that symbolically represents the tracking number and allows automated scanning of the tracking number.

[0140] In a bottom section of the label 325 is a recipient address 336 to which either the first, or second, carrier is to deliver the package, depending upon the aforementioned criteria. Also at the bottom of the label 325 is a second carrier delivery confirmation barcode 337 that will be scanned by at least the second carrier, and preferably both carriers. The bar code 337 contains a second carrier tracking number, and a permit number or sender identification number indicating a source of postage to be paid by the first carrier.

[0141] Alternatively, the barcode 337 could also be an alphanumeric code, or other symbol, that is unique to the package. It should be noted that in the illustrated embodiment of the label 325 the first and second carrier tracking numbers are included on the label which allows the two numbers to be associated with each other in a database in at least the first carrier computer system 322. The presence of both tracking numbers on the label and stored in a common system facilitates communication between the two carrier computer systems 322, 323, as well as providing consolidated tracking information to authorized persons. Parcel select indicia 338, which is adjacent to the recipient address 336, indicates that the first carrier will pay the postage for delivery by the second carrier (USPS). In another embodiment, the combination label 325 may have a different format (as shown in FIG. 20) and can also include an alphanumeric delivery confirmation code 346 in addition to the barcode 337.

[0142] An exemplary flowchart of the duties of the shipper 311 and shipper computer system 320 is illustrated in FIG. 15. PLD information is entered into the shipper computer system 320 and the destination address validated in a step 500, such as by verifying that the zip code is found in the state. The PLD information is coordinated with an order management system in step 501 and a warehouse management step 502 wherein the order is processed and the contents of the package are located. In a “pick, pack and weigh” step 503 the contents are selected, packed (such as in a conventional shipping container) and weighed by the scale 326. In a residential versus commercial classification step 504, the computer system 320 determines whether the delivery is to be to a residential or commercial location, such as by a comparison of the destination address to known commercial or residential addresses, by the amount of packages in the order or by an actual indication of the recipient 312 when placing the order. Validation can also include a residential-commercial “scrub” that validates whether an address is a commercial or residential address.

[0143] If the package is a commercial order, or is above a maximum weight (e.g., 5 pounds) as determined by a step 505, the label printing device 327 prints a conventional delivery label in a step 509. In a step 506, the shipper computer system 320 consults a zip code database or table 507 having postal or zip codes in two groups, rural and urban. One of the rural or urban codes in the table 507 is matched to the postal code of the delivery address contained in the PLD information in a step 508. If the destination is an urban destination, a conventional label indicating lightweight package delivery solely by the first carrier is generated and printed in a step 510 by the computer system 320. Alternatively, if the destination is a rural destination, the combined carrier label 325 illustrated in FIG. 10 is generated and printed in a step 511 by the shipper computer system 320.

[0144] Advantageously, by using the combined carrier shipping system 310 the first carrier avoids delivering packages to rural areas where it is less efficient, justifying shipping at a discounted rate. However, alternative or additional classifications (conditions) may be used that are not limited to population density. For instance, other classifications may describe varying capabilities of the physical delivery facilities of the first carrier, such as the proximity to a sorting hub, an airport or a destination zip code in the middle of a complete road network. In other words, the classifications could distinguish areas to which the first carrier can deliver packages more easily and with lower cost from other areas. In addition, the present invention may be extended to three or more carriers, each having their own area of efficiency, either within the delivery process, or geographically. The term “efficiency” as used herein not only indicates the cost of a service, but can also refer to the amount of time required to implement the service. It could also include some other measure of effort required to perform the service or consequences of performing the service.

[0145] Referring to FIG. 11, PLD data, including the data corresponding to that on the label 325, is accessible by the shipper computer system 320 over the network 321. The first carrier computer system 325 includes a PLD repository system 339 (analogous to the EOD container detail database 45 and/or the container level detail system 50) and a tracking repository system 340 (analogous to DIALS 51). The systems, 339 and 340, may be integrated with the remainder of the first carrier computer system 322, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, or may be distinct systems interconnected via a network, as shown in FIG. 11. The PLD repository system 339 is configured to obtain the PLD information from the first carrier system 322 and storing the PLD information for further use by the combined shipping system 310. Additional logic may also reside on the PLD system 339 that allows the generation of preliminary reports, or manifests, which are sent to the second carrier to prepare it for incoming packages from the first carrier.

[0146] The tracking system 340 has program logic and storage configured to obtain tracking information from the package as it travels through various points along the physical delivery path. For instance, the tracking repository system may be connected in communication over a cellular telephone network 341 to a code scanning unit such as a sorting hub scanner or a delivery information acquisition device (DIAD) 342 (analogous to the tracking devices 22), as shown in FIG. 8. In particular, the DIAD device is portable and is carried by the delivery driver delivering the package to the destination delivery unit (DDU) 317 of the second carrier (which is preferably the nearest DDU to the recipient or consignee 312 from which delivery can be achieved by the USPS in a day), or other intermediate physical pickup or delivery location along the path of package travel. The DIAD device includes a bar code scanner for reading the tracking number barcode 335 on the label 325, and a signature capture pad.

[0147] Captured symbol and signature information is stored temporarily in the unit, and then transferred via an optical link to a docking station located in the delivery vehicle. From this station, the information is transmitted to the tracking system 340 via the cellular telephone network 341. Other systems use radio frequency (RF) networks to relay tracking information to a central computer directly from the scanning unit. Scanning and barcode reading operations are described in more detail in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,841 entitled System and Method for Reading Package Information, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0148] The first carrier computer system 322 also includes a verification and manifest generating system 343 (analogous to the electronic verification system 52 in that it is configured to generate manifests for submission to quality control 56), as shown in FIG. 11. As will be described in more detail below, a final manifest allows the combined shipping system 310 and/or, as above, the containerized mail shipping system 10, to “close the loop,” which is advantageous because the second carrier receives the packages at the destination delivery unit 317 and completes delivery of those packages without an up-front collection of the PLD information necessary for billing. Subsequent to delivering the package to the recipient, the second carrier obtains the final manifest from the first carrier (preferably electronically), which allows billing of the first carrier by the second carrier. As described below, the system 343 also can generate a preliminary manifest for submittal to the second carrier's transfer location 317 (such as a DDU) via automatically generated electronic mail.

[0149] The verification system 343 is connected in communication with the PLD and tracking systems 339, 340 and is configured to obtain PLD data and tracking data, respectively, from those systems. The verification system includes software logic configured to identify all of the packages inbound to a particular location, such as the sorting hub 314, local pre-load facility 315, the recipient location 312, or the USPS destination delivery unit 317. The verification system is also configured to generate a drop shipment verification and clearance manifest, preferably an e8125 which is an electronic version of the 8125 form required by the USPS for any large-quantity drop shipment delivered to a destination delivery unit 317. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, a portion of the verification system 343 logic resides on the PLD system 339 and allows the second carrier to access a preliminary manifest of packages inbound to a particular location.

[0150] Communication within the first carrier computer system 322, i.e., between the PLD system 339, the tracking repository system 340 and the verification system 343 (and possibly the other systems) preferably occurs by electronic data interchange (EDI) which is a well-known set of standards and technologies designed to automate the sending and receiving of routine business documents. Communication between the second carrier computer system 323 and the first carrier computer system 322 is also preferably electronic. For instance, the second carrier system 323 may include software allowing connection to, and viewing of summary manifests on, the PLD system 339, as shown in FIG. 11. The e8125 manifest can also be sent electronically to the second carrier computer system 323, such as via EDI, and to the destination delivery unit 317 of the second carrier, such as via electronic mail. In yet another alternative, communication with the destination delivery unit 317 may be by facsimile, as shown in FIG. 12.

[0151] Additional details on communication and handling between shipping facilities and information systems can be obtained from commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,360 entitled Special Handling Processing in a Package Transportation System which is incorporated herein by reference; and International Patent Publication WO 03019333 A2 (6 Mar. 2003), entitled International Cash-On-Delivery System and Method which is also incorporated herein by reference. Further details about communication between a central server and a tracking and PLD systems are disclosed in commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/176,467 entitled Systems and Methods for Providing Business Intelligence Based on Shipping Information, filed Jun. 21, 2002 which is also incorporated herein by reference.

[0152] It should be noted that electronic communication as described herein may be accomplished over various types of networks and with various amounts of manual and automated efforts. As in the example above of a facsimile transmission, personnel at the delivery unit 317 may comply with an audit request from the second carrier computer system 323 by generating a paper manifest, inserting the manifest into a facsimile machine, dialing a number, etc. It should be also noted that the term “network” as used herein should be construed broadly to include all types of electronically assisted communication such as wireless networks, local area networks, public networks such as the Internet, public telephone networks, or various combinations of different networks.

[0153] The second carrier computer system 323 preferably is a pre-existing system configured to receive and process the electronic manifests, and of confirming delivery of the packages under its control. In particular, the second carrier computer system 323 receives tracking information through a scan of the second carrier confirmation barcode 337 on the label 325 at the time of delivery, as illustrated by FIG. 11. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the second carrier computer system 323 is further configured to electronically communicate the confirmation information directly to the verification system 343 upon receipt.

[0154] During operation of the combined shipping system 310, the shipper weighs the packages to be shipped and segregates the packages into those for which use of the combined carrier service is desired, and those for which normal first carrier delivery service is desired. The combined carrier service may require, for example, low priority, low weight (e.g., less than five pounds) packages desired to be shipped at a discount. The shipper 311 then enters PLD for all the packages for the various service levels into its computer system 320. The PLD includes the recipient address which includes the zip code the computer system 320 uses to determine whether the delivery is to a zone eligible for combined carrier delivery, such as a rural area.

[0155] Other requirements to qualify for the discount can include, for example, shipping only to residential addresses, origin and destination within a country (such as the contiguous United States), maximum dimensions (such as 16 inches×16 inches×7 inches), electronic-only package detail upload or a lack of additional service options. A minimum average daily basic volume requirement may be imposed, such as 5,000 packages per day. Other examples include a minimum fill for a trailer, such as 80% or 90% of full trailer capacity or use of particular label standards. Also, release without a signature may be required at any location including apartments, condominiums and commercial addresses. These requirements can be set by the shipper based on a number of factors, including cost.

[0156] For an urban delivery, combined delivery service generally is not offered. A standard shipping label is generated and affixed to the package and the package is entered into the standard delivery process. When combined carrier delivery service is requested and available, the specialized label 325 is generated, including both transfer and recipient delivery addresses, and the first and second carrier tracking numbers. The PLD information is then communicated over the network 321 to the PLD repository system 339 of the first carrier.

[0157] Once the packages have been pre-processed by the shipper, the line haulers 313 pick up the packages from the shipper (or other starting location) and deliver them to the sorting hub 314 of the first carrier. All levels of service are commingled for this portion of the delivery path. At pick up from the shipper, the packages may be scanned by a DIAD so that tracking information is transmitted to the tracking system 340, or tracking information for the list of packages may be downloaded into a DIAD from the shipper computer system 320. Notably, tracking information can be reported by DIADs or other scanning units to the tracking system at several points along the physical delivery path by the first carrier, in a known manner not explained in detail here. At the hub 314, the packages are sorted for delivery in a conventional manner, but with a possible delay imposed due to the low priority of the packages. Generally, the sorted loads of combined carrier service packages are processed only when there is available capacity at the hub 314. From the hub 314, the first carrier ships the packages to its preload facilities 315.

[0158] An optional lane determination may be performed by the shipper 320 or first carrier 322 computer systems wherein package loads are separated into groups for delivery by different trucks of the line hauler 313 to different sorting hubs 314 based on the consignee's location. Determination of a lane, which corresponds to an outbound trailer position, is done by consulting a lane table indexed by consignee state, zip code, which in turn is used to identify a trailer or truck on which the load is to be placed. The trailer supply is typically forecasted by the line hauler 313 from information provided by the shipper.

[0159] Notably, the first carrier does not reweigh the packages weighed by the shipper 311 and the second carrier also agrees to accept the shipper-provided weight. If necessary, periodic audits of the shipper information are conducted to ensure accuracy. As another measure to ensure correct billing, the second carrier computer system 323 (and in particular the PLD repository system 339) will not accept submission of a shipping request without both the PLD and first carrier tracking code to ensure that all shipments are properly manifested and billed.

[0160] At the preload facilities 315, further sorting segregates according to zip code those packages to be delivered by standard first carrier service from those packages to be delivered by combined carrier service, typically bound for rural (or super-rural) zip codes. The packages bound for other (typically urban) destinations are delivered by the first carrier in a conventional manner.

[0161] The combined carrier delivery packages are delivered directly to the second carrier destination delivery unit 317 by the first carrier. Upon arrival of the packages at the destination delivery unit, the first carrier driver scans each of the packages in accordance with normal bulk stop practice, then has personnel of the second carrier verify the package count and sign the DIAD 342 for the packages. The DIAD transmits the information on the packages delivered to the DDU 17 back to the tracking system 340. The first carrier driver also submits form 8125 data on the packages to the DDU.

[0162] As an alternative to the physical 8125 manifest, the DIAD scan may be used to provide package information directly to the DDU 317. Preferably, the DIAD 342 has the capacity to uplink to a personal digital assistant (PDA) which in turn is in communication with a DDU portion of the second carrier computer system 323. Such communications are preferably wireless, such as through the use of radio frequency signals, an optical interface or infrared signals. In another aspect, the PDA may be in direct communication with a printer at the DDU (not shown) allowing printing of the DIAD scan, or the DIAD itself may be able to directly communicate with the computer system 323 or the printer.

[0163] A more complete description of the use of an uplink-type DIAD is disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,916 which is incorporated herein by reference. For instance, FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,916 illustrates such an uplink system including a DIAD (35 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,916) connected via an optical interface (37, 38 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,916) to a PDA (12 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,916). A mail room PC (40 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,916) is connected via an infrared port (23, 42 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,916) to the PDA. In this manner, the DIAD can communicate its tracking information directly to the PDA and the PDA communicates the information, in turn, to the mail room PC.

[0164] Regardless of how the delivery information has passed to the second carrier, the second carrier then delivers the packages received from the first carrier in a normal manner along with other mail or packages. The second carrier driver scans the delivery confirmation bar code 335 upon delivery to the recipient, and this tracking information is loaded into the second carrier computer system 323, typically within a few hours. For the deliveries by the second carrier, all of the rules for package release of the first carrier are applied. For instance, if the first carrier normally makes only a single delivery attempt, then the second carrier does likewise. Undeliverable packages are then preferably returned to the shipper after a predetermined (e.g., five day) waiting period. In this manner, shipment by the first or second carrier is relatively transparent to the recipient 312.

[0165] The verification system 343 subsequently obtains the delivery confirmation information from the second carrier computer system 323, the tracking information from the tracking system 340 and the PLD from the repository system 339 and generates a manifest which is sent to the second carrier system 323. By comparing the information received from these sources, the first carrier can provide an auditable manifest of the day's package shipments to the second carrier computer system 323. For U.S. deliveries, preferably the manifest is sent to the second carrier by 10:00 pm Pacific Time. Upon successful auditing, the consolidated manifest is used by the second carrier to create the bill which is sent to the first carrier describing the exact number of parcels delivered by the carrier. Creation of the auditable manifest inspires the confidence needed by the second carrier to receive and ship large volumes of packages of varying weight, dimension, destination, etc. while foregoing prepayment but still being assured of proper compensation.

[0166] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, the combined shipping system 310 further includes immediately storing the PLD in the PLD repository system 339, allowing the first carrier to provide advanced shipment notification to the second carrier via electronic mail of the preliminary manifest (e8125). The PLD information contains a unique shipper number associated with each transfer location 317, such as each USPS DDU. Advanced shipment notification gives the destination delivery unit 317 advance notice of the number of packages to expect in a few days for delivery. While the packages are being sorted and delivered by the first carrier, the verification system 343 uses the EDI format to pull data from the PLD repository 339 and builds and sends the electronic manifest (e8125) to the destination delivery unit 317.

[0167] As noted above, when the combined carrier delivery packages reach the destination delivery unit 317, the second carrier personnel confirm that the shipment matches the preliminary manifest, sign the DIAD 342. The data is sent immediately to the tracking system 340. The verification system 343 obtains the data from the tracking system 340 and compares it to the PLD data already in memory. As shown in FIG. 11, the second carrier delivery confirmation data, which subsequently is obtained from the second carrier delivery driver 318 via the second carrier computer system 323, provides a third source of information for constructing a final electronic manifest.

[0168] The PLD information contains both tracking numbers which allows the first carrier tracking number-referenced information from the tracking system 340 to be matched with the second carrier tracking number-referenced information from the second carrier delivery confirmation. Using these three sources of data, the verification system 43 builds a consolidated electronic manifest (e8125) of the day's packages and sends it to the second carrier computer system 323 for auditing. The manifest may be sorted or arranged as specified by the second carrier to facilitate auditing and billing. For instance, the manifest could be sorted by destination delivery unit 317 zip code, allowing the second carrier to view all packages handled at each DDU for the day.

[0169] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12, additional steps may be taken by the second carrier (as facilitated by the combined shipping system 310) to ensure accurate auditing and billing. As in the embodiment above, the electronic manifest is built and sent to the destination delivery unit 317 which compares it to the packages received from the first carrier. The confirmed manifest can then be faxed to the managers of the second carrier computer system 323 for entry therein and reconciliation with the tracking and billing information.

[0170] FIG. 14 illustrates a flow of tracking information in isolation from the physical flow of the package for additional clarity. The initially submitted PLD information is sent from the shipper computer 320 to the PLD repository system 339. Each of the DIADs 342, in particular one DIAD at the DDU 317 and another at the first carrier delivery facility (truck) 342 communicate first carrier tracking information to the tracking system 340. The delivery confirmation scans of the second carrier are transmitted to the second carrier computer system 323.

[0171] The verification system 343 periodically pulls the PLD information from the PLD repository system 339 and the tracking information from the tracking repository each preferably using the EDI 213 standard. Delivery confirmation is sent by (or pulled from) the second carrier computer system 323 to the verification system 343. The first carrier tracking number of the original PLD information is matched to the DIAD tracking information and the second carrier delivery confirmation (via the second carrier confirmation tracking number) by the verification system 343. The consolidated tracking information is then uploaded to the shipper computer 320 and may also be made available to the recipient 312. Upload may be by way of a flat file that includes comma-delimited tracking data that is useable with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, customer service systems and the shipper's own web sites.

[0172] In another alternative shown in FIG. 16, the recipient (i.e., the consignee) is informed of the tracking information, including the tracking number and delivery confirmation, with an electronic mail message. The shipper computer 320 may also access the tracking information via a web-based inquiry to the verification system 343 of the tracking repository 340. Another option is access via Internet-based application programming interfaces, or APIs. Yet another option is to use a single tracking number for both urban and remote delivery so that a single shipper account number can be used for manifesting both types of deliveries.

[0173] In addition to controlling the flow of tracking information and the physical delivery of packages, the above-described combined carrier shipping system 310 may have additional, or alternative, aspects that allow or facilitate the flow of funds for delivery services. For instance, a billing aspect of another embodiment of the combined carrier shipping system 310 of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 17. The flow of billing information is indicated in FIG. 17 by a long-dash line, the flow of funds is indicated by a short-dash line and the movement of various invoices is indicated by the heavy black solid line.

[0174] A first carrier billing system 525 is preferably a computer system configured to calculate the cost involved with each shipment based on information collected from the other systems. A portion of the cost that includes shipment by the line haul carrier 313 from the shipper 311 to the sort facility 314 is calculated using mileage. Similarly, delivery costs to the DDU 317 of packages determined by the shipper computer 320 to require delivery to rural zip codes (or some other less efficient location) are also calculated. Further, costs are assessed for delivery by the second carrier from the DDU 317 to the recipient 312, when necessary.

[0175] The first carrier billing computer system 525 is connected in communication with the PLD repository system 339 from which it obtains billing information, including an indication of whether shipping requires just the first carrier, or a combination of carriers. Preferably, this indication is from use of a specific flag placed by the shipper 311 or the presence of a tracking number for the second carrier in the PLD information. This indication allows a determination by the billing system 525 of whether to include charges from the line haul carrier 313, the second carrier, or both.

[0176] The first carrier billing system 525 is also connected to the tracking system 340 from which it obtains tracking information on the progress of physical package delivery. Such information is used to determine the distance, and other indicators of the amount of effort involved in delivery such as the number of stops and sorts, that are factors in calculating the delivery charges. Similar to previously illustrated embodiments, the tracking system 340 is connected in communication with one or more DIADs 342 from which it obtains the information on packages passing through locations along the delivery route.

[0177] Billing by the second carrier is implemented by a portion the second carrier computer system 323 which is connected in communication with the verification system 343 and is configured to receive the daily manifest therefrom. Also connected in communication with the second carrier computer system 323 is an escrow account 529 (set up at initiation of the combined shipping system 310) from which the second carrier can withdraw funds for payment of the fees associated with each daily manifest. In this manner, the second carrier always has immediate access to funds once it has received and completed auditing of the daily manifest.

[0178] An integrated, or separate, component of the first carrier billing system 525 may include a single bill generator 530. The single bill generator is configured to compile the charges calculated by the rest of the billing system 525 into individual bills that are easily handled and paid by the shipper 311. The bill generator 530 may also be configured to add additional surcharges to the bill required by the various carriers.

[0179] During operation the shipper 311 records shipments on its computer system 320 from which the PLD information is uploaded to the PLD repository system 339. Physical delivery of the packages commences and the tracking system 340 tracks the progress of the packages using the DIADs 342 until either final delivery by the first carrier in the case of conventional packages labeled by the shipper system 320, or delivery to the DDU 317 of the second carrier for transfer.

[0180] At the end of each day, the daily manifest is constructed (such as described in detail in the embodiments above) and communicated to the second carrier computer system 323. Upon receiving the manifest, the second carrier conducts the various audit and quality control procedures described above and below and then debits the escrow account 529. Funds are transferred, preferably electronically, from the escrow account to the carrier computer system 323. Alternatively, some or all of the audit and quality control procedures may be conducted after the debit transaction and any necessary corrections refunded or further debited to the escrow account 529.

[0181] Either during, or at the end of, the same day, the first carrier billing system 525 obtains PLD information and tracking information from the PLD repository and verification systems 339, 340. The PLD and tracking information determines the individual charges to be levied by the first carrier, second carrier, and line haul carrier, respectively. These charges are packaged in an invoice, along with any other surcharges, by the single bill generator 530 and the invoice is then submitted to the shipper 311.

[0182] Payment by the shipper 311, preferably electronically by the shipper computer system 320, is transmitted to the first carrier billing system 525. The first carrier billing system deducts the charges for the first carrier's services (which may also include charges required by the line-haul carrier 313) and forwards the remaining amount, preferably electronically, to the escrow account 529. Advantageously, the escrow account is available for debit by the second carrier at any time, further bolstering the second carrier's confidence that compensation is being received for its delivery services.

[0183] Billing may be further facilitated by several options for quality control (“QC”) wherein the accuracy of the tracking, PLD and other information is confirmed via several audit cycles, as shown in FIG. 18. As shown by a first quality control step 550, the PLD repository system 339 can be monitored for missing transmissions. For instance, follow-up telephone calls or electronic communications (such as an electronic manifest) may be made to the shipper 311 to confirm that all shipments have been received that were sent by the shipper. Such electronic communications would relate the information recorded by the PLD repository system 339 for a day to the shipper 311. The shipper would then compare the records made by the shipper computer 320, or recorded on paper, to those made by the PLD repository system 339. Shipments that failed to be transmitted to the PLD repository system 339 could be retransmitted.

[0184] Another quality control step 560 may be implemented using the verification system 343. In step 560 delivery confirmations recorded by the system 343 via communication with the tracking system 340 in the case of conventionally delivered packages entirely via the first carrier, or with the second carrier computer system 323 in the case of combined delivery, are compared with the billing statements sent by the first carrier billing system 525. Discrepancies are communicated to the billing system 525 for adjustment of the bill, e.g., by adding missed packages.

[0185] Yet another quality control step 327 is conducted at the operating center 315 by the first carrier. Periodic size and weight checks are conducted at the operating center either manually 571, or automatically 572, or both. The automated facilities are configured to audit packages on a daily basis. An amount of revenue that should be associated with the package size and weight determined by the audit is calculated 573, such as by the first carrier billing system 525. The difference in the initial calculation is compared to the audit calculation and billing adjustments are made 574 and applied to the final invoice or bill 575 before it is communicated to the shipper 311 for remuneration.

[0186] In addition to the quality control steps performed by the first carrier, the various audits by the second carrier may also be regarded as additional quality control steps. As described above, the second carrier has an opportunity to compare the packages listed on the electronic manifest (or the capture and printout of the DIAD 342 information) with the packages as they are received at the DDU 317. Discrepancies between the manifest and the actual packages received could be reported to the billing system 525 for adjustment of the bill. Billing could also be adjusted by the second carrier merely adding or subtracting funds from the escrow account 529. A connection between the second carrier system 323 wherein the facsimile of the confirmed manifest shown in FIG. 12 can be used to detect anomalies which are reported to the billing system 525 for adjustment. The net effect of the multiples quality control cycles and audits is that they allow the second carrier to be confident of accurate compensation for its part in the combined package deliveries. In turn, the second carrier can pass on savings from its efficiency in the rural areas to the first carrier.

[0187] A return aspect of the combined shipping system 310 of the present invention is illustrated schematically by FIG. 19. Packages delivered under the combined shipping system 310 are delivered using predetermined customer relationship rules. These rules include rules about delivery times, number of attempts at delivery, duration before return, etc., that govern how returns are handled. For example, the rules may require delivery within 24 hours after the DIAD scan at the DDU, only a single attempt at delivery and if no recipient 312 is present for delivery, a return to the shipper 311 of the package after a 5 day period.

[0188] Referring again to FIG. 19, packages are delivered using the aforementioned exemplary customer relationship rules. If the recipient 312 is not present, the package is returned to the local first carrier operating center 315 by the first carrier delivery truck 316. The returned package is held for five days in a “will call” cage at the local operating center, making the package available for call and pickup by the recipient 312.

[0189] If the package is not picked up after five days, a return to sender process is commenced wherein the package is returned to the shipper 311. At the shipper's location, a DIAD 342 is used to record the shipper's acknowledgement of receipt of the returned package. The information from the DIAD is recorded by the tracking system 340 and is accessed by the verification system 343 for matching with the PLD information from the PLD repository system 339. The first carrier billing system 525 then calculates the original cost of shipping and adds an additional cost for the return services based on the PLD information obtained from the verification system 343. Typically, return services will have a cost that is about the same as the outbound shipment.

[0190] An embodiment of the first carrier computer system 322 of the present invention is shown schematically in FIG. 13. The first carrier computer system includes a processor 400 that communicates with other elements within the computer system 322 via a system interface or bus 401. Also included in the first carrier computer system 322 are display and input devices, including the DIADs 402 used for tracking and various terminals 403 for receiving and displaying data within the system. The first carrier computer system 322 further includes memory 404, which preferably includes both read only memory (ROM) 405 and random access memory (RAM) 406. The ROM 405 is used to store a basic input/output system (BIOS) 407 containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the first carrier computer system 322.

[0191] In addition, the first carrier computer system 322 includes at least one storage device 408, such as a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, or optical disk drive, for storing information on various computer-readable media, such as a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, or a CD-ROM disk. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, each of these storage devices 408 is connected to the system bus by an appropriate interface. The storage devices 408 and their associated computer-readable media provide non-volatile storage for the first carrier computer system 322. It is important to note that the computer-readable media described above could be replaced by any other type of computer-readable media known in the art. Such media include, for example, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks, and Bernoulli cartridges.

[0192] A number of program modules may be stored by the various storage devices, such as within RAM 406 (as shown in FIG. 13) or within the storage device 408 (as not shown for clarity). Such program modules include an operating system 409, a PLD module 410, a verification module 411 and a tracking module 412. As described both above and below, the PLD module is configured to record and store PLD information from the shipper computer system 320 and may also be configured to generate reports of the packages, along with their PLD information, en route to the destination delivery unit 317. These modules 410, 411 and 412 may be added to, run with, integrated into, exchanged with, etc., the modules of the containerized mail shipping system 10, such as the mail scanning module 90, the mail sorting module 91, the identification generator module 92, the label generating module 93, the tracking module 94, the manifest generating module 95, the verification module 96 and the billing module 97. The verification module 411 is configured to generate the billing manifests using the PLD information, tracking information and the confirmation information received from the second carrier. Also located within the first carrier computer system 322, is a system interface 413 for interfacing and communicating with other elements of the overall combined shipping system 310, such as the shipper computer system 320 and the second carrier computer system 323.

[0193] Figures in the present application are block diagrams, flowcharts and control flow illustrations of methods, systems and program products according to the invention. It will be understood that each block or step of the block diagram, flowchart and control flow illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagram, flowchart and control flow illustration, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the block diagram, flowchart or control flow block(s) or step(s).

[0194] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the block diagram, flowchart or control flow block(s) or step(s). The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the block diagram, flowchart or control flow block(s) or step(s).

[0195] Accordingly, blocks or steps of the block diagram, flowchart or control flow illustration support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates the shipping order interface 43 which is configured to generate GUI's for recording shipping information about containers, the manifest generator 46 creates manifests of container contents and barcodes for papers manifests and FIG. 4 illustrates the electronic verification system 52 which uploads and correlates container contents manifest information, container tracking information and mail piece information. It will also be understood that each block or step of the block diagram, flowchart or control flow illustration, and combinations of blocks or steps in the block diagram, flowchart or control flow illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions or steps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0196] The present invention has many advantages. For example, the containerized mail shipping system 10 of the present invention allows tracking of mail pieces 12 even when inside containers 13. Shipping of mail in containers advantageously allows the sorted state of the mail pieces 12 to be maintained so that qualifications for discounted shipping rates can be met. In addition, the containerized mail shipping system 10 is capable of creating manifests of the contents of each of the containers 13, the number of mail pieces 12 submitted by each consignor, the number, identity, origin and destination of mail pieces sorted and shipped to the postal service 14 at the end of each day and delivery confirmation of the mail pieces and containers. These manifests, and other information, can be transmitted electronically to the various parties involved in delivery of the mail pieces 12, including the consignor 11 and the postal service 14, to facilitate auditing and billing for the deliveries.

[0197] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.