Autonomous communication in shipping

Abstract

The invention provides a system and method for the autonomous wireless communication between a service provider device and a customer device. The customer device may notify the service provider device whether the customer has work to be performed by the service provider. The service provider device may provide information to the customer about work to be performed by the service provider. In one embodiment, a shipping service is notified autonomously about items that a customer has for pick up and shipment. The shipping service is also capable of wirelessly transferring information to a customer device about items to be delivered to that customer.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention generally relates to the shipment and delivery of items and more particularly relates to the use of autonomous communications in the shipment and delivery of items. [0003] 2. Description of Related Art [0004] Generally, a service provider such as a shipping service, for example, UPS of Atlanta, Georgia, has a multitude of scheduled stops in a business day for the pick-up of items to be shipped, and for the delivery of items. In many instances, the shipper at a scheduled pick-up location may not have any items to be shipped on that particular day. However, the shipping service may not be aware that there is no need to attempt a pick-up at the scheduled pick-up location. An avoidable delay may be incurred by the shipping service's personnel when making stops at these “empty” scheduled pick-up locations. Furthermore, when items are delivered to a location, customers may request shipping service pe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides systems and methods for a service provider's device to communicate with a customer's device. This is achieved through the use of a unique network address or wireless access address that identifies the customer's device. The service provider's device can autonomously communicate with the customer's device to determine if the customer has any work for the service provider or items to be shipped. The system can also use a wireless personal area network (WPAN) signal to measure the signal strength between the two devices and determine if they are within data transmission range. The invention allows for the transfer of information between the service provider's device and the customer's device, as well as the autonomous polling of the customer's device to determine if they have any items to be shipped or work for the service provider. The location information of the customer's device can also be wirelessly transmitted to a database storage unit and used to determine if an item is available for pick-up at the customer's location. Overall, the invention improves efficiency and communication between service providers and customers.

Problems solved by technology

However, the shipping service may not be aware that there is no need to attempt a pick-up at the scheduled pick-up location.

Furthermore, when items are delivered to a location, customers may request shipping service personnel to relay certain information about the delivered items to the customer thereby increasing the shipping service's time per stop.

However, this approach is not practical in many instances because the pick-up location may not have exterior windows or doors where the visual indicator may be placed.

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