Shipping Label Production System Automates Label Generation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing shipping labels are error-prone, limited in network communication, and lack integration with client-side systems, leading to reduced functionality and poor output quality due to manual data entry and limitations in accessing necessary information and hardware.
Innovation Solution
A Shipping Label Production System (SLPS) that utilizes shipping Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) to automate the production of shipping labels by integrating with client applications, enabling communication with disparate systems for data retrieval and tracking, and facilitating the interoperation of various computing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a stand-alone application is used to prepare shipping labels, then the application can execute locally on the shipper's computing system, but manual data entry is required which is error-prone and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the shipping label application to automatically access and retrieve shipping information from remote computing systems through network communication, eliminating the need for manual data entry by the user
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the application with network communication capabilities and predefined protocols for accessing remote systems, so that when label preparation is initiated, the data retrieval process can begin immediately without requiring user setup or manual input
2Manufacturing precision
If a special-purpose shipping label application is used, then the application can prepare bar codes and machine readable indicia, but network communication capabilities are limited and integration with remote systems is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universality by designing the shipping label application with multiple functions integrated into a single platform: it can prepare high-quality labels with bar codes and machine readable indicia, communicate over networks using standard protocols, access remote computing systems, and retrieve shipping information automatically
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary approach by implementing a standardized communication interface and protocol layer that mediates between the local shipping label application and various remote computing systems, allowing the application to work with multiple carriers and systems without requiring separate specialized software for each
3Ease of manufacture
If Web-based server-side shipping label applications are used, then no special software installation is required on the client machine, but the application cannot access information stored on the client machine or interact with client-side hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies inversion by reversing the traditional client-server model: instead of having the server access client resources, the client application maintains local execution capabilities and actively initiates network communications to access remote systems, while still being able to interact with local hardware and files
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for producing shipping labels are provided. Example embodiments provide a Shipping Label Production System (“SLPS”), which produces shipping labels based on a shipping uniform resource identifier (“URI”) that identifies a shipping protocol and includes shipment information and post-back information. The SLPS may be configured to produce, in accordance with the shipping protocol, a shipping label by outputting a shipping label based on the shipment information, and automatically posting information about the producing of the shipping label to a code module identified by the post-back information. In some embodiments, the actions of the SLPS may be initiated by a Web browser in response to a user selection of a shipping URI. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.