Method and system for brokering excess carrier capacity

US5835716A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Pitney Bowes Inc. · US

Inventors

• William M. Hunt · Shelton, US
• Paul A. Levitsky · Monroe, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 15, 1995
• Grant date: Nov 10, 1998
• Expiry date: Dec 15, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q10/025
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

The invention is a method for brokering carrier capacity. The method comprises a dual path; one path that allows entry into a data processing system of available carrier capacity which is comprised of a list of parameters which define that capacity, and the second path which allows access to that capacity. Each entry point to the system has data entry means for either entering carrier capacity or entering a request for available routes, or both. Available capacity entries are confirmed, saved in a transportation database, and assigned a pre-transaction code. Path two involves entering a request for available capacity by defining a requested route based upon a list of parameters. The system compares available capacity with the requested route to determine whether or not a match exists. The system operator selects an appropriate matched entry which must then be confirmed. Upon confirmation, selected matches are saved to a transaction database and assigned a transaction code. If no match is determined, then the requested route data is saved to a request database. A request database locator program is then activated for the purpose of querying the transportation database at pre-determi…