Reporting shipping rates and delivery schedules for multiple services and multiple carriers

US8346676B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignees

• STAMPS.COM INC. · US
• iShip Inc. · US

Inventors

• David Allison Bennett · Bothell, US
• Lynn Shaindell Goldhaber · Renton, US
• Paul Bilibin · Lynnwood, US
• Charles D. Mentzer · Redmond, US
• William W. Smith, III · Bellevue, US
• Jinyue Liu · Sammamish, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 6, 2000
• Grant date: Jan 1, 2013
• Expiry date: Jun 2, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q10/1093
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods for displaying to each of a plurality of users upon each user's request a preview of shipping rates and delivery schedules for the particular user to ship a particular package, wherein each user accesses the computer system over a global communications network using a client computer device, and wherein each user has an individual electronic connection to the global communications network. The present invention compares shipping rates and delivery schedules for each service and each carrier for shipping a particular package and reports the carrier and service offering the lowest rate or the fastest delivery schedule, according to the user's option.