US20160314430A1 - Electronic shipment planner - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic shipment planner is adapted for electronically presenting shipment and scheduling information to a user. The shipment and scheduling information includes at least one shipment event date. The shipment planner is linked to a shipment data repository containing shipment and scheduling information. A system interface communicates with the shipment data repository. An interactive shipment data link is electronically associated with the shipment and scheduling information, and cooperates with the system interface as commanded by the user to access and retrieve the associated shipment and scheduling information contained in the shipment data repository. A calendar display interface displays the shipment planner to the user in a calendar format, such that the interactive shipment data link is provided on the shipment event date associated with the shipment and scheduling information.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
• This invention relates to an interactive electronic shipment planner. The invention is a computer based application that enables efficient management and tracking of shipments using a convenient and easy to read calendar interface. The invention can be accessed globally via the Internet at anytime using standard computer hardware, software, and communications equipment. The invention is further applicable for personal events scheduling. Moreover, the calendar display format of the shipment planner can be readily customized to suit the needs of the user. Unlike traditional planners, the present invention effects electronic filtering of information contained in a data repository to display only a select portion of the information to the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an electronic shipment planner which provides ready and convenient management and tracking of shipments.
• It is another object of the invention to provide an electronic shipment planner which provides shipment data in an easy to read, interactive calendar format.
• It is another object of the invention to provide an electronic shipment planner which can be accessed globally via the Internet.
• It is another object of the invention to provide an electronic shipment planner which utilizes standard compute hardware, software, and communications equipment.
• It is another object of the invention to provide an electronic shipment planner which is applicable for personal events scheduling.
• It is another object of the invention to provide an electronic shipment planner which electronically filters information contained in a data repository using customized electronic user reports to display only a select portion of the information to the user.
• It is another object of the invention to provide an electronic shipment planner which promotes time and cost efficiency in the shipment industry.
• These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing an electronic shipment planner adapted for electronically presenting shipment and scheduling information to a user. The shipment and scheduling information includes at least one shipment event date. The shipment planner is linked to a shipment data repository containing shipment and scheduling information. A system interface communicates with the shipment data repository. An interactive shipment data link is electronically associated with the shipment and scheduling information, and cooperates with the system interface as commanded by the user to access and retrieve the associated shipment and scheduling information contained in the shipment data repository. A calendar display interface displays the shipment planner to the user in a calendar format, such that the interactive shipment data link is provided on the shipment event date associated with the shipment and scheduling information.
• According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, shipment data input means communicates with the shipment data repository for loading shipment and scheduling information into the shipment data repository.
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the system interface is a Web browser, such as “Netscape Navigator” or “Microsoft Explorer”,
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the shipment data link is a predetermined portion of the shipment and scheduling information.
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the shipment data link is a shipment reference code.
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the shipment reference code is selected from the group consisting of a bill of lading number and a purchase order number.
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of interactive shipment data links are electronically associated with at least one of an inbound shipment, an outbound shipment, and a third party shipment.
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the plurality of interactive shipment data links are color-coded to readily distinguish between inbound, outbound, and third party shipments.
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a legend is provided for indicating the color-code for each inbound shipment, outbound shipment, and third party shipment.
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a display options data repository contains format parameters for customizing the format of the calendar display interface.
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a display options data interface communicates with the display options data repository for setting desired format parameters contained in the display options data repository.
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, an input device selects the interactive shipment data link from the calendar display interface.
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the input device is a computer mouse.
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a report data repository contains profile parameters for displaying the shipment and scheduling information in a customized user report.
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a report data interface communicating with the report data repository for setting desired profile parameters contained in the report data repository.
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a personal event data repository contains personal event information of the user. The personal event information is associated with a personal event date.
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a personal event data interface communicates with the personal event data repository for loading personal event information into the personal event data repository.
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, an interactive personal event data link is electronically associated with the personal event information, and cooperates with the system interface as commanded by the user to access and retrieve the associated personal event information contained in the personal event data repository.
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the personal event data link is a predetermined portion of the personal event information
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the personal event data link is a title of the personal event information.
• In another embodiment, the invention is an electronic shipment planner adapted for electronically presenting shipment and scheduling information to a user. The shipment and scheduling information includes at least one shipment event date. The shipment planner is linked to a shipment data repository containing shipment and scheduling information. A system interface communicates with the shipment data repository. An interactive shipment data link is electronically associated with the shipment and scheduling information, and cooperates with the system interface as commanded by the user to access and retrieve the associated shipment and scheduling information contained in the shipment data repository. A personal event data repository contains personal event information of the user. The personal event information is associated with a personal event date. An interactive personal event data link is electronically associated with the personal event information of the user, and cooperates with the system interface as commanded by the user to access and retrieve the associated personal event information contained in the personal event data repository. A calendar display interface displays the shipment planner to the user in a calendar format, such that the interactive shipment data link and the interactive personal event data link are provided on their respective shipment and personal event dates associated with the shipment and scheduling information and the personal events information. The shipment data link and the personal event data link are color-coded to readily distinguish between the associated shipment and scheduling information and the personal events information. A legend indicates the color-code for each of the shipment data and personal event data links.
• In yet another embodiment, the invention is a method for electronically presenting shipment and scheduling information to a user. The shipment and scheduling information includes at least one shipment event date. The method includes the step of creating a shipment data repository containing shipment and scheduling information. A system interface is then provided to communicate with the shipment data repository. An interactive shipment data link is then electronically associated with the shipment and scheduling information. The shipment data link cooperates with the system interface as commanded by the user to access and retrieve the associated shipment and scheduling information contained in the shipment data repository. The shipment planner is then displayed to the user in a calendar format, such that the interactive shipment data link is provided on the shipment event date associated with the shipment and scheduling information.
• According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the method includes the step of providing a plurality of interactive shipment data links associated with at least one of an inbound shipment, an outbound shipment, and a third party shipment.
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the method includes the step of color-coding the plurality of interactive shipment data links to readily distinguish between inbound, outbound, and third party shipments.
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the method includes the step of providing a legend for indicating the color-code for each inbound shipment, outbound shipment, and third party shipment.
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the method includes the step of creating a personal event data repository containing personal event information of the user, the personal event information being associated with a personal event date.
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the method includes the step of electronically associating an interactive personal event data link with the personal event information of the user. The personal event data link cooperates with the system interface as commanded by the user to access and retrieve the associated personal event information contained in the personal event data repository.
• In yet another embodiment, the invention is a computer readable memory medium, encoded with data representing a computer program, that can be used by a computer system to direct the computer system to execute a method for electronically presenting shipment and scheduling information to a user. The shipment and scheduling information includes at least one shipment event date. The medium includes a system interface communicating with a shipment data repository containing shipment and scheduling information. An interactive shipment data link is electronically associated with the shipment and scheduling information, and cooperates with the system interface as commanded by the user to access and retrieve the associated shipment and scheduling information contained in the shipment data repository. A calendar display interface displays a calendar format, such that the interactive shipment data link is provided on the shipment event date associated with the shipment and scheduling information.
• According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the memory medium includes a plurality of interactive shipment data links associated with at least one of an inbound shipment, an outbound shipment, and a third party shipment.
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the memory medium includes a display options data interface communicating with a display options data repository for selecting desired profile parameters contained in the display options data repository.
• According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the memory medium includes a report data interface communicating with a report data repository for selecting desired profile parameters contained in the report data repository.
• According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the memory medium includes an interactive personal event data link which is electronically associated with personal event information of the user, and which cooperates with the system interface as commanded by the user to access and retrieve the associated personal event information contained in a personal event data repository.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
• FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating the overall operation of an electronic shipment planner according to one preferred embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 2 is a general schematic diagram showing communication of the client interface with the system Web server;
• FIG. 3 is a screen shot of the calendar interface in a month display format;
• FIG. 4 is a screen shot of the calendar interface in a day display format;
• FIG. 5 is a screen shot of the calendar interface in a horizontal week display format;
• FIG. 6 is a screen shot of the calendar interface in a vertical week display format;
• FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating the process for customizing the calendar display format;
• FIG. 8 is a screen shot of the user report data interface for creating customized shipment reports based on parameters selected by the user;
• FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating steps of the process for creating the customized shipment report;
• FIGS. 10 and 11 are flow diagrams illustrating further steps of the process for creating the customized shipment report;
• FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating the process for adding a user event to the shipment planner;
• FIG. 13 is a screen shot of the user events interface;
• FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating the “onclick” process for displaying shipment and event information from the calendar interface;
• FIG. 15 is a screen shot of a pop-up window providing shipment tracing information;
• FIG. 16 is a pop-up window displayed when “mousing over” a shipment reference code;
• FIG. 17 is a pop-up window displayed when “mousing over” a user events reference code;
• FIG. 18 is a flow diagram demonstrating the process for changing the display of the calendar interface; and
• FIG. 19 is a screen shot of the planner options interface.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE
• Referring now specifically to the drawings, an electronic shipment planner according to the present invention is illustrated in the flow diagram ofFIG. 1 and referenced generally at10. Theshipment planner10 is applicable for presenting shipment and scheduling information and personal events information to a user in a convenient, easy to read, interactive calendar display format. As indicated inFIG. 2, users access theshipment planner10 from aclient interface11 via anInternet service provider12 andsuitable communications equipment14, such as a modem. Theclient interface11 may be any application, such as a PC Web browser, which understands computer markup language, such as HTML and Dynamic-HTML. Theshipment planner10 is made available to theclient interface11 from asystem Web server15 viaInternet service provider16 andstandard communications equipment17. Data is supplied to the shipment planner on or off site through the Internet. According to one embodiment, users access theshipment planner10 from a workstation including a computer, keyboard, mouse, monitor, and modem connection. Theshipment planner10 provides ready and convenient access to shipment delivery and tracking information from any location in the world, on any day of the week, and at any time of day.
• Referring now to the flow diagram ofFIG. 1, theshipment planner10 includes fourdata repositories21,22,23, and24, respectively: (1) “display options data”—contains display parameters used to customize how the shipment planner is displayed to the user; (2) “user reports data”—contains report profiles which query the shipment data to create customized user reports; (3) “shipment data”—contains all shipment and scheduling information; (4) “user events data”—contains personal events information.
• Display Options
• Upon accessing theshipment planner10 via theclient interface11, preprogramed default display parameters are retrieved from the displayoptions data repository21. The display parameters define acalendar interface30, shown inFIGS. 3-6, in the form of a convenient, easy-to-read calendar. After the initial display, the user can readily modify the format of thecalendar interface30 by selecting various customization options indicated in the flow diagram ofFIG. 7. Referring toFIG. 7, from the default screen shown inFIG. 3, the user chooses to view thecalendar interface30 in a desiredscreen format32 including either a “normal” format which displays a page header and footer, or a “full screen” format which omits the page header and footer. In the full screen format, the user can further elect to set the display width based on the screen width or on a preprogramed default parameter. The user then chooses to view the accessed shipment data and personal events information in either a month, day, or week display format,33,34, and35, respectively. The default setting shown inFIG. 3 illustrates amonth display format33.FIG. 4 illustrates aday display format34. Theweek display35, shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, can be viewed in either a horizontal or a vertical format,36 and37, respectively.
• User Report Data
• Referring toFIGS. 8-11, customized profiles are created using areport data interface40. The user reports are titled by the user for subsequent retrieval, and are stored in the user reportsdata repository22. The user may choose to create a report based on numerous options, including: the shipment delivery status41 (delivered, undelivered, delayed, delivered with an exception); the payment status42 (paid, unpaid, overdue); the paying party43 (collect or prepaid); date restrictions44 (pickup, due, appointment, delivery); past or futuredate time frame45 and46 (yesterday, tomorrow, last week, next week, last # of days, next # of days, week-to-date, month-to-date, date range); inbound options47 (origin state, origin zip code, shipper location, shipper state, shipper zip code, shipper serving station); outbound options48 (destination state, destination zip code, consignee location, consignee state, consignee zip code, consignee serving station); and third party options49 (paying location, origin state, origin zip code, origin station, destination state, destination zip code, destination station).
• As shown inFIG. 9, to create a customized report, the user first selects theshipment status41 for desired shipments to be retrieved in the report. The user chooses between delivered shipments, delayed shipments, undelivered shipments, shipments delivered with exception, or shipments of any status. After this selection, the user then chooses theshipment payment status42 for shipments which are either paid, unpaid, overdue, or of any payment status. The user then selects the payingparty43 choosing between shipments which are either prepaid by the paying party, or those which require collection from the paying party.
• Shipment date restrictions44 are selected, as indicated inFIG. 10. The user first selects the shipment date type—either the pickup date, the delivery date, the due date, or the appointment date. For pickup and delivery date shipments, the user further selects apast date limit45 including yesterday, last week, a selected past number of days, last week-to-date, last month-to-date, or a specified date range. For due date and appointment date shipments, the user further selects afuture date limit46 including tomorrow, next week, a selected number of days in the future, or a specified future date range.
• Referring toFIG. 11, after selecting theshipment date restrictions44, the user selects inbound, outbound, and third party options,47,48, and49. The user starts with freight type options. For the inboundfreight option selections47, the user chooses between select inbound freight, all inbound freight, and no inbound freight. Select inbound freight includes one or more of the origin states, origin zip codes, destination locations, destination states, destination zip codes, and destination serving station. Next, the user makes outboundfreight options selections48. For select outbound freight, the user chooses one or more of the destination states, destination zip codes, origin locations, origin states, origin zip codes, and origin serving station. Finally, the user makes third partyfreight option selections49. For select inbound freight, the user chooses one or more of the paying locations, origin states, origin zip codes, origin locations, destination states, destination zip codes, destination locations.
• Shipment Data
• Shipment data is entered into the electronicshipment data repository23 which can be updated at any time by authorized field and general office personnel via electronic data interchange (EDI) or the Internet. Preferably, shipment data is entered into the repository at the time a service center receives a shipper's bill of lading. The customized user reports, described above, operate to electronically filter the shipment data contained in the shipment data repository to provide only the selected information requested by the user.
• Personal Events
• Referring now to the flow diagram ofFIG. 12, mouse-clicking on the “Add Event”icon50 displayed in thecalendar interface30 allows the user to add new personal events to theshipment planner10. From auser events interface50, shown inFIG. 13, the user inputs the title of the event, a description of the event, the day of the event, the starting time, and the ending time. Once this input is completed, the user then elects to clear, delete, save and apply, or cancel the event. Mouse-clicking on the “Clear”icon51 clears the event data from display and returns the user to the events interface. Mouse-clicking on the “Delete”icon52 triggers aconfirmation query53 asking the user to confirm the deletion. When confirmed, the event data is deleted and the user is returned to thecalendar interface30. Mouse-clicking on the “Save & Apply”icon54 saves the inputted event data in the userevents data repository24, and transfers the user back to thecalendar interface30. Mouse-clicking on the “Cancel”icon55 transfers the user directly to thecalendar interface30 without saving the new events data. Previously entered events data is stored in the userevents data repository24.
• Using theShipment Planner10
• The user navigates theshipment planner10 from his workstation using the attached mouse and a convenient point-and-click, menu-driven software. Upon accessing theshipment planner10, the selected customized user report electronically filters the information contained in theshipment data repository23, as described above, to display only the desired shipment data in thecalendar interface30. From thecalendar interface30, the user can choose to view shipment and scheduling information or personal events data by mouse-clicking directly on ashipment data link61 or a personal events link62 appearing on the screen (SeeFIGS. 3-6). Thelinks61 and62 are displayed in thecalendar interface30 on certain days of the month corresponding to their respective event dates. In one embodiment, theshipment data link61 is a shipment reference code, such as an internal system reference number, a bill of lading number, or a purchase order number, which is associated with certain shipment data and scheduling information contained in theshipment data repository23. When a shipment reference code is selected, theclient interface11 accesses the associated shipment and scheduling information and downloads this information for display to the user. The personal events data link62 is preferably a one or two word event title. When an event title is selected, theclient interface11 accesses the associated personal events information contained in the userevents data repository24 and downloads this information for display to the user.
• For convenient viewing, the shipment reference codes and event titles are preferably color-coded, as indicated in thelegend63, to readily distinguish between inbound shipments, outbound shipments, third party shipments, and personal events. For example, inbound shipments may be designated by the color blue, outbound shipments designated by red, third party shipments designated by green, and personal events designed by orange.
• Referring toFIGS. 14 and 15, using an “onclick process”70 the user mouse-clicks directly on either ashipment data link61 or personal events data link62 in thecalendar interface30, as previously described. Upon selecting ashipment data link61, theclient interface11 downloads the associated shipment data from theshipment data repository23 and a pop-uptrace window80, shown inFIG. 15, is displayed to the user. Thetrace window80 provides detailed information regarding the selected shipment, including its present location, shipment origin, destination, bill of lading number, purchase order number, number of pieces, shipment weight, and the e-mail addresses of the origin and destination service centers. If a personal events data link62 is selected, theclient interface11 downloads the associated event data from the userevents data repository24. The selected event information is then displayed, as shown inFIG. 13. This information indicates the event title, a description of the event, the day of the event, the event starting time, and the event ending time.
• Referring again toFIGS. 1 and 3, from thecalendar interface30, the user can further elect to view shipment data and events information for preceding and succeeding calendar units by mouse-clicking on the “Previous” and “Next” icons,81 and82, respectively. The “Refresh”icon83 reloads the calendar interface. By “mousing-over”84 (without clicking) shipment reference code and event titles displayed in thecalendar interface30, respective pop-upwindows85 and86 provide a brief summary of the shipment status, as shown inFIG. 16, and the personal event, as shown inFIG. 17. The shipment summary includes an internal system reference number, a purchase order number, a concise status statement, and the name of the person signing the delivery. The event summary includes the title of the event, a brief description, and the duration of the event.
• Changing theCalendar Interface30
• Referring toFIGS. 18 and 19, from thecalendar interface30, the user can select the “Options”icon90 to change the default shipment reference codes which appear on thecalendar interface30 upon accessing theshipment planner10, and the actual dates upon which the shipment reference codes are posted. In order to change the default settings, theclient interface11 accesses both the displayoptions data repository21 to display the current options selected, and the user reportsdata repository22 to display the available shipment reports.
• Aplanner options interface100, shown inFIG. 19, allows the user to customize the appearance of thecalendar interface30 by first selecting which shipment report to access. Preferably, a drop-down window displays all previously entered reports stored in the user reports data repository for convenient selection by the user. After selecting the desired report, the user then chooses whether to display one or more of inbound, outbound, or third party shipments contained in the report, and whether the shipments will be displayed to the calendar interface on either the due or delivery date, or the shipment date. The shipment reference code to be displayed is then selected from either a purchase order number, a bill of lading number, or an internal system reference number. The user then selects a default display by month, day, or week with a further option to display the calendar interface without header and footer, or to expand the calendar interface to screen size based on the user's monitor. Finally, the user elects to started the display with either the current date or the date of the first active shipment. For the week display, the user can further elect a horizontal format (SeeFIG. 5) or a vertical format (SeeFIG. 6). Once the report data selections are completed, the user can either save the selections and return to the calender interface, or cancel the selections.
• An electronic shipment planner is described above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation—the invention being defined by the claims.

Claims (18)

We claim:

1. A system for electronically presenting shipment and scheduling information to a user, said system comprising:

a web server for providing an electronic shipment planner to the user over an internet;

a client computer where the user can access said shipment planner;

wherein said shipment planner comprises:

a calendar display interface for displaying said shipment planner to the user in a calendar format, said calendar format comprising a tabular register of days;

a plurality of shipment data links contained within certain days displayed in said calendar display interface, and electronically associated with the shipment and scheduling information, said plurality of shipment data links comprising:

(i) a plurality of first shipment event data links;

(ii) a plurality of second shipment event data links; and

wherein said first shipment event data links and said second shipment event data links contained within said tabular register of days of the calendar display interface are visually distinguished by a first data code and a second data code.

2. The system according toclaim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of shipment data links comprises a predetermined portion of the shipment and scheduling information.

3. The system according toclaim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of shipment data links comprises a shipment reference code.

4. The system according toclaim 3, wherein said shipment reference code is selected from the group consisting of a bill of lading number and a purchase order number.

5. The system according toclaim 1, wherein said first and second data codes comprise color-coding to readily distinguish said first and second shipment event data links.

6. The system according toclaim 5, and comprising a legend for indicating the color-code for said first and second shipment event data links.

7. The system according toclaim 1, and comprising a display options data repository containing format parameters for customizing the format of said calendar display interface.

8. The system according toclaim 7, and comprising a display options data interface communicating with said display options data repository for setting desired format parameters contained in said display options data repository.

9. The system according toclaim 1, and comprising an input device for selecting said interactive shipment data link from said calendar display interface.

10. The system according toclaim 9, wherein said input device comprises a computer mouse.

11. The system according toclaim 1, and comprising a report data repository containing profile parameters for displaying the shipment and scheduling information in a customized user report.

12. The system according toclaim 11, and comprising a report data interface communicating with said report data repository for setting desired profile parameters contained in said report data repository.

13. The system according toclaim 1, and comprising a personal event data repository containing personal event information of the user, the personal event information being associated with a personal event date.

14. The system according toclaim 13, and comprising a personal event data interface communicating with said personal event data repository for loading personal event information into said personal event data repository.

15. The system according toclaim 14, and comprising a personal event data link electronically associated with the personal event information contained in a personal event data repository.

16. The system according toclaim 15, wherein said personal event data link comprises a predetermined portion of the personal event information.

17. The system according toclaim 1, wherein said plurality of first shipment event data links is associated with shipment event data comprising one of a group consisting of inbound freight, outbound freight, and third party freight.

18. The system according toclaim 1, wherein said plurality of second shipment event data links is associated with shipment event data comprising one of a group consisting of inbound freight, outbound freight, and third party freight.

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