Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities for tracking an item delivery are provided. In one embodiment, an item is associated with a vehicle (e.g., manned or unmanned terrestrial vehicle, nautical vehicle, and/or aerial vehicle) by updating item data in a database. An item tracking session is then generated based on the item data. Upon the determination that session availability trigger has occurred, access to the item tracking session is provided to a user. Data representing an updated location of the delivery vehicle is then used to update the item data to indicate the current location of the item as the updated location of the vehicle.

Abstract: A first feature is displayed within a first view of a user interface. A first selection of the first feature is configured to display a first set of identifiers corresponding to one or more tasks. A second feature is displayed within the first view of the user interface. A second selection of the second feature is configured to display a second set of identifiers corresponding to a set of workers. Each worker of the set of workers is associated with the one or more tasks and a first time that the one or more tasks are scheduled to be completed by. A set of status indicators are displayed. Each status indicator of the set of status indicators indicates whether the one or more tasks have been completed by the first time for the each worker of the set of workers based at least in part on the associating.

Abstract: An unallocated item/product inventory is maintained in each of a plurality of delivery vehicles traversing service routes within a delivery service area. Upon receipt of an order for delivery of an item/product that may be selected from the item/product inventory maintained within a delivery vehicle and that is to be delivered to a destination location within the delivery service area, a delivery vehicle driver is instructed to deliver an item/product selected from the item/product inventory located on the delivery vehicle during the corresponding service route on the same day that the order was placed. A delivery label for the item/product is printed, and the delivery vehicle driver secures the printed delivery label to an item/product selected from the unallocated item/product inventory, and delivers the item/product to the destination location on the same day the order was placed.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods for verifying the content of shipments based at least in part on images representing the interior of the shipments generated by an imaging device. Embodiments comprise features for receiving shipment data identifying expected contents of a shipment, receiving image data comprising an image of an interior of the shipment, detecting one or more items in the image of the interior of the shipment, and determining whether the detected items match the expected content of the shipment.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to methods and systems for initiating shipment of a connected shipment/item via a computing entity. The computing entity detects the presence of a shipment/item within a communication range of the computing entity based on received wireless communications, and initializes executable instructions upon detection of the electronically connected shipment/item to initiate shipment of the shipment/item. The executable instructions cause the computing entity to store a shipment identifier for the shipment/item, request and store shipment information/data from a user for the shipment/item, and transmit the stored shipment/item information/data and the stored shipment identifier to a carrier computing entity to generate a shipment profile for the shipment/item.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating the sorting of assets to sort locations. In various embodiments, a sort employee scans an asset indicia using a user device, which stores asset data corresponding to the stored asset. As the sort employee nears a sort location (e.g., a delivery vehicle) with the asset and the user device, the user device automatically communicates wirelessly with a sort location receiver to associate the asset data with data indicative of the sort location where the user deposits the asset. In various embodiments, a device may determine whether the user device is proximate the appropriate sort location for the item, and may generate an alert upon a determination that the user device is proximate an incorrect sort location.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for associating an asset with a sort location, the system comprising a conveyor belt assembly and a user device configured to be worn by a user. The conveyor belt assembly comprises: an acquisition device and a plurality of stripes defining a non-repeating pattern, the plurality of stripes comprising a plurality of unique sets of stripes. The acquisition device is configured to capture image data comprising asset identifier data and conveyor mechanism data, the conveyor mechanism data including one of the plurality of unique sets of stripes. The user device is configured to capture conveyor mechanism data including one of the plurality of unique sets of stripes; remotely receive asset identifier data associated with the user device captured conveyor mechanism data; and generate and display to the user, relative to the asset, at least one visual indicator of one or more sort instructions for the asset.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention involve systems, methods, and computer program products utilized in facilitating alternative delivery options for customers. In certain embodiments, a consignee may meet a driver and receive an item at a location different from the delivery address associated with the item. The receipt of the item may be prior to the driver attempting to deliver the item to the designated shipping location or after an unsuccessful delivery attempt. The carrier, the driver, the carrier system, the mobile station, and/or the sensors located on the item may communicate with the consignee to arrange a mutually acceptable time and location to accomplish the delivery. In certain embodiments, the consignee may be responsible for arriving at a dynamic delivery location to retrieve the item while the driver is at the location performing other tasks.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for engaging, lifting, and moving objects such as wheeled cargo trailers are provided. In one embodiment, a mobile apparatus includes a transport mechanism, a frame, and one or more lift assemblies. The lift assemblies may be adjusted using one or more attached actuators that position the lift assemblies and/or components thereof for engaging and lifting an object. The transport mechanism may be autonomously operated. A vision system may be used to locate and identify objects and/or guide the mobile apparatus into position to engage and lift the objects. An adapter for a pneumatic braking system of a wheeled cargo trailer is also provided. The adapter provides a pneumatic attachment for a pressurized air source that is separate from a glad hands connector attached to the braking system.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, and computer program products are provided. In an example embodiment, a method is provided comprising receiving input identifying load information corresponding to a load to be inserted into a transportation plan. The transportation plan comprises a plurality of transportation schedules, each schedule comprising a plurality of transportation movements. The method further comprises identifying an available movement network comprising portions of transportation schedules having open capacity, each portion of a transportation schedule having open capacity being a potential leg of a path from the origin location to the destination location; determining potential solutions for transporting the load from the origin location to the destination location by combining one or more legs to determine a path of open capacity movements from the origin location to at least part way to the destination location; and providing one or more potential solutions for display via a user interface.

Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided. In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method comprises receiving location information for an item. The location information indicates the current physical location of the item. The method further comprises determining whether the item is located within a first configurable distance of an establishment and responsive to determining that the item is located within the first configurable distance of the establishment, requesting first location information for the consignee of the item and second location information for the consignee of the item.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products for determining delivery or pick-up windows. In one embodiment a method is provided comprising determining whether sufficient historical information/data to determine an estimated pick-up/delivery time is received for each weekday when deliveries are made and in response to determining that the sufficient historical information/data is available for a first weekday, determining an estimated pick-up/delivery time for the first serviceable point and for the first weekday based on the sufficient historical information/data for the first serviceable point and for the first weekday. Similarly, in response to determining that the sufficient historical information/data is not available for a second weekday, determining an estimated pick-up/delivery time for the first serviceable point and for the second weekday based on the first historical information/data.

Abstract: An elevated delivery platform having a delivery surface that can be placed at a location off the ground to better facilitate delivery of parcels by unmanned aerial vehicles, such as delivery drones, is provided. By placing the elevated delivery platform in an area above the ground, such as atop a home or a pole, a drone is more capable of making deliveries because it avoids obstacles nearer to the ground that typically make drone delivery challenging. The elevated delivery platform raises and lowers parcels to a position where they can easily be retrieved. Some systems also provide a deployable cover to protect parcels from adverse weather conditions while awaiting pickup or following delivery. The elevated delivery platform can be used as part of a drone delivery system that can also include a containment unit, a computer application, or any combination of these aspects.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to concepts for on-boarding potential new customers for a carrier, wherein each potential new client has unique requirements. A method for on-boarding new clients comprises steps for identifying the unique requirements of the potential new customer by comparing the new customer's business model against identified issues common to entities having similar business models. Based on the identified unique requirements of the potential new customer, instructions for implementing required special procedures are generated. A pricing strategy is generated based on the identified customer requirements and any special procedures necessary for implementation of the customer requirements. During implementation, the provided services are monitored, and reports and/or alerts are generated for the customer and/or the carrier.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems, methods, and computer program products for providing dynamic real-time verification and validation of data associated with the receiving, loading, and positioning of a plurality of containers upon a transport vehicle. One or more computer processors are configured to: receive actual load data associated with at least one container; retrieve at least a portion of expected load data associated with the container for which actual load data has been received; verify the actual weight of the one of the plurality of packages and in response to a successful verification identifying no load weight discrepancies, validate the actual load position of the one of the plurality of packages. In response to a successful validation, at least one communication configured to facilitate at least one of further loading of the plurality of packages may be generated. If validation is unsuccessful, further loading may be prevented.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for controlling objects being loaded or unloaded from a storage structure or vehicle, such as a trailer. In example embodiments, a plurality of parcels may be stored in or on a trailer that is attached to a cab of a delivery vehicle. Upon arrival at a deposit location, the trailer loaded with the one or more parcels may be removably secured to a an adjustable platform designed to be raised to a predetermined angle for unloading of the one or more parcels. Once the adjustable platform is raised to the predetermined angle, a plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms may be configured to pivot, allowing for the movement of a controlled volume of the one or more parcels onto the receiving platform.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing a purchaser of a gift to associate a personal message (e.g., an audio and/or video message) with the gift is described. The personal message may be associated with the gift via a unique identifier associated with a parcel (e.g., a parcel tracking number) in which the gift is shipped to the intended recipient of the gift. Once the gift is received by the gift recipient, the gift recipient may also associate a message with the gift via the unique identifier. The gift recipient's message may be in response to the purchaser's message, an unrelated message to the purchaser, a message to the retailer where the gift was purchased, or a message to a common carrier.

Abstract: Embodiments provide shelves, bracket systems, automated picker robots, totes, and other features that may be used with delivery vehicle configurations that have automated cargo areas. A delivery vehicle may include a picking robot that selectively retrieves packages for delivery without requiring substantial human intervention for locating those packages. The cargo area of the delivery vehicle may further comprise a plurality of customizable shelving units that generate custom-sized shelves for packages. The shelves may include a plurality of individually movable shelf brackets having retaining members that pivot between an extended and retracted position to hold the package in place and to enable the picking robot to retrieve the package from the shelf. Another embodiment provides for a tote having a drive mechanism to hold letters so that a letter may be automatically retrieved from the cargo area and provided at a delivery location.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for processing a subject image, consumer data, and product images to generate product recommendations. Subject images may be provided by consumers and may include products they wish to buy, and/or images of themselves to be utilized as an avatar. The subject image, and other images provided by other consumers may be processed to determine image characteristics, and correlations with consumer data including preferences, demographics, style preferences, physical characteristics, and/or the like. Trends, styles, and preferences may be intelligently learned such that relevant products are provided to a consumer. The subject image may be manipulated, such as by dressing an avatar in a recommended clothing article, and/or the like.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided. In one embodiment, shipment information/data corresponding to a proposed shipment from a customer computing device is received. The shipment information/data may be generated based on a task-management record from user input provided from a shipper. The shipment information/data also identifies a destination location and a desired delivery date for the proposed shipment. In one embodiment, updated shipment information/data is generated and causes the customer computing device to generate updated task-management records via a task-management software application based at least in part on one or more tender dates.