Abstract: An apparatus is provided for providing notification of items for pickup at a location. The apparatus may include at least one memory and a processor(s) configured to automatically send an electronic message to a network device requesting pickup of an item(s) at a location of a user of the apparatus responsive to detecting pressing of a button on an exterior of the apparatus. The processor is also configured to receive an acknowledgement message from the network device denoting (i) confirmation that the network device received the electronic message requesting pickup of the item(s) at the location of the user and (ii) scheduled pickup of the item(s) from the location of the user at an estimated time. The processor is further configured to generate a visible indication regarding the pickup of the item(s) in response to detecting receipt of the acknowledgement message. Corresponding computer program products and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting commodity classifications for a shipment that increase the efficiency of clearing the shipment through a customs authority. Such systems and methods may utilize machine learning techniques to improve the accuracy of the predicted classifications.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for scanning an item utilizing an X-ray scanner in order to facilitate a determination of whether the X-ray radiation penetrated through the entirety of the scanned item. Various embodiments comprise a conveying mechanism, an X-ray emitter, a detector, and an X-ray penetration grid (XPG). The XPG may comprise a radiopaque grid that may serve as a reference for determining whether radiation passes through the scanned item, the grid oriented such that the grid members are neither parallel nor perpendicular to the direction of travel. Such orientation may minimize or eliminate “ghosted” radiation signals included in a visual display of the radiation received by the detector. A scanned item may be oriented with the XPG such that radiation emitted by the X-ray emitter that passes through a portion of the scanned item must also pass through the XPG before being received by the detector.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for autonomously predicting shipper behavior. An example method includes the following operations. One or more learning models are generated. Shipper behavior data for at least one shipper is extracted. The shipper behavior data includes a plurality of features associated with the at least one shipper scheduled to ship one or more parcels. It is predicted whether one or more shipments will be sent or arrive at a particular time based at least in part on running the plurality of features of the at least one shipper through the one or more learning models.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for facilitating international return of dutiable goods. A typical application involves a purchaser buying goods on-line, resulting in shipping the goods internationally to the purchaser. After receipt of the goods, the purchaser determines that return of the goods is necessary. The purchaser contacts the merchant selling the goods to request returning the goods. The merchant, in turn, communicates to the carrier delivering the goods that an international return is requested. The merchant provides certain information to the carrier allowing the carrier to make available the necessary documentation required by the customer to return the goods to the merchant. The documentation includes a properly completed commercial invoice that is made available to the consignee. The consignee can then sign and use the documentation for returning the item. The documentation may be variously provided to the customer either by the merchant or the carrier.

Abstract: A secure, computerized locker bank that is adapted to facilitate the payment for, and physical exchange of an item between entities who have brokered the sale of the item via a marketplace, such as an on-line marketplace (e.g., an on-line auction site, an on-line classified advertisement site, or an online retail marketplace), or a traditional marketplace (e.g., traditional paper classified advertisements). In particular embodiments, each locker in the computerized locker bank comprises one or more imaging devices for allowing a potential purchaser to view an item (e.g., stored within a locker) before purchasing the item and retrieving it from the locker.

Abstract: A system and method for locating nearby attended delivery/pickup locations with a particular item in stock is described. The system receives a request from an individual to purchase a particular item from an on-line retailer. The system receives information associated with attended delivery/pickup locations, including location and inventory information. The system then determines which (if any) attended delivery/pickup locations (e.g., the attended delivery/pickup locations are not the on-line retailer) are near the individual and have the particular item in stock and notifies the individual. In various embodiments, the system enables the user to purchase or reserve the particular item at the particular attended delivery/pickup location.

Abstract: A multi-tiered automated parcel sortation system is utilized to sort parcels according to a common destination. A first tier includes an automated sorter configured to transport parcels from a source location to a release destination. A second tier includes accumulation containers each associated with a shipping destination, and the release destination within the first tier is a positioned directly above the accumulation container associated with the shipping destination of the parcel. Once transported to the release destination, a parcel is released into the accumulation container, and once the accumulation container is filled, the accumulation of parcels within the container is released into a third tier, which may include conveyors or autonomous guided vehicles with transport containers. In the third tier, the parcels are transported away for further processing.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention involve systems, methods, and computer program products that provide enhanced messages. In embodiment, a method for sending messages is provided that includes receiving shipping data that includes a destination address for delivery of an item, a message address for sending a notification message, customized data and a trigger event. In response to an occurrence of the triggering event, a notification message is sent to the message address and providing access to the customized data.

Abstract: A computer system configured to integrate a plurality of websites is provided. The computer system includes a memory, a display, and at least one processor coupled to the memory and the display. In one example, the system comprises a monitoring component executed by the at least one processor and configured to analyze web content generated by a website provider and detect one or more identified elements within the web content. The system may also comprise a converting component executed by the at least one processor and configured to, responsive to detection of the one or more identified elements by the monitoring component, convert at least one portion of the web content into converted content, wherein the at least one processor is configured to display, in the display, the converted content and at least one other portion of the web content.

Abstract: Rule data sets are received. These rule sets are associated with constraints controlling how records that are associated with the goods are consolidated. These goods are to be received for importing. An estimate score indicative of the risk for inspection for a first set of goods that are to be imported is generated. Based at least in part on the rule data sets and the generated estimate, a plurality of records are consolidated to a single instance for the first set of goods. Based on the consolidating, a user interface is caused to be generated that renders information associated with the consolidating.

Abstract: A synchronized delivery system for delivering parcels directly to an alternate delivery location such as a locker bank in lieu of making any delivery attempt at a primary delivery location such as a home or office. The system may deliver parcels directly to the alternate delivery location when a related parcel is currently stored at the alternate delivery location awaiting pickup. A related parcel may include a parcel addressed to the same consignee, to a related consignee (e.g., such as a neighbor, roommate, or spouse), or to another authorized to pick up parcels on behalf of the consignee. When delivering parcels to alternate deliver locations, the system may facilitate a grouping of related parcels in a single locker.

Abstract: Systems and methods for supporting regulatory requirements for the distribution of controlled and non-controlled items such as, for example, non-controlled prescriptions (Rx), medical devices, and controlled substances in countries such as the United States and Canada, are provided. The systems and methods incorporate a license verification module that is configured to perform license validation for a particular order placed for a controlled and/or non-controlled item. In certain embodiments, the license verification module compares order data to historically sorted data and if one or more discrepancies exist, validation is unsuccessful. The license verification module may further query a third party database for updated license information upon validation failure.

Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for an augmented reality display using an actual image of the item. Additionally, the present disclosure provides for a proportionally dimensioned representation of the item in the augmented reality display. In some aspects, a beacon/tag/sensor-based approach may be used. In some aspects, a marker-based approach may be used.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for processing return transactions over a network. An embodiment of the invention discloses an online return application that generates an electronic return shipping label that can be delivered to a browser of a customer that wishes to make a return. Also, disclosed is the creation and transmission of label delivery links, which provide for dynamic generation and delivery of shipping labels.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a packaging instruction are disclosed. Sensor data of an item to be packaged is captured. The item is identified based on one or more detectable features. The item is determined to be associated with a plurality of item-specific characteristics that require different packaging materials. A plurality of user interface elements comprising the plurality of the item-specific characteristics is presented. A selection of one of the plurality of item-specific characteristics is received. An alternative packaging instruction associated with the received selection of the one of the plurality of item-specific characteristics is presented.

Abstract: A user request associated with a first user and a shipment of one or more items is received. A prompt that the first user provide one or more biometric identifiers is provided. The prompt selectively excludes a request for billing information from the first user. At least partially in response to the providing of the prompt, at least a first biometric identifier of the first user is obtained. At least partially in response to the obtaining of the first biometric identifier of the first user, the billing information is automatically processed. Based at least in part on the automatically processing of the billing information, the user request associated with the shipment of the one or more items is completed.

Abstract: An item drop box sensor system for detecting items deposited within a drop box may be configured to detect movement of an item deposit tray and to detect items deposited within the drop box. The drop box sensor system may comprise one or more tray movement sensors for detecting movement of the deposit tray, one or more item detection sensors configured to detect items passing into the drop box via the deposit tray, and an onboard controller for selectively activating the various sensors to conserve power and for transmitting data indicative of the status of the drop box to a central server configured for scheduling item pickups for various geographically spaced drop boxes.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for arranging for shipping a package without the customer needing to generate or apply a shipping label, or any other information, to the package. In one embodiment, a system may comprise a carrier server and a carrier device. The carrier server may receive and store a smart code and shipping information associated with the package, which it may link together. The carrier device may capture the smart code from the package and send a request, including the smart code, to the carrier server for related shipping information. The carrier server may receive the request from the carrier device, retrieve the shipping information based on the smart code, and send the shipping information to the carrier device. The carrier device may receive the shipping information and generate a shipping label for the package based on the shipping information.

Abstract: A first parcel digital image associated with a first interaction point is received. The first parcel digital image may be associated with a first parcel being transported to or from the first interaction point. At least a second parcel digital image associated with at least a second interaction point is further be received. The second parcel digital image may be associated with the first parcel being transported to or from the second interaction point. A first parcel damage analysis is automatically generated based at least in part on analyzing the first parcel digital image and the at least second parcel image. The damage analysis can include determining whether the first parcel is damaged above or below a threshold.