Abstract: The present invention relates to a Postal package delivery system for forwarding a packet from a sender towards a destination through a postal network where the postal network comprises a plurality of postal nodes for sorting and forwarding the package through said network via at least one node of said plurality of postal nodes towards the destination. The forwarding of the package is based on the address of said destination, where a tag associating device is able to associate a tag of the package flexibly with a physical address of a plurality of addresses of said destination.

Abstract: A computer modeling application is disclosed for finding the optimal solution to maximize total net margin, for the assignment of vehicles (e.g., especially vessels) in an available fleet to perform a set of voyages to transport cargo comprising one or more bulk products during a planning period, as well as an apparatus and method employing the same. The fleet can include term vehicles and spot vehicles. The vehicles, voyages, and cargos can be heterogeneous. In one embodiment, the vehicles are crude carrier vessels and the bulk products are different grades of crude oil. To increase speed, the model is broken into linear programming and mixed integer (linear) programming problems. The model can be run on a real-time basis to support complex scheduling operations.

Abstract: A computer system for managing and operating a mobile storage business includes a centralized database that stores route information for a plurality of drivers and routes. A mobile computer device can be used by a driver or mobile storage representative to communicate with the database. The device can be used to display route information relating to the delivery or pickup of a portable storage container and to transmit to the database the signature of the customer, comments relating to the task, images relating to the task and location associated with the container identifier. The mobile computer device includes a scanner for capturing the container identification and a global positioning system capability for capturing the location associated with the container and the location of the mobile computer device.

Abstract: A method for reducing emissions from a plurality of moving assets includes receiving trip pattern data corresponding to positions and times from the moving assets and the preference data from a plurality of users. A database of trips made by the moving assets is then generated based on the trip pattern data and trip consolidation opportunities for the moving assets are identified based on the generated database. The method also includes ranking the trip consolidation opportunities based on the preference data and utilizing the ranked trip consolidation opportunities to provide shipping recommendations designed to reduce fuel consumption of the moving assets.

Abstract: Articles are delivered to stores within a predetermined area in an economical and efficient manner. A route creation system 100 assists in determining, in cases where articles are to be delivered from a base 202 to respective stores 204 within an area including the base 202 and the stores 204, whether to deliver the articles by a delivery route system or whether to deliver the articles by a parcel delivery system, the delivery route system to sequentially deliver the articles from the base 202 to the respective stores 204 and return to the base 202, the parcel delivery system to outsource delivery of the articles to a parcel delivery company, based on cost calculation while examining a break-even point.

Abstract: The necessary number of delivery routes is accurately calculated corresponding to properties of an area. A system 100 for calculating the number of delivery routes calculates the necessary number of delivery routes when creating a plurality of delivery routes on which a staff delivers articles sequentially from a base to respective circular-visiting points in an area including the base and the circular-visiting points and returns to the base. A first average value calculating unit 310 calculates average value D of round-trip travel time between the base and the respective circular-visiting points, considering only circular-visiting points where round-trip travel time between the base and respective circular-visiting point amount to a predetermined rate or less when respective round-trip travel time are selected in order of increasing time, with the exception of the other circular-visiting points.

Abstract: A method of processing incompatibilities for a transportation plan comprising the following steps: Receiving data which is descriptive of orders, data which is descriptive of available vehicles, and data which is descriptive of available cross-docking locations; reading a set of compatibility types, and a set of compatibility rules with respect to the plurality of orders, vehicles, and cross-docking locations, each compatibility rule specifying a combination of two values which refer to first and second attributes of a defined compatibility type, and being indicative whether or not they are compatible; associating a value with each order, the value being descriptive of the characteristics of the order, such that orders having the same characteristics have the same value associated therewith; replacing the data descriptive of the characteristics by the value associated therewith; and outputting the order data resulting from the preceding step.

Abstract: An improved system for delivering propane or other consumable liquid to remotely located storage tanks including a novel combination of remote monitoring of customer tanks and an improved method of using the remote monitoring data to optimally schedule deliveries, improve safety, and more efficiently operate a propane dealership. More accurate and timely information concerning the status of customer tanks serves to improve operational efficiencies and increase safety. Data received from remote sensors can be collected and organized so that it is easily understood and utilized through the implementation of a user interface accessible via the Internet that allows the information to be presented in an efficient graphical and contextual fashion. Operational efficiencies can also be improved by taking historical propane usage for each tank, weather conditions, and projected fuel usage into account.

Abstract: A transmodal and logistics method, comprising generating at least one transportation route for shipping a shipment using one or more different transportation modes and at least two transportation providers, and calculating a cost rate associated with the at least one transportation route.

Abstract: A method and system for obtaining desired times from intended recipients of items is provided. The method provides each recipient with a plurality of time windows that overlap with one another in time from which the recipient may choose a time for delivery of an item and receives choices made by recipients from the plurality of overlapping windows. One aspect of the invention includes applying predetermined parameters to the time windows to determine which time windows to offer to the recipients as available times from which the recipient may choose a time for delivery. Such parameters may include, among others, which time windows have associated with them the least cost of service in making the delivery, whether the cost of delivering within a time window is less than a monetary threshold, and whether a maximum number of orders to be delivered within one time window has been reached.

Abstract: A system is provided for managing mobile inventory within a virtual warehouse. The system includes mobile units, each configured to house a respective portion of the mobile inventory. The system further includes communication devices, each configured to collect respective data relating to the portion of the mobile inventory within each mobile unit. Additionally, the system includes a central station in communication with the communication devices, to receive the respective data and to optimize a movement of the mobile inventory within a service area, based on the respective data. The central station is also in communication with a plurality of delivery locations, to receive a delivery request from a respective delivery location of a requested inventory and a requested delivery location, and to determine a movement of the mobile inventory, based on the respective data, respective locations of the mobile units, requested inventory and delivery location.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for redirecting orders based on delivery site unavailability. A first delivery site that will be unavailable during an unavailability period is identified, and a coincidence between the unavailability period and a pick-up period of a shipment at the first delivery site is determined, the shipment being currently scheduled to be picked up by a customer at the first delivery site during the pick-up period. A second delivery site is then determined. A notification is sent to the customer of the second delivery site, and a rerouting of the shipment to the second delivery site is initiated.

Abstract: This invention provides methods, apparatus, and systems for classifying addresses. An address is evaluated based upon a postal code or standardized postal code, such as a U.S. Postal Service ZIP+4 code, serving the address. If the address cannot be classified based on the standardized postal code, the address is classified based on additional information, such as a U.S. Postal Service delivery point code. A mailer may then determine whether the address is a business or residential (or non-business) address. Furthermore, a mailer may predict when surcharges may apply and compare the rates of various carriers.

Abstract: A method for distributing military mail includes the steps of compiling military unit and associated delivery code information into a computer searchable military address management system database which associates a military unit zip code with a current geographic location for that unit; obtaining military unit personnel change of address information from a number of sources including a national change of address database maintained by a federal postal service and input from a military unit to which a military mail recipient belongs, which information is compiled into a computer searchable military change of address database, which information includes change of address information more recent than change of address information reflected in a federal national change of address database; and using information from the military address management system database and the military change of address database to redirect incorrectly addressed mail pieces to a military mail recipient's current address.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods to generate a manifest of work that is to be performed by a driver. Specifically, systems and methods are described in the context of a package delivery system to generate a manifest of deliveries and pickups to be performed by a driver and to download the generated manifest to a portable computing device used by the driver to service the route.

Abstract: A method and system to supply multiple items through a network of inventory staging areas and distribution points by determining inventory stocking levels for a staging area and distribution points, and inventory shipments from said staging area to distribution points and between the distribution points, using an optimization formulation whose objective is to cover maximum overall demand at the distribution points in a given period of time, and to minimize total cost of meeting demand.

Abstract: A transportation schedule planning support system receives an order of one or more types of products which requires a use-by date control, and transports the products from one or more stock-carrying bases to one or more delivery destinations. In the system, a user previously registers a transportation route candidate from a stock-carrying base to each delivery destination adoptable as a solution, as a base group. A necessary use-by date for a product to be delivered next is determined based on an actual delivery to each delivery destination. The number of vehicles allocatable to a transportation at each base according to a vehicle type, and a vehicle type not used in each base group are added to a restriction condition. A mixed integer programming is applied using an expected obtainable profit obtained by delivering each product as an objective function.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods to generate a manifest of work that is to be performed by a driver. Specifically, systems and methods are described in the context of a package delivery system to generate a manifest of deliveries and pickups to be performed by a driver and to download the generated manifest to a portable computing device used by the driver to service the route.

Abstract: A mail acceptance system selects a mail center that is near a client by using mail acceptance information input by the client, calculates transport cost of the selected mail center, selects a mail center that is appropriate for making loads of mail centers equal and minimizing the transport cost as a suitable mail center from among the selected mail centers, and sets a visit and acceptance schedule for visiting and accepting the client's mail.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for substantially optimizing logistics for loading vehicles and transporting goods and a method of accomplishing the same.

Abstract: A shipping system for shipping packages involving the coordinated use of at least a first carrier and a second carrier. The shipping system includes physical delivery facilities for the physical delivery of packages, the physical delivery facilities including at least one transfer location at which the second carrier may take over delivery responsibilities for a package. The shipping system also includes an information system having a shipper computer system configured to record and determine whether the delivery address of a package is an efficient destination for the first carrier. If not an efficient destination, such as a delivery address having a rural zip code, the shipper computer system is configured to label the package for delivery to one of the transfer locations, allowing the first carrier to transfer the selected package to the second carrier for completion of the less efficient portion of the delivery.

Abstract: A course creation system 100 creates a course by ranking up the individual delivery points depending on presence or absence of time specification, and on frequencies of delivery, while assuming the presence of time specification as the first priority condition, and the highness of frequency of delivery as the second priority condition, and, upon selection of a most highly-ranked delivery point, then by creating a preliminary course by determining an order of visiting of the delivery points according to the time specification of the individual delivery points, and by inserting a delivery point selected thereafter to a location of order capable of maximizing the number of delivery points supposed to be highly punctual about the time specification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transportation management processes and systems. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a method in a computer system for determining one or more routes for transporting items, including receiving multiple orders to transport items from an origination stop to a destination stop, generating one or more consolidations, and generating one or more shipments wherein each shipment includes a selected consolidation that meets at least one shipment parameter or an order. The method further includes generating one or more routes with an ordered sequence of stops wherein each route is associated with one or more shipments. The method still further includes selecting one or more routes based on one or more route parameters.

Abstract: This application teaches a disposal chain and a supply chain system for sealing and unsealing a vacuum draw path embodying a thrust handle capable of imparting assembly and disassembly thrust forces said system conferring the potential of reducing the amount solid waste mass contributed to the waste stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimal transporting of cargo is provided. The method includes optimizing a plurality of transportation decisions and mechanically transporting cargo through movement of a plurality of vehicles in accordance with a set of optimized transportation decisions. The decisions include transportation routes and schedules for the transportation vehicles, allocation of cargo to be transported to one or more demand locations by the transportation vehicles, nomination of cargo pickup by the transportation vehicles from the one or more supply locations, the use of specialized transportation locations, and vehicle assignments for each of the transportation vehicles. The set of decisions is optimized by collecting data relating to the various transportation decisions, using the data collected as part of a mixed integer linear programming model, and obtaining a solution to the model to arrive at a set of optimized transportation decisions.

Abstract: A cooperative system and an associated method are provided for resolving a distressed shipment during transport by a carrier, where the distressed shipment includes one or more parcels rendered temporarily undeliverable by an exception event while in transit from a shipper to a consignee. The inventive method involves the shipper in the task of contacting the consignee for the additional information necessary to resolve the shipment. The system creates a cooperative of participating shippers and carriers, working together to complete a shipment and thereby avoid the delay and expense associated with a premature or unnecessary return.

Abstract: A shipping system for shipping packages involving the coordinated use of at least a first carrier and a second carrier. The shipping system includes physical delivery facilities for the physical delivery of packages, the physical delivery facilities including at least one transfer location at which the second carrier may take over delivery responsibilities for a package. The shipping system also includes an information system having a shipper computer system configured to record and determine whether the delivery address of a package is an efficient destination for the first carrier. If not an efficient destination, such as a delivery address having a rural zip code, the shipper computer system is configured to label the package for delivery to one of the transfer locations, allowing the first carrier to transfer the selected package to the second carrier for completion of the less efficient portion of the delivery.

Abstract: A method of renting a rental article is provided including delivering the rental article by a delivery service provider between rentees without returning the rental article to a renter of the rental article; and delivering the rental article to an article service provider, between deliveries of the rental article, to two of the rentees, based upon a predetermined event.

Abstract: A shipping system for shipping packages involving the coordinated use of at least a first carrier and a second carrier. The shipping system includes physical delivery facilities for the physical delivery of packages, the physical delivery facilities including at least one transfer location at which the second carrier may take over delivery responsibilities for a package. The shipping system also includes an information system having a shipper computer system configured to record and determine whether the delivery address of a package is an efficient destination for the first carrier. If not an efficient destination, such as a delivery address having a rural zip code, the shipper computer system is configured to label the package for delivery to one of the transfer locations, allowing the first carrier to transfer the selected package to the second carrier for completion of the less efficient portion of the delivery.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method for determining absorption costs for transfers between a plurality of cost groups. In one embodiment, a transferable item is identified. A plurality of cost group sets among which the transferable item is transferred is then defined. Then, a processing sequence of the plurality of cost group sets is determined. An iterative process for determining the cost of transfers between the plurality of cost groups is performed based upon the processing sequence.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing fuel costs, along with a corresponding apparatus, and a corresponding medium are described. The method includes receiving transaction information at a Network Administrator, the transaction information being associated with: (a) a shipper who has arranged for a shipment of goods from an origin to a destination; and (b) a corresponding carrier that has agreed to transport the shipment using a pre-determined maximum number of eligible units of fuel, where the fuel is purchased by the carrier at a pre-set base price per eligible unit, and where the fuel is purchased from pre-selected fueling locations. The maximum number of eligible units of fuel and the base price per eligible unit for the shipment are established between the shipper and the carrier, while the fueling locations are established by the Network Administrator. The actual price paid for the fuel is set by the market.

Abstract: A routing and scheduling computer system that is adapted to define a plurality of geofenced areas and to monitor vehicle activity within each of those areas (e.g., via telematics sensors mounted on vehicles traveling within the areas). The system may be adapted to use information regarding the monitored vehicle activity to estimate: (1) a first amount of time associated with the delivery of a plurality of parcels to one or more respective locations within a first one of the geofenced areas; and (2) a second amount of time associated with the delivery of a plurality of parcels to one or more respective locations within a second one of the geofenced areas. The system may then route a particular vehicle to make one or more pickups or deliveries within the first or second geographic areas based at least in part on the first and second estimates of time.