초록 ▼

A method and system for shipping items. A server is configured to send out requests for quotes to a number of regional shipping companies using a network. The server receives responses from the network and selects a route based on the responses. The route may include shipping the item to one or more

A method and system for shipping items. A server is configured to send out requests for quotes to a number of regional shipping companies using a network. The server receives responses from the network and selects a route based on the responses. The route may include shipping the item to one or more intermediate destinations before the item arrives at the final destination. The server may create a data file reflecting the selected route. The items are packed in one or more containers, wherein each container has a memory device. At least part of the data file is then stored into the memory device. The memory device may be accessed as needed during shipping to determine where the item is going and when the item needs to arrive. Additional information may also be stored in the memory device, and the device may be updated at intermediate destinations. Each container may take a different routing, and the server may actively search for better routings as the item proceeds along the selected route. The containers may be configured to be placed within carriers that hold multiple containers, and the carriers may also be configured with memory devices.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method for shipping goods, wherein the method comprises: a central server receiving via a network a request to ship an item from an origination to a final destination; the central server searching a database for a most inexpensive routing, wherein the most inexpensive routi

What is claimed is: 1. A method for shipping goods, wherein the method comprises: a central server receiving via a network a request to ship an item from an origination to a final destination; the central server searching a database for a most inexpensive routing, wherein the most inexpensive routing includes using two or more different shipping companies and one or more intermediate destinations; the central server generating a data file comprising at least the following: intermediate destination information identifying the one or more intermediate destinations, and final destination information identifying the final destination; the central server transferring the data file over a network; and storing the data file in a memory device that accompanies the item. 2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory device is configured to allow the data file to be updated at one or more of the intermediate destinations. 3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising packing the item in a container for shipping, wherein the container is configured to fit with multiple other containers in a carrier. 4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising forwarding copies of at least a portion of the data file via the network to one or more parties involved in the shipping, wherein the parties include at least an originator of the request to ship the item, a recipient of the item at the final destination, and two or more shipping companies. 5. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising forwarding copies of the data file via the network to one or more predetermined email addresses. 6. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising shipping the item using the least expensive routing. 7. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising: packing the item in a container; inserting the container in a first carrier with a first set of additional containers bound for a first of the one or more intermediate destinations; and shipping the first carrier to the first intermediate destination. 8. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising: receiving the carrier at the first intermediate destination; removing the container from the carrier; inserting the container into a different carrier with a second set of additional containers bound for a second intermediate destination or the final destination; and shipping the second carrier to the second intermediate destination or the final destination. 9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the data file further comprises contact information for one or more shipping companies that will handle the item. 10. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising storing the data file on a server connected to the network, wherein the server provides access to the data file via the network. 11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the data file further comprises item weight information. 12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the data file further comprises item handling information. 13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the data file further comprises item content information. 14. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the data file further comprises payment information. 15. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the data file further includes one or more digital images of the item before, during, or after shipping. 16. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the data file further includes one or more digital images of the item showing the physical condition of the item upon receipt at one or more intermediate destinations. 17. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory device further comprises a temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to periodically measure and store temperature readings in the data file. 18. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory device further comprises a humidity sensor, wherein the physical humidity sensor is configured to periodically measure and store humidity readings in the data file. 19. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory device further comprises an environmental sensor, wherein the environmental sensor is configured to periodically measure and store in the data file information about one or more environmental factors that the item experiences during shipment. 20. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory device further comprises a vibration sensor, wherein the vibration sensor is configured to record any vibrations greater than a preprogrammed threshold in the data file. 21. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory device is coupled to a wire-less communications device. 22. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising: detecting one or more obstacles to on-time delivery of the item, searching the database for a new least expensive routing that avoids the obstacles; and updating the data file to reflect the new least expensive routing. 23. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising updating the data file on the central server to reflect arrival of the item at one or more of the intermediate destinations. 24. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory device is a flash memory device. 25. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory device is a CD-RW. 26. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the database include price information and delivery time information. 27. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising: detecting one or more obstacles to on-time delivery of the item, soliciting new quotations for shipping the item from one of the intermediate locations to the final destination by transmitting a supplemental request for quotation via the network; receiving additional responses to the supplemental request for quotation via the network; selecting an alternate shipping route for the item based on the additional responses; and confirming the selected alternate shipping route via the network. 28. The method as recited in claim 27, wherein the obstacles include travel advisories for one or more of the intermediate locations. 29. The method as recited in claim 27, wherein the obstacles include shipping backlogs. 30. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising updating the data file on the central server to reflect the item's arrival at the final destination. 31. The method of claim 1, wherein the item is included in a group of items to be shipped from the origination to the final destination, the method further comprising the central server selecting one shipping route on which to ship a subset of the group of items and another shipping route on which to ship a remainder of the group of items. 32. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium, wherein the computer program is configured to: receive a shipping request via a network for an item to be shipped from an origination to a final destination; search a database of shipping information; select a shipping route for the item based on the shipping information included in the database, wherein the shipping route comprises one or more intermediate destinations and uses two or more different shipping companies; confirm the selected shipping route via the network; generate a data file comprising at least the following: a unique item identifier, origination information, intermediate destination information, and final destination information; transfer the data file via the network; and store the data file in a memory device that accompanies the item, wherein the memory device is configured to allow the data file to be updated at one or more of the intermediate destinations. 33. The computer program of claim 32, wherein the computer program is further configured to maintain and update the database by sending requests for quotes using the network. 34. A system comprising: a database of shipping information; a central server coupled to the database and configured to select a shipping route for an item in response to querying the database, wherein the central server is configured to generate a data file including information identifying an origination, destination, and intermediate destination comprised in the shipping route; and a memory device configured to be coupled to the item and configured to receive and store a copy of the data file generated by the central server. 35. The system of claim 34, wherein the central server is configured to update the database in response to receiving one or more responses to a request for quote from one or more shipping companies. 36. The system of claim 34, wherein the central server is configured to confirm the shipping route prior to providing the data file to the memory device. 37. The system of claim 34, wherein the central server is configured to receive confirmation of arrival of the item at the intermediate destination and to responsively update the data file to indicate that the item has arrived at the intermediate destination. 38. The system of claim 37, wherein the central server is configured to send an email indicating arrival of the item at the intermediate destination to a party involved in shipping the item in response to receiving the confirmation. 39. The system of claim 37, wherein the central server is configured to search the database for a less expensive shipping route from the intermediate destination to the final destination in response to the item arriving at the intermediate destination. 40. The system of claim 34, further comprising a processing apparatus located at the intermediate destination, wherein the processing apparatus is configured to update the data file stored on the memory device in response to the item arriving the intermediate destination. 41. The system of claim 34, wherein the central server is configured to select a least expensive shipping route. 42. The system of claim 34, wherein the data file further comprises contact information for one or more shipping companies that will handle the item along the shipping route. 43. The system of claim 34, wherein the central server is configured to provide access to the data file via the network. 44. The system of claim 34, wherein the data file further comprises item weight information. 45. The system of claim 34, wherein the data file further includes one or more digital images of the item before, during, or after shipping. 46. The system of claim 34, wherein the data file further includes one or more digital images of the item showing the physical condition of the item upon receipt at the intermediate destination. 47. The system of claim 34, wherein the memory device further comprises an environmental sensor, wherein the environmental sensor is configured to periodically measure and store in the data file information about one or more environmental factors that the item experiences during shipment. 48. The system of claim 34, wherein the central server is configured to detect one or more obstacles to on-time delivery of the item, to responsively search the database for a new least expensive routing that avoids the one or more obstacles; and to update the data file to indicate the new least expensive routing. 49. The system of claim 48, wherein the central server is configured to request new quotations for shipping the item from an intermediate destination to the final destination in response to detecting the one or more obstacles and to responsively receive one or more responses to the request via the network; wherein the central server is configured to update the database to reflect the responses to the request. 50. The system of claim 34, wherein the central server is configured to update the data file to reflect arrival of the item at the final destination. 51. The system of claim 34, wherein the item is included in a group of items, and wherein the central server is configured to select different shipping routes on which to ship different subsets of the group of items. 52. The method of claim 27, further comprising the central server updating the database in response to said receiving the additional responses.