Autonomous communication in shipping

Abstract

The invention provides a system and method for the autonomous wireless communication between a service provider device and a customer device. The customer device may notify the service provider device whether the customer has work to be performed by the service provider. The service provider device may provide information to the customer about work to be performed by the service provider. In one embodiment, a shipping service is notified autonomously about items that a customer has for pick up and shipment. The shipping service is also capable of wirelessly transferring information to a customer device about items to be delivered to that customer.

1 . A system for autonomous communications comprising: 
 a service provider device that is further comprised of a first communications device, a first processor and a database that includes one or more location identifiers and each location identifier is associated with one or more network addresses;    a customer device that is further comprised of a second communications device having a network address, a second processor and a second database; and    a communications network that includes a communications protocol for communications between the first communications device and the second communications device, wherein a location identifier is selectively chosen from the first database and the first communications device autonomously communicates with at least one of the second communications devices associated with a location identifier via the communications network by obtaining the network addresses of the one or more second communications devices associated with a location identifier from the first database, providing the one or more network addresses to the first processor, the first processor causing the first communications device to send a communications signal over the communications network and having the proper communications protocol to each network address of the one or more network addresses associated with the location identifier.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the communications network is a wireless communications network.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the communications network is a wireless personal area network.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the communications network includes a Bluetooth protocol.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the first communications device and the second communications device are each Bluetooth-enabled chipset communications devices.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the network address is a MAC address.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the network address is a MAC address.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the service provider device is a DIAD.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the customer device is a personal computer.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the service provider device is a DIAD and the customer device is a personal computer.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is used for autonomous communications between the service provider device of a shipping service and the customer device of a customer of the shipping service.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the service provider device is further comprised of a DTR device that is used to measure the strength of a communications signal between the first communications device and the second communications device, the DTR device enables the transfer of data between the service provider device and the customer device if the measured strength of the communications signal meets or exceeds a certain predetermined value.  
     
     
         13 . A system for autonomous communications between a shipping service and a customer comprising: 
 a DIAD comprsed of a first Bluetooth-enabled chipset communications device, a first processor and a first database that includes one or more location identifiers and each location identifier is associated with one or more MAC addresses;    one or more customer computers, each customer computer is further comprised of a second Bluetooth-enable chipset communications device having a MAC address, a second processor and a second database; and    a wireless communications network that includes a Bluetooth communications protocol for communications between the first Bluetooth-enabled chipset communications device and the one or more second Bluetooth-enabled chipset communications device, wherein a location identifier is selectively chosen from the first database and the first Bluetooth-enabled chipset communications device communicates with the one or more second Bluetooth-enabled chipset communications devices associated with a location identifier via the wireless communications network by obtaining the MAC addresses of the one or more second Bluetooth-enabled chipset communications devices associated with a location identifier from the first database, providing the one or more MAC addresses to the first processor, the first processor causing the first Bluetooth-enabled chipset communications device to send a Bluetooth signal over the wireless communications network to each MAC address of the one or more MAC addresses associated with the location identifier.    
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the DIAD is further comprised of a DTR device that is used to measure the strength of a communications signal between the first Bluetooth-enabled chipset communications device and the second Bluetooth-enabled chipset communications device, the DTR device enables the transfer of data between the DIAD and the customer computer if the measured strength of the communications signal meets or exceeds a certain predetermined value.  
     
     
         15 . A system for autonomous communications between a shipping service and one or more customers, comprising: 
 a shipping service device having a communications device;    a customer device having a communications device; and    a communications network, wherein the shipping service device polls the customer device over the communications network and information is transferred from the customer device to the shipping service device over the communications network indicating whether the customer has items to be picked up for shipment by the shipping service.    
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the communications network is a wireless communications network.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the communications network is a wireless personal area network.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the communications network includes a Bluetooth protocol.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the service provider device is a DIAD.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the customer device is a computer.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the service provider device is a DIAD and the customer device is a computer.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein information is transferred from the service provider device to the customer device about items to be delivered to the customer by the shipping service.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the service provider device is further comprised of a DTR device that is used to measure the strength of a communications signal between the service provider device and the customer device, the DTR device enables the transfer of information between the service provider device and the customer device if the measured strength of the communications signal meets or exceeds a certain predetermined value.  
     
     
         24 . A system for autonomous communications between a shipping service and one or more customers, comprising: 
 a DIAD having a Bluetooth-enabled communications chipset;    a computer having a Bluetooth-enabled communications chipset; and    a Bluetooth communications network, wherein the DIAD polls the computer over the Bluetooth communications network and information is transferred from the computer to the DIAD over the Bluetooth communications network indicating whether the customer has items to be picked up for shipment by the shipping service.    
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein information is transferred from the DIAD to the computer about items to be delivered to the customer by the shipping service.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the DIAD is further comprised of a DTR device that is used to measure the strength of a Bluetooth communications signal between the DIAD and the computer, the DTR device enables the transfer of information between the DIAD and the computer if the measured strength of the communications signal meets or exceeds a certain predetermined value.  
     
     
         27 . A system for measuring the signal strength between two devices to determine whether the devices are within data transmission range (DTR), comprising: 
 a first Bluetooth-enabled wireless communications device having a first MAC address;    a second Bluetooth-enabled wireless communications device having a second MAC address; and    a DTR device, wherein a first Bluetooth communications signal is transmitted from the first Bluetooth-enabled wireless communications device to the second Bluetooth-enabled wireless communications device, the second Bluetooth-enabled wireless communications device acknowledges receipt of the first Bluetooth communications signal by sending a second Bluetooth communications signal from the second Bluetooth-enabled wireless communications device to the first Bluetooth-enabled wireless communications device, the DTR device measures a signal strength of the second Bluetooth communications signal and if the signal strength meets or exceeds a certain predetermined value then communications involving the transfer of information between the first Bluetooth-enabled communications device and the second Bluetooth-enabled communications device or between the second Bluetooth-enabled communications device and the first Bluetooth-enabled communications device is enabled.    
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the first Bluetooth-enabled communications device is a DIAD having a Bluetooth communications chipset and the second Bluetooth-enabled communications device is a computer having a Bluetooth communications chipset.  
     
     
         29 . A system for autonomous communications between a shipping service and one or more customers, comprising: 
 a shipping service device having a communications device;    a customer device having a communications device, wherein the shipping service device polls the customer device and information is transferred from the customer device to the shipping service device indicating whether the customer has items to be picked up for shipment by the shipping service.    
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the service provider device is a DIAD and the customer device is a computer.  
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein information is transferred from the service provider device to the customer device about items to be delivered to the customer by the shipping service.  
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the service provider device is further comprised of a DTR device that is used to measure the strength of a communications signal between the service provider device and the customer device, the DTR device enables the transfer of information between the service provider device and the customer device if the measured strength of the communications signal meets or exceeds a certain predetermined value.  
     
     
         33 . A system for autonomous communications between a shipping service and one or more customers, comprising: 
 a DIAD having a Bluetooth-enabled communications chipset;    a computer having a Bluetooth-enabled communications chipset, wherein the DIAD polls the computer and information is transferred from the computer to the DIAD indicating whether the customer has items to be picked up for shipment by the shipping service.    
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein information is transferred from the DIAD to the computer about items to be delivered to the customer by the shipping service.  
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the DIAD is further comprised of a DTR device that is used to measure the strength of a Bluetooth communications signal between the DIAD and the computer, the DTR device enables the transfer of information between the DIAD and the computer if the measured strength of the communications signal meets or exceeds a certain predetermined value.  
     
     
         36 . A method of autonomous communications between a service provider and a customer, comprising: 
 A) selection by a service provider of a location;    B) nearing the selected location by the service provider with a service provider device;    C) providing the service provider device with a description of the selected location;    D) retrieving from a memory of the service provider device one or more MAC addresses of customer devices at the selected location;    E) selecting one of the MAC addresses of customer devices at that location and sending from the service provider device a polling wireless transmission addressed to the selected customer device's MAC address;    F) receiving an acknowledgment from the selected customer device in the form of a wireless transmission at the service provider device acknowledging receipt by the selected customer device the polling wireless transmission;    G) receiving information wirelessly at the service provider device from the selected customer device about work to be performed at a customer's location;    H) polling each of the customer devices at the selected location by repeating steps D) through G), as necessary;    I) going to the customer locations that have indicated that there is work to be done in the information received by the service provider device from the customer devices while not going to the location that have not indicated there is any work for the service provider; and    J) performing the work at the customer's location.    
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the sending from the service provider device a polling wireless transmission includes sending from the service provider device a polling Bluetooth wireless transmission.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein receiving an acknowledgment from the selected customer device in the form of a wireless transmission at the service provider device includes receiving a Bluetooth wireless transmission.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the service provider device is a DIAD and the customer device is a personal computer.  
     
     
         40 . A method of autonomous communications between a shipping service and a customer about items to be shipped by the customer with the shipping service, comprising: 
 A) receiving a wireless communication from a service provider device by a customer device;    B) acknowledging receipt of the wireless communication from the service provider device by the customer device by transmitting a wireless communication to the service provider device;    C) wirelessly transmitting information from the customer device to the service provider device about items to be shipped by the customer with the shipping service; and    D) providing the items for shipment to the shipping service.    
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein receiving a wireless communication and transmitting a wireless communication includes receiving a Bluetooth wireless communication and transmitting a Bluetooth wireless communication, respectively.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the customer device is a computer and the service provider device is a DIAD.  
     
     
         43 . A method of autonomous communications between a service provider and a customer, comprising: 
 A) selection by a service provider of a location;    B) nearing the selected location by the service provider with a service provider device;    C) providing the service provider device with a description of the selected location;    D) retrieving from a memory of the service provider device one or more MAC addresses of customer devices at the selected location;    E) selecting one of the MAC addresses of customer devices at that location and sending from the service provider device a polling wireless transmission addressed to the selected customer device's MAC address;    F) receiving an acknowledgment from the selected customer device in the form of a wireless transmission at the service provider device acknowledging receipt by the selected customer device the polling wireless transmission;    G) measuring the signal strength of the acknowledgment to determine if the signal strength is sufficient for the wireless transmission of information;    H) if the measured signal strength is sufficient, then sending a request from the service provider device to the customer device for the transfer of information and continuing with step I), else returning to step E), above;    I) receiving information wirelessly at the service provider device from the selected customer device about work to be performed at a customer's location;    J) polling each of the customer devices at the selected location by repeating steps D) through I), as necessary;    K) going to the customer locations that have indicated that there is work to be done in the information received by the service provider device from the customer devices while not going to the location that have not indicated there is any work for the service provider; and    L) performing the work at the customer's location.    
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the sending from the service provider device a polling wireless transmission includes sending from the service provider device a polling Bluetooth wireless transmission.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein receiving an acknowledgment from the selected customer device in the form of a wireless transmission at the service provider device includes receiving a Bluetooth wireless transmission.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the service provider device is a DIAD and the customer device is a computer.  
     
     
         47 . A method of determining whether at least two wireless communications devices are within a data transmission range (DTR), comprising: 
 transmitting a first Bluetooth wireless communications signal from a first communications device to a second communications device;    receiving the first Bluetooth wireless communications signal at the second communications device;    measuring the strength of the second Bluetooth communications signal with a DTR device; and    enabling the wireless transmission of information between the first and second communications devices if the measured signal strength meets or exceeds a predetermined value.    
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein transmitting a first Bluetooth wireless communications signal from a first communications device to a second communications device comprises transmitting a first Bluetooth wireless communications signal from a DIAD to a computer.  
     
     
         49 . A method of determining whether at least two wireless communications devices are within a data transmission range (DTR), comprising: 
 transmitting a first Bluetooth wireless communications signal from a first communications device to a second communications device;    receiving the first Bluetooth wireless communications signal at the second communications device;    transmitting a second Bluetooth wireless communications signal from the second communications device to the first communications device acknowledging the receipt of the first Bluetooth communications signal by the second communications device;    receiving the second Bluetooth communications signal at the first communications device and measuring the strength of the second Bluetooth communications signal with a DTR device; and    enabling the wireless transmission of information between the first and second communications devices if the measured signal strength meets or exceeds a predetermined value.    
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein transmitting a first Bluetooth wireless communications signal from a first communications device to a second communications device comprises transmitting a first Bluetooth wireless communications signal from a DIAD to a computer.  
     
     
         51 . A method comprising: 
 associating in a database location data indicating a location of at least one customer's premises, with at least one wireless access address for a wirelessly-enabled computing device at the customer's premises.    
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the location data comprises at least a portion of a street address.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the location data comprises global positioning system (GPS) coordinates.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the wireless access address is a MAC address.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the wireless access address is an Internet Protocol address.  
     
     
         56 . A method comprising: 
 wirelessly transmitting location data from a computing device to a database storage unit storing location data for a plurality of customer locations, and respective wireless access addresses of the respective wirelessly-enabled computing devices at the customer locations;    retrieving from the database storage unit the wireless access address associated with the transmitted location data;    wirelessly transmitting the retrieved wireless access address to the computing device;    receiving the retrieved wireless access address at the computing device; and    wirelessly transmitting the wireless access address to at least one customer computing device at the customer location to determine whether an item is available to be picked up for shipment at the customer's location.    
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the location data comprises at least a portion of a street address.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the location data comprises global positioning system (GPS) coordinates.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the wireless access address is a MAC address.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the wireless access address is an Internet Protocol address.