Systems and methods for providing personalized delivery services

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing personalized delivery services by a carrier providing a package delivery service. For example, a consignee may indicate a delivery preference to be applied to delivery of a package, such as indicating a specific location where the package is to be left upon delivery, if the consignee is not present to accept the package. In one embodiment, the consignee may be notified by the carrier of the scheduled delivery of the package, and may be linked to the carrier's web site to indicate a delivery preference. Alternatively, the delivery preference may be indicated by the consignee proactively accessing the web site. After conveying a delivery preference, the carrier's systems communicate the delivery preference at the appropriate time to a portable computing device which informs the delivery personnel of the consignee's delivery preference. Other embodiments allow the consignor to indicate delivery preferences.

1 . A method for changing delivery options for at least one package to be delivered by a carrier, the method comprising:
 electronically storing shipping information corresponding to a package to be delivered to a customer by a carrier;   electronically receiving a request to change at least one delivery option for the package, wherein (1) the at least one delivery option is selected from the group consisting of a delivery date, a delivery location, and a delivery time, and (2) the request to change the at least one delivery option is received prior to a first delivery attempt of the package;   updating the shipping information to reflect acceptance of the request to change the at least one delivery option, wherein the package is subsequently delivered in accordance with the at least one delivery option.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising receiving the shipping information from a scan of the package. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 storing notification preferences for providing information regarding the package, wherein the notification preferences identify at least one communication format and at least one corresponding electronic destination address to be used in providing the information to the customer; 
 automatically generating a message providing the information regarding the package to be delivered to the customer; and 
 automatically transmitting the message to the at least one corresponding electronic destination address prior to the first delivery attempt of the package to the customer. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one communication format is selected from the group consisting of a text message, an email message, and a voice message. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the message further indicates that an in-person signature from the customer is requested for delivery of the package. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein (1) the shipping information further indicates that an in-person signature from the customer is requested for delivery of the package, (2) the method further comprises electronically receiving authorization from the customer to deliver the package without an in-person signature from the customer, and (3) the authorization is received (a) after shipment of the package has begun and (b) prior to the first delivery attempt of the package. 
     
     
         7 . A computing system for changing delivery options for at least one package to be delivered by a carrier comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the computing system configured to:
 store shipping information corresponding to a package to be delivered to a customer by a carrier;   receive a request to change at least one delivery option for the package, wherein (1) the at least one delivery option is selected from the group consisting of a delivery date, a delivery location, and a delivery time, and (2) the request to change the at least one delivery option is received prior to a first delivery attempt of the package;   update the shipping information to reflect acceptance of the request to change the at least one delivery option, wherein the package is subsequently delivered in accordance with the at least one delivery option.   
     
     
         8 . The computing system of  claim 7 , wherein the memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to receive the shipping information from a scan of the package. 
     
     
         9 . The computing system of  claim 7 , wherein the memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to:
 store notification preferences for providing information regarding the package, wherein the notification preferences identify at least one communication format and at least one corresponding electronic destination address to be used in providing the information to the customer;   automatically generate a message providing the information regarding the package to be delivered to the customer; and   automatically transmit the message to the at least one corresponding electronic destination address prior to the first delivery attempt of the package to the customer.   
     
     
         10 . The computing system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one communication format is selected from the group consisting of a text message, an email message, and a voice message. 
     
     
         11 . The computing system of  claim 10 , wherein the message further indicates that an in-person signature from the customer is requested for delivery of the package. 
     
     
         12 . The computing system of  claim 7 , wherein (1) the shipping information further indicates that an in-person signature from the customer is requested for delivery of the package, (2) the memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to receive authorization from the customer to deliver the package without an in-person signature from the customer, and (3) the authorization is received (a) after shipment of the package has begun and (b) prior to the first delivery attempt of the package.