Package delivery with message management

Abstract

A method is provided for sending a video message alongside a package. The method includes receiving a message request associated with a package; receiving video message data and storing it to a database; generating a unique identifier based on the video message data’s storage location; correlating the unique identifier with shipping data associated with the package; providing the identifier for use with the package; receiving a message retrieval request from a recipient device based on the identifier; retrieving the video message data based on the identifier; and transmitting the video message data to the recipient device. Transmitting the video message data includes transmitting a customizable landing page having the video message data. The customizable landing page is configured to permit customization of text, backgrounds, borders, or images to fit branding. Further, the customizable landing page is configured to present an image, a logo, or advertising related to a company.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving a message request associated with a package to be shipped;   receiving video message data;   storing the video message data to a database;   generating a unique identifier based on the storage location of the video message data in the database;   correlating the unique identifier with shipping data associated with the package;   providing the unique identifier for use with the package;   receiving a message retrieval request from a recipient device based on the unique identifier;   retrieving the video message data from the database based on the unique identifier; and   transmitting the video message data to the recipient device,   wherein transmitting the video message data to the recipient device includes transmitting a customizable landing page having the video message data to the recipient device, wherein the customizable landing page is configured to permit customization of at least one of text, backgrounds, borders, or images to fit branding, and wherein the customizable landing page is configured to present at least one of an image, a logo, or advertising related to a company.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising deleting the video message data. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 receiving an indication that the video message data has been viewed;   decrementing a number of available views after receiving the indication that the video message data has been viewed; and   deleting the video message data from the database when the number of available views equals zero.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 initiating a timer after storing the video message data to the database; and   deleting the video message data when the timer has expired.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 initiating a timer after storing the video message data to the database; and   enabling retrieval of the video message data only after a time period for delivery has expired on the timer.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising enabling retrieval of the video message data only after receiving a notification that the package has been delivered. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more analytics reports provide a number of times the video message data was accessed, a sender location associated with the video message data, and a delivery location associated with the video message data. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the package is associated with a seller, further comprising:
 associating the video message data with a landing page unique to the seller;   transmitting the video message data and the landing page to the recipient device; and   collecting message request data, wherein the message request data includes at least one of a length of time on the landing page and a number of times that the landing page was visited.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the seller is a retailer, distributor, or manufacturer. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the landing page is customizable by the seller. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the landing page comprises a logo, images, or branding associated with the seller. 
     
     
         12 . A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon software instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
 receive a message request associated with a package to be shipped;   receive video message data;   store the video message data to a database;   generate a unique identifier based on the storage location of the video message data in the database;   correlate the unique identifier with shipping data associated with the package;   providing the unique identifier for use with the package;   receive a message retrieval request from a recipient device based on the unique identifier;   retrieve the video message data from the database based on the unique identifier; and   transmit the video message data to the recipient device,   wherein transmitting the video message data to the recipient device includes transmitting a customizable landing page having the video message data to the recipient device, wherein the customizable landing page is configured to permit customization of at least one of text, backgrounds, borders, or images to fit branding, and wherein the customizable landing page is configured to present at least one of an image, a logo, or advertising related to a company.   
     
     
         13 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 12 , wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium has further stored thereon software instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to delete the video message data. 
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium has further stored thereon software instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
 receive an indication that the video message data has been viewed;   decrement a number of available views after receiving the indication that the video message data has been viewed; and   delete the video message data from the database when the number of available views equals zero.   
     
     
         15 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium has further stored thereon software instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
 initiate a timer after the video message data is stored to the database; and   delete the video message data when the timer has expired.   
     
     
         16 . A system for the secure transmission of a message with a delivered package, the system comprising:
 a recipient device;   a sender device;   a message platform, said message platform comprising an application server;   wherein, one of the components selected from the group consisting of the sender device and the application server comprises a processor and a memory, wherein the memory comprises stored thereon software instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
 receive a message request associated with a package to be shipped; 
 receive video message data; 
 store the video message data to a database; 
 generate a unique identifier based on the storage location of the video message data in the database; 
 correlate the unique identifier with shipping data associated with the package; 
 providing the unique identifier for use with the package; 
 receive a message retrieval request based on the unique identifier; 
 retrieve the video message data from the database based on the unique identifier; and 
 transmit the video message data to the recipient device, 
   wherein transmitting the video message data to the recipient device includes transmitting a customizable landing page having the video message data to the recipient device, wherein the customizable landing page is configured to permit customization of at least one of text, backgrounds, borders, or images to fit branding, and wherein the customizable landing page is configured to present at least one of an image, a logo, or advertising related to a company.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the memory further comprises stored thereon software instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to delete the video message data. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the memory further comprises stored thereon software instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
 receive an indication that the video message data has been viewed;   decrement a number of available views after receiving the indication that the video message data has been viewed; and   delete the video message data from the database when the number of available views equals zero.   
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 receiving a message request associated with a package to be shipped;   receiving video message data;   storing the video message data to a database;   generating a unique identifier based on the storage location of the video message data in the database;   correlating the unique identifier with shipping data associated with the package;   providing the unique identifier for use with the package;   receiving a message retrieval request from a recipient device based on the unique identifier;   retrieving the video message data from the database based on the unique identifier; and   transmitting the video message data to the recipient device,   wherein transmitting the video message data to the recipient device includes transmitting a customizable landing page having the video message data to the recipient device.