Tracking recordation system for packages

Abstract

The systems and methods described herein relate generally to the electronic recordation of the transfer of a package from a shipper to a responsible postal carrier. In one embodiment, a method of recording the acceptance of a package from a package shipper shipped via a post service includes the steps of: generating a unique header number to preface a record of package transactions made over a time period for a specific shipper, the header number being unique within the post service, wherein each package transaction is made with a centralized computer system and has an associated delivery confirmation number unique within the post service; transmitting the unique header number and transaction record to the post service; generating a scannable indicia representative of the unique header number; and scanning the indicia to confirm acceptance of the package by the post service, wherein the indicia is scanned by a post service representative.

1 . A method for recording an acceptance scan for a package shipped via the United States Postal Service (USPS), comprising:
 generating, by an online postage vendor, a unique header number to represent multiple packages shipped via the USPS by a non-manifesting shipper that communicates with the online postage vendor over a communications interface, wherein the multiple packages shipped by the non-manifesting shipper include unique tracking identifiers that provide a mail piece tracking capability within the USPS;   generating, by the online postage vendor, a scannable barcode that represents the unique header number, wherein the scannable barcode is printable by the non-manifesting shipper on a hard copy acceptance scan form; and   confirming, by the online postage vendor, that the USPS has accepted the multiple packages that the unique header number represents in response to determining that the USPS has scanned the scannable barcode printed on the hard copy acceptance scan form.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising updating, by the online postage vendor, a public database to indicate that the USPS has accepted the multiple packages that the unique header number represents in response to determining that the USPS has scanned the scannable barcode printed on the hard copy acceptance scan form. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the updated public database further indicates that the USPS has accepted the multiple packages that include the unique tracking identifiers. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising notifying, by the online postage vendor, one or more recipients of the multiple packages in response to confirming that the USPS has accepted the multiple packages that the unique header number represents. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, at the online postage vendor, a status request from a client computer, wherein the status request identifies at least one of the unique tracking identifiers included on the multiple packages; and   providing, from the online postage vendor to the client computer, a response to the status request indicating that the USPS has accepted a mail piece carrying the at least one unique tracking identifier in response to confirming that the USPS has scanned the scannable barcode printed on the hard copy acceptance scan form.   
     
     
         6 . An online postage system for recording an acceptance scan for a package shipped via the United States Postal Service (USPS), wherein the online postage system comprises one or more processors configured to:
 generate, by an online postage vendor, a unique header number to represent multiple packages shipped via the USPS by a non-manifesting shipper that communicates with the online postage vendor over a communications interface, wherein the multiple packages shipped by the non-manifesting shipper include unique tracking identifiers that provide a mail piece tracking capability within the USPS;   generate, by the online postage vendor, a scannable barcode that represents the unique header number, wherein the scannable barcode is printable by the non-manifesting shipper on a hard copy acceptance scan form; and   confirm, by the online postage vendor, that the USPS has accepted the multiple packages that the unique header number represents in response to determining that the USPS has scanned the scannable barcode printed on the hard copy acceptance scan form.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to update, by the online postage vendor, a public database to indicate that the USPS has accepted the multiple packages that the unique header number represents in response to determining that the USPS has scanned the scannable barcode printed on the hard copy acceptance scan form. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the updated public database further indicates that the USPS has accepted the multiple packages that include the unique tracking identifiers. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to notify, by the online postage vendor, one or more recipients of the multiple packages in response to confirming that the USPS has accepted the multiple packages that the unique header number represents. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
 receive, at the online postage vendor, a status request from a client computer, wherein the status request identifies at least one of the unique tracking identifiers included on the multiple packages; and   provide, from the online postage vendor to the client computer, a response to the status request indicating that the USPS has accepted a mail piece carrying the at least one unique tracking identifier in response to confirming that the USPS has scanned the scannable barcode printed on the hard copy acceptance scan form.   
     
     
         11 . A method for providing an acceptance scan status for a package shipped via the United States Postal Service (USPS), comprising:
 generating, by an online postage vendor, a unique header number to represent multiple packages shipped via the USPS by a non-manifesting shipper that communicates with the online postage vendor over a communications interface, wherein the multiple packages shipped by the non-manifesting shipper carry unique tracking identifiers that provide a mail piece tracking capability within the USPS;   generating, by the online postage vendor, a scannable barcode that represents the unique header number, wherein the scannable barcode is printable by the non-manifesting shipper on a hard copy acceptance scan form;   receiving, at the online postage vendor, a status request from a client computer, wherein the status request identifies at least one of the unique tracking identifiers carried on the multiple packages; and   providing, from the online postage vendor to the client computer, an acceptance scan status for the at least one unique tracking identifier in response to the status request, wherein providing the acceptance scan status for the at least one unique tracking identifier includes:
 confirming, by the online postage vendor, that the USPS has accepted a mail piece carrying the at least one unique tracking identifier in response to determining that the USPS has scanned the scannable barcode printed on the hard copy acceptance scan form; and 
 indicating, by the online postage vendor, that the USPS has not yet accepted the mail piece carrying the at least one unique tracking identifier in response to determining that the USPS has not yet scanned the scannable barcode printed on the hard copy acceptance scan form. 
   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising updating, by the online postage vendor, a public database to indicate that the USPS has accepted the multiple packages that the unique header number represents in response to determining that the USPS has scanned the scannable barcode printed on the hard copy acceptance scan form. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the updated public database further indicates that the USPS has accepted the multiple packages that include the unique tracking identifiers. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising notifying, by the online postage vendor, one or more recipients of the multiple packages in response to confirming that the USPS has accepted the multiple packages that the unique header number represents. 
     
     
         15 . An online postage system for providing an acceptance scan status for a package shipped via the United States Postal Service (USPS), wherein the online postage system comprises one or more processors configured to:
 generate, by an online postage vendor, a unique header number to represent multiple packages shipped via the USPS by a non-manifesting shipper that communicates with the online postage vendor over a communications interface, wherein the multiple packages shipped by the non-manifesting shipper carry unique tracking identifiers that provide a mail piece tracking capability within the USPS;   generate, by the online postage vendor, a scannable barcode that represents the unique header number, wherein the scannable barcode is printable by the non-manifesting shipper on a hard copy acceptance scan form;   receive, at the online postage vendor, a status request from a client computer, wherein the status request identifies at least one of the unique tracking identifiers carried on the multiple packages;   confirm, by the online postage vendor, that the USPS has accepted a mail piece carrying the at least one unique tracking identifier in response to determining that the USPS has scanned the scannable barcode printed on the hard copy acceptance scan form; and   indicate, by the online postage vendor, that the USPS has not yet accepted the mail piece carrying the at least one unique tracking identifier in response to determining that the USPS has not yet scanned the scannable barcode printed on the hard copy acceptance scan form.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to update, by the online postage vendor, a public database to indicate that the USPS has accepted the multiple packages that the unique header number represents in response to determining that the USPS has scanned the scannable barcode printed on the hard copy acceptance scan form. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the updated public database further indicates that the USPS has accepted the multiple packages that include the unique tracking identifiers. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to notify, by the online postage vendor, one or more recipients of the multiple packages in response to confirming that the USPS has accepted the multiple packages that the unique header number represents. 
     
     
         19 . A computer-readable storage medium storing a shipping manifest for one or more packages shipped via the United States Postal Service (USPS), wherein the shipping manifest stored on the computer-readable storage medium includes:
 a unique header number generated by an online postage vendor according to one or more guidelines specified by the USPS, wherein the unique header number prefaces the shipping manifest; and   one or more unique tracking identifiers carried on one or more packages shipped over a predetermined time period by a specific non-manifesting shipper that communicates with the online postage vendor over a communications interface, wherein the online postage vendor confirms that the USPS has accepted the one or more packages carrying the one or more unique tracking identifiers in response to determining that the USPS has scanned a scannable barcode that represents the unique header number on a hard copy acceptance scan form.   
     
     
         20 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 19 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium further stores a second shipping manifest that includes:
 a second unique header number generated by the online postage vendor according to the one or more guidelines specified by the USPS, wherein the second unique header number prefaces the second shipping manifest; and   one or more second unique tracking identifiers carried on one or more second packages shipped over the predetermined time period by a second specific non-manifesting shipper that communicates with the online postage vendor over the communications interface, wherein the online postage vendor confirms that the USPS has accepted the one or more second packages carrying the one or more second unique tracking identifiers in response to determining that the USPS has scanned a second scannable barcode that represents the second unique header number on a second hard copy acceptance scan form.