System and method for arranging shipment and insurance for an item

Abstract

A system and method for arranging shipment and insurance for items being shipped in containers with memory devices. An intelligent shipping agent may receive a request to ship an item. The intelligent shipping agent may search a database or solicit quotations to obtain shipping and insurance services for an item to be shipped from an origination to a final destination. The intelligent agent may find an entry in the database or may select a vendor based on received quotations. The selection may maximize value of a product or service at the lowest cost. The memory device may store shipping and insurance information related to the item being shipped in a data file. The memory device may include input devices and sensors to gather and store information before, during and after shipment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for arranging insurance for an item, wherein the method comprises:
 receiving a request to insure the item being shipped from an origination to a final destination;   searching a database for a cost effective insurer, wherein the cost effective insurance provides a specified level of insurance coverage for the item;   generating a data file comprising at least the following:
 item information, and 
 insurer information; 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 any time before, during or after the shipment. 
     
     
         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 of the 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 at least one insurance company. 
     
     
         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 forwarding a copy of the data file via a network to a central server. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising shipping the item using the least expensive routing. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the data file further comprises contact information for at least one of the insurance companies that will insure the item. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising storing the data file on a server connected to a network, wherein the server provides access to the data file via the network. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein storing the data file comprises data in an XML format. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the network data is exchanged in an XML, format. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the data file further comprises item weight information. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the data file further comprises item handling information. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the data file further comprises item content information. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the data file further comprises insurance information. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the data file further comprises one or more digital images of the item before, during, or after shipping. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the data file further comprises one or more digital images of the item showing the physical condition of the item upon receipt. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the memory device comprises an air testing device configured to test air samples for contaminants and to store test results in the data file. 
     
     
         19 . A system for arranging insurance for an item being shipped, wherein the system comprises:
 a memory device, wherein the memory device stores information about the item, wherein the memory device accompanies the item; and   a server connected to the memory device, wherein the server is configured to communicate with the memory device using a network, wherein the server is configured to:
 receive a request to insure the item being shipped from an origination to a final destination; 
 search a database for a cost effective insurance, wherein the cost effective insurance provides maximum insurance coverage for the item for the least cost; 
 generate a data file comprising at least the following:
 item information, and 
 insurer information; and 
 
 store the data file in the memory device that accompanies the item. 
   
     
     
         20 . A carrier medium which stores program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable by a computer system to implement a method of:
 receiving a request to insure the item being shipped from an origination to a final destination;   searching a database for a cost effective insurance, wherein the cost effective insurance provides maximum insurance coverage for the item for the least cost;   generating a data file comprising at least the following:
 item information, and 
 insurer information; and 
   storing the data file in a memory device that accompanies the item.