DESC:
[001] This patent application is a complete specification for a provisional patent application numbered 201941052045, dated 16.12.2019 and titled, “SYSTEM AND METHOD OF LEVERAGING TRAVELER’S RESOURCES FOR PACKAGE DELIVERY”.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[002] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of package delivery and its co-ordination. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system and method of leveraging traveler’s resources for package delivery. Herein, the traveler may leverage any source available to him for package delivery.

BACKGROUND
[003] Every day millions of travelers utilise various modes of transportation to fulfil their travel plans. The fastest mode is by air, but the accompanying luggage comes with a price, part complimentary with the ticket and if excess then requires payment. Though there have been innumerable courier and package delivery services, but they do not have a solution to utilise the space available with the travelers.

[004] The traveler who travels for a short period of time, the entitled accompanied baggage in a ticket goes underutilised or unutilised even though the traveler ends up paying the full prescribed amount for the ticket. Hence, there is an unmet need to utilize the additional space available when traveler’s are bound to different destinations. There is also a need to provide cost effective alternative modes of transporting packages for people who are in need of them.

[005] In the light of the aforementioned discussion, there exists a need for a system and method that would ameliorate or overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages.

BRIEF SUMMARY
[006] The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure and it does not identify key/critical elements of the invention or delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts disclosed herein in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[007] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a system and method of leveraging traveler’s resources for package delivery.

[008] An exemplary object of the present disclosure is directed towards simplification of the process of pickup and delivery of packages.

[009] Another exemplary object is direct towards efficient utilization of space unutilized by the traveler for package delivery.

[0010] Yet another exemplary object of the present disclosure is directed towards easy payment to the traveler for the services rendered.

[0011] An exemplary aspect of the present subject matter is directed towards a registration module, configured to facilitate the registration of the traveler, the receiver and the sender with the system where the traveler, the receiver and the sender may upload respective informations; a tariff module configured to facilitate the ease for the traveler to browse through the tariffs per kilogram or per cubic meter for volume; a package module configured to facilitate the purchase of the package. The receiver is directed to post the item required along with the price and the agents will personally buy and pack for them or receiver can give the items; a tracking module configure to track the packing. This tracking is purely relied on the tracking information of the transportation availed by the traveler; a delivery module, where the field agent receives the package from the traveler and delivers to the receiver’s address directly from airport or storing the package and sending it whenever the receiver needs; and a payment module configured to calculate the total costs to be paid to the traveler based on the actual items and their weight and the tariff which was agreed upon by the traveler.

[0012] In an exemplary aspect, a system of leveraging traveler’s resources for package delivery comprising: a traveler’s resources leveraging and package delivery module configured to receive, process and transmit information related to package receipt and delivery from a traveler’s device, a receiver’s device and a sender’s device; the receiver’s device configured to enable a receiver to generate a request for a package delivery; the sender’s device configured to enable a sender to view, forward and arrange the request for a package delivery based on a vacancy in a traveler’s luggage and a receiver’s requirement; the traveler’s device configured to enable a traveler to accept and confirm accepting the request for the package delivery to the receiver, whereby the receiver, the sender and the traveler configured to create a receiver’s account, a sender’s account and a traveller’s account in the traveler’s resources leveraging and package delivery module by providing relevant inputs required to authenticate a setting up of the receiver’s account, the sender’s account and the traveler’s account on the receiver’s device, the sender’s device and the traveler’s device respectively, and whereby the traveler’s resources leveraging and package delivery module and the traveler’s device, the receiver’s device and the sender’s device are communicated through a network; and a database configured to organize, manage, and update the information uploaded by the sender, the traveler and the receiver on the traveler’s device, the receiver’s device and the sender’s device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals have been used to designate like elements, and wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting an environment for leveraging traveler’s resources for package delivery, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a flow chart depicting a method of leveraging traveler’s resources for package delivery, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting the details of the computing device in which various aspects of the present disclosure are operative by execution of appropriate software instructions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0018] The use of “including”, “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. Further, the use of terms “first”, “second”, and “third”, and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1 is a block diagram 100, depicting an environment for leveraging traveler’s resources for package delivery, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The traveler’s resources used may include and not be limited to full/half cabin luggage, check-in luggage and hand luggage. The luggage can be carried through any means of transport which include flights, trains, buss, cars, bikes, ships or rockets. This luggage can be carried through country to country or state to state. The figure 100 comprises of a traveler’s device 102, a receiver’s device 104 and a sender’s device 106. The respective devices 102, 104 and 106 may not be limited to, a smart phone, a tablet and the like and are connected to a system 110 through a network 108. The system 110 or module 110 may be referred to as traveler’s resources leveraging and package delivery system or traveler’s resources leveraging and package delivery module or VLIFT module. The system/module 110 is configured to run systems and houses the server and the database (not shown in the figure) along with various modules designed to perform specific activities. The system 110 includes a processing device which is not limited to, a microcontroller (for example ARM 7 or ARM 11), a raspberry pi3 or a Pine 64 or any other 64 bit processor which can run Linux OS, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array, a programmable logic device, a state machine or logic circuitry, Arduino UNO board. A power source delivers the power supply to the processing device. The network 108 may include but not limited to, an Internet of things (IOT network devices), an Ethernet, a wireless local area network (WLAN), or a wide area network (WAN), a Bluetooth low energy network, a ZigBee network, a WIFI communication network e.g., the wireless high speed internet, or a combination of networks, a cellular service such as a 4G (e.g., LTE, mobile WiMAX) or 5G cellular data service, a RFID module, a NFC module, wired cables, such as the world-wide-web based Internet, or other types of networks may include Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) or device addresses (e.g. network-based MAC addresses, or those provided in a proprietary networking protocol, such as Modbus TCP, or by using appropriate data feeds to obtain data from various web services, including retrieving XML data from an HTTP address, then traversing the XML for a particular node) and so forth without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. The processing device may also be integrated with the cloud server (not shown) through the network 108. The cloud server (not shown) here may be referred to a cloud or a physical server located in a remote location. The server processes the requests from the traveler’s device 102, the receiver’s device 104 and sender’s device 106. The database organizes, manages, and updates the information uploaded by the sender, traveler and the receiver. The modules may not be limited to, a registration module 110a, a tariff module 110b, a package module 110c, a tracking module 110d, a delivery module 110e and payment module 110f.

[0020] The registration module 110a facilitates the registration of the traveler, the receiver and the sender 106 with the system 110 where the traveler, the receiver and the sender may upload respective information not limiting to, full name, address, mobile number, Valid ID, e-mail address, basic details like gender, date of birth. The traveler may upload information not limited to, the destinations to and from, mode of transport: for example; flight number XXXX, the weight and volume the traveler can accommodate for the package to be delivered by the sender to the receiver. The traveler here may be defined as the person who is willing to share the unoccupied baggage space for the delivery of the package obtained by the sender on the request of the receiver. The sender here may be a friend, relative or any other person or authorized field agent from the organization hosting the application platform in the system 110 (ex: VLIFT module) who with his personal interest or because of the request of the receiver is entrusted with the task to provide the package to the traveler. The authorized field agent may be a VLIFT agent, a travel agent as authorized by the administrative authority controlling the system 110. The system 110 may be controlled by an administrator who is authorized to monitor and maintain the working of the system at all times in accordance to the requests received by it.

[0021] The tariff module 110b is configured to facilitate the ease for the traveler to browse through the tariffs prescribed per kilogram or per cubic meter of the package. This will enable the traveler to decide one’s earnings based on the availability of weight and volume for the package that can be accommodated.

[0022] The package module 110c is configured to facilitate the purchase of the package. The receiver posts the item required in the online platform or application along with the price and where to buy it, so that the authorized field agent (field agents) will personally buy and pack for them or receiver can give the items. Once the traveler accepts, the items will be collected by the authorized field agent which are only TSA [transpotation security administration] approved goods, then forward the package to the traveler’s address. The package which is handed over to the traveler is subjected to scrutiny and security scans in the airport, as well as in the VLIFT office by a certified baggage sceener. Thus, the traveler’s security and co-passengers security is not compromised. The actual items and weight of the package will be set once the field agent conforms.

[0023] In the tracking module 110d the tracking of the package is purely relied on the tracking information of the transportation availed by the traveler. Here one embodiment is of the traveler utilising the air services to carry the package. Hence the airlines details along with flight number and take-off and destination details help to track the package.

[0024] In the delivery module 110e the field agent receives the package from the traveler and delivers to the receiver’s address directly from airport or the receiver can re-schedule the time. The application is configured to monitor the traveler, sender and join them personally through automated systems.

[0025] The payment module 110f involves a clause where, once the route is fixed by the traveler and sender, it cannot be changed. It can only be changed before the payment is made by the sender. Based on the actual items, their weight and the tariff which was agreed upon by the traveler, the total cost is calculated which is to be paid to the traveler. The mode of payment may not be limited to cash, NEFT transfers, other bank transfers, cheque payments, and the like. In case of a mistake of the traveler to deliver the package or if the traveler is not able to deliver the package, then only if there is no mistake of the sender or receiver then, the sender or receiver is reimbursed. Else, the company hosting the application will not refund the amount. For example: In case of theft, robbery, accident and the like. Giving a feedback about the experience is optional.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 2 is a flow chart 200, depicting a method of leveraging traveler’s resources for package delivery, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The method starts at step 202 by registering with the application by the sender, traveler or receiver by providing relevant inputs required to authenticate the setting up of the account. The application is housed in the system 110 (FIG.1). The details to be furnished by the traveler involves name, date of travel, starting point of travel to destination, time of travel, flight number and the weight of the parcel/parcels that can be accommodated. Similarly the details to be furnished by the sender may not be limited to: name, to be picked from and to be delivered to, the items to be picked up, the details of the receiver to whom the package is to be delivered, pick up location, time and payment options, and the like. The receiver details furnished may be inclusive of, but not limited to: name, to be obtained from and to be received by, in case the receiver wants the sender to buy then, description of the item to be packaged, URL of the product, name, address and phone number of the person from the package is intended to be picked up.

[0027] A sign out option is provided to all the users registered with the application. Additional information like country where the package is intended to be picked up or delivered to. Also a feedback option may be provided for the traveler, sender and receiver to rate and discuss their experiences.

[0028] At step 202, logging in by the sender, traveler or receiver using a user name and password respectively is done. Further, at step 206 a relevant description of the package intended to be picked up or purchased for delivery to the receiver is provided. Fixing a relevant price per item based on available luggage space by weight and volume is done by the organisation hosting the application is done at step 208. This facilitates the traveler to calculate the amount that he can earn by providing the luggage space. Subsequently at step 210 relevant details are provided by the traveler like: source, destination, time of travel and mode of transport. For example: Flight number, time of departure, airport, airport terminal and the like. Further at step 212, relevant details are provided by the sender like: destination of pick up, items of pick up, receiver’s details, time and payment options. At step 214 handing over the package to the traveler or the relevant transportation authorities for carrying to the receiver’s destination post packaging and scanning is done. At step 216 tracking the package by tracking the transportation in which the traveler is carrying the package is done. At step 218 picking up the package from the traveler and delivering to the receiver’s address directly from the transportation destination like airport is done. Finally, at step 220, completion of the payment formalities to the traveler through an acceptable payment gateway or platform is done. The payment may be through, cash transfer, cheque, and the like.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 3 is a block diagram 300, depicting the details of the computing device in which various aspects of the present disclosure are operative by execution of appropriate software instructions. The device may correspond to computing devices such as the traveler’s device 102, receiver’s device 104 and sender’s device 106 (or any other system in which the various features disclosed above can be implemented). The end-user computing device 300 may contain one or more processors such as a central processing unit (CPU) 310, random access memory (RAM) 320, secondary memory 327, graphics controller 360, display unit 370, network interface 380, and input interface 390. All the components except display unit 370 may communicate with each other over communication path 350, which may contain several buses as is well known in the relevant arts. The components of Figure 3 are described below in further detail.

[0030] CPU 310 may execute instructions stored in RAM 320 to provide several features of the present disclosure. CPU 310 may contain multiple processing units, with each processing unit potentially being designed for a specific task. Alternatively, CPU 310 may contain only a single general-purpose processing unit.

[0031] RAM 320 may receive instructions from secondary memory 330 using communication path 350. RAM 320 is shown currently containing software instructions, and/or data such as those used in threads and stacks, constituting shared environment 325 and/or user programs 326. Shared environment 325 includes operating systems, device drivers, virtual machines, etc., which provide a (common) run time environment for execution of user programs 326. The RAM 320 may also be configured to store the modules of the system 110.

[0032] Graphics controller 360 generates display signals (e.g., in RGB format) to display unit 370 based on data/instructions received from CPU 310. Display unit 370 contains a display screen to display the images defined by the display signals. Input interface 390 may correspond to a keyboard and a pointing device (e.g., touch-pad, mouse) and may be used to provide inputs. The network interface 380 provides connectivity to a network (e.g., using Internet Protocol), and may be used to communicate with other systems like network 108 shown in figure 100.

[0033] Secondary memory 330 may contain hard drive 335, flash memory 336, and removable storage drive 337. Secondary memory 330 may store the data software instructions (e.g., for performing the actions noted above with respect to the Figures), which enable digital processing system 300 to provide several features in accordance with the present disclosure. The flash memory 336 may include an electronic non-volatile computer storage medium that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed.

[0034] Some or all of the data and instructions may be provided on removable storage unit 340, and the data and instructions may be read and provided by removable storage drive 337 to CPU 310. Floppy drive, magnetic tape drive, CD-ROM drive, DVD Drive, Flash memory, removable memory chip (PCMCIA Card, EEPROM) are examples of such removable storage drive 337. Removable storage unit 340 may be implemented using medium and storage format compatible with removable storage drive 337 such that removable storage drive 337 can read the data and instructions. Thus, removable storage unit 340 includes a computer readable (storage) medium having stored therein computer software and/or data. However, the computer (or machine, in general) readable medium can be in other forms (e.g., non-removable, random access, etc.).

[0035] In this document, the term "computer program product" is used to generally refer to removable storage unit 340 or hard disk installed in hard drive 335. These computer program products are means for providing software to digital processing system 300. CPU 310 may retrieve the software instructions, and execute the instructions to provide various features of the present disclosure described above.

[0036] The term “storage media/medium” as used herein refers to any non-transitory media that store data and/or instructions that cause a machine to operate in a specific fashion. Such storage media may comprise non-volatile media and/or volatile media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical disks, magnetic disks, or solid-state drives, such as storage memory 330. Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as RAM 320. Common forms of storage media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, solid-state drive, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic data storage medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical data storage medium, any physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, NVRAM, any other memory chip or cartridge.

[0037] Storage media is distinct from but may be used in conjunction with transmission media. Transmission media participates in transferring information between storage media. For example, transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise bus 350. Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio-wave and infra-red data communications.

[0038] In an embodiment, a system of leveraging traveler’s resources for package delivery comprising: a traveler’s resources leveraging and package delivery module configured to receive, process and transmit information related to package receipt and delivery from a traveler’s device, a receiver’s device and a sender’s device; the receiver’s device configured to enable a receiver to generate a request for a package delivery; the sender’s device configured to enable a sender to view, forward and arrange the request for a package delivery based on a vacancy in a traveler’s luggage and a receiver’s requirement; the traveler’s device configured to enable a traveler to accept and confirm accepting the request for the package delivery to the receiver, whereby the receiver, the sender and the traveler configured to create a receiver’s account, a sender’s account and a traveller’s account in the traveler’s resources leveraging and package delivery module by providing relevant inputs required to authenticate a setting up of the receiver’s account, the sender’s account and the traveler’s account on the receiver’s device, the sender’s device and the traveler’s device respectively, and whereby the traveler’s resources leveraging and package delivery module and the traveler’s device, the receiver’s device and the sender’s device are communicated through a network; and a database configured to organize, manage, and update the information uploaded by the sender, the traveler and the receiver on the traveler’s device, the receiver’s device and the sender’s device.

[0039] In an embodiment, the traveler’s resources leveraging and package delivery module comprises a registration module, a tariff module, a package module, a tracking module, a delivery module, a payment module and the database.

[0040] In an embodiment, the registration module is configured to registering with the traveler’s resources leveraging and package delivery module by a sender, a traveler or a receiver by providing relevant inputs like full name, address, mobile number, Valid ID, e-mail address, basic details like gender, date of birth required to authenticate the setting up and logging into the respective sender’s, traveler’s and receiver’s accounts.

[0041] In an embodiment, the tariff module is configured to facilitate the traveler to easily browse through tariffs prescribed per kilogram or per cubic meter of the package and also decide one’s earnings based on availability of weight and volume for the package to be accommodated.

[0042] In an embodiment, the package module is configured to facilitate purchase of the package via an online platform based on the receiver’s requirements which is arranged and delivered to the traveler via an authorized field agent.

[0043] In an embodiment, the tracking module is configured to tracking the package based on a tracking information as per a mode of transportation availed by the traveler.

[0044] In an embodiment, the delivery module is configured to obtain information when the authorized field agent receives the package from the traveler and delivers to the receiver’s address directly from a source of arrival of the mode of transportation availed by the traveler.

[0045] In an embodiment, the payment module is configured to obtain a payment from the receiver and send the payment to the sender and the traveler

[0046] In an embodiment, a method of leveraging traveler’s resources for package delivery comprising: registering with a traveler’s resources leveraging and package delivery module by a sender, traveler or receiver by providing relevant inputs required to authenticate the setting up of an account on a traveler’s device, a receiver’s device and a sender’s device; logging in by the sender, traveler or receiver using a user name and password respectively by each one of them; providing a relevant description of a package intended to be picked up or purchased for delivery by the sender; fixing a relevant price per item, available luggage space by weight and volume; providing relevant details by the traveler like: source, destination, time of travel and mode of transport and its details; providing relevant details by the sender like: destination of pick up, items of pick up, receiver's details, time and payment options; handing over the package to the traveler or the relevant transportation authorities for carrying to the receiver's destination post packaging and scanning; tracking the package by tracking the transportation in which the traveler is carrying the package; picking up the package from the traveler and delivering to the receivers address directly from the transportation destination like airport; and completion of the payment formalities to the traveler through an acceptable payment gateway or platform.

[0047] In an embodiment, any mode of transport suitable to the traveler may be availed. The mode of transport may include by not limited to air, land or water transportation modes. For example: the mode of transport may be airways, railways, buses, etc.

[0048] Although the present disclosure has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments and illustrations thereof, other embodiments and modifications to preferred embodiments may be possible that are within the principles and spirit of the invention. The above descriptions and figures are therefore to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive.

[0049] Thus the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and sub combinations of the various features described herein above as well as variations and modifications thereof, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description. ,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A system of leveraging traveler’s resources for package delivery comprising:

a traveler’s resources leveraging and package delivery module configured to receive, process and transmit information related to package receipt and delivery from a traveler’s device, a receiver’s device and a sender’s device;

the receiver’s device configured to enable a receiver to generate a request for a package delivery;

the sender’s device configured to enable a sender to view, forward and arrange the request for a package delivery based on a vacancy in a traveler’s luggage and a receiver’s requirement;

the traveler’s device configured to enable a traveler to accept and confirm accepting the request for the package delivery to the receiver, whereby the receiver, the sender and the traveler configured to create a receiver’s account, a sender’s account and a traveller’s account in the traveler’s resources leveraging and package delivery module by providing relevant inputs required to authenticate a setting up of the receiver’s account, the sender’s account and the traveler’s account on the receiver’s device, the sender’s device and the traveler’s device respectively, and whereby the traveler’s resources leveraging and package delivery module and the traveler’s device, the receiver’s device and the sender’s device are communicated through a network; and

a database configured to organize, manage, and update the information uploaded by the sender, the traveler and the receiver on the traveler’s device, the receiver’s device and the sender’s device.

2. The system of leveraging traveler’s resources for package delivery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the traveler’s resources leveraging and package delivery module comprises a registration module, a tariff module, a package module, a tracking module, a delivery module, a payment module and the database.

3. The system of leveraging traveler’s resources for package delivery as claimed in claim 2, wherein the registration module is configured to registering with the traveler’s resources leveraging and package delivery module by a sender, a traveler or a receiver by providing relevant inputs like full name, address, mobile number, Valid ID, e-mail address, basic details like gender, date of birth required to authenticate the setting up and logging into the respective sender’s, traveler’s and receiver’s accounts.

4. The system of leveraging traveler’s resources for package delivery as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tariff module is configured to facilitate the traveler to easily browse through tariffs prescribed per kilogram or per cubic meter of the package and also decide one’s earnings based on availability of weight and volume for the package to be accommodated.

5. The system of leveraging traveler’s resources for package delivery as claimed in claim 2, wherein the package module is configured to facilitate purchase of the package via an online platform based on the receiver’s requirements which is arranged and delivered to the traveler via an authorized field agent.

6. The system of leveraging traveler’s resources for package delivery as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tracking module is configured to tracking the package based on a tracking information as per a mode of transportation availed by the traveler.

7. The system of leveraging traveler’s resources for package delivery as claimed in claim 2, wherein the delivery module is configured to obtain information when the authorized field agent receives the package from the traveler and delivers to the receiver’s address directly from a source of arrival of the mode of transportation availed by the traveler.

8. The system of leveraging traveler’s resources for package delivery as claimed in claim 2, wherein the payment module is configured to obtain a payment from the receiver and send the payment to the sender and the traveler

9. A method of leveraging traveler’s resources for package delivery comprising:

registering with a traveler’s resources leveraging and package delivery module by a sender, traveler or receiver by providing relevant inputs required to authenticate the setting up of an account on a traveler’s device, a receiver’s device and a sender’s device;

logging in by the sender, traveler or receiver using a user name and password respectively by each one of them;

providing a relevant description of a package intended to be picked up or purchased for delivery by the sender;

fixing a relevant price per item, available luggage space by weight and volume;

providing relevant details by the traveler like: source, destination, time of travel and mode of transport and its details;

providing relevant details by the sender like: destination of pick up, items of pick up, receiver's details, time and payment options;

handing over the package to the traveler or the relevant transportation authorities for carrying to the receiver's destination post packaging and scanning;

tracking the package by tracking the transportation in which the traveler is carrying the package;

picking up the package from the traveler and delivering to the receivers address directly from the transportation destination like airport; and

completion of the payment formalities to the traveler through an acceptable payment gateway or platform.