Charlotte L Wilson

US Patent:

20050289087, Dec 29, 2005

Filed:

Sep 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/952812

Inventors:

Steven Dixel - Arlington VA, US
Catherine Moriarity - Ellicott City MD, US
Charlotte Wilson - Falls Church VA, US

International Classification:

G06F017/00

US Classification:

705402000

Abstract:

A system and method for calculating and comparing costs to ship a shipment to a selected location by several shippers, including U.S. Postal Service and various commercial shipping companies. The user inputs into the calculator and comparator, background information, including number of packages, average weight per package, and destination zone, and also inputs customer discount (if any) from the commercial shipper. The calculator and comparator uses preprogrammed rate tables to calculate a base rate for U.S. Postal Service and for the commercial shipper being compared. The calculator and comparator also uses preprogrammed surcharge rates to calculate total surcharges for the commercial shipper. The calculator and comparator adds the surcharges to the commercial shipper's base rate or discounted base rate, and demonstrates the comparison of the commercial shipper's total rate to the U.S. Postal Service base rate.