WO2003030052A1

WO2003030052A1 - Delinquent freight relocation system

Info

Publication number: WO2003030052A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2002/000204
Authority: WO
Inventors: Keith Warren Lee; Simon Richmond Lee
Original assignee: CARGOFOUND Ltd
Current assignee: CARGOFOUND Ltd
Priority date: 2001-10-04
Filing date: 2002-10-04
Publication date: 2003-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 2004-04-04
Also published as: NZ514642A

Abstract

A freight location system comprising a client, a receiver who has incorrectly received the freight, and a service provider supported platform accessible to both the client and the receiver via a communication network, operable to both receive a communication of the freight location to the platform via the communication network by the receiver, with photographs and/or information identifying the item, and secondly to register the freight at the platform or an enquiry in respect to the freight to the platform by the client to allow at least the freight involved client to communicate via a communication network with the receiver to instruct a correct recipient for the freight or otherwise take control of the freight for its redirection to a correct recipient, and/or to direct the receiver via a communication network to direct the freight to a correct recipient.

Description

"DELINQUENT FREIGHT LOCATION SYSTEM"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a freight redirection system and components of such a system including a website application and related service system, etc.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Frequently freight or cargo (hereafter "freight") is misdirected or somehow finds it way into a receiver that has not been the intended freight recipient. Sometimes the package, pallet or container may simply reside for months at that incorrect destination until such time as the space is required and something is then done about it. The present invention recognises an opportunity to provide a system whereby incorrect recipients can quickly report on such a receipt of freight and thereafter have appropriate directions provided to them and if appropriate have them reimbursed for their difficulty.

We have determined that there is the prospect of an effective system being provided whereby freight despatches and/or correct recipients for a freight have the prospect of enquiring in respect of their freight or registering their freight thereby allowing a service provider to make a match between either the incorrect receiver of the freight and the correct recipient or the despatcher and the incorrect receiver of the freight or both.

It is to this that the present invention is directed. STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION In one aspect the invention consists in a delinquent freight location system comprising or including,

(I) a freight involved client, (ii) a freight receiver, and

(iii) a service provider supported platform accessible to both the freight involved client and the freight receiver via a communication network, the platform being operable following both,

(1) a communication of the location of the freight to the platform via the communication network by the freight receiver, with photographs of the item and identification data shown on the item, and/or

(2) registration of the freight at the platform or an enquiry in respect to the freight to the platform by the freight involved client to at least one of:

(a) to allow the freight involved client to communicate via a communication network with the freight receiver to instruct a correct recipient for the freight or otherwise take control of the freight for its redirection to a correct recipient, and/or

(b) to direct the freight receiver via a communication network to direct the freight to a correct recipient. Preferably step (1) is a communication also with photographs of the item and identification data shown on the item.

Preferably the system involves a billing system for the freight involved client. Preferably the freight involved client is the freight despatching company whose freight to a correct recipient has arrived for whatever reason at an incorrect destination, i.e. that of the freight receiver.

In other forms and/or in addition the freight involved client can be a or the correct recipient for the freight who may have received details of the freight despatch from its supplier or the despatcher. Preferably the arrangement is of any of the kinds hereinafter described.

In another aspect the present invention consists in a computer conditioned to receive via a communication network in any order the following,

(i) an input from a freight receiver as to the location of freight not recognised or intended for the freight receiver, and (ii) an input from a freight involved client whereupon directly or indirectly there is a matching of

(1) the freight involved client and the freight receiver, or

(2) the correct freight recipient and the freight receiver.

Preferably said computer directly or indirectly is conditioned to bill the freight involved client (preferably a supplier or despatcher).

Optionally, additionally or alternatively it can bill a correct freight receiver. Optionally also the computer directly or indirectly can also provide a bill where required to the freight recipient who does not recognise or has had the freight misdirected to him.

In one aspect the invention consists in a delinquent freight location system comprising a service provider supported platform accessible to both the a freight involved client and a freight receiver via a communication network, the platform being operable following both:

(1) a communication of the location of the freight to the platform via the communication network by the freight receiver, and

(a) allow the freight involved client to communicate via a communication network with the freight receiver to instruct a correct recipient for the freight or otherwise take control of the freight for its redirection to a correct recipient, and/or

(b) direct the freight receiver via a communication network to direct the freight to a correct recipient.

Preferably step (1) is a communication also with photographs of the item and identification data shown on the item.

Preferably the system is not dependant on the order of actions 1 and 2.

In another aspect the present invention consists in a computer application to receive via a communication network in any order the following,

(I) an input from a freight receiver as to the location of freight not recognised or intended for the freight receiver, with photographs of the item and identification data shown on the item, and

(ii) an input from a freight involved client whereupon directly or indirectly there is a matching of

(1) the freight involved client and the freight receiver, or

(2) the correct freight recipient and the freight receiver. Preferably said computer directly or indirectly is programmed to bill the freight involved client

(preferably a supplier or despatcher).

Optionally, additionally or alternatively it can bill a correct freight receiver. Optionally also the computer directly or indirectly can also provide a bill where required to the freight recipient who does not recognise or has had the freight misdirected to him. In another aspect the present invention consists in a computer application, system and/or program that consists of or includes any one or more of the following: a client accessible interface, an information storage database, a billing information storage database, a link to a communications network, a control algorithm to process the information from the client accessible interface, the information storage database and the billing storage database and the passing of information between these, a communications algorithm to process requests from the client accessible interface. Optionally said information, storage, said billing information storage databases are one database.

Optionally there is a search and match algorithm to compare and match data stored on the information storage database, Preferably said client user interface is.accessible on the Internet

Preferably said computer program is resident on a service provider supported platform.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of locating and identifying freight consisting of, up loading of details of the freight that has not been correctly delivered, onto a service provider supported platform, by a first Upload User, a searching of the details of the freight that has not been correctly delivered, on the service provider supported platform, by a second Download User, matching of the information provided by the two Users, communicating to the Upload User the fact that a match has been made, receiving confirmation from that user that they wish to release their contact details, passing the contact details of the Upload User to the Download User for the purpose of freight retrieval, or correct delivery of the freight, and initiation of a billing for the service to a recipient.

Preferably the Upload User is one selected from a group of either the original despatcher, the intended freight recipient or the actual freight recipient.

Preferably the Download User is one selected from a group of either the original despatcher, the intended freight recipient or the actual freight recipient, and is not the same as the first user. Preferably said billing is directed to one recipient selected from the above mentioned group.

Further more the database presently described may be a single database consisting of many tables which contain the various pieces of information which are then all linked to form a single record of data.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 shows in a preferred arrangement by way of a set of boxes, with those most adjacent the box entitled "Information Storage Server" being those of the service provider who would be entering charges to its clients, whilst the three on the bottom would be those of that company that recognises an "unknown" cargo (Freight Receiver) and uploads to the website of the service provider whilst the two boxes in the middle would be those of that company that should have received the cargo (Intended Recipient) in the first place, whilst those boxes on the lower right (Freight Despatcher) are those of the Freight Despatching company (the latter two being collectively referred to as the Freight Involved Clients), each client having an associated data storage facility indicated as the box immediately below, Figure 2 shows sequential input or simultaneous inputs (the sequence is not imperative) into the storage server via the website of the companies' contact details to become registered users of the service for freight redirection,

Figure 3 shows the use of the system by a registered user from the freight receiver side, and uploading of the cargo's details on the information storage server, Figure 4 shows the conducting of a search by a registered user (in this case the Freight

Despatcher client) of the Internet site and hence the information storage server, if a match is made with the data on the server, a message is sent back down the tree to the freight recipient,

Figure 5 shows the response of the Freight Receiver to the match having occurred, which is then transmitted to the Freight Despatcher client via the platform (Internet and information storage server) and a billing process is initiated,

Figure 6 shows in a preferred arrangement by way of boxes a set of boxes, with those most adjacent the box entitled "Information Storage Server" being those of the service provider who would be entering charges to its clients, whilst those on the bottom left hand side, Upload User, would, in this case, be those of that company that recognises an "unknown" cargo (Freight Receiver) and uploads to the website of the service provider whilst the two boxes on the lower right, Download User, are those of the freight despatching company (Freight Despatcher, the despatcher originally) or the customer for the despatched freight (Intended Recipient),

Figure 7 shows sequential input or simultaneous inputs (the sequence is not imperative) into the storage server via the website of the companies' contact details to become registered users of the service for freight redirection,

Figure 8 shows the use of the system by a registered Upload User (in this case the Freight Receiver)who has recognised that they have "unknown" cargo, and uploading of the cargo's details on the information storage server, Figure 9 shows the conducting of a search by a registered user (in this case a Freight Involved Client - Despatcher or Intended Recipient) of the Internet site and hence the information storage server, and

Figure 10 shows the response of the Upload User to the match having occurred, which is then transmitted to the Download User (freight involved client) via the platform (Internet and information storage server) and a billing process is initiated.

Figure 11 shows a flowchart of the process that is undergone to enter the details into the website and hence database of the misdirected freight by an incorned receiver.

Figures 12 through 20 illustrate the various screens upon the website where actions may be performed for entering information into the website and hence database or databases for freight that has been incorrectly delivered by the person who received it.

Figure 21 illustrates the search path that is undergone by a person who is looking for their misdirected freight.

Figures 22 through 26 illustrate the screens that the searcher will go through to enter information, select possible hits and, should they achieve a correct hit, then download the information by way of an invoice including the location of their freight. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are depicted in various configurations in

Figures 1 to 10. In these drawings broken lines indicate two way lines of communication that are inactive in that configuration; whilst a solid line with an arrow indicates a line of communication and its direction, which we put in that configuration. Broken or line boxes indicate clients, servers or database which are inactive in that configuration, solid boxes are active in that configuration.

In Figure 1 can be seen the present invention in diagrammatic form. In this particular embodiment a computer system on platform consists of a presence on the Internet 1 such as a website, an information storage server 2 and residing on the server are two databases the Companies Storage

Database 3, which will contain the details of users that register for the service, and a Billing Storage Database 4 which will handle billing of the services to the clients, though these may be.one or many databases.

On the other "side" of the platform 5, reside the users 6, which consist of the Freight Receiver (FR) 11, the Intended Recipient (ffi.) 12 and the Freight Despatcher (FD) 13 (the latter two collectively referred to as the Freight Involved Clients (FIC) and their respective storage databases 14, 15 and 16.

As can be seen in Figure 2 the three users 11, 12 and 13 register as clients of the service by entering their details (unique identification and password together with billing and delivery addresses and contact information) on the website, which is then stored on the Companies Storage Database 3 on the server 2. This entering of details can be sequential or simultaneous, the exact timing or sequence is not imperative as at this stage it is the client detail (as above) collection which is important.

Now an upload client (so called because they placed freight information to the website) can initiate the placing of details on website 1 (of freight that has either gone missing or has been incorrectly received), as in Figure 3. In this particular order of operation the FR 11 (ie the receiver of freight that is incorrectly delivered to them) recognises that they have "unknown" cargo and upload the details eg way bill numbers, delivery method (air, rail, road sea), delivery date, contour markings, batch numbers, dates, package weight, dimensions, shape, characteristics, etc) of this and photographs onto the website 1 and also into their own Upload Storage Database 14. Photographs may be uploaded from the users computer in digital form onto the website and hence database(s), alternatively they may be emailed to the website for the administrator to insert into the database(s). The details entered onto the website is then copied onto the Information Storage Server 2 where it is held as data for future down loaders to search.

A second user 13, in Figure 4, in this case a FD (a FIC who, in this case, is the original despatcher that has been informed the consignment has not reached its intended destination by telephone, mail, E-mail or other communication, by another party, for example the FR or the IR) searches the website 1 (and hence the server database 2) for the information they have about their missing freight. If they achieve a match or a "hit" then a reference number is generated which the FD then records (and subsequently enters into their data base 16). The fact that a hit has been achieved is registered in the server 2 and the details of the current holder "of that freight are retrieved and from the actual database 3 the FR 11 subsequently receives a message that a downloader (the FD in this case) has found the lost cargo held in their" warehouse.

The search may alternatively be conducted automatically by the server system, which loads the data onto the Server 2 which performs a search for like data and if there is a successful match sends this information to the website which subsequently passes this information to the Upload User (eg 11), that a downloader (eg 13) has found the lost cargo presently held in the uploaders warehouse.

Illustrated in Figure 5 is the acknowledgement of the FR 11 to this "hit", on the website 1 and subsequently to the server 2. The server acknowledges the hit and initiates the billing process (to a prearranged recipient of one of the 3 parties) on the billing storage database 4 whilst simultaneously signalling to the FD 13, via the website 1, the details of the location and contact information of the FR for subsequent retrieval of the goods.

These goods may then be correctly forwarded onto the IR 12 or returned to the original sender depending upon what is required by the IR. In Figure 6 can be seen an alternative embodiment of the present invention in diagrammatic form. In this particular embodiment the platform 5 a computer system consists of a presence on the Internet 1, an information storage server 2 and residing on the server are two databases the Companies Storage Database 3, which will contain the details of users (Upload User 7 and Download User 8) that register for the service, and a Billing Storage Database 4 which will handle billing of the services to the clients (i.e freight involved client or the freight recipient), though there may be one or many databases. On the other side of the platform 5, reside the users 6, which consist of the Upload User 7 and the Download User 8 and their respective storage databases 9 and 10.

As can be seen in Figure 7 the Upload User 7 and the Download User 8 both register as clients of the service by entering their details (unique identification, password, billing details etc) on the

Internet presence, which is then stored on the Companies Storage Database 3. This entering of details can be sequential or simultaneous, the exact timing or sequence is not imperative.

Now an upload client, recognising they have "unknown" freight" can upload the details and photographs of this freight onto website 1 as in Figure 8. In this particular order of operation Upload User is the FR (ie the receiver of freight that is incorrectly delivered to them) and the Download User is the FIC (ie the original despatcher of the missing goods, or the original intended recipient that has not received them). The data entered onto the website is then copied onto the Information Storage Server 2 (and hence storage database 3) where it is held for future down loaders to search.

A Download User 8, in Figure 9, enters in formation they know about the misdirected consignment and initiates a search of the database for the information about their missing freight, if there is a successful match, a reference number is generated (which the Download User takes down, and copies to their storage database 10). The fact that a hit has been achieved is registered in the server 2 and the details of the current holder of that freight are retrieved, optionally, the Upload User 7 subsequently receives a message that a Downloader has found cargo held in their warehouse. If the download user believes they have correctly identified their freight from the information available they elect to receive an invoice for the information. The invoice is the location from the database of their misdirected freight. The search may of course be conducted automatically by the server system, which loads the data onto the Server 2 which performs a search for like data and if there is a successful match sends this information to the website, optionally the server passes this information to the Upload User, that a downloader has found cargo presently held in the uploaders warehouse.

Illustrated in Figure 10 is the optional acknowledgement of the Upload User 7 to this "hit", on the website 1 and subsequently to the server 2 (via the website). The billing process is initiated by the download user (to a prearranged recipient of one of the 3 parties) and the download user receives an invoice via the website 1, with the details of the location and contact information of the Upload User for subsequent retrieval of the goods.

In another way the Upload User could be either of the FIC (ie the despatcher or the IR (who has not received the cargo) and the Download user could be the FR and the system works in a similar way to previous, except the FIC now initiate the process and upload the details of freight that has gone astray.

The FR then, at a later stage, uploads the data and photographs they have of the misdirected cargo which they have received in error, and a search is conducted and a match or hit occurs. This information then tracks back down to the freight involved client, they acknowledge and the two parties are subsequently put into contact.

At this stage again a billing process to one of three parties is initiated (perhaps by prior arrangement).

Alternatively the users could be any combination of the above mentioned set of users, provided that the first is not the same as the second, and a similar system utilised. Figure 11 shows the process through the web site that the FR who has had freight incorrectly delivered to them would go through. The user goes to the specified website and logs in by entering user name and password 17. If the FR is already registered with the website their details will be displayed (name, address, company name, billing address (if required)).. If they are not already registered with the website, then they would register, enter their details which would then be stored on the database(s) to get a user name and password which they would then subsequently enter.

The FRthen progresses to a choice screen 18 whereby they choose the method of delivery of the incorrectly delivered freight ie air, rail, road or sea. From there the user progresses to a succession of screens (19 through 24) whereby all or some of the details of the misdirected freight are entered. The first screen 19, general details, consists of the master air way bill number, the airline number, the freight number and the house way bill number through the screens. It should be noted that whilst there are many fields that will become available not all of these are mandatory, indeed as little or as much information that is available at the time can be loaded into each of the screens and their fields. This may of course be updated at a later stage.

The FR then progresses through to the second page being the identifer details 20. Additional information that is included on this page are other document numbers, that may be present upon the package such as batch numbers, storage numbers or similar. The consolidated/clearing agents name and/or address and the date of arrival at the incorrect warehouse. Further information is input upon screen 21, the history details being the origin of the freight and its intended destination or possibly its incof rect destination together with any known carriers of the freight. Physical details can then be entered upon the fourth page 22, these details covering areas such as container type, colour, package contents, the visible name, address on the package, the commodity that it is, any brandings or logos and/or any part numbers or other part numbers that may be present. The container details are then entered onto another screen 23, the measurement type as a metric or imperial is loaded together with the height, length, width, weight and/or type of wrapping that the package possesses. The details then of the location of the misdirected freight are entered 24, these details being the exact location of the misdirected freight which can then be entered into the database for subsequent searching and retrieval. This field may be automatically filled out based upon the identity of the user when they login, and the address details that are matched to this login from the database(s).

A further page 25 allows the user to upload images of the package onto the website. These images may be of JPEG, GIF, HTML or similar, alternatively these images may be sent by E-mail to the website with identifying information so that the website administrators may put them in their correct location. At the end of this procedure the information is uploaded to the website and saved upon the server and loaded into the database.(s) A confirmation number is then issued to the user and an E-mail is further sent to the user confirming the information entered onto the website. Should any discrepancies arise the user may then E-mail the website administrator to change whatever fields are incorrect. This completes the entering of a record of an incorrectly delivered package or piece of freight to a user. The information is then stored upon the database(s) under searchable fields which can then be reused to populate search screens which will now be described. With reference to Figures 21 - 26 is shown the process and screens for searching of the database of incorrectly delivered freight. The search detail here can only occur if the incorrectly delivered freight has already been registered upon the site as shown in Figures 11 - 20 and detailed above. The person who is searching for the whereabouts of their misdirected freight will go to the website and choose to search for freight. This will deliver them to a screen 28 whereby they choose the mode they believe there freight was delivered by. A search form is then brought up 29 (of which of both parts are shown in Figures 23A and 23B as 29A and 29B), in which the searcher may enter any or all of the details which they know about the misdirected consignment, such as way bill numbers, airline name, flight number, document numbers, date of arrival. This search form essentially echos the fields available in screens 1 through 7 (figures 14 through 20) which the person who incorrectly received the freight entered into the website (and databases) as detailed previously.

From the data entered into the search fields 29 the system then searches all the records on the database(s) and returns likely hits 30 that match the information entered into the search field. A list is therefore generated 30 from which the searcher may select to view further information. The record of choice is selected and a first screen 32 appears from which the general information is visible. From the screen also are links 31 to the identifer, history, physical, container and image screens which will show similar detail from the database to that which was entered in by the freight finder. If this (with the exception of the location details) on the basis of the details presented to the user, is the correct piece of freight they are looking for they can chose to continue the process and move to a log on screen 33 where they can enter a user name and password which then retrieves their details from the database(s). If they are a new user they then may be register upon the website and hence database(s) with their information and details and be issued a user name and password, the password and user name then registered against the details of the user. Upon successfully logging in 33 the user is then presented with an invoice that has been generated to themselves with all the details of the freight and more importantly the location of the freight. The invoice is also emailed to the user and the user has the option to print this invoice out. From there the user may contact the actual recipient of the misdirected consignment to arrange its correct delivery to themselves. If of course this is not the correct piece of freight then the user may choose to go back to the search results and/or initiate another search until the correct piece of freight is found.

A further situation may arise whereby the person who was to receive freight realises they have not and that they should have within a certain time period. They are therefore able to register upon the website the information which they know about the misdirected freight which is then saved upon the database(s). A person may at a later stage then receive this misdirected consignment and log on to the website and enter the details of the misdirected consignment which is then saved upon the database(s) similar to that shown and described with reference to Figures 11 through 20. At regular intervals decided by either the website or the person who has not received the freight the information entered by the searcher is compared to that information of the misdirected consignment that has been entered and should a match be generated and an E-mail is sent both to the website administrator and also to the searching party that a hit has been generated for their freight. They may then enter the website and elect to gain the information upon the whereabouts of their misdirected freight and thus an invoice will be generated for that service. Further more the database presently described may be a single database consisting of many tables which contain the various pieces of information which are then all linked to form a single record of data, or alternatively may be several discrete databases.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A delinquent freight location system comprising or including (I) a freight involved client,

(ii) a freight receiver, and (iii) a service provider supported platform accessible to both the freight involved client and the freight receiver via a communication network, the platform being operable following both, (1) a communication of the location of the freight to the platform via the communication network by the freight receiver, with photographs of the item and identification data shown on the item, and (2) registration of the freight at the platform or an enquiry in respect to the freight to the platform by the freight involved client to at least one of:

(a) to allow the freight involved client to communicate via a communication network with the freight receiver to instruct a correct recipient for the freight or otherwise take control of the freight for its redirection to a correct recipient, and/or (b) to direct the freight receiver via a communication network to direct the freight to a correct recipient.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein step (1) is a communication also with photographs of the item and identification data shown on the item.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the system involves a billing system for the freight involved client.

4. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the freight involved client is the freight despatching company whose freight to a correct recipient has arrived for whatever reason at an incorrect destination, i.e. that of the freight receiver.

5. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein alternatively and/or in addition the freight involved client can be a or the correct recipient for the freight who may have received details of the freight despatch from its supplier or the despatcher.

6. A computer conditioned to receive via a communication network in any order the following, (I) an input from a freight receiver as to the location of freight not recognised or intended for the freight receiver, and (ii) an input from a freight involved client whereupon directly or indirectly there is a matching of

(1) the freight involved client and the freight receiver, or (2) the correct freight recipient and the freight receiver.

7. A computer as claimed in claim 6 wherein said computer directly or indirectly is conditioned to bill the freight involved client (preferably a supplier or despatcher).

8. A computer as claimed in 6 or 7 wherein additionally or alternatively it can bill a correct freight receiver.

9. A computer as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein also the computer directly or indirectly can also provide a bill where required to the freight recipient who does not recognise or has had the freight misdirected to him.

10. A delinquent freight location system comprising a service provider supported platform accessible to both the a freight involved client and a freight receiver via a communication network, the platform being operable following both:

11. A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein step (1) is a communication also with photographs of the item and identification data shown on the item.

12. A system as claimed in 10 or 11 wherein the system involves a billing system for the freight involved client.

13. A system as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein the freight involved client is the freight despatching company whose freight to a correct recipient has arrived for whatever reason at an incorrect destination, i.e. that of the freight receiver.

14. A system as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein alternatively and/or in addition the freight involved client can be a or the correct recipient for the freight who may have received details of the freight despatch from its supplier or the despatcher.

15. A system as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14 wherein the arrangement is of any of the kinds hereinafter described.

16. A system as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 15 wherein the system is not dependant on the order of actions 1 and 2.

17. A computer application to receive via a communication network in any order the following, (I) an input from a freight receiver as to the location of freight not recognised or intended for the freight receiver, with photographs of the item and identification data shown on the item, and (ii) an input from a freight involved client whereupon directly or indirectly there is a matching of

(1) the freight involved client and the freight receiver, or

(2) the correct freight recipient and the freight receiver.

18. A system as claimed in 17 wherein said computer directly or indirectly is programmed to bill the freight involved client (preferably a supplier or despatcher).

19. A system as claimed in 17 or 18 wherein additionally or alternatively it can bill a correct freight receiver.

20. A system as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 19 wherein the computer directly or indirectly can also provide a bill where required to the freight recipient who does not recognise or has had the freight misdirected to him.

21. A computer application, system and/or program that consists of or includes any one or more of the following: a client accessible interface, an information storage database, a billing information storage database, a link to a communications network, a control algorithm to process the information from the client accessible interface, the information storage database and the billing storage database and the passing of information between these, a communications algorithm to process requests from the client accessible interface.

22. A system as claimed in 21 wherein there is a search and match algorithm to compare and match data stored on the information storage database.

23. A system as claimed in 21 or 22 wherein said client user interface is accessible on the Internet

24. A system as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 23 wherein said computer program is resident on a service provider supported platform.

25. A system as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 24 wherein said databases may be one database only or many separate databases.

26. A method of locating and identifying freight consisting of, up loading of details of the freight that has not been correctly delivered, onto a service provider supported platform, by a first Upload User, a searching of the details of the freight that has not been correctly delivered, on the service provider supported platform, by a second Download User, matching of the information provided by the two Users, communicating to the Upload User the fact that a match has been made, receiving confirmation from that user that they wish to release their contact details, passing the contact details of the Upload User to the Download User for the purpose of freight retrieval, or correct delivery of the freight, and initiation of a billing for the service to a recipient.

27. A system as claimed in 26 wherein step (1) is a communication also with photographs of the item and identification data shown on the item.

28. A system as claimed in 26 or 27 wherein the Upload User is one selected from a group of either the original despatcher, the intended freight recipient or the actual freight recipient.

29. A system as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 28 wherein the Download User is one selected from a group of either the original despatcher, the intended freight recipient or the actual freight recipient, and is not the same as the first user.

30. A system as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 29 wherein said billing is directed to one recipient selected from the above mentioned group.

31. A system as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 30 wherein said the databases may be a single database consisting of many tables which contain the various pieces of information which are then linked to form a record or records of data.

32. A method of locating undelivered freight from a database comprising the steps providing details of said undelivered freight at least including a physical description to said database matching said details against records of located freights in said database billing the intended recipient of said undelivered freight if a match is found in said database.

33. A method of locating undelivered freight as claimed in claim 32 further comprising the step of providing details of locating freight to said database.

34. A method of locating undelivered freight as claimed in claim 33 further comprising the step of informing said intended recipient if a match is found in said database.

35.- A system for locating undelivered freight comprising: a database configured to store at least details relating to located freight including at least a physical description, an input interface configured to entering details of undelivered freight, a processor configured to match details of said undelivered freight against details of said located freight in said database.

36. A system for locating undelivered freight as claimed in claim 35 wherein details of located freight are entered into said database using said input database or a separate interface.

37. A system for locating undelivered freight as claimed in claim 36 further comprising an output interface configured to informing the intended recipient if said processor identifies a match.

38. A system for locating undelivered freight as claimed in claim 37 further comprising a billing interface configured to debiting an account associated with said intended recipient if said processor identifies a match.

39. A system for locating undelivered freight as claimed in claim 38 wherein said physical description includes a photograph.