Author: claimsbot

1. A skateboard with sail assembly, comprising:
A) a skateboard having first and second ends and a through hole, said through hole positioned in between said first and second ends;
B) a removable post assembly, said removable post assembly projecting from said through hole;
C) a pedal clamp assembly mounted onto said removable post assembly;
D) a handle bar assembly mounted onto said removable post assembly; and
E) a sail assembly.
2. The skateboard with sail assembly set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said removable post assembly comprises third and fourth ends, said third end defines a partial sphere.
3. The skateboard with sail assembly set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said removable post assembly comprises an interior post, an exterior post, and a locking nut defining telescopic means to adjust height of said removable post assembly.
4. The skateboard with sail assembly set forth in claim 3, further characterized in that said exterior post has exterior threading for said locking nut to tighten onto.
5. The skateboard with sail assembly set forth in claim 2, further characterized in that said removable post assembly further comprises a semi-spherical housing to receive said partial sphere.
6. The skateboard with sail assembly set forth in claim 5, further characterized in that said removable post assembly further comprises a locking mount that locks upon said semi-spherical housing to secure said partial sphere.
7. The skateboard with sail assembly set forth in claim 5, further characterized in that said semi-spherical housing is self-lubricating.
8. The skateboard with sail assembly set forth in claim 5, further characterized in that said partial sphere freely moves and swivels within said semi-spherical housing when in an unlocked configuration.
9. The skateboard with sail assembly set forth in claim 6, further characterized in that said partial sphere and said locking mount each comprise a hole that receive a securing pin when aligned to place said partial sphere in a locked configuration to prevent it from freely moving and swiveling within said semi-spherical housing.
10. The skateboard with sail assembly set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said removable post assembly further comprises first and second through holes to receive a hinge pin and fixed pin respectively to mount said pedal clamp assembly.
11. The skateboard with sail assembly set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said pedal clamp assembly comprises a pedal and at least one C-clamp.
12. The skateboard with sail assembly set forth in claim 11, further characterized in that said handle bar assembly comprises a sail housing that houses said sail assembly.
13. The skateboard with sail assembly set forth in claim 12, further characterized in that said sail assembly comprises a sail having at least one through hole that engages with said at least one C-clamp when said sail is deployed.
14. The skateboard with sail assembly set forth in claim 13, further characterized in that said handle bar assembly further comprises a locking assembly.
15. The skateboard with sail assembly set forth in claim 14, further characterized in that said locking assembly comprises an elongated shaft having an elongated internally-mounted spring therein that is fixed at one end, said spring and said elongated shaft are housed within said sail housing.
16. The skateboard with sail assembly set forth in claim 15, further characterized in that said spring has a spring force to bias said sail to wrap around said elongated shaft and within said sail housing.
17. The skateboard with sail assembly set forth in claim 15, further characterized in that said locking assembly further comprises a locking tab and spool that engage said elongated shaft.
18. The skateboard with sail assembly set forth in claim 15, further characterized in that said sail has a proximal edge that extends from said elongated shaft.
19. The skateboard with sail assembly set forth in claim 13, further characterized in that said sail has a distal edge having an elongated reinforcement.
20. The skateboard with sail assembly set forth in claim 13, further characterized in that said sail housing comprises an elongated aperture to allow said sail to deploy from.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method of allocating physical storage space to a volume in a storage system comprising:
receiving an inputoutput (IO) request to store the write data to the volume from a host;
in response to said IO request, determining whether the volume is designated for storing a first data type that is accessed frequently by IO operations or designated for storing a second data type that is accessed less frequently than the first data type; and
allocating the physical storage space for storing the write data, said physical storage space being allocated from a first logical partition designated for storing the first data type when said volume is designated for said first data type and from a second logical partition designated for storing the second data type when said volume is designated for storing said second data type after said determining,
wherein said physical storage space is allocated from one or more array groups, each array group being comprised of a plurality of disk devices and each array group having the same total group capacity,
wherein said each array group is partitioned into one of said first logical partitions and one of said second logical partitions, such that a ratio of a first storage capacity of said first partition to the total group capacity is established according to a predetermined quantity,
wherein the physical storage space is not allocated to a portion of the volume until the portion of the volume is first targeted for storing write data, and
wherein the physical storage space is allocated from said one or more array groups based on utilization of said one or more array groups.
2. A method according to claim 1, further including steps of
calculating a total remaining size of storage space designated for storing the first data type when the physical storage space is allocated from the first logical partition by adding together the first storage capacities of all of said first partitions of said one or more array groups; and
sending an alert if the total remaining size is less than a predetermined alert threshold for the total remaining size for the first data type.
3. A method according to claim 1, further including steps of
calculating a total remaining size of storage space designated for storing the second data type when the physical storage space is allocated from the second logical partition by adding together the second storage capacities of all of said second partitions of said one or more array groups; and
sending an alert if the total remaining size is less than a predetermined alert threshold for the total remaining size for the second data type.
4. A method according to claim 1, wherein there is a plurality of said array groups and said volume is designated for storing said first data type, further including steps of
calculating a utilization of available storage capacity in the first partition for each array group by determining a size of first data type already used in the first partition of a particular said array group and dividing the size of first data type already used by the product of the total group capacity of the particular array group and the ratio of the first capacity of said first partition to the total group capacity of the particular array group;
comparing the calculated utilizations to determine the array group having the minimum utilization; and
allocating said physical storage space from the array group determined to have a minimum utilization of available storage capacity in said first partition.
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein there is a plurality of said array groups and said volume is designated for storing said second data type, further including steps of
determining an array group of said array groups from which to allocate said physical storage space by selecting an array group having a largest amount of free capacity in said second partition; and
allocating said physical storage space from the selected array group having a largest amount of free capacity in said second partition.
6. A method according to claim 1, further including a step of
partitioning the total group capacity of each said array group into one of said first partitions and one of said second partitions, such that a ratio of a first storage capacity of said first partition to the total group capacity is dynamically adjusted based on a measured usage of that array group for the IO operations over a period of time.
7. A method according to claim 6, wherein there is a plurality of said array groups, and further including steps of
selecting an array group of said array groups from which to allocate said physical storage space when said volume is designated for said first data type by determining and selecting an array group having a lowest said measured usage of the array group for the IO operations over the period of time; and
selecting an array group of said array groups from which to allocate said physical storage space when said volume is designated for said second data type by determining and selecting an array group having a largest amount of free capacity in said second partition.
8. A storage system, comprising:
a plurality of disk drives for providing physical storage space; and
a controller for controlling inputoutput (IO) operations to said disk drives,
wherein said controller is configured to present a first volume type for storing a first data type that is frequently accessed by the IO operations and a second volume type for storing a second data type that is less frequently accessed than the first data type, wherein the physical storage space is not allocated to a portion of the first or second volumes until the portion is first targeted for storing write data,
wherein storage capacity of said disk drives is logically partitioned into one or more first logical partitions from which the physical storage space for storing the first data type is allocated and one or more second logical partitions from which the physical storage space for storing the second data type is allocated,
wherein the controller is configured to determine whether a targeted volume targeted by the write data stores the first data type or the second data type in response to a write IO request,
wherein the controller is configured to allocate the physical storage space from one of said first logical partitions when said targeted volume is designated for said first data type and from one of said second logical partitions when said targeted volume is designated for storing said second data type after said determination,
wherein said plurality of disk drives are configured into one or more array groups, each array group being comprised of a plurality of said disk drives, each said array group having the same total group capacity,
wherein each said array group is logically partitioned into one of said first partitions and one of said second partitions, such that a ratio of a first capacity of said first partition to the total group capacity is a predetermined quantity, and
wherein the physical storage space is allocated from said one or more array groups based on utilization of said one or more array groups.
9. The storage system according to claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to calculate a total remaining size of storage space designated for storing the first data type when the physical storage space is allocated from the first logical partition by adding together the first storage capacities of all of said first partitions of said one or more array groups; and
wherein the controller is configured to send an alert if the total remaining size is less than a predetermined alert threshold for the total remaining size for the first data type.
10. The storage system according to claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to calculate a total remaining size of storage space designated for storing the second data type when the physical storage space is allocated from the second logical partition by adding together the second storage capacities of all of said second partitions of said one or more array groups; and
wherein the controller is configured to send an alert if the total remaining size is less than a predetermined alert threshold for the total remaining size for the second data type.
11. The storage system according to claim 8, wherein there is a plurality of said array groups and said targeted volume is designated for storing said first data type,
wherein the controller is configured to calculate a utilization of available storage capacity in the first partition for each array group by determining a size of first data type already used in the first partition of a particular said array group and dividing the size of first data type already used by the product of the total group capacity of the particular array group and the ratio of the first capacity of said first partition to the total group capacity of the particular array group,
wherein the controller is configured to compare the calculated utilizations to determine the array group having the minimum utilization; and
wherein the controller is configured to allocate said physical storage space from the array group determined to have a minimum utilization of available storage capacity in said first partition.
12. The storage system according to claim 8, wherein there is a plurality of said array groups and said targeted volume is designated for storing said second data type,
wherein the controller is configured to determine an array group of said array groups from which to allocate said physical storage space by selecting an array group having a largest amount of free capacity in said second partition; and
wherein the controller is configured to allocate said physical storage space from the selected array group having the largest amount of free capacity in said second partition.
13. The storage system according to claim 8,
wherein said controller is configured to partition the total group capacity of each said array group into one of said first partitions and one of said second partitions, such that a ratio of a first storage capacity of said first partition to the total group capacity is dynamically adjusted based on a measured usage of that array group for the IO operations over a period of time.
14. The storage system according to claim 8, wherein there is a plurality of said array groups,
wherein, when said volume is designated for said first data type, the controller is configured to select an array group of said array groups from which to allocate said physical storage space by determining and selecting an array group having a lowest said measured usage of the array group for the IO operations over the period of time, and
wherein, when said volume is designated for said second data type, the controller is configured to select an array group of said array groups from which to allocate said physical storage space by determining and selecting an array group selecting an array group having a largest amount of free capacity in said second partition.
15. A method of operating a storage system, comprising:
providing a storage system having multiple disk drives and a controller for controlling access to the disk drives, said disk drives having a total physical storage capacity;
presenting a volume to a computer, whereby said computer stores data to said volume as if physical storage space on said disk drives was allocated for said volume, while at least a portion of the volume does not initially have physical storage space allocated on said disk drives;
designating a first portion of said total physical storage capacity for storing a first data type that is specified to be accessed frequently for inputoutput (IO) operations and designating a second portion of said total physical capacity for storing a second data type that is specified as being accessed less frequently than the first data type;
determining total amount of said first data type stored to said disk drives for determining a remaining capacity of said first portion when a chuck is allocated in response to a write IO request; and
sending an alert when a remaining capacity of said first portion passes a predetermined threshold so that performance of IO operations for the first data type is maintained;
wherein a plurality of array groups are configured from said multiple disk drives, each array group being comprised of a plurality of said disk drives, each array group having the same total group capacity,
wherein each said array group is partitioned into a first logical partition that forms part of said first portion for storing said first data type and a second logical partition that forms part of said second portion for storing said second data type, such that a ratio of a first storage capacity of said first partition to the total group capacity is established according to a predetermined quantity, and
wherein the physical storage space is allocated from said one or more array groups based on utilization of said one or more array groups.
16. A method according to claim 15, further including steps of
receiving a write request from said computer, said write request being directed to a segment of said volume for which storage space on said disk drives has not yet been allocated;
determining whether said volume is designated for storing said first data type of data or said second data type; and
allocating storage space for said segment of said volume, said storage space being allocated from one of said first partitions when said volume is designated for storing said first data type or from one of said second partitions when said volume is designated for storing said second data type.
17. A method according to claim 15, further including
partitioning the total group capacity of each said array group into a first logical partition that forms part of said first portion for storing said first data type and a second logical partition that forms part of said second portion for storing said second data type, such that a ratio of a first storage capacity of said first partition to the total group capacity of said second partition is dynamically adjusted based on a measured usage of that array group for the IO operations over a period of time.
18. A method according to claim 17, further including a step of
selecting an array group of said array groups from which to allocate said physical storage space when said volume is designated for said first data type by determining and selecting an array group having a lowest said measured usage of the array group for the IO operations over the period of time.
19. A method of operating a storage system, comprising:
providing a storage system having multiple disk drives and a controller for controlling access to the disk drives, said disk drives having a total physical storage capacity;
presenting a volume to a computer, whereby said computer stores data to said volume as if physical storage space on said disk drives was allocated for said volume, while at least a portion of the volume does not initially have physical storage space allocated on said disk drives;
designating a first portion of said total physical storage capacity for storing a first data type that is specified to be accessed frequently for inputoutput (IO) operations and designating a second portion of said total physical capacity for storing a second data type that is specified as being accessed less frequently than the first data type;
determining total amount of said first data type stored to said disk drives for determining a remaining capacity of said first portion when a chuck is allocated in response to a write IO request; and
sending an alert when a remaining capacity of said first portion passes a predetermined threshold so that performance of IO operations for the first data type is maintained;
configuring a plurality of array groups from said multiple disk drives, each array group being comprised of a plurality of said disk drives, each array group having a total group capacity;
partitioning the total group capacity of each said array group into a first logical partition that forms part of said first portion for storing said first data type and a second logical partition that forms part of said second portion for storing said second data type, such that a ratio of a first storage capacity of said first partition to the total group capacity of said second partition is dynamically adjusted based on a measured usage of that array group for the IO operations over a period of time;
calculating a free capacity in the second partition for each array group as Free Capacity=Total Size of the Second Partition\u2212(Access Data Boundary Capacity for First Data Type)\u2212(Size of Data of the Second Data Type), wherein Access Data Boundary Capacity for First Data Type=(Size of Data of First Data Type)\xd7(100Max IO Usage Ratio)\xd7(IO Usage Ratio Limit), where Max IO Usage Ratio is a percentage of the time that the array group is in use for executing data IO operations as measured over the period of time, and where IO Usage Ratio Limit is a percentage value that specifies an acceptable level of IO performance; and
selecting an array group of said array groups from which to allocate said physical storage space when said volume is designated for said second data type by determining and selecting an array group having a largest amount of free capacity in said second partition.
20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the IO Usage Ratio Limit is 75%.

What is claimed is:

1. A system for recording an auxiliary signal, synchronizing the auxiliary signal with a video signal, and transmitting the auxiliary signal over a telecommunications network comprising a first video signal receiver, an auxiliary signal recorder, a first telecommunications network interface; a second telecommunications network interface, a signal comparator, and a video signal buffer.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a first computer and a second computer.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein said first computer includes said first video signal receiver, said auxiliary signal recorder, said first telecommunications network interface, said signal comparator, and said video signal buffer, and said second computer includes said second telecommunications network interface.
4. The system of claim 2 wherein said first computer includes said first video signal receiver, said auxiliary signal recorder, and said first telecommunications network interface, and said second computer includes said second telecommunications network interface, said signal comparator, said video signal buffer, and a second video signal receiver.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the auxiliary signal includes an audio signal.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the auxiliary signal includes a video signal.
7. The system of claim 2 wherein one of said first and second computers further includes a video signal speed controller.
8. The system of claim 2 wherein one of said first and second computers further includes an image size controller.
9. The system of claim 2 wherein one of said first and second computers further includes a video signal clock signal deriver.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein one of said first and second telecommunications network interfaces is an Internet interface.
11. The system of claim 1 wherein said signal comparator is a clock signal comparator.
12. A system for recording an auxiliary signal, synchronizing the auxiliary signal with a video signal, and transmitting the auxiliary signal over a telecommunications network comprising:
a first computer, said first computer having means for recording the auxiliary signal, means for receiving the video signal, means for deriving a synchronizing signal from the video signal, and means for transmitting the auxiliary signal over the telecommunications network; and
a second computer, said second computer having means for receiving the auxiliary signal and the synchronizing signal from the telecommunications network, means for receiving the video signal, and means for synchronizing the auxiliary signal and the synchronizing signal with the video signal to form an integrated combined signal.
13. A method for recording an auxiliary signal, synchronizing the auxiliary signal with a video signal, and transmitting the auxiliary signal over a telecommunication network comprising the steps of:
receiving the video signal;
generating the auxiliary signal, the auxiliary signal derived at least in part from said video signal;
transmitting the auxiliary signal over the telecommunications network;
receiving the auxiliary signal;
delaying the video signal as a function of said auxiliary signal; and
synchronizing the video signal with the auxiliary signal.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein said video signal receiving, auxiliary signal generating, video signal delaying, auxiliary signal transmitting, and synchronizing steps are performed with a first computer, and said auxiliary signal receiving step is performed using a second computer.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein said video signal receiving, auxiliary signal generating, and auxiliary signal transmitting steps are performed using a first computer, and said auxiliary signal receiving, video signal delaying, and synchronizing steps are performed using a second computer.
16. The method of claim 15 further including the step of receiving the video signal using said second computer.
17. The method of claim 13 wherein said generating step further includes deriving a first synchronizing signal from the video signal.
18. the method of claim 17 wherein said delaying step further includes deriving a second synchronizing signal from the video signal and comparing said first and second synchronizing signals.
19. The method of claim 13 in which the auxiliary signal is an audio signal.
20. The method of claim 13 further including the step of playing said synchronized video and auxiliary signals using a computer.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

That which is claimed:

1. A package tracking system that provides visibility for inbound packages, comprising:
a carrier database that stores package information about one or more packages that are in transit in a carrier system;
a visibility engine in communication with said carrier database, said visibility engine configured to review said package information and to identify a package that is inbound to a location identifier associated with a user; and
a user computer in communication with said visibility engine via a network, said user computer configured to receive shipping information associated with said inbound package.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said package information stored in said carrier base includes package level detail for said packages.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein said visibility engine is configured to identify said inbound packages via said location identifier in said package level detail.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein said user computer is further configured to initiate a request for inbound package tracking through said package visibility engine.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein said user computer is further configured to request that said visibility engine send said shipping information in a specified format.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein said user computer is further configured to request that said visibility engine send said shipping information in at least one of an XML format, a comma-separated value format and a flat file format.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein said user computer is further configured to specify a frequency for receiving said shipping information.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein said user computer is further configured to receive at least one of an inbound notification service and an inbound and delivery notification service.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein said package visibility engine is further configured to calculate a forecasted delivery date for said inbound package.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein said user computer is further configured to receive a forecasted delivery date for said inbound package.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein said package visibility engine is further configured to send to said user computer at least one of a package ship date, scheduled day of delivery, exception update, and a rescheduled date of delivery.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein said user computer is further configured to receive at least one of a package ship date, scheduled day of delivery, exception update, and a rescheduled date of delivery.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein said visibility engine is further configured to capture and send to said user computer at least one of delivery date, delivery time, signature, COD amount, reference numbers, and full delivery address.
14. A method of package tracking that allows a user to receive information about packages that are inbound to said user, said method comprising the steps of:
creating an inbound subscription for said user, wherein said inbound subscription specifies at least one location identifier that is associated with said user, and wherein further said inbound subscription specifies a format and a frequency for receiving inbound package tracking data;
capturing shipping data of packages that are in transit in a carrier system;
identifying packages that are inbound to said user by comparing said at least one location identifier against said captured shipping data;
collecting inbound package tracking data for said identified packages; and
transmitting said inbound package tracking data to said user in accordance with said inbound subscription.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein each of said at least one location identifier is associated with a unique receiving location.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein said format specified by said inbound subscription includes at least one of an XML file, a comma-separated value file and a flat file.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein said inbound subscription further specifies that said inbound package tracking data includes at least one of a ship date, a scheduled day of delivery, an exception update and a rescheduled day of delivery.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein said inbound subscription specifies that said inbound package tracking data includes a ship date, a scheduled day of delivery and an exception update.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said inbound subscription specifies that said inbound package tracking data further includes at least one of a delivery date and time, a signature, a COD amount, a reference number and a full delivery address.
20. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of transmitting said inbound package tracking data occurs according to said frequency specified by said inbound subscription.
21. The method of claim 14, wherein said inbound package tracking data is transmitted in said format specified by said inbound subscription.
22. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of charging said user a fee for said inbound subscription.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein said fee is based on a quantity of said packages tracked.
24. The method of claim 14, wherein said inbound subscription is associated with a carrier account.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of identifying package that are inbound to said user comprises comparing said at least one location identifier and said carrier account against said captured shipping data.
26. A package tracking system that provides visibility for packages that are outbound from a user, said system comprising:
a carrier database that stores package information about one or more packages that are in transit in a carrier system;
a visibility engine in communication with said carrier database, said visibility engine configured to review said package information and to identify a package that is outbound from said user; and
a user computer in communication with said visibility engine via a network, said user computer configured to receive shipping information associated with said outbound package.
27. The system of claim 26, wherein said user computer is further configured to initiate a request for outbound package tracking through said package visibility engine.
28. The system of claim 26, wherein said user computer is further configured to request that said visibility engine send said shipping information in a specified format.
29. The system of claim 26, wherein said user computer is further configured to request that said visibility engine send said shipping information in at least one of an XML format, a comma-separated value format and a flat file format.
30. The system of claim 26, wherein said user computer is further configured to specify a frequency for receiving said shipping information.
31. The system of claim 26, wherein said visibility engine is further configured to provide at least one of an outbound notification service, a delivery notification service and an exception notification service.
32. The system of claim 26, wherein said visibility engine is further configured to provide significant supply chain updates through delivery with ship date, exception and delivery detail.
33. The system of claim 26, wherein said visibility engine is further configured to provide delivery details and manifest information, including ship date, date and time of delivery, reference number, full delivery address, and COD amount collected.
34. The system of claim 26, wherein said visibility engine is further configured to provide information about packages shipped that do not make a scheduled day of delivery.
35. The system of claim 26, wherein said visibility engine is further configured to provide exception status updates and forecasts for rescheduled dates of delivery.
36. A method of package tracking that allows a user to receive information about packages that are outbound from said user, said method comprising the steps of:
creating an outbound subscription for said user, wherein said outbound subscription specifies an account identifier and one or more parameters about transmitting outbound package tracking data;
capturing shipping data of packages that are in transit in a carrier system;
identifying packages that are outbound from said user by comparing said account identifier against said captured shipping data;
collecting inbound package tracking data for said identified packages; and
transmitting said outbound package tracking data to said user in accordance with said one or more parameters.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein specifying one or more parameters about transmitting outbound package tracking data comprises specifying a frequency at which said outbound package tracking data will be transmitted.
38. The method of claim 36, wherein specifying one or more parameters about transmitting outbound package tracking data comprises specifying a date and time when said outbound package tracking data will be transmitted.
39. The method of claim 36, wherein specifying one or more parameters about transmitting outbound package tracking data comprises specifying a file format for said transmission of said outbound package tracking data.
40. A package tracking system that allows a user to receive information about packages that are inbound and outbound from said user, said system comprising:
a carrier database that stores shipping information for packages that are in transit in a carrier system;
a visibility engine in communication with said carrier database;
a user computer in communication with said visibility engine;
wherein said visibility engine is configured to create an inbound subscription for a user, wherein said inbound subscription specifies at least one location identifier that is associated with said user, and wherein said visibility engine is configured to identify packages that are inbound to said user by comparing said at least one location identifier against said shipping information; and
wherein said visibility engine is further configured to create an outbound subscription for a user, wherein said outbound subscription specifies an account identifier associated with said user, and wherein said visibility engine is configured to identify packages that are outbound from said user by comparing said account identifier against said shipping information.
41. The system of claim 40, wherein said visibility engine is further configured to provide package information for packages inbound to and packages outbound from said user with a frequency specified in said inbound or said outbound subscriptions.
42. The system of claim 40, wherein said visibility engine is further configured to provide package information for packages inbound to and packages outbound from said user in a format specified in said inbound or said outbound subscriptions.
43. The system of claim 40, further comprising an online file download tool to automate the retrieval of package information.
44. The system of claim 40, further comprising an automated access and file download application residing on said user computer, wherein said application is configured to generate an XML request according to at least one user-defined parameter and to retrieve and store package information in a location and format specified by said inbound or outbound subscription.
45. The system of claim 40, further comprising a proactive notification tool that provides said user with the ability to request proactive notification of an event in the progress of said package through said carrier system.