System and method for sending electronic mail and parcel delivery notification using recipient's identification information

• US 20020002590A1
• Filed: 03/09/2001
• Published: 01/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Software Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Software Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Slater, Alan, King, Tim, Waggoner, Tim, Forman, Victor
• Granted Patent: US 7,478,140 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/224 providing notification on incoming messages, e.g. pushed notifications of received messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/48 Message addressing, e.g. address format or anonymous messages, aliases

Abstract

The present invention is a system and method for routing e-mails based on the recipient'"'"'s physical address. The system includes an e-mail server that contains a database that maps physical addresses to e-mail addresses of users. The e-mail server is connected to a network such as the global Internet. The e-mail server includes an electronic mailbox for each physical address in the database. The system also includes a receiving host that is used to connect to the e-mail server via the Internet to enable a recipient user to check e-mail. The e-mail server runs an authoritative process by which user login and password information is checked to assure a secure system. The system also has a parcel delivery notification feature that allows a buyer expecting a parcel to receive delivery status information regarding the particular parcel being shipped to the buyer.

Claims

1. A system for routing e-mails, comprising:

a server that includes a database, said database including a mapping from a physical address to an e-mail address, wherein said server is connected to a network, said server further including an electronic mailbox for each physical address, wherein said electronic mailbox is associated with an account number and password; and

a recipient host that includes a web browser, said recipient host connected to said network, wherein said host can access e-mails on said server using said account number and said password.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said server provides means for allowing said recipient to request that said e-mail be printed and forwarded via traditional mail.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said server provides a graphical user interface that allows a recipient to select whether electronic mail is delivered to said electronic mailbox or is delivered via traditional mail.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a mailer host that includes a web browser, said mailer host connected to said network, wherein said mailer host includes a graphical user interface that allows said recipient to forward an e-mail to said mailer using said physical address.

5. A method for routing e-mail, comprising the following steps:

allowing a user to specify a physical address of a recipient to whom the e-mail is to be sent; and

performing a mapping function on a server, said mapping function mapping said physical address of said recipient to an e-mail address of said recipient.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of allowing said recipient to choose between receiving a physical mailpiece and an e-mail, wherein if said recipient chooses to receive e-mail, then storing the e-mail in an electronic mailbox for said recipient;

and wherein if said recipient chooses to receive physical mail, then routing the e-mail to a printer where the e-mail is printed and delivered via traditional mail delivery means.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

dividing said e-mail into classes, said classes being specified by a particular E-designator tag; and

specifying said classes for which said recipient desires to receive a physical mailpiece and said classes for which said recipient desires to receive e-mail.

8. A method for routing e-mail, comprising the following steps:

allowing a user to specify a physical address of a recipient to whom the e-mail is to be sent;

performing a mapping function on a serve, said mapping function mapping said physical address of said recipient to an e-mail address of said recipient;

dividing the e-mail into classes, said classes being specified by a particular E-designator tag;

specifying said classes for which said recipient desires to receive a physical mailpiece and said classes for which said recipient desires to receive an actual copy of the e-mail in a mail control file;

storing the e-mail in an electronic mailbox of said recipient; and

if said recipient chooses to receive physical mail, then routing the e-mail to a printer where the e-mail is printed, delivering the e-mail via traditional mail delivery means, and electronically notifying said recipient and sender that a physical copy of the e-mail was sent to said recipient.

9. A system for routing e-mails, comprising:

a server that includes a database, said database including a mapping from a physical address to an e-mail address, wherein said server is connected to a network, said server further including an electronic mailbox for each physical address, wherein said electronic mailbox is associated with an account number and password, wherein said server includes a mail control file containing E-designators, said E-designators representing classes in which said e-mail is divided; and

a recipient host, said host being able to access e-mails on said server using said account number and said password.

10. A method for parcel delivery notification, comprising the following steps:

(a) receiving an electronic order for a parcel;

(b) generating a parcel barcode;

(c) scanning a parcel barcode;

(d) electronically notifying a buyer who placed said electronic order by e-mail addressed to a physical address of said buyer, said step (d) occurring upon executing said scanning step (c);

(e) shipping the parcel to a parcel delivery center;

(f) scanning the parcel barcode at said parcel delivery center; and

(g) electronically notifying said buyer who placed said electronic order by e-mail addressed to said physical address of said buyer, said step (g) occurring upon executing said step (f).