Computer system and method for remotely checking mail receptacle content
First Claim
1. A method for enabling a user of a mail receptacle to remotely receive information relating to the content, if any, of such mail receptacle, the method comprising the steps of:
- generating status information for the mail receptacle, the status information including information indicating whether the mail receptacle contains one or more mail items;
storing the status information in a computer system; and
providing the status information to the user via the computer system, whereby the user can determine from a location spatially remote from the mail receptacle whether the mail receptacle contains the one or more mail items.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for enabling a user of a mail receptacle to remotely receive information relating to the content, if any, of such mail receptacle includes the steps of generating status information for the mail receptacle, the status information including information indicating whether the mail receptacle contains one or more mail items, storing the status information in a computer system, and providing the status information to the user via the computer system, whereby the user can determine from a location spatially remote from the mail receptacle whether the mail receptacle contains the one or more mail items. Preferably, the generating step includes generating information indicating the number of mail items delivered to the mail receptacle, the class of one or more mail items, the sender of one or more mail items, and/or approximately when the one or more mail items will be delivered to the mail receptacle. The computer system is preferably connected to a computer network, such as the World Wide Web, through which users may conveniently receive their mail status information via email and/or by accessing a Web site through which the status information is available. The computer system and method are suitable for use with all types of mail.
47 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for enabling a user of a mail receptacle to remotely receive information relating to the content, if any, of such mail receptacle, the method comprising the steps of:
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generating status information for the mail receptacle, the status information including information indicating whether the mail receptacle contains one or more mail items;
storing the status information in a computer system; and
providing the status information to the user via the computer system, whereby the user can determine from a location spatially remote from the mail receptacle whether the mail receptacle contains the one or more mail items. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32)
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13. A method for enabling mail receptacle users to remotely receive information relating to the contents, if any, of their mail receptacles, the method comprising the steps of:
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generating status information for each of a plurality of mail receptacles, each mail receptacle having at least one user associated therewith, the status information for each mail receptacle including information indicating whether such mail receptacle contains one or more mail items;
storing the status information for the plurality of mail receptacles in a computer system; and
providing the status information for each mail receptacle to its associated user via the computer system, whereby each user can determine from a location spatially remote from its associated mail receptacle whether such mail receptacle contains the one or more mail items.
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24. A computer system having a memory device, the memory device storing status information for each of a plurality of mail receptacles, each mail receptacle having at least one user associated therewith, the status information for each mail receptacle including information indicating whether such mail receptacle contains one or more mail items, the computer system being configured for providing the status information for each mail receptacle to its associated user, whereby each user can determine from a location spatially remote from its associated mail receptacle whether such mail receptacle contains one or more mail items.
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29. A method for enabling a user to remotely receive information relating to mail to be delivered to the user, the method comprising the steps of:
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generating status information for the mail to be delivered, the status information including information indicating the number of items;
storing the status information according to user in a computer system; and
providing to the user access to the status information via the computer system, whereby the user can determine information about the mail to be delivered to the user.
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Specification