E-mail add-on service

• US 20030061176A1
• Filed: 05/28/2002
• Published: 03/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Hoar, Colleen A.
• Application Number:
  US10/155,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20030061176A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/402
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/224 providing notification on incoming messages, e.g. pushed notifications of received messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/23 Reliability checks, e.g. acknowledgments or fault reporting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/234 for tracking messages

Abstract

An e-mail add-on service provides electronic notification regarding delivery status of a mailed item. In one embodiment, a sender of a mailed item receives electronic notification that a mailed item has been received by a recipient. In another, an intended recipient of a mailed item receives notification that a mailed item has been sent. Optionally, tracking of a mailed item through the mailstream may also be provided electronically to a sender and/or a recipient. Personal messages may be provided as part of such electronic notification.

Claims

1. A method for providing delivery information regarding a mailpiece that is being delivered from a sender to a recipient, comprising the steps of:

receiving a service request at a service system from the sender regarding the mailpiece;

receiving an electronic address at the service system from the sender;

storing a tracking code with the service request at the service system;

providing the tracking code by the service system to the sender for marking the mailpiece;

determining tracking data corresponding to the tracking code at the service system, wherein the tracking data indicates a delivery status of the mailpiece; and

sending the tracking data to the electronic address provided by the sender.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic address corresponds to the sender.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic address corresponds to the recipient.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

the sender providing a text message to the service system.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of:

sending the text message to the electronic address with the tracking data.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the tracking data is a date and time that the mailpiece reaches the recipient.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the tracking data is an estimated delivery date and time that the mailpiece will reach the recipient.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the tracking data is a date and time that the mailpiece is sent by the sender.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

the sender contacting the recipient regarding the mailpiece.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

the sender engaging in a marketing event directed to the recipient.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of:

utilizing the tracking data to evaluate success of an advertising campaign.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the service system includes a database, a set of allocated codes, originating and destinating delivery standards, and proper address formatting software.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the service system further includes a postage processor.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

the service system generating a printable label for the mailpiece; and

sending the printable label to the sender.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the printable label includes the tracking code, the recipient'"'"'s physical address, and the sender'"'"'s physical address.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the printable label further includes postage indicia.

17. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of:

creating a confirmation record.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the confirmation record includes a date and time that service was provided, type of service provided, and content of the text message.

19. A method for providing delivery information regarding a mailpiece that is being delivered from a sender to a recipient, comprising the steps of:

receiving a service request at a service system from the sender regarding the mailpiece;

wherein the service system includes a database, a set of allocated codes, originating and destinating delivery standards, and proper address formatting software;

receiving an electronic address at the service system from the sender;

storing a tracking code with the service request at the service system;

providing the tracking code by the service system to the sender for marking the mailpiece;

the service system generating a printable label for the mailpiece;

wherein the printable label includes the tracking code, the recipient'"'"'s physical address, and the sender'"'"'s physical address;

sending the printable label to the sender;

determining tracking data corresponding to the tracking code at the service system, wherein the tracking data indicates a delivery status of the mailpiece; and

sending the tracking data to the electronic address provided by the sender.

20. A delivery information system for mailpieces comprising, in combination:

a service system;

a mailpiece;

a database adapted to store records for requests for service from the service system relating to delivery of the mailpiece and records of confirmation of the service;

allocated codes to track the mailpiece through a mailstream;

an electronic address for one of a sender and a recipient of the mailpiece; and

a network permitting the sending of an electronic message regarding delivery status of the mailpiece from the service system to the electronic address.