Method and system for sequencing deliverables using combined delivery codes and partial delivery point bar codes (DPBCs)
First Claim
1. A method for sorting deliverables, comprising:
- receiving a deliverable having an actual delivery point address;
determining a ZIP+4 number for said actual delivery point address;
extracting a DPBC field from the actual delivery point delivery point bar code (DPBC); and
sequencing said received deliverable in conformity with a sequence number corresponding to a delivery point group identified by a DPBC field range of numbers encompassing said field of said DPBC and said ZIP+4 number.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for sequencing deliverables using combined delivery codes and partial delivery point bar codes (DPBCs) provides pre-sequencing of deliverables for delivery carriers that has improved ordering with respect to the actual delivery route and accounts for un-coded new delivery points in the ordering process. A partial DPBC field is combined with a delivery code to generate the ordering sequence. The DPBC field is combined by generating delivery sequencing tables having sequence numbers splitting ZIP+4 codes into multiple entries delineated by ranges of the last two digits of the DPBC, that can then be flagged for ascending or descending delivery and assigned unique sequence numbers. The full address of actual delivery points is thereby concealed by the table, while providing more accurate sequencing conforming to actual deliver routes. New delivery points within a ZIP+4 code can be assigned a sequence number by reference to the last two digits of the actual address, providing further utility to the method.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for sorting deliverables, comprising:
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receiving a deliverable having an actual delivery point address;
determining a ZIP+4 number for said actual delivery point address;
extracting a DPBC field from the actual delivery point delivery point bar code (DPBC); and
sequencing said received deliverable in conformity with a sequence number corresponding to a delivery point group identified by a DPBC field range of numbers encompassing said field of said DPBC and said ZIP+4 number. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer system comprising a processor for executing program instructions and a memory coupled to said processor for storing said program instructions and data, wherein said program instructions comprise program instructions for:
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receiving a deliverable having an actual delivery point address;
determining a ZIP+4 number for said actual delivery point address;
extracting a DPBC field from the actual delivery point bar code (DPBC); and
sequencing said received deliverable in conformity with a sequence number corresponding to a delivery point group identified by a DPBC field range of numbers encompassing said field of said actual delivery point address and said ZIP+4 number. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer program product comprising signal-bearing media encoding program instructions and data for execution within a general-purpose computer system, wherein said program instructions comprise program instructions for:
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receiving a deliverable having an actual delivery point address;
determining a ZIP+4 number for said actual delivery point address;
extracting a DPBC field from the actual delivery point bar code (DPBC); and
sequencing said received deliverable in conformity with a sequence number corresponding to a delivery point group identified by a DPBC field range of numbers encompassing said DPBC field and said ZIP+4 number. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification