Technique for addressing and tracking in a delivery system

• US 20030189090A1
• Filed: 04/09/2002
• Published: 10/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Holdenart, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Holdenart, Inc.
• Inventors: Holden, William
• Granted Patent: US 6,783,063 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 3/18 Devices or arrangements for indicating destination, e.g. by code marks applying data to information carriers G06K1/12

Abstract

Existing delivery systems, such as the U.S. Postal System, can be modified to operate more efficiently, and to maintain confidentiality regarding a specific address and/or recipient identity. A coded designation, preferably alphanumeric, is assigned to individual recipients. Destination data, as well as other data regarding the recipient is accessed from a database using the coded designation. Recipient information is kept within the system and is not exposed to those outside of it, thereby maintaining a high level of confidentiality and security for the recipient. Because full addresses do not have to be read or otherwise input into the system, the use of the short coded designation provides more reliable operation, as well as much faster operation of the routing and delivery system.

Claims

1. A method of addressing an item for delivery to a destination, said methods comprising:

(a) marking said item with a predesignated set of symbols associated with said destination; and

,

(b) using said designated set of symbols to access a database to select data associated with said destination.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein an addressee associated with said destination is not indicated on said item.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said predetermined set of symbols comprises alphanumeric characters.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said predetermined set of symbols further comprise keyboard characters.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said predetermined set of symbols comprise an e-mail address.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein step (a) of marking said item her comprise placing a second predesignated set of symbols associated with a sender address for use as a return address.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said second predesignated set of symbols is an e-mail address for said sender.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said second predesignated set of symbols is used to access address data associated with said sender from said database.

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

(c) marking said item with a barcode representing data indicative of a route to be taken to reach said destination.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said barcode is in use in a previously-existing delivery system.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said database is in a previously-existing delivery system.

12. A security system for routing an item for delivery, said system comprising:

(a) means for inputting a predesignated set of symbols associated with a delivery destination; and

,

(b) a database containing first data specifying said destination, said first data being accessible by said predesignated set of symbols.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said security system operates while maintaining confidentiality regarding said destination.

14. The security system of claim 13, wherein said predesignated set of symbols ymbols is arranged on said item before inputting two sets of security system.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

(c) means for displaying said first data responsive to input of said predetermined set of symbols.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

(d) means for printing on said item coded data regarding said destination.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said coded data comprises a barcode.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said barcode is from a previously existing delivery system.

19. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

(e) means for transporting said item along a route to said destination, said route comprising at least one distribution point; and

,

(f) said coded data to confirm a proper route of travel at said at least one distribution point.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising:

(g) means for displaying said destination responsive to scanning said coded data.