Systems and methods for delivery notification

• US 20080005043A1
• Filed: 01/16/2007
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2006
• Status: Active 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: Root, Randall, Reblin, Gary
• Application Number:
  US11/653,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20080005043A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/410
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing notification to box rental users regarding the arrival of mail to their box. In one implementation, the system comprises delivery item processing equipment for sorting and processing the delivery item. The system may also comprise optical equipment associated with the processing equipment for capturing information regarding the delivery item and a server to store the captured information. Further, the system may include a user interface to supply the captured information to the user upon receipt of a user request.

Claims

1. A method for providing a delivery notification of a delivery item to a user, comprising:

processing the delivery item;

capturing information data regarding the delivery item;

determining, based on the captured data, the destination of the delivery item;

receiving a request from the user for information related to the delivery item; and

electronically transmitting a notification to the user regarding information related to the delivery item.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivery item comprises mail.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

delivering the delivery item to a rental box.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein capturing information data comprises scanning code information located on the delivery item.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein capturing information data comprises capturing image data of the delivery item.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving from the user a selection of a level of notification service,

wherein electronically transmitting a notification comprises transmitting one of a plurality of levels of information detail corresponding to the level of notification selected by the user.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein transmitting the level of information comprises notification that the delivery item has been delivered.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein transmitting the level of information comprises information identifying the sender of the delivery item and the type of delivery item.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein transmitting the level of information comprises image data of the delivery item.

10. A method for providing a delivery notification to a delivery service user, comprising:

receiving an agreement from the user to participate in a notification process;

processing an item to be delivered;

capturing information data of the item during the processing;

delivering the item to a destination address; and

supplying the captured data to the user.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein capturing information comprises scanning code information located on the item.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein capturing information data comprises:

capturing image data of the item.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving from the user a selection of a level of notification service,

wherein electronically transmitting a notification comprises transmitting one of a plurality of levels of information detail corresponding to the level of notification selected by the user.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein transmitting the level of information comprises notification that the item have been delivered.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein transmitting the level of information comprises information identifying the sender of the item and the type of item.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein transmitting the level of information comprises image data of the item.

17. A system for providing to a user notification of a delivery item delivered to a rental delivery box, comprising:

delivery item processing equipment for sorting and processing the delivery item;

optical equipment associated with the processing equipment for capturing information regarding the delivery item;

a server to store the captured information; and

a user interface to supply the captured information to the user upon receipt of a user request.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein capturing information comprises scanning code information located on the delivery item.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein capturing information comprises capturing image data of the delivery item.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the server receives and stores from the user a selection of a level of notification service, and wherein the user interface supplies one of a plurality of levels of information detail corresponding to the level of notification selected by the user.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the level of information supplied comprises notification that the delivery item has been delivered.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the level of information supplied comprises information identifying the sender of the delivery item and the type delivery item.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the level of information supplied comprises image data of the delivery item.