Flexible mail delivery system and method
First Claim
1. A method for changing the delivery point of an item while the item is en route, comprising:
- determining a first delivery point of the item;
notifying a recipient, based on the first delivery point, that the item is en route;
notifying a sender, based on an identifier of the sender obtained from the item, that the item is en route;
accepting at least one instruction designating a second delivery point; and
delivering the item to the second delivery point.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for changing the delivery point of an item while the item is en route, comprising:
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determining a first delivery point of the item; notifying a recipient, based on the first delivery point, that the item is en route; notifying a sender, based on an identifier of the sender obtained from the item, that the item is en route; accepting at least one instruction designating a second delivery point; and delivering the item to the second delivery point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. (canceled)
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6. A method for handling an undeliverable item, comprising:
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notifying a sender of the item that the item is undeliverable; accepting a disposition instruction from the sender, after the notifying; changing a delivery point of the item while the item is en route after accepting the disposition instruction; and handling the item according to the disposition instruction. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for changing the delivery point of an item while the item is en route, comprising:
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means for determining a first delivery point of the item; means for notifying a recipient, based on the first delivery point, that the item is en route; means for notifying a sender, based on an identifier of the sender obtained from the item, that the item is en route; means for accepting a second delivery point from the recipient; and means for delivering the item to the second delivery point.
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12. (canceled)
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13. A system for handling an undeliverable item, comprising:
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means for notifying a sender of the item that the item is undeliverable; means for accepting a disposition instruction from the sender after the notifying; means for changing a delivery point of the item while the item is en route after accepting the disposition instruction; and means for handling the item according to the disposition instruction.
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14. A method to flexibly deliver an item, comprising:
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determining a first delivery point of the item; providing a notification to indicate that the item is en route to the first delivery point; conditionally accepting a second delivery point of the item, comprising requesting, from the sender, an approval of the second delivery point; and delivering the item to one of the first delivery point and second delivery point based on the conditional acceptance of the second delivery point. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A system for flexible delivery of an item, comprising:
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means for determining a first delivery point of the item; means for providing a notification to indicate that the item is en route to the first delivery point; means for conditionally accepting a second delivery point of the item, comprising requesting, from the sender, an approval of the second delivery point; and means for delivering the item to one of the first delivery point and second delivery point based on the conditional acceptance of the second delivery point.
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Specification