Inter-departmental mail sorting system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- providing a reusable mail carrier with a machine-readable mail carrier identifier;
obtaining first destination information for the mail carrier;
associating the mail carrier identifier and the first destination information;
routing the mail carrier according to the first destination information;
obtaining second destination information for the mail carrier;
associating the mail carrier identifier with the second destination information; and
routing the mail carrier according to the second destination information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A processing system and apparatus for sorting and routing reusable mail pieces is shown. Each mail piece bears an identifier, which is stored in a database with the current intended destination of the mail piece to simplify subsequent sorting and routing operations. An envelope is shown that is suited for use in such a system. Computer readable media are shown that are executable to control such a system.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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providing a reusable mail carrier with a machine-readable mail carrier identifier; obtaining first destination information for the mail carrier; associating the mail carrier identifier and the first destination information; routing the mail carrier according to the first destination information; obtaining second destination information for the mail carrier; associating the mail carrier identifier with the second destination information; and routing the mail carrier according to the second destination information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A reusable mail carrier in a mail delivery system, comprising:
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a machine-readable mail carrier identifier, which identifies the mail carrier as different from any other mail carrier in the mail delivery system; and a plurality of destination entry blocks, each suitable for the entry of information identifying a destination. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus, comprising:
- computer readable medium encoded with programming instructions for a processor coupled to one or more input devices and a mail sorter, comprising a database maintenance routine for a processing system for reusable mail carriers, each said carrier having an identity, said programming instructions being executable to;
maintain a database of mail carrier identities and corresponding current destination information; accept a query signal related to a mail carrier identity; generate a response signal related to the current destination information, in response to the query signal; and update said database when a mail carrier is reused.
- computer readable medium encoded with programming instructions for a processor coupled to one or more input devices and a mail sorter, comprising a database maintenance routine for a processing system for reusable mail carriers, each said carrier having an identity, said programming instructions being executable to;
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16. An apparatus encoded with programming instructions for a processor coupled to one or more input devices and an internal mail sorter, said programming instructions being executable to:
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determine a current desired destination from a plurality of destination locations on a reusable mail carrier, the plurality of destinations being input with the one or more input devices; maintain a database relating an identifier for the reusable mail carrier to the current desired destination locations; and generate a sorting signal to direct the internal mail sorter to sort the reusable mail carrier. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification