System and method for determining the location of a mail piece
First Claim
1. A method of determining the location of a mail piece, comprising the steps of:
- 1) placing a code identifier on the mail piece;
2) reading the code identifier on the mail piece;
3) placing the mail piece in a mail tray that contains a mail tray code identifier;
4) linking the read code identifier to the mail tray in which the mail piece is placed; and
5) determining the location of the mail tray while the mail piece is in the mail tray by a first GPS device;
6) reading the mail tray code identifier when the mail tray is placed in a vehicle;
7) linking the mail tray code identifier to the vehicle in which the mail tray is placed; and
8) determining the location of the vehicle by a second GFS device while the mail tray is in the vehicle.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for determining the location of a mail piece using a code identifier of the mail piece that is read as the mail piece is placed within a mail tray. Determination of the location of the mail tray is thus determination of the location of each mail piece therein. Code identifiers on mail trays are read as mail trays are placed in vehicles. Determination of the location of the vehicle is thus determination of the location of each mail tray placed therein and coded mail pieces within the tray. A database is maintained with this hierarchical location information so as to provide a readily available means for determining the location of any mail piece.
151 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of determining the location of a mail piece, comprising the steps of:
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1) placing a code identifier on the mail piece;
2) reading the code identifier on the mail piece;
3) placing the mail piece in a mail tray that contains a mail tray code identifier;
4) linking the read code identifier to the mail tray in which the mail piece is placed; and
5) determining the location of the mail tray while the mail piece is in the mail tray by a first GPS device;
6) reading the mail tray code identifier when the mail tray is placed in a vehicle;
7) linking the mail tray code identifier to the vehicle in which the mail tray is placed; and
8) determining the location of the vehicle by a second GFS device while the mail tray is in the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for determining the location of a mail piece, comprising:
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1) means for placing a code identifier on the mail piece;
2) means for reading the code identifier on the mail piece;
3) means for placing the mail piece in a mail tray that contains a mail tray code identifier;
4) means for linking the read code identifier to the mail tray in which the mail piece is placed;
5) means for determining the location of the mail tray while the mail piece is in the mail tray by a first GPS device;
6) means for reading the mail tray code identifier when the mail tray is placed in a vehicle;
7) means for linking the mail tray code identifier to the vehicle in which the mail tray is placed; and
8) means for determining the location of the vehicle while the mail tray is in the vehicle by a second GPS device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification