Methods and apparatus for generation and distribution of surface mail objects

• US 6,732,152 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2000
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Amazingmail.com
• Original Assignee: Amazingmail Incorporated
• Inventors: Lockhart, John, Bevan, Thomas Wade
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrell, Robert B.
• Application Number:
  US09/544,005
• Publication Number:
  US 20020103697A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,489 Days
• Field of Search: 709/200, 709/206, 709/207, 709/232, 382/101, 382/176, 358/402, 358/462, 209/584, 229/92.1, 229/92.8
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0235 constrained by time limit or expiration date
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/0008 Communication details outside or between apparatus coin-freed apparatus for franking per se G07F17/26
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00072 Hybrid mail, i.e. mail delivered using different physical means along the mail delivery path, e.g. email and envelope
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00161 from a central, non-user location, e.g. for updating rates or software, or for refilling funds
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00225 Vending machine or POS (Point Of Sale) apparatus

Abstract

A method for generating and distributing mail items includes creating a first and a second mail file, wherein each of the first and second mail files includes recipient address information, and wherein the first mail file is generated by a first user, and the second mail file is generated by a second user. The first and second mail files are then transmitted to a mail service computer over a global computer network and printed, on a single sheet of media, a first mail item in accordance with the first mail file, and a second mail item in accordance with the second mail file. The first and second mail items are then placed into a surface mail system. The first mail item is addressed in accordance with the first recipient address information, and the second mail item is addressed in accordance with the second recipient address information. The mail item is then placed into the surface mail system in such a way as to minimize handling damage, and to leverage available postal technology. The mail items are then delivered to the postal addresses of the intended recipients.

Claims

1. A method for generating and distributing mail items, said method comprising the step of:

creating, within a mail service computer, a first and a second mail file, wherein each of said first and second mail files includes recipient address information, and wherein said first mail file is generated by a first user, and said second mail file is generated by a second user,

said creating step including the step of allowing said first and second users to specify the contents of said first and second mail files via a first user system and a second user system coupled to said mail service computer over a computer network;

transmitting said first and second mail files to a printing facility;

printing, on a sheet of media, a first mail item in accordance with said first mail file,

printing, on said sheet of media, a second mail item in accordance with said second mail file;

separating said first and second mail items; and

placing said first and second mail items into a surface mail system, wherein said first mail item is addressed in accordance with said first recipient address information, and said second mail item is addressed in accordance with said second recipient address information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said creating step includes the step of creating a first postcard mail file, and said printing step includes the step of printing a first two-sided postcard in accordance with said first postcard mail file.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said first postcard mail file includes a text side data and image side data.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said text side data includes sender name, return address, said recipient address, and a text message.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said image side data includes at least one graphical image.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said graphical image is a JPEG file, and said printing step includes the step of printing said first and second mail items at press speed.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said array of mail items corresponds to a 4×

2 array.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein said graphical image is a in JPEG format.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein said graphical image is automatically oriented on said mail item in accordance with the aspect ratio of said graphical image.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein said text side data is converted to a JPEG image prior to said printing step.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of allowing said first and second uses to specify the contents of said first and second mail files includes the step of allowing said first and second users to specify image data, destination data, and a text message to be included in said first and second mail files.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said image data resides on said first user system and is specified via software residing on said first user system.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said image data is specified by allowing said first user to capture a screen image displayed on said first user system.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said image data is specified by allowing said first user to import a graphical image file residing on said first user system.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said image data is specified by allowing said first user to drag-and-drop an image onto said software residing on said first user system.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein said mail file includes a graphical image, and wherein said creating step includes the step of producing a lower resolution version of said graphical image for displaying said graphical image to said user.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein said image data is selected, via a web browser running on said first user system from a database associated with a web site accessible over said network.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein said image data is transferred to said mail service computer from a partner web site accessible over said network.

19. The method of claim 1, further including the step of attaching a substantially opaque peel-off cover to said first mail item prior to said placing step.

20. The method of claim 19, further including the step of printing advertisements or coupons on said peel-off cover.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said advertisements or coupons are selected in accordance with demographic information associated with said recipient address information on said first mail item.

22. The method of claim 1, further including the step of allowing said first user to affect secure on-line address-change, said method comprising the steps of:

presenting said first user with a web page prompting for address-change information;

validating said address-change information; and

transmitting said address-change information to a post office center if said address-change information is verified.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said validating step includes the step of validating said address-change information using credit card information associated with said first user.

24. The method of claim 22, further including the step of sending, to one or more members of an address book associated with said first user, a notification in accordance with said address-change information.

25. The method of claim 1, further including the step of sending said first user a confirmation message when said first mail item is placed in said surface mail system.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said step of sending a confirmation message includes the step of sending an e-mail message.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein said first user system comprises a personal computer.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein said fist user system comprises a stand-alone kiosk.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein said first user system comprises a personal data assistant.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein said creating step includes the steps of:

logging in to said mail service computer;

selecting said destination address;

checking to determine whether said first user has a non-zero account balance;

reviewing said mail item; and

scheduling the delivery time of said mail item.

31. The method of claim 1, wherein said creating step further includes the step of allowing a user to selects a theme from a database of available themes, and wherein said printing step includes the step of applying said selected theme to said mail item.

32. The method of claim 1, wherein said first user selects a mail-merge option operable to fill in said recipient address in accordance with an address book associated with said fist user.

33. The method of claim 1, wherein said first user selects a mail-merge option operable to fill in said text message in accordance with an address book associated with said first user.

34. The method of claim 1, wherein said printing step includes the step of printing said first and second mail items as part of an array of mail items disposed on said single sheet of media.

35. The method of claim 1, further including the step of providing automatic address correction of said recipient address information prior to said printing step.

36. The method of claim 1, fiber including the step of sorting said mail items in accordance with delivery location.

37. The method of claim 1, wherein said placing step includes the steps of:

placing control mail items randomly or systematically within a mail item packet, wherein said recipient address information for said control mail items corresponds to the address of a testing facility;

testing said mail item packets in accordance with various printing quality indicia.

38. A distributed system for generating and delivering mail items, said system comprising:

a first user system and a second user system coupled to a mail service computer over a computer network, said first user system configured to allow a first user to specify the contents of a first mail file, and said second user system configured to allow a second user to specify the contents of a second mail file;

said mail service computer configured to store said first and second mail files, wherein each of said first and second mail files includes recipient address information;

a printing facility coupled to said mail service computer, said printing facility configured to;

receive said first and second mail files;

print, on a sheet of media, said first mail item in accordance with said first mail file;

print, on said sheet of media, a second mail item in accordance with said second mail file;

then separate said first and second mail items, and

a surface mail system operable to deliver said first and second mail items, wherein said first mail item is addressed in accordance with said first recipient address information, and said second mail item is addressed in accordance with said second recipient address information.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein said first and second mail files includes image data, destination data, and a text message to be included in said first and second mail files.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein said image data resides on said first user system and is specified via software residing on said first user system.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said image data is specified by allowing said first user to capture a screen image displayed on said first user system.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein said image data is specified by allowing said first user to import a graphical image file residing on said first user system.

43. The method of claim 40, wherein said image data is specified by allowing said first user to drag-and-drop an image onto said software residing on said first user system.

44. The method of claim 39, wherein said image data is selected, via a web browser running on said first user system, from a database associated with a web site accessible over said network.

45. The method of claim 39, wherein said image data is transferred to said mail service computer from a partner web site accessible over said network.

46. The method of claim 38, wherein said mail item includes a substantially opaque peel-off cover.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein said peel-off cover includes advertisements or coupons.

48. The method of claim 38, wherein said first user system comprises a personal computer.

49. The method of claim 38, wherein said first user system comprises a stand-alone kiosk.

50. The method of claim 38, wherein said first user system comprises a personal data assistant.

51. The method of claim 38, wherein said mail service computer is configured to allow said user to:

log on to said mail service computer, select said destination address;

check to determine whether said first user has a non-zero account balance;

review said mail item; and

schedule the delivery time of said mail item.

52. The method of claim 38, wherein said mail item includes a theme selected by said first user from a database of available themes.

53. The method of claim 38, wherein said mail service computer is configured to present said first user with a mail-merge option operable to fill in said recipient address in accordance with an address book associated with said first user.

54. The method of claim 38, wherein said mail file is a postcard mail file, and said printing facility is configured to printing a two-sided postcard in accordance with said postcard mail file.

55. The method of claim 38, wherein said mail service computer is configured to provide automatic address correction of said recipient address information prior to said printing step.

56. The method of claim 38, wherein control mail items are placed randomly or systematically within a mail item packet, wherein said recipient address information for said control mail items corresponds to the address of a testing facility, and wherein said system further includes a testing facility configured to test said mail item packets in accordance with various printing quality indicia.

57. The method of claim 38, wherein said mail service computer is configured to send said first user a confirmation message when said first mail item is placed in said surface mail system.

58. A printing facility, said printing facility comprising:

a server, coupled to a network, configured to receive and store a first mail file and a second mail file transmitted over said network, wherein said first mail file is created by a first user, and said second mail file is created by a second user;

a printer coupled to server configured to print, on a sheet of media, said first mail item in accordance with said first mail file, and to print, on said sheet of media, a second mail item in accordance with said second mail file, wherein said printer is operable to print said first and second mail items at press speed.