System and method for employing digital postage marks as part of value-added services in a mailing system
First Claim
1. A method for providing value added services relating to the distribution of a mailpiece within a mailing system, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) creating a set of data in response to a request for a value added service, said set of data including an electronic communication location identifier;
b) printing said set of data into a predetermined location on said mailpiece;
c) associating a value added service request identifier with said request for said value added service;
d) printing said value added service request identifier on the mailpiece;
e) reading said value added service request identifier to determine the value added service requested;
f) obtaining from said predetermined location on said mailpiece said set of data; and
g) performing said value added service by sending an electronic communication to the electronic communication location identifier obtained from the mailpiece.
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Accused Products
Abstract
System and method for providing confirmation relating to the distribution of a mailpiece within a mailing system includes a determination of postal data required for postage evidencing of a mailpiece originated by a mailer. The postal data is combined with other data related to value-added services desired for the mailpiece. The value-added services data includes addressing information for a return receipt to the mailer. A digital postmark which includes the postal data and the value-added services data is created. At delivery of the mailpiece, the digital postmark is read and the value-added services data is captured from the read digital postmark. A confirmation message is sent to the mailer and/or other interested third parties, in accordance with information contained in the value-added services data.
47 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for providing value added services relating to the distribution of a mailpiece within a mailing system, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) creating a set of data in response to a request for a value added service, said set of data including an electronic communication location identifier;
b) printing said set of data into a predetermined location on said mailpiece;
c) associating a value added service request identifier with said request for said value added service;
d) printing said value added service request identifier on the mailpiece;
e) reading said value added service request identifier to determine the value added service requested;
f) obtaining from said predetermined location on said mailpiece said set of data; and
g) performing said value added service by sending an electronic communication to the electronic communication location identifier obtained from the mailpiece. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14)
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8. A method for providing confirmation relating to the distribution of mailpieces within a mailing system, the method comprising:
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reading the digital postmark off a physical mailpiece when the physical mailpiece is delivered, the digital postmark including value added services data, the value added services data including addressing information for a return receipt to the mailer;
capturing the value added services data from the read digital postmark; and
sending a return receipt message to the mailer in accordance with the addressing information. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A computer program product on a computer readable medium for use in a processor based mailing system for providing value added services relating to the distribution of a mailpiece within a mailing system, the computer program product comprising:
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instructions for reading a value added service request identifier to determine the value added service requested;
instructions for obtaining from a predetermined location on said mailpiece a set of data in response to a request for a value added service, the set of data including an electronic communication location identifier; and
instructions for performing the value added service by sending an electronic communication to the electronic communication location identifier obtained from the mailpiece. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification