Method and system for providing value-added services
First Claim
1. A system for providing value-added services relating to the distribution of a mailpiece within an international mailing system comprising:
- a) a first database of mailer electronic addresses indexed by mailer identification codes;
b) a second database of postal authority addresses indexed by postal authority identification codes;
c) a means for incorporating a request for a value-added service and a mailer identification code on a mailpiece;
d) means for creating at a first postal authority a mail item file corresponding to the mailpiece;
said mail item file including said mailer identification code and said value-added service request;
e) means for determining, at a second postal authority, said first postal authority address; and
f) means for performing by said second postal authority said value-added service;
g) means for communicating said performance of said value-added service to said first postal authority using said first postal authority address, wherein said first postal authority determines a mailer electronic address using a mailer identification code associated with the mailpiece and communicates performance of said value-added service to the mailer using the mailer electronic address.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method is disclosed for providing confirmation relating to the distribution of a mailpiece within an international mailing system. The invention includes a determination of postal data required for performing value-added services desired for the mailpiece. The value-added services data includes addressing information for a return receipt from an intended mailpiece recipient through a final handling postal authority and a first postal authority to the original mailer. A machine readable mark is created which includes return data and value-added services data. During the delivery process, the value-added service is captured by the final handling postal authority, the mailpiece is delivered to the intended recipient, the value-added service is performed, and the data related to the delivery is captured by the final handling postal authority. The final handling postal authority then transmits this information to the first handling postal authority who then communicates the information to the original mailer. The invention is practiced such that the identity of the mailer is disclosed only to the original postal authority and not to subsequent handling postal authorities.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for providing value-added services relating to the distribution of a mailpiece within an international mailing system comprising:
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a) a first database of mailer electronic addresses indexed by mailer identification codes; b) a second database of postal authority addresses indexed by postal authority identification codes; c) a means for incorporating a request for a value-added service and a mailer identification code on a mailpiece; d) means for creating at a first postal authority a mail item file corresponding to the mailpiece;
said mail item file including said mailer identification code and said value-added service request;e) means for determining, at a second postal authority, said first postal authority address; and f) means for performing by said second postal authority said value-added service; g) means for communicating said performance of said value-added service to said first postal authority using said first postal authority address, wherein said first postal authority determines a mailer electronic address using a mailer identification code associated with the mailpiece and communicates performance of said value-added service to the mailer using the mailer electronic address. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for providing value-added services requested by a mailer and relating to the handling of a mailpiece by a plurality of postal authorities, the method comprising:
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receiving a mail item at a final handling post; scanning the mail item to obtain a digital image of the mail item and an identifier for an initial handling post; obtaining a digital image of a signature of a recipient of the mail item as confirmation of delivery of the mail item; merging the digital images of the signature and the mail item; and transmitting the merged digital images to the initial handling post. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for providing value-added services requested by a mailer and relating to the handling of a mailpiece by a plurality of postal authorities, the method comprising:
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receiving electronically at an initial handling post a transfer file representing confirmation of delivery of a mail item by a final handling post; parsing the transfer file to retrieve digital images of the mail item and a signature of a recipient confirming delivery of the mail item; and sending to the mailer confirmation of delivery of the mail item. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification