Method for a carrier to determine the location of a missing person

• US 6,993,491 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2001
• Issued: 01/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Sansone, Ronald P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weiss, John G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PLUCINSKI, JAMISUE A
• Application Number:
  US09/818,727
• Publication Number:
  US 20020143559A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,771 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705/401, 705/402, 705/404, 382/101
• US Class Current: 705/319
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking

Abstract

A method that enables a carrier to find the address of a missing person. The carrier accomplishes the foregoing by receiving the name of a missing person; receiving a list of parties that the missing person is likely to receive mail from or send mail to; scanning mail faces that have been deposited with the carrier by a sender; determining if the scanned mail includes the name of the missing person and a party appearing on the list of parties; producing a list of scanned names and addresses that include the name of the missing person and the party appearing on the list of parties; delivering the list to a party that is permitted by law to receive the list regarding the missing person; and reviewing the delivered list to determine if the missing person is the recipient or sender of mail that is likely to be the missing person.

Claims

1. A method for aiding a carrier in the determination of the location of a missing person while the carrier is automatically processing mail, said method comprises the steps of:

A. receiving a name of a missing person which is stored in a database;

B. receiving a list of parties that the missing person is likely to receive mail from or send mail to which is stored in a database;

C. utilizing a scanner to scan mail faces that have been deposited with the carrier by any sender of mail;

D. comparing the scanned mail information to the name of the missing person and a party appearing on the list of parties which are stored in the database for producing a list of scanned names and addresses in an alphanumeric format that includes the name of the missing person and the party appearing on the list of parties;

E. delivering the produced list to a party that is permitted by law to receive the list regarding mail that the missing person may have sent or received; and

F. reviewing the delivered list to determine if the missing person is the recipient or sender of mail that is listed on the delivered list.

2. The method claimed in claim 1, further including the step of:

checking that the person who appears on the delivered list is likely to be the missing person.

3. The method claimed in claim 2, further including the step of charging the recipient of the delivered list for checking that the person who appears on the delivered list is likely to be the missing person.

4. The method claimed in claim 1, further including the step of charging the recipient of the delivered list for producing a list of scanned names and addresses.

5. The method claimed in claim 1, further including the step of delivering a reproduction of the image of the mail face scanned in step C that also includes the name of the missing person and a party appearing on the list of parties.

6. A method for aiding in the determination of the location of a missing person using an alias while the carrier is automatically processing mail, said method comprises the steps of:

A. receiving a name of a missing person which is stored in a database;

B. receiving a list of parties that the missing person is likely to receive mail from or send mail to which is stored in a database;

C. utilizing a scanner to scan mail faces that have been deposited with the carrier by any sender of mail;

D. comparing the scanned mail information to an alias of the missing person and a party appearing on the list of parties which are stored in the database for producing a list of scanned names and addresses in an alphanumeric format that includes the name of the missing person and the party appearing on the list of parties;

E. delivering the produced list to a party that is permitted by law to receive the list regarding mail that the missing person may have sent or received; and

F. reviewing the delivered list to determine if the missing person is the recipient or sender of mail that is listed on the delivered list.

7. The method claimed in claim 6, further including the step of:

checking that the person who appears on the delivered list is likely to be the missing person.

8. The method claimed in claim 7, further including the step of charging the recipient of the delivered list for checking that the person who appears on the delivered list is likely to be the missing person.

9. The method claimed in claim 6, further including the step of charging the recipient for producing a list of scanned names and addresses.

10. The method claimed in claim 6, further including the step of delivering a reproduction of the image of the mail face scanned in step C that also includes the name of the missing person and a party appearing on the list of parties.