Systems and methods for implementing an address directory link
First Claim
1. A method, implemented using a computer system, for processing a mailpiece using an Address Directory Link (ADL) format, comprising:
- determining whether the mailpiece includes the ADL format, the ADL format including a recipient name and ADL formatted data, wherein the ADL formatted data comprises an un-encrypted telephone number that is human-readable,wherein if the mailpiece includes the ADL format, an ADL address process is performed, the ADL address process comprising;
reading the ADL formatted data from the mailpiece; and
determining a delivery address based on the ADL formatted data using an ADL database,wherein the ADL database is created by matching a reference telephone number in a telephone directory with a delivery bar code in an address database and storing the matched reference telephone number and the delivery bar code,wherein if the mailpiece does not include the ADL format, the ADL address process is not performed,wherein the mailpiece is received from a sender,wherein, after the mailpiece is received from the sender, a service notification is sent to the sender if the ADL formatted data is added to or removed from the ADL database; and
automatically placing a telephone call, using the ADL formatted data on the mailpiece, to convey information about the mailpiece.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems consistent with the present invention facilitate mailpiece processing by processing a mailpiece using an Address Directory Link (ADL) format. The present invention allows for mail to be sent when the sender may not know the delivery address of the desired recipient. In one embodiment, a method includes recognizing the ADL format on a mailpiece; reading ADL formatted data from the mailpiece; and determining a delivery address based on the ADL formatted data using an ADL database. Consistent with the present invention, this method may further include delivering the mailpiece to the delivery address associated with the ADL formatted data.
-
Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A method, implemented using a computer system, for processing a mailpiece using an Address Directory Link (ADL) format, comprising:
-
determining whether the mailpiece includes the ADL format, the ADL format including a recipient name and ADL formatted data, wherein the ADL formatted data comprises an un-encrypted telephone number that is human-readable, wherein if the mailpiece includes the ADL format, an ADL address process is performed, the ADL address process comprising; reading the ADL formatted data from the mailpiece; and determining a delivery address based on the ADL formatted data using an ADL database, wherein the ADL database is created by matching a reference telephone number in a telephone directory with a delivery bar code in an address database and storing the matched reference telephone number and the delivery bar code, wherein if the mailpiece does not include the ADL format, the ADL address process is not performed, wherein the mailpiece is received from a sender, wherein, after the mailpiece is received from the sender, a service notification is sent to the sender if the ADL formatted data is added to or removed from the ADL database; and automatically placing a telephone call, using the ADL formatted data on the mailpiece, to convey information about the mailpiece. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A system for processing a mailpiece using an Address Directory Link (ADL) format, comprising:
-
means for determining whether the mailpiece includes the ADL format, the ADL format including a recipient name and ADL formatted data, wherein the ADL formatted data comprises an un-encrypted telephone number that is human-readable; means for sorting the mailpiece; means for ADL processing; and means for non-ADL processing, wherein if the mailpiece includes the ADL format, the means for sorting sends the mailpiece to the means for ADL processing, wherein if the mailpiece does not include the ADL format, the means for sorting sends the mailpiece to the means for non-ADL processing, wherein the means for ADL processing comprises; means for reading the ADL formatted data from the mailpiece; and means for determining a delivery address based on the ADL formatted data using an ADL database, wherein the ADL database is created by matching a reference telephone number in a telephone directory with a delivery bar code in an address database and storing the matched reference telephone number and the delivery bar code, wherein the mailpiece is received from a sender, wherein, after the mailpiece is received from the sender, a service notification is sent to the sender if the ADL formatted data is added to or removed from the ADL database; and means for automatically placing a telephone call, using the ADL formatted data on the mailpiece, to convey information about the mailpiece. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A computer-readable medium storing instructions to configure a data processor to perform a method for processing a mailpiece using an Address Directory Link (ADL) format, the method comprising:
-
determining whether the mailpiece includes the ADL format, the ADL format including a recipient name and ADL formatted data, wherein the ADL formatted data comprises an un-encrypted telephone number that is human-readable, wherein if the mailpiece includes the ADL format, an ADL address process is performed, the ADL address process comprising; reading the ADL formatted data from the mailpiece; and determining a delivery address based on the ADL formatted data using an ADL database, wherein the ADL database is created by matching a reference telephone number in a telephone directory with a delivery bar code in an address database and storing the matched reference telephone number and the delivery bar code point, wherein if the mailpiece does not include the ADL format, the ADL address process is not performed, wherein the mailpiece is received from a sender, wherein, after the mailpiece is received from the sender, a service notification is sent to the sender if the ADL formatted data is added to or removed from the ADL database; and automatically placing a telephone call, using the ADL formatted data on the mailpiece, to convey information about the mailpiece. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
Specification