Flexible mail delivery system and method
First Claim
1. A method to flexibly deliver an item, comprising:
- determining a first delivery point of the item;
providing a notification to indicate that the item is en route to the first delivery point;
conditionally accepting a second delivery point of the item from a recipient of the item;
requesting, from the sender, an approval of the second delivery point;
changing, using a processor, a delivery point of the item while the item is en route after conditionally accepting the second delivery point; and
delivering the item to one of the first delivery point and second delivery point based on the conditional acceptance of the second delivery point.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method to flexibly deliver an item, comprising:
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determining a first delivery point of the item; providing a notification to indicate that the item is en route to the first delivery point; conditionally accepting a second delivery point of the item from a recipient of the item; requesting, from the sender, an approval of the second delivery point; changing, using a processor, a delivery point of the item while the item is en route after conditionally accepting the second delivery point; and delivering the item to one of the first delivery point and second delivery point based on the conditional acceptance of the second delivery point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for handling an item en route to a delivery point, comprising:
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notifying a recipient of the item that the item is en route to the delivery point; accepting a disposition instruction from the recipient; changing, using a processor, the delivery point of the item after accepting the disposition instruction; and handling the item according to the disposition instruction. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A system for changing a delivery point of an item while the item is en route to the delivery point, comprising:
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a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions to direct the processor to perform operations comprising; causing notification of a recipient electronically, based on the delivery point, that the item is en route; accepting a disposition instruction from the recipient; and changing the delivery point of the item after accepting the disposition instruction.
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Specification