×

System and method for predelivery notification using mail image

  • US 9,767,496 B2
  • Filed: 03/21/2012
  • Issued: 09/19/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2001
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method for notifying an addressee about an item having an address and being processed by a delivery service, comprising:

  • performing a plurality of sorting operations on the item, the sorting operations being performed at corresponding physical locations;

    capturing an image of the entire item during each of the plurality of sorting operations, each image including at least the address of the sender of the item;

    determining, by a computer;

    a communication channel for the addressee using the address from the item;

    a notification technique associated with the addressee; and

    based on at least one of the captured images, one or more packaging characteristics of the item;

    determining, by the computer, that a performance of a final one of the sorting operations is complete, the final sorting operation being performed prior to delivery of the item to the address;

    determining whether the addressee desires mail image notification that includes the image of the item; and

    in response to the determination that the performance of the final sorting operation is complete, providing (i) information identifying at least one of the packaging characteristics of the item, (ii) at least one image of the item captured during the final sorting operation when it is determined that the addressee desires the mail image notification and discarding images of the item when it is determined that the addressee does not desire the mail image notification, and (iii) information identifying the physical location of the final sorting operation to the addressee of the item via the communication channel, in accordance with the determined notification technique.

View all claims
  • 0 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×