Flexible mail delivery system and method

• US 20100100497A1
• Filed: 12/23/2009
• Published: 04/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Kuebert, Edward J., Bombaugh, Scott R., Dowling, William J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,103,521 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/333
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08355 Routing methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0637 Approvals

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.

Claims

1. A method for changing the delivery point of an item while the item is en route, comprising:

determining a first delivery point of the item;

notifying a recipient, based on the first delivery point, that the item is en route;

notifying a sender, based on an identifier of the sender obtained from the item, that the item is en route;

accepting at least one instruction designating a second delivery point; and

delivering the item to the second delivery point.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein accepting the at least one instruction comprises accepting at least one instruction from the recipient.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein accepting at least one instruction designating a second delivery point comprises:

allowing the sender to specify whether to deliver to the second delivery point.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the item to the second delivery point comprises:

notifying the sender, if actual delivery is made; and

requesting disposition instructions from the sender, if delivery was not made.

5. (canceled)

6. A method for handling an undeliverable item, comprising:

notifying a sender of the item that the item is undeliverable;

accepting a disposition instruction from the sender, after the notifying;

changing a delivery point of the item while the item is en route after accepting the disposition instruction; and

handling the item according to the disposition instruction.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the disposition instruction is an instruction to return the item to the sender.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the disposition instruction is an instruction to auction the item.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the disposition instruction is an instruction to donate the item.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the disposition instruction is an instruction to dispose of the item.

11. A system for changing the delivery point of an item while the item is en route, comprising:

means for determining a first delivery point of the item;

means for notifying a recipient, based on the first delivery point, that the item is en route;

means for notifying a sender, based on an identifier of the sender obtained from the item, that the item is en route;

means for accepting a second delivery point from the recipient; and

means for delivering the item to the second delivery point.

12. (canceled)

13. A system for handling an undeliverable item, comprising:

means for notifying a sender of the item that the item is undeliverable;

means for accepting a disposition instruction from the sender after the notifying;

means for changing a delivery point of the item while the item is en route after accepting the disposition instruction; and

means for handling the item according to the disposition instruction.

14. 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, comprising requesting, from the sender, an approval of 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.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

providing information to indicate that the item was delivered to one of the first delivery point and second delivery point.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

providing information to indicate that the item was not delivered, when the first delivery point and second delivery point are undeliverable.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

accepting at least one additional delivery point for the item; and

delivering the item to the at least one additional delivery point.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

providing at least one additional notification based on delivery of the item to the at least one additional delivery point.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein determining a first delivery point of the item comprises capturing an image of the item.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein conditionally accepting the second delivery point of the item, comprises:

requesting, from the sender, an approval of the second delivery point.

21. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

determining at least one characteristic of the item.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein providing the notification to indicate that the item is en route to the first delivery point includes information indicating the at least one characteristic of the item.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein determining the at least one characteristic of the item comprises determining a weight of the item.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein determining the at least one characteristic of the item comprises determining a size of the item.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein determining the at least one characteristic of the item comprises capturing an image of the item.

26. The method of claim 14, wherein providing the notification to indicate that the item is en route to the first delivery point comprises providing information to indicate a time the item will arrive at the first delivery point.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein conditionally accepting the second delivery point of the item comprises accepting a specified time for the item to arrive.

28. The method of claim 14, wherein conditionally accepting a second delivery point of the item is based on verifying an identity of a recipient for the item.

29. The method of claim 14 wherein conditionally accepting a second delivery point of the item is based on receiving an approval from a sender of the item.

30. A system for flexible delivery of an item, comprising:

means for determining a first delivery point of the item;

means for providing a notification to indicate that the item is en route to the first delivery point;

means for conditionally accepting a second delivery point of the item, comprising requesting, from the sender, an approval of the second delivery point; and

means for delivering the item to one of the first delivery point and second delivery point based on the conditional acceptance of the second delivery point.