System and method for automatic notification of upcoming delivery of mail item

• US 6,463,354 B1
• Filed: 06/24/1999
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Pintsov, Leon A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walsh, Donald P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Butler, Michael E
• Application Number:
  US09/339,769
• Time in Patent Office: 1,202 Days
• Field of Search: 700/217, 700/225, 700/226, 700/227, 700/229, 705/400, 705/401, 705/410
• US Class Current: 700/227
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/0008 Communication details outside or between apparatus coin-freed apparatus for franking per se G07F17/26
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00435 Details specific to central, non-customer apparatus, e.g. servers at post office or vendor
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00072 Hybrid mail, i.e. mail delivered using different physical means along the mail delivery path, e.g. email and envelope
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00145 via the Internet

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, when a mailer generates a mail piece, for example using mail generation software in a PC metering system, the mail generation software accesses a database of mailing addresses. This database also contains e-mail address of recipients in the mailing list (address database). If a mailer wants to send advance notice to a recipient that a mailpiece has been sent to the recipient, the mailer can choose this option automatically and use a unique mailpiece ID as an identifier of the upcoming mailpiece. (The mailpiece ID can be generated specially for this purpose and serve as a reference point for the mailer and the recipient). This can be particularly advantageous in a legal environment, when there is a need for timely distribution of information as well as the need for distribution of legally valid hard copy documents. The unique ID number may be printed in plain text in the address block and cryptographically encoded within the DPM. This ID number can be used to provide references and links to other relevant documents as well. When the DPM is scanned upon induction into a postal distribution network, system includes recognition of the recipient'"'"'s e-mail address and automatically sends notice of intended delivery to the recipient. The notice may also include an estimated date of delivery.

Claims

1. A method for providing notification relating to the upcoming delivery of a physical mailpiece within a mailing system, the method comprising the steps of:

a) determining a set of postal data required of postage payment evidencing of a mailpiece;

b) determining an electronic e-mail address of a recipient of said physical mailpiece;

c) creating a digital postmark including said set of postal data and said electronic e-mail address of said recipient;

d) encrypting said digital postmark;

e) printing said digital postmark on said physical mailpiece

f) processing said physical mailpiece, said processing including;

1) scanning said physical mailpiece to obtain said digital postmark;

2) decrypting said digital postmark;

3) determining the validity of said physical mailpiece by verifying said digital postmark;

4) determining said electronic e-mail address of said recipient from said digital postmark; and

5) sending an electronic message related to the upcoming delivery of the physical mailpiece to said electronic e-mail address of said recipient obtained from said digital postmark.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electronic message indicates an estimated time of delivery of said physical mailpiece.

3. A method for providing notification relating to the upcoming delivery of a physical mailpiece within a mailing system, the method comprising the steps of:

a) determining a set of postal data required of postage payment evidencing of a mailpiece;

b) determining an electronic address of a recipient of said physical mailpiece;

c) creating a digital postmark including said set of postal data and said electronic address of said recipient;

d) encrypting said digital postmark;

e) printing said digital postmark on said physical mailpiece

f) processing said physical mailpiece, said processing including;

1) scanning said physical mailpiece to obtain said digital postmark;

2) decrypting said digital postmark;

3) determining the validity of said physical mailpiece by verifying said digital postmark;

4) determining said electronic address of said recipient from said digital postmark;

5) sending an electronic message related to the upcoming delivery of the physical mailpiece to said electronic address of said recipient obtained from said digital postmark; and

wherein said electronic address is a facsimile number.

4. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein the said electronic message indicates an estimated time of delivery of said physical mailpiece.