Method and system for reporting carrier delivery status to a mailer
US6865560B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 28, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 8, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 28, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07B2017/00717
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and system for providing a delivery confirmation service to a mailer who uses a postage meter to pay the postage for mailing a mail piece. The mailer applies a shipping label containing an identification number on the mail piece to identify the mail piece and the mailer. The identification number is retrieved by the postage meter which sends the identification number to a data processing center or a meter refill data center for processing. Upon receiving the identification number, the data processing center sends a shipping file to the carrier. When the mail piece is delivered, a message regarding the delivery status of the mail piece is sent to the carrier by the mail deliverer. With the shipping file and the delivery status message, the carrier makes available the delivery status of the mail piece to the data processing center which stores the delivery status. Upon request, the data processing center communicates at least a portion of the delivery status to the mailer via a meter refill system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.