Passive RFID postage stamps and method of using the same

US8781927B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. · US

Inventors

• Thomas Killian · Westfield, US
• Cynthia Price Killian · Westfield, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 7, 2009
• Grant date: Jul 15, 2014
• Expiry date: Dec 1, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q30/04
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A system and method for postage payment utilizes passive RFID tags as postage “stamps”, with the amount of the postage automatically billed to a previously-established customer account. The tags are stored in a separate stamp database and are “enabled” by linking the individual tag to a customer account. The use of the RFID stamps eliminates the need for the customer to know the proper postage beforehand. The existence of a customer account with a proper return address reduces the likelihood of a dead letter. Also, a special category of stamps may be used for automatic reply mail. By virtue of using an RFID tag, the mailed item's progress through the postal delivery system may be tracked from dispatch to delivery.