Method and system for embedding mailer specified mailing instructions on a mail piece to automate mail processing

US9165411B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Pitney Bowes Inc. · US

Inventors

• Thomas J. Foth · Melrose, US
• James A. Euchner · Bedford, US
• Jill M. Lawrence · Bridgeport, US
• Donna L. Gambino · Stratford, US
• Michael P. Swenson · Danbury, US
• Theresa Biasi · Reedsburg, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 16, 2005
• Grant date: Oct 20, 2015
• Expiry date: Jan 8, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07B2017/00379
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Methods and systems that allow a sender of a mail piece to easily specify delivery instructions and/or services for a mail piece and that allows mail processing systems to identify and account for the specified delivery instructions and/or services without the need for any pre-sorting or input of information prior to processing the mail piece. The sender of a mail piece provides a marking on the mail piece representing instructions desired for delivering the mail piece. A mail processing system utilized to process the mail piece reads the marking provided on the mail piece, and based on the type/color of the marking, interprets the delivery instructions requested by the sender. The mail processing system processes the mail piece according to the instructions requested by the sender based on the marking provided on the mail piece by the sender.