1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006826548C 1
`c12) EX PARTE REEXAMINATION CERTIFICATE (7964th)
`United States Patent
`US 6,826,548 Cl
`c1o) Number:
`Hungerpiller et al.
`(45) Certificate Issued:
`Jan. 4, 2011
`
`111111
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING
`RETURNED MAIL
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Ralph Mitchell Hungerpiller,
`Birmingham, AL (US); Ronald C.
`Cagle, Birmingham, AL (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Return Mail, Inc., Birmingham, AL
`(US)
`
`Reexamination Request:
`No. 90/008,470, Jan. 31, 2007
`
`Reexamination Certificate for:
`Patent No.:
`6,826,548
`Nov. 30, 2004
`Issued:
`Appl. No.:
`10/057,608
`Filed:
`Jan. 24, 2002
`
`Certificate of Correction issued Apr. 26, 2005.
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/263,788, filed on Feb. 24,
`2001.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`B07C 3100
`B07C 3118
`G06Q 10100
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................................ 705/401; 382/101
`(58) Field of Classification Search ........................ None
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
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`(Continued)
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`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner-Lynne H Browne
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method, system and program product for processing
`returned mail includes the steps of encoding pieces of mail
`with data including the identity of the intended recipient,
`mailing the pieces of mail to the intended recipients, collect(cid:173)
`ing at a processing location those pieces of mail that are
`returned as undeliverable, scanning the data from the
`returned pieces of mail, electronically updating at least
`address information for the intended recipients of the
`returned mail, and electronically transmitting the updated
`address and other information to a subscriber for updating
`the subscriber's database of recipient addresses.
`
`At the time of issuance and publication of this certificate,
`the patent remains subject to pending reissue application
`number 111605,488 filed Nov. 29, 2006. The claim content
`of the patent may be subsequently revised in the reissue
`processing.
`
`USPS EXHIBIT 1002
`
`Page 1 of 6
`
`

`

`US 6,826,548 Cl
`Page 2
`
`............... 380/51
`
`............... 705/60
`
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`United States Postal Service, Information-Based Indicia
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`(IBIP),
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`Invalidity and Unenforceability of Patent, filed Mar. 11,
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`2005 in Case No. 2:05CV70956.
`Document 5---0rder Dismissing Case Without Prejudice,
`filed Jun. 28, 2005 in Case No. 2:05CV70956.
`
`Page 2 of 6
`
`

`

`US 6,826,548 Cl
`Page 3
`
`United States Postal Service, Postal Bulletin, PB 22042, Jan.
`25,2001,pp. 1-112.
`United States Postal Service, Postal Bulletin, PB 22083,
`Aug. 22, 2002, pp. 1-80.
`United States Postal Service, Postal Bulletin, PB 21993,
`Mar. 11, 1999, pp. 1-88.
`United States Postal Service, Postal Bulletin, PB 22038,
`Nov. 30,2000, pp. 1-176.
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`cal Guide, Publication 91, May 2008, pp. 1-104.
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`(MQC) Program-Contents,
`Self-Study Guide Modules, Sep. 2007, Modules 1-10 and
`Appendix A.
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`Center, ACS Service, http://ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=
`acs; pp. 1-2.
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`http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/507.htm#wp1223780; pp.
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`Dec. 5, 1996,pp. 1-56.
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`vice Department, National Address Information Center.
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`Thomas C. Sawyer, Nov. 24, 1993.
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`Sales (Area), Dec. 20, 1994.
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`Service Department, Aug. 28, 1991.
`
`Letter from U.S. Postal Service, National Customer Support
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`tion, 13th International Conference on Postal Automation,
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`Mar. 28, 1997.
`United States Postal Service, Your Guide to Address Change
`Services, pp. 1-25, May 1, 1991.
`United States Postal Service, Address Change Service,
`Addendum to Publication 8 Address Change Service, Publi(cid:173)
`cation 8, Sep. 1998.
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`ative Solutions for Your Business Needs, News Briefs, Pub(cid:173)
`lication 8, Jul. 1990.
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`Third-Class Address Change Service, Sep. 13, 1988.
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`cia
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`(IBIP)
`Performance
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`eration Address Change Service, PB 21798, Sep. 19, 1991.
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`vol. 2, No.2, pp. 1-8, Feb. 1997.
`* cited by examiner
`
`Page 3 of 6
`
`

`

`US 6,826,548 Cl
`
`1
`EX PARTE
`REEXAMINATION CERTIFICATE
`ISSUED UNDER 35 U.S. C. 307
`THE PATENT IS HEREBY AMENDED AS
`INDICATED BELOW.
`
`Matter enclosed in heavy brackets [ ] appeared in the
`patent, but has been deleted and is no longer a part of the
`patent; matter printed in italics indicates additions made 10
`to the patent.
`
`AS A RESULT OF REEXAMINATION, IT HAS BEEN
`DETERMINED THAT:
`
`Claims 1-38 are cancelled.
`
`New claims 39-63 are added and determined to be patent(cid:173)
`able.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`2
`42. A method for processing a plurality of undeliverable
`mail items, comprising:
`receiving from a sender a plurality of mail items, each
`including i) a written addressee, and ii) encoded data
`indicating whether the sender wants a corrected
`address to be provided for the addressee;
`identifying, as undeliverable mail items, mail items of the
`plurality of mail items that are returned subsequent to
`mailing as undeliverable;
`decoding the encoded data incorporated in at least one of
`the undeliverable mail items;
`creating output data that includes a customer number of
`the sender and at least a portion of the decoded data;
`determining if the sender wants a corrected address pro(cid:173)
`vided for intended recipients based on the decoded
`data;
`if the sender wants a corrected address provided, elec(cid:173)
`tronically transferring to the sender information for the
`identified intended recipients that enable the sender to
`update the sender's mailing address files; and
`if the sender does not want a corrected address provided,
`posting return mail data records on a network that is
`accessible to the sender to enable the sender to access
`the records.
`43. The method of claim 42, further comprising transmit(cid:173)
`ting the name and address of the intended recipients to a
`mailing address service provider, subsequent to the deter(cid:173)
`mining step, in order to obtain an updated address for each
`intended recipient of an undeliverable mail item.
`44. The method of claim 42, wherein the encoded data
`further indicates a name and address of the intended recipi(cid:173)
`ent.
`45. The method of claim 42, wherein the plurality of mail
`items further include a written return address that is not that
`address of the sender.
`46. A method for processing a plurality of undeliverable
`mail items, comprising:
`receiving from a sender a plurality of mail items, each
`including i) a written addressee, and ii) encoded data
`indicating whether the sender wants a corrected
`address to be provided for the addressee;
`identifying, as undeliverable mail items, mail items of the
`plurality of mail items that are returned subsequent to
`mailing as undeliverable;
`decoding the encoded data incorporated in at least one of
`the undeliverable mail items;
`creating output data that includes a customer number of
`the sender and at least a portion of the decoded data;
`determining, based on the decoding step, if the sender
`wants a corrected address provided for intended recipi(cid:173)
`ents;
`if the sender wants a corrected address provided, elec(cid:173)
`tronically transferring to the sender information for the
`identified intended recipients that enable the sender to
`update the sender's mailing address files, including a
`name change and a job change of intended recipients;
`and
`if the sender does not want a corrected address provided,
`posting return mail data records on a network that is
`accessible to the sender to enable the sender to access
`the records.
`47. The method of claim 46,further comprising transmit(cid:173)
`ting the name and address of the intended recipients to a
`mailing address service provider, subsequent to the deter(cid:173)
`mining step, in order to obtain an updated address for each
`intended recipient of an undeliverable mail item.
`
`30
`
`39 A method for processing returned mail items sent by a
`sender to an intended recipient, the method comprising:
`decoding, subsequent to mailing of the returned mail
`items, information indicating whether the sender wants
`a corrected address to be provided for the intended 25
`recipient, on at least one of the returned mail items;
`obtaining an updated address of the intended recipient
`subsequent to determining that the sender wants a cor(cid:173)
`rected address to be provided for the intended recipi(cid:173)
`ent; and
`electronically transmitting an updated address of the
`intended recipient to a transferee, wherein the trans(cid:173)
`feree is a return mail service provider.
`40. A computer program product residing on a computer
`readable medium comprising instructions for causing a 35
`computer to:
`store decoded information indicating whether a sender
`wants a corrected address to be provided and a cus(cid:173)
`tomer number, each associated with at least one of a
`plurality of mail items returned subsequent to mailing
`as being undeliverable;
`determining from the decoded data that the customer
`wants a corrected address to be provided for at least
`one of the plurality of undeliverable mail items;
`receive an updated address of an intended recipient for at
`least one of the plurality of undeliverable mail items,
`subsequent to and based upon the determining step;
`and
`transmit the updated address to a transferee, wherein the 50
`transferee is a return mail service provider.
`41. A system for processing a plurality of undeliverable
`mail items comprising:
`a first detector, wherein the first detector detects, subse(cid:173)
`quent to mailing the undeliverable mail items, encoded 55
`information on at least one of the plurality of undeliver(cid:173)
`able mail items indicating whether a sender wants a
`corrected address to be provided for at least one of the
`undeliverable mail items; and
`a processor that uses a computer program comprising 60
`instructions that cause the system to: i) decode the
`information indicating whether the sender wants a cor(cid:173)
`rected address to be provided; ii) encode and decode
`intended recipient identification information; and iii)
`enable an updated address of an intended recipient to 65
`be sent to a transferee, wherein the transferee is a
`return mail service provider.
`
`40
`
`45
`
`Page 4 of 6
`
`

`

`US 6,826,548 Cl
`
`15
`
`3
`48. The method of claim 46, wherein the encoded data
`further indicates a name and address of the intended recipi(cid:173)
`ent.
`49. The method of claim 46, wherein the plurality of mail
`items further include a written return address that is not that
`address of the sender.
`50. A method for processing a plurality of undeliverable
`mail items, comprising:
`receiving from a sender a plurality of mail items, each
`including i) a written addressee, and ii) encoded data 10
`indicating whether the sender wants a corrected
`address to be provided for the addressee;
`identifying, as undeliverable mail items, mail items of the
`plurality of mail items that are returned subsequent to
`mailing as undeliverable;
`decoding the encoded data incorporated in at least one of
`the undeliverable mail items;
`creating first output data that includes a customer number
`of the sender and at least a portion of the decoded data;
`sorting the first output data by customer number, after
`creating the first output data;
`creating second output data for a customer number that
`includes the name and address of the intended recipi(cid:173)
`ents associated with the customer number, after the 25
`sorting step;
`determining if the sender wants a corrected address pro(cid:173)
`vided for intended recipients;
`if the sender wants a corrected address provided, elec(cid:173)
`tronically transferring to the sender information for the 30
`identified intended recipients that enable the sender to
`update the sender's mailing address files, including a
`name change and a job change of intended recipients;
`and
`if the sender does not want a corrected address provided, 35
`posting return mail data records on a network that is
`accessible to the sender to enable the sender to access
`the records.
`51. The method of claim 50, wherein the encoded data
`further indicates a name and address of the intended recipi- 40
`ent.
`52. The method of claim 50, wherein the plurality of mail
`items further include a written return address that is not that
`address of the sender.
`53. The method of claim 50, further comprising transmit- 45
`ting the name and address of the intended recipients to a
`mailing address service provider in order to obtain an
`updated address for each intended recipient of an undeliver(cid:173)
`able mail item.
`54. A method for processing a plurality of undeliverable 50
`mail items, comprising:
`receiving from a sender a plurality of mail items, each
`including i) a written addressee, and ii) encoded data
`indicating whether the sender wants a corrected
`address to be provided for the addressee;
`identifying, as undeliverable mail items, mail items of the
`plurality of mail items that are returned subsequent to
`mailing as undeliverable;
`decoding the encoded data incorporated in at least one of 60
`the undeliverable mail items;
`creating first output data that includes a customer number
`of the sender and at least a portion of the decoded data;
`sorting the content of the first output data by customer
`number;
`creating second output data that includes a customer
`number and the name and address of the intended
`
`4
`recipients associated with the customer number, after
`the sorting step;
`determining if the sender wants a corrected address pro(cid:173)
`vided for intended recipients based on the decoded
`data;
`if the sender wants a corrected address provided, i) elec(cid:173)
`tronically transmitting the name and address of the
`intended recipient to an address correction service pro(cid:173)
`vider and receiving an updated address of the intended
`recipient from the address correction service provider;
`ii) electronically transferring to the sender, subsequent
`to receiving an updated address of the intended recipi(cid:173)
`ent from the address correction service provider, infor(cid:173)
`mation for the identified recipients that enable the
`sender to update the sender's mailing address files; and
`if the sender does not want a corrected address provided,
`posting return mail data records on a network that is
`accessible to the sender to enable the sender to access
`the records.
`55. The method of claim 54, wherein the encoded data
`20 further indicates a name and address of the intended recipi(cid:173)
`ent.
`56. The method of claim 54, wherein the plurality of mail
`items further include a written return address that is not that
`address of the sender.
`57 A method for processing a plurality of undeliverable
`mail items, comprising:
`receiving from a sender a plurality of mail items, each
`including i) a written addressee, and ii) encoded data
`indicating whether the sender wants a corrected
`address to be provided for the addressee;
`identifying, as undeliverable mail items, mail items of the
`plurality of mail items that are returned subsequent to
`mailing as undeliverable;
`decoding the encoded data incorporated in at least one of
`the undeliverable mail items;
`creatingfirst output data that includes a customer number
`of the sender and at least a portion of the decoded data
`including the name and address of the intended recipi(cid:173)
`ent;
`sorting the content of the first output data by customer
`number;
`creating second output data for a customer number that
`includes the name and address of the intended recipi(cid:173)
`ents associated with the customer number, after the
`sorting step;
`determining if the sender wants a corrected address pro(cid:173)
`vided for intended recipients based on the decoded
`data;
`if the sender wants a corrected address provided, i) elec(cid:173)
`tronically transmitting the name and address of the
`intended recipient to an address correction service pro(cid:173)
`vider and receiving an updated address of the intended
`recipient from the address correction service provider;
`and ii) electronically transferring to the sender, subse(cid:173)
`quent to receiving an updated address of the intended
`recipient from the address correction service provider,
`information for the indentified intended recipients that
`enable the sender to update the sender's mailing
`address files; and
`if the sender does not want a corrected address provided,
`posting return mail data records on a network that is
`accessible to the sender to enable the sender to access
`the records.
`58. The method of claim 57, wherein the encoded data
`further indicates a name and address of the intended recipi-
`ent.
`
`55
`
`65
`
`Page 5 of 6
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`US 6,826,548 Cl
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`5
`59. The method of claim 57, wherein the plurality of mail
`items further include a written return address that is not that
`address of the sender.
`60. A system for processing a plurality of undeliverable
`mail items, comprising:
`a letter transport for receiving/rom a sender a plurality of
`undeliverable mail items that are returned subsequent
`to mailing as being undeliverable, each undeliverable
`mail item including i) a written addressee, and ii)
`encoded data indicating whether the sender wants a 10
`corrected address to be provided for the addressee;
`a camera for decoding the encoded data incorporated in
`at least one of the undeliverable mail items; and
`a computer fori) creating first output data that includes a
`customer number of the sender and at least a portion of
`the decoded data including the name and address of the
`intended recipient, iii) sorting the content of the first
`output data by customer number, after creating the first
`output data; ii) creating second output data for a cus(cid:173)
`tomer number that includes the name and address of
`the intended recipients associated with the customer 20
`number, after the sorting the content of the output file
`by customer number; and iv) determining if the sender
`wants a corrected address provided for intended recipi(cid:173)
`ents based on the decoded data;
`wherein the computer, upon determining that the sender
`wants a corrected address provided, i) electronically
`transmits the name and address of the intended recipi(cid:173)
`ent to an address correction service provider and
`receives and updated address of the intended recipient 30
`from the address correction service provider; and ii)
`electronically transfers to the sender, subsequent to
`receiving an updated address of the intended recipient
`from the address correction service provider, informa(cid:173)
`tion for the identified intended recipients that enable 35
`the sender to update the sender's mailing address files;
`and
`wherein the computer, upon determining that the sender
`does not want a corrected address provided, posts
`return mail data records on a network that is accessible 40
`to the sender to enable the sender to access the records.
`61. The method of claim 60, wherein the encoded data
`further indicates a name and address of the intended recipi(cid:173)
`ent.
`
`25
`
`6
`62. The method of claim 60, wherein the plurality of mail
`items further include a written return address that is not that
`address of the sender.
`63. A system for processing a plurality of undeliverable
`mail items, comprising:
`a hand-held barcode optical scanner for decoding
`encoded data on undeliverable mail items that are
`returned subsequent to mailing as being undeliverable,
`the encoded data indicating whether a sender wants a
`corrected address to be provided for the addressee
`incorporated, wherein each undeliverable mail item
`also includes a written addressee; and
`a computer fori) creating first output data that includes a
`customer number of the sender and at least a portion of
`the decoded data including the name and address of the
`intended recipient; ii) sorting the content of the first
`output data by customer number, after creating the first
`output data; iii) creating second output data for a cus(cid:173)
`tomer number that includes the name and address of
`the intended recipients associated with the customer
`number, after the sorting the content of the output file
`by customer number; and iv) determining if the sender
`wants a corrected address provided for intended recipi(cid:173)
`ents based on the decoded data;
`wherein the computer, upon determining that the sender
`wants a corrected address provided, i) electronically
`transmits the name and address of the intended recipi(cid:173)
`ent to an address correction service provider and
`receives an updated address of the intended recipient
`from the address correction service provider; and ii)
`electronically transfers to the sender, subsequent to
`receiving an updated address of the intended recipient
`from the address correction service provider, informa(cid:173)
`tion for the identified intended recipients that enable
`the sender to update the sender's mailing address files;
`and
`wherein the computer, upon determining that the sender
`does not want a corrected address provided, posts
`return mail data records on a network that is accessible
`to the sender to enable the sender to access the records.
`
`* * * * *
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