111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US008829379B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Bonnell et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,829,379 B2
`Sep.9,2014
`
`(54)
`
`INTELLIGENT BARCODE SYSTEMS
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Clayton Bonnell, Fairfax, VA (US);
`Jeffrey L. Freeman, Purcellville, VA
`(US); Michael Lyons, Port Saint Lucie,
`FL (US); Stephen M. Dearing,
`Herndon, VA (US); Margaret L.
`Choiniere, Gainesville, VA (US); Daryl
`S. Hamilton, Upper Marlboro, MD
`(US); Himesh Patel, Centerville, VA
`(US); Carla Fern Sherry, Annandale,
`VA (US); David James Payne,
`Collierville, TN (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: United States Postal Service,
`Washington, DC (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 5 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/620,314
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Sep.14,2012
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2013/0008949 Al
`
`Jan. 10,2013
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63)
`
`Continuation of application No. 12/405,139, filed on
`Mar. 16, 2009, now Pat. No. 8,598,482.
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`B07C 3100
`B07C 3118
`U.S. Cl.
`CPC ... B07C 3100 (2013.01); B07C 3118 (2013.01);
`YJOS 209/90 (2013.01)
`USPC ............ 209/584; 209/900; 700/224; 700/226
`Field of Classification Search
`CPC .................. B07C 3/00; B07C 2301/00; B07C
`2301/0025; B07C 2301/0041
`USPC ................... 209/583, 584, 900; 700/223-227
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,796,196 A
`4,800,505 A
`
`111989 Durst, Jr. et al.
`111989 Axelrod eta!.
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`EP
`
`9/1995
`0673686 A1
`0 673 686 A1
`9/1995
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Address Change Service Application, Address Change Service
`Department, National Address Information Center.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner- Joseph C Rodriguez
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm- Knobbe Martens Olson &
`Bear, LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Systems and methods using intelligent barcodes for process(cid:173)
`ing mail, packages, or other items in transport are provided.
`Systems and methods allowing end-to-end visibility of a mail
`stream by uniquely identifYing and tracking mail pieces are
`also provided. Systems and methods include the use of stan(cid:173)
`dardized intelligent barcodes on mail pieces, a seamless pro(cid:173)
`cess for mail acceptance, continuous mail piece tracking, and
`feedback on mail quality in real time. In one embodiment,
`systems and methods using intelligent barcodes allow a mail(cid:173)
`ing service to provide enhanced acceptance, sorting, tracking,
`address correction, forwarding, and delivery services. In
`another embodiment, systems and methods using intelligent
`barcodes allow a mailing service to identifY a mail piece as
`undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) and determine a final dis(cid:173)
`position for the mail piece. In yet another embodiment, sys(cid:173)
`tems and methods using intelligent barcodes allow mailers
`more visibility into the mail stream and information on the
`quality of their mailings.
`
`16 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets
`
`Page 1
`
`RMI EXHIBIT 2024
`CBM2014-00116
`
`

`

`US 8,829,379 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5/1989 Sansone et al.
`4,831,555 A
`12/1990 Svyatsky
`4,979,605 A
`4/1991 Connell eta!.
`5,005,124 A
`111992 Manduley eta!.
`5,079,714 A
`1111992 Keating et a!.
`5,161,109 A
`7/1993 Connell eta!.
`5,229,932 A
`6/1994 Shellhanuner et a!.
`5,319,181 A
`5/1995 Allumet a!.
`5,420,403 A
`6/1995 Allen et al.
`5,422,821 A
`5,470,427 A
`1111995 Mikel eta!.
`5/1996 Williams
`5,514,863 A
`3/1997 Pintsov et a!.
`5,612,889 A
`10/1997 Cordery et a!.
`5,682,429 A
`12/1997 Allen et al.
`5,703,783 A
`3/1998 Bodie eta!.
`5,731,574 A
`4/1998 Pollard
`5,745,590 A
`6/1998 Moedetal.
`5,770,841 A
`7/1998 Cordery et a!.
`5,781,634 A
`8/1998 Baker eta!.
`5,790,429 A
`111999 Baker eta!.
`5,862,243 A
`2/1999 Ryan, Jr. eta!.
`5,871,288 A
`7/1999 Sansone et al.
`5,925,864 A
`7/1999 Pierce eta!.
`5,930,796 A
`9/1999 Cordery et a!.
`5,953,427 A
`1111999 Kato eta!.
`5,984,174 A
`212000 McFiggans eta!.
`6,032,138 A
`4/2000 Heiden eta!.
`6,055,520 A
`9/2000 Pintsov
`6,125,357 A
`10/2000 Maitino eta!.
`6,131,101 A
`112001 Cordery et a!.
`6,175,827 Bl
`112001 Reiter
`6,178,411 Bl
`6,178,412 Bl
`112001 Ratzenberger, Jr. eta!.
`6/2001 Gardner et al.
`6,253,219 Bl
`7/2001 Junger
`6,269,344 Bl
`9/2001 Uhl et al.
`6,292,709 Bl
`6,311,104 Bl
`10/2001 Shea eta!.
`4/2002 Divine eta!.
`6,370,446 Bl
`4/2002 Petkovsek
`6,371,521 Bl
`5/2002 Pintsov et a!.
`6,385,504 Bl
`9/2002 Jatkowski
`6,457,012 Bl
`6,508,365 Bl *
`112003 Cacace-Bailey eta!. ..... 209/584
`3/2003 Pintsov et a!.
`6,532,452 Bl
`3/2003 Hauser eta!.
`6,536,659 Bl
`4/2003 Sansone
`6,549,892 Bl
`4/2003 Seestrom et al.
`6,557,000 Bl
`6,680,783 Bl
`112004 Pierce eta!.
`5/2004 Bruce eta!.
`6,741,724 Bl
`1112004 Hungerpiller et al.
`6,826,548 B2
`6,829,369 B2
`12/2004 Poulin et al.
`6,865,561 Bl
`3/2005 Allport eta!.
`12/2005 Avant eta!.
`6,977,353 Bl
`8/2006 Sansone et al.
`7,085,811 B2
`7,266,531 B2 * 9/2007 Pintsov et a!.
`7,328,085 B2
`2/2008 Fogel eta!.
`7,346,591 B2
`3/2008 Sansone
`7,634,332 B2
`12/2009 Williams et a!.
`7,647,231 B2
`112010 Kuebert et a!.
`7,734,729 B2
`6/2010 Duet a!.
`7,778,773 B2
`8/2010 Yaqub eta!.
`8,024,063 B2
`9/2011 Redford et a!.
`8,214,141 B2
`7/2012 Froeberg
`8,346,674 B2 *
`112013 Agrawal et a!. ............... 705/330
`8,489,231 B2
`7/2013 Brandt eta!.
`8,598,482 B2 * 12/2013 Bonnell eta!. ................ 209/584
`200110010334 AI
`8/2001 Park eta!.
`2002/0029153 Al
`3/2002 Lee et al.
`2002/0029202 Al
`3/2002 Lopez
`2002/0143431 AI
`10/2002 Sansone et al.
`2002/0147731 Al
`10/2002 Seestrom et al.
`2002/0165729 AI * 1112002 Kuebert et a!.
`................... 705/1
`4/2004 Barts eta!.
`2004/0073448 Al
`2004/0199656 Al * 10/2004 Pintsov ......................... 709/231
`2005/0131740 Al
`6/2005 Massenzio et a!.
`2006/0080266 Al
`4/2006 Kiani et al.
`2006/0271236 Al
`1112006 Rosen eta!.
`
`.................. 705/75
`
`7/2008 Bowers eta!.
`2008/0179225 AI
`10/2008 Kiani eta!.
`2008/0269946 Al
`1112008 Yaqub eta!.
`2008/0275643 Al
`212009 Redford
`2009/0048704 Al
`3/2009 Orbke eta!.
`2009/0057207 Al
`6/2009 Kiani eta!.
`2009/0143898 Al
`2009/0159509 Al * 6/2009 Wojdyla eta!. ............... 209/584
`2009/0294338 Al
`12/2009 Lee eta!.
`201110213491 AI * 9/2011 Rundle et al. ................. 700/215
`2012/0097584 Al
`4/2012 Neebe et al.
`2013/0030564 AI
`112013 Kiani eta!.
`2013/0060377 AI
`3/2013 Otey eta!.
`2013/0178976 Al
`7/2013 Kiani eta!.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`JP
`JP
`KR
`wo
`
`1 022691 A2
`7-171505 A
`2000-334389 A
`200 1-0064 264
`WO 00/10113 Al
`
`7/2000
`7/1995
`12/2000
`7/2001
`212000
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Letter from U.S. Postal Services addressed to Honorable Thomas C.
`Sawyer, Nov. 24. 1993.
`Letter from U.S. Postal Service, National Customer Support Center,
`Aug. 8, 1996.
`Postal Automated Redirection System-The USPS Solution, 13th
`International Conference on Postal Automation, May 23-28, 1999.
`The Federal Register, vol. 62, No. 60, pp. 15055-15065, Mar. 28,
`1997.
`Federal Register Notice, Implementation ofNew Standards for Intel(cid:173)
`ligent Mail Barcodes, 73 Fed. Reg. 49,333 (Aug. 21, 2008).
`U.S. Postal Service, Confirm Service Featuring OneCode Confirm:
`Publication 197 (Mar. 2008).
`U.S. Postal Service, Intelligent Mail Barcode Technical Resource
`Guide (Apr. 10, 2008).
`U.S. Postal Service, Intelligent Mail Barcode Guide (Jun. 2008).
`U.S. Postal Service, A Guide to Intelligent Mail for Letters and Flats
`(Dec. 2008).
`United States Postal Service, Your Guide to Address Change Ser(cid:173)
`vices, DD. 1-25, May 1, 1991.
`United States Postal Service, Address Change Service, Addendum to
`Publication 8 Address Change Service, Publication 8, Sep. 1998.
`United States Postal Service, Address Change Service, Creative
`Solutions for Your Business Needs, News Briefs, Publication 8, Jul.
`1990.
`United States Postal Service, Address Change Service, Third-Class
`Address Change Service, Sep. 13, 1988.
`United States Postal Service, Draft Information-Based Indicia Pro(cid:173)
`gram (IBIP) Performance Criteria for Information-Based Indicia and
`Security Architecture for Closed IBI Postage Meterina Systems
`(PCIBI-C), Jan. 12, 1999.
`United States Postal Service, National Customer Support Center,
`Move Update, pp. 1-12, Apr. 1997.
`United States Postal Service, Postal Bulletin, Second-Generation
`Address Change Service, PB 21798, Sep. 19, 1991.
`United States Postal Service, The Mailroom Companion, vol. 2, No.
`2, pp. 1-8, Feb. 1997.
`Supplemental Information Disclosure Statement filed on Nov. 9,
`2009, in U.S. Appl. No. 90/008/470.
`Supplemental Information Disclosure Statement filed on Apr. 29,
`2009, in U.S. Appl. No. 90/008,470.
`Supplemental Information Disclosure Statement filed on Jul. 16,
`2008, in U.S. Appl. No. 90/008,470.
`Supplemental Information Disclosure Statement filed on Apr. 14,
`2008, in U.S. Appl. No. 90/008,470.
`Supplemental Information Disclosure Statement filed on Nov. 21,
`2007, in U.S. Appl. No. 90/008,470.
`Supplemental Information Disclosure Statement filed on Jun. 29,
`2007, in U.S. Appl. No. 90/008,470.
`Information Disclosure Statement filed on Jan. 31, 2007, in U.S.
`Appl. No. 90/008,470.
`
`Page 2
`
`

`

`US 8,829,379 B2
`Page 3
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Letter from U.S. Postal Services addressed to Honorable Thomas C.
`Sawyer, Nov. 24, 1993.
`Letter from U.S. House of Representatives addressed to Honorable
`Marvin Runyon, Oct. 5, 1993.
`
`Letter from U.S. Postal Service addressed to Managers Sales (Area),
`Dec. 20, 1994.
`Letter from U.S. Postal Service, Customer and Automation Service
`Department, Aug. 28, 1991.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2014
`
`Sheet 1 of 14
`
`US 8,829,379 B2
`
`0 v
`
`D
`
`0
`N
`
`~
`
`~ :::E
`
`L~h c.=_
`
`' - - - - - - - - '
`
`N
`N
`
`""""' ""'
`
`== ---liiiiii -'"" -.. ... -li!I!!!IJ!I!l1
`iiiiiiii -......
`'!!!!!!!!!!!!!! --------.... --.... ----~ -......... ------~
`
`iiiiriiiifi -..... ---
`
`N .....
`
`.
`~
`i:L
`
`Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2014
`
`Sheet 2 of 14
`
`US 8,829,379 B2
`
`26
`
`r20
`
`r30
`
`FIG. 3
`
`20
`
`llua
`mil
`uhl
`ull1
`tlul
`.hi.
`.uu
`lml
`lul1
`ltlu
`
`30
`
`ulll
`lllu
`IMt
`llul .-----45
`IIIII
`hltl
`lull
`.m.
`.n, 1
`rhll
`
`0
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`
`FIG. 3A
`
`Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2014
`
`Sheet 3 of 14
`
`US 8,829,379 B2
`
`410
`
`MAILER/
`SYSTEM FOR
`SENDING MAIL
`
`420 ~----------------- -------------- ----,
`
`1
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`:
`
`430
`
`440
`
`450
`
`460
`
`MAILING SERVICE
`
`470
`
`MAIL RECIPIENT/
`SYSTEM FOR
`RECEIVING MAIL
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2014
`
`Sheet 4 of 14
`
`US 8,829,379 B2
`
`530 ~ CONFIRM
`
`Destination Confirm
`
`-
`
`BARCODE
`
`DATA MAll PIECE ~ ~ -
`MAIL PIECE
`WITH CONFIRM t----.
`BARCODE
`WITH CONFIRM ~
`420
`"---- 520
`~'~ ~ ~ ~510
`: 1:p- 410
`1: 1: 1
`470~
`_s~ta~rt--~------------------------------------------E--nd:>
`
`FIG. 5A
`
`Origin Confirm
`
`PIECE WITH
`CONFIRM
`
`-
`
`CONFIRM
`DATA
`
`420
`
`610
`
`"---- 620
`
`REPLY MAIL f-F 630
`~~YMNl ~ BARCODE 1-
`,,
`,,
`CONFIRM ~ .
`BARCODE
`\________
`410 ~~1~1~1~1
`End>
`
`PIECE WITH
`
`r-
`
`~ 470
`
`Start
`
`FIG. 58
`
`Page 7
`
`

`

`10----,
`
`r-
`
`1[111 il1l•lltfll'hnt 1UI-ti11, u•l hll hhlll•1111 111 .. f•llnfl n
`~
`
`~
`
`11
`6
`2
`3
`9
`1 1 2 3j4l5 sj7Tal911o !11 12 113 j14 115116 117 118 119 120 21 122 l23l24l25l26l27128l29j30 j31
`90
`50
`70
`80
`
`60
`
`-----··--··-----·--~~-·"-·" --···-··· ''"
`
`FIG. 6
`
`~
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`rFJ
`('D
`'?
`~'-CI
`N
`
`0 ....
`
`.j;o.
`
`('D
`('D
`
`rFJ =(cid:173)
`.....
`Ul
`0 .....
`....
`
`.j;o.
`
`d
`rJl
`00
`Oo
`N
`\C w
`\C = N
`
`-....l
`
`Page 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2014
`
`Sheet 6 of 14
`
`US 8,829,379 B2
`
`~ -iiiiiiiliiililo --~ =--·(cid:173)-----= = -:c:::: ----= -----=----~ -... -= ---J: -----~ =-------
`
`r
`
`0
`0'>
`
`0 co
`
`0
`CD
`
`0
`LO
`
`0
`.N
`'~
`0)
`
`1'--
`
`·,::..
`co
`;;:..
`:.::..
`co
`.;:..
`10 T""
`c-(cid:173)
`..,.
`;:..
`10 C')
`T"";:..
`N
`:..:::.
`:..:::.
`0
`c-(cid:173)
`Ol·
`!-
`co
`i-(cid:173)
`f'-. r(cid:173)
`eo
`
`N
`i--
`
`N
`
`Page 9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2014
`
`Sheet 7 of 14
`
`US 8,829,379 B2
`
`801
`
`MAILER PLANS AND
`PREPARES MAILING
`
`802
`
`803
`
`804
`
`805
`
`MAILER SUBMITS PRE-SHIPMENT
`NOTIFICATION TO MAILING SERVICE
`
`MAILING IS INDUCTED AT THE
`MAILING SERVICE
`
`MAILING SERVICE
`PROCESSES MAILING
`
`MAILER ACCESSES AND
`INTERPRETS DATA
`
`' '
`-----------------------------------------------1
`
`END
`
`FIG. 8
`
`Page 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2014
`
`Sheet 8 of 14
`
`US 8,829,379 B2
`
`901 \
`
`MAILER GENERATES
`INTELLIGENT BARCODES
`
`t
`
`9
`
`02\
`
`MAILER ATTACHES
`INTELLIGENT BARCODES TO
`MAIL PIECES
`
`t
`
`903 \
`
`9
`
`04\
`
`MAILER ATTACHES
`INTELLIGENT BARCODES
`TO HANDLING UNITS, IF ANY
`
`t
`
`MAILER ATTACHES
`INTELLIGENT BARCODES TO
`CONTAINERS, IF ANY
`
`9
`
`05\
`
`06\
`
`9
`
`t
`
`MAILER GENERATES
`POSTAGE STATEMENTS
`
`t
`
`MAILER GENERATES
`MAILING DOCUMENTATION
`
`t
`END )
`
`FIG. 9
`
`Page 11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2014
`
`Sheet 9 of 14
`
`US 8,829,379 B2
`
`100---,
`
`122
`
`112
`
`110
`
`(~:-~;;2'\
`)--_//
`i
`
`\ PIECES
`
`108
`
`102
`
`120
`
`104
`
`124
`
`MAIL PROCESSING MODULE
`
`FIG. 10
`
`Page 12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2014
`
`Sheet 10 of 14
`
`US 8,829,379 B2
`
`1110
`
`MAILING SERVICE
`ACCEPTS MAILING
`
`1120
`
`MAILING SERVICE
`IDENTIFIES
`MAILING AS A FULL
`SERVICE MAILING
`
`YES
`
`1130
`
`MAILING ENTERED INTO
`FULL SERVICE SYSTEM
`
`MAILING SERVICE
`VERIFIES MAILING
`MEETS FULL SERVICE
`REQUIREMENTS
`
`1140
`
`N
`
`1150
`
`AILING SERVIC
`VERIFIES MAILING
`MEETS BASIC SERVICE
`REQUIREMENTS
`
`N
`
`YES
`
`1160
`
`MAILING SERVICE TRANSMITS START(cid:173)
`THE-CLOCK DATA TO MAILER
`IDENTIFIED IN BY/FOR LINE IN
`ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTATION
`
`1+------YES
`
`1170
`
`MAILER ACCESSES
`START-THE-CLOCK DATA
`
`END
`
`FIG. 11
`
`Page 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2014
`
`Sheet 11 of 14
`
`US 8,829,379 B2
`
`1200
`
`'
`
`~
`
`1202
`
`READ AN ENCODED VALl)E LOCATED
`ON THE MAll PIECE
`
`1204
`
`DECODE THE ENCODED VALUE TO
`DETERMINE. fi-lE OEUV£RY POINT.
`SENDER. RE.CIPIENT, ClASS AND ANY
`ENDORSEMENTS FOR THE MAIL PIECE
`
`1206
`
`NO
`
`YES
`RETRIEVE A NAME OF THE REC~PIENT OF THE MAll
`PiECE USING lHE IDENTIFICATiON OF THE RECIPIENT
`OF THE MAIL PlECE IN THE ENCODED VALUE
`
`1210
`
`RETRIEVE A ReTURN ADORES$ OF THE SENDER OF
`THE MAIL PIECE USING THE IDENTIFICA T!ON OF THE
`SENDER IN THE ENCODED VALUE
`
`1211
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`SORT MAIL PIECE AS A
`NON·UAA MAIL PIECE
`
`1216
`
`DETERMINE FINAL DTSPOSITION OF
`THE ACTUAL UAA MAIL PIECE USING
`THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE CLASS ·
`ANO ANY 5N00R$EMENTS Of lHE
`MAil ?IECE THAT ARE IN THE
`ENCODED VALUE
`
`1215
`
`SORT UAA MAIL PIECE BASED
`ON FINAL DISPOSITION
`
`1217
`
`FIG. 12
`
`Page 14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2014
`
`Sheet 12 of 14
`
`US 8,829,379 B2
`
`1300--,
`
`1305
`
`MAILING SERVICE
`TRANSMITS ADDRESS
`,---~ CORRECTION NOTICES 1+---------...~--------­
`TO MAILER AT NO
`YES
`ADDITIONAL CHARGE
`
`1310
`
`1315
`
`YE
`
`MAILER UPDATES
`RECORDS WITH
`ADDRESS CORRECTION
`
`N
`
`YES
`
`1325
`
`YE
`
`MAILING SERVICE
`CONTINUES TO
`TRANSMIT ADDRESS
`CORRECTION NOTICES
`FOR SAME ADDRESS
`AT NO ADDITIONAL
`CHARGE FOR 30 DAYS
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`1320
`
`IS MAILING
`STANDARD
`MAIL OR BOUND
`PRINTED
`MATTER?
`
`1335
`
`IS MAILING
`PERIODICALS OR
`FULL SERVICE
`MAILERS?
`
`YES
`
`1345
`
`MAILING SERVICE
`CONTINUES TO
`TRANSMIT ADDRESS
`CORRECTION
`NOTICES
`FOR SAME
`ADDRESS AT NO
`ADDITIONAL CHARGE
`FOR60 DAYS
`
`NO
`
`1340
`
`1350
`
`HAS MAILER
`UPDATED RECORDS
`BY 31sT DAY?
`
`MAILING SERVICE
`TRANSMITS SUBSEQUENT
`ADDRESS CORRECTION
`NOTICES FOR SAME
`ADDRESS AT
`ADDITIONAL CHARGE
`
`N
`
`HAS MAILER
`UPDATED RECORDS
`BY 61 3T DAY?
`
`FIG. 13
`
`Page 15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2014
`
`Sheet 13 of 14
`
`US 8,829,379 B2
`
`:-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
`FROM 1340, FIG. 13
`i
`!
`:
`:
`:
`·------------------------------------------------J------------------------------------------------
`'
`
`1355 ~ MAILING SERVICE DETERMINES ADDITIONAL
`
`CHARGES FOR ADDRESS CORRECTION
`SERVICES
`
`1360 ~
`
`~
`
`MAILING SERVICE DETERMINES PERMIT
`NUMBER BASED ON SUBSCRIBER/MAILER ID
`IDENTIFIED IN MAILING'S INTELLIGENT
`BARCODE
`
`t
`1365 ~ MAILING SERVICE APPLIES ADDITIONAL
`
`CHARGES TO ACCOUNT ASSOCIATED
`WITH PERMIT NUMBER
`
`1370
`
`t
`
`PERMIT HOLDER PAYS ADDITIONAL CHARGES
`
`~
`1375 ~ MAILING SERVICE TRACKS NUMBER OF
`
`NOTICES AND ADDITIONAL CHARGES
`ASSOCIATED WITH PERMIT HOLDER
`
`~
`
`1380 ~
`
`MAILING SERVICE GENERATES AND
`TRANSMITS METRICS REPORT TRACKING
`NUMBER OF ADDRESS CORRECTION NOTICES
`CHARGED TO PERMIT HOLDER
`
`~
`1385 ~ PERM IT HOLDER ACCESSES METRIC REPORT
`
`AND RECEIVES INFORMATION ON THE
`QUALITY OF ITS MAILINGS
`
`(
`
`1300
`
`~
`
`END
`
`FIG. 14
`
`Page 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2014
`
`Sheet 14 of 14
`
`US 8,829,379 B2
`
`1500~
`
`1504 ~
`
`GRAPHICS
`CONTROLlER
`
`I""
`
`--····
`
`1506 "1....
`
`O~SPtAY
`DEVICE
`
`.. ····-····-·······-·· ·'
`
`1502 s
`
`PROCESSOR(S}
`
`~
`
`..,J"1522
`
`1530 s
`
`MEMORY
`
`1524
`
`s
`
`1508
`
`1510
`
`IDEfATA DRIVE(S~ ,..___,__....~
`
`......._ _____ .....
`
`PORT(S)
`
`···~
`
`1511 ~ MICROPHONE ~ ..
`1512 ~~-----:Ke:_v_e_oA--R-0-~~
`1514 ~ BUTTONS ~'
`
`INPUT/OiJTPOT
`CONTROLLER
`HUB(ICI-1)
`
`1520 '1,...
`
`NE't'WO~K
`INTERFACE
`
`FIG. 15
`
`Page 17
`
`

`

`US 8,829,379 B2
`
`1
`INTELLIGENT BARCODE SYSTEMS
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica(cid:173)
`tion Ser. No. 12/405,139, filed Mar. 16, 2009, the entire
`disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`1. Field
`This development relates to a barcode and methods and
`systems of processing mail pieces using the barcode.
`2. Description of the Related Technology
`Mailers that use the mail delivery systems typically apply
`barcodes to their mail pieces to help the mailing system sort,
`track, and deliver mail pieces. Conventionally, mailing sys(cid:173)
`tems offer automation discounts for mailers that place bar(cid:173)
`codes on their mail pieces. In addition to offering automation
`discounts, mailing systems can provide additional services to
`meet the business needs of mailers. Mailers, and in particular
`business mailers, typically want to know where their mail is in
`the mail stream, how it is being processed by the mailing
`system, when their mail pieces are delivered, and how com(cid:173)
`plete and accurate their addresses are. Mailers also seek
`access to more data about their mail pieces as they travel
`through the mail stream. Mailing services seek such data to
`monitor processing, improve services, reduce costs, and 30
`accurately calculate postal charges. Hence, improved accep(cid:173)
`tance, sorting, tracking, and delivery systems and processing
`methods using barcode technologies are desirable.
`
`SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE ASPECTS
`
`The system, method, and devices of the development each
`have several aspects, no single one of which is solely respon(cid:173)
`sible for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of
`this development as expressed by the claims which follow, its
`more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After
`considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the
`section entitled "Detailed Description of Certain Embodi(cid:173)
`ments" one will understand how the features of this develop(cid:173)
`ment provide advantages that include reduced mailing costs 45
`for mailers, reduced processing costs for mailing services,
`greater visibility into the mail stream for mailers, and a
`greater number of mail pieces reaching their intended desti(cid:173)
`nation.
`One embodiment is a computerized method. The method
`includes sorting mail, where sorting includes reading an
`encoded value located on a mail piece; decoding the encoded
`value to determine an identification of a class of the mail piece
`and an identification of a service type of the mail piece; and
`performing an operation in response to determining that the 55
`mail piece is an actual undeliverable as addressed mail piece.
`The operation includes determining a final disposition of the
`mail piece using at least one of the identification of the class
`of the mail piece and the identification of the service type of
`the mail piece derived from the encoded value. In another 60
`embodiment, sorting includes decoding the encoded value to
`determine an identification of a delivery point for the mail
`piece, and the operation includes determining a final dispo(cid:173)
`sition of the mail piece using the identification of the delivery
`point and at least one of the identification of the class of the 65
`mail piece and the identification of the service type of the mail
`piece derived from the encoded value.
`
`2
`Another embodiment is a machine-readable medium
`including instructions which when executed by a machine
`causes the machine to perform operations. The operations
`include sorting mail for a mail piece, where sorting includes
`reading an encoded value located on the mail piece; decoding
`the encoded value to determine an identification of a sender of
`the mail piece, an identification of a recipient of the mail
`piece, an identification of a class of the mail piece, an iden(cid:173)
`tification of any endorsements of the mail piece, and an iden-
`10 tification of a delivery point for the mail piece; and determin(cid:173)
`ing whether the mail piece is a candidate undeliverable as
`addressed mail piece using the identification of the recipient
`of the mail piece within the encoded value and the identifica-
`15 tion of the delivery point for the mail piece. Sorting also
`includes performing an operation in response to determining
`that the mail piece is a candidate undeliverable as addressed
`mail piece. The operation includes retrieving a name of the
`recipient of the mail piece using the identification of the
`20 recipient of the mail piece within the encoded value; retriev(cid:173)
`ing a return address of the sender of the mail piece using the
`identification of the sender of the mail piece within the
`encoded value; confirming that the candidate undeliverable as
`addressed mail piece is an actual undeliverable as addressed
`25 mail piece, using the name of the recipient of the mail piece;
`and determining final disposition of the mail piece using at
`least one of the identification of the class of the mail piece
`within the encoded value or the identification of any endorse-
`ments of the mail piece from the encoded value.
`Still another embodiment is an apparatus. The apparatus
`includes a database to store a number of entries, where each of
`the number of entries include a name of a recipient of mail and
`an identification associated with the name of the recipient.
`The apparatus also includes a mail sorter to read an encoded
`35 value located on a candidate undeliverable as addressed mail
`piece. The encoded value includes an identification for the
`recipient of the candidate undeliverable as addressed mail
`piece, an identification of a class of the candidate undeliver(cid:173)
`able as addressed mail piece, and an identification of any
`40 endorsements of the candidate undeliverable as addressed
`mail piece. The mail sorter retrieves from the database a name
`of the recipient of the candidate undeliverable as addressed
`mail piece from an entry of the number of entries, where the
`entry includes the identification for the recipient of the can(cid:173)
`didate undeliverable as addressed mail piece. The mail sorter
`confirms that the candidate undeliverable as addressed mail
`piece is an actual undeliverable as addressed mail piece, using
`the name of the recipient of the candidate undeliverable as
`addressed mail piece. The mail sorter also determines final
`50 disposition of the confirmed undeliverable as addressed mail
`piece using at least one of the identification of the class within
`the encoded value and the identification of any endorsements
`within the encoded value.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates an intelligent barcode used in one
`embodiment of a mailing system.
`FIG. 2 illustrates prior art barcodes used in one embodi(cid:173)
`ment of a mailing system.
`FIG. 3 illustrates the prior art barcodes of FIG. 2 in greater
`detail.
`FIG. 3A is a table translating the prior art barcodes of FIG.
`2 into digits.
`FIG. 4 is a top level block diagram illustrating one embodi(cid:173)
`ment of a mailing system using barcodes such as those illus(cid:173)
`trated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
`
`Page 18
`
`

`

`US 8,829,379 B2
`
`3
`FIGS. SA, SB are system diagrams of services offered by
`the mailing system of FIG. 4 according to one embodiment.
`FIG. 6 illustrates a destination confirm intelligent barcode
`according to one embodiment.
`FIG. 7 illustrates an origin confirm intelligent barcode
`according to one embodiment.
`FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a
`method of planning, transmitting, and processing mail using
`an intelligent barcode such as that illustrated in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a 10
`method of preparing a mailing using an intelligent barcode
`such as that illustrated in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of
`a mail processing system using an intelligent barcode such as
`that illustrated in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a
`method of processing mail using an intelligent barcode such
`as that illustrated in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a
`method of sorting and processing undeliverable-as-addressed
`mail using an intelligent barcode such as that illustrated in
`FIG. 1.
`FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a
`method of providing address correction services using an
`intelligent barcode such as that illustrated in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 14 is a continuation of the method illustrated in the
`flowchart of FIG. 13.
`FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of
`a computer system that can be used in mail planning and
`processing methods and systems such as those illustrated in
`FIGS. 8 through 14.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`The following detailed description is directed to certain
`specific embodiments of the development. However, the
`development can be embodied in a multitude of different
`ways as defined and covered by the claims. In this description,
`reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are
`designated with like numerals throughout.
`Embodiments of the development can provide end-to-end
`visibility of a mail stream by uniquely identifYing and track(cid:173)
`ing mail pieces, then using this visibility to enable a seamless
`process for mail acceptance. Embodiments of the develop(cid:173)
`ment can include such features as, but not limited to, the use
`of standardized intelligent barcodes on mail pieces, continu(cid:173)
`ous mail piece tracking, and feedback on mail quality in real
`time. Individually or in combination, systems according to
`embodiments of the development can optimize mail accep(cid:173)
`tance and delivery processes.
`In one embodiment, a mail processing system enables
`pieces of mail processing equipment located at various mail(cid:173)
`ing service locations to continuously scan and track mail
`pieces from acceptance through delivery. In another embodi(cid:173)
`ment, a mailer sends electronic manifest information that
`describes its mailing to the mailing service before the mailing
`is transported to the mailing service and inducted into the mail
`stream. In yet another embodiment, the mailing service sends
`back a confirmation and an estimate of postage to the mailer
`based on the pre-shipment notification. In still another
`embodiment, scheduling information is exchanged electroni(cid:173)
`cally between the mailer and the mailing system. In a further
`embodiment, as mail pieces arrive at a mailing service loca(cid:173)
`tion, the mailer receives induction information providing a
`true "start the clock" data point to measure and assess the
`delivery process. In another embodiment, mail pieces are
`
`4
`seamlessly accepted by the mailing service, and processed
`using intelligent barcodes as described herein. In yet another
`embodiment, processing using intelligent barcodes allows
`real-time mail validation to occur. In still another embodi(cid:173)
`ment, mailers immediately receive feedback on the quality of
`their mail, on barcode quality, and on the location and final
`disposition of their mail pieces in the mail stream. In a further
`embodiment, a mail processing system provides address
`quality measurements that are transmitted to mailers,
`enabling them to update mailing lists. In yet a further embodi(cid:173)
`ment, integration of the mail processing system with financial
`systems allows payments and adjustments to be performed
`electronically and automatically.
`Persons of skill in the art will understand that mailing
`15 systems are but one embodiment of the development, and
`described herein for purposes of disclosure. Mailing systems,
`methods, and processes as described herein can be broadly
`interpreted to include, for example, shipping systems; ware(cid:173)
`house receipt, storage, and delivery systems; and baggage
`20 handling systems. Similarly, mail pieces as described herein
`can be broadly interpreted to include, for example, bags in a
`baggage handling system, packages in a shipping system,
`shipping containers in a long distance transport system, and
`objects in a warehousing system.
`25 An Intelligent Barcode
`FIG.1 illustrates an intelligent barcode 10 that can be used
`in systems according to an embodiment of the development.
`An intelligent barcode 10 can be affixed on a mail piece and
`used to sort and track the mail piece. In one embodiment, the
`30 intelligent barcode 10 is printed directly on an outer surface of
`the mail piece. In another embodiment, the intelligent bar(cid:173)
`code 10 is stamped directly on an outer surface of the mail
`piece. In yet another embodiment, a mailer prints the intelli(cid:173)
`gent barcode 10 on a label, then affixes the label to an outer
`35 surface of the mail piece. In still another embodiment, the
`mailer prints intelligent barcode 10 on a piece of correspon(cid:173)
`dence, then inserts the correspondence inside an envelope
`such that the intelligent barcode 10 is visible through a clear
`or see-through window in the envelope. In one embodiment,
`40 the window is covered with clear cellophane and the intelli(cid:173)
`gent barcode 10 is visible through the cellophane. The intel(cid:173)
`ligent barcode 10 can be used with any mail piece having such
`a window, not just envelopes. In addition to sorting and track(cid:173)
`ing systems, intelligent barcode 10 can also be used in other
`45 systems and methods described herein.
`FIG. 2 illustrates an example of prior art barcodes 20, 30.
`The barcodes 10, 20 are optical machine-readable represen(cid:173)
`tations of data. Like barcodes of the prior art, the intelligent
`barcode 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is height-modulated, in which
`so the data representation consists of evenly spaced bars of vary(cid:173)
`ing height. The prior art barcode 20 illustrated in FIG. 2 is a
`two-state barcode, however, in which data is encoded using
`two types of bars-short bars 22 and tall bars 24. Unlike the
`prior art barcodes, the intelligent barcode 10 in one embodi-
`55 ment of the development is a four-state barcode, in which data
`is encoded using four types of bars. In the embodiment illus(cid:173)
`trated in FIG. 1, the four bar types are descender bars 12,
`tracker bars 14, full bars 16, and ascender bars 18.
`The intelligent barcode 10 may be designed for use in
`60 high-speed, automated mail sortation machines. In some
`embodiments, information contained in multiple prior art
`barcodes such as the barcode 20 can be combined into a single
`intelligent barcode 10. For example, referring to FIG. 2, the
`barcode 20 may be configured to include tracking informa-
`65 tion, while the barcode 30 may be configured to include
`sorting information. A mailer may place both barcodes on a
`single mail piece 40 to allow the mailing service to sort the
`
`Page 19
`
`

`

`US 8,829,379 B2
`
`5
`mail piece when it is first introduced into the mailing system,
`as well as allow the mailing service and the mailer to track the
`mail piece along its route to an ultimate destination. Sorting
`information can include, for example, a ZIP™ Code, which
`can be used to determine a delivery point mailing address.
`Tracking information can generate, for example, mail piece
`processing data used for tracking purposes when the mail
`piece is processed on auto