111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US008275734Bl
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Bridgman
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,275,734 Bl
`Sep.25,2012
`
`(54) SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RETURNED
`MAIL
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Ed Bridgman, Boeme, TX (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: United Services Automobile
`Association (USAA), San Antonio, TX
`(US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 657 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/479,227
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jun. 5, 2009
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`lnt. Cl.
`GfJ6N 5102
`(2006.01)
`GfJ6N 5/04
`(2006.01)
`U.S. Cl. . ........................................... 706/47; 706/48
`Field of Classification Search ..................... 706/47
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`6,791 ,050 B2
`9/2004 Daniels, Jr. el at .
`6,80 l ,833 B2 " 10/2004 Pinlsov et al. ................ 700/223
`6,826,548 B2"' 1112004 Hungerpiller et at . ........ 705/40 I
`
`2003/005579 1 A l •
`2005/0049890 AI
`2006/0112024 AI
`
`3/2003 Bodie et al. ..........•.......... 705/62
`3/2005 Kan
`5/2006 Wadd et at.
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`'"Improving Parcel & Postal Operarions with Bar Code Prinling", A
`Zebra Black & White Paper. 2007, 12 pages.
`* cited by examiner
`
`Jeffrey A Gaffin
`Primary Examiner -
`Assistant Examiner - Nathan Brown, Jr.
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Brooks, Cameron &
`Huebsch, PLLC
`
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A system, method, and computer-usable medium are dis(cid:173)
`closed for providing automated processing of retumed mail(cid:173)
`pieces. Recipient data and mailpiece data are processed to
`generate a mailpiece operation mle, all of which are then
`encoded 10 geucmte a unique identifier. The unique identifier
`is then indexed to its corresponding recipient data, mail piece
`data, and mailpiece operation rule and thereafter associated
`with a corresponding mailpiece, which is then sent to an
`intended recipient.lftbe sent mailpiece is tmdeliverable to its
`intended recipient, it is returned and its unique identifier is
`scanned and then decoded to extract its corresponding recipi(cid:173)
`ent data, mailpiece data, and mailpiece operation mle. The
`extracted mailpieceopemtion rule is then processed to initiate
`a corresponding retumed ruailpiece operation.
`
`19 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`Investment Strategies
`1311. Capital Street ~ 308 Sender
`Name And
`Austrn, TX 77704
`Address
`
`Recipient
`Name And
`Address ,----7~--------------------------~
`31
`
`216 Mailpiece
`
`'-308
`Indicia
`
`RFID
`Tag
`
`Page 1
`
`RMI EXHIBIT 2027
`CBM2014-00116
`
`

`

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`Comm. Controller
`llQ
`
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`"' ::::l ro
`
`1/0 Controller
`lli
`
`Other Programs 160
`
`Email Client 158
`
`Browser 1.52
`
`Rules Engine 1®
`
`Returned Mailpiece
`System
`
`JAa
`
`Communications Stack lli I
`
`Software Programs 144
`
`I
`
`OS Kernel 142
`
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`System Memory ~
`
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`ill
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`
`Drive I Disk
`Storage Controller
`Processor
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`L----------------------------------------------------------
`FIGURE 1
`
`--------- ------- ----- --------- ------------ --1
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`
`Page 2
`
`

`

`Returned
`Mailpiece System 214
`User Interface 'A'
`
`Recipient
`Data Service
`Provider
`
`Returned
`224 Mailpiece System
`l User Interface 'B'
`
`1
`
`,_
`
`1
`
`---aaaaaai
`
`202
`Recipient
`I
`\
`\
`I
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`\
`\
`\
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`\
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`218
`Returned
`Mailpiece
`
`206 Recipient's
`Telephone
`
`~ ~ D
`[ ==: J.
`
`I 2'15 Sent
`~ailpiece
`
`',,'::230
`
`Bar
`Code
`
`' ' ' ....
`.... ....
`
`'
`
`- ----------- ~
`
`Rules
`Engine
`1M
`
`Returned
`Mailpiece
`System
`ill
`
`RFID
`
`FIGURE 2
`
`226
`User Service
`Representative's
`Telephone
`
`Mail piece
`Management
`System
`
`Recipient Data,
`Mailpiece Data,
`Returned Mailpiece
`Operation Rules
`21Q
`
`~
`00
`•
`""d
`~
`f""'t"
`
`~ = f""'t"
`
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`-.....} u.
`-:..:. w
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`......
`
`Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.25,2012
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
`
`US 8,275,734 Bl
`
`Investment Strategies
`1311. Capital Street\::__
`308
`Aust1n, TX 77704
`
`Sender
`Name And
`Address
`
`216 Mailpiece
`
`RFID
`Tag
`
`FIGURE 3
`
`Start Mailpiece
`Processing Operations
`~
`
`Select Recipient
`Of Mailpiece
`~
`
`Index Unique Identifier To
`Recipient Data, Mailpiece
`Data, And Returned
`Mailpiece Operation Rules
`412
`
`Associate Unique Identifier
`With A Corresponding
`Mailpiece
`414
`
`Process Recipient Data
`And Mailpiece Data To
`Generate Returned
`Mailpiece Operation Rule
`1Q.6.
`
`Encode Recipient Data,
`Mailpiece Data, And
`Returned Mailpiece
`Operation Rule To
`Generate A Unique
`Identifier
`4.Q.a
`
`Add Unique Identifier To
`Repository Of Recipient
`Data, Mailpiece Data. And
`Returned Mailpiece
`Operation Rules
`110.
`
`Yes
`
`FIGURE4
`
`End Mailpiece
`Processing Operations
`ill
`
`Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.25,2012
`
`Sheet 4 of7
`
`US 8,275,734 Bl
`
`Start Returned
`Mailpiece Operations
`502
`
`Scan Unique Code
`Associated With Mailpiece
`506
`
`Process Returned
`Mailpiece Operation Rule
`To Perform Corresponding
`Returned Mailpiece
`Operation
`.Q1Q.
`
`Decode Unique Code To
`Extract Recipient Data,
`Mailpiece Data, And
`Returned Mailpiece
`Operation Rule
`QQli
`
`Query Repository Of
`Recipient Data, Account
`Data, Mailpiece Data, And
`Returned Mailpiece
`Operation Instructions
`For Recipient Data
`Updates
`516
`
`No
`
`No
`
`1
`
`2
`
`7
`
`FIGURE 5a
`
`Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2012
`
`Sheet 5 of7
`
`US 8,275,734 Bl
`
`1
`
`3
`
`No
`
`No
`
`Yes
`
`Query Service
`Provider For Recipient
`Data Updates
`522
`
`Yes
`
`Determine Communication
`Method To Communicate
`With Recipient
`~
`
`No
`
`Yes
`
`Provide Recipient Data,
`Mailpiece Data, And
`Returned Mailpiece
`Operation Options
`~
`
`4
`
`5
`
`6
`
`FIGURE 5b
`
`Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.25,2012
`
`Sheet 6 of7
`
`US 8,275,734 Bl
`
`4
`
`No
`
`7
`
`Update Repository Of
`Recipient Data, Mailpiece
`Data, And Returned
`Mailpiece Operation
`Instructions With Recipient
`Data Updates
`536
`
`No
`
`Yes
`
`Resend Mailpiece Using
`Same Recipient Data
`~
`
`No
`
`Discard Mailpiece
`And Mark Recipient
`Data As Incorrect In
`Repository Of Recipient
`Data, Mailpiece Data, And
`Returned Mailpiece
`Operation Rules
`~
`
`Resend Mailpiece Using
`Updated Recipient Data
`MQ
`
`Yes
`
`FIGURE 5c
`
`Page 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.25,2012
`
`Sheet 7 of7
`
`US 8,275,734 Bl
`
`Web Browser
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`Address j http:l/managemymailinginfo.com
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`I Quarterly 401K Statement
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`Last Name Harper
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`Address 1 100 Riverview Dr. 616
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`
`Page 8
`
`

`

`US 8,275,734 Bl
`
`1
`SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RETURNED
`MAlL
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`2
`tion rule and thereafter associated with a corresponding mail(cid:173)
`piece, which is then sent to an intended recipient.
`If the sent mailpiece is tmdeliverable to its intended recipi(cid:173)
`ent, it is returned and sca1111ed to read its unique identifier.
`5 Once scanned, decoding operations are perfonued on the
`unique identifier to extract its corresponding recipient data,
`mailpiece data, and mailpiece operation rule. T he extracted
`mailpiece operation rnle is then processed to initiate a corre(cid:173)
`sponding returned mailpiece operation. In various embodi-
`10 ments, repositories of recipient data are queried for updates to
`the recipient data. In various other embodiments, the intended
`recipient of the remrned mail piece is contacted for updates to
`their corresponding recipient data and recipient data, mail(cid:173)
`piece data. and returned mailpiece operation options are
`15 respectively provided within a user interface (lfl).
`In one embodiment, the returned mailpiece is resent using
`updated recipient data. It will be appreciated that the remrned
`mailpiece may be resent or a copy of the originally sent
`mailpit--ce may be resent to fi1e recipient. ln another embodi-
`20 ment, the returned mail piece is resent using the same recipi(cid:173)
`ent data. As an example, the intended recipient's recipient
`data, such as their name and address, has been verified and the
`mailpiece was ret11rned for some other reason. In yet another
`embodiment, the recipient data is not updated and the
`25 returned mail piece is not resent.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TilE DRAWINGS
`
`1. Field of the Disclosure
`Embodiments offiH: disclosure relate in general to tbe field
`of computers and similar technologies, and in particular to
`software utilized in this field. Still more particularly, it pro(cid:173)
`vides a system, method, and computer-usable medium for
`providing automated processing of retumed mailpieces.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`ll is not unconunon for large companies, such as financial
`institutions and insurance providers. to receive thousands of
`pieces of remrned mail every day. Even after automatically
`resending that mail, a large percentage (e.g., -30%) gets
`returned a second time. Typically, each pieceofretumed mail
`is opened, cbecked, and reprocessed, which costs time and
`money. In many cases, returned mailpieces are treated fi1e
`same, regardless of their respective value. As an example, a
`quarterly 401 K statement, or an insurance refund check, may
`be treated with the same level of priority as an advertising
`flyer.
`Maintaining the accuracy of recipient data, such as fi1e
`recipient's name and address, presents additional challenges
`for large volume mailers. One approach to this issue is the
`Address Correctiou Service (ACS) oiTert-x:l by the United
`States Postal Service (USPS). However, implementing the
`USPS ACS is kllowu to be labor intensive and costly. 30
`Recently, the USPS has annoullced the Intelligent Mail Bar(cid:173)
`code, a height-modulated barcode that encodes up to 31 -dig-
`its ofmailpiece data into 65 vertical bars. The data encoded in
`the lntelligcnt Mail Barcode comprises four infonnation ele(cid:173)
`ments: a service type identifier, a mailer ID, a sequence nuu1- 35
`ber. and a delivery point ZIP code.
`However, all of these information elements are primarily
`oriented to faci litate the delivery of a mail piece, not process(cid:173)
`ing its return, and their use in providing corrected recipient
`name and address information is incidental. Furthermore, the 40
`Intelligent Mail Barcode and its USPS predecessors are inca(cid:173)
`pable of cross-referencing recipient data, such as a recipient's
`name, address. or account number to a given mailpiece.
`Moreover, they fail to provide enl1anced mai I piece data relat(cid:173)
`ing to the contents of an individual mail piece. As a result, it is 45
`has become common for large mailers to have a staff of
`several employees whose primary responsibility is to receive
`returned mailpieces and manually determine the reasou for
`their return. lf their corresponding recipient information is
`incorrect, then it has to be corrected. which often involves 50
`tedious, manual, and error-prone processes. Then, each
`returned mailpiece has to be further processed so it can be
`resent, all of which incurs additional costs.
`
`Selected embodiments of the disclosure may be under(cid:173)
`stood, and irs numerous objects and features obtained, when
`the following detailed description is considered in conjtmc(cid:173)
`tion with the following drawings, in which:
`FJG. 1 depicts an exemplary client infom1ation processing
`system (lPS) in which embodimeuts of the disclosure may be
`implemented;
`FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of a returned mail piece
`system as implemented in an embodiment of the disclosure;
`FJG. 3 is a simplified illustration of a unique identifier as
`implemented with a mail piece in accordance with an embodi(cid:173)
`ment of fue disclosure;
`FIG. 4 is a generalized flowchart of the generation of a
`unique identifier as implemented in accordance with an
`embodiment of the disclosure for association with a mail-
`piece;
`FIGS. Sa-c are a generalized flowchart of the operation of
`a ret11rned mailpiece system as implemented in accordance
`with an embodiment of the disclosure;
`FJG. 6 is a simplified illustmtion of a returned mail piece
`system as implemented within a window of a user interface in
`accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure for display(cid:173)
`ing recipient data, mail piece data. and a plurality of ret11rned
`mailpiece operations; and
`FJG. 7 is a simplified illustmtion of a returned mail piece
`system as implemented within a window of a llser interface in
`55 accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure for updat(cid:173)
`ing recipient data and initiating a ret11med mailpiece opera(cid:173)
`tion.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY
`
`A system, method, and computer-usable medium are dis(cid:173)
`closed for providing automated processing of returned mail(cid:173)
`pieces. In various embodiments, recipient data and mailpiece
`data are processed to generate a mail piece operation rnle. The 60
`recipient data, mailpiece data, and mailpiece operation rule
`are then encoded to generate a unique identifier. ln various
`embodiments, the unique identifier comprises a bar code,
`such as 3-D barcode, which is imprinted on the mail piece, or
`a Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) tag. which is affixed to 65
`mailpiece. The unique identifier is then indexed to its corre(cid:173)
`sponding recipient data, mail piece data, and mailpieceopera-
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`A method, system and computer-usable medium are dis(cid:173)
`closed for providing automated processing of returned mail(cid:173)
`pieces. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the
`disclosure may be embodied as a method, system, or com(cid:173)
`puter program product. Accordingly, various embodiments
`may be implemented entirely in hardware, entirely in soft(cid:173)
`ware (including finnwa re, resident software, micro-code,
`
`Page 9
`
`

`

`US 8,275,734 Bl
`
`3
`etc.) or in an embodiment combining software and hardware.
`These various embodiments may all generally be referred to
`herein as a "circuit," "module," or "system."
`For purposes of this disclosure, an information processing
`system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of 5
`instnunentalities operable to compute, classi ty, process,
`transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display,
`manifest, detect, record. reprodt1ce, handle, or utilize any
`form of infonnation, intelligence, or data for busi11ess, scien-
`ti nc, control, or other purposes. For example, an infonnation 10
`processing system may be a personal computer, a personal
`digital assistant (PDA), a wirelessly-enabled mobile tele(cid:173)
`phone, a server, a network storage device. or any other suit(cid:173)
`able device and may vary in size, shape, performance, ftmc(cid:173)
`tionality, and price. TI1e information processing system may 15
`include random access memory (RAM), one or more process(cid:173)
`ing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or
`hardware or software control logic, read only memory
`(ROM), and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional
`components of the infonnation processing system may 20
`include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports
`for communicating with external devices, as well as various
`input and output (l/0) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse,
`and a video display. The information processing system may
`also include one or more buses operable to tmnsmit co1mnu- 25
`nications between the various hardware components.
`Additionally, various embodiments may take the form of a
`computer program product on a computer-usable storage
`medium having computer-usable progmm code embodied in
`the medium. Any suitable computer usable or computer read- 30
`able medium may be utilized. The computer-usable or com(cid:173)
`puter-readable medium may be, for exan1ple, but not linllted
`to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared,
`or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation
`medium. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of 35
`the computer-readable medium would include the following:
`an electrical collllection having one or more wires, an optical
`fiber, a transmission m<:dia such as those supporting the lnter-
`net or an intranet, a random access memory (RAM), a read(cid:173)
`only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only 40
`memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a magnetic storage
`device, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, an optical
`storage device, a portable compact disc read-only memory
`(CD-ROM), or a digital versatile disk (DVD). Note that the
`computer-usable or computer-readable medium could even 45
`be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program
`is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via,
`for instance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium,
`then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suit(cid:173)
`able maUiler and then stored in a computer memory. In the 50
`context of this document, a computer-usable or computer(cid:173)
`readable medium may be any medium that can contain. store,
`commLmicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by
`or in collllection with the instmctionexecution system, appa(cid:173)
`ratus, or device. The computer-usable medium may include a 55
`propagated data signal with the computer-usable program
`code embodied therein, either in baseband or as part of a
`carrier wave. The computer usable program code may be
`transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not
`linllted to the Internet, wireline. optical fiber cable. wireless, 60
`radio frequency (RF), etc.
`Computer program code for carrying out operations in
`various embodiments may be written in an object oriented
`programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the
`like. However, the computer program code for carrying out 65
`operations in various embodiments may also be written in
`conventional procedural progmmming languages, such as the
`
`4
`"C" programming language or similar programming lan(cid:173)
`guages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's
`computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-a lone
`software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on
`a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or
`server. ln tl1e latter scenario, the remote computer may be
`collllected to the user's computer through a local area network
`(LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless local area
`network (WLAN), a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a
`or personal area network (PAN). ln addition, the com1cction
`may be made to an extemal computer (for example, through
`the Internet using an Internet Service Provider) using any
`combination of telecommunication technologies and proto(cid:173)
`cols operable to establish a network connection for the
`exchange of information.
`Embodiments of the disclosure are described below with
`reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of
`methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program prod(cid:173)
`ucts. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart
`illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of
`blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams,
`can be implemented by computer program instructions.
`These computer program instructions may be provided to a
`processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose
`computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus
`to produce a machine, such that the instmctions, which
`execute via the processor of the computer or other program(cid:173)
`mable data processing apparatus, create means for imple(cid:173)
`menting the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or
`block diagram block or blocks.
`These computer program instructions may also be stored in
`a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer,
`information processing system, or other programmable data
`processing apparatus, to function in a particular maru1er such
`that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory
`produce an article of manufacture including instruction
`means which implement the function/act specified in the
`flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. The com(cid:173)
`puter program instmctions may also be loaded onto a com(cid:173)
`puter or other programmable data processing apparants to
`cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the
`computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a
`computer implemented process such that the iustmctions
`which execute on the computer or other programmable appa(cid:173)
`ratus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts speci(cid:173)
`fied in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
`FIG. 1 is a generalized block diagram of an exemplary
`client information processing system (lPS) 100 in which vari(cid:173)
`ous embodiments may be utilized. Client IPS 100 includes a
`processor milt 102 that is coupled to one or more buses 134.
`A display controller 112, which controls a display 114, is also
`coupled to or more buses 134, along with peripheral control(cid:173)
`ler 108, which controls one or more peripheral devices 110.
`An input/output (1/0) controller 116 affords communication
`with various J/0 devices, including a keyboard 118, a mouse
`120, a floppy disk drive 122, a Compact Disk-Read Only
`Memory (CD-ROM) drive 124, a Rash drive memory 126,
`and one or more J/0 ports 128. The fonuat of the ports
`collllected to the J/0 controller 116 may be any known to
`those skilled in the art of computer architecntre. including but
`not limited to Universal Serial Bus (USB) p011s.
`Client rPS 100 is able to communicate with a service pro(cid:173)
`vider server 164 via a network 162 using a communications
`controller 130, which is coupled to one or more buses 134.
`Network 162 may be the public switched telephone network
`(PSTN), an extemal network such as the public Jntemet, an
`internal network such as an Ethernet-based local area network
`
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`5
`(LAN), a Virtual Private Network (VPN) such as a corporate
`intn111et, or any combination oftelecolllJlluuication technolo(cid:173)
`gies and protocols operable to establish a network connection
`for the exchange of information. Using network 162, client
`lPS 100 is able to access service provider server 164.
`A storage controller 104 is also coupled to one or more
`buses 134. Storage controller 104 interfaces with storage disk
`or drive 106, which may comprise a magnetic storage device
`such as a hard disk or tape drive. Jn various embocliments,
`storage disk or drive 106 populates a system memory 136,
`which is also coupled to one or more buses 134. Data that
`populates system memory 136 includes the client IPS 100
`operating system (OS) 138 and software programs 144.
`OS 138 includes a shell140 for providing transparent user
`access to resources such as software programs 144. Gener(cid:173)
`ally, shell 140 is a program that provides an interpreter and an
`interface between the user and the operating system. More
`specifically, shell 140 executes colllJllands that are entered
`into a conm1and line user interface or from a file. Thus, shell
`140 (as it is called in UNIX®), also called a command pro(cid:173)
`cessor in Windows®, is generally the highest level of the
`operating system software hierarchy and serves as a com(cid:173)
`mand interpreter. The shell provides a system prompt, inter(cid:173)
`prets commands entered by keyboard, mouse, or other user
`input media, and sends the interpreted command(s) to the 25
`appropriate lower levels of the operating system (e.g., a ker(cid:173)
`nel142) for processing. While shell 140 generally is a text(cid:173)
`based, line-oriented user interface, various embodiments ruay
`also support other user interface modes, such as graphical,
`voice. gesmral, etc. As depicted, OS 138 also includes kernel
`142, which includes lower levels of functionality for OS 138,
`including services used by other parts of OS 138 and software
`progr<uus 144, including memory management, process and
`task management, clisk management, and mouse and key(cid:173)
`board management.
`Software programs 144 may include a colllJlltmications
`stack 146, browser 156, email client 158, and other programs
`160. The conumu1ications stack 146 is operable to implement
`any conuuunication protocol enabling various embocliments
`of the disclosure. Browser 156 includes program modules and
`instmctions enabling a World Wide Web (WWW) client (i.e.,
`IPS 1 00) to send and receive network messages to the Internet
`using HyperText Transfer Protocol (H1TP) messagiug, thus
`enabling conummiC<ltion with service provider server 164.
`Software programs 144 also include a Returned Mailpiece
`System 148 and a Rules Engine 150. The Returned Mail piece
`System 148 includes computer executable instnrctions for
`implementing the processes described in FIGS. 2-7 described
`hereinbelow. In one embodiment, client IPS 100 is able to
`download the computer executable instructions of the
`Returned Mailpiece System 148 from a service provider
`server 164 located at a remote location. In another embodi(cid:173)
`ment, the computer executable instmctions of the Returned
`Mail piece System 148 are provided by a service provider as a
`service. such as a Web service implemented on a Service(cid:173)
`Oriented Architecture (SOA), to the client IPS 100 on an
`on-demand basis.
`111e hardware clements depicted in client l PS 100 are not
`intended to be exhaustive, but rather are representative to
`highlight components used by the disclosure. For instance,
`client IPS 100 may include alternate memory storage devices
`such as magnetic cassettes. Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs),
`Bernoulli cartridges, and the like. These and other variations
`are intended to bewithinthespiritandscopeofthedisclosure.
`FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of a returned mailpiece
`system as implemented in an embodiment of the disclosure.
`In various embodiments, a returned mailpiece system 148 is
`
`6
`implemented with a mailpiece processing system 208 to pro(cid:173)
`vide automated processing of returned mailpieces. As used
`herein. a mailpiece broadly refers to any item intended for
`delivery to a recipient. In various embodiments, the mail piece
`5 may be an envelope or other Rat mail piece, a parcel, or any
`coutaincr of content deliverable by a postal service or com(cid:173)
`mercial carrier. As likewise used herein, a rentmed mailpiece
`refers to a mailpiece that has been deemed undeliverable to its
`intended recipient and has been returned to its sender. Mail-
`10 piece data, as used herein, refers to data associated with a
`mailpi~-ce, such as its contents, priority, dimensions, or
`weight. As an example, 'homeowner's insurance policy,'
`'quarterly 401K statement,' and 'on-line banking promo(cid:173)
`tional Ryer' are all examples ofmailpiece data referring to the
`15 contents of a mailpiece. As another example,
`'high.'
`'medium,' and 'low' may refer to delivery priority mailpiece
`data. Skilled practitioners of the art will recognize that many
`such examples of mailpiece data are possible and the forego(cid:173)
`ing is not intended to limit the spirit scope or intent of the
`20 disclosure. As used herein, recipient data refers to any data
`associated with an intended recipient of a mail piece. More
`specifically, recipient data includes a recipient's name,
`address, telephone, electronic mail, instant messaging, and
`other contact infom1ation.
`ln this embodiment, the mailpiece management system
`comprises a mles engine 150, operable to process returned
`mail piece rules, and a repository of recipient data, mailpiece
`data, and rerurned mailpiece operation rules 210. A returned
`mailpiece operation rule, as used herein, refers to a rule pro-
`30 cessable by a rules engine that defines an action or operation
`to be performed related to a retumed mailpiece. In various
`embodiments, recipient data and mailpiece data are pro(cid:173)
`cessed to generate a mailpiece operation rule. The recipient
`data, mailpiece data, and mailpiece operation rule are then
`35 encoded to generate a unique identifier. In various embodi(cid:173)
`ments, the unique identifier comprises a bar code, such as 3-D
`barcode 228, which is imprinted on the mailpiece 216. In
`various other embodiments, the unique identifier comprises a
`Raclio Frequency Identifier (RFlD) tag 230, which is affixed
`40 to mailpiece 216.
`Once added, the unique identifier 228, 230 is then indexed
`to its corresponding recipient data, mailpiece data, and mail(cid:173)
`piece operation nrle in the repository of recipient data, mail(cid:173)
`piece data, and returned mailpiece operation rules 210. The
`45 unique identifier 228. 230 is then associated with a corre(cid:173)
`sponding majlpiece 216, which is then sent to an intended
`recipient 202.
`If the sent mail piece 216 is undeliverable to its intended
`recipient 202, it is returned a returned mailpiece 218. The
`50 unique identifier 228. 230 associated with the returned mail(cid:173)
`piece 218 is then scanned by scanner 212, which in various
`embodiments comprises a barcode scanner or an RFID scan(cid:173)
`ner. Once the unique identifier 228, 230 has been scrumed,
`decoding operations are performed by the relltmed mail piece
`55 system 148 to extract its corresponding recipient data, mail(cid:173)
`piece data, and mail piece operation rule. The extracted mail(cid:173)
`piece opemtion mle is then processed by the rules engine 150
`and the result of the processed mailpiece operation mle is
`provided to the returned mailpiece system 148 to initiate its
`60 corresponding retllfned mailpiece operation.
`1 fit is decided to verify the accuracy of the r~-cip ient data
`associated with the returned mailpiece 218, then the reposi(cid:173)
`tory of recipient data, mail piece data, and returned mailpiece
`operation rules 210 is queried for updates to the recipient
`65 data. If there are no updates to the recipient data. then a
`repository of recipient data 232 associated with a recipient
`data service provider 230 for updates to the recipient data. As
`
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`US 8,275,734 Bl
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`7
`an example, the U nited States Postal Service (USPS) main(cid:173)
`tains an electronic Address Change Service (ACS), referred
`to as OneCode ACS, which is available to mailers who adopt
`the Intelligent Mail piece Barcode (IMB) on their mailpieces.
`Commercial address change service providers are likewise
`known in the art.
`If it is determined that the recipient data service provider
`230 is unable to provide updates to the recipient data, then a
`determination is made whether to contact the intended recipi(cid:173)
`ent 202 of the returned mailpiece 218 for updates to their
`corresponding recipient data. lf so, then a conummication
`method for coJllJllunicating with the recipient is detemtined.
`In various embodiments, the coJllJllunication method com(cid:173)
`prises an electronic conllmmication such as an electron.ic mail
`message, au instant messaging (!M)