111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US00863 7783B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Kiani et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,637,783 B2
`Jan.28,2014
`
`(54) DETERMINING DISPOSITION OF
`UNDELIVERABLE AS ADDRESSED MAIL
`
`(71) Applicant: Trinity Technical Group, Inc.,
`Arlington, TX (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Shahrom Kiani, Arlington, TX (US);
`Ben F Bruce, Arlington, TX (US);
`Carlos Macia, Plano, TX (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Trinity Technical Group, Inc.,
`Arlington, TX (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/706,982
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec. 6, 2012
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2013/0096714 Al
`Apr. 18, 2013
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 12/818,884, filed on
`Jul. 29,2008, now Pat. No. 8,350,173.
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/069,537, filed on Mar.
`17, 2008, provisional application No. 61/005,225,
`filed on Dec. 4, 2007.
`
`(51)
`
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`B07C 3100
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`USPC ........... 209/584; 209/583; 209/900; 700/213;
`700/219; 705/402; 705/401
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC .................. 209/583, 584, 900; 700/213, 219;
`705/1, 401, 402
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4/1991 Keough
`5,009,321 A
`5,363,971 A * 1111994 Weeks eta!. .................. 209/584
`5,422,821 A * 6/1995 Allen eta!. ................... 700/219
`5,703,783 A * 12/1997 Allen eta!. ................... 700/213
`10/2001 Hayduchok et a!.
`6,303,889 B1
`6,508,365 B1 *
`112003 Cacace-Bailey eta!. ..... 209/584
`6,549,892 B1
`4/2003 Sansone
`6,741,908 B2
`5/2004 Vanderbles et a!.
`6,826,548 B2 * 1112004 Hungerpiller et al . ........ 705/401
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`U.S.Appl. No. 13/305,420, filed Nov. 28, 20ll, Kiani, Shahrometal.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner- Terrell Matthews
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm- DeLizio Gilliam, PLLC
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Some embodiments include a machine-readable medium
`including instructions which when executed by a machine
`causes the machine to perform operations. The operations
`include sorting mail. The sorting of the mail includes reading
`an encoded value located on the mail piece. The sorting of the
`mail includes decoding the encoded value to determine a
`delivery point for the mail piece, 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 and an
`identification of a service type of the mail piece. The sorting
`of the mail includes determining 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 identification of a delivery point for the
`mail piece within the encoded value.
`
`10 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`100
`
`MAIL SORTER
`
`Page 1
`
`RMI EXHIBIT 2036
`CBM2014-00116
`
`

`
`US 8,637,783 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,888,084 B1
`5/2005
`7,124,948 B2 * 10/2006
`7,574,015 B2
`8/2009
`7,674,995 B2
`3/2010
`7,720,256 B2
`5/2010
`7,834,289 B2 * 1112010
`7,933,844 B2
`4/2011
`2002/0087861 A1
`7/2002
`2003/0191651 A1
`10/2003
`2005/0199717 A1
`9/2005
`2006/0080266 A1
`4/2006
`201110054667 A1
`3/2011
`2012/0072014 A1
`3/2012
`2013/0030564 A1
`112013
`2013/0178976 A1
`7/2013
`
`Bayer
`Longacre et a!. ........ 235/462.01
`Desprez et al.
`Desprez et al.
`Desprez et al.
`Orbke et al . .................. 209/584
`Rundle
`Segev et al.
`Hungerpiller et al.
`Park eta!.
`Kiani et al.
`Caillon
`Kiani et al.
`Kiani et al.
`Kiani et al.
`
`U.S. Appl. No. 13/647,370, filed Oct. 8, 2012, Kiani, Shahrom et al.
`"Trinity Technical Group Inc. v. Siemens Industry Inc. filed in the
`U.S. District Court", Northern District ofTX, Dallas Division Case
`3:12-cv-04602 (Patent Nos. 8,806,346 and 8,311,667) Nov. 14,
`2012, 1 page.
`"U.S.Appl. No.12/108,681 Office Action", Dec. 23,2010, 10pages.
`"U.S. Appl. No. 12/181,884 Final Office Action", Jul. 6, 2011 , 12
`pages.
`"U.S. Appl. No. 12/181,884 Office Action", Feb. 1, 2011, 12 pages.
`"U.S.Appl.No.12/181,8840fficeAction",Mar.19,2012, 12pages.
`U.S.Appl. No. 14/024,460, filed Sep. 11,2013, Kiani, Shaluomet al.
`"Address Change Service--DneCode ACS", Publication 8B, Trans(cid:173)
`mittal Letter, United States Postal Service (Dec. 2006) ("OneCode
`ACS') Dec. 2006 , 35 pages.
`U.S. Appl. No. 13/777,494, filed Feb. 26, 2013, Bruce, Ben F., et al.
`* cited by examiner
`
`Page 2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.28,2014
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 8,637,783 B2
`
`103
`
`FINAL DISPOSITION
`OF MAIL PIECES
`(UAA}
`
`124
`
`106
`
`10~
`
`UAA MODULE ~.--....__
`
`108
`
`MAIL PIECES
`
`II
`
`I
`r------.
`I UAAMA!L
`I
`1 PIECES
`I
`l
`
`- ...... 1 r\
`
`104
`
`126
`
`MAIL SORTER
`
`102
`
`FIG.1
`
`Page 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.28,2014
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 8,637,783 B2
`
`200
`
`202
`
`204
`
`206
`
`208
`
`210
`
`212
`
`FIG.2
`
`Page 4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.28,2014
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 8,637,783 B2
`
`302
`
`READ AN ENCODED VALUE LOCATED
`ON THE MAIL PIECE
`
`304
`
`DECODE THE ENCODED VALUE TO
`DETERMINE THE DELIVERY POINT,
`SENDER. RECIPIENT, CLASS .AND ANY
`ENDORSEMENTS FOR THE MAIL PIECE
`
`306
`
`NO
`
`YES
`RETRIEVE A N1\ME OF THE RECIPIENT OF THE MAIL
`PIECE USING THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE REC!P!ENT
`OF THE MAIL PIECE IN THE ENCODED VALUE
`
`RETRIEVE A RETURN ADDRESS OF THE SENDER OF
`THE MAiL PIECE USING THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE
`SENDER IN THE ENCODED V,<\LUE
`
`310
`
`311
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`SORT MAIL PIECE AS A
`NON-UAA MAIL PIECE:
`
`312
`316
`
`DETERMINE FINAL DISPOSITION OF
`THE ACTUAL UAA MAIL PIECE USING
`THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE CLASS
`AND ANY ENDORSEMENTS OF THE
`MAIL PIECE THAT ARE IN THE
`ENCODED VALUE
`
`315
`
`SORT UM MAIL PIECE BASED
`ON FINAL DISPOSITION
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Page 5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.28,2014
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 8,637,783 B2
`
`404 ..-,__.
`
`GRAPHICS
`CONTROLLER
`
`I
`
`DtSPLAY
`DEVICE
`
`406 (_..
`
`IDE!ATA DR!VE{S)
`
`410
`
`PORT{S}
`
`MICROPHONE
`
`KEYBOARD
`
`8UTIONS
`
`NETWORK
`INTERFACE
`
`4i6
`
`402
`
`/
`
`PROCESSOR($}
`
`-...,[' 422
`
`MEMORY
`
`424 s
`
`INPUT/OUTPUT
`CONTROLLER
`HUB (ICH)
`
`FIG.4
`
`Page 6
`
`

`
`US 8,637,783 B2
`
`1
`DETERMINING DISPOSITION OF
`UNDELIVERABLE AS ADDRESSED MAIL
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 12/181,884, entitled DETERMINING
`DISPOSITION OF UNDELIVERABLE AS ADDRESSED
`MAIL RELATED APPLICATIONS, filed Jul. 29, 2008, now
`allowed which in tum claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C.
`Section 119(e), to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
`No. 61/005,225, filed on Dec. 4, 2007 and to U.S. Provisional
`Patent Application Ser. No. 61/069,537, filed on Mar. 17,
`2008, which are both incorporated herein by reference.
`
`LIMITED COPYRIGHT WAIVER
`
`2
`Some example embodiments use encoded values that are
`located on mail pieces for processing those mail pieces that
`are undeliverable as address (UAA). In some example
`embodiments, the encoded values are bar codes that are
`placed on the mail pieces by mailers of the mail pieces. These
`bar codes have generally been used by the mail delivery
`service providers, such as the United States Postal Service
`(USPS), for delivery of the mail. An example of such a bar
`code is the Intelligent Mail® Barcode (IMB). Convention-
`10 ally, the IMB is a bar code on a mail piece that is used to sort
`and track mail pieces. Currently, the USPS provides automa(cid:173)
`tion discounts for mailers that place IMBs on their mail
`pieces. Some example embodiments use the IMB for differ(cid:173)
`ent operations of UAA processing (as described below).
`15 Example embodiments herein are described as using an IMB.
`However, embodiments are not limited to the format for the
`IMB. Example embodiments may be used on any type of
`encoded value in any of a number of different formats with
`different types of encoded data therein.
`The encoded value may include different types of informa-
`tion to assist in sorting and tracking of the mail. For example,
`the encoded value may include different types of mail param(cid:173)
`eters for a mail piece, such as routing data (e.g., the delivery
`point), the mail class, the service type, the mailer identifica-
`25 tion number, identification of recipient, address of mailer, etc.
`In some example embodiments, the delivery point (de(cid:173)
`coded from the encoded value) may be used to determine
`whether a mail piece is a candidate UAA mail piece. In some
`example embodiments, the data decoded from the encoded
`30 value is also used to confirm that a candidate UAA mail piece
`is an actual UAA mail piece. In some example embodiments,
`the data decoded from the encoded value is also used to
`determine final disposition of the confirmed actual UAA mail
`piece. In some example embodiments, the data decoded from
`35 the encoded value is also used to determine a return address of
`a send of the mail piece (which may be used if the mail is an
`actual UAAmail piece). These example embodiments may be
`used in any combination. For example, in some example
`embodiments, the data from the encoded value is used to
`40 determine whether the mail piece is a candidate UAA mail
`piece; used to confirm that a candidate UAA mail piece is an
`actual UAA mail piece; used to determine final disposition of
`the actual UAA mail piece; and used to determine a return
`address. In other examples, the data from the encoded value
`45 may be used to perform only one operation or less than all of
`the operations of UAA processing (listed described above).
`For example, data from the encoded value may only be used
`to confirm that a candidate UAA mail piece is an actual UAA
`mail piece. In another example, the data from the encoded
`50 value may only be used to determine final disposition of the
`actual UAA mail piece. Accordingly, if the encoded value is
`used for less than all of the operations for UAA processing,
`other data or other techniques may be used to perform these
`other operations.
`In some example embodiments, the encoded value (and/or
`the data decoded there from) may be correlated with the name
`of the recipient of the mail piece. For example, the encoded
`value, the data decoded there from and the name of the recipi(cid:173)
`ent for a mail piece may be stored in a data structure within a
`60 database. This database may be stored in a machine-readable
`medium that is local or remote to the mail processing facility.
`In some example embodiments, parts of this data may be
`populated by the mailers of the mail pieces, while others parts
`of this data may be populated by operations performed by the
`65 mail processing equipment. For example, mailers of the mail
`pieces may store the encoded value and the name of the
`recipient for a mail piece, while the operations of the mail
`
`A portion of the disclosure of this document contains mate(cid:173)
`rial that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
`owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any- 20
`one of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it
`appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or
`records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatso(cid:173)
`ever. The following notice applies to the software, data, and/
`or screenshots which may be described below and in the
`drawings that form a part of this document: Copyright 2012,
`Trinity Technical Group, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`The approaches described in this section could be pursued,
`but are not necessarily approaches that have been previously
`conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated
`herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior
`art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be
`prior art by inclusion in this section.
`The delivery of mail includes identification and processing
`of mail that is undeliverable as addressed (UAA). The pro(cid:173)
`cessing ofUAA may include returning to the sender, forward(cid:173)
`ing to a different address, treating as waste, etc.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`
`The embodiments are provided by way of example and not
`limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in
`which like references indicate similar elements and in which:
`FIG. 1 is a system diagram for processing undeliverable as
`addressed (UAA) mail pieces, according to some example
`embodiments.
`FIG. 2 is a diagram of a mail piece that includes an encoded
`value, according to some example embodiments.
`FIG. 3 is a diagram of a method for performing includes
`processing of a mail piece that includes UAA processing,
`according to some example embodiments.
`FIG. 4 illustrates a computer that may be used for process- 55
`ing UAA mail pieces, according to some example embodi(cid:173)
`ments.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
`
`Methods, apparatus and systems for processing undeliver(cid:173)
`able as addressed mail are described. In the following
`description, numerous specific details are set forth. However,
`it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be
`practiced without these specific details. In other instances,
`structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in
`order not to obscure the understanding of this description.
`
`Page 7
`
`

`
`US 8,637,783 B2
`
`3
`processing equipment may cause storage of the data decoded
`from the encoded value. This data is then accessible by mail
`processing equipment during UAA processing. For example,
`the encoded value may be used as a key for looking up the
`name of the recipient in the machine-readable medium. The
`name of the recipient can then be used to determine whether
`a candidate UAA mail piece is confirmed to an actual UAA
`mail piece.
`Such embodiments are in contrast to conventional tech(cid:173)
`niques for UAA processing of mail pieces. In particular, using
`conventional techniques, mail sorters can only detect if a mail
`piece is UAA. However, some mail sorters cannot determine
`final UAA disposition (Forward, Return to Sender, Treat as
`Waste, etc.) for mail pieces. In particular, in order to deter(cid:173)
`mine final disposition other characteristics such as the mail
`class and service type need to be taken into account. Using
`conventional techniques, these additional characteristics can
`only be obtained by capturing and analyzing the image of a
`UAA mail piece using pattern recognition, Optical Character
`Recognition (OCR) methodologies or video coding tech- 20
`niques. As a result, the UAA mail pieces are re-processed on
`other OCR capable mail processing equipment to capture and
`analyze the mail class, service type and return address. Sub(cid:173)
`sequently, the final disposition of a UAA mail piece may be
`determined. This required additional processing results in a 25
`significant cost to mail processing. A more detailed descrip(cid:173)
`tion of the systems, apparatus and methods for processing
`undeliverable as addressed mail are now described.
`FIG. 1 is a system diagram for processing undeliverable as
`addressed (UAA) mail pieces, according to some example
`embodiments. FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 that includes a
`mail sorter 102 and a machine-readable medium 103. The
`mail sorter 102 may be a letter mail sorter, a flat mail sorter, a
`mixed mail sorter, a parcel mail sorter, or any other type of
`device that sorts mail pieces.
`Mail sorter 102 comprises a sort module 104 and a UAA
`module 106. The sort module 104 and the UAA module 106
`may be software, hardware, firmware or a combination
`thereof. While the UAA module 106 is shown as being part of
`the mail sorter 102, embodiments are not so limited. In some
`example embodiments, the UAA module 106 may be separate
`from the mail sorter 102. Alternatively or in addition, the
`functionality of the UAA module 106 may be incorporated
`into the sort module 104.
`The sort module 104 receives and sorts the mail pieces. In
`some example embodiments, the sort module 104 sorts the
`mail pieces based on an encoded value (such as an IMB), a
`delivery point bar code or a combination thereof. The
`encoded value may be pre-printed onto the mail pieces by the
`mailer. As further described below, in some example embodi- 50
`ments, the encoded value is used to perform some or all of the
`operations ofUAA processing.
`As shown, the mail pieces 108 are passed to the sort module
`106 during a mail sort operation. The sort module 104 may
`decode an encoded value located on a mail piece. The sort 55
`module and the UAA module 106 may perform some or all of
`the operations of UAA processing using the decoded data
`from the encoded value. For example, the sort module 104
`may identifY mail pieces as candidate UAA mail pieces by
`comparing a delivery point (encoded in the encoded value) to 60
`a table, list, etc. of addresses of recipients of mail whose
`address has changed (hereinafter referred to as a change of
`address table). In particular, based on the delivery point, the
`sort module 104 may be able to identify that one or more
`persons have changed addresses for this particular location. 65
`Multiple persons/entities may be having mail delivered to this
`particular location. Accordingly, one person for a given loca-
`
`4
`tion may have changed addresses, while other persons for this
`location have not changed addresses. Therefore, nntil the
`recipient is identified, the mail piece is only a candidate UAA
`mail piece.
`If the sort module 104 identifies the mail piece as a candi(cid:173)
`date UAA mail piece, the sort module 104 may pass the mail
`piece to the UAA module 106 for further processing (UAA
`mail pieces 112). The sort module 104 outputs the mail pieces
`(non-UAA)-126. For a candidate UAA mail piece, the UAA
`10 module 106 determines whether the UAA mail piece is con(cid:173)
`firmed to be an actual UAA mail piece. In some example
`embodiments, the UAA module 106 uses data decoded from
`the encoded value to perform this confirmation. Moreover, for
`those actual UAA mail pieces, the UAA module 106 deter-
`15 mines a final disposition (final disposition of mail pieces
`(UAA)-124). In some example embodiments, the UAA
`module 106 uses data decoded from the encoded value to
`determine this final disposition.
`The machine-readable medium 103 may be volatile and/or
`non-volatile media (e.g., read only memory (ROM), random
`access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical
`storage media, flash memory devices, etc.). The machine(cid:173)
`readable medium 103 may be local or remote relative to the
`mail sorter 102. For example, in some embodiments, the
`machine-readable medium 103 may be representative of
`machine-readable media distributed at different locations
`under the control of the mailers of the mail pieces. Accord(cid:173)
`ingly, the mailers may have their own machine-readable
`medium that is accessible remotely by the mail sorter. Alter-
`30 natively or in addition, the machine-readable medium 103
`may be located at the mail processing facility (which is local
`to the mail sorter 102). In some example embodiments, the
`machine-readable medium 103 stores data related to,
`extracted from, etc. the encoded values. For example, for a
`35 given encoded value, an entry in the machine-readable
`medium 103 may include the encoded value, the name of the
`recipient of the mail piece, customer identification number
`for the mailer and the mail class, service type and return
`address for the mail piece. In some example embodiments,
`40 parts of this data (e.g., the encoded value and the name of the
`recipient) are populated by the mailer of the mail pieces. For
`example, the populating of this data may be a requirement for
`qualification of the IMB automation discounts for mailers.
`Some mailers may desire to keep the names of the recipients
`45 of the mail pieces confidential. In some example embodi(cid:173)
`ments, the names of the recipients may be stored in a separate
`machine-readable medium (e.g., a machine-readable medium
`under the control of the mailer). Alternatively or in addition,
`the names of the recipients may be encrypted.
`FIG. 2 is a diagram of a mail piece that includes an encoded
`value, according to some example embodiments. FIG. 2 illus(cid:173)
`trates a mail piece 200 that includes an encoded value 202.
`The encoded value 202 includes different data encoded
`therein. In this example, the encoded value 202 includes a
`delivery point 204, a mailer identification 206, a recipient
`identification 208, a mail class 210 and a mail service type
`212. In some other example embodiments, the encoded value
`202 may include more or less data.
`Operations, according to example embodiments, are now
`described. In certain embodiments, the operations are per(cid:173)
`formed by instructions residing on machine-readable media
`(e.g., software), while in other embodiments, the methods are
`performed by hardware or other logic (e.g., digital logic).
`FIG. 3 is a diagram of a method for performing includes
`processing of a mail piece that includes UAA processing,
`according to some example embodiments. A method 300 is
`described with reference to FIGS. 1-2. In some example
`
`Page 8
`
`

`
`US 8,637,783 B2
`
`5
`embodiments, the method 300 is performed by at least one of
`the sort module 104 and the UAA module 106. The method
`300 commences at block 302.
`At block 302, the sort module 104 receives a mail piece for
`sorting. The mail pieces may comprise both UAA and non(cid:173)
`UAA mail pieces. In some example embodiments, the mailer
`of the mail pieces print, mark, attach, etc. an encoded value
`onto an outside part of the mail pieces, as shown in FIG. 2.
`The method 300 continues at block 304.
`At block 304, the sort module 104 reads the encoded value
`located on the mail piece. The encoded value may be a bar
`code, an alphanumeric value, etc. For example, in some
`embodiments, the encoded value is an IMB that is a type of
`height-modulated bar code. For example, the encoded value
`may be a vertical bar type that uses one to N number of
`different types of vertical bars. Therefore, in some examples,
`the sort module 104 may use some type of bar code scan
`operation to read the encoded value. The method continues at
`block 306.
`At block 306, the sort module 104 decodes the encoded
`value to determine some or all of the following data: (1) the
`delivery point for the mail piece; (2) an identification and
`return address of the sender of the mail piece; (3) the class of
`the mail piece and (4) any endorsements (service types) for
`the mail piece. Other types of data (e.g., mailing sequence
`number) may also be decoded from the encoded value.
`In some example embodiments, the sort module 104 may
`update the data entry in the machine-readable medium 103
`for this given encoded value. As described above, in some
`example embodiments, the mailers of the mail pieces may 30
`input data into the machine-readable medium 103 for access
`by the sorting module 104 or the UAA module 106. For
`example, the mailers may create an entry, table, array or any
`other type of data structure for a given encoded value. Within
`that entry in the machine-readable medium 103, the mailers 35
`may include the name of the recipient of the mail piece for the
`given encoded value. In some example embodiments, this
`input of data by the mailers may be performed prior to the
`mail pieces being sorted by the mail sorter 102. In some
`example embodiments, the mailers may perform updates to 40
`the machine-readable medium 103 on a periodic basis or as
`mailer submit new mail pieces for sorting.
`In conjunction with decoding the encoded value, the sort
`module 104 may add the decoded data into the associated data
`structure for the encoded value. In particular, the sort module 45
`104 may store some or all of the parts of the decoded data for
`this encoded value. Moreover, in some example embodi(cid:173)
`ments, the decoded data is provided to the mailers of the mail
`pieces. For example, the mailers may have subsequent access
`to the machine-readable medium 103 to access their encoded 50
`values. Alternatively or in addition, this decoded data may be
`transmitted electronically or provided in a hard copy format
`to the mailers.Accordingly, the sort module 104 may perform
`the updates to the machine-readable medium 103 and trans(cid:173)
`mitted the decoded data to the associated mailers, as part of 55
`the decoding operation. The sort module 104 may perform the
`updates and/or the data transmission in real time or non-real
`time relative to the decoding operation. For example, the sort
`module 104 may perform the updates to the machine-read(cid:173)
`able medium 103 in real time. Subsequently, the sort module 60
`104 may transmit the decoded data to the mailers in non-real
`time. The method 300 continues at block 308.
`At block 308, the sort module 104 determines whether the
`mail piece is a candidate mail piece using the identification of
`the delivery point decoded from the encoded value. The sort 65
`module 104 may compare the delivery point bar code to a
`table, list, etc. of addresses of recipients of mail whose
`
`6
`address has changed. Such data may be stored in the machine(cid:173)
`readable medium 103 or some other of machine-readable
`media. If the delivery point bar code for a mail piece is within
`this list of addresses, the sort module 104 identifies the mail
`piece as a candidate UAA mail piece. As described below,
`further confirmation and final disposition of a candidate UAA
`mail piece is performed in subsequent operations. While
`described such that the sort module 104 obtains the delivery
`point from the encoded value, embodiments are not so lim-
`10 ited. In some example embodiments, the delivery point may
`be obtained from a delivery point bar code that is also located
`on the mail piece. If the mail piece is not a candidate UAA
`mail piece, the method 300 continues at block 316 (which is
`described in more detail below). Otherwise, the method 300
`15 continues at block 310.
`At block 310, the UAA module 106 retrieves the name of
`the recipient of the mail piece using the identification of the
`recipient of the mail piece in the encoded value. The UAA
`module 106 may retrieve the name of the recipient of the mail
`20 piece from the machine-readable medium 103. In particular,
`as described above, in some example embodiments, the
`mailer of the mail piece stored the name of the recipient into
`the machine-readable medium 103. Accordingly, the UAA
`module 106 may retrieve the recipient name from the
`25 machine-readable medium 103. In some example embodi(cid:173)
`ments, the UAA module 106 may perform the lookup based
`on the identification of the recipient (that was part of the
`decoded data from the encoded value), the encoded value, etc.
`The method 300 continues at block 312.
`At block 311, the UAA module 106 retrieves the return
`address of the sender of the mail piece using the identification
`of the senderofthe mail piece in the encoded value. The UAA
`module 106 may retrieve the return address of the sender of
`the mail piece from the machine-readable medium 103. In
`particular, in some example embodiments, the mailer of the
`mail piece stored its return address into the machine-readable
`medium 103. Accordingly, the UAA module 106 may retrieve
`the return address from the machine-readable medium 103. In
`some example embodiments, the UAA module 106 may per(cid:173)
`form the lookup based on the identification of the sender (that
`was part of the decoded data from the encoded value), the
`encoded value, etc. In some example embodiments, the return
`address may be used if the mail piece is returned to the sender
`as part of the final disposition of the actual UAA mail piece.
`Embodiments are not limited to obtaining the return address
`of the sender as described in the operation at block 311.
`Alternatively or in addition, in some example embodiments,
`the return address of the sender may be obtained by other
`techniques, such as OCR. The method 300 continues at block
`312.
`At block 312, the UAA module 106 determines whether the
`candidate UAA mail piece is confirmed to be an actual UAA
`mail piece using the name of the recipient. In some example
`embodiments, the UAA module determines if the recipient's
`name for this mail piece is in an entry in the change of address
`table for this delivery point. As described above, multiple
`recipients of mail pieces may be associated with a given
`delivery point. If the recipient's name on the mail piece is in
`the change of address table, the mail piece is considered to be
`a UAA mail piece. Otherwise, the mail piece is processed as
`a non-UAAmail piece. If the mail piece is not confirmed to be
`a UAA mail piece, the method continues at block 316, which
`is described in more detail below. Otherwise, the method
`continues at block 314.
`At block 314, the UAA module 106 determines final dis(cid:173)
`position of the actual UAA mail piece using the identification
`of the class and any endorsements of the mail piece that are in
`
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`US 8,637,783 B2
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`7
`the encoded value. Because the UAA mail piece is confirmed
`as an actual UAA mail piece, final disposition may occur. In
`some example embodiments, final disposition may include
`return the mail piece to the sender, forwarding to a new
`address or treating as waste. Final disposition may depend on
`the class of mail, the length of time since the address has
`changed, mailer applied endorsements, etc. For example, if
`the mail piece is first class mail and the length of time is less
`than N number of months, the mail piece is labeled for for(cid:173)
`warding to the new address. In another example, if the mail
`piece is standard A class mail and the length of time is greater
`X number of days and there are no services requested (en(cid:173)
`dorsements), the mail piece is treated as waste. The method
`300 continues at block 315.
`At block 315, the UAA module 106 sorts the mail piece
`based on the final disposition. The UAA module 106 can sort
`the mail piece in accordance with the type of final disposition.
`For example, the UAA mail piece may be sorted into three
`different groups depending on the type of final disposition: 20
`return the mail piece to the sender; forward to a new address;
`or treat the mail piece as waste. Once sorted, the UAA mail
`pieces may then be processed differently depending on their
`grouping. For example, if the mail piece is returned to the
`sender, the mail piece could be mailed to the return address
`for the sender. In some example embodiments, the return
`address may be retrieved based on the sender identification
`that is decoded from the encoded value. The operations of the
`method 300 are complete.
`At block 316, the sort module 104 sorts the mail piece as a
`non-UAA mail piece. The sort module 104 may perform this
`sort using the delivery point, which may or may not be derived
`from the encoded value. The operations of the method 300 are
`complete.
`A detailed block diagram of an example computer envi- 35
`ronment, according to some embodiments, is now described.
`In particular, FIG. 4 illustrates a computer that may be used
`for processing of UAA mail pieces, according to some
`example embodiments. In some example embodiments, the
`computer system 400 may be representative of parts of the 40
`mail sorter 102, the sort module 104 or the UAAmodule 106.
`As illustrated in FIG. 4, the computer system 400 com(cid:173)
`prises processor(s) 402. The computer system 400 also
`includes a memory unit 430, processor bus 422, and Input/
`Output controller hub (ICH) 424. The processor(s) 402, 45
`memory unit 430, and ICH 424 are coupled to the processor
`bus 422. The processor(s) 402 may comprise any suitable
`processor architecture. The computer system 400 may com(cid:173)
`prise one, two, three, or more processors, any of which may
`execute a set of instructions in accordance with embodiments 50
`of the invention.
`The memory unit 430 may store data and/or instructions,
`and may comprise any suitable memory, such as a dynamic
`random access memory (DRAM). The computer system 400
`also includes IDE drive(s) 408 and/or other suitable storage
`devices. A graphics controller 404 controls the display of
`information on a display device 406, according to some
`embodiments of the invention.
`The input/output controller hub (ICH) 424 provides an
`interface to I/0 devices or peripheral components for the
`computer system 400. The ICH 424 may comprise any suit(cid:173)
`able interface controller to provide for any suitable commu(cid:173)
`nic