111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US007974882Bl
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Shada et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,974,882 Bl
`Jul. 5, 2011
`
`(54) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CREATING A
`COMPREHENSIVE
`UNDELIVERABLE-AS-ADDRESSED
`DATABASE FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF
`THE ACCURACY OF MARKETING MAILING
`LISTS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Mark F. Shada, Omaha, NE (US);
`Matthew C. Newman, Omaha, NE (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Direct Resources Solutions, LLC,
`Omaha, NE (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 1032 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/519,347
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Sep. 12, 2006
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/718,069, filed on Sep.
`16, 2005.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G07G 1112
`(2006.01)
`G06F 7100
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ......................................... 705/24; 340/5.91
`(58) Field of Classification Search .................. 705/401,
`705/26, 24; 340/5.91
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,452,203 A *
`9/1995 Moore .......................... 707/200
`5,454,038 A *
`9/1995 Cordery eta!. ................. 705/60
`5,925,864 A *
`7/1999 Sansone et al ................ 235/375
`6,549,892 B1 *
`4/2003 Sansone ........................ 705/401
`6,557,000 B1 *
`4/2003 Seestrom et al .............. 707/100
`6,826,548 B2 *
`1112004 Hungerpiller et al ......... 705/401
`6,865,561 B1 *
`3/2005 Allport eta!. ................. 705/406
`6,954,731 B1 *
`10/2005 Montague ....................... 705/10
`
`6,978,248 B1 * 12/2005
`Walker eta!. ................... 705/10
`7,277,898 B2 * 10/2007
`Lego eta!.
`111
`200110010334 A1 * 8/2001
`Park eta!. ................ 235/462.14
`200110023408 A1 * 9/2001
`Mc.Evoy eta!. ................ 705/14
`2002/0004745 A1 *
`Bascobert et al. .............. 705/14
`1/2002
`2002/0029202 A1 * 3/2002
`Lopez ........................... 705/406
`2002/0042815 A1 * 4/2002
`Salzfass et a!.
`............... 709/206
`2002/0059142 A1 * 5/2002
`Krause eta!. ................... 705/44
`2002/0120668 A1 * 8/2002
`Pintsov et a!.
`................ 709/200
`2002/0164012 A1 * 1112002
`Sadot ............................ 379/267
`2002/0198942 A1 * 12/2002
`Ryan ............................. 709/206
`2003/0004787 A1 *
`Tripp eta!. ..................... 705/10
`112003
`2003/0114955 A1 * 6/2003
`Daniels, Jr.
`................... 700/224
`2003/0182018 A1 * 9/2003
`Snapp ........................... 700/225
`2003/0191556 A1 * 10/2003
`Stiebel et a!.
`................. 700/219
`2003/0191651 A1 * 10/2003
`Hungerpiller et al. ............ 705/1
`2004/0093222 A1 * 5/2004
`Sipe et al. ......................... 705/1
`2004/0176973 A1 * 9/2004
`Lapeze et al. ..................... 705/1
`2004/0221011 A1 * 1112004
`Smith eta!. . .................. 709/206
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner- Elaine Gort
`Assistant Examiner- Ashford Hayles
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm- Suiter Swantz pc llo
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present invention is directed to a method and system for
`generating a comprehensive undeliverable-as-addressed
`database and receiving mailing lists which may be analyzed
`to determine confirmed undeliverable-as-addressed records
`within a mailing list. Items of mail found to be undeliverable
`subsequent to mailing may be received at one or more pro(cid:173)
`cessing locations, and consolidated into a single clearing(cid:173)
`house. The names and address of the intended recipient may
`be retrieved through scanning of the address via an optical
`character recognition software system or manually entered
`and may be stored in a consolidated database of confirmed
`undeliverable as addressed mail. Prior to mailing marketing
`materials, a mailing list may be compared with the consoli(cid:173)
`dated database of confirmed undeliverable-as-addressed mail
`to determine confirmed undeliverable-as-addressed records.
`The undeliverable-as-addressed records may be flagged or
`alternatively removed from the mailing list.
`
`16 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`~100
`
`150
`
`160
`
`170
`
`DATABASE OF
`UNDELIVERABLE
`NAMES AND
`ADDRESSES
`
`SUPPRESSION
`SYSTEM
`
`140
`
`IHO
`
`UPDATED
`MAILING
`LIST
`
`Page 1
`
`RMI EXHIBIT 2049
`CBM2014-00116
`
`

`

`US 7,974,882 Bl
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2005/0004882 A1 *
`112005 Teichgraber eta!. ......... 705/404
`2005/0005164 A1 *
`112005 Syieketal
`................... 713/201
`2005/0049890 A1 *
`3/2005 Kan
`......................... 705/1
`2005/0075988 A1 *
`4/2005 Cordery eta!. ............... 705/404
`2005/0137991 A1 *
`6/2005 Bruce eta!. ................... 705/410
`2005/0149406 A1 *
`7/2005 Bascobert eta!. .............. 705/14
`2005/0188025 A1 *
`8/2005 Landau eta!. ................ 709/206
`2005/0234913 A1 *
`10/2005 Carone eta!. ..................... 707/9
`2006/0080266 A1 *
`4/2006 Kiani et al .................... 705/402
`
`2006/0155567 A1 *
`2006/0155714 A1 *
`2006/0184269 A1 *
`2006/0271236 A1 *
`2006/0276916 A1 *
`2007/0088749 A1 *
`2007/0135963 A1 *
`2007/0299792 A1 *
`2008/0044057 A1 *
`* cited by examiner
`
`7/2006
`7/2006
`8/2006
`1112006
`12/2006
`4/2007
`6/2007
`12/2007
`2/2008
`
`Walker eta!. ..................... 705/1
`Lego eta!. .................... 707/100
`Wilson eta!. ................. 700/215
`Rosen eta!. .................. 700/221
`Dearing et al.
`. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 700/79
`Lorch eta!. ................ 707/104.1
`Fogel et a!.
`................... 700/227
`Pintsov et a!.
`................ 705/402
`Keller eta!. .................. 382/101
`
`Page 2
`
`

`

`l""l.<.V
`
`CONTRlBUTOR A ~ 110
`~
`
`30
`
`v SCANNING OF
`
`CONTRIBUTOR B
`
`..
`
`~
`
`CLEARINGHOUSE
`
`RETRIEVAL AND
`
`UNDELIVERED MAIL
`
`CONTRIBUTOR C
`
`Jo
`
`~100
`
`yo
`
`)60
`
`?0
`
`DATABASE OF
`
`.. UNDELIVERABLE
`..
`
`NAMES AND
`ADDRESSES
`
`.,...
`
`~
`
`SUPPRESSION
`SYSTEM
`
`....
`....
`
`CLIENT
`MARKETING
`DATABASE
`
`,,
`
`UPDATED v-180
`MAILING
`LIST
`
`~
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`2' :-
`
`~Ul
`N
`
`0 ....
`....
`
`('D
`('D
`
`rFJ =(cid:173)
`.....
`....
`0 .....
`
`.j;o.
`
`FIG. 1
`
`d
`rJl
`-....l
`\c
`-....l
`~
`Oo
`00
`
`N = """"'
`
`Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 5, 2011
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 7,974,882 Bl
`
`200~
`
`RECEIVE UNDELIVERABLE ;-2 10
`MAIL
`
`,,
`RETRIEVE NAME AND
`ADDRESS INFORMATION
`FROM EACH PIECE OF
`UNDELIVERABLE MAIL
`
`v-2 20
`
`,,
`
`STORE NAME AND
`ADDRESS LIST ASSOCIATED v 230
`WITH UNDELIVERABLE
`MAIL
`
`,,
`
`COIVIPARE A MAILING LIST v
`
`WITH NAME AND ADDRESS
`UST
`
`240
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 5, 2011
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 7,974,882 Bl
`
`300~
`
`RECEIVE MAILING LIST
`
`310
`
`COMPARE NAMES AND
`ADDRESSES FROM
`MAILING LIST WITH
`UNDELIVERABLE-AS(cid:173)
`ADDRESSED LIST
`
`320
`
`DELIVER MAILING
`ADDRESS WITH ALERTS TO
`INDICATE CONFIRMED
`UNDELIVERABLE-AS(cid:173)
`ADDRESSED RECORDS
`
`DELIVER MAILING
`330 ADDRESS AFTER DELETING
`CONFIRMED
`UNDELIVERABLE-AS-
`ADDRESSED RECORDS
`
`340
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 5, 2011
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 7,974,882 Bl
`
`400~
`
`41 O \. PROCESSOR
`
`MEMORY
`
`v430
`
`420
`
`BUS
`
`440 ---...
`
`USER
`INTERFACE
`
`NETWORK
`INTERFACE
`
`lr450
`
`SCANNER
`
`v 460
`
`FIG.4
`
`Page 6
`
`

`

`US 7,974,882 Bl
`
`1
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CREATING A
`COMPREHENSIVE
`UNDELIVERABLE-AS-ADDRESSED
`DATABASE FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF
`THE ACCURACY OF MARKETING MAILING
`LISTS
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
`§ 119 ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 60/718,069 filed on
`Sep. 16, 2005. Said U.S. Provisional Patent Application
`60/718,069 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to mass marketing
`systems and more particularly to a method and system for
`generating a comprehensive list of confirmed undeliverable(cid:173)
`as-addressed records.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`consolidated database of confirmed undeliverable-as-ad(cid:173)
`dressed mail to determine confirmed undeliverable-as-ad(cid:173)
`dressed addresses. Confirmed undeliverable-as-addressed
`records may include visual alerts or alternatively removed
`from the mailing list.
`It is contemplated that the database may include names and
`addresses of undelivered mail from multiple contributors. As
`such, the database of undeliverable names and addresses from
`multiple contributors may be presented to a client allowing
`10 removal of any name or address which has been confirmed as
`an undeliverable address. Advantageously, an updated mail(cid:173)
`ing list may be generated for each client wherein the mailing
`list has a low probability of undeliverable addresses.
`It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
`description and the following detailed description are exem(cid:173)
`plary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the inven(cid:173)
`tion as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are
`incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification,
`20 illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with
`the general description, serve to explain the principles of the
`invention.
`
`15
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Many businesses and corporations (hereinafter "distribu- 25
`tors") rely upon the regular mailing of advertisements, bro(cid:173)
`chures, catalogs and the like (hereinafter "marketing materi(cid:173)
`als") to individuals and businesses for direct marketing of
`products and services. Conventionally, a distributor may cre-
`ate or purchase a mailing list. The mailing list may be 30
`employed to mail marketing material to each individual or
`business of a mailing list. Postage, printing and production
`costs for mailing marketing material to a large number of
`individuals or businesses of a mailing list are substantial.
`A problem associated with mass mailing of marketing 35
`materials is that a large number of marketing materials do not
`reach their intended recipient. Many marketing materials may
`be returned to the sender due to an individual's change of
`address without notice. Additionally, addresses may include
`errors, which also cause mailed marketing material to be 40
`returned to the sender. This represents a significant wasted
`cost to the distributor since production, printing, and postage
`charges have been incurred without being received by the
`designated recipient.
`Consequently, it would be beneficial to utilize a method 45
`and system for accessing a comprehensive database of unde(cid:173)
`liverable-as-addressed records to eliminate undeliverable-as(cid:173)
`addressed records from a mailing list prior to incurring the
`expenses associated with production and postage of a specific
`mail project.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a method
`and system for generating a comprehensive national con(cid:173)
`firmed undeliverable-as-addressed database and receiving
`mailing lists which may be analyzed to determine confirmed
`undeliverable-as-addressed records within a mailing list. In
`an embodiment of the invention, items of mail found to be
`undeliverable subsequent to mailing may be received at one
`or more processing locations, and consolidated into a single
`clearinghouse. The names and address of the intended recipi(cid:173)
`ent may be retrieved through scanning of the address via an
`optical character recognition software system or manually
`entered and may be stored in a consolidated database of
`confirmed undeliverable-as-addressed mail. Prior to mailing
`marketing materials, a mailing list may be compared with the
`
`The numerous advantages of the present invention may be
`better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the
`accompanying figures in which:
`FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary diagram of a system for gen(cid:173)
`erating a mailing list in accordance with an embodiment of
`the present invention;
`FIG. 2 depicts a method for detecting confirmed undeliv(cid:173)
`erable-as-addressed records within a mailing list in accor(cid:173)
`dance with an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 3 depicts a method for revising a mailing list in accor(cid:173)
`dance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
`FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of a computing system for
`generating a mailing list in accordance with an embodiment
`of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`Reference will now be made in detail to the presently
`preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which
`are illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
`Currently the United States Postal Service (USPS) offers
`the National Change of Address, Delivery Point Validation
`(DPV) and CASS certification services that assist in improv(cid:173)
`ing the accuracy of mailing lists and marketing databases.
`50 These services are effective but are not a complete solution
`for the associated cause of undeliverable-as-addressed mail.
`Marketing organizations experience undeliverable-as-ad(cid:173)
`dressed return mail ranging as high as 10%. Examples of
`these causes include individuals who move but do not report
`55 the move to the USPS, deceased individuals, data entry errors
`within consumer databases, rural areas that are required to use
`a post office box due to determinations made by the USPS but
`are not reported via public information. The method and
`system of the present invention may generate a single, com-
`60 prehensive, national database of confirmed undeliverable-as(cid:173)
`addressed records which may allow the reduction of cost and
`waste incurred when mailing mass communications to pro(cid:173)
`spective customers and or current customers. As used herein,
`an undeliverable-as-addressed record may include a name
`65 and a mailing address. An undeliverable-as-addressed record
`may include an incorrect name and/or an incorrect mailing
`address.
`
`Page 7
`
`

`

`US 7,974,882 Bl
`
`3
`Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary system 100 for generat(cid:173)
`ing a mailing list in accordance with an embodiment of the
`present invention is shown. The method and system of the
`present invention may include a clearinghouse 110, such as a
`single consolidation point for returned undeliverable-as-ad(cid:173)
`dressed mail from contributors 120-140. A contributor 120-
`140 may refer to any organization or business which may
`direct undeliverable-as-addressed mail to the clearinghouse
`110. Post Office Boxes in several United States Postal Service
`(USPS) locations may be provided for contributors to utilize
`as their return address on mail pieces being sent using USPS
`first class postage.
`It is further contemplated that contributions of undeliver(cid:173)
`able-as-addressed information may be received by an address
`change system. In an address change system, data concerning
`undeliverable-as-addressed records may be forwarded to the
`clearinghouse. One example of an address change system
`may be the USPS address change system (ACS). Mailers
`modifY their mailing label format to include mailer identifi(cid:173)
`cation. As ACS-modified mail pieces are processed via the 20
`USPS nationwide network of Computerized Forwarding Sys(cid:173)
`tem (CFS) sites, electronic change of address (COA) notifi(cid:173)
`cations are generated when possible. The ACS process
`involves the daily transmission of COA information from
`CFS sites to the NCSC, where the changes are consolidated 25
`into a file on a mailer-by-mailer basis. These records are
`organized by mailer identification codes and distributed to the
`participant mailer. Depending on a mail piece's class and
`endorsement, mailers may also receive information on
`addresses that are undeliverable for reasons other than a cus- 30
`tamer move (i.e., nixie notifications). It is contemplated that
`clearinghouse 110 may operate with ACS customers to
`receive the gathered information directly from the National
`Customer Support Center (NCSC) with the permission of
`ACS clients. It is further contemplated that data gathered
`from the NCSC may be delivered to the clearinghouse
`directly from the ACS Client. This would provide additional
`data regarding undeliverable-as-addressed mail which could
`be included within the database of undeliverable names and
`addresses.
`Additional data regarding undeliverable-as-addressed
`information may be retrieved through standard class mail
`service endorsements. For example, ancillary service
`endorsements may be utilized by mailers to provide the USPS
`with instructions regarding the handling of undeliverable-as(cid:173)
`addressed pieces. In an embodiment of the invention, pieces
`of undeliverable-as-addressed mail may be forwarded to the
`clearinghouse as an additional source of undeliverable-as(cid:173)
`addressed records.
`Clearinghouse 110 may include a general purpose com(cid:173)
`puter (as depicted in FIG. 4) and may utilize optical reader
`technology (OCR) to scan and collect the bad address infor(cid:173)
`mation from actual mail pieces returned. Mail pieces returned
`by the USPS are scanned or manually data entered and the
`information is compiled in a confirmed undeliverable-as-ad(cid:173)
`dressed computer-based database 150. It is contemplated that
`the confirmed undeliverable-as-addressed computer-based
`database may refer to records which were addressed and
`mailed and returned by the USPS. It is contemplated that the
`clearinghouse 110 may include a rapid scanning system to
`allow mechanized transfer of mail pieces and scanning of
`addresses in a quick fashion. In some cases the undeliverable(cid:173)
`as-addressed mail is unable to be read by the OCR, in those
`cases, the name and address information is manually col(cid:173)
`lected and entered into the database 150. It is further contem(cid:173)
`plated that name and address information may be encoded
`into a multi-dimensional symbol, such as an image or bar-
`
`4
`code, which may be scanned by the clearinghouse to obtain
`undeliverable-as-addressed records. Additional contributions
`of confirmed undeliverable as addressed records may be
`obtained by the clearinghouse 110 via contractual contribu(cid:173)
`tions of the undeliverable-as-addressed records currently
`being collected for use internally by many distributors or
`contracted third parties.
`Multiple contributing distributors to the clearinghouse 110
`include organizations such as, but not limited to, banking
`10 institutions,
`telecommunication companies,
`fundraising
`organizations, internet service providers, insurance, retail &
`catalog, pharmaceutical, health care, mortgage, auto manu(cid:173)
`facturers and state, local and federal government. Essentially
`any organization mailing marketing information using USPS
`15 first class postage is a potential contributor to the clearing(cid:173)
`house 110. Multiple mailing cycles, demographic targets and
`various databases from the major national compilers utilized
`by contributing organizations may create an accurate multiple
`source national database of confirmed bad records or unde-
`liverable-as-addressed records.
`For the benefit of clients sending First Class and Standard
`Class (Bulk Rate) marketing mail, the clearinghouse 110
`offers its compiled list or database of confirmed undeliver(cid:173)
`able-as-addressed records via its suppression system 160. A
`"client" may refer to any organization or business that utilizes
`clearinghouse 110 for improvement of the accuracy of mar-
`keting mailing lists. Clients may deliver a mailing list, mar(cid:173)
`keting database 170 and the like via media (CD/DVD, or
`Tape) or electronically transmit their marketing database or
`mailing list to the suppression system 160. A suppression
`system 160, software implemented computer-based system,
`in accordance with the present invention, may use name and
`address matching logic to compare names and addresses of a
`clients marketing database 170 with confirmed undeliver-
`35 able-as-addressed names and addresses present within data(cid:173)
`base 150. Suppression system 160 may locate and either flag
`(provide a visual alert) or eliminate known undeliverable-as(cid:173)
`addressed records to produce an updated mailing list 180. In
`such a fashion, any record within mailing list which has been
`40 confirmed as undeliverable mail may be flagged. For
`example, a client who sends 100 million marketing pieces per
`year at a cost of $0.50 per individual marketing piece and as
`a result of the clearinghouse suppression service is able to
`achieve a 5% reduction in undeliverable-as-addressed mail
`45 will realize the following benefits: $2.5 million reduction in
`mailing costs and a savings of 600,000 pounds of paper waste
`per year. Suppression system 160 may operate to automati(cid:173)
`cally remove undeliverable-as-addressed addresses from cli(cid:173)
`ent delivered mailing addresses. In an alternative embodi-
`50 ment, suppression system 160 may indicate confirmed
`undeliverable-as-addressed addresses to the client to allow
`the client to determine if they should be included within the
`updated mailing list 180. It is further contemplated that unde(cid:173)
`liverable-as-addressed addresses found within mailing lists
`55 of clients may be flagged by the suppression system 160 of the
`present invention.
`Referring to FIG. 2, a method 200 for detecting confirmed
`undeliverable-as-addressed records within a mailing list in
`accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is
`60 shown. Method 200 for detecting confirmed undeliverable(cid:173)
`as-addressed records in accordance with the present invention
`may begin upon the receipt of undeliverable-as-addressed
`information 210. Information may include data from anACS
`client. Information may also include pieces of undeliverable-
`65 as-addressed mail. Each name and address from each piece of
`undeliverable-as-addressed mail may be retrieved 220. The
`retrieved names and addresses may be stored within a list 230,
`
`Page 8
`
`

`

`US 7,974,882 Bl
`
`5
`such as a comprehensive list of known undeliverable-as-ad(cid:173)
`dressed records. The comprehensive list may be stored as a
`database to enhance searching and editing capability. A new
`mailing list, containing records of potential customers, may
`be compared with the list of known undeliverable-as-ad(cid:173)
`dressed records 240. This may allow notification or remov(cid:173)
`able of confirmed undeliverable-as-addressed records within
`the mailing list.
`Referring to FIG. 3, a method 3 00 for revising a mailing list
`in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is 10
`shown. Method 300 for revising a mailing list in accordance
`with the present invention may begin upon the receipt of a
`mailing list 310. Names and addresses of the mailing list may
`be compared with an undeliverable-as-addressed list of
`records. The comparison may detect confirmed undeliver- 15
`able-as-addressed records within the mailing list. Method
`300 may deliver a revised mailing list with alerts to indicate
`confirmed undeliverable-as-addressed records within the
`revised mailing list 330. Alerts may refer to visual icons,
`colors, strike-throughs and the like which may visually indi- 20
`cate confirmed undeliverable-as-addressed records from the
`other records. Alternatively, method 300 may deliver a
`revised mailing list with confirmed undeliverable-as-ad(cid:173)
`dressed records being deleted from the revised mailing list
`340.
`Referring to FIG. 4, a block diagram of a computing system
`400 for generating a mailing list in accordance with an
`embodiment of the present invention is shown. Database 150
`and suppression system 160 of FIG. 1 may be implemented
`through computing system 400. Computing system 400 may 30
`include a processor 410, a bus 420, a memory 430, user
`interface 440, and a network interface element 450. It is
`contemplated that computing system 400 may be imple(cid:173)
`mented as a personal computer, server, and the like without
`departing from the scope and intent of the present invention.
`Processor 410 may include one or more central processing
`units such as microprocessors or microcontrollers for execut(cid:173)
`ing programs stored in memory 430. Communication with the
`processor 410 may be implemented through a message or
`system bus 420 for transferring information. Memory 430 40
`may include random access memory (RAM) and may also
`include read only memory (ROM). Memory 430 may store
`the database of undeliverable-as-addressed records compiled
`from pieces of undelivered-as-addressed mail and ACS data.
`User interface 440 may include input elements such as a 45
`keyboard, mouse and the like whereby an administrator may
`enter commands that may be executed by processor 410. User
`interface 440 may be employed to manually enter names and
`addresses into a database of undelivered as addressed mail.
`Network interface 450 may provide transfer of data, video 50
`and the like between the computing system 400 and remote
`servers, workstations, storage and the like including network
`attached storage. Computing system 400 may operate with a
`scanner 460. Scarmer 460 may be employed with the com(cid:173)
`puting system 400 for scanning of address information. Com- 55
`puting system 400 may include optical reader technology
`(OCR) to collect name and address information from scanned
`documents.
`Removal of undeliverable-as-addressed records from mail(cid:173)
`ing lists prior to production and postage provides a number of 60
`advantages. Client production, postage and associated paper
`costs may be reduced. It is contemplated that the present
`invention may protect consumers from fraud by eliminating
`the possibility of credit offers based on personal information
`being sent to an incorrect address. By employing a single 65
`source for receipt data and mail pieces of actual returned mail,
`a single database and national source of confirmed undeliv-
`
`6
`erable-as addressed records may be created. Additionally, it is
`contemplated that significant enviroumental benefits may be
`realized due to reduction of raw material usage and paper
`waste.
`It is contemplated that the clearinghouse 110 and suppres(cid:173)
`sion system 160 ofFIG.1 may be offered to clients according
`to various mechanisms. Suppression services may be sold on
`a per match basis by which clients are charged by the number
`of undeliverable as addressed records the suppression system
`160 identifies within a client marketing/mailing list. In some
`cases, clients may require an annual license agreement.
`Under an annual license agreement, the entire undeliverable
`as addressed database and continuous media updates may be
`sent to a client via media or electronic transfer for use inter-
`nally. Annual license agreements have inherent added secu(cid:173)
`rity features since the marketing list does not leave the client's
`site.
`It is contemplated that the list of undeliverable-as-ad(cid:173)
`dressed records may be assembled and stored in a list in an
`electronic fashion. In one embodiment of the invention, the
`records may be stored within a database. A database may refer
`to a collection of information organized in a fashion for
`entering, accessing and retrieving specific pieces of data, for
`example a single undeliverable-as-addressed record. While a
`25 list of undeliverable-as-addressed records may be incorpo(cid:173)
`rated into a database, it is contemplated that the list of unde(cid:173)
`liverable-as-addressed records may be maintained in a variety
`of other electronic formats without departing from the scope
`and intent of the present invention.
`It is believed that the system of the present invention and
`many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the
`forgoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent
`that various changes may be made in the form, construction
`and arrangement of the components thereof without depart-
`35 ing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without
`sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein
`before described being merely an explanatory embodiment
`thereof.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A computer implemented method for generating a
`revised mailing list, comprising:
`registering a first contributor by a computing device, said
`first contributor directs undeliverable-as-addressed
`postal mail to a clearinghouse;
`registering a second contributor by a computing device,
`said second contributor directs undeliverable-as-ad(cid:173)
`dressed postal mail to said clearinghouse;
`receiving undeliverable-as-addressed postal mail sent by
`said first contributor and said second contributor, said
`rece1vmg undeliverable-as-addressed postal mail
`includes providing a post office box for receipt of unde(cid:173)
`liverable-as-addressed postal mail, said undeliverable(cid:173)
`as-addressed mail includes individual pieces of returned
`postal mail for said first contributor and said second
`contributor;
`retrieving name and address information from the undeliv(cid:173)
`erable-as-addressed postal mail by a computing device;
`storing name and address information by a computing
`device retrieved from the undeliverable-as-addressed
`postal mail to a list of undeliverable-as-addressed
`records; and
`comparing a mailing list with stored address and name
`information by a computing device, wherein name and
`address records of said mailing list are compared with
`stored name and address information from the list of
`undeliverable-as-addressed records to detect confirmed
`undeliverable-as-addressed records within said mailing
`
`Page 9
`
`

`

`US 7,974,882 Bl
`
`7
`list wherein said confirmed undeliverable-as-addressed
`rec~rds within said mailing list are at least one of iden(cid:173)
`tified or deleted from said mailing list.
`2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said name
`and address information is retrieved from individual pieces of
`returned postal mail by scanning said individual pieces of
`returned postal mail.
`.
`.
`3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherem smd name
`and address information is stored within a database.
`4. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising
`providing a visual alert for confirmed undeliverable-as-ad(cid:173)
`dressed records within said mailing list.
`5. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising
`deleting confirmed undeliverable-as-addressed records from
`said mailing list.
`6. A system for generating a revised mailing list, compris-
`~g:
`.
`.
`means for registering a first contributor, smd first contnbu(cid:173)
`tor directs undeliverable-as-addressed postal mail to a
`clearinghouse;
`means for registering a second contributor, said second
`contributor directs undeliverable-as-addressed postal
`mail to said clearinghouse;
`means for receiving undeliverable-as-addressed postal
`mail sent by said first contributor and said second con-
`tributor said means for receiving undeliverable-as-ad(cid:173)
`dressed' postal mail includes a post office box for receipt
`of individual pieces of returned postal mail for said first
`contributor and said second contributor;
`means for retrieving name and address information from
`the undeliverable-as-addressed postal mail;
`means for storing name and address information retrieved
`from the undeliverable-as-addressed postal mail to a list
`of undeliverable-as-addressed records; and
`means for comparing a mailing list with stored address and
`nmne information, wherein name and address records of
`said mailing list are compared with stored name and
`address information from the list of undeliverable-as(cid:173)
`addressed records to detect confirmed undeliverable-as(cid:173)
`addressed records within said mailing list, wherein said
`confirmed undeliverable-as-addressed records within
`said mailing list are at least one of identified or deleted
`from said mailing list.
`7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said name and
`address information is retrieved from individual pieces of
`returned postal mail by means for scanning said individual
`. .
`pieces of returned postal mail.
`8. The system as claimed in claim 6, further compnsmg
`means for providing a visual alert for confirmed undeliver(cid:173)
`able-as-addressed records within said mailing list.
`
`10
`
`8
`9. The system as claimed in claim 6, further comprising
`means for deleting confirmed undeliverable-as-addressed
`records from said mailing list.
`10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said unde(cid:173)
`liverable-as-addressed record includes at least one of an
`incorrect name or incorrect address.
`11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first
`contributor and said second contributor include at least one of
`an organization and a business.
`.
`.
`12. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherem smd first
`contributor and said second contribu