Patent ID: 6463354
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: G07B

Abstract:
A method for providing notification relating to the upcoming delivery of a physical mailpiece within a mailing system, the method comprising the steps of:a) determining a set of postal data required of postage payment evidencing of a mailpiece; b) determining an electronic e-mail address of a recipient of said physical mailpiece; c) creating a digital postmark including said set of postal data and said electronic e-mail address of said recipient; d) encrypting said digital postmark; e) printing said digital postmark on said physical mailpiece f) processing said physical mailpiece, said processing including: 1) scanning said physical mailpiece to obtain said digital postmark; 2) decrypting said digital postmark; 3) determining the validity of said physical mailpiece by verifying said digital postmark; 4) determining said electronic e-mail address of said recipient from said digital postmark; and 5) sending an electronic message related to the upcoming delivery of the physical mailpiece to said electronic e-mail address of said recipient obtained from said digital postmark.