Abstract:
Disclosed is a system, method, and medium for automatically analyzing response pieces. The system may scan the response piece, identify the response piece, and generate an image from the response piece. The system also processes the image. Processing the image may include determining response piece identification information and sending the response piece identification information to an accounting system to update an account associated with the response piece identification information. Processing the image may also include reading information from the response piece.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority benefit based on U.S. provisional applications No. 60/616,117, filed on Oct. 6, 2004, and No. 60/629,317, filed on Nov. 19, 2004, the technical disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to scanning response pieces and, more particularly, to a system and method for automatically analyzing a response piece. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A response piece refers to a pre-addressed delivery item, such as a postcard, letter, or envelope, provided by a sender to third parties, such as customers. Typically, a response piece by a sender, such as a mailer, is provided to elicit and, in some instances, expedite responses from third parties and to provide more accurate delivery. For example, a magazine publisher may provide a response piece to its subscribers to elicit and expedite responses from its subscribers. Such responses may include a customer name and address information, subscription information, and/or payment information. 
     There are two types of response pieces: a prepaid response piece and an unpaid response piece. A prepaid response piece refers to a response piece that requires the mailer (e.g., magazine publisher) to pay the postage when it is returned. Examples of prepaid response pieces include Business Reply Mail™ (BRM) and Qualified Business Reply Mail™ (QBRM) provided by the United States Postal Service™ (USPS™). An unpaid response piece refers to a response piece that requires the sender (e.g., magazine publisher) to pay the postage before mailing. An example of an unpaid response piece is Courtesy Reply Mail™ (CRM) from the USPS™. 
     When a response piece is returned by a third party, it is advantageous to determine relevant information from the response piece. For example, the sender is charged a delivery fee for prepaid response pieces, based on the number of prepaid response pieces that are returned. A delivery service processing facility, such as a postal processing facility within the USPS™, determines the number of returned response pieces using a variety of cumbersome methods including manually counting the returned response pieces, weight-averaging the returned response pieces, and generating reports at the end of a processing run. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a response piece information retrieval system to automatically determine the number of returned response pieces. 
     In addition, a sender will often send out a response piece to solicit information. For example, a magazine can send out response pieces to solicit subscription information from its subscribers. Upon receiving the returned response piece, the sender must then process the information provided by the third party. It is desirable to provide a response piece information retrieval system to automatically process information from the response piece. 
     SUMMARY 
     Consistent with the invention, there is provided a computer-implemented method for retrieving information from response pieces. The method includes electronically analyzing the response piece during mail processing; identifying the response piece during mail processing; generating an image from the analyzed response piece; processing the image; and providing the image to a user. Processing the image can include determining response piece identification information and sending the response piece identification information to an accounting system to update an account associated with the response piece identification information. Processing the image can also include reading information from the response piece. 
     Also provided is a system for analyzing response pieces. The system includes a response piece scanner for scanning the response piece, identifying the response piece and generating an image from the response piece. The system also includes an image server that may include a processing application for processing the image. Processing the image may include determining response piece identification information and sending the response piece identification information to an accounting system to update an account associated with the response piece identification information. Processing the image may also include reading information from the response piece. 
     Further provided is a computer-readable medium containing instructions to configure a data processor to perform a method for creating a response piece mailpiece. The instructions include a method comprising electronically scanning the response piece during mail processing; identifying the response piece during mail processing; generating an image from the scanned response piece; processing the image; and providing the image to a user. Processing the image can also include determining response piece identification information and sending the response piece identification information to an accounting system. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and should not be considered restrictive of the scope of the invention, as described and claimed. Further, features and/or variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, embodiments of the invention may be directed to various combinations and sub-combinations of the features described in the detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of an exemplary system environment of an automated response piece system, consistent with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a block diagram of an exemplary application server, consistent with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  depicts a diagram of an exemplary computer screen shot for user selection of response piece functions for a prepaid response piece, consistent with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  depicts a diagram of an exemplary computer screen shot for user selection of response piece functions for an unpaid response piece, consistent with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary registration process, consistent with the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary permit process, consistent with the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary payment process, consistent with the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary standardized address process, consistent with the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary address code process, consistent with the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary design process, consistent with the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary download process, consistent with the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is an exemplary system environment, consistent with the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  depicts a block diagram of an exemplary application server  1104 , consistent with the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary response piece scanning process, consistent with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 14  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary response piece processing process, consistent with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Although embodiments are described with respect to a mail system, the invention is not so limited. Rather, the invention may be employed with many types of delivery systems. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of an exemplary system environment of an automated response piece system, consistent with the present invention. As illustrated, a user terminal  102  connects to a network  104 . Network  104  may be implemented through any suitable combination of wired and/or wireless communication networks. For example, network  104  may be implemented through a wide area network (WAN), local area network (LAN), an intranet, and/or the Internet. Additionally, network  104  may utilize any suitable type of network protocol. For ease of explanation, network  104  will be hereinafter referred to as Internet  104  and will be assumed to use Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). User terminal  102  may be any appropriate type of a user terminal, and may be, for example, a user computer or data processor executing a Web browser type program, such as Microsoft&#39;s Internet Explorer or Apple Safari. Accordingly, user terminal  102  may include a processor, memory, storage, and an interface for connecting to Internet  104 . 
     Additionally, an automated response piece system  106  connects to Internet  104 . As illustrated, automated response piece system  106  includes a Web server  110  connected to Internet  104  via a firewall  108 . In one embodiment, automated response piece system  106  communicates with user terminal  102  using Web server  110 . Web server  110  may be any appropriate type of data processor or computer and may include, for example, a processor, memory, storage, and interfaces. Web server  110 , in one embodiment, stores a set of Web pages for interfacing with user terminal  102 . User terminal  102  sends information to Web server  110 , which may then send the information to other systems and subsystems of automated response piece system  106 , such as a registration system  116  or an application server  114 . Similarly, to send information to user terminal  102 , the systems and subsystems of automated response piece system  106  send information to Web server  114 , which formats the information and sends it to user terminal  102 . 
     Registration system  116  functions to register and authenticate users of automated response piece system  106 . In one embodiment, registration system  116  may include at least one data processor or computer, and at least one database for storing user authentication data. Registration system  116  connects to a network  120  through a firewall  112 . Firewalls  108  and  112  may be any appropriate type of firewall, such as, for example, commercially available firewalls. Once a user has been authenticated, registration system  116  authorizes user terminal  102  to communicate with application server  114  through Web server  110  and network  120 . 
     Network  120  connects the systems associated with automated response piece system  106 . Network  120  may be, for example, an internal network for an organization providing delivery services. For ease in explanation, network  120  will be hereinafter referred to as intranet  120 . One of skill in the art will recognize, however, that intranet  120 , in other embodiments, may be any type of communication medium or channel and may include, alone or in any suitable combination, a telephony-based network, a LAN, a WAN, a dedicated intranet, the Internet, a wireless network, or a bus. Moreover, in one embodiment, network  106  may include or be a part of a communications network, such as the Internet or a corporate intranet that is compatible with a networking protocol such as TCP/IP. 
     A database server  118  stores data associated with users of automated response piece system  106 . Database server  118  may store information that can be accessed through a conventional database protocol, such as Structured Query Language (SQL). Although not depicted in  FIG. 1 , one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that database server  118  may include a computer or data processor for accessing, searching, and/or processing stored information. Further, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that database server  118  may be implemented using a plurality of databases. 
     A permit system  122  functions to authorize a response piece permit, such as a BRM permit from the USPS™, and also functions to process payments of fees associated with the response piece permit. Permit system  122  may be implemented as a computer or network of computers and a database or set of databases that receives information associated with a user&#39;s request to apply for a response piece permit or to pay response piece permit fees, processes the information, and provides a valid response piece permit and/or a confirmation of payment in response. An example of such a system is the USPS&#39;s Postal One!® system. Processing payment of response piece fees may include debiting an account, verifying credit card information, or performing an Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) on an Automated Clearing House (ACH) account, as is understood by one of skill in the art. An example of an ACH account is a Centralized Accounting Payment System (CAPS) account from the USPS™. 
     An address code system  124  functions to provide a standardized address and a unique address code. As will be understood by one of skill in the art, the address code can then be converted to a bar code, which will be read by mail processing equipment to ensure efficient and accurate delivery of the returned response piece. Address code system  124  may be implemented as a computer or network of computers and a database or set of databases that receives information associated with a user&#39;s request to apply for an address code, standardizes the address information, and provides a unique address code. An example of such a system is the USPS&#39;s Address Management System. 
     Application server  114  may be embodied as a data processor, such as a computer, that functions to execute response piece applications.  FIG. 2  depicts a block diagram of an exemplary application server  114 , in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention. Application server  114  includes at least one central processing unit (CPU)  202 , an I/O interface  204 , a network interface  206 , and memory  210 . CPU  202  executes instructions associated with the applications contained in memory  210  and transmits results to other subsystems in application server  114  over a high speed interconnect or data bus  208 . I/O interface  204  is an interface used to couple application server  114  with devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a display device, and any other I/O device useful in operating and managing application server  114 , as is understood by one of skill in the art. Network interface  206  is used to communicate with intranet  120  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Memory  210  includes, in one embodiment: a permit application  214  having program instructions that, when executed, receives permit information and generates and stores a response piece permit; a payment application  216  having program instructions that, when executed, receives and processes payment information; an address code application  218  having program instructions that, when executed, receives address code information including an address, standardizes the address, and generates a unique address code; a design application  220  having program instructions that, when executed, receives design information, generates a reply delivery item, such as mail, mailpiece, stores the response piece mailpiece, and delivers the response piece mailpiece to the user; and a download application  222  having program instructions that, when executed, retrieves a stored mailpiece and sends it to the user for downloading and printing. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a user may initiate a request to create a response piece by contacting Web server  110  using a Web browser executing on user terminal  102 . For example, a user may select to connect to Web server  110  using the Web browser by entering a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) identifying Web server  110  (e.g., www.usps.com). In response, user terminal  102  may contact the Web server  110  via Internet  104 , where firewall  108  is programmed to permit information regarding a Web page for the Web server  110  to be sent to the user terminal  102 . In response, a Web page is displayed on user terminal  102  using the Web browser. 
     In one embodiment, Web server  110  sends a Web page prompting a user to select a type of response piece to create. For example, the page may include a button to select a prepaid response piece, such as BRM, and a button to select an unpaid response piece, such as CRM. Web server  110  may also, in one embodiment, send a Web page or Web pages providing information to a mailer describing the various types of response pieces. Such a Web page, or Web pages, may be provided through a link or links as is understood by one of skill in the art. 
       FIG. 3A  depicts a diagram of an exemplary computer screen shot for user selection of prepaid response piece functions, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention. A display screen  300  may provide buttons that a user may activate to select the type of service he desires. For example, as illustrated, screen  300  may provide the user with a button  302  to register, a button  304  to apply for a permit, a button  306  to pay response piece fees, a button  308  to apply for an address code, a button  310  to design a response piece mailpiece, and a button  312  to download a mailpiece. A user may then click on the button for the type of service he wishes to request using, for example, a mouse. 
       FIG. 3B  depicts a diagram of an exemplary computer screen shot for user selection of response piece functions for an unpaid response piece, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention. A display screen  350  may provide buttons that a user may activate to select the type of service he desires. For example, as illustrated, screen  350  may provide the user with a button  352  to register, a button  354  to apply for a standardized address, a button  356  to design a response piece mailpiece, and a button  358  to download a mailpiece. A user may then click on the button for the type of service he wishes to request using, for example, a mouse. 
     In one embodiment, a user must register before the user can select any of the other response piece services.  FIG. 4  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary registration process, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention. The flow diagram will be described with reference to the embodiment of the system depicted in  FIG. 1  and application server  114  depicted in  FIG. 2 . First, Web server  110  sends user terminal  102  a Web page to determine (stage  402 ) if the user is a new user. If the user is a new user, Web server  110  prompts (stage  404 ) the user to submit registration information, which may include identification information such as the user&#39;s name and address, the user&#39;s company name, and/or the user&#39;s email address. Web server  110  may also prompt the user for information for authentication, such as a user name and a password. Web server  110  may receive the registration information from user terminal  102  and send it to registration system  116 . Registration system  116  receives and stores (stage  406 ) the registration information including the authentication information. In addition, registration system  116  may send (stage  408 ) user identification data from the registration information, such as the user&#39;s name and address and the company name, to database server  118 . 
     If the user is not a new user, Web server  110  may prompt (stage  410 ) the user for authentication information, such as, for example, a user name and password. Web server  110  sends the authentication information to registration system  116 . Registration system  116  compares (stage  412 ) the received authentication information with authentication information stored in its database to determine if the user is a valid user of automated response piece system  106 . If authentication fails, registration system  116  may, through Web server  110 , prompt (stage  404 ) the user to enter registration information. If authentication is successful, registration system  116  may authorize (stage  414 ) the user to access response piece services provided by application server  114 . 
     After a user has successfully registered and has been authenticated, if the user has selected to create a prepaid response piece, Web server  110  may resend screen  300  ( FIG. 3A ) for display to a user, allowing the user to select button  304  to apply for a business reply permit.  FIG. 5  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary permit process, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention. The flow diagram will be described with reference to the embodiment of the system depicted in  FIG. 1  and application server  114  depicted in  FIG. 2 . Web server  110  prompts (stage  502 ) a user for permit information. Permit information is any information relating to application for a response piece permit and may include user identification information, such as the user&#39;s name, address, and company name, the ZIP code of the issuing post office, the type of permit a user would like to purchase, and payment information. In one embodiment, the different types of permits may be according to the volume of response pieces the user expects to be returned, such as basic BRM, high volume BRM, basic QBRM, or high volume QBRM from the USPS™. Payment information, in one embodiment, may include credit card information debit account information, or ACH account information. 
     The user enters the permit information and sends it from user terminal  102  to Web server  110 , which receives it and forwards it to application server  114 . Upon receipt of the permit information, CPU  202  of application server  114  executes permit application  214 . Permit application  214  receives (stage  504 ) the permit information. Permit process  214  then sends (stage  506 ) the permit information to permit system  122 . If permit authorization from permit system  122  was successful (stage  508 ), permit application  214  receives (stage  510 ) a valid response piece permit number, stores it in database server  118 , and sends (stage  512 ) it to user terminal  102  through Web server  110 . If permit authorization was unsuccessful (stage  508 ), permit application  214  receives (stage  514 ) an error indication from permit system  122  and sends (stage  516 ) an error message identifying the error to user terminal  102  through Web server  110 . 
     Permits may include periodic fees in addition to the initial application fee. Such fees may include accounting fees or fees related to postage. Referring to  FIG. 3A , a user creating a prepaid response piece may pay the response piece permit fees by selecting button  306  of screen  300 .  FIG. 6  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary payment process, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention. The flow diagram will be described with reference to the embodiment of the system depicted in  FIG. 1  and application server  114  depicted in  FIG. 2 . Web server  110  prompts (stage  602 ) a user to identify the response piece fee and to enter payment information, such as credit card information, debit account information, or ACH account information. In one embodiment, a user may have incurred multiple fees because, for example, a user may own multiple response piece permits. In another embodiment, a user will only pay fees associated with a single permit. The user from the user terminal  102  sends the fee identification and the payment information to Web server  110 , which receives it and forwards it to application server  114 . Payment application  216  of application server  114 , executed by CPU  202 , receives (stage  604 ) the fee identification and the payment information entered and sent by the user. Payment application  216  then sends (stage  606 ) the fee identification and the payment information to permit system  122 . Permit system  122  processes the payment information by, in one embodiment, debiting an account, verifying credit card information, or performing an EFT on an ACH account, as is understood in the art. If payment was successful (stage  608 ), payment application  216  receives (stage  610 ) a confirmation from permit system  122 . In response, payment application  216  sends (stage  612 ) a confirmation to user terminal  102  through Web server  110 . If payment was unsuccessful (stage  608 ), payment application  216  receives (stage  614 ) an error indication from permit system  122 , then sends (stage  616 ) an error message to user terminal  102  through Web server  110 . 
     The user can receive a standardized address and an address code by selecting button  308  of screen  300  ( FIG. 3A ) if the user is creating a prepaid response piece, or just a standardized address by selecting button  354  of screen  350  ( FIG. 3B ) if the user is creating an unpaid response piece.  FIG. 7  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary standardized address process, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention. The flow diagram will be described with reference to the embodiment of the system depicted in  FIG. 1  and application server  114  depicted in  FIG. 2 . First, Web server  110  prompts (stage  702 ) a user to provide address code information, which is information associated with applying for a unique address code such as, for example, the user&#39;s address including ZIP code and the response piece card or letter type. Web server  110  receives the address code information and forwards it to Web server  110 , which sends it to application server  114 . Address code application  218  of application server  114 , executed by CPU  202 , receives (stage  704 ) the address code information sent by the user and sends (stage  706 ) the address code information to address code system  124 . If address code system  124  determines multiple standardized addresses (stage  708 ) corresponding to the user&#39;s address, address code application  218  receives an indication from address code system  124  and communicates with Web server  110  to prompt (stage  710 ) the user to re-enter the correct address. In alternative embodiments, address code system  124  can return multiple addresses, which address code application  218  can forward to the user for selection of the appropriate address. After receiving the user&#39;s response from Web server  110 , address code application  218  can re-send (stage  706 ) the user&#39;s address to address code system  124 . After address code system  124  has determined a single standardized address, address code application  218  receives (stage  714 ) the standardized address from address code system  124 . In one embodiment, address code application  218  may also send the standardized address to the user through Web server  110  and store the standardized address in database server  118 . 
     A user creating a prepaid response piece will require a unique address code in addition to a standardized address.  FIG. 8  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary address code process, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention. The flow diagram will be described with reference to the embodiment of the system depicted in  FIG. 1  and application server  114  depicted in  FIG. 2 . Address code application  218  of application server  114 , executed by CPU  206 , sends (stage  802 ) the standardized address to address code system  124 . Address code application  218  then receives (stage  804 ) a unique address code from address code system  124  based on the standardized address and the address code information sent by the user (stage  706  of  FIG. 7 ) and the user&#39;s standardized address, generated during standardized address process depicted in  FIG. 7 . Address code application  218  can then store (stage  806 ) the unique address code in database server  118  and send (stage  808 ) the unique address code to the user through Web server  110 . 
     After a user creating a prepaid response piece has received a response piece permit and a unique address code, the user can design a response piece mailpiece by selecting button  310  of screen  300  ( FIG. 3A ). A user creating an unpaid response piece can design a response piece mailpiece after receiving a standardized address by selecting button  356  of screen  350  ( FIG. 3B ).  FIG. 9  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary design process, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention. The flow diagram will be described with reference to the embodiment of the system depicted in  FIG. 1  and application server  114  depicted in  FIG. 2 . Upon receiving the user&#39;s request to design a response piece mailpiece, CPU  202  of application server  114  executes design application  220 . Design application  220  may retrieve (stage  902 ) design information from the database server  118  to generate the response piece mailpiece. For example, design application  220  may retrieve the user&#39;s company name and address, card or letter type, permit number, and address code. For a user creating a prepaid response piece, design application  220  may also retrieve the user&#39;s permit number and address code. Design application  220  may also retrieve artwork stored by the user as described below. Design application  220  may use this information to design the response piece mailpiece by, for example, printing the permit number and company information on the mailpiece and also applying the bar code corresponding to the address code. Web server  110  may also prompt (stage  904 ) a user to enter additional design information, which may include the size of the response piece card or letter, the font type and size, and artwork such as a company&#39;s logo. A user may upload the artwork, which may be in any suitable electronic format such as a jpeg or bitmap, as is understood by one of skill in the art. In one embodiment, if the user requests to store the artwork (stage  908 ), design application  220  receives (stage  906 ) the user&#39;s artwork from Web server  110  and stores (stage  910 ) it in database server  118 . 
     After retrieving the design information from database server  118  and from the user, design application  220  can generate (stage  912 ) the response piece mailpiece according to response piece specifications. An example of response piece specifications can be found in the Domestic Mail Manual from the USPS™, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. As set forth above, a response piece mailpiece will include a bar code corresponding to the address code. A prepaid response piece mailpiece will also include a permit number. 
     In addition, design application  220  can generate a response piece mailpiece that includes additional bar codes or additional unique optically-readable codes, such as the PLANET® or POSTNET® codes, currently in use by the USPS™, for alerting mail processing equipment to perform a function on the response piece when it is returned. An example of such a code is a Face Identification Marking (FIM) code that alerts mail processing equipment to sort the response pieces based on the postage requirements. Other codes may be particularly useful for users creating a prepaid response piece because the codes can alert the mail processing equipment to record return of the mailpiece for billing purposes or to read information from the returned mailpiece to provide to the user. An example of such information may include a customer name and address, subscription information, and/or payment information. Mail processing equipment refers to equipment that processes a response piece when it is returned, which may perform a function on the response piece when it reads a certain code. An example of such mail processing equipment is the Advanced Facer Canceller System (AFCS) used by the USPS™. 
     Design application  220  generates the response piece mailpiece in any suitable design format such as the file formats used by Adobe Illustrator or Macromedia Freehand, as is understood by those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, design application  220  can then store (stage  914 ) the response piece mailpiece in database server  118  and provide (stage  916 ) the mailpiece to user terminal  102  through web server  110 . In one embodiment, a user can download the response piece mailpiece to user terminal  102  through Internet  104 . In other embodiments, design application  220  can electronically mail the response piece mailpiece to an email address provided by the user. The user, through user terminal  102 , may also provide a name for the mailpiece, which design application  220  can associate with the stored mailpiece for subsequent reference by the user. 
     A user can download a saved response piece mailpiece for editing or printing by selecting button  312 . Upon receiving the user&#39;s request to download a mailpiece, CPU  202  of application server  114  executes download application  222 .  FIG. 10  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary download process, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention. The flow diagram will be described with reference to the embodiment of the system depicted in  FIG. 1  and application server  114  depicted in  FIG. 2 . Download application  222 , through Web server  110 , prompts (stage  1002 ) a user to select the mailpiece to download. Upon receiving (stage  1004 ) the selection, download application  222  retrieves (stage  1006 ) the selected mailpiece from database server  118  and provides (stage  1008 ) it to user terminal  102 . In one embodiment, a user can download the response piece mailpiece to user terminal  102  through Internet  104 . In other embodiments, download application  222  can electronically mail the response piece mailpiece to an email address provided by the user. 
       FIG. 11  is an exemplary system environment, consistent with the present invention. As illustrated, user terminal  102  connects to Internet  104 . Automated response piece system  106  connects to Internet  104 , as described regarding  FIG. 1 . Response mail scanner  1102 , image server  1104 , and accounting system  1106  connect to intranet  120  of automated response piece system  106 . 
     Response piece scanner  1102  functions to generate images of incoming response pieces. In one embodiment, response piece scanner  1102  is incorporated into mail processing equipment such as an AFCS. AFCS places an incoming mailpiece into a single file line in a pinch belt, checks for appropriate postage on the mailpiece, cancels the postage, and places the mailpiece in stackers. AFCS includes software for reading optically-readable codes on the mailpiece, including POSTNET® and PLANET® codes. When processing an incoming response piece, if an AFCS reads a particular optically-readable code, it can generate an image of the mailpiece using imaging software, such as optical character recognition software. AFCS can include an interface for communicating with Intranet  120  to send images to image server  1104 . In alternative embodiments, response piece scanner  1102  can be embodied as a separate scanning workstation, such as a flatbed scanner, or any other appropriate image acquisition device, as is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Upon reading the optically-readable code, AFCS can remove the response piece to be imaged from the mail flow and the response piece can be transferred to a separate scanning workstation that can generate the image. The scanning workstation can then send images to image server  1104 . 
     Accounting system  1106  functions to manage the accounts for users who create response pieces for scanning. Accounting system  1106  may be implemented as a computer or network of computers and a database or set of databases that manages the accounts for mailers of a prepaid response pieces. In one embodiment, accounting system  1106  may also receive response piece identification information indicating the return of a response piece and debits the account corresponding to the returned response piece. In one embodiment, for each prepaid response piece, accounting system  1106  can provide for each user an indication of the number of prepaid response pieces returned by third parties and the amount of postage to be paid. In one embodiment, a user can access information from accounting system  1106  through automated response piece system  106 . An example of accounting system  1106  is the USPS&#39;s Automated Accounting System. 
     Image server  1104  may be embodied as a data processor, such as a computer, that functions to execute response piece imaging and data processing functions.  FIG. 12  depicts a block diagram of an exemplary application server  1104 , in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention. Image server  1104  includes at least one CPU  1202 , an I/O interface  1204 , a network interface  1206 , memory  1210 , and storage medium  1214 . CPU  1202  executes instructions associated with the applications contained in memory  1210  and transmits results to other subsystems in image server  1104  over a high speed interconnect or data bus  1208 . I/O interface  1204  is an interface used to couple image server  1104  with devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a display device, and any other I/O device useful in operating and managing image server  1104 , as is understood by one of skill in the art. Network interface  1206  is used to communicate with intranet  120  ( FIG. 11 ). Storage medium  1214  is any medium for storing information such as a magnetic or optical storage medium. In one embodiment, storage medium  1214  may store information that can be accessed through a conventional database protocol, such as SQL. Memory  1210  includes, in one embodiment, an image processing application  1212  having program instructions that, when executed, processes a received image as described below. 
       FIG. 13  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary response piece scanning process, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention. AFCS processes (stage  1302 ) and scans (stage  1304 ) an incoming response piece. If AFCS reads an optically readable code indicating the response piece should be imaged (stage  1306 ), then AFCS generates (stage  1308 ) the image. The optically readable code, as set forth above, may be in one embodiment a PLANET® code. For example, if AFCS scans a response piece including a code indicating it should create an image, AFCS generates the image and sends it to image server  1104 . If AFCS does not read such a code, it processes the next mailpiece. In one embodiment, then AFCS generates an image in any suitable electronic format, such as a jpeg or bitmap, as is understood by one of skill in the art. 
     After generating the image, AFCS can sort (stage  1309 ) the response piece for delivery to the user or for destruction. A user can make the determination to deliver the response piece or to sort it upon creation of the response piece. The user&#39;s determination will be indicated by the optically readable code. The AFCS can then send (stage  1310 ) the image to image server  1104 . 
       FIG. 14  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary response piece processing process, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention. Image server  1104  receives the image from AFCS (stage  1402 ). In one embodiment, image processing application reads response piece identification information from the image (stage  1404 ). The response piece identification information can include, in one embodiment, the unique address code and/or any optically readable code identifying the mailpiece. Image processing application can send the response piece identification information to accounting system  1106  (stage  1408 ). Accounting system  1106  receives the response piece identification information and debits the account associated with the response piece (stage  1410 ). 
     In one embodiment, image processing application can read information from the scanned response piece (stage  1412 ). For example, image processing application can read information associated with a customer or subscriber. Image processing application uses, for example, optical character recognition software. For example, a response piece may be returned by a magazine subscriber. Image processing application can read information from the response piece provided by the magazine subscriber. 
     Image processing application  1104  can then provide (stage  1414 ) the image to a user by sending the image with the response piece identification information to database server  118  ( FIG. 1 ) through Internet  104 . A user can access and download images from database server  118  through automated response piece system  106 , as is understood. In an alternative embodiment, image server  1104  can provide the image to a user by any suitable means, such as by email or by sending the image to any data processor having an interface to the Internet such as a Web server. 
     Image processing application  1104  can also provide the information read from the response piece to a user by sending the information to database server  118  (stage  1416 ). A user can then download this information in one embodiment through automated response piece system  106 , as is understood. 
     Image processing application  1104  can then store (stage  1416 ) the image in storage medium  1214 . Images may be stored for any amount of time, depending upon the business requirements of the user. 
     While certain features and embodiments of the invention have been described, other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. Furthermore, although embodiments of the present invention have been described as being associated with data stored in memory and other storage mediums, one skilled in the art will appreciate that these aspects can also be stored on, or read from, other types of computer-readable media, such as secondary storage devices, like hard disks, floppy disks, or a CD-ROM, a carrier wave from the Internet, or other forms of RAM or ROM. Further, the stages of the disclosed methods may be modified in any manner, including by reordering stages and/or inserting or deleting stages, without departing from the principles of the invention. 
     It is intended, therefore, that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims and their full scope of equivalents.