Abstract:
A method and system for providing item redelivery services sends an item through a delivery system ( 130 ) towards a first address ( 150 ), receives an indication that the item cannot he delivered to the first address, determines an alternative address ( 160 ) utilizing a code on the item ( 120 ), and sends the item through the delivery system ( 130 ) to the alternative address ( 160 ).

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    Under provisions of 35 U.S.C. §119(e), the Applicant claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/231,306, filed Sep. 8, 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of item delivery services. More particularly, the present invention, in various specific embodiments, involves methods and systems directed to providing item redelivery when an item becomes undeliverable.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0003]    The need to efficiently provide item redelivery services in a delivery system has become a common need for many organizations. More specifically, efficiently providing item redelivery when an item becomes undeliverable as addressed has become a critical service for many delivery system operators. This is because in an increasingly competitive environment, meeting and exceeding the expectations of those who receive a service is essential for a service provider.  
           [0004]    One solution to the item redelivery services problem is for the delivery system operator to return an undeliverable item to the sender and allow the sender to re-label the item with an alternative recipient and resend the item through the delivery system. For example, the sender may be a mail order catalog company that sends a specified number of catalogs periodically. A certain number of the catalogs sent, however, will be undeliverable to recipients as addressed due to, for example, a recipient moving. In this case, the items undeliverable as addressed may either be disposed or may be returned to the sender. If the items are returned to the sender and the sender elects to resend the items to alternative recipients, the sender has the laborious task of receiving the items, re-labeling the items with alternative recipients and resending the items through the delivery system. The alternative recipients may be recipients that the catalog company wanted to send catalogs to, but did not due to the limited number of catalogs in the initial sending. Notwithstanding, the alternative recipients may not have been included in the initial sending of the catalog for various reasons. Accordingly, efficiently providing item redelivery services in a delivery system remains an elusive goal. Thus, there remains a need for efficiently providing item redelivery services in a delivery system. In addition, there remains a need for efficiently providing item redelivery when the item becomes undeliverable as addressed.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    In accordance with the current invention, an item redirection method and system are provided that avoid the problems associated with prior art item redirection methods and systems as discussed herein above.  
           [0006]    In one aspect, a method for providing item delivery service consistent with the invention includes sending an item through a delivery system toward a first address, receiving an indication that the item cannot be delivered to the first address, determining if an alternative address can be obtained utilizing a code on the item, and sending the item through the delivery system to the alternative address if the alternative address can be obtained utilizing the code on the item.  
           [0007]    In another aspect, a system for providing item delivery service comprises a delivery system configured for sending an item toward a first address, a component for detecting when the item cannot be delivered to the first address, a component for determining if an alternative address can be obtained utilizing a code on the item, and a component for sending the item through the delivery system to the alternative address if the alternative address can be obtained utilizing the code on the item.  
           [0008]    Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    The accompanying drawings provide a further understanding of the invention and, together with the detailed description, explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a system for providing item redelivery services consistent with the present invention;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for providing item redelivery service consistent with the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a exemplary subroutine used in the exemplary method of FIG. 2 for sending an item through a delivery system toward a first address;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4A is a flow chart of a exemplary subroutine used in the exemplary method of FIG. 2 for determining whether an alternative address can be obtained utilizing a code on an item;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4B is a flow chart of a exemplary subroutine of an alternative embodiment of the exemplary subroutine used in FIG. 4A for determining whether an alternative address can be obtained utilizing a code on an item; and  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a exemplary subroutine used in the exemplary method of FIG. 2 for sending an item through the delivery system to an alternative address. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]    Reference will now be made to various embodiments according to this invention, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings and will be obvious from the description of the invention. In the drawings, the same reference numbers represent the same or similar elements in the different drawings whenever possible.  
         [0017]    Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention provides an item delivery system  100 . A sender  105  generates an item  110  that may be of significant value or that may have been generated at some significant cost to sender  105 . If item  110  becomes undeliverable as addressed at some point as it passes through a delivery system  130 , rather than disposing of item  110  as waste, sender  105  may like to have it redelivered to an alternative recipient  170  that may not have been included in an initial sending. By performing this redelivery function for sender  105 , the delivery system operator could deliver item  110 , avoid disposal or recycling costs, and perform this function at a lower cost than returning item  110  to sender  105  and allowing sender  105  to resend.  
         [0018]    For example, sender  105  places item  110  into delivery system  130 . Item  110  contains an address label  115  indicating a first address  150  of a recipient  155  and a return address  107  indicating where to return item  110  if necessary. Item  110  is routed through delivery system  130 . Delivery system  130  comprises a sender plant  125 , a delivery path  135 , a first address plant  140 , an alternative address plant  145 , and an auxiliary processing point  165 . Delivery path  135  comprises a plurality of plants similar to sender plant  125 , first address plant  140  and alternative address plant  145 . The plants within delivery path  135  contain, among other things, automated systems and sorting equipment and are designed to receive and process a plurality of items. Delivery system  130  is configured to sense tracking indicia placed on item  110  as it passes through the elements of delivery system  130  directing the movement of item  110  through delivery system  130 .  
         [0019]    In addition to return address  107  and address label  115 , item  110  also contains a code  120  which is placed on item  110  and is used to determine if an alternative address  160  can be obtained utilizing code  120 . Alternative address  160  may be obtained utilizing code  120  by correlating code  120  to alternative address  160  utilizing a list supplied by sender  105 . In addition, alternative address  160  may be obtained utilizing code  120  by sending to sender  105  a reason why item  110  cannot be delivered to first address  150  and receiving instructions which may include alternative address  160  from sender  105 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are many other ways to obtain alternative address  160  utilizing code  120 .  
         [0020]    In the item delivery process, item  110  is sent through delivery system  130  by sender  105  to first address plant  140 . At first address plant  140  or at any other plant that item  110  my pass within delivery system  130 , a determination is made as to whether item  110  is deliverable to recipient  155  at address  150 . If it is determined that item  110  is not deliverable to recipient  155  at address  150 , code  120  from item  110  is used to determine if an alternative address  160  can be obtained utilizing code  120 . If alternative address  160  can be obtained utilizing code  120  on item  110 , item  110  is sent through delivery system  130  to alternative recipient  170  at alternative address  160 . Payment from sender  105  may be received when the alternative address  160  is obtained or when item  110  is sent to alternative recipient  170 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that payment may be received at other points and by various means. If alternative address  160 , however, cannot be obtained utilizing the code  120  on the item  110 , item  110  is sent to auxiliary processing point  165  where auxiliary processing is performed. Auxiliary processing may comprise treating item  110  as waste or returning item  110  to sender  105 . Those skilled in the art, however, will appreciate that may other types of auxiliary processing may be performed on item  110 .  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is a flow chart setting forth the general stages involved in an exemplary method  200  for providing item delivery service. The implementation of the stages of exemplary method  200  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in greater detail in FIG. 3 through FIG. 5. Exemplary method  200  begins at starting block  205  and proceeds to exemplary subroutine  210  where item  110  is sent through delivery system  130  toward first address  150 . The stages of exemplary subroutine  210  are shown in FIG. 3 and will be described in greater detail below.  
         [0022]    From exemplary subroutine  210  where item  110  is sent through delivery system  130  toward first address  150 , exemplary subroutine  200  advances to decision block  220  where it is determined if item  110  can be delivered to first address  150 . If item  110  can be delivered to first address  150  at decision block  220 , exemplary subroutine  200  advances to stage  230  where item  110  is delivered to first address  150 . In delivering item  110  to first address  150 , item  110  is routed from plant to plant within delivery system  130  wherein item  110  efficiently converge on first address plant  140 , which is the plant that serves the delivery address labeled on the item  110 . Throughout this process, delivery system  130  tracks the progress of item  110  through delivery system  130 . Once item  110  reached first address plant  140 , the delivery system operator transfers item  110  from first address plant  140  to first address  150 . From stage  230  where item  110  is delivered to first address  150 , exemplary subroutine  200  continues to stage  260  where exemplary subroutine  200  ends.  
         [0023]    If at decision block  220  it is determined, however, that item  110  cannot be delivered to first address  150 , exemplary subroutine  200  continues to exemplary subroutine  240  where a determination is made whether alternative address  160  can be obtained utilizing code  120  on item  110 . Item  110  may be un-deliverable due to an incorrect, illegible, or insufficient delivery address. Those skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that many other considerations may be taken into account in determining if item  110  is deliverable. The stages of exemplary subroutine  240  are shown in FIG. 4A and will be described in greater detail below. Exemplary subroutine  240  is an alternate embodiment of exemplary subroutine  240  and will be described in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 4B.  
         [0024]    From exemplary subroutine  240 , exemplary method  200  continues to exemplary subroutine  250  where item  110  is sent through delivery system  130  to alternative address  160  if alternative address  160  can be obtained utilizing code  120  on item  110 . The stages of exemplary subroutine  250  are shown in FIG. 5 and will be described in greater detail below. From exemplary subroutine  250 , exemplary method  200  ends at stage  260 .  
         [0025]    Item is Sent Through Delivery System Toward First Address  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3 describes the exemplary subroutine  210  from FIG. 2 in which item  110  is sent through delivery system  130  toward first address  150 . Exemplary subroutine  210  begins at starting block  305  and advances to stage  310  where code  120  is placed on item  110 . Code  120  is utilized by the delivery system operator to determine alternative address  160  if it becomes necessary to send item  110  to alternative address  160 . Determining alternative address  160  from code  120  is discussed in greater detail with respect to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B. In creating code  120 , a bar code my be utilized. A bar code is a printed code used for recognition by a bar code scanner (reader). Traditional one-dimensional bar codes use the bars width to encode a product or account number. Two-dimensional bar codes, such as PDF417, MAXICODE and DATAMATRIX, are scanned horizontally and vertically and hold considerably more data. Generally, PDF417 is widely used for general purposes, MAXICODE is used for high-speed sorting, and DATAMATRIX is used for marking small parts. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many other types of coding other than bar coding may be use.  
         [0027]    After code  120  is placed on item  110  in stage  310 , exemplary subroutine  210  advances to stage  315  where item  110  is labeled with recipient  155  and first address  150  which is the mail delivery address of recipient  155 . This is accomplished by placing address label  115  on item  110  comprising the name of recipient  155  and first address  150 .  
         [0028]    Once item  110  is labeled with recipient  155  and first address  150  in stage  315 , exemplary subroutine  210  continues to stage  320  where item  110  is placed in delivery system  130 . FIG. 1 shows sender  105  placing item  110  into delivery system  130  at sender plant  125 . However, item  110  may be placed in sender plant  125  or any other plant within delivery system  130 . Item  110  delivered through delivery system  130  may comprise a letter or any other type mailpiece, however, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many other types of items may be delivered through delivery system  130 . While FIG. 1 shows sender  105  placing item  110  into delivery system  130 , this is not a requirement of this embodiment. Other persons, entities, organizations, or mechanisms may be employed to place item  110  into delivery system  130 .  
         [0029]    From stage  320  where item  110  is placed in delivery system  130 , exemplary subroutine  210  advances to stage  325  where item  110  is routed in delivery system  130  toward first address  150 . Delivery system  130  comprises sender plant  125 , delivery path  135 , first address plant  140  and alternative address plant  145 . Delivery path  135  comprises a plurality of plants similar to sender plant  125 , first address plant  140  and alternative address plant  145 . The plants within delivery system  130  may contain, among other things, automated systems and sorting equipment located at a plurality of locations. In executing their function, the plants comprising delivery system  130  process item  110  by checking address label  115  placed on item  110 . Item  110  is then routed to the next most appropriate plant in delivery system  130 . The appropriateness of the next plant in delivery system  130  depends upon the present location of item  110  in delivery system  130  and where item  110  is addressed. Ultimately, item  110  is routed in delivery system  130  to the plant that serves the delivery address indicated on item  110 , according to established procedures. Thus item  110  is routed from plant to plant within delivery system  130  wherein item  110  efficiently converge on first address plant  140 , which is the plant that serves the delivery address labeled on the item  110 . Throughout this process, delivery system  130  tracks the progress of item  110  through delivery system  130 . After item  110  is routed in delivery system  130  toward first address  150  in stage  325 , exemplary subroutine  210  advances to stage  330  and returns to decision block  220  of FIG. 2.  
         [0030]    Determine Whether Alternative Address Can be Obtained Utilizing Code on Item  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 4A describes the exemplary subroutine  240  from FIG. 2 in which a determination is made whether alternative address  160  can be obtained utilizing code  120  on item  110 . Exemplary subroutine  240  begins at starting block  405  and advances to decision block  410  where it is determined if alternative address  160  can be obtained utilizing code  120  on item  110 . If alternative address  160  cannot be obtained utilizing code  120  on item  110  at decision block  410 , exemplary subroutine  240  advances to stage  415  where auxiliary processing is performed at auxiliary processing point  165 . Auxiliary processing may comprise address correction service (re-label with a correct address) or return service (return item to the sender) may be performed. In this case, an operator specialized in the handling of such items is required. If item  110  requires return service, return address  107  on item  110  is read and item  110  is sent to return address  107  accordingly. Return address  107  is an element of item  110  that is usually placed in the upper left corner of item  110  to indicate the address of sender  105 . This address indicates where sender  105  wants item  110  returned if it is undeliverable. In addition return address  107  may indicate where sender  105  will receive a bill for any fees due for the return of item  110 . If item  110  requires address correction service, the operator obtains the proper address of recipient  155  or the reason for non-delivery. While auxiliary processing may comprise address correction service or return service, those skilled in the art will appreciate that may other types of auxiliary processing may be performed. From stage  415  where auxiliary processing is performed, exemplary subroutine  240  continues to stage  420  and returns to stage  260  of FIG. 2.  
         [0032]    If at decision block  410  it is determined, however, that alternative address  160  can be obtained utilizing code  120  on item  110 , exemplary subroutine  240  continues to stage  425  where payment is received from sender  105 . The payment may be received by billing sender  105 , debiting sender&#39;s checking account, or debiting sender&#39;s credit card account. Those skilled in the art, however, will appreciate that many other procedures may be employed in receiving the payment from sender  105 .  
         [0033]    After payment is received from sender  105  in stage  425 , exemplary subroutine  240  advances to stage  430  where a reason is sent to sender  105  why item  110  cannot be delivered to first address  150 , sender  105  indicated by code  120 . The reason why item  110  cannot be delivered to first address  150  may be sent to sender  105  using, for example, regular mail, e-mail, voice mail, facsimile, the internet, or an interactive voice response system. An interactive voice response system (IVR) is an automated telephone answering system that responds with a voice menu and allows the delivery system operator to make choices and enter information via the telephone keypad. IVR systems are widely used in call centers as well as a replacement for human switchboard operators. Database access and fax response may also be implemented in delivery instructions submission. Those skilled in the art, however, will appreciate that many other ways exist for sending the reason why item  110  cannot be delivered to first address  150  to sender  105 .  
         [0034]    Once a reason is sent to sender  105  why item  110  cannot be delivered to first address  150  in stage  430 , exemplary subroutine  240  continues to stage  435  where instructions are received from sender  105 . Similar to sending the reason why item  110  cannot be delivered to first address  150  to sender  105 , instructions may be received from sender  105  by using, for example, regular mail, e-mail, voice mail, facsimile, the internet, or an interactive voice response system. Those skilled in the art, however, will appreciate that many other ways exist for receiving instructions from sender  105 .  
         [0035]    From stage  435  where instructions are received from sender  105 , exemplary subroutine  240  advances to decision block  440  where it is determined if instructions call for treating item  110  as waste. If instructions call for treating item  110  as waste at decision block  440 , exemplary subroutine  240  advances to stage  445  where item  110  is treated as waste. From stage  445  where item  110  is treated as waste, exemplary subroutine  240  continues to stage  420  and returns to stage  260  of FIG. 2. If at decision block  440  it is determined, however, that instructions do not call for treating item  110  as waste, exemplary subroutine  240  continues to decision block  450  where it is determined if instructions call for returning item  110  to sender  105 . If instructions call for returning item  110  to sender  105  at decision block  450 , exemplary subroutine  240  advances to stage  455  where item  110  is returned to sender  105 . In returning item  110  to sender  105 , an operator specialized in the handling of such items may be required. If item  110  requires return service, return address  107  on item  110  may be read and item  110  is sent to return address  107  accordingly. Return address  107  is an element of item  110  that is usually placed in the upper left corner of item  110  to indicate the address of sender  105 . Alternatively, the instructions from sender  105  may include a return address. This address indicates where sender  105  wants item  110  returned if it is undeliverable. In addition return address  107  may indicate where sender  105  will receive a bill for any fees due for the return of item  110 . From stage  455  where item  110  is returned to sender  105 , exemplary subroutine  240  continues to stage  420  and returns to stage  260  of FIG. 2.  
         [0036]    If at decision block  450  it is determined, however, that instructions do not indicate returning item  110  to sender  105 , exemplary subroutine  240  continues to decision block  460  where it is determined if instructions indicate alternative address  160 . If instructions do not indicate alternative address  160  at decision block  460 , exemplary subroutine  240  advances to stage  415  where auxiliary processing is performed at auxiliary processing point  165 . Auxiliary processing is discussed above with respect to stage  415 . From stage  415  where auxiliary processing is performed, exemplary subroutine  240  continues to stage  420  and returns to stage  260  of FIG. 2. If at decision block  460  it is determined, however, that instructions indicate alternative address  160 , exemplary subroutine  240  continues to stage  465  and returns to stage  250  of FIG. 2.  
         [0037]    Item is Sent Through Delivery System to Alternative Address  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 5 describes the exemplary subroutine  250  from FIG. 2 in which item  110  is sent through delivery system  130  to alternative address  160 . Exemplary subroutine  250  begins at starting block  505  and advances to stage  510  where item  110  is re-labeled with alternative recipient  170  and alternative address  160 . This is accomplished by replacing address label  115  on item  110  with an alternative address label comprising the name of alternative recipient  170  and alternative address  160 .  
         [0039]    After item  110  is re-labeled with alternative recipient  170  and alternative address  160  in stage  510 , exemplary subroutine  250  advances to stage  515  where item  110  is routed toward alternative recipient  170  at alternative address  160 . This routing comprises routing item  110  from plant to plant within delivery system  130  wherein item  110  efficiently converges on alternative address plant  145 . Alternative address plant  145  is the plant within delivery system  130  that serves alternative address  160 . Throughout this process, delivery system  130  may track the progress of item  110  through delivery system  130 .  
         [0040]    Once item  110  is routed toward alternative recipient  170  at alternative address  160  in stage  515 , exemplary subroutine  250  continues to stage  520  where item  110  is received at alternative address plant  145 . From stage  520  where item  110  is received at alternative address plant  145 , exemplary subroutine  250  advances to stage  525  where item  110  is delivered to alternative recipient  170  at alternative address  160 . After item  110  is delivered to alternative recipient  170  at alternative address  160  in stage  525 , exemplary subroutine  250  advances to stage  530  where payment is received from sender  105 . The payment may be received by billing sender  105 , debiting sender&#39;s checking account, or debiting sender&#39;s credit card account. Those skilled in the art, however, will appreciate that many other procedures may be employed in receiving the payment from sender  105 . Once payment is received from sender  105  in stage  530 , exemplary subroutine  250  continues to stage  535  and returns to stage  260  of FIG. 2.  
         [0041]    Alternative Embodiment of Determining Alternative Address  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 4B describes the exemplary subroutine  240  which is an alternative embodiment of exemplary subroutine  240  from FIG. 2 in which a determination is made whether alternative address  160  can be obtained utilizing code  120  on item  110 . Exemplary subroutine  240  begins at starting block  605  and advances to decision block  610  where it is determined if alternative address  160  can be obtained utilizing code  120  on item  110 . If alternative address  160  cannot be obtained utilizing code  120  on item  110  at decision block  610 , exemplary subroutine  240  advances to stage  615  where auxiliary processing is performed at auxiliary procession point  165 . Auxiliary processing may comprise address correction service (re-label with a correct address) or return service (return item to the sender) may be performed. In this case, an operator specialized in the handling of such items is required. If item  110  requires return service, return address  107  on item  110  is read and item  110  is sent to return address  107  accordingly. Return address  107  is an element of item  110  that is usually placed in the upper left corner of item  110  to indicate the address of sender  105 . This address indicates where sender  105  wants item  110  returned if it is undeliverable. In addition return address  107  may indicate where sender  105  will receive a bill for any fees due for the return of item  110 .  
         [0043]    When item  110  requires address correction service, the operator obtains the proper address of recipient  155  or the reason for non-delivery. While auxiliary processing may comprise address correction service or return service, those skilled in the art will appreciate that may other types of auxiliary processing may be performed. From stage  615  where auxiliary processing is performed, exemplary subroutine  240  continues to stage  620  and returns to stage  260  of FIG. 2.  
         [0044]    If at decision block  610  it is determined, however, that alternative address  160  can be obtained utilizing code  120  on item  110 , exemplary subroutine  240  continues to stage  625  where payment is received from sender  105 . The payment may be received by billing sender  105 , debiting sender&#39;s checking account, or debiting sender&#39;s credit card account. Those skilled in the art, however, will appreciate that many other procedures may be employed in receiving the payment from sender  105 .  
         [0045]    After payment is received from sender  105  in stage  625 , exemplary subroutine  240  advances to stage  630  where a list correlating code  120  to alternative address  160  is received. The list correlating code  120  to alternative address  160  may be received from sender  105  using, for example, regular mail, e-mail, voice mail, facsimile, the internet, or an interactive voice response system. Database access and fax response may also be implemented in delivery instructions submission. Those skilled in the art, however, will appreciate that many other ways exist for receiving the list correlating code  120  to alternative address  160  from sender  105 .  
         [0046]    Once the list correlating code  120  to alternative address  160  is received in stage  630 , exemplary subroutine  240  continues to stage  635  where alternative address  160  is indicated by correlating code  120  to alternative address  160  utilizing the list. After alternative address  160  is indicated by correlating code  120  to alternative address  160  utilizing the list in stage  635 , exemplary subroutine  240  continues to stage  640  and returns to stage  250  of FIG. 2.  
         [0047]    In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides a system and method for providing item redelivery services in a delivery system. Still, it should be understood that the foregoing relates only to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and that numerous changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.