Patent Publication Number: US-2010131429-A1

Title: Method for recipients of mail to inform mailers of mailing preferences

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention disclosed herein relates generally to a system and method for processing mail and more particularly, to a system and method for recipients of mail to inform mailers of recipients&#39; mailing preferences. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Recipients of mail often receive mailings that are of no interest to the recipient. These mailings may include magazines, journals, solicitations, catalogs, coupons, announcements about new businesses in the recipient&#39;s area and other various mailings. The mailing recipients have either been required to directly contact the mailer to request removal of the recipients name from the mailing list, a time consuming process, or to attempt to utilize a do not mail service. These do not mail services are services which allow a recipient to have their name removed from a mailing list managed by the service or where the service directly contacts the mailer on behalf of the mail recipient. Many of these services involve a recipient going to a website and completing a suitable form to have their name removed from a mailing list for a particular mailing campaign and also enable the mail recipient to request additional or other types of mailing. 
     The above method of trying to reduce unwanted mail is inefficient. The service may not handle the particular mailing that is of interest to the mail recipient and for which the recipient wishes to have their name removed from the mailing list. Also, the service may not be able to contact the mailer directly on behalf of the mail recipient. 
     Although it may be in the mailers&#39; interest to remove mail recipients from a mailing list where the recipient is not interested in the particular campaign or related campaigns, the communications between the mailer and recipient is not efficient. The recipient may not be able to easily contact the mailer. The mailer may not understand the wishes of the recipient and the recipient may not understand the various options available to the recipient from the mailer in connection with eliminating mail, receiving additional mail or other options. 
     It is desirable to facilitate communications whereby unwanted mail is eliminated and desired mail is received with the ability to expand into other areas of mail types that may be of interest to the recipient and mailer. Furthermore it is desirable to provide a system whereby the mailer can manage mailing lists of recipients to maximize the value of the mailings and to save on mailings to recipients who are not appropriate candidates for a particular mailing campaign. This saves in terms of the need to print less campaign materials to be mailed and the associated postage costs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to facilitate communications between mailers and mail recipients regarding options that the mail recipients may have with respect to a given mail campaign. 
     It is another object of the present invention to enhance the value of mailing campaigns by improving the ability of mailers to more effectively manage mailings to mail recipients. 
     A method for recipients of mail to inform mailers of mailing preferences embodying the present invention includes the steps of communicating, from a mail preparation center to a data center, mail recipient options with respect to a mail campaign. The mail preparation center sends mail pieces to a plurality of mail recipients included in the mail campaign, each of the mail pieces having a mail campaign identifier printed thereon. At least one of the plurality of mail recipients communicating to the data center a received mail piece mail campaign identifier. The data center communicating to the mail piece recipient the mail campaign mail recipient options. The mail recipient communicating to the data center selected options from the mail campaign mail recipient options communicated to the mail recipient. 
     A method for recipients of mail to inform mailers of mailing preferences, embodying an aspect of the present invention comprising the steps of communicating from a mail preparation center to a data center a mail campaign mail recipient options with respect to the mail campaign. The mail preparation center sends mail pieces to a plurality of mail recipients included in the mail campaign, each of the mail pieces having a mail campaign identifier printer thereon. At least one of the plurality of mail recipients populating a widget on a mail recipient processing device with a received mail piece mail campaign identifier to communicate to the data center the received mail piece campaign identifier. The data center populates the mail recipient processing device widget with the mail campaign mail recipient campaign options to communicate to the mail piece recipient the mail campaign recipient options. The mail recipient populates the mail recipient processing device widget with mail recipient selected options to communicate to the data center the mail recipient selected options. 
     In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the mail preparation center includes a postage meter with at least one accounting register for accounting for value and includes the further steps of processing the plurality of mail pieces with the postage meter to account in the accounting register for the value of the mail piece mail campaign identifier of each mail piece processed by the postage meter. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. As shown throughout the drawings, like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts. 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system for recipients of mail to inform mailers of mailing preferences embodying the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a view of a campaign management request form for recipients of mail to inform mailers of mailing preferences useful in the mailing preferences system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a view of potential recipient preferences form for recipients of mail to inform mailers of mailing preferences useful in the mailing preferences system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart of the process of how a recipient can set up an account with the data center useful in the mailing preferences system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart of the process of how a mailer tags mail in a manner useful in the mailing preferences system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart of the process of how a recipient opts out of a mail campaign in a manner useful in the mailing preferences system shown in  FIG. 1 ; and, 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart of the process of how the mailer manages recipient selected options in a manner useful in the mailing preferences system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 1 , a system for recipients of mail to inform mailers of the recipient mailing preferences includes a data center  10  which is the control center for the mailer  12  and may include various operations such as a mailer customer service center  14 , a mailing campaign originator  16  which may generate campaign management request forms. The organization of the mailer can vary depending on the particular implementation of the system. However, the mailer customer service center  14  function is in communications with the data center  10  as is the mail campaign originator function  16 . 
     The mailer  12  may prepare and send their mail or have another organization prepare and send the mail to the mail recipients. The mail preparation is shown in block  20 . The mail preparation includes the processing of a mail piece such as mail piece  22  which can include the printing of postal indicia  24  on the mail piece. The indicia is printed by a metering system which includes a printer  26  and a scanner  28 . Accounting and control of the metering function is performed by the meter/postal security device system (PSD)  30 . The meter/PSD  30  accounts for the printing of postage, and can also account for the value of the service provided by the data center such as facilitating communications between the mailer and the recipient. The accounting for value can be in a register  31  in the meter/PSD  30 . Meter/PSD systems contain various types of accounting registers which could be employed to implement accounting for the value provided by the data center  10 . The scanner scans a mail campaign identifier, such as the campaign identification number  32 , when preprinted on the mail piece to provide this information to the meter/PSD  30 . Alternatively, the meter/PSD  30  when enabled by the mail campaign originator  16  and/or the data center  10  can cause the meter/PSD  30  printer  26  to print the mail campaign identifier, campaign identification number  32 , and also to account for the campaign identifier imprint. The mail campaign identifier can be a numbers, letters or other forms of identification such as symbols or any combination of the foregoing. 
     As is shown by the dashed lines  34  and  36  the mail piece  22  is delivered to a recipient and may be imaged by recipient PC camera  38  or imaged by a smart phone  40 . This can image the mail code identification number and enter it into the mail recipient&#39;s PC or into the mail recipient&#39;s smart phone, as the case may be, for processing in accordance with available options as provided in the campaign management request form  18 . Other suitable processing devices can be employed. 
     This campaign management request form  18  is communicated by the mail campaign originator to the data center  10 . Upon entering information as to the recipients preferences with respect to available options noted in the campaign management request form, the information is communicated through a mail recipient preference widget  42  to the data center  10 . Thus, the recipient camera  38  may image the mail piece campaign identifier  32  or the mail piece campaign identifier  32  may otherwise be entered into the system via the smart phone or keyed in by the mail recipient into the PC or the smart phone. The recipient preference widget  42  can be a small utility program in the tool bar of the recipient PC which can be implemented to pop up and contains pre-indicated preferences of the user as well as the PC user identification. 
     When the mail campaign identification number  32  is entered into the appropriate device, it causes the recipient preference widget  42  populated with the mail campaign identifier to go the data center  10  to become populated with the available options from the campaign management request form and communicated back with that populated information to the mail recipient&#39;s PC/Smart phone  40 . As a result, the recipient can act on selecting available options. 
     In  FIG. 2  the campaign management request form has a series of recipient options for the particular mailing campaign such as a catalog type, or a brochure and the like options. In the particular campaign management request form in  FIG. 2  the options include the following: men&#39;s catalog only; women&#39;s catalog only; use email instead; stop this mail; try again in x months; alternative marketing opportunities; enter alternative receiving address; and, address correction requested. These options populate into the widget  42  and, as can be seen in  FIG. 3  for the particular campaign, the mail recipient can select only the following options: woman&#39;s catalog only; use email instead; and, alternative marketing opportunities. The widget prompts the recipient to select the particular desired options which were originally communicated by the mailer to the data center  10 . The widget  42  with the selected options then communicates the recipient&#39;s selected options to the data center  10  for subsequent action. The particular widget form and organization can vary and is designed to meet the mailer&#39;s needs for the mailing campaign involving the mail recipient. The form can be tailored to the specific characteristics of each recipient. For example, the options for female mail recipient may be different from the options for male mail recipients or the options may be different based on household income of the mail recipient. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 4  which is a flow chart of how a recipient can set up an account with the data center. The process starts at  402 . At block  404  the recipient goes to the data center recipient preference web site and at block  406  the recipient demographics are entered including data such as name, address, and other relevant information concerning the recipient such as home telephone number and the like. The data center then downloads at block  408  a widget onto the recipient PC which is used in a manner previously noted. The recipient at block  410  can optionally request that the widget be sent to a smart phone such that the smart phone can control the process. The process is completed at  412 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 5  which is a flow chart of how a mailer tags mail in a manner for use in the system shown in  FIG. 1 . The process begins at  502 . At block  504  a mail run is begun and at block  506  a mailing campaign identification is requested from the data center  10 . At block  508  a unique mailing campaign identification number is obtained from the data center via the communications channel. A determination is then made at decision block  510  whether the mailing campaign identification number will be printed by the meter. If this is the case, at block  512  as the meter run is processed by the meter/PSD  30  the meter printer  26  prints the mail campaign identification number on each mail piece. The meter/PSD  30  may also account for value in the meter/PSD register  31  for the service provided for the mail campaign if this is desired. Where at decision block  510  it is determined that the meter will not print the mail campaign identification number, the mail campaign identification number is printed at block  514  on envelopes before the mail run is commenced. Where the mail campaign identification code is printed at block  512 , the process is completed at  516 . However, where the mail identification code is printed on the envelopes before the mail run through the meter, the determination is made at decision block  518  as to the method of payment. Where the method of payment is on a per piece basis the mail campaign identification number is scanned at block  520  by the scanner  28 . The meter/PSD  30  counts and/or accounts for the particular mail piece scanned. Where meter/PSD accounting is employed, the meter/PSD  30  at block  522  deducts payment for the mail campaign identification service from the meter/PSD  30  funding registers and the process is completed at  516 . Where at decision block  518  a determination is made that the payment method is by subscription, the process is completed at  516 . 
     Many payment methodologies that can be used as payment for the services such as payment per mail piece charge with or without per mail piece payment by meter register deduction, payment by subscription and payment per widget feedback/response. In such case the feedback/response is a charge for each time a mail recipient receives and responds, provides a feedback, to the mailer concerning mail recipient preferences. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 6  which is a flow chart of how a recipient opts out of mail campaign in a manner for use with the system. Other forms of recipient preferences elections can be made in a similar manner. The process starts at  602 . At block  604  a recipient receives mail and a determination is made at decision block  606  whether the recipient decides to opt out of the mailing campaign. Various types of recipient options can be implemented and this is an example of how one such request might be processed. If a determination is made at decision block  606  not to opt out, the process is completed at  608 . On the other hand, should a determination be made to opt out at decision block  606 , at decision block  610  a further determination is made of the media presentation, that is, whether the presentation will be on the recipient&#39;s PC or on the recipient&#39;s smart phone as previously described in connection with  FIG. 1 . It should be noted that the mail campaign and preference selection may include future mailings and similar campaigns depending on the processes implemented. 
     Where the presentation is on the recipient&#39;s PC at  612  the recipient runs the mailing widget on the recipient&#39;s computer. At  614  the mail campaign identification number is entered from the envelope and the recipient selects the desired options. At  616  the recipient registers by means of the widget the recipient wishes on future mailings with the data center  10 . Where the presentation media is on the smart phone, the recipient runs the mailing widget at block  618  on the smart phone and images the mailing code identification with the phone camera at block  620 . At block  622  the widget registers with the data center  10  the mail recipient&#39;s wishes, that is, the mail recipient selected options for future mailings. The process then is completed at  608 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 7  which is a flow chart of how the mailer manages recipient wishes. The process starts at  702 . At block  704  the mailer downloads the recipient report from the data center over a communications channel such as the Pitney Bowes Inc. Intellilink™ employed with various commercial Pitney Bowes postage meter systems. At block  706  the recipient record from the report is obtained and at block  708  the mailer uses the recipient address from the report record to locate the recipient&#39;s record in the mailer&#39;s database. A determination is then made at decision block  710  whether an opt out has been requested for the mailing campaign by the recipient. Where this is the case, at block  712  the opt out from future mailing identified by the recipient for the mailing campaign is implemented. At block  713  the next wish or preference, next mail recipient selected option for the mail campaign, in the recipient record is looked at based on the widget information. The repeated recording of recipient wishes for other items in the report continues as denoted at  714 . At decision block  716 , a determination is made if there are more records in the report where this is not the case the process is completed at  718 . However, where there are more records in the report, the process loops back to block  706  to get the recipient record from the reports. 
     It should be noted that the process is adapted to provide various functionality for the mailer and the recipient. For example, the widget can have an option to initiate a call back from the mailer or call back from an associated service like a catalog provider. The options can be used to initiate requests for additional associated materials or items and other options can be provided to the recipient. These other options as previously noted, for example, can be employed for address correction and can be used to stop duplicate mailings to the recipient. This is particularly important since often duplicate mailings often occur because of multiple spellings or address errors in a mailing list database. 
     There are many types of mailing campaigns. However, all mailing campaigns are an organized mailing program by mailers to make recipients aware of special programs or offers for the purpose of transacting business between the mailer or their customer and the mail recipient and may include multiple programs and offers. The mail campaign request form can be in any format and communicated in any way from the mail preparation center to the data center so long as a campaign identifier is communicated for a particular mailing campaign as well as the various mail recipient mailing campaign options that the recipient might select. While the present invention has been disclosed and described with reference to a single embodiment thereof, it will be apparent, as noted above that variations and modifications may be made therein. It is, thus, intended in the following claims to cover each variation and modification that falls within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.