Patent Publication Number: US-2005144059-A1

Title: Personal intelligent shipment system and method

Description:
BACKGROUND  
      Some conventional mailing services (e.g., FedEx, UPS, etc.) allow consumers to track movements of packages as they are being shipped through their mailing service systems. In order to obtain such tracking information, the consumer must fill out a shipping declaration for each package including the consumer&#39;s data and destination information. The mailing service then, using the above-mentioned information and a serial number of the declaration, allows the consumer to track the movement of the package through the mailing service system until the package reaches its destination.  
      Such mailing system may work well for occasional package shipments. However, such mailing system may be far too cumbersome for the consumers who desire to track movements of every piece of mail they send.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Described is a method and system for providing a user with a personalized shipment system. The user is registered by providing user data which is associated with a unique user identifier. Label data is generated for each of a plurality of labels. Each label includes a unique label identifier in a machine language. The label identifier is associated with the user identifier in a computer database. An item to be shipped is received; the item includes one of the labels and recipient data which includes a destination data of the item.  
      Determination is made whether the destination data is in a machine language. When the destination data is not in a machine language, the destination data is translated into machine language destination data. The unique label identifier and the machine language destination data are obtained from the item using a machine capable of reading the machine language during the shipment of the item. The tracking data is recorded the computer database based on the machine language unique label identifier and the machine language data. The tracking data regarding shipment progress of the item is provided in response to a request referencing at least one of the user identifier and the destination data. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute part of the specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain examples of the present invention. In the drawings:  
       FIG. 1  is an exemplary intelligent shipment system according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 2   a  shows an exemplary embodiment of marked envelope utilized by the system according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 2   b  shows another exemplary embodiment of marked envelope utilized by the system;  
       FIG. 3  shows an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 4   a  shows an exemplary embodiment of a tracking number utilized by the system according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 4   b  shows another exemplary embodiment of the tracking number;  
       FIG. 5   a  shows an exemplary embodiment of a mail outbox of sender which utilizes the system according to the present invention; and  
       FIG. 5   b  shows an exemplary embodiment of a mail inbox of recipient which utilizes the system. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       FIG. 1  shows an exemplary embodiment of a personal intelligent shipment system  1  according to the present invention. The system  1  allows marking of an individual item to be shipped (e.g., a piece of mail) with a unique identification so that the item may be automatically scanned and tracked as it moves through the system  1 . The system  1  is available to all users who desire to track their everyday mail and, in particular, individual consumers and small businesses.  
      For example, Sender  10  desires to send a piece of mail, such as an envelope  40  (as shown in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b ), a package, a box, etc., to Recipient  20  using Mail Service  30 . Mail Service  30  may be, for example, the US Postal Service or any other service that ships mail or other items. Sender  10  marks the envelope  40  with predetermined information and provides it to Mail Service  30 . Based on the predetermined information, Mail Service  30  tracks the envelope  40  using a tracking number  70  as shown in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b.  While the envelope  40  is being shipped by Mail Service  30  to Recipient  20 , movements of the envelope  40  along with other related data are being recorded and stored in a database  34  of a Mail Service&#39;s computer  32 . This data may be accessed before and/or after the envelope  40  is received by Recipient  20 .  
       FIG. 3  shows an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the present invention. In step  302 , a return label  46  for the envelope  40  is generated based on sender&#39;s information and a unique label identifier (e.g., a serial number). In particular,  FIG. 4   a  shows an exemplary embodiment of the return label  46  which may have a first portion  47  and a second portion  48 .  
      The first portion  47  may include the name and address of Sender  10 . The second portion  48  may include, for example, the Sender&#39;s account number  72  and a unique serial number  74  stored in, for example, a bar code (as shown in  FIG. 4   a ). Those skilled in the art would understand that data which can be stored in the form of barcode may also be stored in an conventional RFID tag (not shown). The account number  72  is a unique number assigned to each Sender  10  by Mail Service  30  or a designated third party. For example, Sender  10  may obtain the account number  72  during his registration with Mail Service  30 . The account number  72  along with Sender&#39;s data (e.g., name, address, credit card number, phone, preferences, etc.) may be stored in the database  34 . The serial number  74  is an identification number which is unique to every return label  46 . Thus, the serial number  74  allows unique identification of each piece of mail.  
      In an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second portion  48  may also include optional data  73 . The optional data  73  may be a text message for Recipient  20 , delivery instructions for Mail Service  30 , etc. In another alternative embodiment, the second portion  48  may only include the serial number  74 . In this embodiment, the sender&#39;s account number  72  is associated with the particular serial number  74  when Sender  10  purchases the return labels  46  with the account, i.e., the correlation is made in the database  34  without actually printing the account number  72  in the second portion  48 . Those of skill in the art will understand that the second portion  48  may also be separate from a return label and may be attached to the item in various manners, e.g., attached via a label, printed by Sender  10  directly on the item after receiving a series of serial numbers  74  from Mail Service  30 , etc.  
      The data included in the second portion  48  may be stored in the form of a two-dimensional barcode (e.g., PDF  417  barcode). The return label  46  may be generated and printed the Sender  10 ; alternatively, the returned label  46  may generated and sold to Sender  10  by Mail Service  30 , designated third-part providers, mail-order companies, etc. For example, if a third-party generates the return labels  46 , Mail Service  30  may reserve up to 99 two-digit combinations at the start of the return label  46  to uniquely identify up to 99 licensed third-parities (00 may be reserved for Mail Service  30  itself). Each of those third-parties could then make up the remainder of their serial numbers independent of Mail Service  30  and independent of each other, yet the numbers would still be unique identifiers. Sender  10  could purchase a set of these third-party labels, then bring a sheet of  30  labels into a local office of Mail Service  30 , where it would scan Sender  10 &#39;s ID card then scan a label at the top of the return labels  46 &#39;s sheet. Now, Mail Service  30 &#39;s computers  12  associated Sender  10 &#39;s ID with this set of third-party label identification even through Mail Service&#39;s computers  12  did not generate the set of return labels  46 .  
      The return label  46  may include preset optional data  73  (e.g., a text massage “Happy Holidays!”) or predefined nicknames of Sender  10  (e.g., “Uncle Joe”). Alternatively, the return label  46  may be generated by Sender  10  utilizing a dedicated software program or hardware. The hardware for generating labels  46  may include a conventional bar code writer and/or a conventional RFID tag writer.  
      In step  304 , Sender  10  prepares the envelope  40  for mailing. In particular, Sender  10  attaches the return label  46  to the envelope  40 . In addition, Sender  10  provides destination data (e.g., Recipient&#39;s address  42  on the envelope  40 , etc.). The Recipient&#39;s address  42  may be typed, printed, handwritten or any other form as long as it may be recognized by machines of Mail Service  30 . Optionally, Sender  10  may also provide Recipient&#39;s destination data  76  which may be coded with a destination address code. The destination address code may be stored in, e.g., a bar code or an RFID tag. For example, the destination address code may be a PostNet bar code which contains an extended form of Recipient&#39;s zip code which is detailed enough to distinguish between different Recipients  20 . An example of extended form of the zipcode may be (i) “zip plus 4” or a 9-digit zip; or (ii) “destination point zipcode” or a full 11-digit zip.  
      Finally, Sender  10  attaches an appropriate postage  41 , and the envelope  40  is ready to be mailed. The postage  41  may be in the form of a conventional prepaid stamp, an imprint from a postage machine (e.g., a Pitney Bowes Personal Postoffice machine) or a two-dimensional barcode Information Based Indicia “IBI” postage (e.g., PDF  417 ).  
      In an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the IBI postage  49 , as shown in  FIG. 2   b,  may also store at least some of the data which is marked on the envelope  40 . In particular, the IBI postage  49  may include data stored in the return label  46 , the Recipient&#39;s data  42  and the destination data  76 . Thus, there may be no need to include the second portion  48  and/or the destination data  76 . Those skilled in the art would understand that steps  302  and  304  may be integrated into a single step.  
      In step  306 , the envelope  40  is sent by Sender  10 , using Mail Service  30 , to be delivered to Recipient  20 . When Mail Service  30  receives the envelope  40 , its sorting machine checks the envelope  40  for destination data  76  in a machine language. That is, the sorting machine checks for data encoded on the envelope  40  in a form specifically designed for reading by machines (e.g., bar codes) which are not readily readable by humans without prior translation by a machine. If such data  76  is not provided on the envelope  40  in a machine language, the sorting machine searches for destination information in a human language (e.g., typed or handwritten English). The sorting machine then translates this information into machine language destination data  76  (e.g., using character recognition) and marks the destination data  76  on the envelope  40 . As would be understood by those skilled in the art, the sorting machine may include any or all of a bar code reader, a bar code writer, an RFID tag reader and an RFID tag writer along with an optical scanner and character recognition software. Thus, the sorting machine may read data  76  when presented, for example, in a bar code or via an RFID tag, or may recognize a written address and translate it into data  76  which then may be marked on the envelope using, for example, the bar code writer or the RFID tag writer.  
      Subsequently, during the shipment of the envelope  40  to Recipient  20 , the Mail Service  30  sorts/transmits and scans the envelope  40 , as explained below, and stores the data obtained during the scan in the database  34  (step  308 ). In particular, Mail Service  30  uses the machine (e.g., sorting machines, etc.) for processing the envelope  40 . When the envelope  40  is processed by the machine, a tracking number  70  as shown in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  and described below, is generated for the particular process (e.g., a scanning of the envelope process) by associating the serial number  74  with the designation data  76 .  
      Data obtained from each scan may be stored in the database  34 . A software program (which may be run on the computer  32 ) may process recently stored scans, detect fraudulently re-use and associate each scanned tracking number  70  with Sender&#39;s account  72 . Such in-process scans only capture and store a small amount of information in the database  34  (e.g., the serial number  74 , the destination data  76  and the date/time/location of each scan). At the time of scan, no retrieval operation from the database  34  is required. The database  34  look-ups occur when there is a request from a user. The request may be a specific demand for information regarding a particular envelope  40 , a status of the envelope  40  for particular Sender  10 , etc.  
      In alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system  1  allows near real time look ups. In other words, every time the envelope  40  is scanned, the data of the scan is processed and all corresponding files are updated in near real time. For example, when the scan occurs Sender  10  is informed via instant messaging to a cell phone via an email message, etc.  
      In step  310 , Mail Service  30  delivers the envelope  40  to Sender  20 . Mail Service  30  may offer optional services, such as a delivery confirmation service. If Sender  10  opts for the delivery confirmation service, then upon delivery of the envelope  40  to Recipient  20 , Mail Service  30  (e.g., using a portable scanner) would scan the return label  46  and provide the corresponding information to Sender  10 .  
       FIG. 4   a  shows an exemplary tracking number  70  which may include the Sender&#39;s account number  72 , the serial number  74  and the destination code  76 . The tracking number  70  may also include optional data  73 . Alternatively, the tracking number  70 , as shown in  FIG. 4   b,  includes only the serial number  74  and the destination code  76 . The tracking number  70  may be obtained from “reading” the second portion  48  and the destination data  76 . Alternatively, the tracking number  70  may be generated from the data stored in the IBI postage  49 .  
      The system  1  allows Sender  10 , Recipient  20 , Mail Service  30  or any other authorized person to obtain information about the envelope  40  during and/or after the shipment of the envelope  40  through the system  1 .  
      In particular, Sender  10 /Recipient  20  may obtain certain data using computers  12 ,  22  which are linked to the computer  32  via a communication network  50  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The communication network  50 , for example, may be the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, etc. In addition, the communication network  50  may be a partially wired and wireless network. In the alternative or addition, Sender  10 /Recipient  20  may access the information using the computer  32  which may be located in an office of Mail Service  30 .  
      For example, Sender  10  may view data regarding the envelope  40  which was sent to Sender  20 .  FIG. 5   a  shows a screen shot of an exemplary mail outbox of Sender  10 . For each envelope  40 , there may be the following information: date of the last scan; date of arrival; a class of mail (e.g., “First Class”, “Express Mail”, etc.); status information (e.g., “On its way”, “Arrived”, etc.); Recipient&#39;s identification  42  or Recipient&#39;s Nickname (e.g., “117-1234-07 Farmindale, N.Y.”, “Mom &amp; Dad”); the optional data  73  (e.g., “Happy Farther&#39;s Day!”, “Family Newsletter”, etc.), etc. The system  1  may also allow Sender  10  to not reveal its name (i.e., the system  1  would display Sender&#39;s  10  identification as “anonymous”).  
      Similarly, Recipient  20  may view the envelope  40  that he already received and/or is about to receive.  FIG. 5   b  shows a screen shot of an exemplary mail inbox of Recipient  20 . For each envelope  40 , there may be the following information: status information (e.g, “Arrived 5/29“, “Due in by 6/5”), etc.); Sender&#39;s information  42  (e.g., “Anonymous”, “Mom &amp; Dad”, etc.); the optional data  43  (e.g., “You&#39;re Invited”, “Water Bill”, etc.), etc.  
      It should noted that the “To” field of the outbox and the “From” field of the inbox contain information obtained only from the postal zipcode. For example, the “To” field of the outbox would have only “11229-1234”. In order to provide more complete additional information to Recipient  20  must associate the zipcode with such additional information. For instance, Recipient  20  may set up the following associations: “11226-1234” is the postal code of Uncle Steve.  
      It should be noted that such associations may vary according to classifications set up by the user. For example, if the envelope  40  is sent to a friend, then show sender as “Alex”; however, if it is sent to Chase Bank, then show sender as “Mr. Alex Smith”.  
      Although  FIGS. 5   a  &amp;  5   b  are shown as black-and-white, those skilled in the art would understand that the illustrated tables may be color coded for easier comprehension of the information. For example, if the status information is red, then it may indicate that the envelope  40  has yet to be delivered. On the other hand, if the status information is green, then the envelope  40  was already delivered to Recipient  20 .  
      The system  1  allows creation of multiple accounts for each Sender  10  (e.g., children may have separate accounts than their parents, etc.). The system  1  also may allow multiple accounts for each Recipient  20 . In such a case, each Recipient&#39;s account must be preset and specified in the return label  46 . Furthermore, Sender  10  may specify which Recipient  20  or a group of Recipients  20  may review information about the incoming mail. For example, Sender  10  may set that only parents may preview the information about the incoming mail, but not the children, etc.  
      In addition, Sender  10  is not required to perform additional steps for sending the envelope  40  (with the exception of obtaining of the preset return labels  46 ). Thus, the Sender  10  can utilize the system  1  without the need to use a computer or even have access to one. Since the return label  46  includes the Sender&#39;s account number  72  and the serial number  74  and the Mail Service  30  may read the Recipient&#39;s address  42  to generate the destination data  76 , each envelope  40  is uniquely marked for tracking by Mail Service  30 . Thus, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention has the capability to provide as many digits as is required for storing information about an item (e.g., 12 digits). The system  1 , unlike conventional mailing systems which are mostly available to large businesses, can be available and utilized by individual consumers and small businesses.  
      Furthermore, the tracking number  70  is in machine-readable form and may be automatically read by existing Mailing Service  30  machines. Thus, the system  1  does not require new equipment to be purchased by the Mail Service  30 .  
      The system  1  also provides the user with an easy-to-use Graphical User Interface (“GUI”). In addition, Sender  10 /Recipient  20  does not have to know the tracking number  70  of each envelope  40  that is being sent/received; in other words, the tracking number  70  may be “invisible”. By using the Sender&#39;s account number  72  or the destination data  76 , one may track the movements of the envelope  40 . This allows not only the tracking of the movements of the envelope  40  that is sent, e.g., by Sender  10 , but also allows Recipient  20  to track movement of the envelopes  40  that are being sent to Recipient  20 . Thus, an advance notice to Recipient  20  may be provided that he should be expecting the envelope  40 . In addition, to the notice, Recipient  20  may also receive a customized message. This feature may be especially valuable for marketing purposes. For example, Recipient  20  may receive an advance notification “Watch your mail for this special offer.” 
      The exemplary embodiment of the present invention also allows Sender  10  to receive confirmation that the envelope  40  was received by Recipient  20 . In addition, the present invention increases convenience of postal boxes (“P.O. Box”) because Recipient  20  may find out in advance whether the postal box has any mail of interest; thus, making a trip for Recipient  20  to the postal box worth while.  
      The Mail Service  30  may increase its revenues by offering a wide variety of addition services. For example, Mail Service  30  may generate addition revenues from the sale of Return Labels  46 ; prepaid accounts that Sender  10  and/or Recipient  20  may establish; usage of the delivery confirmation service; increased usage of P.O. Boxes; etc.  
      Unlike conventional mailing services, Sender  10  does not have to record a newly assigned tracking number for each piece of mail, instead, the tracking number  70  is generated based on information provided on “a face” of the envelope  40  (i.e., the second portion  48  and the destination data  76 ).  
      It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the structure and the methodology of the present invention, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.