Abstract:
A system and method is provided that allows a sender of a mail object to generate a barcode that uniquely identifies the mail object, where the barcode includes a sender-generated unique identifier concatenated with mail-related data (e.g., sender data, recipient data, shipping method data, etc.), rendering the barcode globally unique. The barcode can then be used by a sender-based system to provide data concerning the mail object via a network. In one embodiment of the present invention, barcode data (or a portion thereof) is stored in a sender&#39;s memory device and linked to information concerning the mail object. The barcode data can then be used to identify the mail object and provide information concerning the mail object over a network, such as the Internet.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 14/821,762, filed Aug. 9, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/528,675, filed Oct. 30, 2014, and issued on Aug. 11, 2015 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,105,002, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/848,370, filed Mar. 21, 2013, and issued on Dec. 16, 2014 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,910,860, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/560,306, filed Jul. 27, 2012, and issued on Apr. 23, 2013 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,429,093, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/297,515, filed Nov. 16, 2011, and issued on Sep. 4, 2012 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,260,629, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/454,052, filed May 11, 2009, and issued on Dec. 6, 2011 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,073,787, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/271,471, filed Oct. 15, 2002, and issued on Oct. 19, 2010 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,818,268, which claims the benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/330,031 filed Oct. 16, 2001, which applications are specifically incorporated herein, in their entirety, by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to mail verification, and more particularly to a system and method of authenticating at least one mail object by providing at least a portion of mail identification data over a wide area network, such as the Internet, in order to receive mail verification data. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Currently there are two ways to provided mail objects (e.g., letters, documents, packages, etc.) to an end user; that being electronically (e.g., email, etc.) and through traditional mail services (e.g., U.S. Postal Service, Federal Express, UPS, Courier, etc.). However, because certain mail objects cannot be delivered electronically (either because it&#39;s impossible or impractical), they are delivered using traditional mail services. 
         [0006]    There are several problems with delivering mail objects through traditional mail services. First, the mail object is typically secured inside packaging (e.g., envelops, boxes, etc.) before it is provided to the mail service. Thus, neither the mail service nor the recipient is aware of the contents of the package until such package is opened by the recipient. This creates a problem in that hazardous mail objects (i.e., Anthrax, explosives, etc.) are not detected until they are opened by the recipient, thus exposing the recipient to the hazardous material. It also creates a problem in that mail objects (in general) are not known until they are opened by the recipient, thus making it difficult for the recipient (or his designee) to properly screen, sort or avoid certain mail objects (e.g., offensive mail, annoying mail, etc). 
         [0007]    Second, a manually delivered mail object is limited to a one-way production of a finite set of information and/or products. This becomes problematic when the sender of the mail object is interested in providing or receiving additional information (e.g., product instructions, warranty information, etc.). Finally, contents that can be delivered electronically (e.g., advertisements, software, etc.) are often included in mail objects that are delivered via traditional mail services. The drawback with this is that it increases the cost associated with producing and/or delivering the mail object and increase the size of the mail object. For at least these reasons, a need exists in the industry for a system and method of providing mail verification data in response to receiving mail ID data over a wide area network, such as the Internet. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides a system and method for providing mail verification data over a wide area network, such as the Internet, in response to receiving and authenticating at least a portion of mail identification (ID) data. Preferred embodiments of the present invention operate in accordance with at least one reception device, a mail identification (ID) device, a memory, and a mail verification application adapted to communicate with the reception device over a wide area network, such as the Internet. Specifically, the mail verification application is adapted to store at least a verifying portion of mail ID data in memory. In one embodiment of the present invention, the verifying portion of the mail ID data includes an identifiable code portion (e.g., an alpha code, a numeric code, an alphanumeric code, a symbolic code, a digital code, etc.), a shipping portion (e.g., ship date, shipping location, shipping method, etc.) and/or a recipient portion (e.g., the recipients name, address, email address, IP address, account number, social security number, etc.). The mail ID data is then affixed to a mail object. The mail object, which may further include a mail-to-address, a return-mail-address, and/or postage, is then manually delivered to a recipient. In one embodiment of the present invention, the mail ID data further includes mail-to-address data, return-mail-address data, and/or postage data. 
         [0009]    At least an authenticating portion of the mail ID data is then provided to the reception device. The reception device, which communicates with the mail ID device over a wide area network, transmits at least the authenticating portion of the mail ID data to the mail verification application operating on the mail ID device. The mail verification application then compares the authenticating portion of the mail ID data with the verifying portion stored in memory. If the authenticating portion corresponds to the verifying portion (e.g., matches, is reasonably related, etc.), then mail verification data is sent to the reception device. In one embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the mail verification data includes authenticating data (indicating that the mail ID data has been authenticated), securing data (indicating who secured the mail object), sender data (indicating who sent the mail object), recipient data (indicating the intended recipient of the mail object) and/or additional data (e.g., the contents of the mail object, downloadable product data, sender web-page information, third party advertisements, etc). 
         [0010]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the mail ID device further includes an input device adapted to provide at least a verifying portion of the mail ID data to the mail verification application and/or an output device adapted to affix the mail ID data on the mail object. In another embodiment of the present invention, the reception device includes an input device for receiving at least an authenticating portion of the mail ID data from the mail object and/or a mail authenticating application adapted to receive at least the authenticating portion of the mail ID data from the input device and provide at least the authenticating portion of the mail ID data to the mail ID device. In another embodiment of the present invention, the U.S. Postal Service (or an interim authenticating or screening entity) is the recipient of the mail object, thus interacting with the reception device to receive mail verification data. 
         [0011]    A more complete understanding of the system and method for providing mail verification data in response to receiving at least a portion of mail ID data will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages and objects thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings which will first be described briefly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the mail verification system. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a mail ID device communicating with a plurality of reception devices over a wide area network, such as the Internet. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of the mail ID device and the reception device depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating one method of providing mail verification data in response to receiving at least a portion of mail ID data. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0016]    The present invention provides a system and method for providing mail verification data over a wide area network, such as the Internet, in response to receiving and authenticating at least a portion of mail identification (ID) data. In the detailed description that follows, like element numerals are used to describe like elements illustrated in one or more figures. 
         [0017]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention operate in accordance with at least one reception device, a mail identification (ID) device, a memory, and a mail verification application adapted to communicate with the reception device over a wide area network, such as the Internet.  FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the mail verification system  10 , which includes a mail ID device  110  and a reception device  120  communicating through a wide area network  102 , such as the Internet. It should be appreciate, as depicted in  FIG. 2 , that the reception device(s)  120  includes, but is not limited to, personal computers, set top boxes, personal digital assistances (PDAs), mobile phones, land-line phones, televisions, bar code readers, and all other physically and wirelessly connected reception devices generally known to those skilled in the art. It should further be appreciated that the number of reception devices  120  depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2  are merely to illustrate how the present invention operates, and are not intended to further limit the present invention. 
         [0018]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the mail ID device  110  further includes a mail verification application  112  and a memory  114 . The mail verification application  112  is adapted to store at least a portion (i.e., a verifying portion) of mail ID data in the memory  114 , receive at least a portion (i.e., an authenticating portion) of mail ID data from the reception device  120 , and provide mail verification data if the portion of the mail ID data received from the reception device  120  is authenticated. It should be appreciated that the mail verification application  112  may further be adapted to generate the mail ID data and provide it to an external device (e.g., a printer, etc.) or receive at least a verifying portion of the mail ID data from an external device (e.g., a scanner, etc.). It should also be appreciated that the mail verification application  112  may exist as a single application, or as multiple applications (locally and/or remotely stored) that operate together to perform the verification functions as described herein. It should further be appreciated that the location of the memory device  114  depicted in  FIG. 3  is not intended to further limit the present invention. Thus, a memory device that is, for example, external to the mail ID device  110  is within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0019]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , where the dashed arrows indicate data transactions and the solid arrow indicates physical movement, mail ID data  132  is affixed to a mail object  130  (as used in its broader sense to include, but is not limited to, the packaging that surrounds the mail object). It should be appreciated that mail ID data can be encoded/encrypted (e.g., using bar code data, digital data, etc.) to prevent fraudulent usage. It should further be appreciated that affixing the mail ID data  132  on the mail object  130  includes, but is not limited to, printing or attaching mail ID data directly on the outer surface of the mail object  130  or printing/storing the mail ID data  132  on labels, ICs, smart cards, RFID tags, or any other data storage devices (or materials) generally known to those skilled in the art, and attaching them to the outer surface of the mail object  130 . It should also be appreciated that the location of the mail ID data  132  on the mail object  130  in  FIG. 1  is merely to exemplify how the invention operates, and is not intended to further limit the present invention. Thus, affixing the mail ID data  132  in some other location, such as over the sealing flap of an envelope, is within the spirit and scope of this invention. 
         [0020]    At least a portion (i.e., a verifying portion) of the mail ID data  132  (either before or after the mail ID data is affixed) is stored in the mail ID device  110 , or more particular (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) in a memory  114  located within the mail ID device  110 . Specifically, the mail verification application  112  either receives or generates at least the verifying portion of the mail ID data  132 . The verifying portion is then stored in the memory  114 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the verifying portion of the mail ID data includes a identifiable code portion (e.g., an alpha code, a numeric code, and alphanumeric code, a symbolic code, a digital code, etc.), a shipping portion (e.g., ship date, shipping location, shipping method, etc.), and/or a recipient portion (e.g., the recipients name, address, email address, IP address, account number, social security number, etc.). The mail object  130 , which may further include a mail-to-address  134 , a return-mail-address  136 , and/or postage  138 , can then be manually delivered to a recipient. It should be appreciated that the mail ID data  132  can also be encoded (e.g., in a bar code, etc.) to include mail-to-address data, return-mail-address data, and/or postage data. In other words, for example, mail ID data could be encoded to include both coded data and postage-account data. 
         [0021]    Once the recipient (or their designee) receives the mail object  130 , at least an authenticating portion of the mail ID data  132  is provided to the reception device  120 . The reception device  120 , which communicates with the mail ID device  110  over a wide area network  102 , transmits at least the authenticating portion of the mail identification data to the mail verification application  112  operating on the mail ID device  110 . The mail verification application  112  then compares the authenticating portion of the mail ID data with the verifying portion stored in memory  114 . If the received portion is authenticated, or corresponds to the verifying portion (e.g., matches, is reasonably related, etc.), then mail verification data is sent to the reception device  120 . 
         [0022]    In one embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the mail verification data includes authenticating data (e.g., image data, audio data, etc.) indicating that the mail ID data has been authenticated. This would allow, for example, the reception device  120  to produce at least one authenticating image on a display and/or perform at least one authenticating sound on a speaker. In another embodiment of the present invention at least a portion of the mail verification data includes securing data (indicating who secured the mail object), sender data (indicating who sent the mail object), recipient data (indicating who is to receive the mail object) and/or additional data (e.g., the contents of the mail object, downloadable product data, sender web-page data, third party advertisements, etc). 
         [0023]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the mail ID device and/or the reception device further include an input device (e.g.,  118 ,  124 ) adapted to receive at least a portion of the mail ID data. It should be appreciated that that the input devices depicted and discussed herein (e.g.,  118 ,  124 ) include, but are not limited to, scanners (e.g., bar code scanners, etc.), keyboards, RFID readers, smart card readers, IC readers, and all other input devices generally known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0024]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the mail ID device further includes an output device  116  adapted to affix (e.g., print, store, etc.) the mail ID data on the mail object. It should be appreciated that affixing the mail ID data on the mail object includes, but is not limited to, printing or attaching mail ID data directly on the outer surface of the mail object or printing/storing the mail ID data on labels, ICs, smart cards, RFID tags, or any other data storage devices (or materials) generally known to those skilled in the art, and attaching them to the outer surface of the mail object. It should further be appreciated that the output device depicted and described herein (e.g.,  116 ) includes, but is not limited to, printers, data storage device (e.g., device capable of storing data on ICs, smart cards, RFID tags, etc.), and all other output devices generally known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0025]    In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the reception device  120  further includes a mail authenticating application  122  adapted to receive at least the authenticating portion of the mail ID data from the input device  124  and provide at least the authenticating portion of the mail ID data to the mail ID device. It should be appreciated that the mail authenticating application  122  may exist as a single application, or as multiple applications (locally and/or remotely stored) that operate together to perform the authenticating functions as described herein. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the mail ID data further includes software-booting data adapted to boot the mail authenticating application, an email application and/or a browser application. Either one of these applications could then be used to provide at least an authenticating portion of said mail ID data to said mail ID device, provide additional information to said mail ID device (or the sender of the mail object), and/or receive additional information from either the mail ID device, the sender of the mail object, or a third-party. In another embodiment, the mail verification data further includes software-booting data adapted to boot an email application and/or a browser application. Either one of these applications could then be used to provide additional information to the mail ID device and/or receive additional information from either the mail ID device, the sender of the mail object, or a third party. 
         [0027]    In another embodiment of the invention, the reception device  120 , or more particularly the mail authenticating application  122  is adapted to provide a reply email to the mail ID device  130  or the sender of the mail object. This reply email may either be sent automatically, to acknowledge the reception of the mail ID data and/or mail verification data, or manually, to allow the recipient to communicate with the mail ID device and/or sender of the mail object. In another embodiment of the invention the mail verification application  112  is adapted to provide the mail verification data to the reception device  120  via an email. 
         [0028]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the U.S. Postal Service (or an interim authenticating or screening entity) is the recipient (as defined by this application) of the mail object  130 , thus interacting with the reception device  120  to receive mail verification data. If mail is authenticated (or approved in the case of screening), the mail object  130  is forwarded on to the actual intended recipient. 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating one method of providing mail verification data in response to receiving at least a portion of the mail ID data. Specifically, in step  402  mail ID data is affixed to a mail object. At step  404 , a verifying portion of the mail ID data is stored in a memory device. The mail object is then delivered to its recipient (or designee) at step  406 . At step  408 , a reception device receives at least an authenticating portion of the mail ID data. The reception device then provides at least the authenticating portion to a mail ID device at step  410 . If the authenticating portion of the mail ID data corresponds to the verifying portion of the mail ID data, then mail verification data is provided to the reception device at step  412 . It should be appreciated that storing the verifying portion of the mail ID data before the mail ID data is affixed to the mail object is within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0030]    Having thus described multiple embodiments of a system and method of providing mail verification data in response to receiving mail ID data, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages of the system have been achieved. It should also be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The invention is further defined by the following claims.