Patent ID: 7620201

Claim:
A method for processing a mail piece using mail processing equipment, the mail piece being sent from a sender to a recipient, the method comprising: scanning the mail piece, using a scanner of the mail processing equipment, to obtain information from the mail piece, the information including the sender and at least one of a postage amount and class of service for the mail piece; determining, by a control unit of the mail processing equipment, based on at least a portion of the information obtained from the mail piece, if the mail piece requires an action to be performed by the recipient of the mail piece in response to the mail piece; if an action is required to be performed by the recipient, calculating, by the control unit, based on the sender of the mail piece, a due date for the action; and printing a marking on the mail piece using a printer of the mail processing equipment, the marking indicating an action is required by the recipient, the marking including the calculated due date for the action; wherein determining if the mail piece requires an action further comprises determining, based on the sender and one of the postage amount or class of service, if the mail piece requires an action to be performed by the recipient in response to the mail piece.