Patent ID: 8047424

Claim:
A computer implemented method for utilizing mail tracking identification codes to facilitate automated mail tracking services, the method comprising: submitting a request to a remote server for a block of mail tracking identification codes; receiving and storing the block of mail tracking identification codes sent in response to the request; associating individual mail tracking identification codes from the block with individual mail items in a user's mail file; updating a record to indicate a remaining unused portion of the stored block of mail tracking identification codes; encoding mail tracking barcodes based on the individual mail tracking identification codes associated with the individual mail items; updating the user's mail file to indicate mail tracking identification codes for the individual mail items; applying the encoded mail tracking barcodes on corresponding individual mail items; uploading information from the user's mail file to the remote server indicating identification codes applied to mail items for tracking; and receiving mail tracking data from the remote server for mail items with the mail tracking barcodes.