U.S. patent application number 12/651324 was filed with the patent office on 2011-04-14 for system and method for electronic delivery of mail.
Invention is credited to Robert A. Cordery, Andrei Obrea, Surya R. Sagi.
Application Number | 20110087746 12/651324 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43855590 |
Filed Date | 2011-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110087746 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sagi; Surya R. ; et
al. |
April 14, 2011 |
System and Method for Electronic Delivery of Mail
Abstract
Systems and methods for providing digital distribution of mail
to addresses based upon physical mailing addresses are described.
In certain configurations, additional electronic mail addresses are
provided based upon an associated physical address and another
identifier such as the first and last names of individuals in a
particular household. Additionally, an improved change of address
process is implemented using information received from third
parties to determine a confidence level that a particular
individual or family has moved.
Inventors: |
Sagi; Surya R.; (Southbury,
CT) ; Obrea; Andrei; (Seymour, CT) ; Cordery;
Robert A.; (Danbury, CT) |
Family ID: |
43855590 |
Appl. No.: |
12/651324 |
Filed: |
December 31, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61250868 |
Oct 12, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/206 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/107 20130101;
G07B 17/00435 20130101; G07B 2017/00072 20130101; G06Q 30/04
20130101; H04L 51/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/206 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/16 20060101
G06F015/16 |
Claims
1. A system for providing mail communications to a recipient using
an electronic message channel comprising: an electronic mail
subsystem configured to include at least two electronic mail boxes,
each with an electronic mail address for a respective one of at
least two individuals associated with a household that is
associated with a physical address of the household, wherein each
electronic mail address is associated with an identifier associated
with the respective individual; and an electronic mail creation
subsystem configured to analyze a mail print stream defining at
least one mail piece directed to one of the at least two
individuals, the analysis performed to identify the physical
address and the identifier associated with the respective
individual, wherein the electronic mail creation subsystem will
address and deliver the mail piece electronically to one of the at
least two electronic mail boxes based upon the physical address of
the household and the identifier associated with the respective
individual.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a subsystem for
processing move information for a single one of the at least two
individuals associated with a household.
3. The system of claim 2, further comprising: a subsystem for
processing the move information based upon a confidence rating
associated with a second mail piece addressed to the single
individual at a second physical address.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein: identifier associated with the
respective individual includes a first name and a last name.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein: the electronic mail address
comprises an Internet email address.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein: the electronic mail address
comprises an Internet domain name.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein: the identifier associated with
the respective individual is determined by obtaining an account
number associated with the mail piece and obtaining data related to
the account number for a database including prior mail piece
data.
8. A method for directing a mail piece and confirming an address of
a mail piece recipient comprising: receiving a print stream
including information for the mail piece including a destination
address; identifying a recipient of the mail piece; determining if
the destination address is a new address for the recipient; if the
destination address is not a new address for the recipient,
processing the mail piece according to stored preference data
associated with the recipient at an old address; if the destination
address is a new address for the recipient, determining a
confidence level related to the new address; if the confidence
level is not above a threshold, then processing the mail piece
according to stored preference data associated with the recipient;
and if the confidence level is above the threshold, then processing
a change of address and delivering the mail piece according a new
address delivery process.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein: the new address delivery process
includes confirming the new address by sending an electronic
confirmation request to the individual at the old address.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein: the new address delivery
process includes validating the new address by sending a physical
validation request to the individual at the new address.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein: the determination of the
confidence level is based at least partially on a type of mailer
associated with the mail piece.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein: determining if the destination
address is a new address for the recipient is determined at least
partially by obtaining an account number associated with the mail
piece and obtaining data related to the account number for a
database including prior mail piece data.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. section
119(e) from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/250,868,
filed Oct. 12, 2009, entitled System And Method For Providing
Redundant Customer Communications Delivery Using Hybrid Delivery
Channels (Attorney Docket G-527), by Surya R. Sagi, et al., which
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The illustrative embodiments of the present invention relate
generally to mail delivery systems and, more particularly, to a new
and useful system and method for managing the electronic delivery
of mail in systems using physical addresses of recipients.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Systems and methods have been described for using a physical
mailing address as an electronic mail address. For example, U.S.
Pat. No. 7,478,140, entitled System and Method for Sending
Electronic Mail and Parcel Delivery Notification Using Recipient's
Identification Information, issued Jan. 13, 2009 to King, et al.
describes a system using a recipient's physical address.
[0004] In the United States, many people move to a new physical
address every year. According to the United States Postal Service
("USPS"), the USPS processes approximately 46 million address
change requests every year. The USPS and its vendors make available
the National Change of Address ("NCOA") database to volume mailers
to reduce addressing errors. The NCOA database information is
reported by individuals, families and businesses who decide to
report their change of address information to the USPS. In many
cases, individual household members move from the address while the
other household members remain at the address. Furthermore,
estimates suggest that 15-20% of the population moves without
reporting the change of address.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need, among other needs, for systems
and methods to provide physical address based electronic mail
addresses for individual members of a household. Additionally,
there is a need for systems and methods to process address change
data and related information in systems that use a physical address
as an electronic mailing address.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The accompanying drawings show illustrative embodiments of
the invention and, together with the general description given
above and the detailed description given below serve to explain
certain principles of the invention. As shown throughout the
drawings, like reference numerals designate like or corresponding
parts.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system and information flow
for providing distribution of mail according to an illustrative
embodiment of the present application.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing a process for providing an
enhanced change of address system according to an illustrative
embodiment of the present application.
SUMMARY
[0009] Systems and methods for providing digital distribution of
mail to addresses based upon physical mailing addresses are
provided. In at least certain embodiments, additional electronic
mail addresses are provided based upon an associated physical
address and another identifier such as the first and last names of
individuals in a particular household.
[0010] In certain embodiments, systems and methods to process
address change data and related information in systems that use a
physical address as an electronic mailing address are provided. In
certain embodiments, the traditional National Change of Address
database information is enhanced using information received from
third parties such as mailers to determine a confidence level that
a particular individual or family has moved. The obtained and
determined change of address information is then utilized to
improve delivery accuracy for mail sent to electronic mail
addresses that are based upon a physical address.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The present invention is described in the context of
illustrative embodiments directed to new and useful systems and
methods for processing mail. Systems and methods for providing
digital distribution of mail to addresses based upon physical
mailing addresses are provided. In at least certain embodiments,
additional electronic mail addresses are provided based upon an
associated physical address and another identifier such as the
first and last names of individuals in a particular household. For
example, many households have more than one person in residence and
each resident may be assigned an electronic address.
[0012] In certain embodiments, systems and methods to process
address change data and related information in systems that use a
physical address as an electronic mailing address are provided. In
certain embodiments, the traditional National Change of Address
database information is enhanced using information received from
third parties such as mailers to determine a confidence level that
a particular individual or family has moved. The obtained and
determined change of address information is then utilized to
improve delivery accuracy for mail sent to electronic mail
addresses that are based upon a physical address. For example,
financial institutions, utility companies or other mailers may
provide new address information for an individual before the NCOA
database is updated to reflect that the particular individual in
question has moved to a new address.
[0013] Accordingly, an electronic message system may be provided to
facilitate electronic delivery of mail to an electronic message
address that is based on a physical address. Such a communication
system may provide an alternate to physical delivery of mail in
certain situations. An electronic message address such as an email
address based solely on a physical address does not necessarily
provide an individual email address for each member of a household.
Certain embodiments described herein provide a flow of mail that is
advantageously directed to a physical address location and a
recipient identifier. Alternatively, access rights to messages
delivered to a physical address based email address are utilized to
provide individual household member access to mail delivered using
an electronic message system. If multiple electronic addresses are
assigned to one physical address, separate email addresses for
household members may be managed in a timely manner as a result of
analysis of messages directed to members of the household received
from a variety of sources with relationships to household
members.
[0014] Several illustrative hardware and software systems and
subsystems are described herein that may advantageously utilize
certain available components. For example, certain print-to-mail
systems are available from the Pitney Bowes Emtex and Pitney Bowes
Business Insight subsidiaries of Pitney Bowes Inc. located in
Stamford, Conn. Systems herein may utilize print stream processing
systems, document printing, insertion and franking systems and
electronic bill presentment and payment (EBPP) systems available
from Pitney Bowes Inc. For example, any of the systems and
subsystems described in related application 61/250,868 may
alterantively used with any of the embodiments herein as
appropriate. The servers described are typically INTEL architecture
servers such as DELL servers using the WINDOWS SERVER operating
system software and the databases utilize ORACLE database systems.
Additionally, the illustrative embodiments are described as
enhancements to previously commercially available software systems
marketed by EMTEX available from Pitney Bowes Inc. of Stamford,
Conn.
[0015] Similarly, certain outgoing mail print stream processing
systems have been described for separating documents in a print
stream or batch into two separate print streams--a physical
delivery print stream and an electronic delivery print stream based
on customer delivery preferences. Commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No.
6,343,327, entitled System and Method for Electronic and Physical
Mass Mailing, issued to Daniels, Jr., et al. on Jan. 29, 2002
describes such systems and is incorporated by reference herein in
its entirety. Such systems described therein may be modified using
the systems, processes and techniques described herein to provide
an initial delivery channel with a backup channel that is used when
deemed necessary.
[0016] Variable data documents that are printed and mailed (i.e.
statements, invoices, targeted marketing communications) contain
time sensitive information. It is essential for document owners
(senders) to ensure delivery of these documents to their customers.
Traditionally, these documents are printed and mailed to customers.
A growing number senders and customers are seeking electronic
delivery options. If the electronic delivery is misdirected, the
lost messages can cause payment or purchasing delays that have
negative cash flow impact to the sender and penalties or lost
opportunities for customers.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, a diagram showing a system 1 and
information flow for providing distribution of mail according to an
illustrative embodiment of the present application is shown. The
central mail system 20 is a mail creation, finishing and delivery
service that is constructed as a physical and electronic automated
document factory (ADF) with a digital content server 60. In this
configuration, several mailers 10 utilize information technology
and data processing systems to deliver among other data, print
streams 14 and address information 16 to the central mail system
20. The mailers 10 may utilize one or more data communications
channels to communicate with system 20 including secure internet
channels such as a VPN, a dedicated line or physical delivery of
media. Typical mailers 10 include organizations that create and
deliver transactional and periodic physical communications that are
often sent by first class mail such organizations including
utilities, financial institutions, marketers and government
agencies. Such mailers 10 have IT systems that include recipient
databases 12 and IT systems used to provide print streams such as
legacy mainframe systems that provide print stream data for
statements, etc. that may be printed in the native format or
reformatted and enhanced before printing. Alternatively, a Mailer
10 may own and operate system 20.
[0018] In certain illustrative embodiments, the system 20 receives
a single print stream from a mailer 10 and uses recipient profile
data received from the mailer 10 or otherwise obtained from the
user to split the print stream into physical and electronic
delivery streams. Prior to printing and mailing or electronically
delivering the documents, the Application system 30 will provide an
enhanced delivery address verification for at least the electronic
documents (alternatively, the processes may be applied to the
physical documents and/or the electronic documents).
[0019] The Application System Server 30 includes a Print Stream
database 32 that includes at least the respective print stream 14
and address information 16 from a particular mailer 10 for a
particular mail batch. The Application Server 30 includes a
Confidence Rules database 34 that includes confidence factors based
upon the type of communication associated with new address
information that is not reflected in the particular print stream 14
for an individual who is to receive a mailing in that mail batch.
The Application Server 30 also includes an Aggregate List of
Recipients database 36 that includes address data from multiple
print streams that includes account numbers that can be used to
associate successive monthly statements for a single account. In
one alternative the database 36 includes recipient data obtained
from multiple mailers. The Application Server 30 also includes a
link to the USPS NCOA database 80 using one or more data
communications channels including secure internet channels such as
a VPN, a dedicated line or physical delivery of media.
[0020] The Application Server 30 utilizes at least the print stream
14 to process a mail batch into a digital distribution and a
physical distribution. Individual recipient information may be used
by Application 30 to deliver a digital distribution to an
electronic messaging system associated with the physical address of
the message and an identifier associated with the intended
individual recipient such as a first and last name. Moreover, the
Application Server 30 utilizes the Confidence Rules and additional
address data to enhance the destination address accuracy above the
capability of the USPS NCOA system.
[0021] The Physical Distribution subsystem 40 (printing/mailing of
hard copy) is implemented in the illustrative embodiment as an
automated document factory (ADF) using mail piece creation systems
described may be obtained from Pitney Bowes Inc. of Stamford, Conn.
that include the PITNEY BOWES SERIES 11 inserter systems, the
PITNEY BOWES INTELLIJET printing system, and the PITNEY BOWES DM
INFINITY postage meter. The documents produced may include the full
range of documents processed in ADFs including direct mail,
statements such as monthly or financial transaction statements of
accounts, credit cards and brokerage accounts and may also include
bills for services and utilities and goods purchased. The physical
mail 42 is then delivered to a physical mailbox for the household
70 and accessed by a member of the household 2.
[0022] The Digital Distribution subsystem 50 is implemented as a
combination of email push systems and World Wide Web hosted
electronic messaging pull systems. E-messaging system available
from the Pitney Bowes Business Insights group may be built into the
server. A Digital Content server 60 is provided to host a pull
system electronic messaging server with addresses based upon a
household physical address and an individual identifier. The
digital content 62 may be accessed by a member of the household 2,
or if directed to a particular individual, then may be accessed by
that individual such as household member 3.
[0023] For example, if the head of the household and owner or
lessee of the physical home is John Smith 2, he could establish an
electronic mail address associated with the physical address. The
additional household member is John Smith's young adult son James
Smith 3. The default electronic message format includes the
identifier of the address such as
123_main_street_anytown_state.
[0024] In a pull system or non-standard email push system that does
not have to satisfy Internet email naming conventions, that address
is sufficient. In a push system across the Internet that is
provided by a government entity, the electronic address may use the
format: 123_main_street_anytown_state@esnail.gov.
[0025] In one embodiment, a single household level electronic
message address is provided in Digital Content Server 60 as shown
above: 123_main_street_anytown_state. However, additional household
member electronic message addresses are provided based upon the
physical mailing address and an identifier associated with an
individual household member such as a first and last name. In this
example, three electronic message addresses are provided including
the household address and two additional addresses formatted as
shown John_Smith.123_main_street_anytown_state and
James_Smith.123_main_street_anytown_state. Accordingly, Digital
Distribution Server 50 may direct mail to the individual electronic
message address.
[0026] The Digital Distribution Server 50 may determine the
individual intended recipient using one or more of several methods.
Initially, the system may process the print stream to recognize the
name and address that is to be printed on the envelope or in an
addressee field of a document that will show through an envelope
window. Accordingly, the system 20 may determine whether a mail
piece is intended for James Smith or John Smith. Additionally, the
system 20 and/or server 50 may process address and recipient
metadata sent from the mailers 10 separately from the print stream
to determine a particular individual recipient in a household.
Furthermore, the system 20 may analyze the print stream data to
determine an account number associated with a particular intended
recipient. For example, the system 20 may periodically process
invoices from a particular mailer such as a particular utility
company. Each invoice represented in the print stream will include
an account number that can be obtained by the print stream analysis
software. Accordingly, for each account number obtained, the system
20 can check previous mail piece data to determine the individual
recipient identifier in addition to the destination address.
[0027] In yet another one embodiment, all mail electronically
directed to the illustrative household would be sent to the single
electronic message address above: 123_main_street_anytown_state.
However, the Digital Distribution system 50 may apply an access
code specific to an individual such as James Smith 3 so that only
he could access those messages stored in Digital Content Server
60.
[0028] In yet another embodiment, applicable to any of the
embodiments herein, a potential change of address indication is
determined by analyzing the print stream data. For example, the
system 20 may periodically process invoices from a particular
mailer such as a particular utility company. Each invoice
represented in the print stream will include an account number that
can be obtained by the print stream analysis software. Accordingly,
for each account number obtained, the system 20 compares the
address and recipient from the stored previous invoice sent to that
account number with the address and recipient on the current
invoice. If there is a difference, then an enhanced address change
indication is triggered such as using the confidence levels
described herein with reference to TABLE 1.
[0029] There are several change of address scenarios that are
addressed in an electronic message mail delivery system as
described herein. For example, if a household moves to a new
address from an old address, they may complete the NCOA form or may
not complete the NCOA form. If they do not complete the NCOA form,
the family moving to the old address may file an appropriate NCOA
form. Moreover, a single member of a household may move to a new
address from an old address and may or may not complete the NCOA
form.
[0030] Furthermore, in the enhanced address move systems described,
several factors influence confidence in a move as shown in TABLE 1.
For example, a completed NCOA form provides complete confidence and
a specific request received from an individual provides very high
confidence. Mail from an authoritative source like financial or
utility provides significant confidence. A NCOA received from
another party moving to the recipients address indicates a likely
move. An unexpected address for normally stable mail also provides
an indication of a likely move.
[0031] If someone moves to an address associated with an electronic
message digital content box that has not yet been associated with a
household, then the electronic message digital content box is
initialized to that household when a NCOA change to that address is
received or when a high confidence mail piece is received for a
household and/or particular individual in a household at that
address. Similarly, if the NCOA database shows that a household has
moved from an address associated with an electronic message digital
content box that has been associated with a household, then the
association may be terminated and forwarded to the new address.
[0032] If the NCOA database shows that a household has moved to an
address associated with an electronic message digital content box
that has been associated with a different household, and the
original household has not filed a move out NCOA form, then the old
association is no longer considered reliable. In this system, the
individual electronic message addresses may be used to ensure
accurate delivery during a move overlap window of time.
[0033] If an individual files an NCOA form moving from an address
associated with an electronic message digital content box that has
been associated with a household, then the household association
remains, but the individual association in this improved addressing
scheme is moved to the new address.
[0034] If someone moves to our illustrative 123 Main Street address
from an address associated with an electronic message digital
content box that has been associated with a household, the
notification mechanisms utilized may differ than those used if the
new resident was not previously using the electronic system. One
method to confirm that someone is residing at a physical address is
to mail a physical letter to that person at the address with a
confirmation code enclosed. However, in this system, the
confirmation messages may be sent to one or more of the following
for a particular person: the old electronic address, the new
electronic address, the old physical address and the new physical
address. In certain instances, the preferences of the recipient
will determine the message communication channel. In other
instances the preferences of mailer will be used. In certain
instances legal restriction such as regulations regarding
forwarding of a particular type of mail will control the message
channel. Furthermore, business rules based on a level of confidence
that an address change occurred will be used.
[0035] Examples of levels of confidence based on the source of
information are shown in TABLE 1 below.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Confidence Source of change of address info
level NCOA 100% Mailer - Financial Institution 80% Mailer -
Government 75% Mailer - Utilities group 1 (electric, gas) 60%
Mailer - Utilities group 2 (wireless) 45% Marketers 30% Recipients
themselves (with Confirmation) 100% Recipients themselves
(unsolicited) 95%
[0036] Given a mail message from a print stream for a recipient,
the system can send either the message from the print stream or a
just a request for confirmation of address change. The choice will
depend on the certainty of the fact that the recipient has moved
and the nature of the application. For example, a magazine may be
sent to a new physical address or to an old physical address, while
for a medical record only a request for confirmation of address
change may be sent if there is any indication the recipient has
moved.
[0037] The system can perform any combination of four distinct
actions with a message to be delivered to a recipient. Either the
message or a request for confirmation of address change can be
processed by one or more of the following: 1. Send to the old
physical address; 2. Send to the new physical address; 3. Send to
the old digital content box; or 4. Send to the new digital content
box. There are 16 total combinations of methods, 15 of which send a
message to the recipient and one alternative to send nothing. The
choice depends on the application.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 2, a flow diagram showing a process 200
for providing an enhanced change of address system according to an
illustrative embodiment of the present application is shown. In
step 210, the system receives document print job data and delivery
preference data from a particular mailer 10. In step 215, the
system generates a print stream using traditional processing. In
step 220, the system provides a print stream analysis. In step 225,
the system identifies a particular recipient. In step 230, the
system attempts to match the recipient to previous addresses such
as using an account ID. If a match is found in step 235, then the
system proceeds to step 240. The system then retrieves any
preferences associated with that recipient and processes the
current mail piece as the previous mail piece was processed.
[0039] If a match is not found in step 235, then the system
proceeds to step 245 in order to increment or decrement a current
confidence of a move for the particular individual based upon TABLE
1 above and proceeds to step 250. If the new confidence value is
not above a set threshold (e.g., 75%) in step 250, then the system
proceeds to step 255 to store the updated confidence value in the
appropriate database and to send an inquiry to the mailer and
recipient regarding the potential address discrepancy. The system
then proceeds to step 240 and retrieves any preferences associated
with that recipient and processes the current mail piece as the
previous mail piece was processed.
[0040] If the new confidence value is above a set threshold (e.g.,
75%) in step 250, then the system proceeds to step 260 and
processes the move information. In step 265, the system creates a
new electronic messaging box to reflect the new address of the
intended recipient. The system creates and sends a confirmation
message. The system sends a request for a NCOA update. The system
then sends a validation request message by mail to the recipient at
the new address with a code used to verify the new address.
[0041] The various systems and subsystems described herein may
alternatively reside on a different configuration of hardware such
as a single server connected to an ADF and email channel with
appropriate modifications. Furthermore, while the USPS physical
delivery system has been described, other physical delivery systems
such as courier systems may be used. Several embodiments have been
described using an electronic message address format of
john_smith.123_main_street_anytown_state@esnail.gov. However, the
system does not necessarily require an email system and could
instead use an index into a web service. For example, a new top
level domain names ADD for address may be defined and each address
assigned to a domain such as
john_smith@123_main_street_anytown_state.add.
[0042] Although the invention has been described with respect to
particular illustrative embodiments thereof, it will be understood
by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other
changes, omissions and deviations in the form and detail thereof
may be made without departing from the scope of this invention.
* * * * *