Automated Address Correction Using Machine-Readable Codes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Business mailers face inefficiencies and high costs due to manual labor in tracking and correcting undeliverable delivery addresses, leading to delayed and inaccurate mail delivery, and aesthetically unappealing mailpieces with excessive human-readable information.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system where mailpieces include a machine-readable code that identifies the sender, allowing for automated processing and creation of address change records, eliminating the need for human intervention and optimizing mailpiece design by reducing human-readable information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual labor is used to track and correct undeliverable delivery addresses, then business mailers can receive corrected addresses, but processing time increases and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddress correction accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual labor with automated scanning systems that read machine-readable codes (barcodes, RFID tags) on mailpieces to automatically identify senders and retrieve corrected addresses from databases, eliminating manual data entry and processing steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing mailpieces to carry their own identification codes and delivery history data, which are automatically read and processed without human intervention, making the correction process autonomous

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual labor is used to provide address correction service, then corrected addresses can be provided, but costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddress correction accuracyVSAvoidprocessing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive manual processing with automated scanning and database retrieval systems that use machine-readable codes, significantly reducing labor costs while maintaining correction accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses machine-readable codes (barcodes, RFID) as digital copies of sender identification and delivery information, which can be rapidly read and processed without physical handling or manual transcription

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Loss of information

If human readable information is printed on mailpiece face, then senders can be identified, but aesthetic appeal decreases and consumer response rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesender identificationVSAvoidconsumer response rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces human-readable text with machine-readable codes (barcodes, RFID tags) that carry the same identification information, eliminating the need to print extensive sender details on the mailpiece face

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from two-dimensional human-readable text to compact machine-readable code formats that encode the same information in a space-efficient manner, freeing up visual space on the mailpiece

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Reliability

If manual labor is used for address correction, then corrected addresses can be provided, but inaccuracy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddress correction accuracyVSAvoiddelivery accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual data entry and processing with automated scanning systems that read machine-readable codes, eliminating human errors in data transcription and processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where delivery status and address correction information are automatically updated and fed back into the processing system, ensuring accuracy through continuous verification and updates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS7904197B2Methods and systems for providing one code address correction service

Publication Date: 2011.03.08 US POSTAL SERVICE

AI summary

One code address correction service. A carrier of items provides a sender of an item an address change service for an undeliverable address. The item includes a human readable address and a machine readable code. The machine readable code identifies at least the sender. The carrier scans the machine readable code to identify the sender and creates an address change record for the sender. The address change record includes the undeliverable address. The carrier then sends the address change record to the sender.