Electronic Document Routing for Postage Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for processing and delivering mail are inefficient and costly due to the need for physical sorting and separate sorting sites, which increases time and expenses, and do not effectively utilize bulk postal discounts.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for routing electronic documents to processing sites based on zip codes and attributes, forming output groups to achieve critical numbers for discounted postal rates, and optionally creating additional documents to reach these thresholds, thereby optimizing postage costs and ensuring timely delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If physical sorting of mail pieces is performed at separate sorting sites, then postal density discounts can be achieved, but time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary electronic sorting of mail pieces by zip code before physical mailing. The server groups electronic document images and associated mailing information by destination zip code, creating pre-sorted batches that can be directly printed and mailed without requiring subsequent physical sorting at separate sites. This advance electronic organization enables postal density discounts while eliminating time-consuming physical sorting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical physical sorting process with an electronic sorting system. Instead of manually or mechanically sorting printed mail pieces at physical sorting sites, the system uses a server to electronically group document images and mailing data by zip code. This substitution of electronic for mechanical sorting dramatically reduces the time and cost while maintaining the ability to achieve postal density discounts.
2Ease of operation
If physical sorting service is performed by third-party entities at separate sites, then mail can be organized by zip code, but additional cost and complexity are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The server system performs multiple functions in one integrated platform: it receives electronic documents from various sources, extracts mailing information, groups documents by zip code, manages print files, and coordinates with processing sites. This multi-functional system eliminates the need for separate third-party sorting services and multiple independent systems, reducing overall complexity while maintaining ease of mail organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service sorting where the mailing system automatically organizes its own documents by zip code without requiring external third-party sorting services. The server autonomously groups electronic documents, manages the sorting logic, and prepares pre-sorted batches for printing and mailing, making the organization process self-contained and eliminating dependency on external sorting entities.
3Quantity of substance
If mail pieces are pre-sorted before transfer to Postal Service, then bulk discounts can be achieved, but processing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces time-consuming mechanical pre-sorting of physical mail pieces with electronic sorting of digital document images and mailing data. The server groups documents by zip code in electronic form, allowing rapid organization without physical handling. This enables bulk mail quantity requirements for discounts to be met while maintaining high processing speed, as electronic sorting is significantly faster than physical sorting operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is suitable for processing a plurality of electronic documents designated for processing and delivery to a plurality of recipients, each recipient having a zip code associated therewith. Each electronic document is assigned a plurality of attributes, and the documents are sorted into one or more attribute groups based on the attributes, such that the electronic documents of each attribute group share at least one of the attributes. Output groups are then formed from the electronic documents of each attribute group based on the zip code associated with each electronic document, such that the electronic documents of each output group have similar zip codes. The output groups can then be routed to processing sites for processing the electronic documents to form physical documents for delivery to the recipients.