Intelligent Physical Mail System with Pre-Scanning and Preference Database
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for scanning physical mail to send digitized versions are inefficient, adding time and cost, and may impair user experience due to reduced visual quality and inability to flexibly utilize electronic and physical mail according to recipient preferences.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent physical mail system that looks up and incorporates recipient preferences by scanning a mailpiece to determine if it should be scanned, using a database of preferences and a processor to communicate with the sender, allowing for enhanced tracking and electronic content delivery based on recipient preferences, and includes a 2D barcode for linking meter owner information and tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If physical mail is scanned to send digitized versions, then electronic delivery is enabled, but scanning time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-scanning mailpieces at the sending facility and storing the digitized versions in a database before delivery. When the recipient receives the mailpiece, the system checks a database to see if a scanned version already exists, and if so, delivers the pre-scanned electronic version immediately without requiring additional scanning time at the receiving end.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy (scan) of the physical mailpiece at the sending facility and stores it. Instead of scanning the mailpiece again at the receiving facility, the system retrieves and delivers the pre-existing digital copy, thereby eliminating redundant scanning operations and reducing overall scanning time and cost.
2Extent of automation
If manual or automated scanning is performed, then digitized version is produced, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs high-quality scanning at the sending facility where the mailpiece is still in its original, undamaged state. This preliminary scanning captures the best possible image quality before the mailpiece undergoes any potential degradation during delivery or handling. The pre-scanned high-quality digital version is then delivered to the recipient without requiring additional scanning that could further compromise image quality.
3Ease of operation
If envelope is opened and contents prepared for scanning, then scanning can proceed, but processing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the envelope opening and content preparation steps at the sending facility as a preliminary action, before the mailpiece reaches the recipient. The sender's system automatically opens the envelope, scans the contents, and stores the digitized version in a database. When the recipient receives the mailpiece, the system only needs to retrieve the pre-prepared digital version, eliminating the time-consuming envelope opening and content preparation steps at the receiving end.
4Reliability
If physical mail is used, then tangible delivery is achieved, but timely information delivery is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges physical mail delivery with electronic information delivery by combining both channels into a single integrated system. The physical mailpiece serves as a carrier that contains or links to electronic content, allowing the recipient to access both the physical item and its digital counterpart. This integration enables timely electronic information delivery while maintaining the tangible delivery advantage of physical mail.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary database that links physical mailpieces with their electronic counterparts. When a mailpiece is sent, the system creates a digital copy and stores it in the database, then links the two through identifying information on the mailpiece. This intermediary database enables the recipient to access the electronic version quickly upon receipt, reducing the latency between printing and information delivery while maintaining physical delivery reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Reduces unnecessary scanning time, improves image quality, ensures accurate electronic content delivery, and enhances the recipient experience by allowing flexible electronic and physical mail processing according to preferences, while providing enhanced tracking and assurance of content accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
when such an object is presented to an optical sensor, the plural-bit data is decoded
Implementation Method 2
The mailpiece is scanned to determine the addressee preference
Data Source
AI summary
A method for creating an intelligent physical mailpiece includes looking up a mailpiece preference of an addressee concerning mail received by the addressee. A physical mailpiece to the addressee is prepared and includes on the mailpiece the addressee preference. The mailpiece is scanned to determine the addressee preference. The mailpiece may also be processed to link the owner of a meter employed to imprint an indicia on the mailpiece to the mailpiece.The intelligent physical mailpiece system may include a database of recipient preferences. A sender mail creation means is coupled to the recipient preference database. A processor is coupled to a scanner. A communications means is coupled between the processor and the sender mail creation means for communicating recipient preferences to the sender mail creation means for storage in the database of recipient preferences.