Unified Mail Preference Management via Cryptographic Hashing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for mail and package delivery lack integration of recipient preferences across various types of media, leading to unwanted deliveries and limited customer control over what they receive.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allow customers to specify preferences for mail and package delivery through a centralized database, using virtual addresses and cryptographic hash values to manage delivery preferences while maintaining customer privacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If recipients use separate systems for physical mail and electronic mail preference management, then each system can be optimized for its specific media type, but the complexity of managing multiple separate preference systems increases and integration between them is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate physical mail and electronic mail preference management systems into a single integrated preference management system. This allows recipients to manage both physical and electronic mail preferences through one unified interface, eliminating the need to maintain separate systems while improving overall preference management effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated preference management system provides universal functionality that handles both physical mail and electronic mail preferences. The system can process different types of mail preferences (physical and electronic) through a single multi-functional platform, reducing complexity while maintaining comprehensive control.
2Ease of operation
If recipients receive all types of mail without filtering, then no preference management is needed, but recipients receive unwanted mail and packages that they do not want
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary filtering of mail before delivery by checking recipient preferences in advance. The integrated preference management system evaluates incoming physical and electronic mail against stored recipient preferences before the mail is delivered, preventing unwanted mail from reaching recipients while maintaining simple operation for wanted mail.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where recipient responses to delivered mail are captured and used to refine future delivery decisions. The system learns from recipient interactions with delivered mail and adjusts preference matching accordingly, reducing unwanted deliveries while maintaining ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If recipients provide detailed personal information for preference management, then preference accuracy improves, but customer privacy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary preference management system that acts as a mediator between recipients and mailers. The system uses cryptographic hash values and virtual addresses as intermediaries to match preferences without exposing actual recipient identities or detailed personal information. This allows accurate preference matching while preserving customer privacy through the use of intermediary representations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates cryptographic copies (hash values) of recipient identifying information that can be used for preference matching without revealing the original sensitive data. These cryptographic copies serve as surrogate representations that maintain matching accuracy while protecting the underlying personal information and customer privacy.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include systems and methods of a service that allows hard copy and electronic media customers to proactively specify, across a broad range of categories, the hard copy mail and/or electronic media mail that they would or would not like to receive. Embodiments include methods and systems configured to allow customers of delivery services to customize the flow of physical items such as hard copy or other letters or parcels, for delivery or electronic media mail from mailers based on highly specific customer-designated criteria. The delivery service acts as a trusted third party to serve as the intermediary between the recipient of the items and mailers to provide privacy and manage a repository for a customer-selected criteria database. In addition, one embodiment provides verification and/or identification that mail being sent meets the customer's designated criteria.