Apparatus and methods for processing mailpiece information by an identification code server

Abstract

Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention provide for processing delivery item information in an identification code sorting system by an identification code server. In one embodiment, a primary identification code server receives an identification file containing identification information uniquely corresponding to a delivery item. In this embodiment, the primary identification code server processes the delivery item information and may send the identification file to a secondary identification code server. In another embodiment, a secondary identification code server receives an identification file from a primary identification code server and processes the delivery item information.

1 . A method of processing delivery item information by a primary identification code server, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving an identification file corresponding to a delivery item, wherein the identification file contains an identification code and a delivery code; and    resolving delivery item information for an item processing device, using the identification file.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the item processing device is a bar code sorter.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identification code is an ID tag.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery code is a POSTNET code.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 storing the identification file in a lookup table.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 maintaining a service area table for a secondary identification code server.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the resolving step further comprises the substeps of: 
 receiving the identification code from an item processing device, where the item processing device obtains the identification code from the delivery item;    processing the identification code to determine the delivery item information, using the identification file corresponding to the identification code; and    transmitting the delivery item information to the item processing device.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identification file further includes an image capture time.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the identification file further includes a plurality of status bits that indicate aspects of the identification file.  
   
   
       10 . A system for processing delivery item information by a primary identification code server, comprising: 
 an identification file receiving component configured to receive an identification file corresponding to a delivery item, wherein the identification file contains an identification code and a delivery code; and    a resolving component configured to resolve delivery item information for an item processing device, using the identification file.    
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the item processing device is a bar code sorter.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the identification code is an ID tag.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the delivery code is a POSTNET code.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a storing component configured to store the identification file in a lookup table.    
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a maintaining component configured to maintain a service area table for a secondary identification code server.    
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the resolving component includes: 
 an identification code receiving component configured to receive the identification code from the item processing device, where the item processing device obtains the identification code from the delivery item;    a processing component configured to process the identification code to determine the delivery item information, using the identification file corresponding to the identification code; and    a transmitting component configured to transmit the delivery item information to the item processing device.    
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the identification file further includes an image capture time.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the identification file further includes a plurality of status bits that indicate aspects of the identification file.  
   
   
       19 . A system for processing delivery item information by a primary identification code server, comprising:  
     means for receiving an identification file corresponding to a delivery item, wherein the identification file contains an identification code and a delivery code; and 
 means for resolving delivery item information for an item processing device, using the identification file.  
 
   
   
       20 . A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for processing delivery item information by a primary identification code server, the computer readable code comprising: 
 an identification file receiving module configured to receive an identification file corresponding to a delivery item, wherein the identification file contains an identification code and a delivery code; and    a resolving module configured to resolve delivery item information for an item processing device, using the identification file.    
   
   
       21 . A method of processing delivery item information by a primary identification code server, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving an identification file corresponding to a delivery item from an image control unit, wherein the identification file contains a file identification code and a file delivery code;    storing the identification file in a lookup table; and    resolving delivery item information for the delivery item, wherein the resolving step further comprises the substeps of: 
 receiving an identification code from an item processing device, where the item processing device obtains the identification code from the delivery item;  
 processing the identification code to determine the identification information, using the identification file corresponding to the identification code; and  
 transmitting the delivery item information to the item processing device.  
   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the item processing device is a bar code sorter.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the storing step further comprises: 
 revising the identification file in the lookup table.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the identification code is an ID tag.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the file identification code is an ID tag.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the file delivery code is a POSTNET code.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a delete file message from the item processing device indicating an identification file to be deleted; and    deleting the identification file to be deleted from the lookup table in response to the delete file message.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the resolving step further comprises the substeps of: 
 connecting to the item processing device via a telecommunications link;    receiving test data from the item processing device; and    confirming the test data.    
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the test data comprises test delivery item identification codes.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the delivery item information transmitting step further comprises the substep of: 
 transmitting the identification file corresponding to the identification code, if the identification code is found in the lookup table.    
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the delivery item information transmitting step further comprises the substep of: 
 transmitting the file delivery code corresponding to the identification code, if the identification code is found in the lookup table.    
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the delivery item information transmitting step further comprises the substep of: 
 transmitting an error message to the item processing device, if the identification code is not found in the lookup table.    
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the identification file further includes an image capture time.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the identification file further includes a plurality of status bits that indicate aspects of the identification file.  
   
   
       35 . A system for processing delivery item information by a primary identification code server, comprising: 
 an identification file receiving component configured to receive an identification file corresponding to a delivery item from an image control unit, wherein the identification file contains a file identification code and a file delivery code.    a storing component configured to store the identification file in a lookup table; and    a resolving component configured to resolve delivery item information for the delivery item, wherein the resolving component further comprises: 
 an identification code receiving component configured to receive an identification code from an item processing device, where the item processing device obtains the identification code from the delivery item;  
 a processing component configured to process the identification code to determine the delivery item information, using the identification file corresponding to the identification code; and  
 an identification information transmitting component configured to transmit the delivery item information to the item processing device.  
   
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the item processing device is a bar code sorter.  
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the storing component further comprises: 
 a revising component configured to revise the identification file in the lookup table.    
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the identification code is an ID tag.  
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the file identification code is an ID tag.  
   
   
       40 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the file delivery code is a POSTNET code.  
   
   
       41 . The system of  claim 35 , further comprising: 
 a delete file message receiving component configured to receive a delete file message from the item processing device indicating an identification file to be deleted; and    a deleting component configured to delete the identification file to be deleted from the lookup table in response to the delete file message.    
   
   
       42 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the resolving component further comprises: 
 a connecting component configured to connect to the item processing device via a telecommunications link;    a test data receiving component configured to receive test data from the item processing device; and    a confirming component configured to confirm the test data.    
   
   
       43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the test data comprises test delivery item identification codes.  
   
   
       44 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the identification information transmitting component further comprises: 
 an identification file transmitting component configured to transmit the identification file corresponding to the identification code, if the identification code is found in the lookup table.    
   
   
       45 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the identification information transmitting component further comprises: 
 a file delivery code transmitting component configured to transmit the file delivery code corresponding to the identification code, if the identification code is found in the lookup table.    
   
   
       46 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the identification information transmitting component further comprises: 
 an error message transmitting component configured to transmit an error message to the item processing device, if the identification code is not found in the lookup table.    
   
   
       47 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the identification file further includes an image capture time.  
   
   
       48 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the identification file further includes a plurality of status bits that indicate aspects of the identification file.  
   
   
       49 . A system for processing delivery item information by a primary identification code server, comprising: 
 means for receiving an identification file corresponding to a delivery item from an image control unit, wherein the identification file contains a file identification code and a file delivery code.    means for storing the identification file in a lookup table; and    means for resolving identification information for the delivery item, wherein the resolving means further comprises: 
 means for receiving an identification code from an item processing device, where the item processing device obtains the identification code from the delivery item;  
 means for processing the identification code to determine the identification information, using the identification file corresponding to the identification code; and  
 means for transmitting the identification information to the item processing device.  
   
   
   
       50 . A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for processing delivery item information by a primary identification code server, the computer readable code comprising: 
 an identification file receiving module configured to receive an identification file corresponding to a delivery item from an image control unit, wherein the identification file contains a file identification code and a file delivery code.    a storing module configured to store the identification file in a lookup table; and    a resolving module configured to resolve identification information for the delivery item, wherein the resolving module further comprises: 
 an identification code receiving module configured to receive an identification code from an item processing device, where the item processing device obtains the identification code from the delivery item;  
 a processing module configured to process the identification code to determine the identification information, using the identification file corresponding to the identification code; and  
 an identification information transmitting module configured to transmit the identification information to the item processing device.  
   
   
   
       51 . A method of processing delivery item information by a primary identification code server, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving an identification file corresponding to a delivery item from an Electronic Shipping Office wherein the identification file contains an identification code and a delivery code; and    resolving delivery item information for an item processing device, using the identification file.    
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the item processing device is a bar code sorter.  
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the identification code is an ID tag.  
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the delivery code is a POSTNET code.  
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising the step of: 
 sending a local service area table file to the Electronic Shipping Office.    
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the identification file relates to the local service area table file.  
   
   
       57 . A system for processing delivery item information by a primary identification code server, comprising: 
 a receiving component configured to receive an identification file corresponding to a delivery item from an Electronic Shipping Office wherein the identification file contains an identification code and a delivery code; and    a resolving component configured to resolve delivery item information for an item processing device, using the identification file.    
   
   
       58 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the item processing device is a bar code sorter.  
   
   
       59 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the identification code is an ID tag.  
   
   
       60 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the delivery code is a POSTNET code.  
   
   
       61 . The system of  claim 57 , further comprising: 
 a sending component configured to send a local service area table file to the Electronic Shipping Office.    
   
   
       62 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the identification file relates to the local service area table file.  
   
   
       63 . A system for processing delivery item information by a primary identification code server, comprising: means for receiving an identification file corresponding to a delivery item from an Electronic Shipping Office wherein the identification file contains an identification code and a delivery code; and 
 means for resolving delivery item information for an item processing device, using the identification file.    
   
   
       64 . A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for processing delivery item information by a primary identification code server, the computer readable code comprising: 
 a receiving module configured to receive an identification file corresponding to a delivery item from an Electronic Shipping Office wherein the identification file contains an identification code and a delivery code; and    a resolving module configured to resolve delivery item information for an item processing device, using the identification file.    
   
   
       65 . A method of processing delivery item information by a primary identification code server, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving an identification file corresponding to a delivery item from an image control unit, wherein the identification file contains a file identification code and a file delivery code;    determining whether the identification file corresponds to a local service area table file;    updating an Electronic Shipping Office, if the identification file does not correspond to the local service area table file, wherein the updating step further comprises the substeps of: 
 transmitting the local service area table file to the Electronic Shipping Office; and  
 sending the identification file to the Electronic Shipping Office; and  
 storing the identification file in a lookup table, if the identification file corresponds to the local service area table file.  
   
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the file identification code is an ID tag.  
   
   
       67 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the file delivery code is POSTNET code.  
   
   
       68 . A system for processing delivery item information by a primary identification code server, comprising: 
 a receiving component configured to receive an identification file corresponding to a delivery item from an image control unit, wherein the identification file contains a file identification code and a file delivery code;    a determining component configured to determine whether the identification file corresponds to a local service area table file;    an updating component configured to update an Electronic Shipping Office, if the identification file does not correspond to the local service area table file, wherein the updating component further comprises: 
 a transmitting component configured to transmit the local service area table file to the Electronic Shipping Office; and  
 a sending component configured to send the identification file to the Electronic Shipping Office; and  
 a storing component configured to store the identification file in a lookup table, if the identification file corresponds to the local service area table file.  
   
   
   
       69 . The system of  claim 68 , wherein the file identification code is an ID tag.  
   
   
       70 . The system of  claim 68 , wherein the file delivery code is POSTNET code.  
   
   
       71 . A system for processing delivery item information by a primary identification code server, comprising: 
 means for receiving an identification file corresponding to a delivery item from an image control unit, wherein the identification file contains a file identification code and a file delivery code;    means for determining whether the identification file corresponds to a local service area table file;    means for updating an Electronic Shipping Office, if the identification file does not correspond to the local service area table file, wherein the updating means further comprises: 
 means for transmitting the local service area table file to the Electronic Shipping Office; and  
 means for sending the identification file to the Electronic Shipping Office; and  
 means for storing the identification file in a lookup table, if the identification file corresponds to the local service area table file.  
   
   
   
       72 . A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for processing delivery item information by a primary identification code server, the computer readable code comprising: 
 a receiving module configured to receive an identification file corresponding to a delivery item from an image control unit, wherein the identification file contains a file identification code and a file delivery code;    a determining module configured to determine whether the identification file corresponds to a local service area table file;    an updating module configured to update an Electronic Shipping Office, if the identification file does not correspond to the local service area table file, wherein the updating module further comprises: 
 a transmitting module configured to transmit the local service area table file to the Electronic Shipping Office; and  
 a sending module configured to send the identification file to the Electronic Shipping Office; and  
 a storing module configured to store the identification file in a lookup table, if the identification file corresponds to the local service area table file.  
   
   
   
       73 . A method of processing delivery item information by an Electronic Shipping Office, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving an identification file from a transmitting primary identification code server, wherein the identification file contains an identification code and a delivery code;    storing the identification file in a storage buffer; and    updating a receiving primary identification code server, wherein the updating step further comprises the substeps of: 
 receiving a local service area table file corresponding to the receiving primary identification code server;  
 matching the identification file to the local service area table file;  
 storing the identification file in a primary identification code server table; and  
 sending the primary identification code server table to the receiving primary identification code server.  
   
   
   
       74 . The method of  claim 73 , further comprising the steps of: 
 generating a national service area table file; and    sending the national service area table file to the receiving primary identification code server.    
   
   
       75 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the identification code is an ID tag.  
   
   
       76 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the delivery code is a POSTNET code.  
   
   
       77 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the identification file further comprises an image capture time.  
   
   
       78 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the identification file further comprises a plurality of status bits that indicate aspects of the identification file.  
   
   
       79 . A system for processing delivery item information by an Electronic Shipping Office, comprising: 
 an identification file receiving component configured to receive an identification file from a transmitting primary identification code server, wherein the identification file contains an identification code and a delivery code;    a storing component configured to store the identification file in a storage buffer; and    an updating component configured to update a receiving primary identification code server, wherein the updating component further comprises: 
 a local service area table file receiving component configured to receive a local service area table file corresponding to the receiving primary identification code server;  
 a matching component configured to match the identification file to the local service area table file;  
 a storing component configured to store the identification file in a primary identification code server table; and  
 a primary identification code server table sending component configured to send the primary identification code server table to the receiving primary identification code server.  
   
   
   
       80 . The system of  claim 79 , further comprising: 
 a generating component configured to generate a national service area table file; and    a national service area table file sending component configured to send the national service area table file to the receiving primary identification code server.    
   
   
       81 . The system of  claim 79 , wherein the identification code is an ID tag.  
   
   
       82 . The system of  claim 79 , wherein the delivery code is a POSTNET code.  
   
   
       83 . The system of  claim 79 , wherein the identification file further comprises an image capture time.  
   
   
       84 . The system of  claim 79 , wherein the identification file further comprises a plurality of status bits that indicate aspects of the identification file.  
   
   
       85 . A system for processing delivery item information by an Electronic Shipping Office, comprising: 
 means for receiving an identification file from a transmitting primary identification code server, wherein the identification file contains an identification code and a delivery code;    means for storing the identification file in a storage buffer; and    means for updating a receiving primary identification code server, wherein the updating means further comprises: 
 means for receiving a local service area table file corresponding to the receiving primary identification code server;  
 means for matching the identification file to the local service area table file;  
 means for storing the identification file in a primary identification code server table; and  
 means for sending the primary identification code server table to the receiving primary identification code server.  
   
   
   
       86 . A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for processing delivery item information by an Electronic Shipping Office, the computer readable code comprising: 
 an identification file receiving module configured to receive an identification file from a transmitting primary identification code server, wherein the identification file contains an identification code and a delivery code;    a storing module configured to store the identification file in a storage buffer; and    an updating module configured to update a receiving primary identification code server, wherein the updating module further comprises: 
 a local service area table file receiving module configured to receive a local service area table file corresponding to the receiving primary identification code server;  
 a matching module configured to match the identification file to the local service area table file;  
 a storing module configured to store the identification file in a primary identification code server table; and  
 a primary identification code server table sending module configured to send the primary identification code server table to the receiving primary identification code server.