Method for controlling when mail is received by a recipient

Abstract

A computer controlled method that enables a mailer to control when recipients will receive mail mailed by the mailer. The method involves receiving a mailing composition, the desired mailing in home delivery date ranges and carrier schedules; utilizing a prediction model built from historical delivery data to predict when the quantities of mail will arrive for the mailing; and using the prediction model to determine preferred induction dates for the mailing.

1 . A method utilizing a computer to control a mailing and when mail pieces will arrive at various destinations for a range of dates comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a plurality of mail pieces and information regarding the mailing, desired mailing recipient delivery date ranges and carrier schedules;    utilizing a prediction model built from historical delivery data to predict when the plurality of mail pieces will be delivered; and    using the prediction model to determine preferred induction dates for the mailing.    
     
     
         2 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mailing is part of a mailing campaign.  
     
     
         3 . The method claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the mailing campaign contains a plurality of mailing shipments that contain a plurality of containers containing a plurality of mail pieces.  
     
     
         4 . The method claimed in  claim 3 , where the prediction model is used to determine the preferred induction dates in order to deliver the mail within in-home delivery requirements.  
     
     
         5 . The method claimed in  claim 4 , further including the step of controlling the volume of mail by delivering an equal amount of mail on each day in the mailing in home delivery date range.  
     
     
         6 . The method claimed in  claim 5 , further including the step of choosing mail induction dates that will evenly deliver mail for different mailing shipments throughout the in home date range.  
     
     
         7 . The method claimed in  claim 4 , further including the step of controlling the quantities of mail by maximizing an amount of mail delivered on a specific date within the mailing in home delivery date range.  
     
     
         8 . The method claimed in  claim 7 , further including the step of choosing mail induction dates that will deliver mail on the same days for different mailing shipments throughout the in home date range.  
     
     
         9 . The method claimed in  claim 4 , further including the step of controlling the quantities of mail by maximizing an amount of mail delivered on a specific date outside the mailing in home delivery date range.  
     
     
         10 . The method claimed in  claim 4 , further including the step of controlling the volume of mail by delivering an equal amount of mail on each day outside the mailing in home delivery date range.  
     
     
         11 . The method claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the recipient mail volumes are controlled by changing the induction date of the mail.  
     
     
         12 . The method claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the recipient mail volumes are controlled by changing the facility in which the mail is inducted.  
     
     
         13 . The method claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the recipient mail volumes are controlled by rearranging one or more mail shipments by combining the mail shipments.  
     
     
         14 . The method claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the recipient mail volumes are controlled by rearranging one or more mail shipments by splitting the mail shipments.  
     
     
         15 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mailing composition is selected from the induction facilities data, the processing facilities data, the number of mail pieces destined for each of the induction and processing facilities, the sort density for mail pieces in the mailing, destination zip codes of the mail pieces and the desired delivery days or dates for the mail pieces.  
     
     
         16 . The method claimed in  claim 15 , further including the step of: calculating appropriate induction dates for each and every induction and processing facility, based upon the number of mail pieces destined for each facility, the sort density for the mail pieces in the mailing, the desired delivery days or dates and the destination zip code.  
     
     
         17 . The method claimed in  claim 16 , further including the step of: calculating the probable distribution of receipt of the mail based upon historic carrier performance.  
     
     
         18 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mailing is part of a direct marketing campaign.  
     
     
         19 . The method claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the mail in the direct marketing campaign contains an offer.  
     
     
         20 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mail in the mailing is transactional mail.