System and Method for Identifying a Record Concerning a Mail Object in a Database

Abstract

A system and method is provided that allows a sender of a mail object to generate a barcode that uniquely identifies the mail object, where the barcode includes a sender-generated unique identifier concatenated with mail-related data (e.g., sender data, recipient data, shipping method data, etc.), rendering the barcode globally unique. The barcode can then be used by a sender-based system to provide data concerning the mail object via a network. In one embodiment of the present invention, barcode data (or a portion thereof) is stored in a sender's memory device and linked to information concerning the mail object. The barcode data can then be used to identify the mail object and provide information concerning the mail object over a network, such as the Internet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for identifying a record concerning a mail object in a database on a first system, which said record can also be used to identify said mail object on a second system in communication with said first system via the Internet and distinguish said mail object from a plurality of other mail objects, comprising:
 generating by said first system a first identifier for said mail object that consists of a numeric value;   using at least said first identifier, sender data, recipient data, and shipping method data to create a second identifier for said mail object that is affixed to said mail object as a single set of encoded data, said sender data being assigned by said second system;   storing said second identifier in said database such that said second identifier is linked to said record concerning said mail object in said database;   receiving by said first system data on said mail object from said second system via the Internet, wherein said data received from said second system comprises at least said first identifier, said sender data, and said shipping method data; and   providing by said first system data concerning said mail object via the Internet when at least said first identifier, said sender data, and said shipping method data, as received from said second system, corresponds to said record concerning said mail object in said database, said data concerning said mail object being stored within said record in said database;   wherein said first system's ability to uniquely identify said mail object is based at least in part on said first system's generation of a first portion of said second identifier, and said second system's ability to uniquely identify said mail object is based at least in part on said second system's assignment of a second portion of said second identifier.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first system is operated by a sender of said mail object. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said second system is operated by a mail carrier. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said second system is operated by a mail carrier. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said received data further comprises said recipient data, and said step of providing comprises providing said data on said mail object when said first identifier, said sender data, said recipient data, and said shipping method data, as received from said second system, correspond to said record in said database. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first system provides said data concerning said mail object to said second system via the Internet. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first system provides said data concerning said mail object to a recipient of said mail object. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first system provides said data concerning said mail object to a sender of said mail object via a web page. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first system provides said data concerning said mail object to a sender of said mail object via an email. 
     
     
         10 . A system for identifying a record concerning a mail object, which record is stored on a database on a first system, can be used to identify said mail object on a second system in communication with said system via the Internet, and can be used to distinguish said mail object from a plurality of other mail objects, comprising:
 a memory for storing a record on said mail object; and   at least one application adapted to:
 generate a first identifier for said mail object that consists of a numeric value, wherein said first identifier may not be unique to said second system; 
 use at least said first identifier, sender data, recipient data, and shipping method data to create a second identifier for said mail object that is affixed to said mail object as a single set of encoded data, said sender data being assigned by said second system; 
 storing said second identifier in said memory such that said second identifier is linked to said record concerning said mail object in said database; 
 receiving data on said mail object from said second system via the Internet, wherein said data received from said second system comprises at least said first identifier, said sender data, and said shipping method data; and 
 providing information concerning said mail object via the Internet when at least said first identifier, said sender data, and said shipping method data corresponds with said record concerning said mail object in said database; 
 wherein said system's ability to uniquely identify said mail object is based at least in part on said system's assignment of a first portion of said second identifier, and said second system's ability to uniquely identify said mail object is based at least in part on said second system's assignment of a second portion of said second identifier. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said first identifier is assigned by a sender of said mail object. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said sender data is assigned by a mail carrier. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said sender data is assigned by said mail carrier. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said received data further comprises said recipient data, and said application is adapted to provide said information concerning said mail object via the Internet if at least said first identifier, said sender data, said recipient data, and said shipping method data corresponds with said record concerning said mail object in said database. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said application is further adapted to provide said information to said second system via the Internet. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said application is further adapted to provide said information to a recipient of said mail object. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said application is further adapted to provide said information to a sender of said mail object via a web page. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said application is further adapted to provide said information to a sender of said mail object via an email. 
     
     
         19 . A method of using an identifier to identify a record concerning a mail object in a database on a first system that is operated by a sender of said mail object, wherein said identifier can also be used to identify said mail object on a second system that is operated by a mail carrier and is in communication with said first system via the Internet and distinguish said mail object from a plurality of other mail objects, comprising:
 generating by said first system a unique identifier for said mail object;   using by said first system said unique identifier, sender data, recipient data, and shipping method data to create an identifier for said mail object, said identifier being affixed to said mail object as a single set of encoded data and including data assigned by said second system;   storing said identifier in said database, at least a portion of said identifier being linked to said record concerning said mail object in said database;   receiving by said first system data on said mail object from said second system via the Internet, wherein said data received from said second system comprises at least said unique identifier, said sender data, and said shipping method data; and   using at least said unique identifier, said sender data, and said shipping method data to identify said record concerning said mail object in said database, said identification of said record allowing said first system to provide information concerning said mail object via the Internet;   wherein said first system's ability to uniquely identify said mail object is based at least in part on said first system's generation of a first portion of said identifier, and said second system's ability to uniquely identify said mail object is based at least in party on said second system's assignment of a second portion of said identifier.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said first system is further configured to send at least said first portion of said identifier to said second system, and said second system is further configured to send at least said second portion of said identifier to said first system.