WO2015089570A1

WO2015089570A1 - Postal delivery system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2015089570A1
Application number: PCT/AU2014/001154
Authority: WO
Inventors: Simon GLYNN
Original assignee: Glynn Simon
Priority date: 2013-12-19
Filing date: 2014-12-19
Publication date: 2015-06-25

Abstract

A system for delivering mail may include a pre-existing distribution network, the pre- existing distribution network having a plurality of outlets for selling goods and a plurality of depots for storing goods and one or more transport means for delivering goods from said depot to said outlets. A plurality of uniquely coded containers may be provided for carrying the mail, with an electronic database provided for remotely registering the unique code of each container to be delivered by the system. A holding device is provided at a plurality of the outlets for receiving the containers for delivery by the system and for collecting the containers delivered by the system, wherein the containers are delivered between the outlets by the transport means as the transport means deliver goods from the depot to the outlets. Routing and delivery of the containers may take place based solely on the unique codes, with reference to the database, preserving anonymity of the recipient.

Description

POSTAL DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to system and method of delivering mail, and in particular, a method and system for delivering mail, such as parcels that utilises existing distribution channels and networks so as to provide an integrated service therewith.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The delivery of mail and related items is a well-established service offered in most countries. Typically such systems employ dedicated post offices or post boxes where members of the public and business users are able to deposit mail for delivery to a desired recipient's address. Businesses may also use courier services enabling items to be collected directly from the business and removing the need to deposit the items. The mail, once received (in the case of a post office) or collected (from either a post box or via a courier) is processed using a network of mail processing and distribution centres. Through this processing, mail is sorted, routed based on the destination address and transported to a distribution centre most proximal to the destination address. Upon receipt of the mail, the relevant distribution centre (which may be a post office) then delivers the mail to the destination address through the dedicated delivery staff.

[0003] Whilst such a system of mail delivery has proven effective over time, it is a dedicated system based on a premise that individual items of mail must be delivered directly to recipients. As such, the system requires considerable infrastructure to support and maintain the delivery service. Such infrastructure includes the maintenance of individual post offices, post boxes, processing and distribution centres at suitable and sufficient locations to service the target population, transport facilities for collecting and distributing the mail, and dedicated staff for interacting with customers at a post office, and for sorting, processing and delivering the mail. As such, the maintenance of an effective mail service requires considerable costs in terms of labour and equipment.

[0004] A problem with conventional mail services is that there is no simple and effective means for monitoring the specific location of an item of mail at all points within the mail system. This is due in part to the requirement for users to nominate delivery instructions on the mail item itself, rather than nominating the delivery instructions for the mail item directly with the mail service. Typically users will nominate delivery instructions by hand writing or printing them on the mail item. Up until the point where the mail service is able to read and interpret the instructions, the item cannot be associated with a sender or recipient and its specific location cannot be determined by either party.

[0005] The lack of visibility of the location of a mail item may be further compounded by an incorrect interpretation of the written delivery instructions on the mail item. Consequently individual items of mail can become lost or displaced which can result in the failure of the mail to be delivered to the destination address, or a considerable delay in the delivery of the item of mail to that delivery address. In order to address this, most mail systems have implemented dedicated services such as "registered mail" which offer a means for tracking the item of mail from deposit through to delivery. However, these services, while enabling mail to be tracked by a sender, do not significantly reduce the risk of incorrect, delayed or failed delivery, nor do they necessarily increase the quantity or accuracy of location information about the item.

[0006] Further to this, with the increasing popularity of on-line shopping, many items of mail that require delivery are in the form of parcels and the like, which are significantly larger than letters. As such, it is often not possible to deposit such items in a conventional letter box, thereby requiring the individual to attend a post office to not only deposit the parcel for sending but to also collect the sent parcel within Post Office business hours. This is inconvenient for the recipient of the parcel and is a significant cost for the postal service as it requires multiple handling of the parcel. With the increase in more bulky items such as parcels and the like being handled by conventional postal systems, there is a greater load on transport vehicles that are required to handle the larger parcels which require significantly more storage volume than conventional envelopes or letters. As such, in order to deal with such an increase in transport load requirements, larger vehicles are required which increases infrastructure costs and in many instances delivery services are outsourced, increasing the overall costs of the system.

[0007] Thus, there is a need to provide a more cost effective and reliable postal service especially dedicated for the handling of parcels that provides intuitive tracking facilities and utilises existing infrastructure networks present in most societies to transport mail across distances.

[0008] The discussion throughout this specification comes about due to the realisation of the inventor and/or the identification of certain related art problems by the inventor and, moreover, any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms a part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia or elsewhere on or before the priority date of the disclosure and claims herein. In particular, the above prior art discussion does not relate to what is commonly or well known by a person skilled in the art, but may assist in the understanding of the inventive step of the present invention of which the identification of pertinent prior art proposals is but one part.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0009] The invention according to one or more aspects is as defined in the independent claims. Some optional and/or preferred features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0010] Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention there is provided a method for delivering mail across a pre-existing distribution network, the pre-existing distribution network having a plurality of outlets for selling goods and a plurality of depots for storing and supplying goods to said outlets, the method comprising:

providing an online registration system for recording an item of mail for delivery;

receiving said item of mail at one of said outlets;

distributing said item of mail between said outlets for delivery at another of said outlet, said outlet being a delivery outlet; and

collecting said mail from said delivery outlet.

[001 1] The online registration may include recording recipient contact information together with the carrier container code, and the method may further comprise sending a receipt code to the recipient and releasing the carrier container containing the item of mail for collection upon presentation of the receipt code. [0012] Preferably the carrier container is devoid of information identifying the recipient.

[0013] The method may include providing an automated holding device at the first outlet adapted to receive the carrier container containing the item of mail upon scanning or otherwise inputting the carrier container code. Furthermore, the method may include providing an automated holding device at the second outlet adapted to release the carrier container containing the item of mail upon scanning or otherwise inputting the receipt code.

[0014] Preferably, the carrier container containing the item of mail may be transported from the first outlet and to the second outlet by means of goods transport for the preexisting distribution network. Moreover, the pre-existing distribution network may comprise a plurality of retail outlets, for example the pre-existing distribution network may comprise a plurality of supermarkets or grocery stores. The method may further comprise providing mail transfer facilities at the network distribution centres, whereby the carrier container is despatched to a distribution centre servicing the second said outlet as determined by the carrier container code.

[0015] More particularly, in another aspect the present invention provides method for delivering mail across a pre-existing distribution network, the pre-existing distribution network having a plurality of outlets for selling goods, the method comprising:

providing a carrier container having a unique indicia code thereon;

providing an online registration system for recording the unique code together with recipient location information;

receiving the carrier container containing an item of mail at a first one of said outlets;

distributing the carrier container containing the item of mail between said outlets for delivery at a second of said outlets determined on the basis of recipient location information recorded against the carrier container code; and

collecting said carrier container containing the item of mail from the second said outlet.

[0016] According to another aspect, there is provided a system for delivering mail, comprising: a pre-existing distribution network, the pre-existing distribution network having a plurality of outlets for selling goods and a plurality of depots for storing goods and one or more transport means for delivering goods from said depot to said outlets;

a plurality of uniquely coded containers for carrying said mail;

an electronic database for remotely registering the unique code of each container to be delivered by said system;

a holding device provided at a plurality of the outlets for receiving said containers for delivery by said system and for collecting said containers delivered by said system;

wherein the containers are delivered between said outlets by said transport means as the transport means deliver goods from said depot to said outlets.

[0017] Each holding device may be in communication with the electronic database, wherein each holding device is provided with a scanning means for inputting the unique codes of said containers for communication to said electronic database.

[0018] Each holding device may be automated to receive a said container upon input of the unique code thereof, and to release a said container for collection upon input of a receipt code associated in the electronic database with the unique code of the container.

[0019] The system may further include communication means for issuing messages to the intended recipients of said mail with receipt codes associated with the corresponding container codes. Additionally, the system may include scanning means at each said depot for inputting the unique codes of containers thereat and communicating said unique codes to the electronic database for the purposes of routing and tracking the containers.

[0020] In one embodiment the invention provides a method and system as described for anonymous delivery of purchased goods, including a recipient registration system for registering recipient details in said electronic database against an alias and delivery outlet.

[0021] The invention further provides a computer apparatus adapted to facilitate routing and delivery of mail, the apparatus comprising processor means adapted to operate in accordance with a predetermined instruction set, wherein the apparatus, in conjunction with said instruction set, is adapted to perform one or a combination of the method steps as disclosed herein.

[0022] Furthermore, the present invention provides a computer program product including a computer usable medium having computer readable program code and computer readable system code embodied on said medium to facilitate registration, routing, tracking and/or delivery of mail within a system for delivering mail as disclosed herein, the computer program product comprising computer readable code within said computer usable medium for performing one or a combination of the method steps as described.

[0023] Other aspects and preferred forms are disclosed in the specification and/or defined in the appended claims, forming a part of the description of the invention.

[0024] Further scope of applicability of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Further disclosure, objects, advantages and aspects of preferred and other embodiments of the present application may be better understood by those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a map of Australia depicting distribution centres for a national supermarket chain;

Figure 2 is a map of Victoria depicting a distribution network for the distribution of goods within a national supermarket chain;

Figure 3 is a flow diagram depicting a method of delivering mail across a distributed network as depicted in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is an illustration of a container unit with printed instructions and indicia;

Figure 5 is a flow diagram depicting the steps of registering an item of mail with the system according to the method of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a flow diagram depicting the steps of lodging or depositing an item of mail with the system according to the method of Figure 3;

Figures 7A, 7B & 7C are representations of a hardware device for depositing and/or collecting mail items;

Figure 8 is a flow diagram depicting the steps of distributing an item of mail with the system according to the method of Figure 3;

Figure 9 is a flow diagram depicting the steps of collecting an item of mail with the system according to the method of Figure 3;

Figure 10 is a diagram depicting the process of preparing deposited CUs to be delivered;

Figure 11 is a representation of the combined supermarket and postal networks depicting how the two networks interface;

Figure 12 is a diagram depicting the points at which an item of mail is scanned by the postal system;

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic representation of a computer network facilitating delivery and tracking of mail items;

Figure 14 is a diagram depicting a method for conducting an anonymous end-to- end online sales transaction using the system of an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 15 depicts an alternative method to that shown in Figure 14 for conducting an anonymous end-to-end online sales transaction using the system of an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 16A to 16Z are samples of hardware device user interface screenshots; and

Figures 17A to 17AF are samples of screenshots from a smartphone app that may be used for registering and/or tracking an item of mail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Embodiments of the present invention, including preferred and other features there, are described hereinafter with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the particular features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention. [0027] The system and method of the present invention is described below in relation to its application for use with an existing product distribution network, such as that of an existing retail network, for example a supermarket chain, that comprises a number of outlets that service a population in the supply of goods or services. In particular, an embodiment of the present invention is discussed below in relation to its application for use within the existing structure of a nationwide supermarket chain, such as a Coles or Woolworths supermarket chain as operates in Australia that comprises multiple supermarket outlets and distribution centres located throughout urban and rural Australia. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention could be equally applied for use within any, or a combination of pre-existing chains or individual outlets that can be linked to service a general population. In some applications the present invention could employ a chain of outlets that service a populated area, such as a supermarket chain, whilst in a remote area an individual shop or independent outlet not associated with the supermarket chain may be employed as a remote outlet for receipt/delivery of mail. In such an arrangement, the postal service may be required to deliver mail to the independent outlet which falls outside the distribution network of the supermarket chain.

[0028] Referring to Figure 1 , there is depicted a map of Australia that is separated into seven states and territories as shown. Each of the states/territories are serviced by a national supermarket chain, such as Coles/Woolworths, which has at least one main distribution centre (DC) 12 located therein for controlling and co-ordinating the distribution of goods to supermarket outlets located in a plurality of towns or suburbs in that state/territory. It will be appreciated that the number of DCs 12 located in each state will be largely dependent on the population that is to be serviced in each state/territory and the physical size of that state/territory.

[0029] Each of the DCs 12 is generally capable of storing bulk goods for delivery to each of the supermarket outlets in accordance with stock requirements. The DCs 12 are typically associated with a capital city or densely populated area and are linked together by way of a multiple of transportation mediums, such as road, rail, air and sea. As such, the DCs 12 function as a depot from which goods are received and delivered to outlets on a regular basis. [0030] Figure 2 illustrates an example of how a distribution centres and outlets of an existing supermarket chain may be set up in a particular state/territory. In this example a map of the state of Victoria is shown, having a single DC 12 for servicing the state.

[0031] In the embodiment as depicted, the DC 12 communicates with a plurality of Local Distribution Centres (LDCs) 14 to deliver goods to each of the LDCs 14 as required. These goods are typically delivered by road transport and may occur on a daily or twice daily basis, especially where fresh food products are being distributed. In the case of supermarkets, these goods may be food and household products and the volume of goods transported may be controlled by an inventory system managed by the supermarket chain.

[0032] As seen in Figure 2, each of the LDCs 14 service a plurality of individual outlets 16 which may be supermarkets located in various urban or rural areas of the state. The LDCs 14 typically deliver goods to each of the outlets 16 by way of local road transports in accordance with the needs of that individual outlet. In this regard, an LDC 14 may conduct a daily supply run to each of the individual outlets 16 to supply fresh food, or may conduct a supply run when required, depending upon inventory needs.

[0033] In any event, it will be appreciated that in most cases, a supermarket chain as depicted above, has a readily established transport network between the DC 12, LDCs 14 and outlets 16, which is typically a "one-way service". By using the term "one-way service" this refers to the fact that the transport system typically delivers goods from the DC 12 to the LDC 14 or from the LDC 14 to outlet 16, and returns from the final delivery point on the delivery route largely empty. It is worth noting that the relationship between the DC and LDC, and the LDC and Outlet shown in Figure 2 is a supply relationship and not necessarily representative of a delivery route.

[0034] The system and method according to embodiments of the present invention is directed towards utilising this existing distribution network employed by most supermarket or retail chains to ensure that the transport system inherent therein is able to provide both a pick-up and delivery service to facilitate delivery of mail throughout the network. It is well established that most of the population is located in close proximity to a supermarket outlet 16 and as such regularly attends the outlet 16 to obtain essential goods. As such, the present invention and method also seeks to utilise the inherent accessibility of such outlets 16 as a pick-up/deposit point for a postal service. [0035] Further, by recognising that a postal network has a similar structure to a supermarket network - i.e. a hub and spoke distribution network - embodiments of the present invention seek to combine two such networks into a hybrid network in such a way that the effective complexity of the postal network part - particularly the number of delivery and collection points within the network - can be greatly reduced to enable mail items to be delivered at a relatively low cost to users but still in a convenient manner.

[0036] Whilst the present invention is described below in relation to a supermarket network application containing LDCs and DCs that service an outlet, it will be appreciated that the present invention could have equal application to any individual outlet, network of common outlets or chains of outlets having an outlet that is accessible by the general public and which can function as a postal deposit and delivery destination. In this regard, there is no requirement for both DCs and LDCs to service an outlet and the linkage between the outlets may be provided separately by a postal service.

[0037] Referring to Figure 3, a flow diagram outlining a postal system procedure 20 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is depicted.

[0038] A fundamental aspect of the postal system described herein is the provision of a container unit (CU) that can be purchased by a user of the system, or provided to the user at no cost, for containing the item to be posted therein. The CU is typically in the form of a satchel or bag that is assigned a unique identification code that is formed integral therewith so as to remain with the CU as it is moved about the postal system. The unique machine-readable identification code may be a barcode formed on the surface of the CU or a chip or other device carried within the CU that is able to be scanned automatically as the CU passes through a dedicated scanner. In this regard a code is also visible on the surface of the CU so as to be readable by the user of the CU. The user readable and machine-readable identification codes are associated with each other in the postal system database but may not be the same. However, the CU is not required to receive any further details regarding the user or the intended destination of the CU.

[0039] Figure 4 illustrates an example of a container unit in the form of a plastic envelope satchel 300 having printed instructions and indicia. The satchel 300 is shown printed with four instructional stages 1 , 2, 3 & 4 providing brief instructions to guide the user through the sequence of operations involved in the posting process, as described hereinbelow. The machine readable identification code is shown at 302, and the same code is replicated at the edges of the satchel (304). The user readable code is shown at 306 in the form of a multi-digit numerical code.

[0040] In step 22, in order to initially obtain the CU a user merely visits the supermarket outlet 16 and purchases the CU or is provided with the CU at no cost. The outlet 16 may stock a variety of different sizes and types of CUs depending upon the type of material to be posted. Once a user has purchased, or otherwise obtained, their CU, upon using their CU by depositing the CU in the manner as will be discussed below, the user may be provided with a replacement CU as part of the lodgement process, which is available for future ongoing use by the user. In this regard replacing a lodged CU with a new CU has an ongoing "zero-cost" to the user. However, it will be appreciated that the CU may be purchased by a user each time a postal service is required, and the manner in which the CUs are made available to the users of the system may vary depending upon the operator of the system.

[0041] In step 24, the user registers the CU to initiate the CU for use. A method of registering the CU in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is depicted in Figure 5. With regard to the step 24, it will be appreciated that this step may vary depending upon the type of user. For example, general users will follow a method along the lines indicated below whereby bulk users, such as a high volume e-Bay® seller who may use the system differently than many individual users, may also have different registration requirements.

[0042] In step 31 (Figure 5), in order to register the CU, the user is firstly directed to a dedicated website or application of the postal service (stage 1 of the instruction sequence printed on the satchel shown in Figure 4). Typically, this is performed by the user going on-line to the dedicated website on the internet or by using a dedicated application, via their PC or mobile phone or tablet device. In a business context, the user may be a computing system that accesses the postal service via a machine to machine interface.

[0043] For illustration, screenshots representing various functions of a user app that may be employed on a smartphone or the like are shown in Figures 17A to 17AF. Details of the various functions realised by the app as illustrated will become apparent from the description of the procedures hereinbelow. [0044] After entering the dedicated website or application in step 31 , the user is prompted to enter the unique identification code of the CU in step 32. The unique details of the CU can be simply captured by the user scanning the CU barcode with the camera on their mobile phone, or similar electronic device, or by using a webcam, optical scanner or the like on their PC. Alternatively the user can enter the user readable code provided on the surface of the CU, as discussed above. This operation is stage 3 of the instruction sequence printed on the satchel shown in Figure 4.

[0045] In step 33, the user is then prompted to enter the necessary details required to register the CU for use. This may include payment details for using the service which may be calculated at the end of the registration process based on the destination of delivery and the size of the CU being used. The size of the CU and therefore the potential costs to send it may be determined by querying the postal system database for this information using on the unique identification details of the CU that were scanned; or alternatively it may be determined from the unique identification information itself where part of the code encapsulates this information. As part of the registration process, the user may choose to provide a mobile phone number or email address that is to be used to provide the user with ongoing updates on the location and progress of the postal delivery. To avoid the user needing to enter these details each time they use the service, the details can be saved on the system against an account created by the user.

[0046] In step 34, the user is prompted to enter the details of the recipient of the CU and delivery location. This corresponds to stage 2 of the instruction sequence printed on the satchel shown in Figure 4. As will be appreciated in more detail below, the CU is not delivered to a destination address but rather to a supermarket outlet and the system requires sufficient information to determine the correct delivery supermarket and to be able to issue communication to the recipient. This information may include an address or postcode of the intended recipient or a nominated delivery supermarket, the intended recipient's name and/or identification details together with a contact number, such as a mobile phone or email address. Determining the correct delivery supermarket may involve 1 ) setting the delivery supermarket to an outlet nominated by the user; 2) automatically determining the closest outlet to a recipient based on - for example - calculating the geographical distance between the supplied recipient address information and each supermarket in the network until the closest is identified; or 3) setting the delivery supermarket to an outlet nominated by the recipient to be used whenever they are sent a parcel via the PDS.

[0047] The user may directly enter these details if they know them or have been provided them by the recipient.

[0048] Alternatively a recipient, who has an existing user account on the postal system, can provide the user with an alias - a unique identifier provided by the postal system that takes the place of their location and contact details to either:

1. simplify the process of entering the information; or

2. mask the information from the user where privacy is desired. It is possible for the postal system to use this method to prevent a user from knowing a recipient's name, their contact details and where they are located.

[0049] By way of example, a recipient Aaron Black may register an account with the postal system by providing his address and contact information (e.g. email address) and be allocated an alias: aaronblack. The recipient can provide the alias to the sender who, when registering the CU, enters the alias during the registration process for the recipient details. The postal system thus knows who and where the recipient is but sender is unaware. It will be appreciated that the ability to use the system anonymously or through an alias can have significant advantages in certain circumstances. Features and other embodiments of the present invention relating to anonymous transactions are described in greater detail later in this specification.

[0050] Further, a recipient can nominate any specific supermarket location or delivery address as the delivery point for their CU and they are not restricted to nominating their home or business address, thereby making the system easy to use when the recipient is travelling or in transit.

[0051] Once the user, CU and delivery details are captured by the postal system, the system may provide the user with information regarding the act of depositing the CU in step 35 (stage 4 of the instruction sequence printed on the satchel shown in Figure 4). This information may include providing the user with directions to the nearest supermarket outlet or to an outlet nearest to a location nominated by the user. In the act of providing this information, the on-line postal site is able to direct the user to another supermarket outlet if there are problems with the user's nominated outlet or closest outlet, such as a technical problem with the system or where the nominated or closest outlet is overloaded with parcels and not able to receive any additional parcels for deposit. However the user is not required to act on the guidance provided by the system and can deposit their CU at any supermarket that is part of the postal service.

[0052] Upon completion of the registration process 24, the user then deposits the CU in the manner as described in relation to the method 26, the operations of which are depicted in Figure 6 and described below.

[0053] In step 36, the general or consumer user attends the nearest supermarket outlet with their registered CU containing the items to be posted. Alternatively, the user may attend the outlet instructed by the postal service, or any other supermarket as discussed above in step 35 of the registration process 24.

[0054] In step 37, the general user then deposits their CU at the outlet. The manner in which the CU is deposited may vary as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0055] In one arrangement, depending on availability, the general user may deposit their CU in a dedicated hardware device (HD) located within the supermarket outlet 16. The HD may take any one of a variety of forms. One form an HD 320 suitable for depositing CUs is illustrated in Figure 7A. The HD 320 has a box-like structure 322 with an interior storage volume. The HD 320 has an input compartment accessible through a latchable door 324, for example. The door latch may be controlled by way of a computer processor that is coupled for communication with the postal system database and also a code scanner 326. When depositing a CU the user may hold the CU up to the scanner to permit the HD to scan the machine readable code and thereby identify the CU from the details registered in the database. Having identified the CU the HD 320 unlatches the door 324 to enable the user to place the CU in the compartment. When the door closes the CU falls from the compartment into the storage volume of the HD 320, and the computer processor causes a receipt to be issued to the user through a receipt printer 328. Upon collection of the deposited CUs for delivery the interior storage volume containing the CUs can be accessed through a lower door 330, for example. As well as the scanner and receipt printer, user interaction with the HD 320 is provided through a touch-screen display device 325, which may be used to provide instructions to the user and receive user input. [0056] Another form of HD 340 is illustrated in Figure 7B, adapted for recipients to collect or deposit their CU. In this case the HD 340 has a plurality of individual compartments 344 each arranged to contain a CU. The compartments may be individual compartments capable of receiving one CU, or may receive multiple CUs. The HD 340 includes a scanner 348 coupled to a computer processor that controls access to the compartments 344 and is in communication with the postal system database. When depositing a CU the user may hold the CU up to the scanner to permit the HD to scan the machine readable code and thereby identify the CU from the details registered in the database. Having identified the CU the HD 320 unlatches an empty compartment to enable the user to place the CU in the compartment. In order to collect a CU the recipient presents a corresponding code to the scanner 346. The code is provided to the recipient by the postal system, via email or the like, and may be in printed form or displayed on the screen of a mobile device such as a smartphone, for example. Upon scanning the recipient's code the CU details are identified by use of the postal system database, and the HD processor unlatches the corresponding compartment the CU has been loaded into for retrieval by the recipient. For either collection or deposit the HD may also provide the user with a printed receipt (348) that the user can present to a supermarket staff member at a checkout to receive a replacement CU. Provision of instructions and user input is enabled by a touch-screen display device 345. Additional description of the recipient collection process is provided later in the specification.

[0057] It will be appreciated that, although two separate forms of HD are described above and illustrated in the drawings, in practice it may be convenient to integrate the deposit and retrieval functions of the HD into a single unit, sharing common chassis, computing circuitry, scanner and receipt printer. This form of HD is illustrated in Figure 7C.

[0058] Further understanding concerning the function of the hardware devices will follow from the description herein taken in conjunction with the samples of HD user interface screenshots included in the drawings in Figures 16A to 16Z.

[0059] In another arrangement, typically in a situation where a HD is unavailable (e.g. hasn't yet been installed, is full or is experiencing a fault) the user may deposit their CU through interaction with a staff member at a supermarket checkout or dedicated service centre. The staff member may scan the CU (the same function the HD performs), accept the CU from the user, store the CU in a secure storage bin at the checkout and issue the user with a receipt for the transaction. The staff member may use the supermarket's Point of Sale (POS) system to perform the scanning function or use a dedicated scanning device associated with the postal service. Where the POS system is used it is integrated with the postal service so that the POS system can:

1 ) confirm to the staff member that the scanned parcel has been registered;

2) provide the details of the scanned parcel to the postal service; and

3) provide the user with a receipt that may give them further instruction.

[0060] Although the CU registration and deposit process has been described hereinabove in a specific sequence involving registration first followed by deposit in the HD, the postal service may alternatively permit parcels to be deposited first and then registered afterwards. For example:

1. A sender has a satchel but they haven't pre-registered it.

2. They approach a HD and drop off the parcel (CU).

3. The parcel is accepted as if it were registered but the sender is given a printed receipt with instructions that the parcel won't be delivered until it is registered, with the receipt providing them with the details needed to register the parcel (most likely the same barcode as is on the satchel).

4. When the sender is next at their computer or smartphone, they log in - select that they'd like to register a parcel that has already been deposited and scan (or enter) the code on their receipt.

5. If the parcel reaches the entry hub of the postal network before it is registered, it is diverted to a 'holding' area while it waits to be registered and paid for. Alternatively the holding area could be a dedicated facility that all entry hubs send unregistered parcels to.

6. Once the parcel has been post-registered it is accessed from the holding area and re-enters the standard process for delivery to the recipient. [0061] As discussed previously, for bulk or business users of the present system, such as a high volume e-Bay® sellers and the like, the registration process 24 may be achieved via the following method, which is better suited to the preparation and handling of multiple parcels.

1. The user may interact with the postal service via a machine-to-machine interface using a software application that can best support the process workflow of preparing and handling multiple parcels efficiently.

2. The user may receive a pre-allocated and reserved set of unique identification codes for parcels they wish to send; or they may be able to generate unique identification codes on-demand.

3. The user may attach printed labels that carry the unique identification codes on the outside of the CU. The labels may be attached to the CU to ensure that any existing unique identification codes on the CU are covered. Alternatively such a user may purchase or be provided with a class of CU that does not contain a unique identification code. The printed labels may then contain additional information to the identification codes to aid the user in maintaining a human readable visual link between a CU, the goods which are to be placed in the CU and the recipient of the CU. By providing this visual link the user can then complete manual handling of the parcel without further reference to the postal system - including: a. Adding the correct goods to the CU by matching the goods to a description of the goods on the printed label. b. Performing a special action - e.g. gift wrapping - by referring to instructions on the printed label. c. Locating a CU more easily by customer name or other business user specified reference before the CU is lodged - for example if a change to the order is required.

4. Payment processes may be managed individually by parcel, or in bulk or on account for the sender. [0062] In the method 26 of Fig. 3, general or consumer users will follow a method along the lines indicated above whereby bulk or business users, such as a high volume e-Bay® seller who may use the system differently than many individual users, may also have different lodgement requirements. In particular, in an embodiment directed for use by bulk or business users, steps 36 and 37 may be combined such that the business user may:

• deposit CUs in bulk at a location via a process that is more convenient and efficient for bulk transactions. This location may be a processing hub to the postal service, a DC or LDC, an outlet of the supermarket or another location as advised by the postal system; or

• have CUs collected from their place of business rather than being required to deposit the items.

[0063] In step 38, once the CU has been deposited in the HD for a general user, or at any other specified location for a business or bulk user, the user or recipient may be sent a message confirming that the CU has been deposited. This message may be in the form of an email, SMS message or voice recorded message and may include details such as the deposit point, the CU number, and the destination details and anticipated delivery timeframe.

[0064] It should be noted that for a bulk or business user, step 39 described below, may not apply as such a user will have provided their CUs in bulk to the postal service by the means previously described. However, for general users or consumer users, at step 39 the postal system may then co-ordinate collection of the CU by the Supermarket Logistics Provider (SLP) in the next transport delivery event. It will be appreciated that the step of coordinating pick-up and delivery of the CUs will be controlled by the postal system, which monitors:

• the process of registering CUs to be sent via the postal service;

• when a registered or unregistered CU has been deposited with either a HD or checkout as described in step 37; and

• when the scheduled supermarket deliveries are due via the SLP.

[0065] Combining this information with information the postal system knows about the characteristics of both the SLP and postal network, this enables the postal system to forecast the activity that needs to occur to ensure that capacity and performance characteristics (e.g. delivery times) of the postal service are managed.

[0066] In step 39, the postal system firstly determines when and which CUs need to be prepared for collection by the SLP. It may make this determination based on a number of factors including the following:

1. How long the CU has been in a HD or checkout storage bin to ensure that a CU can be delivered within a reasonable timeframe as defined by the postal network's performance characteristics.

2. The likelihood that a HD or checkout storage bin will reach capacity prior to the next scheduled SLP delivery event. This likelihood is determined by assessing a number of known and projected data points including: a. the known current and maximum capacity of the HD and storage bins; b. the projected number of CUs to be deposited at each supermarket which may for example be determined as a combination of historical user behaviour and a known number of CUs that have already been registered by users that are likely to be deposited at specific supermarkets due to the location of the user in relation to the supermarket.

3. Whether any CUs can be collected by recipients without having to be physically processed and delivered via the postal network - i.e. the user and recipient use the same supermarket.

4. How many CUs are awaiting collection by recipients and the projected volume of CUs that will be collected prior to the next scheduled SLP delivery event.

[0067] In short, the abovementioned factors enable the system to monitor the current and projected volumes of deposits, balance that against a set of performance characteristics (e.g. delivery times) and, knowing when logistics events (e.g. freight dropoff at the supermarket) are scheduled to make a smart decision about when to unload a particular HD.

[0068] With respect to item 3 above, some CUs may not require transportation from one outlet to another, for example where the sender and recipient share the same supermarket. In this case, when the sender scans the CU code at the time of deposit, the HD may instruct the user to deposit the CU directly into an individual compartment 344 (Figure 7B), where available. Then, the recipient can retrieve the CU from that compartment without the postal service having transported or processed (other than electronically) the parcel at all.

[0069] As part of step 39, the resulting CU preparation instructions are then provided to the agent of the postal service present at the supermarket. The agent working within the supermarket will use these instructions to perform some or all of the following:

• To unload CUs from the HD;

• To unload CUs from checkout storage bins;

• To place unloaded CUs into appropriate Transport Containers (TCs).

[0070] A TC is a portable container into which multiple CUs can be loaded. Subsequently the TC can be handled by the supermarket employee or the SLP to more easily move groups of CUs that require processing or delivery. TCs may take multiple forms such as crates, boxes or rolling cages. TCs have a unique identifier similar to a CU and when CUs are moved into a TC from a HD or checkout storage bin at the direction of the postal system the system requires that the TC be scanned to enable the TC and its CUs to be tracked as the TC moves through the supermarket and postal networks.

[0071] While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth.

[0072] Unloading the HD will ideally occur in such a way that the employee needs only nominate to the HD that they are executing the requested instructions and the HD will guide the employee through the steps they need to take to unload CUs from the appropriate compartments and limit their ability to unload any CU that is not part of the instructions. As the CUs are removed from the HD their collection is recorded by the postal system database and the database is updated accordingly.

[0073] Each TC has one unique code on it to encompass all the unique codes of the parcels (CUs) that are loaded into it. This type of device is used between the supermarket and DC and potentially between the DC and the entry hub of the postal network (once in the postal network the CU codes are tracked individually). Then a TC is used again between the exit hub and the DC, and between the DC and the supermarket. Only when parcels are unloaded from a TC to be loaded into a HD are the individual CUs again tracked independently.

[0074] The process of unloading a HD (320) or checkout storage bin (350), placing into a TC (351) and locating the TC in a temporary holding area is depicted diagrammatically in Figure 10. When a supermarket employee unloads CUs into TCs they move the TC to a temporary holding area that may be an appropriately secured area of the supermarket loading bay (352) or the supermarket office area (353). This holding area is also used by the SLP when they unload TCs to be put back into the HD for recipients to collect as described later in the specification.

[0075] The purpose of the holding area is to make the function of unloading CUs from the HD or checkout storage bins independent of the function of loading the CUs onto the SLP truck; and the function of unloading CUs from the SLP truck independent of the function that loads the CUs into the HD or service counter storage bin - this means that:

• A HD or checkout storage bin can be unloaded at any time and CUs put into the holding area whether there is a truck there or not.

• A SLP truck can arrive at any time and be able to collect CUs without having to wait for them to be unloaded.

• The holding area becomes a location where excess capacity in either direction (ready to collect after unloading or ready to load into the HD) can sit. For example - a CU can be at a supermarket sitting in the holding area but not loaded into a HD for as long as it takes until capacity in the HD becomes available. The recipient won't receive notification that their parcel is ready for collection until it is physically loaded into the HD after being scanned. [0076] The manner in which the Distribution Process 28 is handled is depicted in the flowchart diagram of Figure 8. As previously discussed in step 39, the distribution of the CUs to the appropriate destination is coordinated by the postal service through the activity of the supermarket, the SLP and the postal service.

[0077] Once again, in applications where the user is a bulk or business user of the system, the specific steps depicted in Figure 8 below, may vary. In this regard, for a bulk or business user, the collect CU step (step 40) and the deliver CU to DC/LDC step (step 41 ) may not be relevant to a bulk user as the user's CUs will have already been delivered to the postal service for processing.

[0078] For general users, in step 40, the SLP responsible for the specific supermarket where the CU has been deposited picks-up the TCs containing CUs for delivery and loads them into the transport vehicle prior to departing from the outlet. The TCs may be loaded into the transport vehicle by the SLP or an individual within the supermarket chain that is responsible for managing the postal system. The individual responsible for managing the postal system within the supermarket outlet scans the unique identifier of each TC that is loaded into the transport vehicle and the postal system updates the database for each CU within that TC to indicate it has been collected by the SLP. The user or end recipient may then receive an update message and/or they are able to log-on to the Postal Service website or application and note that the status of the CU will be updated to show that the CU has been collected from the depositing outlet. The SLP will then complete their round of trips to nominated outlets, according to their normal supermarket delivery schedule.

[0079] As previously discussed, the present invention utilises the existing process undertaken by supermarkets to stock their outlets. In this existing process, a SLP is typically designated to service a group of outlets whereby the SLP transports goods to each of the outlets on a route, offloading goods at each outlet along the route. Typically, as the SLP progresses along the route, the vehicle will become progressively unloaded after leaving each outlet. In step 40, rather than the vehicle becoming progressively unloaded, at each outlet the vehicle is able to collect CUs, replacing at least a portion of the unloaded cargo and thereby maximising space usage of the vehicles throughout the route. [0080] Figure 1 1 diagrammatically illustrates how a CU traverses the combined networks of the SLP and postal service during steps 41 and 42. In step 41 , at the end of a route, the collected CUs are then delivered to either:

• the DC or LDC;

• a processing hub of the postal service; or

• if the SLP is not returning to the DC or LDC, the collected CUs are unloaded at the final outlet along the route for collection by an alternative source, such as a dedicated vehicle of the postal service.

[0081] In Step 42 the CUs enter the Postal Service Network (PSN) for processing. During this step, the CUs traverse the postal service network which consists of an entry processing hub, a network of processing hubs, and an exit processing hub. It will be appreciated that, depending upon the degree of integration between the PSN and the supermarket or chain, the supermarket or chain may internalise the functions of the PSN such that the PSN becomes a part of, or an internal division of the supermarket or chain.

[0082] Unless the final delivery destination of the CUs from the SLP delivery route is the entry processing hub of the postal service, the CUs are collected by the transport vehicle from the postal service and delivered to the entry processing hub of the postal service.

[0083] Once at the entry processing hub, the CUs are further processed. From the perspective of the postal service, the system consists of three parts:

1. The postal network, consisting of a set of processing hubs located across the country which may store and process mail and a transport network that services the processing hubs to move processed and unprocessed mail throughout the network.

2. Customer Delivery Locations (CDLs), being the equivalent of all the supermarket outlets where a recipient can collect their package; and

3. Postal Delivery Locations (PDLs), being equivalent to all the DCs and LDCs in the supermarket network which service the total number of CDLs/outlets.

[0084] As is depicted in Figure 1 1 , while each CU will be destined for a customer at one of the CDLs, the postal network will typically deliver CUs to one of the PDLs. To enable this, CUs are associated with a CDL and one or more PDLs within the postal system database.

[0085] Processing at the entry processing hub typically involves scanning the unique barcode on each CU and querying the postal system database for that unique barcode to determine which PDL is the most appropriate delivery destination for that CU. The postal system database may then be updated to record that the relevant processing hub has received the CU. The CU will then be assigned to be delivered using postal service transport vehicles to either:

1. the appropriate PDL if the entry processing hub is the same as the exit processing hub for the CU; or

2. the exit processing hub most suitable for delivering the CU to the appropriate PDL.

[0086] As part of step 42, the CUs are prepared at the exit processing hub. This is achieved by the CUs being grouped by the CDL/outlet they are destined for and placed into one or more TCs per CDL/outlet. This grouping ensures that the supermarket logistics provider does not need to manually handle or group CUs and can use existing processes for preparing TCs for shipment to outlets, loading TCs onto transport and unloading TCs from transport as they would with existing supermarket-destined goods.

[0087] In step 43 one or more TCs will be delivered to a PDL (DC or LDC) to be placed on the appropriate SLP vehicle for delivery to the desired outlet in step 44.

[0088] It will be appreciated that at each point in which the CU or TC is handled as depicted in Figure 12, a scanning device scans the unique barcode of the CU or TC which is then recorded on the database of the postal system. As such, the postal system database can provide updates at any time to the user and/or recipient of the location of the CU during the delivery process.

[0089] When the TCs are delivered to the destination outlet in step 44, they are unloaded from the SLP transport vehicle along with the other supermarket goods. The TCs are placed in the outlet's secure temporary holding area, TCs awaiting delivery are collected and loaded and the SLP transport vehicle continues on its delivery route. The TCs are removed from the temporary holding area and each CU is positioned within one of the dedicated compartments of the HD, in much the same manner as discussed above during the lodgement process of Figure 6. In instances where a HD is not available, is faulty or is full, the CUs are deposited in a secure storage bin within the supermarket usually at the customer service counter. As such, upon entering the compartment of the HD or being placed in the secure storage bin the CU is scanned which causes the database of the postal service to record that the CU has reached its final destination. At step 45, the recipient is then sent a message to their nominated contact, namely a phone or email account, instructing the recipient that there is an item waiting to be collected, and providing the recipient the details of the supermarket and a code that will either release the CU from a HD compartment or will enable a staff member to locate the CU in the secure storage bin. A receipt may also be sent to the user to provide them confirmation that the CU has been delivered to its intended destination and a further receipt may be sent when the recipient has collected the CU.

[0090] The process 30 for collecting the CU is depicted In the flowchart diagram of Figure 9.

[0091] In step 46 the recipient receives the message from the postal service indicating that the CU is awaiting collection and specifying the supermarket outlet where the CU is located as well as a barcode or password for accessing the compartment of the HD or retrieving the CU from a staffed service area.

[0092] In step 47, the recipient attends the designated collection supermarket outlet. As the supermarket outlet was selected as being the closest or most convenient for the recipient, the recipient can simply collect the CU during a conventional shopping event at a time convenient to the recipient, without the need to attend a dedicated post office or courier office at an inconvenient time. As most supermarkets are open outside conventional office hours to cater for shoppers that may work a conventional work day, the ability to collect mail from the supermarket offers many advantages.

[0093] In step 48, the recipient retrieves their CU. In one form, this is achieved by the recipient approaching the compartment of the HD that stores their CU and presenting the barcode provided in the message of step 46 to the scanner associated with the HD or enters the code provided in the message of step 46 on an interface associated with the HD. If the barcode or user-entered code matches that stored in the system database, the compartment is accessed by the recipient to remove the CU therefrom. [0094] Alternatively, in step 48 the recipient may approach the designated service area of the supermarket where they present their barcode or code and a staff member locates the matching CU from the secure storage bin.

[0095] In step 49 the user may then be sent confirmation of the completion of the process for their own records, and the system database will be updated accordingly. The recipient is then free to do further shopping or depart the outlet.

[0096] In step 50 the recipient may be required by the supermarket outlet to scan the collected CU at the checkout. This generates an official receipt and a record of the CU having been collected and removed from the outlet. The system database will be updated accordingly.

[0097] At step 51 , once the collected CU has been scanned at the checkout, the checkout may then provide the recipient with a new CU for use in a future transaction. As previously discussed, the new CU can be provided free of charge to reward usage of the system and goodwill with the supermarket chain, or a small fee may be charged.

[0098] A computer systems network 200 facilitating implementation of the postal system of as described hereinabove is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 13. The postal system database 204 stores the information various data and information about registered users and CUs in the system, as described above. Communication with the database for providing stored information and receiving information for storage is made through a server 202 which is coupled for communication through the internet 250 and/or other communications media.

[0099] As described above, various devices communicate with the server 202 during operation of the postal system. A sender computer 206, for example, may communicate with the server for the purposes of user registration, CU registration, and receiving messages relating to delivery progress of parcels that have been sent. A depositing hardware device 208 communicates with the server to provide the codes of CUs that have been scanned and deposited. During the transportation process various devices 210, 212 may be used to scan the CU code and/or the TC code in order to provide information to the server about the delivery progress and location, and to receive information about the routing and delivery location. The receiving HD 214 communicates the codes of the CUs scanned and placed therein for collection, including information about the particular compartment each CU may be placed in. Additionally the receiving HD communicates with the server when a recipient scans or enters their receiving code to collect a parcel. The recipient computer may communicate with the server in order to receive updates about the parcel delivery progress, including any messages and codes required to collect the CU from the receiving HD. The communications just mentioned between the server/database and the various devices are illustrative only, as are the forms of the devices themselves.

[00100] The system 200 shown in Figure 13 additionally shows financial institution computers 220, 222, and 224 coupled to communicate with the server 202. These may comprise a financial institution representing a vendor/sender (220), a financial institution representing a buyer/recipient (222), and a financial institution representing the postal system (224). The nature and purpose of the communications between the financial institutions and the postal system server is explained hereinbelow in connection with another embodiment of the invention particularly adapted to online purchase and delivery of goods.

[00101] It will be appreciated that the system and method of the present invention provides a simple and convenient deposit and collection system for receiving and sending mail. The same hardware device can be used to perform both of these tasks and may be conveniently located within a supermarket outlet. The system and method also provides a simple and effective mail tracking system that is built into the distribution network at numerous transfer points along the journey of the mail, which enables the approximate location of the mail to be readily determined if desired. Such a system enables more precise prediction of delivery dates and times and should the recipient's address change during transit, the address can be simply changed via accessing the system website or application, without the need to physically alter the address on the piece of mail. Such a system improves privacy as mail can be sent without listing the recipient's name and address on the item, as has conventionally been required and it is possible to assure privacy of the recipient from the sender if the recipient chooses to use an alias.

[00102] By collecting information from the user, supermarkets are also able to use such information to predict customer behaviour, such as the customer's likely shopping habits based on the time in which the customer posts their mail. This information can be used to ensure that there are sufficient lockers or compartments available for a specific supermarket outlet where usage is high, and can also be used by supermarkets to determine appropriate staffing levels in peak usage times.

[00103] Whilst an embodiment of the present invention has been described above in relation to its use for general users and business users to send/receive items across the overall distribution network, it will be appreciated that the system of the present invention can be simply adapted for use with a variety of existing transaction processes with minimal adaptation. In particular, the Postal Delivery System (PDS) of the present invention can be simply adapted to provide a buyer/recipient with an ability to transact anonymously with any online sales provider, irrespective of whether that online sales provider use the PDS of the present invention as their delivery carrier or not.

[00104] In essence, in most existing online sales transaction, in order to enable a buyer/recipient to purchase an item online and have that item delivered to them by the online sales provider, the online sales provider or sender must obtain the following from the buyer/recipient:

• recipient's name and address for the item to be delivered;

• means for payment to be provided to the seller;

• means for the seller to communicate to the buyer/recipient - typically via email or telephone; and

• have the buyer set-up or log-in to a site with a user account (i.e. a username and password) - usually linked to the buyer's email address - so that they can return to the seller's site to follow-up on the status of their purchase. Such a user account also typically enables a seller to build and maintain an ongoing view of the sales purchase history of that buyer.

[00105] On the basis of the above, when a buyer purchases an item from the seller they are required to divulge much of their own personal information to that seller, which can find its way into the possession of others who may wish to seek to use that information in a manner that is not in the buyer's best interests.

[00106] With a conventional online transaction as described above, it is not possible for the buyer to retain an element of anonymity due to the information they are required to submit to finalise the transaction. As discussed above, in order to open an account to use the transaction system they must at the very least provide their email address for password creation and delivery as well as their name and postal delivery address in order to receive the bought goods, and generally their financial account details to make the appropriate payment.

[00107] Therefore, in order to provide for an anonymous end-to-end transaction system that removes the need for the buyer/recipient of the item to disclose to the seller/ sender their personal details, the PDS can be adapted to provide the following advantageous features:

1. To enable anonymous parcel delivery - The recipient must withhold their name and address from the sender but the sender must still be able to deliver the item to the recipient

2. To enable anonymous payment - The recipient must be able to pay without providing any personally identifying information

3. To enable anonymous communication - The recipient must be contactable without the contact details being able to identify the recipient

4. To enable transaction related access - The recipient must be able to continue to be able to access the seller's site to track the status of their purchase without providing details (e.g. email address) that would identify the recipient.

5. To enable anonymous purchase history - The buyer/recipient must be able to prevent a purchase history from being established from multiple repeat purchases from the same online seller.

1. To enable anonymous parcel delivery

[00108] As previously discussed the system according to embodiments of the present invention provides for a unique alias to be used by the recipient, or generated by the PDS, which can be associated with the recipient's account on a pre-existing on-line transaction system. In this regard, a seller/sender can simply use this alias to send a parcel using the PDS of the present invention, and once the parcel has entered the PDS the system is able to determine who the parcel is intended for and route and deliver the parcel to the address that is most convenient to the recipient. Any tracking information that is made available for the recipient to view to determine the delivery status of the parcel would not be made available to the sender to view if it would compromise the anonymity of the recipient. Typically the sender would be limited to viewing the delivery status of the parcel (e.g. in transit/awaiting collection/collected) but not the parcel's specific location.

2. To enable anonymous payment

[00109] The PDS of the present invention is able to act as a payment proxy for the recipient. To use this capability, a recipient would pre-register a financial account with the PDS (e.g. a credit card or bank account) and provide the PDS with authorisation to transact on their account. The method of payment would vary depending on the capability of the seller's system - and may include the following: a. Where credit cards are accepted as the payment method - a single-use credit card number may be provided in the name of the Postal Delivery Service which the buyer/recipient may use to enter their payment details. b. Where bank transfers are accepted - the buyer/recipient would provide the PDS with the payment details and customer reference numbers required and the system would make the payment on behalf of the user. c. Where the sender/seller has a financial account linked to its PDS account (which it may require to be able to transact using the PDS) - the system would make payment from the buyer/recipient's account into the seller/sender's account.

[001 10] Additional fees may be presented to the buyer/recipient for acceptance as a fee for using the services of the PDS in an anonymous delivery capacity. These fees would not be visible to the seller/sender.

3. To enable anonymous communication

[001 1 1] The PDS acts as a communications proxy for the recipient. The unique alias provided to the seller to enable anonymous delivery also forms the basis for any anonymous email communication that may be required, for example, the alias "mvalias" may, once created by the recipient or the system, result in an email address to be automatically generated, such as myalias@[the PDS email domain]. This email address can then be provided to the seller to be used for communications as part of the online transaction. All communication sent to this alias would then be redirected to the recipient by the PDS and the seller's return email address would also be replaced with a proxy address of the system, to facilitate two-way anonymous communication. Anonymous communication via SMS would similarly be possible by providing the buyer/recipient an SMS number for the PDS and requiring the seller to include the recipient's alias within the SMS to enable the PDS to route the SMS to the recipient's actual mobile phone.

4. To enable transaction related access

[001 12] This may be achieved by either the buyer/recipient setting-up a user account using the anonymous elements (e.g. the alias as the user's name and the alias based email address for communication) provided by the PDS; or the seller/sender's system being modified to allow the buyer/recipient to access their transaction information without requiring a user account and instead using trusted information provided by the PDS to show the correct transactions to the buyer/recipient. The method will vary depending on the capability of the seller's system - and may include the following: a. Without seller/sender system modification - In this scenario the buyer/recipient is required to set-up a user account. The PDS can be used by the buyer/recipient to generate: i. an anonymous alias to use for delivery and to use as the user ID on the site; ii. an associated anonymous email address; and

iii. optionally a password for the site.

Together, these three anonymous elements can be used to set-up a standard user account on a seller's site and system. b. With seller/sender system modification - In this scenario the seller/sender's system is modified to allow for transaction information to be displayed to a user after confirming that the user has been authorised to view the information. The seller/sender's system defers to the PDS to authenticate the user. The user - after accessing the seller/sender's site - logs on via the PDS after clicking a link. The PDS authenticates the user for that site and passes back an authentication confirmation to the site, along with the unique anonymous identifying information (typically the alias) to be used to display transaction information to the user. The seller/sender's site can then locate and display transaction information to the user by storing and retrieving that information against the provided unique anonymous identifying information (e.g. the alias).

5. To enable anonymous purchase history

[001 13] The PDS enables a user to generate anonymous components (e.g. alias or alias based email address) that are enduring (i.e. don't change over repeated uses) or are single use (i.e. valid for one transaction only). If the user selects single use anonymous information to be generated, then a seller/sender cannot use this information to build up a purchase history for a buyer as they will never see the same information used more than once even if the same buyer visits and purchases from their site. However, referring to Figure 15, described further below, step 125 and 126 describe how the PDS can be used to store and authorise an anonymous transaction (step 125), and to provide the ability for the recipient to call-up details (e.g. delivery status and purchase history) for that transaction (step 126) by using the information the PDS has stored. In this way the PDS can be used to hold summary detail about the buyer's transaction history for a seller's site and enable the buyer to request further detail from the seller's site about specific transactions without the association between each of the anonymous transactions being made available to the seller.

[001 14] Referring to Figure 14, a process 100 for conducting an anonymous end-to- end online sales transaction using the system of the present invention is depicted, with the method requiring no modification to the seller/senders system or site but where the seller/sender does use the PDS as its postal provider. In this process 100, the system of the present invention is able to be adapted for use with such a pre-existing system to provide for anonymity for the purchaser.

[001 15] In step 101 , a potential buyer visits the website of the seller/sender in a conventional manner and selects items offered by the seller/sender in step 102 by adding those items to their "shopping cart". Once the buyer has completed browsing the seller's site, the buyer checks out those selected goods in step 103 and reviews the order. [001 16] To maintain anonymity, in step 104 the buyer logs on to their account with the PDS of the present invention by entering a password. In step 105 the buyer requests or creates anonymous details and the PDS generates the unique (enduring or single use) anonymous information. The PDS will return these elements to the user, which may include:

• the alias to be used for delivery and as the user account user ID;

• the alias based email address to be used for communication and account creation;

• a password to be optionally used when creating the user account;

• an address to a location in the Postal Delivery Network - for example an entry hub of the PDN; and

• payment information (e.g. a single use credit card number) pre-authorised by the user for the required purchase amount.

[001 17] In step 106, the buyer then creates an account with the seller's site using the anonymous information generated by the PDS and in steps 107 and 108 the anonymous delivery details and payment details are entered into the seller's site.

[001 18] At step 109 the payment is authorised by the buyer to finalise the transaction. At step 1 10, the buyer is able to log-in to the seller's site at any time using the anonymous details to check on the status of the delivery and at step 1 1 1 they are able to engage in anonymous communication with the seller if required. In step 1 12, the user is able to receive the goods via the PDS in an anonymous manner.

[001 19] It will be appreciated that, in the process 100 depicted in Figure 13, the PDS of the present invention functions to provide the user with the details to assist the user in opening an "alias" account with the seller's site. The seller is not required to change their site in any way and because they use the PDS as their postal provider, they use the "alias" that was provided by the buyer in step 107 to address and deliver the item in the usual manner.

[00120] Referring to Figure 15, an alternative process 120 for conducting an anonymous end-to-end online sales transaction using the system of the present invention is depicted, with the method requiring the seller/sender's site or system to be modified to work with the PDS to help a buyer/recipient transact anonymously with a minimum number of steps.

[00121] In the process 120, steps 121 , 122 and 123 are the same as the process described in Figure 14 as they relate to the buyer visiting a site (121 ) and selecting items to purchase (122) and checking those items out (123).

[00122] In step 124 the seller/sender's site defers to the PDS to authenticate the buyer and the transaction. It passes to the PDS sufficient information for the authenticated buyer to authorise the transaction:

• details of the seller - i.e. the merchant;

• a unique transaction ID for ongoing reference; and

• details of the purchase - at a minimum the amount of the purchase but potentially including line item details to assist the buyer/recipient to confirm the purchase and for their records.

[00123] In step 124 the buyer authenticates with the PDS. In step 125 they review the transaction information that was provided by the seller/sender and authorise the purchase. They are then returned to the seller/sender's site.

[00124] In returning the user to the seller/sender's site, the PDS provides information back to the seller/sender's site to confirm the outcome of the transaction, which may include:

• a transaction receipt to confirm payment has been authorised; and

• the alias of the user to enable the goods to be delivered via the PDS.

[00125] This information is typically not visible to the user.

[00126] It is noted that in the scenario depicted in Figure 14, the seller is registered as a merchant within the PDS and has a financial account registered. Therefore the payment is not made on the seller/sender's site but is made within the PDS.

[00127] The seller/sender's site acknowledges the transaction receipt as an authorisation of the transaction and uses the provided alias to deliver the goods to the user. [00128] In step 126 the buyer can logon to the PDS via a link within the seller/sender's site. Once logged in they may select from their purchase history the transaction from this seller/sender that they wish to review and they are returned to the seller/sender's site along with the following information:

• a logon receipt confirming the user with the specified alias is requesting information about their purchase; and

• the purchase transaction ID that the seller/sender's site created.

[00129] The seller/sender's site can then display the requested information about the transaction to the buyer.

[00130] Although the above scenarios describe a Create scenario for generating a new transaction and a Search and Read scenario for reviewing the status of a transaction, the same mechanism of deferring to the PDS to authenticate the user and confirm the required action can be used to Update a transaction (e.g. change quantity and amounts before delivery) and to Delete (i.e. cancel) a transaction.

[00131] As stated previously, Figures 13 and 14 depict two ends of a spectrum for accepting anonymous transactions within a seller/sender's site and system. Depending on the ability of the seller/sender (or their provider) to modify the site/system used, the PDS may need to provide more or less information automatically (i.e. system to system without providing it to the buyer/recipient) or more or less information via the buyer/recipient which they may need to enter manually.

[00132] As a variation, the method depicted in Figure 14 can also facilitate a special case of anonymous end-to-end online purchase and delivery of goods where the seller/sender does not use the Postal Delivery Network as their delivery provider. In such a scenario a seller/sender may use another provider (e.g. Australia Post) to deliver their items, thereby requiring that the goods be delivered to a named recipient at a specific address - yet the buyer/recipient may wish to purchase goods from the seller/sender anonymously.

[00133] In this scenario when the buyer logs in to the PDS in step 104 and enters the seller/sender's details, the PDS will inform the user that the seller/sender is not a PDN merchant. [00134] The buyer may be then be asked to provide additional information about the order (e.g. parcel size and weight) and accept additional fees to allow the purchased goods to be received anonymously by the PDN on behalf of the buyer, and then delivered to the buyer via the PDN.

[00135] Once the buyer has accepted any additional fees, the PDS presents the buyer with the anonymous components. The buyer then adds those components to the order on the seller's site and confirms the order.

[00136] The seller processes the order and delivers it using their preferred carrier to the provided anonymous delivery address. Possible delivery addresses (provided to the buyer to enter into the seller's site) include:

1. A supermarket outlet where the user would typically be collecting their item from: In this scenario the sender's carrier may: a. hand over the parcel to a supermarket employee. The employee would hold the parcel for collection by the recipient and inform the PDS that the parcel is ready for collection. The recipient would be notified and collect their parcel as per the standard process described elsewhere in this document; or b. load the parcel into a hardware device at the supermarket. The hardware device would scan the label of the parcel and through an automated process (on the hardware device or via the PDS) recognise the alias of the user (which is recorded as the recipient's name) or recognise the parcel barcode and then query the provider for the sender's carrier's system to identify the alias of the user. The parcel would then be deposited by the carrier into an appropriate compartment, the recipient would be notified and collect their parcel as per the standard process.

2. An entry hub of the PDN - which may have been automatically selected to be closest to the location of the seller to minimise the cost of delivering the item from the seller to the PDN. Once received, the item would be scanned to identify the user's alias (which is recorded as the recipient's name) and then injected into the standard delivery process of routing and forwarding to the recipient for collection. [00137] It will be appreciated that in this variation of the invention, the system of the present invention can work in association with competing postal services and delivery systems to provide for a degree of flexibility of use, across a broad spectrum of users.

[00138] It will be appreciated that by providing a system and method for delivering mail such as that described above, significant cost savings can be obtained by utilising an already existing transport infrastructure and outlet facility. This provides immediate advantages to the postal service operator due to reduced costs and labour, and also offers significant advantages to supermarket chains as it attracts new patronage and physically brings people to the supermarket through offering an additional service.

[00139] It will be appreciated that whilst the above system has been described in relation to a national distribution network for the delivery of mail therein, the present invention could equally be adapted to an international network where one or more chains may be employed in each national network.

[00140] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative only and not restrictive.

The following sections I - VII provide a guide to interpreting the present specification.

I. Terms

[00141] The term "product" means any machine, manufacture and/or composition of matter, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[00142] The term "process" means any process, algorithm, method or the like, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[00143] Each process (whether called a method, algorithm or otherwise) inherently includes one or more steps, and therefore all references to a "step" or "steps" of a process have an inherent antecedent basis in the mere recitation of the term 'process' or a like term. Accordingly, any reference in a claim to a 'step' or 'steps' of a process has sufficient antecedent basis.

[00144] The term "invention" and the like mean "the one or more inventions disclosed in this specification", unless expressly specified otherwise.

[00145] The terms "an embodiment", "embodiment", "embodiments", "the embodiment", "the embodiments", "one or more embodiments", "some embodiments", "certain embodiments", "one embodiment", "another embodiment" and the like mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the disclosed invention(s)", unless expressly specified otherwise.

[00146] The term "variation" of an invention means an embodiment of the invention, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[00147] A reference to "another embodiment" in describing an embodiment does not imply that the referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive with another embodiment (e.g., an embodiment described before the referenced embodiment), unless expressly specified otherwise.

[00148] The terms "including", "comprising" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to", unless expressly specified otherwise.

[00149] The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more", unless expressly specified otherwise.

[00150] The term "plurality" means "two or more", unless expressly specified otherwise.

[00151] The term "herein" means "in the present specification, including anything which may be incorporated by reference", unless expressly specified otherwise.

[00152] The phrase "at least one of", when such phrase modifies a plurality of things (such as an enumerated list of things), means any combination of one or more of those things, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the phrase "at least one of a widget, a car and a wheel" means either (i) a widget, (ii) a car, (iii) a wheel, (iv) a widget and a car, (v) a widget and a wheel, (vi) a car and a wheel, or (vii) a widget, a car and a wheel. The phrase "at least one of", when such phrase modifies a plurality of things, does not mean "one of each of" the plurality of things. [00153] Numerical terms such as "one", "two", etc. when used as cardinal numbers to indicate quantity of something (e.g., one widget, two widgets), mean the quantity indicated by that numerical term, but do not mean at least the quantity indicated by that numerical term. For example, the phrase "one widget" does not mean "at least one widget", and therefore the phrase "one widget" does not cover, e.g., two widgets.

[00154] The phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on", unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" describes both "based only on" and "based at least on". The phrase "based at least on" is equivalent to the phrase "based at least in part on".

[00155] Terms related to orientation where used in the specification and claims, such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation.

[00156] The term "represent" and like terms are not exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the term "represents" do not mean "represents only", unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase "the data represents a credit card number" describes both "the data represents only a credit card number" and "the data represents a credit card number and the data also represents something else".

[00157] The term "whereby" is used herein only to precede a clause or other set of words that express only the intended result, objective or consequence of something that is previously and explicitly recited. Thus, when the term "whereby" is used in a claim, the clause or other words that the term "whereby" modifies do not establish specific further limitations of the claim or otherwise restricts the meaning or scope of the claim.

[00158] The term "e.g." and like terms mean "for example", and thus does not limit the term or phrase it explains. For example, in the sentence "the computer sends data (e.g., instructions, a data structure) over the Internet", the term "e.g." explains that "instructions" are an example of "data" that the computer may send over the Internet, and also explains that "a data structure" is an example of "data" that the computer may send over the Internet. However, both "instructions" and "a data structure" are merely examples of "data", and other things besides "instructions" and "a data structure" can be "data". [00159] The term "i.e." and like terms mean "that is", and thus limits the term or phrase it explains. For example, in the sentence "the computer sends data (i.e., instructions) over the Internet", the term "i.e." explains that "instructions" are the "data" that the computer sends over the Internet.

[00160] Any given numerical range shall include whole and fractions of numbers within the range. For example, the range "1 to 10" shall be interpreted to specifically include whole numbers between 1 and 10 (e.g., 2, 3, 4, . . . 9) and non-whole numbers (e.g., 1.1 ,

I .2, . . . 1.9).

II. Determining

[00161] The term "determining" and grammatical variants thereof (e.g., to determine a price, determining a value, determine an object which meets a certain criterion) is used in an extremely broad sense. The term "determining" encompasses a wide variety of actions and therefore "determining" can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, "determining" can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also, "determining" can include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like.

[00162] The term "determining" does not imply certainty or absolute precision, and therefore "determining" can include estimating, extrapolating, predicting, guessing and the like.

[00163] The term "determining" does not imply that mathematical processing must be performed, and does not imply that numerical methods must be used, and does not imply that an algorithm or process is used.

[00164] The term "determining" does not imply that any particular device must be used. For example, a computer need not necessarily perform the determining.

III. Indication

[00165] The term "indication" is used in an extremely broad sense. The term "indication" may, among other things, encompass a sign, symptom, or token of something else. [00166] The term "indication" may be used to refer to any indicia and/or other information indicative of or associated with a subject, item, entity, and/or other object and/or idea.

[00167] As used herein, the phrases "information indicative of and "indicia" may be used to refer to any information that represents, describes, and/or is otherwise associated with a related entity, subject, or object.

[00168] Indicia of information may include, for example, a code, a reference, a link, a signal, an identifier, and/or any combination thereof and/or any other informative representation associated with the information.

[00169] In some embodiments, indicia of information (or indicative of the information) may be or include the information itself and/or any portion or component of the information. In some embodiments, an indication may include a request, a solicitation, a broadcast, and/or any other form of information gathering and/or dissemination.

IV. Forms of Sentences

[00170] Where a limitation of a first claim would cover one of a feature as well as more than one of a feature (e.g., a limitation such as "at least one widget" covers one widget as well as more than one widget), and where in a second claim that depends on the first claim, the second claim uses a definite article "the" to refer to the limitation (e.g., "the widget"), this does not imply that the first claim covers only one of the feature, and this does not imply that the second claim covers only one of the feature (e.g., "the widget" can cover both one widget and more than one widget).

[00171] When an ordinal number (such as "first", "second", "third" and so on) is used as an adjective before a term, that ordinal number is used (unless expressly specified otherwise) merely to indicate a particular feature, such as to distinguish that particular feature from another feature that is described by the same term or by a similar term. For example, a "first widget" may be so named merely to distinguish it from, e.g., a "second widget". Thus, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers "first" and "second" before the term "widget" does not indicate any other relationship between the two widgets, and likewise does not indicate any other characteristics of either or both widgets. For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers "first" and "second" before the term "widget" (1 ) does not indicate that either widget comes before or after any other in order or location; (2) does not indicate that either widget occurs or acts before or after any other in time; and (3) does not indicate that either widget ranks above or below any other, as in importance or quality. In addition, the mere usage of ordinal numbers does not define a numerical limit to the features identified with the ordinal numbers. For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers "first" and "second" before the term "widget" does not indicate that there must be no more than two widgets.

[00172] When a single device or article is described herein, more than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate) may alternatively be used in place of the single device/article that is described. Accordingly, the functionality that is described as being possessed by a device may alternatively be possessed by more than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate).

[00173] Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein (whether or not they cooperate), a single device/article may alternatively be used in place of the more than one device or article that is described. For example, a plurality of computer- based devices may be substituted with a single computer-based device. Accordingly, the various functionality that is described as being possessed by more than one device or article may alternatively be possessed by a single device/article.

[00174] The functionality and/or the features of a single device that is described may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are described but are not explicitly described as having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments need not include the described device itself, but rather can include the one or more other devices which would, in those other embodiments, have such functionality/features.

V. Disclosed Examples and Terminology Are Not Limiting

[00175] Neither the Title nor the Abstract in this specification is intended to be taken as limiting in any way as the scope of the disclosed invention(s). The title and headings of sections provided in the specification are for convenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

[00176] Numerous embodiments are described in the present application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not, and are not intended to be, limiting in any sense. The presently disclosed invention(s) are widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the disclosed invention(s) may be practiced with various modifications and alterations, such as structural, logical, software, and electrical modifications. Although particular features of the disclosed invention(s) may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments and/or drawings, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or drawings with reference to which they are described, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[00177] The present disclosure is not a literal description of all embodiments of the invention(s). Also, the present disclosure is not a listing of features of the invention(s) which must be present in all embodiments.

[00178] Devices that are described as in communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. On the contrary, such devices need only transmit to each other as necessary or desirable, and may actually refrain from exchanging data most of the time. For example, a machine in communication with another machine via the Internet may not transmit data to the other machine for long period of time (e.g. weeks at a time). In addition, devices that are in communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

[00179] A description of an embodiment with several components or features does not imply that all or even any of such components/features are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention(s). Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no component/feature is essential or required.

[00180] Although process steps, algorithms or the like may be described in a particular sequential order, such processes may be configured to work in different orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be explicitly described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of processes described herein may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously despite being described or implied as occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described after the other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by its depiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not imply that the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to the invention(s), and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred.

[00181] Although a process may be described as including a plurality of steps, that does not imply that all or any of the steps are preferred, essential or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention(s) include other processes that omit some or all of the described steps. Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no step is essential or required.

[00182] Although a process may be described singly or without reference to other products or methods, in an embodiment the process may interact with other products or methods. For example, such interaction may include linking one business model to another business model. Such interaction may be provided to enhance the flexibility or desirability of the process.

[00183] Although a product may be described as including a plurality of components, aspects, qualities, characteristics and/or features, that does not indicate that any or all of the plurality are preferred, essential or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention(s) include other products that omit some or all of the described plurality.

[00184] An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. Likewise, an enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are comprehensive of any category, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the enumerated list "a computer, a laptop, a PDA" does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list are mutually exclusive and does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list are comprehensive of any category.

[00185] An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are equivalent to each other or readily substituted for each other.

[00186] All embodiments are illustrative, and do not imply that the invention or any embodiments were made or performed, as the case may be. VI. Computing

[00187] It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the various processes described herein may be implemented by, e.g., appropriately programmed general purpose computers, special purpose computers and computing devices. Typically a processor (e.g., one or more microprocessors, one or more microcontrollers, one or more digital signal processors) will receive instructions (e.g., from a memory or like device), and execute those instructions, thereby performing one or more processes defined by those instructions.

[00188] A "processor" means one or more microprocessors, central processing units (CPUs), computing devices, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, or like devices or any combination thereof.

[00189] Thus a description of a process is likewise a description of an apparatus for performing the process. The apparatus that performs the process can include, e.g., a processor and those input devices and output devices that are appropriate to perform the process.

[00190] Further, programs that implement such methods (as well as other types of data) may be stored and transmitted using a variety of media (e.g., computer readable media) in a number of manners. In some embodiments, hard-wired circuitry or custom hardware may be used in place of, or in combination with, some or all of the software instructions that can implement the processes of various embodiments. Thus, various combinations of hardware and software may be used instead of software only.

[00191] The term "computer-readable medium" refers to any medium, a plurality of the same, or a combination of different media, that participate in providing data (e.g., instructions, data structures) which may be read by a computer, a processor or a like device. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media include dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes the main memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled to the processor. Transmission media may include or convey acoustic waves, light waves and electromagnetic emissions, such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer can read.

[00192] Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying data (e.g. sequences of instructions) to a processor. For example, data may be (i) delivered from RAM to a processor; (ii) carried over a wireless transmission medium; (iii) formatted and/or transmitted according to numerous formats, standards or protocols, such as Ethernet (or IEEE 802.3), SAP, ATP, Bluetooth™, and TCP/IP, TDMA, CDMA, and 3G; and/or (iv) encrypted to ensure privacy or prevent fraud in any of a variety of ways well known in the art.

[00193] Thus a description of a process is likewise a description of a computer- readable medium storing a program for performing the process. The computer-readable medium can store (in any appropriate format) those program elements which are appropriate to perform the method.

[00194] Just as the description of various steps in a process does not indicate that all the described steps are required, embodiments of an apparatus include a computer/computing device operable to perform some (but not necessarily all) of the described process.

[00195] Likewise, just as the description of various steps in a process does not indicate that all the described steps are required, embodiments of a computer-readable medium storing a program or data structure include a computer-readable medium storing a program that, when executed, can cause a processor to perform some (but not necessarily all) of the described process.

[00196] Where databases are described, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that (i) alternative database structures to those described may be readily employed, and (ii) other memory structures besides databases may be readily employed. Any illustrations or descriptions of any sample databases presented herein are illustrative arrangements for stored representations of information. Any number of other arrangements may be employed besides those suggested by, e.g., tables illustrated in drawings or elsewhere. Similarly, any illustrated entries of the databases represent exemplary information only; one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the number and content of the entries can be different from those described herein. Further, despite any depiction of the databases as tables, other formats (including relational databases, object-based models and/or distributed databases) could be used to store and manipulate the data types described herein. Likewise, object methods or behaviors of a database can be used to implement various processes, such as the described herein. In addition, the databases may, in a known manner, be stored locally or remotely from a device which accesses data in such a database.

[00197] Various embodiments can be configured to work in a network environment including a computer that is in communication (e.g., via a communications network) with one or more devices. The computer may communicate with the devices directly or indirectly, via any wired or wireless medium (e.g. the Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, a telephone line, a cable line, a radio channel, an optical communications line, commercial on-line service providers, bulletin board systems, a satellite communications link, a combination of any of the above). Each of the devices may themselves comprise computers or other computing devices that are adapted to communicate with the computer. Any number and type of devices may be in communication with the computer.

[00198] In an embodiment, a server computer or centralized authority may not be necessary or desirable. For example, the present invention may, in an embodiment, be practiced on one or more devices without a central authority. In such an embodiment, any functions described herein as performed by the server computer or data described as stored on the server computer may instead be performed by or stored on one or more such devices.

[00199] Where a process is described, in an embodiment the process may operate without any user intervention. In another embodiment, the process includes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of a human).

VII. 35 U.S.C. §112, Paragraph 6 [00200] In a claim, a limitation of the claim which includes the phrase "means for" or the phrase "step for" means that 35 U.S.C. §1 12, paragraph 6, applies to that limitation.

[00201] In a claim, a limitation of the claim which does not include the phrase "means for" or the phrase "step for" means that 35 U.S.C. §1 12, paragraph 6 does not apply to that limitation, regardless of whether that limitation recites a function without recitation of structure, material or acts for performing that function. For example, in a claim, the mere use of the phrase "step of" or the phrase "steps of in referring to one or more steps of the claim or of another claim does not mean that 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, applies to that step(s).

[00202] With respect to a means or a step for performing a specified function in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, the corresponding structure, material or acts described in the specification, and equivalents thereof, may perform additional functions as well as the specified function.

[00203] Computers, processors, computing devices and like products are structures that can perform a wide variety of functions. Such products can be operable to perform a specified function by executing one or more programs, such as a program stored in a memory device of that product or in a memory device which that product accesses. Unless expressly specified otherwise, such a program need not be based on any particular algorithm, such as any particular algorithm that might be disclosed in the present application. It is well known to one of ordinary skill in the art that a specified function may be implemented via different algorithms, and any of a number of different algorithms would be a mere design choice for carrying out the specified function.

[00204] Therefore, with respect to a means or a step for performing a specified function in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §1 12, paragraph 6, structure corresponding to a specified function includes any product programmed to perform the specified function. Such structure includes programmed products which perform the function, regardless of whether such product is programmed with (i) a disclosed algorithm for performing the function, (ii) an algorithm that is similar to a disclosed algorithm, or (iii) a different algorithm for performing the function.

[00205] "Comprises/comprising" and "includes/including" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. Thus, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words 'comprise', 'comprising', 'includes', 'including' and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

Claims

1 . A method for delivering mail across a pre-existing distribution network, the preexisting distribution network having a plurality of outlets for selling goods, the method comprising:

providing an online registration system for recording an item of mail for delivery; receiving said item of mail at one of said outlets;

distributing said item of mail between said outlets for delivery at another of said outlets; and

collecting said mail from said delivery outlet.

2. A method for delivering mail across a pre-existing distribution network, the preexisting distribution network having a plurality of outlets for selling goods, the method comprising:

providing a carrier container having a unique indicia code thereon;

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the online registration includes recording recipient contact information together with the carrier container code, the method further comprising sending a receipt code to the recipient and releasing the carrier container containing the item of mail for collection upon presentation of the receipt code.

4. A method as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the carrier container is devoid of information identifying the recipient.

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, including providing an automated holding device at the first outlet adapted to receive the carrier container containing the item of mail upon scanning or otherwise inputting the carrier container code.

6. A method as claimed in any claim 3, including providing an automated holding device at the second outlet adapted to release the carrier container containing the item of mail upon scanning or otherwise inputting the receipt code.

7. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, including transporting the carrier container containing the item of mail from the first outlet and to the second outlet by means of goods transport for the pre-existing distribution network.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the pre-existing distribution network comprises a plurality of retail outlets.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the pre-existing distribution network comprises a plurality of supermarkets or grocery stores.

10. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9 including providing mail transfer facilities at the network distribution centres, whereby the carrier container is despatched to a distribution centre servicing the second said outlet as determined by the carrier container code.

11. A system for delivering mail, comprising:

a pre-existing distribution network, the pre-existing distribution network having a plurality of outlets for selling goods and a plurality of depots for storing goods and one or more transport means for delivering goods from said depot to said outlets;

a plurality of uniquely coded containers for carrying said mail;

a holding device provided at a plurality of the outlets for receiving said containers for delivery by said system and for collecting said containers delivered by said system; wherein the containers are delivered between said outlets by said transport means as the transport means deliver goods from said depot to said outlets.

12. A system as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein each holding device is in communication with said electronic database, and wherein each holding device is provided with a scanning means for inputting the unique codes of said containers for communication to said electronic database.

13. A system as claimed in claim 12, wherein each holding device is automated to receive a said container upon input of the unique code thereof, and to release a said container for collection upon input of a receipt code associated in the electronic database with the unique code of the container.

14. A system as claimed in claim 13 wherein the containers are devoid of information identifying the intended recipients of said mail.

15. A system as claimed in claim 14 communication means for issuing messages to the intended recipients of said mail with receipt codes associated with the corresponding container codes.

16. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 1 to 15, wherein the plurality of outlets comprises a plurality of supermarkets or grocery stores.

17. A system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16 including scanning means at each said depot for inputting the unique codes of containers thereat and communicating said unique codes to the electronic database for the purposes of routing and tracking the containers.

18. A system for anonymous delivery of purchased goods, comprising:

a system for delivering mail as claimed in any one of claims 1 1 to 17; and a recipient registration system for registering recipient details in said electronic database against an alias and delivery outlet.

19. A computer apparatus adapted to facilitate routing and delivery of mail, said apparatus comprising:

processor means adapted to operate in accordance with a predetermined instruction set,

said apparatus, in conjunction with said instruction set, being adapted to perform one or a combination of the method steps as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10.

19. A computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code and computer readable system code embodied on said medium to facilitate registration, routing, tracking and/or delivery of mail within a system for delivering mail as claimed in any one of claims 1 1 to 18, said computer program product comprising:

computer readable code within said computer usable medium for performing one or a combination of the method steps as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10.

20. A method, protocol or process as herein described.

21. A system, apparatus, device or component as herein described.