WO2002084564A1 - Procede et systeme de distribution de manifeste - Google Patents

Procede et systeme de distribution de manifeste Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002084564A1
WO2002084564A1 PCT/US2002/011593 US0211593W WO02084564A1 WO 2002084564 A1 WO2002084564 A1 WO 2002084564A1 US 0211593 W US0211593 W US 0211593W WO 02084564 A1 WO02084564 A1 WO 02084564A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
delivery
mail piece
mail
manifest
determining
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2002/011593
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Peter Furka
Original Assignee
United States Postal Service
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by United States Postal Service filed Critical United States Postal Service
Priority to US10/474,724 priority Critical patent/US20040133528A1/en
Publication of WO2002084564A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002084564A1/fr
Priority to US12/104,237 priority patent/US7996333B2/en
Priority to US13/177,362 priority patent/US8676595B2/en
Priority to US14/163,410 priority patent/US20140143170A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to delivery of mail pieces, and more specifically, to methods and systems for determining where to most cost-effectively introduce a mail piece in a delivery system.
  • Today's systems for handling and delivering mail pieces are highly complex.
  • mail pieces may be input into a delivery system at any number of locations.
  • the mail pieces may be input at a delivery office, such as a post office close to the mailer, or a delivery office close to the receiver of the mail piece.
  • the mail pieces may be addressed to a plurality of receivers, including receivers both near and far from the mailer.
  • mail pieces introduced into a delivery system are delivered via inefficient routes and services which thereby may incur additional costs.
  • One type of delivery service for mail pieces in a delivery system is bulk mailing.
  • Bulk delivery involves consolidating a group of mail pieces together so that they may be input into a delivery system together.
  • inefficiencies in delivery systems can compound into exorbitant and unnecessary charges for the mailer.
  • mail consolidators provide a type of bulk delivery.
  • Mail consolidators are entities which take mail pieces from a plurality of sources and combine the mail pieces to obtain the best delivery rates of the delivery system, such as bulk delivery discount rates. With such a great number of mail pieces, mail consolidators must find the most cost-efficient ways of utilizing a delivery system.
  • USPS United States Postal Service
  • the mail consolidators must choose where in the delivery stream of the delivery system to introduce a consolidated group of mail pieces, wherein such placement in the delivery stream will determine the rates that will be charged.
  • USPS United States Postal Service
  • Manifest delivery is a mail piece processing method and system which may be utilized with bulk delivery.
  • Manifest delivery allows a mailer to document delivery costs and fees for all mail pieces in a mailing, such as a bulk delivery, via imprinted indicia, such as, for example, with a bar code.
  • imprinted indicia such as, for example, with a bar code.
  • Each mail piece in the mailing is assigned a unique identification number that may be compared with a manifest which contains the unique identification number.
  • the unique identification number is then coded into an indicia and imprinted on the corresponding mail piece.
  • the imprinted indicia may also contain other information, such as, for example, delivery fee due.
  • using the imprinted indicia eliminates the need to affix postage.
  • Manifests and indicia may be used to track domestic or international deliveries, as well as fees for special services.
  • Mailers may present manifest documentation to the delivery system office in hard copy or in an electronic format, such as, for example, on a diskette or via an e-mail.
  • a mailer may introduce mail pieces at a number of different places in a delivery stream of the delivery system to obtain the benefit of a number of different rate classifications for the delivery.
  • a delivery stream comprises the entire route a mail piece travels from the mailer to its destination.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a conventional delivery system 100 and the flow of mail pieces in this system.
  • a consolidator or other mailer 110 may introduce a group of mail pieces at a number of different delivery system offices.
  • Mailer 110 may introduce the group of mail pieces at a destination bulk delivery center (DBMC) 120, which represents the least finely sorted mail and the smallest postage savings compared to normal first class mailing.
  • DBMC destination bulk delivery center
  • a manifest accompanying this group of mail pieces to DBMC 120 would include information about all the mail pieces in the group.
  • Other options for introducing the group of mail pieces include destination sectional center facilities (DSCF) 130, wherein mail is sorted to an intermediate level farther in the delivery stream, providing an intermediate level of postage savings.
  • DSCF destination sectional center facilities
  • the farthest location downstream in which the group of mail pieces can be introduced are destination delivery units (DDU) 140 which would be closest to the destination and where a mailer 110 would realize the greatest postage savings.
  • DDU destination delivery units
  • a mailer's use of DBMC 120, DSCF 130, and DDU 140 are governed by a multitude of rules. These rules govern, for example, required minimum numbers of mail pieces and the method of presenting the mail pieces, such as palletization of mail pieces. Often, mailers and/or consolidators are unaware of how and when to make critical decisions which will lead to the most cost effective mailing of their mail pieces.
  • a method of determining efficient routing of a mail piece in a delivery system for delivering mail pieces comprising determining whether or not the mail piece requires urgent delivery, determining a weight of the mail piece, and determining, based on the urgency determination and the weight determination, a most cost-effective place in which to introduce the mail piece into the delivery system.
  • Figure 1 is a diagram of a conventional delivery system and flow of mail in the delivery system
  • FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a mail piece processing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram of a mail piece processing system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is an illustration of an exemplary mail piece manifest according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 5 is another illustration of an exemplary mail piece manifest according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is yet another illustration of an exemplary mail piece manifest according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • One embodiment consistent with the present invention recognizes the growing business of logistics management, whereby the connection between two business entities, a mailer and a mail piece consolidator, are closely managed by a process that ensures that the least costs are incurred by both entities.
  • This approach attempts to provide a method to minimize costs among many different mailers and mail piece consolidators when they deal with large volumes of individualized mail pieces.
  • FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a mail piece processing method according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • the process begins at stage 200 with a mail consolidator receiving a plurality of inbound mail pieces.
  • a determination is made whether delivery speed or economy is more important for delivering inbound mail pieces. For example, if a mail piece is a time sensitive bill or a check, speed may be more critical than economy. But, if the mail piece is non-time sensitive mail, such as, for example, a letter or catalog, economy may be more critical.
  • Stage 204 comprises determining the weight of the mail piece.
  • the weight of the mail piece is compared to a predetermined weight which relates to the type of service available.
  • the predetermined weight will determine if a priority or regular service may be available for the mail piece. If the mail piece weighs more than the predetermined weight, the mail piece is flagged for priority service (stage 206). If the mail piece weighs less than the predetermined weight, the mail piece is flagged for standard service (stage 208).
  • priority mail is used.
  • first-class mail is used.
  • stage 210 it is determined whether the mail piece weighs more than a second predetermined weight. As in the case where delivery speed is more important, the second predetermined weight relates to the type of service available. The second predetermined weight determines if a package service or standard service may be available for the mail piece. If the mail piece weighs more than the second predetermined weight, the mail piece is flagged for package services (stage 212). If the mail piece weighs less than the second predetermined weight, the mail piece is flagged for standard service (stage 214).
  • stage 212 For example, if the USPS is the delivery system and the mail piece weighs more than 16 ounces, package services is used, in stage 212. When the mail piece does not weigh more than 16 ounces in this exemplary case, standard services is used in stage 214.
  • mail pieces are sorted (stage 216). For example, inbound mail pieces may be sorted into different groupings, such as sacks of mail pieces, trays of mail pieces, or pallets of mail pieces. Moreover, sorting mail stage 216 may comprise sorting the mail pieces based on their zip code or other destination indicator, or based on size to preclude safety issues arising regarding weight or cubic volume.
  • stage 218 it is determined where in the delivery stream of the delivery system to introduce inbound mail pieces. This determination is based, in part, on the results of sorting stage 216. Again, those mail pieces introduced farther in the delivery stream will generally receive the greatest savings in delivery charges, since less mail piece processing is required by the delivery service. Those mail pieces introduced earlier in the delivery stream will receive less postage savings due to greater mail piece processing.
  • the determination made at stage 218 may also be affected by a total number of mail pieces. For example, savings may be attained by consolidating more than one mail piece in a single mass delivery.
  • an identifying indicia is affixed on all mail pieces at stage 220.
  • methods of affixing indicia may include, for example, manual placement, automatic pressure placement, and blow-on placement.
  • the identifying indicia may comprise, for example, information relating to mail piece sorting stage 216, determining stage 218, or, more simply, which delivery service is being used.
  • a single manifest is created (stage 222).
  • This single manifest may comprise all data relating to the shipment of inbound mail pieces, such as delivery service, location of mail input, and delivery charges.
  • stage 222 Once the manifest is created as shown in stage 222, inbound mail pieces are presented to the delivery service, which will be carrying the mail pieces (stage 224). In stage 226, based on the single manifest, payments are presented to the delivery service.
  • the determining stage 218 may be tempered by classification eligibility. Based on, for example, content sensitivity, processing category, or sorting capability, a mail piece may not be eligible for certain mailing services.
  • Mail pieces which are content sensitive include, for example, First-Class mail under delivery monopoly, such as personal correspondence, bills, or statements of account.
  • Processing categories apply to materials that have an odd shape, such as, for example, an irregular parcel, a roll or a tube, a root or a plant scion, or a mail piece not otherwise capable of mechanical processing (as opposed to a letter, flat, or machinable parcel).
  • Mail pieces in processing categories often require more complicated management compared to mail pieces that can be mechanically processed.
  • sorting capability involves the ability of a mail piece to be mixed with other items for sorting. For example, due to likely damage to itself, other parcels, or mechanical equipment, mail pieces comprising dense matter (such as, for example, a bowling ball or a shot put) or extremely fragile material, may not be sortable.
  • dense matter such as, for example, a bowling ball or a shot put
  • extremely fragile material may not be sortable.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram of a mail piece processing system 300 for performing the mail piece processing method illustrated above in Figure 2.
  • System 300 comprises a system control unit 310, an imaging unit 320, a scale 330, a mail piece sorter 340, and an identification indicia affixing unit 350.
  • System control unit 310 serves to control different components of mail processing system 300. System control unit 310 also performs the various determinations of the mail processing method and creates the manifest for the mail pieces.
  • System control unit 310 comprises a computer unit 312, an input device 314, a monitor 316, and a printer 318.
  • Computer unit 312 may contain standard components for inputting, outputting, manipulating, and storing data.
  • the computer unit may comprise a central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), video card, sound card, magnetic storage devices, optical storage devices, input/output (I/O) terminals, and a network interface card (NIC) (all not shown).
  • Computer unit 312 may be connected to printer 318 through the I/O terminals. Examples of the I/O terminals to which printer 318 may be connected are parallel, serial, universal serial bus, and IEEE 1394.
  • input device 314 may be connected to computer unit 312 though the I/O terminals.
  • monitor 316 may be connected to computer unit 312 through the video card.
  • Computer unit 312 may also be connected to other computer units and control systems through a network (not shown) via the NIC.
  • the network may be a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet, or wireless network.
  • LAN local area network
  • WAN wide area network
  • Computer unit 312 is configured to receive information describing the mail pieces, such as type and weight, determine a delivery system stream entry point, and generate a mail piece manifest.
  • the processes may be configured in the form of a process created using various programming languages or software suites.
  • delivery system stream entry point determination and manifest generation processes may be a program written in the JavaTM programming language, hypertext markup language, spreadsheet platform, or C programming language.
  • Imaging unit 320 for example, a digital scanner or digital optical character recognition (OCR) camera, is connected to computer unit 312 through one of the I/O terminals. Imaging unit 320 is used to scan the inbound mail and capture an image of the mail piece. The image of the mail piece may be transferred from scanning unit 320 to computer unit 312 via the I/O terminals. Computer unit 312 can determine the type of mail piece by comparing the image with sample images stored on computer unit 312. Once the type of the mail piece is determined, the decision to prioritize the speed or economy, in stage 202, can be made. For example, the mailer of the mail piece is determined, such as an utility company, and then a determination of the type of processing is made for that particular mailer.
  • OCR digital optical character recognition
  • imaging unit 320 may be removed and a human operator may view each mail piece and determine if speed or economy processing is necessary.
  • Scale 330 is connected to computer unit 312 through the I/O terminals.
  • the mail pieces are placed on scale 330 in order to determine the weight of the mail piece (stage 204, 210). Once the weight is determined, the weight is transferred from weight unit 330 to computer unit 312 via the I/O terminals.
  • a human operator may observe the weight of each mail piece on scale 330 and input the weight of each mail piece in computer unit 312 via input device 314.
  • Sorting unit 340 is an automatic sorting machine. Sorting unit 340 may be connected to computer unit 312 through the I/O terminals. Sorting unit 430 sorts into different bins, such as bags or carts, based on information transferred from computer unit 312. Alternately, sorting unit 340 may be a human operator manually sorting mail pieces into different bins.
  • the delivery system stream for the mail pieces is determined. The determination is achieved by determining the delivery charges for the mail pieces for various delivery system streams. For example, a database containing the delivery rates for mail pieces based on weight and delivery system stream entry point may be stored on a storage device in computer unit 312. For each mail piece, computer unit 312 determines the delivery charge of each mail piece or a group of mail pieces for different delivery system stream entry points. Then, the best delivery system stream entry point is determined by comparing the different delivery charges for the different entry points.
  • Identification indicia affixing unit 350 is connected to computer unit 312 through the I/O terminals.
  • identification indicia affixing unit 350 may affix a indicia by manual placement, automatic pressure placement, or blow-on placement.
  • a mail piece is fed to identification indicia affixing unit 350 whereby a identification indicia is affixed to each mail piece.
  • the identification indicia uniquely identifies a mail piece and may include other information, such as delivery charge.
  • the manifest may be in hard copy output from printer 318 or in an electronic format, such as on a diskette or via an e-mail.
  • the manifest may contain such information as, for example, delivery charge, delivery method, mail piece type, etc.
  • FIG 3 the different units are illustrated as separate units.
  • a standard mail sorting machine such as those utilized by the USPS, may be adapted by adding a imaging unit, scale, and indicia affixing unit to perform the mail piece processing method illustrated in Figure 2.
  • Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary mail piece manifest for use in a delivery system of the USPS.
  • This manifest incorporates all factors relating to a mailer's request for service and any and all standards, regulations, or volume requirements that exist for a given flow of material. Choice of delivery service or classification may be improved by automating these standards, regulations, or volume requirements in an electronic manifest. Savings and benefits versus other choices of services may be garnered.
  • a single manifest may be used for each mail type determined at stage 202 of Figure 2. Thus, for example, a single manifest may be used for those mail pieces for which economy is most important. Optionally, the manifest may be divided into separate economy and speed manifests.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an example of such an economy manifest 400 arranged in columns and rows.
  • Each row entry 402 comprises a complete record for a single mail piece, each piece being identified by a mail piece identifier 404.
  • a destination level column 406 identifies a type of bulk delivery, such as mail pieces on pallets, in trays, or in sacks.
  • a destination zip code column 408 identifies a delivery zip code and, based on pre-sorting, a level of entry into the postal system.
  • mail pieces which are delivered to a DDU will be represented by a 5-digit zip code in column entry 408, while those mail pieces being delivered to a DBMC will be represented by the first 3 digits of a zip code.
  • Actual weight column 410 represents the actual weight of each mail piece, here shown, for example, in pounds.
  • Standard services weight column 412 represents the weight of each package designated for standard services.
  • Mail pieces under 16 ounces, here classified as, for example, standard service have a different rate structure based on whether the mail piece weighs more or less than a prespecified weight. For example, mail pieces weighing less than four ounces could be eligible for the same rate of 25 cents.
  • the postage for mail pieces exceeding four ounces may be based on actual weight as a portion of a pound. For example, if the standard service delivery rate is one dollar per pound, postage for an eight ounce mail piece would be 50 cents. Moreover, those mail pieces exceeding 16 ounces may be displayed on the manifest in partial pound increments to illustrate actual weight, but such mail pieces may be charged postage at the next highest full- pound weight. Thus, for example, a mail piece weighing 3.05 pounds is payable at the 4-pound rate.
  • Zone indicator column 414 represents a code for a distance between a mailer office and a receiver office.
  • Table 1 contains exemplary zone indicators are presented below for the USPS mail system:
  • a delivery rate code column 416 indicates a type of delivery service being used.
  • Table 2 contains exemplary delivery rate codes for the USPS delivery system are presented below:
  • Delivery confirmation indicator column 418 is a binary indicator representing whether or not a delivery confirmation service is required for a mail piece.
  • bar code indicator column 420 is a binary indicator representing whether or not a mail piece would receive a discounted rate by including a bar code.
  • Postage indicator column 422 represents the calculated postage for a given mail piece. Calculation of the postage may be based on one or more indicators 410, 412, 414, 416, 418, and 420.
  • a cumulative postage column 424 represents a running postage charge for all mail pieces in listed economy manifest 400.
  • Economy manifest 400 may be used by a delivery system to track packages through the delivery system.
  • Economy manifest 400 may also be used to track total postage charges for a delivery.
  • Figure 4 facilitates decision making as to where mail pieces should be introduced in the delivery stream. The decision to introduce mail pieces earlier in the delivery stream, with its attendant higher delivery costs, is balanced with the transportation and other costs associated with a choice to deliver the mail pieces farther along in the delivery system stream.
  • An exemplary economy manifest 400 would be automated to include calculation functions and logic to ensure that all requirements for various delivery classifications would be met.
  • Figures 5 and 6 show how these exemplary mail manifests could be used to compare costs between two different sets of decisions on where to introduce mail in a USPS delivery system.
  • Figure 5 shows a delivery where all mail pieces (e.g., those on a pallet, in sack #1, and in sack #2) are introduced at the DBMC.
  • the postage total for mail pieces sent in this way would be $37.5968.
  • Figure 6 shows a delivery where some mail pieces are introduced at the DBMC (including those on a pallet), while others are introduced at the DDU level (including those in sack #1 and sack #2).
  • the postage as calculated in cell J47 of Figure 6, would be $35.0627.
  • a mailer may similarly use these exemplary mail piece manifests to determine a most cost-effective way to introduce mail pieces in a delivery system stream. Moreover, a mailer may run alternative scenarios considering many different entry points for mail pieces in order to obtain an optimum cost for a mailing.

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Abstract

L'invention porte sur un procédé et un système de détermination de l'acheminement efficace d'un courrier dans un système de distribution. Le système détermine si le courrier nécessite ou non une distribution urgente (202) et détermine le poids du courrier (204). Sur la base de la détermination urgente (202) et de la détermination du poids (204), le système détermine également l'endroit le plus efficace en termes de coût où introduire le courrier dans le système de distribution (218).
PCT/US2002/011593 2001-04-13 2002-04-15 Procede et systeme de distribution de manifeste WO2002084564A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/474,724 US20040133528A1 (en) 2002-04-15 2002-04-15 Manifest delivery system and method
US12/104,237 US7996333B2 (en) 2001-04-13 2008-04-16 Manifest delivery system and method
US13/177,362 US8676595B2 (en) 2001-04-13 2011-07-06 Manifest delivery system and method
US14/163,410 US20140143170A1 (en) 2001-04-13 2014-01-24 Manifest delivery system and method

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US28335601P 2001-04-13 2001-04-13
US60/283,356 2001-04-13

Related Child Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10474724 A-371-Of-International 2002-04-15
US10/474,724 A-371-Of-International US20040133528A1 (en) 2001-04-13 2002-04-15 Manifest delivery system and method
US12/104,237 Continuation US7996333B2 (en) 2001-04-13 2008-04-16 Manifest delivery system and method

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002084564A1 true WO2002084564A1 (fr) 2002-10-24

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2002/011593 WO2002084564A1 (fr) 2001-04-13 2002-04-15 Procede et systeme de distribution de manifeste

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WO (1) WO2002084564A1 (fr)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3711083A (en) * 1971-03-03 1973-01-16 R Cantrell Newspaper inserting machine
US4122006A (en) * 1977-09-28 1978-10-24 Black Clawson, Inc. Screening apparatus
US5009276A (en) * 1990-01-16 1991-04-23 Pitney Bowes Inc. Electronic postal scale with multilingual operator prompts and report headings
US5293319A (en) * 1990-12-24 1994-03-08 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postage meter system
US5315094A (en) * 1991-09-23 1994-05-24 R. R. Donnelley & Sons Co. Automated receiving station for inventorying stock items
US5452654A (en) * 1993-07-13 1995-09-26 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postage metering system with short paid mail deterrence
US6153835A (en) * 1993-10-14 2000-11-28 Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems, Inc. System and method for an electronic postage scale with variable function keys and window screens
US6321814B1 (en) * 1994-08-08 2001-11-27 Neato, Llc Disk labeling devices
US5729741A (en) * 1995-04-10 1998-03-17 Golden Enterprises, Inc. System for storage and retrieval of diverse types of information obtained from different media sources which includes video, audio, and text transcriptions
US5790633A (en) * 1995-07-25 1998-08-04 Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. System for proactively maintaining telephone network facilities in a public switched telephone network
US5694526A (en) * 1996-04-10 1997-12-02 Micro General Corporation Postage meter having a dot matrix printer
US6310957B1 (en) * 1996-12-23 2001-10-30 At&T Corp. Method and apparatus for interdicting cable television channels
US5971587A (en) * 1997-08-01 1999-10-26 Kato; Kiroku Package and mail delivery system
US6215859B1 (en) * 1997-10-02 2001-04-10 At&T Corp. Delivery of urgent messages by integrated forced delivery and voice mailbox
US6268032B1 (en) * 1997-10-03 2001-07-31 3M Innovative Properties Company Repositionable note sheets and method of formation thereof
US6363076B1 (en) * 1998-01-27 2002-03-26 International Business Machines Corporation Phantom buffer for interfacing between buses of differing speeds
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