System and method for sending electronic mail and parcel delivery notification using recipient's identification information
View Patent ↗The present invention is a system and method for routing e-mails based on the recipient's physical address. The system includes an e-mail server that contains a database that maps physical addresses to e-mail addresses of users. The e-mail server is connected to a network such as the global Internet. The e-mail server includes an electronic mailbox for each physical address in the database. The system also includes a receiving host that is used to connect to the e-mail server via the Internet to enable a recipient user to check e-mail. The e-mail server runs an authoritative process by which user login and password information is checked to assure a secure system. The system also has a parcel delivery notification feature that allows a buyer expecting a parcel to receive delivery status information regarding the particular parcel being shipped to the buyer.
1. A system for routing e-mails, comprising:
a server that includes a database, said database including a mapping from a physical mailing address to an e-mail address, wherein said server including means for mapping a physical mailing address to an address of an electronic mailbox upon receipt of an e-mail from a party, said server is connected to a network, said server further including an electronic mailbox for each physical mailing address, wherein said electronic mailbox is associated with an account number and password; and
a recipient host that includes a web browser, said recipient host connected to said network, wherein said host can access said electronic mailbox on said server using said account number and said password.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said server provides means for allowing said recipient to request that said e-mail be printed and forwarded via traditional mail using the physical mailing address.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein
said server provides a graphical user interface that allows a recipient to select whether electronic mail is delivered to said electronic mailbox or is delivered via traditional mail.
4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising
a mailer host that includes a web browser, said mailer host connected to said network, wherein said mailer host includes a graphical user interface that allows said server to forward an e-mail to said recipient using said physical mailing address.
5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising
an interface that allows a party to send an e-mail using a physical mailing address, said interface providing means for correcting said physical mailing address.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein said e-mail can be tagged as time sensitive by said party.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein,
said e-mail address comprises a traditional e-mail address.
8. A method for routing e-mail, comprising the following steps:
allowing a user to specify a physical mailing address of a recipient to whom the e-mail is to be sent; and
performing a mapping function on a server, said mapping function mapping said physical mailing address of said recipient to an e-mail address of said recipient.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising the step of
allowing said recipient to choose between receiving a physical mailpiece and an e-mail, wherein if said recipient chooses to receive e-mail, then storing the e-mail in an electronic mailbox for said recipient; and wherein if said recipient chooses to receive physical mail, then routing the e-mail to a printer where the e-mail is printed and delivered via traditional mail delivery means.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:
associating said e-mail with one of a plurality of classes via an E-designator tag; and
specifying said classes for which said recipient desires to receive a physical mailpiece and said classes for which said recipient desires to receive e-mail.
11. The method of claim 8 , further comprising
storing the e-mail in an electronic mailbox, wherein said electronic mailbox is associated with said recipient.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising
allowing said recipient to access said electronic mailbox using an account number and password.
13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising
requiring said recipient to enter biometric data to access said electronic mailbox.
14. The method of claim 8 , further comprising
printing the e-mail and mailing it to said recipient via traditional mail delivery means.
15. The method of claim 8 , further comprising
allowing said user to associate the e-mail with a class of service selected from a plurality of classes.
16. The method of claim 8 , wherein,
said e-mail address comprises a traditional e-mail address.
17. A method for routing e-mail, comprising the following steps:
receiving an e-mail addressed using a physical address of a recipient, wherein said e-mail has a designator tag that associates said e-mail with one or a plurality of classes of service;
performing a mapping function on a server upon receipt of said e-mail, said mapping function mapping said physical address of said recipient to an e-mail address of said recipient;
specifying said classes for which said recipient desires to receive a physical mailpiece and said classes for which said recipient desires to receive an actual copy of the e-mail in a mail control file;
storing the e-mail in an electronic mailbox of said recipient; and
if said recipient chooses to receive physical mail, then routing the e-mail to a printer where the e-mail is printed, delivering the e-mail via traditional mail delivery means, and electronically notifying said recipient and sender that a physical copy of the e-mail was sent to said recipient.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein, said e-mail address comprises a traditional e-mail address.
19. A system for routing e-mails, comprising:
a server that includes a database, said database including a mapping from a physical mailing address to an e-mail address, wherein said server is connected to a network, said server further including an electronic mailbox for each physical mailing address, wherein
said electronic mailbox is associated with an account number and password, wherein
said server includes a mail control file containing E-designators, said E-designators representing classes of service; and
a recipient host, said host being able to access e-mails on said server using said account number and said password.
20. A method for parcel delivery notification, comprising the following steps:
(a) receiving an electronic order for a parcel;
(b) generating a parcel barcode;
(c) scanning a parcel barcode;
(d) sending an e-mail to a buyer who placed said electronic order by e-mail, wherein a physical mailing address of said buyer is used to send said e-mail, said step (d) occurring upon executing said scanning step (c);
(e) shipping the parcel to a parcel delivery center;
(f) scanning the parcel barcode at said parcel delivery center; and
(g) electronically notifying said buyer who placed said electronic order by e-mail, wherein said physical mailing address of said buyer is used to send said e-mail, said step (g) occurring upon executing said step (f).