Mailing label having a signature section and method of using same
A mailing label includes an informational surface with a barcode section and a signature section. The mailing label can include an adhesive surface that is opposite of the informational surface. The signature section, being co-located on the same informational surface as the barcode section, can be simultaneously scannable with the barcode section by a single, portable scanning device. The mailing label can also include a special service descriptor section and an address section on the informational surface.
1 - 13 . (canceled)
14 . A method of providing a tracking service and signature security service for a mailed item, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a mailing label having an informational surface with an indicia section and a signature section, the mailing label being attachable to the mailed item;
obtaining a signature from a recipient of the mailed item within the signature section; and
scanning both the indicia section and the signature section with a single, portable data collection device.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the indicia section and the signature section are scanned in a single pass.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the mailing label includes an adhesive surface on a side opposite of the informational surface for attaching the mailing label to the mailed item.
17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the indicia section includes a barcode, the barcode being selected from a one-dimensional barcode and a two-dimensional barcode.
18 . The mailing label of claim 17 , wherein the barcode is linked to information related to at least one item selected from a set of items, the set of items including a sender's name, a sender's address, a recipient's name, a recipient's address, a date of mailing, a time of mailing, a mailing facility, a weight of the mailed item, a tracking status, and a type of mailing service.
19 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the indicia section includes an alphanumeric code.
20 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the signature section includes an instructional phrase.
21 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the informational surface further includes an address section.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the address section includes at least one item selected from a set of items, the set of items including a recipient's name and a recipient's address.
23 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the informational surface further includes a service descriptor section indicative of a special mailing service.
24 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of scanning includes capturing a single image of at least the indicia section and the signature section.
25 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the single, portable data collection device is capable of:
reading identifying information from the indicia section;
digitally imaging the signature section; and
associating the digitally imaged signature section with the identifying information.
26 - 30 . (canceled)