System and method for tracking of mail using a universal coding system

1. A method of tracking a tray of items, comprising:

generating, via a processor, data for an enhanced label;

the enhanced label data comprising a routing code and a label unique identifier, wherein; and

the enhanced label being unique within a predetermined time period so that additional labels generated within the predetermined time period are distinguishable from the enhanced label;

printing, via a printer, the enhanced label;

applying the enhanced label to the tray, the tray being uniquely identified by a combination of the routing code and the label unique identifier;

receiving load container data generated by a scanner, the load container data associating a container unique identifier of a container with the enhanced label; and

associating, in a database via a processor, the tray with the container.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving load vehicle data generated by a scanner, the load vehicle data associating the container unique identifier with a vehicle identifier and a load time.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving unload vehicle data generated by a scanner, the unload vehicle data associating the container unique identifier with a vehicle identifier and an unload time.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving unload container data generated by a scanner, the unload container data associating the container unique identifier with an unload container time.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the label unique identifier comprises at least one of a machine identifier, a label source, a holdout identifier, a serial number, or a label type.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the routing code comprises at least one of a destination code, a content identifier number, a DOD code, or an MPC code.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the label unique identifier comprises a label type, the label type comprising a constant field, a key field, and a variable field.

8. A system for tracking a tray of items, comprising:

a memory;

a database;

a processor coupled to the memory and the database, the processor configured to:

generate data for an enhanced label for affixing to the tray;

the enhanced label data comprising a routing code and a label unique identifier;

the enhanced label being unique within a predetermined time period so that additional labels generated within the predetermined time period are distinguishable from the enhanced label; and

the tray being uniquely identified by a combination of the routing code and the label unique identifier;

receive load container data, the load container data including the label unique identifier, the routing code, and a container unique identifier of a container; and

associate the label unique identifier and the routing code with the container unique identifier.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive load vehicle data, the load vehicle data associating the container unique identifier with a vehicle identifier and a load time.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive unload vehicle data, the unload vehicle data associating the container unique identifier with a vehicle identifier and an unload time.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive unload container data, the unload container data associating the container unique identifier with an unload container time.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the label unique identifier comprises at least one of a machine identifier, a label source, a holdout identifier, a printer port identifier, a serial number, or a label type.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the routing code comprises at least one of a destination code, a content identifier number, a DOD code, or an MPC code.

14. The system of claim 8 , wherein the label unique identifier comprises a label type, the label type comprising a constant field, a key field, and a variable field.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium on which is stored a set of instructions for tracking a tray of items, which when executed perform stages comprising:

generating data for an enhanced label for affixing to the tray;

the enhanced label data comprising a routing code and a label unique identifier;

the enhanced label being unique within a predetermined time period so that additional labels generated within the predetermined time period are distinguishable from the enhanced label; and

the tray being uniquely identified by a combination of the routing code and the label unique identifier;

receiving load container data, the load container data including the label unique identifier, the routing code, and a container unique identifier of a container; and

associating the label unique identifier and the routing code with the container unique identifier.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15 , further comprising instructions for receiving load vehicle data, the load vehicle data associating the container unique identifier with a vehicle identifier and a load time.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 15 , further comprising instructions for receiving unload vehicle data, the unload vehicle data associating the container unique identifier with a vehicle identifier and an unload time.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 15 , further comprising instructions for receiving unload container data, the unload container data associating the container unique identifier with an unload container time.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the label unique identifier comprises at least one of a machine identifier, a label source, a holdout identifier, a printer port identifier, a serial number, or a label type.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the routing code comprises at least one of a destination code, a content identifier number, a DOD code, or an MPC code.