System and methods for mail security
A method of securing the mails is described. Using a mail information retrieval system and a the use of data-rich, machine readable barcodes to make each mailing piece unique by including data that ‘lives’ with the mail piece or package allows mail to become traceable. Since traceable mail is less likely to become tainted, resources may be focused on mail that is not traceable.
1. A method of sending a package, comprising:
scanning a two-dimensional bar code that is associated with the package and presented by an intended receiver of the package, wherein the two-dimensional bar code is electronically transmitted to the intended receiver of the package and the two-dimensional bar code is encoded with previously provided biometric information of the intended receiver;
decoding the two-dimensional bar code to obtain the receiver's previously provided biometric information;
receiving current biometric information from the receiver and comparing the current biometric information to the previously provided biometric information; and
providing the package to the receiver if the receiver's current biometric information is equivalent to the receiver's previously provided biometric information.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiver's previously provided biometric information and the receiver's current biometric information include data related to at least one of the receiver's fingerprint, the receiver's handprint, the receiver's voice print, the receiver's facial features, and the receiver's signature.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein receiving the receiver's current biometric information is accomplished by:
affixing the receiver's signature to a signature bar code; and scanning the signature bar code.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the two-dimensional bar code utilizes the PDF 417 symbology.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the two-dimensional bar code is scanned using a portable scanner.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein scanning the two-dimensional bar code further comprises:
scanning a printed copy of the electronically transmitted two-dimensional bar code.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the printed copy of the two-dimensional bar code includes a receipt electronically transmitted to the user to confirm arrival of the package at its intended destination.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
scanning a second two-dimensional bar code that has been associated with the package, wherein the second two-dimensional bar code is a digital stamp applied to the package and encoded with sender information.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the sender information includes at least one of a credit card account number, sender biometric data, destination address, sender address, sender name, digital signature, and meter information.
10. An apparatus for delivering goods, comprising:
a notification unit for notifying a user electronically that a package has arrived at a predetermined location;
a scanner for scanning a two-dimensional bar code that is associated with the package, wherein the two-dimensional bar code is electronically transmitted to an intended receiver of the package and encodes previously provided biometric information relating to the user's identification;
a decoder for decoding the user's previously provided biometric information from the two-dimensional bar code;
a collector for collecting the user's current biometric information;
a comparator for comparing the user's current biometric information and the previously provided biometric information, the package being provided to the user when the user's current biometric information matches the previously provided biometric information.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the notifier operates via at least one of a cell phone, a PDA, and a two-way pager.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising:
a presenting unit for presenting the package for visual inspection by the user prior to providing the package to the user.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the user's previously provided biometric information and the user's current biometric information include data related to at least one of the user's fingerprint, the user's handprint, the user's voiceprint, the user's facial features, and the user's signature.
14. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the two-dimensional bar code utilizes the PDF 417 symbology.
15. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the scanner is a portable scanner.
16. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the scanner is operable for scanning a printed copy of the two-dimensional bar code.
17. The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a provider for providing the package to the user.
18. A method of delivering identification data to a user of a package delivery system, comprising:
receiving biometric information and recipient information from a user; and
encoding the biometric information into a two-dimensional bar code, the two-dimensional bar code capable of being electronically transmitted and decoded to recover at least the user's received biometric information;
receiving a notification that the user has ordered a package; and
in response to the notification, electronically transmitting the two-dimensional bar code to the user.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the notification that the user has ordered a package is received via the Internet.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the received biometric information includes data related to at least one of the user's facial features, the user's voiceprint, the user's fingerprint, the user's signature, and the user's handprint.
21. The method as in claim 18 , further comprising:
notifying the user electronically that the package has arrived at a location that corresponds with the recipient information, wherein the notification includes the two-dimensional bar code encoding the user's received biometric information.
22. The method of claim 18 , wherein receiving data from the user includes receiving data via the Internet.