Method and system for notifying mail users of mail piece contamination
AssigneePitney Bowes Inc.
InventorsRobert A. Cordery, Karin A. Russo, Ronald P. Sansone
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and system for notifying users of a mail system that a mail piece has been quarantined is provided. A plurality of incoming mail mailboxes each include a sampler to sample air from a letter that is tested using a first sensor. Source information corresponding to hazard flagged mail pieces and other quarantined mail is utilized to notify the affected users of the mail system.
Claims8
A system of incoming mail receptacles for detecting hazards in a mail piece and notifying users including senders and recipients having quarantined mail comprising:
- a plurality of incoming mail receptacles each including a hazard detector for triggering a mail piece quarantine system for the mailbox, an image scanner for scanning the face of a mail piece, a communications system, and a scan detection system for providing source and recipient information for quarantined mail pieces;
- a server connected to the plurality of incoming mail receptacles for receiving scan detection data and determining a notification method and for communicating the notification to the sender and the recipient.
A method for communicating a quarantine condition to users including senders and recipients of a mail system having a plurality of incoming mail receptacles with hazard detection systems connected to a central server comprising:
- detecting the presence of a mail piece;
- detecting sender and recipient information from a mail piece;
- testing the mail piece for hazards;
- alerting the central server upon detection of a hazard and providing source information to the central server;
- determining a notification method;
- notifying at least one user of the mail piece quarantine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.