Residential Delivery Indicator
AssigneeUnited States Postal Service
InventorsJohn F. Gullo, James D. Wilson, Robert F. Snapp, David J. Payne
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention provides methods, apparatus, and systems for classifying addresses. An address is evaluated based upon a postal code or standardized postal code, such as a U.S. Postal Service ZIP+4 code, serving the address. If the address cannot be classified based on the standardized postal code, the address is classified based on additional information, such as a U.S. Postal Service delivery point code. A mailer may then determine whether the address is a business or residential (or non-business) address. Furthermore, a mailer may predict when surcharges may apply and compare the rates of various carriers.
Claims14
1-8. (canceled)
A method for providing a classification of an address, comprising:
- determining a standardized postal code for the address;
- searching a table for the standardized postal code;
- and
- providing the classification for the address from information in the table, when the standardized postal code is found within the table.
(canceled)
A method for determining a carrier to deliver a piece of mail, comprising:
- receiving address information indicating a destination for the piece of mail;
- determining a probability of the destination having a first classification for the destination based on the address information;
- when the determined probability is greater than a predetermined threshold, providing the first classification for the address;
- and
- selecting at least one of a plurality of carriers to deliver the piece of mail based on the first classification for the destination and the determined probability.
An apparatus for determining a carrier to deliver a piece of mail, comprising:
- a processor;
- and
- a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
- receiving address information indicating a destination for the piece of mail,
- determining a probability of the destination having a first classification for the destination based on the address information,
- providing the first classification for the address, when the determined probability is greater than a predetermined threshold, and
- selecting at least one of a plurality of carriers to deliver the piece of mail based on the first classification for the destination and the determined probability.
18-41. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.