Systems and methods for sorting mail using a name/firm database

A method for sorting mail items having address information comprised of a plurality of elements including a name element, the method comprising the steps of:

• identifying the plurality of elements on a mail item;
• comparing each element of the plurality of elements on the mail item to listings of a first database and identifying matched and unmatched elements, wherein if all of the plurality of elements on the mail item match a listing in the first database, the address information is resolved based on the listing in the first database, and the mail item is deemed deliverable;
• and
• wherein only if less than all of the plurality of elements on the mail item match a listing in the first database, comparing the plurality of elements on the mail item to a second database and identifying matched and unmatched elements;
• and
• applying an algorithm to the matched and unmatched elements of the mail item with respect to listings of the second database, to determine if a set of criteria of the algorithm are met, and if the set of criteria are met, deeming the mail item to be deliverable and resolving the address information based on a listing in the second database.

A system for sorting mail items with address information having a plurality of elements, the system comprising:

• means for identifying the plurality of elements on a mail item;
• means for comparing each identified element of the plurality of elements of the mail item to listings of a first database and identifying matched and unmatched elements;
• and for, if the plurality of elements of the mail item match a listing in the first database, resolving the address information based on the listing in the first database, and deeming the mail item to be deliverable;
• means for comparing the elements of the mail item to listings of a second database only if less than all of the plurality of elements of the mail item match a listing in the first database, and for identifying matched and unmatched elements of the mail item;
• means for applying an algorithm to the matched and unmatched elements of the mail item with respect to listings of the second database, to determine if a set of criteria of the algorithm are met, and if the set of criteria are met, deeming the mail item to be deliverable and resolving the address information based on a listing in the second database.

A system for sorting mail items, comprising:

• a first database containing addresses and ZIP codes for a plurality of mail item recipients;
• a second database containing a plurality of recipient names, and addresses associated therewith;
• an imaging device for capturing an image of address information on the mail item;
• and
• one or more subsystems executing a process that:
• compares the address information with the first database and determines if there is a match,
• only if the address information is unmatched, compares the address information to the second database, and
• determines, according to a set of criteria, whether a match exists between the address information and the recipient names of only the second database, and
• if a match exists between the address information in either the first or second database, deems the message deliverable, and resolves the intended address information based on the match.