Abstract: Ranking of geographic information includes receiving information about geographic features, identifying documents based on the information, each document being associated with one of the geographic features, and generating a rank score for each document based on one or more properties of the geographic feature associated with the document.

Abstract: A computer method that is used to control call center volumes for a range of dates. The method involves utilizing previous mailing campaign and call center response data to determine when the mail arrives in the home and when a call center is contacted in response to information in the mail; predicting the call center volumes based initially on the previous campaign and call center response data and as the mailing campaign and call center responses progresses updating call center predictions based on current mailing campaign data; and determining in home mail volumes needed to control call center volumes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dispensing value are described. In one configuration, a unique tangible indicia is enabled with a value and then disabled after the value is redeemed. In another configuration, a user enables a unique coded stamp and associates a postage payment with the stamp. The postal service cancels the stamp by deactivating the stamp from a list of active stamps and optionally audits the payment association.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delayed function activation in a responsive environment are described. A responsive environment includes an intermediary system and notification manager to determine when a responsive environment will launch an application triggered by a sensed event. The environment includes sensor components and transparent software components that reside wholly within the environment for providing responsiveness. The environment also includes interactive software components that give users the means to provide input and/or experience output. Since changes to the interaction components may disrupt the user by requiring the user's attention when it is not convenient, the system helps the user manage the responsive environment by using an application/function delay technique. The environment uses an intelligence and notification mechanism to determine what might be useful and primes the apparatus to provide that functionality. However, the user actually initiates the execution of that function.

Abstract: The present application describes systems and methods for composing and sending facsimile messages using a digital pointing instrument. In further configurations, a user utilizes a pen to indicate a reference to a document that is appended to the outgoing facsimile. In another further configuration, the user utilizes a form having pre-defined regions that are used to correlate a pen stroke with a desired action.

Abstract: The present application describes systems and methods for creating a document having metadata using a pointing device such as a digital pen. In one configuration, a digital pen captures pen stroke data and processes that data to determine metadata that the pen then writes to metadata storage located on the document.

Abstract: The present application describes systems and methods for composing documents using a digital pointing instrument. In further configurations, a user utilizes a pen to trace a form serial number that is utilized to identify a form template that is used to process input data from a digital pen.

Abstract: A coordinated direct marketing contact strategy between the direct mailing and the other marketing channels. The method determines the marketing prospect names that are common between the direct mailing and the other marketing channels being used in the direct marketing campaign. Then, using mail prediction with the common names between marketing channels the method determines the probability of the prospect receiving the mail piece on a certain date or dates. For each common name the method calculates the contact date(s) for the other contact channels based on the marketers contact strategy and the predicted in home dates. The method then aggregates the individual contact strategies into an overall contact strategy which enables other channels to coordinate with the direct mailing. This process is repeated over several campaigns to benchmark campaign performance that can then be used to analyze and refine future campaign execution.

Abstract: The present application describes systems and methods for composing documents using a digital pointing instrument. In further configurations, a user utilizes a pen to partially fill in a form and provide destination data whereby a forms processor adds additionally required information to the form in order to compose a complete form that is sent to the destination.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining location by implication are described. A responsive environment includes a location determination method that operates in an area that is only partially instrumented with location-sensing devices. Some of the with location-sensing devices sense location ambiguously. For example, a location-sensing device may be deployed at a boundary between two target objects or areas of interest. The location of the target object, as reported by such devices, is considered ambiguous. While the object or person is known to be in a space, it is not clear which specific space. The location of ambiguously located objects can be disambiguated based on changes in the location of other objects. For example, if a document is placed on a shelf in an office, such action strongly implies that someone is in the office. Therefore, if a person is known to potentially be in the office or the outside hallway, the person's location is changed to be in the office.

Abstract: A system and method for providing secure, on-demand printing of documents delivered to a printing device is disclosed. A user logs onto a delivery system using a mobile device and selects a document to be printed along with a destination printing device. The delivery system encrypts the document to be delivered and creates a key that is sent to the mobile device. The delivery system sends the encrypted document to the destination printing device where it is stored. When the user is physically at the destination printing device, a connection is established between the mobile device and the destination printing device. The mobile device identifies to the printing device the document to be printed and sends the key to the printing device. The printing device uses the key to decrypt the document and then prints the document.

Abstract: A method and system for authenticating the sender of a mailpiece is described for identifying certain mailpieces as originating from known trusted senders. In one configuration, biometric information and/or biometric metadata is captured when a user writes on a mailpiece with a digital pen. That data is then compared to reference data in a database. Registrant data is then loaded into storage device on the mailpiece and may be digitally signed and/or encrypted by the trusted third party. In another configuration, a mailpiece includes the signature of a sender and the biometric data includes authentication data obtained from the signature that is compared to the biometric data related to the signature obtained during a sender registration process.

Abstract: The present application describes systems and methods for identifying the version of a form using a digital pointing device. In one example, a form includes an RFID tap or barcode including a form version number. When a user is prepared to fill in the form, the digital pen checks a form database to determine if the form version is acceptable. If the form version is not acceptable, the digital pen indicates to the user that the form is not acceptable using an indicator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for remote receipt of a message, such as a telephone, e-mail, facsimile or paper message. A server or data center is provided for receiving messages from a sender communicating with a recipient mobile device. The mobile device is then prompted to notify the recipient that a message is waiting. If the recipient desires to receive the message, he/she indicates this on his/her mobile device. The mobile device and the device which will receive the message, i.e., the destination device, are provided with a tag for wireless communication. The message recipient is prompted to bring the mobile device in close enough proximity to the destination device such that the tag sends information about the destination devise to the mobile device. The mobile device communicates the information via wireless communications means with the data center.

Abstract: A method and system for authenticating the sender of a mailpiece is described for identifying certain mailpieces as originating from known trusted senders. In one configuration, biometric information and/or biometric metadata is captured when a user writes on a mailpiece with a digital pen. That data is then compared to reference data in a database. Registrant data is then loaded into storage device on the mailpiece and may be digitally signed and/or encrypted by the trusted third party. In another configuration, a mailpiece includes the signature of a sender and the biometric data includes authentication data obtained from the signature that is compared to the biometric data related to the signature obtained during a sender registration process.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dispensing value are described. In one configuration, a unique tangible indicia is enabled with a value and then disabled after the value is redeemed. In another configuration, a user enables a unique coded stamp and associates a postage payment with the stamp. The postal service cancels the stamp by deactivating the stamp from a list of active stamps and optionally audits the payment association.

Abstract: A system and method for providing secure, on-demand printing of documents delivered to a networked printing device is disclosed. A user logs onto a networked document delivery system using a mobile device and selects a document to be printed along with a networked destination printing device. The document server encrypts and stores the selected document and creates a key. The key is sent to the mobile device. The document server sends a pointer, indicating the location of the document, to the destination printing device. When the user is physically at the printing device, a connection is established between the mobile device and the printing device. The mobile device identifies to the printing device the document to be printed and sends the key to the printing device. The printing device, using the pointer, retrieves the document from the network, uses the key to decrypt the document, and then prints the document.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mobile device equipped with a wireless communication capability for generating electronic documents. The mobile device uses the wireless communication capability to communicate with a separate wireless communication tag. The wireless communication tag includes such information as a print device destination address, and the capabilities of the print device matching the destination address. The mobile device receives the destination device information and sends it and a document to a remote data processing center. The document and information may be sent via a network connection or a mobile communication device to a data-processing center. Once the data center receives the information and document the data processing center, the data center determines if any translation or transcoding of the original message is required in order for the destination device to receive the message in the a format which is compatible to the desired destination device.

Abstract: The present application describes systems and methods for composing and sending facsimile messages using a digital pointing instrument. In further configurations, a user utilizes a pen to indicate a reference to a document that is appended to the outgoing facsimile. In another further configuration, the user utilizes a form having pre-defined regions that are used to correlate a pen stroke with a desired action.

Abstract: The present application describes systems and methods for composing documents using a digital pointing instrument. In further configurations, a user utilizes a pen to trace a form serial number that is utilized to identify a form template that is used to process input data from a digital pen.