A mailbox system includes a remote computing device and a mailbox. The remote computing device is configured to communicate with a user device and to receive and review user authorization information and transmit an authorization message indicating successful authorization. The mailbox has a mail piece receiving mechanism, a mailbox identifier, a label printer, a locking mechanism, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to communicate with a user device having received an authorization message, to control the label printer to print a mailing label corresponding to services selected by a user via the user device, to control the locking mechanism in response to communications from the user device to allow the user to place a mail piece in the mail piece receiving mechanism and to lock the mail piece receiving mechanism after the mail piece is placed therein, and to communicate with the remote computing device.

A multi-level distribution and tracking method is described. Processing equipment processes multi-level distribution items, the multi-level distribution items being associated with first, second, and third level entities. The multi-level distribution items include a computer readable code thereon. The processing equipment captures an image of the multi-level distribution item, reads a computer readable code associated with the first level entity, sender information for the second level entity, and destination address information for the third level entity. The distribution system delivers the item to the destination address for the third level entity. The processing equipment generates scan information based on the processing of the multi-level distribution item, and can send the tracking information to the first level entity.

A mailbox system includes a remote computing device and a mailbox. The remote computing device is configured to communicate with a user device and to receive and review user authorization information and transmit an authorization message indicating successful authorization. The mailbox has a mail piece receiving mechanism, a mailbox identifier, a label printer, a locking mechanism, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to communicate with a user device having received an authorization message, to control the label printer to print a mailing label corresponding to services selected by a user via the user device, to control the locking mechanism in response to communications from the user device to allow the user to place a mail piece in the mail piece receiving mechanism and to lock the mail piece receiving mechanism after the mail piece is placed therein, and to communicate with the remote computing device.

A mail piece processing apparatus and related method. A mail piece processing apparatus includes a base, a table connected to the base by a vertical member, a camera mounted above the table and positioned to take an image of a mail piece on the table, and a data processing system. The data processing system is configured to receive the image of the mail piece from the camera; determine address information and address information of the mail piece according to the image; determine a disposition result for the mail piece according to the image; and cause a label to be printed for the mail piece according to the disposition result.

A distribution item is disclosed. The distribution item includes a first item comprising a container having an outer surface defining an enclosed space. A computer-readable code is disposed on the outer surface. The computer-readable code is associated with a first level entity. The first item also includes destination information associated with a second level entity disposed on the outer surface. The distribution item also includes one or more second items removably positioned within the enclosed space of the first item. Each of the one or more second items includes the computer-readable code associated with the first level entity.

A distribution item includes a first item with a container having an outer surface defining an enclosed space. A computer-readable code is disposed on the outer surface. The computer-readable code is associated with a first level entity. The first item also includes destination information associated with a second level entity disposed on the outer surface. The distribution item also includes one or more second items removably positioned within the enclosed space of the first item. Each of the one or more second items includes the computer-readable code associated with the first level entity.

A multi-level distribution and tracking system is described. Processing equipment processes multi-level distribution items, the multi-level distribution items being associated with first, second, and third level entities. The multi-level distribution items include a computer readable code thereon. The processing equipment captures an image of the multi-level distribution item, reads a computer readable code associated with the first level entity, sender information for the second level entity, and destination address information for the third level entity. The processing equipment generates tracking information based on the processing of the multi-level distribution item, and can send the tracking information to the first level entity.

A depository system operates in response to data bearing records. Information regarding planned future deposits is recorded, at least one record visible appearance feature is stored or generated, and data corresponding to the at least one record appearance feature is stored in associated relation with deposit data. The at least one record appearance feature is made visible on a deposit item. The deposit item is subsequently presented to a depository that includes an image sensor. The image sensor operates to read the at least one record appearance feature. At least one controller in the depository causes a determination to be made that at least one record appearance feature corresponds to a pre-registered deposit and such determination enables the deposit item to be received in the depository.

Systems and methods which provide for distributed activation of pre-printed, or otherwise pre-produced, indicia to thereby provide value bearing indicia, such as postage indicia, are shown. Embodiments apply indicia to fungible items, such as envelopes, paper stock, labels, etc., at a central location. When one of the items bearing the pre-produced indicia is incorporated into a mail item by a user, the pre-produced indicia may be activated and thus becomes valid postage indicia for use in posting the mail item. Various images, information, characters, symbols, and/or marks may be provided in association with pre-produced indicia. Such marks may be printed using a same or different media than an accompanying pre-produced indicia. Embodiments implement a system for scanning pre-produced indicia for activation as postage indicia.

Aspects of the technology described herein provide an activatable postage. As an initial step, the activatable postage is printed on a media, such as an envelope or sticker. Initially, the activatable postage has no postage value and will not have any value until activated. Each instance of activatable postage comprises a unique identifier encoded in a machine-readable format. Postage value is added to the activatable postage through an activation process. In order to activate an individual instance of activatable postage, the unique identifier encoded in the activatable postage needs to be provided to the activation application. At the end of the activation process, a central database is updated to associate the unique identifier with a postal value calculated during activation. When the Postal Service receives an item with activatable postage it validates the activatable postage and then deactivates the activatable postage by updating the central database.