System and method for employing digital postage marks as part of value-added services in a mailing system

摘要

System and method for providing confirmation relating to the distribution of a mailpiece (14) within a mailing system includes a determination of postal data required for postage evidencing of a mailpiece originated by a mailer. The postal data is combined with other data related to value-added services desired for the mailpiece. The value-added services data includes addressing information for a return receipt to the mailer. A digital postmark (12) which includes the postal data and the value-added services data is created. At delivery of the mailpiece, the digital postmark (12) is read and the value-added services data is captured from the read digital postmark. A confirmation message is sent to the mailer and/or other interested third parties, in accordance with information contained in the value-added services data.