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Address matchingRelated Patent Categories: Data Processing: Database And File Management Or Data Structures, Database Or File Accessing, Query Processing (i.e., Searching), Pattern Matching AccessAddress matching description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060149733, Address matching. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATION [0001] Under provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e), the Applicant claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/249,255 filed Nov. 17, 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to the field of providing address matching. More particularly, the present invention, in various specific embodiments, involves methods and systems directed to providing corrected addresses, completed addresses, and validity verification of addresses. BACKGROUND [0003] With the advent and steady growth of electronic mail and electronic commerce, traditional mail, that is, the physical mail stream, will increasingly be utilized for sending and receiving packages. In an effort to lower operating costs and increase value for their customer base, many high volume delivery users prepare packages and other items with automated equipment and presort and label the items prior to placement of the items into the item delivery system. Delivery system users realize a cost savings by correcting addresses, completing addresses, and verifying addresses, for example, prior to placing items into the delivery system. [0004] Therefore, there is a need for delivery system operators, such as the United States Postal Service (USPS) and other organizations to efficiently provide address matching. More specifically, delivery system operators desire to efficiently provide corrected addresses, completed addresses, and validity verification of addresses. This is because in an increasingly competitive environment, it is essential for a delivery system operator to reduce costs and exceed the expectations of those who receive a service. [0005] One solution to the address matching problem is for the delivery system operator or the delivery system user to utilize the ZIP plus 4 (ZIP+4) system. The ZIP+4 system is a product of the USPS that came out of the USPS Address Matching System (AMS) database. The ZIP+4 records, of which there are approximately 38 million, contain only address ranges, not specific addresses to a particular delivery point. For example, the database contains the address range, 100-198 Main Street associated with a unique ZIP+4 code. [0006] Great inefficiencies are created in utilizing the ZIP+4 system because, for example, one address within a particular range may or may not exist. Thus with the ZIP+4 system, correct addresses of actual delivery points are not available. Accordingly, efficiently providing item attribute verification remains an elusive goal. Thus, there remains a need for efficiently providing address matching in an item delivery system. In addition, there remains a need for efficiently providing corrected addresses, completed addresses, and validity verification of addresses in the item delivery system. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] In one aspect, a method for matching an address consistent with the invention includes comparing the address against a plurality of address records in a database, wherein the database comprises at least one of the following: a delivery point database and an enhanced delivery point database. In addition, the method includes providing output data indicating whether the address has been matched to at least one of the plurality of address records in the data base. [0008] In another aspect, a system for matching an address consistent with the invention includes a component for comparing the address against a plurality of address records in a database, wherein the database comprises at least one of the following: a delivery point database and an enhanced delivery point database. The system further includes a component for providing output data indicating whether the address has been matched to at least one of the plurality of address records in the data base. [0009] Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] The accompanying drawings provide a further understanding of the invention and, together with the detailed description, explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: [0011] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a system for providing item delivery service consistent with the present invention; [0012] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a system for providing address matching consistent with the present invention; [0013] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for providing address matching consistent with the present invention; [0014] FIG. 4A is a functional block diagram of a system for providing address matching determining the validity of address data consistent with the present invention; [0015] FIG. 4B is a functional block diagram of a system for providing address matching correcting an address consistent with the present invention; [0016] FIG. 4C is a functional block diagram of a system for providing address matching providing a completed address consistent with the present invention; [0017] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating an exemplary delivery point database consistent with the present invention; [0018] FIG. 6 is a table illustrating an exemplary record of a delivery point database consistent with the present invention; [0019] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating an enhanced delivery point database consistent with the present invention; Continue reading about Address matching... Full patent description for Address matching Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Address matching patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Address matching or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Segmentation of web pages Next Patent Application: Client authenticated web browser with access approval mechanism Industry Class: Data processing: database and file management or data structures ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Address matching patent info. 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