System for customizing and ordering personalized postage stamps

Abstract

A system and method for customizing and ordering an official postal product. The system includes a central authorizing computer system for communicating with at least one remote ordering system over a communication network. The central authorizing computer system having a computer program for forwarding information to the at least one remote ordering system for allowing customizing of an image for use in an official postal product from the at least one remote ordering system.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for customizing an official postal product, comprising: 
 a central authorizing computer system for communicating with at least one remote ordering system over a communication network, said central authorizing computer system having a computer program for forwarding information to said at least one remote ordering system for allowing customizing of an official postal product from said at least one remote ordering system.    
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one remote ordering system comprises a microprocessor having communication software.  
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 2  wherein said at least one remote ordering system comprises a personal computer.  
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said information includes instructions on how to modify an image for use on a postal product or for ordering said customized official postal product.  
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said information includes a list of official postal product selections.  
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said information includes a list of acceptable criteria for image content of images that can be used on said custom official postal product.  
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said information includes a selection menu for allowing selection of a prestored image for use on said custom postage.  
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said computer program allows the uploading of a custom image from said remote ordering system.  
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 7  wherein said computer program further includes means for allowing customizing of said prestored image at said at least one remote ordering system.  
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 8  wherein said computer program further includes means for customizing of said custom image.  
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 9  wherein said customizing of said prestored image includes the capability of selecting and/or modifying the shape, size, color, or orientation of said prestored image.  
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 10  wherein said customizing of said custom image includes the capability of selecting and/or modifying the shape, size, color, or orientation of said custom image.  
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 9  wherein said customizing of said prestored image further includes the providing of text on said custom postage.  
     
     
         14 . A system according to  claim 9  wherein said customizing of said custom image further includes the providing of text on said custom postage.  
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said information further includes providing a selection of a denomination from a predefined schedule of postal rates for said custom postage.  
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 15  wherein said computer program includes automatic means for modifying said selection of a denomination in accordance with revised postal rates.  
     
     
         17 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said information includes an electronic order form for completion at said remote ordering system and electronically returning to said central authorizing computer system.  
     
     
         18 . A system according to  claim 17  wherein said computer program provides notification to said at least one remote ordering system when an order on said order form has been properly or improperly filled in.  
     
     
         19 . A system according to  claim 18  wherein said order form includes means for providing payment for said custom postage.  
     
     
         20 . A system according to  claim 17  wherein said order form includes information regarding contact means for allowing contacting of the originator of the order.  
     
     
         21 . A system according to  claim 17  wherein said means includes one of the following: phone number, address, e-mail address.  
     
     
         22 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said computer program further includes means for creating a receipt of said order form.  
     
     
         23 . A system according to  claim 22  wherein said receipt includes one or more of the following: customer order identification, order information, facsimile of the image to be used on the custom postage.  
     
     
         24 . A system according to  claim 8  wherein said computer program further comprises means for notifying said remote ordering system that the custom image submitted has been authorized for use on said custom postage.  
     
     
         25 . A system according to  claim 24  wherein said authorization system comprises a verification computer system for entering of an identification number provided by said receipt for verifying acceptance or rejection of the order.  
     
     
         26 . A system according to  claim 1  further comprising a printing device for printing said custom postal product by said authorizing computer system.  
     
     
         27 . A system according to  claim 26  wherein said postal product is a postage stamp, postcard, or envelope.  
     
     
         28 . A system according to  claim 8  wherein a portion of the custom image is combined with a prestored image.  
     
     
         29 . A system according to  claim 6  further comprising means for manipulation of the image for use on said official postal product.  
     
     
         30 . A system according to  claim 29  wherein said means for manipulation of said image comprises at least one selection button for incrementally moving the image a predetermined incremental amount in at least one direction.  
     
     
         31 . A system according to  claim 30  wherein said incremental amount comprises an amount from about 1% to about 5% of the size of said image.  
     
     
         32 . A method for ordering custom postage having a customized image thereon, comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a central authorizing computer system for communication with at least one remote ordering system over a communication network; and    b) providing said central authorizing computer system with a computer program for providing information to said at least one remote ordering system for allowing ordering of custom postage from said at least one remote ordering system.    
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 32  further comprising the step of: 
 ordering of said custom postage at said at least one remote ordering system based on instructions and selections provided by central authorizing computer system.  
 
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 33  wherein said various instructions and/or selections includes an electronic order form, further comprising the step of: 
 filling out said electronic order form and electronically returning said electronic order form to said central authorizing computer system.  
 
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 34  further comprising the step of: 
 providing an electronic receipt to said at least one remote ordering system by said central authorizing computer system.  
 
     
     
         36 . A method according to  claim 35  wherein said electronic receipt includes one or more of the following: customer order identification, order information, facsimile of the image to be used on the customized postage.  
     
     
         37 . A method according to  claim 32  further comprising the step of: 
 reviewing a custom image at said remote computer system prior to uploading said custom image to said central authorizing computer system.  
 
     
     
         38 . A method according to  claim 32  further providing the step of: 
 uploading a custom image from said remote ordering system to said central authorizing computer system.  
 
     
     
         39 . A method according to  claim 38  further comprising the step of: 
 obtaining approval to use said image on said custom postage from said central authorizing computer system.  
 
     
     
         40 . A method according to  claim 39  further comprising the step of: 
 printing said custom postage in accordance with said electron order form after obtaining approval from said central authorizing computer system.  
 
     
     
         41 . A method according to  claim 39  further comprising the step of: 
 accessing said central authorizing computer to determine if approval to use said image has been obtained.  
 
     
     
         42 . A computer software product for use in ordering custom postage, comprising a computer readable storage medium having a computer program for use in a central authorizing computer system capable of communication with at least one remote ordering system over a communication network, said computer software product which when loaded into authorizing computer system causes the authorizing computer system to perform the step of: 
 providing said central authorizing computer system with a computer program for forwarding information to said at least one remote ordering system for allowing ordering of custom postage from said at least one remote ordering system.    
     
     
         43 . A computer software product according to  claim 42  wherein the computer software product further causes the computer to perform the additional step of: 
 ordering of said custom postage at said at least one remote ordering system based on instructions and selections provided by central authorizing computer system.  
 
     
     
         44 . A computer software product according to  claim 43  wherein said computer software product further causes the computer to perform the additional step of: 
 providing an electronic receipt to said at least one remote ordering system by said central authorizing computer system.  
 
     
     
         45 . A computer software product according to  claim 42  wherein the computer software product further causes the computer to perform the additional step of: 
 allowing said remote computer system to customize images for use in official postal products.  
 
     
     
         46 . A computer software product according to  claim 44  wherein said electronic receipt includes one or more of the following: customer order identification, order information, facsimile of the image to be used on the customized postage.  
     
     
         47 . A computer software product according to  claim 42  wherein the computer software product further causes the computer to perform the additional step of: 
 reviewing a custom image at said remote computer system prior to uploading said custom image to said central authorizing computer system.  
 
     
     
         48 . A computer software product according to  claim 42  wherein the computer software product further causes the computer to perform the additional step of: 
 uploading a custom image from said remote ordering system to said central authorizing computer system in order to obtain approval to use said image on said customized postage.  
 
     
     
         49 . A system for ordering customized postage, comprising: 
 a central authorizing computer system for communicating with at least one remote ordering system over a communication network, said central authorizing computer system having a computer program for forwarding information to said at least one remote ordering system for allowing custom modification of an image for use on postage.    
     
     
         50 . A system for customizing an official postal product, comprising: 
 a central authorizing computer system for communicating with at least one remote ordering system over a communication network, said central authorizing computer system having a computer program for forwarding information to said at least one remote ordering system for allowing customizing of an official postal product from said at least one remote ordering system, and means for manipulation of the image for use on said official postal product.    
     
     
         51 . A system according to  claim 50  wherein said means for manipulation of said image comprises at least one selection button for incrementally moving the image a predetermined incremental amount in at least one direction.  
     
     
         52 . A system for customizing an official postal product, comprising: 
 a central authorizing computer system for communicating with at least one remote ordering system over a communication network, said central authorizing computer system having a computer program for forwarding information to said at least one remote ordering system for allowing customizing of an official postal product from said at least one remote ordering system, means for manipulation of the image for use on said official postal product and means for producing an order receipt for order of a postal product, said receipt having a identification bar code thereon.    
     
     
         53 . A system according to  claim 52  wherein said system further includes a reader for reading said identification bar code so as to provide the status of said order.  
     
     
         54 . A system for customizing an official postal product, comprising: 
 a central authorizing computer system for communicating with at least one remote ordering system over a communication network, said central authorizing computer system having a computer program for forwarding information to said at least one remote ordering system for allowing customizing of an official postal product from said at least one remote ordering system, said central authorizing computer system having at least one prestored image that can be used in a custom official postal product, means for manipulation or use of at least a portion of the prestored image for use on said custom official postal product.    
     
     
         55 . A system for customizing an official postal product, comprising: 
 a central authorizing computer system for communicating with at least one remote ordering system over a communication network, said central authorizing computer system having a computer program for forwarding information to said at least one remote ordering system for allowing customizing of an official postal product from said at least one remote ordering system, said central authorizing computer system having at least one prestored image that can be used in a custom official postal product, means for use of at least a portion of the prestored image for use on said custom official postal product thereby eliminating the need to obtain content approval before producing of said official postal product.