USRE40443EExpiredUtility

System and method for accounting for postage for mail

Assignee: PITNEY BOWES INCPriority: May 22, 1998Filed: Jun 6, 2002Granted: Jul 22, 2008

Est. expiryMay 22, 2018(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority

Inventors:Ronald P. Sansone

G07B 17/00508G07B 2017/00645G07B 2017/00653

PatentIndex Score

Cited by

References

121

Claims

Abstract

A permit mail metering system that preprints the non-variable portion of an indicia. The pre-printed portions may be printed with a fluorescent and phosphorescent ink, while other pre-printed portions may be printed using standard colored or black inks. Some variable printed portions may be printed with a fluorescent and phosphorescent ink, while other variable portions may be printed using standard colored or black non-luminescent inks.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified

1. A system for metering permit mail, said system comprising:
means for pre-printing information on a mail piece to produce a postal indicia;
means for printing variable payment information within the postal indicia or within the vicinity of the postal indicia or ; and
wherein a portion of the pre-printed information is printed with a fluorescent ink and the remaining portion of the pre-printed information is printed with a non-luminescent ink.

2. The system claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first and second means are in different locations.

3. The system claimed in claim 1 , further including means for collecting payment for the printed variable payment information.

4. The system claimed in claim 3 , wherein said means for collecting payment is a postage meter.

5. The system claimed in claim 3 , further including: means for recording payments for the printed postal indicia.

6. The system claimed in claim 3 , further including:
a scale coupled to the postage meter to weigh the mail piece; and
a rate table coupled to the meter so that the correct postage may be computed.

7. The system claimed in claim 6 , further including a data center that is coupled to the rate table to update rates as required by the post.

8. The system claimed in claim 3 , further including a data center that is coupled to said collecting means so that additional funds may be remotely added to said means for collecting payment.

9. The system claimed in claim 3 , wherein said means for collecting is a postal security device.

10. The system claimed in claim 9 , wherein said means for collecting records collects variable security payment information.

11. A system for metering permit mail, said system comprising:
means for pre-printing information on a mail piece to produce a postal indicia;
means for printing variable payment information within the postal indicia or within the vicinity of the postal indicia; and
wherein a portion of the pre-printed information is printed with a phosphorescent ink and the remaining portion of the pre-printed information is printed with a non-luminescent ink.

12. A system for metering permit mail, said system comprising:
means for pre-printing information on a mail piece to produce a postal indicia;
means for printing variable payment information with within the postal indicia or within the vicinity of the postal indicia; and
wherein a portion of the variable information is printed with a fluorescent ink and the remaining portion of the variable information is printed with a non-luminescent ink.

13. A system for metering permit mail, said system comprising:
means for pre-printing information on a mail piece to produce a postal indicia;
means for printing variable payment information within the postal indicia or within the vicinity of the postal indicia, ; and
wherein a portion of the variable information is printed with a phosphorescent ink and the remaining portion of the variable information is printed with a non-luminescent ink.

14. A method for paying for permit mail, said method includes the steps of:
placing funds in a postage meter;
printing a permit mail postal indicia with a postage meter; and
deducting the value of the printed permit postal indicia from the meter.

15. The method claimed in claim 14 , wherein said printing step further includes the steps of:
pre-printing a portion of the postal indicia with fixed information; and
printing variable information within the postal indicia or within the vicinity of the postal indicia.

16. The method claimed in claim 15 , wherein the step of pre-printing further includes the step of pre-printing the fixed information with a dual luminescent ink.

17. The method claimed in claim 15 , wherein the step of printing variable information includes printing the variable information with a dual luminescent ink.

18. The method claimed in claim 15 , wherein the step of pre-printing further includes the step of pre-printing the fixed information with a fluorescent ink and the variable information with a phosphorescent ink.

19. The method claimed in claim 15 , wherein the step of pre-printing further includes the step of pre-printing the fixed information with a phosphorescent ink and the variable information with a florescent ink.

20. The method claimed in claim 15 , wherein the step of pre-printing further includes the step of pre-printing a portion of the fixed information with a phosphorescent ink and the remaining portion of the pre-printed information with a non-luminescent ink.

21. The method claimed in claim 15 , wherein the step of printing variable information further includes the step of printing a portion of the variable information with a phosphorescent ink and the remaining portion of the variable information with a non-luminescent ink.

22. The method claimed in claim 15 , wherein the step of pre-printing further includes the step of pre-printing a portion of the fixed information with a fluorescent ink and the remaining portion of the pre-printed information with a non-luminescent ink.

23. The method claimed in claim 15 , wherein the step of printing variable information further includes the step of printing a portion of the variable information with a fluorescent ink and the remaining portion of the variable information with a non-luminescent ink.

24. The method claimed in claim 15 , further including the step of:
adding additional funds to the postage meter.

25. The method claimed in claims 14 , further including the step of:
adding additional funds to the postage meter from a remote location.

26. A system for metering mail, the system comprising:
first means for pre - printing information to produce a postal indicia; and second means for printing variable payment information within, or within a vicinity of, the postal indicia; and wherein a portion of the pre - printed information is printed with a luminescent ink and a remaining portion of the pre - printed information is printed with a non - luminescent ink.

27. The system of claim 26 , wherein the first means and the second means are in different locations.

28. The system of claim 27 , further including postage metering means for collecting payment for the printed variable payment information.

29. The system of claim 28 , wherein the postal indicia is representative of permit mail.

30. The system of claim 29 , further comprising:
scale means for weighing a mail piece; and rate means for determining a correct postage amount based upon a weight of the mail piece, wherein the variable payment information is the correct postage amount.

31. The system of claim 30 , wherein the postage metering means is a postal security device.

32. The system of claim 31 , wherein the luminescent ink is fluorescent.

33. The system of claim 31 , wherein the luminescent ink is phosphorescent.

34. The system of claim 31 , wherein the luminescent ink is fluorescent and phosphorescent.

35. The system of claim 31 , wherein the pre- printed information is printed directly on the mail piece.

36. The system of claim 29 , further comprising:
a scale adapted to weigh a mail piece; and a rate table adapted to determine a correct postage amount based upon a weight of the mail piece, wherein the variable payment information is the correct postage amount.

37. The system of claim 36 , wherein the postage metering means is a postal security device.

38. The system of claim 37 , wherein the luminescent ink is fluorescent.

39. The system of claim 37 , wherein the luminescent ink is phosphorescent.

40. The system of claim 37 , wherein the luminescent ink is fluorescent and phosphorescent.

41. The system of claim 37 , wherein the pre- printed information is printed directly on the mail piece.

42. A method for metering mail comprising the steps of:
receiving a recording medium having pre - printed information in the form of a postal indicia; printing variable payment information within, or within a vicinity of, the postal indicia; and wherein a portion of the pre - printed information is printed with a luminescent ink and a remaining portion of the pre - printed information is printed with a non - luminescent ink.

43. The method of claim 42 , wherein the variable payment information is printed in a different location than the pre- printed information.

44. The method of claim 43 , further comprising the step of:
collecting payment for the printed variable payment information with a postage meter.

45. A method for metering mail comprising the steps of:
receiving a recording medium having pre - printed information in the form of a postal indicia; printing variable payment information within, or within a vicinity of, the postal indicia; and collecting payment for the printed variable payment information with a postage meter; wherein a portion of the pre - printed information is printed with a luminescent ink and a remaining portion of the pre - printed information is printed with a non - luminescent ink wherein the variable payment information is printed in a different location than the pre - printed information; and wherein the postal indicia is representative of permit mail.

46. The method of claim 45 , wherein the recording medium is a mail piece, further comprising the steps of:
weighing a mail piece; and determining a correct postage amount based upon a weight of the mail piece, wherein the variable payment information is the correct postage amount.

47. The method of claim 46 , wherein the postage meter is a postal security device.

48. The method of claim 47 , wherein the luminescent ink is fluorescent.

49. The method of claim 47 , wherein the luminescent ink is phosphorescent.

50. The method of claim 47 , wherein the luminescent ink is fluorescent and phosphorescent.

51. The method of claim 47 , wherein the pre- printed information is printed directly on the mail piece.

52. A system for metering mail, the system comprising:
first means for pre - printing information to produce a postal indicia; and second means for printing variable payment information within, or within a vicinity of, the postal indicia; and wherein a portion of the variable information is printed with a luminescent ink and a remaining portion of the variable information is printed with a non - luminescent ink.

53. The system of claim 52 , wherein the first means and the second means are in different locations.

54. The system of claim 53 , further including postage metering means for collecting payment for the printed variable payment information.

55. A system for metering mail, the system comprising:
first means for pre - printing information to produce a postal indicia; second means for printing variable payment information within, or within a vicinity of, the postal indicia; and postage metering means for collecting payment for the printed variable payment information; wherein a portion of the variable information is printed with a luminescent ink and a remaining portion of the variable information is printed with a non - luminescent ink and the postal indicia is representative of permit mail.

56. The system of claim 55 , further comprising:
scale means for weighing a mail piece; and rate means for determining a correct postage amount based upon a weight of the mail piece, wherein the variable payment information is the correct postage amount.

57. The system of claim 56 , wherein the postage metering means is a postal security device.

58. The system of claim 57 , wherein the luminescent ink is fluorescent.

59. The system of claim 57 , wherein the luminescent ink is phosphorescent.

60. The system of claim 57 , wherein the luminescent ink is fluorescent and phosphorescent.

61. The system of claim 57 , wherein the pre- printed information is printed directly on the mail piece.

62. A method for metering mail comprising the steps of:
receiving a recording medium having pre - printed information in the form of a postal indicia; printing variable payment information within, or within a vicinity of, the postal indicia; and wherein a portion of the variable payment information is printed with a luminescent ink and a remaining portion of the variable payment information is printed with a non - luminescent ink.

63. The method of claim 62 , wherein the variable payment information is printed in a different location than the pre- printed information.

64. The method of claim 63 , further comprising the step of:
collecting payment for the printed variable payment information with a postage meter.

65. A method for metering mail comprising the steps of:
receiving a recording medium having pre - printed information in the form of a postal indicia; printing variable payment information within, or within a vicinity of, the postal indicia; and collecting payment for the printed variable payment information with a postage meter; wherein a portion of the variable payment information is printed with a luminescent ink and a remaining portion of the variable payment information is printed with a non - luminescent ink, wherein the variable payment information is printed in a different location than the pre - printed information; and wherein the postal indicia is representative of permit mail.

66. The method of claim 65 , wherein the recording medium is a mail piece, further comprising the steps of:
weighing a mail piece; and determining a correct postage amount based upon a weight of the mail piece, wherein the variable payment information is the correct postage amount.

67. The method of claim 66 , wherein the postage meter is a postal security device.

68. The method of claim 67 , wherein the luminescent ink is fluorescent.

69. The method of claim 67 , wherein the luminescent ink is phosphorescent.

70. The method of claim 67 , wherein the luminescent ink is fluorescent and phosphorescent.

71. The method of claim 67 , wherein the pre- printed information is printed directly on the mail piece.

72. A method for paying for permit mail, the method comprising the step( s ) of: placing funds in a postage metering system; printing a permit mail postal indicia with a digital printer operatively coupled to the postage metering system; and deducting a value of postage associated with the permit mail postal indicia from the postage metering system.

73. The method of claim 72 , wherein the postage metering system includes a postal security device.

74. The method of claim 73 , wherein the permit mail postal indicia includes a luminescent portion and a non- luminescent portion.

75. The method of claim 74 , wherein the luminescent portion includes pre- printed information and the non - luminescent portion includes variable payment information.

76. A system for metering permit mail, the system comprising:
a postage meter, said postage meter having means for receiving funds and adding said funds to a balance of funds thereby creating a new balance of funds; a digital printer operatively coupled to the postage meter for printing a permit mail postal indicia; and a register operatively coupled to the postage meter for deducting a value of postage associated with the permit mail postal indicia from the balance of funds maintained in the postage meter.

77. The system of claim 76 , wherein the postage meter includes a postal security device.

78. The system of claim 77 , wherein the permit mail postal indicia includes a luminescent portion and a non- luminescent portion.

79. The system of claim 78 , wherein the luminescent portion includes pre- printed information and the non - luminescent portion includes variable payment information.

80. A method for paying for a mail piece with a postage metering system, the method comprising the step( s ) of: storing a balance of prepaid postage funds available for dispensing in a memory of the postage metering system; providing a pre - printed portion of a postal indicia at least partially printed with luminescent ink, the pre - printed portion of the postal indicia being printed remotely from the postage metering system; controlling printing of a variable payment portion of the postal indicia with non - luminescent ink using the postage metering system; and deducting a value associated with the postage indicia from the balance of prepaid postage funds.

81. The method of claim 80 , wherein the postage metering system includes a postal security device for storing and accounting for the balance of prepaid postage funds.

82. The method of claim 81 , wherein the variable payment portion of the postal indicia is printed directly on a mail piece.

83. The method of claim 82 , further comprising the step( s ) of: weighing the mail piece; and determining a correct postage amount based upon a weight of the mail piece, wherein the variable payment information is the correct postage amount.

84. The method of claim 82 , wherein the luminescent ink is fluorescent.

85. The method of claim 83 , wherein the luminescent ink is phosphorescent.

86. The method of claim 83 , wherein the luminescent ink is fluorescent and phosphorescent.

87. A postage metering system comprising:
a memory for storing a balance of prepaid postage funds available for dispensing by the postage metering system; a printer that receives a sheet having a pre - printed portion of a postal indicia at least partially printed with luminescent ink, the pre - printed portion of the postal indicia being printed remotely from the postage metering system; a control that controls the printing of a variable payment portion of the postal indicia with non - luminescent ink; and wherein a processor deducts a value associated with the postage indicia from the balance of prepaid postage funds.

88. The postage metering system of claim 87 , wherein the register is a postal security device for storing and accounting for the balance of prepaid postage funds.

89. The postage metering system of claim 87 , wherein the control causes the variable payment portion of the postal indicia to be printed directly on a mail piece.

90. The postage metering system of claim 89 , further comprising:
a scale operatively connected to the register for weighing the mail piece; and a rate table operatively connected to the scale for determining a correct postage amount based upon a weight of the mail piece, wherein the variable payment information is the correct postage amount.

91. The postage metering system of claim 90 , wherein the luminescent ink is fluorescent.

92. The postage metering system of claim 90 , wherein the luminescent ink is phosphorescent.

93. The postage metering system of claim 90 , wherein the luminescent ink is fluorescent and phosphorescent.

94. A method for paying for a mail piece with a postage metering system, the method comprising the step( s ) of: storing a balance of prepaid postage funds available for dispensing in a register of the postage metering system; providing a pre - printed portion of a postal indicia, the pre - printed portion of the postal indicia being printed remotely from the postage metering system; controlling printing of a variable payment portion of the postal indicia with non - luminescent ink using the postage metering system, wherein a portion of the variable payment information is printed with a luminescent ink and a remaining portion of the variable payment information is printed with a non - luminescent ink; and deducting a value associated with the postage indicia from the balance of prepaid postage funds.

95. The method of claim 94 , wherein the postage metering system includes a postal security device for storing and accounting for the balance of prepaid postage funds.

96. The method of claim 95 , wherein the variable payment portion of the postal indicia is printed directly on a mail piece.

97. The method of claim 96 , further comprising the step( s ) of: weighing the mail piece; and determining a correct postage amount based upon a weight of the mail piece, wherein the variable payment information is the correct postage amount.

98. The method of claim 97 , wherein the luminescent ink is fluorescent.

99. The method of claim 97 , wherein the luminescent ink is phosphorescent.

100. The method of claim 97 , wherein the luminescent ink is fluorescent and phosphorescent.

101. A postage metering system comprising:
a register having a memory for storing a balance of prepaid postage funds available for dispensing in the postage metering system; means for receiving a sheet having a pre - printed portion of a postal indicia, the pre - printed portion of the postal indicia being printed remotely from the postage metering system; means for printing variable payment information, wherein a portion of the variable payment information is printed with a luminescent ink and a remaining portion of the variable payment information is printed with a non - luminescent ink; and wherein the register having means for deducting a value associated with the postage indicia from the balance of prepaid postage funds.

102. The postage metering system of claim 101 , wherein the register is a postal security device for storing and accounting for the balance of prepaid postage funds.

103. The postage metering system of claim 102 , wherein the means for printing the variable payment portion of the postal indicia prints directly on a mail piece.

104. The postage metering system of claim 103 , further comprising:
a scale operatively connected to the register for weighing the mail piece; and a rate table operatively connected to the scale for determining a correct postage amount based upon a weight of the mail piece, wherein the variable payment information is the correct postage amount.

105. The postage metering system of claim 104 , wherein the luminescent ink is fluorescent.

106. The postage metering system of claim 104 , wherein the luminescent ink is phosphorescent.

107. The postage metering system of claim 104 , wherein the luminescent ink is fluorescent and phosphorescent.

108. A system for metering mail, the system comprising:
an applicator arranged to form a luminescent ink portion of a postal indicia; a first printer arranged to pre - print static information as part of the postal indicia, said static information being printed in the vicinity of the luminescent ink portion; and a second printer arranged to print variable information as part of the postal indicia subsequent to the pre - printing of the static information, said variable information being printed in the vicinity of the static information, wherein a portion of the variable information is printed with a luminescent ink and a remaining portion of the variable information is printed with a non - luminescent ink.

109. The system of claim 108 wherein the postal indicia is affixed to a mail piece by a postage meter.

110. The system of claim 109 , wherein the postal indicia is representative of permit mail.

111. The system of claim 109 , wherein the luminescent ink is fluorescent.

112. The system of claim 109 , wherein the luminescent ink is phosphorescent.

113. The system of claim 109 , wherein the luminescent ink is fluorescent and phosphorescent.

114. A system for metering mail, the system comprising:
a postage meter which receives a recording medium having pre - printed information in the form of a postal indicia, at least a portion of the pre - printed information is printed with luminescent ink, the pre - printed information being printed remotely from the postage meter; a printer associated with the postage meter, said printer printing variable payment information within a vicinity of the postal indicia; a register having a memory and being associated with the postage meter, said register storing a balance of prepaid postage funds available for dispensing by the postage meter, the funds in said register being deducted by said postage meter in an amount equal to the variable payment information printed.

115. The system of claim 114 wherein the postal indicia is affixed to a mail piece by a postage meter.

116. The system of claim 115 , wherein the postal indicia is representative of permit mail.

117. The system of claim 115 , wherein the luminescent ink is fluorescent.

118. The system of claim 115 , wherein the luminescent ink is phosphorescent.

119. The system of claim 115 , wherein the luminescent ink is fluorescent and phosphorescent.

120. A method for paying for a mail piece with a postage metering system, the method comprising the step( s ) of: storing a balance of prepaid postage funds available for dispensing in a memory of the postage metering system; providing a pre - printed portion of a postal indicia that is at least partially printed with fluorescent ink, the pre - printed portion being printed remotely from the postage metering system; printing within a vicinity of the pre - printed portion a variable payment portion of a postal indicia, said variable payment portion being printed with non - luminescent ink using the postage metering system; and deducting a value associated with the postage indicia from the balance of prepaid postage funds.

121. A postage metering system comprising:
a memory for storing a balance of prepaid postage funds available for dispensing in the postage metering system; a printer that receives a sheet having a pre - printed portion of a postal indicia at least partially printed with florescent ink, the pre - printed portion being printed remotely from the postage metering system, said printer prints a variable payment portion of a postal indicia within a vicinity of the pre - printed portion, said variable payment portion being printed with non - luminescent ink; and a processor that deducts a value associated with the postage indicia from the balance of prepaid postage funds in the memory.

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