Pitney Bowes Inc.

Other

Alfred C Schmidt

Robert T Durst, Jr

Kevin D Hunter

Ronald P Sansone

Barry H Axelrod

Guy L Fougere

Robert A Cordery

Leon A Pintsov

Arno Muller

Richard A Connell

George B Edelmann

A computer-based system, such as a value printing system, has a host data processor having at least one disk drive that includes a first read/write head for reading data from and for writing data to a removable data recording disk. The system further includes a printer, coupled to the host data processor and responsive thereto, for printing indicia indicative of a monetary value. The system further includes a removable data recording disk having an integral data processor including a memory for storing data expressive of a monetary value associated with printed indicia. The integral data processor further includes a second read/write head coupled to the recording medium for communicating with the host data processor through the first read/write head.

Processor and read/write head incorporated in disk for communicating

A data center provides a rate table to a user. The rate table is communicated to the mailer along with a hash code that is based on information from the rating table. The hash code provides a unique number based on the rating table. The user within a secure device and to which the rate table is loaded regenerates the hash code based on the information received from the rate table and compares the transmitted hash code with the generated hash code. The comparison verifies that the rate table data has not been intentionally or unintentionally corrupted. The transmitted hash code may be encrypted by the data center and when received decrypted by the mailer. The encryption decryption process provides authenticity of the data center if desired. The generation of the hash code and the comparison with the transmitted hash code can be initiated prior to postage printing and used to insure proper rating. Printing is enabled only after the rating process has been properly implemented. The hash code and rating information may be printed on the mail piece such that a verifying party can reconstruct the rating process and determine if any rating inaccuracy occurred. Various rating inaccuracies for a particular user can be stored by the verging party to detect a recurrence of rating errors. Rating profiles for particular users or group of users may be stored to enable generation of user profiles.

Postal rating system with verifiable integrity

A machine control and accounting arrangement for controlling operation of a machine includes a secure housing, an electronic control system within the housing, and first and second interfaces coupled to the control system to permit communication between the control system and devices external of said housing. The first interface comprising an arrangement for applying a count signal to the control system. The second interface comprising an arrangement for applying encrypted control signals to the control system. The control system includes a first register for storing a current count corresponding to the count signal, a second register for storing an authorization count, an arrangement for applying an enable signal to the first interface when the count of the first register does not exceed the count of the second register, a decoding arrangement for decrypting control signals applied thereto to produce a decrypted signal, and an arrangement responsive to a valid decrypted signal for modifying the count in the second register.

Method and apparatus for controlling a machine

A forms generating and information retrieval apparatus comprises a compact disc for storing machine readably a plurality of form files and magnetic media for storing machine readably a plurality of information files. A processing means, such as, a computer, communicates with a reader for the compact disc and a reader for the magnetic media such that the processing means directs the compact disc reader to locate a selected one of the form files and transmit the selected forms file to the processing means. The processing means further directs the magnetic media reader to locate a selected one of the information files and transmit the selected information file to the processing means. The processing means merges the selected forms file with the selected information file and transmits the merged files to a printer.

Forms generating and information retrieval system

Apparatus for preparing a letter, including a stationery item. The apparatus includes a structure for printing and for providing a signal representative of letter data corresponding to information having a format. The information includes a plurality of parts. The apparatus also includes a computer. The computer includes a structure for receiving the signal, and is programmed for reformatting the letter data. The reformatted letter data includes a plurality of parts, and each of the information parts corresponds to a different one of the data parts. The computer is also programmed for selecting at least one of the data parts and for causing the printing structure to print on the stationery item each information part corresponding to each selected data part.

Apparatus for preparing a letter

A system is provided for processing a letter for bulk mailing. The system includes structures for printing and for supplying stationery items. In addition, the system includes a computer. The computer includes input structure for receiving letter data corresponding to information for at least one letter. The information for the at least one letter includes a plurality of parts. The computer also includes a program for formatting the letter data for the at least one letter. The formatted letter data includes a plurality of parts. The information parts for the at least one letter correspond one-for-one with the data parts. The computer is also programmed for causing the supplying structure to supply at least one stationery item to the printing structure. The computer is further programmed for causing the printing structure to print at least one information part on the at least one stationery item, and for storing a predetermined code. In addition, the computer is programmed for causing the printing structure to print the code on the at least one stationery item. The system further includes structure for receiving the at least one stationery item, including a mailpouch having a mark thereon identifying the mailpouch as a bulk mail mailpouch.

System and method for processing a letter for bulk mailing

Apparatus is provided for processing a stationery item. The stationery item has a code identifying an addressee of the stationery item. The apparatus includes printing and feeding structures. The feeding structure includes instrumentalities for normally feeding the stationery item in a first feed path to the printing structure and for selectively feeding the stationery item in a second feed path out of the first feed path. Further, the feeding structure includes a code sensor. The apparatus additionally includes a computer. The computer is programmed for controlling the feeding structure, and includes a memory device for storing a dispositive data listing for the code. The dispositive data listing selectively includes data defining the second feed path. The controlling program includes a routine for causing the feeding structure to feed the stationery item in the second feed path when the code is sensed, and the dispositive data listing for the code includes the data defining the second feed path. The apparatus also includes structure for selectively changing the dispositive data listing, whereby the dispositive data listing may be changed to include the data defining the second feed path.

Stationery item processing apparatus

Apparatus is provided for preparing mailpieces. The apparatus includes printing structure and structure; for supplying a plurality of stationery items. In addition the apparatus includes a computer. The computer includes structure for receiving and storing data including different letter datum corresponding one-for-one to different information provided for preparing each of a plurality of different mailpieces. The information for each mailpiece includes a postal zip code. The computer includes structure for identifying respective postal zip codes which each include a plurality of predetermined elements. In addition, the computer includes structure for sorting from the data the letter datum corresponding to information which includes an identified postal zip code. The computer also includes structure for causing the supplying structure to selectively supply to the printing structure the respective stationery items for each mailpiece for which a postal zip code is identified, and the computer includes structure for causing the printing structure to print the information corresponding to the sorted letter datum for each mailpiece on the stationery items selected therefor.

Apparatus for preparing mail pieces

An interactive outgoing and incoming mailpiece processing system is provided. The system includes structure for processing an outgoing mailpiece for mailing to an addressee. The outgoing mailpiece includes a returnable stationery item bearing an identification code identifying the addressee. The system additionally includes a computer. The computer includes a memory device for storing the identification code. The computer also includes a dispositive data listing for the identification code. The listing includes data corresponding to an operation to be implemented by the system, and is programmed for causing the system to implement the operation upon sensing the identification code for the listing. The system also includes structure for processing an incoming mailpiece, including the stationery item when it is returned. In addition, the system includes code sensing structure and structure for changing the dispositive data listing, whereby the data corresponding to the operation may be changed.

Interactive outgoing and incoming mailpiece processing system

Apparatus for preparing a letter is provided, which includes printing structure, stationery item supplying structure and a computer. The computer is constructed and arranged for receiving a signal representative of letter data corresponding to information having a format. The information includes a plurality of parts. The computer includes structure for reformatting the letter data. The reformatted letter data includes a plurality of parts. And, each of the information parts corresponds to a different one of the data parts. The computer also includes structure for selecting at least one of the data parts, causing the supplying structure to supply the stationery item to the printing structure and causing the printing structure to print on the stationery item the information part corresponding to the selected data parts.

Letter preparing apparatus

Apparatus is provided which includes structure for preparing a letter including a returnable stationery item for sending to an addressee, wherein the returnable stationery item includes a code. In addition, the apparatus includes structure for routing the stationery item, when it is returned, to a selected one of a plurality of locations. The routing structure includes structure for sensing the code. Further, the apparatus includes a computer coupled to the routing structure. The computer is programmed for controlling the routing structure and for storing a dispositive data listing for the code. The dispositive data listing includes information defining the selected location. The computer causes the routing structure to route the stationery item to the selected location when the code on the stationery item is sensed. In addition, structure is provided for changing the dispositive data listing, whereby the selected location may be changed.

Letter processing apparatus

A system for detecting fraudulent imprints on documents is disclosed. The system comprises a metering device, a host and a verifying facility. The metering device provides a validation signal to the host and its associated printer. Thereafter, the printer prints information which includes information from the validation signal. Thereafter the information printed on a mailpiece can be validated at the verifying facility by detecting the validation information provided by the metering device. The system provides a method to make a secure metering device without an integral printer. This value printing system provides for a secure system that will allow for the detection of fraudulent imprints at a verifying facility.

System for detecting unaccounted for printing in a value printing system

A mailing system that generates data representative of the total postage value of a stream of mail pieces to provide proof of the debiting of a stored postal value includes a portable device having a processor and a memory.

Mailing system with postage value transfer and accounting capability

A postage and mailing information system wherein an encrypted message based upon postage and mail address information is created. This encrypted message is used in the determination of authenticity. Another aspect of the invention resides in placing the encrypted message in the address field of a mail piece for authentication by an automatic high speed sorter.

Growing community of inventors

Wilton, CT, United States of America

Alfred C Schmidt