Pitney Bowes Inc.

Barry H Axelrod

Kevin D Hunter

Robert T Durst, Jr

Ronald P Sansone

Alfred C Schmidt

William G Hart, Jr

William G Hart

Patricia B Baer

Leon A Pintsov

Morton Silverberg

Michael P Taylor

Wojciech M Chrosny

Eric L Zuidema

Hyung-Kun P Kim

John T Balga, Jr

George G Gelfer

Edward P Cornell

Apparatus for recording a transaction where the transaction includes authenticating an identification card; the card having information pertaining to an object or other entity to be identified on a first portion in human recognizable form, and a coded representation of an encrypted signal comprising a representation of the information on a second portion. The apparatus includes a controller, a scanner for reading the coded representation, a decoder for decoding that representation, a decrypter for decrypting the decoded signal and a display for displaying the representation of the information. In one embodiment the information includes an image of the object or other entity to be recognized and the card may be authenticated by comparing the displayed representation with the image printed on the card the card also includes a text message pertaining to the object or other entity and the apparatus includes a replaceable memory, printer, or communications link for recording at least a portion of this text message. In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure the signal is encrypted using a public key encryption system and an encrypted decryption key is appended to the encrypted message, and is recovered by the apparatus to decrypt the message.

Apparatus for recording a transaction including authenticating an

A system for obtaining recharge codes for one or more postage meters. The system includes a conventional microcomputer; including a keyboard and display, and disk drive, which is connected through a modem to a remote data processing center. The center provides codes which may be used to recharge postage meters, i.e., reset the meters so that they may continue printing postage. The system includes a data bank of information relating to each of the postage meters, including identification codes for each of the meters. A user enters information, including a control sum, for each meter and the system combines it with other information stored in the data bank to form messages. The system then enters into transactions with the remote data processing center to obtain recharge codes for each of the meters, which are then displayed for entry into the meters. In another embodiment the system may communicate directly with each meter through a local communications network.

System for recharging a plurality of postage meters

A mail sender processes batches of mail each of which is accompanied by a statement summarizing the type and number of mail pieces sent and amount of postage for each batch. During processing, each mail piece is identified by a unique number for security purposes.

Method and apparatus for sequentially numbering mail pieces

The present invention is directed to a system wherein a mailer is able to send large quantities or batches of mail. The mailer has a secure accounting unit similar to a postage meter in which postage value is placed by a central station which is also in communication with a remote resetting center for accounting for funds transferred to the accounting unit. The central station communicates with the mailing station in order to obtain data relative to the mail processing whenever the funds are to be transferred to the accounting unit. The central station may also serve to lock or unlock the mail processing at the mailing station. Receipts may also be provided for the funding transactions.

Batch mailing 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 for mailing bulk mail pieces in which credit rating is relied upon instead of security to assure payment of the mail. A mailer user sends a batch of mail to the post office which is accompanied by a statement sheet indicating the number of mail pieces and amount of postage due. Accompanying this statement is a check in the amount of the postage required for the batch of mail.

Mailing and accounting system

A system for processing batch mail in which the need for on-site inspection is unnecessary. The mail sender purchases postage from a central station thereby authorizing him to send mail equal to the amount of postage purchased. The mail sender processes batches utilizing a plurality of work stations. Each batch is accompanied by a statement summarizing the type and number of mail pieces sent and amount of postage for each batch. The statement contains data that allows mail payment verification.

Mail processing system with multiple work stations

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

A system for the preparation of items to be mailed, preparation of each item varying in accordance with selected values of pre-determined parameters. The system includes apparatus for marking each item with selected identification code values; apparatus for preparing each item to be mailed in accordance with stored parameters, the preparing apparatus having a detector for detecting and outputting identification values from the items; a data base system for storing selected values of the parameters in associated with the identification codes, a control system responsive to the output identification codes to access the associated selected values for output to the preparation apparatus. The preparation apparatus of the subject system includes an inserted system and the pre-determined parameters include parameters defining the inserts to be assembled with an item. The preparation apparatus also includes a printer which is controlled to print information on the items in accordance with other pre-determined parameters. The identification codes are printed on control documents for each item by a data processing system which includes a post-processing subsystem for removing conventional dash codes and substituting identification codes, and transmitting records of the values of the pre-determined parameters to the data base system together with associated identification codes.

Mail preparation 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.

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Newtown, CT, United States of America

Barry H Axelrod