Pitney Bowes Inc.

Kevin W Bodie

John H Winkelman

Edward Paul Daniels, Jr

Michael A Gagliardi

Leon A Pintsov

Robert K Gottlieb

Kenneth W Lowell

Kevin L Strobel

Kenneth G Miller

Neale C Hutcheson

James M Valovich

Kwan Cheung Wong

Yuecheng Meng

Elissavet Soutloglou

Jim Churchill

A method and system for enabling a mailer to sort incoming mail pieces in accordance with changeable criteria that are important to the mailer. This invention accomplishes the foregoing by placing a unique identifier or code tying the mail piece to a data file on each business reply envelope, on or in each windowed envelope or post card that is sent to a customer and returned to the mailer. The unique identifier would enable the mailer to establish parameters for evaluating the unique identifier so as to set a priority for processing mail that is in the mail stream, i.e. prioritize mail that is received just before a late fee is due to improve customer relations. The code tying the mail piece to a data file may be used by the mailer to track payment cycles, order the sortation of incoming mail based upon credit balances, process mail based upon the expected amount of the enclosed check. The foregoing would enable the mailer to receive monies earlier and improve the mailers cash flow.

Utilizing a unique tracking identifier for sorting mail

This present invention is a method and system for providing an up-to-the-minute location of a recipient for delivery of a message. A computerized system imports corporation databases containing employee location codes and delivery preference information (as well as addresses for various message media such as FAX telephone numbers, E-mail addresses, Pager telephone Numbers, etc.) to a database in or accessible by the corporation's Mail Room. The system includes WEB-based and telephone access to this information to allow employees to keep this information up to date.

System and method for obtaining and tracking up-to the-minute delivery locations of employees via a database system

A method and system for regenerating misprocessed mailpieces and the like. Control documents are produced by a data processing system and transported to an inserter system. The inserter system inputs the control documents and assembles mailpieces in accordance with coded information on the documents. If the inserter system controller identifies a misprocessed mailpiece it writes a record, which can be a separate zero byte file, to a common data store. The data processing system accesses the record in the common data store and regenerates the control document. The inserter system processes the regenerated control document to regenerate the mailpiece.

Method and system for regeneration of misprocessed mailpieces or the like

This invention creates a hierarchy of radio frequency identification tags that are related to the mail pieces in mail trays and the pallet on which the mail trays sit. This hierarchical method provides a layered approach that is designed to minimize the probability that a mailer or the post office will misassemble or misroute a mailing or elements of a mailing.

Method for maintaining the integrity of a mailing using radio frequency identification tags

A method and system for processing intermixed qualified and non-qualified mailpieces and the like. Control documents are produced by a data processing system and transported to an inserter system. The inserter system inputs the control documents and assembles mailpieces in accordance with a data base of mailpiece records identified by coded information on the documents. When the system is configured for a mailing, nominally specified operations can be modified in accordance with specified conditions comprising Boolean combinations of tests of mailpiece record fields. In one embodiment intermixed qualified and non-qualified mail can be separated.

Method and system for preparation of mailpieces having a capability for processing intermixed qualified and non-qualified mailpieces

The method of the present invention relates generally to a method for sorting mailpieces using a mail sorting apparatus. In one embodiment of the present invention, instructions are provided to the mail sorting apparatus in a machine readable format such as barcode. The instructions are printed on a form that can be fed into the mail sorting apparatus in the same manner that a mailpiece is fed into the mail sorting apparatus. The form is run through the feed path of the mail sorting apparatus. The barcode is read using a scanner. A signal on the form indicates that the mailpiece is a form, and that information contained in the barcode is an instruction. The instruction may be, for example, an instruction to 1) halt may be implemented through use or reprogramming of application software may be presented by using the form. The method provides for sorting of mailpieces with less stopping of the sorting apparatus to provide new instructions.

Method for providing instructions to a mail sorting apparatus

A method of selectively printing a Postnet barcode on an envelope which includes conveying an address bearing document from an input module along a chassis from an upstream location to a downstream location. Also including scanning the document at the input module to determine whether or not a Postnet barcode is to be printed on the envelope and printing a Postnet barcode with a printer on the envelope if the scanning process indicates that the document contains data which is valid based on a selected configuration. Further including, changing the font of the printer to print a blank string, if the scanning process indicates that the document contains data which is not valid based on selected configuration.

Selective printing of postnet barcode for inserting system

In an envelope inserting system, a method of digitally printing a postage indicia including a barcode on an envelope. The method includes: inserting a plurality of documents into an envelope to form a stuffed envelope; conveying the stuffed envelope to a digital, postage indicia printer; conveying an image of the postage indicia and included barcode to the printer; printing a postage indicia and included barcode on the stuffed envelope with the postgae indicia printer; conveying the printed, stuffed envelope to a barcode reader; determining with the barcode reader whether or not the barcode is readable; if the barcode is readable, determining whether or not the indicia was printed with the correct amount of postage; and if the barcode is not readable or if the indicia was not printed with the correct amount of postage, outsorting the stuffed envelope.

Digital postage indicia verification for inserting system

A system for programmably controlling stitching apparatus comprises a controller, operatively coupled to the stitching apparatus, for controlling the stitching apparatus. The controller includes a plurality of system routines, including setup, diagnostic and operational routines, that are selectable options to customize operation of the stitching apparatus. The system further includes a user interface through which a system user selects the system routines and monitors the selected system routines. The setup routines include selection of paper size, stitch mode and trail edge offset.

Programmable stitcher with operator input and setup and diagnostic

A system and method for correcting position of a pusher member after power loss to a motor controlling the pusher includes a pusher transport having at least one pusher member mounted to belt and a controller for controlling the pusher transport. A motor is coupled to the belt for controlling the movement of the pusher transport. The motor is driven by a driver coupled to the controller. An encoder is coupled to a shaft of the motor and operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is programmed for using encoder counts representing pusher member position at power loss and at power restored to determine whether the pusher member is past or before an expected position at power loss. The controller is also programmed for determining the distance and direction the pusher member must move to be at the expected position, the controller causing the driver to drive the motor at a specific motor profile to move the pusher member to the expected position.

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Brookfield, CT, United States of America

Kevin W Bodie