Pitney Bowes Inc.

Michael P Taylor

Ronald P Sansone

Terrence M Doeberl

Barry H Axelrod

Richard A Connell

William G Hart

Michelle S Breault

George G Gelfer

Wojciech M Chronsny

Joseph Meo

This invention relates to apparatus and method for the presentation of mail to the post office with assurance that postage has been paid for each mail piece. It is more particularly concerned with mail on which there is no evidence of postage payment, such as permit mail. This is accomplished by weighing each mail piece to determine the weight, packaging the mail either in batches with a fixed weight or in batches with variable weight that gives but fixed stack dimension and sending a statement sheet to the post office that gives the number of mail pieces in a batch of mail, the weight of the batch and the postage due.

Apparatus and method for variable weight mail processing

A value printing system includes a printer that prints an indicia. The indicia represents a value. The system also includes an apparatus for controlling the printer and an apparatus for accounting for the value represented by the indicia. The indicia includes one or more markers that present numerical data in the form of a diagram. Alternatively, the indicia includes one or more locations in which the presence or absence of a marker authenticates the indicia. An overlay may be provided to aid in interpreting the markers.

System for printing value indicia with diagrammatic data representation

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 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. The 10 statement contains data that allows mail payment verification.

Mailing system and method for low volume mailers printing postage

A system for processing batch mail in which the need for on-site inspection is unnecessary. A 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 of mail each batch being accompanied by a statement summarizing the type and number of mail pieces sent and amount of postage for that batch. The statement contains data that allows mail payment verification.

Batch mailing method and apparatus: printing unique numbers on mail

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 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. The statement contains data that allows mail payment verification. The system further provides for postal funds transfer between the various mailroom devices and centralized accounting for the mailing operation.

Mailing systems having postal funds management

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

An unsecured postage applying system wherein the printer and accounting unit are separated from one another by an unsecured link through use of encryption. The printer may be of any off the shelf type that is capable of printing alpha numerics or bar codes. More than one printer can be connected to a single accounting unit to provide a network of printers accommodated by the one accounting unit.

Unsecured postage applying system

A postage metering lock-out security system is disclosed for use with electronic postage meters and for use with a postage metering system that operates in conjunction with a users computer and printer that prints postal value. With the lock out security system, in order for postage to be printed, the postage-metering control unit must receive a valid signal or password. The password may also be used to identify a particular user for accounting purposes. The metering system can also be provided with an internal clock so that metering may take place only within circumscribed times. An additional security feature is provided by an automatic call-back for postage recharging in order to assure that the meter is physically located at the appropriate location.

Postage meter locking system

A remote inspection of postage meters that reduces the requirement for an on site inspection. The postage meters are programmed to sense and communicate any tampering attempt. The inspection is achieved either through electronic communication or by the mailing of imprinted post cards.

Remote postage meter insepction system

A small mechanical weighing scale capable of weighing relatively light, flat articles such as envelopes. The scale contains a slidable pullout flexible beam that is adapted to hold a thin flat article. The tape will break away in accordance with the weight of a held article as the tape is extended from the housing of the scale.

Flexible beam mechanical weighing scale

A character generator system for dot matrix printers wherein a microprocessor receives an input signal in the form of an M bit digital code, such as ASCII code, and representing a text to be reproduced in dot matrix form as well as other bits of information. The microprocessor converts the incoming code from an M bit code to an N bit code, where N is greater than M, whereby substantially more information may be transmitted. The microprocessor then sends appropriate information to various components of the system that cooperate to control a dot matrix printer in accordance with the input coded information.

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Norwalk, CT, United States of America

Michael P Taylor