The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 29, 2012
Filed:
Dec. 08, 2011
Thomas J. Foth, Trumbull, CT (US);
John G. Desmond, Fairfield, CT (US);
Amy E. Harris, Westport, CT (US);
Jill Q. Chen, Norwalk, CT (US);
Thomas J. Foth, Trumbull, CT (US);
John G. Desmond, Fairfield, CT (US);
Amy E. Harris, Westport, CT (US);
Jill Q. Chen, Norwalk, CT (US);
Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
A business reply mail payment system and method is provided. A business reply mail payment system establishes a master account with the postal system for the payment of business reply mail. A plurality of mailers each establish a separate account with the payment system and transfer control of payment for business reply mail accepted under their respective permit imprints to the payment system. When the mailer will be receiving business reply mail, a request for payment of postage is made to the payment system, which processes the information related to the business reply mail. The post office acceptance site communicates with the payment system as the business reply mail is received and compares the received business reply mail with the information processed by the payment system to determine if it should be accepted or rejected. If the business reply mail is accepted, the master account is debited for payment.