摘要:
A system has been conceived whereby the capability of a postage meter can be expanded through use of an interface device. A device is put into electrical communication with an electronic postage meter, and this device in turn is connected to a number of other devices. The other devices can include a computer, a printer, a scale, and the like, whereby mail may be processed, the postage required to mail such mail pieces accumulated, and the final amount of postage required to mail a batch of mail communicated to the postage meter. The postage meter would then print an indicia either upon a tape or upon a statement sheet thereby providing the required postage for accompaniment with a batch of mail.
摘要:
A system and method for reducing the amount of mail that is submitted to a local post office. A mailer sorts local mail from non local mail, identifies the destination of the non local mail and puts the same in a tray in accordance with the destination thereof. A label is attached to each tray and the tray is weighed. The destination of the mail and the weight thereof is communicated to the post office so that the post office can determine delivery routes and cost of such delivery. The non local mail is then forwarded directly to a common carrier by the mailer who will then deliver the mail to a non local postal distribution center.
摘要:
A system and method for optimizing mail delivery of batch mail. A network is established interconnecting plural batch mailers, a data center, and the Postal Service. Mail data on the mail batches is transmitted to the data center. This enables the data center to generate data to the mailers for merging mail batches to achieve additional postage discounts, to schedule and route mail carriers external to and within the Postal System to increase efficiency of handling, and to interact with the Postal Service for logistics planning and drop-off point and timing of mail batches to expedite processing. Scheduling and routing to take into account available resources of available drop-off points for mail for introduction into the Postal System is also described.
摘要:
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.
摘要:
A computing system having a non-volatile memory with locations with store data and are physically accessible such that the locations can be human visually readable to determine the data values stored therein. The non-volatile memory is operatively coupled to the computing system so that the computing means can write data into the non-volatile memory.A postage meter employing this system is adapted to be energized by an external source of operating power and includes a postage printing mechanism for printing postage and a computing system coupled to said postage printing mechanism for accounting for postage printed by the printing mechanism. A non-volatile memory for storing data is operatively coupled to the computing system and includes locations for storing data, critical postage accounting and other data when the postage meter is not energized by the external source of operating power. The location are human visually readable to determine the data stored therein and may also be machine readable by the computing system.
摘要:
A postage meter utilizing an offset printing roll. A die plate carried by the roll has a first region for receiving thereon fixed information such as the city and state, and a second region for receiving thereon variable information such as the date and postage amount. At the beginning of a revolution of the printing roll, the second region is depressed and an inking roll applies ink to the first region. Then the second region is moved into the plane of the first region and an ink jet printing device projects ink droplets onto the second region to form the variable information thereon. The quality of the printed form of the variable information is sensed. If acceptable, a document is printed. If unacceptable, the first and second regions are both wiped clean and the entire operation is repeated. The cleaning operation can employ an hydrophilic oil which is applied to the printing roll. Furthermore, apparatus can be employed to improve the characteristics of the ink after it has been applied to the printing roll but before it reaches the document to be printed.
摘要:
An electro-optical light scanning system using a modulated laser illumination source directed upon a multifaceted rotating polygonal mirror or polygon. The mirrored facets reflect the impinging light toward a moving photoreceptor and forms a raster of scan lines as the photoreceptor moves. The system incorporates sensing optics and closed loop electronics for correcting inaccuracies in the position of the reflected light resulting from defects in the angular relationship between the plane of the facets and that of the rotating axis of the polygon as well as those errors due to inherent angular misalignment between each of the facets of the rotating polygon. The invention also encompasses amplitude modulation for varying the intensity of the laser illumination in conjunction with the acousto-optical modulation for maintaining a constant level illumination and/or for varying the spot size.
摘要:
A printing system is provided that dynamically adjusts the method of printing an image based on the lightness or darkness of the medium upon which the image will be printed. The reflectivity of the medium upon which an image is to be printed is determined, and the way in which the image will be printed is adjusted based on the determined reflectivity of the medium. For lighter colored mediums, on which sufficient contrast will be provided, the image can be printed directly onto the medium. For darker colored mediums, on which the ink used to print the image will not provide enough contrast with respect to the medium to produce a reliably readable image, the method of printing the image is modified to ensure that sufficient contrast is always provided to produce a reliably readable image.
摘要:
The invention makes it easier for the post office to calculate accurately terminal dues by providing information to the post regarding each piece or parcel of mail that crosses an international border. The invention also makes it easier for the post offices to calculate terminal dues by obtaining fee information from mail that is sent internationally. The foregoing is accomplished by placing an indication on the mail that the fees for delivering the mail have been paid or will be paid by a mailer to each post office that handles the mail. For instance, if a mail piece is mailed in the United States and delivered to a destination in the United Kingdom, the mailer's postage meter will place a Radio Frequency Identification Tag (RFID) on the mail piece that indicates the portion of the delivery cost that is attributable to the United States post office and that portion of the delivery cost that is attributable to the Royal Mail.
摘要:
A method that allows taxing jurisdictions to collect sales and/or use taxes from sales that are made via the internet and catalogs. The method also makes it easier for sellers to comply with the taxing jurisdiction's mandated seller administrative functions. The foregoing is accomplished by using an agent to perform the sales tax administration functions of a seller, relieving the seller of as much of the burden of compliance as possible.