Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of delivering a franking service, including the following steps (a) providing machine readable labels, each with a unique code, for attachment to mail items, or correspondingly pre-labelled or pre-coded mail items; (b) receiving specific information regarding a mail item from a user terminal, which information at least comprises said code, through a communication network; (c) receiving such a mail item comprising said code, and registering said code; and (d) debiting for the service by means of a debiting system.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zum Erzeugen eines auf eine Postsendung aufbringbaren Labels. Dieses Verfahren zeichnet sich dadurch aus, dass ein Netzwerkknoten (Maptos) einen Datendienst bereitstellt, der in einem Anbieterserver eines Dienstanbieters ausgeführt wird, wobei Daten zum Einbringen in das Label erzeugt werden. Die Erfindung betrifft ferner ein Computerprogrammprodukt, einen Netzwerkknoten und ein System zum Erzeugen eines auf eine Postsendung aufbringbaren Labels.
Abstract:
Systems and method for customizing a shipping label allow users to select among a list of personalized endorsements (512) which may be displayed on a shipping label printed by the user from an Internet Web site. The user may also create a personalized endorsement (512). The personalized endorsement (512) or message (512) appears in a white space of the shipping label, which may contain other information regarding contact (506, 508) and confirmation (510) information.
Abstract:
An item handling system for and method of handling items in an item stream, the system comprising: a validation unit for validating an element containing an authentication code on each item in an item stream, wherein an item is assigned as being spoiled where the element does not satisfy at least one validation criterion; and a sorting unit for separating spoiled items from the item stream.
Abstract:
A method and system for receiving payment for postage by a delivery system operator from a customer is provided. The method includes receiving payment from the customer for a first postage value; receiving the parcel for delivery, the parcel including a machine-readable postage indicia indicating the amount of the received payment; determining parcel attributes; calculating a determined postage value for the parcel based on the determined parcel attributes; determining the first postage value from the indicia; and transmitting a postage payment adjustment amount based on a comparison between the first postage value and the determined postage value.
Abstract:
Printing one or more value indicia onto a printable medium using a remote device coupled to a computer server via a communications network includes accessing the computer server with the remote device. A user is prompted to select a serial number associated with the printable medium, and the serial number is transmitted to the computer server using the remote device. A print control program is received from the computer server. Information for printing one or more value indicia are transmitted from the computer server to the remote device. The print control program executes on the remote device to print the one or more value indicia to the printable medium using a printer coupled with the remote device.
Abstract:
A payment system includes a label device (103), and a postal security device (PSD) (130) which stores postal funds for dispensing that may be replenished via electronic funds transfer. For example, the payment system performs functions other than just dispensing postal funds such dispensing lottery tickets. In the case of dispensing postal funds, the label device (103) is programmed to generate indicia (400) onto label stock (403) which serves as proof of postage after deducting the corresponding postage amount to be dispensed from the postal funds stored in the PSD (130). In the case of dispensing lottery tickets, the label device (103) is programmed to connect to a lottery server over a communications network and to transmit transaction data concerning the selected lottery numbers (1207), payment for the lottery entry, etc. to the lottery server. Accordingly, the payment system deducts the payment amount corresponding to the lottery entry from the postal funds stored in the PSD (130). In return the payment system receives, from the lottery server, data concerning indicium (1300). Label device (103) then uses the received data to print indicium (1300) on label stock (1303), thereby producing a lottery ticket.
Abstract:
A system and method for printing a postage meter stamp, including a desired postage amount and a personalized postage indicia onto a label or onto a document directly. A processor based system is programmed to interact with a customer to produce individualized documents, printed address labels, and a printed postage meter stamp having in one embodiment, a customized postage indicia. The processor based system automatically calculates the postage due for a specific document, prints that postage amount as a meter stamp, interacts with the customer to generate a personalized stamp indicia, encrypts selected information into a machine readable format, and prints the information entered by the customer in a selected format, all on the document for transfer to the outside of a mailing envelope.
Abstract:
A self-service apparatus (100) capable of automatically handling envelopes and packages through various stages of processing, including touch screen (110) to handle various inputs from the customer, digitized voice (112) to prompt the customer and instruct him in the processing, electronic weighing (138), electronic printing (142) of the ZIP+4 barcode, electronic printing of the shipping label (140), electronic printing of the receipt (128), electronic printing (140) of the manifest documentation for both the letters and packages, and maintaining of the manifest documentation for both the letters and packages. Mailing charges are deducted from a prepaid magnetic card through the use of a magnetic card reader (122). Maintaining postage and shipping rates, ZIP+4 CD-ROM directory in order to locate the ZIP+4 information. A dual floppy disk system (124, 126) to allow the mailer to send electronic mail. A built-in facsimile apparatus (120) to allow the customer to send "FAX" information through the telephone line.
Abstract:
A printable postage sheet includes a plurality of substantially equally sized preprinted postage labels arranged in a matrix of n rows by m columns, where n and m are integers. The plurality of preprinted postage labels are symmetrically arranged in the printable postage sheet with respect to a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. Preprinted indicia on each of the preprinted postage labels are preprinted on generally the same location on all of the preprinted postage labels. The preprinted indicia are all oriented in a same orientation relative to the sheet. A printable area of each preprinted postage label is positioned on the label such that when indicia are printed on one or more of the preprinted postage labels, the indicia are positioned within the printable area irrespective of a right side up or upside down feeding orientation of the printable postage sheet into a printer.