Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods for displaying to each of a plurality of users upon each user's request a preview of shipping rates and delivery schedules for the particular user to ship a particular package, wherein each user accesses the computer system over a global communications network using a client computer device, and wherein each user has an individual electronic connection to the global communications network. The present invention compares shipping rates and delivery schedules for each service and each carrier for shipping a particular package and reports the carrier and service offering the lowest rate or the fastest delivery schedule, according to the user's option.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide image-customized postage labels, and systems and methods for providing image-customized postage labels, in rolls adapted for high-speed application to mail pieces. The output of the exemplary systems and methods of the present invention is one or more exemplary rolls of liner-backed, self-adhesive, image-customized postage labels per an order placed by a customer. Each of the exemplary rolls comprises a label roll core and an exemplary length of liner-backed, self-adhesive, image-customized postage labels rolled around the label roll core.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods for determining from a set of delivery times for each of a plurality of services for each of a plurality of carriers a potential delivery schedule for each of the plurality of services for each of the plurality of carriers in response to a request by each of a plurality of users, according to an input by each particular user of a shipping date, a set of parcel specifications for shipping a particular parcel, a set of shipping requirements for shipping the particular parcel, a particular origin postal code and a particular destination postal code. Each user accesses the present invention over a global communications network using a client computer device, and each user client computer device has an individual electronic connection to the global communications network.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiment of the present invention would provide systems, including Internet-based systems, and computer-implemented methods, for providing online Buyers and Sellers who physically transact an exchange of an item at a local meeting place, indicia of confirmation of the exchange on which to base a background online payment. In particular, exemplary embodiments of the present invention would provide a way for Buyers and/or Sellers to input an identifier for online authentication to confirm that a physical exchange of an item sold had been transacted and that would accordingly provide an online system with a basis to charge the relevant Buyer's account for a sale amount and pay the Seller for the item sold.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods providing a single system available over a global communications network for shipping management for each parcel from a plurality of parcels that each Shipper of a plurality of Shippers ships using any one of a plurality of services offered by any one of a plurality of carriers.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods for the computerized generation and printing of a U.S. Postal Service Shipping Label over the Internet that provides postage, shipping address, delivery address, and shipment and delivery tracking indicia. According to the invention, human-readable postage payment indicia is formatted in such a way that the actual price of shipping postage is obscured; postage payment can only be translated from the postage payment indicia by someone who knows the format template. The present invention further provides a United States Postal Service shipping label comprising a representation of paid postage, said representation of paid postage comprising a human-readable character string, said character string comprising imbedded postage price information. The present invention further provides a United States Postal Service shipping label, comprising a machine-readable representation of paid postage and a ship to address.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods for displaying to each of a plurality of users, upon each user's request, as to each particular parcel to be shipped by each user, an online interactive graphic comparison of a plurality of shipping rates calculated for each of a plurality of services offered by each of a plurality of carriers to ship a particular parcel, each shipping rate corresponding to a particular service offered by a particular carrier for delivering the particular parcel to a particular delivery destination at a particular parcel delivery time on a particular parcel delivery date, wherein each user accesses the computer system over a global communications network using a client computer device, and wherein each user has an individual electronic connection to the global communications network.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiment of the present invention will provide computer systems and methods for facilitating replacement of computer-based value-bearing items.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiment of the present invention will provide methods and a computer system for managing image content review for image customization of computer-based value-bearing items such as, for example, an exemplary image-customized computer-based postage label 1 in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention as depicted in FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 1, the exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will bear an image 2 that would be provided by a corresponding user, namely by the user that orders the customized computer-based postage label. The user may provide image 2 in an electronic form, such as by uploading a digital representation of image 2. In a variation of the exemplary embodiment, a user could alternatively provide a hardcopy image. The exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will bear a human-readable indication of the country 4 for which the postage is approved.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method for handling printing errors in a computer-based postage system, the method comprising: assigning an identifier to a particular mail piece wherein said identifier uniquely identifies the particular mail piece during a particular period of time and wherein said unique mail piece identifier is related to a particular mailer; generating for printing a representation of a postage indicium for the particular mail piece and a representation of the unique mail piece identifier; and recognizing an indication that an error occurred in a printing of at least one of the postage indicium or the representation of the unique mail piece identifier.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiment of the present invention will provide methods and a computer system for managing image content review for image customization of computer-based value-bearing items such as, for example, an exemplary image-customized computer-based postage label 1 in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention as depicted in FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 1, the exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will bear an image 2 that would be provided by a corresponding user, namely by the user that orders the customized computer-based postage label. The user may provide image 2 in an electronic form, such as by uploading a digital representation of image 2. In a variation of the exemplary embodiment, a user could alternatively provide a hardcopy image. The exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will bear a human-readable indication of the country 4 for which the postage is approved.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiment of the present invention will provide computer systems and methods for protecting the security of processing for customization of computer-based value-bearing items, such as, for example, securing processing of exemplary image-customized computer-based postage label 1 in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as depicted in FIG. 1. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention will further provide computer systems and methods for securing computer-based value-bearing items, such as, for example, securing image-customized computer-based postage label 1 as depicted in FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 1, the exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will bear an image 2 that would be provided by a corresponding user, namely by the user that orders the customized computer-based postage label. The user may provide image 2 in an electronic form, such as by uploading a digital representation of image 2.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intuitively-based (WYSIWYG) user interface for generic value bearing item label custom specification of each label on a multi-part label set. According to the present invention, an interactive display such as is depicted in FIG. 13 would be provided on a display monitor of a plurality of independently interactive panels, wherein each panel corresponds to a particular label on a multi-part label set. As depicted in FIG. 13, the exemplary WYSIWYG generic custom VBI label specification interface of the present invention displays an interactive label display (1110) in which each separate label panel (e.g., 1120-11 through 1120-45) displays an independent postage rate class input field (e.g., 1125-11 with a postage rate class menu button, e.g., 1123-11). Once the user has selected the “Custom” option (1150), the user can set the price for each label by clicking on the individual rate input field (e.g., 1121-11) of the particular label panel (e.g.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention would provide methods and systems for generating and printing an identifier on a sheet of label stock that comprises a plurality of same-sized labels. In the exemplary embodiment, the identifier would comprise an identification of a media type of the sheet of label stock, and would further comprise an identification of an orientation for printing value-bearing item indicia, such as postage indicia, with respect to each label on the sheet of label stock. The orientation for printing value-bearing item indicia, such as postage indicia, would correspond to an orientation selection by a user that ordered the labels (sometimes referred to herein as the “ordering user”).

Abstract: In an exemplary briefcase embodiment as depicted in FIG. 48, exemplary batteries (525) and (526) would be contained in very close proximity to an exemplary twelve-coil PMG assembly (300?). The exemplary twelve-coil PMG assembly (300?) would comprise a twelve-coil stator (not visible) in between two rotors (e.g., 217b). In an exemplary briefcase embodiment, exemplary batteries (525) and (526) would be separated from the exemplary twelve-coil PMG assembly (300?) by magnetic shielding, including internal side magnetic shielding (510); exemplary batteries (525) and (526) would be further shielded from the magnetic flux of the exemplary twelve-coil PMG assembly (300?) by, for example, open-face magnetic shielding panel (511), magnetic shielding internally encased in the sides and bottom of main base casing (507), and by magnetically shielded conduit (not shown).

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods for the computerized generation and printing of a U.S. Postal Service Shipping Label over the Internet that provides postage, shipping address, delivery address, and shipment and delivery tracking indicia. According to the invention, human-readable postage payment indicia is formatted in such a way that the actual price of shipping postage is obscured; postage payment can only be translated from the postage payment indicia by someone who knows the format template. The present invention further provides a United States Postal Service shipping label comprising a representation of paid postage, said representation of paid postage comprising a human-readable character string, said character string comprising imbedded postage price information. The present invention further provides a United States Postal Service shipping label, comprising a machine-readable representation of paid postage and a ship to address.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for imbedding a durable outer layer of rubber in a second layer of rubber, polyurethane, or like material for use in various applications, including but not limited to shoe soles and tires. As depicted in FIG., the durable outer layer, which in the case of FIG. 4 is a shoe outsole, may comprise a plurality of lugs (2) connected with integral support bridges (3) imbedded in another rubber or rubber-like material (17). Alternatively, the durable outer layer may comprise a plurality of lugs anchored in the second layer of rubber, polyurethane or the like, using anchors, such as ribs or flanges, radiating from the perimeter of each lug.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods for determining for each of a plurality of users upon each user's input of a particular origin postal code and a particular destination postal code an origin rating zone identifier corresponding to the identifier corresponding to the particular destination postal code for each of the plurality of carriers. Each user accesses the present invention over a global communications network using a client computer device, and each user client computer device has an individual electronic connection to the global communications network.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making an outer tire layer on a pneumatic tire microcellular closed-cell sponge rubber, method of making the aforesaid product.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides methods and systems for automatically selecting a media type for which to format Value-Bearing Item indicia based on a user's input of a secured paper control number. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method for selecting a media type format for which to generate value-bearing item indicia, said method comprising receiving an input of a secured paper control number, and identifying a media type format corresponding to the secured paper control number. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method for determining a media type for a particular unit of secured paper, said method comprising receiving an input of a media type identifier, wherein the media type identifier is displayed on the particular unit of secured paper, and retrieving from a memory storage a record corresponding to the media type identifier, wherein said record defines a media type format corresponding to the media type identifier.