Patents by Inventor Amy E. Harris

Amy E. Harris has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8190525
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Foth, John G. Desmond, Amy E. Harris, Jill Q. Chen
  • Publication number: 20120078796
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: THOMAS J. FOTH, John G. Desmond, Amy E. Harris, Jill Q. Chen
  • Publication number: 20090144196
    Abstract: A system and method that allows mailers of all sizes to pay for permit mail without presenting cash or a check at the time of induction is provided. A permit payment aggregator establishes a master account with the postal system for the payment of permit mail. A plurality of mailers each establish a separate account with the permit payment aggregator and transfer control of payment of mail inducted under their respective permit imprints to the permit payment aggregator. When the mailer desires to send a mailing, a request for payment of postage is made to the permit payment aggregator, which processes the information related to the mailing. The induction site communicates with the permit payment aggregator and the mailing as presented is compared with the information processed by the permit payment aggregator. If the mailing is accepted, the master account is debited for payment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Foth, Amy E. Harris, Richard W. Heiden
  • Patent number: 6925450
    Abstract: A system and method that allows mailers of all sizes to pay for permit mail without presenting cash or a check at the time of induction is provided. A permit payment aggregator establishes a master account with the postal system for the payment of permit mail. A plurality of mailers each establish a separate account with the permit payment aggregator and transfer control of payment of mail inducted under their respective permit imprints to the permit payment aggregator. When the mailer desires to send a mailing, a request for payment of postage is made to the permit payment aggregator, which processes the information related to the mailing. The induction site communicates with the permit payment aggregator and the mailing as presented is compared with the information processed by the permit payment aggregator. If the mailing is accepted, the master account is debited for payment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Foth, Amy E. Harris, Richard W. Heiden
  • Publication number: 20030074333
    Abstract: A system and method that allows mailers of all sizes to pay for permit mail without presenting cash or a check at the time of induction is provided. A permit payment aggregator establishes a master account with the postal system for the payment of permit mail. A plurality of mailers each establish a separate account with the permit payment aggregator and transfer control of payment of mail inducted under their respective permit imprints to the permit payment aggregator. When the mailer desires to send a mailing, a request for payment of postage is made to the permit payment aggregator, which processes the information related to the mailing. The induction site communicates with the permit payment aggregator and the mailing as presented is compared with the information processed by the permit payment aggregator. If the mailing is accepted, the master account is debited for payment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Pitney Bowes Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas J. Foth, Amy E. Harris, Richard W. Heiden