Abstract: A method and system for enabling a mailer to sort incoming mail pieces in accordance with changeable criteria that are important to the mailer. This invention accomplishes the foregoing by placing a unique identifier or code tying the mail piece to a data file on each business reply envelope, on or in each windowed envelope or post card that is sent to a customer and returned to the mailer. The unique identifier would enable the mailer to establish parameters for evaluating the unique identifier so as to set a priority for processing mail that is in the mail stream, i.e. prioritize mail that is received just before a late fee is due to improve customer relations. The code tying the mail piece to a data file may be used by the mailer to track payment cycles, order the sortation of incoming mail based upon credit balances, process mail based upon the expected amount of the enclosed check. The foregoing would enable the mailer to receive monies earlier and improve the mailers cash flow.

Abstract: This present invention is a method and system for providing an up-to-the-minute location of a recipient for delivery of a message. A computerized system imports corporation databases containing employee location codes and delivery preference information (as well as addresses for various message media such as FAX telephone numbers, E-mail addresses, Pager telephone Numbers, etc.) to a database in or accessible by the corporation's Mail Room. The system includes WEB-based and telephone access to this information to allow employees to keep this information up to date.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a method of calculating sorting costs for incoming mail. The foregoing is accomplished by providing a method that can determine the number and types of mailpieces being sorted and associated that number with addressee information. The combination of the number and types of mailpieces being sorted for the addressees can then be used to calculate a charge back amount by using a predetermined cost per mailpiece.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, in a general aspect, system including a mail sorting apparatus which generally comprises a feeder, a line scan camera, an in-line printer, a control system which may be the microprocessor based personal computer system, at least one addressee database and sort plan, a mailpiece transporter, a bin module with compartments or sort bins for receiving mailpieces. This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by enabling a mail sorting apparatus to address sort internal mailings (business to employee mail). The foregoing is accomplished by addressing and sorting employee mailpieces in one process by using information from one or more databases of the mail sorting apparatus, including the addressee database and sort plan, and an in-line printer for printing employee and/or delivery information on the employee mailpiece. Thus, the method of the present invention provides a less costly, simplified way to prepare internal mailings.

Abstract: The an embodiment of the present invention generally comprises a mailpiece sorting apparatus including a customer specific keyword database and a method of post processing OCR reject mailpieces. Mailpieces that the OCR cannot read and determine the recipient for (“rejects”) are post processed using the customer specific keyword database which contains information regarding addressee field that is particular to the customer. Address cleansing is performed to the information obtained from the OCR system and an addressee match is attempted. If a match is made, the mailpiece is delivered to an appropriate sort bin. If a match is not made then the mailpiece is delivered to a reject bin. The method provides for better automated throughput of sorted mailpieces.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention comprises a mailpiece sorting apparatus video coding station, inserter system, return mail workstation and a web server for interconnecting several components of the system. The system provides a closed loop solution for reducing return to sender mailpieces generated by a company that is sorting incoming mailpieces using an automated system. This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art providing updated data to inserting systems producing such mailpieces. This helps to solve data quality problems at their source and reduce processing costs by reducing the number of return to sender mailpieces.

Abstract: The an embodiment of the present invention generally comprises a mailpiece sorting apparatus including an addressee database and a state/ZIP Code list generated from the addressee database. Mailpieces for which the addressee cannot be determined are processed using ZIP Code and/or State information read from the mailpiece. The state/ZIP Code information read from the mailpiece is compared to the state/ZIP Code list to determine if there is a match. If there is not match, the mailpiece is sorted to a “return to sender” bin.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention comprises a mailpiece sorting apparatus including a voice recognition system performing a method of processing “return to sender” mailpieces using voice recognition. The operator obtains a “return to sender” mailpiece and determines a sender address segment for identification. The sender address segment is spoken by the operator to the recognition system. The voice recognition software interprets the information and communicates it to recipient matching software. The software narrows the potential sender matches in the mailpiece sorting apparatus addressee database. If a match is made, the operator is prompted to place the mailpiece onto mailpiece sorting apparatus which sends the mailpiece to the proper sort bin based on the identification performed by the matching software.

Abstract: A method of customizing application software in an inserting system includes the steps of providing a system baseline program for operating the inserting system in a standard baseline mode, and providing a dynamic link library (DLL) including a table of features to be included in the inserting system and an application routine corresponding to each of the features. A call table in the system baseline program is linked with an address for each feature corresponding to the location of the application program for the feature. The DLL is customized based on information received from the baseline program. Each of the features is called when indicated in the system baseline program and information is provided to each DLL application program corresponding to the feature. The information is modified to make the system baseline program execute a different set of logic corresponding the customization of the machine. A sub-dynamic link library (sub-DLL) is provided for further customization.

Abstract: A software architecture system is provided for real-time control of an inserting system having a central processor coupled to a plurality of distributed processors that are associated with physical modules of the inserting system, wherein the central processor is coupled to the distributed processors by at least one type of physical I/O channel. The system includes real-time control routines resident in the central processor, a plurality of virtual stations resident in the central processor, wherein each of the software stations corresponding to one of the physical modules of the inserting system. The system further includes at least one virtual I/O channel corresponding to each type of the physical I/O channel, the virtual I/O channel being resident in the central processor and operatively coupled to the physical I/O channel, and a message dispatcher resident in the central processor for dispatching messages from the virtual stations to the corresponding physical modules through the virtual I/O channel.

Abstract: A method of teaching a student and using a computer game teaching system, a computer game and educational information contained in one or more tutorial modules. A plurality of questions contained in the tutorial module are presented to the student at pause points in the game, the scoring algorithm for the game is modified as a result of positive responses to the questions to permit higher probability of scoring in the game. The student's responses to the questions are stored in a scores database which is transmitted for analysis, at a central location which analyzes the responses from many students and prepares a report for transmittal to a parent or teacher to guide the student's further education.

Abstract: A postage value determining scale includes a system processor, a weighing device which generates weight indicative signals, a display and a keyboard for operator entry of information relating to the determination of postage and one or more memories which store postage data. The keyboard includes a plurality of nonilluminated multifunction keys with specific keys being assigned for the entry of special services such as certified mail, c.o.d., special delivery and the like. Upon detecting a keyboard entry assigned for such purpose, the processor recalls and sequentially displays indicia of special services previously selected by the operator and optionally the fee amount of each selected service. After displaying indicia of all the special services selected, the processor thereafter re-enters the previously displayed indicia in the display.

Abstract: An electronic weighing scale system capable of performing a plurality of functions. Predetermined subsets of the functions can be accessed from the system keyboard. The subset of functions which a particular keyboard can access is easily changed by replacing a non-volatile memory integrated circuit chip which may be the same one that contains postal rate information. Memory locations within the chip are segregated into two complementary arrays, one containing each possible combination of strobe and return signals, and the other containing a different word which defines one of the functions that the system can perform. When a particular key is actuated, the strobe/return signal output from the keyboard is compared with each of the strobe/return combinations stored in the first array. When a match is found, a function identification word is retrieved from the corresponding memory location in the second array to designate the specific function that the actuated key is intended to produce.