Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a tamper resistant envelope comprises a first panel with an interior and an exterior side. The envelope further comprises a second panel attached to the first panel to define an interior portion having opposite side edges, a closed edge portion and an opening portion opposite the closed edge portion to provide access to the interior portion of the tamper resistant envelope; and a flap for sealingly adhering to an exterior surface of the first panel. The flap has an interior and an exterior side and is attached to the second panel at an edge of the second panel opposite the closed edge portion.

Abstract: A method of processing a check prior to electronically depositing the check includes receiving the check, determining a number of existing check submission indicating marks, if any, that are present on the check, determining whether the number is less than a pre-set maximum number, discontinuing the processing of the check if it is determined that the number is not less than the pre-set maximum number, and printing a new check submission indicating mark onto the check and continuing the processing of the check if it is determined that the number is less than the pre-set maximum number. The existing check submission indicating marks may be printed with an energy emitting ink, such as, without limitation, a luminescent ink. Also provided is an apparatus adapted to implement the method just described.

Abstract: A postage verification apparatus includes a reading device for reading a luminescent signature of a postage stamp to detect a value of the postage stamp. The apparatus also includes a weighing device for weighing a mailpiece to which the postage stamp is affixed. Further, the apparatus includes a processing device which is responsive to the reading device and the weighing device. The processing device is for determining whether a required amount of postage has been affixed to the mailpiece.

Abstract: A method includes establishing a coded representation of postage stamp values using luminescence wavelength bands, and producing postage stamps with luminescence characteristics so that each of the postage stamps indicates the respective value of the postage stamp in accordance with the coded representation.

Abstract: A signaling label for use in postage payment evidencing is described including a luminescent signaling section having a primarily green fluorescent ink coating. In one configuration, a primarily green fluorescent ink includes approximately 12 weight percent of a pigment selected from the quinazolinone class of pigments mixed with an acrylic varnish base to provide a primarily green fluorescent signal having with sufficient red fluorescent response to a short UV excitation to trigger a USPS facing system is described.

Abstract: A method of processing a check prior to electronically depositing the check includes steps of (a) attempting to print a cancellation mark on the check using an energy emitting ink, such as a luminescent ink, (b) radiating first energy, such as UV energy, toward the check, (c) determining whether second energy is emitted from the check as a result of the radiated first energy impinging upon the energy emitting ink present on the check, and (d) allowing the check to proceed to electronic deposit only if it is determined that the second energy is emitted from the check. Also, an apparatus for electronically depositing a check that implements the method.

Abstract: A method of processing a check prior to electronically depositing the check includes receiving the check, determining a number of existing check submission indicating marks, if any, that are present on the check, determining whether the number is less than a pre-set maximum number, discontinuing the processing of the check if it is determined that the number is not less than the pre-set maximum number, and printing a new check submission indicating mark onto the check and continuing the processing of the check if it is determined that the number is less than the pre-set maximum number. The existing check submission indicating marks may be printed with an energy emitting ink, such as, without limitation, a luminescent ink. Also provided is an apparatus adapted to implement the method just described.

Abstract: A system for detecting failures in a sensitive region of an inkjet printhead is described. The system includes an inkjet printer that uses a printhead for printing an image on a substrate. The image has a sensitive portion that is more sensitive to printing failures than the rest of the image. The printhead includes a first portion that prints an area of the substrate corresponding to the sensitive portion of the image. A radiant energy source is used with a photodetector located downstream from the printhead to detect background florescence from the substrate in the area of the substrate corresponding to the sensitive portion of the image that should be quenched by printing of the image. If background florescence is detected, a failure is indicated.

Abstract: A water-based ink for use in an ink jet printer for printing machine-readable indicia on a substrate is disclosed. The ink jet ink comprises fluorescent nanoparticles having a diameter between about 30 nm and about 100 nm; and an aqueous liquid vehicle. The aqueous liquid vehicle comprises water and a water soluble vehicle in sufficient amounts to achieve an ink viscosity and surface tension effective for application of the ink jet ink to the substrate in a predetermined pattern by ink jet printing.

Abstract: Labels that may selectively provide signaling are shown. In one example, a fluorescent signaling section of a label may be perforated and may be mechanically removed from the main portion of the label to selectively provide a label that does not emit a fluorescent signal. In another example, a thermal printer is used to quench a fluorescent section of a label so that it does not emit a fluorescent signal.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a tamper resistant envelope comprises a first panel with an interior and an exterior side. The envelope further comprises a second panel attached to the first panel to define an interior portion having opposite side edges, a closed edge portion and an opening portion opposite the closed edge portion to provide access to the interior portion of the tamper resistant envelope; and a flap for sealingly adhering to an exterior surface of the first panel. The flap has an interior and an exterior side and is attached to the second panel at an edge of the second panel opposite the closed edge portion.

Abstract: A printer luminescent ink sensor for a printing device including a radiant energy source; and a photodetector located downstream from a print head of the printing device. The photodetector is adapted to detect luminescent energy from an indicium printed by the print head, upon exposure to radiant energy from the radiant energy source, substantially immediately after the indicium is printed.

Abstract: A label including a main section forming a blank label section and including a fluorescent signal section on the blank label section. The label is adapted to have an indicium subsequently printed on the blank label section by a printing device without the fluorescent signal section substantially interfering with reading of the indicium on the label.