Abstract: A delivery service is operated using a method that receives a mail piece addressed to an entity. The mail piece includes postage indicia indicating an initial value. The delivery service determines a cost for delivering the mail piece to the entity. The delivery service modifies the postage indicia to indicate a remaining value wherein the remaining value indicates the initial value reduced by the cost for delivering the mail piece. The delivery service delivers the mail piece to the entity. The entity presents the postage indicia to the delivery service and the delivery service compensates the entity for the remaining value of the postage indicia.

Abstract: A book on demand system for manufacturing a set books. The system includes an order placement system and a book manufacturing system. The order placement system includes a computer and a database for storing books in an electronic form. A customer can operate the computer to access the database and to select a set of books to purchase. In addition, the customer can define the storage space will be used to store the set of books. The computer responds to this customer input by manufacturing the set of books so that the books can be placed physically within the storage space.

Abstract: A customization apparatus includes a computer system for tracking objects to be assembled by separate identifying characters as the separately identified objects are assembled. The computer system includes a database containing object data. An assembly system for assembling the separately identified objects is connected to the computer system as is a printer system. The printer system produces customized information materials specific to each separately identified object as each separately identified object is assembled.

Abstract: A mail piece processing system includes a weight system, postage system, and control system. The weight system weighs and transfers first mail pieces, and in response to a stop weigh instruction, transfers second mail pieces without weighing them. The postage system applies postage to the mail pieces in response to postage instructions. The control system transfers the postage instructions where the postage corresponds to a weight range. The control system determines if the first mail pieces are within the weight range, and if so, transfers the stop weigh instruction.

Abstract: A method of operating a delivery service is disclosed. In accord with the method, the delivery service receives a mail piece addressed to an entity. The mail piece includes postage indicia indicating an initial value. The delivery service determines a cost for delivering the mail piece to the entity. The delivery service modifies the postage indicia to indicate a remaining value wherein the remaining value indicates the initial value reduced by the cost for delivering the mail piece. The delivery service delivers the mail piece to the entity. The entity presents the postage indicia to the delivery service and the delivery service compensates the entity for the remaining value of the postage indicia.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for optimizing package weight comprising a delivery fee table correlating package weight to delivery cost and a processor configured to calculate a first total weight of a package on the basis of individual components of the package. The processor is also configured to identify a target weight based on the first total weight and the delivery fee table, identify one or more weight changing alternatives for at least one individual component of the package, and determine if the weight changing alternative should be implemented. The processor is also configured to determine a second total weight of the package.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying proper delivery of goods. A seller receives an order to deliver goods to a specified location. The seller hires a shipper to deliver the goods. Upon delivery the physical location of the goods is identified by the shipper and recorded to verify that the goods have in fact been delivered to the specified location. In one embodiment, a universal time is obtained and recorded upon delivery. The identified physical location and the universal time are made available to the buyer and the seller.

Abstract: For wireless devices (36), a secure data transfer apparatus (10) includes a cabinet (12) movable between an open position (14) for receiving a wireless device (36) and a closed position (16) for sealing the wireless device (36) within the cabinet (12). At least one communications sensor (26) is located inside the cabinet (12) for transferring secure data to and from the wireless device (36). A secure communications device (20) is connected to the at least one communications sensor (26) and to a data source (32) external to the cabinet (12) for transferring secure data to and from the at least one communications sensor (26). A command device (34) is connected to the cabinet (12) for operating the at least one communications sensor (26) and directing the transfer of the secure data to and from the wireless device (36) within cabinet (12) in the closed position (16).