Abstract: A system for correcting the rating and payment of mail pieces scanned and weighed by the post. The foregoing is accomplished by: uniquely identifying mail pieces during the metering process; maintaining a record of the postage that has been applied to the mail pieces and the characteristics of the mail pieces; scanning the mail pieces to determine if the correct postage has been paid; comparing the scanned and weighed mail pieces to the maintained record; and correcting any underpayments or overpayments.

Abstract: A method that enables the USPS to be aware of the contents of mail and the identity of the party who licensed the postal meter that paid for the mailing. The foregoing is accomplished by placing human readable postal meter indicia on the mail that contains information that uniquely identifies the mail and the licensee of the meter in addition to incorporating a radio frequency identification tag on the mail that identifies the contents of the mail and the information that uniquely identifies the mail. Additional security will be obtained by knowing the identity of the mailer and the contents of the mailing. The radio frequency tags may be remotely read, enabling the USPS to be aware of the contents of the mail permitting different content mail to be handled differently.

Abstract: A vibrating tray scale capable of detecting small amounts of loose particulate matter contained within a mail piece is disclosed. The scale is provided with a clamping device having a plurality of clamping positions. Utilizing different clamping positions, the mass of a mail piece is determined two times, one not including the mass of any loose particulate matter within the mail piece and one including the mass of any loose particulate matter within the mail piece. A determination of whether or not the mail piece contains any loose particulate matter can be made based on a comparison of the results for the two mass determinations.

Abstract: A method to create secure postal indicia that is fixed in two or more different mediums, i.e., printed on a mail piece with normal ink and/or invisible ink and recorded in a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The security feature is enhanced by recording a number in a memory of a radio frequency identification tag that is linked to a dual meter user before the tag is delivered to the user of the dual meter; processing by the dual meter the number recorded in the radio frequency identification tag memory when the dual postal indicia is being composed; storing the processed number in the radio frequency tag memory; affixing a postal indicia portion of a dual postal indicia and a radio frequency identification tag portion of a dual postal indicia to a mail piece; and uploading the number recoded in the radio frequency identification tag memory and the processed number stored in the radio frequency tag memory to a data center.

Abstract: A method to create secure postal indicia that is fixed in two or more different mediums, i.e., printed on a mail piece with normal ink and/or invisible ink and recorded in a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that allows the operator of a dual meter to obtain a postage refund without physically going to a Postal Service office. The foregoing is accomplished by placing a postal value and information in a dual meter archival memory, writing the postal value and information in a postal indicia and recording at the same time the postal value and information in a memory of a RFID tag. The foregoing postal value and information is uploaded to a data center.

Abstract: A method that enables the carrier of letters, flats and/or packages (mail) that are addressed to a recipient to determine if the mail contains life harming materials, before the mail is delivered to the recipient. The invention accomplishes the foregoing by receiving mail that is addressed to a recipient which contains material that may or may not be life harming; capturing an image of the face of the mail, which includes the name and physical address of the recipient; processing the image on the face of the mail to determine if characteristics of the image match characteristics of known mail that may contain life harming materials; testing the mail if the image contains characteristics of life harming material; and delivering the mail to the recipient if the image does not contain life harming characteristics.

Abstract: A method that enables a receiver or receiver's agent (hereinafter “recipient”) to obtain notification of the letters, flats and/or packages (mail) that the recipient is going to receive prior to the delivery of the mail. The recipient is then able to inform a post or courier, e.g., Federal Express®, Airborne,® United Parcel Service®, DHL®, etc., of the manner in which the recipient would like the mail delivered. The post and courier, hereinafter, will be referred to as “carrier”. For instance, the recipient may want the mail physically redirected to the recipient's temporary address, or physically delivered to the recipient's agent, or physically delivered to the recipient's attorney, or physically returned to the mailer.

Abstract: Radio frequency identification tags are placed on mail contained in trays or tubs to locate and reroute mail that is misdirected, i.e., being routed to the incorrect destination. The method involves the carrier reading the identifying information contained in the radio frequency identification tags on each mail piece while each mail piece is in the trays or tubs and removing one or more mail pieces in the tray or tub that are to be routed differently than the routing information contained on the outside of the trays or tubs.

Abstract: Merchandise Return Label may be printed on a buyer's computer printer and paid for by the seller's postage meter. Goods mailed with the Merchandise Return Label will be considered metered mail. Returned goods may be delivered directly to the buyer, and postal employees will not have to manually complete the Merchandise Return Label. Since the mailing of the returned goods was paid for by a postage meter, the Post Office would not have to receive payment from the seller when the seller receives the package.

Abstract: Radio frequency identification tags are placed on mail contained in trays or tubs to locate and reroute mail that is misdirected, i.e., being routed to the incorrect destination. The method involves the carrier reading the identifying information contained in the radio frequency identification tags on each mail piece while each mail piece is in the trays or tubs and removing one or more mail pieces in the tray or tub that are to be routed differently than the routing information contained on the outside of the trays or tubs.

Abstract: Radio frequency identification tags are placed on mail contained in trays or tubs to locate and reroute mail that is misdirected, i.e., being routed to the incorrect destination. The method involves the carrier reading the identifying information contained in the radio frequency identification tags on each mail piece while each mail piece is in the trays or tubs and removing one or more mail pieces in the tray or tub that are to be routed differently than that routing information contained on the outside of the trays or tubs.

Abstract: A method that enables the USPS to be aware of the contents of mail and the identity of the party who licensed the postal meter that paid for the mailing. The foregoing is accomplished by placing human readable postal meter indicia on the mail that contains information that uniquely identifies the mail and the licensee of the meter in addition to incorporating a radio frequency identification tag on the mail that identifies the contents of the mail and the information that uniquely identifies the mail. Additional security will be obtained by knowing the identity of the mailer and the contents of the mailing. The radio frequency tags may be remotely read, enabling the USPS to be aware of the contents of the mail permitting different content mail to be handled differently.

Abstract: A device in a postage meter that uses dot or drop printing to enhance security. Security is achieved by counting the number of signal pulses that are used to produce ink drops or ink dots that are required to produce the entire document or specific regions of the document. The aforementioned may be accomplished by adding a smart module to digital print head modules. The smart module would capture driver pulses from the print head module and interpret the pulses associated with regions of the image. Thus, the smart module would take data from the printer controller that is used to cut off printing when the ink is consumed and relate “set” values to the drops produced during the production of the document or portions of the document, thereby linking the document to the actual volume of ink produced.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing automated personal messaging assistance with the capability of checking a user's destination for arrival and forwarding messages by a preferred modality. The present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a method of providing personal messaging using a virtual messaging assistant. The virtual messaging assistant has a voice user interface and provides a human-like voice which interfaces with the user' and with callers. The personal messaging assistant provides forwarding of messages to a destination in accordance with user selected preferences. The personal messaging assistant receives incoming messages. The personal messaging checks the user's calendar to find out where the user is expected to be. Then the personal messaging assistant calls the expected destination and inquires whether the user has arrived.

Abstract: A method and system to identify mail pieces that have similar attributes to mail pieces suspected of being contaminated are provided. A data center communicates with each postal unit where mail enters into the postal system. When a postal unit detects a mail piece that may be contaminated, a record of the mail piece is made and sent to the data center. The data center archives the record of the suspect mail pieces in a database, and provides each record to all postal units on a real-time basis. As mail is inducted by each of the postal units, an image is taken of each mail piece and the image is compared to the records of suspect mail pieces stored in the data center. If a mail piece has similar attributes to a suspect mail piece, it will be immediately identified, regardless of the postal unit where it is entering the postal system.

Abstract: A vibrating tray scale capable of detecting small amounts of loose particulate matter contained within a mail piece is disclosed. The scale is provided with a clamping device having a plurality of clamping positions. Utilizing different clamping positions, the mass of a mail piece is determined two times, one not including the mass of any loose particulate matter within the mail piece and one including the mass of any loose particulate matter within the mail piece. A determination of whether or not the mail piece contains any loose particulate matter can be made based on a comparison of the results for the two mass determinations.

Abstract: An envelope that enables personal computer printers to be able to print a Facing Identification Mark (FIM) as part of a Information-Based Indicia (IBI) registered along the top edge of the envelope. The personal computer printers will also be able to print the FIM, IBI, the recipient's address and the sender's address without the glue on the envelope closure flap adhering to the body of the envelope, which would seal or partially seal the envelope, potentially rendering the envelope useless.

Abstract: An envelope that enables personal computer printers to be able to print a Facing Identification Mark (FIM) as part of a Information-Based Indicia (IBI) registered along the top edge of the envelope. The personal computer printers will also be able to print the FIM, IBI, the recipient's address and the sender's address without the glue on the envelope closure flap adhering to the body of the envelope, which would seal or partially seal the envelope, potentially rendering the envelope useless.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting chemical or biological hazards in items is provided. An incoming mail mailbox includes a sampler to sample air from a letter that is tested using a first sensor and then placed in a receptacle having an environment that is tested using a second sensor.

Abstract: This invention adds a graphic field to an electronic ticket. The graphic field is designed to produce a “tell” a visible known image (a large number of detectable halftone gray steps) when printed by a personal computer printer. Additionally, the graphic field will change in appearance when the ticket originally printed by the personal computer printer is digitally reproduced by either scanning or photocopying. The foregoing makes it more difficult to copy and/or forge the ticket.