Abstract: A system that tracks when normal digital postage meter mail or digital processor mail is received by an addressee. The foregoing is accomplished by connecting a scanner and control software to a digital postage meter or digital processor that would read incoming digitally metered mail. Instead of printing an indicia, the scanner would read the already existing indicia and other information on the mail piece and then extract the sender data fields that are contained in the indicia or on the mail piece. The extracted mail data would be periodically uploaded to a data center. The data center would compare the extracted data with mail sender data that has previously been uploaded from sending meters and processors to determine if fraud has been committed in the production of the postal indicia.

Abstract: A carrier for holding a conventional envelope in a predetermined position to enable printing near an edge of the envelope with a conventional printer is disclosed. The carrier includes a sheet-like substrate having a leading edge, a trailing edge, a closure flap receiving slot between the leading and trailing edges, and means for holding at least a portion of a bottom edge of the envelope to the substrate. A method according to the present invention includes the steps of providing an envelope, providing a carrier for holding the envelope in a predetermined position, and providing a conventional printer. A closure flap of the envelope is inserted through a closure flap receiving slot in the carrier. Next, a bottom edge of the envelope is held against the carrier. Then, the carrier and the envelope are passed through the conventional printer, which prints on the envelope.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cellular telecommunications systems that records in the cellular telephone all the telephone calls made by that particular cellular telephone. This enables the owner or agent of the cellular telephone to compare the telephone calls made by his cellular telephone with the telephone calls that were charged to his assigned number.

Abstract: A system in which originating mail processors would upload pertinent mail piece information on addressees, pointers or other identifiers automatically and periodically to a data center. The recipient addressee of the mail piece would temporarily configure his digital postage meter or mail processor as a mail receiver so that the postage meter or mail processor would read the digital indicia that was affixed to the currently delivered incoming mail. The incoming mail would be date/time stamped, opened (optionally) and the unique identifier that was placed in the postal indicia would be read. The recipient meter or mail processor would periodically upload to the data center raw data on the unique identifiers or codes that have been received. If the received unique identifiers or codes match with the sender unique identifiers or codes in a reasonable amount of time, as would normally be the case, the sent and received codes cancel out, or are kept for statistical information on delivery times, etc.

Abstract: The status of deposits or withdrawals of items in a receptacle is indicated to one or more users having access to the receptacle. A receptacle is accessible by at least one user and is capable of containing an item. A deposit/withdrawal sensor for sensing a deposit or withdrawal of an item in the receptacle is also provided. A user identifier for identifying a user having access to the receptacle during the deposit or withdrawal of the item sensed by the deposit/withdrawal sensor is employed by the system. One or more indicators that are responsive to the deposit/withdrawal sensor and the user identifier are provided to indicate a deposit or withdrawal of the item in the receptacle by the identified user. The indicators may be placed on the receptacle or may be located remote from the receptacle.

Abstract: A system that allows a third party, such as a postage meter manufacturer or PSD manufacturer, to collate data, process the data and report localized delivery delays on a nationalized basis. The foregoing is accomplished by connecting a scanner and control software to a digital postage meter or PSD processor that would read incoming digitally metered mail. Instead of printing an indicia, the scanner would read the already existing indicia and other information on the mail piece and then extract the sender data fields that are contained in the indicia or on the mail piece. The extracted mail data would be periodically uploaded to a data center. The data center would compare the extracted data with mail sender data that has previously been uploaded from sending meters and processors to determine unexpected delivery delays in the delivery network.

Abstract: A inexpensive and time saving method and system for reducing the use of gummed service stickers and the completion by hand of special forms for specialty mail is disclosed. This invention also reduces the amount of trips that have to be made to the post. The foregoing may be accomplished by replacing the standard (fixed) graphic cartridge that is normally supplied with a standard digital postage meter with an addressable "ram" image cartridge. The addressable ram image cartridge may also be linked to a personal computer, where a program would allow the user to request specialty mail services. Once the desired service (services) are selected, the required postal graphic images are downloaded into the ram cartridge. Next, postal payment, if any, is totaled and the additional postal value is totaled and passed to the postal meter vault for totaling and printing in an accountable way.

Abstract: A postage meter that is contained in a kiosk may be used to produce verifiable receipts for commercial transactions. The imbedded digital metering cryptographic technology that is contained in a postage meter may be used to produce a verifiable receipt. Several of the collected "commercial" transaction data elements are presented to the existing meter encryption module for processing as the meter was processing an envelope. The output encrypted data string is used as a new field in the receipt. Assuring that the receipt is authentic. Verification can be performed as follows: using the printed receipt as a source of data (at some later time) periodically on the archived records stored in the kiosk during the day on the uploaded "order" files before actual processing.

Abstract: A system that allows a third party such as a postage meter manufacturer or PSD manufacturer to collate data, process the data and use this information to identify delayed mail pieces that may have been incorrectly addressed. The apparatus of this invention may be utilized by organizations or people who mail invoices, bills, letters, or other items. The foregoing is accomplished by connecting a scanner and control software to a digital postage meter or PSD that would read incoming digitally metered mail. Instead of printing an indicia the scanner would read the already existing indicia and other information on the mail piece and then extract the sender data fields that are contained in the indicia or on the mail piece. The extracted mail data would be periodically uploaded to a data center.

Abstract: The invention is a method for selecting, producing, and delivering a finished mail piece. The method includes the step of selecting, at an initiating node, a set of parameters which together comprise a mail piece to be produced at a remote location. The selection is made from a series of menus within a program resident within a data processing system. Among the parameters which can be selected or determined are the destination address, type of delivery service to be used, and a choice of the media stock upon which a selected text can be printed. Additionally, a choice of language for the text can be made, and an account number for debiting the cost of the transaction may be entered. The selected parameters are transmitted to a data center which reads the destination address and then determines the most appropriate destination node. It is possible for the data center to be co-located with the initiating node or, to be the destination node.

Abstract: A postal meter is contained in a kiosk. The kiosk also contains a postage meter secure classifier; and a modem link, which communicates with a data center, that is located at a different location. The secure classifier records every time postal funds are dispensed by the postal meter and classifies the postal transactions of the postage meter into various categories, which are then stored in funds registers memory. The modem link communicates with the secure classifier and the data center, during a postage meter refill, by exchanging funds and information so that proper rebates will be applied to the kiosk owner. Thus, the data center may also be used to supply additional funds or refills to the postage meter contained within the kiosk.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for two-sided printing on items such as mail pieces. A printing station includes an ink jet printhead which is spaced from a transfer roller. As the roller rotates the printhead forms a first image on the surface of the roller. A mail piece or other item to be printed is feed through the printing station to pass between the printhead and the roller with the timing control so that the mail piece makes tangential, rolling contact with the transfer roller just as the image is completed on the roller and the image is then transferred from the roller to one side of the mail piece as the mail piece continues through the printing station by an offset printing process. As the mail piece passes between the roller and the printhead the printhead is controlled to print a second image on the opposite side of the mail piece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing fractions of a pixel from bar code bars to maintain the correct distance between adjacent correctly sized code forming bars. Thus, the distance between adjacent code forming bars will be constant and accurate. The foregoing is accomplished by varying a parameter of the beam or ink droplet that is used to produce the bar so that the bar width and space between adjacent code forming bars will be accurately maintained. Hence, bars of a bar code will be accurately reproduced to enable the bar code to be accurately read.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a cellular telephone metering systems that allows phone calls to be made as long as sufficient funds or call units reside in the phone. The apparatus of this invention also utilize encryption and employ seed numbers for the addition of funds or call units to the cellular phone.

Abstract: The invention is a method for channeling message traffic along an optimal path to its intended destination. The method is accomplished by drafting a message and a corresponding destination address together in electronic form. The message and address are coupled with a set of parameters which define a method of conversion of the electronic form of the message and address to a tangible form. The message and address are transmitted together with the conversion parameters, as a packet, to a routing facility via a digital carrier. The routing facility will select an optimal transmission path whereby the packet will be transmitted to the terminal node for conversion and printing. The selection of an optimal path is made by analyzing a set of weighted factors pertaining to a set of possible pathways. The combination of weighted scores will be used to determine which path has the highest weighted score.

Abstract: This invention relates to cellular voice messaging and/or analog or digital data messaging systems that utilize encryption and employ encrypted seed number signals to make it more difficult to make unauthorized use of cellular voice messaging and/or analog or digital data messaging systems.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cellular telecommunications systems that utilizes encryption and employs encrypted seed number signals to make it more difficult to make unauthorized cellular telephone calls.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing cellular telecommunications systems that utilize encryption and employ encrypted seed number signals to enable various payment plans for access and payment.

Abstract: A postage metering system comprising: structure for storing first postal information including a fixed portion of a postage indicia, the postage indicia including a variable portion thereof; structure for storing second postal information including a plurality of portions thereof respectively corresponding to a different one of a plurality of postal processing services for a sheet; structure for selectively providing at least one of the plurality of, postal processing services for the sheet; and structure for digitally printing on the sheet the first postal information and the variable portion of the postage indicia and each portion of the second postal information which corresponds to a different selected postal processing service.

Abstract: The invention is a method for franking, accounting, and billing of mail pieces and services. The method is based upon the ability of a data processing system to communicate with a postage meter through the use of a meter linking device. Additionally, an application program within the data processing system, in which a customer account can be established and/or altered, is initialized. Customer account data is then entered into the application. Once the customer account has been established or verified, a transaction is initiated. First, the mail pieces to be placed into the mail stream are weighed on a weighing scale. The weight is converted using an appropriate rate table so as to determine the amount of postage to be franked by the postage meter. The postage meter performs a franking of the mail piece and the system records the amount of postage applied; further, the system calculates any discounts or surcharges that are applicable to this customer's account.