Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring the dispatching of mail and to coordinate the production of mail with common carrier dispatch schedules. The mail is produced in a sequence that is intended to meet the dispatch schedule of common carriers. The movement of mail is monitored and the scheduling of mail production is altered if consistent mail delivery irregularities are determined.

Abstract: A postal finishing kiosk in which a user is provided with a mail piece, such as a postcard. The user supplies the name and address to which the mail piece is to be sent and the kiosk dispenses a finished mail piece to the user with the address printer thereon. A feature of the kiosk is that it stores the mail piece forms on a roll, but delivers a linear mail piece to the user. In an alternative to the invention, the kiosk dispenses a ticket to the user that can be used in activities of the environment in which the kiosk is found.

Abstract: A data center provides a rate table to a user. The rate table is communicated to the mailer along with a hash code that is based on information from the rating table. The hash code provides a unique number based on the rating table. The user within a secure device and to which the rate table is loaded regenerates the hash code based on the information received from the rate table and compares the transmitted hash code with the generated hash code. The comparison verifies that the rate table data has not been intentionally or unintentionally corrupted. The transmitted hash code may be encrypted by the data center and when received decrypted by the mailer. The encryption decryption process provides authenticity of the data center if desired. The generation of the hash code and the comparison with the transmitted hash code can be initiated prior to postage printing and used to insure proper rating. Printing is enabled only after the rating process has been properly implemented.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the amount of mail that is submitted to a local post office and reducing the effort required by a local post office. A mailer sorts mail and separates local mail from non local mail, identifies the destination of the non local mail and puts the same in a tray in accordance with the destination thereof. The mail destined for each destination is processed in accordance with the departure time of a transportation system so that the mail will be received just-in-time by a common carrier. The non local mail is then forwarded to the common carrier by the mailer and the common carrier delivers the mail to a transport vehicle destined for a postal distribution center.

Abstract: A system and method for providing security to value mail. A mailer produces mail in accordance with a mail list and determines the quantity of mail and weight thereof. A dispatch and routing tag is printed with the destination information, number of mail pieces and weight of the mail. The weight of the mail, number and expected time of arrival are checked at different locations of travel. The mailer and the post office are notified if there is a discrepancy in the number of mail pieces, in the weight of the mail or in the arrival time of the value mail.

Abstract: A metering kiosk in which postage is applied to a finished mail piece such as a postcard which has been provided with bar codes to indicate paper orientation for receipt with the kiosk and indicate the destination of the postcard. The metering kiosk has a touch screen monitor for convenient communication between the user and the logic of the kiosk. Although the primary function of the kiosk is to apply postage to a finished mail piece, convenience and entertainment of the user is a consideration.

Abstract: A method and system for providing validated labels that are attached to mail trays immediately upon mail being processed by a mailer and placed in a tray. Mail lists and programs for sanitizing the mail list and sorting the mail to achieve postal discounts are stored in a mailer's processor. A printer is controlled to print addresses on documents, such as letters, that are forwarded to an inserter. A mail list stored in the processor indicates where the mail is to be sent, the class of mail, level of sortation and the contents of the mail. Tray contents are computed and appropriate labels are prepared by a label printer under its control. By making the tray label printing an intricate part of the mail processing system, as opposed to being an adjunct to it, the providing of the labels becomes more efficient, reliable and economical.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing labels that are to be inserted into mail trays. A label printer is integrated into a mail sorting machine. Upon a specific bin of the mail sorting machine having sufficient mail pieces to fill a mail tray, the label printer prints a tray label for the mail in such bin. This tray label has printed thereon the zip code to which the mail is to be sent and the bin number in which the mail pieces are located. Upon the printing of such tray label, it is be conveyed by the mail sorter to the appropriate bin and is immediately available to the clerk for insertion into a mail tray.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for and method of determining the accuracy of mail piece weights. The weight of individual mail pieces during a mail run is displayed in real time. A high speed weighing scale is located downstream from the mail processing unit to receive the mail pieces after the mail processing unit has inserted selected materials into envelopes. As each mail piece is weighed, its weight is stored in memory and a display can be made showing all the weights of the individual mail pieces in real time. This display can be temporary, such as on a monitor, or permanent, such as a print out. With such display, an operator has a fast method of determining if the weights are in an expected range.

Abstract: A system has been conceived whereby the capability of a postage meter can be expanded through use of an interface device. A device is put into electrical communication with an electronic postage meter, and this device in turn is connected to a number of other devices. The other devices can include a computer, a printer, a scale, and the like, whereby mail may be processed, the postage required to mail such mail pieces accumulated, and the final amount of postage required to mail a batch of mail communicated to the postage meter. The postage meter would then print an indicia either upon a tape or upon a statement sheet thereby providing the required postage for accompaniment with a batch of mail.

Abstract: Apparatus for categorizing and certifying a batch of mail by determining parameters of the mail pieces of such batch. The parameters that are determined include the physical dimensions, the weight, the size, class, readability, print contrast and reflectivity of the mail pieces. Based upon these determinations, the deliverability of the mail can be assessed. The mail pieces are also weighed, sized and the class of mail determined and postage amount is checked for the purpose of assuring the accuracy of the postage paid for the mail.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the amount of mail that is submitted to a local post office. A mailer sorts local mail from non local mail, identifies the destination of the non local mail and puts the same in a tray in accordance with the destination thereof. A label is attached to each tray and the tray is weighed. The destination of the mail and the weight thereof is communicated to the post office so that the post office can determine delivery routes and cost of such delivery. The non local mail is then forwarded directly to a common carrier by the mailer who will then deliver the mail to a non local postal distribution center.

Abstract: A communication system for processing information for distribution, including: a central data station, a plurality of user stations, a communication link interconnecting the user stations with the central data stations, each the user station including means for accessing the central station, the central station including a data base of distribution information, the user station including means for accessing the central data station data base, the central data station including means responsive to the user usage pattern for providing data to the station which optimizes rate and time of distribution.

Abstract: A system for processing mail pieces such as letter mail wherein the mail and the mail data are certified during such processing is provided. Information relative to the anticipated weight and thickness of each mail piece is supplied to a processor from a central computer. During processing the weight and thickness of each mail piece is measured, and if there is a difference between the actual determination and the anticipated parameters, the information is fed back to the computer so that corrections can be made for future processing. In addition, print quality of the mail is determined with regard to accuracy of addresses and readability.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for certifying the accuracy of postage payments based on the weights of mail pieces. The expected weight of each mail piece is determined and a mail processing unit receives data relative to the contents to be inserted into an envelope that together form the mail pieces. A high speed weighing scale is located downstream from the mail processing unit to receive the mail pieces after the mail processing unit has inserted selected materials into envelopes. A comparison is made between the expected weight of each mail piece and its measured weight. If the measured weight of a mail piece is found different than the actual weight beyond certain tolerances, it could be rejected. If a large number of mail pieces exhibit a divergence between the estimated weight and the actual weight, the mail processing unit will be disabled and an examination made to determine what caused the discrepancies in the weights.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for marking letter mail or mail pieces to provide a fast and convenient way of determining zip code breaks in a stack of letter mail. The mail pieces have marks printed on the edges thereof indicative of the continuity of the same zip codes thereon. The marks are visible when the mail pieces are stacked. Adjacent envelopes with the same zip codes will have an edge mark at the same location, but upon the zip code changing, the next envelope will have a mark placed at a different location. Numbers in sequence can be printed on each of the letters so that a mail clerk can inspect the last letter within a zip code group to determine if there is a sufficient number of mail pieces within that zip code set to allow a postal discount.In an alternative embodiment, the markings on the side of the mail pieces are printed in a pattern so as to form numbers when a stack is viewed from the side. In addition to forming numbers, a pattern line can extend between the numbers.

Abstract: A system and process for improving mail deliverability by pre-processing and subjecting mail batches to one or more parameter tests involving addressing and content. A report is generated categorizing the mail in accordance with its deliverability and the degree of difficulty of its deliverability for use by a Postal System or a mailer. Databases can then by updated to increase the percentage of deliverable mail.

Abstract: A communication system for processing information for distribution, including: a central data station, a plurality of user stations, a communication link interconnecting the central station with each of the user data stations, the central station including having capability, for periodically and cyclically accessing each of selected ones of the user stations, means for accessing the data base at each of the accessed user stations, and for dividing the data base into a plurality of categories, a data base storage area for storing each of the categories the central data station has capability for augmenting each of the categories from each accessed user data base for accessing each of the categories in accordance with an authorized user station request, and for transmitting the accessed category to the requesting user.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing mail delivery of batch mail. A network is established interconnecting plural batch mailers, a data center, and the Postal Service. Mail data on the mail batches is transmitted to the data center. This enables the data center to generate data to the mailers for merging mail batches to achieve additional postage discounts, to schedule and route mail carriers external to and within the Postal System to increase efficiency of handling, and to interact with the Postal Service for logistics planning and drop-off point and timing of mail batches to expedite processing.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing mail delivery of batch mail. A network is established interconnecting plural batch mailers, a data center, and the Postal Service. Mail data on the mail batches is transmitted to the data center. This enables the data center to generate data to the mailers for merging mail batches to achieve additional postage discounts, to schedule and route mail carriers external to and within the Postal System to increase efficiency of handling, and to interact with the Postal Service for logistics planning and drop-off point and timing of mail batches to expedite processing. Scheduling and routing to take into account available resources of available drop-off points for mail for introduction into the Postal System is also described.