Abstract: An anti-tampering device secures bolted components, such as a trailer coupler mounted to an adjustable channel. A nut shield provides hexagonal channels in which nuts are contained. A hasp assembly provides a locking tab. Bolts secure the nut shield and the hasp assembly to the components. A hasp shield with a notched annular flange overlays the hasp assembly, receives the tab through a slot in the area surrounded by the notched annular flange, and contains a puck lock in the area. The puck lock engages the locking tab.

Abstract: A trailer coupler includes a lock contained within a channel in a coupler body. A pin extends from the lock. The pin extends through an aperture in an end of the channel and through an aperture in a latch handle when the lock is locked. In such configuration, the pin prevents pivoting the latch handle to an open (unlocked) position. Unlocking the lock allows the lock to be moved at least partially out of the channel, which removes the pin from the aperture in the handle, allowing the handle to pivot to an open (unlocked) position.

Abstract: A method that allows taxing jurisdictions to collect sales and/or use taxes from sales that are made via the internet and catalogs. The method also makes it easier for sellers to comply with the taxing jurisdiction's mandated seller administrative functions. The foregoing is accomplished by using an agent to perform the sales tax administration functions of a seller, relieving the seller of as much of the burden of compliance as possible.

Abstract: A printing system is provided that dynamically adjusts the method of printing an image based on the lightness or darkness of the medium upon which the image will be printed. The reflectivity of the medium upon which an image is to be printed is determined, and the way in which the image will be printed is adjusted based on the determined reflectivity of the medium. For lighter colored mediums, on which sufficient contrast will be provided, the image can be printed directly onto the medium. For darker colored mediums, on which the ink used to print the image will not provide enough contrast with respect to the medium to produce a reliably readable image, the method of printing the image is modified to ensure that sufficient contrast is always provided to produce a reliably readable image.

Abstract: A method that utilizes a first process that detects if a first printed region that is a fraudulent copy based on information associated with the first printed region; and utilizes the information obtained in the first process to determine in a second process if a second printed region is a fraudulent copy. The information associated with the first printed region may be printer mode, i.e., economic, medium, best, ink cartridge identification number, or numbers, type of ink or inks, resolution of the first and second image, print head angle, resolution pattern, etc. The first process detects fraudulent copies of images more quickly.

Abstract: A method of measuring a mailpiece includes deflecting a laser beam through an arc, determining an angle at which the laser beam is currently directed, and calculating a dimension of the mailpiece based at least in part on the determined angle.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the thickness of a mail piece is provided. A first image of at least a portion of a surface of a mail piece is captured using a first optical axis for a feature on the surface of the mail piece. A second image of the feature is captured after the mail piece has moved a distance using a second optical axis that is angled with respect to the first optical axis. The first and second images are correlated to determine a displacement of the feature, and the thickness of the mail piece is determined based on the displacement and the angle between the first and second optical axes.

Abstract: A printing system is provided that dynamically adjusts the method of printing an image based on the lightness or darkness of the medium upon which the image will be printed. The reflectivity of the medium upon which an image is to be printed is determined, and the way in which the image will be printed is adjusted based on the determined reflectivity of the medium. For lighter colored mediums, on which sufficient contrast will be provided, the image can be printed directly onto the medium. For darker colored mediums, on which the ink used to print the image will not provide enough contrast with respect to the medium to produce a reliably readable image, the method of printing the image is modified to ensure that sufficient contrast is always provided to produce a reliably readable image.

Abstract: A printing system is provided that dynamically adjusts the method of printing an image based on the lightness or darkness of the medium upon which the image will be printed. The reflectivity of the medium upon which an image is to be printed is determined, and the way in which the image will be printed is adjusted based on the determined reflectivity of the medium. For lighter colored mediums, on which sufficient contrast will be provided, the image can be printed directly onto the medium. For darker colored mediums, on which the ink used to print the image will not provide enough contrast with respect to the medium to produce a reliably readable image, the method of printing the image is modified to ensure that sufficient contrast is always provided to produce a reliably readable image.

Abstract: A board that hides information in a manner that only certain authorized personnel may change the information and other authorized personnel may view the information. This invention accomplishes the foregoing by placing a locked panel of translucent material over certain information written on the board that may only be changed by an authorized individual by opening the lock. A panel of opaque material is placed over the translucent material in a manner that certain information written on the board will be revealed when authorized personnel remove the opaque material or cause the opaque material to be transparent. The translucent material may be removed by activating a switch or entering a code.

Abstract: A method for permitting mailers to obtain legal proof of induction/acceptance of mail pieces without requiring the mailer to bring the mail piece to the post office. The foregoing may be accomplished by having the post office notify the mailer's postage meter of the induction/acceptance of the mail piece when the post office scans the mail piece at the beginning of the delivery process.

Abstract: A method for electronic proof of induction/acceptance for manifested special service mail. The foregoing may be accomplished by having the post office notify the mailer's postage meter of the induction/acceptance of the manifested mail pieces when the post office scans the manifest and mail pieces at the beginning of the delivery process.

Abstract: A method for the prepayment by a shipper of customs duties and fees in a first country on shipments addressed for delivery in a second country that will be charged to the shippers' postage meter. For instance, if a package is mailed in the United Kingdom and delivered to a destination in the United States, the shipper's postage meter will place a Royal Mail postal indicia on the package for that portion of the postal delivery cost that is attributable to the United Kingdom post office and a United States Postal and Customs postal and customs indicia on the package for that portion of the delivery cost that is attributable to the United States Postal Service and United States Customs.

Abstract: A method for the prepayment by a shipper of customs duties and fees in a first country on shipments addressed for delivery in a second country that will be charged to the shippers' postage meter. For instance, if a package is mailed in the United Kingdom and delivered to a destination in the United States, the shipper's postage meter will place a Royal Mail postal indicia on the package for that portion of the postal delivery cost that is attributable to the United Kingdom post office and a United States Postal and Customs postal and customs indicia on the package for that portion of the delivery cost that is attributable to the United States Postal Service and United States Customs.

Abstract: The invention makes it easier for the post office to calculate accurately terminal dues for business reply mail by providing information to the post regarding each piece of business reply mail that crosses an international border. The foregoing is accomplished by charging a sender's meter for business reply mail that is being deposited with a first carrier; transmitting the funds charged to the meter to a meter data center; transmitting from the meter data center to a first carrier meter payment center the funds attributable to the first and second carriers; and transmitting from the first meter payment data center to the second meter payment data center the funds attributable to the second carrier.

Abstract: The invention makes it easier for the post office to calculate accurately terminal dues by providing information to the post regarding each piece or parcel of mail that crosses an international border. The invention also makes it easier for the post offices to calculate terminal dues by obtaining fee information from mail that is sent internationally. The foregoing is accomplished by placing an indication on the mail that the fees for delivering the mail have been paid or will be paid by a mailer who has an account with the post office; sorting the mail to find international mail; storing the fees that have been paid or will be paid for international mail; reporting the fees that have been paid for international mail to all participating post offices; and calculating the fees that are to be transferred to participating post offices.

Abstract: The invention makes it easier for the post office to calculate accurately terminal dues by providing information to the post regarding each piece or parcel of mail that crosses an international border. The foregoing is accomplished by charging a sender's meter for mail that is being deposited with a first carrier; transmitting the funds charged to the meter to a meter data center; transmitting from the meter data center to a first carrier meter payment center the funds attributable to the first and second carriers; and transmitting from the first meter payment data center to the second meter payment data center the funds attributable to the second carrier.

Abstract: The invention makes it easier for the post office to calculate accurately terminal dues by providing information to the post regarding each piece or parcel of mail that crosses an international border. The invention also makes it easier for the post offices to calculate terminal dues by obtaining fee information from mail that is sent internationally. The foregoing is accomplished by placing an indication on the mail that the fees for delivering the mail have been paid or will be paid by a mailer to each post office that handles the mail. For instance, if a mail piece is mailed in the United States and delivered to a destination in the United Kingdom, the mailer's postage meter will place a Radio Frequency Identification Tag (RFID) on the mail piece that indicates the portion of the delivery cost that is attributable to the United States post office and that portion of the delivery cost that is attributable to the Royal Mail.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for authorizing payment to a seller upon delivery of an item to a buyer. The method includes registering each seller and each buyer with a transaction server or database. An identifier, such as a bar code is generated and affixed to the package of the item. The identifier is associated with the seller and is used to trace the package through a delivery system until the package reaches the buyer. At the buyer location, the identifier is scanned and data is transmitted to a transaction database indicating that the package has arrived. Upon notification of arrival to the buyer, the buyer account is debited to pay for the item. A notice may then be sent to the buyer and the seller indicating that the transaction has been completed.

Abstract: A system that determines if mail contains life-harming materials before the mail enters the interior of a receptacle, i.e., mail box. This invention accomplishes the foregoing by issuing stamps that uniquely identify the stamp and identify the mailer to whom the stamp was issued; having a scanner at a receptacle read the stamp and send the unique identifying code contained in the stamp to a data center that checks if the stamp is genuine; and stores the stamps unique code before mail is permitted to enter the interior of the receptacle.