EP0282359A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Letter preparing apparatus
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
•
Filing: 1988-03-14
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2008-03-14
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for preparing a letter is provided, which includes printing STRUCTURE (200), stationery item supplying structure (160) and a computer (120). The computer (120) is constructed and arranged for receiving a signal representative of letter data corresponding to information having a format. The information includes a plurality of parts. The computer (120) includes structure for reformatting the letter data. The reformatted letter data includes a plurality of parts. Each of the information parts corresponds to a different one of the data parts. The computer (120) also includes structure for selecting at least one of the data parts, causing the supplying structure to supply the stationery item to the printing structure and causing the printing structure to print on the stationery item the information part corresponding to the selected data parts.
Inventors
- 👤 Barry H. Axelrod
- 👤 Robert T. Durst
- 👤 Kevin D. Hunter
- 👤 Alfred C. Schmidt
- 👤 Guy L. Fougere
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:34
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C1/00; B07C3/00; B07C3/18; G; G06; G06F; G06F40/00; G06F40/10; G06F40/166; G06F40/174; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00467; G07B17/00508; G07B17/00661; G07B2017/00491; G07B2017/00572; G07B2017/0058; G07B2017/00588; G07B2017/00596; G07B2017/00701; G07B2017/00709; G07B2017/00725
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 79
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for preparing a letter, comprising: a. printing means; b. means for supplying a stationery item; and c. computer means, said computer means including means for receiving a signal representative of letter data corresponding to information having a format, said information including a plurality of parts, said computer means including means for reformatting said letter data, said reformatted letter data including a plurality of parts, each of said information parts corresponding to a different one of said data parts, said computer means including means for selecting at least one of said data parts, said computer means including means for causing said supplying means to supply said stationery item, and said computer means including means for causing said printing means to print on said stationery item the information part corresponding to the selected data part.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for preparing a letter, comprising: a. printing means; b. means for supplying a stationery item; and c. computer means, said computer means including means for receiving a signal representative of letter data corresponding to information having a format, said information including a plurality of parts, said computer means including means for reformatting said letter data, said reformatted letter data including a plurality of parts, each of said information parts corresponding to a different one of said data parts, said computer means including means for selecting at least one of said data parts, said computer means including means for causing said supplying means to supply said stationery item, and said computer means including means for causing said printing means to print on said stationery item the information part corresponding to the selected data part.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said computer means includes means for providing data corresponding to a postage value, and said computer means including means for causing said printing means to print said postage value on said stationery item.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said computer means includes means for providing data corresponding to a code, and said computer means including means for causing said printing means to print said code on said stationery item.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said printing means includes a printing means selected from the following: laser, LED, electrostatic, ink jet, thermal ink transfer, dot matrix, impact and pressure printing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said computer means includes means for receiving and storing data corresponding to a postage amount available for printing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein said computer means includes means for changing the postage amount available for printing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein said computer means includes means for receiving a token having postage changing instructions data stored therein, said computer means including means for reading said postage changing instructions data stored in said token, and said changing means including means for changing said postage amount available for printing in accordance with said postage changing instructions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said computer means includes means for providing a predetermined format, and said reformatting means including means for reformatting said letter data to conform to said predetermined format.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein said means for providing a predetermined format includes means defining a font size for printing alphanumeric information.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein said means for providing a predetermined format includes means for establishing marginal spacings defining the areas of said stationery item in which said information part is to be printed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to Claim 10, including means for locating said information part in a predetermined position in said area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus for preparing a letter including a stationery item, said apparatus comprising: a. printing means; b. means for providing a signal representative of letter data corresponding to information having a format, said information including a plurality of parts; and c. computer means including means for receiving said signal, means for reformatting said letter data, said reformatting letter data including a plurality of parts, each of said information parts corresponding to a different one of said data parts, said computer means further including means for selecting at least one of said data parts, and means for causing said printing means to print on said stationery item each information part corresponding to each selected data part.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus for preparing a letter including a stationery item, said apparatus comprising: a. printing means; b. means for providing a signal representative of letter data corresponding to information having a format, said information including a plurality of parts; and c. computer means including means for receiving said signal, means for reformatting said letter data, said reformatting letter data including a plurality of parts, each of said information parts corresponding to a different one of said data parts, said computer means further including means for selecting at least one of said data parts, and means for causing said printing means to print on said stationery item each information part corresponding to each selected data part.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein said providing means includes means for storing said information in a storage media, and said preparing means includes means for detecting said stored information and generating said signal corresponding thereto.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to Claim 12 or 13, wherein said providing means includes means for storing said letter data in a storage media, and said preparing means includes means for detecting said letter data and providing said signal representative thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein said computer means is a first computer means, and said providing means includes second computer means remotely located from said first computer means, and said preparing means includes means for transmitting said signal from said second computer means to said first computer means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein said providing means includes means for scanning a sheet, said sheet including said information, and said scanning means includes means for generating said signal in response to detection of said information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein said providing means includes facsimile communication means, and said facsimile communication means including means for generating said signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein said preparing means includes means for programming said computer means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein said computer means includes means for programming said computer means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein said computer means includes means for causing said printing means to print postage on said stationery item.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein one of said information parts is an address.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 21, wherein one of said information parts is a postal zip code.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 22, wherein said computer means includes means for providing a calendar date corresponding to the date of printing said stationery item, and means for causing said printing means to print said calendar date on said stationery item.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 23, wherein one of said information parts is the signature of the addressor of said stationery item.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 24, wherein one of said information parts is the message part of said information.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 25, wherein said computer means includes means for storing a telephone number of the addressor of said stationery items, and means for causing said printing means to print said telephone number.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 26, wherein said computer means includes means for storing a code assigned to the addressee of said stationery item, and means for causing said printing means to print said code on said stationery item.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 27, wherein each of said information parts is printed on said stationery item.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 28, wherein said computer means includes means for providing a postage value for mailing said stationery item, and means for causing said printing means to print said postage value on said stationery item.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 29, wherein said stationery item is a first stationery item, said letter includes a second stationery item, and said computer means including means for causing said printing means to print on said second stationery item at least one of said selected parts.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of preparing a letter including a stationery item, the method comprising: a. providing a signal representative of letter data corresponding to formatted information; b. digitally reformatting said letter data; c. selecting a part of said reformatted letter data corresponding to a part of said information; and d. printing on said stationery item the information part corresponding to said selected data part.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of preparing a letter including a stationery item, the method comprising: a. providing a signal representative of letter data corresponding to formatted information; b. digitally reformatting said letter data; c. selecting a part of said reformatted letter data corresponding to a part of said information; and d. printing on said stationery item the information part corresponding to said selected data part.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 23, wherein one of said information parts is the signature of the addressor of said stationery item.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 24, wherein one of said information parts is the message part of said information.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 25, wherein said computer means includes means for storing a telephone number of the addressor of said stationery items, and means for causing said printing means to print said telephone number.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 26, wherein said computer means includes means for storing a code assigned to the addressee of said stationery item, and means for causing said printing means to print said code on said stationery item.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 27, wherein each of said information parts is printed on said stationery item.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 28, wherein said computer means includes means for providing a postage value for mailing said stationery item, and means for causing said printing means to print said postage value on said stationery item.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 29, wherein said stationery item is a first stationery item, said letter includes a second stationery item, and said computer means including means for causing said printing means to print on said second item at least one of said selected parts.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of preparing a letter including a stationery item, the method comprising: a. providing a signal representative of letter data corresponding to formatted information; b. digitally reformatting said letter data; c. selecting a part of said reformatted letter data corresponding to a part of said information; and, d. printing on said stationery item the information part corresponding to said selected data part.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of preparing a letter including a stationery item, the method comprising: a. providing a signal representative of letter data corresponding to formatted information; b. digitally reformatting said letter data; c. selecting a part of said reformatted letter data corresponding to a part of said information; and, d. printing on said stationery item the information part corresponding to said selected data part.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to Claim 31, wherein the providing step includes the steps of detecting said information and generating said signal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to Claim 31 or 32, wherein said providing step includes the steps of transmitting said signal from a remote location.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
28 words
A method according to any one of claims 31 to 33, including the step of printing on said stationery item a postage value for mailing said stationery item.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
28 words
A method according to any one of claims 31 to 34, including the step of printing on said stationery a code identifying the addressee of said stationery item.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
24 words
A method according to any one of claims 31 to 35, including the step of printing a postal bar code on said stationery item.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
192 words
A system for processing a letter for bulk mailing, said system comprising: a. printing means; b. means for supplying stationery items; c. computer means, said computer means including means for receiving letter data corresponding to information for at least one letter, said information for said at least one letter including a plurality of parts, said computer means including means for formatting said letter data for said at least one letter, said formatted letter data including a pluraltiy of parts, said information parts for said at least one letter corresponding one-for-one with said data parts, said computer means further including means for causing said supplying means to supply at least one stationery item to said printing means, means for causing said printing means to print at least one information part on said at least one stationery item means for storing a predetermined code, and means for causing said printing means to print said code on said at least one stationery item; and d. means for receiving said at least one stationery item, said receiving means including a mailpouch, and said mailpouch including a mark thereon identifying said mailpouch as a bulk mail mailpouch.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
192 words
A system for processing a letter for bulk mailing, said system comprising: a. printing means; b. means for supplying stationery items; c. computer means, said computer means including means for receiving letter data corresponding to information for at least one letter, said information for said at least one letter including a plurality of parts, said computer means including means for formatting said letter data for said at least one letter, said formatted letter data including a pluraltiy of parts, said information parts for said at least one letter corresponding one-for-one with said data parts, said computer means further including means for causing said supplying means to supply at least one stationery item to said printing means, means for causing said printing means to print at least one information part on said at least one stationery item means for storing a predetermined code, and means for causing said printing means to print said code on said at least one stationery item; and d. means for receiving said at least one stationery item, said receiving means including a mailpouch, and said mailpouch including a mark thereon identifying said mailpouch as a bulk mail mailpouch.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to Claim 37, wherein said computer means includes means for causing said printing means to print an MMRS line of information on said at least one stationery item.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system according to claim 37 or 38, wherein said computer means includes means for causing said supplying means to supply a plurality of stationery items to said printing means, one of said plurality of stationery items being said at least one stationery item, and said computer means including means for causing said printing means to print passport information on another of said stationery items.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
44 words
A system according to any one of claims 37 to 39, wherein said computer means includes means for storing passport data, and said computer means including means for causing said passport data to be stored in a token removably connectable to said computer means.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to Claim 40, wherein said receiving means includes means for receiving said token.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
34 words
A system according to any one of claims 37 to 41, wherein said computer means includes means for causing said printing means to print a postage value on said at least one stationery item.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
23 words
A system according to any one of claims 37 to 42, wherein said formatting means includes means for automatically formatting said letter data.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
58 words
A system according to any one of claims 37 to 43, wherein said supplying means includes means for supplying a plurality of stationery items one of said stationery items being a sheet, another of said stationery items being an envelope, said computer means including means for causing said supplying means to supply said envelope before supplying said sheet.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to Claim 44, wherein said computer means includes means for causing said printing means to print said at least one information part on both said envelope and said sheet.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
23 words
A system according to any one of claims 37 to 45, including means for folding and sealing said at least one stationery item.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
28 words
A system according to any one of claims 37 to 46, wherein said at least one information part is an address, said address including a postal zip code.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of processing a letter for bulk mailing, said method comprising: a. providing letter data including a plurality of parts corresponding one-for-one with information for at least one letter; b. digitally formatting said letter data for said at least one letter; c. supplying at least one stationery item to printing means; d. causing said printing means to print on said at least one stationery item the information part corresponding to at least one part of said letter data; e. causing said printing means to print a predetermined code on said at least one stationery item; and f. providing for receiving said at least one stationery item, a mailpouch including a mark thereon identifying said mailpouch as a bulk mail mailpouch.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of processing a letter for bulk mailing, said method comprising: a. providing letter data including a plurality of parts corresponding one-for-one with information for at least one letter; b. digitally formatting said letter data for said at least one letter; c. supplying at least one stationery item to printing means; d. causing said printing means to print on said at least one stationery item the information part corresponding to at least one part of said letter data; e. causing said printing means to print a predetermined code on said at least one stationery item; and f. providing for receiving said at least one stationery item, a mailpouch including a mark thereon identifying said mailpouch as a bulk mail mailpouch.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to Claim 48, wherein said code printing step includes the step of printing a serial number corresponding to a passport serial number.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to Claim 49, wherein said code printing step includes the step of printing a serial number of a postage authorization device.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
164 words
Apparatus for preparing mailpieces, comprising: a. printing means; b. means for supplying a plurality of stationery items; and c. computer means, said computer means including means for receiving and storing data including different letter datum corresponding one-for-one to different information provided for preparing each of a plurality of different mailpieces, said information for each mailpiece including a postal zip code, said computer means including means for identifying respective postal zip codes which each include a plurality of predetermined elements, said computer means including means for sorting from said data the letter datum corresponding to information which includes an identified postal zip code, said computer means including means for causing said supplying means to selectively supply to said printing means the respective stationery items for each mailpiece for which a postal zip code is identified, and said computer means including means for causing said printing means to print the information corresponding to the sorted letter datum for each mailpiece on the stationery items selected therefor.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
164 words
Apparatus for preparing mailpieces, comprising: a. printing means; b. means for supplying a plurality of stationery items; and c. computer means, said computer means including means for receiving and storing data including different letter datum corresponding one-for-one to different information provided for preparing each of a plurality of different mailpieces, said information for each mailpiece including a postal zip code, said computer means including means for identifying respective postal zip codes which each include a plurality of predetermined elements, said computer means including means for sorting from said data the letter datum corresponding to information which includes an identified postal zip code, said computer means including means for causing said supplying means to selectively supply to said printing means the respective stationery items for each mailpiece for which a postal zip code is identified, and said computer means including means for causing said printing means to print the information corresponding to the sorted letter datum for each mailpiece on the stationery items selected therefor.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to Claim 51, wherein said letter datum for each given mailpiece includes a plurality of parts respectively corresponding one-for-one to to respective parts of information to be printed on the respective stationery items for said given mailpiece.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to Claim 52, wherein the respective parts of said letter datum for each mailpiece correspond to different parts of the corresponding information.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to Claim 53, wherein said means for causing said printing means to print information corresponding to letter datum on respective stationery items causes at least one part of said information to be printed on only one of said stationery items.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 51 to 55, wherein said computer means includes means for formatting the letter datum for each mailpiece.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to Claim 55, wherein said formatting means includes means for automatically formatting said letter datum for each mailpiece to conform the corresponding information thereof to a predetermined letter format.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to any one of claim 51 to 56, including means for folding the respective printing stationery items for said mailpiece and means for sealing said folded stationery items.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 51 to 57, wherein said computer means includes means for providing data corresponding to at least one postage value for mailing the selected stationery items for at least one mailpiece, and means for causing said printing means to print said at least one postage value on one of said selected stationery items for said at least one mailpiece.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 51 to 58, wherein said computer means includes means for providing data corresponding to a code, for example a bar code or postal bar code, and means for causing said printing means to print said code on at least one of said selected stationery items.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 51 to 59, wherein said computer means includes means for receiving and storing data corresponding to a postage amount available for printing.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 60, wherein said computer means includes means for changing the postage amount available for printing.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus according to Claim 61, wherein said computer means includes means for receiving a token having postage changing instructions data stored therein, and means for reading said postage changing instructions data stored in said token, and said changing means includes means for changing said postage amount available for printing in accordance with said postage changing instructions.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for preparing a letter, comprising: a. printing means; b. means for supplying a plurality of stationery items; and c. computer means, said computer means including means for receiving a signal representative of letter data corresponding to information having a format, said information including a plurality of parts, said computer means including means for reformatting said letter data, said reformatted letter data including a plurality of parts, each of said information parts corresponding to a different one of said data parts, said computer means including means for selecting said data parts, said computer means including means for causing said supplying means to supply said stationery items, and said computer means including means for causing said printing means to print on each stationery item at least one information part corresponding to at least one selected data part.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for preparing a letter, comprising: a. printing means; b. means for supplying a plurality of stationery items; and c. computer means, said computer means including means for receiving a signal representative of letter data corresponding to information having a format, said information including a plurality of parts, said computer means including means for reformatting said letter data, said reformatted letter data including a plurality of parts, each of said information parts corresponding to a different one of said data parts, said computer means including means for selecting said data parts, said computer means including means for causing said supplying means to supply said stationery items, and said computer means including means for causing said printing means to print on each stationery item at least one information part corresponding to at least one selected data part.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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