Patent US4999481A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4999481A
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Method and apparatus for sequentially numbering mail pieces
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1988-12-19
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Granted: 1991-03-12
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Expires: 2008-12-19
Abstract
Abstract A mail sender processes batches of mail each of which is accompanied by a statement summarizing the type and number of mail pieces sent and amount of postage for each batch. During processing, each mail piece is identified by a unique number for security purposes.
Inventors
- 👤 Patricia B. Baer
- 👤 Kevin D. Hunter
- 👤 William G. Hart
- 👤 Barry H. Axelrod
- 👤 Ronald P. Sansone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 15:43
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00016; G07B17/00024; G07B17/0008; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00467; G07B17/00508; G07B17/00733; G07B2017/00048; G07B2017/00056; G07B2017/00088; G07B2017/00096; G07B2017/00153; G07B2017/00169; G07B2017/00177; G07B17/00185; G07B17/00193; G07B2017/00201; G07B2017/00225; G07B2017/00483; G07B2017/00572; G07B2017/0058; G07B2017/00596; G07B17/00661; G07B2017/00701
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for processing and providing authentication information relative to the payment of postage for a batch of mail, said apparatus comprising: means for processing a plurality of mail pieces for mailing including a register having postage value store therein; means for reducing the postage value in said register for the postage required to mail said plurality of mail pieces and means for determining the amount of postage required to mail said plurality of mail; means for printing a truncated number on each of said mail pieces that is a combination of portions of at least two numbers associated with the processing of said mail pieces whereby payment of postage can be determined by verifying the distinctness of each of said truncated numbers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for processing and providing authentication information relative to the payment of postage for a batch of mail, said apparatus comprising: means for processing a plurality of mail pieces for mailing including a register having postage value store therein; means for reducing the postage value in said register for the postage required to mail said plurality of mail pieces and means for determining the amount of postage required to mail said plurality of mail; means for printing a truncated number on each of said mail pieces that is a combination of portions of at least two numbers associated with the processing of said mail pieces whereby payment of postage can be determined by verifying the distinctness of each of said truncated numbers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for encrypting said numbers associated with the processing of said mail pieces and wherein said truncated number is a truncated portion of an encrypted number.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus has a serial number and each said truncated number is a combination of portions of a mail piece number and said serial number.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said numbers are derived from a base 32 numerical system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said numbers are derived from a numerical system other than the numerical system to base ten.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said truncated number includes said postal value stored in said register.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said register is an ascending register.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said register is a descending register.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus has a serial number and said truncated number is printed as a combination of portions at least one of said serial number and said register postage value number.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
138 words
The apparatus for processing and providing information relative to authenticating the payment of postage for a batch of mail, comprising: a register with a value stored therein; means for preparing a plurality of mail pieces for mailing and determining the amount of postage required to mail said plurality of mail pieces; means for reducing the amount of postage value in said register an amount equal to the amount of postage required to mail said plurality of mail pieces; means for preparing a statement sheet containing the number of mail pieces prepared and the postage required to mail said plurality of mail pieces; and means for placing a distinct number derived from said number of mail pieces prepared and said required postage on said statement sheet, whereby the payment of postage can be determined by verifying said unique number.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
138 words
The apparatus for processing and providing information relative to authenticating the payment of postage for a batch of mail, comprising: a register with a value stored therein; means for preparing a plurality of mail pieces for mailing and determining the amount of postage required to mail said plurality of mail pieces; means for reducing the amount of postage value in said register an amount equal to the amount of postage required to mail said plurality of mail pieces; means for preparing a statement sheet containing the number of mail pieces prepared and the postage required to mail said plurality of mail pieces; and means for placing a distinct number derived from said number of mail pieces prepared and said required postage on said statement sheet, whereby the payment of postage can be determined by verifying said unique number.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said statement sheet has an identification number and said distinct number is a combination of portions of the statement sheet identification number and said required postage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said identification and associated numbers are derived from a base 32 numerical system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said identification and associated numbers are derived from a numerical system other than a base 10 numerical system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said distinct number is a truncated number.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said unique number is a truncated portion of an encrypted number.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a method of authenticating the payment of postage for a batch of mail, the steps comprising: placing postage value in a register, processing a plurality of mail pieces for mailing including determining an amount of postage required to mail said batch of mail, placing a distinct number derived from portions of at least two numbers associated with said batch of mail and based on a numerical system other than the base ten numerical system on each individual mail piece, and determining the authenticity of said payment of postage by inspection of said distinct number.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a method of authenticating the payment of postage for a batch of mail, the steps comprising: placing postage value in a register, processing a plurality of mail pieces for mailing including determining an amount of postage required to mail said batch of mail, placing a distinct number derived from portions of at least two numbers associated with said batch of mail and based on a numerical system other than the base ten numerical system on each individual mail piece, and determining the authenticity of said payment of postage by inspection of said distinct number.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of: selecting said distinct number from a combination of a mail piece number and the serial number of a device used in processing the mail.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of: representing said numbers in a base 32 numerical system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of: deriving said distinct number as a combination of at least a portion of two numbers associated with the batch of mail.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-03-11 | 1994-09-10 | 1995-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-03-11 | 1998-09-10 | 1999-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-03-11 | 2002-09-10 | 2003-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |