US5075862A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for printing value indicia with diagrammatic data representation
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1989-12-26
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Granted: 1991-12-24
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Expires: 2009-12-26
Abstract
Abstract A value printing system includes a printer that prints an indicia. The indicia represents a value. The system also includes an apparatus for controlling the printer and an apparatus for accounting for the value represented by the indicia. The indicia includes one or more markers that present numerical data in the form of a diagram. Alternatively, the indicia includes one or more locations in which the presence or absence of a marker authenticates the indicia. An overlay may be provided to aid in interpreting the markers.
Inventors
- 👤 Terrence M. Doeberl
- 👤 Michael P. Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 11:55
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00508; G07B2017/00572; G07B2017/0058; G07B2017/00604
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A value printing system, comprising: (a) printing means for printing an indicia, said indicia representing a value; (b) control means for controlling said printing means; and (c) means for accounting for said value represented by said indicia; said control means controlling said printing means to print said indicia so that said indicia contains numerical information, said numerical information being represented in diagrammatic form and representing a single numerical value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A value printing system, comprising: (a) printing means for printing an indicia, said indicia representing a value; (b) control means for controlling said printing means; and (c) means for accounting for said value represented by said indicia; said control means controlling said printing means to print said indicia so that said indicia contains numerical information, said numerical information being represented in diagrammatic form and representing a single numerical value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said diagrammatic form comprises a bargraph.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said diagrammatic form comprises at least one marker that occupies a location associated with a numeric value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising a clock module for providing a time of day signal to said control means, and wherein said numerical information comprises the time or printing of said indicia.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 4, wherein said diagrammatic form comprises a clock image which represents said time of printing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
An overlay for interpreting an indicia having fixed elements, the overlay comprising: (a) a transparent sheet; and (b) a pattern borne by said sheet, said pattern including at least one element matching at least one of said fixed elements, said pattern comprising means for defining a plurality of locations and means for associating a numeric value with each of said locations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
An overlay for interpreting an indicia having fixed elements, the overlay comprising: (a) a transparent sheet; and (b) a pattern borne by said sheet, said pattern including at least one element matching at least one of said fixed elements, said pattern comprising means for defining a plurality of locations and means for associating a numeric value with each of said locations.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The overlay of claim 6 wherein said pattern further comprises means for defining a tell location.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The overlay of claim 6, wherein said defining means comprises a tinted area.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
45 words
A method of presenting numerical information in a value indicia comprising the steps of: (a) defining a plurality of locations in said indicia; (b) associating a numeric value with each of said locations; and (c) printing a marker in at least one of said locations.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
45 words
A method of presenting numerical information in a value indicia comprising the steps of: (a) defining a plurality of locations in said indicia; (b) associating a numeric value with each of said locations; and (c) printing a marker in at least one of said locations.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of superposing an overlay upon said indicia and interpreting said marker by use of said overlay.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of randomly selecting the location in which to print the marker.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of selecting said at least one location by applying an algorithm to numerical information, and printing alphanumeric characters as part of said indicia, said alphanumeric characters representing said numerical information.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said selection occurs before said printing of said alphanumeric characters.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of superposing an overlay upon said indicia and interpreting said marker by use of said overlay.
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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) | 1994-12-23 | 1995-06-24 | 1995-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-23 | 1999-06-24 | 1999-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-23 | 2003-06-24 | 2003-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |