US5726894A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Postage metering system including means for selecting postal processing services for a sheet and digitally printing thereon postal information pertaining to each selected postal processing service
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
•
Filing: 1995-12-21
•
Granted: 1998-03-10
•
Expires: 2015-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A postage metering system comprising: structure for storing first postal information including a fixed portion of a postage indicia, the postage indicia including a variable portion thereof; structure for storing second postal information including a plurality of portions thereof respectively corresponding to a different one of a plurality of postal processing services for a sheet; structure for selectively providing at least one of the plurality of, postal processing services for the sheet; and structure for digitally printing on the sheet the first postal information and the variable portion of the postage indicia and each portion of the second postal information which corresponds to a different selected postal processing service.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald P. Sansone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:23
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00508; G07B2017/00637; G07B2017/00645
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A postage metering system comprising: (a) means for storing first postal information including a fixed portion of a postage indicia, the postage indicia including a variable portion thereof; (b) means for storing second postal information including a plurality of portions thereof respectively corresponding to a different one of a plurality of postal processing services for a sheet; (c) means for selectively providing at least one of the plurality of postal processing services for the sheet; and (d) means for digitally printing a graphical image on the sheet the first postal information and the variable portion of the postage indicia and each portion of the second postal information which corresponds to different selected postal processing service.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A postage metering system comprising: (a) means for storing first postal information including a fixed portion of a postage indicia, the postage indicia including a variable portion thereof; (b) means for storing second postal information including a plurality of portions thereof respectively corresponding to a different one of a plurality of postal processing services for a sheet; (c) means for selectively providing at least one of the plurality of postal processing services for the sheet; and (d) means for digitally printing a graphical image on the sheet the first postal information and the variable portion of the postage indicia and each portion of the second postal information which corresponds to different selected postal processing service.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
The postage metering system according to claim 1, wherein the variable portion of the postage indicia includes a total postage value to be printed, each of the plurality of postal processing services having assigned thereto one of a plurality of predetermined service values, the plurality of predetermined service values including a zero value, and the total postage value to be printed including the service value of each selected postal processing service.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The postage metering system according to claim 1, wherein a second postal information portion includes information for indicating that a courier is to be provided for delivery of the sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The postage metering system according to claim 1, wherein a second postal information portion includes information for tracing and tracking the sheet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The postage metering system according to claim 1, wherein a second postal information portion includes information requiring that a return receipt be requested.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The postage metering system according to claim 1, wherein a second postal information portion includes information indicating that insurance has been purchased for delivery of the contents of the sheet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The postage metering system according to claim 1, wherein a second postal information portion includes information calling for international routing of the sheet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The postage metering system according to claim 1, wherein a second postal information portion includes information calling for expedited international routing of the sheet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The postage metering system according to claim 1, wherein a second postal information portion includes information identifying a return address for the sheet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The postage metering system according to claim 1, wherein a second postal information portion includes information providing a return address logo for the sheet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The postage metering system according to claim 1, wherein a second postal information portion includes information identifying a carrier for the sheet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The postage metering system according to claim 1, wherein a second postal information portion includes information requiring the collection of a predetermined payment for delivery of the sheet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The postage metering system according to claim 1 including random access memory means, and the random access, memory means including the means for storing the second postal information.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The postage metering system according to claim 13, wherein the means for digitally printing includes printing apparatus and printing computer means, and the random access memory means is electrically connectable to the printing computer means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The postage metering system according to claim 2, wherein the means for digitally printing includes printing apparatus and printing computer means for controlling the printing apparatus.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The postage metering system according to claim 15 including non-volatile memory means electrically connectable to the printing computer means, and the non-volatile memory means including the first postal information and thus the fixed portion of the postage indicia.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
66 words
The postage metering system according to claim 15 including accounting means removably electrically connectable to the printing computer means, the accounting means including the non-volatile memory means, the accounting means including accounting computer means, the accounting computer means including means for calculating the total postage value to be printed, and the total postage value to be printed including a base value for delivery of the sheet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The postage metering system according to claim 15, wherein the printing computer means is adapted to be electrically connected in communication with external means for changing at least one service value.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4024380A
Cited
US4296476A
Cited
US4471464A
Cited
US4325440A
Cited
US4814995A
Cited
US4499545A
Cited
US4595984A
Cited
US4872119A
Cited
US4813912A
Cited
US4858138A
Cited
EP0285390B1
Cited
US5200903A
Cited
US4903139A
Cited
US5051925A
Cited
US5142614A
Cited
US5150456A
Cited
US5319562A
Cited
US5410641A
Cited
US5357604A
Cited
US5388841A
Cited
US5617519A
Cited
US5602743A
Cited
US5600562A
Cited
US5602921A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-03-09 | 2001-09-08 | 2002-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-09 | 2005-09-08 | 2006-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-09 | 2009-09-08 | 2010-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |