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US5731574A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Digital postage indicia verification for inserting system

Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
•
Filing: 1996-09-30
•
Granted: 1998-03-24
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Expires: 2016-09-30
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Abstract

Abstract In an envelope inserting system, a method of digitally printing a postage indicia including a barcode on an envelope. The method includes: inserting a plurality of documents into an envelope to form a stuffed envelope; conveying the stuffed envelope to a digital, postage indicia printer; conveying an image of the postage indicia and included barcode to the printer; printing a postage indicia and included barcode on the stuffed envelope with the postgae indicia printer; conveying the printed, stuffed envelope to a barcode reader; determining with the barcode reader whether or not the barcode is readable; if the barcode is readable, determining whether or not the indicia was printed with the correct amount of postage; and if the barcode is not readable or if the indicia was not printed with the correct amount of postage, outsorting the stuffed envelope.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kevin W. Bodie
  • 👤 Neale C. Hutcheson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 05:24
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00508; B; B07; B07C; B07C3/00; B07C3/18; G07B17/00467; G07B17/00185; G07B17/00362; G07B2017/0037; G07B2017/00475; G07B2017/00491; G07B2017/00572; G07B2017/0058; G07B2017/00588; G07B17/00661; G07B2017/00709; G07B2017/00717

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 136 words
In an envelope inserting system, a method of digitally printing a postage indicia including a barcode on an envelope, comprising: inserting a plurality of documents into an envelope to form a stuffed envelope; conveying said stuffed envelope to a digital, postage indicia printer; conveying an image of the postage indicia and included barcode to said printer; printing a postage indicia and included barcode on said stuffed envelope with said postage indicia printer; conveying said printed, stuffed envelope to a barcode reader; determining with said barcode reader whether or not said barcode is readable; if said barcode is readable, determining whether or not the indicia was printed with the correct amount of postage; and if said barcode is not readable or if the indicia was not printed with the correct amount of postage, outsorting said stuffed envelope.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 136 words
In an envelope inserting system, a method of digitally printing a postage indicia including a barcode on an envelope, comprising: inserting a plurality of documents into an envelope to form a stuffed envelope; conveying said stuffed envelope to a digital, postage indicia printer; conveying an image of the postage indicia and included barcode to said printer; printing a postage indicia and included barcode on said stuffed envelope with said postage indicia printer; conveying said printed, stuffed envelope to a barcode reader; determining with said barcode reader whether or not said barcode is readable; if said barcode is readable, determining whether or not the indicia was printed with the correct amount of postage; and if said barcode is not readable or if the indicia was not printed with the correct amount of postage, outsorting said stuffed envelope.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said barcode is two dimensional.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said barcode comprises PDF-417 barcode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said barcode reader comprises a PDF-417, non-contact barcode reader.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 12 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said image comprises a bit-mapped image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said printer includes a type of feedback verification.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4800504A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2001-03-23 2001-09-22 2002-03-24 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2005-03-23 2005-09-22 2006-03-24 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2009-03-23 2009-09-22 2010-03-24 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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