US5819240A — System and method for generating personalized pos…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 150 words

A processor-based system for printing a desired amount of postage for mailing a document created within said system, said system comprising: means for temporarily coupling said system to a postage storage device; means controlled in part by said postage storage device for automatically calculating a correct amount of postage for a particular one of said documents as a function of mailing parameters entered into said system and specific to said particular document; means for formatting data to be sent to a general purpose printer coupled to said system, wherein said formatted data is operable to print said correct amount of postage; and means for creating a personalized postage indicia together with said correct amount of postage, wherein at least one characteristic of said personalized postage indicia is personalized by a user of said system independent of said mailing parameters, said creating means operable in temporal proximity to said formatting means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 150 words

A processor-based system for printing a desired amount of postage for mailing a document created within said system, said system comprising: means for temporarily coupling said system to a postage storage device; means controlled in part by said postage storage device for automatically calculating a correct amount of postage for a particular one of said documents as a function of mailing parameters entered into said system and specific to said particular document; means for formatting data to be sent to a general purpose printer coupled to said system, wherein said formatted data is operable to print said correct amount of postage; and means for creating a personalized postage indicia together with said correct amount of postage, wherein at least one characteristic of said personalized postage indicia is personalized by a user of said system independent of said mailing parameters, said creating means operable in temporal proximity to said formatting means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 25 words

The system of claim 1 further comprising: means for generating a plurality of graphical configurations of postage indicia for selectively printing together with said postage.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 30 words

The system of claim 1 further including: means for selecting a particular graphical configuration of postage indicia; and means controlled by a system user for personalizing said selected graphical configuration.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 26 words

The system set forth in claim 3 further including: means for printing said personalized graphical configuration of postage indicia together with said correct amount of postage.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said postage indicia creating means includes: means for selecting from a plurality of preestablished postage indicia.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system set forth in claim 5 wherein at least one of said preestablished postage indicia is prestored on said postage storage device.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 25 words

The system set forth in claim 6 further comprising: means for selectively modifying said at least one preestablished postage indicia on said postage storage device.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system of claim 1 wherein said postage indicia creating means includes a plurality of graphical configurations of postage indicia.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 26 words

The system of claim 8 further including: means for allowing a system user to select one of said graphical configurations for the printing of said indicia.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 25 words

The system set forth in claim 9 wherein said selecting means includes: means for selecting from a menu of choices provided to said system user.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 26 words

The system of claim 1 wherein said postage indicia creating means includes: means for receiving input from a system user on a use by use basis.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 11 wherein said postage storage device is restricted for use within a particular time period.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 11 further comprising: means for storing in said postage memory a running balance of value of postage printed.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 28 words

The system of claim 13 further comprising: means for automatically deducting said correct amount of postage from a total amount of postage stored in said postage storage device.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 25 words

The system of claim 11 further comprising: means for automatically generating an encrypted message as a function of said mailing parameters entered into said system.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 15 words

The system of claim 15 wherein said encrypted message is in a PostNet Zip+4 format.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 16 words

The system of claim 15 wherein said encrypted message is in a two dimensional bar code.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 154 words

A method of printing a desired amount of postage for mailing a document created within a general purpose processor based system, said method comprising the steps of: automatically calculating a correct amount of postage for a particular one of said documents as a function of mailing parameters specific to said particular document; formatting data operable for printing said correct amount of postage; and wherein said formatting step includes the step of: creating, at least in part on said general purpose processor based system having a portable memory coupled thereto, a postage indicia together with said correct amount of postage, said postage indicia formatted for printing together with said correct amount of postage, wherein said creating step includes receiving information from a system user regarding said postage indicia independent of said mailing parameters and independent of information with respect said system user, said creating step being substantially contemporaneous with printing said correct amount of postage.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 154 words

A method of printing a desired amount of postage for mailing a document created within a general purpose processor based system, said method comprising the steps of: automatically calculating a correct amount of postage for a particular one of said documents as a function of mailing parameters specific to said particular document; formatting data operable for printing said correct amount of postage; and wherein said formatting step includes the step of: creating, at least in part on said general purpose processor based system having a portable memory coupled thereto, a postage indicia together with said correct amount of postage, said postage indicia formatted for printing together with said correct amount of postage, wherein said creating step includes receiving information from a system user regarding said postage indicia independent of said mailing parameters and independent of information with respect said system user, said creating step being substantially contemporaneous with printing said correct amount of postage.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 18 wherein said creating step further includes the step of: generating a plurality of graphical configurations of postage indicia for selectively printing together with said postage.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 18 wherein said creating step further includes: personalizing said created postage indicia under control of a system user.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method set forth in claim 20 wherein said at least one graphical configurations of postage indicia contains limitations on use provided by a controlling postage agency.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 18 wherein said creating step includes the step of: communicating with a data source to obtain at least one preestablished graphical configurations of postage indicia.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method set forth in claim 22 wherein said last-mentioned communicating step includes: selecting from a menu of choices.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method set forth in claim 18 wherein said instruction from said system user includes the step of: selecting from a plurality of preestablished postage indicia.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 24 wherein at least one of said preestablished postage indicia is restricted for use within a particular time period.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method set forth in claim 24 wherein at least one of said preestablished postage indicia is stored on said portable memory.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method set forth in claim 26 further including the step of: selectively modifying said at least one preestablished postage indicia.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 98 words

A system for printing postage indicia on a mailing envelope, said system comprising: a portable memory for storing thereon a plurality of said postage indicia; a general purpose processor-based system having stored thereon a plurality of application programs, said general purpose processor-based system executing a particular application program of said plurality of programs temporarily defining said general purpose processor-based system as a postage printing system; means for temporarily associating said portable memory with said postage printing system; and means controlled in part by said stored plurality of postage indicia for creating an user selected postage indicia for printing.

Claim 31

Independent Claim 98 words

A system for printing postage indicia on a mailing envelope, said system comprising: a portable memory for storing thereon a plurality of said postage indicia; a general purpose processor-based system having stored thereon a plurality of application programs, said general purpose processor-based system executing a particular application program of said plurality of programs temporarily defining said general purpose processor-based system as a postage printing system; means for temporarily associating said portable memory with said postage printing system; and means controlled in part by said stored plurality of postage indicia for creating an user selected postage indicia for printing.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 25 words

The system set forth in claim 28 wherein said postage indicia is stored on said portable memory by a processor located remote from said system.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system set forth in claim 28 wherein said system further includes: means for printing postage together with said postage indicia.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 16 words

The system of claim 28 wherein said remotely located processor establishes limitations for each postage indicia.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 28 wherein said postage creating means includes means for selecting from a plurality of graphical configurations of postage indicia.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 28 words

The system of claim 32 further including: means for allowing a system user to modify a selected one of said graphical configurations for the printing of said indicia.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 25 words

The system set forth in claim 33 wherein said last-mentioned means includes: means for selecting from a menu of choices provided to said system user.

Claim 38

Independent Claim 74 words

A method for printing postage indicia on a mailing envelope, said method comprising the steps of: prestoring on a portable memory at least one of said postage indicia; executing a postage metering program on a general purpose processor-based system; temporarily associating said portable memory with said processor based system; and creating under joint control of said postage metering program operating on said processor based system and said portable memory a user selected postage indicia.

Claim 39

Independent Claim 74 words

A method for printing postage indicia on a mailing envelope, said method comprising the steps of: prestoring on a portable memory at least one of said postage indicia; executing a postage metering program on a general purpose processor-based system; temporarily associating said portable memory with said processor based system; and creating under joint control of said postage metering program operating on said processor based system and said portable memory a user selected postage indicia.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method set forth in claim 35 wherein said postage indicia is stored on said portable memory by a processor located remote from said system, said portable memory also containing data representative of prepaid postage values.

Claim 41

Independent Claim 109 words

A method for printing postage indicia on a mailing envelope, said method comprising the steps of: storing data in a general purpose processor based system having a postage credit memory device coupled thereto, said data for creating at least one of said postage indicia; selecting under control of a user from said stored data a particular postage indicia, wherein said selecting step includes receiving input from said user regarding selection of said postage indicia; and printing on a general purpose printer said selected postage indicia under control of said processor based system, wherein said user input of said selecting step is received substantially contemporaneously with printing said postage indicia.

Claim 42

Independent Claim 109 words

A method for printing postage indicia on a mailing envelope, said method comprising the steps of: storing data in a general purpose processor based system having a postage credit memory device coupled thereto, said data for creating at least one of said postage indicia; selecting under control of a user from said stored data a particular postage indicia, wherein said selecting step includes receiving input from said user regarding selection of said postage indicia; and printing on a general purpose printer said selected postage indicia under control of said processor based system, wherein said user input of said selecting step is received substantially contemporaneously with printing said postage indicia.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 37 wherein said selecting step includes the step of: receiving input instructing from a system user for modifying said selected indicia.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method set forth in claim 37 wherein said selecting step includes the steps of: substituting for said stored data other data from said user for controlling the printing of a selected indicia.

Claim 45

Independent Claim 85 words

A method of controlling printing a selected postage indicia on a piece of mail, said method comprising the steps of: displaying a plurality of said postage indicia on a general purpose processor-based system screen, said general purpose processor-based system having a portable memory temporarily associated therewith; and selecting under control of a user a particular one of said displayed indicia, said selected indicia being transmitted to a printer, wherein said selecting step is performed in temporal proximity to transmitting said selected indicia to said printer.

Claim 46

Independent Claim 85 words

A method of controlling printing a selected postage indicia on a piece of mail, said method comprising the steps of: displaying a plurality of said postage indicia on a general purpose processor-based system screen, said general purpose processor-based system having a portable memory temporarily associated therewith; and selecting under control of a user a particular one of said displayed indicia, said selected indicia being transmitted to a printer, wherein said selecting step is performed in temporal proximity to transmitting said selected indicia to said printer.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method set forth in claim 40 further including the step of: modifying at least a portion of a selected displayed indicia under control of a system user.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method set forth in claim 40 wherein said portable memory includes data pertaining to at least one of said displayed postage indicia.

Claim 49

Independent Claim 148 words

A method for use in a general purpose CPU for generating personalized postage indicia messages in conjunction with a printed postage amount, said method comprising the steps of: interfacing with a user and with a program operating in said general purpose CPU for generating an amount of postage to be printed on a mailing piece for a particular piece of mail, said general purpose CPU having a portable memory containing prepaid postage amounts operative to control said postage amount generating step removably coupled thereto; selecting a desired indicia from a pre-established data base of possible indicia, wherein said selecting step includes receiving instruction with respect to said desired indica from an operator of said general purpose CPU; and printing said generated postage amount together with said selected indicia on said particular piece of mail, wherein said printing step is operable substantially contemporaneously with said receipt of operator instruction.

Claim 50

Independent Claim 148 words

A method for use in a general purpose CPU for generating personalized postage indicia messages in conjunction with a printed postage amount, said method comprising the steps of: interfacing with a user and with a program operating in said general purpose CPU for generating an amount of postage to be printed on a mailing piece for a particular piece of mail, said general purpose CPU having a portable memory containing prepaid postage amounts operative to control said postage amount generating step removably coupled thereto; selecting a desired indicia from a pre-established data base of possible indicia, wherein said selecting step includes receiving instruction with respect to said desired indica from an operator of said general purpose CPU; and printing said generated postage amount together with said selected indicia on said particular piece of mail, wherein said printing step is operable substantially contemporaneously with said receipt of operator instruction.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method set forth in claim 43 further including the step of: personalizing said selected indicia under control of said user.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method set forth in claim 43 wherein said preestablished data base is loaded into said CPU from said portable memory.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method set forth in claim 43 wherein said pre-established data base is remotely located from said CPU.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 107 words

In combination, means under control of said user for interfacing on a use by use basis with a user of a general purpose processor operating a program which controls the amount of, and printing of, postage amounts on mailing envelopes, said general purpose processor having a portable memory containing data for operating in cooperation with said processor program removably coupled thereto; means for creating a desired graphical presentation, said creating means being independent of information with respect to a particular user and a particular mailing envelope; and means for printing said created presentation in conjunction with the printing of a desired postage amount on a mailing envelope.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 107 words

In combination, means under control of said user for interfacing on a use by use basis with a user of a general purpose processor operating a program which controls the amount of, and printing of, postage amounts on mailing envelopes, said general purpose processor having a portable memory containing data for operating in cooperation with said processor program removably coupled thereto; means for creating a desired graphical presentation, said creating means being independent of information with respect to a particular user and a particular mailing envelope; and means for printing said created presentation in conjunction with the printing of a desired postage amount on a mailing envelope.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 28 words

The invention as set forth in claim 47 wherein said creating means includes means for selecting a desired graphical presentation from a pre-established data base of such presentations.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 19 words

The invention as set forth in claim 48 wherein said preestablished data base is included on said portable memory.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 21 words

The invention as set forth in claim 47 wherein said creating means is operative for a selected number of postage printings.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 124 words

A general purpose processor-based system for printing a desired amount of postage for mailing a document created within said system, said system comprising: means for communicating between said system and a postage storage memory; means for determining a correct amount of postage for a particular one of said documents; means for selecting a particular postage indicia to be printed with said correct amount of postage, said selecting means operable upon input of a user of said system; and means for formatting data to be sent to a printer coupled to said system, wherein said formatted data is operable to print said correct amount of postage together with a selected particular postage indicia, wherein said formatting means and said selecting means are operable substantially contemporaneously.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 124 words

A general purpose processor-based system for printing a desired amount of postage for mailing a document created within said system, said system comprising: means for communicating between said system and a postage storage memory; means for determining a correct amount of postage for a particular one of said documents; means for selecting a particular postage indicia to be printed with said correct amount of postage, said selecting means operable upon input of a user of said system; and means for formatting data to be sent to a printer coupled to said system, wherein said formatted data is operable to print said correct amount of postage together with a selected particular postage indicia, wherein said formatting means and said selecting means are operable substantially contemporaneously.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 25 words

The system of claim 51 further comprising: means for generating a plurality of graphical configurations of postage indicia for selectively printing together with said postage.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 30 words

The system of claim 51 further including means for selecting a particular graphical configuration of postage indicia; and means controlled by a system user for personalizing said selected graphical configuration.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 26 words

The system set forth in claim 53 further including: means for printing said personalized graphical configuration of postage indicia together with said correct amount of postage.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system set forth in claim 51 wherein said postage indicia selecting means includes: means for selecting from a plurality of preestablished postage indicia.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system set forth in claim 55 wherein at least one of said preestablished postage indicia is prestored in said postage storage memory.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 25 words

The system set forth in claim 56 further comprising: means for selectively modifying said at least one preestablished postage indicia on said postage storage device.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 51 wherein said postage indicia selecting means includes means for obtaining said postage indicia from said postage storage memory.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 41 words

The system of claim 58 wherein said postage memory includes a plurality of different graphical configurations and wherein said system further includes means for allowing a system user to select one of said graphical configurations for the printing of said indicia.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system set forth in claim 59 wherein said last mentioned means for allowing selection includes: means for selecting from a menu of choices provided to said system user.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 26 words

The system of claim 51 wherein said postage indicia selecting means includes: means for receiving input from a system user on a use by use basis.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 61 wherein said postage storage device is restricted for use within a particular time period.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 61 further comprising: means for storing in said postage memory a running balance of value of postage printed.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 28 words

The system of claim 63 further comprising: means for automatically deducting said correct amount of postage from a total amount of postage stored in said postage storage device.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system of claim 61 further comprising: means for automatically generating an encrypted message as a function of mailing parameters entered into said system.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 15 words

The system of claim 65 wherein said encrypted message is in a PostNet Zip+4 format.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 16 words

The system of claim 65 wherein said encrypted message is in a two dimensional bar code.

Claim 77

Independent Claim 81 words

A method of creating a selected postage indicia, said method comprising the steps of: displaying a plurality of said postage indicia on a general purpose processor-based system screen, said general purpose processor-based system having a postage memory device temporarily associated therewith; selecting under control of a user a particular one of said displayed indicia for transmittal to a printer; and printing said selected particular one of said postage indicia, wherein said printing step is performed substantially contemporaneously with said selecting step.

Claim 78

Independent Claim 81 words

A method of creating a selected postage indicia, said method comprising the steps of: displaying a plurality of said postage indicia on a general purpose processor-based system screen, said general purpose processor-based system having a postage memory device temporarily associated therewith; selecting under control of a user a particular one of said displayed indicia for transmittal to a printer; and printing said selected particular one of said postage indicia, wherein said printing step is performed substantially contemporaneously with said selecting step.

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method set forth in claim 68 wherein said selecting step includes the step of: personalizing said selected indicia.

Claim 80

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method set forth in claim 68 further including the step of: modifying at least a portion of a selected displayed indicia under control of a system user.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-10-05	2002-04-06	2002-10-06	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-10-05	2006-04-06	2006-10-06	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-10-05	2010-04-06	2010-10-06	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

System and method for generating personalized postage indica

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