AUTOMATED SELF-SERVICE MAIL PROCESSING AND STORING SYSTEMS

• US 20020007281A1
• Filed: 10/04/1996
• Published: 01/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1994
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: DARON, JOHN, GIL, ASHER
• Application Number:
  US08/720,927
• Publication Number:
  US 20020007281A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00193 Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00362 Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00467 Transporting mailpieces postal sorting B07C
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00661 Sensing or measuring mailpieces weighing G01G19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00072 Hybrid mail, i.e. mail delivered using different physical means along the mail delivery path, e.g. email and envelope
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00209 Mailbox, i.e. container for outgoing mail
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00225 Vending machine or POS (Point Of Sale) apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00233 Housing, e.g. lock or hardened casing
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00282 Touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00306 Acoustic, e.g. voice control or speech prompting
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/0037 Calculation of postage value
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00475 Sorting mailpieces
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00491 Mail/envelope/insert handling system
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00669 Sensing the position of mailpieces
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00685 Measuring the dimensions of mailpieces
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00701 Measuring the weight of mailpieces
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/26 for printing, stamping, franking, typing or teleprinting apparatus ticket printing or the like apparatus G07F17/42

Abstract

An automated self-service mail processing and storing system is disclosed which is capable of receiving input from and providing instructions to a user via a touch-sensitive screen or a digitized voice system. The system is capable of weighing the mail item, receiving user identification information from a credit/debit card, for example, for payment, calculating the charge for shipment and deducting that amount from the user'"'"'s charge account, and securely storing the item for subsequent pickup. The system contains a novel weighing means capable of detecting minute vibrations for purposes of obtaining an accurate weight amount. The system may also contain a tracking bar code generation means and a tracking bar code verification system. Optionally, a dual floppy disk system allows the user to send electronic mail, and a built-in facsimile apparatus allows the user to send “FAX” information through the telephone line. Also disclosed is a two-way communication means coupled between the mail processing and storing system computer and a remote computer station for providing such functions as credit authorization and charge reporting, transaction and tracking information transfers, error reporting, etc.

Claims

1. A system for accepting and storing items for subsequent pickup by a commercial carrier, comprising:

an outer housing;

means for weighing an item which a customer may intend to ship;

means for inputting information relating to the destination of the item from customer;

control means for calculating a shipment fee for the item, said control means being in communication with said weighing means and said information inputting means;

means in communication with said control means, for accepting identification information relating to eventual payment from the customer, said communication means comprising means for receiving and reading a credit card, means for communicating the charges information to a central location for billing the charges to said customer;

a storage area defined by said outer housing; and

secure deposit means for permitting a customer to securely deposit the item into the storage area, said secure deposit means including a first zone which serves as a holding space when said item is first placed in the storage area and a secure zone into which the item is moved for secure storage.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said system includes means for supplying voice instructions for operation of said system.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for communicating comprise a card reader supported in said outer housing and a telephone line connected to said card reader at one end and a credit card service center at the other end.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said means outer housing includes means for measuring the item size and inputting such size into said control means for use in calculating the shipping charge.

5. An integrated, automated, unattended unit for collecting and securely holding items for collection and shipment by commercial delivery services, said automated unit comprising:

means for weighing the item to be shipped;

means for inputting information relating to the destination to which the item is to be shipped;

control means for analyzing the inputted information and calculating the fee for shipment of the item;

said control means further including means for receiving credit card information and means for communicating and assessing the shipment fee to the account of the person owning the credit card, said means for communicating the shipment fee being by telephone lines;

means for securely storing said item until the item is collected by said commercial delivery service;

means for storing the inputted information once said item is disposed in said secured storage means.

6. The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 5 including means for printing a hard copy of said manifest.

7. The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 5 wherein said means for storing said information further includes means for communicating said information to a remote location.

8. The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 5 wherein said means for receiving said credit card information comprises a magnetic card reader.

9. The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 8 wherein said fee communicating means includes means for validating said credit card prior to issuing the shipping label.

10. An integrated, automated, unattended unit for collecting and securely holding items for collection and shipment by commercial delivery services;

said automated unit comprising,

means for weighing the item to be shipped;

means for inputting information relating to the destination to which the item is to be shipped;

control means for analyzing the inputted information and calculating the fee for shipment of the item;

said control means further including means for communicating and assessing the shipment fee to the account of the person, said means for communicating the shipment fee being by telephone lines;

means for securely storing said item until the item is collected by said commercial delivery service;

means for storing the inputted information once said item is disposed in said secure storage means, said information storage means including means for transmitting a manifest to a remote location.

11. The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 10 wherein said fee communicating means includes means for validating said account prior to issuing, the shipping label.

12. The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 10 including means for printing a hard copy of said account charge for said person.

13. A system for accepting and storing items for subsequent pickup by a commercial carrier, comprising:

means for weighing an item which a customer may intend to ship;

means for inputting information relating to the destination of the item from customer;

control means for calculating a shipment fee for the item, said control means being in communication with said weighing means and said information inputting means;

means in communication with said control means, for accepting identification information relating to eventual payment from the customer, said communication means comprising means for communicating the charges information to a central location for billing the charges to said customer;

a storage area; and

secure deposit means for permitting a customer to securely deposit the item into the storage area, said secure deposit means including a first zone which serves as a holding space when said item is first placed in the storage area and a secure zone into which the item is moved for secure storage and means for conveying said item from said holding space to said storage area.

14. A system for accepting and storing item for subsequent pickup by a commercial carrier, comprising:

means for weighing an item which a customer may intend to ship, said weighing means being supported by said system;

means for inputting information relating to the destination of the item from customer;

control means for calculating a shipment fee for the item, said control means being in communication with said weighing means and said information inputting means;

means in communication with said control means, for accepting identification information relating to eventual payment from the customer, said communication means comprising means for communicating the charges information to a central location for billing the charges to said customer;

a storage area; and

secure deposit means for permitting a customer to securely deposit the item into the storage area, said secure deposit means including a first zone which serves as holding space when said item is first placed in the storage area and a secure zone into which the item is moved for secure storage.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said means for communicating comprise a card reader and a telephone line connected to said card reader at one end and a credit card service center at the other end.

16. An integrated, automated, unattended unit for collecting and securely holding item for collection and shipment by commercial delivery services;

said automated unit comprising,

means for weighing the item to be shipped;

means for inputting information relating to the destination to which the item is to be shipped;

control means for analyzing the inputted information and calculating the fee for shipment of the item;

said control means further including means for communicating and assessing the shipment fee to the account of the person, said means assessing comprising means for printing a hard copy of said account charge for said person;

means for securely storing said item until the item is collected by said commercial delivery service;

means for storing the inputted information once said item is disposed in said secured storage means.

17. The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 16 including means for communicating said account charge to a remote location.

18. The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 16, wherein said fee communicating means includes means for validating said account prior to issuing the shipping label.

19. An integrated, automated, unattended unit for collecting and securely holding items for collection and shipment by commercial delivery services;

said automated unit comprising;

means for inputting information relating to the destination to which the item is to be shipped;

control means for analyzing the inputted information and calculating the fee for shipment of the item;

said control means further including means for communicating and assessing the shipment fee to the account of the person, said means for communicating the shipment fee being by telephone lines;

means for securely storing said item until the item is collected by said commercial delivery service;

means for storing the inputted information once said item is disposed in said secured storage means, said information storage means including means for transmitting information that may be used to prepare a manifest to a remote location.