System and method for providing computer-based postage stamps

• US 20020073039A1
• Filed: 10/10/2001
• Published: 06/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Auctane LLC (Stamps.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Stamps.com, Inc.
• Inventors: Ogg, Craig L., Cowles, Daniel K., Phoenix, Anthony Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,191,158 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/60
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00024 Physical or organizational aspects of franking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00508 Printing or attaching on mailpieces printing mechanisms B41J; security printing B41M3/14; marking methods B41M5/00; inks C09D11/00; record carriers with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00032 Determining the location of apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00056 Client-server
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00064 Virtual meter, online stamp; PSD functions or indicia creation not at user's location
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00145 via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00201 Open franking system, i.e. the printer is not dedicated to franking only, e.g. PC (Personal Computer)
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00298 Visual, e.g. screens and their layouts
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00443 Verification of mailpieces, e.g. by checking databases
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/0058 Printing of code
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/0062 Label
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00637 Special printing techniques, e.g. interlacing
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00653 Special inks, e.g. fluorescent
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00822 including unique details

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for creating computer-based postage that may be used on any date and with an undetermined addressee includes generating a request to print postage, determining the means for generating the request, determining the master serial number for label stock, tracking the master serial number and printing the postage.

The present invention provides for the creation of computer-based postage that may be used in a manner similar to standard postage issued by the USPS. In a presently preferred embodiment, the intended address of the recipient need not be verified at the time the postage is created. Rather the postage may be used at any time in the future with any recipient.

Claims

1. A method for printing postage, comprising:

receiving a label stock pre-printed serial number, the pre-printed serial number including a master serial number;

receiving a postage request;

generating an indicium in accordance with the master serial number, pre-printed serial number, and the postage request; and

printing the postage using the indicium and the label stock.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the label stock further includes anti-fraud features.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the anti-fraud features include micro-printing on the label stock.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the anti-fraud features include a watermark on the label stock.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the anti-fraud features include cutting the label stock using a special die.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the anti-fraud features include printing using color changing ink on the label stock.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the postage request includes a postage amount.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the postage request includes a postage class.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the postage request includes a Licensing Postage Office.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising including the pre-printed serial number in the indicium.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the master serial number is linked to a specific postage printing device and generating the indicium further includes ensuring the master serial number is used with the specific postage printing device.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising tracking the use of a label stock serial number.

14. The data processing system of claim 13 wherein the label stock further includes anti-fraud features.

15. The data processing system of claim 14 wherein the anti-fraud features include micro-printing on the label stock.

16. The data processing system of claim 14 wherein the anti-fraud features include a watermark on the label stock.

17. The data processing system of claim 14 wherein the anti-fraud features include cutting the label stock using a special die.

18. The data processing system of claim 14 wherein the anti-fraud features include printing using color changing ink on the label stock.

19. The data processing system of claim 13 wherein the postage request includes a postage amount.

20. The data processing system of claim 13 wherein the postage request includes a postage class.

21. The data processing system of claim 13 wherein the postage request includes a Licensing Postage Office.

22. The data processing system of claim 13, the program instructions for generating the indicium further including including the pre-printed serial number in the indicium.

23. The data processing system of claim 13 wherein the program instructions further include linking the master serial number to a specific postage printing device and the program instructions for generating the indicium further include ensuring the master serial number is used with the specific postage printing device.

24. The data processing system of claim 13 wherein the program instructions further include tracking the use of a label stock serial number.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising tracking the use of a label stock serial number.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein the master serial number is linked to a specific postage printing device and generating the indicium further includes ensuring the master serial number is used with the specific postage printing device.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein the postage request includes a postage amount.

29. The method of claim 25 wherein the postage request includes a postage class.

30. The method of claim 25 wherein the postage request includes a Licensing Postage Office.

31. The method of claim 25 further comprising including the pre-printed serial number in the indicium.

13. A data processing system adapted to print postage, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory operably coupled to the processor and having program instructions stored therein, the processor being operable to execute the program instructions, the program instructions including;

receiving a label stock pre-printed serial number, the pre-printed serial number including a master serial number;

receiving a postage request;

generating an indicium in accordance with the master serial number, pre-printed serial number, and the postage request; and

printing the postage using the indicium and the label stock.

25. A method for printing postage, comprising:

receiving a label stock pre-printed serial number, the pre-printed serial number including a master serial number, the label stock including printing in color-changing ink, labels cut with a special die, micro-printing, and a watermark;

receiving a postage request;

generating an indicium in accordance with the master serial number, pre-printed serial number, and the postage request; and

printing the postage using the indicium and the label stock.

32. A method for printing postage, comprising:

receiving a label stock pre-printed serial number;

receiving a postage request;

generating an indicium in accordance with the pre-printed serial number and the postage request;

printing the postage using the indicium and the label stock; and

tracking the use of the pre-printed serial number.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the postage request includes a postage amount.

34. The method of claim 32 wherein the postage request includes a postage class.

35. The method of claim 32 wherein the postage request includes a Licensing Postage Office.

36. The method of claim 32 further comprising including the pre-printed serial number in the indicium.

37. The method of claim 32 wherein the label stock further includes anti-fraud features.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising tracking the use of the pre-printed serial number.

38. A method for printing postage, comprising:

receiving a label stock pre-printed serial number, the label stock cut with a special die and including printing in color-changing ink;

receiving a postage request;

generating an indicium in accordance with the pre-printed serial number and the postage request; and

printing the postage using the indicium and the label stock.

40. A method for printing postage, comprising:

receiving a pre-printed serial number for label stock cut with a special die;

receiving a postage request;

generating an indicium in accordance with the pre-printed serial number and the postage request;

printing the postage using the indicium and the label stock; and

tracking the use of the pre-printed serial number.

41. A method for generating a display in a user interface for printing postage, comprising:

receiving a label stock type for a label stock, the label stock including a plurality of sequenced labels;

receiving a label starting sequence number for a label from the plurality of sequenced labels; and

generating a label stock display using the label stock type and label starting sequence number.