System for printing information on a mailing medium

• US 20040013454A1
• Filed: 03/20/2003
• Published: 01/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Manduley, Flavio M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,799,911 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 400/61
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/009 Detecting type of paper, e.g. by automatic reading of a code that is printed on a paper package or on a paper roll or by sensing the grade of translucency of the paper
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/12 specially adapted for small cards, envelopes, or the like , e.g. credit cards, cut visiting cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination

Abstract

A method and apparatus for printing information, such as postal indicia and other information, on a medium. The system is implemented by detecting a type of medium and entering a printing mode as a function of the type of medium detected. The printing mode is either an envelope printing mode or a tape/label printing mode. When in the envelope printing mode, a print module is positioned at a first position, and prints postal indicia data on a first area of the envelope. The print module is then positioned at a second position. Additional data is obtained and the additional data is printed on a second area of the envelope. The print module is then positioned at a third position and recipient address data is obtained and printed on a third area of the envelope. The print module is positioned at a fourth position, and sender address information is obtained and printed on a fourth area of the envelope.

Claims

1. A method of printing on a medium comprising the steps of:

detecting a type of medium;

entering a printing mode as a function of the type of medium detected in the detecting step, the printing mode being either an envelope printing mode or a tape printing mode,

when in the envelope printing mode;

positioning a print module at a first position;

printing postal indicia data on a first area of the envelope;

positioning the print module at a second position;

obtaining additional data;

printing the additional data on a second area of the envelope;

positioning the print module at the first position;

obtaining recipient address data; and

printing the recipient address data on a third area of the envelope;

positioning the print module at a third position;

obtaining sender address information; and

printing the sender address information on a fourth area of the envelope.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

when in the tape printing mode;

positioning the print module at a fourth position; and

printing indicia on a first portion of the tape.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

positioning the print module at a fifth position;

obtaining additional tape information; and

printing the additional tape information on a second portion of the tape.

4. A method of printing on an envelope comprising the steps of:

a first positioning step of positioning a print module at a first position;

a first printing step of printing postal indicia information on a first area of the envelope;

a second positioning step of positioning the print module at a second position; and

a second printing step of printing a second type of information on a second area of the envelope.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising:

a third positioning step of positioning the print module at a third position; and

a third printing step of printing a third type of information on a third area of the envelope.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising:

a fourth positioning step of positioning the print module at a fourth position; and

a fourth printing step of printing a fourth type of information at a fourth area of the envelope.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising receiving the information to be printed on the envelope from a user interface.

8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising grouping information to be printed in a batch format.

9. The method according to claim 6, further comprising, obtaining at least a portion of the information to be printed on the envelope from a memory medium provided by a user.

10. The method according to claim 6, further comprising retrieving the information to be printed on the envelope from a memory location.

11. The method according to claim 4, further comprising multiplexing between printing secure and non-secure information.

12. The method of claim 4, wherein the second printing step of printing comprises printing change of address information.

13. The method of claim 4, wherein the second printing step comprises printing slogan information.

14. The method of claim 4, wherein the second printing step comprises printing temporary address information.

15. The method of claim 4, wherein the second printing step comprises printing mail stop information.

16. The method of claim 4, wherein the second step of printing comprises printing contact information.

17. The method of claim 4, wherein the second step of printing comprises printing advertisement information.

18. The method of claim 4, wherein the second step of printing comprises printing time data.

19. The method of claim 4, wherein the second step of printing comprises printing a message that additional postage is required.

20. The method of claim 4, wherein the second step of printing comprises printing license information.

21. The method of claim 4, wherein the first step of printing indicia includes printing secure information.

22. The method of claim 4, wherein the first printing step of printing indicia on the first area of the envelope includes printing postal rate information.

23. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

positioning a second print module on an opposite side of the envelope from the first position; and

printing information on the opposite side of the envelope.

24. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

a tape positioning step of positioning the print module at a tape-printing position and

printing indicia on a tape.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising:

a second tape positioning step of positioning the print module at a second-tape printing position; and

printing additional data on the tape.

26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising:

a third-tape positioning step of positioning the print module at a third tape printing position; and

printing return address data on the tape.

27. A method of printing on a medium that has an adhesive surface comprising the steps of:

a first positioning step of positioning a print module at a first position;

a first printing step of printing postal indicia on a first area of the medium;

a second positioning step of positioning the print module at a second position; and

a second printing step of printing second information on a second area of the medium.

28. The method according to claim 27, further comprising:

a third positioning step of positioning the print module; and

a third printing step of printing third information on a third area of the medium.

29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising receiving the information to be printed on the medium from a user interface.

30. The method according to claim 28, further comprising grouping information to be printed in a batch format.

31. The method according to claim 28, further comprising, obtaining at least a portion of the information to be printed on the medium from a memory medium provided by a user.

32. The method according to claim 28, further comprising retrieving the information to be printed on the medium from a memory location.

33. The method according to claim 28, further comprising multiplexing between printing secure and non-secure information.

34. The method of claim 27, wherein the second printing step comprises printing change of address information.

35. The method of claim 27, wherein the second printing step comprises printing slogan information.

36. The method of claim 27, wherein the second printing step comprises printing temporary address information.

37. The method of claim 27, wherein the second printing step comprises printing mail stop information.

38. The method of claim 27, wherein the second printing step comprises printing contact information.

39. The method of claim 27, wherein the second printing step comprises printing advertisement information.

40. The method of claim 27, wherein the second printing step comprises printing time data.

41. The method of claim 27, wherein the second printing step comprises printing a message that additional postage is required.

42. The method of claim 27, wherein the second printing step comprises printing license information.

43. The method of claim 27, wherein the first step of printing indicia includes printing secure information.

44. The method of claim 27, wherein the first printing step of printing indicia on the first area of the medium includes printing postal rate information.

45. The method of claim 27, further comprising inputting return address information to be printed on the medium.

46. An apparatus for printing on a medium comprising:

a first support member adapted to support a first medium;

a second support member adapted to support a second medium;

a detection module adapted to detect one of the first medium or the second medium; and

a print module adapted to print data on the detected medium,

wherein when the detection module detects the first medium, the print module is disposed in a first position to print postal indicia data on a first area of the first medium, and the print module is then positioned in a second position to print second data on a second area of the first medium.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein when the detection module detects the first medium is present, the print module is disposed in a third position to print third data on a third area of the first medium.

48. The apparatus of claim 46 further comprising:

a database, operatively connected to the print module,

wherein the print module accesses data to be printed on the medium from the database.

49. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein when the detection module detects the second medium, the print module is disposed in a tape printing position to print data on the second medium.

50. The apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the print module is disposed in a second tape printing position to print second data at a second location of the second medium.

51. The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising:

a second print module positioned on an opposite side of the envelope from the first position,

wherein the second print module prints information on the opposite side of the envelope.

52. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the printing module prints change of address information.

53. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the printing module prints slogan information.

54. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the printing module prints temporary address information.

55. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the printing module prints mail stop information.

56. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the printing module prints contact information.

57. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the printing module prints advertisement information.

58. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the printing module prints time data.

59. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the printing module prints a message that additional postage is required.

60. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the printing module prints license information.

61. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the printing module prints secure information.

62. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the print module prints postal rate information.

63. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the detection module determines information printed on the medium;

and

the print module prints information on the medium according to the determination of the detection module.

64. A method of printing on a medium comprising the steps of:

determining a type of medium;

determining dimensions of the medium;

a first positioning step of positioning a print module at a first position;

a first printing step of printing postal indicia information on a first area of the medium;

when the dimensions of the medium exceed a first threshold;

a second positioning step of positioning the print module at a second position; and

a second printing step of printing second information on a second area of the medium;

when the dimensions of the medium exceed a second threshold, the second threshold being larger than the first threshold;

a third positioning step of positioning the print module at a third position; and

a third printing step of printing third information on a third area of the medium.

65. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

detecting the presence or absence of a destination address on the medium; and

positioning the print module as a function of the detection.

66. The method as claimed in claim 64, further comprising:

detecting the presence or absence of a return address on the medium; and

positioning the print module as a function of the detection.

67. The method of claim 64, further comprising retrieving information that is printed by the print module from a memory.

68. The method of claim 64 further comprising:

storing return address information with an associated recipient address; and

retrieving the return address data from memory; and

printing the return address information as additional data.

69. An apparatus for printing on a medium comprising:

means for detecting a type of medium

when a first type of medium is detected;

means for positioning a print module at a first position;

means for printing postal indicia data on a first area of the first type of medium;

means for positioning the print module at a second position;

means for obtaining additional data;

means for printing the additional data on a second area of the first type of medium;

means for positioning the print module at a third position;

means for obtaining recipient address data; and

means for printing the recipient address data on a third area of the first type of medium;

means for positioning the print module at a fourth position;

means for obtaining sender address information; and

means for printing the sender address information on a fourth area of the first type of medium.

70. The apparatus of claim 69, further comprising:

when a second type of medium is detected;

means for positioning the print module at a fifth position; and

means for printing indicia on a first portion of the second type of medium.

71. The apparatus of claim 70, further comprising:

means for positioning the print module at a sixth position;

means for obtaining additional tape information; and

means for printing the additional tape information on a second portion of the second type of medium.

72. An apparatus for printing on an envelope comprising:

means for positioning a print module at a first position;

means for printing postal indicia information on a first area of the envelope;

means for positioning the print module at a second position; and

means for printing a second type of information on a second area of the envelope.

73. The apparatus according to claim 72, further comprising:

means for positioning the print module at a third position; and

means for printing a third type of information on a third area of the envelope.

74. The apparatus according to claim 73, further comprising:

means for positioning the print module at a fourth position; and

means for printing a fourth type of information at a fourth area of the envelope.

75. The apparatus according to claim 72, further comprising means for receiving the information to be printed on the envelope from a user interface.

76. The apparatus according to claim 72, further comprising, means for obtaining at least a portion of the information to be printed on the envelope from a memory medium provided by a user.

77. The apparatus according to claim 72, further comprising means for multiplexing between printing secure and non-secure information.

78. The apparatus according to claim 72, further comprising:

means for positioning a second print module on an opposite side of the envelope from the first position; and

means for printing information on the opposite side of the envelope.

79. The apparatus of claim 72, further comprising:

means for positioning the print module at a tape-printing position and

means for printing indicia on a tape.

80. The apparatus according to claim 79, further comprising:

means for positioning the print module at a second-tape printing position; and

means for printing additional data on the tape.

81. The apparatus according to claim 80, further comprising:

means for positioning the print module at a third tape printing position; and

means for printing other data on the tape.

82. An apparatus for printing on a medium that has an adhesive surface comprising:

means for positioning a print module at a first position;

means for printing postal indicia on a first area of the medium;

means for positioning the print module at a second position; and

means for printing second information on a second area of the medium.

83. The apparatus according to claim 82, further comprising:

means for positioning a print module at a third position; and

means for printing third information on a third area of the medium.

84. The apparatus according to claim 83, further comprising means for receiving the information to be printed on the medium from a user interface.

85. An apparatus for printing on a medium comprising:

means for determining a type of medium;

means for determining dimensions of the medium;

means for positioning a print module at a first position;

means for printing postal indicia information on a first area of the medium;

when the dimensions of the medium exceed a first threshold;

means for positioning the print module at a second position; and

means for printing second information on a second area of the medium;

when the dimensions of the medium exceed a second threshold, the second threshold being larger than the first threshold;

means for positioning the print module at a third position; and

means for printing third information on a third area of the medium.

86. The apparatus of claim 85, further comprising:

means for detecting the presence or absence of a destination address on the medium; and

means for positioning the print module as a function of the detection.

87. The apparatus of claim 85, further comprising:

means for detecting the presence or absence of a return address on the medium; and

means for positioning the print module as a function of the detection.

88. The apparatus of claim 85, further comprising means for retrieving information that is printed by the print module from a memory.

89. The apparatus of claim 85 further comprising:

means for storing return address information with an associated recipient address; and

means for retrieving the return address data; and

means for printing the return address information as third information.

90. An apparatus for printing on a medium comprising:

a support member adapted to support a medium;

a print module positioned to print on the medium while the medium is disposed on the support member;

a processor, operatively connected to the print module, adapted to provide control instructions to the print module such that the print module prints postal indicia on a first area of the medium, additional information on a second area of the medium and recipient address information on a third area of the medium.

91. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein the print module prints second additional information on a fourth area of the medium.

92. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein the print module prints sender information on a fifth area of the medium.

93. A method of printing on a medium comprising:

sensing a type of medium that is to be printed on;

positioning a print module at a first position based on the type of medium sensed in the sensing step;

printing postal indicia information on the medium;

positioning the print module at a second position; and

printing second information on the medium retrieved from a remote location via a network.

94. The method according to claim 93, further comprising;

positioning the print module at a third position; and

printing third information on the medium retrieved from a remote location via a network.

95. The method according to claim 94, further comprising;

positioning the print module at a fourth position; and

printing fourth information on the medium retrieved from a remote location via a network.

96. The method according to claim 93, further comprising multiplexing between secure and non-secure information.

97. The method according to claim 93, wherein the second information includes change of address information.

98. The method according to claim 93, wherein the second information includes slogan information.

99. The method of claim 93, wherein the second information includes temporary address information.

100. The method of claim 93, wherein the second information printing step comprises printing mail stop information.

101. The method of claim 93, wherein the second step of printing comprises printing contact information.

102. The method of claim 93, wherein the second step of printing comprises printing advertisement information.

103. The method of claim 93, wherein the second step of printing comprises printing time data.

104. The method of claim 93, wherein the second step of printing comprises printing a message that additional postage is required.

105. The method of claim 93, wherein the second step of printing comprises printing license information.

106. The method of claim 93, wherein the first step of printing indicia includes printing secure information.

107. The method of claim 93, wherein the first printing step of printing indicia on the first area of the medium includes printing postal rate information.

108. The method of claim 93, further comprising:

positioning a second print module on an opposite side of the medium from the first position; and

printing information on the opposite side of the medium.

109. The method of claim 93, further comprising:

a tape positioning step of positioning the print module at a tape-printing position and

printing indicia on a tape.

110. The method according to claim 109, further comprising:

a second tape positioning step of positioning the print module at a second-tape printing position; and

printing additional data on the tape.

111. The method according to claim 110, further comprising:

a third-tape positioning step of positioning the print module; and

printing return address data on a third area of the tape.

112. An apparatus for printing on a medium comprising:

a sensing circuit adapted to sense a type of medium that is to be printed on;

a processor unit coupled to a network, the processor adapted to receive data from one or more remote locations; and

a print unit, operatively coupled to the processor unit, to change position and print data,

wherein the print unit is positioned at a first position and prints postal indicia information on a first area of the medium, and the print unit is positioned at a second position and prints second information that was received by the processor unit from a remote location via a network.

113. The apparatus according to claim 112 wherein the print unit is positioned at the first position and prints third information that was received by the processor unit from a remote location via a network.