Generic special service mailing assembly and a system and method for automating the imaging of same with voice recognition and security provisions

• US 5,970,458 A
• Filed: 09/05/1997
• Issued: 10/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: USA Images Of Florida, LLC
• Original Assignee: USA Images Of Florida, LLC
• Inventors: Petkovsek, Glenn
• Primary Examiner(s): Dorvil, Richemond
• Application Number:
  US08/924,223
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 704/275, 704/200, 704/270, 704/272, 704/273, 283/61
• US Class Current: 704/275
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 15/006 Shipping forms
• 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 17/00508 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 2017/00225 Vending machine or POS (Point Of Sale) apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00306 Acoustic, e.g. voice control or speech prompting
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00379 Calculation of different sending options for a mail piece
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00491 Mail/envelope/insert handling system
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00572 Details of printed item
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00596 Printing of address
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00604 Printing of advert or logo
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/0062 Label
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00838 Personal data, i.e. biometrics

Abstract

An assembly for mailing an article requiring delivery by a special service and a method and system for imaging the same are provided. The assembly includes a generic mailing label having a back side adhesively and detachably affixed to a backing sheet. The label may be imaged with all of the information necessary to serve as one of many types of special service mailing labels. Removal of the label from the associated backing sheet allows the label to be permanently affixed to a mailpiece. Upon delivery of the mailpiece, a return receipt postcard portion of the label may be removed and forwarded to the sender of the mailpiece as a return receipt. A method and system for the automatic imaging of such mailing label are also provided having voice recognition capabilities and built-in security features wherein the sender of the mailpiece may obtain a special service mailing label from a vending-type machine upon providing all of the required information for the desired special mailing service.

Claims

1. A system for automating imaging to effect delivery of a mailpiece by a selected one of a plurality of special mailing services, the system comprising:

a mailing label capable of being printed and being used to effect delivery of the mailpiece by any one of the plurality of special mailing services;

a voice recognition device for selecting one of the plurality of special mailing services for the mailpiece and for entering data necessary to effect printing of the mailing label to effect delivery of the mailpiece by the selected one of the plurality of special services wherein the selected one of the plurality of special mailing services is one of certified mail, registered mail, insured mail or return receipt for merchandise mail;

means for processing the data to generate corresponding imaging data; and

means for printing the imaging data on the mailing label relating to delivery of the mailpiece by the selected one of the plurality of special mailing services wherein any one of the special mailing services may be printed on the generic mailing label.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for printing indicates on the label the selected one of the plurality of special mailing services and enters an article number on the label.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for printing provides a colored background on a designated area of the label, the colored background conforming with existing postal guidelines on a color designation representative of the selected one of the plurality of special mailing services.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for printing places a return address on a backside of the label.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

means for calculating a cost associated with delivery of the mailpiece by the selected one of the plurality of special mailing services.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

means for entering personal identification information associated with a present user of the system.

7. A method for automating imaging to effect delivery of a mailpiece by a selected one of a plurality of special mailing services, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a mailing label capable of being printed and being used to effect delivery of the mailpiece by any one of the plurality of special mailing services;

using a voice recognition device to vocally select one of the plurality of special mailing services for the mailpiece and to vocally enter data necessary to effect printing of the mailing label to effect delivery of the mailpiece by the selected one of the plurality of special mailing services wherein the selected one of the plurality of special mailing services is one of certified mail, registered mail, insured mail or return receipt for merchandise mail;

processing the data to generate corresponding imaging data; and

printing the imaging data on the mailing label relating to delivery of the mailpiece by the selected one of the plurality of special mailing services wherein any one of the special mailing services may be printed on the mailing label.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of:

indicating on the label the selected one of the plurality of special mailing services; and

entering an article number on the label.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of:

providing a colored background on a designated area of the label, the colored background conforming with existing postal guidelines on a color designation representative of the selected one of the plurality of special mailing services.

10. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of:

placing a return address on a backside of the label.

11. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of:

calculating a cost associated with delivery of the mailpiece by the selected one of the plurality of special mailing services.

12. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of:

entering personal identification information associated with a present user of the system.