Method and apparatus for batch mail processing with integrated scale and automatic manifest compilation
First Claim
1. A method of processing a batch of mail pieces by a mailer utilizing a manifesting system having a first data processing instrumentality, an integrated printer, and a weighing scale to evidence payment by the mailer to a postal facility for the cost of the mailing, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) establishing a tare weight at the weighing scale that comprises the weight of the printer;
(b) weighing each mail piece of the batch in succession to determine its weight after accounting for the tare weight;
(c) entering data into the first data base of the first data processing instrumentality, and wherein the data comprises at least the weight of each mail piece, and wherein the weight is pertinant to the cost of mailing each mail piece;
(d) assigning and printing a unique number associated with each one of the mail pieces;
(e) entering the unique number for each successive mail piece into data base associated with a second data processing instrumentality in association with the data pertinent to the cost of mailing;
(f) generating at the second data processing instrumentality a digital electronic compilation of the unique numbers of all of the mail pieces in the batch, together with the data pertinant to the cost of mailing each mail piece in the batch associated with each unique number, and the cost of mailing each mail piece as determined by the second data processing instrumentality based on the pertinent data;
(g) converting the digital electronic compilation in the second data base into a user functional form; and
(h) transferring the compilation in the user functional form to the postal facility in direct or indirect association with delivery of the batch of mail pieces to the postal facility for mailing, whereby the compilation serves as evidence of payment by the mailer for the cost of transporting the mail pieces in the batch by the postal facility.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for processing mail pieces by a mailer for mailing by a postal facility utilizes a manifesting system to evidence payment by the mailer to the postal facility for the cost of the mailing. A discrete batch of mail is identified, and each piece in the batch is weighed in succession by a scale which includes a first data processing means and a first data base, and the weight is entered in the first data base, optionally together with other information that is pertinent to the cost of mailing. A first printer collocated with the scale prints a unique number for each mail piece. A second data processing means having a second data base receives the information from the first data base and generates a compilation of the unique numbers, the weight, other optional pertinent information, if any, and the compilation is converted into a user functional form which can be delivered to a postal facility as evidence of payment by the mailer for the cost of mailing the mail pieces in the batch by the postal facility.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of processing a batch of mail pieces by a mailer utilizing a manifesting system having a first data processing instrumentality, an integrated printer, and a weighing scale to evidence payment by the mailer to a postal facility for the cost of the mailing, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) establishing a tare weight at the weighing scale that comprises the weight of the printer; (b) weighing each mail piece of the batch in succession to determine its weight after accounting for the tare weight; (c) entering data into the first data base of the first data processing instrumentality, and wherein the data comprises at least the weight of each mail piece, and wherein the weight is pertinant to the cost of mailing each mail piece; (d) assigning and printing a unique number associated with each one of the mail pieces; (e) entering the unique number for each successive mail piece into data base associated with a second data processing instrumentality in association with the data pertinent to the cost of mailing; (f) generating at the second data processing instrumentality a digital electronic compilation of the unique numbers of all of the mail pieces in the batch, together with the data pertinant to the cost of mailing each mail piece in the batch associated with each unique number, and the cost of mailing each mail piece as determined by the second data processing instrumentality based on the pertinent data; (g) converting the digital electronic compilation in the second data base into a user functional form; and (h) transferring the compilation in the user functional form to the postal facility in direct or indirect association with delivery of the batch of mail pieces to the postal facility for mailing, whereby the compilation serves as evidence of payment by the mailer for the cost of transporting the mail pieces in the batch by the postal facility. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for processing mail pieces by a mailer for mailing by a postal facility utilizing a manifesting system to evidence payment by the mailer to the postal facility for the cost of the mailing, said apparatus comprising:
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(a) means for identifying a discrete batch of mail pieces to be prepared for mailing; (b) weighing means for determining the weight of each mail piece, said weighing means including first data processing means for storing the weight of each mail piece in a first data base; (c) first printing means collocated with and operatively connected to said weighing means for printing at least a unique number for each mail piece and transferring said unique number to said first data processing means for storage in said first data base; (d) second data processing means operatively connected to said weighing means for receiving the weight for each mail piece and entering said weight into a second data base, said second data processing means including means for generating a digital electronic compilation of said unique numbers of all the mail pieces in said batch together with the data pertinent to the cost of mailing of each mail piece associated with each unique number and the cost of mailing of each mail piece as determined by said second data processing means; and (e) means for converting said digital electronic compilation into a user functional form which can be transferred by the mailer to the postal facility, whereby said compilation serves as evidence of payment by the mailer for the cost of mailing the mail pieces in the batch by the mailing facility. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification