Unique identifier bar code on stamps and apparatus and method for monitoring stamp usage with identifier bar codes

• US 6,415,983 B1
• Filed: 02/26/1999
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canada Post Corporation (Government of Canada)
• Original Assignee: Canada Post Corporation (Government of Canada)
• Inventors: Critchley, Barbara Lynn, Ulvr, Joseph Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Application Number:
  US09/258,665
• Time in Patent Office: 1,229 Days
• Field of Search: 235/487, 235/486, 235/375, 283/71
• US Class Current: 235/487
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00435 Details specific to central, non-customer apparatus, e.g. servers at post office or vendor
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00443 Verification of mailpieces, e.g. by checking databases
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00725 Reading symbols, e.g. OCR

Abstract

A postage stamp which has a unique identifier bar code is provided which allows the prevention of various fraudulent stamp usages. A system for identifying mail pieces with stolen stamps is provided in which a database of unique identifiers of stolen stamps is maintained, and in which the unique identifiers of stamps on originating mail pieces are compared to the unique identifiers in the database and with the mail piece being segregated if one of the stamps has been stolen. A method of preventing stamp reuse is also provided in which at an originating mail processing apparatus unique identifier bar codes on stamps are read and sent to a national circulation database together with an identification tag applied to the mail piece and information identifying a destination mail processing plant. The national circulation database makes a determination of whether the stamp has been reused, and if so sends a message to the destination mail processing plant which segregates the mail piece when it arrives. The invention also provides a mechanism for identifying short paid postage by providing stamps which each include a value in an identifier bar code, A mail processing apparatus then can determine the value of the stamp, and can determine if the mail piece has been short paid for its weight and destination.

Claims

1. A postage stamp for general circulation comprising;

a first area containing postage stamp artwork; and

a second area containing a unique identifier bar code allowing individual identification of the postage stamp.

2. A postage stamp according to claim 1 wherein the identifier bar code is in black and white with sufficient print contrast ratio for optical character recognition reading, and does not overlap with any of the first area.

3. A postage stamp according to claim 1 wherein the identifier bar code is in invisible ink and overlaps partially with first area.

4. A postage stamp according to claim 1 wherein the identifier bar code contains information comprising a postage value.

5. A postage stamp according to claim 1 wherein the unique identifier bar code contains information comprising a unique identifier and a postage value.

6. A postage stamp according to claim 1 wherein the unique identifier bar code contains information which has data security.

7. A postage stamp according to claim 1 wherein the unique identifier bar code includes error correction coding.

8. A postage stamp according to claim 1 wherein a two-dimensional bar code symbology is used for the unique identifier bar code.

9. A postage stamp according to claim 8 wherein the two-dimensional bar code symbology is one of either the Aztec or Data Matrix symbologies.

10. A postage stamp according to claim 1 wherein the identifier bar code is in colours with sufficient print contrast ratio for optical character recognition reading, and does not overlap with any of the first area.

11. A postage stamp according to claim 1 wherein the identifier bar code is in invisible ink and overlaps completely with the first area.