Method and system for delivery of mail using coded marks

• US 7,012,710 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2002
• Issued: 03/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Lapstun, Paul, Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Kimberly
• Assistant Examiner(s): EBRAHIMI DEHKORDY, SAEID
• Application Number:
  US10/291,470
• Publication Number:
  US 20030090718A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,218 Days
• Field of Search: 358/402, 358/442, 358/1.15, 322/101, 709/206, 709/224, 382/101, 379/100.08, 379/10, 235/462.01, 235/38
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/103 for the sheet feeding section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/106 for the sheet output section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17523 Ink connection
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17526 Electrical contacts to the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17556 Means for regulating the pressure in the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17563 Ink filters
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/2114 Ejecting specialized liquids, e.g. transparent or processing liquids B41J2/211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/02 Framework
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/13 Cases or covers
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/60 for printing on both faces of the printing material
• CPC Class Codes: B42C 19/02 starting with single sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B42C 9/0006 by applying adhesive to a stack of sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B42C 9/0081 applying adhesive to individual sheets for binding them together by fusing, welding B42C9/0093
• CPC Class Codes: B42P 2261/04 Producing books by printing sheets in following order, e.g. for ordering via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 23/008 Holders comprising finger grips B43K23/004, B43K23/012 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 24/06 operated by turning means
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 25/02 : Clips
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/00 : Combinations of writing implements with other articles
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/003 : with optical equipment, e.g. magnifier, viewer
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/004 : with more than one object
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/08 : with measuring, computing or indicating devices
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/093 : with calculators
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/10 : with illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 7/005 : Pen barrels
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 7/02 : Ink reservoirs; Ink cartridges B43K7/01 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 29/34 : from supports slid from under the articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 37/04 : for securing together articles or webs, e.g. by adhesive, stitching or stapling adhering replacement to expiring web during change of web roll B65H19/18
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 11/50 : Sympathetic, colour changing or similar inks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/4393 : Multimedia presentations, e.g. slide shows, multimedia albums
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/93 : Document management systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 : using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0337 : Status LEDs integrated in the mouse to provide visual feedback to the user about the status of the input device, the PC, or the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0321 : by optically sensing the absolute position with respect to a regularly patterned surface forming a passive digitiser, e.g. pen optically detecting position indicative tags printed on a paper sheet constructional details of pen-shaped pointing devices G06F3/03545, G06F3/03542, G06F3/037
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 : Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 : for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1204 : resulting in reduced user or operator actions, e.g. presetting, automatic actions, using hardware token storing data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1265 : Printing by reference, e.g. retrieving document/image data for a job from a source mentioned in the job
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1285 : Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/174 : Form filling; Merging
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 : Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3821 : Electronic credentials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3829 : involving key management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 : Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 : Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 : Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/19 : by sensing codes defining pattern positions
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/1423 : the instrument generating sequences of position coordinates corresponding to handwriting preprocessing or recognising digital ink G06V30/32
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/005 : Testing security markings invisible to the naked eye, e.g. verifying thickened lines or unobtrusive markings or alterations
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/128 : Viewing devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 : Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 : with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00206 : Transmitting or receiving computer data via an image communication device, e.g. a facsimile transceiver H04N1/00236 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 : with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 : with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00326 : with a data reading, recognizing or recording apparatus, e.g. with a bar-code apparatus arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus G11B31/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00355 : Mark-sheet input sensing record carriers G06K7/00; character recognition G06V30/10; document-oriented image-based pattern recognition G06V30/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00358 : Type of the scanned marks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00376 : Means for identifying a mark sheet or area
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00567 : Handling of original or reproduction media, e.g. cutting, separating, stacking
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00968 : by scanning marks on a sheet mark-sheet input means H04N1/00355; sensing record carriers G06K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/107 : with manual scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32101 : Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32122 : in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32128 : attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32133 : on the same paper sheet, e.g. a facsimile page header
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32771 : in response to a request, e.g. for a particular document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32776 : using an interactive, user-operated device, e.g. a computer terminal, mobile telephone H04N1/32782, H04N1/32784 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32778 : using a mark-sheet or machine-readable code request
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/001 : Sharing resources, e.g. processing power or memory, with a connected apparatus or enhancing the capability of the still picture apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 : By radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 : Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 : of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3226 : of identification information or the like, e.g. ID code, index, title, part of an image, reduced-size image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3243 : of type information, e.g. handwritten or text document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3247 : Data linking a set of images to one another, e.g. sequence, burst or continuous capture mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3249 : data relating to a linked page or object, e.g. hyperlink
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3264 : of sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3266 : of text or character information, e.g. text accompanying an image H04N2201/3226 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3267 : of motion picture signals, e.g. video clip
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3269 : of machine readable codes or marks, e.g. bar codes or glyphs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/327 : which are undetectable to the naked eye, e.g. embedded codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3278 : Transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 : Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 : adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 : Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1798 : with liquid adhesive or adhesive activator applying means

Abstract

A method for providing a mailing system includes receiving, through a computer system, a mail item from a sender, and printing the mail item in a document including coded data thereon, the coded data including an indication of the identity of the mail item and at least one reference point on the document. The method also includes receiving, in the computer system, indicating data from a sensing device, the indicating data including information regarding the identity of the mail item and at least one action of the sensing device in relation to the document generated by the sensing device using at least some of the coded data; and generating a second mail item using said indicating data from the sensing device.

A mailing system includes a computer system having a sender terminal and a receiver terminal and adapted to transmit a mail item from the sender terminal to the receiver terminal. A printer device in the receiver terminal is adapted to print a mail item from the sender terminal in a document including coded data thereon, the coded data including an indication of the identity of the mail item and at least one reference point on the document. A sensing device is arranged to communicate to the computer system indicating data from the sensing device, the indicating data including information regarding the identity of the mail item and at least one action of the sensing device in relation to the document generated by the sensing device using at least some of the coded data, whereby the computer system can generate a second mail item using the indicating data from the sensing device.

Claims

1. A method for providing a mailing system, including the steps of, in a computer system:

receiving a mail item from a sender;

causing printing of the mail item in a document, the document including thereon or therein information at least partially indicative of an action associated with the mail item, and coded data at least partially indicative of the at least one action, the coded data being coincident with the information, the coded data comprising a plurality of substantially undifferentiated marks positioned relative to a set of predetermined nominal mark positions;

receiving indicating data from a sensing device, the sensing device, when placed in an operative position relative to the information sensing at least some of the corresponding coincident coded data, and generating the indicating data using at least some of the sensed coded data, the indicating data being at least partially indicative of the at least one action;

determining, using the indicating data, the at least one action; and

generating, using the determined at least one action, a second mail item.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein each mark represents one of a plurality of coded values.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the coded value represented by a mark is at least partially determined by the position of the mark relative to the set of predetermined nominal mark positions.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined nominal mark positions are arranged relative to a plurality of nominal lines.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein at least one pair of the lines are spaced apart from one another by a distance of less than 100 millimeters.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the marks have centers and wherein the relative spacing of the centers of at least one pair of adjacent marks is less than 12 millimeters.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein each mark has a minimum radius and a maximum radius and wherein the length of a mark'"'"'s minimum radius is greater than 40% of the length of that mark'"'"'s maximum radius.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein any 10 millimeter diameter area of the coded data indicative of the identity of the mail item includes sufficient information to identify the mail item.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicating data includes information regarding an identity of the sensing device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second mail item is generated using the information regarding the identity of the sensing device to indicate the receiver as originator of the second mail item.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the second mail item is directed to the sender.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one action of the sensing device in relation to the document generated by the sensing device includes the formation of handwritten text and/or markings on the document.

13. A mailing system including:

a computer system having a sender terminal and a receiver terminal and adapted to transmit a mail item from the sender terminal to the receiver terminal;

a printer device in the receiver terminal adapted to print a mail item from the sender terminal in a document, the document including therein or thereon information at least partially indicative of an action associated with the mail item, and coded data at least partially indicative of the at least one action, at least some of the coded data being coincident with the information, the coded data comprising a plurality of substantially undifferentiated marks positioned relative to a set of predetermined nominal mark positions; and

a sensing device, which when placed in an operative position relative to the information senses at least some of the coincident coded data, generates indicating data using the sensed coded data, and communicates the indicating data to the computer system, the indicating data being at least partially indicative of the at least one action;

whereby the computer system can;

determining, using the indicating data, the at least one action; and

,

generate, using the determined at least one action, a second mail item using.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein each mark represents one of a plurality of coded values.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein the coded value represented by a mark is at least partially determined by the position of the mark relative to the set of predetermined nominal mark positions.

16. A system according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined nominal mark positions are arranged relative to a plurality of nominal lines.

17. A system according to claim 16 wherein at least one pair of the lines are spaced apart from one another by a distance of less than 100 millimeters.

18. A system according to claim 13, wherein the marks have centers and wherein the relative spacing of the centers of at least one pair of adjacent marks is less than 12 millimeters.

19. A system according to claim 13, wherein each mark has a minimum radius and a maximum radius and wherein the length of a mark'"'"'s minimum radius is greater than 40% of the length of that mark'"'"'s maximum radius.

20. A system according to claim 13, wherein any 10 millimeter diameter area of the coded data indicative of the identity of the mail item includes sufficient information to identify the mail item.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein the second mail message is generated by the computer system using the information regarding the identity of the sensing device to indicate a receiver as originator of the second mail item.

22. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one action of the sensing device in relation to the document generated by the sensing device includes the formation of handwritten text and/or markings on the document.

23. A mailing system including a computer system for:

receiving a mail item from a sender;

causing printing of the mail item in a document, the document including thereon or therein information at least partially indicative of an action associated with the mail item, and coded data at least partially indicative of the at least one action, at least some of the coded data being coincident with the information, the coded data comprising a plurality of substantially undifferentiated marks positioned relative to a set of predetermined nominal mark positions;

receiving indicating data from a sensing device, the sensing device, when placed in an operative position relative to the information sensing at least some of the coincident coded data, and generating the indicating data using at least some of the sensed coded data, the indicating data being at least partially indicative of the at least one action;

determining, using the indicating data, the at least one action; and

generating, using the determined at least one action, a second mail item.

24. A system according to claim 23, wherein the computer system forms part of a receiver terminal and adapted to receive a mail item from a corresponding sender terminal.

25. A system according to claim 23, wherein she system includes a printer, and wherein the computer system causes the print to print she document by printing the coded data and the information.

26. A system according to claim 23, wherein the system includes a sensing device which, when placed in an operative position relative to the information:

senses at least some of the coincident coded data;

generates the indicating data using at least some of the sensed coded data; and

,

transfers the indicating data to the computer system.