Methods of distributing postage label sheets with security features
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of providing a value stamp over a communication network, comprising:
- receiving from a user via the communication network an identifier code of a medium to be used to purchase a value stamp, the medium being suitable for printing a value indicium thereon, the identifier code identifying the medium;
accessing a database using the identifier code received from the user, the database including first and second identifier codes that are associated with first and second customer-relation-management (CRM) information, respectively;
performing a specific action according to a result of the accessing step, wherein a first action associated with the first CRM information is performed if the identifier code received from the user corresponds to the first identifier code stored in the database and a second action associated with the second CRM information is performed if the identifier code received from the user corresponds to the second identifier code stored in the database, anddetermining whether or not the user has already used a maximum allotted free medium if the first CRM information indicates that the medium has been distributed as a free sample,causing the value indicium to be printed on the medium to generate a value stamp if the medium has been previously purchased or if the user has not yet used the maximum allotted free medium.
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Abstract
A method of providing a value stamp over a communication network includes providing a medium to a user having access to a data processing system. The medium is suitable for printing a value indicium thereon and has an identifier code that identifies the medium. The identifier code of the medium to be used to purchase a value stamp is received from the user. The identifier code is used to decide whether or not to perform an action.
105 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of providing a value stamp over a communication network, comprising:
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receiving from a user via the communication network an identifier code of a medium to be used to purchase a value stamp, the medium being suitable for printing a value indicium thereon, the identifier code identifying the medium; accessing a database using the identifier code received from the user, the database including first and second identifier codes that are associated with first and second customer-relation-management (CRM) information, respectively; performing a specific action according to a result of the accessing step, wherein a first action associated with the first CRM information is performed if the identifier code received from the user corresponds to the first identifier code stored in the database and a second action associated with the second CRM information is performed if the identifier code received from the user corresponds to the second identifier code stored in the database, and determining whether or not the user has already used a maximum allotted free medium if the first CRM information indicates that the medium has been distributed as a free sample, causing the value indicium to be printed on the medium to generate a value stamp if the medium has been previously purchased or if the user has not yet used the maximum allotted free medium. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 18)
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13. A method of providing a value stamp over a communication network, comprising:
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generating customer-relation-management (CRM) information corresponding to an identifier code of a medium to be distributed to a user, the medium being suitable for printing a value indicium thereon to produce a value stamp, the identifier code being suitable for distinguishing the medium from at least one other medium; storing the generated CRM information in a database system, wherein the database system includes CRM information corresponding to a plurality of media; providing the medium to a user having access to a data processing system; receiving from the user over the network the identifier code of the medium to be used to purchase a value stamp; retrieving the CRM information corresponding to the identifier code; determining whether or not the user has already used a maximum allotted free medium if the CRM information indicates that the medium has been distributed as a free sample, causing the value indicium to be printed on the medium to generate a value stamp if the medium has been previously purchased or if the user has not yet used the maximum allotted free medium. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of providing a postage medium to a user for use in purchasing a value stamp over a communication network, the method comprising:
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generating customer-relation-management (CRM) information corresponding to a serial number of a medium to be distributed to a user, the medium being suitable for printing a value indicium thereon, the serial number uniquely identifying the medium; storing the generated CRM information in a database system, wherein the database system includes CRM information corresponding to a plurality of media; providing the medium to a user having access to a data processing system; receiving from the user over the network the serial number of the medium to be used to purchase a postage stamp; retrieving the CRM information corresponding to the serial number; and determining whether an affiliate of a postage service provider requires an additional supply of the medium upon examining the serial number, wherein the affiliate is the user or a provider of postage medium to the user, and wherein the service provider is an agent authorized to provide the postage stamp to the user, determining whether or not the user has already used a maximum allotted free medium if the first CRM information indicates that the medium has been distributed as a free sample, causing the value indicium to be printed on the medium to generate a value stamp if the medium has been previously purchased or if the user has not yet used the maximum allotted free medium.
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Specification