Postage server system and method

• US 7,265,853 B1
• Filed: 10/17/1997
• Issued: 09/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stamps.com, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Stamps.com, Inc.
• Inventors: Kara, Salim G., Pagel, Martin J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Garcia; Gabriel I.
• Application Number:
  US08/953,477
• Time in Patent Office: 3,609 Days
• Field of Search: 358/434, 358/407, 358/425, 358/442, 358/1.15, 358/402, 358/403, 709/206, 709/238, 709/239, 709/244, 379/100.01, 379/100.08, 379/100.09, 379/100.15
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00 Franking apparatus printing aspects B41
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00024 Physical or organizational aspects of franking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00072 Hybrid mail, i.e. mail delivered using different physical means along the mail delivery path, e.g. email and envelope
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/23 Reliability checks, e.g. acknowledgments or fault reporting
• 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 1/00281 with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal details of transmission H04N1/00095; establishing a communication with one of a facsimile machine or another apparatus sharing a single line H04N1/32704; interfacing cordless telephone terminals with an accessory to increase the functionality of user interface H04M1/72409
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00312 with a digital transmission apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, SMS or ISDN device transmitting or receiving via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network or the internet H04N1/00214; transmission of digital information H04L

Abstract

A system and method for transmission of a document from a sending location to a receiving location by way of a trusted way location is disclosed. A selected document is physically or electronically transmitted by a sending location to a letter server operated by a delivery service. A confirmation of transmission of the document is provided the sender by the delivery service. Thereafter, the letter server reproduces the document in original quality, accompanied by any necessary items such as a delivery container and/or delivery instructions. The delivery service then delivers the reproduced document such as through electronic delivery or inducting the reproduced document into its delivery paradigm for physical delivery to the indicated recipient.

Claims

1. A system for delivering information to a selected location from a transmitting location, said system comprising:

a transmission station operable at said transmitting location and adapted to transmit said information to an intermediate location; and

an intermediate station operable at said intermediate location and adapted to receive said information transmitted by said transmitting station, wherein said intermediate station comprises;

a converter circuit adapted to electronically receive said transmitted information and to convert said transmission to electronic form if said transmitted information is not initially in electronic form; and

a reproducing circuit adapted to reproduce said information in human readable form, wherein said reproducing circuit also produces an indicia of payment authorizing delivery of said human readable information to said selected location.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said intermediate location is selected according to proximity to said selected location.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said intermediate location selection is accomplished automatically by said transmitting location through reference to address information with respect to said selected location.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said intermediate location is selected according to proximity to said transmitting location.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said converter circuit comprises:

circuitry adapted to accept electronic documents communicated utilizing different communication protocols.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said different communication protocols include at least two protocols selected from the group consisting of:

a standardized electronic mail protocol;

a special purpose mail communication protocol;

a standardized facsimile protocol;

a standardized character based protocol; and

a standardized packet based protocol.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said converter circuit further comprises:

circuitry adapted to determine delivery address information with respect to said selected location from information contained within said transmitted information.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said converter circuit further comprises:

circuitry adapted to verify the accuracy of said delivery address information.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

means for including ancillary information with said transmitted information, said ancillary information being suitable for use by said intermediate station in delivery of said transmitted information to said selected location.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said ancillary information comprises:

means for funding the delivery of said transmitted information.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said intermediate station further comprises:

an acknowledgment circuit adapted to produce an acknowledgment of receipt of said transmitted information; and

wherein said acknowledgment circuitry is further adapted to transmit said acknowledgment to said transmitting location, wherein said last mentioned portion of the acknowledgment circuit is inactive until said finding means is confirmed.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said funding means includes at least a value data packet.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said value is deducted from a credit stored at said transmitting location.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein said ancillary information includes a delivery address of said selected location.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said converter circuit further comprises:

means for verifying the accuracy of said delivery address information.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein said ancillary information includes a time of transmission of said document by said transmitting means, said time being provided by a secure time piece disposed at said transmitting location.

17. The system of claim 9, wherein said ancillary information includes specific delivery information regarding the delivery of said human readable information, indicating selection of at least one delivery option of a plurality of delivery options available for delivery of said transmitted information.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein said reproducing circuit is operable at least in part with corresponding circuitry disposed at said selected location.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein said intermediate station further comprises:

an acknowledgment circuit adapted to produce an acknowledgment of receipt of said transmitted information.