Personal funds metering system and method

• US 7,840,492 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2002
• Issued: 11/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Parkos, Arthur, Leung, Alan, Leung, Wendy Chui Fen, Coffy, Jean-Hiram, Braun, John F., Rojas, John W., Norris, James R. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fischer; Andrew J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Johns; Christopher C
• Application Number:
  US10/248,249
• Publication Number:
  US 20040128264A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,885 Days
• Field of Search: 382/124, 705/23, 705 60- 62, 705/401, 705/403, 705408-410, 235/462.01, 235/462.04, 235/462.09
• US Class Current: 705/62
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/0008 Communication details outside or between apparatus coin-freed apparatus for franking per se G07F17/26
• 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 2017/00145 via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00443 Verification of mailpieces, e.g. by checking databases

Abstract

Methods and systems for dispensing value are described. In one configuration, a unique tangible indicia is enabled with a value and then disabled after the value is redeemed. In another configuration, a user enables a unique coded stamp and associates a postage payment with the stamp. The postal service cancels the stamp by deactivating the stamp from a list of active stamps and optionally audits the payment association.

Claims

1. A method for dispensing postage value in a value dispensing system comprising:

obtaining a previously used uniquely identified reusable indicia that is deactivated and that includes a digital pen pattern;

scanning the digital pen pattern on the uniquely identified reusable indicia using a scanner and a local processor operatively connected to the scanner;

obtaining an identifier assigned to the indicia using the scan of the digital pen pattern;

assigning a postage value amount to the indicia using the local processor;

and electronically sending information associated with the indicia including the postage value amount to a remote central billing server for enabling the indicia,

then sending the indicia to a third party using a carrier as part of a use transaction associated with the postage value amount, wherein,

the reusable indicia is then reused in the postage value dispensing system after the use transaction associated with the postage value amount is completed by deactivating the reusable indicia and then reactivating the reusable indicia and assigning a second postage value amount to the reusable indicia.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the use associated with the value amount is evidence of payment of postage associated with a mailpiece.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving an indication of authentication after sending information associated with the indicia to a remote central billing server.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

placing the indicia on the mailpiece; and

placing the mailpiece in the mail stream.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

receiving an indication that the value was used.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the indicia includes at least two overlapping digital pen patterns printed using at least two inks.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the indicia includes a 2D barcode having a redundant identifier and a digital signature.

8. The method of claim 2 wherein:

assigning the postage value amount to the indicia is performed using a local postage vault.

9. A method for dispensing postage used in a postal carrier system comprising:

scanning a digital pen pattern including a uniquely identified indicia using a scanner and a local processor operatively connected to the scanner;

assigning a postage value to the indicia using the local processor and debiting a local postage vault in the amount of the postage value;

and electronically sending information associated with the indicia including the postage value to a remote central billing server for enabling the indicia, wherein,

the indicia is reusable in the postal carrier system, by assigning a second postal value to the indicia, after the postal value has been used.

10. A method for processing a uniquely identified reusable indicia postage stamp that includes a digital pen pattern in a postal carrier system comprising:

initially configuring the uniquely identified reusable indicia postaqe stamp to be deactivated, wherein the uniquely identified reusable indicia is associated with an identifier;

electronically receiving information from a user, wherein the user scans the digital pen pattern to obtain the identifier from the uniquely identified reusable indicia postage stamp using a scanner and a local processor operatively connected to the scanner, wherein the information is received at a central billing server remote from the server, and wherein the information includes the identifier and a postage value for a postage transaction;

determining that the user may assign the postage value to the reusable indicia;

activating the reusable indicia with the postal value;

then, determining that the reusable indicia has been used in the postal carrier system,

then, deactivating the reusable indicia; and

then, reactivating the reusable indicia for a later postage transaction.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein:

reactivating the reusable indicia for a later postage transaction includes reactivating the reusable indicia with a second postage value.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein:

the reusable indicia includes at least two overlapping digital pen patterns printed using at least two inks.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein:

the reusable indicia includes a 2D barcode having a redundant identifier and a digital signature.