Control panel label for a postage printing device

• US 20070005518A1
• Filed: 06/30/2005
• Published: 01/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Singer, Benjamin, Kaye, Steven, Beckstrom, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,533,067 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/402
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00314 Communication within apparatus, personal computer [PC] system, or server, e.g. between printhead and central unit in a franking machine

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing a locally printed replaceable control panel labels for providing an economical user interface to a postage printing device using a collocated processor are described. In one configuration, a remote data center provides Units of Information of Value UIVs of distinct denominations such as postage indicia to a Virtual Stamp Dispensing Metering VSDM printer. Custom graphic images are also processed for use and stored at the collocated processor for selective transfer to the VSDM. Using the collocated PC, the user selects certain denominations to be assigned to denomination buttons on the VSDM. Similarly, the user selects certain custom images to be associated with custom image buttons on the VSDM. The system then prints a replaceable control panel button label using the VSDM printer having zones associated with each button for printing thumbnails of the custom images and denomination icons for the selected virtual stamp denominations. The user then inserts the replaceable custom control panel label in the VSDM control panel recess under the hinged control panel window.

Claims

1. A virtual stamp dispensing system comprising:

a virtual stamp meter further comprising;

a plurality of denomination selection buttons,

a plurality of image selection buttons,

a print button,

a printer subsystem for printing virtual stamp indicia and images on virtual stamp media stock, and

a control panel including a control panel label recess for receiving a control label having a plurality of printing zones corresponding to the plurality of selection buttons;

a collocated processor coupled to the virtual stamp meter comprising;

storage for storing images and a user interface program including a control panel label creation function for receiving button assignments and causing the virtual stamp meter printing subsystem to print a control label on the virtual stamp media stock.

2. The virtual stamp dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the media stock is direct contact thermal adhesive label media with backing and the printer subsystem is a direct thermal media printing subsystem.

3. The virtual stamp dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the collocated processor is a personal computer.

4. The virtual stamp dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the control panel label recess includes a plurality of control panel recess tabs for securing the control panel label in place.

5. The virtual stamp dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the control panel includes a hinged window for covering the control panel label recess.

6. The virtual stamp dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of denomination selection buttons consists of three buttons and the plurality of graphic selection buttons consists of two buttons.

7. The virtual stamp dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the media stock is label media and the printer subsystem is an ink jet printing subsystem.

8. A Unit of Information of Value (UIV) printing system comprising:

a printer comprising;

a plurality of UIV selection buttons,

a print button,

a printer subsystem for printing UIVs on media stock, and

a first user interface including a control panel having a control panel label section for receiving a control label having a plurality of printing zones corresponding to the plurality of selection buttons;

a collocated processor coupled to the printer for providing a second user interface for controlling the printer and for creating control panel labels printed by the printer subsystem on the media stock that are used with the first user interface.

9. The UIV printing system of claim 8, wherein the media stock is direct contact thermal adhesive label media with backing and the printer subsystem is a direct thermal media printing subsystem.

10. The UIV printing system of claim 8, wherein the collocated processor is a personal computer.

11. The UIV printing system of claim 8, wherein the control panel section includes a label recess that includes a plurality of control panel recess tabs for securing the control panel label in place.

12. The UIV printing system of claim 11, wherein the control panel includes a hinged window for covering the control panel label recess.

13. The UIV printing system of claim 8, wherein the media stock is label media and the printer subsystem is an ink jet printing subsystem.

14. A method of configuring local user interface for a virtual stamp dispensing system,

wherein the virtual stamp dispensing system includes a virtual stamp meter having a printer subsystem for printing virtual stamp indicia and images on virtual stamp media stock and a first user interface including a control panel having a plurality of control buttons and a control panel label recess for receiving a control label having a plurality of printing zones corresponding to the plurality of selection buttons;

and

wherein the virtual stamp dispensing system includes a collocated processor coupled to the virtual stamp meter having a second user interface and including storage for storing images and a user interface program including a control panel label creation function for receiving button assignments and causing the virtual stamp meter printing subsystem to print a control label on the virtual stamp media stock, the method comprising;

using the second user interface to assign button assignments;

using the second user interface for printing a control panel label; and

placing the control panel label in the control panel recess.