US5648916A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Internal mail distribution system
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1995-08-10
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Granted: 1997-07-15
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Expires: 2015-08-10
Abstract
Abstract A system for automatically (where possible) converting hard copy paper mail into electronic mail, while allowing those already using computers to communicate with those in the paper domain. The system automates the process of distributing incoming mail within a building and between locations. The apparatus of this invention utilizes paper handling machines, while integrating the paper handling machines with electronic networks.
Inventors
- 👤 Flavio M. Manduley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:41
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q10/107; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00016; G07B17/0008; G07B17/00024; G07B2017/00072; G07B2017/00137; G07B17/00733; G07B2017/00943
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
A method for distributing physically generated and electronically generated mail, said method including the steps of: receiving externally generated physical mail; sorting the externally generated physical mail to determine which mail is going to be electronically transferred and which mail is going to be physically delivered; converting the externally generated physical mail that was sorted to be electronically transferred into an electronic format; transmitting the externally generated physical mail in a electronic format; converting the externally generated physical mail in an electronic format into a human recognizable format; physically delivering the externally generated physical mail that was sorted to be physically delivered; receiving externally generated electronic mail; routing the electronically generated electronic mail; creating internal electronic mail; routing internal electronic mail; determining which internally generated physical mail is going to be electronically transferred and which mail is going to be physically delivered; converting the internally generated physical mail that was determined to be electronically transferred into an electronic format; transmitting the internally generated physical mail that was determined to be electronically transferred into a electronic format; converting the internally generated physical mail that was determined to be physically transferred into a human recognizable format; and processing the internally generated physical mail that was determined to be physically transferred.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
208 words
A method for distributing physically generated and electronically generated mail, said method including the steps of: receiving externally generated physical mail; sorting the externally generated physical mail to determine which mail is going to be electronically transferred and which mail is going to be physically delivered; converting the externally generated physical mail that was sorted to be electronically transferred into an electronic format; transmitting the externally generated physical mail in a electronic format; converting the externally generated physical mail in an electronic format into a human recognizable format; physically delivering the externally generated physical mail that was sorted to be physically delivered; receiving externally generated electronic mail; routing the electronically generated electronic mail; creating internal electronic mail; routing internal electronic mail; determining which internally generated physical mail is going to be electronically transferred and which mail is going to be physically delivered; converting the internally generated physical mail that was determined to be electronically transferred into an electronic format; transmitting the internally generated physical mail that was determined to be electronically transferred into a electronic format; converting the internally generated physical mail that was determined to be physically transferred into a human recognizable format; and processing the internally generated physical mail that was determined to be physically transferred.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of converting the physical mail that was sorted to be electronically transferred includes the step of scanning the physical mail.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of converting the physical mail in an electronic format into a human recognizable format includes the step of printing the physical mail.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of converting the physical mail that was determined to be electronically transferred into an electronic format includes the step of scanning the physical mail.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of: transmitting the physical mail in a electronic format includes transmitting the mail to one or more personal computers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of: transmitting the physical mail in a electronic format includes transmitting the mail to one or more work stations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of: transmitting the physical mail in a electronic format includes transmitting the mail to one or more facsimile machines.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, further including the steps of: transmitting and receiving physical and electronic mail between hubs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, further including the step of transmitting and receiving physical and electronic mail between mail rooms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of physically delivering the physical mail that was sorted to be physically delivered includes the step of placing the mail in a movable bin containing a plurality of slots.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method claimed in claim 10, wherein the step of placing the mail in a movable bin with a plurality of slots includes the step of placing an individuals mail in a assigned bin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of converting the physical mail that was determined to be physically transferred into a human recognizable format includes the step of printing the mail.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method claimed in claim 12, further includes the step of: inserting the physical mail into an envelope.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method claimed in claim 13, further includes the step of: addressing the envelope.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method claimed in claim 14, further including the step of: determining the postage due on the envelope.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method claimed in claim 15, further including the step of: placing a postal indicia on the envelope.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-07-14 | 2001-01-13 | 2001-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-14 | 2005-01-13 | 2005-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-14 | 2009-01-13 | 2009-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |