Patent US5774886A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5774886A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System and method for automatically printing postage on mail
Assignee: Post N Mail LC
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Filing: 1997-02-07
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Granted: 1998-06-30
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Expires: 2017-02-07
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for printing a postage meter stamp, including a desired postage amount, onto a piece of mail. A user obtains a touch memory utility ("TMU") button from the Post Office in order to obtain an amount of postage stored within the TMU button. A desired amount of postage is entered into the TMU button by a postal employee through a processor-based system. The user is then able to access this stored postage at the user's location through a complementary processor-based system. The processor-based system automatically calculates the required postage for a piece of mail based upon a set of parameters pertaining to the mail. Address information may also be printed onto an envelope along with the postage meter stamp through the use of a word processor program coupled to the present invention.
Inventors
- 👤 Salim G. Kara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:02
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/002; G01G19/005; G01G19/40; G01G19/413; G01G19/414; G01G19/4148; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00016; G07B17/0008; G07B17/00185; G07B17/00362; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00508; G07B17/00733; G07B2017/00088; G07B2017/00096; G07B2017/00137; G07B2017/00153; G07B2017/00177; G07B17/00193; G07B2017/00201; G07B2017/00258; G07B2017/0037; G07B2017/00419; G07B17/00435; G07B2017/00443; G07B2017/00572; G07B2017/0058; G07B2017/00588; G07B2017/00596; G07B2017/00604; G07B2017/00935; G07B2017/00951
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
A system utilizing a first personal computer of a plurality of personal computers for generating a meter stamp having a predetermined value from electronic postage credit stored within a fungible postage storage device, said system comprising: a portable processor device having information storage capacity associated therewith, said portable processor device being permanently configured for use as a postage storage device, said permanent configuration including storing identification information identifying said portable processor device to said system in said portable processor device upon manufacture, said portable processor device having electronic postage credit information stored in said information storage capacity, said portable processor device also having information with respect to a system wide password identified with said system stored in said information storage capacity; and means for generating said meter stamp through information communication between said first personal computer and said portable processor device, said generating means depleting a portion of said postage credit stored in said information storage capacity only upon a determination said stored identification information identifies said portable processor as being associated with said system and information stored in said first personal computer matches said password information stored in said portable processor device, wherein each of said plurality of personal computers are suitable for use with the same said portable processor device and wherein said portable processor device is to be discarded once substantially all of said postage credit is depleted.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
231 words
A system utilizing a first personal computer of a plurality of personal computers for generating a meter stamp having a predetermined value from electronic postage credit stored within a fungible postage storage device, said system comprising: a portable processor device having information storage capacity associated therewith, said portable processor device being permanently configured for use as a postage storage device, said permanent configuration including storing identification information identifying said portable processor device to said system in said portable processor device upon manufacture, said portable processor device having electronic postage credit information stored in said information storage capacity, said portable processor device also having information with respect to a system wide password identified with said system stored in said information storage capacity; and means for generating said meter stamp through information communication between said first personal computer and said portable processor device, said generating means depleting a portion of said postage credit stored in said information storage capacity only upon a determination said stored identification information identifies said portable processor as being associated with said system and information stored in said first personal computer matches said password information stored in said portable processor device, wherein each of said plurality of personal computers are suitable for use with the same said portable processor device and wherein said portable processor device is to be discarded once substantially all of said postage credit is depleted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said identification information comprises a unique serial number specific to a postage program operable on said plurality of systems.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said serial number includes at least a character selected by an issuing authority to identify said postage storage device as authorized for use in said system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising: means for initializing said portable processor device for use in said system, said initializing means being operable at least in part on an administrative processor based system not of said plurality of processor based systems.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 4, wherein said initializing means comprises said postage credit inputting means and said identification information providing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said portable processor device also includes a hierarchy of password algorithms, and wherein said password algorithms are utilized in addition to said determination said stored identification information identifies said portable processor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 6, wherein said hierarchy of password algorithms operates to verify said system wide password information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
The system of claim 6, wherein said hierarchy of password algorithms operates to process first data, including at least a portion of said identification information, associated with said portable processor device to verify a first password, and wherein said hierarchy of password algorithms operates to process second data, including at least a portion of said processed first data, associated with said portable processor device to verify a second password.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for generating a meter stamp having a predetermined value from electronic postage credit stored within a fungible postage storage device, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining a portable device having electronic postage credit information stored therein, said portable device also having postage system association information and information with respect to a system wide password stored therein, wherein said portable device is operable with any number of processor based systems of a plurality of processor based systems through reference to said system association information and said system wide password information; and generating said meter stamp through information communication between a select host processor based system of said plurality of processor based systems and said portable device, wherein said electronic postage credit is decremented in an amount of postage generated by said generating step, and wherein said portable device is disposed of upon depletion of said electronic postage credit.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for generating a meter stamp having a predetermined value from electronic postage credit stored within a fungible postage storage device, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining a portable device having electronic postage credit information stored therein, said portable device also having postage system association information and information with respect to a system wide password stored therein, wherein said portable device is operable with any number of processor based systems of a plurality of processor based systems through reference to said system association information and said system wide password information; and generating said meter stamp through information communication between a select host processor based system of said plurality of processor based systems and said portable device, wherein said electronic postage credit is decremented in an amount of postage generated by said generating step, and wherein said portable device is disposed of upon depletion of said electronic postage credit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of: providing said portable device with said postage system association information substantially at the time of manufacture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said postage system association information comprises a unique serial number.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said serial number includes at least a bit selected by an issuing authority to identify said portable device as authorized for use in said postage system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of: initializing said portable device for use in said system, said initializing step operable at least in part on an administrative processor based system not of said plurality of processor based systems.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of: inputting said postage system association information into said portable device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of: inputting said postage credit into said portable device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
213 words
A disposable apparatus for electronically storing postage credit to be utilized to generate a postage indicia by ones of a plurality of host general purpose processor based systems, said apparatus comprising: means for removably coupling said apparatus to a host system of said plurality of host systems to provide information communication therebetween; means, including at least a multiple level password hierarchy, for controlling said information communication; means for electronically storing information to be utilized by said host system when coupled to said apparatus via said coupling means, said stored information including at least a postage credit; means for fungibly identifying said apparatus as authorized for utilization in generating said postage indicia, said identifying means including storage of information unique to a postage indicia generation system to which said plurality of host systems are associated, wherein at least a portion of said identifying means is adapted for use with said multiple level password hierarchy; and means for communicating at least a portion of said postage credit from said apparatus to said host system under control of said controlling means, wherein said at least a portion of said identifying means is utilized in generation of a password of said multiple level password hierarchy, and wherein said apparatus is disposable upon depletion of said postage credit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
213 words
A disposable apparatus for electronically storing postage credit to be utilized to generate a postage indicia by ones of a plurality of host general purpose processor based systems, said apparatus comprising: means for removably coupling said apparatus to a host system of said plurality of host systems to provide information communication therebetween; means, including at least a multiple level password hierarchy, for controlling said information communication; means for electronically storing information to be utilized by said host system when coupled to said apparatus via said coupling means, said stored information including at least a postage credit; means for fungibly identifying said apparatus as authorized for utilization in generating said postage indicia, said identifying means including storage of information unique to a postage indicia generation system to which said plurality of host systems are associated, wherein at least a portion of said identifying means is adapted for use with said multiple level password hierarchy; and means for communicating at least a portion of said postage credit from said apparatus to said host system under control of said controlling means, wherein said at least a portion of said identifying means is utilized in generation of a password of said multiple level password hierarchy, and wherein said apparatus is disposable upon depletion of said postage credit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: means for receiving administrator input pertaining to a desired amount of postage to be initially stored within said apparatus.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said portable processor device is a TMU button.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said fungible identification means comprises a unique serial number specific to a postage indicia generation program operable on ones of said plurality of host systems.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said serial number includes at least a character selected by an issuing authority to identify said apparatus as authorized for use in generating said postage indicia.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said unique serial number is stored by said electronic storage means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-06-29 | 2001-12-29 | 2002-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-29 | 2005-12-29 | 2006-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-29 | 2009-12-29 | 2010-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |