US6009416A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for detection of errors in accounting for postal charges in controlled acceptance environment
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1998-03-31
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Granted: 1999-12-28
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Expires: 2018-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A mail generation system and method includes means for processing data to generate mail piece information and first secure processing means for securely storing and encrypting mail piece information generated by the data processing means. Means are coupled to the data processing means for physically preparing mail pieces related to the generated mail piece information and for generating information related to the physical preparation of the mail. Second secure processing means securely store and encrypted information generated by the mail preparing means. Means sort the mail pieces and generate information related to the sorting and packaging of the mail pieces. Third secure processing means securely store and encrypt information generated by the mail sorting and packaging means. A part of the software program used to generate the mail piece information can be securely stored. Mail piece information to verify that the software program was employed to generate the mail piece information is encrypted.
Inventors
- 👤 Leon A. Pintsov
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:31
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00185; G07B17/00435; G07B17/00362; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00467; G07B17/00314; G07B2017/0033; G07B2017/00379; G07B2017/00443; G07B2017/00475; G07B2017/00483; G07B2017/00491; G07B17/00733; G07B2017/00741; G07B2017/0075; G07B2017/00758; G07B2017/00766; G07B2017/00774; G07B2017/00959; G07B2017/00967
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A mail generation system comprising: means for processing data to generate mail piece information; first secure processing means for securely storing and encrypting mail piece information generated by said processing means; means coupled to said data processing means for physically preparing mail pieces related to said generated mail piece information and for generating information related to the physical preparation of said mail; second secure processing means for securely storing and encrypting information generated by said mail preparing means; means for sorting said mail pieces and for generating information related to said sorting and packaging of said mail pieces; and, third secure processing means for securely storing and encrypting information generated by said mail sorting and packaging means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A mail generation system comprising: means for processing data to generate mail piece information; first secure processing means for securely storing and encrypting mail piece information generated by said processing means; means coupled to said data processing means for physically preparing mail pieces related to said generated mail piece information and for generating information related to the physical preparation of said mail; second secure processing means for securely storing and encrypting information generated by said mail preparing means; means for sorting said mail pieces and for generating information related to said sorting and packaging of said mail pieces; and, third secure processing means for securely storing and encrypting information generated by said mail sorting and packaging means.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for mail generation comprising the steps of: processing data to generate mail piece information; securely storing and encrypting mail piece information generated by said data processing; physically preparing mail pieces related to said generated mail piece information and generating information related to the physical preparation of said mail; securely storing and encrypting information generated by said mail preparing; generating information related to said sorting and packaging of said mail pieces; and, securely storing and encrypting information generated by said mail sorting and packaging.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for mail generation comprising the steps of: processing data to generate mail piece information; securely storing and encrypting mail piece information generated by said data processing; physically preparing mail pieces related to said generated mail piece information and generating information related to the physical preparation of said mail; securely storing and encrypting information generated by said mail preparing; generating information related to said sorting and packaging of said mail pieces; and, securely storing and encrypting information generated by said mail sorting and packaging.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
A mail generation system comprising: means for processing data to generate mail piece information; secure processing means for securely storing and encrypting mail piece information generated by said processing means; means coupled to said data processing means for physically preparing mail pieces related to said generated mail piece information and for generating information related to the physical preparation of said mail; and, second secure processing means for securely storing and encrypting information generated by said mail preparing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
A mail generation system comprising: means for processing data to generate mail piece information; secure processing means for securely storing and encrypting mail piece information generated by said processing means; means coupled to said data processing means for physically preparing mail pieces related to said generated mail piece information and for generating information related to the physical preparation of said mail; and, second secure processing means for securely storing and encrypting information generated by said mail preparing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A mail generation system as defined in claim 3 wherein said mail piece information which is stored and encrypted relates to information upon which postal processing charges are computed.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for mail generation comprising the steps of: processing data to generate mail piece information; securely storing a part of the software program used to generate said mail piece information; encrypting mail piece information to verify that said software program was employed to generate said mail piece information; and, physically preparing mail pieces related to said generated mail piece information.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for mail generation comprising the steps of: processing data to generate mail piece information; securely storing a part of the software program used to generate said mail piece information; encrypting mail piece information to verify that said software program was employed to generate said mail piece information; and, physically preparing mail pieces related to said generated mail piece information.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for mail generation comprising the steps of: processing data to generate mail piece information; securely storing and encrypting mail piece information generated by said data processing; physically preparing mail pieces related to said generated mail piece information and generating information related to the physical preparation of said mail; securely storing and encrypting information generated by said mail preparing; comparing said securely stored and encrypted mail piece information generated by said data processing and said securely stored and encrypted information generated by said mail preparing means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for mail generation comprising the steps of: processing data to generate mail piece information; securely storing and encrypting mail piece information generated by said data processing; physically preparing mail pieces related to said generated mail piece information and generating information related to the physical preparation of said mail; securely storing and encrypting information generated by said mail preparing; comparing said securely stored and encrypted mail piece information generated by said data processing and said securely stored and encrypted information generated by said mail preparing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method for mail generation as defined in claim 6 comprising the further step of physically inspecting said mail.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method for mail generation as defined in claim 6 comprising the further step of physically inspecting said mail for consistency with said securely stored and encrypted mail piece information generated by said data processing and said securely stored and encrypted information generated by said mail preparing 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) | 2002-12-27 | 2003-06-28 | 2003-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-27 | 2007-06-28 | 2007-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-27 | 2011-06-28 | 2011-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |