Handheld mailing system

Details Handheld mailing system Handheld mailing system

2001-06-04

2003-11-18

Gibson, Randy (Department: 2841)

Weighing scales

Computer

Electrical

C177S148000, C705S407000, C705S416000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06649849

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention disclosed herein relates generally to mailing systems, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for handheld mailing systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Computer systems often include peripheral devices connected to a host computer system for performing various specialized functions. Such systems that include specialized peripheral devices for processing parcels, letters and other types of mail, hereinafter referred to as mail pieces, are referred to as mailing systems. As illustrated in
FIG. 1
, a conventional mailing system
10
includes a host computer
12
, which can be an industry-standard personal computer, workstation or the like having a keyboard and monitor and possibly other input/output devices such as a mouse. Mailing system
10
further includes a scale
14
for weighing mail pieces, a metering device
16
for dispensing appropriate postage, and a printer
18
for printing indicia of the proper postage on a label or envelope of the mail pieces. Scale
14
, metering device
16
and printer
18
are coupled to the host computer
10
through peripheral management device
20
.
To prepare a mail piece for mailing using the conventional system
10
as illustrated in
FIG. 1
, the user must place the mail piece on the scale
14
for weighing. Software executing on the host computer
12
provides a user interface, as well as database management, bookkeeping, and reporting capabilities. For example, accounting routines in the software can keep track of how much postage has been used in the mailing system. Scale
14
includes a rating engine that determines the amount of postage necessary based on the weight of the mail piece. This information is provided to host computer
12
, which then communicates with meter
16
. Meter
16
will determine if sufficient postage is available for the current transaction, and if so, will deduct the amount of postage to be dispensed and provide host computer
12
authorization to print a postage label. Printer
18
, based on signals from host computer
12
, will print a label with the appropriate postage to affix to the mail piece (or print the postage directly on a mail piece).
There are drawbacks, however, with the conventional mailing system as illustrated in FIG.
1
. As noted above, the system
10
includes several different peripheral devices, each of which must be compatible and maintained, adding to the cost and complexity of the system
10
. Additionally, due to the number of peripheral devices and size of each peripheral device, it is not possible to easily move the system
10
from one location to another. Accordingly, the system
10
is typically stationary and any mail to be processed must be brought to the system
10
.
Another requirement for system
10
is ensuring its security from fraud. Since system
10
is capable of printing indicia bearing monetary value, it is necessary to provide sufficient security for the system
10
to prevent tampering with the system, and specifically meter
16
, to prevent the fraudulent usage of funds. Accordingly, meter
16
must be secure and the communications between the several devices in the system must be secure, thereby adding to the cost and complexity of the system.
Thus, there exists a need for a mailing system that is compact enough to be portable but can still provide the necessary functionality and security of a conventional mailing system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention alleviates the problems associated with the prior art and provides a handheld mailing system that is easily portable while still maintaining the functionality and security necessary for a complete mailing system.
In accordance with the present invention, a handheld device, such as, for example, a Personal Data Assistant (PDA), is provided with a rating engine and metering device functionality. The weight of an item to be mailed can be input manually, or provided via a communication link to a scale. The rating engine in the PDA will determine the necessary amount of postage, and the metering functionality will provide the authorization and funds for the necessary postage. A printer coupled to the PDA provides a printed label. A security device, such as, for example, a dongle, is provided to ensure security for the mail processing functionality.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5121328 (1992-06-01), Sakai et al.
patent: 5200903 (1993-04-01), Gilham
patent: 5615120 (1997-03-01), Schwartz et al.
patent: 5657689 (1997-08-01), Lee
patent: 5710706 (1998-01-01), Märkl et al.
patent: 6153835 (2000-11-01), Schwartz et al.
patent: 6194671 (2001-02-01), Vaghi
patent: 6426471 (2002-07-01), Gubitose
Specification of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/833,167, titled “A System Device and Method for Recording and Input to a Programmable Stamp of Data to be Included on a Substrate in Both Human and Machine Readable Form,” filed Apr. 11, 2001 (Attorney Docket # F-219).

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