Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Emulation or plural modes
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-20
2002-01-08
Mancuso, Joseph (Department: 2624)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Static presentation processing
Emulation or plural modes
C358S001150
Reexamination Certificate
active
06337743
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Addressing systems are an example of systems whose purpose is to utilize address lists, perform addressing hygiene through the use of address correction techniques, assign barcoding and, download data to addressing printers, collators, sealers, and the like, for the purpose of producing a mailpiece.
The print stream introduced to addressing systems is generally in the form an address list, though it may take on other forms. The list must be parsed and checked before format correction and barcoding techniques can be directed to the addresses on the list before creation of a mailpiece.
An address database provides a link to prospective customers by creating the ability for a list user to reach out to those customers represented by the database's individual addresses. The value of the database is measured in terms of the discounts available for the sending of mailpieces, the scope of the target audience, the detail, and accuracy of an individual address. The value is thus derived from the detail found in its contents.
There is thus great value in assembling files for a database where the files are “complete” in detail. The ability to ensure detail of files withinan address database has been taught in such prior art as U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,990 for an APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING 100% UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE BAR CODED LISTS issued Sep. 16, 1997 to Bajorinas et al. (hereinafter referred to as Bajorinas) and assigned to the assignee of the present claimed invention.
Bajorinas disclosed a method and apparatus for generating a coded address list. The method is initiated by inputting an address list to a data processing device which then reads each address record on the address list. As an address record is read, a set of rules is applied to the record to determine whether or not a corresponding bar code can be assigned. If a bar code can be assigned, then the data processing device writes the address record and its corresponding bar code to a first list. If, however, a corresponding bar code is not determined for an address record, then the unmatched address record is posted to a second list. The first list is output for printing, while the second list is saved to memory. With respect to the second list, the system operator can: manually correct an address record on the list; delete the address record; or, output the address record to a printer for non-discounted mailing.
Refinement to file contents within an address database can be further made by employing methods disclosed in such prior art as U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 08/413,579 for a METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MINIMIZING ATTRIBUTE NAMING ERRORS IN SET ORIENTED DUPLICATE DETECTION with a Notice of Allowance issued therefore on Feb. 6, 1998 for Robert J. Johnson et al. (hereinafter referred to as Johnson) and assigned to the assignee of the present claimed invention.
Johnson disclosed a method and system for detecting duplicate records on a list or in a file. The method steps include entering a list, comprised of one or more records, to a data processing system; then, applying a nickname lookup table to the records to determine a common first name. Once a common name has been determined, the method matches a first record from the list with a second record from the list by comparing the fields of the first record with the fields of at least one other record; the comparison is based on a set of pre-determined criteria. The matching sequence determines a duplicate set, wherein the duplicate set is comprised of at least two records with fields that match. The method then lists matching records sequentially so that the system can create a new record by filling each empty field with a next available corresponding field from a subsequent record within the duplicate set. The newly created record is then retained on the original list; and the duplicate records are placed on a second list. Pre-sorting of the list can occur just prior to the matching sequence as well as just prior to outputting the final list. Additionally, the system operator can be given a number of options to provide flexibility. These options can include: manually correcting a record on the duplicate records list; deleting an address record from the list of duplicates; or, outputting the record.
The value of the perfected files in the address database become readily apparent when the lists are printed to media when forming individual mailpieces to which postage is to be applied. The postal discounts available to the postal service customer are calculated by mailpiece production systems and are therefore only as good as the value of the data input to the system.
Mailpiece production systems are known in the art and have developed with changes in postal service regulations (such as those of the United States Postal Service, or USPS) and with the proliferation of appropriate software applications. In turn, this production has served the need to automate and accelerate to accommodate growth.
As the USPS, together with the postal services of other countries around the world, moves toward more fully automated mail handling in an effort to contain costs while processing ever increasing volumes of mail, automated equipment which sorts and processes mail on the basis of machine readable postal codes, such as the “zip code” or other forms of postal coding, play an ever more significant role. In the United States, postal service regulations provide for a “Postnet” bar code which represents the five, nine, or eleven digit zip code of the destination address in a machine readable form. 4-State can be utilized within Canada.
Systems have been used or proposed to meet the need to produce mail pieces imprinted with the Postnet bar code, and to enable mailers to obtain the benefit of the discounts offered for such mail. One such system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,907, for a SYSTEM FOR FEEDING ENVELOPES FOR SIMULTANEOUS PRINTING OF ADDRESSES AND BAR CODES, issued to Eisner et al. (hereinafter referred to as Eisner-1) on Aug. 22, 1989. This patent discloses a system for printing envelopes with addresses, zip codes, and corresponding bar codes. The system is controlled by a computer which includes software for converting a zip code included in the address into bar code form and then adding the bar code representation to the material to be printed on the envelope.
Another example of the art is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,181 for an ENVELOPE ADDRESSING SYSTEM ADAPTED TO SIMULTANEOUSLY PRINT ADDRESSES AND BAR CODES; issued on Jul. 5, 1994 to Eisner et al. (hereinafter referred to as Eisner-2). This patent teaches a method of addressing substrates with a human readable address containing a zip code and a bar code corresponding to the zip code. The method utilizes a computer and comprises several steps. These steps include: receiving in the computer a plurality of addresses, with pre-existing zip code information contained in each as complete address data, and requiring no manual inputting or identification; automatically scanning the address data in the computer to find the pre-existing zip code; automatically converting, in the computer, the pre-existing zip code into a line of corresponding bar code; and, essentially simultaneously printing the complete address, including zip code information and corresponding bar code, on a substrate, under control of the computer so that the substrate produced has human readable zip code and machine readable bar code information thereon.
Additionally, a system for printing envelopes with addresses including bar code is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,175,691 for a SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN APPARATUS TO PRODUCE ITEMS IN SELECTED CONFIGURATIONS; issued on Dec. 29, 1992 to Baker et al. (hereinafter referred to as Baker), which describes a system for printing mail pieces which includes a printer for printing sheets and envelope forms and a folder-sealer mechanism for folding the envelope form around the sheets to form a mail piece, and a computer based control system for controlling t
Brown Nanette
Girardi Victor
Kelley Michael S.
Kovlakas Paul A.
Levitsky Paul A.
Mancuso Joseph
Melton Michael E.
Pitney Bowes Inc.
Reichman Ronald
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