US 8,805,745 B1Granted

Printing of computer-based value-bearing items

AssigneeStamps.com Inc.

InventorsKyle Huebner, John Michael Boswell, Kenneth Thomas McBride, John Roland Clem, J.P. Leon

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Abstract

The exemplary embodiment of the present invention will provide computer systems and methods for printing computer-based value-bearing items such as, for example, an exemplary image-customized computer-based postage label 1 in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention as depicted in FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 1, the exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will bear an image 2 that would be provided by a corresponding user, namely by the user that orders the customized computer-based postage label. The user may provide image 2 in an electronic form, such as by uploading a digital representation of image 2. In a variation of the exemplary embodiment, a user could alternatively provide a hardcopy image. The exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will bear a human-readable indication of the country 4 for which the postage is approved. The exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will also bear a human-readable indication of an amount of postage 5. The exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will also bear a human-readable identifier (such as a serial number) 6 that will uniquely identify the particular customized computer-based postage label. The exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will also bear a machine-readable set of information 7.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method using a computer system for centralized printing of image-customized, computer-based, postage-indicia-bearing items, said computer system comprising at least one computer device, said method comprising:

uploading at least one image according to a respective user-provided instruction;
downloading to a computer-readable medium, a plurality of encrypted, image-customized, computer-based, postage-indicia-bearing items, each respective image-customized, computer-based, postage-indicia-bearing item comprising:
said at least one image that has been uploaded according to said respective user-provided instruction,
a respective identification of the respective image-customized, computer-based, postage-indicia-bearing item, and
a respective representation of machine-readable, computer-based postage indicia for a user-specified amount of postage, the representation of machine-readable, computer-based postage indicia comprising a representation of customized, information-based postage label indicia;
decrypting the plurality of encrypted computer-based postage-indicia-bearing items;
for each said identification,
rendering a respective invisible ink representation of a respective distinct printable pattern, said rendering comprising an application by a print-rendering device of invisible ink in said respective distinct printable pattern, said application of invisible ink in said respective distinct printable pattern characterized by a position relative to a particular location on a perimeter of a computer-based postage-indicia-bearing item, or an application density of invisible ink;
for each respective image-customized, computer-based, postage-indicia-bearing item of said plurality of encrypted, image-customized, computer-based, postage-indicia-bearing items:
creating a respective relationship between the respective identification of the respective image-customized, computer-based, postage-indicia-bearing item and the respective item-specific printable pattern for application by the print-rendering device of invisible fluorescent ink on the respective image-customized, computer-based, postage-indicia-bearing item, and
storing the respective relationship in a memory accessible by the computer system.

8 more elements

A computer system for centralized printing of image-customized, computer-based, postage-indicia-bearing items, said computer system comprising at least one computer device that is programmed to:

upload an image according to a respective set of user-provided instructions;
download from a first computer-readable medium to a second computer-readable medium, a plurality of image-customized, computer-based, postage-indicia-bearing items, each image-customized, computer-based, postage-indicia-bearing item comprising said image according to said respective set of user-provided instructions and a representation of machine-readable, computer-based postage indicia corresponding to a user-specified amount of postage, said image comprising a position and an orientation with relationship to a border for each said image-customized, computer-based, postage-indicia-bearing item according to said respective set of user-provided instructions;
for each image-customized, computer-based, postage-indicia-bearing item of said plurality of image-customized, computer-based, postage-indicia-bearing items:
render, according to a type of pattern, a respective printable representation of a respective distinct pattern, said render process comprising an application by a print-rendering device of invisible fluorescent ink in said respective distinct pattern, said application of invisible fluorescent ink in said respective distinct pattern characterized by a position relative to a particular location on a perimeter of a computer-based postage-indicia-bearing item,
create a relationship between an identification of the respective image-customized, computer-based, postage-indicia-bearing item, said type of pattern, and the respective distinct pattern for application by the print-rendering device of invisible fluorescent ink on the respective image-customized, computer-based, postage-indicia-bearing item, and
store the relationship in a computer-accessible memory accessible by the computer system;
and
queue the plurality of computer-based, postage-indicia-bearing items for printing by a printer.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/994,728Filed 22 Nov 2004 · us provisional application
Priority: 27 Jul 2004
Granted: 12 Aug 2014
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

G07B 17/00024
Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system: physical or organizational…
G07B 2017/00064
Client-server: virtual meter, online stamp; PSD functions or indicia creation not at user's location
G07B 2017/00201
Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system: open franking system, i.e. the printer is not dedicated to franking only, e.g. PC
G07B
Ticket-issuing apparatus