CA1278379C

CA1278379C - Verification for a mail processing system

Info

Publication number: CA1278379C
Application number: CA000526033A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Guy L. Fougere; Ronald P. Sansone
Original assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
Current assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
Priority date: 1985-12-25
Filing date: 1986-12-22
Publication date: 1990-12-27
Anticipated expiration: 2007-12-27
Also published as: SE8605544L; GB8630622D0; CH676759A5; GB2188868A; FR2596551A1; GB2188868B; GB2226525A; GB9000422D0; FR2596551B1; SE8605544D0; DE3644319A1; GB2226525B

Abstract

VERIFICATION FOR A MAIL PROCESSING SYSTEM
Abstract of the Disclosure A system for processing batch mail in which the need for on-site inspection is unnecessary. The mail sender purchase postage from a central station thereby authorizing the sending of mail equal to the amount of postage purchased.
The mail sender processes batches of mail each of which is accompanied by a statement summarizing the type and number of mail pieces sent and amount of postage for each batch. The statement contains data that allows mail payment verification as well as the identity of specific mail pieces in the batch that do not qualify for reduced postage rates. The mail pieces have imprinted thereon data corresponding to the current authorization of the the mail sender to mail postage.

Description

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VERIFICATION FOR A ~AIL PROCESSI~JG SYSTEM
RELATED CASES
Subject matter similar to ~he ~ubject matter contained in the instant application may be Pound in U.S. Patent No. 4,725,718 enti~led "POSTAGE h~ID MAILING
INFORMATION APPLYING SYSTE~" by Ronald Sansone et al, issued February 16, 1988 and assigned to the assignee of the instant application.
Background oP the_Invention Certain organizations periodically dispatch large amounts of mail. Examples o~ such organizations are:
banking institu~ions, utility companies, insurance companies, credit companies, and the like. In order to handle such large quantities of mail, these mailers normally pre-package an~ pre-sort ~heir mail and are given a lower postage rate by the postal service because of the time saved by the postal servi~e.
There are generally two ways in which such mail sender~ apply postage to their mail. The most common way is by use of a postage meter which is leased by the mailer from a postage meter manufacturer with which the amount of postage required is applied to each mail piece. Inserter systems have been developed where~y inserts may be placed into an en~elope and the envelope may be sealed, addressQd and have a postage indicia applied theretoO The mail pieces may be weighed on the fly or individual weighing may not be required if all the mail pieces are of like kin~, i.e., only a sample mail piece need be weighed. These acts of processing ,~
mail may be performed at a relatively high rate of speed.
A second method of mailing large quantities oP mail pieces is to employ a permit mail system. In such a system, the mailer places a permit number on the mail pieces and prepared a manifest listing ~hat shows the type and number o~ mail pleces being mailed on each occasion and the postage required.
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With both such systems, inspection at the site of the mail sender is usually required. In the case of the postage meter, the lessor of the postaye meter, i..e., the postage meter manufacturer, is required by law to inspect the postage me-ter at least twice a year to assure that there is no evidence o~ tampering with the postage meter that will indicate an attempt to obtain unauthorized postage. In the case of permit mail, large quantities of the same type of mail are mailed at the same time and the postal service conducts an inspection to verify that the manifest listing accompanying the permit mail accurately accounts for the amount of postage due for the mail that has been processed by the postal service. This is accomplished by an inspection on the part of the postal service, by examining the records of the mail user on every occasion.
Obviously, each of these two systems has certain drawbacks. In the case of on-site inspection of postage meters, due to the large number of postage meters in use by large mail senders, inspection thereof is an expensive matter. Furthermore, postage meters that process large quantities of mail must be replaced relatively frequently because of wear. With regard to the permit mail system, a shortcoming lies in the need of the postal service to send a representative frequently to the various mailer locations to assure that the sender is accurately accounting for the quantity of mail being sent. Such a scheme is not totally reliable since it relies upon on-site verification using the mailers records which are not secure.
Summary and Objects of the Invention Briefly stated, the present invention in one aspect is directed to the provision of a system wherein a mailer is able to send large quantities or batches of mail without the need of on-site inspections. This is accomplished by the mailer having a secure accounting unit similar to a postage meter in which postage value is placed by a dispensing or central station. A

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statement sheet, called a passport, accompanies each batch o~ mail, which statement contains inforrnation relative to the mail and the amount of postage required.
Communication between the central station and the mail sender allows postage value to be transferred to the user by the central station and mailing and verification data to be sent to the central station from the mailer.
The mailing and verification data can be the same as that contained on the mailing statements that accompany the batches of mail. This system provides a central station for a large number of mail senders whereby the postal service is relieved of its obligation of having on-site inspections and the central station acts as a clearing house for the postal service through whom lS verification of postage can be conveniently and inexpensively achieved.
A feature of an aspect of the instant invention is that a unique serial number may be provided to the user to be stored in permanent memory to identify the user's accounting unit.
A feature of an aspect of this invention is that the security features of a postage meter are provided while allowing a high speed, relatively inexpensive printer to be used for printing the mail pieces.
A ~eature of an aspect of the invention is the provision of documentation for facilitating the inspection of presorted or other batch processed mail while enhancing the security of funds for such mailing, as well as the provision of mail pieces so marked in accordance with the invention that correspondence between the documentation and mail pieces is readily established, to ensure the accurate and proper accounting of funds.
A feature o an aspect of this invention is the provision of a unique number printed of each mail piece of a plurality of mail pieces.
Various aspects of the invention are as follows:
A document for verifying the payment of postage for a batch of mail, comprising:

a substrate and data printed on said substrate represen~ative of the value of postage required to mail said batch of mail.
A mail piece comprising:
a substrate having verification information imprinted thereon by a printer under the con-trol of a secure accounting system, said verification information including information corresponding to the amount of postage said accounting system was authorized to dispense at the time said information was imprinted on said substrate.
In a mail piece comprising:
a substrate and verification information imprinted lS thereon by a printer under the control of a secure accounting system, said verification information including bar code characters incorporating information corresponding to the amount of postage said accounting system was authorized to dispense at the time said information was imprinted on said substrate.
In a postal batch including a plurality of mail pieces each said mail piece comprising:
a substrate and information imprinted thereon, said information includes verification information, said verification information including a plurality of data items each corresponding to separate numbers of a sequence of numbers, each substrate having a different one of said data items imprinted thereon, the numbers of said sequence of numbers differing from adjacent numbers thereof by an amount related to the postage required for the mailing of the respective mail pieces.
The method of imprinting a plurality of mail pieces by a batch postage marking system having a printer and a rechargeable accounting register, said method comprising the step of:
imprinting on said mail pieces data corresponding to the contents of said register at the time of said imprinting, whereby said mail pieces provide an --~b-~7B~9 indication of the extent of authorization of said s~stem to dispense postage.
In a method of preparing a document to verify payment of postage on a batch of mail that the document is to accompany to a post office, the step comprising:
printing a postage value upon the document which is representative of the value of postage required to mail the batch of mail.
A method for verifying the payment of postaye for a batch o~ mail comprising the steps of:
producing a document by a device for printing data and including a register storing postage values, said producing step comprising the steps of:
printing a postage value on a substrate lS representative of a decremented regist~r balance equal to the value of postage required to mail the batch of mail;
printing data on said substrate representative o said device; and, printing data on said substrate representing the number of mail pieces included in said batch of mail.
The method of preparing a document for accompanying a batch of mail comprising the steps of:
assembling a batch of mail and applying first data to said document corresponding to the amount of postage required to mail the batch of mail;
applying second data to said document corresponding to the identity of the sender of said batch of mail; and applying third data to said document corresponding to other information related to said batch of mail, at least one of said steps of applying data includes applying data to said document encrypted data that includes an encryption of the respective data, whereby said encryption data verifies the authentlcity said document.
A method for payment of postage for a batch of mail includes producing a document by a device for printing data and including a register storing postage values, said producing step comprising the step of:

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printing a postage amount on a substrate representative of the value of postage required to mail the batch of mail.
The invention in one aspect is directed to the provision of a document for verifying the accounting of postage of a batch of mail and adapted to accompany the batch of mail, comprising a substrate having first, second and third discrete portions, whereby said document may be folded to separately display said first, second and third portions. The first portion has imprinted thereon, identification of the mailer of the batch '~;

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of mail, the number of pieces o~ mail in the batch, and the extent of authorization of the mailPr to account for postage both prior to and after mailing of said batch of mail, postal indicia displaying the total amount of postage accounted for by the mailer of the batch of mail, and a unique verification number verifying the authenticity of the document as applied to said bakch of mail. The second portion having imprinted thereon a summary of the pieces of mail in the batch showing the numbers of pieces of mail and amount accounted therefor of each rate class and weight class of presorted mail represented in the batch of mail, and also including the total amount accounted for by the mailer in the mailing of the batch. The third portion having imprinted thereon a certification for signature by the mailer of the correctness of the material imprinted on the document as well as a certification for signature by a postal inspector of the correctness of the document. The first, second and third portions are arranged on the document in sequence in that order to facilitate the inspection of the batch of mail.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, a mail piece comprises a substrate and verification informa-tion imprinted thereon by a printer under the control of a secure accounting system. The verification information comprises information corresponding to the amount of postage said accounting system was authorized to dispense at the time said information was imprinted on said sub~trate.
In accordance with a still further feature, a postal batch includes a plurality of mail pieces each comprising a ~ubstrate and information imprinted thereon. The infoxmation comprises verification information comprised of a plurality vf data items each corresponding to separate numbers of a sequence of numbers. Each substrate has a different one of said data items imprinted thereon, the `'1`':

~2~ 3 numbers of said sequence o~ numbers differiny ~rom adjacent numbers thereof by an amount correspondiny to the postage required for the mailing of the respective mail pieces.
The invention also provides the method o~ imprinting a plurality o~ mail pieces by a batch postage marking system having a printer and a rechargeable accounting register, comprising imprintin~ on said mail pieces data corresponding to the contents of said register at the tim2 of said imprinting, whereby the mail pieces provide an indication of the extent of authorization of said system to dispense postage.
A document for veri~ying the payment of postage for a batch of mail in accordance with the invention comprise a substrate, a postage value printed on said substrate and representative of the value of postage required to mail the batch of mail, data printed on said subskrate and representative of the device that printed data on the document; and data printed on said substrate and representing the number of mail pieces included in said batch of mail.
In a further ~eature the document for verifying the payment of postage for a batch of mail, the document comprises a substrate, a postage value printed on said substrate and representative o~ the value of postage required to mail the batch of mail, data printed on said substrate and representative of the device that printed data on the document: and data printed on said substrate and representing the number of mail pieces included in said batch of mail, said document including encrypted data thereon.

In a still further feature th~ document for verifyiny the payment of postage for a batch of mail is produced by a device for printing data and includiny a register storiny postage balances. The document comprises a su~strate, a printed indicia postage value printed on said substra'c~ and representative of a decremented register balance equal to the value of postage required to mail the batch of mail, data printed on said substrate and representative of the device that printed data on the document; and data printed on said substrate and representing the number of mail pieces included in said batch of mail.
A method of preparing a document in accordance with the invention to veri~y payment of postage on a batch o~ mail which the document is to accompany to a post office, comprises printing a postage value upon the document which is representative of the value of postage required to mail the batch of mail, printing a number on the document of the device that printed data on the document and printing on the document number representative of the number of pieces of mail contained in the batch of mail.
The method for verifying the payment of postage for a batch of mail may comprise producing said docum2nt a device for printing data and including a register storing postage balances printing a postage value on a substrate representative of a decremented register balance equal to the value of postage required to mail the batch of mail, printing data on said substrate representative of said; and printing data on said substrate representing the number of mail pieces included in said batch of mail.
The document in accordance with the invention for accompanying a batch of mail and may have first data thereon corresponding to an amount of postage required for mailing the mail o~ said batch as well as sQcond data ~g ~r ~ ,..

identi~ying the sender of the batch of mail and third daka containing other information relating to said batch of mail, the document further having thereon encrypted data, said encrypted data being comprised of an encryption of at least one of said first, second and third data, whereby said encrypted data verifies the authenticity of said document.
In a further feature the document for accompanying a batch of mail has first data thereon corresponding to an amount of postage required for mailing the mail o~ said batch as well as second data identifying the sender o~ the batch of mail and third data containing information uniquely identifying said document.
The method of preparing a document for accompanying a batch of mail may still further comprise assembling a batch of mail and applying first data to said document corresponding to the amount of postage required to mail the batch of mail, applying second data to said document corresponding to the identity of the sender of said batch of mail, and applying third data to said document corresponding to other informakion related to said batch of mail, at least one of said steps of applying data comprising applying data to said document encrypted data that includes an encryption of the respective data, whereby said encryption data verifies the authenticity of said document.
Still further the document for verifying the payment of postage for a batch of mail comprises a substrate, said substrate supporting first data representative of the value of postage required to mail the batch of mail, ~econd data representative of the sender of sa.id batch o~ mail, and third data representing other info~mation related to the mailing of the mail pieces included in said batch o~ mail, at least one of said first, second and third data being in encrypted form.

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In a still further feature o~ the invention, a mail piece comprises a substrate and verification information imprinted thereon by a printer under the control of a secure accounting system. The verification information comprises a line of character information including both alphanumeric and bar code characters incorporatiny information corresponding to the amount of postage said accounting system was authorized to dispense at the time said information was imprintPd on said substrate.
Brief Description of the Drawinqs In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, it will now be disclosed in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a batch mailing systPm;
Fig. 2 is an illustration of one form of statement that may accompany a batch of mail, in accordance with the invention:
Fig. 3 iæ is an illustration of an envelope marked in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
Figs. 4-6 are flow diagrams that describe the functions of the system shown in Fig. l;
Fig. 7 is an illustration of an envelope printed in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 8 is an illustration of a batch of mail with a statement sheet assembled thereon, in accordance with the invention;
Fig. 9 is an illustration of a form of ~tatement sheet in a~cordance with the invention;
Fig. 10 is an illustration of an additional portion of a statement sheet that may be employed in combination with that of Fig. 9;

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-8~-Fig. 11 is an illustration of a ~orm that may be directed to the inserter of Fig. 1 ~or controlling the inserter;
Fig. 12 is an illustration of a modi~ication of a portion of the statement sheet of Fig. 9;
Fig. 13 is an illustration of a modification of the format of an envelope in accordance with ~he invention; and Figs. 14 and 15 are illustrations of a modification of the statement of Fig. 9, showing the basic aspects thereof in accordance with the invention.
Detailed Descri~tion of the Preferred Embodiment Referring now to Fig. 1, a batch mailing system is shown generally at 10 and includes a post office 12, a central station 14 and a user location 16. The central station 14 has a processor 18. This processor 18 is a main frame type of computer or the like having substantial capacity.
Communication is provided between the post office 12 and one or more central stations 14 (only one being shown) throuyh a line or communication link 19 having a communication device such as a telephone 20 therein.
Associated with the processor 18 and in connection therewith is a large storage memory unit 22 where large amounts of data can be stored and a register setting device 23 which includ~s encryption software of the type required in the resett~ng of postage meters remotely. Systems for the resetting of meters remotely are well known, see for example U. S. Patent Nos. 3,792,446, 4,097,923 and 4,447,8~0.
A remote user station 16 has a secure unit 25 which will hereafter be referred to as a "server". The server 25 is ~27~
,;, p~f~a~l~ s.~pplie~ by ~ op~rator cr entral -,f~ion i~ t_ the user and includes a user processor ~4 whish may b~ a processor of much s~aller capacity such as an Inte~ 80~5 processor available from Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, California. Connected to the processor 24 are a pair of memories 26, 27. Preferably the memories 26, 27 are non-volatila memories. The first memory 26 s2rves as a descending register (D~) that is charged with postage value periodically and decremented as pos~age is printed. The descending register 26 thus stores the postage value available to the user at any given time. ~he second memory 27 serves as ascending register tA~) that records the total value of postage processed by the server 25.
The user processor 24 is connected to the central station processor 18 by way of a communication link or line 28. ~ telephone 30 or other communicating device may be disposed within the line 28 to thereby provide selective communication between the processors 18, 24. ~lso connected to the processor 24 are a ~M 32, a ~O~ 34, an encrypter 35 and a clock 36 whose respective functions will be described - in detail hereinafter. ~n input/processor 38 is connected to the user processor 24 whereby data may be supplied, either manually or through a medium such as a disc or tape, to the user processor 24 for the purpose of providing data required in the processing of mail pieces. The input/processor 38 may be any of a large number of personal computers having keyboard and display which are commarcially available, such as an IBM X ~ personal computer.
~ high speed inserter 39 is in electrical communication with the server 25 and performs the physical acts involved in processing the mail such as the .nserting of inserts into envelopes, sealing the envelope flaps, orienting tha mail pieces and conveying the mail pieces to a postage meter or printer. The term insert includes bills, advertising materials, notices, etc.~ whi-h are of a size to be received within an envelope or the like. ~igh speed inserters 39 of this type are readily available commercially, as for example Inserter model No. 3100 series from Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford, Ct.

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A first printer 40 is ln communication with the user processor 24 of the server 25 and with the Input/Processor 38 and is able to print upon mail pieces 4~ such as envelopes containing inserts which it receives from the inserter 39. This printer 40 is one provided by the user and is preferably an unsecured, high speed pri~ter which may be controlled either through the processor 24 or through the input/processor 38. A second printer 44 is provided to print upon a statement sheet 46 or other document. This second printer 44 is also preferably an unsecure printer. Throughout the balance of the specification and claims the statement sheet 46 will be referred to as a "passport". Details of the passport 46 will be described hereinafter in conjunction with Figs. 2 and 7.
Although only one user location 16 is shown and described, it will be appreciated many user locations may be serviced by the same central station 14. The central station 14 may ke at the location o~ a postage meter manufacturer or other accountable organization.
In operation, the user at the location 16 will generally be a sender of large quantities of mail who has been given an identification number by the central station 14 that will be placed in the DR 26 of t,he server 25. This identification number is permanent and unique for each server 25 and the user has no access to that portion of the DR 26 that stores the identification number. It will be appreciated that this feature may be applied to postage meters as well~ Having the identification number in memory 26 eliminates the need o~ having a plate applied ko a postage meter or a server 25. It will be appreciated that a server has many characteristics of a postage meter, i.e., security, a descending register and the like, but certain elements are absent. The most evident absent element is a printer, the advantage of which is described in the following paragraphs. Following installation of the identification number, the user communicates with the central station 14 through the telephone 30 for the purpose of indicating to the central station the amount of postage value it wishes to have accredited to its memory 26. An access code is then given to the user that can be addressed to the setting device 23 by direct computer connection or through the touch dial o~ the telephone 30. Upon the receipt of the access code, ~he user transmits to the central station 14 the access code and his identification number and the request for an amount of postage value.
The setting device 23 functions to charge, or increase, the postage value into the descending register 26 which is charged by the central station 14 with postage value periodically that is added to the amount o~ unused postage value stored in the ~R from previous charges. As the user station 16 processes mail, the postage value in the descending register will be decreased in accordance with the postag~ required to process the mail piaces 34.
Devices for charging registers such as the descending registers are well known, as disclosed for example in U.S.
Patent Nos. 3,792,446, 4,097,923 and 4,447,890.
The balance of the server 25 includes the ROM 34 that contains information which formats address signals and stores a series of programs for controlling the functions of the server 25, a R~M 32 that holds and supplies real time data, a clock 36 that provides the time and date and an encryptor 35 that stores the code required for the descending register setting functions and for producing an encryption number on the passport. This encryption number is derived from data associated with a batch of mail 3~3 processed by the user location 16. The encryptor 35 can be any one of a number of encrypting devices including devices which use the Data ~ncryption Standards described in FIPS P4B 46~ dated January 15, 1977 and published by the U.S. Department o~ Commerce, ~ational Bureau o~ Standards, such as Intel Chip 8294A.
It will be appreciated that the printer 40 is a high speed, inexpensive, unsecured printer such as an ink jet printer or laser printer or any type of dot matrix printer which will apply the addresses of the addressee and addressor to the face of the mail pieces under command of the input/processor 38. In addition, other mailing information can be printed by the printer 40 upon each mail piece 42 when under command of the processor 24. This information includes a transaction number (T.A. No.), the run o~ the particular batch of mail, the date and time of mailing, the class of mail and a batch number The transaction number is that number assigned to the user station by the central station every kime postage value is added to the server 25 and stored in the NVM 26. This transaction number is the same for one or more batches of mail that are sent and remains the same until such time as the descending register 26 is recharged with postage value, at which time a new transac~ion number is assigned and stored in the DR in place of the preceding transaction number. By changing the transaction number upon each recharge, an element is provided for verifying postage.
The batch number is one assigned by the user through the input/processor 38 whereby a given batch of mail, i.e., mail of a particular type or character, is identified by a number assigned by the user. In addition, a run number, which is a subset of the batch, may be given to identi~ied particular segments of the batch.

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When a batch of mail is to be sent, the user supplies mailing and verification information through the input/processor 38 into the user processor 24 which transmits at least a portion of this in~ormation to the inserter 39. This in~ormation includes the number of mail pieces to be processed and number of inserts to be placed in each envelope. The time and date may be supplied to the printar 40 through the input/processor 38 by overriding khe clock 36. This overriding is useful when future mail is being processed. The user processor 24 then commands the printer 40 to print the apprGpriate postaye, time, date, transaction number and address on the mail pieces 42 for a particular run. This run is given a number that is associated with the particular mail to be sent, which number is printed on the envelopes 42 o~ that run. As the printer prints the appropriate information upon each mail piece, the number of mail pieces and amount of postage required is determined by the processor 24. At the end of the run or batch, the second printer 44 prints authoriza-tion information upon a passport 46~
Referring now to Fig. 2, one embodiment of the passport 46 is shown after having printed thereon the total postage (Post. Total) required to mail the batch of mail, the transaction number. (T.A. No.~, piece count for a batch, descending register amount (Reg. Am.) after subtraction for the postage, the date, the time, the class, the batch number and the run number (op$ionally). Additionally, the server number, i.e., the identification number stored in the DR 26, user name and any desired ~raphics can be printed. This information on the passport 46 serves many purposes.

Firstly, the ending balance of register amount acts as a physical record of the postage value remaining in the descending registex of the DR 26. This amount i8 printed on the passport 46 on the upper right hand. The reyister amount is that amount in the descending register after all postal charges have been made ~or the batch of mail to be sent. By placing this register amount on the passport 46 a~ter the mailing of each batch, an ongoing, permanent record is maintained of the amount of postage value contained within the NVM 26. In this way, i~ there is a disaster wherein the server 25 is destroyed or the memory 26 therein is erased inadvertently, the user still has a means for verifying the amount of postage value remaining from that amount of postage value originally purchased and stored. The transaction number provides an authorization check as does the identification or server number. By changing the transaction number with each recharge of the server, one can readily determine if more postage accompanies a transaction number than is authorized. Also printed on the passport 46 will be the date and time the passport 46 is printed, the piece count, i.e., the number of mail pieces mailed in the particular batch, and the class of mail. Upon the printing of the information on the passport 46, the postagP amount for the batch is subtracted from postage value stored in the descending register 26.
The information printed upon the passport 46 is transmitted to the central station 14 through the communication line 28 automatically following a request for additional postage value. This data is processed so that a record is maintained through the processor 18 that communicates with the memory 22. If there is a problem in terms of accountability, the requested postage value will not be charged to the DR. If the accounts are correct, the transfer takes place. The memory 22 includes ascending ~27B379 register data therein that corresponds to the a~cendiny register 27 in the server 25, i.e., one is a duplica~e of the other. As is known, an ascending register is one that accumulates charges over a long term. Optionally, the memory 22 may have a descending register tha~ duplicates the amounts in the descending register in the N~ on an ongoing basis. By having the postage value contained within the memory 22 that corresponds to the value of the server 16, a correspondence is constantly available for assurance that there is a correspondence between the passport 46 information and the amount of postaye paid by the user. More specifically, the total amount credited to the user station is stored in khe memory 22 and if the amount in the ascending register of that memory exceeds that total amount credited to the user, the user location 16 is notified that there are insuf~icient funds. When a batch of mail is sent to a post office for processing, the passport 46 for that particular batch accompanies the mail.
The postal employee can determine whether it is an authoriæed transmission of mail ~rom the information contained upon the accompanying passport 4~. If there is any question on the part of the postal service as to whether the information is authentic, it contacts the central station 14 and through the line 19 obtains the information from the central station to verify the information contained on the passport 46. If this information is accurate, then the postal ~ervice knows that the mail is authorized, i.e., the postage for the mail has been paid. on the other hand, if there is any discrepancy, the postal service is able to act to ferret any fraud or correct any discrepancy. As is the usual practice in the user of postage meters, a user station 16 sends all its mail to an assigned post office.

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~16-Referring now to Fig. 3, an envelope 42 is shown as it would be prepared in accordance with one embodiment o~ the present system 10~ The upper left hand corner contains the the address of the mail sender and the upper right hand corner contains a pre-print block 43 containing the class of mail and gives the identification nur~er of server number of the mail sender. This in~ormation may be preprinted on the envelopes 42 prior to processing of a batch. Such preprinting may be accomplished through direct communication of the input/processor 38 with the printer 44 without any participation of the other components of the user location 16.
In the processing of batch mail, the three address lines are first printed in the address field with the name of the recipient, the street address and the city, state, zip code. The fourth line, or postage line, is the~ printed using information supplied by the processor. This postage line, includes the postage amount $.22, the date, October 18r 1985 and the transaction number, which in this case is C2J2743T56. Other information may be given on this postage line is so desired including the time the mail is processed. Although the postage line i5 shown in alphanumerics it will be appreciated that the same may be printed in bar code and, optionally, bar code address information may be printed on the envelope as desired.
Additionally, the information in the pre-print block 43 may be printed in the address field with the other information therein and the pre-print block may be eliminated.
Althou~h an envelope 42 shown has the postage and address information printed on the face thereof the same scheme applies to a windowed envelope as shown in Fig. 7.

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In a windowed envelope, it may be preprin-ted as preYiously described but instead of the printer 40 printiny on the face of the envelope ~2, an insext is printed with the same information shown on the face o~ th~ envelope 4~ and inserted so as to be viewed from the window. Alterna-tively, the postage and address information may ~e printed upon a label and the label may be attached to khe envelope 42.
In this way a method is providsd for allowing an organization to send large amounts of mail without haviny to use a postage meter to print postage indicia on every piece of mail. In addition, the postal service is saved the problem of requiring on-site inspections at the user station 16 in order to verify that no unauthorized mail i5 being sent. By correlating the amount of postage, the transaction number, piece count, registration amount and the like, verification can be made without the need of encryption if desired. The central station 14 acts more or less as a bank representing the postal service and handles the funds on its behalf as well as maintains racords for verification. The funds or postage value charged to the server 25 may be either pre-paid or charged to the user by the central station 14 on a credit arrangement. The central station 14 may be accountable to the postal service for the postage value placed in the server on an immediate basis. The central station may be a postage meter or server 25 manufacturer or any other reliable entity.
Another advantage of this system i5 that the printer 40 that prints the large numbers of mail pieces is not part of a secure member, i.e., the server 25S as in the case of a postage meter. Because of this, the printer may be 3~

replaced frequently without the'expense or inCGnVenienCe of entire replacement. It will be appr~ciat0d that one printer may be used in place of the two printers 40, 44 shown and descri~ed, but the pre~erred embodiment contemplates the use of two printers ~or the reasons given.
Figs. 4-6 are flow diagrams showing preferred operation methods for the arrangement o~ the invention, as illustrated in Fig. 1. Thus, Fig. 1 illustrates brie~ly a background program for processor 24, Fig. 5 illustrates a program ~or the processor 24 for the determination of the postage to be accounted for and the printing of khe mail pieces, and Fig. 6 illustrates a program for the processor 24 for the development of data for, and the printing of, the passport.
Fig. 7 is an illustration of a windowed envelope 99 print~d by an apparatus such as disclosed with respect to Fig. 1, for presorted mail. Any desired design 100 may be preprinted on the envelope or printed by a printer to evidence postage has been paid. The mailing or destination address may be printed on a facing insert for the windowed envelope 99, to be visible in the window 101, or it may be printed on a non-window type of envelope, as previously described. In this embodiment the printer 40 also prints the verification line 102 on the envelope 99. The verification line 102 includes the postal rate 103, the class of mail 104, the date o~ mailing 105, the passport serial number 106 and a register value 107. The register value 107 may be the descending register value in DR 26, or a value or series of alphanumeric character or code characters derived therefrom. The register value 107 thus is a number (or series of alphanumeric characters or other data) that enables the reconstruction of the descending ~z~

register of the server 25 at the time that the envelop~
was printed. It is to be especially noted that the reyister value 107, as well as some or all o~ the remainder of the verification line, may be presented in bar code ~ormat, and that regardless of the ~ormat employed therefor, some or all of the information may be encrypted. This ~eature, in accordance with the invention, enables reconstruction of the actual contents of the server register in the event o~
destruction thereo~ before a record has been made or before accounting in the sPrver 25 at the central station 14.
Thus, in accordance with the invention7 the proof o~ the number 107 may permit recovery of funds by the operator of the server 25, in the event of massive failure of the device.
While reference has been made to the use of a descending register in the server 25, it is apparent that the same function may be effected by an ascending register, and that hence the number 107 may correspond to any changing number stored in the server ~5 representing the instantaneous value of funds for which the server 25 is authorized to enable the processing of mail. It is a most desirable feature, however, that the numb~rs or other characters follow a recognizable sequence, following their physical positioning in the batch, in order that any given piece of mail may be readily retrieved, for example for postal inspection functions.
As discussed above, the "passport" constitutes a record adapted to accompany a batch o~ mail, for inspection by the post of~ice prior to actual mailing. Such an assemblage is illustrated in Fig. 8, wherein processed envelopes 150 may be assembled in a stack or other convenient ~orms, with the passport 46, being assembled at a visible location on the stack.

,r ~Z~

In accordance with the invention, an improved embodiment of a pa~sport 151 ~or a~semblage with the batch o~ mail is illustrated in Fig. 9. This passport comprises a sheet of paper or other substrate having an upper section 200, a central section 300 and a lower section 400. The passport may be formed on a conventional 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper, with the portions being substantially equal to enable the passport to be ~olded along fold lines 201, 301 to permit the folded document to be readily placed upon the top oP
the stack of pieces lS0 of a batch of mail processed by the printer 40. The three sections 200, 300 and 400 o~ the passport 151 are arranged in a manner in order to facilitate their review by a postal inspector.
Thus, the uppPr section 200 includes an indicia area 202 within which the equivalent value of mail accounted ~or in the accompanying batch is printed. The indicia area may thus conveniently be in the form of a conventional pictorial postal city, state and date indicia, showing a value corresponding to the total postage value ~or the mail in the given batch as well as the city, state and date appropriate for the mailing transaction.
The portiQn 200 o~ the passport, which is intended to be folded to be visible when assembled on top of the stack 150, further includes the permit number 203 of the user of the device 16, a~ as~igned by the post office, as well as the address information 204 of the user. In addition, this portion o~ the passport may include an identification 205 of the class o~ the user (for example, non-profit, in the illustrated document~ to provide a postal inspector with initially available in~ormation concerning the user.
The portion 200 still Purther includes an authorization number block 206. These authorization numbers are coded number~ that have been generaked by the ~erver 25, and are encrypted representations that are unique to the given 37~
-2Oa-batch of mail which the passport accompanies. The number block 206 allows the central station 14, upon r~uest by the post office prior to or following an inspection of the batch, to determine the validity o~ the passport and the batch, the encryption thereof hence being known only to the operator of the central station. This feature provides a further check on the validity of accounting for the batch of mail, in the event any question thereof arises.
The passport section 200 further includes the beginning serial number 207 and the endiny serial number 208.
These numbers may be, for example, the ascending register values at the beginning and ~nd of the processing o~ the batch of mail, and preferable corresponds to the series of numbers or other characters 107 printed on the envelopes.
The passport section 200 further includes a number 209 corresponding into the total number o~ pieces in a given batch, the sum 210 is the amount in the descending register at the time of starting the printing of the batch. The amount indicated by 211 is the amount of the postage registered during processing of a batch of mail and postage used 212 shows the amount of postage required to mail the batch of mail. The final balance 213 shows the remaining balance in the descending register after the postage used 212 has been debited.
In additio~, the passport portion 200 includes the date 214 o~ preparation thereof, the date 215 of mailing, and the identification 216 of the post office at which the batch will be mailed, which is referred to as the post office or U.5.P.S. entry point. Still further, the passport section 200 may include the number 217 of the current copy of the passport (i.e. if multiple copies have been made thereof), in order to facilitate processing of the passpurt if more than one copy is necessary.

~7~37C~7 -20b-The passport section 200 thereby provides identification information, as well as verification info~nation, enabling a postal inspector to be clearly advised of adequate informa~ion to enable a determina~ion of whether or not the mail is authorized. Since this portion of the passport is initially visi~le when ass~mbled with the respective batch of mail, the postal inspector, upon inspection thereof, will be able ko make any necessary checks o the information to assure that the batch itself is authorized, and may be led to a more careful inspeckion o~ the batch and the authorization to prepare it, in the event of any apparent discrepancies.
The second portion 300 of the passport is a summa~y of the calculation of postage for the mail pieces in the batch. Thus, the summary provides a listing of the number of pieces of mail, and amount for mailing thereof, in accordance with rate classifications and weight classifications. The rate classifications include the various classes of presorted mail, such as first class presorted mail, carrier route presorted mail, etc. The summary includes a totals column 202 for this information, as well as an additional column 203 summarizing the postage accounted for mail pieces that had been processed by presorting techniques but did not co~form to the require-ments of the various presorting classes to enable rate reduction. For example, column 203 may include data concerniny mail addressed to determined zip codes wh~n an insufficient number of mail pieces is directed to such zip code to fall within reduced rate postage classification. The passport section 300 may further list the total number of pieces of mail, the total weight in the batch, and other information such as a number of 3'7g -20c-sack~, trays, pallets or ~he like, as well ag the total amount of postage accounted for with respect to the accompanying bakch of mail pieces. The kotal amount of accounted postage must of course coincide with the amount on the indicia area 202 o~ the passport section 200, as well as the number listed on line 212 of the passport portion 200. This provides a still further verification check for the postal inspector, to enable the ready detection of discrepancies.
The passport section 400 provide~ the necessary certification locations for the user as well as the postal 2 ~ 33~
inspector, the pro~ision of this p~rtior~ of the forttl ir;s~ring that the batch of mail will be i~spected by both, as required.
The passport sections 200, 300 and 400 as illustrated in Fig. 9, all being one piece of paper or other suitable substrate,and being folded with the section 200 upperrnost, enable a logical sequence of inspection steps by the postal inspector, thereby not only simplifying the test of the postal inspector, but also providing adequate and concise information to facilitate the detection of discrepancies or the need for further investigation.
For further completeness of the passport, and in order to further facilitate the inspection of the batch, one or more additional pages may be provided therewith, also printed by the printer 44, as illustrated in Fig. 10. This material is preferably entered on one or more pieces of paper or substrates than that on which the information of Fig. 9 is provided.
~ s illustrated in Fig. 10, the further information may include a portion 500 providing details of the mail that has not qualified for rate discounts. This portion may list the rate, as well as the range of register values or other characters corresponding to the characters 107 imprinted on the mail pieces for mail pieces that have not qualified for postal discounts and hence are accounted for in the portion 203 of the form of Fig. 9. The information thus includes the number of pieces in each sequence of non qualifying mail, the fee rate thereof, the total fees, an explanation of the reason that the mail is non qualifying, and totals concerning the adjustments that had-been required and accounted for in de~ermining the postage for mailing these pieces of mail.
The listing of the register or other range in this portion of the passport enables the postal inspector to readily physically locate the envelopes that are listed in view of the notation of the register or other values on the mail pieces themselves, so that the calculations represented in this portion of the passport may be readily verified. Prior verification techniques rendered the inspection of non-qualifying mail very difficult.

It is of course apparent that the portion 5G0 of the passport will be of s~fficient length to include all regis~er ranges of non-qualifying mail. Accordingly, this portion of the passport may be absent if no non-qualifying mail is present, or it may require several pages.
The additional page may also inc]ude a surnmary 600 of outsorts. For example, if the inserter 39 did not find any code markings, if the weight was out of range, if an envelope is missing, or if a presort error occurs, the item may be disregarded or otherwise properly handled. For example if an excessive weight had been erroneously reported by the inserter or the inserter was not provided with markings indicating the insert to accompany pieces of mail, these pieces of mail will not automatically be handled by the printer 40, and may be out sorted for separate manual handling. The passport may show the manner in which these pieces of mail were handled at column 203, and in the passport section 500.
The passport may still further include a mail run statistical data portion 700 to facilitate the evaluation of the operation of the mailing machine. Thus, a percentage figure maybe provided of the utilization proportion of the presort feature of the mailing machine in order to apprise the user of the effectiveness of the presorting technique for the mailing operations. In addition, the outsort level may be indicated to provide an indication of whether or not steps should be taken to correct an ex^essive number of outsort envelopes. Further errors may be also indicated. In addition, based on this statistical data, the report may indicate to the postal official the level of inspection of the batch that should preferably be made, to insure that the accounting of postage is correct. The passport illustrated in Fig. 10 indicates a "standard" level of care of inspection, based upon conventional ranges of outsort and other errors. If, for example, the number of outsorts is large, or the number of non-qualifying mail pieces is large, the report may indicate to the postal inspector that a different degree of inspection should be instituted, to insure that the postages provided in the passport were indeed correct.

_ ~3 - ~q~3~9 Fig. ll is an illustratiorl of a forrn th~t rna~ be employed for insertion in a window envelope, having instr~ctions thereon for the inserter. Thus, as illustrated in Fig. ll, the form has a portion 800 for the printing of the address information, by the printer 40. This portion is of course positioned to be visible in the windo~ of the envelope when the form is printed. In addition, the ~orm contains a unique identification, such as stripes &01 which, when read by the inserter 39, indicate the number and identity of inserts to accompany the form when it is inserted in the envelope. The stripes 801 may of course be of any configuration desired, and in varible form to provide the necessary information to the inserter. It is apparent the absence of the stripes 801 or similar information indicates an error to the inserter, so that a record is made thereof in the portion 600 of the passport as illustrated in Fig. 10.
Figure 12 illustrates a modification of the upper section 200 of the passport or record adapted to accompany a batch of mail. In this embodiment, a pictorial representation 900 is illustrated in the indicia area of the document, the pictorial representation illustrating that a proprietary format as an example of a picture that may be employed, thereby enabling recognition of the type of system that had been employed in the preparation of the envelopes of the batch and the document itself. This recognition serves to assist the postal inspector in interpretation of the format employed for the document, since in batch mailing there is no need to provide identification of the type of postal meter used or postage on the envelope itself as in the case of metered mail.
In addition, as illustrated in Figure 12, at least some of the data may be imprinted on the docurnent in a form other than alphanumeric. Thus, the beginning serial no. 207, ending serial no. 208, total number of pieces 209, and server~
passport no. 902have been imprinted in bar code format. It is of course apparent that other character formats may be alternatively employed, such as, but not limited to, half-bar code. These formats have the advantage of ready machine . .

_ ~4 ~ 3~
~eadability by cur~ently availa~le ~Cvices. It is ap~,~rerjt, however, that alphanumeric characters are also rnachine readable, although at the current time by somewhat more expensive apparatus.
It is further apparent that the different format of the characters may be ernployed for other portions of the document, and that the characters thro~ghout the docurr,ent rr,ay be encrypted, whether alphanumeric, bar-code, etc.
characters. The encryption may be advantageously be effected on the basis of information present on the document itself such as the identification of the sender, identification of the document itself, etc. This enables the verification of the authenticity of the document on the basis of information available on the document, of course, in combination with algorithms available to the postal inspector.
The server-passport data 902, as above discussed, includes information uniquely identifying the server, i.e.
the device or apparatus preparing the batch and the document, as well as the document itself. In one embodiment, the first four characters may identify the device which prepared the document and the batch of mail and, the last three may identify the "serial no." uniquely representing the document itself. This uni~ue identification ensures that the inspector can ascertain the authenticity of the document to ensure that the postage for the batch of mail has been in fact prepared legitimately. When the data is imprinted by other than alphanumeric characters, and as, for example bar codes, it i5 of course apparent that it may include the same information.
Machine readability of the data, whether in non-enfrypted form or encrypted form, may be effected by other known techniques, such as, for example only, the provision of magnetic inks in the imprinting of the data, employing reflective inks or the like, the inventive concept herein disclosed incorporating such modifications.
Figure 13 illustrates an especially advantageous modification of the envelope lO0 of Figure 7. In this _ ~5 ~7~37~
embodiment o~ the Inventiorl, t~)e veri~ic~tion line 102 inputted on the envelope includes not only the passport serial no. 106 and the register val~e l07, ~t also a bar code 910. While the bar code 410 has been illustrated as a half-bar code it is apparent that other bar codes or other non-alphanumeric characters ~ay alternatively be employed.
The bar code 910 constitutes preferably a bar code representation of the data lO~ and 107, thereby simplifying the machine readability of this data by conventionally available devices. The placements of the bar code on the same line as the alphanumeric characters of data 106 and 107 provides the unique feature in accordance with the invention that the bar code data and the alphanumeric data corresponding thereto may be imprinted on a single pass of the printing device, employing for example an ink jet printer adapted to imprint both bar code and alphanumeric data. This feature simplifies the process of printing the envelopes while attaining the advantages of bar codes or similar data thereon.
Figures 14 and 15 are illustrations of basic formats of a portion of a passport in accordance with the invention, incorporating therein those elements that enable the postal inspector to readily orient the inspection of the document and batch of mail in accordance with the invention.
While the invention has been disclosed and described with reference a limited number of embodiments, it is apparent that variations and modifications may be made therein, and it is therefore intended in the following claims to cover each such variation and modification as falls within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A document for verifying the payment of postage for a batch of mail, comprising:
a substrate and data printed on said substrate representative of the value of postage required to mail said batch of mail.

2. The document of claim 1, further comprises:
second data, printed on said substrate, representative of the sender of said batch of mail.

3. The document of claim 2, further comprises:
third data, printed on said substrate, containing information uniquely identifying said document.

4. The document of claim 3 wherein said information uniquely identifying said document includes encrypted data unique to said document.

5. The document of claim 4 wherein said third data includes a group of characters including information identifying both the sender of said batch of mail as well as information unique to said document.

6. The document of claim 5 wherein said group of characters comprises:
an encryption of information identifying said sender and said unique information.

7. The document of claim 6 wherein said group of characters comprises a bar code.

8. The document of claim 6 wherein said encrypted data is machine readable.

9. The document of claim 3 further comprises:
fourth data, printed on said substrate, containing information representative of the device that printed data on said substrate.

10. The document of claim 9 further comprises:
fifth data, printed on said substrate, containing information representative of the number of mail pieces in said batch of mail.

11. The document of claim 10 including a printing on said substrate that is representative of a post office entry point.

12. The document of claim 11 including a printing on said document indicative of the date said batch of mail is delivered to said post office.

13. The document of claim 12 including a printing on said document indicative of the amount of postage value stored in the device preparing said document.

14. The document of claim 10 including an encrypted number printed upon said substrate, said encrypted number being derived from data printed upon said substrate.

15. The document of claim 10 further including:
a first portion, said first portion having said data and said second, third, fourth and fifth data printed therein.

16. The document of claim 15 wherein said data is a postal indicia displaying the total amount of postage accounted for by the mailer of said batch of mail.

17. The document of claim 16 further comprises:
a second portion having imprinted thereon a summary of the pieces of mail in said batch showing the numbers of pieces of mail and amount accounted therefor of each rate class and weight class of presorted mail represented in said batch of mail, and also including the total amount accounted for by the mailer in the mailing said batch; and a third portion having imprinted thereon a certification for signature by said mailer of the correctness of the material imprinted on said document as well as a certification for signature by a postal inspector of the correctness of said document; said first, second and third portions being arranged on said document in sequence in that order to facilitate the inspection of said batch of mail such that said document may be folded to separately display each said portion and accompany said batch of mail.

18. The document of claim 1 wherein said pieces of mail have sequential identification numbers imprinted thereon, and said first portion has further imprinted thereon the range of said sequential identification numbers.

19. The document of claim 18 wherein said first portion has further imprinted thereon a number indicating the number of copies of said document that have been printed prior to the printing of said document.

20. The document of claim 19 wherein said second data includes the name and address of said mailer, the permit number of said mailer for the mailing of presorted mail.

21. The document of claim 20 wherein said second portion has imprinted thereon the number of pieces of mail of said batch of mail and amount of postage accounted therefor for non-presorted mail represented in said batch of mail.

22. The document of claim 21 wherein said first, second and third portions are imprinted on a single substrate.

23. The document of claim 22 further including a second substrate, said second substrate including a non-qualifying mail summary of the number of pieces of mail of said batch of mail and amount of postage accounted therefor for non-presorted mail represented in said batch of mail.

24. The document of claim 23 wherein said second substrate has further imprinted thereon a summary of outsorted mail.

25. The document of claim 23 wherein said second substrate has further imprinted thereon a summary of the proportion of presorted mail in said batch of mail.

26. The document of claim 23 wherein said second substrate has further imprinted thereon a summary of the proportion of pieces of mail outsorted from said batch of mail.

27. A mail piece comprising:
a substrate having verification information imprinted thereon by a printer under the control of a secure accounting system, said verification information including information corresponding to the amount of postage said accounting system was authorized to dispense at the time said information was imprinted on said substrate.

28. The mail piece of claim 27 wherein said information corresponding to said amount of postage includes the contents of an ascending register in said accounting system.

29. The mail piece of claim 27 wherein said information corresponding to said amount of postage includes the contents of a descending register in said accounting system.

30. The mail piece of claim 27 wherein said verification information further includes information representative of the last modification of authorization of said accounting system to dispense postage.

31. In a mail piece comprising:
a substrate and verification information imprinted thereon by a printer under the control of a secure accounting system, said verification information including bar code characters incorporating information corresponding to the amount of postage said accounting system was authorized to dispense at the time said information was imprinted on said substrate.

32. The mail piece of claim 31 wherein said bar code characters comprise an encryption of said information.

33. The mail piece of claim 31 wherein said verification information further includes alphanumeric character information.

34. In a postal batch including a plurality of mail pieces each said mail piece comprising:
a substrate and information imprinted thereon, said information includes verification information, said verification information including a plurality of data items each corresponding to separate numbers of a sequence of numbers, each substrate having a different one of said data items imprinted thereon, the numbers of said sequence of numbers differing from adjacent numbers thereof by an amount related to the postage required for the mailing of the respective mail pieces.

35. The postal batch of claim 34 further comprising:
a document assembled therewith and having imprinted thereon the identification of at least one range of said numbers represented by imprinting on the mail pieces of said batch of mail pieces.

36. The postal batch of claim 35 wherein said identification imprinted on said document includes the ranges of said sequence of numbers corresponding to all of said mail pieces that are not subject to presorted mail postage rates.

37. The postal batch of claim 34 wherein said mail pieces are arranged in the order of the sequence of the corresponding said numbers.

38. The postal batch of claim 34 wherein said batch further comprises:
a document having a substrate having data thereon, said data including encrypted data identifying the sender of said postal batch.

39. The postal batch of claim 38 wherein said encrypted data is machine readable.

40. The postal batch of claim 38 wherein said encrypted data comprises:
a bar code identifying said sender.

41. The postal batch of claim 34 wherein said batch further comprises a document having a substrate having data thereon, said data including unencrypted data related to the mailing of said mail pieces and encrypted data that is an encryption of at least a portion of said unencrypted data.

42. The postal batch of claim 41 wherein said encrypted data is machine readable.

43. The method of imprinting a plurality of mail pieces by a batch postage marking system having a printer and a rechargeable accounting register, said method comprising the step of:
imprinting on said mail pieces data corresponding to the contents of said register at the time of said imprinting, whereby said mail pieces provide an indication of the extent of authorization of said system to dispense postage.

44. The method of claim 43 further comprising the step of:
printing upon each said mail piece second data identifying the last recharging of said register, whereby all of said mail pieces that are imprinted between adjacent rechargings of said register have the same second data.

45. In a method of preparing a document to verify payment of postage on a batch of mail that the document is to accompany to a post office, the step comprising:
printing a postage value upon the document which is representative of the value of postage required to mail the batch of mail.

46. The method of claim 45 including the step of:
printing on the document data identifying the post office to which the batch of mail is presented.

47. The method of claim 46 including the step of:
printing on the document the date the batch of mail is delivered to the post office.

48. The method of claim 47 including the step of:
printing on the document the amount of postage value stored in the device that prepared the document.

49. The method of claim 45 including the step of:
printing an encrypted number of the document that is derived from data printed upon the document by the document preparing device.

50. A method for verifying the payment of postage for a batch of mail comprising the steps of:
producing a document by a device for printing data and including a register storing postage values, said producing step comprising the steps of:
printing a postage value on a substrate representative of a decremented register balance equal to the value of postage required to mail the batch of mail;
printing data on said substrate representative of said device; and, printing data on said substrate representing the number of mail pieces included in said batch of mail.

51. The method of preparing a document for accompanying a batch of mail comprising the steps of:
assembling a batch of mail and applying first data to said document corresponding to the amount of postage required to mail the batch of mail;
applying second data to said document corresponding to the identity of the sender of said batch of mail; and applying third data to said document corresponding to other information related to said batch of mail, at least one of said steps of applying data includes applying data to said document encrypted data that includes an encryption of he respective data whereby said encryption data verifies the authenticity aid document.

52. The method of claim 51 wherein said one step of applying encrypted data comprises the step of:
applying said encrypted data in machine readable form.

53. The method of claim 52 wherein said one step of applying encrypted data comprises the step of:
applying said encrypted data in the form of a bar code.

54. The method of claim 51 wherein said one step of applying encrypted data comprises the step of:
applying said encrypted data that is an encryption of said second data.

55. The method of claim 51 wherein said one step of applying comprises the step of:
applying encrypted data to said document with a device, the encrypted data identifying said device.

56. A method for payment of postage for a batch of mail includes producing a document by a device for printing data and including a register storing postage values, said producing step comprising the step of:
printing a postage amount on a substrate representative of the value of postage required to mail the batch of mail.

57. A document for verifying the accounting of postage of a batch of mail said document comprising:
a substrate, said substrate having first, second and third discrete portions;
said first portion having imprinted thereon, identification of the mailer of said batch of mail, the number of pieces of mail in said batch, the extent of authorization of the mailer to account for postage both prior to and after mailing said batch of mail, a postal indicia di playing the total amount of postage accounted for by the mailer of said batch of mail, and a unique verification number verifying the authenticity of said document as applied to said batch of mail;

said second portion having imprinted thereon a summary of the pieces of mail in said batch showing the numbers of pieces of mail and amount accounted therefor of each rate class and weight class of presorted mail represented in said batch of mail, and also including the total amount accounted for by the mailer in the mailing of said batch;
said third portion having imprinted thereon a certification for signature by the mail of the correctness of the material imprinted on said document as well as a certification for signature by a postal inspector of the correctness of said document; and said first, second and third portions being arranged on said document in sequence in that order to facilitate the inspection of said batch of mail such that said document may be folded to separately display said first, second and third portions and accompany said batch of mail.