EP0762336A2 - Processing system for creating a virtual dispatch of mail allowing printing, document inserting, and automatic franking - Google Patents

Abstract

The automated production assembly includes a data-processing computer (10) with a memory for creation of a virtual consignment by formatting and storage of text files and address data. A sheet feeder (12) distributes pages under the control of the computer to a printer (14). Sheets printed with text and addresses are delivered to a paper management machine (16) which assembles them into a physical consignment. The computer performs software encryption regulated by the postal authority for control and recording of franking operations and checking on remittances.

Description

The invention relates generally to the assembly of mail items and, more specifically, the invention relates to the automatic production of printing, enveloping and security stamping of mail items.

Computer automation is now used for printing pre-cut sheets of paper and for continuous printing, with cutting and stacking of printed documents. In addition, an apparatus is known for folding printed documents and for inserting these documents into envelopes. Postage meters are widely used for printing the stamp required for mailing, as described, for example, in U.S. Patents 4,484,307, 5,058,025 and 5,107,455. However, many that these automation possibilities are now well known in their individual function, the time and cost of carrying out the printing, enveloping and stamping of mail items are still high.

The present invention relates to a new assembly and a new method for complete automation and production of mail items by using conventional operations for processing digital information and computer automation for printing, sheet management. of paper and postage counting or port printing by an ordinary carrier.

According to the invention, the steps of composing a text, addressing, classification of the postal service or of an ordinary carrier, determination of weight, calculation of postage or port by a carrier, creation of 'a manifesto and postal accounts are produced in a computer assembly with reference to a virtual sending of mail. When virtual mail delivery is defined, actual mail shipments are produced by using a security stamp label if applicable.

Thus, the main object of the invention is an automatic process for mass production of mail items.

An essential characteristic of the invention is the execution of preliminary steps on a virtual sending of mail using the time of a computer before the beginning of the steps of handling or printing of paper.

Another characteristic of the invention is the use of a material in the form of a flat sheet for printing and for packaging.

Another characteristic of the invention is the printing of a stamp in a secure manner directly on a flat sheet before packaging.

In summary, the text information and the mail information is transmitted to a process control computer with predetermined physical information relating to the mailings. The computer assembly can then create a virtual sending of mail by formatting and storing text files and by determining the number of sheets required for stationery. After determining all the material characteristics of the virtual mailing as well as special factors relating to delivery, the total delivery costs are determined. Physical mail sending can then be created from virtual mail sending. A device is intended for dispensing sheets of paper which can be pre-cut or cut from rolls of continuous paper. Electronic printing, such as dot-matrix printing by ink projection, is used for printing on flat sheets of paper. Paper handling machines receive and fold the printed sheets of paper if necessary.

In a first embodiment, the folded sheets of paper form a shipping envelope without the need to use a separate envelope or a filling of the envelope. In other embodiments, separate envelopes can be used and heat shrink packaging can also be used if desired.

Universal job computer provides central control of all, including postage metering based on encryption criteria specified by the postal service, word processing, mailing list processing , distribution costs including postage and postage costs by common carriers, mail cost accounting, and similar documentation functions.

The present invention, as well as other objects and characteristics thereof, will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows and the appended claims, considered with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the apparatus and the execution of the method according to the invention.

FIG. 2 represents steps for creating a virtual sending of mail and for creating a real sending of mail using the assembly of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A to 3D illustrate the printing, folding and enveloping of a mail item in an embodiment of the invention.

We now refer to the drawings; FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an assembly according to the invention and FIG. 2 illustrates the functions of creating a virtual sending of mail and of creating an actual sending of mail by implementing the set of FIG. 1. The creation of the virtual mail sending in the assembly 10 to the processing control computer of FIG. 1 creates all the text, the mail information and the necessary information relating to the materials used. Mail information includes destination address, return address, category of postal service or regular carrier, special services requiring additional costs, such as insurance, oversize, recording, etc. The identity of the carrier (postal service or regular carrier) and the physical characteristics of the sending of mail, such as the type of envelope to be used (sealed envelope, separate envelope, heat-shrinkable packaging), format, number of envelopes and the additional information necessary for programming the material management part of the assembly is also incorporated.

It is important to note that neither a conventional postage meter nor a calculation scale is necessary. For postage for the postal service, the computer control assembly 10 implements the encryption software method specified by the postal service which allows the computer assembly 10 to use the necessary postage value. , already paid or paid later, and order the printer to print the stamp with an encrypted security label format, according to the applicable regulations and rules of the postal services of the United States of America or other countries. When the transporter requests a manifest, the cost of distribution is recorded on the manifest and the printer is then ordered so that it prints the port billed for distribution on the shipment, with the format of the supplier's label.

The system formats and stores address information and all data in the address fields for later printing. This information always includes the distribution address and return, and they can also include a barcode of the postal code, a barcode of the address and an advertising inscription, according to the conditions specific to the carrier.

When the virtual mail item is created in the computer set 10, the creation of the actual mail item can then begin. It requires a set 12 of paper advance, a printer 14, a machine 16 for managing sheets of paper and an applicator 18 for heat-shrinkable packaging (if applicable). The material handling machine contains supplies of printing paper and other materials such as envelopes and packaging material. The predetermined information relating to the various material elements, such as the weight of a part, its dimensions and the like, is transmitted to the processing control computer by the operator or by programmed command from a recorded database. . The creation of the actual mailing includes controlling the handling of paper in the paper advance assembly 12 and the printer printing machine 14 as necessary for all printing, including distribution costs (postal rate and ordinary carriers) can be placed on flat sheets before folding.

When the printing has been carried out, the paper handling machine 16 controls the folding and the insertion or enveloping if necessary. The actual shipment is assembled by stacking pages (when using an envelope) in the order provided and folding, if necessary, so that the following operations leave the address field exposed to view, as indicated by the carrier, and the text in the desired order.

In an embodiment illustrated in Figures 3A to 3D, the mail item is printed as shown in Figure 3A, stacked as shown in Figure 3B, folded as shown in Figure 3C, then stapled or sealed with a otherwise, so a separate envelope is not necessary. As shown in Figure 3D, the address and stamp printed as shown in Figure 3A are clearly visible on the outside of the shipment.

In another embodiment, the pages of the shipment are attached to a printed cover sheet, so that the address field and the stamp label appear on the outer surface of the cover sheet which is then attached by stapling or gluing or by an adhesive tape or another paper fixing device. In other embodiments using an envelope, the pages can be inserted into a window envelope so that the address field and stamp are exposed, or the pages can be folded as necessary and placed in an envelope with the printed address field and stamp.

Alternatively, the pages can be inserted into an outer envelope which is fully or partially transparent so that the address field and the stamp can be read through the transparent material formed by heat shrinkable packaging material.

In another embodiment, the pages can be inserted into an envelope which is then sealed and an adhesive label bearing the printed address field is attached to the envelope.

Finally, after the printed shipment has been properly sealed for shipment, the paper handling machine 16 routes the actual completed shipment to a collection bin pending collection by the specified carrier.

Unlike conventional sets which require the execution of separate physical operations using specially assigned specialized equipment, such as a balance and a postage meter-packet recorder, the invention allows the execution of all the steps of composing the text, addressing, postal classification, weight determination, postage calculation and postage accounting, then creation of the actual sending of mail in a single operation. In addition, unlike conventional sets for processing large quantities of mail items which depend on the uniformity of both physical characteristics (size and weight) and category of delivery service, the invention can easily process mail. mixed in which each item or group of items forms an entity with its own characteristics of size, weight, carrier and category of service.

All the operations which must be different for each individual shipment are advantageously carried out on the virtual shipments, in the form of computer time, so that it is possible to process mixed shipments at the same time as serial shipments. The existence of virtual mail delivery to computer files facilitates all types of mail processing automation activities, such as automatic manifesting, billing for services, reporting, electronic funds transfer corresponding to postage or shipping costs, and the like. All of these functions can be performed with the same set and can be executed from data in a common database. Computer subroutines for mail processing automation functions are simplified since the necessary data is present on the computer, and there is no need to enter data manually or semi-automatically as in current classic ensembles. For postal items, the encryption process specified by the postal services is easy to implement. This encryption method may include a security transfer, by telephone line or otherwise, of accounting data between a user and an automatic bank or clearing house, so that the clearing house or bank performs the electronic funds transfers between the user's bank and the postal service or its bank for the payment of postage used by the whole. Payment can be made in advance or after printing.

Mail management (intervention and handling by an operator) is reduced to a minimum so that costs are reduced, as are the possibilities of error or deterioration. The integrated and integrated execution of printing, packaging and postage presents a minimal risk of human error. As all elements of mail items are created and assembled in a single linear process, there is no need to combine previously printed elements, such as a letter and the corresponding envelope.

In addition, several independent text-generating clients can easily be served by a single printing-processing installation via computer link, either by telephone line or by local network, allowing economies of scale to be obtained over the obtaining the various materials used and management operations.

Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to the assemblies, methods and apparatuses for data processing which have just been described only by way of nonlimiting examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (22)

Automated set of production of mail items, characterized in that it comprises: a data processing unit (10) comprising a computer and a memory for creating a virtual mail item, including formatting and storing text files, determining material conditions and delivery costs , and formatting and storing address information, a set (12) of advance sheets of paper intended to distribute stationery under the control of the data processing unit (10), a printer (14) controlled by the data processing unit (10) and intended to print text and address information on stationery items, and a sheet management machine (16) for assembling printed stationery in the form of a physical mail item. Automated assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the data processing unit (10) implements a software encryption method regulated by the postal service for controlling the printing of a stamp with a format of encrypted postage for security and for keeping records of postage used and controlling payments to the postal service. Automated assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the conditions fixed to the materials relate to the weight of the documents, to the dimensions, to the folding conditions and to the covering conditions. Automated assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the sheet advance assembly (12) dispenses pre-cut stationery. Automated assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the sheet advance assembly (12) dispenses stationery from a roll of paper. Automated assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the data processing unit (10) intended for determining the distribution costs, stores in memory a selection of the transporter, a category of service and any special services that may be necessary. Automated assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that the printer (14) prints distribution costs with a chosen format of port by a transporter. Automated assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the sheet management machine (16) comprises a device for stacking and folding sheets of paper. Automated assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the sheet management machine (16) further comprises a device for enveloping. Automated assembly according to claim 1 or claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises an applicator (18) of a heat-shrinkable envelope for mailing. Data processing device intended for use in an automated assembly for producing mail items, characterized in that it is intended to create a virtual mail item, it comprises a computer and a memory for storing predetermined information relating to physical items, and is intended for receiving and formatting text, formatting and storing address data, and determining total distribution costs. Data processing device according to claim 11, characterized in that a carrier is constituted by the postal service, and the determination of the distribution costs comprises the determination of the necessary postage paid in advance and the establishment of a printer controller (14) for printing a stamp with a postage format using security encryption. Data processor according to claim 11, characterized in that a carrier is an ordinary carrier, and the determination of costs includes determining the necessary costs of shipping and establishing an order for the printer (14 ) for printing the port by ordinary carrier with the port format by the carrier. Automatic process for producing mail items, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) the creation of a virtual mail sending in a data processing unit (10) comprising formatted text files, conditions relating to the materials, delivery costs and formatted address information, and b) producing a completed mail shipment using a paper sheet advance assembly (12), a printer (14) and a sheet management machine (16) paper, under the control of the data processing member (10). Method according to Claim 14, characterized in that step a) comprises the implementation of a software encryption method regulated by the postal service for controlling the printing of the stamp with a franking format with encryption of security. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the conditions relating to the materials in step a) include conditions relating to the weight of the parts, their dimensions, the folding conditions and the conditions of their covering. A method according to claim 16, characterized in that the paper sheet advance assembly (12) of step b) dispenses pre-cut stationery. A method according to claim 16, characterized in that the sheet feed assembly (12) of step b) dispenses stationery from a roll of paper. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that step a) comprises determining the distribution costs by selecting a carrier, a category of service and special services which may be necessary. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that step b) comprises controlling the machine (16) for managing sheets of paper so that it ensures the stacking of sheets of paper and the folding of a shipment of mail. A method according to claim 20, characterized in that step b) further comprises filling an envelope. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that step b) further comprises controlling a member for applying a heat-shrinkable envelope.

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