GB2226525A - Verification of postage in batch mailing - Google Patents

Description

VERIFICATION OF POSTAGE IN BATCH MAILING The present invention relates

inter alia to documents for verifying postage, to postal batches having verification data, to methods of preparing the documents and to mail pieces having verification data.

Subject matter related to the subject matter contained in the present application may be found in UK Patent Application No. 86 09030 in the name of Pitney Bowes Inc and filed 14 April 1986.

Certain organizations periodically dispatch large amounts of mail. Examples of such organizations are: banking institutions, utility companies, insurance companies, credit companies, and the like. In order to handle such large quantities of mail, these mailers normally prepackage and pre-sort their mail and are given a lower postage rate by the postal service because of the time saved by the postal service.

There are generally two ways in which such mail senders 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 whereby inserts may be placed into an envelope and the envelope may be sealed, addressed and have a postage indiciaapplied thereto. The mail peces may be weighed on the fly or individual weighing may not be required if all the mail pieces are of like kind, 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 of mail pieces is to employ a permit mail system. In such a system, the mailer places a permit number on the mail pieces and prepares a manifest listing that shows the type and number of mail pieces being mailed on each occasion and the postage required.

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 postage meter, i.e.,r the postage meter manufacturer, is required by law to inspect the postage meter at least twice a year to assure that there is no evidence of 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 frequckntly because of wear. With r!gard to the permit mail system, a shortcoming lies in the need of the postal system 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.

1 4..

Briefly stated, the present invention is directed inter alia 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 statement sheet, called a passport, accompanies each batch of mail, which statement contains information 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 verification of postage can be conveniently and inexpensively achieved.

Mother aspect of the present 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 further aspect of t-his invention is that the s,._gcurity features of a postage meter may be provided while allowing a high speed, relatively inexpensive printer to be used for printing the mail pieces.

A still further 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.

Still another aspect of this invention is the provision of a unique number printed on each mail piece of a plurality of mail pieces.

This invention is directed according to a further aspect 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 is 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 of mail, the number of pieces of mail in the batch, and the extent of authorization of the mailer 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 batch 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 1 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 aspect of 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 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 accordance with a still further aspect, a postal batch includes a plurality of mail pieces each comprising a substrate and information imprinted thereon. The information comprises verification information comprised of a plurality of 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 numbers of said sequence of numbers differing from adjacent numbers thereof by an amount corresponding to the postage required for the mailing of the respective mail pieces.

According to another aspect, the invention also provides the method of imprinting a plurality of mail pieces by a batch postage marking system having a printer and a rechargeable accounting register, comprising imprinting on said mail pieces data corresponding to the contents of said register at the time of said imprinting, whereby the mail pieces provide an indication of the extent of authorization of said system to dispense postage.

- 6 A document for verifying the payment of postage for a batch of mail in accordance with another aspect of the invention comprises 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 substrdte 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.

From another aspect, the invention provides a 10 document for verifying the payment of-postage for a batch of mail, the document comprising 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 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 aspect the document for verifying the payment of postage for a batch of mail may be produced by a device for printing data and including a register storing postage balances. The document comprises a substrate,, a printed indicia postage value printed on said substrate 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.

1 1 A method of preparing a document in accordance with another- aspect of the invention to verify payment of postage on a batch of 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 document with 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 one embodiment of the invention for accompanying a batch of mail may have first data thereon corresponding to an amount of postage required for mailing the mail of said batch as well as second data identifying the sender of the batch of mail and third data 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 embodiment the document for accompanying a batch of mail has first data thereon corresponding to an amount of postage required for mailing the mail of said batch as well as second data identifying the sender of 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 information 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 may comprise a substrate, said substrate supporting first data representative of the value of postage required to mail thd batch of mail, second data representative of the sender of said batch of mail, and third data representing other information related to the mailing of the mail pieces included in said batch of mail, at least one of said first, second and third data being k4 encrypted form.

In a still further embodiment of 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 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.

is In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, exemplary embodiments thereof will now be disclosed in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a batch mailing system; Fig. 2 is an illustration of one form of statement that may accompany a batch of mail, in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 3 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. 1; 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 statement sheet io accordance ' with the invention;

Fig. 10 is an illustration of an add itional portion of a statement sheet that may be employed in combination with that of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an illustration of a form-that may be directed to the inserter of Fig. 1 for controlling the inserter; Fig. 12 is an illustration of a modification 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 the invention; and Figs. 14 and 15 are illustrations of a modification of the statement of Fig. gr showing the basic aspects thereof in accordance with the invention.

Referring now to Fig. 1, a batch mailing system 10 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 1-9 provided between the post office 12 and one or more central stations 14 (only one being shown) through 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 includes encryption software of the type required in the resetting of postage meters remotely. Systems for the resetting of meters remotely are well known, see for example US Patent Nos. 3,792,446, 4,097, 923 and 4,447,890.

A remote user station 16 has a secure unit 25 which will hereafter be referred to as a "server". T4e server 25 is preferably supplied by the operator of central station 14 to the user and includes a user processor 24 which may be a processor of much smaller capacity such as an Intel 8085 processor available from Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, California.

1 Connected to the processor 24 are a pair of memories 26,27. Preferably the memories 26,27 are non-volatile memories. The first memory 26 serves as a descending register (DR) that is charged with postage value periodically and decremented as postage is printed. The descending register 26 thus stores the postage value available to the user at any given time. The second memory 27 serves as ascending register (AR) 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. A telephone 30 or other communicating device may be disposed within the line 28 to thereby provide selective communication between the processors 18,24. Also connected to the processor 24 are a RAM 32, a ROM 34, and encrypter 35 and clock 36 whose respective functions will be described in detail hereinafter. An 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 commercially available, such as an IBM XT personal computer.

A 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 inserting of inserts into envelopes, sealing the envelope flaps, orienting the mail pieces and conveying the mail pieces to a postage meter or printer. The term insert includes bills, advertising materials, notices, etc., which are of a size. to be received within an envelope or the like. High speed inserters 39 of this type are readily available commercially, as for example Inserter model No. 3100 series from Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford, Ct.

1 A first printer 40 is in communication with the user processor 24 of the server 25 and with the Input/Processor 38 and is able to print upon mail pieces 42 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 printer 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 be at the location of 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 the 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 identificatipn number. It will be appreciated that this feature may be applied to p6stage meters as well. Having the identification number in memory 26 eliminates the need of having a pate applied to a postage meter or a server 25. It will be appreciated that a server ha.s many characteristics of a postage meter, i.e., security, a descending register and the like, but certain k 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 of the telephone 30. Upon the receipt of the access code, the 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 of unused postage value stored in the AR from previous charges. As the user station 16 processes mail, the postage value in the descending register will be decreased in accordance with the postage required to process the mail pieces 34. Devices for charging registers such as the descending registers are well known, as disclosed for example in US 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 RAM 32 that holds and supplies real time data, a clock 36 tKat provides the time and data and 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 1 derived from data associated with a batch of mail 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 Encryption Standards described in FIPS P4B 46, dated 15 January 1977 and published by the US Department of Commerce, National Bureau of 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 qf 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 of 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 time 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 transaction number is assigned and stored in the DR in place of the preceding transaction number. By changing the transaction ' number upon each recharge, ap 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 identified particular segments of the batch.

When a batch of mail is to be sent, the user supplies mailing and verification information through the input/p3;pcessor 38 into the user processor 24 which transmits at least a portion of this information to the inserter 39. This information 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 printer 40 through the input/processor 38 by overriding the clock 36. This overriding is useful when future mail is being processed. The user processor 24 then commands the printer 40 to print the appropriate postage, 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 of 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 authorization 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 (optionally). -Additionally, the server number, i.e., the identification number stored in the DR 26, user name and any desired graphics 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 X postage value remaining in the descending register of the DR 26. This amount is printed on the passport 46 on the upper right hand. The register amount is that amount in the descending register after all postal charges have been made for the batch of mail to be sent. By placing this register amount on the passport 46 after 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, if there is a disaster wherein the server 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 postage 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 k DR. If the accounts are correct. the transfer takes place. The memory 22 includes ascending register data therein that corresponds to the ascending register 27 in the server 25. i.e., one is a duplicate 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 that duplicates the amounts in the descending register in the WM 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 postage paid by the user. More specifically, the total amount credited to the user station is stored in the 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 areinsufficient 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 authorized transmission of mail from the information contained upon the accompanying passport 46. 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 service knows that the mail is authorized, i.e., the postal 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 meterst a user station 16 sends all its mail to an assigned post office.

Referring now to Fig. 3, an envelope 42 is shown as it would be prepared in accordance with one embodiment of the present system 10. The upper left hand corner contains 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 number or -server number of the mail sender. This information 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 then printed using information supplied by the processor. This postage line, includes the postage amount $.22, the date, 18 October 1985 and the transaction number, which in this case C2j2743T56. Other information may be given on this postage line if so desired including the time the mail is processed. Although the postage line is 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 t4e pre-print block may be eliminated.

Although 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. In a windowed envelope, it. may be 1 preprinted as previously described but instead of the printer 40 printing on the face of the envelope 42, an insert is printed with the same information shown on the face of the envelope 42 and inserted so as to be viewed from the window. Alternatively. the postage and address information may be printed upon a label and the label may be attached to the envelope 42.

In this way a method is provided for allowing an organisation to send large amounts of mail without having 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 is 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 records 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 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 is that the printer 40 that prints the large numbers of mail pieces is not part of a secure member, i.e., the server 25. as in the case of a postage meter. Because of this, the printer may be replaced frequently without the expense or inconvenience of 1 entire replacement. It will be appreciated that one printer may be used in place of the two printers 40,44 shown and described, but the preferred embodiment contemplates the use of two printers for the reasons given.

Figs. 4-6 are flow diagrams showing preferred operation methods for the arrangement of the invention, as illustrated in Fig. 1. Thus, Fig. 1 illustrates briefly a background program for processor 24, Fig. 5 illustrates a program for the processor 24 for the determination of the postage to be accounted for and the printing of the 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 printed 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 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 of mailing 105, the passport serial number 106 and a register value 107. The register value 107 may be 1he descending register value in DR 26, or a value or series of alphanumeric characters 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 register of the server 25 at the time that the envelope was printed. It is to be especially noted that the register value 107, as well as some or all of the remainder of the verification line, may be presented in bar code format, and that regardless of the format employed therefor, some or all of the information may be encrypted. This feature, in accordance with the invention, enables reconstruction of the actual contents of the server register in the event of destruction thereof before a record has been made or before accounting in the server 25 at the central station 14. Thus, in accordance with the invention,, the proof of 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 25 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 numbers 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 of mail, for ipspection by the post office 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 forms, with the passport 46, being assembled at a visible location on the stack.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an improved embodiment of a passport 151 for assemblage with the batch of 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 8 112 x 11 sheet of paper. with the portions being substantially equal to enable the passport to be folded along fold lines 201.301 to permit the folded document to be readily placed upon the top of the stack of pieces 150 of a batch of mail processed by the printer 40.

The three sections 200. 300 and 400 of the passport 151 are arranged in a manner in order to facilitate their reviey by a postal inspector.

Thus, the upper section 200 includes an indicia is area 202 within which the equivalent value of mall accounted for 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 for the mail in the given batch as well as the city, state and date appropriate for the mailing transaction.

The portion 200 of 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, as assigned by the post office. as well as the address information 204 of the user. In addition, this Rgrtion of the passport may include an identification 205 of the class of the user (for example, non-profit. in the illustrated document) to provide a postal inspector with initially available information concerning the user.

The portion 200 still further includes an authorization number block 206. These authorization numbers are coded numbers that have been generated by the server 25,, and are encrypted representations that are unique to the given batch of mail which the passport accompanies. The number block 206 allows the central station 14, upon request by the post office prior to or following an inspection of the batch, to determine the validity of 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 includesthe beginning serial number 207 and the ending serial number 208. These numbers may be, for example, the ascending register values at the beginning and end of the processing of the batch of mail, and preferably correspond 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 of pieces in a given batch, and 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 addition, the passport portion 200includes the date 214 of 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.S.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 passport if more than one copy is necessary.

The passport section 200 thereby provides identification information, as well as verification information, enabling a postal inspector to be clearly advised of adequate information to enable a determination of whether or not the mail is authorized. Since this portion of the passport is initially visible when assembled with the respective batch of mail, the postal inspector, upon inspection thereof, will be able to make any necessary checks of the information to assure that the batch itself is authorized, and may be led to a more careful inspection of the batch and the authorization to prepare it, in the event of any apparent discrepancies.

The second portion 300 of the passport is a summary 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 Rgstage accounted for mail pieces that had been processed by presorting techniques but did not conform to the requirements of the various presorting classes to enable rate reduction. For example, column 203 may include data concerning mail addressed to determined zip codes when 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 sacks, trays, pallets or the like, as well as the total amount of postage accounted for with respect to the accompanying batch of mail pieces. The total amount of accounted postage must of course coincide with the amount on the indicia area 202 of 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 provides the necessary certification locations for the user as well as the postal inspector, the provision of this portion of the form ensuring that the batch of mail will be inspected 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 uppermost, 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 4pLtch, 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.

As 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 determining 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 500 of the passport will be of sufficient length to include all register ranges of non-qualifying mail.

Accordingly, this portion of the passport may be absent if no nonqualifying mailis present, or it may require several pages. - -. The additional page may also include a summary

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 1 1--- 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 may be 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 excessive number of outsort envelopes. Further errors may also be 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 ensure 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 p9stal inspector that a different degree of inspection should be instituted, to ensure tfi at the postages provided in the passport were indeed correct.

Fig. 11 is an illustration of a form that may be employed for insertion in a window envelope,, having instructions thereon for the inserter. Thus, is as illustrated in Fig. 11, 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 window of the envelope when the form is printed. In addition, the form contains a unique identification, such as stripes 801 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 variable 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.

Fig. 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 6i metered mail.

In addition, as illustrated in Fig. 12, at least some of the data may be imprinted on the document in a form other than alphanumeric. Thus, a.:

the beginning serial no. 207, ending serial no. 208, total number of pieces 209, and server-passport no. 902 have 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 readability by currently available devices. It is apparent, however, that alphanumeric characters are also machine readable, although at the current time by somewhat more expensive apparatus.

It is further apparent that the different format of the characters may be employed for other portions of the document, and that the characters throughout the document may be encrypted, whether alphanumeric, bar-code, etc. characters. The encryption may be advantageously 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 dcument itself. This unique 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 is of course apparent that it may include the same information.

Machine readability of the data, whether in non-encrypted 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.

Fig. 13 illustrates an especially advantageous modification of the envelope 100 of Fig. 7. In this embodiment of the invention, the verification line 102 inputted on the envelope includes not only the passport serial no. 106 and the register value 107, but also a bar code 910. While the bar code 910 has been illustrated as a half-bar code it is apparent that other bar codes or other non-alphanumeric characters may alternatively be employed. The bar code 910 constitutes preferably a bar code representation of the data 106 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 dn a single pass of the pNinting 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.

X - 31 I # Figs. 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 to 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.

11 14

Claims (72)

Claims:

1. A mail piece comprising a substrate and verification information imprinted thereon by a printer under the control of a secure accounting system, wherein said verification information comprises information corresponding to the amount of postage said accounting system was authorised to dispense at the time said information was imprinted on said substrate.

2. A mail piece according to claim 1 wherein said information corresponding to said amount of postage comprises the contents of an ascending register in said accounting system.

3. A mail piece according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said information corresponding to said amount of postage comprises the contents of a descending register in said accounting system.

4. A mail piece according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said verification information further includes information representative of the last modification of authorization of said accounting system to dispense postage.

5. A postal batch including a plurality of mail pieces each comprising a substrate and information imprinted thereon, wherein said information comprises,%ivrification information, said verification information comprising a plurality of data items each corresponding to separate number 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.

6. A postal batch according to claim 5 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.

7. A postal batch according to claim 6 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.

8. A postal batch according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein said mail pieces are arranged in the order of the sequence of the corresponding said numbers.

9. A postal batch according to any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein said batch further includes a document having a substrate having data thereon, said data comprising. encrypted data identifying the sender of said postal batch.

10. A postal batch according to claim 9 wherein said encrypted data is machine readable.

11. A postal batch according to claim 10 wherein said encrypted data comprises a bar code identifying said sender.

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12. A postal batch according to any one of claims 5 to 11 wherein said batch further includes a document having a substrate having data thereon, said data comprising 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.

13. A postal batch according to claim 12 wherein said encrypted data that is an encryption of at least a portion of said unencrypted data is machine readable.

14. A postal batch according to any one of claims 5 to 13 wherein said amount related to the postage is an amount corresponding to the postage required for the mailing of said respective mail pieces.

15. A method of imprinting a plurality of mail pieces by a batch postage marking system having a printer and a rechargeable accounting register, comprising 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.

16. A method according to claim 15 further comprising 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.

17. A mail piece comprising a substrate and verification information imprinted thereon by a 1kl.

printer under the control of a secure accounting system, wherein said verification information comprises a line of character information including both alphanumeric and bar code characters incorporation information corresponding to the amount of postage said accounting system was authorized to dispense at the time said information was imprinted on said substrate.

18. A mail piece.according to claim 17 wherein at least said bar code characters comprise an encryption of said information.

19. A document for verifying the accounting of postage of a batch of mail and adapted to accompany the batch of mail, the document 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; said first portion having imprinted thereon, identification of the mailer of the batch of mail, the number of pieces of mail in the batch, and the extent of authorization of the mailer to account for postage both prior to and after mailing of said batch of mail; a postal indicia displaying the total amount of postage accounted for by the mailer of the batch of mail; a unique verification number verifying the authenticity of the document as applied to said batch of mail; said 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; said 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 certification for signature by a postal inspector of the correctness of the document; and, said first, second and third portions being arranged on the document in sequence in that order to facilitate the inspection of the batch of mail.

20. A document according to claim 19 wherein said first portion has further imprinted thereon data indicating a range of sequential identification numbers imprinted sequentially on mail pieces of said batch.

21. A document according to claim 19 or 20 wherein said first portion has further imprinted thereon the identification of a post office at which said batch is to be mailed, the date of preparation of said document and the date on which said batch is to be mailed.

22. A document according to any one of claims 19 to 21 wherein said first portion has further imprinted thereon a number indicating the number of copies of said document that have been made prior to the printing of'said document. -

23. A document according to any one of claims 19 to 22 wherein said identification of said mailer on said first portion includes the name and address of said mailer, the permit number of the user for the. mailing of presorted mail, and a-number unique to the mailer and the document.

24. A document according to any one of claims 19 to 23 wherein said second portion has further imprinted thereon the number of pieces of mail of the batch of mail and amount of postage accounted therefor for non- presorted mail represented in said batch of mail.

25. A document according to any one of claims 19 to 24 wherein said first, second and third portions are imprinted on a single substrate.

26. A document according to claim 25 wherein said document includes a second substrate, including a non-qualifying mail summary of the number of pieces of mail of the batch of mail and amount of postage accounted therefor for non-presorted mail represented in said batch of mail.

27. A document according to claim 26 wherein said second substrate has further imprinted thereon a summary of outsorted mail.

28. A document according to claim 26 or 27 wherein said second substrate has further imprinted thereon a summary of the proportion of presorted mail in said batch of mail.

29. A document according to any one of claims 26 to 28 wherein said second substrate has further imprinted thereon a summary of the proportion of pieces of mail outsorted from said batch of mail.

30. A document for verifying the payment of postage for a batch of mail, the document comprising:

substrate; postage value printed on said substrate and representative of the value of postage required to mail the batch of mail; I 1 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.

31. A document according to claim 30 including a printing on said substrate that is representative of a post office entry point.

32. A document according to claim 31 including a printing on said document indicative of the date said batch of mail is delivered to said post office.

33. A document according to any one of claims 30 to 31 including a printing on said document indicative of the amount of postage value stored in the device preparing said document.

34. A document according to any one of claims 30 to 32 including an encrypted number printed upon said substrate, which encrypted number is derived from data printed upon said substrate.

35. A-dolcument according to any one of claims 30 to 34 wherein said document includes encrypted data thereon.

36. A document according to any one of claims 30 to 35 wherein said document has been produced by a device for printing data and including a register storing postage balances, and wherein said postage value is representative of a decremented register balance equal to the value of postage required to mail the batch of mail.

37. A method of preparing a document to verify payment of postage on a batch of mail which the document is to accompany to a post office, comprising: using a printing device to print upon a substrate a postage value which is representative of the value of postage required to mail the batch of mail; ' printing on the substrate a number of said device; and printing on the substrate data representative of the number of pieces of mail contained in the batch of mail.

38. A method according to claim 37 including the step of printing on the substrate data identifying the post office to which the batch of mail is to be presented.

39. A method according to claim 38 including printing on the substrate the date the batch of mail is to be presented to the post office.

40. A method according to any one of claims 37 to 39 including printing on the substrate the amount of postage value stored in the device that prepared the document.-

41. A method according to any one of claims 37 to 40 including printing on the substrate an encrypted number that is derived frQm data printed upon the substrate by said device.

42. A method for verifying the payment of postage for a batch of mail comprising producing a document by a device for printing data and including a 1 register for storing postage values, producing comprising:

said step 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.

43. A document for accompanying a batch of mail and having first data thereon corresponding to an amount of postage required for mailing said batch as well as second data identifying the sender of the batch of mail and third data containing other information relating to said batch of mail, said 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.

44. A document according to claim 43 wherein said encrypted data is machine readable.

45. A document according to claim 43 wherein said encrypted data comprises a bar code.

4. A document according to any one of claims 43 to 45 wherein said encrypted data comprises an encryption of said second data.

47. A document for accompanying a batch of.mail and having first data thereon corresponding to an amount c I 1 41 - 1 of postage required for mailing said batch as well as second data identifying the sender of the batch of mail and third data containing information uniquely identifying said document.

48. A document according to claim 47 wherein said information uniquely identifying said document comprises encrypted data unique to said document.

49. A document according to claim 47 or 48 wherein said third data comprises a group of characters including information identifying both the sender of said batch of mail as well as information unique tc> said document.

50. A document according to claim 49 wherein said group of characters comprises an encryption of information identifying said sender and said unique information.

51. A document according to claim 50 wherein said group of characters comprises a bar code.

52. A document for accompanying a batch of mail and having imprinted thereon a group of adjacent characters, said characters identifying the sender of said batch of mail and including a number unique to said document.

53. A document according to claim 52 wherein said group of characters comprises an encryption of said fiumber and information.

54. A document according to claim 53 wherein said group of characters comprises a bar code.

55. A method of preparing a document for accompanying a batch of mail comprising assembling the 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 comprising applying encrypted data to said document that includes an encryption of the respective data,, whereby said encryption data can verify the authenticity of said document.

56. A method according to claim 55 wherein said at least one step of applying encrypted data comprises applying said encrypted data in machine readable form.

57. A method according to claim 56 wherein said at least one step of applying encrypted data comprises applying said encrypted data in the form of a bar code.

58. A method according to any one of claims 55 to 57 wherein said at least one step of applying encrypted data comprises applying encrypted data that is an encryption of said second data.

59. A method according 'to any one of claims 55 to 58 wherein said at least one step of applying comprises applying encrypted data to said document with a device, the encrypted data identifying said device.

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60. A document for certifying the payment of postage for a batch of mail, the document comprising a substrate supporting: a first data representative of the value of postage required to mail the batch of mail; second data representative of the sender of said batch of mail; and third data representing other information related to the mailing of the mail pieces included in said batch of mail, at least one of said first, second and third data being in encrypted form.

61. a document according to claim 60 wherein said data in encrypted form is machine readable.

62. A document according to claim 61 wherein said machine readable data is in the form of a bar code.

63. A document for verifying the payment of postage for a batch of mail substantially as shown in any one of Figures 9 to 15.

64. A document according to any one of claims 26 to 29 wherein said second substrate has imprinted thereon- -details identifying sequences of non-presorted mail in said batch of mail, the numbers of said pieces of non-presorted mail and the amount accounted therefor for the nonpresorted mail, thereby facilitating inspection of accounting for ngnpresorted mail pieces in said batch.

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

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

66. A document for verifying the payment of postage for a batch of mail, said document having been produced by a device for printing data and including a register for storing postage values, the document comprising: a substrate; and a printed postage value printed on said substrate and representative of the value of postage required to mail the batch of mail.

67. A document for verifying the payment of postage for a batch of mail, the document comprising a substrate supporting:

first data representative of the value of postage required to mail the batch of mail; second data representative of the sender of said batch of mail; and I third data representing other information related to the mailing of the mail pieces included in said batch of mail.

68. A document for verifying the payment of postage for a batch of mail substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

69. A mail piece having verification information thereon substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

70. A postal batch comprising a plurality of mail pieces and a verification document substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

71. A method of preparing a postal verification document substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

72. A method of verifying the payment of postage substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Published 1990&tThe PatentoMce, State House,66,171 High Holoorn. London WMA 4TP. Further copies maybe obtalnedfrom The Patent office. lcpnt ARS BELD. Printed by MuItiplex techniques Itd, St Mary Cray, Kent. Con. 1187