GB2431144A

GB2431144A - Making barcode label from input postcode

Info

Publication number: GB2431144A
Application number: GB0520414A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Lyons
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-10-07
Filing date: 2005-10-07
Publication date: 2007-04-18
Also published as: GB0520414D0

Abstract

An apparatus converts a typed in postcode to a machine readable barcode, which is then written to, and output in, a label format. The label may be attached to a item of post, thus making the tracking and delivery of the item simpler and more reliable.

Description

1 2431144 Parcel label printing machine This invention relates to a

specifically designed and manufactured parcel label printing machine, manually or automatically operated which prints onto labels which are then manually or mechanically attached to parcel mail.

Normally when counter staff or receiving staff receive a parcel for delivery, they weigh the parcel and evaluate the costs involved. They then stick on the stamps due, or in private companies stick on the relevant information which says the cost has been paid. The parcel then begins its journey to its final destination, during this journey the parcel will have to be sorted, and in some instances many times, and possibly across continents. This is where post codes/zip codes on the parcels address comes into play. During any sorting stage which is required to direct the parcel manual sorting is mostly carried out, and in other instances electronic sorting with MLOCRs (Multiline Optical Character Readers) are used to read the address of the parcel, but this type of equipment is too expensive to use in all sorting facilities hence the use of manual sorting.

This invention relates to a parcel label printing machine plus the system which it initiates by the parcel receiving staff who process the parcel. First of all the parcel is weighed and evaluated for the cost of delivery, the relevant stamps or stickers are stuck on the parcel. The staff then type into a specially designed label printing machine the numerals and letters of the post code/zip code, followed by the abbreviated addressing letters of the country the parcel is going to, other relevant information such as time and weight of the parcel can be received by the printing machine electronically from the weighing machine, this can be then added to the post code/zip code information. With a further operation of the touch keys/buttons of the label printing machine the staff member allows the information to be processed by the microprocessor/microcomputer circuitry located inside the label printing machine, which then transfonns the letters and numerals of the post code/zip code plus country of destination plus any other relevant information into a bar code format, which is then printed out onto blank labelllabels for attachment onto parcel mail.

This operation of transforming the letters and numerals of the post code/zip code and country into bar code form by the parcel label printing machine This now makes the electronic sorting of the parcel mail throughout its journey so much easier and faster specially if two bar code labels are attached to the parcel one on eacl1 side, with less equipment costs with the bar code scanners instead of the multilme optical character readers. This system and printer which utilises the normal receiving staff has the potential of reducing the manual sorting operations. As long as the bar code scanners are programmed to read the information on the parcel mail labels, parcels can cross continents and sorting facilities to reach there destinations.

Other benefits of this label printing machine and its programmed system would be from the original information which was typed into the printing machine plus the electronic information concerning the parcels weight and time of the parcels acceptance by the counter staff, all this information of weight/time plus the parcels country of destination and post code/zip code which could identify the parcels delivery area precisely specially when there are hundreds or thousands of miles difference within large countries, thereby saving costs and making quicker deliveries if prior knowledge was accumulated before shipping the parcels to distant countries. This knowledge would be known if the label printing machine relayed its parcel information directly to the mail companies computers, the company would then have information regarding destinations, weight of parcels, times, so that transportation and labour could be assessed beforehand and action organised.

Security of parcels would be another factor and could be improved within this system, if a customer required extra security on a parcel, the counter staff would add another set of letters or numbers to the original information typed into the printing machine before it was transformed into bar code form, thos giving the parcel extra security clearance. This security bar code would alert the bar code scanners at each sorting facility to the parcels presence, thereby the parcel could be tracked electronically along its journey, thereby adding more security and benefits to this parcel label printing machine device and its use.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference To the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1. shows an electronic parcel label printing machine, external view.

Figure 2, shows an attachment to an electronic parcel label printing machine it Can hold and dispense blank labels into the printer when required.

Figure 3, shows an electronic parcel label printing machine, internal view.

Figure 4, shows an electronic parcel weighing machine.

Figure 1, shows an electronic parcel label printing machine (1) which has a liquid crystal display screen (4) which would visually show the parcel mail information typed into the parcel label printing machine (1) in letters of the alphabet and numerals concerning post codes/zip codes, and abbreviated addressing letters of the country of destination and any other relevant information about the parcel concerned. This information is typed into the parcel label printing machine (1) via the touch keys/buttons (2) by the counter staff/staff receiving the parcel mail for process and delivery.

Further information could be supplied to the parcel label printing machine (1) electronically from the parcels weighing machine (11) Fig.4 such as weight and time. This information plus the information typed into the label printing machine (1) is first of all received by the electronic microprocessor/microcomputer system (9) Fig.3 which relays this information in alphabetical and numeral form to the liquid crystal display screen (4) Fig.1 For inspection by the parcel receiving staff, if the information is correct a signal is sent via the touch keys/buttons (2) Fig.1 to print the label/labels (7) Fig.3 it is at this point that the specially programmed microprocessor/microcomputer (9) Fig.3 changes this alphabetical/numeral information into bar code form, which it then tells the printer(8) Fig. 3 to print it onto a label/labels (7) in the bar code form.

After completing the print onto the label/labels (7) they access the printer out of the slot (3) Fig.1. And are then attached to the parcel ready for sorting by programmed bar code scanners.

The parcel labels (7) advantageously would be stored in roll/pack form within a housing (10) Fig.3 inside the label printing machine, (1) but an attachment (6) Fig.2. that could hold and dispense them on command into the printer could be an alternative embodiment and make the size of the label printing machine smaller due to the absent label housing (10) Fig.3 and its mechanics.

One other alternative embodiment is for the staff to manually feed the labels into the slot (3) Fig.1. Prior to printing upon them, thereby reducing the size of the parcel label printing machine, due to the absent label housing (10).Fig.3.

Claims

Claims 1, A parcel label printing machine electronically programmed via a

microprocessor which would be manually or automatically operated through the use of touch keys/buttons to change typed in post codes/zip codes into any particular required and designed bar code, this code would then be printed onto labels by the machine for use on parcel mail.

2, A parcel label printing machine according to claim 1, made to desk top size Incorporated with a set of touch keys/buttons to able to relay all the letters of the alphabet and all the numerals up to nine, plus extra keys/buttons for other specific operations.

3, A parcel label printing machine according to claims 1,& 2, which has a liquid crystal display screen which shows the post code/zip code information that has been typed into the machine ready for transforming into a bar code.

4, A pacel label printing machine according to claims 1, 2, 3, which incorporates a built in unit to house a roll or pack of blank labels ready to be automatically fed to the printer.

5, A parcel label printing machine according to claims 1, 2, 3, which has a separate attachment which electronically feeds blank labels into the printer when required.

6, A parcel label printing machine according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, which can store information received from a parcel weighing machine and utilise it on a bar code print out.

7, A parcel label printing machine according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, which has facility to store and send electronic Information received by the printing machine manually or electronically and transmit this information to a computer system for evaluation, 8, A parcel label printing machine according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, which incorporates standard printing technology together with microprocessor technology to change input post code/zip code information and other relevant information into bar code printing action with print colours applicable for bar code scanners.

9, A parcel label printing machine according 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, which requires the counter staff or receiver of the parcels to manually feed the blank labels into the printing machine prior to printing thereby reducing the size and mechanical equipment of the printer.

Claims A parcel label printing machine according to claims 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, small enough to be hand held with battery power spedally made for use by mobile staff picking up parcels from remote areas or companies.

11 A parcel label printing machine according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, which has a separate printer housing from The touch keys/buttons and the liquid crystal display screen/microprocessor/microcomputer systems.

But with all systems linked together electronically.

12 A parcel label printing machine according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, which has a separate printer/touch keys/buttons/liquid crystal display screen housing from the microprocessor/microcomputer system. But with all these systems linked together electronically.