EP1035515A2 - Briefmarke und Methode zum Überprüfen ihrer Gültigkeit - Google Patents

Briefmarke und Methode zum Überprüfen ihrer Gültigkeit Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1035515A2
EP1035515A2 EP00104519A EP00104519A EP1035515A2 EP 1035515 A2 EP1035515 A2 EP 1035515A2 EP 00104519 A EP00104519 A EP 00104519A EP 00104519 A EP00104519 A EP 00104519A EP 1035515 A2 EP1035515 A2 EP 1035515A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
stamp
postal stamp
code
special code
database
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00104519A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1035515A3 (de
Inventor
Ronald P. Sasone
Judith A. Auslander
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pitney Bowes Inc
Original Assignee
Pitney Bowes Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pitney Bowes Inc filed Critical Pitney Bowes Inc
Publication of EP1035515A2 publication Critical patent/EP1035515A2/de
Publication of EP1035515A3 publication Critical patent/EP1035515A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00435—Details specific to central, non-customer apparatus, e.g. servers at post office or vendor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00435—Details specific to central, non-customer apparatus, e.g. servers at post office or vendor
    • G07B2017/00443—Verification of mailpieces, e.g. by checking databases
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00572—Details of printed item
    • G07B2017/0058—Printing of code
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00709—Scanning mailpieces

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a postal stamp and a method of verifying the authenticity of the stamp.
  • the present invention provides a method of verifying the validity of a postal stamp on a mailpiece. More specifically, the present invention provides a method of determining whether the postal stamp is legitimately produced and whether it has been canceled in a previous use.
  • the above objective can be achieved by producing a special code on each postal stamp of interest and establishing a database to keep records of the issued special codes.
  • the special code is produced on the stamp before the stamp is delivered to the consumer.
  • the postal office identifies the special code on the stamp and consults the database. If the records in the database indicate that the stamp bearing the special code has not been previously canceled, then the special code itself is a proof of validity. After receiving the proof of validity, the postal office processes the mail as usual and cancels the stamp before the mailpiece is delivered to the addressee.
  • the postal office also reports to the database that the stamp has now been canceled and effects the alteration of the records so that the special code associated with the canceled stamp effectively becomes a "canceled" code.
  • a record associated with a "canceled” code will not provide a proof of validity when the database is consulted.
  • the special code is overprinted on a regular postal stamp after the printing of the stamp graphics. But the special code can also be printed on the stamp stock prior to or together with the printing of the stamp graphics.
  • the production of the special codes and the establishment of the database can be done by a third party or by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).
  • the special code is machine-readable and printed as a two-dimensional barcode symbol.
  • the special code imprinted on a stamp can also be a one-dimensional barcode symbol, an alphanumeric string or other machine-readable codes.
  • the method for reading two-dimensional barcodes is well-known and has been disclosed in a number of U.S. patents, such as U.S.
  • Patent No.5,627,358 (Roustaei) entitled “System and Method for Reading Two-Dimensional Barcodes”
  • U.S. Patent No.5,691,528 (Wyatt et al.) entitled “Scanning System for Either Hand-held or Stationary Operation for Reading 1-D or 2-D Barcodes”
  • U.S. Patent No.5,637,856 (Bridgelall et al.) entitled “Scanning System and Scanning Method with Scan Pattern Control for Reading 1-D and 2-D Barcode Symbols”.
  • OCR optical character reader
  • the special code is produced with invisible ink. But it can also be printed in visible ink.
  • the special code is unique in that each stamp has a different code.
  • the special code is only unique within a section of the country. For example, the entire United States can be divided into a number of sections or regions for this purpose so as to allow the same special code to be used on a number of stamps.
  • every stamp sold within a region will have a different special code and a regional database will be used to keep records on the special code issued for that region. It can be safely assumed that a stamp purchased in one region will be used in that region. Therefore, the canceling of a stamp in one region will not normally affect the records in the database in another region. By doing so, the required number of unique codes to be put on the stamps can be greatly reduced, and the lookup times will also be reduced accordingly.
  • the preferred form of the special code is the two-dimensional barcode symbol.
  • a barcode symbol containing an equivalent of 3000 numeric characters can be easily produced.
  • Fig.1 illustrates the cross section of a postal stamp having a special code produced thereon.
  • the postal stamp 10 is printed on a substrate such a paper layer 20 .
  • the stamp has an adhesive layer 22 for affixing the stamp to a mailpiece.
  • the special code is produced on top of the stamp graphics.
  • the ink layer 26 for forming the special code is printed on top of the graphic ink layer 24 .
  • the coded ink layer 26 is transparent and colorless so that it will not noticeably affect the appearance of the stamp graphics.
  • the coded ink layer is invisible to the human eye in the visible wavelength region, but it will become luminescent when the stamp is illuminated by a light source in other wavelength regions to enable the reading of the code.
  • the coded ink layer can be produced with a material that fluoresces or emits phosphorescent light under the illumination of a UV source.
  • the ink is also water fast, fast drying, wear-resistant and low gloss or having a gloss that matches the stamp surface.
  • Fig.2 illustrates an example of a postal stamp having an alphanumeric string as its special code.
  • the postal stamp 10 has a stamp graphics area 28 showing the graphic design and the stamp denomination.
  • the stamp also has a special code 30 comprised of a string of alphanumeric characters, which is readable by a conventional OCR.
  • Fig.3a illustrates an example of a postal stamp having a special code imprinted in a block form.
  • the postal stamp 10 has a stamp graphics area 28 showing the graphic design and the stamp denomination.
  • the stamp also has an invisible special code 31 to be printed on top of the stamp graphics within an area 33 defined by the dashed lines, for example.
  • the special code 31 shown in Fig.3a represents a two-dimensional array of symbols.
  • the block can contain an array of alphanumeric symbols or other symbols.
  • special code 31 is a block of two-dimensional barcode symbol which is the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the detail of a two-dimensional barcode block is shown in Fig.3b.
  • Fig.3b illustrates an example of the two-dimensional barcode symbol. Shown in Fig.3b is a matrix block containing the two-dimensional barcode symbol. Within the matrix block of the special code 32 are data regions which contain nominally square modules set out in a regular array. Preferably, the matrix block is produced in accordance with the International Symbology Specification developed by AIM International Inc., the worldwide trade association for manufacturers and producers of barcode products. The current address of AIM International Inc. is 11860 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 100, Reston, Virginia 22091 (phone: 703-391-7621; fax: 703-391-7624). In particular, the ECC 200 Data Matrix Symbols as defined in the International Symbology Specification by AIM is the preferred version of the special code, according to the present invention.
  • the special code can be produced in the form of one, two or more matrix blocks of the two-dimensional barcode symbol, and each matrix block can be square or rectangular or in any other geometrical shape. Two examples of the arrangement of the matrix blocks are shown in Fig.4a and Fig.4b.
  • the stamp 10 has a stamp graphic area 28 and two square matrix blocks of two-dimensional barcode symbol 34 and 36 , one positioned above the other.
  • the two-dimensional barcode symbol is contained within a rectangular matrix block 38 below the stamp graphic area 28 .
  • Fig.5 illustrates a block diagram representing the process for verifying the validity of a postal stamp.
  • block 40 represents the production of the postal stamps, and each of the stamps is assigned and imprinted with a special code in step 42 .
  • the special code is issued for printing on a postal stamp
  • the issuance of that special code is reported to a database 44 in which a record is created, specifically referenced to the issued special code.
  • the record is a proof of validity of the postal stamp having an issued special code, and the proof is provided when the database 44 is consulted.
  • the same record will be altered when the postal stamp having the same issued special code is canceled and that altered record will no longer provide a proof of validity. It may be desirable to store the "canceled" issued codes in a separate database or archive for other investigation procedures, such as the archive code verification step 58 .
  • step 46 it is shown that the postal stamps are delivered to local post offices to be sold to the consumers.
  • the mail is collected and processed by the accepting postal office in step 50 .
  • the stamp is examined using an in-line code verification procedure, in step 52 , to determine whether the stamp is produced and used legitimately.
  • a code reader is used to identify the special code on the stamp. It is understood that if the code is produced with an invisible ink, a special light source will be needed to make to code visible to the code reader. The identified code is reported to the database 44 and a proof of validity of the stamp is requested.
  • the stamp is considered legitimate. In that case, the stamp has passed the verification process and the mail is accepted for further processing, with the stamp being canceled in step 54 . It is preferred that the cancellation mark is produced with a visible ink so that a "canceled" postal stamp is easily distinguishable from an unused one.
  • an additional code verification (archive) procedure is used in step 58 to verify the validity of the stamp.
  • the identified code is checked against an archive or database containing "canceled" codes.
  • the stamp bearing a special code is canceled, a request is made to the database 44 so as to alter the record that is specifically related to the special code being canceled. Such an altered record will no long provide a proof of validity when the database is consulted. If it is clearly evidenced that the stamp on the mailpiece has been previously used or the stamp is not legitimately produced, the mailpiece is rejected, in step 66 , and may be subject to further investigation by the postal inspectors in step 70 .
  • the special code when the special code is partially damaged, it may cause a wrong reading of the special code by the code reader.
  • the code as read from the stamp may or may not be in the database at all.
  • the mailpiece is subject to further verification using a diagnostic and video lift technique in step 60 .
  • the video lift procedure involves the consultation with a video image database 64 where the image of the entire envelope or the surface of a mailpiece, including the address of the sender and the address of the receiver, is stored. If the mailpiece again fails the verification procedure in step 60 , the image of the mailpiece with the seemingly dubious stamp will be stored in a video database 64 and the mail may be subject to the investigation by the postal inspectors.
  • the present invention provides a postal stamp for mailing a mailpiece.
  • the validity of the stamp is verifiable against a database having records to prove that the stamp is legitimately produced and it has not been canceled in a previous use.
  • the postal stamp comprises: a substrate layer, a graphic layer and a special code specifically referred to in the database.
  • the special code is imprinted with invisible ink as one or more blocks of two-dimensional barcode symbols.
  • the present invention also provides a method of verifying the validity of a postal stamp to determine whether the postal stamp is produced legitimately and whether it has been canceled in a previous use.
  • the method includes the following steps:
  • the special code can be a two-dimensional barcode symbol, a one-dimensional barcode symbol, a string of alphanumeric characters or any machine readable code.
  • the code is printed with an invisible ink so that code does not noticeably affect the appearance of the stamp graphics.
  • the code can also be printed with a visible ink, readable by a human operator or a machine.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)
  • Character Discrimination (AREA)
EP00104519A 1999-03-11 2000-03-10 Briefmarke und Methode zum Überprüfen ihrer Gültigkeit Withdrawn EP1035515A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US26630499A 1999-03-11 1999-03-11
US266304 1999-03-11

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1035515A2 true EP1035515A2 (de) 2000-09-13
EP1035515A3 EP1035515A3 (de) 2000-12-20

Family

ID=23014037

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00104519A Withdrawn EP1035515A3 (de) 1999-03-11 2000-03-10 Briefmarke und Methode zum Überprüfen ihrer Gültigkeit

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1035515A3 (de)
CA (1) CA2300621A1 (de)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006010396A1 (de) * 2004-07-26 2006-02-02 Deutsche Post Ag Verfahren und vorrichtung zur entgeltüberprüfung beim transport von postsendungen über eine elektronische paketfachanlage
EP1435592A3 (de) * 2002-12-30 2006-05-17 Pitney Bowes Inc. Verfahren zum Verbessern der Lesbarkeit zusammengesetzter Bilder
US7427025B2 (en) 2005-07-08 2008-09-23 Lockheed Marlin Corp. Automated postal voting system and method
DE102008063009A1 (de) * 2008-12-23 2010-06-24 Deutsche Post Ag Verfahren und System zum Versenden einer Postsendung
US7937332B2 (en) 2004-12-08 2011-05-03 Lockheed Martin Corporation Automatic verification of postal indicia products
US8005764B2 (en) 2004-12-08 2011-08-23 Lockheed Martin Corporation Automatic verification of postal indicia products
US8085980B2 (en) 2008-08-13 2011-12-27 Lockheed Martin Corporation Mail piece identification using bin independent attributes
US8209267B2 (en) 2004-12-08 2012-06-26 Lockheed Martin Corporation Automatic revenue protection and adjustment of postal indicia products
GB2578436A (en) * 2018-10-25 2020-05-13 Royal Mail Group Ltd Stamp management method and mail processing system

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5627358A (en) 1994-06-20 1997-05-06 Roustaei; Alexander System and method for reading two-dimensional barcodes
US5637856A (en) 1990-05-08 1997-06-10 Symbol Technologies, Inc. Scanning system and scanning method with scan pattern control for reading 1-D and 2-D barcode symbols
US5691258A (en) 1996-06-24 1997-11-25 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Two phase HfB2 -SiB4 material

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5768384A (en) * 1996-03-28 1998-06-16 Pitney Bowes Inc. System for identifying authenticating and tracking manufactured articles
DE19737232A1 (de) * 1997-08-27 1999-03-04 Matthias Oberlaender Elektronisches Verfahren zum Freimachen von Postsendungen

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5637856A (en) 1990-05-08 1997-06-10 Symbol Technologies, Inc. Scanning system and scanning method with scan pattern control for reading 1-D and 2-D barcode symbols
US5627358A (en) 1994-06-20 1997-05-06 Roustaei; Alexander System and method for reading two-dimensional barcodes
US5691258A (en) 1996-06-24 1997-11-25 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Two phase HfB2 -SiB4 material

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1435592A3 (de) * 2002-12-30 2006-05-17 Pitney Bowes Inc. Verfahren zum Verbessern der Lesbarkeit zusammengesetzter Bilder
US7337969B2 (en) 2002-12-30 2008-03-04 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method for improving the readability of composite images
WO2006010396A1 (de) * 2004-07-26 2006-02-02 Deutsche Post Ag Verfahren und vorrichtung zur entgeltüberprüfung beim transport von postsendungen über eine elektronische paketfachanlage
US7937332B2 (en) 2004-12-08 2011-05-03 Lockheed Martin Corporation Automatic verification of postal indicia products
US8005764B2 (en) 2004-12-08 2011-08-23 Lockheed Martin Corporation Automatic verification of postal indicia products
US8209267B2 (en) 2004-12-08 2012-06-26 Lockheed Martin Corporation Automatic revenue protection and adjustment of postal indicia products
US7427025B2 (en) 2005-07-08 2008-09-23 Lockheed Marlin Corp. Automated postal voting system and method
US8085980B2 (en) 2008-08-13 2011-12-27 Lockheed Martin Corporation Mail piece identification using bin independent attributes
DE102008063009A1 (de) * 2008-12-23 2010-06-24 Deutsche Post Ag Verfahren und System zum Versenden einer Postsendung
GB2578436A (en) * 2018-10-25 2020-05-13 Royal Mail Group Ltd Stamp management method and mail processing system
GB2578436B (en) * 2018-10-25 2021-05-05 Royal Mail Group Ltd Stamp management method and mail processing system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1035515A3 (de) 2000-12-20
CA2300621A1 (en) 2000-09-11

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