System and method for dimensional rating of mail pieces

US8131654B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Pitney Bowes Inc. · US

Inventors

• David K. Asano · Easton, US
• Jean-Hiram Coffy · Norwalk, US
• Michael P. Swenson · Danbury, US
• Alexandra Mack · Monroe, US
• David W. Beckstrom · Roxbury, US
• Joan T. Doutney · Sandy Hook, US
• Sarah Jurta · Fairfield, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 11, 2008
• Grant date: Mar 6, 2012
• Expiry date: Oct 29, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07B2017/00685
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Systems and methods for dimensionally rating mail pieces including cards, letters, flats, mailers, packages and parcels using a pointing device such as a digital pen are described. In one illustrative configuration the system includes a digital pen, a three dimensional digital pen pattern device, a computer and a printer for printing evidence of postage payment. A mail piece such as a small parcel is placed on the opened three dimensional digital pen pattern device. The user may select a digital pen pattern command box or may otherwise engage or be prompted to begin measurements. For a rectangular parcel, the user selects a bottom right and then a top left measurement point. The system then calculates the dimensions of the parcel, dimensionally rates it and then accounts for and prints a corresponding postage indicium.