CA2000682C - Automated mail collecting and telecommunication machine ii - Google Patents

Abstract

An automated machine for mail collection is disclosed, comprising the functions of automated electronically controlled postage meter having a bar code printer, pay-phone device, data listing device and telex sending device. The four incorporated functions are used independently for different purposes, while operated directly by customer and applying same automated means.
The machine process is guided, both by instructions from its program memory and instructions from its input means, which are operated by customer according to displayed instructions for different stages of the machine process. While having the predetermined automated processes guided by the machine's program memory for all said functions, payment mode depends on the individual customer's choice. The machine's automated processes incorporate the possibility for refusal of services at any stage of said processes, without the possibility for any loss either to the customer or owner. Said refusal means and means to prevent improper handling are provided in order to enable the machine's continuous use at any place where it may be installed.

Description

- X0006 ~2 AUTOMATED MAIL COLLECTING AND
TELECOMMUNICATION MACHINE II
The present invention relates to electronic postage meters of the type having a microprocessor for SECTIONBCORFIECTfONcontrolling the envelope stamping and accounting for SEE CEPiTIFI(:ATE

~ORRECTtON-AI~TtC~~such stamping' for efficient and economical franking of VOIRCERTIFICATletters. It also relates to motorized weighing conveyors mounted on an electronic weighing device and to electronic scales with ability to print bar code labels. Further, it relates to printers able to print data entered on an alphanumerical keyboard, in the form of laser readable bar code and vending machines with ability to accept payment in coins, bills, debit, credit and IC cards. It relates also to coin, debit or credit card operated pay-phones, various devices used for the listing of data from some external database and telex machines. The present invention specifically relates to Automated Mail Collection and Telecommunication Machines as described in U.S. Patent 4,900,805 of 13 February by the same inventor and repAesents an improved version of said machine. In comparison with said invention, while pert=orming the same processes, the present invention represents a considerably smaller version of said machine with a different. physical configuration

-2-having the ability for more simple mailing's storing process. It also relates to Automated Electronic Postage Meter Having A Direct Access Bar Code Printer as described in U.S. Patent 5,065,000 of 12 November 1991 by the same inventor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As the primary object of the invention is to provide an automated machine for collection and stamping of mail, electronic postage metering and stamping machines will first be discussed. Conventional postage metering and stamping machines have the ability to electronically weigh envelope and package mailings and to stamp postage on them. They are operated by an employee and postage is determined according to envelope weight and destination.
Postage can either be debited from the machine's previously charged non-volatile memory or paid in cash to employee, when the machine is used in postal offices.
Except for machines able to print horizontally oriented clocked code on envelope, which must be printed with fair precision in relation to an envelope's lower edge to be sure that clock and information track line-up with their appropriate reading heads during the scanning process of said envelopes, wherein only single-pass relatively slow and unreliable scanning by photosensitive transducers is possible, said machines do not significantly affect further sorting and tracking processes.
Hence, the object of the present invention is to improve the entire process from the point of acceptance to the point of delivery for almost all kinds of postcards, envelopes and package mailings, referred as "mailing" in this text, the advantages of the invention will be further listed. The present invention enables mail collecting procedure to be performed directly by

-3-customer, who inserts mailing and manually enters instructions and data on keyboard by following displayed instructions and therefore does not need to be operated by an employee. As according to the process of the present invention, customer himself chooses and performs payment procedure through one of six possible payment modes, the machine can be installed anywhere for the most convenient continuous customer use. The invention enables the electronic weighing of mailing to be performed automatically, without possibility to influence said weighing and postage is automatically calculated according to data about mailing weight and data about destination entered on keyboard. Therefore, according to the process of the invention, there is no possibility for higher or lower postage to be calculated and as each mailing can be returned to customer in case of insufficient postage paid or data entered, no further check of postage paid is necessary. Having the ability to convert entered data about destination of mailing and special request and print them in form of laser readable bar code directly on mailing, present invention enables entire following sorting and tracking process to be performed by automated means. By using the multi-directional scanners, built-in on both sides of mailing path at sorting hubs, each mailing can be sorted and tracked, when required, without any manual labor, with an extremely high speed and almost 100% first read rate.
In accordance with the invention, when zip code is printed on mailing in form of said bar code, by passing through the different sorting hubs said mailing is automatically sorted all the way to the point of delivery. Zip + four code can also be applied and when alphanumeric type of said bar code is used said mailing can be sorted and tracked in international mail traffic.
This assumes that part of printed bar code showing the mailing's zip code is printed in numerals and part of said bar code showing the country code is printed in ~000~82

-4-letters, so that one or combination of two letters represents country code of respective country. When sent to countries with alphanumeric zip code, said bar code is printed on mailing having letters and numerals arranged as entered on machine's keyboard and when one of the special requests is entered, identification code in numerals and letters is automatically printed together with the type of special request which is printed as a letter. Considering the advantages in speed and accuracy of said laser readable bar code for purpose of sorting and tracking of said mailings, advantages of the present invention are obvious for those skilled in the art.
As the second object of the present invention is to provide a pay phone device for public use, the conventional pay phones will be discussed. As for the time being, pay phones for public use are designed to accept payment means, such as coins, debit and credit cards and most of them are able to accept only one out of three said means. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device wherein coins, bills, debit card,.c~i.fferent kinds of credit cards and IC card are used to pay the charge while using the same payment accepting means as for mail collection purpose. As according to'the present invention, also the same displaying and processing means are used, this enables said device to be economical while giving the customer all possible options considering the mode of payment.
The third object of present invention is to provide a device for listing and entering the data in some external database and therefore this matter will be discussed. Various kinds of databases are available for listing and data entry (video-text) nowadays through different means, mostly by connecting home or corporate PCs and using them as terminals to list available data _..

-5-from certain databases for a certain determined charge.
The object of the present invention is to provide such device which will make the data from some external database available to the general public. In accordance with the present invention, by using the same payment accepting, displaying, printing and processing means as for other machine's purposes, continuous, convenient and economical data listing and entry can be obtained. The variety of data can be listed, such as data from phone book, Yellow Pages, Thomas Register, weather reports, train, bus, and plane schedules, etc. and in addition to listing customer can be allowed to enter the data into the database for certain purposes, such as making reservations, advertising, etc.
The fourth object of the present invention is to provide a device, wherein, when connected on a telex line, telex messages can be sent applying the same procedure as existing telex machines, with a difference that message is not printed and dispensed to customer if this is not specifically required. In accordance with the present invention, message entered on keyboard is memorized and sent upon confirmation of payment for calculated and displayed charge, enabling the general public to send messages whenever desired to any connected telex and as same data entry, payment accepting, displaying, printing and processing means as for other machine's purposes are used, said procedure is also very economical.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device comprising the functions of automated electronic postage meter, pay phone device, device for listing the data from external databases and data entry into said databases and telex sending device, which can be simply operated by customer and installed anywhere for continuous public use.

'8i;CTION a CORRE:CTlON

SEE CERTIFICIItE

CORRECT10N-AR"ftCLL~In order to achieve above object there are provided VOIRCfRIIRCJvT means for accepting the payment, either in coins, bills, debit, credit or IC cards, means for entering required data, means for displaying said data and instructions for use of said machine for different phases of the process, means for printing and dispensing required data and means'. for processing and storing required data, wherein a.ll said means are used for all machine's functions.. There are also provided means for inserting, driving, pressing, bar code printing and storing of mailing, used for separate machine's mail collection purpose which is the first object of the present invention. For said mail collection purpose, according to the present invention, machine is able to accept postcards, envelopes and postal packages, referred as "mailing" in this text, weigh them by electronic means and print destination data on them in chosen form of laser readable bar code for purpose of later completely automated sorting and tracking.
The second object of the present invention is to enable customer to pay for phone charges by all said payment means. For this purpose machine has to be connected on telephone line which can also be used to obtain connection with external databases when using machine as data listing or data entry device, which is the third object of the present invention.
When used as telex sending device, which is the fourth object of the present invention, machine has to be connected on telex line and uses all previously quoted data entry, displaying and payment accepting means.
According to the proc~ss of the present invention there is possib:llity for "follow-on" procedure in any case 2Q~~~8~
_., _ when any kind of service is to be paid by the same customer and machine is able to refuse any of said services in any case when necessary due to improper handling or insufficient data entered or payment made without any loss either for customer or machine's owner.
All features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from following brief description of drawings and description of preferred embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is the perspective view of the machine housing, showing the outside arrangement of its parts as for preferred embodiment.
FIG. 2 is the left side view of machine housing, showing the insertion slot's sliding door, dot matrix printer opening, liquid crystal display (LCD), keyboard and phone handle.
FIG. 3 is the left side view of machine's inside mechanisms, showing the mailing pressing mechanism, electronic scale device, insertion slot's rear wall, thermal transfer printer's mechanism, transport conveyor mechanism, mailing drop, dot matrix printer, LCD and keyboard.
FIG. 4 is the top view of machine's inside mechanisms, showing their arrangement as for preferred embodiment.
FIG. 5 is the perspective view of the thermal transfer printer configuration located behind 2~~O~iB~
_8_ insertion slot's rear wall.
FIG. 6 is the perspective view of the mailing pressing mechanism and transport conveyor mechanism.
FIG. 7 is the perspective view of the insertion slot's rear wall, loading photosensors and transport conveyor mechanism.
FIG. 8 is an example of bar code as it should be printed on mailing which is sent abroad i.e.
to Hamburg in Federal Republic of Germany by registered mail, wherein having country of destination code (D for FRG), zip code (2000 for Hamburg and 13 for certain section in Hamburg), special request code (R for registered mail) and numeral-letter combination (OOOA for mailing identification).
FIG. 9 is an example of bar code as it should be printed on mailing, which is sent by regular mail to East Hanover, NJ USA, having the country of destination code (US for USA) and zip code (07936 for East Hanover).
FIG. 10 is the block diagram of the machine in accordance with the invention.
FIGS. 11-23 are the flow charts showing the process of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Regardless of the fact that for purpose of mail collection the present invention can be installed as a completely independent unit, its processes will be 2 ~4~6~~

described as for assumption that machine is connected to telephone and telex lines.
Each of four possible machine's processes will be separately described according to the following order:
- use of machine for mail collection purpose;
- use of machine as pay phone device;
- use of machine as data listing and data entry device;
- use of machine as telex sending device.
Referring to FIG. 1, in accordance with the invention there are provided coin changer 2 with escrow to vend/escrow to select ability, bill acceptor/validator 3 with escrow to vend/escrow to select ability, magnetic and IC card reader/writer 4, dot matrix printer 5 with its opening for paper and ribbon refilling 51, alphanumerical keyboard 6, liquid crystal display (LCD) 8, transparent glass window 7, phone handle with dialing unit 10, and insertion slot's sliding door 120.
Referring to FIG. 11, machine's front-placed photo sensor 9 built in machine housing 1, as shown on FIG. 1, upon detecting the person standing in front of said housing 1 signals this to machine's central processing unit (CPU) 32 which activates wake-up routine. First, instructions'for starting procedure are displayed on machine's LCD B, wherein these instructions comprise information on how minimum amount in coins, bills, debit, credit or IC cards is to be inserted and on how to enter instruction to select desired machine function.
As shown on FIG. 11, CPU 32 starts by reading status of the coin changer 2 and if said changer 2 activity is detected, accumulated amount in escrow is counted, information loaded into temporary memory unit 34 and balance displayed on LCD 8. If activity of said changer 2 is not detected, CPU 32 further reads status of bill acceptor/ validator 3, which in case of bill insertion, 2~U~~~2 automatically checks its validity and if bill is valid drives it in escrow. In this case bill is held in escrow, accumulated amount counted, information loaded into temporary memory unit 34 and balance displayed on LCD 8. If after a reasonable period of time amount in escrow, either in bills or coins, is still lower than requested, request for additional insertion is displayed. If within a reasonable period of time additional amount is not inserted, amount in escrow is returned and machine goes back to starting procedure as shown on FIG. 11. If neither coin changer 2 nor bill acceptor/validator 3 activity is detected, status of magnetic and IC card reader/writer 4 is read, as shown on FIG. 11, and if any kind of said card is inserted procedure is continued, as shown on FIG. 12, by identifying what kind of card is inserted. If inserted card is identified as a credit card, machine checks if said card is valid and in case that it proves invalid returns it, following the procedure as shown on FIG. 12.
Further procedure comprises the check whether said card is one with or without PIN and in case of card with PIN
request to enter PIN is displayed. Customer has right to two tries to enter corresponding PIN on keyboard 6 and if after second try correct PIN is not entered, card is returned and process suspended as shown on FIG. 12.
In case of valid credit or IC card with correct PIN
entered, said card is kept inside reader/writer 4 as long as entire process is completed. If inserted card is identified as debit card, first, company identification is checked and, if correct, machine continues procedure by checking whether minimum amount exists on said card, as shown on FIG. 13. If identification proves to be correct and minimum amount exists machine enables process to continue, holding the card as long as said procedure requires but if any of said checks do not comply with said requirements card is returned and process suspended, as shown on FIG. 13.

E

When said requirements for initial minimum amount insertion are satisfied, machine can continue process for any of said four machine's functions. As mail collection is the primary object of this invention, this process will be described first.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 4 and 14, if customer enters instruction that mail collection process is desired, instruction on how to insert mailing is displayed on LCD
8 and solenoid 13 opens insertion slot's sliding door 120, shown on FIG. 4. Customer then inserts mailing into the scale insertion slot 12, FIG. 4, and as soon as loading photosensor 30, FIG. 7, detects said incoming mailing, electric motor 23 is activated and it drives transport conveyor 25 which turns over its transmission cylinders 29, FIG. 7, and carries mailing toward right border of said insertion slot 12 When second loading photosensor 31, FIG. 7, detects mailing's edge, electric motor 23 stops which causes transport conveyor 25 to stop, leaving the mailing in front of printing window 122, shown on FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, and behind mailing pressing panel 16, shown on FIGS. 3, 4 and 6. According to physical configuration of present invention said insertion slot 12, transport conveyor mechanism 23, 25, 27 and 29 and mailing pressing mechanism 14, 15 and 16 are all mounted on insertion slot's rear wall 121 which is hung on electronic scale device 24 in order not to have any influence on mailing weight during weighing procedure of mailing. When said transport conveyor 25 stops, scale weighing device 24 is activated and data about mailing weight are then loaded into temporary memory unit 34. Simultaneously, instruction on how to enter required data about mailing destination on keyboard 6 are displayed and customer has to enter these data, wherein he can read the data on the face of mailing because said mailing has to be inserted so that the address written on its face when driven inside said insertion slot'12 comes behind transparent glass window 7 and transparent mailing pressing panel 16 and can be read from outside the machine. Data to be entered on keyboard 6 may comprise mailing's country of destination, zip code and some of the possible special requests, such as registered mail, express mail, etc. or any other data required by company standards. Referring to FIG. 14, according to data about mailing weight, data about destination and special requests and instructions stored in machine's memory, charge is calculated and displayed together with request for additional payment, if amount in escrow is not sufficient to cover the charge.
As shown on FIG. 15, customer inserts additional amount and in case that request is not fulfilled after second displayed warning mailing and already inserted cash are returned according to procedure on FIG. 18, wherein transport conveyor 25 is turned counterclockwise and drives mailing out of insertion slot 12 through insertion slot's sliding door 120 opened by its solenoid 13. If charge is to be paid by one of said magnetic cards machine continues procedure as shown on FIG. 16, wherein existing credit on said debit card may not be sufficient and therefore additional amount could be inserted in cash or paid by new debit card after said card is debited to zero but if request is not fulfilled, machine continues the above described returning procedure as shown on FIG. 18. For payment with credit or IC card as shown on FIG. 16, data about said card and corresponding charge are loaded into temporary memory unit 34 in order to be stored or forwarded for purpose of later billing. When charge is paid by one of said means machine continues procedure, as shown on FIG. 17, by activating mailing pressing unit's electric motor 14, FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, which pushes forward transparent pressing panel 16, FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, over the - 2~00682 transmission mechanism 15, FIGS. 3, 4 and 6. According to the process of the .invention, said panel 16 presses mailing on insertion slot's rear wall 121 and holds it there stationary, firmly enough that rear side of mailing leans against printing window 122, FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, flat enough that bar code can be printed.
Simultaneously, entered destination data are converted into chosen form of laser readable bar code and when mailing is pressed thermal transfer printing head 21, shown on FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, prints bar code on part of mailing which leans against said printing window 122 shown on FIGS. 4, 5 and 7. As shown on FIG. 5 thermal transfer printing configuration comprises four lateral holders built on machine basement, wherein two holders 22 are used to support configuration carriers 18, which are driven up and down over the two indented holders 19 by indented axle built-in stepping motor 17. Said configuration further comprises stepping motor 20, which over supporting bars built-in two said carriers 18 drives thermal transfer printing head 21 left and right, as shown on FIG. 5. Said bar code is printed as said head 21 moves left to right and when head 21 reaches right printing margin said carriers 18 move one step downward carrying the head 21 on next line printing position. According to described procedure, said bar code is printed on stationary mailing by moving printing head 21 in all four possible directions.
As shown on FIG. 8 when using the type of alphanumeric bar code, country code can be printed as one or combination of two letters (D for Federal Republic of Germany), zip code in numerals (2000 for Hambur in FRG
and 13 for certain section of Hamburg) and special request code as single letter (R for registered mail) and with assumption that when any of special requests is entered machine automatically prints identification code (OOOA). Said identification code is printed by using 2aOfl~~~

alphanumeric combinations starting with zeros and terminating with Zs (i.e. from 0000 to ZZZZ). This gives possibility for 36 to the n" power combinations wherein "n" can be determined in accordance with requirements. Example of bar code to be printed in case of mailing sent by regular mail, shown on FIG. 9, consists of country of destination code (US for USA) and zip code. In both cases, if required, date of acceptance and postage paid is also printed in human readable characters under the bar code. It is to be understood that any type of bar code can be used and arranged in any form proven to be the most suitable for purposes of later scanning but considering the fact that not all countries have numeric zip codes and that country code and special request code can be simply formed as combination of letters, shown alphanumeric CODE-39 seems to be the most suitable for said purposes.
It is also to be understood that some other printing means can be used instead of thermal transfer printing head, which seems to be the most suitable considering the costs and required bar code quality. When said bar code printing procedure is completed, said printing head 21 returns ~c~ its starting position and said pressing panel 16 returns backwards, leaving the mailing depressed on'transport conveyor 25 which is, according to the process of the invention shown on FIG. 17, turned downward by the electric motor 27, shown on FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, and mailing then drops inside storage box (not shown on FIGS.) through mailing drop 28, shown on FIG.
3. Said electric motor is mounted on insertion slot's rear wall and turns down and up entire transport conveyor configuration which consists of transport conveyor 25, its electric motor 23 and its cylinders 29, shown on FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 7. Within a predetermined period of time after mailing disappears from sight of photosensors 30 and 31 electric motor 27 turns conveyor configuration back in starting position.

6ECTION 8 CORt~ECTiON

~EECERTtFn~ATESimultaneously machine displays instructions on how to CORRECTION-ARTICLEScontinue process by entering instructions for "follow-VOIRCERTIFICAT

on" procedure, which can be entered in any case when some other machine's service is required, as shown on FIG. 17. If "follow-on" instruction is not entered, machine continues procedure by printing and dispensing a receipt from its dot matrix printer 5 in case of mailing with special requests and taking charged amount from escrow while returning the change or card, FIG. 17 and loading and transferring relevant data as shown on FIG.

23. Machine can either load all relevant data on disk in its disk drive unit 11, FIG. 4, for any later use or when connected on some external database transfer them to said database for any later use.

The next function of the present invention is the use as pay phone device, wherein the same previously quoted payment accepting and displaying means are used for this purpose. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown phone handle 10 hung on machine housing 1, comprising the phone unit and dialing keyboard inside its middle part and connected to phone line through said housing one.
Ref~rring to FIG. li,, if there is no minimum amount required for use of machine as pay phone device, as soon as any amount is inserted customer can pick up said phone handle 10 and get dial tone, while for all other said payment means bill and card validity checking procedure corresponds to one previously described for machine's mail collection function, as shown on FIGS. 12 and 13. Once dial tine is obtained credit in escrow or on d~bit card or confirmation for use of credit or IC
card is displayed, as shown on FIG. 19, and machine continues procedure by displaying instructions on how to dial desired number. When customer starts to dial desired number, said number is permanently displayed as dialed in order to avaid dialing of wrong number and machine continues by displaying information on whether zooos~~

or not said number is connected and instructions on how to repeat said dialing procedure if number is not obtained. When desired number is connected, if payment is made by cash or debit card, remaining credit is permanently displayed and line connected as long as credit equals zero, as shown on FIG. 20. If payment is made by credit or IC card, accumulated charge is permanently displayed and line can be disconnected by machine only in case that certain given limit is reached. Referring to FIG. 20, if line is disconnected by customer before credit equals zero or said limit is not reached, customer has opportunity to enter instruction for "follow-on" procedure before change from escrow or card is returned as shown on FIG. 22, after which machine continues procedure as shown on FIG. 23.
BECTIONBCORRECftONWith assumption that present invention is connected to sEE cE~nRicarE

CORRECTION-ARTICLESSome external database, said invention can be used as VOIRCERTiF'iCardata listing and data entry device while using the same said payment accepting, data entry, data displaying and data printing means. Referring to FIGS. 11, 12 and payment procedure for initial minimal amount corresponds to one previously described for machine's use as mail collecting device. As shown on FIG. 19, when customer enters instruction that connection with database is desired, information on how to obtain connection with certain database is displayed on LCD 8. Payment procedures for this machine's function corresponds to one describedi for use of machine as pay phone device, with assumption that charge per time unit (seconds) is higher than in previous case. Different data from different databases can be listed, such as data from phone book, Yellow Pages, Thomas Catalog etc., and each of them can be printed on machine's dot matrix printer 5 and dispensed to customer, if such instruction is entered on machine's keyboard 6. In addition to said data listing procedure, when allowed by said database process, customer can enter data into said database by entering them on machine's keyboard 6. Different reservations, purchasing or advertising procedures can be performed by using said procedure which allows convenient and economical access to said databases for general public.
If connected on telex line, present invention can be used as telex sending device for purpose of sending messages ~on any desired telex number, by using the same l0 said payment making, data entry, data displaying and printing :means as for the previously described machine's functions. Referring to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, payment procedure for initial minimum amount corresponds to previously described for other said machine's functions.

If customer enters instruction that telex connection is desired, instructions on how to print message and destination are displayed on LCD 8, as shown on FIG.
21.

Customer enters message and destination number, which are simultaneously displayed on said LCD a and can be corrected before entering instruction that message is completed. Referring to FIG. 21 again, according to length of entered message and its destination, charge is calculated and displayed for customer, together with request for additional amount, if amount in escrow is ON not sufficient to cover the charge. In case of debit 8ECT10N8CORi~EC1't ~EECER'rt~~~CarEcard payment' Warning is also displayed and if said ~(?RRECTION-ARTICLEerQquest is not fulfilled after displayed warning message VOIR C~R11F1CAT

is erased and inserted amount or card returned according to procedure shown on FIG. 22. If payment is correctly made, instruction on how to enter execute order is displayed, as shown on FIG. 21, and upon entering said order machine automatically dials desired number and sends entared message. If desired destination number is not available, machine continues dialing procedure for certain period of time, while keeping said message memorized as long as it proves that said number is not obtainable, when message is erased and cash or card returned as shown on FIG. 22. When said number is connected, message is sent and erased from machine's memory, but if instruction that customer wants message to be printed is previously entered, simultaneously with sending the message machine prints said message on its dot matrix printer 5 and dispenses it to customer.
Change from escrow or inserted card is returned according to procedure shown on FIG. 22, if "follow-on"
instruction is not entered by customer.
In accordance with the present invention, data storing or forwarding procedure and change or card returning procedure are identical, regardless of machine function, as shown on FIGS. 22 and 23. In any case when payment is made by credit or IC card, according to the process of the invention, receipt for charge paid is printed and dispensed to customer. Also, according to the process of present invention, regardless of machine function or stage of the procedures, when entering data customer always has possibility to correct said data immediately by moving the cursor over the displayed text.
It will be understood that present invention has been described in relation to the particular embodiment, herein chosen for the purpose of illustration and that the claims are intended to cover all changes and modifications, apparent to those skilled in the art, which do not constitute departure from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims (19)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Self-contained apparatus for processing and collecting an item to be mailed comprising:
computer means;
display means coupled to said computer means, said display means displaying information associated with the use of the apparatus such as the instructions for using said apparatus;
receiving means coupled to said computer means for receiving the item to be mailed;
data entry means coupled to said computer means and to said display means for entering data relating to the item to be mailed, such as the address to which said item is to be mailed;
weighing means coupled to said computer means and to said receiving means for securely weighing said item to be mailed;
determining means including said computer means and coupled to said data entry means and to said weighing means for determining the required postage for said item to be mailed;
payment means for accepting and verifying payment for said postage including said computer means and coupled to said display means, to said data entry means, and to said determining means;
means coupled to said computer means for providing machine readable information concerning the item to be mailed on the item to be mailed, such as the zip code to which said item is to be mailed;
transport means coupled to said computer means for transporting the item to be mailed from said receiving means to a storage area for subsequentpick up; and means coupled to said transport means for moving said transport means to drop said item in said storage area and moving said transport means to its original position after said item has been dropped in said storage area.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said display means are initially activated by a sensor detecting a person in proximity to said apparatus.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said receiving means include means for positioning said item to be mailed within said apparatus.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said data entry means include an alphanumerical keyboard coupled to said computer means and to said display means.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said payment accepting and verifying means include:
means including said computer means and coupled to said display means and to said determining means for detecting the presence of currency, for validating said currency, for counting said currency, and for returning change from said currency; and means including said computer means and coupled to said display means, to said data entry means, and to said determining means for detecting thepresence of debit, credit, or IC cards, for reading said cards, for validating said cards, for charging said cards, and for returning said cards.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said information providing means include:
means including said computer means for converting the information concerning the item to be mailed into laser readable bar code; and means for printing said laser readable bar code directly on the item to be mailed.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the information concerning the item to be mailed converted into said laser readable bar code includes information such as zip code, country code or special requests.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means coupled to said computer means for printing and dispensing human readable text detailing the transaction performed by said apparatus.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a telephone installation including;
means coupled to said computer means and to said display means for placing a telephone call; and means including said computer means and coupled to said display means and to said payment means for calculating a charge for said telephone call, said payment means being adapted to accept and verify payment for said telephone call charge.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a data listing and interacting capability including:
connector means coupled to said computer means and to said display means for connecting said apparatus to a database;
means coupled to said computer means, to said display means, and to said connector means for interacting with said database;
means coupled to said computer means, to said connector means, and to said interacting means for listing and printing data from said database; and means including said computer means and coupled to said display means and to said payment means for calculating a charge for the use of said data listing and interacting capability, said payment means being adapted to accept and verify payment for said data listing and interacting capability charge.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a telex message sending capability including:
means coupled to said computer means and to said display means for accepting and sending a telex message; and means including said computer means and coupled to said display means and to said payment means for calculating a charge for the sending of said telex message, said payment means being adapted to accept and verify payment for said telex message sending charge.

12. Self-contained apparatus for processing and collecting an item to be mailed and for telecommunicating comprising:
computer means;
display means coupled to said computer means, said display means displaying information associated with the use of the apparatus such as the instructions for using said apparatus;
receiving means coupled to said computer means for receiving the item to be mailed;
data entry means coupled to said computer means and to said display means for entering data relating to the item to be mailed, such as the address to which said item is to be mailed;
weighing means coupled to said computer means and to said receiving means for securely weighing said item to be mailed;
determining means including said computer means and coupled to said data entry means and to said weighing means for determining the required postage for said item to be mailed;
payment means for accepting and verifying payment for said postage including said computer means and coupled to said display means, to said data entry means, and to said determining means;
means coupled to said computer means for providing machine readable information concerning the item to be mailed on the item to be mailed, such as the zip code to which said item is to be mailed;
transport means coupled to said computer means for transporting the item to be mailed from said receiving means to a storage area for subsequentpick up;
means coupled to said transport means for moving said transport means to drop said item in said storage area and moving said transport means to its original position after said item has been dropped in said storage area;

telephone means coupled to said computer means and to said display means for placing a telephone call and means including said computer means and coupled to said display means and to said payment means for calculating a charge for said telephone call, said payment means being adapted to accept and verify payment for said telephone call charge;
connector means coupled to said computer means and to said display means for connecting said apparatus to a database;
means coupled to said computer means, to said display means, and to said connector means for interacting with said database;
means coupled to said computer means, to said connector means, and to said interacting means for listing and printing data from said database;
means including said computer means and coupled to said display means and to said payment means for calculating a charge for the use of said data listing and interacting capability, said payment means being adapted to accept and verify payment for said data listing and interacting capability charge;
and means coupled to said computer means and to said display means for accepting and sending a telex message and means including said computer means and coupled to said display means and to said payment means for calculating a charge for the sending of said telex message, said payment means being adapted to accept and verify payment for said telex message sending charge.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said information providing means include:
means including said computer means for converting the information concerning the item to be mailed into laser readable bar code; and means for printing said laser readable bar code directly on the item to be mailed.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the information concerning the item to be mailed converted into said laser readable bar code includes information such as zip code, country code or special requests.

15. A method of processing and collecting with, and otherwise operating a self-contained computerized apparatus, said apparatus comprising an insertion slot door, a transport conveyor and a storage area, comprising the steps of:
activating said apparatus by displaying information associated with the use of said apparatus when detecting a person in proximity to said apparatus;
receiving an item to be mailed through said insertion slot door;
positioning the item to be mailed inside said apparatus on said transport conveyor;
weighing the item to be mailed;
accepting information relating to the item to be mailed such as the destination of the item to be mailed;
determining the required postage for the item to be mailed;
accepting and verifying payment for said postage;
printing information related to the item to be mailed in a machine readable bar code on the item to be mailed;
moving said transport conveyor causing the item to be mailed to be dropped into said storage area; and moving said transport conveyor to its original position a predetermined amount of time after said item to be mailed was dropped in said storage area.

16. The method according to claim 15 further comprising the steps of:
connecting a telephone call;
calculating a charge for said telephone call; and accepting and verifying payment for said telephone call charge.

17. The method according to claim 15 further comprising the steps of:
connecting said computerized apparatus to a database;

interacting with said database;
calculating a charge for said database interaction; and accepting and verifying payment for said database interaction charge.

18. The method according to claim 15 further comprising the steps of:
sending a telex message;
calculating a charge for the sending of said telex message; and accepting and verifying payment for said telex message sending charge.

19. The method according to claim 15 wherein the step of printing information further comprises the step of converting said information, which includes a zip code, a country code or special requests, into laser readable barcode prior to printing said information on the item to be mailed.