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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is generally concerned with apparatus for preparing,
processing and delivering letters, and more particularly with a modularly
constructed, computer controlled system for generating, transmitting and
printing formal business letters including letter mail.
A large proportion of the business offices of industrialized nations are
equipped with modern word processing apparatus, the use of which has
reduced the cost of preparing formal business letters and relieved
secretarial personnel of many of the traditionally labor intensive
activities inherent in the task of preparing such letters. A continuing
need exists however for further reducing the cost of preparation of such
letters due to increases in labor costs involved in such activities. In
addition it is noted that relatively little progress has been made in the
way of reducing labor costs associated with the distribution of such
letters after preparation. For the most part, modernization of the
distribution process has focused upon rapid delivery, as opposed to cost
reduced delivery, of such letters. For example, numerous private carriers
and the United States Postal Service have inaugurated rapid but costly
delivery systems for distributing time sensitive business letters.
Further, although it may appear that facsimile transmission systems, which
have been installed in most of such business offices for the transmission
of business letters via telephone lines, have resulted in distribution
savings, since many of facsimile transmissions are followed by delivery of
the formal letters, either as a business courtesy or due to it being
imperative for legal documentation purposes to provide original letters,
savings are not realized.
On the other hand, conventional apparatus, although available for
performing major functions that are useful for further reducing the cost
of preparing business letters and, in addition, significantly reducing the
cost of delivering such letters, have either not been adapted for such use
or not been recognized as being useful for such purposes.
In connection with seeking a solution to the problem of high mail
distribution costs, the assignee of the present invention has recently
introduced a bulk mail processing system for large business mailers. This
system permits such mailers to deliver mailpieces which, rather than
including a stamp, postage indicia or a permit mail notation, include a
serial number and written line of information. The serial number is
located in the mailpiece's "stamp" area, whereas the written line of
information is associated with the addressee area of the mailpiece. In
addition to including the postage cost, the written line includes other
relevant information required by the Postal Service, including the serial
number of the apparatus which was used for printing the postage cost. Such
bulk mailings must be accompanied by a manifest, known in the art as a
passport, which reports, for example, the total postage cost, piece count
and class or classes of mail of the bulk mailing, the serial number of the
postage dispensing apparatus utilized for processing the mailpieces, and
other relevant data concerning the bulk mailing.
Apart from the foregoing there are other cost-effective distribution
systems available to large bulk mailers that are unavailable to small bulk
mailers. For example, permit and pre-sort bulk mailings have been
available to large bulk mailers for many years. As with manifest bulk
mailings, permit mail must be delivered to the Postal Service during
normal business hours for inspection and verification purposes. To that
end, an inspection location is provided by the Postal Service, where the
mailing costs are calculated and paid before the permit mail is routed to
the general mailstream for processing along with mail picked up by the
Postal Service at local mailboxes. Similarly, presorted bulk mailings are
inspected to verify that the mailpieces have been pre-sorted, and,
therefore, entitled to the reduced postage cost permitted for handling
pre-sorted mail.
The aforesaid manifest, permit and pre-sort bulk mailings must be delivered
to the Postal Service during normal business hours for verification and
cannot be delivered to local mailboxes, which are used extensively by
small business mailers, for pick-up by the Postal Service. Although such
systems are cost-effective for large business mailers who are equipped to
handle tens of thousands of letters, small business mailers cannot avail
themselves of their benefits due to the smaller volumes of mail involved
and unavailability of mail processing apparatus, or both. Thus, there is a
need in the business community to provide small business mailers with bulk
mailing systems and apparatus for processing mail which permits them to
participate in the manifest, permit and pre-sort bulk mailing programs of
the Postal Service. And, preferably such apparatus should allow for the
use of local mailbox deliveries, outside of the normal business hours of
the Postal Service.
Aside from all of the foregoing it is noted that there has been a long felt
need in the business community to avoid using see-through type envelopes
for sending, advertising materials to prospective customers, due to such
envelopes being extensively used by the business community for mailing
monthly billings. Because of such usage, see-through type envelopes
involve such a negative reaction in potential customers to whom
advertising materials are directed, that they are as often as not disposed
of without being opened, although the enclosed contents of the envelope
might have persuaded the recipient to become a customer had the contents
been read by the recipient.
Accordingly:
An object of the invention is to provide improvements in apparatus for
preparing letters;
Another object is to provide improvements in methods and apparatus for
processing letters;
Another object is to provide methods and apparatus for reducing the cost of
preparation and delivery of letters, including bulk and letter mail;
Another object is to provide improvements in methods and apparatus for
generating, transmitting or printing letters, including bulk and letter
mail; and,
Another object is to provide modularly constructed apparatus and systems
for preparing, processing, and delivering formal business letters,
including bulk and letter mail.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Apparatus for preparing mailpieces, comprising: printing means; means for
supplying a plurality of stationery items; and computer means, said
computer means including means for receiving and storing data including
different letter datum corresponding one-for-one to different information
provided for preparing each of a plurality of different mailpieces, said
information for each mailpiece including a postal zip code, said computer
means including means for identifying respective postal zip codes which
each include a plurality of predetermined elements, said computer means
including means for sorting from said data the letter datum corresponding
to information which includes an identified postal zip code, said computer
means including means for causing said supplying means to selectively
supply to said printing means the respective stationery items for each
mailpiece for which a postal zip code is identified, and said computer
means including means for causing said printing means to print the
information corresponding to the sorted letter datum for each mailpiece on
the stationery items selected therefor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
As shown in the drawings wherein like reference numeral designate like or
corresponding parts throughout the several views:
FIG. 1(a) is a front view of a bond paper envelope which may be utilized as
a stationery item according to the invention;
FIG. 1(b) is a front view of a bond paper sheet which may be utilized as a
stationery item according to the invention;
FIG. 1(c) is a front view of a printed bond paper envelope which may be
utilized as a stationery item according to the invention, showing
alphanumeric and graphic letter head printing of the type that may be
pre-printed or printed according to the invention;
FIG. 1(d) is a front view of printed bond paper sheet, which may be
utilized as a stationery item according to the invention, showing
alphanumeric and graphic letter head and foot printing of the type that
may be pre-printed or printed according to the invention;
FIG. 1(e) is a front view of a printed bond paper envelope, of the type
shown in FIG. 1(c), including postage indicia and address information
which may be printed according to the invention for preparing a business
envelope;
FIG. 1(f) is a front view of a printed bond paper sheet, of the type shown
in FIG. 1(d), including alphanumeric and graphic information which may be
printed according to the invention for preparing a business letter;
FIG. 1(g) is a front view of a printed bond paper envelope, of the type
shown in FIG. 1(a), including alphanumeric and graphic information which
may be printed according to the invention for preparing a return envelope;
FIG. 1(h) is a front view of a printed bond paper sheet, of the type shown
in FIG. 1(b), including alphanumeric information which may be printed
according to the invention for preparing a remittance slip;
FIG. 1(i) is a front view of a printed bond paper envelope, of the type
shown in FIG. 1(c), including alphanumeric and graphic information which
may be printed according to the invention for preparing a bulk mailing
envelope;
FIG. 1(j) is a front view a printed bond paper sheet, of the type shown in
FIG. 1(b), including alphanumeric and graphic information which may be
printed according to the invention for, preparing a passport;
FIG. 1(k) is a front view of a plastic card of the type passport data by
electro-optical, magnetic or electronic means;
FIG. 1(l) is a front view of a printed bond paper sheet, of the type shown
in FIG. 1(b), including alphanumeric and graphic information printed
according to the invention for preparing a more complex passport than the
passport shown in FIG. 1(j);
FIG. 2(a) is a schematic view of a plurality of data input modules of the
apparatus for processing stationery items according to the invention;
FIG. 2(b) is a schematic view of a system computer adapted for use in the
apparatus according to the invention;
FIG. 2(c) is a schematic view of a plurality of modules adapted to be
controlled by the computer of FIG. 2(a) for processing stationery items
according to the invention;
FIG. 2(d) is a schematic view of a plurality of additional modules adapted
to be controlled by the computer of FIG. 2(a) for processing stationery
items in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of apparatus for preparing letters for bulk
mailing and manifesting;
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the processing steps implemented by the main
line program of the computer shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the processing steps implemented by the
input data processing program, of the computer shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6(a) are flow charts showing the processing steps implemented by the
programs of the computer shown in FIG. 2(b) for controlling operation of
the scanning and letter opening modules shown in FIG. 2(a);
FIG. 6(b) are flow charts showing the processing steps implemented by the
programs of the computer shown in FIG. 2(b) for controlling operation of
the applications software, storage media, communications link and
stationery items feeding modules, shown in FIG. 2(a);
FIG. 6(c) is a flow chart showing the processing steps of the printing
module program of the computer shown in FIG. 2(b) for controlling
operation of the respective printing modules shown in FIG. 2(d);
FIG. 6(d) is a flow chart showing the processing steps of the accounting
module program of the computer shown in FIG. 2(b) for controlling the
respective accounting modules shown in FIG. 2(d) and the accounting
structure shown as included in any printing module shown in FIG. 2(d);
and,
FIG. 6(e) are flow charts showing the processing steps implemented by the
programs of the computer shown in FIG. 2(b) for controlling operation of
the folding, inserting and weighing modules, and other printing and
accounting modules shown in FIGS. 2(c) and 2(d).
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1(a)-1(e) inclusive show examples of various types of business
stationery items and accounting materials which may be utilized in
accordance with the present invention for preparing and processing
letters, including letter mail.
FIG. 1(a) shows a high quality bond paper envelope A, of the type that may
be used in a business office for business correspondence as well as for
personal correspondence and other informal purposes. The envelope A
exemplifies a type of stationery item which is devoid of any pre-printed
markings prior to utilization and which may be processed utilizing the
apparatus according to the invention.
FIG. 1(b) shows a high quality bond paper sheet B, of the type that may be
used in a business office for personal correspondence or other informal
purposes, or as a second or subsequent page of a formal business letter,
or for portraying graphic information to be included with any type of
letter. Like the envelope A of FIG. 1(a), the sheet B exemplifies a type
of stationery item which is devoid of any pre-printed markings prior to
utilization, and which may be processed utilizing apparatus according to
the invention.
FIG. 1(c) shows a high quality bond paper envelope C, of the type that may
be used in a business office for formal business correspondence. An
envelope C typically includes the business tradename C1, in the upper
left-hand quadrant of the envelope C, alone or in combination with a
tradename design C2, of the business mailer, or addressor, who is the
owner of the tradenames C1 and C2. The envelope C may also include the
location C3 of the addressor, who, for the sake of convenience, has been
chosen to be the assignee of the present invention. The envelope C
exemplifies a type of business stationery item which includes pre-printed
markings C1, C2 and C3 prior to utilization, although it is within the
scope of the invention to provide apparatus for printing the alphanumeric
and graphic information forming one or more of the markings C1, C2 and C3
on a partially marked envelope C, or on an unmarked envelope such as the
envelope A shown in FIG. 1(a).
FIG. 1(d) shows a high quality bond paper sheet D, of the type that may be
used in a business office as a first page of formal business
correspondence. Like the envelope C of FIG. 1(c), the sheet D typically
includes the business tradename C1 (FIG. 1(d)), alone or in combination
with a tradename design C2, of the business mailer who is the owner of the
tradenames C1 and C2. Further, the sheet D may also include the business
location C3 of the addressor located in the lower left-hand quadrant of
the sheet D, although it is within the scope of the invention to provide
the location part of the address of the addressor in any position on the
sheet D, including in the upper left-hand quadrant as shown in FIG. 1(c)
or to the right of the tradename C1. The sheet D exemplifies another type
of business stationery item which includes pre-printed markings C1, C2 and
C3 prior to utilization, although it is within the scope of the invention
to provide apparatus for printing the alphanumeric and graphic information
forming one or more of the markings C1, C2 and C3 on a partially marked
sheet D or on an unmarked sheet, such as the sheet B shown in FIG. 1(b).
FIG. 1(e) shows an envelope E, similar to the envelope C shown in FIGS.
1(c), which includes the tradenames and address information C1, C2 and C3
as shown in FIG. 1(c), and, in addition, includes the address E1,
including the name, of the addressee of the envelope E. In addition the
envelope E has printed thereon the addressee's postal zip code E2, a
typical bar code E3 which exemplifies any postal bar code and, although
not accurately portrayed, is intended to be representative of the postal
bar code corresponding to the postal zip code E2, and a postage indicia E4
of a typical postage meter manufacturer, which, for convenience, has been
chosen to be the postage indicia E4 of the assignee of the present
invention. In connection with the foregoing it is noted that the bar code
E3 is located in the lower left hand quadrant of the envelope E, although
current U.S. Postal Regulations require such postal bar codes to be
located in the lower right quadrant. This has been done to exemplify the
fact that in accordance with the invention, the apparatus hereinafter
discussed may be adapted for printing bar codes in any location on any
given stationery item. The postage indicia E4 includes a postage value E5,
which is representative of any postage value that is needed for mailing
the envelope and its contents of other printed stationery items to the
addressee E1. The envelope E, exemplifies a typical stationery item which
has printed thereon alphanumeric and graphic information, C1, C2, C3, E1,
E2, E3 and E4, which may be printed utilizing apparatus according to the
present invention.
FIG. 1(f) shows a sheet F, similar to the sheet D shown in FIGS. 1(d),
which includes the tradenames and address information C1, C2 and C3 as
shown in FIG. 1(d), and, in addition, includes alphanumeric and graphic
information F1 which may be printed on the first or any subsequent page of
a business letter. The sheet E exemplifies a typical stationery item
including alphanumeric and graphic information, C1, C2 and F1, which may
be printed on a stationery item utilizing apparatus according to the
present invention.
FIG. 1(g) shows an envelope G, similar to the envelope A shown in FIG.
1(a), which includes the address G1, including the name, of a typical
addressor in the upper left-hand quadrant of the envelope G, and the name,
including the address G2, of a typical addressee G2 in the lower
right-hand quadrant. The address G2 includes the postal zip code G3 of the
addressee. The envelope G additionally has printed thereon the bar code G4
corresponding to postal zip code G3 of the addressee and a typical postage
franking reminder note G5 located in the upper right hand quadrant.
Further, the envelope G includes a code G6 located in the lower left-hand
quadrant. The code G6 may be any code assigned by the addressee of the
envelope G for identifying the envelope G, or the addressor of the
envelope G, for remittance mail processing purposes. The envelope G is
dimensioned for insertion in an envelope, such as the envelope E shown in
FIG. 1(e), for return to the business-mailer. The envelope G is
representative of a typical return-envelope type of stationery item, which
includes alphanumeric and graphic information, G1-G6 inclusive, which may
be printed utilizing the apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 1(h) shows a sheet H, similar to the sheet B shown in FIG. 1(b), which
is provided with the address H1, including the name, of the addressor in
the lower left-hand quadrant. The sheet H also includes the address H2,
including the name, of the addressee in the lower right-hand quadrant. The
sheet H is additionally provided with the account number H3 of the
addressor as assigned by the addressee, in this instance Pitney Bowes Inc.
The sheet H is intended to be an invoice in the form of typical remittance
slip. To that end, the sheet H preferably includes the aforesaid customer
account number H3, which may be any number or alphanumeric identifier of
the customer, including the customer's tax code, social security number,
or the like. A code H4 may also be provided for identifying the sheet H
for sortation purposes. When the sheet H is returned by the
customer-addressee, in this instance John T. Doe, the sheet H may be
processed by apparatus controlled by a computer program implemented in
response to such apparatus sensing the presence of the code H3 or H4.
Assuming use of the code H3, the computer may be programmed for causing
the operation of other apparatus, for example a printer to print a message
indicating that the remittance slip of a particular customer has been
received. In any event, the code H4 or account number H3, or both may be
provided for identifying the sheet H, customer, or both, and, upon return
to the addressee, may be used for generating data for causing machine
operations and for other purposes, as more fully described in U.S.
application Ser. No. 025,522 of Robert T. Durst, Jr. et al. for
Interactive Outgoing and Incoming Mailpiece Processing system, assigned to
the assignee of the present invention and filed concurrently herewith. The
sheet H is representative of a typical remittance-slip type of stationery
item, including alphanumeric information H1-H4 inclusive, which may be
printed utilizing the apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 1(i) shows an envelope I, similar to the envelope A shown in FIG.
1(a), which has been provided with the address I1, including the name, of
the addressor in the upper left-hand quadrant of the sheet I, and the
address I2, including the name, of the addressee spanning the lower left
and right hand quadrants. In addition, the sheet I has been provided with
a line of mailing information I3, which may but need not be the first line
above the address I2 of the addressee. The mailing information I3 may
include the postage value noted at I4, or another number or series of
characters uniquely assigned to a particular mailpiece for delivery to a
Postal Service with a single passport as hereinafter discussed, for
mailing the envelope I. In addition the mailing information I3 may include
the date of mailing I5, followed by a multi-digit accounting code I6, such
as an alphanumeric code which is the serial number of the postage metering
apparatus, or other source of supply of available postage, which was
utilized for dispensing the postage value noted at I4. Further the code I6
may include a number corresponding to the amount of postage remaining in
the postage dispensing or other apparatus which was utilized for
dispensing the postage cost I4 after deduction of that cost. The envelope
I is also is provided with a typical postage paid marking I7, which may
include a permit or other number identifying the postal service
contractor, or permittee, who was granted the right by the Postal Service
to mark mailpieces as shown. Rather than identifying the permittee, the
number or code provided with the postage paid marking I7 may be a number
corresponding to a count of the number of mailpiece, including the
mailpieces shown, processed by the postage metering apparatus, or other
source of supply of postage, which was utilized for dispensing the postage
value noted at I4. The envelope I exemplifies a typical stationery item
which has printed thereon alphanumeric and graphic information, I1-I7
inclusive, for preparing mailpieces for bulk mailing, in accordance with
the invention, utilizing the apparatus according to the invention.
FIG. 1(j) shows a sheet J, similar to the sheet B shown on FIG. 1(b), which
has printed thereon a summary of relevant bulk mailing data of the type
that may be required by a Postal Service Agency to account for the total
of all postage used by a business mailer when preparing a bulk mailing of
postage-paid mailpieces utilizing envelopes such as the envelope I shown
in FIG. 1(i). Such mailpieces are preferably delivered to the Postal
Agency in a sealed, distinctively marked envelope or mail pouch, to which
there has been attached or otherwise removably included a summary of
accounting information concerning the contents of the sealed envelope or
mail pouch. The summary of accounting information is referred to by
skilled artisans as a "passport". Typically, such a passport may include a
code or other number J1 identifying the "batch" of postage paid mailpieces
with which the particular passport is delivered to the Postal Service,
and, assuming the particular batch of mailpieces consists of more than one
"run", or part of larger batch, the passport may include a number
identifying the particular run of mailpieces. Accordingly, a given batch
of mailpieces may be delivered as a series of runs of a batch of
mailpieces each of which includes a passport identifying the run number J2
as well as the batch number J1. In addition the passport may include a
piece count J3 consisting of a count of the mailpieces delivered with the
passport, the date J4 and time J5 the last mailpiece included in the run
or batch was processed by the postage dispensing device utilized for
preparing the mailpieces, a number or name indicating the mailing
classification J6 of the mailpieces, a number J7 corresponding to the
total of all postages remaining stored in the descending register of the
postage dispensing device utilized for processing the mailpieces included
in the run or batch, and the total of all postage used J8 for processing
all of the mailpieces included in the run or batch. In addition the
summary would ordinarily include the name of the manufacturer J9, serial
number J10, and user J11 of the postage dispensing device utilized for
processing the mailpieces in the run or batch, and, may also include a
transaction number J12. The transaction number may be a code or serial
number which uniquely distinguishes the run or batch referred to in the
passport from all other runs or batches processed by the particular
postage dispensing device utilized for preparing the mailpieces included
in the run or batch, or processed by the particular postage dispensing
device since it was last credited with a postage amount available for
printing. The sheet J, thus exemplifies a typical stationery item which
has printed thereon alphanumeric and graphic information, J1-J12
inclusive, for preparing a passport for delivery with a bulk mailing of
mailpieces, utilizing the apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 1(k) shows a token K such as a conventional plastic credit-type card,
in which there may be stored the accounting data and other information
needed for providing the summary of bulk mail accounting information
referred to in the discussion of FIGS. 1(f) and 1(l). Thus the token K may
be used as another form of passport. To that end, the token K preferably
has imbedded therein a suitable electronically, electro-optically or
magnetically alterable data storage medium K1. The storage medium K1 may
be any type device which is adapted to be programmed by a program writing
device into which the token K may be inserted for programming purposes.
For the purpose of identifying a given one of such program writing devices
with which the token K is to be associated, the token K may include the
name of the manufacturer J9 and serial number J10 of the program writing
device, which may for example be an appropriately equipped postage
dispensing device, with which the token K is to be associated, it being
understood that the associated program writing device would be comparably
identified.
FIG. 1(l) shows a sheet L, similar to the sheet B shown in FIG. 1(b), which
is utilized as a passport of the type shown in FIG. 1(j). The sheet L
includes a more complex summary of bulk mailing data than the summary
referred to in the discussion of FIG. 1(j). In this connection, the
passport shown in FIG. 1(l) may include information corresponding to the
matters J1-J12 discussed above and any other informational entries that
may be required by a Postal Service Agency, including a certification
statement L1 prepared for the signature of the Postal Inspector receiving
the passport. A more detailed discussion of the passport shown in FIG.
1(l) may be found in U.S. application Ser. No. 940,110 filed Dec. 10, 1986
by Ronald P. Sansone for A System and Method of Processing Multiple
Statements Sheets and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
The sheet L exemplifies a typical stationery item which has printed
thereon alphanumeric and graphic information for preparing a passport
utilizing the apparatus according to the present invention.
With the above thoughts in mind, it is noted that the return envelope G
together with the return remittance slip H may be enclosed by a business
letter mailer in either of the envelopes E or I. In either instance, when
the return document G or H, as the case may be, is returned, the codes G6,
H3 and H4 may be detected by appropriate sensors operably associated with
computer controlled mailpiece processing apparatus, as more fully
discussed in the aforesaid U.S. patent application Ser. No. 025,522 of
Robert T. Durst, Jr. et al., filed concurrently herewith. Other
combinations, sizes and shapes of envelopes A, C, E, G and I, and sheets
B, F, H, J and L may be used as stationery items, by persons skilled in
the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,
including for example window-type envelopes and appropriately printed
stationery items for use with window-type envelopes.
As shown in FIG. 2(a) the apparatus 10 according to the invention generally
includes a plurality of data input modules, including one or more scanning
modules represented by the scanning module 12.
The scanning module 12 (FIG. 2(a)) may include a stacking structure 14
including a hopper 14A into which there may be loaded one or more sheets
16, which are preprinted to include alphanumeric or graphic information,
or both, which a business mailer wishes to have printed on a stationery
item. The scanning module 12 may include any type of document scanning
structure 17, including for example an optical character reading (OCR)
device. Further, without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention, the module 12 may comprise a conventional facsimile
transceiver. The scanning module 12 may therefore be conventionally
adapted to receive letter data from a remotely located facsimile
transmitter 18 via a conventional telephone line 20. Further, without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention the scanning module
12 may be conventionally adapted to receive sheets 16, one at a time from
a conventional letter opening module 50, hereinafter discussed in greater
detail, in which instance the scanning module 12 may not be provided with
an input stacker 14. In either instance, the scanning module 12 includes
conventional sheet feeding and scanning structures, 22 and 17
respectively. The scanning structure 17 detects alphanumeric and graphic
information on each sheet 16 as it is fed by the feeding structure 22, in
a predetermined path of travel extending past the scanning structure 17,
and provides an analog or digital output signal, such as the signals 26 or
28, which are representative of such the information, depending upon the
design of the scanning structure 17. The scanning module 12 may also
include a conventional output stacker 30 into which the respective sheets
16 are fed by the feeding structure 22 after being scanned. The scanning
module 12 is preferably a conventional, standalone, device which includes
a control structure 32, preferably including a microprocessor, for
controlling the module 12. In addition, the scanning module 12 includes
one or more motors 34 conventionally connected to the stackers, 14 and 30,
and feeder 22, directly or via one or more drive units 36. The module 12
additionally includes a plurality of conventional sensing devices 38, some
of which are operably coupled to the motors 34, drive units 36 and feeder
22, for sensing various operational positions thereof, including their
respective home positions. Another of such sensors 38 is operably located
relative to the sheets in the stacking structure 14 for determining
whether or not a sheet is available for scanning. And, other sensors 38
are operably located relative to the sheet feed path for sensing the
presence or absence of sheets 16 at various positions in the sheet feed
path. The motor 34 and drive units 36 and 38 are conventionally coupled to
the control structure 32 for operation thereby, and the sensors 38 are
suitably coupled to the control structure 32 for providing signals to the
control structure 32 which are indicative of the aforesaid conditions and
positions of the motors 34, drive units 36, feeder 22 and sheets 16.
Further, the scanning module 12 includes a conventional operator interface
40, coupled to the control structure 32 for operation thereof in response
to operator input signals. Preferably the control structure 32 includes a
two-way serial or parallel communication link 42, via which the respective
data and sensor signals 26 or 28, as the case may be, are transmitted to
an external source, such as the computer hereinafter described, and via
which control signals, such as the signal 43, may be received from the
external source. Accordingly, complete control of the operation of the
module 12 may be exercised from an external source, such as a computer,
rather than from the operator interface 40.
Assuming the provision of a letter opening module 50 (FIG. 2(a)), the
module 50 preferably includes conventional stacking structure 52 into
which one or more mailpieces 53 may be loaded for processing. Like the
scanning module 12, the letter opening module 50 is preferably a
conventional standalone module, which is adapted for external control. To
that end, the module 50 includes a suitable control structure 54,
preferably including a microprocessor, for controlling the various
structures and functions of the module 50 in accordance with input signals
received from an operator interface 56 which is conventionally coupled to
the control structure 54. Further, the control structure 54 is
conventionally constructed and arranged to include a two-way serial or
parallel communication link 58, via which respective data signals, such as
the signal 58A may be transmitted to an external source such as the
computer hereinafter described, and via which control signals, such as the
signal 58B, may be received from the external source. Accordingly,
complete control of the module 50 may be exercised from an external source
communicating therewith via the channel 58. The module 50 includes a
plurality of sensors 60 which are conventionally coupled to the control
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