Process for electronically printing envelopes

Process for electronically printing envelopes in which a list of recipient and sender names and addresses are stored in libraries in memory for selective accessing when programming an envelope print job, with programming control to adjust the location of the recipient's address printed on the envelopes, a postage stamp, and programming control to change the postal rate printed with the postage stamp on envelopes.

The invention relates to electronic printing, and more particularly, to a 
process for printing envelopes electronically. 
Electronic printing employs image signals or pixels as the image source 
when producing prints. The image signals may be obtained by scanning 
document originals, from remote sources, by keyboard input, etc. The image 
signals, following desired processing, are then used by a printer such as 
a laser or ink jet printer to produce prints on a print media, typically 
copy sheets. 
While copy sheets serve as the usual print media, printing on other media 
types may in certain print job applications be highly desirable. One such 
other media type is envelopes, since often the prints produced in a print 
job are later put in envelopes for delivery to various destinations 
through the Post Office mails. And, it would be advantageous to provide 
the ability to print envelopes per se. 
Printing envelopes, however, requires a number of specialized abilities, 
one of which is the ability to print the recepient's and sender's names 
and addresses in the correct location on the envelopes. In one typical 
situation, the sender addresses, that is, the names and addresses to whom 
the envelope and its contents are being mailed to, are not constant during 
a print run, but change with each envelope printed while the return 
address is fixed. Another situation is the case where return envelopes are 
printed for return mailings. In this case, the sender address is the same 
for each envelope. Other envelope printing situations may, of course, be 
envisioned. 
Further, the ability to also print the postage meter stamp is also 
desirable to enhance efficiency and avoid the need to later, in a separate 
operation, apply the postage stamp to each envelope print prior to 
mailing. And it may be desirable to print bar codes to facilitate postal 
service destination sorting or for site control. 
Since electronic systems have the ability to accept and store image data 
such as names and addresses in the form of image signals or pixels for 
printing purposes, as described, for example, in copending U.S. patent 
application No. 628,130, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,558, to John L. Rourke 
and entitled "Set Addressing For Electronic Printing Machines", the 
disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference, systems of this 
type have an advantage over using a conventional copier system for this 
purpose. In the copier environment as will be understood, addresses are 
typically copied onto labels which then are individually attached to the 
envelopes as by means of adhesive, a relatively slow and expensive 
process. Electronic systems, on the other hand, have the capability of 
printing not only names and addresses but postage stamps and other items 
such as logos, bar codes and the like directly on the envelopes without 
the use of an intermediate hard copy and the special handling that it 
requires. 
In the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 4,345,276 to Colomb discloses a method for 
selectively combining scanned digital images with the digitized data 
stored within a picture memory to create a single composite image for 
printing. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,378 to Suganuma et al discloses a 
document processing system in which forms are read and stored in memory 
and thereafter recalled as an electronic overlay into which additional 
image data is input as the form is filled out, while U.S. Pat. No. 
4,680,643 to Horiguchi discloses a process for superimposing a plurality 
of individual image segments into the divided sections of a common picture 
plane to form a single composite image. Japanese Patent No. 57-74740 to 
Sakai discloses a method for forming and printing a composite image by 
individually selecting and placing the digitized images of various 
characters and photographs stored in memory files into discrete areas of a 
print layout displayed on a CRT. Japanese Patent No. 59-103460 to Unemoto 
discloses a fax system for combining a main message with an address 
message sent by a second fax transmission wherein part of the main message 
is cut out and the address message inserted, while Japanese Patent No. 
60-224375 to Oota discloses a method for printing a composite image by 
combining individual image segments in a predefined arrangement. And, U.K. 
Patent Application No. GB 2,160,056A to Hirosawa et al, discloses a cut 
and paste method for creating a composite image in which individual image 
segments are combined in a predefined arrangement. 
In contrast, the present invention provides a method for processing 
envelopes in an electronic printing system having a printer for making 
prints on print media such as envelopes from image signals, memory means 
for storing the image signals for use by the printer in making prints, 
programming means including an interactive screen for programming the 
system to produce prints, a source of envelope print media, and envelope 
print media feeding means for feeding print media in succession to the 
printer for printing, comprising the steps of: displaying an envelope job 
ticket on the interactive screen having preselected default envelope 
programming selections including a preselected default sender address 
programming selection and a preselected default return address programming 
selection for programming an envelope printing job; providing a sender 
address directory in the memory having plural sender address files 
containing discrete sender addresses for programming selection; providing 
at least one return address file having plural return addresses for 
programming selection; accessing the sender address directory in the 
memory to display on the interactive screen the sender address files; 
visually identifying the preselected default sender address file on the 
interactive screen; using the interactive screen, selecting a new sender 
address file from the sender address files and visually identifying the 
new sender address file programming selection on the interactive screen in 
place of the default sender address file programming selection in response 
to selection of the new sender address file. 
The invention further provides, in an electronic printing system having a 
printer for making prints on envelopes, memory means for storing image 
signals for use by the printer in making prints on the envelopes, a supply 
of envelopes, and feeding means for feeding envelopes in succession to the 
printer for printing, the combination of: a sender address directory in 
the memory having plural sender address subdirectories, each of the sender 
address subdirectories having plural sender addresses for printing on the 
envelopes by the printer; a return address directory stored in the memory 
having plural return addresses for printing on the envelopes by the 
printer; programming means for selecting one of the sender address 
subdirectories from the sender address directory and one of the return 
addresses from the return address subdirectory for printing on the 
envelopes; and control means for setting the number of envelopes printed 
equal to the number of sender addresses in the one sender address 
subdirectory.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an exemplary image printing 
system 2 for processing envelope print jobs in accordance with the 
teachings of the present invention. Printing system 2 for purposes of 
explanation is divided into image input section 4, controller section 7, 
and printer section 8. In the example shown, image input section 4 has 
both remote and on-site image inputs, enabling system 2 to provide 
network, scan, and print services. Other system combinations may be 
envisioned such as a stand alone printing system with on-site image input 
(i.e., a scanner), controller, and printer; a network printing system with 
remote input, controller, and printer, etc. While a specific printing 
system is shown and described, the present invention may be used with 
other types of printing systems. For example, printer section 8 may 
instead use a different printer type such as ink jet, ionographic, etc. 
Referring particularly to FIGS. 2-4, for off-site image input, image input 
section 4 has a network 5 with a suitable communication channel such as a 
telephone line enabling image data in the form of image signals or pixels 
from one or more remote sources to be input to system 2 for processing. 
Where the Page Description Language (PDL) of the incoming imaging data is 
different than the PDL used by system 2, suitable conversion means (not 
shown) are provided. Other remote sources of image data such as streaming 
tape, floppy disk, etc. may be envisioned. 
For on-site image input, section 4 has a document scanner 6 with a 
transparent platen 20 on which documents 22 to be scanned are located. One 
or more linear arrays 24 are supported for reciprocating scanning movement 
below platen 20. Lens 27 and mirrors 28, 29, 30 cooperate to focus array 
24 on a line like segment of platen 20 and the document being scanned 
thereon. Image data in the form of image signals or pixels from net 5 or 
array 24 are input to processor 25 for processing. After processing, the 
image signals are output to controller section 7. 
Processor 25 converts the analog image signals output by array 24 to 
digital. Processor 25 further processes image signals as required to 
enable system 2 to store and handle the image data in the form required to 
carry out the job programmed. Processor 25 also provides enhancements and 
changes to the image signals such as filtering, thresholding, screening, 
cropping, scaling, etc. 
Documents 22 to be scanned may be located on platen 20 for scanning by 
automatic document handler (ADF) 35 operable in either a Recirculating 
Document Handling (RDH) mode or a Semi-Automatic Document Handling (SADH) 
mode. A manual mode including a Book mode and a Computer Forms Feeder 
(CFF) mode are also provided, the latter to accommodate documents in the 
form of computer fanfold. For RDH mode operation, document handler 35 has 
a document tray 37 in which documents 22 are arranged in stacks or 
batches. The documents 22 in tray 37 are advanced by vacuum feed belt 40 
and document feed rolls 41 and document feed belt 42 onto platen 20 where 
the document is scanned by array 24. Following scanning, the document is 
removed from platen 20 by belt 42 and returned to tray 37 by document feed 
rolls 44. 
For operation in the SADH mode, a document entry slot 46 provides access to 
the document feed belt 42 between tray 37 and platen 20 through which 
individual documents may be inserted manually for transport to platen 20. 
Feed rolls 49 behind slot 46 form a nip for engaging and feeding the 
document to feed belt 42 and onto platen 20. Following scanning, the 
document is removed from platen 20 and discharged into catch tray 48. 
For operation in the manual mode, document handler 35 is pivoted upwardly 
to expose platen 20. This permits the document 22 to be manually placed on 
platen 20 following which array 24 is operated to scan the document. When 
scanning is completed, the document is removed to clear platen 20 for the 
next document. For Book mode, the book is manually positioned face down on 
platen 20 with the center line of the book aligned with positioning 
indicia (not shown) located along the border of platen 20. By programming 
the system, either one or both of the pages of the book open on the platen 
are scanned. The process is repeated for different pages of the book until 
all of the pages desired have been scanned following which the book is 
removed to clear platen 20. 
For operation in the CFF mode, computer forms material is fed through slot 
46 and advanced by feed rolls 49 to document feed belt 42 which in turn 
advances a page of the fanfold material into position on platen 20. 
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, controller section 7 includes image input 
control 50, User Interface (UI) 52, system control 54, main memory 56, 
image manipulation section 58, and image output control 60. Image data 
from processor 25 of image input section 4 is input to image input control 
50 where the data is compressed and temporarily stored in Random Access 
Memory (RAM) 26 pending transfer to main memory 56 where the data is held 
pending use. 
As seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, control section 7 has a plurality of Printed 
Wiring Boards (PWBs) 70 coupled with one another and with RAM 26 by memory 
buses 72, 74. Memory controller 76 couples RAM 26 with buses 72, 74. PWBs 
70 include system processor PWB 70-1 having plural system processors 78; 
low speed I/O processor PWB 70-2 with UI communication controller 80 for 
transmitting data to and from UI 52; PWBs 70-3, 70-4, 70-5, with disk 
drive controller/processors 82 for transmitting data to and from disks 
90-1, 90-2, 90-3 respectively of main memory 56, with PWB 70-3 having 
image compressor/processor 51 for compressing the image data; image 
manipulation PWB 70-6 with image manipulation processor 85; and image 
generation processor PWBs 70-7, 70-8 with image generation processors 86 
for processing the image data for output to printer section 8 and dispatch 
processor PWB 70-9 for controlling transmission of data via dispatch 
processors 88, 89 to and from printer section 8. 
UI 52 includes a combined operator controller/CRT display consisting of an 
interactive touchscreen 62, keyboard 64, and mouse 66. UI 52 interfaces 
the operator with printing system 2, enabling the operator to program 
print jobs and other instructions, to obtain system operating information, 
instructions, programming information, diagnostic information, etc. Items 
displayed on touchscreen 26 such as files and icons are actuated by either 
touching the displayed item on screen 26 with a finger or by using mouse 
66 to move a cursor 67 to point the cursor to the item selected and keying 
the mouse. 
Main memory 56 has plural hard disks 90-1, 90-2, 90-3 for storing machine 
Operating System software, machine operating data, and the scanned image 
data currently being processed. 
When the compressed image data in main memory 56 requires further 
processing, or is required for display on touchscreen 62 of UI 52, or is 
required by printer section 8, the data is accessed in main memory 56. 
Where further processing other than that provided by processor 25 is 
required, the data is transferred to image manipulation section 58 on PWB 
70-6 where the additional processing steps selected such as collation, 
make ready, decomposition, etc. are carried out. Following processing, the 
data may be returned to main memory 56, sent to UI 52 for display on 
touchscreen 62, or sent to image output control 60. 
Image data output to image output control 60 is decompressed and readied 
for printing by image generating processors 86 of PWBs 70-7, 70-8. 
Following this, the data is output by dispatch processors 88, 89 of PWB 
70-9 to printer section 8. Image data sent to printer section 8 for 
printing is normally purged from memory 56 to make room for new image 
data. 
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, printer section 8 has a laser printer with a 
laser 91 modulated in accordance with the content of an image signal input 
by acousto-optic modulator 92 to provide imaging beam 94. Beam 94 is 
scanned across a moving photoreceptor 98 in the form of a belt by the 
mirrored facets of a rotating polygon 100 to imagewise expose 
photoreceptor 98 and create the latent electrostatic images represented by 
the image signal input to beam modulator 92. Photoreceptor 98 is uniformly 
charged by corotrons 102 at a charging station preparatory to exposure by 
imaging beam 94. The latent electrostatic images are developed by 
developer 104 and transferred at transfer station 106 to a sheet 108 of 
print media such as envelopes 160 (envelopes 160 are shown in FIG. 11), 
cards, post cards, etc. brought forward in timed registration therewith 
from either main paper tray 110 or from auxiliary paper tray 112, or 114. 
The developed image on sheet 108 is permanently fixed or fused by fuser 
116, the resulting prints being discharged to output tray 118, or 
alternately to finisher 120. Finisher 120 includes a stitcher 122 for 
stitching or stapling the prints together to form books and a thermal 
binder 124 for adhesively binding the prints into books. 
Referring particularly to FIG. 6, a plurality of printed wiring boards 
(PWBs) including EDN core PWB 130, a Marking Imaging core PWB 132, a Paper 
Handling core PWB 134, and a Finisher Binder core PWB 136 together with 
various Input/Output (I/O) PWBs 138 are provided. A system bus 140 couples 
the core PWBs 130, 132, 134, 136 with each other and with memory 56 while 
local buses 142 serve to couple the I/O PWBs 138 with each other and with 
their associated core PWB. 
On machine power up, the Operating System software is loaded from memory 56 
to EDN core PWB 130 and from there to the remaining core PWBs 132, 134, 
136 via bus 140, each core PWB 130, 132, 134, 136 having a boot ROM 147 
for controlling downloading of Operating System software to the PWB, fault 
detection, etc. Boot ROMs 147 also enable transmission of Operating System 
software and control data to and from PWBs 130, 132, 134, 136 via bus 140 
and control data to and from I/O PWBs 138 via local buses 142. Additional 
ROM, RAM, and NVM memory types are resident at various locations within 
system 2. 
Referring to FIG. 7, jobs are programmed in a Job Program mode in which 
there is displayed on touchscreen 62 a Job Ticket 150 and a Job Scorecard 
152 for the job being programmed. Job Ticket 150 displays various job 
selections programmed while Job Scorecard 152 displays the basic 
instructions to the system for printing the job. Various Job Ticket types 
are provided, with access by means of Job Types and Tickets icon 157. 
Job Tickets 150 have three programming levels, referred to as "Job Level", 
"Basic", and "Special", each having a series of icons for accessing the 
various programming selections available at that level. Each programming 
level has a Scorecard 152-1, 152-2, 152-3 associated with it so that on 
activation of a particular job level or of a specific icon, the 
appropriate Scorecard is displayed on touchscreen 62. 
As described print jobs may be derived from multiple sources, i.e., jobs 
scanned in using scanner 6 for printing; jobs scanned in, stored, and then 
edited or added to for printing later; jobs remotely scanned in and 
submitted to the system as for example through net 5; jobs remotely 
developed and then submitted to the system for printing, etc. 
As described herein, programming selections are made by touching the iconic 
programming representation displayed on touchscreen 62 or by using mouse 
66 to point cursor 67 at the desired iconic representation and keying the 
mouse. These actions may be referred to herein as actuating, highlighting, 
touching, etc. 
ENVELOPE DESCRIPTION 
Referring to FIG. 11, an envelope of the type printed by printing system 2 
is shown. As will appear, the envelope 160 of FIG. 11 comprises a sample 
envelope template 160-2 that may be displayed on screen 62 to assist the 
user in programming an envelope printing job. 
Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, to program system 2 to process envelopes 
160, "Job Types & Tickets" icon 157 is actuated to display a "Job 
Envelopes" ticket 150 having Job Level, Basic, and Special scorecards 
152-1, 152-2, 152-3 respectively, with Job Level scorecard 152-1 
displayed. Preselected default envelope programming selections or settings 
are provided. Job Level scorecard 152-1 enables the default programming 
settings for "Job Identification", "Destination", "Quantity", and "Output" 
programming selections to be changed. For example and as will appear more 
fully later, where it is desired to change the number of envelopes or sets 
of envelopes 160 printed from the default setting of "1", "Quantity" 
selection 162 is touched which as shown in FIG. 8 displays a keyboard 164. 
By touching selected keys 166 of keyboard 164, a new quantity is 
programmed. Changes to the default programming settings of "Job 
Identification", "Destination" and "Output" are similarly programmed. 
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, basic scorecard 152-2 enables the envelope size 
and/or stock default programming settings to be changed. Presuming that it 
is desired to change the envelope size default setting, Basic scorecard 
152-2 is highlighted to cause the Basic scorecard to be displayed on the 
left side of screen 62 in place of Job Level scorecard 152-1. Touching 
"Envelope Description" selection 168 of Basic scorecard 152-2 displays in 
work area 155 of screen 62 various pre-established envelope size selection 
icons 170-1, 170-2, 170-3, 170-4 together with an "Other" icon 170-n, the 
latter to enable odd size envelopes to be programmed. By touching one of 
the icons 170-1,170-3, 170-4, or 170-n, an envelope size other than the 
default envelope size (represented by icon 170-2) is programmed. 
Similarly, and referring to FIG. 10, where envelope stock other than white 
(the default setting) is desired, "Envelope Stock" icon 171 of Basic 
scorecard 152-2 is highlighted to display various envelope stock choice 
icons 172-1,172-2, 172-3, 172-4, 172-5 and "Other" icon 172-n. Touching 
one of the icons 172-2, 172-3, 172-4, 172-5, or 172-n programs a different 
envelope stock. 
To change the default programming settings for the images (i.e., addresses, 
stamp, etc.) to be printed on envelopes 160, Special scorecard 152-3 is 
selected and displayed on the left side of screen 62. 
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 11, to facilitate programming of envelope printing 
jobs, there is provided an "Envelope Template" selection icon 174 which 
may be selected anytime during programming of an envelope job. Selection 
of icon 174 displays on screen 62 in place of envelope Job Ticket 150 an 
Operator Envelope Template 160-1 with Sender Address, Return Address, Bar 
Code, Logo and Electronic Stamp fields 178, 180, 182, 184, 186, 
respectively. As used herein, "Sender Address" refers to the addressee to 
whom the envelope is addressed, while "Return Address" refers to the 
addressor who is mailing the envelope and its contents. In the example 
shown, Sender Address field 178 is variable while Return Address, Bar 
Code, Logo, and Electronic Stamp fields 180, 182, 184, 186, respectively, 
are fixed. Also displayed is a Sample Envelope Template 160-2 which 
depicts an envelope 160 with the Sender Address, Return Address, Bar Code, 
Logo, and Electronic Stamp having fields filled in with examples of sender 
address 198, return address 220, bar code 240, logo 234, and stamp 258 
following programming selections made by the operator. 
As will be understood, the number of fields may be varied to reduce or 
increase the number of items provided for. Further, some or all of the 
fields may be fixed or variable, the later permitting the location and/or 
size of the field and therefore the image data in the field to be varied. 
Referring particularly to FIGS. 7 and 12-14, to select Sender Addresses, 
"Sender Address" icon 190 on Job Ticket 150 is actuated from "off" to 
"on". This displays the Sender Address default setting (i.e., "Sender 
Address Directory-Group #2), which will be printed unless a different 
group of Sender addresses is selected. To view the Sender Addresses 198 in 
the default "Group #2" or to change to a different file or group of Sender 
Addresses, "Sender Address Directory" icon 190 is highlighted. As shown in 
FIG. 12, this displays a Sender Address Directory 192 together with any 
other groups 194 of sender addresses in the directory on screen 62, with 
the default group selection (i.e., "Group #2") highlighted to visually 
indicate the current programming selection. Actuating a different Sender 
Address Group reprograms the sender addresses from the preselected default 
group originally programmed to the newly selected sender address group. At 
the same time, the newly selected address group is highlighted on screen 
64 to show the new programming choice. 
Each sender address group or list 194 comprises a list of sender names and 
addresses (i.e., street and number, city or town, state, and zip code). 
The specific sender names, the number of names, the arrangement of the 
names in each group 194, etc., may vary as will be understood. For 
example, a group 194 may contain sender addresses arranged alphabetically, 
or by zip code, or by profession (i.e., doctors, lawyers), or in any other 
manner desired by the operator or user. 
To display the Sender Addresses in the group selected (i.e., "Group #2"), 
the sender address group that is highlighted on screen 62 (i.e., Sender 
Address Group #2) is actuated (SELECT SENDER ADDRESS GROUP). As shown in 
FIG. 13, this opens the selected group and displays the sender addresses 
198 in the group. Up and down scrolling icons 200, 202 enable the sender 
addresses 198 to be scrolled for viewing by the operator where the number 
of addresses in the group selected is greater than the display area 
provided. 
An envelope print mimic 160-3, similar to the envelope template 160-1 of 
FIG. 11, is also displayed on touchscreen 62 whenever sender address 
directory or a sender address group is accessed. Envelope mimic 160-3 is 
on one side of sender address directory 192 (FIG. 12) or sender address 
group 194 (FIG. 13), mimic 160-3 having Sender Address, Return Address, 
Bar Code, Logo, and Electronic Stamp fields 178, 180, 182, 184, 186, 
respectively displayed. 
Sender Address field 178, which depicts the relative size of the sender 
address and the position where the sender address will be printed on each 
envelope, is highlighted to indicate that programming of sender addresses 
is taking place. A scale of numbers extending along one side (i.e., along 
the Y axis) and along the bottom (i.e., along the X axis) of mimic 160-3 
shows the relative size and orientation of the addresses 198 that will be 
printed on the envelopes. 
In the example shown, Sender Address field 178 is variable to enable the 
operator to adjust the position where the sender addresses 198 will be 
printed on envelopes 160 (CHANGE ADDRESS LOCATION). X direction and Y 
direction scrolling icons 204, 206 respectively are used for this purpose. 
By selective actuation of scrolling icons 204, 206 (USE ARROW BUTTONS TO 
MOVE ADDRESS), the Sender Address field 178 can be moved in the X and/or Y 
directions to adjust the location of the address field and the position of 
the addresses 198 printed on the envelopes 160. Numerical displays 208, 
210 show the X and Y positions of the address relative to the envelope. 
Where desired, the addresses in the group of sender addresses selected may 
be changed or edited for the particular envelope print job. To temporarily 
erase certain addresses (ERASE ADDRESS) for the particular envelope print 
job being programmed, the address or addresses to be erased are 
highlighted and ERASE button 212 (SELECT ERASE BUTTON) actuated. New 
sender addresses (SELECT NEW ADDRESS) may be input via keyboard 64 or 
replacement addresses from another sender address group (SELECT REPLACE 
ADDRESS FROM MENU) may also be made. 
When the sender address selections are completed, the sender address group 
194 and sender address directory 192 may be closed (CLOSE SENDER ADDRESS 
GROUP) (CLOSE SENDER ADDRESS DIRECTORY) by touching CLOSE button 214. 
The minimum number of envelopes 160 to be printed in any run is equal to 
the number of different sender addresses in the group selected. 
Accordingly, selecting a sender address group normally programs number of 
envelopes printed. Where plural sets of envelopes are desired--a set being 
one printing of envelopes in a sender address group--"Quantity" selection 
icon 162 of Job Level scorecard 152-1 is used to program the number of 
sets. And, in cases where a single sender address is repeatedly printed on 
all envelopes as in the case where envelopes for return mailings are being 
printed, the number of envelopes to be printed is programmed using 
"Quantity" selection icon 162. 
Referring now to FIGS. 7, 11, and 15-17, to print return addresses, the 
"Return Address" icon 216 of Job Ticket 150 (or of Special scorecard 
152-3) is actuated to the "on" condition. This displays on screen 62 the 
default Return Address "Xerox Standard" which will be printed unless a 
different return address is selected. To change the return address, the 
"Return Address" icon 216 is touched. This displays a Return Address 
Directory 218 with a list of Return Address Subdirectories or files 219 
stored therein. An example is shown in FIG. 15 wherein the preselected 
default subdirectory is highlighted. To change to another Return Address 
Subdirectory 219, the desired subdirectory is actuated. 
By actuating a Return Address Subdirectory such as the highlighted default 
Return Address Subdirectory, a list of Return Address 220 stored in that 
particular subdirectory is displayed (FIG. 16), with the Return Address 
currently programmed (i.e., "Xerox Standard") highlighted. Up and Down 
scrolling icons 200, 202 enable the list of Return Addresses in the 
subdirectory to be scrolled for viewing by the operator as necessary. 
Highlighting a different Return Address 220 in the subdirectory 219 
displayed on screen 62 programs that Return Address 220. Closing the 
display programs the new Return Address selected. 
Return addresses 220 typically comprise the sender's name, street, city or 
town, state, and zip code. The return address field 180 on envelope print 
mimic 196 displayed on touchscreen 62 is highlighted to indicate that 
programming of the return address is taking place. 
Instead of selecting a pre-stored return address from return address 
directory 218, the return address may be entered through keyboard 64. 
While a Return Address Directory having plural Return Address 
Subdirectories 219 therein is disclosed, it will be understood that only a 
single Address Directory may be used. In that case, the Return Address 
Directory would contain one or more return addresses for programming 
selection. 
An envelope mimic 160-3 is displayed alongside the Return Address Directory 
and Subdirectory displays of FIGS. 16 and 17 having the Sender Address, 
Return Address, Bar Code, Logo, and Electronic Stamp fields 178, 180, 182, 
184, 186 respectively displayed with the Return Address field 180 
highlighted to indicate that programming of the return address is taking 
place. In the example shown, return address field 180 is fixed. It will be 
understood, however, that return address field 180 may be variable in 
which case X and Y number scales and X and Y scrolling icons would be 
provided as in the case of the aforementioned sender address mimic to 
enable the return address field 180 to be moved to change the location 
where the return address 220 is printed on envelopes 160. 
Referring particularly to FIGS. 7, 11 and 18, bar codes 240 may also be 
programmed for printing in the same manner as are sender addresses 
described above. Bar codes are typically used to facilitate automatic 
sorting of envelopes by the postal service, the bar code representing a 
discrete geographical Zip Code destination associated with the envelope's 
addressee. Bar codes may be used to represent other information as well. 
Where it is desired to print a bar code 240 on envelopes 160, "Bar Code" 
icon 242 is actuated from "off" to "on". This programs the default bar 
code selection (seen in FIGS. 11 and 18) for printing. Where it is desired 
to change to a different bar code 240, a "Bar Code Directory" icon 244 is 
actuated to display a Bar Code Directory or file (not shown) on screen 62 
containing a list of the bar codes 240 available for selection, together 
with envelope mimic icon 160-3 of the type shown in either FIGS. 12 and 13 
(where the bar code field 182 is variable) or in FIGS. 15 and 16 (where 
the bar code field is fixed) depicting the relative size and position of 
the bar code 240 on envelopes 160. Where it is desired to change to 
another bar code, the desired bar code from the list displayed on screen 
62 is selected. And as will be understood, where there is more than one 
Bar Code Directory, a different Bar Code Directory may be opened to 
display the bar code program choices therein. Alternately, a special bar 
code may be created for the job. 
Logos 234 for printing on envelopes 160 are stored in a merge library of 
the type described in copending U.S. Patent Application No. 590,633, filed 
Sep. 28, 1990, to Acco Hengst et al, and entitled "Process For Merging 
Merge Items With Prints Produced By Electronic Printing Machines", the 
disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. Where it is 
desired to print a logo on the envelopes, "Merge" icon 250 is actuated 
from an "off" condition to "on". This programs the default Logo (seen in 
FIG. 18) for printing. As in the case of bar code programming described 
above, where it is desired to change to a different logo, "Merge Library 
Directory" icon 254 is actuated to open the merge library directory or 
file (not shown) in which various Logo selections including the default 
Logo are stored together with an envelope mimic such as shown in FIGS. 12 
and 13 or FIGS. 15 and 16 displaying the Logo field 184 to indicate where 
Logo 234 will be printed on envelopes 160. Logo field 184 is highlighted 
to indicate that programming of the Logo is taking place. Actuating a 
different Logo selection programs that Logo for printing on envelopes 160. 
Where there is more than one library of Logos, other libraries are 
selected for display in the manner described. Alternately, a special Logo 
may be created for the job. 
Address directories/subdirectories such as sender address directory 192, 
may have a bar code and/or logo associated with one or more addresses such 
that on selecting a particular sender or return address from a directory 
or subdirectory, a preselected bar code and/or logo will automatically be 
programmed for printing in bar code and/or logo fields 182, 184 
respectively. Alternately, a specified bar code may be associated with a 
directory list such that the code will print automatically on every 
envelope until the directory list is exhausted. Further, a bar code may 
instead be identified in the merge library and assigned to be printed with 
a selected Logo or vice versa. 
The envelope print job may also include printing of postage stamp 258 on 
envelopes 160. Postage stamp 258 may simply comprise a reproduction of an 
approved postage meter with postal rate or a Logo with picture and postage 
rate (an example is shown in FIG. 18). The postal rate normally comprises 
a standard or bulk rate for certain size envelopes as set by the post 
office. Alternately, the system may manage matching of bulk postal rate to 
the size of the envelopes being printed. A plurality of different type and 
design postage stamp logos and/or postage rates may be provided in one or 
more Postage Stamp Directories or Subdirectories (not shown) for access 
and programming. 
To program system 2 to print postage stamp 258, "Stamp" icon 260 on 
scorecard 152-3 is actuated from the "off" condition to "on". This 
programs the default postage stamp (shown in FIG. 18) for printing on 
envelopes 160 in stamp field 186 and displays the default stamp logo and 
rate(i.e., "Bulk 22"). 
Where it is desired to change the default postage stamp selection, icon 264 
is actuated to display a Stamp Subdirectory or file (not shown) in which 
the default postage stamp selection is stored in the manner explained 
heretofore in connection .with sender address selection, return address 
selection, etc. Where there is more than one Stamp Subdirectory, the 
default Stamp Subdirectory is highlighted. By actuating the directory, a 
list of the various stamp selections in the directory is displayed on 
screen 62 with the default stamp selection highlighted. At the same time, 
an envelope mimic such as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 or FIGS. 15 and 16 may 
be displayed in work area 155, showing the stamp field 186 highlighted and 
depicting the location where the stamp will be printed on the envelopes. 
Actuating a different stamp selection programs the new stamp selection for 
printing on envelopes 160 in place of the default stamp selection. 
Following completion of the programming selections, CLOSE button 156 (FIG. 
7) is actuated to close the envelope Job Ticket. Actuating "Start/Print" 
button 158 transfers the envelope print job to a print queue (not shown) 
for printing by printer section 8 of system 2. 
Envelope print items such as Sender Address, Return Address, Bar Codes, 
Merge Items, Stamps, etc. may be derived by scanning in documents having 
the desired envelope print items thereon, or through input by keyboard 64, 
or through input from a remote source via net 5, streaming tape, etc. 
Where scanned in, the document containing the envelope print item(s) is 
placed on platen 20 by operating ADH 35 in one of the document handling 
modes described. The document is scanned to convert the envelope print 
item(s) to image signals. Since envelope print items such as sender 
addresses 198, return address 220, etc. are typically smaller than a 
standard image, editing may be required to remove extraneous image matter 
and to set the size and orientation of the item. For a more detailed 
discussion of editing items for printing, reference may be made to the 
aforecited .Acco Hengst et al application. 
It will be understood that the order in which the programming steps for 
programming system 2 for an envelope printing job is exemplary only and 
that the order in which the job is programmed may be carried out in a 
different sequence from that described and shown. Further, while certain 
of the fields 178, 180, 182, 184, 186 are shown and described as being 
movable or fixed, various other combinations of fixed and movable fields 
or arrangements in which all of the fields are fixed or movable may be 
contemplated. 
While the invention has been described with reference to the structure 
disclosed, it is not confined to the details set forth, but is intended to 
cover such modifications or changes as may come within the scope of the 
following claims.