Abstract:
The present invention provides special purpose label arrangement sets for use with computer-based postage systems to facilitate mailing tracking, sheets of such label arrangement sets, and methods for printing such label arrangement sets.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is related to: co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/975,532, filed Oct. 10, 2001, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING COMPUTER-BASED POSTAGE STAMPS,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/239,424, filed Oct. 10, 2000, entitled “A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING COMPUTER BASED POSTAGE STAMPS”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/905,329, filed Jul. 13, 2001, entitled “WEB-ENABLED VALUE BEARING ITEM PRINTING”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/585,025, filed Jun. 1, 2000 and entitled “ON-LINE VALUE BEARING ITEM PRINTING”; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/197,044, entitled “GENERIC VALUE BEARING ITEM LABELS”, filed Jul. 16, 2002, all of which have been, or will be, commonly assigned, the entire contents and disclosures of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The field of the present invention is labels, and more particularly, a special purpose label arrangement for use with Mail Piece Tracking.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     CONFIRM® service is a product offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS). U.S. Postal Service  Publication  197 (“ Publication  197”) describes in detail various aspects of the CONFIRM® service and CONFIRM® service interfaces;  Publication  197 is incorporated by reference in full herein for all purposes as if fully stated herein.  
         [0004]     CONFIRM® is a mail tracking service of PLANET™ Codes that provides electronic tracking information to USPS customers about their First-Class, Standard letter-size, flat mail and periodicals. CONFIRM® provides advance delivery information about incoming hard-copy reply mail (“Origin CONFIRM”) and outbound mail (“Destination CONFIRM”).  
         [0005]     In order to track mail, CONFIRM® uses a combination of two tracking numbers: a 5- or 11-digit POSTNET (POStal Numeric Encoding Technique) Code and a 12- or 14-digit PLANET™ Code. The POSTNET and PLANET™ Codes must be encoded as a barcode and applied to the mail piece.  
         [0006]     As each mail piece progresses through to its destination, the CONFIRM® barcode on each mail piece is scanned at the different USPS processing facilities through which it passes. Electronic information for each scan is captured and is sent to a centralized network service, which collects the scan data and packages it for use by USPS customers. The electronic scan information is then electronically transferred from the centralized network and is made available in two ways: through accessing a PLANET™ Codes website or via transmission of electronic files sent to subscribing USPS customers.  
         [0007]     A POSTNET Code identifies a particular delivery address. A PLANET™ Code identifies a particular CONFIRM® Subscriber&#39;s mailing.  
         [0008]     The United States Postal Service (USPS) provides the Information Based Indicia Program (IBIP.) The IBIP facilitates PC-based (Personal Computer based) Postage, also sometimes referred to as computer-based, or Internet-based, Postage. With PC Postage, a user can purchase postage credit, and print the postage in the form of PC Postage onto a label or directly onto a mail piece. A PC Postage label provides a human-readable portion and a 2-dimensional barcode portion. The human-readable portion includes the postage value, mail class, the date, and optionally a logo. The barcode portion is intended to help thwart fraud, and includes information about the mail piece including the destination ZIP code, the amount of postage applied, the date and time the postage was applied, and a digital signature so that the USPS can validate the authenticity of the postage.  
         [0009]     In one exemplary embodiment of PC Postage, a user subscribes to a third party Internet postage provider, such as, for example, Stamps.com (of Santa Monica, Calif.), and by using postage software made available by the Internet postage provider, postage value can be downloaded to the user&#39;s computer. The user can then print the postage indicia, by an ordinary laser or ink jet printer, directly onto the mail piece itself (e.g., onto business envelopes), onto a label to be applied to the mail piece, or alternately on an insert that can be placed into a window envelope so that it will show through a window envelope. Such postage software preferably works in conjunction with other software programs, such as word processing, accounting, database, and contact management software to allow a user to conveniently print PC Postage at the same time that addressee and bar code information is printed, and, in some cases of envelope printing, at the same time as the sender&#39;s return address is printed.  
         [0010]     An example of a computer-based postage system is a software-based, online postage system described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/163,993 filed on Sep. 29, 1998, by Mohan Ananda, entitled “On Line Postage System,” the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in full. The online postage system software comprises user code, also sometimes referred to as client software, that resides on a client system, and controller code, also sometimes referred to as server software, that resides on a server system. An exemplary on-line postage system may comprise a user system electronically connected to a server system, which in turn is connected to a USPS system. The server system is preferably capable of communicating with one or more client systems simultaneously.  
         [0011]     In order to facilitate mail handling and optical reading equipment processing of mail by the USPS and to properly interpret PC Postage, addressee information, and CONFIRM® tracking information, postage indicia and related labels need to be applied according to USPS guidelines. USPS guidelines directed to the margins, label sizes, and placement of Postage Indicia, and the size, placement, and other characteristics of POSTNET and PLANET™ bar codes, and any facing identification mark (FIM) on mail pieces are described in the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) and Title 39, Code of Federal Register (CFR), Part 111, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in full herein for all purposes.  
         [0012]     There are various laser and ink jet printers available for use, such as, for example, in conjunction with computers. Many home, office and small laser and ink jet printers are designed to accept sheets having a maximum width of 21.59 cm (8.5 inches), or in the case of wide format printers, about 27.94 cm (11 inches.) However, because many home and office printers are of the 21.59 cm (8.5 inches) variety, many self-adhesive label sheets have a width of 21.59 cm (8.5 inches) or less.  
         [0013]     A label arrangement is needed for use with computer-based Postage systems and computer printer printable labels for use with computer-based Postage systems to facilitate Mail Piece Tracking. Further, a method is needed for printing a special purpose label arrangement that has a label portion adapted to be printed with postage indicia, a label portion adapted to be printed with a first one-dimensional barcode representing mailing identification information, in some embodiments, a second one-dimensional barcode representing delivery address information, and in some embodiments, a label portion adapted to be printed with a delivery address.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     The present invention provides special purpose label arrangement sets for use with computer-based postage systems to facilitate mailing tracking, and sheets of such label arrangement sets, and methods for printing such label arrangement sets.  
         [0015]     A first exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a computer printer printable self-adhesive label set for use with a computer postage system, the label set comprising: a postage indicia label, wherein the postage indicia label is adapted to be printed with postage indicia; and an addressee label, wherein the addressee label is adapted to be printed with a delivery address, a first graphic symbology, such as a first barcode, representing mailing identification information, and a second graphic symbology, such as a second barcode, representing delivery address information.  
         [0016]     One exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a sheet of a plurality of computer printer printable self-adhesive label sets for use with a computer postage system, the sheet comprising: at least one self-adhesive label arrangement set, wherein each label arrangement set comprising: a postage indicia label, wherein the postage indicia label is adapted to be printed with postage indicia; and an addressee label, wherein the addressee label is adapted to be printed with a delivery address, a first graphic symbology, such as a first barcode, representing mailing identification information, and a second graphic symbology, such as a second barcode, representing delivery address information.  
         [0017]     A second exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a computer printer printable self-adhesive label set for use with a computer postage system, the label set comprising: a postage indicia label, wherein the postage indicia label is adapted to be printed with postage indicia; a first barcode label, wherein the first barcode label is adapted to be printed with a first graphic symbology, such as a first barcode, representing either mailing identification information or delivery address information. In the second exemplary embodiment, a second barcode label is provided wherein the second barcode label is adapted to be printed with a second graphic symbology, such as a second barcode, representing the other of either mailing identification information or delivery address information.  
         [0018]     One exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a sheet of a plurality of computer printer printable self-adhesive label sets for use with a computer postage system, the sheet comprising: at least one self-adhesive label arrangement set, wherein each label arrangement set comprising: a postage indicia label, wherein the postage indicia label is adapted to be printed with postage indicia; and a first barcode label, wherein the first barcode label is adapted to be printed with a first graphic symbology, such as a first barcode, representing mailing identification information.  
         [0019]     One exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method for printing postage indicia and mail piece tracking information onto a single sheet of self-adhesive labels containing at least one self-adhesive label arrangement set, the method comprising: directing a computer postage system to print postage indicia on a postage indicia label of one of the self-adhesive label arrangement sets; and directing the computer postage system to print a first graphic symbology, such as a first barcode, representing mail piece tracking information on a first barcode label of the self-adhesive label arrangement set.  
         [0020]     Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method for printing postage indicia and mailing tracking information onto a label arrangement set on a single sheet of self-adhesive labels, the method comprising: directing a computer postage system to print postage indicia on a first label of the label arrangement set wherein the first label of the label arrangement set is adapted to be printed with postage indicia; and directing the computer postage system to print a first graphic symbology on a second label of the label arrangement set, wherein the first graphic symbology represents mailing tracking information and wherein the second label of the label arrangement set is adapted to be printed with at least one graphic symbology representing mailing tracking information. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a first exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement set for use with a computer postage system in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of a first alternative configuration of the first exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement set for use with a computer postage system in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 3A  is a plan view of an exemplary sheet of a plurality of first exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement sets for use with a computer postage system in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 3B  is a plan view of a sheet on which is disposed a plurality of an alternative configuration of first exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement sets for use with a computer postage system in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 3C  is a plan view of a sheet on which is disposed a plurality of further alternative configuration of first exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement sets for use with a computer postage system in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of a further alternative configuration of first exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement sets for use with a computer postage system in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of another alternative configuration of first exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement sets for use with a computer postage system in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of a sheet on which is disposed a plurality of another alternative configuration of first exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement sets for use with a computer postage system in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 7A  is a plan view of a second exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement set for use with a computer postage system in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 7B  is a plan view of an exemplary sheet of a plurality of an alternative configuration of second exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement sets for use with a computer postage system in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 7C  is a plan view of a sheet of a plurality of a further alternative configuration of second exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement sets for use with a computer postage system in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIGS. 8 through 11  are plan views of various alternative configurations of a second exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement set for use with a computer postage system in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIGS. 12 through 16  are plan views of various alternative configurations of a third exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement set for use with a computer postage system in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 17  is a plan view of a sheet of a plurality of an alternative configuration of third exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement sets for use with a computer postage system in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0036]      FIG. 18  is a plan view of a sheet of a plurality of a further alternative configuration of third exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement sets for use with a computer postage system in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0037]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a first exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement set  12  for use with a computer postage system in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , each first exemplary label arrangement set  12  includes a first label  14  and a second label  16 .  
         [0038]     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , first label  14  of the first exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement set  12  is to the left of second label  16 . It will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art that in an alternative embodiment, the order of first label  14  and second label  16  could be reversed, such as is depicted in  FIG. 2 , so that first label  14  of label arrangement set  12 ′ is to the right of second label  16 .  
         [0039]     In the first exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement set  12  as depicted in  FIG. 1 , the first label  14  is a postage indicia label. Postage indicia label  14  has a top edge  14   a , a bottom edge  14   b , a right edge  14   c , and a left edge  14   d . Postage indicia label  14  has a width  18  and a height  20 . In the first exemplary embodiment, width  18  measures approximately 1.25 inches; height  20  measures approximately 1.75 inches. Postage indicia label  14  is adapted to be printed with postage indicia. Postage indicia label  14  provides three sections  31 ,  32 , and  33 .  
         [0040]     It will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art that the measurements given herein of exemplary labels are themselves illustrative and non-limiting; other dimensions could be used without departing from the spirit of the invention.  
         [0041]     When the first exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement set  12  depicted in  FIG. 1  is used for printing postage indicia on secured labels wherein each postage indicia label has a pre-assigned serial number, a serial number may be printed on the label stock at the time the postage indicia is printed; the at-print-time serial number would be printed as a record of the printing.  
         [0042]     Depending on the configuration of a plurality of label arrangement set  12 , the serial number would typically be printed on the label stock that is not part of the postage indicia label or other label in the label arrangement set  12 , either above, below or to the side of the postage indicia label  14 . In some cases, depending on the configuration of the plurality of label arrangement set  12 , the serial number may be printed according to an orientation that differs from the orientation of the postage indicia label  14 . For example, in  FIG. 3A , spaces  113 - 1 ,  113 - 2  and  113 - 3  would be adapted for printing a serial number record in landscape orientation as compared to the postage indicia labels  14 - 1 ,  14 - 2  and  14 - 3  which would be adapted for printing postage indicia in a portrait orientation.  
         [0043]     It will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art that placement of space reservation for serial number record printing can be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention.  
         [0044]     Returning with reference to  FIG. 1 , postage indicia label section  31  (below line  19 - 19  and to the right of line  21 - 21 ) is adapted to be printed with a two-dimensional postage indicia barcode. In an exemplary postage indicia label embodiment, an exemplary two-dimensional postage indicia barcode comprises information about the mail piece such as, for example, the destination ZIP code, the amount of postage applied, the date and time the postage was applied, and a digital signature so that the USPS can validate the authenticity of the postage.  
         [0045]     It will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art that the description herein of embodiments of the invention regarding one-dimensional and two-dimensional barcodes is non-limiting and illustrative; one-dimensional and two-dimensional barcodes are exemplary graphic symbologies; graphic symbologies other than those described herein could be used with the invention. As a further non-limiting example, embodiments herein describing a one-dimensional barcode representing mailing identification information could use instead a two-dimensional graphic symbology to represent mailing information without departing form the spirit of the invention. It will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art that the terms “barcode” and “bar code” are sometimes used, as those terms are used herein, in a general sense as referring to graphic symbologies in bar, matrix, or various other forms. The terms barcode, bar code and graphic symbology (in the singular or plural) are used interchangeably herein.  
         [0046]     Postage indicia label section  32  (to the left of line  21 - 21 ) is adapted to be printed with a serial number. In an exemplary postage indicia label embodiment, an exemplary serial number is printable in a landscape orientation.  
         [0047]     Postage indicia label section  33  (above line  19 - 19  and to the right of line  21 - 21 ) is adapted to be printed with a human-readable portion. In an exemplary postage indicia label embodiment, an exemplary human-readable portion comprises a human-readable postage value, a human-readable mail class, a human-readable date, and optionally a visual logo.  
         [0048]     The second label  16  is an addressee label. Addressee label  16  has a top edge  16   a , a bottom edge  16   b , a right edge  16   c  and a left edge  16   d . In an exemplary addressee label embodiment, the left edge  16   d  of addressee label  16  is separated from the right edge  14   c  of postage indicia label  14  by a width  38  measuring approximately {fraction (1/8)} inch. It will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art that, in alternative embodiments, the two labels  14  and  16  could abut each other; a single micro-perforated line separating the two labels  14  and  16  from each other.  
         [0049]     The addressee label  16  is adapted to be printed with a human-readable delivery address, a first one-dimensional barcode representing mailing identification information, and a second one-dimensional barcode representing delivery address information. Addressee label  16  has a width  22  and a height  24 . In the first exemplary embodiment, width  22  measures approximately 4 inches; height  24  measures approximately 1.75 inches. The addressee label  16  provides three sections  35 ,  36 , and  37 .  
         [0050]     The first addressee label section  35 , which is below line  17 - 17 , is adapted for printing a one-dimensional barcode comprising one of a one-dimensional barcode representing mailing identification information, such as a one-dimensional barcode representation of a PLANET™ code, or a one-dimensional barcode representing delivery address information, such as a one-dimensional barcode representation of a POSTNET code. First addressee label section  35  has a height  30 . In the first exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement set  12 , height  30  measures approximately 0.3 inch.  
         [0051]     The second addressee label section  36 , which is above line  15 - 15 , is adapted for printing a one-dimensional barcode comprising the other of a one-dimensional barcode representation of a PLANET™ code or a one-dimensional barcode representation of a POSTNET code. Second addressee label section  36  has a height  26 . In the first exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement set  12 , height  26  measures approximately 0.3 inch.  
         [0052]     The third addressee label section  37 , which is above line  17 - 17 , and below line  15 - 15 , is adapted for printing a human-readable delivery address. Third addressee label section  37  has a height  28 . In the first exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement set  12 , height  28  measures approximately 1.15 inches.  
         [0053]     As will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art, dashed lines such as  15 - 15 ,  17 - 17 ,  19 - 19 , and  21 - 21  are depicted in the drawings here but are not evident on the actual labels.  
         [0054]     In an alternative embodiment, no postage indicia label is provided, only a delivery address label  16  would be provided, and would be adapted to be printed with a human-readable delivery address, a first one-dimensional barcode representing mailing identification information, and a second one-dimensional barcode representing delivery address information as described above.  
         [0055]     As will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art, a plurality of the first exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement set  12  depicted in  FIG. 1  may be arranged in various possible ways on a sheet of arrangement sets. An exemplary sheet  100  comprising a plurality of first exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement sets  12 - 1  through  12 - 3  is depicted in  FIG. 3A . Exemplary sheet  100  has a width  111  that measures 8.5 inches and a height  112  that measures 11 inches.  
         [0056]     The construction of a sheet  100  of self-adhesive labels is conventional in that sheet  100  provides a top printable layer  141 . On the back  142  of the top printable layer  141 , adhesive material is provided covering the entire back  142 . Exemplary sheet  100  further provides a backing sheet  140  with low adhesion. The low adhesion of backing sheet  140  facilitates removal of a set, e.g., set  12 - 1  of labels  14 - 1  and  16 - 1  from sheet  100  so that the labels  14 - 1  and  16 - 1  can then be permanently attached to a mailing piece (not shown).  
         [0057]     Each label, e.g.,  14 - 1  and  16 - 1 , provide a corresponding perimeter,  101 - 1  and  102 - 1 , respectively. As will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art, the perimeter, e.g.,  101 - 1  and  102 - 1 , of each label,  14 - 1  and  16 - 1 , respectively, is formed, such as by, e.g., micro-perforations, that pierce the top printable layer  141 , but not the backing sheet  140 .  
         [0058]     Label sets  12 , and  12 - 1  through  12 - 3 , depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 3 A are depicted in portrait orientation respective to the sections adapted to be printed with human readable text, such as postage indicia label section  33  and delivery address label section  37 . It will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art that landscape orientation of the label sets  12 ″ and  12 ′″, such as depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , respectively, are also possible.  FIG. 6  depicts an exemplary alternative arrangement of label sets  12 - 1 ″ through  12 - 6 ″ in which each label set  12 - 1 ″ through  12 - 6 ″ is provided in landscape orientation respective to the sections adapted to be printed with human readable text, such as postage indicia label section  33  and delivery address label section  37 .  FIGS. 3B and 3C  depict plan views of further alternative arrangement label sets  12 ″″ and  12 ′″″, respectively. In alternative arrangement label sets  12 ″″ and  12 ′″″, postage indicia labels, e.g.,  14 - 1 , are adapted to be printed in landscape orientation relative to portrait orientation of delivery address labels, e.g.,  16 - 1 . In alternative arrangement label set  12 ″″ depicted in  FIG. 3B , postage indicia label, e.g.,  14 - 6 , with reference to portrait orientation of sheet  100 , is provided above delivery address label, e.g.,  16 - 6 , of the set. In alternative arrangement label set  12 ′″″ depicted in  FIG. 3C , postage indicia label, e.g.,  14 - 6 , with reference to portrait orientation of sheet  100 , is provided below delivery address label, e.g.,  16 - 6 , of the set.  
         [0059]     In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method for printing postage indicia and mail piece tracking information onto a single sheet of self-adhesive labels containing at least one self-adhesive label arrangement set is provided. In the exemplary method, a computer postage system is directed to print postage indicia on a postage indicia label of one of the self-adhesive label arrangement sets. The computer postage system is further directed to print a first one-dimensional barcode representing mail piece tracking information on a first one-dimensional barcode label of the self-adhesive label arrangement set.  
         [0060]     In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for printing postage indicia and mailing tracking information onto a label arrangement set on a single sheet of self-adhesive labels. In this method, a computer postage system is directed to print postage indicia on a first label of the label arrangement set wherein the first label of the label arrangement set is adapted to be printed with postage indicia. The computer postage system is further directed to print a first graphic symbology on a second label of the label arrangement set, wherein the first graphic symbology represents mailing tracking information and wherein the second label of the label arrangement set is adapted to be printed with at least one graphic symbology representing mailing tracking information.  
         [0061]      FIG. 7A  is a plan view of a second exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement set  112  for use with a computer postage system in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in  FIG. 7A , each second exemplary label arrangement set  112  includes a first label  14 , a second label  135 , and a third label  136 . Optionally, label arrangement set  112  could include a fourth label  150 .  
         [0062]     As depicted in  FIG. 7A , first label  14  of the second exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement set  112  is to the left of second and third labels  135  and  136 , respectively. It will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art that in an alternative embodiment, the order of first label  14  on the one hand, and second and third labels  135  and  136 , respectively (and optionally, fourth label  150 ) on the other hand, could be reversed, such as is depicted in  FIG. 8 , so that first label  14  of label arrangement set  112 ′ is to the right of second and third labels  135  and  136  respectively (and optionally, fourth label  150 ).  
         [0063]     In the second exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement set  112  as depicted in  FIG. 7A , first label  14  is a postage indicia label. Postage indicia label  14  has a top edge  14   a , a bottom edge  14   b , a right edge  14   c , and a left edge  14   d . Postage indicia label  14  depicted in  FIG. 7A  shares the same features as postage indicia label  14  described above with respect to the first exemplary embodiment and depicted in, e.g.,  FIG. 1 . Accordingly, postage indicia label  14  is not further described with respect to the second exemplary embodiment.  
         [0064]     In the second exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement set  112  as depicted in  FIG. 7A , second label  135  is a one-dimensional barcode label. One-dimensional barcode label  135  is adapted to be printed with a first one-dimensional barcode representing either mailing identification information, such as a PLANET™ code, or delivery address information, such as a POSTNET code. One-dimensional barcode label  135  has a top edge  135   a , a bottom edge  135   b , a right edge  135   c , and a left edge  135   d . One-dimensional barcode label  135  has a width  222  and a height  130 . In the second exemplary embodiment, the width  222  of one-dimensional barcode label  135  measures approximately 2.875 inches; height  130  measures approximately 0.3 inch.  
         [0065]     In the second exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement set  112  as depicted in  FIG. 7A , third label  136  is a one dimensional barcode label. One-dimensional barcode label  136  is adapted to be printed with a second one-dimensional barcode representing the other of either mailing identification information, such as a PLANET™ code, or delivery address information, such as a POSTNET code. One-dimensional barcode label  136  has a top edge  136   a , a bottom edge  136   b , a right edge  136   c , and a left edge  136   d . One-dimensional barcode label  136  has a width  222  and a height  126 . In the second exemplary embodiment, the width  222  of one-dimensional barcode label  136  measures approximately 2.875 inches; height  126  measures approximately 0.3 inch.  
         [0066]     In an exemplary embodiment that includes a return address label  150 , optional fourth label  150  is a return address label. Optional return address label  150  is adapted to be printed with a return address representing the return address of the mailer. Optional return address label  150  has a top edge  150   a , a bottom edge  150   b , a right edge  150   c , and a left edge  150   d . Optional return address label has a width  152  and a height  151 . In an exemplary embodiment that includes a return address label  150 , the width  152  of optional return address label  150  measures approximately 2 inches; height  151  measures approximately 1.25 inches.  
         [0067]     In the second exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement set  112  as depicted in  FIG. 7A , top edge  135   a  of one-dimensional barcode label  135  is separated from bottom edge  136   b  of one-dimensional barcode label  136  by an expanse  128  of top printable layer (see element  141  in  FIG. 3A ); the exemplary expanse  128  depicted in  FIG. 7A  measures approximately {fraction (7/8)} inch. In the second exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement set  112  as depicted in  FIG. 7A , if optional return address label  150  is provided, it would be provided between one-dimensional barcode label  135  and one-dimensional barcode label  136 .  
         [0068]      FIG. 7B  is a plan view of a sheet  100  of a plurality of exemplary label arrangement sets  112 ′″. Each exemplary label arrangement set  112 ′″ comprises: a postage indicia label, e.g.,  14 - 1 , that is adapted to be printed with postage indicia in portrait orientation; a first one-dimensional barcode label, e.g.,  135 - 1 , that is adapted to be printed with a first one-dimensional barcode representing either mailing identification information, such as a PLANET™ code, or delivery address information, such as a POSTNET code in landscape orientation; and a second one-dimensional barcode label, e.g.,  136 - 1 , that is adapted to be printed with a second one-dimensional barcode representing the other of either mailing identification information, such as a PLANET™ code, or delivery address information, such as a POSTNET code, in landscape orientation; both barcode labels, e.g.,  135 - 1  and  136 - 1  are provided below the corresponding postage indicia label, e.g.,  14 - 1 .  
         [0069]      FIG. 7C  is a plan view of a sheet  100  of a plurality of exemplary label arrangement sets  112 ″″. Each exemplary label arrangement set  112 ″″ comprises: a postage indicia label, e.g.,  14 - 1 , that is adapted to be printed with postage indicia in portrait orientation; a first one-dimensional barcode label, e.g.,  135 - 1 , that is adapted to be printed with a first one-dimensional barcode representing either mailing identification information, such as a PLANET™ code, or delivery address information, such as a POSTNET code, in landscape orientation; and a second one-dimensional barcode label, e.g.,  136 - 1 , that is adapted to be printed with a second one-dimensional barcode representing the other of either mailing identification information, such as a PLANET™ code, or delivery address information, such as a POSTNET code, in landscape orientation; both barcode labels, e.g.,  135 - 1  and  136 - 1  are provided to the right of the corresponding postage indicia label, e.g.,  14 - 1 .  
         [0070]     It will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art that alternative arrangements of one-dimensional barcode label  135 , and one-dimensional barcode label  136 , such as, but not limited to, those alternative label arrangement sets  112 ″- 1 ,  112 ″- 2  and  112 ″- 3  depicted in  FIGS. 9, 10  and  11 , respectively.  
         [0071]     In the label arrangement set  112 ″- 1  depicted in  FIG. 9 , one-dimensional barcode label  135  is separated by an expanse  128 ′ from one-dimensional barcode label  136 , where expanse  128 ′ measures only approximately {fraction (1/8)} inch; top edge  150   a  of optional return address label  150 , if present, would be below bottom edge  135   b  of one-dimensional barcode label  135 .  
         [0072]     In the label arrangement set  112 ″- 2  depicted in  FIG. 10 , bottom edge  150   b  of optional return address label  150 , if present, would be above top edge  136   a  of one-dimensional barcode label  136 .  
         [0073]     In the label arrangement set  112 ″- 3  depicted in  FIG. 11 , top edge  150   a  of return address label  150  abuts bottom edge  135   b  of one-dimensional barcode label  135 ; top edge  135   a  of one-dimensional barcode label  135  abuts bottom edge  136   b  of one-dimensional barcode label  136 ; left edges  150   d ,  135   d , and  136   d  of labels  150 ,  135  and  136 , respectively, abut right edge  14   c  of postage indicia label  14 .  
         [0074]      FIGS. 12 through 16  are a plan views of a third exemplary computer printer printable self-adhesive label arrangement set  212 ,  212 ′,  212 ″- 1 ,  212 ″- 2 , and  212 ′″, respectively for use with a computer postage system in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in  FIGS. 12 through 16 , each second exemplary label arrangement set  212  (and  212 ′,  212 ″- 1 ,  212 ″- 2 , and  212 ′″) includes a first label  14 , and a second label  136 . Optionally, label arrangement set  212  (and  212 ′,  212 ″- 1 ,  212 ″- 2 , and  212 ′″) could include a third label  150 .  
         [0075]     In the label arrangement sets  212 ,  212 ′,  212 ″- 1 ,  212 ″- 2 , and  212 ′″ depicted in  FIGS. 12 through 16 , first label  14  is a postage indicia label. Postage indicia label  14  depicted in  FIGS. 12 through 16  shares the same features as postage indicia label  14  described above with respect to the first exemplary embodiment and depicted in, e.g.,  FIG. 1 . Accordingly, postage indicia label  14  is not further described with respect to the third exemplary embodiment.  
         [0076]     In the label arrangement sets  212 ,  212 ′,  212 ″- 1 ,  212 ″- 2 , and  212 ′″ depicted in  FIGS. 12 through 16 , second label  136  is a one-dimensional barcode label  136 . One-dimensional barcode label  136  depicted in  FIGS. 12 through 16  shares the same features as one-dimensional barcode label  136  described above with respect to the second exemplary embodiment and depicted in, e.g.,  FIG. 7A . Accordingly, one-dimensional barcode label  136  is not further described with respect to the third exemplary embodiment.  
         [0077]     In the label arrangement sets  212 ,  212 ′,  212 ″- 1 ,  212 ″- 2 , and  212 ′″ depicted in  FIGS. 12 through 16 , optional third label  150  is a return address label  150 . Return address label  150  depicted in  FIGS. 12 through 16  shares the same features as return address label  150  described above with respect to the second exemplary embodiment and depicted in, e.g.,  FIG. 7A . Accordingly, return address label  150  is not further described with respect to the third exemplary embodiment.  
         [0078]     In the label arrangement sets  212 ,  212 ′,  212 ″- 1 ,  212 ″- 2 , and  212 ′″ depicted in  FIGS. 12 through 16 , either the top edge  150   a  of optional return address label  150  faces the bottom edge  14   b  or bottom edge  150   b  faces the top edge  14   a  of postage indicia label  14 , as the case may be.  
         [0079]     In the label arrangement sets  212 ,  212 ′,  212 ″- 1 ,  212 ″- 2 , and  212 ′″ depicted in  FIGS. 12 through 15 , either the top edge  136   a  of one-dimensional barcode label  136  faces the right edges  14   c  and  150   c  of postage indicial label  14  and return address label  150 , respectively, or the bottom edge  136   b  of one-dimensional barcode label  136  faces the left edges  14   d  and  150   d  of postage indicial label  14  and return address label  150 , respectively, as the case may be. In  FIG. 16 , top edge  136   a  of one-dimensional barcode label  136  faces left edges  14   d  and  150   d  of postage indicial label  14  and return address label  150 , respectively.  
         [0080]     The labels provided in label arrangement sets  212 ,  212 ′,  212 ″- 1 ,  212 ″- 2 , and  212 ′″ depicted in  FIGS. 12 through 16 , are adapted for printing only a single one-dimensional barcode representing either mailing identification information, such as a PLANET™ code, or delivery address information, such as a POSTNET code. The orientation of the one-dimensional barcode label  136  is reversed from that of the orientation of the postage indicia label  14  and the return address label  150 . For example, in  FIGS. 12 through 15 , postage indicia label  14  and the return address label  150  are adapted for printing postage indicia and return address respectively in portrait orientation; one-dimensional barcode label  136  is adapted for printing in a landscape orientation, a one-dimensional barcode representing either mailing identification information, such as a PLANET™ code, or delivery address information, such as a POSTNET code. In  FIG. 16 , postage indicia label  14  and the return address label  150  are adapted for printing postage indicia and return address respectively in landscape orientation; one-dimensional barcode label  136  is adapted for printing in portrait orientation, a one-dimensional barcode representing either mailing identification information, such as a PLANET™ code, or delivery address information, such as a POSTNET code.  
         [0081]     As will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art, a plurality of label arrangement sets  112  and  212  (and  212 ′,  212 ″- 1 ,  212 ″- 2 , and  212 ′″) can be arranged on sheets in various configurations. For example,  FIG. 17  depicts a plan view of an exemplary configuration of a sheet  1000  of a plurality of label arrangement sets  112 ″- 1  ( 112 ″- 1   a  through  112 ″- 1   i ).  
         [0082]      FIG. 18  is a plan view of a sheet  1000  of a plurality of exemplary label arrangement sets  212 ″″- 1  through  212 ″″- 9 . Each exemplary label arrangement see, e.g.,  212 ″″- 1 , comprises: a postage indicia label, e.g.,  14 - 1 , that is adapted to be printed with postage indicia in landscape orientation; a first one-dimensional barcode label, e.g.,  136 - 1 , that is adapted to be printed with a first one-dimensional barcode representing either mailing identification information, such as a PLANET™ code, or delivery address information, such as a POSTNET code, in landscape orientation; and a return address label, e.g.,  150 - 1 , that is adapted to be printed with a return address, in portrait orientation. In each set, e.g.,  212 ″″- 1 , the return address label, e.g.,  150 - 1 , is provided below the corresponding postage indicia label, e.g.,  14 - 1 ; the corresponding one-dimensional barcode label, e.g.,  136 - 1 , is provided to the right of the corresponding postage indicia label, e.g.,  14 - 1 , and corresponding return address label, e.g.,  150 - 1 .  
         [0000]     Facsimile Reproduction of Copyright Material  
         [0083]     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection by the copyright owner, Stamps.com Inc., and its successors and assigns. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.  
       ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0084]     Although this invention has been described in certain specific embodiments, many additional modifications and variations would be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Moreover, to those skilled in the various arts, the invention itself herein will suggest solutions to other tasks and adaptations for other applications. Thus, the embodiments of the invention described herein should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents rather than the foregoing description.