Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a system for thermally cancelling postage and a thermally cancellable picture postage stamp for use therein. A picture postage stamp is disclosed wherein the design and postage information are affixed on thermally reactive paper. Alternatively, the indicia may be comprised of thermally reactive inks or dyes. Cancelling a thermally cancellable picture postage stamp is accomplished with a heat source such as a cancellation write head. Hidden text of code can be embedded in the thermal paper and the cancellation mark can be any indicia or information that can be generated by a thermal print head. Cancelling the thermally cancellable picture postage stamp may also be accomplished manually with a pointed instrument or any semi hard edge such as a pen cap, ring or fingernail. Cancellation of the present thermally cancellable picture postage stamp can be further verified by placing the stamp on a presently described envelope or mailer having a thermally reactive area for receiving postage and cancellations. Using an envelope with a thermally reactive area allows for thermal cancellations that extend beyond the boundary of the thermally cancellable picture postage stamp, thereby effectively matching the thermal cancellation of the stamp to the cancellation on the envelope. The present thermally cancellable picture postage stamps may be manually applied using a cancellation gun that simultaneously applies postage and cancels same on a mailer.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to postage cancellation. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system for thermally cancelling postage and a thermally cancellable picture postage stamp for use in the system. 
         [0002]    Picture postage stamps are the predominate form of pre-paying for postal services in the United States and in most other countries. Most picture stamps consist of a small paper rectangle or square paper substrate with an easily identifiable indicia or image and a postage amount. They are affixed to an envelope or other mailer by a gum-free pressure sensitive adhesive or a water activated glue on the rear surface of the stamp. Because picture stamps can be removed from a posted envelope with relatively little effort and then reused, the U.S. Postal Service has mandated that every picture stamp be cancelled during sorting at a postal processing and distribution center. Since the Civil War the U.S. Postal Service has waged an ongoing battle against postage stamp reuse. Currently, estimates place picture stamps as accounting for 30% of revenue for the almost 47 billion dollar operating budget of the U.S. Postal Service. 
         [0003]    Mail received at a postal processing and distribution center is sorted by type; the processing of standard sized envelopes and cards is highly automated. Before entering the automated portion, route carriers separate metered mail into separate bins from stamped mail, which are designated for cancelling and postmarking. After initial culling of bundles and packages, the remaining mail enters the Advanced Facer-Canceler System (AFCS/ISS) for cancelling. The cancellation section is the slowest section in the mailing process. Pieces that do not conform to physical dimensions for processing in the AFCS/ISS (i.e. large envelopes or overstuffed standard envelopes) are automatically diverted from the stream and are manually cancelled. The AFCS/ISS is an extremely cumbersome machine requiring up to twenty postal workers to operate, and that, due to its mechanically letter facing, is specially fitted with exposure protection and a vacuum system for chemical and biological tainted mail threats, such as recent Anthrax laces postage. Likewise, metered mail bins found to contain stamped mail are rerouted for manual cancellation. The AFCS/ISS is a remarkable device that can locate the position of postage on an envelope, and reorient the envelope to the proper orientation (face the envelope) before cancelling the stamp. Pieces that do not receive a cancellation and those that are mis-cancelled are segregated for manual cancellation. 
         [0004]    Manual cancellation typically involves a postal worker checking each piece for postage and then manually, or hand-cancelling the stamp with a pen or marker (hence the term “pen cancellation”). In the past, pen cancelling a stamp involved making a specified mark, such as a set of initials, an “X” or “Z”, or a checkered pattern, which involved making several pen strokes. Postal workers routinely pen cancel two to five thousand pieces at a time. With the current volume of hand cancellations, most workers mark a nondescript cancellation line somewhere across the stamp. Pen cancelling is an arduous process that typically results in an additional three to seven days to the delivery time. Even including manual cancelling, about 5% of the stamps processed are not cancelled before being sent to the addressee. 
         [0005]    Increasing, stamp reuse includes stamps that have been cancelled. An illegal cottage mail fraud industry has evolved for the purpose of thwarting cancelling efforts. While the details of these efforts need not be disclosed herein, several reliable methods exist for immunizing postal stamps from the cancelling dye or washing the dye from a stamp. Other techniques have evolved for lifting stamps from envelopes without damaging the stamp. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed to a system for thermally cancelling postage and a thermally cancellable picture postage stamp for use therein. A picture postage stamp is disclosed wherein the design and postage information are affixed on thermally reactive paper. Alternatively, the indicia may be comprised of thermally reactive inks or dyes. Cancelling a thermally cancellable picture postage stamp is accomplished with a heat source such as a cancellation write head. Hidden text of code can be embedded in the thermal paper and the cancellation mark can be any indicia or information that can be generated by a thermal print head. Cancelling the thermally cancellable picture postage stamp may also be accomplished manually with a pointed instrument or any semi hard edge such as a pen cap, ring or fingernail. Cancellation of the present thermally cancellable picture postage stamp can be further verified by placing the stamp on a presently described envelope or mailer having a thermally reactive area for receiving postage and cancellations. Using an envelope with a thermally reactive area allows for thermal cancellations that extend beyond the boundary of the thermally cancellable picture postage stamp, thereby effectively matching the thermal cancellation of the stamp to the cancellation on the envelope. The present thermally cancellable picture postage stamps may be manually applied using a cancellation gun that simultaneously applies postage and cancels same on a mailer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The novel features believed characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1A  shows a thermally cancellable stamp with indicia and postage in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 1B  shows a thermally cancellable stamp after thermal cancelling in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 1C  shows a thermally cancellable stamp after thermal cancelling in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1D  shows a thermally cancellable stamp after manual cancelling in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  is thermal paper stamp stock for use in self-posting stamps in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2B  shows thermal paper stamp stock thermally cancellable stamp after thermal cancelling in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  shows a thermally cancellable stamp after thermal cancelling and postmarking in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows thermal paper stamp stock with a sabot origination code in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  shows a thermal paper picture postage stamp with a sabot origination code after thermal cancellation and postmarking in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6A  shows a typical number 10 envelope (business letter) with a thermally receptive treatment in the area for receiving postage and cancellations in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6B  shows a typical business class flat or packet with a thermally receptive treatment in the area for receiving postage in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7A  is a top view of a thermal cancellation writer in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7B  is a side view of a thermal cancellation writer in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  shows a thermally receptive number 10 envelope posted with a thermally cancellable stamp after being cancelled with the present thermal cancellation writer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9A  is a cross-sectional diagram of a manual self-cancelling postage stamp ‘gun’ for simultaneously posting and cancelling a picture postage stamp in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9B  is a diagram of a cancellation pen for cancelling a thermally cancellable stamp in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  shows a thermally receptive number 10 envelope posted with a thermally cancellable stamp after being cancelled with the present self-cancelling postage stamp gun in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11A  is a cross-sectional diagram of a thermal self-cancelling postage stamp gun for simultaneously posting and cancelling a picture postage stamp in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11B  is a diagram of a thermal cancellation head for thermally cancelling a thermally cancellable stamp in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  shows a thermally receptive number 10 envelope posted with a thermally cancellable stamp after being cancelled with the present thermal self-cancelling postage stamp gun in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0028]    Other features of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the following detailed description. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Element Reference Number Designations 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 100: 
                 Thermally cancellable picture postage 
               
               
                   
                 stamp 
               
               
                 102: 
                 Thermal cancellation marks 
               
               
                 104: 
                 Thermally cancelled face amount 
               
               
                 106: 
                 Thermally cancelled white space 
               
               
                 108: 
                 Manual cancellation mark 
               
               
                 200: 
                 Thermal substrate paper for postage 
               
               
                 202: 
                 Machine cancelled thermal postage 
               
               
                   
                 paper 
               
               
                 300: 
                 Thermally cancellable picture postage 
               
               
                   
                 stamp 
               
               
                 302: 
                 Date and postal code cancellation 
               
               
                 400: 
                 Thermal substrate paper for postage 
               
               
                 402: 
                 Sabot information embedded in thermal 
               
               
                   
                 substrate paper for postage 
               
               
                 500: 
                 Thermally cancellable stamp with 
               
               
                   
                 embedded sabot information 
               
               
                 502: 
                 Date and the postal code cancellation 
               
               
                   
                 across a thermally cancellable stamp 
               
               
                   
                 embedded sabot information 
               
               
                 600: 
                 No. 10 envelope with thermally sensitive 
               
               
                   
                 cancellation area 
               
               
                 602: 
                 Thermally sensitive cancellation area 
               
               
                 610: 
                 Mailer with thermally sensitive 
               
               
                   
                 cancellation area 
               
               
                 612: 
                 Thermally sensitive cancellation area 
               
               
                 700: 
                 Thermal cancellation writer 
               
               
                 702: 
                 Track 
               
               
                 712: 
                 Rollers 
               
               
                 720: 
                 Thermal write head 
               
               
                 722: 
                 linear strips of heating resistors 
               
               
                 724: 
                 Activation zones 
               
               
                 730: 
                 Optical sensors 
               
               
                 740: 
                 Envelope 
               
               
                 742: 
                 Rollers 
               
               
                 750: 
                 Thermal write head 
               
               
                 751: 
                 linear strips of heating resistors 
               
               
                 752: 
                 Forward facing upper corner 
               
               
                 754: 
                 Forward facing lower corner 
               
               
                 756: 
                 Rearward facing upper corner 
               
               
                 758: 
                 Rearward facing lower corner 
               
               
                 760: 
                 Optical sensors 
               
               
                 800: 
                 Envelope 
               
               
                 802: 
                 Thermally cancellable picture postage 
               
               
                   
                 stamp 
               
               
                 804: 
                 Thermal cancellation mark 
               
               
                 806: 
                 Thermally sensitive cancellation area 
               
               
                 852: 
                 Forward facing upper corner 
               
               
                 854: 
                 Forward facing lower corner 
               
               
                 856: 
                 Rearward facing upper corner 
               
               
                 858: 
                 Rearward facing lower corner 
               
               
                 900: 
                 Manual self-cancelling postage stamp 
               
               
                   
                 gun 
               
               
                 902: 
                 Thermally cancellable picture postage 
               
               
                   
                 stamp 
               
               
                 904: 
                 Paper backing 
               
               
                 906: 
                 Roll of thermally cancellable stamp on 
               
               
                   
                 paper backing 
               
               
                 910: 
                 Drive gear 
               
               
                 912: 
                 Advance lever 
               
               
                 914: 
                 Level stroke adjustment 
               
               
                 950: 
                 Cancellation marker 
               
               
                 952: 
                 Marker points 
               
               
                 954: 
                 Marker covers/cancellation tips 
               
               
                 954: 
                 Marker body/reservoir 
               
               
                 1000: 
                 Envelope 
               
               
                 1002: 
                 Thermally cancellable picture postage 
               
               
                   
                 stamp 
               
               
                 1004: 
                 Manual cancellation mark 
               
               
                 1006: 
                 Score lines 
               
               
                 1052: 
                 Thermally receptive cancellation area 
               
               
                 1100: 
                 Thermal self-cancelling postage stamp 
               
               
                   
                 gun stamp gun 
               
               
                 1102: 
                 Thermally cancellable picture postage 
               
               
                   
                 stamp 
               
               
                 1104: 
                 Paper backing 
               
               
                 1106: 
                 Roll of thermally cancellable stamp on 
               
               
                   
                 paper backing 
               
               
                 1112: 
                 Advancing lever 
               
               
                 1114: 
                 Lever stroke adjustment 
               
               
                 1150: 
                 Thermal write head 
               
               
                 1152: 
                 Thermal write elements 
               
               
                 1154: 
                 Date window 
               
               
                 1155: 
                 Keypad 
               
               
                 1156: 
                 Date adjustment knob 
               
               
                 1157: 
                 Screen 
               
               
                 1158: 
                 Thermal write head body 
               
               
                 1160: 
                 Actuator switch 
               
               
                 1200: 
                 Envelope 
               
               
                 1202: 
                 Thermally cancellable picture postage 
               
               
                   
                 stamp 
               
               
                 1204: 
                 Thermal cancellation mark 
               
               
                 1206: 
                 Score lines 
               
               
                 1206: 
                 Score lines 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0030]    Stamp reuse by postal patrons decreases the revenue that a postal service obtains for its services resulting in increasing postage costs for the remaining postal patrons that do not reuse stamps. The primary objective for a postal service is to cancel every picture stamp that is processed and delivered, so that no stamp can be reused. At present, the U.S. Postal Service is less than successful in meeting that objective. Many stamps reach their destination without being cancelled. Furthermore, of the uncancelled stamped mail that is detected in the postal center, many of those letters languish for days awaiting manual cancellation. Furthermore, committed stamped reusers understand not only how to lift uncancelled stamps from envelopes, flats and packets, but also how to thwart the postal services cancelling methods, and/or cleaning methods for obliterating the cancellation dye marks from stamps. As used hereinafter, the term cancellation mark will mean any mark made for the purpose of cancellation postage, prepaid or otherwise, and may comprise a design, pattern, date, or other information. What is needed is a system for cancelling stamps that cannot be reversed. Furthermore, the system for cancelling stamps should be adaptable for manually cancelling stamps. Finally, the system should be adaptable for use with cancelling systems that are currently being used worldwide. As used hereinafter, the term “cancellation mark” will mean any mark made for the purpose of cancelling postage, prepaid or otherwise, and may comprise a design, pattern, date, or other information. 
         [0031]    Therefore, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a thermally cancellable stamp and system for use is presented below. Direct thermal imaging technology uses a document media which contains the “ink” in a colorless form as a coating on the surface of the paper or impregnated within its fibers. Heat generated in print head element is transferred to the thermal paper and activates the ink to develop color. Direct thermal imaging techniques use only a single consumable, the paper. Thermal paper is well known and has been in continuous use since the 1970&#39;s, but has not been used as a means for cancelling picture postage stamps. Thermal paper changes color when its heat reactive dye is exposed to heat over a trigger heat level, for instance over 125° F. (52° C.). Typically, these thermally reactive chemicals cause the substrate thermal paper to change to a black color from the white background. In some applications, the substrate paper may be treated with two or more chemicals that have different trigger levels and produce different colors when heated, such as black and violet or red. 
         [0032]      FIG. 1A  is an illustration for a thermally cancellable stamp having indicia and postage in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Here, thermal stamp  100  generally comprises a thermal paper substrate which is at least partially covered with an indicia such as pictorial artwork or a design (the space shuttle and boosters in flight) and a face value (forty one cents). The substrate thermal paper (depicted as thermal paper  200  in  FIG. 2A ) may be any commercially available thermal paper, preferably with a gummed back for adhering to envelopes and the like. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the entire paper substrate reacts to the trigger temperature (see machine cancelled thermal paper  200  in  FIG. 2B ). It should be mentioned that many postal services follow strict guidelines to the amount of heat that envelopes, flats, packets, mailers and packages may be subjected to, for instance 160° F. (71° C.). Therefore, the trigger temperature should be below that threshold, but above the level that stamps may be exposed to in their lifetime, for instance above the 110° F.-120° F. temperatures that may be generated in a closed automobile. 
         [0033]    While cancelling the entire face of a thermally cancellable stamp is an option, typically postal services work in two modes: the collecting station and the delivery station. Both stations should be able to recognize the stamp as valid postage, even the delivery station which receives the cancelled stamp. Therefore, rather than thermally cancelling the thermally cancellable picture postage stamp, only a portion of the stamp is machine cancelled. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1B  is a diagram illustrating a thermally cancellable stamp after a partial thermal cancellation of the face of the stamp in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Here, thermally cancellable stamp  100  is subjected to a series of parallel thermal cancellation elements that result in the cancellation lines  102  across the face of the stamp. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the thermal cancellation elements are spaced from each other and according to an alternative embodiment, thermally cancellable stamp  100  is chemically treated along lines  102 , resulting in the parallel line cancellation pattern from exposure to a single thermal cancellation element. In accordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the inks used for creating the artwork picture may themselves be thermally reactive used in combination with or separate from a thermal paper stamp substrate. 
         [0035]    Alternatively, an opaque ink on the face of the stamp may partially obscure the thermal paper substrate. In that case, only certain portions of the stamp that are not obscured by ink can be seen as reacting to the thermal cancellation machine.  FIG. 1C  shows cancelled picture postage stamp in which the thermal paper is partially obscured by an opaque ink on the face of a thermally cancellable stamp in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Notice here, thermally cancellable stamp  100  has been thermally cancelled, however, the cancellation pattern is subject to the ink design of the artwork picture. Cancellation of this stamp is apparent because certain white spaces react to the thermal cancellation by changing colors, the remainder of the stamp is unchanged. Use of white (non-colored) backgrounds on the stamps for cancellation make it clearly visible when thermally cancellable stamps are cancelled, again for preventing reuse. For instance, face value  104  has darkened as have clouds  106  and vapor trail  108  in the image of the space shuttle and boosters in flight. As mentioned immediately above, this result may be achieved through the use of thermally reactive inks or dyes as well as the use of a thermal paper stamp substrate. 
         [0036]    The use of thermally cancellable picture postage stamps in accordance with the present invention has another, heretofore unknown advantage, the present thermally cancellable picture postage stamps can also be cancelled manually, without the use of ink pens or markers. As mentioned elsewhere above, a significant amount of mail must be hand cancelled manually. These pieces are usually left in bins for someone to pen cancel the postage and return them to the automated sorting process. Many of these pieces were culled from the automated process simply because it was inconvenient for the culler to pen cancel letters, i.e., the worker did not have a “round stamp” or a pen available for pen cancelling the pieces. Use of the present invention will significantly reduce the amount of mail that is culled for pen cancellation because the worker culling the letters does not need any special instrument for cancelling the stamps, and in fact the present thermally cancellable stamp can be manually cancelled with a hard object, such as a fingernail, ring, or even pen point or a pen cap if the workers pen fails to mark. 
         [0037]      FIG. 1  D shows a thermally cancellable stamp after manual cancelling in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Here, thermally cancellable stamp  100  has manual cancellation mark  108  across its face in an apparent random pattern. Other cancellation patterns may be adopted in accordance with the local postal station procedures, such as an “X” or a predetermined number of parallel lines, but in any case, the cancellation marks result from manually applying pressure to thermally cancellable stamp  100  and not from ink, dyes or heat. On advantage of the present invention is that by using thermally cancellable stamp  100  is that the stamp may be canceled anywhere in the mailing process. Typically, cancellation occurs by the cancellation department of either of the collection station or the delivery postage station. If some other postal worker mail with un-cancelled stamps, that worker usually will not take the time that is necessary to pen cancel the stamps. However, with the thermally cancellable stamp  100  anyone, or any postal worker can manually cancel a stamp, up to the delivery carrier, by applying pressure directly on the stamp by, using for instance, a fingernail, without the need to pull out a pen or an inked rubber cancelation stamp. 
         [0038]    Thermal printer heads are generally faster and more reliable than the current method of cancelling using a mechanical ink and pad stamp for the placement of a cancellation mark at a precise location on each envelope. The current mechanical cancellation systems must be constantly monitored to ensure that the ink stamp is functional. Eventually, the cancellation mark will become blurred or otherwise deformed, necessitating the replacement of the ink stamp. Since the present invention utilizes a thermal cancellation head that need not actually make contact with the thermally cancellable picture postage stamp, the frequency of maintenance procedures may be significantly reduced. Furthermore, since the cancellation mark is controlled electronically, the design, information and commercial impression of the cancellation mark itself may be changed or altered and the cancellation date reset while the machine is in use. 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of a thermally cancellable stamp after thermal cancelling and postmarking in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Notice that thermally cancellable stamp  300  has been machine cancelled using postmark  302  consisting of the cancellation date and the postal code for the collecting postal station “75287 Dec. 17, 2007.” The presently described thermally cancellable stamp enables postal services to change, alter or update the cancellation mark in real-time and on the fly, remotely from the cancellation machine, electronically. 
         [0040]    In accordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, postal services can embed secret text and code on the thermal paper substrate of the stamp (or in the thermally reactive ink of the stamp), that cannot be seen or recognized by the user unless the stamp is cancelled. Recent events have demonstrated how important postal information may be in a criminal or homeland security investigation. Not only are the identities of collecting and delivery postal centers important in these types of investigations, but also when and where the postage was purchased may be useful. This sabot information can be embedded onto a thermally cancellable stamp without the knowledge of the user, for example, the date-shift-code of the stamp&#39;s manufacturer. Date-shift-codes have long been used by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) of the Justice Department for tracking the manufacturer of the explosives along with the date and shift that explosives and/or gun powder was manufactured. This gives investigators some clues as to the origination and sale point of explosive materials.  FIG. 4  shows thermal paper stamp stock with a sabot origination code in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Here, thermal paper stamp stock  400  is treated with thermally reactive chemicals in the presence of a mask or other device for date-shift-code  402  of “00710314AC0405601.” Although the present example demonstrates the use of date-shift-code information, other secret information may be embodied on thermal paper stamp stock  400 , such as cryptographically generated numbers of keys that can be decrypted for manufacturer, sales, region or other information. 
         [0041]      FIG. 5  shows thermally cancellable picture postage stamp with embedded sabot information after thermal cancellation and postmarking in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Here, thermal paper picture postage stamp  500  includes sabot information that is not recognizable by the human eye or without exposure to heat. Notice that stamp  500  is once again machine cancelled using postmark  502  consisting of the cancellation date and the postal code for the collecting postal station “75287 Dec. 17, 2007.” However, in this case the sabot information can be detected through cancellation mark  502 , however the sabot information may not be understandable. If, at some point, a letter with an embedded sabot code becomes the subject of an investigation, the investigators have a ready source of information from the sabot information by merely exposing the sabot area to heat (the remainder of the stamp will remain pristine). 
         [0042]    In accordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a predetermined area of envelopes, flats and other types of mailers may be treated with a thermally receptive chemical for receiving postage and/or cancellation marks.  FIG. 6A  shows a typical number 10 envelope (business letter) with a thermally receptive treatment in the area for receiving postage in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Here, envelope  600  has thermally receptive area  602  (approximately 2 inches by 4 inches) treated with a thermally reactive chemical. Treatment area  602  is much larger than is necessary for a typical placement of multiple stamps, therefore, treatment area  602  will react to the cancellation in the same manner as a thermally cancellable picture postage stamp.  FIG. 6B  shows typical business class mailer  610  with a thermally receptive treatment in area  612  for receiving postage in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Envelopes with a thermally receptive treatment in the area for receiving postage have another advantage for businesses in that the postage can be thermographically written onto the mailer in area  612 , thereby eliminating the necessity for postal inks and the like. 
         [0043]    One advantage of using the presently described thermally cancellable picture postage stamps is that the stamps may be thermally cancelled by a process that does not mark areas without thermally reactive chemicals. Therefore, the envelope need not be reoriented to the proper orientation prior to cancelling the stamp as is performed by the AFCS/ISS currently used by the U.S. Postal Service. Furthermore, because the cancellation is performed electronically, the same cancellation device can be used for cancelling mailers regardless of their size (unlike the current AFCS/ISS which requires the mail be sorted by size prior to cancellation). 
         [0044]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are top and side views of a thermal cancellation writer in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Envelopes  740  and the like are moved along track  702  between a pair of rails to thermal cancellation writer  700 . Essentially, thermal cancellation writer  700  comprises two opposing thermal write heads  720  and  750  that perform simultaneously as a thermal write head and platen for the opposing thermal write head. Each of thermal write heads  720  and  750  have one or more linear strips of heating resistors  722  and  751  or the like for generating heat for activating the thermally reactive chemical on the stamp (the figures show multiple linear rows of heating resistors that are arranged in multiple columns having the approximate width of the cancellation area, thereby enabling the entire area to be cancelled simultaneously. Mail is moved across heating resistors  722  and  751  of thermal write heads  720  and  750  by a pair of powered rollers  712  and  742  which engage each piece of mail and move it at a predetermined speed. 
         [0045]    Additionally, thermal write heads  720  and  750  have optical sensors  730  and  760  for detecting front and rear edges, and sensing the height on an envelope. By detecting the height of envelope  740 , only heating resistors  722  and  751 , which are adjacent to a possible location of a stamp on envelope  740 , are allowed to activate, and then only when optical sensors  730  and  760  detect an edge of envelope  740  indicating that a cancellation area (one of areas  752 ,  754 ,  756  and  758 ) is proximate to a thermal write head. Optically, thermal cancellation writer  700  may further comprise several heated rollers (not shown) with a cancelation mark embossed thereon, for cancelling stamps. These rollers would serve the same purpose as thermal write heads  720  and  750 , but roll along the upper and lower edges of envelope  740  at fixed positions and apply heat for cancelling any stamps thereon (as a practically matter a total of four heated rollers may be necessary for cancellation stamps at upper front. lower front, upper rear and lower rear positions on an envelope). 
         [0046]    For example, envelope  740  travels along track  702  until its leading edge is detected by forward optical sensors  730  and  760 . The height is determined from the sensors and the possible locations of a stamp on the forward portion of envelope  740 . If the stamp is on the forward portion of envelope  740  (to the right on  FIG. 7B ), it will be located on the forward facing upper corner  752  or the rear facing lower corner  758 . Thermal cancellation writer  700  does not need to know if a stamp is located on either of forward facing upper corner  752  or the rear facing lower corner  758 , because heating elements in band  724  are activated when its leading edge is detected by rear optical sensors  730  and  760 . Then, a thermal cancellation mark is applied to both forward facing upper corner  752  and the rear facing lower corner  758 . If a thermally cancellable stamp is located in either area  752  or  758 , it will be thermally cancelled. If not, the heat will not affect the address label (even if it is a thermal label) because thermal cancellation writer  700  heats only areas  752  and  758  of envelope  740  and not the address portion of the envelope. 
         [0047]    A stamp may be located on the rear portion of envelope  740  (to the left on  FIG. 7B ), it will be located on the forward facing lower corner  754  or the rear facing upper corner  756 . As envelope  740  continues moving forward, its trailing edge is detected by forward optical sensors  730  and  760  and heating elements in bands  724  are activated, thereby applying a thermal cancellation mark to both forward facing lower corner  754  and the rear facing upper corner  756 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 8  shows a thermally receptive number 10 envelope posted with a thermally cancellable stamp after being cancelled with the present thermal cancellation writer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Notice that thermal cancellation mark  804  traverses thermally cancellable stamp  802  and extends across thermally receptive cancellation area  806 , thereby providing further verification that thermally cancellable stamp  802  is not being reused. 
         [0049]    Another means for ensuring that stamps are not reused and relieving the postal service from the task of cancelling every stamp that is received is by self cancelling stamps prior to mailing. The practice of self-cancellation is well known and accepted by the U.S. Postal Service to anyone with a Mailer&#39;s Postmark Permit (MPP). With the MPP, a cancellation is applied to the stamp by a mailer before depositing it with the postal service. The present invention provides the means for expanding self-cancellation practices to virtually anyone without increasing stamp reuse. 
         [0050]      FIG. 9A  is a cross-sectional diagram of a manual self-cancelling postage stamp ‘gun’ for simultaneously posting and cancelling a picture postage stamp in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The purpose of manual self-cancelling postage stamp gun  900  is to simultaneously affix a picture postal stamp and cancelling the stamp in such a way that reuse would easily be detected. A roll of thermally cancellable picture postage stamps  906  is received on a spindle within gun  900 . Each roll may contain between 100 (personal use) and 500 (business use) stamps with strong adhesive backing, further preventing re-users from peeling the stamps off and reusing them, such pressure adhesive 3M™ Adhesive Transfer Tape by Adhesive Type from the 3M company of St. Paul, Minn. Each of thermally cancellable picture postage stamps  902  are temporarily fastened to a roll of perforated backing paper  904 . Perforated backing paper  904  is fed across drive gear  910  that is actuated by advance lever  912 . Each time advance lever  912  is released, one thermally cancellable stamp  902  is pealed off of perforated backing paper  904  proximate to cancellation marker  950 . Optionally, advance lever  912  may be coupled top level strode adjustment  914  for adjusting the stroke of advance lever  912  to accommodate stamps of different lengths on perforated backing paper  904 . 
         [0051]    In practice, a user merely positions marker points  952  or marker covers/cancellation tips  954  on an envelope slightly to the left of where the stamp should be positioned on the envelope, and as advance lever  912  is released, dragging the gun to the right, thereby applying postages and simultaneously cancelling same.  FIG. 9B  is a diagram of cancellation marker  950  for cancelling a thermally cancellable stamp in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Recall that one benefit of the present thermally cancellable stamp is that the stamp can be cancelled by pressure and heat as well as by pen cancelling as is known in the prior art. Therefore, cancellation marker  950  comprises position marker points  952  for pen marking, but also marker covers/cancellation tips  954  for manually cancelling thermally cancellable picture postage stamps without heat or ink marking.  FIG. 10  shows a thermally receptive envelope posted with a thermally cancellable stamp after being manually cancelled with the present self-cancelling postage stamp gun in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Here, envelope  1000  thermally receptive cancellation area  1052 , in which thermally cancellable stamp  1002  has been affixed using self-cancelling postage stamp gun  900 . Notice that cancellation marks  1004  from position marker points  952  or marker covers/cancellation tips  954  traverse the width of stamp  1002  thereby providing further verifying to the postal authority that stamp  1002  has not been reused. Because thermally cancellable picture postage stamps  902  are provided on roll  906  for applications using gun  900 , the stamps can be sectioned on backing paper  904  at score lines  1006 . In so doing, thermally cancellable picture postage stamp  902  is easily applied to an envelope without tearing. If removed, thermally cancellable picture postage stamp  902  will split into two, three or more voided sections of the stamp. Thus, the use of manual self-cancelling postage stamp gun  900  further reduces the opportunity for stamp reuse because attempting to remove a stamp from an envelope will part it at score lines  1006 . 
         [0052]    It is also possible to modify manual self-cancelling postage stamp gun  900  with a thermal cancellation write head for performing thermal cancellations.  FIG. 11A  is a cross-sectional diagram of a thermal self-cancelling postage stamp gun for simultaneously posting and cancelling a picture postage stamp in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This device is similar to manual self-cancelling postage stamp gun  900  discussed above with regard to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , with the exception of the inclusion of a thermal cancellation write head. 
         [0053]      FIG. 11B  is a diagram of thermal cancellation write head  1150  for cancelling a thermally cancellable stamp in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Thermal cancellation write head  1150  generally comprises downward facing thermal write elements  1152  that are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix. Individual thermal write elements can be selected and enabled for activation to form pattern designs, words or more probably the current date (using date adjustment/advance knob  1156  and/or keypad  1155  with screen  1157 ) and the correct date verified on preview window  1154 . Activation of the enabled thermal write elements  1152  is accomplished via actuator switch  1160  which senses the position of the envelope to thermal cancellation write head  1150 , and activates the heating elements for self-cancelling a thermally cancellable picture postage stamp. 
         [0054]      FIG. 12  shows a thermally receptive envelope posted with a thermally cancellable stamp after being thermally cancelled with the present thermal self-cancelling postage stamp gun in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Here again, envelope  1200  has thermally receptive cancellation area  1252 , in which thermally cancellable stamp  1202  has been affixed using thermal self-cancelling postage stamp gun  1100 . Notice here that cancellation mark  1204  is the mail deposit current date of “Dec. 17, 2007,” and that cancellation mark  1204  traverses from position marker points  952  or marker covers/cancellation tips  954  traverses thermally cancellable stamp  1202  and across thermally receptive cancellation area  1252  of envelope  1200 . Score lines  1206  may also be provided to prevent pealing a used stamp from a mailer. 
         [0055]    The exemplary embodiments described below were selected and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The particular embodiments described below are in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention as it may be practiced in a variety of variations and environments without departing from the scope and intent of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein. 
         [0056]    The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems which perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
         [0057]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.