Abstract:
The invention is a method and system for printing a mail list in presort order, on a plurality of printers. The method begins with the preparation of a mail list within an addressing system. The mail list is presorted in accordance with postal service requirements. The presorted mail list is then divided into batches by container type. Container type is determined by selecting from among container types generally available to a mailer and which are in conformance with postal service regulations for containing presorted mail. The maximum mailpiece capacity of the container defines the point at where the presorted mail list is divided. After division into batches, the mail list is then directed to the printers for printing to envelopes. Each of the printers is selected based upon the batches that are to be printed and are configured to print based upon a container type corresponding to the batch. The batch size equals the corresponding container&#39;s capacity. The printer pauses after completion of the batch printing and notifies a system user that the batch has been printed. The printer does not print a next batch until allowed to do so by the system user. The system user can monitor the status of the process by referring to a monitor. Once printed, the batch of mailpieces is placed into its corresponding container, and the container is delivered to the postal service. In an alternative embodiment, direction of the print stream to the printers is accomplished by an external print director.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention disclosed herein is generally concerned with a method and system for printing addresses to mailpieces within an addressing system. More specifically, the invention supports more than one printer connected to a host microprocessor where each printer is configured to print an address batch based upon a defined postal service container type. 
     Mailpiece production systems are an example of systems whose purpose is to utilize address lists, perform addressing hygiene through the use of address correction techniques, perform presort or manifesting to qualify for postal service discounts and, download data to printers, collators, sealers, and the like for the purpose of producing a mailpiece. Mailpiece production systems are known in the art and have developed with changes in postal service regulations (such as those of the United States Postal Service, or USPS) and with the proliferation of appropriate software applications. In turn, this production has served the need to automate and accelerate to accommodate growth. 
     As the USPS, together with the postal services of other countries around the world, moves toward more fully automated mail handling in an effort to contain costs while processing ever increasing volumes of mail, automated equipment which sorts and processes mail on the basis of machine readable postal codes, such as the “zip code” or other forms of postal coding, play an ever more significant role. In the United States, postal service regulations provide for a “Postnet” bar code which represents the five, nine, or eleven digit zip code of the destination address in a machine readable form. 
     Systems have been used or proposed to meet the need to produce mail pieces imprinted with the Postnet bar code, and to enable mailers to obtain the benefit of the discounts offered for such mail. One such system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,907, for a SYSTEM FOR FEEDING ENVELOPES FOR SIMULTANEOUS PRINTING OF ADDRESSES AND BAR CODES, issued to Eisner et al. (hereinafter referred to as Eisner-1) on Aug. 22, 1989. This patent discloses a system for printing envelopes with addresses, zip codes, and corresponding bar codes. The system is controlled by a computer which includes software for converting a zip code included in the address into bar code form and then adding the bar code representation to the material to be printed on the envelope. 
     Another example of the art is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,181 for an ENVELOPE ADDRESSING SYSTEM ADAPTED TO SIMULTANEOUSLY PRINT ADDRESSES AND BAR CODES; issued on Jul. 5, 1994 to Eisner et al. (hereinafter referred to as Eisner-2). This patent teaches a method of addressing substrates with a human readable address containing a zip code and a bar code corresponding to the zip code. The method utilizes a computer and comprises several steps. These steps include: receiving in the computer a plurality of addresses, with pre-existing zip code information contained in each as complete address data, and requiring no manual inputting or identification; automatically scanning the address data in the computer to find the pre-existing zip code; automatically converting, in the computer, the pre-existing zip code into a line of corresponding bar code; and, essentially simultaneously printing the complete address, including zip code information and corresponding bar code, on a substrate, under control of the computer so that the substrate produced has human readable zip code and machine readable bar code information thereon. 
     Additionally, a system for printing envelopes with addresses including bar code is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,175,691 for a SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN APPARATUS TO PRODUCE ITEMS IN SELECTED CONFIGURATIONS; issued on Dec. 29, 1992 to Baker et al. (hereinafter referred to as Baker), which describes a system for printing mail pieces which includes a printer for printing sheets and envelope forms and a folder-sealer mechanism for folding the envelope form around the sheets to form a mail piece, and a computer based control system for controlling the printer and folder. In the system of this application, when an operator is creating a file of letters to be printed, the operator may designate a selected field within each letter as containing the destination address. The system will then extract the information in this designated field and with it create a new page of material to be printed on the envelope form; and, if the address within the designated field includes a zip code, the system will add a corresponding barcode to the new page. The system then adds this new page to the file before the file is output. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,947 for a SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC PRINTING OF MAIL PIECES; issued Jan. 11, 1994 to Balga, Jr. et al. (hereinafter referred to as Balga), and assigned to the assignee of the present claimed invention, is for a system which includes a printer for printing text in response to the input of signals. The printer has a capability to selectively print either sheets or envelopes. The system further includes a controller for output of s a sequence of signals representative of materials to be printed on a sheet which forms part of the mail piece, where the sequence includes a subset of signals representative of an address. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the Balga invention, the system includes a scanning mechanism for identifying a character string which conforms to a valid postal coding standard. The system further includes a mechanism for identifying the character string as a valid postal code. Additionally, the system forms the destination address to include a line including the postal code and a selected number of proceeding lines of text. 
     The ability to structure software coding is extremely important when linking data to be downloaded to a printer being utilized in the addressing environment. U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,970 for a PRINTER COMMAND SET FOR CONTROLLING ADDRESS AND POSTAL CODE PRINTING FUNCTIONS, issued Dec. 10, 1996 to Strobel (hereinafter referred to as Strobel), and assigned to the assignee of the present claimed invention, is instructive in this respect. 
     Strobel is a method and system for printing images to a substrate wherein the commands normally input by an operator, or resident within the printer, can be determined at a host data processor. The system can control address and postal code printing functions beginning at the host computer together. The system will derive printing data, including address data, from a selected application resident in the host computer. The host computer creates and then transmits printer command sets and printing data, via transmitting means to a microprocessor within the printer. The microprocessor drives a language interpreter which directs the printer commands to a parsing step for determining the address location from within the data to be printed. The language interpreter then assigns delivery point digits to a zip code that was isolated from the transmitted address data. The newly created zip code is then matched with the bar code data stored within the microprocessor&#39;s corresponding memory. A bar code corresponding to the new zip code is selected. The language interpreter then directs the printer&#39;s controller to prepare to print the address with its corresponding zip code, any graphics images that may have been included within the print data, and text, if any. The printer controller positions the bar code for printing, and then prints the bar code and address data, zip code, and any graphics images and text to an envelope or other substrate. 
     Thus, Strobel overcame the limitations of the prior art by providing flexibility in determining what data, and how much, may be downloaded for printing to a substrate. Flexibility is accomplished by controlling address and postal coding functions in the printer from a host computer. The invention thus simplifies the firmware required in a selected printer, or can allow the performance of additional tasks or provide for greater database functionality under the direction of the printer microprocessor. Thus, printer ROM memory can be reduced or freed up for other tasks, and RAM memory can be increased to handle more detailed data. 
     With the optimization of the component parts of addressing systems, comes the ability to utilize those parts in new and increasingly efficient ways to qualify for the discounts available from the postal service. 
     One of the discount areas available to mailers utilizing postal services is for placing mail in Presort order. Presort order optimizes postal service time management and handling capabilities. The mailer who prepares mailpieces in Presort order can further optimize their own performance by utilizing an addressing system that not only prepares address lists in Presort order for printing as is possible with the SmartMailer product from Pitney Bowes Inc. of Stamford, Conn., but directs the addressing system to send the address data print stream to more than one printer based upon container requirements. This data stream direction causes the printers to be more effectively utilized and the speed capability of the overall system to be optimized based upon both the Presort and container requirements of the postal service. 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide for a method and system of conforming to postal service Presort and container requirements while optimizing the ability of an addressing system and its constituent printers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The limitations of the prior art are overcome by a method and system for printing a mail list in presort order, on a plurality of printers. 
     The method begins with the preparation of the mail list within an addressing system. Addressing systems of this type, generally comprise: a microprocessor; a memory; an addressing software application; a monitor under control of the addressing software application; and communication means for communicating with one or more devices peripheral to the microprocessor. The addressing system is capable of accepting a set of data, wherein the set of data is representative of one or more addresses; and, is further capable of combining a plurality of addresses, input from one or more data sources, to form the mail list. The system can be further capable of preparing the mail list by combining the set of address data with previously accepted data to form the mail list. 
     Upon preparation of the mail list, the list is presorted in accordance with pre-defined postal service requirements which are generally based upon a postal service defined code, such as a zip code, assigned to each of the addresses within the list. The presorted mail list is then divided into batches by container type. 
     Container type is determined by selection, within the application program, from among a number of factors which include: material type; class of mail; size of the mail piece; and, weight of the mail piece. The container types are in conformance with postal service regulations for containing presorted mail. The maximum mailpiece capacity of the container defines the point at where the presorted mail list is divided. 
     After division into batches, the mail list is then directed to the printers for printing to envelopes. Each of the printers is selected based upon the batches that are to be printed and are configured to print based upon a container type corresponding to the batch. The batch size equals the corresponding container&#39;s capacity as defined by the postal service. 
     The printer pauses after completion of the batch printing and notifies a system user that the batch has been printed. The printer does not print a next batch until allowed to do so by the system user. Once printed, the batch of mailpieces is placed into its corresponding container, and the container is delivered to the postal service. 
     During the printing process, the system user can monitor the status of the process by referring to a monitor connected to the system. Under control of the addressing software application, the monitor displays a plurality of status indicators, wherein which can include: status of each of the plurality of printers; a sequence number for each of the containers awaiting placement of the printed batch of mailpieces; a sequence number for each of a set packages which are sub-batch components; a sequence number for each envelope being printed by each of the printers; and a sequence number representing the total number of envelopes placed in each of the containers. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, direction of the print stream to the printers is accomplished by an external buffered print director. The print director is operatively connected to the addressing system and further comprises: connecting means for connecting the print director to the addressing system; connecting means for connecting the print director to each of the printers; communication means for communicating with the addressing system; communication means for communicating with each of the printers; and, direction means for directing the batch of mailpieces to be printed by the particular printer based upon its corresponding container. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a typical system within which the method of the present invention can reside and be utilized. 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the system within which the method of the present invention can reside and be utilized. 
     FIG. 3A is an upper level flowchart of the method for printing a mail list in presort order utilizing multiple printers. 
     FIG. 3B is a continuation of flowchart  3 A. 
     FIG. 4A is an upper level flowchart of the method for printing a mail list in presort order utilizing a print director to direct the data stream for printing to multiple printers. 
     FIG. 4B is a continuation of flowchart  4 A. 
     FIG. 5 is a print of the data processing application screen that prepares the system for presorting of a mail list print run. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of a typical addressing system  10  within which the method of the present invention could reside and be utilized. 
     System  10  comprises a microprocessor  12  interoperatively connected to monitor  14  for viewing the address data being collected to form the mail list. The viewing of the address data on monitor  14  promotes ease of use in word and data processing, and provides an example of the human interface that can be brought to system  10 . The monitor  14 , under control of the data processing application  22 , is able to show the system user: the status of each printer; current container number; current package number; current envelope number; and number of envelopes in a container. Microprocessor  12  is interoperatively connected to scanner  16 . Scanner  16  provides system  10  with the ability to scan address field data, barcodes, or other scannable data sources as an input to data processing application  22 . Addressing printers  26 - 26   n  are also interoperatively connected to microprocessor  12  and serve as the output devices by which address data is printed to a substrate such as envelopes. Additionally, keyboard  20  is interoperatively connected to microprocessor  12  and serves as an input device for the creation of documents or the input of data. Modem  18  gives system  10  the ability to communicate with other systems via communications means of varied types; and, memory  24  allows the system to retain data for use in building mailing lists or storing data for future use. 
     Turning to FIG. 2, there is shown a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the current invention as addressing system  50  within which the method of the present invention could reside and be utilized. 
     System  50  comprises a microprocessor  52  interoperatively connected to monitor  54  for viewing the address data being collected to form the mail list. The viewing of the address data on monitor  54  promotes ease of use in word and data processing, and provides an example of the human interface that can be brought to system  50 . Microprocessor  52  is interoperatively connected to scanner  56 . Scanner  56  provides system  50  with the ability to scan address field data, barcodes, or other scannable data sources as an input to data processing application  62 . Additionally, keyboard  60  is interoperatively connected to microprocessor  52  and serves as an input device for the creation of documents or the input of data. Modem  58  gives system  50  the ability to communicate with other systems via communications means of varied types; and, memory  64  allows the system to retain data for use in building mailing lists or storing data for future use. 
     Of particular importance to system  50  is the print director  66 . Print director  66  is interoperatively connected to the microprocessor  52  and comprises LEDs and an integrated display to show: the status of each printer; current container number; current package number; current envelope number; and number of envelopes in a container. Print director  66  receives the print stream from microprocessor  52  and directs the stream to appropriate addressing printers  69 - 68   n . Addressing printers  68 - 68   n  are interoperatively connected to print director  66  and serve as the output devices by which address data is printed to a substrate such as envelopes. 
     It should be noted that systems  10  and  50 , as shown, can be expanded upon in a variety of ways to produce mailpieces more effectively, with greater throughput, or with more detail. Among the peripheral devices that can be effectively added to systems  10  and  50 , in a variety of configurations are: inserters; sealers; and, postage meters. 
     Turning to FIG. 3A, there is shown an upper level flowchart of the method for printing a mail list in presort order utilizing multiple printers. 
     The method begins when the system user initializes the addressing system  10  at step  100 . The method then advances to step  102  where a mailing list is prepared with the assistance of data processing application  22 . Addressing applications, such as SmartMailer which is available from Pitney Bowes Inc. of Stamford, Conn., provide the system user with the ability to build effective mailing lists which can be assembled, barcoded, and address corrected so as to make optimal use of the discounts available from the postal service. 
     Once the mailing list has been prepared at step  102 , the method advances to step  104  where the mailing list is pre-sorted in accordance with postal service regulations; thus, again achieving another level of efficiency to maximize available postal discounts. In the United States, the term“presort” means sorted and prepared in accordance with one of the USPS approved methods listed in the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM). It is during the presort process that the type of container to be utilized, and the number, is determined. At step  104 , the method determines which container types are to be made available for the printed envelopes to be placed into for delivery to the postal service. Additionally, the volume limit of the container is determined as based upon the characteristics of the mailpieces. The term “container” refers to any one of the container types approved by the USPS, such as: Mail Managed Tray (MM Tray); Extended Mail Managed Tray (EMM Tray), Flat Tray; or Sack. A “full container” is also defined by the USPS in the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) and varies according to the presort method employed. A preferred embodiment of the presort setup process is discussed in greater detail with respect to FIG.  5 . 
     After the presort process, the presorted mail list would then normally be diverted to a printer for printing to envelopes or other substrates as required. However, the invention described herein maximizes the use of available printers by advancing to the query at question  106  which asks whether or not there is more than one (1) printer available for the print stream to be diverted to. If the response to the query at step  106  is “NO,” then the method advances directly to path A which will re-enter the method flow at step  114  as is shown in FIG.  3 B. If, however, the response to the query at step  106  is “YES,” then the method advances to step  108 . 
     At step  108 , the method divides the mailing list into batches; each batch represents a full container printing load. The batches are then mapped to each of the available printers. The divided mailing list is then diverted at step  10  to the addressing printers  26 - 26   n , based upon batch, for printing. 
     The printer determination is a key element of the subject invention. By determining, at steps  104 , which containers are available and what there individual capacity is, the mailing list is divided between the printers  26 - 26   n  such that a batch directed to a printer for printing represents the full limit of the container available to that printer. In that way, at step  112 , a batch is printed at the printer that matches the container limit; and, the system user can take the print run, load the container, and then direct the printer to print the next batch for the next available container. As each printer is printing its batch, every other printer available to the addressing system  10  is printing its corresponding batch. 
     The method then advances from step  112 , along path A, to re-enter the method flow at step  114  as is shown in FIG.  3 B. 
     The method of FIG. 3A is continued in FIG. 3B where path A re-enters the system flow at step  114 . 
     Step  114  determines the completion of the batch printing by querying as to whether or not the container limit has been reached. If the response to the query is “YES,” then the method advances directly to step  118  where the printer will stop printing until the next available container is ready to be filled by the system user. If, however, the response to the query at step  114  is“NO,” then the method advances to step  116  where printing of the batch will continue until the batch limit, which is also the full container limit, is reached. It is possible, and contemplated by the invention herein, that sub-batches, of less than full container size, can be printed as the needs or requirements of the system user shifts. Printing would thus be paused as the desired batch or sub-batch is printed. The determination of the full container limit is determined by returning to the query at step  114 . 
     Returning to step  118 , the method then advances to the query at step  120  which asks if the next container is ready. If the response to the query is“NO,” then the method returns to re-enter the flow at step  118  where printing is stopped until the container is ready. If the response to the query at step  120  is “YES,” however, then the method advances to step  122  where the next batch is printed to envelopes or a similar substrate. From step  122 , the method returns to the query at step  114 . 
     Returning to step  114 , if the response to the query is “YES,” then occurring essentially simultaneously with the advancement to step  118  as previously discussed hereinabove, the method advances to step  124 . At step  124 , the system user places the printed batches into their corresponding containers. Of course, it should be noted that as an alternative to the system user placing the batch into the container, it is possible for a stacker or similar device to load the container. From step  124 , the method accumulates containers at step  126  until each container is full; the method then advances to a query at step  128 . 
     At step  128 , the method queries as to whether or not all batches have been printed. If the response to the query is “NO,” then the method returns to step  126  until the containers have been accumulated by the full batch print. If, however, the response to the query at step  128  is “YES,” then the loaded container is delivered, at step  130 , to the postal service. 
     Turning to FIG. 4A, there is shown an upper level flowchart of an alternative embodiment of the method for printing a mail list in presort order, wherein the embodiment utilizes a print director to direct the data stream for printing to multiple printers. 
     The method begins when the system user initializes the addressing system  50  at step  200 . The method then advances to step  202  where a mailing list is prepared with the assistance of data processing application  62 . Addressing applications, such as SmartMailer which is available from Pitney Bowes Inc. of Stamford, Conn., provide the system user with the ability to build effective mailing lists which can be assembled, barcoded, and address corrected so as to make optimal use of the discounts available from the postal service. 
     Once the mailing list has been prepared at step  202 , the method advances to step  204  where the mailing list is pre-sorted in accordance with postal service regulations. In the United States, the term “presort” means sorted and prepared in accordance with one of the USPS approved methods listed in theDMM. It is during the presort process that the type of container to be utilized, and the number, is determined. At step  204 , the method determines which container types are to be made available for the printed envelopes to be placed into for delivery to the postal service. Additionally, the volume limit of the container is determined as based upon the characteristics of the mailpieces. The term “container” refers to any one of the container types approved by the USPS, such as: MM Tray; EMM Tray, Flat Tray; or Sack. A “full container” is also defined by the USPS in the DMM and varies according to the presort method employed. A preferred embodiment of the presort setup process is discussed in greater detail with respect to FIG.  5 . 
     After the presort process, the presorted mail list would then normally be diverted to a printer for printing to envelopes or other substrates as required. However, the invention described herein maximizes the use of available printers by advancing to the query at question  206  which asks whether or not there is more than one (1) printer available for the print stream to be diverted to. If the response to the query at step  206  is “NO,” then the method advances directly to path A which will re-enter the method flow at step  214  as is shown in FIG.  4 B. If, however, the response to the query at step  206  is “YES,” then the method advances to step  208 . 
     At step  208 , the method divides the mailing list into batches; each batch represents a full container printing load. The divided mailing list is then diverted at step  214  to the print director  66 , for determination of how the batches will be directed to each of the printers  68 - 68   n . 
     The printer determination, made by the print director  66  at step  212 , is a key element of the subject invention. By previously determining, at step  204 , which containers are available and what there individual capacity is, the mailing list is divided for direction of the print director  66  between the printers  68 - 68   n  such that a batch directed to a printer for printing represents the fill limit of the container available to that printer. In that way, at step  214 , a batch is printed at the printer that matches the container limit; and, the system user can take the print run, load the container, and then direct the printer to print the next batch for the next available container. As each printer is printing its batch, every other printer available to the addressing system  50  is printing its corresponding batch. 
     The method then advances from step  212 , along path A, to re-enter the method flow at step  214  as is shown in FIG.  4 B. 
     The method of FIG. 4A is continued in FIG. 4B where path A re-enters the system flow at step  214 . 
     Step  214  determines the completion of the batch printing by querying as to whether or not the container limit has been reached. If the response to the query is “YES,” then the method advances directly to step  218  where the printer will stop printing until the next available container is ready to be filled by the system user. If, however, the response to the query at step  214  is“NO,” then the method advances to step  216  where printing of the batch will continue until the batch limit, which is also the full container limit, is reached. It is possible, and contemplated by the invention herein, that sub-batches, of less than full container size, can be printed as the needs or requirements of the system user shifts. Printing would thus be paused as the desired batch or sub-batch is printed. The determination of the full container limit is determined by returning to the query at step  214 . 
     Returning to step  218 , the method then advances to the query at step  220  which asks if the next container is ready. If the response to the query is “NO,” then the method returns to re-enter the flow at step  218  where printing is stopped until the container is ready. If the response to the query at step  220  is “YES,” however, then the method advances to step  222  where the next batch is printed to envelopes or a similar substrate. From step  222 , the method returns to the query at step  214 . 
     Returning to step  214 , if the response to the query is “YES,” then occurring essentially simultaneously with the advancement to step  218  as previously discussed hereinabove, the method advances to step  224 . At step  224 , the system user places the printed batches into their corresponding containers. Of course, it should be noted that as an alternative to the system user placing the batch into the container, it is possible for a stacker or similar device to load the container. From step  224 , the method accumulates containers at step  226  until each container is full; the method then advances to a query at step  228 . 
     At step  228 , the method queries as to whether or not all batches have been printed. If the response to the query is “NO,” then the method returns to step  226  until the containers have been accumulated by the full batch print. If, however, the response to the query at step  228  is “YES,” then the loaded container is delivered, at step  230 , to the postal service. 
     Turning to FIG. 5, there is shown a screen print  300  of an embodiment of a presort setup method utilized by data processing applications  22  and  62  for preparing systems  10  and  50  for presorting of a mail list print run. 
     FIG. 5, in application screen  300 , includes a number of parameters that can be determined by the system user in establishing a presort of the mailing list. The application requires that the class  302  of the mailpieces be determined by selecting from between first class and standard. A nonprofit class is available as well for those mailers who can claim postage discounts based upon that, classification. The selection of a presort method in block  304  allows the system user to select between ECRLOT and Automation. ECRLOT is the enhanced carrier route line of travel which is established by the postal service in accordance with the DMM. Automation is also defined by the DMM and is comprised of the highest discount levels available to mailers for complying with postal service automation requirements. 
     The type of mail for sortation is determined in block  306 . The system user can select from among letters, cards, or flats as further defined in the DMM. The system user can then enter, in block  308 , the weight of each individual mail piece within a batch and the thickness of each mailpiece. These values will be used to determine the maximum number of mailpieces per container. The system user can determine, in block  310 , the payment method for the applicable postage. The available container types for the categories of mail selected in each of blocks  302 ,  304 ,  306 ,  308 , and  310  will be shown to the system user in block  312 . 
     While certain embodiments have been described above in terms of the system within which the address object methods may reside, the invention is not limited to such a context. The systems shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are one example of host systems for the invention method; and, the system elements are intended merely to exemplify the type of peripherals and software components that can be used with the invention. 
     In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.