System and method for providing computer-based postage stamps

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for creating computer-based postage that may be used on any date and with an undetermined addressee includes generating a request to print postage, determining the means for generating the request, determining the master serial number for label stock, tracking the master serial number and printing the postage. The present invention provides for the creation of computer-based postage that may be used in a manner similar to standard postage issued by the USPS. In a presently preferred embodiment, the intended address of the recipient need not be verified at the time the postage is created. Rather the postage may be used at any time in the future with any recipient.

1 . A method executed by a computer system for printing postage on a label stock, the method comprising:
 displaying a first user interface for allowing a user to input a printer type for printing the postage;   receiving a printer type input by the user from the first user interface;   determining a label stock type, based on the received printer type;   displaying a second user interface for printing a roll label stock or a third user interface for printing a sheet label stock, based on the determined label stock type;   receiving a postage request from the user; and   instructing a printer of the printer type to print the postage on a label of the label stock.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein allowing a user to input a printer type comprises selecting the printer type from a displayed list of printer types. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein allowing a user to input a printer type comprises typing the printer type by the user in a displayed form. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising printing a serial number on the label. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the label further includes micro-printing. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising tracking the use of a label serial number. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising cutting the printed postage with a cutting die having at least one cutting edge composed of a sequence of angled lines. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the label further includes a pre-printed serial number. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising including the pre-printed serial number in the postage. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising inputting the pre-printed serial number by the user; and validating the pre-printed serial number by checking the pre-printed serial number against a database of valid pre-printed serial numbers. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising displaying labels that are not selected for printing as blank labels in a sheet label stock field in the third user interface for printing a sheet label stock. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the third user interface for printing a sheet label stock includes a full sheet button to print postage onto a full sheet of labels, and a partial sheet button to print postage on a partial sheet of labels. 
   
   
       13 . A method executed by a computer system for printing postage on a label stock, the method comprising:
 determining whether the label stock is a roll label stock or a sheet label stock;   displaying a first user interface for printing a roll label stock, when the label stock is a roll label stock;   displaying a second user interface for printing a sheet label stock, when the label stock is a sheet label stock;   receiving a postage request from the user using the first or second user interface; and   printing the postage on a label of the roll label stock or the sheet label stock.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising receiving a printer type; and determining whether the label stock is a roll label stock or a sheet label stock, based on the received printer type. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the label further includes a pre-printed serial number. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising including the pre-printed serial number in the postage. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising inputting the pre-printed serial number by the user and validating the pre-printed serial number by checking the pre-printed serial number against a database of valid pre-printed serial numbers. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising displaying labels that are not selected for printing as blank labels in a sheet label stock field in the second user interface for printing a sheet label stock. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second user interface for printing a sheet label stock includes a full sheet button to print postage onto a full sheet of labels, and a partial sheet button to print postage on a partial sheet of labels. 
   
   
       20 . A system for printing postage on a label stock comprising:
 means for displaying a first user interface for allowing a user to input a printer type for printing the postage;   means for receiving a printer type input by the user from the first user interface;   means for determining a label stock type, based on the received printer type;   means for displaying a second user interface for printing a roll label stock or a third user interface for printing a sheet label stock, based on the determined label stock type;   means for receiving a postage request from the user; and   instructing a printer of the printer type to print the postage on a label of the label stock.