Importance

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Abstract

Postal meters can print envelopes with indicia that include embedded information. This embedded information can be used for a variety of purposes, including indicating postal value, allowing tamper detection, conveying address or mail sorting/routing information, permitting linking to URLs, conveying public or private messages, creating philatelic collectibles, mail tracking and management, etc. The indicia need not have a utilitarian appearance--postal value and other information can be represented by printing of any form (aesthetic artwork or even tinting) extending over any part of the envelope (or envelope label). Such functionality can be provided using meters at corporate settings, or through equipment available at post offices (e.g., for consumer or USPS use). Desirably, such devices have network connectivity, e.g., to link to databases and exchange information with other systems. The information embedding can take various forms, including but not limited to digital watermarking.

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First Claim