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Abstract

The invention is a method for creating a mailpiece object. The method includes encapsulating a software control within an object to form a mailpiece object, wherein the mailpiece object is OLE enabled. Encapsulation of the software control provides a software application with a set of mailpiece production capabilities when the mailpiece object is embedded within the application. The method begins with the instantiation of the mailpiece object which establishes a programming interface for the object. The properties of the mailpiece object are then established by: placing a set of object methods; a set of mailpiece production functionalities; and, a set of data tables within the mailpiece object by utilizing the programming interface. A human interface is next established and placed within the mailpiece object by utilizing the programming interface. The mailpiece object is then embedded within a software application; and the embedded mailpiece object is utilized to produce a mailpiece under direction of the software application. Once embedded in the one or more software applications selected by the data processing system and the system user, the embedded mailpiece object becomes an OLE enabled OCX and, the OCX further includes a set of pre-determined mailpiece production functions and a property setting comprising selectable functionality for one or more postal markets.

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First Claim