摘要:
A system (10) and method of evidencing postage payment include a local postage printing system (20, 22) requesting to a remote data metering center (30) for the generation of postage evidencing information (220, 320). The request includes a postage amount to be printed on a mail piece. The remote data metering center (30) determines a postal origin (220, 320) corresponding to the request for postage evidencing information (220, 230), then accounts for the postage amount in a general account (220, 320) corresponding to the local postage printing system (20, 22) and in a payment account corresponding to the determined postal origin (240, 340). The remote metering center (30) generates postage evidencing information (220, 320) in response to the request. The postal evidencing information includes a digital token and the determined postal origin (220, 320). The remote data metering center (30) sends the postage evidencing information to the local postage printing system (20, 22) which prints the postage evidencing information and the determined postal origin on the mail piece.
摘要:
A wireless mailing system (10) that has a minimal number of interface cables between devices, while still maintaining full functionality, is easy to add devices to, and provides remote access for each device without having a dedicated telephone line for each device or having to transport each device to a telephone line is provided. A mailing system (10) includes a plurality of devices, each of which is adapted to communicate with the other devices via a wireless communication link to form a local network.(30) A gateway server (12) can act as the master of the local network (30) to coordinate communication between the devices in the local network (30), or alternatively, the devices in the local network (30) can communicate directly with each other. Additionally, the gateway server (12) allows remote access to the local network (30) via a standard telephone network or other data network, such as, for example, the Internet.
摘要:
A modular franking system (10) for processing envelopes into mailpieces having a path through the modules (11, 12A/12B, 13, 14, 15, 16) for performing steps on the envelopes such a weighing (12A/12B) each envelope and calculating a franking charge (14)for each envelope. The franking system (1) includes a network protocol stack and a network controller or node (N1, N2) that connects the system (10) to a gateway such as a LAN (21). The LAN (21) can allow access to the Internet (22). Via the LAN (21), the franking system (10) can be remotely configured.
摘要:
A postal system includes a local computer (110, 300) having a user interface (316, 318) and an associated storage unit (322) for storing a secure data file that contains postal (e.g., accounting) data. A secure processing unit (140, 340, 400) interfaces with the local computer (110, 300) and performs the secure processing normally associated with a secure postal environment. The secure processing unit (140, 340, 400) can be designed to receive power from the computer to which it couples, and generally does not require special interconnect. By using the secure processing unit (140, 340, 400) to perform the secure processing and the local computer (110, 300) to perform other postal functions (e.g., user interface), complexity is reduced which translates to faster speed of operation and a more economical hardware design.
摘要:
A technique for printing postage and other value indicia at a user location. A user at a user computer acquires secure postage labels having one or more security features such as serrated edges, a microprint strip, a color fiber, taggants, a watermark, a hologram, or a fluorescent stripe. The labels have associated serial numbers, possibly at the sheet or individual label level. The user establishes communication with a postage vendor system (PVS), which may include one or more servers, and requests one or more indicia. The user also provides one or more serial numbers for the label(s) or label sheet(s) on which the one or more indicia are to be printed. The PVS determines if the one or more serial numbers are valid, and if so, generates information for printing the one or more indicia and then sends the information to the user computer. The information preferably includes a digital signature for each indicium, which may incorporate the serial number. The user computer receives the information and prints the one or more indicia on one or more postage labels.