Patents Examined by Rutao Wu May
  • Patent number: 7376630
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a postage franking device includes: a scale; an envelope holder suspended from the scale; a printer supported by the holder, the printer movable across the print zone; and a controller electronically coupled to the scale and the printer, the controller configured to receive information from the scale, access postage, and direct the printer to print a desired postage in response to information received from the scale. In another embodiment, a postage franking method includes: purchasing postage; storing the postage; accessing the stored postage with a postage franking device having a scale and a printer; determining a required postage for the envelope based on the weight of the envelope; if the required postage is less than the stored postage, then printing the required postage on the suspended envelope; and deducting the required postage from the stored postage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Flory H. Blair, John D. Shoberg