Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided that allow for efficient and simple provision of reprint indicia, refund requests and refunds for erroneous or damaged indicia, and combinations thereof, without the technical and administrative overhead common to conventional postage systems.

Abstract: A limited-function computing device is provided that allows a user to print postage indicia or other value-bearing items on demand, without requiring the user to log in to or otherwise access specialized software executing on a general-purpose computer.

Abstract: A method includes scanning a check to generate image data representative of an image of the check. The method further includes detecting at least one security feature of the check. The method also includes transforming the image data to include at least one encoded indication of the detected at least one security feature of the check.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by enabling a sender to easily and automatically track mail. The foregoing is accomplished by first requiring the sender to register the sender's acquisition and possession of a booklet of tracking labels. Sender may indicate to the system the nature of the automated tracking sender wishes (delivery only, failure only, mailing events forwarding, etc.) Sender may override the system for specific mail. Sender is in possession of the labels contained in the booklet which may be wrapped with tamper evidencing material, may register the labels by entering the booklet security code as well as the first sequential label tracking code in a system. The booklet security code is not obtained until the tampering evidencing material is opened.

Abstract: A method includes scanning a check to generate image data representative of an image of the check. The method further includes detecting at least one security feature of the check. The method also includes transforming the image data to include at least one encoded indication of the detected at least one security feature of the check.

Abstract: A system for storing information including a first partial portion of a printed marking, and a second partial portion of the printed marking. The printed marking comprises first information in a first information storage format. The first partial portion is printed with a first ink. The second partial portion is intermixed with the first partial portion to form the printed marking. The second partial portion is printed with at least one second different ink. The second ink comprises a metameric ink which becomes excited when exposed to an excitation source such that the printed marking contains second different information in a second different information storage format which can be read when the printed marking is exposed to the excitation source.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by enabling a sender to easily and automatically track mail. The foregoing is accomplished by first requiring the sender to register the sender's acquisition and possession of a booklet of tracking labels. Sender may indicate to the system the nature of the automated tracking sender wishes (delivery only, failure only, mailing events forwarding, etc.) Sender may override the system for specific mail. Sender is in possession of the labels contained in the booklet which may be wrapped with tamper evidencing material, may register the labels by entering the booklet security code as well as the first sequential label tracking code in a system. The booklet security code is not obtained until the tampering evidencing material is opened.

Abstract: A payment system and method is provided. A buyer establishes an account with the payment system. The buyer makes a request for payment for a transaction to the payment service. The request includes information related to the transaction. The payment system processes the information related to the transaction and issues a payment approval identification number. At the point of sale, access to the payment system is gained utilizing an access device not associated with the buyer, and information related to transaction and the identification number are provided to the payment system. The payment system will verify the information provided at the point of sale related to the transaction with the information provided by the buyer when payment was authorized. If the identification number is verified by the payment system, funds for the transaction will be passed from the buyer's account directly to the merchant's account.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating an amount of time required to complete a mail processing job. A control module receives and maintains real time data of quantity of mailpieces and time to sort the quantity of mailpieces during a first sort. A progress module processes the data to determine an estimated time to complete one or more second sorts of the mailpieces. Depending upon the estimated time of completion of the one or more sorts, the progress module advises an operator on whether to change the job schedule.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating an amount of time required to complete a mail processing job. A control module receives and maintains real time data of quantity of mailpieces and time to sort the quantity of mailpieces during a first sort. A progress module processes the data to determine an estimated time to complete one or more second sorts of the mailpieces. Depending upon the estimated time of completion of the one or more sorts, the progress module advises an operator on whether to change the job schedule.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a method of sorting mailpieces which requires less stopping of the sorting process for bin emptying. The present invention is directed to a mailpiece sorting method which indicates when a bin is partially full to the level of a partially full sensor so that an operator can empty that bin. Additionally, a bin-full calculation is performed for determining if redirection of the mailpieces to an alternate bin is necessary should the operator not empty the bin as directed. If a bin is partially full to the level of the sensor, the process performs an addition of thicknesses of all of the mailpieces which are in the mailpiece delivery system, but not yet delivered to the bin to determine whether those mailpieces would fill the bin. If the bin would be full, it is determined whether an alternate bin is available and, if so, the mailpieces are routed to the alternate bin.