Abstract: A system and method for printing a postage indicia, including a desired postage amount and encrypted information, onto a piece of mail. The mail when inserted into the normal mail system can be verified as having legally issued postage through realtime access to a central registered user database. A user takes a powerable postal dispensing device to an authorized agent of a postal authority in order to obtain a replenishment of the amount of postage stored within the portable postage dispensing device. A desired amount of postage is entered into the dispensing device by an authorized agent through a host processor-based system. The user is then able to access this stored postage at the user's location through a complementary host processor-based system. The authorized agent uses a PC bond system designed to allow data to be entered into the portable dispensing device only upon exercising a series of comprehensive checks based, in part, by data stored within the portable dispensing device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for dispensing postage (or other graphical security indicia) electronically by using a portable processor containing a maximum amount of preauthorized postage which can be applied to any piece of mail. The portable processor can be refilled at various locations through the use of a closed-loop system which relies upon a database of users who are preregistered in the database. Upon refill of the portable processor an expiration date is stored therein. Thereafter, each transaction includes reference to this expiration date and a secure realtime clock in order to determine if the portable processor may dispense postage. Additionally, the realtime clock is utilized to provide date stamping of the indicia generated.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for dispensing postage (or other graphical security indicia) electronically by using a portable processor containing a maximum amount of preauthorized postage which can be applied to any piece of mail. The portable processor can be refilled at various locations through the use of a closed-loop system which relies upon a database of users who are preregistered in the database. Each transaction, whether checking postage indicia for validity or refilling the portable processors, relies upon information pertaining to the registered user of the processor matching the information in the database. This system allows for the validation of a graphical security indicia at a location detached from the creator of the graphical indicia.