Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating payment using a payment card includes a computerized sales transaction device structured to determine a monetary amount for a sale, and a secure card activated terminal (CAT) device in electronic communication with the computerized sales transaction device. The computerized sales transaction device sends the monetary amount to the secure CAT device. The secure CAT device is structured to: (i) obtain sensitive payment card information from the card, (ii) automatically request in a secure, encrypted manner authorization for the sale using the monetary amount and the sensitive payment card information, (iii) receive in a secure, encrypted manner authorization approval for the sale, and (iv) in response to receiving the authorization approval, send purchase authorization approval information to the computerized sales transaction device. The computerized sales transaction device never receives the sensitive payment card information.

Abstract: A method and system that allows for large amounts of data to be printed utilizing a small memory is provided. The complete image to be printed on the print medium is separated into different regions each having associated print data. The memory device, while being too small to store all of the print data for the full image, is capable of storing the print data associated with each region. The print data for each region is released from the print head controller to the memory device for printing in a timed fashion based on movement of the print medium. The print data for a subsequent region will not be passed to the memory until the print medium has moved a sufficient distance, thereby indicating that printing of the preceding region has been completed.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating payment using a payment card includes a computerized sales transaction device structured to determine a monetary amount for a sale, and a secure card activated terminal (CAT) device in electronic communication with the computerized sales transaction device. The computerized sales transaction device sends the monetary amount to the secure CAT device. The secure CAT device is structured to: (i) obtain sensitive payment card information from the card, (ii) automatically request in a secure, encrypted manner authorization for the sale using the monetary amount and the sensitive payment card information, (iii) receive in a secure, encrypted manner authorization approval for the sale, and (iv) in response to receiving the authorization approval, send purchase authorization approval information to the computerized sales transaction device. The computerized sales transaction device never receives the sensitive payment card information.

Abstract: A mailing machine is provided that determines if entry into a disabled state is coupled with the need for auxiliary information to be entered by the user. If auxiliary information is required to be entered by the user, the print head will not move to the capped position but instead remains in the printing position, and a timer is activated to provide the user with time to enter the information. If the user enters the required information before a predetermined amount of time has expired, the mail piece will be processed without any delay required for the print head to move from the capped position to the printing position. Only if the user has not entered the required information within the predetermined amount of time will the print head move to the capped position.

Abstract: A mailing machine is provided that, when operating in a differential weighing mode, can detect if a user has replaced one or more mail pieces that may have been inadvertently removed at the same time back onto the scale. If the mailing machine detects such replacement within a predetermined time period after the scale has stabilized, the weight calculated for the mail piece can be reduced by the amount added back to the scale, or, alternatively, the user could be requested to confirm that multiple pieces were inadvertently removed from the scale at the same time, the user is trying to correct that error, and a new weight is to be determined.