Abstract: A communication system for processing information for distribution, including: a central data station, a plurality of user stations, a communication link interconnecting the central station with each of the user data stations, the central station including having capability, for periodically and cyclically accessing each of selected ones of the user stations, means for accessing the data base at each of the accessed user stations, and for dividing the data base into a plurality of categories, a data base storage area for storing each of the categories the central data station has capability for augmenting each of the categories from each accessed user data base for accessing each of the categories in accordance with an authorized user station request, and for transmitting the accessed category to the requesting user.

Abstract: A system for certifying correctly accounted postage payment, the system includes an input for entering transactional mail run data and a data processor coupled to the input. Documents to be certified are fed along a document feed path, and certain parameters for the documents are determined. A printer under the control of the data processor, then places a certification imprint upon the documents after necessary accounting is done.

Abstract: A communication system for processing information for distribution, including: a central data station, a plurality of user stations, each of the user stations including a plurality of components forming a secure path for the proper distribution of the information, a communication link interconnecting the user stations with the central data stations, the central data station including means for periodically interrogating a user station for determining the operational status of each of the components, means located within the central data station for indicating an error condition in any one of the components, and means at the central data station for transmitting a condition signal from the central data station to the user station for indicating the error condition.

Abstract: A communication system for processing information for distribution, including: a central data station, a plurality of user stations, a communication link interconnecting the user stations with the central data station, each the user stations including means for accessing the central station, the central station including a data base of usage information and billing data, the central station including means for accessing the user station usage data base, the central data station including means responsive to the user usage pattern for calculating a billing data means for transmitting the billing data to the station, the billing data including a billing plan based upon the usage information of the user and the projected usage calculated from the central station data base in accordance with the user data base.