Abstract: A method of selectively enabling data tables includes accessing data from a first data table, downloading a second data table, upon reaching a predetermined criteria, comparing corresponding data from the first and second data tables each time data is accessed from the first data table, prompting a user to accept the second data table for use if there is a difference between the corresponding data, charging an account of the user if the user accepts the second data table for use in response to the prompt, and performing alternate operations if the user does not accept the second data table for use.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device alerting to the expiration of tariffs for a franking system, comprising a random access memory (RAM) for recording postal data including a first table of postal tariffs relative to postal products and services and a processing unit for updating these postal tariffs, this RAM further comprising a second table of postal tariffs and the processing unit comprising means for comparing the postal tariffs of the first and second tables and for emitting a message alerting to the expiration of tariffs when a date of application of the postal tariffs of said second table is identical to or earlier than a desired date of franking and when one of these compared postal tariffs has been changed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for recording an extension of guarantee of print for a system for franking mailpieces, comprising a display of an indication of “end of initial guarantee” at the level of the franking system; comparing a remaining volume of ink with a minimum volume of ink beyond which printing of the mailpieces is prohibited; if the remaining volume of ink permits, a display of an indication of “offer of extension of guarantee” at the level of the franking system; if this offer is accepted by the user of the franking system, linking with a server of the franking system distributor; and recording of the extension of guarantee in the distributor's server. The indication of the end of initial guarantee corresponds to the franking of a predetermined number of mailpieces.

Abstract: A method of providing mail piece labeling and tracking includes allocating at least one tracking number a postal service provider customer, associating the at least one tracking number with information about a mail piece, applying the at least one tracking number to the mail piece, and using the at least one tracking number to track the delivery progress of the mail piece.

Abstract: A method of selectively enabling data tables includes accessing data from a first data table, downloading a second data table, upon reaching a predetermined criteria, comparing corresponding data from the first and second data tables each time data is accessed from the first data table, prompting a user to accept the second data table for use if there is a difference between the corresponding data, charging an account of the user if the user accepts the second data table for use in response to the prompt, and performing alternate operations if the user does not accept the second data table for use.

Abstract: A method for marking a mailpiece with a marking device is provided. The method includes providing the marking device with a processor and a user interface for inputting and displaying information entering in the user interface a partial sequence of characters from a complete sequence of characters, wherein the complete sequence of characters identifies a predetermined indicia related to a predetermined characteristic of the mailpiece with the processor, using the partial sequence to identify predetermined indicia stored in a memory of the processor that satisfy the partial sequence listing the predetermined indicia on a display of the user interface and selecting one of the listed predetermined indicia, wherein selection of the one listed predetermined indicia causes the processor to generate a corresponding command to the marking device.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking a mail piece includes capturing an image of the mail piece, associating a tracking number for the mail piece with the image, providing the mail piece and tracking number to a carrier, and utilizing information from the image to investigate a lack of delivery if no delivery verification is received from the carrier within a certain time period. The system and method may also include extracting information from a portion of the image and presenting the extracted information to a carrier, receiving additional information related to the mail piece from the carrier in response to presenting the extracted information, providing the mail piece, the additional information, and a tracking number for the mail piece to a carrier, inserting the mail piece into a mail stream, and then utilizing information from the image to investigate a lack of delivery if no delivery verification is received from the carrier within a certain time period.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking a mail piece includes capturing an image of the mail piece, associating a tracking number for the mail piece with the image, providing the mail piece and tracking number to a carrier, and utilizing information from the image to investigate a lack of delivery if no delivery verification is received from the carrier within a certain time period. The system and method may also include extracting information from a portion of the image and presenting the extracted information to a carrier, receiving additional information related to the mail piece from the carrier in response to presenting the extracted information, providing the mail piece, the additional information, and a tracking number for the mail piece to a carrier, inserting the mail piece into a mail stream, and then utilizing information from the image to investigate a lack of delivery if no delivery verification is received from the carrier within a certain time period.

Abstract: This invention relates to an inkjet printing device of a franking machine intended to print postal indicia on a mail piece to be franked, displaced with respect to this device in a direction of displacement, the postal indicia comprising at least an amount of franking, a date of deposit and an authentication code and the printing device comprising, on the one hand, a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink droplets, disposed in two rows extending transversely to the direction of displacement, these two rows of nozzles being spaced apart from each other by a distance in this direction and, on the other hand, a control means for selectively controlling the ejection of these ink droplets as a function of the postal indicia to be printed, said control means being arranged so that, during printing, each of the critical postal data such as the amount of franking, the date of deposit or the authentication code, is printed from one row of nozzles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device alerting to the expiration of tariffs for a franking system, comprising a random access memory (RAM) for recording postal data including a first table of postal tariffs relative to postal products and services and a processing unit for updating these postal tariffs, this RAM further comprising a second table of postal tariffs and the processing unit comprising means for comparing the postal tariffs of the first and second tables and for emitting a message alerting to the expiration of tariffs when a date of application of the postal tariffs of said second table is identical to or earlier than a desired date of franking and when one of these compared postal tariffs has been changed.

Abstract: A method of downloading information to an indicia marking device includes generating a request for information for the device, providing a description of the information to the device in response to the request, confirming the request based on the description, and providing the requested information upon recognizing the confirmation. The method also includes providing an authorization code to the device, and utilizing the authorization code to install files associated with the information. The method further includes establishing a real time connection between a first computer and the device through a second computer, and providing files associated with the information through the real time connection. The method still further includes retrieving files and storing files associated with the information, and providing the files to the device during a next occurring communication.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for recording an extension of guarantee of print for a system for franking mailpieces, comprising a display of an indication of “end of initial guarantee” at the level of the franking system; comparing a remaining volume of ink with a minimum volume of ink beyond which printing of the mailpieces is prohibited; and, if the remaining volume of ink permits, a display of an indication “offer of extension of guarantee” at the level of the franking system; if this offer is accepted by the user of the franking system, link with a server of the franking system distributor; and recording of the extension of guarantee in the distributor's server. The indication of the end of initial guarantee corresponds to the franking of a predetermined number of mailpieces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for preparing mail items comprising both postal indicia and a service marking representative of a service associated with this mail item and previously requested by a user, this system comprising first standard print means connected to a computer terminal of the user itself linked, through an Internet network, to a server housing the website of a third party in charge of preparing the mail items, in order to print both the postal coordinates of the addressee and the service marking. Second secured print means constituted by a franking machine are further provided to print the postal indicia.

Abstract: A graphic machine or plotter comprising a feed roll (30) for continuously supplying a print medium such as paper (20), driving means (24) for driving the paper supplied by the feed roll to produce a drawing on the paper, and a take-up roll (40) for receiving the paper after the drawing is produced. The feed roll (30) and the take-up roll (40) are linked together in such a way that the rotation of the feed roll (30) in a forward direction for which the paper is payed out from the feed roll drives the take-up roll (40) to wind up the paper but the rotation of the take-up roll (40) in the reverse direction does not drive the feed roll (30).