Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing dual sliding windows for the purpose of determining postage discount qualifications across invalid and unreadable mail pieces and determining the number of mail pieces to be placed in a mail tray for receiving the maximum postage discount. This is accomplished by storing the criteria for postal discounts in a controller and determining the number of mail pieces that can be received in a tray based upon the thickness of the mail pieces. The system includes a scale that weighs the mail pieces, from which weight the thicknesses of the mail pieces can be determined on an individual basis, and an OCR reader that reads the zip codes in the address block of the mail pieces to assure they are valid and readable, and a controller for performing the necessary computations.

Abstract: A postal finishing kiosk in which a user is provided with a mail piece, such as a postcard. The user supplies the name and address to which the mail piece is to be sent and the kiosk dispenses a finished mail piece to the user with the address printer thereon. A feature of the kiosk is that it stores the mail piece forms on a roll, but delivers a linear mail piece to the user. In an alternative to the invention, the kiosk dispenses a ticket to the user that can be used in activities of the environment in which the kiosk is found.

Abstract: A metering kiosk in which postage is applied to a finished mail piece such as a postcard which has been provided with bar codes to indicate paper orientation for receipt with the kiosk and indicate the destination of the postcard. The metering kiosk has a touch screen monitor for convenient communication between the user and the logic of the kiosk. Although the primary function of the kiosk is to apply postage to a finished mail piece, convenience and entertainment of the user is a consideration.