Abstract: To facilitate printing of postage or other images onto media of variable size, an apparatus determines the size of the medium in at least one dimension prior to or during the printing of the image, such that the image to be printed is adjusted based upon the determined size of the medium. The apparatus may be a postage meter, in which case information is received by a data processor concerning the size of a mail piece and the postal value. An initial image is made up of a fixed portion, including postal indicia, and a user-defined variable portion, is then altered in view of this input to provide a final image for printing on the mail piece which fits fully on the mail piece. The alteration effects only the variable portion of the image, which may be truncated, scaled or replaced with a different variable portion.

Abstract: The system has a postal security device that contains stored postage value, which causes the nonsecure printer to print onto a mail piece. In addition, the postal security device is attached to a secure card interface, which receives a secure card. The postal security device is connected to the TMS host by a data link. The TMS host is connected to the postal authority by a data link.

Abstract: In an improved postage scale system, soft-selection keys are used for selecting options including shipping service options provided by the system. The display on such a system is adjustable for comfortable viewing thereof. The system is capable of interfacing and communicating with other devices such as a printer, a remote computer, an optical scanner, an integrated circuit (IC) card, etc. Certain data and code for use in the system can be updated by downloading new data and code from IC cards to the system. A security measure is instituted such that, after an update of the data or code, a system user is required to enter a valid authorization number in order to enable the system. Such a measure is, in part, necessary for deterring unauthorized copying of software of the system onto another similar system.

Abstract: An improved system for providing early warning preemptive postal equipment replacement. Selected performance parameters of the postal equipment are monitored and compared against predetermined operational boundaries. The system is capable of providing for variability in the performance parameters, wherein these parameters may be permitted to vary over time and usage of the equipment. The monitoring gives an indication of the overall system performance. If the system performance goes outside of operational boundaries, or changes significantly over time, replacement of the equipment can then be scheduled with minimal inconvenience to the customer.

Abstract: Secure activities are carried out between a client (23) and a server (21) in connection with the printing of postage. A cryptographically secure exchange (22) is employed so as to establish a common time base (24, 25), said common time base obviating a constant (e.g. battery) power supply. The postage-printing client (23) thus does need not have a reliable power supply in the absence of AC (mains) power.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a greatly improved Postal Security Device (PSD) incorporating periodic and automatic self implementation of a public/private key pair. According to the invention, it is provided that the appropriate resources are contained in a PSD, thereby permitting the PSD generate a new set of public/private key pairs as required to change the secure cryptographic identity of the PSD. Such generation may occur in response to an arbitrary criterion, such as a request, a change in usage patterns, the amount spent, and/or the number of pieces processed. The number of key pair generations may be limited to a predetermined maximum. The appropriate authorities are then notified of the new PSD Public key. The new PSD key pair is used upon receipt of the appropriate certificate from the Certification Authority.

Abstract: In an improved postage scale system, soft-selection keys are used for selecting options including shipping service options provided by the system. The display on such a system is adjustable for comfortable viewing thereof. The system is capable of interfacing and communicating with other devices such as a printer, a remote computer, an optical scanner, an integrated circuit (IC) card, etc. Certain data and code for use in the system can be updated by downloading new data and code from IC cards to the system. A security measure is instituted such that, after an update of the data or code, a system user is required to enter a valid authorization number in order to enable the system. Such a measure is, in part, necessary for deterring unauthorized copying of software of the system onto another similar system.

Abstract: A proof-of-postage generating system wherein funds, application of those funds, the replenishment of those funds and the auditing of those funds are secure against attempts at fraud. The system may either be a Closed System (CS) wherein the proof-of postage printing means are housed within the system computational means or within a cryptographically secure boundary. Further, the system my be an Open System (OS) wherein the proof-of postage printing means are external to the system computational means.

Abstract: In an improved postage scale system, soft-selection keys are used for selecting options including shipping service options provided by the system. The display on such a system is adjustable for comfortable viewing thereof. The system is capable of interfacing and communicating with other devices such as a printer, a remote computer, an optical scanner, an integrated circuit (IC) card, etc. Certain data and code for use in the system can be updated by downloading new data and code from IC cards to the system. A security measure is instituted such that, after an update of the data or code, a system user is required to enter a valid authorization number in order to enable the system. Such a measure is, in part, necessary for deterring unauthorized copying of software of the system onto another similar system.

Abstract: In an improved postage scale system, soft-selection keys are used for selecting options including shipping service options provided by the system. The display on such a system is adjustable for comfortable viewing thereof. The system is capable of interfacing and communicating with other devices such as a printer, a remote computer, an optical scanner, an integrated circuit (IC) card, etc. Certain data and code for use in the system can be updated by downloading new data and code from IC cards to the system. A security measure is instituted such that, after an update of the data or code, a system user is required to enter a valid authorization number in order to enable the system. Such a measure is, in part, necessary for deterring unauthorized copying of software of the system onto another similar system.

Abstract: In an improved postage scale system, soft-selection keys are used for selecting options including shipping service options provided by the system. The display on such a system is adjustable for comfortable viewing thereof. The system is capable of interfacing and communicating with other devices such as a printer, a remote computer, an optical scanner, an integrated circuit (IC) card, etc. Certain data and code for use in the system can be updated by downloading new data and code from IC cards to the system. A security measure is instituted such that, after an update of the data or code, a system user is required to enter a valid authorization number in order to enable the system. Such a measure is, in part, necessary for deterring unauthorized copying of software of the system onto another similar system.

Abstract: In an improved postage scale system, programs and data are used to run the system to provide shipping options and information on shipping costs associated therewith. The system is capable of interfacing and communicating with other devices such as a printer, a remote computer, an optical scanner, an integrated circuit (IC) card, etc. For example, the system can be updated by downloading new data and application code from IC cards to the system.

Abstract: In an improved electronic postage scale system, non-keyboard devices are used to select shipping service options provided by the system. For example, a bar-code scanner, a voice-recognition device or a remote computer is configured to emulate keycodes from the system keyboard and can be operatively connected through a keyboard interface to select shipping options.

Abstract: A postage meter resetting apparatus includes a stepper motor as a first motive arrangement for turning the resetting shaft of a mechanical postage meter, another stepper motor as a second motive mechanism to enable or disable resetting by the first stepper motor. A lead screw, lead nut and linkage, driven by the second stepper motor, when resetting is authorized, moves an axially movable part of a coupling between the second stepper motor and the meter's axially movable resetting shaft, to bring the resetting gear on the shaft into engagement with a gear of the meter's descending register. An input to the first stepper motor, representing a variable amount of postage, effects turning of the resetting shaft and the engaged gears by amounts corresponding to the desired variable amount of postage to be added to the meter's descending register. An encoder coupled to the shaft of the first stepper motor provides an output indication of the amount that the shaft has turned.