Abstract: A register system such as a carrier management system has a scale for weighing parcels, and a computer for determining shipping costs of the parcels. The computer has a memory including one or more accounting registers. A user PROM having a unique identification number therein is insertable in the system, and an initialization program stores this number in the system memory. Transactions cannot be accounted unless the numbers in the PROM and memory compare. A further PROM is insertable in the system in order to enable the initialization program.

Abstract: A carrier management system includes a scale for weighing parcels to be shipped, a computer connected to receive data from the scale related to the weight of a parcel thereon, and first input keys enabling the input of information. The computer has a data base for storing shipping charge data for a plurality of carriers and/or shipping classes, based upon the weight of a parcel of the scale. The computer is responsive to the operation of the first keys for determining shipping charges for predetermined carriers and/or shipping classes represented by data in the data base. The input includes auto-rate selection key, and the computer is responsive to operation of the auto-rate selection key for determining shipping charges of the least costly carrier and/or shipping class of a predetermined subgroup of carriers and/or shipping classes represented by data in the data base. In one operating mode, the computer may determined the next least costly shipping charges.

Abstract: A carrier management system includes accounting registers, and a program for setting the registers. The program may be responsive to the input of coded values for decoding these values and storing them in the registers. The program may be enabled, for a single operation, by insertion of a service PROM in the system.

Abstract: A carrier management system includes a scale for weighing parcels to be shipped, a computer connected to receive data from the scale related to the weight of a parcel thereon, and a keyboard enabling operator input to the computer. The keyboard has a plurality of keys including a plurality of selection keys corresponding to separate ones or groups of the carriers and/or classes. The computer stores shipping charge data for a plurality of carriers and/or shipping classes, on the basis of weight data from the scale. A second memory receives and stores discount data from the keyboard, corresponding to discounts allocable to any of the carriers and/or classes. The computer is responsive to operation of the selection keys for applying discounts stored in the second means to any carrier and/or class to which they are applicable.