Abstract: A method of performing non-secure franking by means of a communications terminal comprising means for communicating with a franking service provider's server, a non-secure memory for recording identification numbers and associated postage amounts received in the franking service provider's server. The communications terminal can further comprise print command means for instructing a standard printer to print one of the identification numbers corresponding to the desired postage amount and extracted from the non-secure memory on a mail item to be sent.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a mail item, said method comprising the following steps: a) obtaining the three-dimensional structure of the fibers of said mail item by means of a scanner device; b) determining a unique fingerprint code on the basis of said three-dimensional fiber structure; c) generating a two-dimensional bar code including a unique identification number; d) creating a database associating said unique identification number with said unique fingerprint code; and e) printing said two-dimensional bar code on the mail item. The invention also relates to the method of verifying the mail item manufactured in this way.

Abstract: A system of paying for a service that is delivered to a user by a provider of said service, the system including print means for printing out a docket issued by the service provider and bearing the amount to be paid for the requested service, and franking means for printing a postage amount equal to said amount to be paid on said docket or on a label affixed next to said docket.

Abstract: A method of paying for a postage amount relating to franking a mail item addressed to a sendee by a sender, said method comprising the following operations: inputting the address of the sendee or “destination address” borne on the mail item into a handheld communications device of the sender; inputting a postage amount into the handheld communications device; generating a franking authorization code in the handheld communications device; sending said franking authorization code to a server for issuing franking authorizations; debiting the account of the sender for an amount corresponding to the postage amount of the requested franking, and having the server for issuing franking authorizations send said franking authorization code; displaying said franking authorization code on the handheld communications device; having the franking authorization code copied by the sender onto the mail item; and depositing the mail item in a mailbox.

Abstract: In a mail franking system including a franking management module (32) and at least one data processing means (34A-34D) associated with means of printing a postmark (36A-36B, 38A-38B) and connected to the franking management module via a local area network (LAN), it is provided that the franking management module includes a Web server and the data processing means includes a Web browser to access a franking management application residing on the Web server. This franking management module is a franking machine (32).

Abstract: In a mail franking system including a central secure metering device (PSD 20) connected to a remote credit reloading server (26) and a plurality of local franking management modules (22-1 to 22-N) each including a local secure metering device (28-1 to 28-N) and connected to said central secure metering device via a user's local area network (LAN), there is provided a method wherein a franking session is opened, each of the local franking management modules books a predetermined franking value from a central secure metering device so as to perform secure frankings up to the limit of this value and at the end of session each of these modules transmits its consumed franking value to the central device which is then debited by an overall franking value equal to the sum of the franking values consumed by each of the local modules.

Abstract: Method of obtaining a franking credit including the following operations: entry via a user's portable communications device (10) of a unique identification number (12A) carried by a mail item (12) to be sent, entry of a franking credit at the portable communications device and transmission of the franking credit thus requested to a franking credits delivery server (16), debiting the user's account by an amount corresponding to the franking credit requested and transmission by the franking credits delivery server of a debit confirmation to the user's portable communications device, and depositing the mail item in a post box (14).

Abstract: Method of delivering a franking service including the following operations: connection via a communications network of a user's communications device (10, 12) with a server system (18) operated by a franking services provider, entry via the communications device of a unique identification number carried by a mail item (14) to be sent, selection by the user of a franking service from the various franking services offered by the server system and entry of postal information in relation to the selected service, determination by the server system on the basis of this information of the cost of the selected franking service and communication of this cost to the user, payment by the user for the selected franking service, and depositing of the mail item in a post box (16).

Abstract: Method of validating mail items by a sender with a view to their handover to a mail distribution service, wherein the mail items are handed over to the mail distribution service by the sender without affixing any post mark, the mail items each being provided with a unique identification number at the manufacturing stage and this number, following capture by the sender, being transmitted to a server together with an amount payable determined by the sender, the confirmation of payment by a debit on the sender's account in the server constituting proof of franking. The invention also relates to a mail item and terminals for the validation and verification of mail.

Abstract: A method of automatically paying for a franking service in a self-service mail-handling machine, in which method the user inputs parameters of the requested franking service into the mail-handling machine which displays a first item of encoded information relating to the requested franking service, the user captures said first item of encoded information by means of a handheld communications device which automatically sends a payment request to a first server system which receives said request, verifies the entitlements of the user and, if said entitlements are valid, generates a second item of encoded information and sends it to the handheld communications device for display, and the user transmits said second item of encoded information to the mail-handling machine which verifies whether said second item of encoded information as received is valid, and, if it is valid, implements the requested franking service.

Abstract: A method of paying for a franking service in a self-service mail-handling machine, in which method a user sends a franking service payment request to a server system from a handheld communications device; after said request has been received by the server system, and after the user's access entitlements have been verified, and if said entitlements are valid, an authorization code is generated in the server system in response to the franking service payment request, and said authorization code is sent to the handheld communications device from the server system; by means of the received encrypted authorization code being read by the user on the handheld communications device, and by means of the encrypted authorization code being input into the mail-handling machine, and if said code is valid, it is possible to activate the mail-handling machine so as to enable the user to proceed with the operations necessary for implementing the requested franking service.