Abstract: A fuel dispenser that displays information based upon the identity of the customer includes a user interface that permits the fuel dispenser to determine the identity of the customer. Once the fuel dispenser has determined the identity of the customer, the fuel dispenser displays information on a display that is customized as a function of the determined identity of the customer.

Abstract: A postage meter mailing machine includes an improved embedded user interface. The user interface is suitable for providing a user interface to the mailing machine and also a direct user interface to an external device in bus communication with the mailing machine. The mailing machine includes a programmable microcontroller for performing hard and soft system functions. The microcontroller includes non-volatile memories for storing data information and executable routine. The microcontroller is also in bus communication with a visual display and a plurality of soft keys. Stored in the non-volatile memory is a plurality of system screens for display on said visual display. Each of the screens has a menu field and a prompt field and contains descriptors for a plurality of screen fields.

Abstract: The mailing processing system includes a postage meter for dispensing postage. The postage meter includes having a printing mechanism having value print elements and a postal inscription mechanism. The postal inscription mechanism has a plurality of printing surfaces. Each surface is embossed with a different mail class identifier. The mail processing system inclusive of the postage meter operates under the control of a microcomputer means for accounting for postage dispensed by the postage meter having accounting means for providing department accounting of said dispensed postage and for controlling said printing means. The microcomputer is programmed to enable permitted carrier and carrier fees sets in accordance with operator selected departmental account. The microcomputer is being further programmed to cause said postal inscription mechanism to position said respective printing surface for printing corresponding to the carrier class selected by said operator.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for providing a meter activity log is usable in a mail processing machine which is adapted to receive a plurality of postage meters. The mail processing machine includes a microcomputer control and nonvolatile memory storage means for storing meter accounting information. The meter accounting information is stored in association with a unique identification of each of a plurality of meters installed in the mail processing machine. Accounting information relating to the uniquely-identified meter activity which has occurred off-line is determined and stored. Information relative to the uniquely-identified meter activity upon the occurrence of each of a plurality of selected events which occur on-line is also stored. The log may be printed and the information cleared by command of the operator.

Abstract: The improved postage metering combination includes a date setting mechanism for enabling the printing of a posting date by a printing assembly. The combination includes a calendar clock in communication with a microcomputer for providing current date information to the microcomputer. A date printing mechanism is connected to the microcomputer date information to be printing by the combination or causing said date printing to be ducked. Data entry keys are provided to communicate with the microcomputer the current date information is printed by the combination, date information is ducked or the date to be printed is incremented in advance of the current date.