Abstract: A system for providing franking services includes one or more networks, one or more postage meters, and a postal infrastructure data center connected to the one or more meters through the one or more networks, wherein the postal infrastructure data center establishes communication with the one or more meters as required.

Abstract: A printing device adapted to print upon a printing media. The printing device has a printing media inserter, a media path, and a plurality of printheads, positioned serially in the media path. Each of the printheads is adapted to print upon the printing media moving along the media path. The printing media inserter transfers the printing media to a printing media buffer or into the media path. A piece of the printing media traveling along the media path is sequentially printed upon by each of the printheads. The plurality of printheads are controlled to combine print from the plurality of printheads on the piece of printing media and form a resultant combined print image with a resolution different than at least one print of at least one of the plurality of printheads on the piece of printing media.

Abstract: A method of producing a barcode includes collecting a set of information for producing the bar code, using an indicator to designate the set of information, encoding the indicator in the barcode, expanding the barcode to a particular size, and printing the bar code.

Abstract: An intelligent label for dynamically displaying an information bearing indicium. The label includes a microprocessor coupled to communications circuitry, a display and a storage device. The storage device stores instructions that are executed by the microprocessor to receive through the communications circuitry a request for location information, to send through the communications circuitry location information in response to the request, to receive information based upon a computed postage amount, and to show on the label display an information bearing indicium based upon the computed postage amount.

Abstract: A method of downloading information to an indicia marking device includes generating a request for information for the device, providing a description of the information to the device in response to the request, confirming the request based on the description, and providing the requested information upon recognizing the confirmation. The method also includes providing an authorization code to the device, and utilizing the authorization code to install files associated with the information. The method further includes establishing a real time connection between a first computer and the device through a second computer, and providing files associated with the information through the real time connection. The method still further includes retrieving files and storing files associated with the information, and providing the files to the device during a next occurring communication.

Abstract: A method and system for using a postal meter to pay for services other than postage. This can include funding the postal meter from a postal data center, establishing a communication channel between the postal meter and a host server, accessing a services/products purchase menu through the host server, selecting one or more services/products for purchase, debiting funds from the postal meter for the services/product purchased, adjusting a postal account associated with the postal meter with the funds debited from the postal meter for the services/product purchase, and reallocating the recredited funds to an account associated with the services/products purchased.

Abstract: A system for operating at least one secure cryptographic vault device. In one embodiment, the system comprises a vault manager for communicating with the secure cryptographic vault device. The vault manager is adapted to be implemented on a computerized system and adapted to integrated with an application program for transmission of data from the application program to the secure cryptographic vault device and transmission of an indicia from the cryptographic vault device to the application program. The at least one secure cryptographic vault device receives data and generates the indicia based on the received data and additional data previously stored in the cryptographic vault device.