Abstract: A virtual postage metering system and method provides value added services corresponding to postage metering transactions. Funds are not stored at a user's site, reducing the risk of unauthorized modification of accounting balances. There is a database record of every mailpiece, thereby improving verification since all valid pieces are known. Furthermore, the present invention enables the Post to know the volume of mail to be processed prior to receipt of physical mail pieces. Since more mailer data is available (e.g. when users usually mail, how much mail per day, average postage amount) the virtual postage metering system enables the postal service to predict mail handling patterns. Additionally, users have the option to pay as they go which contrasts present systems in which funds must be on deposit prior to being downloaded to a meter although such downloaded funds may remain in the meter for weeks before being used.

Abstract: A system and method of evidencing postage payment includes a local postage printing system requesting to a remote data metering center for the generation of postage evidencing information. The request includes a postage amount to be printed on a mailpiece. The remote data metering center determines a postal origin corresponding to the request for postage evidencing information, then accounts for the postage amount in a general account corresponding to the local postage printing system and in a payment account corresponding to the determined postal origin. The remote data metering center generates postage evidencing information in response to the request. The postage evidencing information includes a digital token and the determined postal origin. The remote data metering center sends the postage evidencing information to the local postage printing system which prints the postage evidencing information and the determined postal origin on the mailpiece.

Abstract: A system and method of evidencing postage payment includes a local postage printing system requesting to a remote data metering center for the generation of postage evidencing information. The request includes a postage amount to be printed on a mailpiece. The remote data metering center determines a postal origin corresponding to the request for postage evidencing information, then accounts for the postage amount in a general account corresponding to the local postage printing system and in a payment account corresponding to the determined postal origin. The remote data metering center generates postage evidencing information in response to the request. The postage evidencing information includes a digital token and the determined postal origin. The remote data metering center sends the postage evidencing information to the local postage printing system which prints the postage evidencing information and the determined postal origin on the mailpiece.

Abstract: A system (10) and method of evidencing postage payment include a local postage printing system (20, 22) requesting to a remote data metering center (30) for the generation of postage evidencing information (220, 320). The request includes a postage amount to be printed on a mail piece. The remote data metering center (30) determines a postal origin (220, 320) corresponding to the request for postage evidencing information (220, 230), then accounts for the postage amount in a general account (220, 320) corresponding to the local postage printing system (20, 22) and in a payment account corresponding to the determined postal origin (240, 340). The remote metering center (30) generates postage evidencing information (220, 320) in response to the request. The postal evidencing information includes a digital token and the determined postal origin (220, 320).

Abstract: A postage metering system includes a plurality of printer modules connected as part of a network and operating as clients on the network. Postal security devices (PSDs) are coupled the clients. Each PSD is local to the coupled client functioning as a host to the PSD and remote to the other of the plurality of clients. The PSD includes unique identification, postal value storage and a digital signature generator. The clients function as a postage metering network wherein a client requests evidence of postage payment from a remote PSD for concluding postage metering transactions. Each of the clients determines which of the remote PSDs are available for metering transactions on the network by broadcast messages and requests. In one embodiment, a broadcast request for the identity of remote PSDs whose host is logged onto the network is sent over the network by a client when the client logs onto the network.

Abstract: A postage metering system includes a plurality of printer modules operatively connected as part of a network and operating as client printer modules on the network. A postal security device (PSD) is coupled directly to a local one of the client printer modules. The PSD includes unique identification, postal value storage and a digital signature generator. The client printer modules function as a postage metering network wherein a one of the client printer modules remote to the PSD requests evidence of postage payment from the PSD through the local client printer module for concluding postage metering transactions. The local client printer module function as a stand-alone meter when requests for evidence of postage payment from the PSD are initiated at the local client printer module.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining origin ZIP code for a postage meter. The method includes receiving at a data center a call that originates from the location of the postage meter. Using caller ID, the data center determines the phone number originating the call. The data center also determines the identification of the postage meter. If the phone number has changed from a phone number from the previous phone call for the postage meter, the data center obtains a five-digit ZIP code for the address corresponding to the phone number. If the five-digit ZIP code has changed from a previous ZIP code used for postal accounting during previous transactions for the postage meter, the data center obtains a new certificate based on the five-digit ZIP code and downloads the new certificate to the postage meter. The data center transfers postage meter register values to a new postal account for the new certificate.

Abstract: A method for controlled acceptance mail payment and evidencing in accordance with the present invention includes creating a mail batch with a plurality of mailpieces each having encrypted indicia printed thereon. A mail documentation file is created containing the total weight of the mail batch, the total payment for the mail batch and mailer identification, all of which are digitally signed to facilitate a subsequent verification of the integrity of the data. The digital signature is included as part of the mail documentation file. The mail batch and mail documentation file are submitted to a carrier distribution system. The carrier processes the batch of mail and the mail documentation file as part of the carrier distribution process to determine the total weight of the batch of mail and verify the weight of the actual batch of mail in comparison to the total weight of the batch of mail as set forth in the mail documentation file.

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.