Abstract: According to some embodiments, a power meter comprises an interface for a connection between a power outlet and a motor vehicle battery. A power measuring circuit may be coupled to the interface. A processor may be coupled to the power measuring circuit. The motor vehicle battery is installed in a motor vehicle. The power meter may be configured for installation in the motor vehicle. Furthermore, a computer-readable medium may be in communication with the processor and may store program instructions. The processor may be operative with the program instructions to receive identification information associated with the power outlet, record a measurement of an amount of electricity received by the motor vehicle battery from the power outlet during a charging transaction, and generate a receipt associated with the charging transaction. The identification information identifies an owner of the power outlet.

Abstract: A mail processing system having a postal security device (PSD) that can be dynamically configured to support multiple customers and carriers is provided. Meter records are maintained at a data center. Each meter record includes information necessary to configure the PSD for a particular customer and/or a specified carrier. The data center provides a requested meter record to the PSD, which then is configured according to the meter record. Once loaded with a complete meter record, the PSD will function as a traditional PSD and mail processing can be performed by the mail processing system using the configured PSD. All accounting takes place locally in the PSD, and all records maintained in the meter record are updated locally in the PSD. Upon completion of the mail run, the updated meter record can then be uploaded to the data center until the next mail run that requires the meter record.

Abstract: This invention prevents the accounting unit of a postage meter from deducting funds when a mailpiece has been removed. The foregoing is achieved by giving the postage meter the intelligence to stop printing the postal indicia and deducting the value of the postal indicia just before the indicia is printed. This would eliminate the loss of funds due to problems between trip command and actual indicia printing. The apparatus of this invention utilizes a sensor to detect the presence of a mailpiece at a printing position and a detector to determine the location of the indicia printing plate or the time that an ink jet printer is going to print so that the system will be able to prevent the printing of a postal indicia and deducting the value of the postal indicia just before the indicia is printed.