Abstract: A portion of an address, such as a delivery point bar code (DPBC), a zip code, or similar postal code definition is stored in a postage meter. The stored address information is compared with an intended recipient's address inputted to the postage meter, and is used to stop users from illicitly using a postage meter to perform personal mailings, or otherwise to use the postage meter contrary to authorization given by a funding customer. The invention may also be used for allocation and tracking of payments for various mail charges in accordance with inputted address information.

Abstract: The invention is a method whereby the throughput of a printer is varied according to the length of the media piece (e.g., cut-sheet or envelope) that is being fed into the printer feed path. The media piece moves into the feed path by use of a set of take-up rollers and is directed toward a sensor; the sensor detects the piece's leading edge and becomes activated. The activated sensor in turn activates additional feed roller sets which move the media piece along the feed path. Additionally, the sensor detects the trailing edge of the media piece and asks the printer if another image is to be printed. If another image is to be printed, then the take-up rollers are activated and begin feeding the next piece of media. If another image is not to be printed, then the sensor is deactivated. The feed rollers move the media piece along the printer's feed path and toward a second sensor which detects the leading edge of the media piece and is activated.

Abstract: Apparatus for correcting a list of addresses comprising, computer structure, structure for storing a database of postal addresses in the computer structure, structure for storing a list of shipping addresses in the computer structure, the computer structure programmed for determining whether each address stored in the shipping list storing structure and which was not previously compared to any address stored in the database storing structure compares to any address stored therein, the computer structure programmed for determining whether each postal address to which any shipping list address compares is a post office box postal address, and the computer structure programmed for storing in the shipping list storing structure said each postal address which is not a post office box postal address.

Abstract: An electronic postal scale measures the weight of an item in metric or in avoirdupois units, at the user's election. The scale also calculates a postal or shipping rate for the item, in accordance with a stored rate table defined in either metric or avoirdupois units. When the user selects a class of service, the scale determines whether there is a stored rate table for that class in the currently elected weight units. If not, the scale automatically changes to the other weight units and calculates a rate according to a stored table in those other units.

Abstract: An electronic postal scale displays operator prompt messages and generates reports in more than one language. The language to be used in selectable by the operator of the scale. In a preferred embodiment there are two languages, English and French.