Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of operating a postal indicia printing apparatus comprises storing, in the apparatus, a first indicia image format comprising a first dimension, storing, in the apparatus, a second indicia image format comprising a second dimension that differs from the first dimension, prompting a user of the apparatus to select one of the first and second indicia image formats, receiving a signal indicative of a selection of one of the first and second indicia image formats, and printing, on a mail piece, an indicia image in accordance with the selected indicia image format.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of operating a postal indicia printing apparatus comprises storing, in the apparatus, a first indicia image format comprising a first dimension, storing, in the apparatus, a second indicia image format comprising a second dimension that differs from the first dimension, prompting a user of the apparatus to select one of the first and second indicia image formats, receiving a signal indicative of a selection of one of the first and second indicia image formats, and printing, on a mail piece, an indicia image in accordance with the selected indicia image format.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a track and trace capabilities for checks in the mail stream and in the bank check clearing system are described. A mailing machine facilitates the association of a confirmation tracking number with a mail piece and a check. The track and trace system provides for tracking the check through the mail stream and also through the bank check clearing system using the confirmation tracking number.

Abstract: A postage metering system includes a base and a user interface mounted to the base. The user interface includes a micro controller, an internal socket for receiving an integrated circuit chip and a smart card reader interface connector for interfacing with an external smart card. The micro controller is configurable to address either the internal socket or the smart card reader interface connector to access postage metering functionality.

Abstract: A postage meter system includes a postage meter and a data center. The postage meter is registered to a specific customer at a designated location for printing a postal indicium on a mail piece. The data center is remotely located from the postage meter and includes a locator application and a customer account file corresponding to the postage meter. The customer account file includes specific customer identification data and designated location data. The postage meter enters selective operative communication with the data center via the internet for establishing a transaction session.

Abstract: A method and device for improving the efficiency of a postage meter by using a sensing to detect the edges of an incoming envelope in order to initiate a multi-speed profile for transporting the envelope with different speeds through the postage meter. With the multi-speed profile, the postage meter is allowed to have sufficient time to process mail related data and provide mail related data to a print head before the envelope reaches a print zone where the print head starts printing an indicia on the envelope.

Abstract: A method and device for improving the efficiency of a postage meter by using a sensing to detect the edges of an incoming envelope in order to initiate a multi-speed profile for transporting the envelope with different speeds through the postage meter. With the multi-speed profile, the postage meter is allowed to have sufficient time to process mail related data and provide mail related data to a print head before the envelope reaches a print zone where the print head starts printing an indicia on the envelope.

Abstract: A postage metering system includes a base and a user interface mounted to the base. The user interface includes a micro controller, an internal socket for receiving an integrated circuit chip and a smart card reader interface connector for interfacing with an external smart card. The micro controller is configurable to address either the internal socket or the smart card reader interface connector to access postage metering functionality.

Abstract: A method and device for improving the efficiency of a postage meter by using a sensing to detect the edges of an incoming envelope in order to initiate a multi-speed profile for transporting the envelope with different speeds through the postage meter. With the multi-speed profile, the postage meter is allowed to have sufficient time to process mail related data and provide mail related data to a print head before the envelope reaches a print zone where the print head starts printing an indicia on the envelope.

Abstract: A postage meter system includes a postage meter and a data center. The postage meter is registered to a specific customer at a designated location for printing a postal indicium on a mail piece. The data center is remotely located from the postage meter and includes a locator application and a customer account file corresponding to the postage meter. The customer account file includes specific customer identification data and designated location data. The postage meter enters selective operative communication with the data center via the internet for establishing a transaction session.

Abstract: A postage metering system includes a base and a user interface mounted to the base. The user interface includes a micro controller, an internal socket for receiving an integrated circuit chip and a smart card reader interface connector for interfacing with an external smart card. The micro controller is configurable to address either the internal socket or the smart card reader interface connector to access postage metering functionality.

Abstract: An ink jet printer includes a supply of ink, a print head, a cap, a waste tank and a control system. The print head is operatively connected to the supply of ink and ejects drops of ink to form an image. The cap is arranged to receive waste ink from the print head during maintenance operations. The waste tank is operatively connected to the cap for storing the waste ink. The control system is operatively connected to the print head for keeping an estimate of a volume of waste ink that has been discharged into the waste tank and adjusting the waste ink estimate to compensate for evaporation of the waste ink.

Abstract: A system controls the downloading of images from a portable device into a postage meter so that the downloaded images can be subsequently printed by the postage meter. The portable device is useable in conjunction with a fixed number of meter serial numbers and can be used for downloading of images into any meter until the fixed number has been met and accounted for by the portable device. At this point in time, the portable device is only capable of downloading the image into the specific meters that previously had the images downloaded from the portable device.

Abstract: An ink jet printer and a method of operating and ink jet printer are disclosed. The method includes using a maintenance algorithm to control timing of a maintenance action, keeping a historical log of an operating characteristic of the ink jet printer over a period of time, and changing the maintenance algorithm for subsequent use by the ink jet printer based upon the historical log. The ink jet printer has a memory which stores the plurality of maintenance algorithms within. A control device keeps the historical log of the operating characteristics of the ink jet printer over time. The control device also associates the plurality of maintenance algorithms with a plurality of user profiles which are representative of different usage patterns with respect to the operating characteristics. The control device then determines which one of the plurality of user profiles is best suited to the historical log and selects one of the plurality of maintenance algorithms corresponding to the determined user profile.