Postage meter recharging system
US4864506A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 10, 1986 |
| Grant date | Sep 5, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 10, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07B2017/00427
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A recharging system for a postage meter includes automatic telephone communication with a remote accounting center which utilizes touch-tone (DTMF) signals on the postage meter users telephone line to enable automatic recrediting of the descending register of the postage meter whenever the amount remaining in the register reaches a predetermined threshold. The meter further includes a clock which may be synchronized with a clock at the remote accounting center to enable the meter to answer at a predetermined time a call initiated by the remote accounting center. The postage meter user's funding account may be maintained at a bank instead of the remote accounting center but the funds transfer accounting takes place at the remote accounting center.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.