Postage meter value card system
US4978839A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 18, 1989 |
| Grant date | Dec 18, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 18, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07B2017/00427
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A postage meter recharging system is provided wherein an authorized value card center maintains a customer account of available postage funds. Upon confirmation of a meter access code the value card center debits the customer account and authorizes issuance of an integrated circuit value card bearing in memory a meter combination code and an appropriate amount of postage meter funds. The value card is inserted into the value card read-write unit of a postage meter terminal and, upon confirmation of the proper meter combination code, transfers at least a portion of the postage meter funds from the value card to the postage meter vault.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.