Remote resetting postage meter
US5237506A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 16, 1990 |
| Grant date | Aug 17, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 16, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07B2017/00161
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for remotely resetting a postage meter, by adding a variable amount of postage, includes a computerized central facility or "host", in telephone communication with the meter, which host verifies the meter's identity and ascertains the availability of funds, then sends to the meter an authorizing, unique, one-time-only combination, independent of the value of postage requested, and having a predetermined relation to a unique, one-time-only combination that the meter has generated and retained. The meter then compares the combination that it has generated with the combination received from the host. If the relationship is correct, for example, if the combination is the same, the meter introduces the additional postage requested.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.