Postage meter with barcode printing capability
US5239168A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 29, 1991 |
| Grant date | Aug 24, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 29, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07B2017/00685
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A postage meter having the capability to print a zip code in bar code form. The postage meter includes an input for input of a postage value and input of a destination zip code, a display, a printer for printing an indicia on a mail piece, the indicia including a representation of a postage value and a representation of a destination zip code in bar code form. The postage meter also includes accounting means for accounting for expended postage and a controller responsive to the input. The controller controls the meter to receive a postage value and display a prompt requesting input of the destination zip code, convert the zip code to bar code form and add the bar code to the indicia. When a destination zip code is input the postage meter resets the postage value in accordance with a bar code discount. In one embodiment the postage meter of the subject invention may include a sensor for determining the position of the lower edge of the mail piece so that the bar code may be printed in accordance with regulations of a postal service. In another embodiment of the subject invention the postage meter includes a port for communication with a remote device and the remote device determines…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.