Postage metering system and method on a network
US6138108A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 24, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC —)General
Abstract
A postage metering system includes a plurality of computers operatively connected as part of a computer network and operating as client computers on the computer network. At least one postal security device (PSD) is coupled to at least one of the client computers (local client computer). The PSD includes unique identification the ability to store postal value and generate digital signatures. The client computers function as a postage metering network wherein a client computer other than the local client computer (remote client computer) requests evidence of postage payment from the PSD for concluding a postage metering transaction. The local client computer functions as a meter server and the remote client computer functions as a meter client on the postage metering network. The remote client computer initiates a postage metering transaction in the PSD by sending a request for evidence of postage payment to the local client computer. The local client computer sends the request for the evidence of postage payment to the PSD, receives transaction information from the PSD and sends the evidence of payment to the remote client computer for subsequent printing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.