Postage metering system and method for a stand-alone meter having virtual meter functionality
US6175826A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07B2017/00967
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A postage metering system includes a host processor having a printer coupled thereto. A postal security device (PSD) is coupled to the host processor. The PSD includes first unique identification, first postal value storage and first digital signature generator. The host processor can request and obtain from the PSD first evidence of postage payment to be printed by the printer. The host processor can also request and obtain from a remote data center second evidence of postage payment to be printed by the printer. For each metering transaction to be printed by the printer, the host processor initiates the request for one of the first and second evidences of postage payment. In one embodiment the host processor is a general purpose computer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.