Postage metering system and method for a single vault dispensing postage to a plurality of printers
US6202057A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 13, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07B2017/00967
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides a postage metering system that includes a plurality of closed and open meter printer modules operatively connected as part of a metering network. A single postal security device (PSD) is coupled to the network, either directly, through a personal computer or through one of the printer modules. The PSD includes unique identification and the ability to store postal value and generate digital signatures. The printer modules function as a postage metering network wherein a printer module requests evidence of postage payment from the PSD for concluding a postage metering transaction. The printer module initiates the postage metering transaction in the PSD by sending a request for evidence of postage payment to the PSD. The PSD receives the request and sends the evidence of payment to the printer module for subsequent printing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.