System and method for selecting and accounting for value-added services with a closed system meter
US6853989B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 1998 |
| Grant date | Feb 8, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 12, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07B2017/00604
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
System and method are provided for selecting and accounting for value-added services with a closed system metering device. A scanning device coupled to the closed system postage meter scans information, including recipient address, printed on a mailpiece. From the scanned information or manual selection, a selection of value-added services is made and the closed system metering device performs accounting related to the selected value-added services. The recipient address is combined with other information relating to postage payment for the mailpiece to obtain postal data relating to the mailpiece. The postal data is used to generate an indicium, which includes cryptographic evidencing of postage payment. A graphical representation of the selected value-added services is added to the generated indicium to generate a value-added indicium, which is then printed on the mailpiece.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.