WO1998014909A3 - System and method for retrieving postage credit over a network - Google Patents

System and method for retrieving postage credit over a network Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998014909A3
WO1998014909A3 PCT/US1997/017875 US9717875W WO9814909A3 WO 1998014909 A3 WO1998014909 A3 WO 1998014909A3 US 9717875 W US9717875 W US 9717875W WO 9814909 A3 WO9814909 A3 WO 9814909A3
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
postage
processor
dispensing device
network
user
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/017875
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO1998014909A2 (en
Inventor
Salim G Kara
Original Assignee
E Stamp Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/727,833 external-priority patent/US5812991A/en
Application filed by E Stamp Corp filed Critical E Stamp Corp
Priority to AU47446/97A priority Critical patent/AU727477B2/en
Priority to CA002266517A priority patent/CA2266517A1/en
Priority to EP97909958A priority patent/EP0931298A2/en
Publication of WO1998014909A2 publication Critical patent/WO1998014909A2/en
Publication of WO1998014909A3 publication Critical patent/WO1998014909A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01G—WEIGHING
    • G01G19/00—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups
    • G01G19/002—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups for postal parcels and letters
    • G01G19/005—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups for postal parcels and letters with electric or electronic computing means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01G—WEIGHING
    • G01G19/00—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups
    • G01G19/40—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups with provisions for indicating, recording, or computing price or other quantities dependent on the weight
    • G01G19/413—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups with provisions for indicating, recording, or computing price or other quantities dependent on the weight using electromechanical or electronic computing means
    • G01G19/414—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups with provisions for indicating, recording, or computing price or other quantities dependent on the weight using electromechanical or electronic computing means using electronic computing means only
    • G01G19/4148—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups with provisions for indicating, recording, or computing price or other quantities dependent on the weight using electromechanical or electronic computing means using electronic computing means only for controlling postal rate in articles to be mailed
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00362—Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00733—Cryptography or similar special procedures in a franking system
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G07B2017/00088—Communication details outside or between apparatus via landlines
    • G07B2017/00096—Communication details outside or between apparatus via landlines via phone lines
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G07B2017/00137—In a LAN
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G07B2017/00145—Communication details outside or between apparatus via the Internet
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G07B2017/00153—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information
    • G07B2017/00177—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information from a portable device, e.g. a card or a PCMCIA
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00201—Open franking system, i.e. the printer is not dedicated to franking only, e.g. PC (Personal Computer)
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00258—Electronic hardware aspects, e.g. type of circuits used
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00362—Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value
    • G07B2017/0037—Calculation of postage value
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00362—Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value
    • G07B2017/00419—Software organization, e.g. separation into objects
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00435—Details specific to central, non-customer apparatus, e.g. servers at post office or vendor
    • G07B2017/00443—Verification of mailpieces, e.g. by checking databases
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00572—Details of printed item
    • G07B2017/0058—Printing of code
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00572—Details of printed item
    • G07B2017/0058—Printing of code
    • G07B2017/00588—Barcode
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00572—Details of printed item
    • G07B2017/00596—Printing of address
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00572—Details of printed item
    • G07B2017/00604—Printing of advert or logo
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00733—Cryptography or similar special procedures in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00935—Passwords
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00733—Cryptography or similar special procedures in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00951—Error handling, e.g. EDC (Error Detection Codes)
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00733—Cryptography or similar special procedures in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00959—Cryptographic modules, e.g. a PC encryption board
    • G07B2017/00967—PSD [Postal Security Device] as defined by the USPS [US Postal Service]

Abstract

A system and method for printing postage indicia, including a desired postage amount, onto a piece of mail. A user takes a postal dispensing device to, or establishes information communication with, an authorized agent of a postal authority in order to obtain a replenishment of the amount of postage stored within the portable postage dispensing device. A desired amount of postage is entered into the dispensing device by an authorized agent through a host processor-based system. The user is then able to access this stored postage at the user's location through a network of processor-based systems. By using the network of processor-based systems the user is able to couple the portable dispensing device to a first processor-based system and then allow distribution of postage amounts to multiple ones of the networked processor-based systems. These ones of the networked processor-based systems may then print an authorized postage indicia on a postal item.
PCT/US1997/017875 1996-10-02 1997-10-02 System and method for retrieving postage credit over a network WO1998014909A2 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU47446/97A AU727477B2 (en) 1996-10-02 1997-10-02 System and method for retrieving postage credit over a network
CA002266517A CA2266517A1 (en) 1996-10-02 1997-10-02 System and method for retrieving postage credit over a network
EP97909958A EP0931298A2 (en) 1996-10-02 1997-10-02 System and method for retrieving postage credit over a network

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/727,833 US5812991A (en) 1994-01-03 1996-10-02 System and method for retrieving postage credit contained within a portable memory over a computer network
US08/727,833 1996-10-02

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998014909A2 WO1998014909A2 (en) 1998-04-09
WO1998014909A3 true WO1998014909A3 (en) 1998-06-04

Family

ID=24924262

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1997/017875 WO1998014909A2 (en) 1996-10-02 1997-10-02 System and method for retrieving postage credit over a network

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0931298A2 (en)
AU (1) AU727477B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2266517A1 (en)
WO (1) WO1998014909A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (35)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7035832B1 (en) 1994-01-03 2006-04-25 Stamps.Com Inc. System and method for automatically providing shipping/transportation fees
US6671813B2 (en) 1995-06-07 2003-12-30 Stamps.Com, Inc. Secure on-line PC postage metering system
US7266504B1 (en) 1995-10-11 2007-09-04 Stamps.Com Inc. System and method for printing multiple postage indicia
US7343357B1 (en) 1995-10-11 2008-03-11 Stamps.Com Inc. System and method for printing multiple postage indicia
US6889214B1 (en) 1996-10-02 2005-05-03 Stamps.Com Inc. Virtual security device
US5822739A (en) 1996-10-02 1998-10-13 E-Stamp Corporation System and method for remote postage metering
US7265853B1 (en) 1997-10-17 2007-09-04 Stamps.Com, Inc. Postage server system and method
US6085181A (en) * 1997-12-18 2000-07-04 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postage metering system and method for a stand-alone meter operating as a meter server on a network
US6098058A (en) * 1997-12-18 2000-08-01 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postage metering system and method for automatic detection of remote postage security devices on a network
US6202057B1 (en) * 1997-12-18 2001-03-13 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postage metering system and method for a single vault dispensing postage to a plurality of printers
US6081795A (en) * 1997-12-18 2000-06-27 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postage metering system and method for a closed system network
DE19818708A1 (en) * 1998-04-21 1999-11-04 Francotyp Postalia Gmbh Method for reloading a postage credit into an electronic franking device
WO2000019382A1 (en) * 1998-09-29 2000-04-06 Stamps.Com, Inc. On-line postage system
US6381589B1 (en) * 1999-02-16 2002-04-30 Neopost Inc. Method and apparatus for performing secure processing of postal data
US6356883B1 (en) 1999-12-22 2002-03-12 Pitney Bowes, Inc. Mailing system having flexible printing of messages
US7805384B1 (en) 1999-12-22 2010-09-28 Stamps.Com, Inc. Postal printer driver system and method
US6470327B1 (en) * 1999-12-29 2002-10-22 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and system for communicating with a postage meter through a web-browser in a postal or shipping system
DE10003309A1 (en) * 2000-01-27 2001-08-02 Francotyp Postalia Gmbh Mail franking machine has entered security code encoded for comparison with stored code to allow access to security relevant functions and/or data
GB2360120A (en) * 2000-03-01 2001-09-12 Alan Haslehurst Apparatus for printing postage indicia
US7613654B2 (en) * 2002-10-30 2009-11-03 Neopost Technologies Use of electronic devices for money transfer
US11037151B1 (en) 2003-08-19 2021-06-15 Stamps.Com Inc. System and method for dynamically partitioning a postage evidencing system
US8775331B1 (en) 2006-12-27 2014-07-08 Stamps.Com Inc Postage metering with accumulated postage
US8612361B1 (en) 2006-12-27 2013-12-17 Stamps.Com Inc. System and method for handling payment errors with respect to delivery services
US10373398B1 (en) 2008-02-13 2019-08-06 Stamps.Com Inc. Systems and methods for distributed activation of postage
US9978185B1 (en) 2008-04-15 2018-05-22 Stamps.Com Inc. Systems and methods for activation of postage indicia at point of sale
US9911246B1 (en) 2008-12-24 2018-03-06 Stamps.Com Inc. Systems and methods utilizing gravity feed for postage metering
US9842308B1 (en) 2010-02-25 2017-12-12 Stamps.Com Inc. Systems and methods for rules based shipping
US10089797B1 (en) 2010-02-25 2018-10-02 Stamps.Com Inc. Systems and methods for providing localized functionality in browser based postage transactions
US9914320B1 (en) 2011-04-21 2018-03-13 Stamps.Com Inc. Secure value bearing indicia using clear media
US10713634B1 (en) 2011-05-18 2020-07-14 Stamps.Com Inc. Systems and methods using mobile communication handsets for providing postage
US10846650B1 (en) 2011-11-01 2020-11-24 Stamps.Com Inc. Perpetual value bearing shipping labels
US10922641B1 (en) 2012-01-24 2021-02-16 Stamps.Com Inc. Systems and methods providing known shipper information for shipping indicia
US9721225B1 (en) 2013-10-16 2017-08-01 Stamps.Com Inc. Systems and methods facilitating shipping services rate resale
US10417728B1 (en) 2014-04-17 2019-09-17 Stamps.Com Inc. Single secure environment session generating multiple indicia
US10521754B2 (en) 2016-03-08 2019-12-31 Auctane, LLC Concatenated shipping documentation processing spawning intelligent generation subprocesses

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3255439A (en) * 1961-07-13 1966-06-07 Gen Res Inc Postage metering system
GB2147853A (en) * 1983-10-13 1985-05-22 Francotyp Postalia Gmbh Telephone apparatus and franking device
US4743747A (en) * 1985-08-06 1988-05-10 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postage and mailing information applying system
US4802218A (en) * 1986-11-26 1989-01-31 Wright Technologies, L.P. Automated transaction system
GB2230230A (en) * 1985-12-26 1990-10-17 Pitney Bowes Inc Dispensing aggregate mailbatch postage calculated by reference to a postal rate chart.
US5233657A (en) * 1990-10-25 1993-08-03 Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh Method for franking postal matter and device for carrying out the method
US5510992A (en) * 1994-01-03 1996-04-23 Post N Mail, L.C. System and method for automatically printing postage on mail

Family Cites Families (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4253158A (en) * 1979-03-28 1981-02-24 Pitney Bowes Inc. System for securing postage printing transactions
US4725718A (en) * 1985-08-06 1988-02-16 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postage and mailing information applying system

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3255439A (en) * 1961-07-13 1966-06-07 Gen Res Inc Postage metering system
GB2147853A (en) * 1983-10-13 1985-05-22 Francotyp Postalia Gmbh Telephone apparatus and franking device
US4743747A (en) * 1985-08-06 1988-05-10 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postage and mailing information applying system
GB2230230A (en) * 1985-12-26 1990-10-17 Pitney Bowes Inc Dispensing aggregate mailbatch postage calculated by reference to a postal rate chart.
US4802218A (en) * 1986-11-26 1989-01-31 Wright Technologies, L.P. Automated transaction system
US5233657A (en) * 1990-10-25 1993-08-03 Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh Method for franking postal matter and device for carrying out the method
US5510992A (en) * 1994-01-03 1996-04-23 Post N Mail, L.C. System and method for automatically printing postage on mail

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4744697A (en) 1998-04-24
CA2266517A1 (en) 1998-04-09
WO1998014909A2 (en) 1998-04-09
EP0931298A2 (en) 1999-07-28
AU727477B2 (en) 2000-12-14

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