CA1301335C - Postage meter value card system - Google Patents
Postage meter value card systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1301335C CA1301335C CA000590287A CA590287A CA1301335C CA 1301335 C CA1301335 C CA 1301335C CA 000590287 A CA000590287 A CA 000590287A CA 590287 A CA590287 A CA 590287A CA 1301335 C CA1301335 C CA 1301335C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- meter
- postage
- funds
- card
- postage meter
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- 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
- G07B17/00016—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
- G07B2017/00161—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information from a central, non-user location, e.g. for updating rates or software, or for refilling funds
-
- 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
- G07B17/00362—Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value
- G07B2017/00427—Special accounting procedures, e.g. storing special information
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A postage meter recharging system is provided wherein an authorized value card center maintains a customer account of available postage funds. Upon confirmation of a meter access code the value card center debits the customer account and authorizes issuance of an integrated circuit value card bearing in memory a meter combination code and an appropriate amount of postage meter funds. The value card is inserted into the value card read-write unit of a postage meter terminal and, upon confirmation of the proper meter combination code, transfers at least a portion of the postage meter funds from the value card to the postage meter vault.
A postage meter recharging system is provided wherein an authorized value card center maintains a customer account of available postage funds. Upon confirmation of a meter access code the value card center debits the customer account and authorizes issuance of an integrated circuit value card bearing in memory a meter combination code and an appropriate amount of postage meter funds. The value card is inserted into the value card read-write unit of a postage meter terminal and, upon confirmation of the proper meter combination code, transfers at least a portion of the postage meter funds from the value card to the postage meter vault.
Description
`~ 1~01335 S TITLE: POSTAGE METER VALUE CARD SYSTEM
I TECHNICAL FIELD
7 The present invention relates to a postage meter 8 recharging system and, more specifically, to a postage meter recharging system including a value-containing integrated circuit card.
11 . I
~ACKGROUND AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
13It is heretofore known to provide a Remote Meter 14 Recharging System ('IRMRSn) for use with electronic postage 15meters, such as models 6500 and 6900 available from Pitney 16 Bowes Inc., the assignee of the present application. In the 17 RMRS system the postage meter vendor, e.g. Pitney Bowes Inc., 18 is authorized to operate an RMRS center, where the postage 19 ¦ meter customer maintains a customer account. In order to 20 ¦ recharge a meter, the customer contacts the RMRS center by 21 ¦ telephone to request a transfer of funds from the customer 22 ¦ account at the RMRS center to the postage meter. The customer 23 provides the postage meter identification number, the amount of 24 postage requested, and a meter access code. The RMRS center computes a RMRS key number and furnishes this number to the 26 customer, who keys this number into the meter. The meter also 27 computes a meter key number and compares the RMRS key number 28 1 and the meter key number. If the numbers match, the meter 29 1 vault will be refilled with the requested amount of funds up to 3~ 1 l ,~
~`
l31~l3;~S
the RMRS center account balance.
A system for controlling a network of postage meters is disclosed in European Patent Application No.
86108929.0 of SMH Alcatel Ltd. entitled "Process and System for Controlling Postage Meters," published January 7, 1987 under publication no. 0,207,492.
Similar systems are apparently disclosed in Japanese Patent Disclosure No. 1724g3/1987 entitled "Mail Charge Processing Apparatus" filed in the name of Nippon Signal Co~ Ltd. and U.K. Patent 2,173,738 entitled "secure Transport of Information Between Electronic Stations"
filed in the name of Roneo Alcatel Ltd.
U.S. Patent 4,218,011 issued to Simjian entitled "Coupon Controlled Metering Device" discloses a single use coded coupon for updating a postage meter register.
A similar magnetic card system having audit functions is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,629,871 entitled "Electronic Postage Meter System Settable by Means of a Remotely Generated Input Device".
It is an objective of an aspect of the present invention to provide secure transfer of funds from an authorized center to a postage meter at the customer's premises.
It is an ob;ect of an aspect of the present invention to provide secure transfer of postal funds to a postage meter without removing the vault from the postaye meter to the transfer medium.
These and other highly desirable objects and advantages are obtained in a convenient yet secure postage meter recharging system in according with the invention.
Objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in part herein and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means ; 2 `:~
~ .
~ ~L3~335 of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.
SUMMaRY OF T~E INVENTION
.~
An aspect of the invention is as follows:
~ postage meter recharging system comprising:
; a card center for receiving funds from a customer and issuing a card means bearing postage funds encoded therein; and ~;
postage meter terminal means connacted to at least one postage meter for transferring at least portion of said postage funds from said card means to the postage meter vault.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention a postage meter recharging system is provided.
The system includes a value card center analogous to ; currently established RMRS centers, one or more integrated circuit value cards (so-called "smart"
cards), and a postage meter terminal associated with an electronic postage meter to be recharged.
The value card center is an authorized funds center for distributing postal funds. A customer maintains an account at the value card center and, as needed, requests transfer of funds to one or more postage meters located on the customer's premises. The customer's request for funds includes identification of the appropriate postage meter number, the amount of postal ~ funds requested, and a meter access code. Upon ; confirmation of the meter access code the value card center debits the customer's account by the requested amount and authorizes issuance of an integrated circuit card or paper :
,,,~l.i i~
.
' , ' 13'J1335 l ll ~ 1 2 card bearinq the requested amount of funds encoded therein.
I TECHNICAL FIELD
7 The present invention relates to a postage meter 8 recharging system and, more specifically, to a postage meter recharging system including a value-containing integrated circuit card.
11 . I
~ACKGROUND AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
13It is heretofore known to provide a Remote Meter 14 Recharging System ('IRMRSn) for use with electronic postage 15meters, such as models 6500 and 6900 available from Pitney 16 Bowes Inc., the assignee of the present application. In the 17 RMRS system the postage meter vendor, e.g. Pitney Bowes Inc., 18 is authorized to operate an RMRS center, where the postage 19 ¦ meter customer maintains a customer account. In order to 20 ¦ recharge a meter, the customer contacts the RMRS center by 21 ¦ telephone to request a transfer of funds from the customer 22 ¦ account at the RMRS center to the postage meter. The customer 23 provides the postage meter identification number, the amount of 24 postage requested, and a meter access code. The RMRS center computes a RMRS key number and furnishes this number to the 26 customer, who keys this number into the meter. The meter also 27 computes a meter key number and compares the RMRS key number 28 1 and the meter key number. If the numbers match, the meter 29 1 vault will be refilled with the requested amount of funds up to 3~ 1 l ,~
~`
l31~l3;~S
the RMRS center account balance.
A system for controlling a network of postage meters is disclosed in European Patent Application No.
86108929.0 of SMH Alcatel Ltd. entitled "Process and System for Controlling Postage Meters," published January 7, 1987 under publication no. 0,207,492.
Similar systems are apparently disclosed in Japanese Patent Disclosure No. 1724g3/1987 entitled "Mail Charge Processing Apparatus" filed in the name of Nippon Signal Co~ Ltd. and U.K. Patent 2,173,738 entitled "secure Transport of Information Between Electronic Stations"
filed in the name of Roneo Alcatel Ltd.
U.S. Patent 4,218,011 issued to Simjian entitled "Coupon Controlled Metering Device" discloses a single use coded coupon for updating a postage meter register.
A similar magnetic card system having audit functions is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,629,871 entitled "Electronic Postage Meter System Settable by Means of a Remotely Generated Input Device".
It is an objective of an aspect of the present invention to provide secure transfer of funds from an authorized center to a postage meter at the customer's premises.
It is an ob;ect of an aspect of the present invention to provide secure transfer of postal funds to a postage meter without removing the vault from the postaye meter to the transfer medium.
These and other highly desirable objects and advantages are obtained in a convenient yet secure postage meter recharging system in according with the invention.
Objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in part herein and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means ; 2 `:~
~ .
~ ~L3~335 of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.
SUMMaRY OF T~E INVENTION
.~
An aspect of the invention is as follows:
~ postage meter recharging system comprising:
; a card center for receiving funds from a customer and issuing a card means bearing postage funds encoded therein; and ~;
postage meter terminal means connacted to at least one postage meter for transferring at least portion of said postage funds from said card means to the postage meter vault.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention a postage meter recharging system is provided.
The system includes a value card center analogous to ; currently established RMRS centers, one or more integrated circuit value cards (so-called "smart"
cards), and a postage meter terminal associated with an electronic postage meter to be recharged.
The value card center is an authorized funds center for distributing postal funds. A customer maintains an account at the value card center and, as needed, requests transfer of funds to one or more postage meters located on the customer's premises. The customer's request for funds includes identification of the appropriate postage meter number, the amount of postal ~ funds requested, and a meter access code. Upon ; confirmation of the meter access code the value card center debits the customer's account by the requested amount and authorizes issuance of an integrated circuit card or paper :
,,,~l.i i~
.
' , ' 13'J1335 l ll ~ 1 2 card bearinq the requested amount of funds encoded therein.
3 The value card center also generates a combination code and 4 encodes this number into the value card.
S So charged and encoded, the value card is provided to 6 the customer for insertion into the postage meter terminal in secure communication with the meter in order to be charged.
8 Upon confirmation of meter readiness and receipt of the 9 combination code, at least a portion of the postal funds contained in the value card are transferred to the meter in 11 order to charge the postage meter vault.
12 Of course, it is also contemplated that the value card 13 center could issue value cards of fixed denomination. It is 14 further contemplated that, upon proper authorization, the value card center could debit the requested postal funds directly to ~ a customer bank account rather than maintaining customer 17 account balances.
Thus, the postage meter recharging system in 19 accordance with the present invention advantageously provides secure postage meter recharging in a convenient, readily 21 acceptable manner without removing the vault from the postage 2~ meter. As a further advantage of the present invention wherein the vault remains within the meter, the present recharging 24 system can be retro-fitted to many electronic postage meters already in the field.
26 1 It will be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description as well are 23 exemplary and explanatory of the invention but are not 29 restrictive thereof.
~ 33s . I li ~ 1 3 The accompanying drawing labeled as Figure 1, referred 4 to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrates in schematic block diagram form the preferred embodiment of the 6 present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
9 Referring now to the drawing, labeled as Figure 1, there is shown in block diagram form the postage meter 1 11 recharging system 10 in accordance with the invention. The 12 system includes at least one electronic postage meter 12 13 securely connected to a postage meter terminal 14 adapted to 14 receive an integrated circuit value card 16 having a microprocessor and mernory, or memory only~ commonly referred to 16 as a "~mart'^ card. ~ value card center 18 maintains customer 17 accounts and, upon request, issues one or more value cards 16 18 bearing postage funds encoded therein.
19 Postage meter 12 may, for e~ample~ be either of electronic postage meter model nos. 6500 or 6900 available from 21 Pitney Bowes Inc., assignee of the present application.
22 Postage meter 12 is electronically connected to a postage meter 23 terminal 14 so that postage meter 12 and terminal 14 interface 24 in a known manner.
User terminal 14 includes an integrated circuit card 26 read-write unit 15 for receiving and communicating with an 27 integrated circuit value card 16 inserted therein. User 28 terminal 14 is capable of communicating with both an integrated 29 circuit card inserted into the integrated circuit read-write unit and with the electronic postage meter 12, effectively ~: 1 l I
2 acting as an interface between meter 12 and card 16.
3 Appropriate user terminal design, construction and programming 4 is believed to be within the skill in the art based upon availability of appropriate smart card read-write units from the particular smart card manu~acturer and predetermined meter I
protocol.
The preferred integrated circuit card is a non-contact ¦ integrated circuit card available from General Electric Corporation such as, for example, model GEC CT-30.
11 Advantageously, the General Electric card may be programmed to 12 include security features desired with the present invention to 13 ensure secure funds transfer. In the preferred embodiment of 14 the invention it is contemplated that the value card would be programmed to include the value card serial number, the date of 1 ~6 manufacture, a meter combination code, a postage funds recharge 17 amount and an end of entry code.
18 The value card center, as presentl~ contemplated, 19 would operate in a manner similar to the presently existing Z0 RMRS center. That is, the value card center would be an 21 authorized funds source established and maintained by the postage meter vendor with the customer maintaining one or more 23 monetary accounts at the center against which requests for I postage meter funds would be charged. Of course, it is 24 contemplated that the value card center could, alternatively 26 and upon proper authorization, charge requests for postage 27 meter funds directly to the customer~s bank account. As with 28 the RMRS systems, the customer request for funds would include 29 identification by serial number of the postage meter to be recharged, the amount of postal funds requested, and the meter access code ~s with RMRS, the ~equest could be made by l 1.
~3U~335 '` 1 telephone. The value card center would confirm that the 3 requested amount of postage funds are available from the 4 customer's account, debit the requested amount of funds to the customer account, compute the combination code in the same 6 manner as the RMRS center, and program the value card. As 7 stated, the value card is programmed to include in memory the 8 value card serial number and date of manufacture, the postage 9 meter combination code, the amount of postage funds, and an end ¦
of entry code. Of course, it is contemplated that for 11 convenience value cards could be prepared bearing predetermined 12 amounts of funds.
18 The value card prepared in this manner is transmitted to the customer for meter rec~ ~ng. The customer inserts the value card into meter terminal 14 which reads the card and 16 communicates with meter 12. The value card first inquires as to meter status in order to confirm that the meter is ready to 17 be recharged. Upon confirmation of meter readiness, the value 18 card transmits a xequest for the meter combination code and awaits a valid response. After the proper confirmation code is 21 received, the value card transmits a request for identification ~ of the amount of funds to be transferred from the card to the meter. The requested amount of funds, up to the amount stored on the value card, is then transmitted via terminal 14 to meter 24 12 to update and recharge the meter vault. Thereafter, the card transmits the end of entry code to terminate communication 26 between the card and metsr. The value card is then removed from terminal 14 and the recharged meter is operated in the 28 traditional fashion. Should any funds remain stored in the ~l value card the card can be reinserted into the terminal ~ read-write unit on one or more subsequent occasions to complete ¦ the transfer of iunds to tùe meter. Of course, it is contemplated that the value card could alternatively be 1 4 programmed to automatically transfer all available postal funds upon receipt of a proper combination code. Once the value card ; 6 has been exhausted the customer may either dispose of the card or return it to the value card center.
It will readily be appreciated that the postage meter 9 recharging system in accordance with the present invention advantageously provides a safe, convenient method of recharging electronic postage meters in a manner complimentary to the 11 existing Remote Meter Recharging System. As such, the system 13 according to the present invention remarkably may be 14 retro-fitted to electronic postage meters existing in the field without modification. In this regard, since the postage funds 16 vault remains at all times within the postage meter the system 17 according to the present invention should find favor with 18 federal regulatory authorities.
To the extent not already indicated, it will be understood that the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific embodiments herein shown and described 22 but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the 23 accompanying claims, without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.
S So charged and encoded, the value card is provided to 6 the customer for insertion into the postage meter terminal in secure communication with the meter in order to be charged.
8 Upon confirmation of meter readiness and receipt of the 9 combination code, at least a portion of the postal funds contained in the value card are transferred to the meter in 11 order to charge the postage meter vault.
12 Of course, it is also contemplated that the value card 13 center could issue value cards of fixed denomination. It is 14 further contemplated that, upon proper authorization, the value card center could debit the requested postal funds directly to ~ a customer bank account rather than maintaining customer 17 account balances.
Thus, the postage meter recharging system in 19 accordance with the present invention advantageously provides secure postage meter recharging in a convenient, readily 21 acceptable manner without removing the vault from the postage 2~ meter. As a further advantage of the present invention wherein the vault remains within the meter, the present recharging 24 system can be retro-fitted to many electronic postage meters already in the field.
26 1 It will be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description as well are 23 exemplary and explanatory of the invention but are not 29 restrictive thereof.
~ 33s . I li ~ 1 3 The accompanying drawing labeled as Figure 1, referred 4 to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrates in schematic block diagram form the preferred embodiment of the 6 present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
9 Referring now to the drawing, labeled as Figure 1, there is shown in block diagram form the postage meter 1 11 recharging system 10 in accordance with the invention. The 12 system includes at least one electronic postage meter 12 13 securely connected to a postage meter terminal 14 adapted to 14 receive an integrated circuit value card 16 having a microprocessor and mernory, or memory only~ commonly referred to 16 as a "~mart'^ card. ~ value card center 18 maintains customer 17 accounts and, upon request, issues one or more value cards 16 18 bearing postage funds encoded therein.
19 Postage meter 12 may, for e~ample~ be either of electronic postage meter model nos. 6500 or 6900 available from 21 Pitney Bowes Inc., assignee of the present application.
22 Postage meter 12 is electronically connected to a postage meter 23 terminal 14 so that postage meter 12 and terminal 14 interface 24 in a known manner.
User terminal 14 includes an integrated circuit card 26 read-write unit 15 for receiving and communicating with an 27 integrated circuit value card 16 inserted therein. User 28 terminal 14 is capable of communicating with both an integrated 29 circuit card inserted into the integrated circuit read-write unit and with the electronic postage meter 12, effectively ~: 1 l I
2 acting as an interface between meter 12 and card 16.
3 Appropriate user terminal design, construction and programming 4 is believed to be within the skill in the art based upon availability of appropriate smart card read-write units from the particular smart card manu~acturer and predetermined meter I
protocol.
The preferred integrated circuit card is a non-contact ¦ integrated circuit card available from General Electric Corporation such as, for example, model GEC CT-30.
11 Advantageously, the General Electric card may be programmed to 12 include security features desired with the present invention to 13 ensure secure funds transfer. In the preferred embodiment of 14 the invention it is contemplated that the value card would be programmed to include the value card serial number, the date of 1 ~6 manufacture, a meter combination code, a postage funds recharge 17 amount and an end of entry code.
18 The value card center, as presentl~ contemplated, 19 would operate in a manner similar to the presently existing Z0 RMRS center. That is, the value card center would be an 21 authorized funds source established and maintained by the postage meter vendor with the customer maintaining one or more 23 monetary accounts at the center against which requests for I postage meter funds would be charged. Of course, it is 24 contemplated that the value card center could, alternatively 26 and upon proper authorization, charge requests for postage 27 meter funds directly to the customer~s bank account. As with 28 the RMRS systems, the customer request for funds would include 29 identification by serial number of the postage meter to be recharged, the amount of postal funds requested, and the meter access code ~s with RMRS, the ~equest could be made by l 1.
~3U~335 '` 1 telephone. The value card center would confirm that the 3 requested amount of postage funds are available from the 4 customer's account, debit the requested amount of funds to the customer account, compute the combination code in the same 6 manner as the RMRS center, and program the value card. As 7 stated, the value card is programmed to include in memory the 8 value card serial number and date of manufacture, the postage 9 meter combination code, the amount of postage funds, and an end ¦
of entry code. Of course, it is contemplated that for 11 convenience value cards could be prepared bearing predetermined 12 amounts of funds.
18 The value card prepared in this manner is transmitted to the customer for meter rec~ ~ng. The customer inserts the value card into meter terminal 14 which reads the card and 16 communicates with meter 12. The value card first inquires as to meter status in order to confirm that the meter is ready to 17 be recharged. Upon confirmation of meter readiness, the value 18 card transmits a xequest for the meter combination code and awaits a valid response. After the proper confirmation code is 21 received, the value card transmits a request for identification ~ of the amount of funds to be transferred from the card to the meter. The requested amount of funds, up to the amount stored on the value card, is then transmitted via terminal 14 to meter 24 12 to update and recharge the meter vault. Thereafter, the card transmits the end of entry code to terminate communication 26 between the card and metsr. The value card is then removed from terminal 14 and the recharged meter is operated in the 28 traditional fashion. Should any funds remain stored in the ~l value card the card can be reinserted into the terminal ~ read-write unit on one or more subsequent occasions to complete ¦ the transfer of iunds to tùe meter. Of course, it is contemplated that the value card could alternatively be 1 4 programmed to automatically transfer all available postal funds upon receipt of a proper combination code. Once the value card ; 6 has been exhausted the customer may either dispose of the card or return it to the value card center.
It will readily be appreciated that the postage meter 9 recharging system in accordance with the present invention advantageously provides a safe, convenient method of recharging electronic postage meters in a manner complimentary to the 11 existing Remote Meter Recharging System. As such, the system 13 according to the present invention remarkably may be 14 retro-fitted to electronic postage meters existing in the field without modification. In this regard, since the postage funds 16 vault remains at all times within the postage meter the system 17 according to the present invention should find favor with 18 federal regulatory authorities.
To the extent not already indicated, it will be understood that the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific embodiments herein shown and described 22 but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the 23 accompanying claims, without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.
Claims (6)
1. A postage meter recharging system comprising:
a card center for receiving funds from a customer and issuing a card means bearing postage funds encoded therein; and postage meter terminal means connected to at least one postage meter for transferring at least portion of said postage funds from said card means to the postage meter vault.
a card center for receiving funds from a customer and issuing a card means bearing postage funds encoded therein; and postage meter terminal means connected to at least one postage meter for transferring at least portion of said postage funds from said card means to the postage meter vault.
2. The postage meter recharging system according to claim 1 wherein said card center receives a request for postage meter funds from a customer, said request including the postage meter serial number, the amount of postal funds requested, and the customer access code, said card center confirming the customer access code, debiting the amount of postal funds to the customer's account, and authorizing issuance of said card means bearing said postage funds.
3. The postage meter recharging system according to claim 2 wherein said card means is programmed to include a card serial number, the date of card manufacture, a meter combination code, said postage funds, and an end of entry code.
4. The postage meter recharging system according to claim 3 wherein said card means, upon being inserted into said postage meter terminal means, (i) confirms meter readiness for recharging;
(ii) upon confirmation of meter readiness requests said meter combination code;
(iii) upon receipt of said meter combination code transmits at least a portion of said postage funds to the meter vault; and (iv) upon confirmation of meter vault recharging, transmits said end of entry code.
(ii) upon confirmation of meter readiness requests said meter combination code;
(iii) upon receipt of said meter combination code transmits at least a portion of said postage funds to the meter vault; and (iv) upon confirmation of meter vault recharging, transmits said end of entry code.
5. The postage meter recharging system according to claim 3 wherein said card means, upon being inserted into said postage meter terminal means.
(i) confirms meter readiness for recharging;
(ii) upon confirmation of meter readiness requests said combination code;
(iii) upon confirmation of said combination code requests identification of an amount of said postage funds to be transferred from said card means to the meter;
(iv) transmits the requested amount of postage funds to the meter vault;
(v) upon confirmation of meter vault recharging transmits an end of entry code, whereupon said card means may be removed from said postage meter terminal means.
(i) confirms meter readiness for recharging;
(ii) upon confirmation of meter readiness requests said combination code;
(iii) upon confirmation of said combination code requests identification of an amount of said postage funds to be transferred from said card means to the meter;
(iv) transmits the requested amount of postage funds to the meter vault;
(v) upon confirmation of meter vault recharging transmits an end of entry code, whereupon said card means may be removed from said postage meter terminal means.
6. The postage meter recharging system according to claim 5 wherein said card means is subsequently reinserted into said postage meter terminal means to transfer at least a portion of any remaining postage funds from said card means to the meter vault.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US15339888A | 1988-02-08 | 1988-02-08 | |
| US153,398 | 1988-02-08 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1301335C true CA1301335C (en) | 1992-05-19 |
Family
ID=22547065
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000590287A Expired - Fee Related CA1301335C (en) | 1988-02-08 | 1989-02-07 | Postage meter value card system |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4978839A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0328057A3 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2705964B2 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU618983B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1301335C (en) |
| CH (1) | CH679809A5 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2626993B1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2215669B (en) |
Families Citing this family (23)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2233937B (en) * | 1989-07-13 | 1993-10-06 | Pitney Bowes Plc | A machine incorporating an accounts verification system |
| US5224046A (en) * | 1990-09-13 | 1993-06-29 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | System for recharging a plurality of postage meters |
| GB2251212B (en) * | 1990-12-31 | 1994-10-05 | Alcatel Business Systems | Postage meter monitoring and control |
| DE4108180A1 (en) * | 1991-03-09 | 1992-09-10 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROCESSING POST GOODS |
| US5309363A (en) * | 1992-03-05 | 1994-05-03 | Frank M. Graves | Remotely rechargeable postage meter |
| IL105432A (en) * | 1993-04-16 | 1999-10-28 | New Datacom Res Ltd | Methods and systems for non-program applications for subscriber television |
| US5592212A (en) * | 1993-04-16 | 1997-01-07 | News Datacom Ltd. | Methods and systems for non-program applications for subscriber television |
| US5884292A (en) * | 1993-05-06 | 1999-03-16 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | System for smart card funds refill |
| FR2724244A1 (en) * | 1994-09-01 | 1996-03-08 | Secap | METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING INFORMATION BETWEEN A COMPUTER CONTROL CENTER AND A PLURALITY OF ELECTRONIC POSTAGE MACHINES |
| FR2724246B1 (en) * | 1994-09-01 | 1996-12-20 | Secap | ELECTRONIC POSTAGE MACHINE. |
| US5613007A (en) * | 1994-11-30 | 1997-03-18 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Portable thermal printing apparatus including a security device for detecting attempted unauthorized access |
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| US3194946A (en) * | 1961-06-20 | 1965-07-13 | Control Data Corp | Postage meter set by cards |
| FR2304965A2 (en) * | 1974-03-25 | 1976-10-15 | Innovation Ste Int | ELECTRONIC CONTROL PROCESS AND DEVICE |
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| US4218011A (en) * | 1979-05-15 | 1980-08-19 | Simjian Luther G | Coupon controlled metering device |
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| US4268817A (en) * | 1980-02-13 | 1981-05-19 | Simjian Luther G | Check controlled metering device |
| GB2074942A (en) * | 1980-05-01 | 1981-11-11 | Simjian L G | A metering device, for example a postage meter |
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| FR2584516B1 (en) * | 1985-07-02 | 1988-05-13 | Smh Alcatel | MONITORING METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR POSTAGE MACHINES |
| JPS62102390A (en) * | 1985-10-30 | 1987-05-12 | オムロン株式会社 | Mail receiver |
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-
1989
- 1989-02-07 CA CA000590287A patent/CA1301335C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-02-08 GB GB8902815A patent/GB2215669B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-02-08 EP EP89102134A patent/EP0328057A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1989-02-08 CH CH434/89A patent/CH679809A5/fr not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1989-02-08 AU AU29725/89A patent/AU618983B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1989-02-08 FR FR898901614A patent/FR2626993B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-02-08 JP JP1029578A patent/JP2705964B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-10-18 US US07/423,689 patent/US4978839A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2972589A (en) | 1989-08-10 |
| CH679809A5 (en) | 1992-04-15 |
| EP0328057A3 (en) | 1990-03-14 |
| FR2626993A1 (en) | 1989-08-11 |
| JP2705964B2 (en) | 1998-01-28 |
| GB2215669A (en) | 1989-09-27 |
| FR2626993B1 (en) | 1994-08-05 |
| EP0328057A2 (en) | 1989-08-16 |
| GB2215669B (en) | 1992-04-22 |
| GB8902815D0 (en) | 1989-03-30 |
| US4978839A (en) | 1990-12-18 |
| AU618983B2 (en) | 1992-01-16 |
| JPH01288989A (en) | 1989-11-21 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |