The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 24, 1993
Filed:
Jul. 29, 1991
Robert T Durst, Jr, Fairfield, CT (US);
Kevin D Hunter, Stratford, CT (US);
Jose Pastor, Westport, CT (US);
Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
A postage meter having the capability to print a zip code in bar code form. The postage meter includes an input for input of a postage value and input of a destination zip code, a display, a printer for printing an indicia on a mail piece, the indicia including a representation of a postage value and a representation of a destination zip code in bar code form. The postage meter also includes accounting means for accounting for expended postage and a controller responsive to the input. The controller controls the meter to receive a postage value and display a prompt requesting input of the destination zip code, convert the zip code to bar code form and add the bar code to the indicia. When a destination zip code is input the postage meter resets the postage value in accordance with a bar code discount. In one embodiment the postage meter of the subject invention may include a sensor for determining the position of the lower edge of the mail piece so that the bar code may be printed in accordance with regulations of a postal service. In another embodiment of the subject invention the postage meter includes a port for communication with a remote device and the remote device determines the amount of any postage discount.