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:
Nov. 21, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 18, 1997
Perry A Pierce, Darien, CT (US);
Charles R Malandra, Jr, Monroe, CT (US);
Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
A system and method for postage metering provides a plurality of client modules on a network. A local postage security device (PSD) is coupled to a first one of the client modules and a remote PSD is coupled to a second one of the client modules. The local and remote PSDs include respectively first and second unique identification, postal value storage and digital signature generator. The first client module is connected to a remote data center that includes third unique identification, third postal value storage and a third digital signature generator. The first client module selectively requests one of a first evidence of postage payment from the local PSD, a second, evidence of postage payment from the remote PSD and a third evidence of postage payment from the data center. The first client module includes a printer for printing the selected one of the first, second and third evidences of postage payment on a mailpiece.