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:
Mar. 13, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 18, 1997
Perry A. Pierce, Darien, CT (US);
Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a postage metering system that includes a plurality of closed and open meter printer modules operatively connected as part of a metering network. A single postal security device (PSD) is coupled to the network, either directly, through a personal computer or through one of the printer modules. The PSD includes unique identification and the ability to store postal value and generate digital signatures. The printer modules function as a postage metering network wherein a printer module requests evidence of postage payment from the PSD for concluding a postage metering transaction. The printer module initiates the postage metering transaction in the PSD by sending a request for evidence of postage payment to the PSD. The PSD receives the request and sends the evidence of payment to the printer module for subsequent printing.