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:
Apr. 10, 2007
Filed:
Jun. 12, 1998
Linda V Gravell, Sutton, MA (US);
Jeffrey D Pierce, Norwalk, CT (US);
Leon A. Pintsov, West Hartford, CT (US);
John G. Rahrig, Stratford, CT (US);
David W. Riley, Easton, CT (US);
Linda V Gravell, Sutton, MA (US);
Jeffrey D Pierce, Norwalk, CT (US);
Leon A. Pintsov, West Hartford, CT (US);
John G. Rahrig, Stratford, CT (US);
David W. Riley, Easton, CT (US);
Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
A virtual postage metering system and method provides value added services corresponding to postage metering transactions. Funds are not stored at a user's site, reducing the risk of unauthorized modification of accounting balances. There is a database record of every mailpiece, thereby improving verification since all valid pieces are known. Furthermore, the present invention enables the Post to know the volume of mail to be processed prior to receipt of physical mail pieces. Since more mailer data is available (e.g. when users usually mail, how much mail per day, average postage amount) the virtual postage metering system enables the postal service to predict mail handling patterns. Additionally, users have the option to pay as they go which contrasts present systems in which funds must be on deposit prior to being downloaded to a meter although such downloaded funds may remain in the meter for weeks before being used.