Method and apparatus for user-sealing of secured postage printing equipment
OwnerJ. P. Leon, Chandrakant J. Shahinventors
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Abstract
User-sealed postage printing apparatus and method comprises a printing device, operable to print a postage indicium and a processor. A weighscale is connected to the processor by an analog to digital converter, for example. A cavity for receiving a secure metering device (SMD) is provided. The cavity has an electrical connector for establishing a connection between the processor and the SMD. The SMD, once inserted, cannot be removed without being rendered unusable for postage printing and/or leaving visible evidence of tampering.
Claims30
A user-sealed configurable postage printing apparatus comprising:
- a printing device, operable to print a postage indicium;
- a processor, connected to said printing device;
- an enclosure, containing said printing device and said processor, said enclosure having a cavity for receiving a secure metering device (SMD);
- and
- a cover, mated with said enclosure to secure said SMD after insertion of said SMD into said cavity;
- wherein insertion of said SMD into said cavity causes said processor and said printing device to be capable of printing postage drawing upon a postage credit stored within said SMD, and wherein, once inserted, attempted removal of said SMD causes visible damage to at least one of said SMD, said cover, and said enclosure.
A user-sealed configurable postage printing apparatus comprising:
- a printing device, operable to print a postage indicium;
- a processor, connected to said printing device;
- an enclosure, containing said printing device and said processor, said enclosure having a cavity for receiving a secure metering device (SMD);
- and
- an electrical connector, located within said cavity of said enclosure, for establishing a connection between said processor and said SMD;
- wherein insertion of said SMD into said cavity causes said processor and said printing device to be capable of printing postage drawing upon a postage credit stored within said SMD, and wherein, once said SMD is inserted, attempted removal of said SMD inhibits said SMD from being used to print postage.
An integrated user sealed postage printing apparatus, comprising:
- a loadcell, coupled to a printer and a microcomputer, wherein each is contained within an enclosure, said enclosure having a cavity to receive a secure metering device (SMD), and a mechanism to secure said SMD from tampering, and wherein attempted removal of said SMD inhibits said SMD from being used to print postage.
A method for printing postage, said method comprising:
- installing a secure metering device (SMD) into a posting workstation, said SMD comprising a secure storage area for postal credit;
- securing said SMD;
- checking said postage workstation in with a service center over a network connection;
- and
- printing postage for at least one of a plurality of mail pieces drawing upon said postal credit from said SMD;
- wherein once inserted, attempted removal of said SMD inhibits said SMD from being used to print postage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.