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US 2004/0002926 A1Published application
Systems and methods using a digital pen for funds accounting devices and postage meters
AssigneePitney Bowes Inc.
InventorsJean-Hiram Coffy, Arthur J. Parkos, Robert A. Cordery
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and system for processing postage payments is described. In one configuration a digital pen is utilized to provide a mail piece identifier. The data provided is utilized to account for postage and verify payment of postage.
Claims15
A method for a user for accounting for and providing evidence of payment of postage comprising:
- obtaining a registered digital pen meter registered to the user;
- handwriting a return address field on a mail piece;
- handwriting a mail piece identifier on the mail piece;
- facilitating the transfer of digital pen data to a server;
- and
- placing the mail piece in the mail stream.
3 more elements
A method for verifying payment of postage comprising:
- obtaining a user profile;
- obtaining a mail piece identifier from a mail piece;
- obtaining customer data from the mail piece;
- obtaining a mail piece user profile;
- and
- comparing the mail piece user profile to the user profile.
3 more elements
A method for verifying payment of postage comprising:
- obtaining a mail piece identifier from a mail piece;
- obtaining a stored mail piece identifier;
- and
- comparing the mail piece identifier to the stored mail piece identifier.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.