US 4,907,161 A · Batch mailing system

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system wherein a mailer is able to send large quantities or batches of mail. The mailer has a secure accounting unit similar to a postage meter in which postage value is placed by a central station which is also in communication with a remote resetting center for accounting for funds transferred to the accounting unit. The central station communicates with the mailing station in order to obtain data relative to the mail processing whenever the funds are to be transferred to the accounting unit. The central station may also serve to lock or unlock the mail processing at the mailing station. Receipts may also be provided for the funding transactions.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A value resetting system comprising:

a mailing location, said mailing location having means for storing and accounting for value;
means for data collection remote from said mailing location;
means for establishing communication between said mailing location and said data collection means;
means, remote from said mailing location, for resetting said value in said storing and accounting means;
and
means for selectively locking and unlocking said mailing location, said locking means being operative via said communication establishing means.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

06/940,102Filed 10 Dec 1986 · continuation in part

Priority

6 Aug 1985

Granted

6 Mar 1990

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification18 codes

G07B 17/00508
Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system: printing or attaching on mailpieces
G07B 17/00024
Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system: physical or organizational…
G07B 17/0008
Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system: communication details outside or…
G07B 17/00467
Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system: transporting mailpieces

Batch mailing system

Life of this patent

Batch mailing system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13