Automated electronic postage meter having a direct acess bar code printer

Apparatus for processing an item to be mailed comprising:

• an electronic scale
• a housing, the housing including an electronic scale top surface mounted on the electronic scale for weighing an item to be mailed, an electronic scale insertion slot mounted on the electronic scale for weighing an item to be mailed, and data entry means for entering data relating to the item to be mailed including address;
• a computer coupled to the electronic scale and to the data entry means, the computer including determining means for determining the required postage for the item to be mailed;
• means coupled to the computer and to the data entry means for converting data entered by the data entry means directly into a laser readable bar code;
• an electronic display coupled to the computer for displaying the required postage for said item to be mailed;
• means for receiving payment and sending a signal that payment has been received, the means for receiving payment including at least one of an electronic external payment accepting means for accepting external payment and means for verifying that payment has been made externally the apparatus;
• two printers for printing the laser readable bar code, the two printers including a first printer for printing said code directly on items to be mailed and a second printer for printing said code on a separate label for items to be mailed, the printers being coupled to the computer;
• wherein the computer controls the printers such that the printers will not operate until the signal indicating that payment has been received is received.

A postage meter for use in a postal office to facilitate processing of a transaction between a customer and a postal office employee and subsequent mailing of an item to be mailed, the postage meter comprising:

• a housing, the housing comprising a front side, a back side, a top surface and a bottom surface
• a computer located within the housing;
• an electronic scale coupled to the computer, the electronic scale comprising two distinct weight in surfaces, the electronic scale being adapted to weigh the item to be mailed when the item to be mailed is placed on either of the two weighing surface and transmitting a signal indicative of the weight of the item to be mailed to the computer;
• an alphanumeric keyboard for allowing the employee to enter information pertaining to the destination of the item to be mailed into the computer including address;
• a first electronic display coupled to the computer, the first electronic display being visable from the front side of the postage meter;
• a second electronic display coupled to the computer, the second electronic display being visable from the back side of the postage meter;
• the computer comprising a CPU for calculating the postage due based upon the signals from the electronic scale and information from the alphanumeric keyboard, and displaying the postage due on both the first electronic display and the second electronic display;
• means for generating a signal verifying the customer's payment for postage due and sending the signal to the computer;
• a printer for printing an alphanumeric laser readable bar code indicative of the destination and the method of mailing of the item to be mailed directly on the item to be mailed;
• a double station printer comprising a first printing head for printing an alphanumeric laser readable bar code including both letters and numbers, indicative of the destination and method of mailing of the item to be mailed on a separate label and a second printing head for printing a record of the transaction, the printer being operable only after the computer receives the signal verifying external payment for postage due.