Postage meter with barcode printing capability

A postage meter comprising:

• a) input means for input of information said information including a postage value and a destination zip code;
• b) a display;
• c) print means for printing an indicia on a mail piece, said indicia including a representation of said postage value and a representation in barcode form of said destination zip code;
• d) accounting means for accounting for said postage value when said indicia is printed;
• e) memory means for storing a plurality of discounted values equal to a plurality of postage value less a barcode discount;
• and,
• f) control means responsive to said input means and said memory means for:
• f1) receiving said postage value;
• f2) determining if said postage to one of said discounted values;
• and, if so,
• f3.1) controlling said display to display a prompt requesting input of said destination zip code;
• f3.2) receiving said destination zip code and converting said destination zip code into said barcode representation;
• f3.3) adding said barcode representations said indicia;
• f3.4) controlling said print means to print said indicia;
• otherwise,
• f3.5) printing said indicia without adding said barcode representation;
• and
• f4) controlling said accounting means to account for said postage value.

A system for printing indicia on a mail piece, comprising:

• a) a remote device, said device further comprising:
• a1) means for determining an undiscounted postage value for said mail piece;
• 2) means for generation of a barcode signal;
• a3) means for determining a barcode discount for said mail piece;
• and
• a4) communications means for output of said postage value, said barcode signal and said barcode discount;
• and
• b) a postage meter responsive to a print request signal for printing indicia representative of a predetermined postage value, said postage meter further comprising:
• b1) a communications port connected to said communications means for input of said barcode signal, said undiscounted postage value and said barcode discount;
• b2) input means for input of a destination zip code;
• and,
• b3) a display;
• wherein,
• b4) said postage meter is condition by said barcode signal to respond to said print request signal by displaying a prompt on said display, said prompt requesting input of said destination zip code;
• and
• b5) said postage meter thereafter responding to input of said destination zip code barcode representation of said destination zip code to said indicia, setting said predetermined postage value equal to said undiscounted postage value reduced by said barcode-discount, and printing said indicia.

A system for printing indicia on a mail piece, comprising:

• a) a remote device, said device further comprising:
• a1) means for determining a discounted postage value reflecting a barcode discount for said mail piece;
• a2) means for generation of a barcode signal;
• and
• a3) communications means for output of said barcode signal and said discounted postage value;
• and,
• b) a postage meter responsive to a print request signal for printing an indicia representative of a predetermined postage value, said postage meter further comprising:
• b1) a communications port for receiving said barcode signal and said discounted postage value;
• b2) input means for input of a destination zip code;
• and,
• b3) a display;
• wherein,
• b4) said postage meter is conditioned by said barcode signal to respond to said discounted postage value by displaying a prompt requesting input of said destination zip code;
• and,
• b5) said postage meter thereafter responding to input of said destination zip code by adding a barcode representation of said destination zip code to said indicia, setting said predetermined postage value equal to said discounted value, and printing said indicia.