System and method for remote postage metering

An apparatus for distributing predetermined amounts of postage to select ones of a plurality of processor-based systems in data communication with said apparatus in response to purchase demands by select ones of the plurality of processor-based systems, said apparatus comprising:

• means for accepting a demand for a predetermined amount of postage from a particular one of said plurality of processor systems via a data communication between said apparatus and said particular one of said processor systems, wherein said apparatus is adapted to substantially simultaneously accept demands from processor systems of said plurality in addition to said particular one of said processor systems;
• means for storing information to be utilized with said predetermined amount of postage selectable from shorthand information provided in said demand;
• and
• means for transmitting a data packet corresponding to said predetermined amount of postage to said one of said plurality of processor systems.

A method operable on a remote processor-based system for distributing predetermined amounts of postage to select ones of a plurality of processor-based systems in data communication with said remote system in response to purchase demands by select ones of the plurality of processor-based systems, said method comprising the steps of:

• accepting a demand for a predetermined amount of postage from a particular one of said plurality of processor systems via a data communication link between said remote system and said particular one of said processor systems, wherein said remote system is adapted to substantially simultaneously accept demands from processor systems of said plurality in addition to said particular one of said processor systems;
• storing a plurality of independent postage value credits;
• automatically deducting at least a portion of said predetermined amount of postage from at least one of said postage value credits;
• and
• transmitting a data packet corresponding to said predetermined amount of postage to said one of said plurality of processor systems.

A method operable on a remote processor-based system for distributing predetermined amounts of postage to select ones of a plurality of processor-based systems in data communication with said remote system in response to purchase demands by select ones of the plurality of processor-based systems, said method comprising the steps of:

• accepting a demand for a predetermined amount of postage from a particular one of said plurality of processor systems via a data communication link between said remote system and said particular one of said processor systems, wherein said remote system is adapted to substantially simultaneously accept demands from processor systems of said plurality in addition to said particular one of said processor systems;
• storing information to be utilized with said predetermined amount of postage selectable from shorthand information provided in said demand;
• and
• transmitting a data packet corresponding to said predetermined amount of postage to said one of said plurality of processor systems.

A system for obtaining for a first processor-based system a desired amount of value from a second processor-based system via a public network, said system comprising:

• said first processor-based system comprising:
• means for establishing parameters specific to a preselected item to be associated with said desired amount of value;
• means for summarily indicating a desired piece of information of a plurality of information records stored external to said first system;
• means for creating a demand for said desired amount of value, said demand comprising selected ones of said parameters in combination with said summary indication;
• and
• means for controlling the transmission of said demand from said first system to said remote system over said public network;
• and said second processor-based system comprising:
• means for storing said plurality of information records, wherein at least a portion of said stored plurality of information is to be utilized with said predetermined amount of value, and wherein said portion of said plurality of information records is selectable from said summary indication provided in said demand;
• means for storing a plurality of independent value credits;
• means for automatically deducting at least a portion of said predetermined amount of value from at least one of said value credits;
• means for creating a data packet comprising data formatted as a function of a received demand;
• and
• means for transmitting said data packet from said second system to said first system, said data packet to be utilized in the printing of a value indicia under control of said first system.