Method for reissuing digital tokens in an open metering system

A method of reissuing digital tokens in a open system meter comprising the steps of:

• sending from a host processor to a vault that is operatively coupled to the host processor predetermined postal information, including addressee information, and a request for digital tokens;
• calculating in the vault in response to the request for digital tokens at least one digital token using the predetermined postal information;
• debiting postal funds in the vault;
• issuing the digital token to the host processor;
• storing the digital token and the predetermined postal information as a transaction record in the host processor for subsequent generation and printing of indicia;
• indexing the transaction record corresponding to the addressee information;
• generating in the host processor a bitmap image of the indicia comprising a graphical image of the digital token and the predetermined postal information and storing the indicia in the host processor for subsequent printing;
• displaying the generated bitmap image of the indicia for review before printing;
• and
• reissuing the digital token from transaction record in the host processor when generated bitmap image has not been successfully printed.