System and method for providing controlled access to a funds dispensing device from external processors

#The illustrative embodiments described in the present application are useful in systems including those for providing controlled access to value dispensing devices and more particularly are useful in systems including those for providing controlled access to a postage meter from multiple programs executing on an external collocated processor.

#Value storage and dispensing devices including postage meters have been in use including the DM SERIES mailing machines including postage meters available from PITNEY BOWES INC. of Stamford, Conn. Such devices typically do not provide user access from a collocated processor through multiple programs.

#The MAILSTATION mailing machine is an example of a mailing machine including a postage meter that is available from PITNEY BOWES INC. of Stamford Conn. The MAILSTATION system includes a multi-line display and a keypad for providing user access for configuring and using the mailing machine. Additionally, the MAILSTATION mailing machine includes an analog modem communications subsystem that is useful for communicating with a remote data center to process transactions such as postage refill operations.

#The accompanying drawings illustrate several alternative embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. As shown throughout the drawings, like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mailing machine according to an illustrative embodiment of the present application.

#FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a postage dispensing system according to an illustrative embodiment of the present application.

#The illustrative embodiments of the present application describe systems and methods including those that are useful for providing controlled access to value dispensing devices. In certain illustrative embodiments, the application describes systems and methods for providing controlled access to a postage meter from multiple programs executing on an external collocated processor.

#The illustrative embodiments described here are described as modifications to the MAILSTATION mailing machine available from Pitney Bowes Inc. of Stamford, Conn. Such mailing machines incorporate a postage meter. The modified mailing machine described herein may receive operating input from several different controlling sources. It may receive operator input through the traditional integrated keypad and display user interface. It may also receive operating input data from a collocated processor such as a PC configured to run a control program designed specifically to use as an interface to the mailing machine.

#Moreover, the mailing machine may receive operating input from one or more types of multi-purpose software such as third-party shipping solution software running on the collocated processor. One possible multi-purpose third-party program that could be configured to interface with illustrative embodiments described herein includes the modified SHIPPING ASSISTANT available from the United States Postal Service (USPS).