POSTAGE METERING WITH ACCUMULATED POSTAGE

摘要

Systems and methods which provide metering of postage value using accumulated postage information are shown. Embodiments implement an accumulated postage register in a postage security device which is incremented each time a postage indicium is generated and which is reset when a postage value settlement operation is performed. Accumulated postage may be paid for using various accounts, including pre-funded or pre-paid accounts, credit accounts, debit accounts, and billing accounts. Accordingly, embodiments may be used with respect to a post-paid metering model, a pre-paid metering model, and combinations thereof.

主权项

1. A method for metering postage value, by a computer system, said method comprising:
outputting postage indicia by a postage security device prior to payment for said postage indicia; incrementing an accumulated postage register, of said postal security device, in response to said outputting of said postage indicia; and performing a postage value settlement operation that comprises:
decrementing said accumulated postage register upon receiving a payment amount for said outputted postage indicia.