Patent ID: 6298337
Filing Date: 2001-10-02
Classification: G07B

Abstract:
A method for data processing in a mail shipping system, said mail shipping system handling pieces of mail each having a recipient address field printed thereon said method comprising the steps of:arranging at least one computer remote from a postage meter machine and providing communication means for bidirectional communication between said computer and said postage meter machine;storing the respective mailing data for said pieces of mail in said computer in respective data files, including at least a selected carrier, among a plurality of carriers, for shipping that piece of mail;detecting each piece of mail including reading the recipient address field on each piece of mail, and for each detected piece of mail, executing a computer communication routine in said postage meter machine between said postage meter machine and said computer via said communication means, for locating the respective data file containing the selected carrier for said detected piece of mail, and supplying information identifying said selected carrier from said computer to said postage meter machine via said communication means and automatically entering said information identifying said selected carrier into said postage meter machine;conducting a processing routine in said postage meter machine for generating a carrier-specific print format, for said selected carrier, for said franking imprint, including display of setting data at said postage meter machine; andconducting a carrier-specific accounting for a shipping cost for shipping said detected piece of mail using said selected carrier, and printing said franking imprint on said detected piece of mail at said postage meter machine with said carrier-specific print format for said selected carrier.