Patent ID: 7885903
Filing Date: 2011-02-08
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
1. A method for generating and selling postage payment labels at an electronic parcel deposit box facility that has at least one lockable compartment for depositing and removing a mailpiece, whereby the postage payment labels can be used for sending mailpieces from a customer to a recipient, the method comprising: the electronic parcel deposit box facility storing customer data of a customer in storage means that-is connected to a the electronic parcel deposit box facility, whereby the customer data contain at least the address of the customer; the electronic parcel deposit box facility storing several unique identification codes in the storage means; the electronic parcel deposit box facility storing recipient address data that are associated with the customer in the storage means, whereby the recipient address data are generated by an Internet auction website, associated with the customer, and transmitted to the storage means; the electronic parcel deposit box facility recording the identification of the customer in a recorder; the electronic parcel deposit box facility associating customer data with the customer on the basis of the identification by a processor that is connected to the electronic parcel deposit box facility; the electronic parcel deposit box facility displaying the address of the customer on a display of the electronic parcel deposit box facility for purposes of one of selection and modification by the customer; the electronic parcel deposit box facility displaying the recipient address data that are associated with the customer who is recorded at the electronic parcel deposit box facility on the display for purposes of one of selection and modification by the customer; determining the weight of the mailpiece; the electronic parcel deposit box facility assigning an identification code from the storage means and assigning the identification code with a postage payment label by the processor; the electronic parcel deposit box facility calculating the payment for the shipment of the mailpiece by the processor and displaying the payment to be made on the display; paying for the postage payment label at payment means of the electronic parcel deposit box facility; the electronic parcel deposit box facility printing a postage payment label in a printer, whereby the postage payment label contains at least the assigned identification code, the address of the customer, and a recipient address; the electronic parcel deposit box facility allowing the deposition of the mailpiece into the electronic parcel deposit box facility; associating, by the processor, the identification code with one of two status identifiers in the storage means, the first status identifier indicating that a postage payment label has been printed with the identification code and the second status identifier indicating that no postage payment label has been printed with the identification code, comprising setting the status identifier in the storage means to the second status identifier at the beginning of the process and to the first status identifier after the electronic parcel deposit box facility has issued a postage payment label with the identification code, the storage means changing the status identifier to the second status identifier as soon as the mailpiece has been deposited into the parcel deposit box, and carrying out a payment assurance by the electronic parcel deposit box facility using the status identifiers before allowing the deposition of the mailpiece.