Patent ID: 6044364
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: G07B

Abstract:
A postage metering system which performs printing of postage and exchange of data with a remotely located data center to accomplish at least some of the functions of a postage fund refill of the postage metering system, a remote postage metering system inspection, and a download of location data into the postage metering system, the postage metering system comprising:a portable vault having first data indicative of location stored therein, the portable vault accounting for the value of postage printed; anda terminal which housesmeans for removably receiving the portable vault,a printing mechanism for printing postage,means for communicating with the data center to perform the at least some of the functions,means for storing second data indicative of location, andmeans for comparing the first and second data at times when the portable vault is inserted in the receiving means, for permitting operation of the printing of postage and the at least some of the functions if the first and second data match, and for preventing the printing of postage while permitting the exchange of data with the remotely located data center to permit operation of the at least some of the functions if the first and second data do not match.