Patent ID: 7257558

Claim:
An apparatus for dispensing postage for a mail piece comprising: a memory for storing first data representative of a value of postage funds; an interface, operably connected to the memory, for receiving selected information concerning a mail piece content and information concerning a value of the postage, the value of the postage funds being a function of the value of the postage; and a processor operably connected to the memory and the interface for receiving selected information, for encrypting at least the selected information to generate second data, the first data and the second data being provided to a mail processor for creation of an indicium indicative of payment of the postage, the mail piece content, an additional payment amount, and payee to receive the additional payment; wherein the mail processor generates control instructions to a printer for printing the indicium in a selected location on the mail piece content such that the indicium is exposed through a window, the window being on a cover for enclosing the mail piece content; and wherein the additional payment amount is deposited in an account belonging to the payee when the mail piece is processed by a mail piece carrier.