Patent ID: 7403926

Claim:
A method of mail preparation, including the steps of: processing a first mail item comprising a mail item in a series of mail items; effecting an accounting operation in respect of a first postage charge for the first mail item, and generating a first postage indicium to provide evidence that the accounting operation has been effected in respect of the first postage charge; processing a second mail item comprising a mail item, subsequent to the first mail item, in the series of mail items; determining whether the first postage charge remains unused, with the first postage charge remaining unused when processing of the first mail item has not been completed; where the first postage charge is unused, determining whether the first postage indicium is suitable for use in relation to the second mail item; where the first postage indicium is suitable for use in relation to the second mail item, generating a substitute postage indicium to provide evidence in relation to the second mail item that the accounting operation has been effected in respect of the first postage charge, wherein the step of generating a substitute postage indicium includes the step of providing an indicator in the first postage indicium indicative that the accounting operation for the first postage charge relates to the second mail item; and where the first postage indicium is not suitable for use in relation to the second mail item, effecting an accounting operation in respect of a second postage charge for the second mail item, and generating a second postage indicium to provide evidence that the accounting operation has been effected in respect of the second postage charge.