Post office window system with programmable prompts

Claim 1

A postage metering system comprising: (a) a scale, said scale further comprising: (a.1) a load cell, said load cell providing an analog output proportional to the weight of an item to be mailed; (a.2) analog circuitry for sensing said analog output and for providing a periodic digital output representative of said analog output; (a.3) a scale central processing unit (CPU) for receiving said digital output, for processing said output so as to identify the weight of an item to be mailed and for transmitting said output; (b) a processor operatively connected to said scale, to a keyboard and to a display, in a normal mode of operation said processor computing a postage value for an item to be mailed in response to the weight of said item transmitted from said scale CPU and other postal information input through said keyboard; (c) a postage meter operatively connected to said processor for imprinting indicia corresponding to said postage value; (d) said processor further including memory means for storing data, said data including predetermined messages; (e) said processor selecting and transmitting to said display appropriate ones of said messages to an operator; (f) in response to a command entered by the operator through said keyboard, said processor entering an editing mode wherein said operator may selectively edit said messages; and, (g) in response to a second command entered through said keyboard by the operator, said processor returning to said normal mode and displaying said edited messages.