Postage meter recharging system

Claim 2

A postage meter comprising: (a) setting means for setting a postal value to be metered; (b) printing means for printing the set postal value and control means for controlling and accounting for the printing of said set postal value; (c) a descending register connected to said control means for receiving and storing a value representative of the funds remaining for metering and printing after accounting for the printing of said set postal value; (d) a communication port; (e) means for determining that the value in the descending register has reached a predetermined threshold value; (f) communication-control means for automaticlly applying dialing signals and coded signals to said communication port whenever the determining means determines that the value stored in said descending register has reached said predetermined threshold value; and (g) means responsive to the receipt of predetermined coded signals at said communication port for recrediting the descending register.

Claim 3

The meter of claim 1 wherein the descending register is recredited only with a fixed increment of value.

Claim 4

The meter of claim 1 wherein the communication control means comprises a DTMF transmitter and receiver.

Claim 5

The meter of claim 1 wherein said predetermined threshold value is a selectable value.

Claim 6

The meter of claim 4 wherein the threshold value is selectable by the user of the meter.

Claim 7

The meter of claim 1 further comprising clock means, said clock means including means for setting said clock in response to coded signals at said communication port.

Claim 8

The meter of claim 6 wherein said communication control means accepts a communicated signal at said communication port at a time determined by signals from said clock means.

Claim 9

In a postage meter apparatus of the type having a printer and accounting means for accounting for postal value printed by the meter, said accounting means including a descending register for storing a value representative of funds remaining for metering, the improvement comprising: (a) communication means for communication of information between a remote accounting means and control means for controlling the printer and accounting means; (b) means for determining that the value in the descending register has reached a predetermined threshold value; (c) communication-initiating means for automatically establishing communication between said control means and said remote accounting means whenever the determining means determines that the value stored in said descending register has reached said predetermined threshold value; and (d) means for automatically recrediting the descending register upon communication of recrediting information from the remote accounting means.

Claim 10

In a postage meter apparatus of the type having a printer and accounting means for accounting for postal value printed by the meter, said accounting means including a descending register for storing a value representative of funds remaining for metering, the improvement comprising: (a) communication means for communication of information between a remote accounting means and control means for controlling the printer and accounting means; (b) means for determining that the value in the descending register has reached a predetermined threshold value; (c) communication-initiating means for automatically establishing communication between said control means and said remote accounting means whenever the determining means determines that the value stored in said descending register has reached said predetermined threshold value; and (d) means for automatically recrediting the descending register upon communication of recrediting information from the remote accounting means.

Claim 11

The postage meter of claim 8 wherein said communication means comprises a DTMF transmitter and receiver.

Claim 12

The postage meter of claim 8 further comprising clock means for providing time signals for establishing communication at determined times in respect of said signals.

Claim 13

A postage meter recharging system comprising: (a) a postage metering apparatus including printing means for printing a postal value and control means for controlling and accounting for the printing of such postal value; (b) said postage metering apparatus further including a descending register connected to said control means for receiving and storing a value representative of the funds remaining for dispensing and printing after accounting for the printing of postal value; (c) a remote accounting means, said remote accounting means having an account maintained thereat of the funds available for recrediting the descending register of said postage metering apparatus; (d) communication means for the communication of information between said remote accounting means and said postage metering apparatus; (e) said postage metering apparatus further comprising: (i) means for determining that the value in the descending register has reached a predetermined threshold value; (ii) communication-initiating means for automatically establishing communication between said control means and said remote accounting means whenever the value stored in said descending register reaches said predetermined threshold value; and (iii) means for automatically recrediting the descending register upon communication of recrediting information from the remote accounting means; and (f) said remote accounting means, upon the establishment of communication, verifying the availability of funds for said postage metering apparatus and communicating recrediting information for recrediting the descending register of said postage metering apparatus.

Claim 14

A postage meter recharging system comprising: (a) a postage metering apparatus including printing means for printing a postal value and control means for controlling and accounting for the printing of such postal value; (b) said postage metering apparatus further including a descending register connected to said control means for receiving and storing a value representative of the funds remaining for dispensing and printing after accounting for the printing of postal value; (c) a remote accounting means, said remote accounting means having an account maintained thereat of the funds available for recrediting the descending register of said postage metering apparatus; (d) communication means for the communication of information between said remote accounting means and said postage metering apparatus; (e) said postage metering apparatus further comprising: (i) means for determining that the value in the descending register has reached a predetermined threshold value; (ii) communication-initiating means for automatically establishing communication between said control means and said remote accounting means whenever the value stored in said descending register reaches said predetermined threshold value; and (iii) means for automatically recrediting the descending register upon communication of recrediting information from the remote accounting means; and (f) said remote accounting means, upon the establishment of communication, verifying the availability of funds for said postage metering apparatus and communicating recrediting information for recrediting the descending register of said postage metering apparatus.

Claim 15

The system of claim 11 wherein the descending register is recredited only with a fixed predetermined increment of value.

Claim 16

The system of claim 11 wherein the account at said remote accounting means has sufficient funds to allow a plurality of said fixed increments of value to be recredited.

Claim 17

The system of claim 11 wherein said remote accounting means debits said account upon the communication of said recrediting information.

Claim 18

The system of claim 11 wherein said communication means comprises a telephone communication means which includes automatic dialing means initiated whenever the value in the descending register reaches the predetermined threshold value.

Claim 19

The system of claim 15 wherein the telephone communication means includes voice transmission and receiving means for communication between a user of said postage metering apparatus and a customer service installation connected with said remote accounting means.

Claim 22

The method of claim 17 where the command to initiate a communication is stored until a time period where communication rates are dicounted at which time the communication is initiated.

Claim 23

In electronic postage meter having a clock, means connected to said clock for determining calendar dates and the time of the day, a communication port, and setting means connected to the determining means and said communication port, said setting means including means responsive to determined signals at said port for setting said clock in accordance with said signals.

Claim 24

In electronic postage meter having a clock, means connected to said clock for determining calendar dates and the time of the day, a communication port, and setting means connected to the determining means and said communication port, said setting means including means responsive to determined signals at said port for setting said clock in accordance with said signals.