Patent US1576388A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5960418A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-currency postage meter
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Ltd
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Filing: 1997-07-14
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Granted: 1999-09-28
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Expires: 2017-07-14
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides an apparatus and method for converting a postage amount expressed in a first currency denomination into at least a second currency denomination and printing the postage amount expressed in a second denomination in postal indicia.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen Kelly
- 👤 Timothy J Nicholls
- 👤 Robert W Allport
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:57
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00185; G07B17/00362; G07B2017/00387
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A postage meter system that generates postal indicia for items to be mailed, comprising: input means for entering a postage amount in a first currency denomination; conversion means for converting the postage amount in the first currency denomination into a second currency denomination; an image generator configured to generate the postal indicia in a bit map; a printing device for printing the bit map on a mail piece; and control means for causing the image generator to generate the postal indicia in a bit map having both the first and second currency denominations and for causing the printing device to print the bit map on the items to be mailed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A postage meter system that generates postal indicia for items to be mailed, comprising: input means for entering a postage amount in a first currency denomination; conversion means for converting the postage amount in the first currency denomination into a second currency denomination; an image generator configured to generate the postal indicia in a bit map; a printing device for printing the bit map on a mail piece; and control means for causing the image generator to generate the postal indicia in a bit map having both the first and second currency denominations and for causing the printing device to print the bit map on the items to be mailed.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for generating postal indicia in a postage apparatus having currency conversion means, the method comprising the steps of: inputting a postage amount expressed in a first currency denomination; converting the postage amount in the conversion means into a postage amount expressed in at least a second currency denomination; and printing the postal indicia in both the first and second currency denominations.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for generating postal indicia in a postage apparatus having currency conversion means, the method comprising the steps of: inputting a postage amount expressed in a first currency denomination; converting the postage amount in the conversion means into a postage amount expressed in at least a second currency denomination; and printing the postal indicia in both the first and second currency denominations.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for generating postal indicia in a postage apparatus having currency conversion means, the method comprising the steps of: inputting a postage amount expressed in a first currency denomination; choosing at least one currency denomination from a plurality of predefined currency denominations to be included in the postal indicia that is to be printed on a mail piece; converting the postage amount expressed in the first currency denomination to each of the chosen currency denominations; and printing the postal indicia in each one of the chosen currency denominations on a mail piece.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for generating postal indicia in a postage apparatus having currency conversion means, the method comprising the steps of: inputting a postage amount expressed in a first currency denomination; choosing at least one currency denomination from a plurality of predefined currency denominations to be included in the postal indicia that is to be printed on a mail piece; converting the postage amount expressed in the first currency denomination to each of the chosen currency denominations; and printing the postal indicia in each one of the chosen currency denominations on a mail piece.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-09-27 | 2003-03-29 | 2003-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-27 | 2007-03-29 | 2007-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-27 | 2011-03-29 | 2011-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |