Method and apparatus for providing refunds in a postage metering system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for facilitating refunds in a postage metering system, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving at a computer a request for a refund of a postage amount, the request being associated with a postage meter;
using the computer for accessing a dispute account database for identifying a dispute account having a value therein that is indicative of a level of refund activity attributable to the postage meter, the dispute account being associated with the request;
determining, via the computer, if the value in the dispute account is acceptable for permitting a refund of the postage amount; and
at times when the value is determined to be acceptable for permitting the refund of the postage amount, refunding the postage amount to a user of the postage meter by sending enabling data from the computer to the postage meter, the enabling data useable by the postage meter to add the postage amount to a vault of the postage meter.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for facilitating refunds in a postage metering system includes the steps of receiving at a computer a request for a refund of a postage amount; using the computer for accessing a dispute account data base for identifying a dispute account associated with the request; determining, via the computer, if a value in the dispute account is acceptable for permitting a refund of the postage amount; and at times when the value is determined to be acceptable for permitting the refund of the postage amount, refunding the postage amount to a user of the postage meter. A system incorporates the method steps.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A method for facilitating refunds in a postage metering system, the method comprising the steps of:
-
receiving at a computer a request for a refund of a postage amount, the request being associated with a postage meter; using the computer for accessing a dispute account database for identifying a dispute account having a value therein that is indicative of a level of refund activity attributable to the postage meter, the dispute account being associated with the request; determining, via the computer, if the value in the dispute account is acceptable for permitting a refund of the postage amount; and at times when the value is determined to be acceptable for permitting the refund of the postage amount, refunding the postage amount to a user of the postage meter by sending enabling data from the computer to the postage meter, the enabling data useable by the postage meter to add the postage amount to a vault of the postage meter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A postage metering system comprising:
-
a postage meter having a vault that accounts for postage dispensed by the postage meter and a processor for controlling operation of the postage meter; a data center in communication with the postage meter, the data center having a central processing unit and a dispute account database, the dispute account database having a dispute account having a value therein that is indicative of a level of refund activity attributable to the postage meter, the dispute account being associated with the postage meter; means for permitting communication between the postage meter and the data center; wherein at times when the data center receives a request for a refund of a postage amount for the postage meter the central processing unit determines if the value in the dispute account is acceptable for permitting a refund of the postage amount and if it is the central processing unit refunds the postage amount to a user of the postage meter by sending enabling data useable by the processor for adding the postage amount to the postage meter vault. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for facilitating refunds in a postage meter, the method comprising the steps of:
-
receiving at the postage meter a request for a refund of a postage amount; accessing a dispute account in the postage meter to determine if a value in the dispute account is acceptable for permitting a refund of the postage amount, the value indicative of a level of refund activity attributable to the postage meter; and at times when the value is determined to be acceptable for permitting the refund of the postage amount, refunding the postage amount to a user of the postage meter by adding the postage amount to a vault of the postage meter. - View Dependent Claims (13)
-
-
14. A postage meter comprising:
-
a processor that controls operation of the postage meter; a vault that accounts for postage dispensed by the postage meter; a dispute account having a value therein, the value indicative of a level of refund activity attributable to the meter; wherein at times when the postage meter receives a request for a refund of a postage amount the processor determines if the value in the dispute account is acceptable for permitting a refund of the postage amount and if it is the processor refunds the postage amount to a user of the postage meter by adding the postage amount to the vault.
-
Specification