Postage payment system where accounting for postage payment occurs at atime subsequent to the printing of the postage and employing a visual marking imprinted on the mailpiece to show that accounting has occurred

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A system for maintaining the security of user postal funding charges and allowing accurate accounting of delivery charges includes the step of and apparatus for printing on a mailpiece or type at the originating station value to cover delivery charges along with encrypted validation information which is later employed to account for postage funds particularly at the time of delivery. A visual marking is imprinted on the mailpiece at the time of accounting to show that accounting has occurred. The mail deliverer can rely on the visual indication for assurance that processing and accounting has occurred.