Postage metering system including primary accounting means and means for accessing secondary accounting means

摘要

A postage metering system includes primary accounting structure and non-secure printing structure. The primary accounting structure includes a primary computer which includes structure for sequentially metering respective postage values for printing on respective sheets, structure for detecting a plurality of fault conditions, and structure for disabling the metering structure when the detecting structure detects a selected fault condition. The non-secure printing structure includes a printing module and a printing computer. The printing module includes printing apparatus and structure for sequentially feeding thereto each sheet of a batch thereof having a predetermined plurality of sheets. The printing computer includes structure for transmitting a first request for connection of the printing structure in communication with the primary accounting structure for receiving therefrom respective postage values for printing on respective sheets. The primary computer also includes structure responsive to the first connection request for causing connection of the accounting structure in communication with the printing structure if the metering structure is not disabled. The primary computer further includes structure for causing disconnection of the accounting structure from communication with the printing structure if connected in communication therewith when the metering structure is disabled. The printing computer includes structure for transmitting a second request for connection of the printing structure in communication with secondary accounting structure for receiving therefrom respective postage values for printing on respective sheets if the metering structure is disabled.