Method and system for providing information to machine users

(19)

(11)

EP 1 067 483 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	16.05.2001 Bulletin 2001/20

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	10.01.2001 Bulletin 2001/02

(21)	Application number: 00305817.9

(22)	Date of filing: 10.07.2000

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: G07B 17/00

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30)

Priority:

09.07.1999 GB 9916242

(71)	Applicant: NEOPOST LIMITED
	Romford, Essex RM1 2AR (GB)

(72)	Inventor:
	Gilham, Dennis Thomas Ingatestone, Essex CM4 9LT (GB)

(74)	Representative: Loughrey, Richard Vivian Patrick
	HUGHES CLARK & CO 114-118 Southampton Row London WC1B 5AA London WC1B 5AA (GB)

(54)	Method and system for providing information to machine users

(57) A postage metering system is described in which during a transaction between postage metering apparatus and a remote data centre for example for the purpose of refunding a value of credit in the postage metering apparatus, the remote data centre transmits to the postage metering apparatus a message that is unrelated to the transaction. The data centre may transmit a message selected for a specific postage metering apparatus by storing a plurality of messages and selecting a message from the plurality of messages in dependence upon a profile of the postage metering apparatus or of a user thereof that is determined by an identification of the postage metering apparatus.

Search report