A system and method for retrieving a plurality of indicia are described. The method includes receiving, by a computer system associated with a postage provider a request from a user, the request including a number of the plurality of indicia, and a monetary value of each of the plurality of indicia; and authenticating the request. The method further includes verifying whether sufficient funds exist in an account of the user for the number and monetary value of the plurality of requested indicia. If the request is found authentic and the computer system determines that sufficient funds exist in the account of the user for the number and monetary value of the requested indicia, extracting the plurality of indicia. The method further includes assembling in a return message the plurality of indicia as at least one binary data message; and transmitting the message to a computer associated with the user.

Computerized apparatus useful within vehicles for causing provision of location-based services to users via a portable wireless computerized device. In one embodiment, the vehicle comprises a global positioning system (GPS) based receiver capable of providing location data to the computerized apparatus.

Systems and methods which provide for activation of postage indicia at a point of sale are shown. In operation according to embodiments, unassigned (e.g., not yet activated or not yet representing postage value) tokens (e.g., IBI barcodes) suitable for later use as postage indicia are distributed to various point of sale locations, such as retail locations, consumer kiosks, vending machines, etc. and made available for purchase by users. Upon purchase, at a point of sale, such unassigned tokens are preferably activated as valid or live postage indicia. Thereafter, the postage indicia may be used to post mail items.

Computerized apparatus useful within vehicles for causing provision of location-based services to users via a portable wireless computerized device. In one embodiment, the vehicle comprises a global positioning system (GPS) based receiver capable of providing location data to the computerized apparatus.

A roll of pre-printed stamp label stock includes a core, and a web of material wound on the core. The web includes (i) a release liner, (ii) a longitudinally-extending series of pre-printed stamp label panels disposed on the release liner and separated apart from each other by transversely-extending gaps between each pair of panels, and (iii) a first series of sense marks disposed on the back of the release liner opposite at least some of the transversely-extending gaps on the front of the release liner for identifying a cut location to a cutter.

Systems and methods which provide for activation of postage indicia at a point of sale are shown. In operation according to embodiments, unassigned (e.g., not yet activated or not yet representing postage value) tokens (e.g., IBI barcodes) suitable for later use as postage indicia are distributed to various point of sale locations, such as retail locations, consumer kiosks, vending machines, etc. and made available for purchase by users. Upon purchase, at a point of sale, such unassigned tokens are preferably activated as valid or live postage indicia. Thereafter, the postage indicia may be used to post mail items.

Computerized apparatus useful within vehicles for causing provision of location-based services to users via a portable wireless computerized device. In one embodiment, the vehicle comprises a global positioning system (GPS) based receiver capable of providing location data to the computerized apparatus.

A computer-based system and method for shipping and delivering a parcel, including reserving a terminal for a parcel; placing the parcel in the terminal, the parcel having a virtual delivery address of a recipient; picking up the parcel by a carrier; converting, through a central computer system, the virtual address into a postal address; delivering the parcel to a destination terminal drop-box corresponding to the postal address; notifying the recipient of the delivery of the parcel; and unlocking the drop-box only upon verifying the recipient's identity.

Computerized methods useful for causing provision of user-specific services via one or more data network apparatus and user mobile device. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving user-specific location data (e.g., relating to a destination of travel or shipping desired by the user) from the user's mobile device via an electronic network proxy agent that acts as a proxy for multiple different users simultaneously, and automatically forwarding that received data to another computerized device to enable provision of the service relating to that user and location. In one variant, the user mobile device and the network proxy agent establish a secure session to facilitate transfer of the data to a network address or device specified in a secure user-specific account accessible to the proxy agent. In another variant, the mobile device interfaces with a kiosk at a point of departure to transfer the data.

Computerized methods useful for causing provision of user-specific services via one or more data network apparatus and user mobile device. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving user-specific location data (e.g., relating to a destination of travel or shipping desired by the user) from the user's mobile device via an electronic network proxy agent that acts as a proxy for multiple different users simultaneously, and automatically forwarding that received data to another computerized device to enable provision of the service relating to that user and location. In one variant, the user mobile device and the network proxy agent establish a secure session to facilitate transfer of the data to a network address or device specified in a secure user-specific account accessible to the proxy agent. In another variant, the mobile device interfaces with a kiosk at a point of departure to transfer the data.