A goods processing apparatus includes a controller including a program memory, a security module, a first communication interface that is configured to, in cooperation with the security module, securely communicate with a remote server, and an acoustic output device electrically connected with the controller and configured to output audio files or sound files. The security module and the first communication interface can be electrically connected with the controller. The program memory may store a program to control the acoustic output via the acoustic output device. The program can facilitate external commands being transmitted from the remote server, or from one or more other internet sources, to the controller. Via security measures, operational security of the goods processing apparatus is prevented from being negatively affected, or harmful code is prevented from being transmitted to controller.

Systems described herein for controlling, requesting, and coordinating the creation and generation of labels can be a label broker, providing a centralized location for storing label information created by various entities, and managing the requests for generation of physical labels coming from various sources and entities.

Various embodiments comprise systems, methods, architectures, mechanisms and apparatus providing improved National Security and Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP) Priority Services mechanisms within the context of IEEE 802.11-type networks.

Systems described herein for controlling, requesting, and coordinating the creation and generation of labels can be a label broker, providing a centralized location for storing label information created by various entities, and managing the requests for generation of physical labels coming from various sources and entities.

Systems and methods which implement localized functionality in a client server system using a technique of caching one or more functional objects for access in response to an appropriate server call are shown. Embodiments provide a browser based postage indicia generation and printing solution in which a browser upon which a postage client is operable is controlled to cache one or more functional objects in the form of script files. Various functional objects may be optimized for caching by clients such as postal rating scripts, postal insurance rating scripts, address verification scripts, etc. Security and/or accuracy verification may be implemented by a server to independently verify the results of use of the use of functional objects by a client.

Systems and techniques for compressing shipping data are provided. Origin/destination location code pairs are arranged, compressed, and de-duplicated to provide data files that can be processed and updated efficiently regardless of the number of location codes used or updated.

A method and apparatus for generating a Value Bearing Indicium (VBI) for on-line ticketing applications. A VBI may be generated by hashing user information to create a message digest that is used to create a digital signature. The digital signature is combined with the user information to create a VBI that can be validated by a variety of stand-alone or on-line methods. An on-line ticketing application using the VBI is described.

Systems and methods which implement localized functionality in a client server system using a technique of caching one or more functional objects for access in response to an appropriate server call are shown. Embodiments provide a browser based postage indicia generation and printing solution in which a browser upon which a postage client is operable is controlled to cache one or more functional objects in the form of script files. Various functional objects may be optimized for caching by clients such as postal rating scripts, postal insurance rating scripts, address verification scripts, etc. Security and/or accuracy verification may be implemented by a server to independently verify the results of use of functional objects by a client.

A method and apparatus for generating a Value Bearing Indicium (VBI) for on-line ticketing applications. A VBI may be generated by hashing user information to create a message digest that is used to create a digital signature. The digital signature is combined with the user information to create a VBI that can be validated by a variety of stand-alone or on-line methods. An on-line ticketing application using the VBI is described.

Systems and techniques for compressing shipping data are provided. Origin/destination location code pairs are arranged, compressed, and de-duplicated to provide data files that can be processed and updated efficiently regardless of the number of location codes used or updated.