The main menu asks the user whether he would like to purchase stamps, weigh a parcel to determine postage, or quit. The user makes his selection by pressing the button to the side of the screen which corresponds to his desired action (the mapping of choice to button is given by the position of the option next to the appropriate button). If an inappropriate button (next to an option which is not a currently valid selection) is pressed, an error tone sounds and a flashing error message is displayed indicating that the user selected an invalid button.
Since the user does not wish to purchase stamps, but may wish to weigh the parcel to insure that it has the proper postage, the user selects the weigh a parcel option. Textual instructions and a schematic or animation appears instructing the user to open the door to the weighing compartment and insert the package inside.
Once the door has been closed, the package is weighed (if no weight is detected on the scale, the instructions of the previous step are repeated). The postage cost for each rate class (first, third) is displayed, and the user is asked which rate should be applied to the package (a "Do not purchase postage" option is included).
The user has already attached sufficient postage to the package, so he selects "Do not purchase postage". He is prompted to remove his package from the weighing compartment
. The user is prompted if he wishes to conduct another transaction. He does not, so he selects "No" and the system returns to standby mode.
The main menu is displayed. The user selects the "weigh parcel" option.
The user is prompted to insert his package in the weighing compartment.
The package is weighed and the postage rates are displayed on the screen.
Here, the user wishes to purchase postage, so he enters the desired postage class, and is prompted to insert money or a credit card. The instructions and schematic indicate the position of the money-accepting devices on the system.
The system waits until payment is rendered. If the user pays by cash, a running total of the amount paid is updated onscreen until the total bill has been paid. If the user pays by credit card, a message is displayed instructing the user to wait while the check is performed. Pressing "Cancel" at this point will return the user's payment or credit card and return him to the main menu.
The stamps (or label) is dispensed. The user is instructed to retrieve his package and affix the postage.
The user's change (if any) or credit card is returned, along with a receipt. The user is prompted if he wishes to conduct another transaction. He does not, so he selects "No" and the system returns to standby mode.
The main menu is displayed. The user selects the "purchase stamps" option.
A screen is displayed prompting the user to indicate whether he would like to purchase stamps by type and quantity, or by dollar amount. The user wishes to purchase twenty first-class rate stamps, so he selects the first option.
A screen is displayed prompting the user to indicate what sort of stamp he wishes to purchase. Each option depicts a denomination of stamp, possibly with a graphical representation of the actual stamp. The standard postcard and first-class letter rate stamps are also indicated as such. The user selects the first-class letter rate stamp.
The screen prompts the user to enter the quantity of stamps desired. The user enters "20" using the keypad.
The cost of the stamps is displayed on the screen. The user is prompted for payment. The instructions and schematic indicate the position of the money-accepting devices on the system. Pressing "Cancel" at this point will return the user to the screen requesting the quantity of stamps to be purchased.
The system waits until payment is rendered. If the user pays by cash, a running total of the amount paid is updated. Pressing "Cancel" with a positive balance will return the user's payment or credit card and return him to the main menu.
The stamps are dispensed. The user is instructed to retrieve them.
The user's change or credit card is returned, along with a receipt. The user is prompted if he wishes to conduct another transaction. He selects "No", and the system returns to standby mode.
The user selects the "purchase by dollar amount" option.
A screen is displayed prompting the user to enter the amount of postage he wishes to purchase. The user enters the amount using the keypad.
The list of stamps by type and the quantity of each which sums to the dollar amount specified is displayed. The user is prompted for payment. The instructions and schematic indicate the position of the money-accepting devices on the system. Pressing "Cancel" at this point will return the user to the screen requesting the dollar amount of stamps to be purchased.
The system waits until payment is rendered. If the user pays by cash, a running total of the amount paid is updated. Pressing "Cancel" with a positive balance will return the user's payment or credit card and return him to the main menu.
The stamps are dispensed. The user is instructed to retrieve them.
The user's change or credit card is returned, along with a receipt. The user is prompted if he wishes to conduct another transaction. He selects "No", and the system returns to standby mode.