Abstract: In certain embodiments, cryptographic-chain-based verification of postage transaction records may be facilitated. In some embodiments, a customer computer system may obtain a customer private key associated with a customer from a secure local storage at the customer computer system. The customer computer system may obtain (i) a first vendor digital signature derived from a first postage transaction record and (ii) a second postage transaction record. The customer computer system may create a customer digital signature based on (i) the customer private key, (ii) the first vendor digital signature, and (iii) the second postage transaction record.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide parasitic postage indicia comprising thin indicium information and corresponding postage indicium data are shown. The thin indicium information may be disposed in a mail scan block in parasitism for use in identifying the corresponding postage indicium data. This thin indicium information may comprise one or more pieces of information configured to be carried within a structure of a mail scan block present on a mail item and which uniquely or substantially uniquely identifies a postage indicium data packet comprised of postage indicium data. The postage indicium data may be generated as proof of payment for postal services and stored for access using the thin indicium information. As a mail item is processed a mail scan block thereon may be scanned and the thin indicium information extracted for identifying a corresponding postage indicium data packet for proof of payment for postal services.

Abstract: Systems and methods which prevent or limit access to protected content (e.g., value bearing indicia (VBI)) by a general purpose user interface application (e.g., web browser) are shown. Embodiments implement techniques to avoid displaying protected content by a general purpose user interface application, or displaying protected content during a time in which a user does not have access to particular functions of the general purpose user interface application, to protect the content from various operations, such as repeated printing, electronic copying, etc. Data presentation formatting control in the form of style sheets may be utilized to control access to content. Additionally or alternatively, executable code or an executable object may be implemented within a page or other content to control access to content. Similarly, separate areas, such as windows or pages, may be utilized to control access to content.

Abstract: Systems and methods which utilize gravity feed for mail item movement in postage metering operations are shown. Embodiments provide for gravity drop feeding mail items into a portion of a postage metering system for metering operations, such as to activate or apply postage indicia thereto. Embodiments provide for gravity drop exit of mail items from a portion of a postage metering system after metering operations, such as activation or application of postage indicia thereto. Postage metering operations as performed by embodiments of the invention may comprise scanning and activation of preprinted tokens. Postage metering operations according to alternative embodiments of the invention may printing postage indicia. Embodiments provide processing in addition to or in the alternative to the aforementioned postage indicia activation or printing and mail item marking operations, such as weighing, sorting, etc.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Systems and methods which are adapted to generate multiple indicia in a single secure environment session are described. Embodiments provide for generation of a plurality of postage indicia in a single postage security device (PSD) transaction, whereby the PSD loads and unloads corresponding virtual PSD information a single time for generating the plurality of postage indicia (i.e., in a single secure environment session). The indicia generated in a same secure environment session according to embodiments of the invention may comprise a plurality of indicia requested by a same, single user. Additionally or alternatively, the indicia generated in the same secure environment session may comprise a plurality of indicia requested by multiple different users.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide localized item procurement fulfilment using virtual distribution center inventory are described. For example, stocking locations of one or more intermediaries may provide virtual distribution center inventory for use by a supplier in facilitating localized item procurement fulfilment for acquirers. A supplier may provide a web based sales platform allowing acquirers to purchase items of the supplier's goods wherein the item procurement fulfilment is configured to utilize a network of intermediaries to facilitate competitive and satisfactory delivery timeframes, such as next day, same day, and even on-demand delivery of the goods, using economy shipping options.

Abstract: Systems and methods which facilitate fixed rate shipping through the use of perpetual value bearing shipping labels are disclosed. The substantially perpetual viability of the value borne by perpetual value bearing shipping labels herein provides a shelf life which exceeds a shipping rate change epoch. Perpetual value bearing shipping labels of embodiments, although providing valid viable postage for use in obtaining shipping services, are provided as fungible products and do not include delivery or date information as pre-produced and made available to shippers in advance of their shipping activity. An on-line fulfillment system may be provided in which shippers may select a desired number of perpetual value bearing shipping labels in one or more value bearing amount for purchase by and delivery to the shipper for later use. Perpetual value bearing shipping labels may also be made available to shippers is through point of sale acquisition.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention would determine exemplary projected routes, delivery dates, times and rates for multiple carriers and multiple delivery services/methods. Exemplary embodiments would generate and provide an exemplary interactive graphic comparison mapping of the exemplary projected carrier-specific, delivery-service-specific routes, and associated projected delivery dates, times and rates. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention would generate and provide an exemplary interactive graphic mapping of a projected carrier-specific, delivery-service-specific route, and associated projected delivery date, time and rate for a user-selected carrier and delivery service/method. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention would then track shipping/mailing progress and delivery status of the item according to carrier-provided shipping/mailing progress and delivery status “events,” such as, for example, carrier-provided item scanning events.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide postage indicia using mobile communication handsets are shown. According to embodiments, users are enabled to introduce mail pieces into a mail delivery stream which are accepted as having acceptable postage indicia having value associated therewith without the use of traditional metering systems or processor-based postage generation and printing systems. Instead, a mobile communication handset is used to obtain tokens to be used as postage indicia. The tokens may be transmitted to or otherwise printed by appropriate, available printing equipment, such as facsimile machines, network printers, network photo copiers, etc., in response to a request by a mobile communication handset for postage indicia. The foregoing tokens may be printed upon various stock for inclusion with or as a mail piece. The mail piece bearing the token may be placed into the mail stream for processing and delivery using the token as activated as postage indicia.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide known shipper information in association with unknown shipper indicia as disclosed. Embodiments operate to collect information regarding a shipper and associate the shipper information with unknown shipper indicia. Where shipper information satisfactory to a known shipper requirement has not otherwise been collected, embodiments operate to perform a transaction matrix analysis to determine a shipper identification risk level. Such transaction matrix analysis may operate to analyze multiple pieces of shipper information (e.g., collected from different sources) to provide a determination as to a level of risk that the shipper information correctly and/or uniquely identifies the shipper.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide postage indicia using mobile communication handsets are shown. According to embodiments, users are enabled to introduce mail pieces into a mail delivery stream which are accepted as having activated, value comprising postage indicia associated therewith without the use of traditional metering systems, processor-based postage generation and printing systems, or even printers. Instead, a token comprising substantially unique identification information identifying a mail piece is activated as an activated token having postage value associated therewith using mobile communication handsets, such as a smart phone, network enabled personal digital assistant, etc. according to embodiments of the invention.