Abstract: A unitary and discrete converter module for interfacing a host computer or postage scale using serial communication to a postage meter and mailing machine using Echoplex communication. The interface provides RS-232 to Echoplex and Echoplex to RS-232 protocol translation in addition to providing trip circuitry to trip this mailing machine.

Abstract: A method for controlled acceptance mail accounting and evidencing, includes creating a mail batch including at least one mail piece having an encrypted indicia printed thereon. The encrypted indicia is generated by the use of a key K.sub.m. A statement of mailing file is created containing data related to the mail batch. The statement of mailing file including the key K.sub.m is encrypted with a public key of an authentication unit of a carrier distribution system. The public key has an associated private key. The mail batch and the statement of mailing file is submitted to the carrier distribution system and the mail batch and the mail documentation file is processed using the private key of the authentication unit of the carrier distribution system to decrypt the encrypted information and recover the K.sub.m. The key K.sub.m is then used in an authentication procedure related to the mail batch.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises: a first module including a universal key; a second module including a unique identifier and a unique key wherein the unique key is derived from the unique identifier and the universal key and incorporated into the second module during manufacture of the second module. The second module is in communication with the first module. The apparatus further comprises a controller for performing the following subsequent to manufacture of the first module and the second module: initiating a communication session between the first module and the second module; transmitting the unique identifier from the second module to the first module; and deriving the unique key in the first module using the unique identifier and the universal key. A method for synchronization of cryptographic keys between modules of a distributed system and a method of manufacturing a postage evidencing system are also provided.

Abstract: A carrier for holding a conventional envelope in a predetermined position to enable printing near an edge of the envelope with a conventional printer is disclosed. The carrier includes a sheet-like substrate having a leading edge, a trailing edge, a closure flap receiving slot between the leading and trailing edges, and means for holding at least a portion of a bottom edge of the envelope to the substrate. A method according to the present invention includes the steps of providing an envelope, providing a carrier for holding the envelope in a predetermined position, and providing a conventional printer. A closure flap of the envelope is inserted through a closure flap receiving slot in the carrier. Next, a bottom edge of the envelope is held against the carrier. Then, the carrier and the envelope are passed through the conventional printer, which prints on the envelope.

Abstract: In a mailing machine which transports along a feed path a mailpiece having a moistened flap and a main body portion, a sealing and deskewing device comprising structure for transporting the mailpiece through the mailing machine; a first roller mounted for rotation and having a first roller surface; and a second roller mounted for rotation and having a conical segment and at least one other segment, wherein at times when the mailpiece is transported between the first and second rollers in a skewed orientation relative to the feed path the conical segment operatively cooperates with the transporting means to deskew the mailpiece relative to the feed path and concurrently the first roller surface operatively cooperates with the at least one other segment to apply pressure to the moistened flap to seal the moistened flap to the main body portion.

Abstract: A system and method for evidencing postage on a mailpiece includes a printer module transmitting to a remote data center a request for indicia data. The data center includes a processor, a database and a secure coprocessor. The database includes user account data. The request includes postal value for a selected number of indicia to be printed by the printer module. The data center verifies that the printer module is authorized to request the postal value and retrieves user account data stored in a database. The data center verifies the user's account data includes sufficient funds for the number of indicia requested, debits the user's account data for the total postal value requested and then generates a digital token for each of the Indicia. The digital token is generated from information relating to each of the indicia including information unique to each of the indicia.

Abstract: System and method for securely backing up and reliably retrieving vault data in a metering system that includes a host processor operatively coupled to a vault. Whenever a transaction is completed by the vault, the vault cryptographically signs the vault data, including ascending register, descending register and piece count and sends the cryptographically signed vault data to the host processor where it is stored in a data file assigned to the vault. Each storage of the cryptographically signed vault data is indexed to create a historical log of vault transactions. If the vault is lost or damaged so that vault data cannot be retrieved from the vault, the cryptographically signed vault data is retrieved from the host processor data file and verified.

Abstract: A system and method of evidencing postage payment includes selecting a postal origin in a meter accounting unit, selecting a requested postal value to be printed on a mailpiece, deducting the requested postal value from a total postal value stored as a general account for the meter accounting unit, adding the requested postal value to a sub-account corresponding to the selected postal origin for the meter accounting unit, and printing the requested postal value and the selected postal origin on the mailpiece. A digital token is generated as evidence of the requested postal value to be printed on the mailpiece. The digital token, which is also printed on the mailpiece, is encrypted information including the requested postal value and the selected postal origin. The accounting unit includes a first processor, secure accounting process, value storage and a digital signature generator.

Abstract: A method for controlling keys used in the verification of encoded information generated by a transaction evidencing device and printed on a document comprises the steps of generating a plurality of random verifier master keys to obtain a set of verifier master keys consisting of a fixed number of keys; generating at least one pointer by applying a psuedorandom algorithm to data unique to the transaction evidencing device; calculating a plurality of verifier token keys to obtain a verifier token key set corresponding to the set of verifier master keys; encrypting the verifier token key set with a privacy key; and distributing the set verifier token keys and the privacy key to verifiers. The token keys are a function of the verifier master keys and a code valid for a limited time. The pointer algorithm is an appropriate symmetric key cryptographic algorithm and the code is function of a date dependent parameter. The master keys are distributed to postal and vendor data centers.

Abstract: A method for removing postal funds from a postage meter provides an accounting unit of a postage meter with indicium-related information which is invalid for mailing such as invalid origin zip or date. The accounting unit generates a digital signature, which is an encrypted value of the postal funds removed from the postage meter and other postal data including the indicium-related information. The accounting unit through a Host PC sends to a data center the amount of the postal funds removed from the postage meter and the digital signature. The data center verifies that the digital signature has been generated using the indicium-related information. The meter is disabled when the digital signature cannot be verified. When the digital signature is verified a request for a refund is sent by the data center to a postal authority. An example of the indicium-related information is an invalid destination postal code or an invalid origination postal code.

Abstract: A method and system for processing mail pieces or substrates containing data printed thereon involves scanning a mail piece or substrate and obtaining information concerning the printed data. The information is processed to determine if the data is readable. Non readable data information is processed to determine if the non readable data is due to predetermined causes of a first type or predetermined causes of a second type. Substrates or mail pieces with non readable data due to predetermined causes of the first type may be processed in a first manner and processing substrates or mail pieces with non readable data due to predetermined causes of the second type may be processed in a second manner. The printing may be optical character recognizable, bar code of any type or any other form of printed data.

Abstract: An improvement in an ink jet digital printing device is disclosed which permits the printing device to print an image on a moving image receiving medium which is laterally larger than the length of the ink jet nozzle array on the nozzle plate of a standard ink jet print head, and to do so during only one pass of the image receiving medium relative to the print head. This is accomplished by providing the improved print head with a plurality of nozzle plates disposed on a face of the print head, each nozzle plate having an identical array of apertures defining nozzles for ejecting ink on the ink receiving medium, and arranging the nozzle plates in such a manner that the arrays of apertures for each nozzle plate form a continuous printing line across the face of the print head in the direction of alignment of the arrays of apertures.

Abstract: A mailpiece having a postal indicium including information in two dimensional bar code form, the bar coded information including a delivery address which is not otherwise imprinted on the mailpiece surface, and methods and systems for producing such mailpieces in order to protect data such as a mailing list. Delivery information in bar code form is provided by a third party and incorporated in, or appended to, a postal indicium such as an IBIP indicium without disclosure to the party actually producing the mailpiece and without printing the delivery address onto the mailpiece. A postal service scans the delivery address while scanning the postal indicium and determines the delivery information. The delivery information can be an address or can be a pointer to a data base of addresses. Either form of delivery information can be encrypted for increased security.

Abstract: An ink jet printer and a method of operating and ink jet printer are disclosed. The method includes using a maintenance algorithm to control timing of a maintenance action, keeping a historical log of an operating characteristic of the ink jet printer over a period of time, and changing the maintenance algorithm for subsequent use by the ink jet printer based upon the historical log. The ink jet printer has a memory which stores the plurality of maintenance algorithms within. A control device keeps the historical log of the operating characteristics of the ink jet printer over time. The control device also associates the plurality of maintenance algorithms with a plurality of user profiles which are representative of different usage patterns with respect to the operating characteristics. The control device then determines which one of the plurality of user profiles is best suited to the historical log and selects one of the plurality of maintenance algorithms corresponding to the determined user profile.

Abstract: A postage metering system which performs a plurality of different functions including printing of postage and exchange of data with a remotely located data center to accomplish a postage fund refill of the postage metering system, a remote postage metering system inspection, and a download of location data into the postage metering system is provided and further includes a portable vault having first data indicative of location stored therein, the portable vault accounting for the value of postage printed; and a terminal which houses structure for removably receiving the portable vault, a printing mechanism for printing postage, apparatus for communicating with the data center to perform the remote postage metering system inspection, the postage fund refill of the postage metering system, and the download of location data into the postage metering system, structure for storing second data indicative of location, and apparatus for comparing the first and second data at times when the portable vault is inserted

Abstract: A system includes an accounting register; structure for creating and attaching a digital signature to a message; a memory having stored therein a plurality of different indemnification provisions and a plurality of different service rates each associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of different indemnification provisions; apparatus for selecting and associating a specific one of the plurality of different indemnification provisions to the digital signature; and a device for adjusting the accounting register, wherein at times when the specific one of the plurality of different indemnification provisions has been selected and associated with the digital signature the adjusting device accounts for a one of the plurality of different service rates that corresponds to the specific one of the plurality of different indemnification provisions.

Abstract: A system that scans and reads IBI in accordance with the United State Postal Service Specification. This invention also improves both the readability and security of the Information-Based Indicia. The apparatus of this invention utilizes a postage meter that prints an Information-Based Indicia, scans and checks the Information-Based Indicia and prints an invisible, secure message, i.e., bar code over the Information-Based Indicia. The apparatus may also audit the franking process by immediately scanning and verifying the bar code that was printed over the Information Based-Indicia.

Abstract: This invention utilizes several coordinating devices that together provide a more comprehensive set of diagnostics which support both on-site and remote diagnostics of the customers equipment. Sensor transitions and profile state execution information will be cross-referenced by a common time stamp. Thus, it will be possible to not only observe the response (sensor transition) to stimulus (motion profiles), but also cross-reference this data to the specific controlling profile state segment. This yields an additional "context" for specific types of errors. The foregoing level of diagnostics will be available on-site with the customers machine for manual processing by a skilled human, when necessary.

Abstract: A cryptographic method where items, such as mail pieces, are verified for authenticity includes determining a predetermined number of items selected for verification during a given period and maintaining a count of the number of items verified. The predetermined number is compared with the number of items verified. The verification process may continue if a match occurs and may be stopped if a match does not occur. The verifier includes means for inputting data relating to an item to be verified and access counter means for counting the number of items verified.