Abstract: A method for generating a postal indicia associated with a mailpiece is disclosed. The method includes generating an indicia data stream including a postal information segment and a security segment that is based upon the postal information segment and modifying a portion of the security segment to include additional information, thereby defining a modified indicia data stream.

Abstract: A postage funds credit system in which the customer pays for postage funds after they are used in franking mailpieces. A postal device is initialized with postage funds advanced to the customer by a third party. The value of a descending register of the postal device is read a first time and a second subsequent time. The later value is subtracted from the earlier value to obtain an amount of postage funds used by the customer between the two readings. The customer is billed for the amount of postage used after such use. The postal device can be replenished with additional postage funds advanced by the third party.

Abstract: Printing one or more value indicia onto a printable medium using a remote device coupled to a computer server via a communications network includes accessing the computer server with the remote device. A user is prompted to select a serial number associated with the printable medium, and the serial number is transmitted to the computer server using the remote device. A print control program is received from the computer server. Information for printing one or more value indicia are transmitted from the computer server to the remote device. The print control program executes on the remote device to print the one or more value indicia to the printable medium using a printer coupled with the remote device.

Abstract: A method of providing a value stamp over a communication network includes providing a medium to a user having access to a data processing system. The medium is suitable for printing a value indicium thereon and has an identifier code that identifies the medium. The identifier code of the medium to be used to purchase a value stamp is received from the user. The identifier code is used to decide whether or not to perform an action.

Abstract: A method of preparing a mailpiece includes applying a mailpiece identification (MI) code that uniquely identifies the mailpiece, and applying a destination code to the mailpiece signifying at least part of an address. Tracking and accounting for such a mailpiece includes: at an postal service mail processing (MP) site, obtaining the MI code and the destination code, and sending a mailpiece message including at least the MI code to a postage vendor (PV) site; and at the PV site, storing information from the mailpiece message, debiting an account of the mailer for postage, crediting an account of a postal service for postage, and when the mailpiece message indicates that the mailpiece has arrived at its destination, retiring the MI code as no longer available for use on a mailpiece (at least for some predetermined time).

Abstract: A secure system for creating digital receipts, while minimizing the amount of data that is encoded in the digital receipt. The digital receipt provides authentication for a transaction. A digital receipt may be printed in the form of a code. The digital receipt digitally encodes a transaction identification code, a transaction amount or number of units authorized, and a digital signature. The digital receipt may be scanned or read to verify the authenticity of the transaction.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a modular postage accounting system. An open system metering device of the present invention includes a general purpose computer, a digital printer and a secure metering device (SMD). The SMD performs the accounting functions of a postage meter and generates encrypted postage indicia data for transmission by the computer to the digital printer and subsequent printing on a mailpiece by the digital printer. Postage credit data can be entered into the SMD using a computerized meter resetting system just as it is in a conventional postage meter.

Abstract: A method of providing verifiable identification credentials for a subject at a credential generation station (CGS) includes acquiring biometric information from the subject, incorporating the biometric information into a message, cryptographically processing the message to generate a cryptographic identifier that will serve to authenticate the message, and storing the message and the cryptographic identifier for subsequent authentication. The message may include additional information relating to one or more of the specific CGS, the subject, or the time of creating the message. A method of verifying the identification of a subject at a credential verification station (CVS) includes processing a cryptographic identifier and a message that includes previously acquired biometric information, where the cryptographic identifier and the message nominally correspond to the subject, and determining whether the cryptographic identifier authenticates the message.

Abstract: A postal system includes a local computer having a user interface and an associated storage unit for storing a secure data file that contains postal (e.g., accounting) data. A secure processing unit interfaces with the local computer and performs the secure processing normally associated with a secure postal environment. The secure processing unit can be designed to receive power from the computer to which it couples, and generally does not require special interconnect. By using the secure processing unit to perform the secure processing and the local computer to perform other postal functions (e.g., user interface), complexity is reduced which translates to faster speed of operation and a more economical hardware design.

Abstract: A method and system within which products in the field may receive both predefined services and support as well as unknown services and support is described. The system embodied according aspects of the invention includes communicating with client applications to determine what services the client may request, to proceed to interact with those service requests, and to modify, update or provide new client services without user/customer intervention. Through the use of various web service protocols, the client is able to access infrastructure web services without requiring a priori knowledge of the services. This allows the client to adapt to changes in the provisioning of services without the prerequisite of a software upgrade or other a priori knowledge of such changes.

Abstract: A method of preparing a mailpiece includes applying a mailpiece identification (MI) code that uniquely identifies the mailpiece, and applying a destination code to the mailpiece signifying at least part of an address. Tracking and accounting for such a mailpiece includes: at an postal service mail processing (MP) site, obtaining the MI code and the destination code, and sending a mailpiece message including at least the MI code to a postage vendor (PV) site; and at the PV site, storing information from the mailpiece message, debiting an account of the mailer for postage, crediting an account of a postal service for postage, and when the mailpiece message indicates that the mailpiece has arrived at its destination, retiring the MI code as no longer available for use on a mailpiece (at least for some predetermined time).

Abstract: A method participated in by a mailer, a recipient, a postage vendor (PV), and a postal service. The mailer sends an outgoing mailpiece to the recipient, who in turn assembles and mails a reply mailpiece (possibly, but not necessarily to the mailer). The reply mailpiece includes one or more components (reply component(s)) from the outgoing mailpiece, and may further include components provided by the recipient, for example a check. The outgoing mailpiece may include an outgoing envelope, in which are located a reply envelope and other inserted materials. The reply components thus include the reply envelope, and typically at least a portion of the inserted materials. The reply mailpiece bears visible indications of a reply address, a reply destination code signifying at least part of the reply address, and a mailpiece identification (MI) code uniquely identifying the reply mailpiece.

Abstract: A postage metering system that includes a secure metering device (SMD) coupled to a printer. The SMD generates an indicium and the printer receives and prints the indicium onto a label. The printed indicium label includes a human-readable portion, a machine-readable portion, and an identifier portion. The human-readable portion includes at least one data element, with each data element providing a particular postage information. The machine-readable portion includes a combination of one or more graphical representations and encoded texts. The identifier portion exhibits characteristics useful for authenticating the indicium label and can include a fluorescent strip, a micro printing portion, taggants, other identifiers, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The generation of secure compact indicia without the need for cryptographically generated identifiers such as digital signatures in the indicia. A unique serial number is assigned to each indicium, the serial number is incorporated into the indicium, and additional information is stored. This additional information includes what is referred to as “other required information,” which is information specified to be sufficient to verify the indicium, and is ultimately stored at a different location from the location where the indicium request initiated. Verification occurs by comparing the required indicium content (serial number and other required information) with the previously stored version of the required indicium content.

Abstract: A postage metering system configurable to execute a security routine that inhibits certain transactions but maintains secure postage data. The system includes a security module coupled to a postage meter. The security module executes a set of transactions with the meter, and includes a processor and a memory. The processor executes a security routine upon occurrence of one or more defined events. The memory stores secure postage data. When the security routine is executed, selected ones of transactions between the meter and security module are inhibited, but the secure postage data stored within the memory is retained. The memory can also store security data (e.g., encryption keys) that are erased when the security routine is executed. The security routine can be initiated upon: (1) failure to receive an authorization signal by the security module within a particular time-out period, (2) detection of tampering with the security module, (3) receipt of a command from the meter, or other events.

Abstract: A meter and/or base (or computer), coupled to one or more modems, perform automated fraud reporting to a service center upon detection of particular ones of detectable faults. Diagnostic software and/or tamper detection devices test the meter to ensure that the meter operates in an expected manner. A detected fault can be classified into one or more categories or levels. For faults within certain levels, an alarm message is sent to the service center. Corrective action can be performed in accordance with a response from the service center. For major faults, the meter can be disabled until service is performed and the alarm message can be sent to the postal inspectors.

Abstract: A postage metering system that includes a host PC, an SMD, and a printer. The host PC includes a user interface to receive postage information. The SMD operatively couples to the computer via a communications link and includes a processor and a tamper evident enclosure. The processor is configured to receive the postage information from the computer, direct generation of an indicium, and account for the indicium. The tamper evident enclosure houses the processor and other security sensitive elements of the SMD. The printer couples to the SMD and is configured to receive and print the indicium. The SMD can further include a memory element, an interface circuit, and an enclosure. The memory element is configured to store accounting information and information related to the operation of the metering device. The interface circuit is configured to receive a message that includes a code that identifies that message. The processor operatively couples to the memory element and the interface circuit.

Abstract: A method for dispensing postage includes receiving, at a postal vendor system, a proxy request from a proxy server system. The proxy server system generates the proxy request in response to a postage purchase request including one or more criteria about desired postage from a user. First postage information for printing a postage indicium is transmitted from the postal vendor system to the proxy server system. The proxy system is not authorized to dispense postage by a postal authority, but the postal vendor system is authorized to dispense postage by the postal authority.

Abstract: A postal system includes a local computer having a user interface and an associated storage unit for storing a secure data file that contains postal (e.g., accounting) data. A secure processing unit interfaces with the local computer and performs the secure processing normally associated with a secure postal environment. The secure processing unit can be designed to receive power from the computer to which it couples, and generally does not require special interconnect. By using the secure processing unit to perform the secure processing and the local computer to perform other postal functions (e.g., user interface), complexity is reduced which translates to faster speed of operation and a more economical hardware design.