Abstract: Print quality is ensured in a postage meter system employing an ink system and having settable modes of printing operation by detecting the type of ink system employed in the postage meter system, setting a first mode of printing operation for the postage meter system when the detected ink system is of a first type and setting a second mode of printing operation for the postage meter system when the detected ink system is of a second type. The detected information may be communicated to a data center to obtain modes of operation for the postage meter system and other corrective actions may be implemented. The method and system are applicable to other consumable item systems employing various types of consumable items.

Abstract: Methods and systems that provide privacy of signatures on envelopes containing ballots are provided. The envelope for returning ballots includes a flap with a window that aligns with a signature area on the envelope. The window appears opaque under normal lighting conditions, but appears transparent when illuminated with light having a predetermined wavelength. A movable signature stub is positioned on top of the signature area. The voter signs the back of the envelope on the signature stub, thereby imprinting a signature on the signature area by transferring a material from the signature stub to the signature area, and moves the signature stub. The flap of the envelope is then sealed, thereby covering the voter's signature in the signature area with the window of the envelope flap. To read the signature, light having the predetermined wavelength can be directed onto the window, thereby rendering the window transparent and the signature visible.

Abstract: Various methods for detecting the removal of a processing unit, such as a microprocessor or a microcontroller, form a printed circuit board in a secure printing system, such as a postage metering system are provided. The methods utilize one or more of a real time clock provided internal to the processing unit, a CMOS device provided on the printed circuit board external to the processing unit, and CMOS memory internal to the processing unit to detect the removal of the processing unit and therefore an attack.

Abstract: A method includes scanning a page of a paper document to generate a first digital page image. The method further includes obtaining a second digital page image which corresponds to a second page. The method also includes comparing the first digital page image pixel-by-pixel with the second digital page image to generate a score that indicates a degree to which the first digital page image differs from the second digital page image.

Abstract: A signature scheme is provided in which a message is divided into a first portion which is hidden and is recovered during verification, and a second portion which is visible and is required as input to the verification algorithm. A first signature component is generated by encrypting the first portion alone. An intermediate component is formed by combining the first component and the visible portion and cryptographically hashing them. A second signature component is then formed using the intermediate component and the signature comprises the first and second components with the visible portion. A verification of the signature combines a first component derived only from the hidden portion of the message with the visible portion and produces a hash of the combination. The computed hash is used together with publicly available information to generate a bit string corresponding to the hidden portion.

Abstract: Methods and systems that protect the privacy of signatures on envelopes containing ballots sent through the mail are provided. The envelope for returning ballots by mail includes an electronic optical shutter that covers an opening in the flap of the envelope. The voter signs the back of the envelope in an area that will be visible through the opening in the flap (covered by the optical shutter) when the envelope flap is sealed. The optical shutter is opaque under static conditions, but will become transparent when power is supplied to it. When the envelope flap is sealed and no power is applied to the optical shutter, the voter's signature will be concealed by the optical shutter. Upon receipt at the registrar's office, the optical shutter can be powered, thereby rendering the optical shutter transparent, and the voter's signature can be viewed.

Abstract: A method for distributing a rental article includes maintaining a plurality of rentee accounts; providing the rental article to a delivery service for delivery to a first address associated with a first one of the plurality of rentee accounts; receiving a notification that the rental article has been reintroduced to the delivery service; and based upon a rental request for the rental article in a second one of the plurality of rentee accounts, providing the delivery service, while the article is still under control of the delivery service, with a second different address to which the rental article is to be delivered.

Abstract: A method of printing modules for a two dimensional barcode that includes printing a pixel at a plurality of the pixel locations included in the inner portion of the darkened module, and printing a pixel at less than all of the pixel locations of the outer boundary of the darkened module. Various embodiments are contemplated, such as, without limitation, methods that print darkened modules having four light corners, three light corners, two light corners, one light corner, and/or one light edge. Also, a method of printing a two dimensional barcode having a finder pattern wherein the inner edge of the finder pattern is light, meaning that is does not include any printed pixels at the pixel locations along the inner edge.

Abstract: A method includes assigning a respective document tracking identifier to each of a plurality of documents. The documents are required for a college admission application. The user is allowed to register, with a central computer, as an applicant for college admissions in connection with the college admission application. The document tracking identifiers are associated with the user. It is detected whether or not the documents are handled by a document delivery service. A report is made to the user, via the central computer, as to at least some data obtained from the detecting step.

Abstract: A method and system for offering a rental article for sale. The method includes determining how many times the rental article has been rented; and establishing a scaled purchase price for selling the rental article based at least partially upon a number of times the rental article has been rented.

Abstract: A method of routing a mail piece in a delivery system includes receiving the mail piece by a delivery service provider; initially moving the mail piece in a delivery stream of the delivery service provider towards a first delivery address; after the mail piece has at least partially completed transit in the delivery stream of the delivery service provider, scanning the mail piece by the delivery service provider to determine a mail piece identifier of the mail piece; determining a new delivery address of the mail piece by the delivery service provider based upon the scanned mail piece identifier and information supplied to the delivery service provider after initial moving of the mail piece in the delivery stream of the delivery service provider; and delivering the mail piece to the new delivery address.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering a product including performing a first non-sale transaction including having the product transported through a first delivery stream to a first intended recipient for use by the first intended recipient, and receiving payment from the first intended recipient; and performing a second transaction including having the product transported through a second delivery stream from the first intended recipient directly to a second intended recipient by a delivery service provider, and receiving payment from the second intended recipient.

Abstract: A method of renting a rental article is provided including delivering the rental article by a delivery service provider between rentees without returning the rental article to a renter of the rental article; and delivering the rental article to an article service provider, between deliveries of the rental article, to two of the rentees, based upon a predetermined event.

Abstract: A method for printing secure source images of the type that contain specific critical elements and non-secure images on a single printer includes determining the origin of an image (secure source or non-secure source). If the image to be printed is from the non-secure source, a determination is made if the image contains the specific critical elements of the type contained in secure source images. Printing of the image from the non-secure source is disabled if the image contains specific critical elements of the type contained in secure source images. Printing of the image from a non-secure source is enabled if the image does not contain specific critical elements of the type contained in the secure image. The determination if the non-secure source image contains the specific critical elements of the type contained in secure source images can be made after printing has commenced of the non-secure image.

Abstract: A method and system that enables the accurate identification of the originator of a mail piece within a corporate mail room environment is provided. Each person that generates mail items is provided with tracking information to be placed on each mail item. The tracking information can include, for example, an employee identification number, an equipment identification number and a unique sequence number. When the mail item is received in the corporate mail room, the tracking information is scanned and the tracking information is associated with a unique aspect of the mail item. Utilizing the tracking information associated with each mail item, the ambiguity of origination of each mail item is removed as there is now a verifiable record of the originator and/or originating equipment.

Abstract: A method and system for printing an image such as a postal indicium. A sequence of graphic data blocks is formed, the sequence forming a bitmap representative of the image. The blocks are randomly reordered to form a new sequence, and the blocks are printed in the new sequence without substantial distortion. The blocks may be printed in varying directions, and the printhead may move at varying rates of travel and print at proportional rates as the blocks are printed so as to print the image without substantial distortion. The system may include a motor responsive to a programmable controller and mechanically coupled to the printhead for positioning the printhead, and the programmable controller and the motor can be enclosed in a secure housing so that no signals for controlling the motor are available outside of the housing.

Abstract: A closed loop postage metering system includes networked meters that provide mailers and/or recipients the capability to request additional or modified services during processing of a mail piece by a carrier. The networked meter allows the Post to charge the mailer, or even the recipient for these services or to provide them with a refund or credit. The services can include changing the processing of the mail piece. Further, the closed loop postage metering system enables more precise methods of paying for services when multiple carriers handle a mail piece. A special case of such multiple carriers handling is the handling of international mail.

Abstract: System and method for providing confirmation relating to the distribution of a mailpiece within a mailing system includes a determination of postal data required for postage evidencing of a mailpiece originated by a mailer. The postal data is combined with other data related to value-added services desired for the mailpiece. The value-added services data includes addressing information for a return receipt to the mailer. A digital postmark which includes the postal data and the value-added services data is created. At delivery of the mailpiece, the digital postmark is read and the value-added services data is captured from the read digital postmark. A confirmation message is sent to the mailer and/or other interested third parties, in accordance with information contained in the value-added services data.

Abstract: A system and method of evidencing postage payment includes a local postage printing system requesting to a remote data metering center for the generation of postage evidencing information. The request includes a postage amount to be printed on a mailpiece. The remote data metering center determines a postal origin corresponding to the request for postage evidencing information, then accounts for the postage amount in a general account corresponding to the local postage printing system and in a payment account corresponding to the determined postal origin. The remote data metering center generates postage evidencing information in response to the request. The postage evidencing information includes a digital token and the determined postal origin. The remote data metering center sends the postage evidencing information to the local postage printing system which prints the postage evidencing information and the determined postal origin on the mailpiece.

Abstract: A closed system meter that secures the link between the accounting device and printer utilizing a Linear Feedback Shift Register (LFSR) based stream encryption is provided. The accounting device includes an LFSR that comprises a plurality of stages, with one or more taps that are passed through a logic gate to provide a “feedback” signal to the input of the LFSR, to generate a pseudo-random pattern output. Preferably, a Shrinking Key Generator (SKG) is utilized to further ensure privacy of the data. The output data from the accounting unit is encrypted utilizing the output from the LFSR and sent to the printing device. The printing device includes a similar LFSR, which is utilized to decrypt the output data from the accounting unit and enable printing.