Abstract: A camera-enabled cell phone that is adapted to image a machine readable code such as a bar code, decode the bar code, send the bar code data over the Internet to a resolution server that will return an associated URL that will ink the camera phone to content on an information server. Thus, by taking a picture of a bar code symbol, the camera phone will automatically retrieve content from the Internet that has been linked to that bar code via the present invention.

Abstract: A camera-enabled cell phone that is adapted to image a machine readable code such as a bar code, decode the bar code, send the bar code data over the Internet to a resolution server that will return an associated URL that will ink the camera phone to content on an information server. Thus, by taking a picture of a bar code symbol, the camera phone will automatically retrieve content from the Internet that has been linked to that bar code via the present invention.

Abstract: A camera-enabled cell phone that is adapted to image a machine readable code such as a bar code, decode the bar code, send the bar code data over the Internet to a resolution server that will return an associated URL that will link the camera phone to content on an information server. Thus, by taking a picture of a bar code symbol, the camera phone will automatically retrieve content from the Internet that has been linked to that bar code.

Abstract: A camera-enabled cell phone that is adapted to image a machine readable code such as a bar code, decode the bar code, send the bar code data over the Internet to a resolution server that will return an associated URL that will link the camera phone to content on an information server. Thus, by taking a picture of a bar code symbol, the camera phone will automatically retrieve content from the Internet that has been linked to that bar code.

Abstract: A portable wireless device that is adapted to image a machine readable code such as a bar code, decode the bar code, send the bar code data over the Internet to a resolution server that will return an associated URL that will link the portable wireless device to content on an information server. Thus, by taking a picture of a bar code symbol, the portable wireless device will automatically retrieve content from the Internet that has been linked to that bar code via the present invention.

Abstract: A camera-enabled cell phone that is adapted to image a machine readable code such as a bar code, decode the bar code, send the bar code data over the Internet to a resolution server that will return an associated URL that will link the camera phone to content on an information server. Thus, by taking a picture of a bar code symbol, the camera phone will automatically retrieve content from the Internet that has been linked to that bar code.

Abstract: A method of and system for accessing a primary content file with a client device that is browser-based; i.e. that does not require a plug-in type program to be executed on the client device in addition to the browser. URLs based on linkage codes entered into the client device are assembled by a network-based URL-assembly server rather than at the client device. This invention is especially suited for use with web-enabled cell phones or an internet kiosks.

Abstract: A method for providing remote access to on-line resources comprising the steps of encoding address and access information and optional source identification information into a format suitable for embedding onto a document, the format comprising one or two-dimensional bar codes or printed matter, embedding the encoded information onto a document, scanning the document with a scanner enhanced remote control unit comprising a scanning system adapted to obtain an image of the embedded information and a transmission system adapted to transmit the scanned information, transmitting the scanned information, receiving the transmitted information, optionally processing the received information, optionally collecting the user demographic and source identification information, retrieving the on-line resource, and displaying the on-line resource to a user.

Abstract: A method of accessing electronic resources via machine readable data embedded on a document which comprises compressing input data with a transmitter adapted to save a first bandwidth using a compression method adapted to minimize utilization of bandwidth by the compressed input data while retaining substantially all information content of the input data and appending a compression flag to the compressed input data indicative of the compression method enabling a receiver to decompress the compressed input data. The compression step further comprises utilizing a compression dictionary adapted to map the elements and strings of the input data to minimized representations having redundancies deleted. The compression dictionary may be appended to the compressed input data (as cleartext or cyphertext) under circumstances where a bandwidth occupied by the appended compression dictionary is less than the bandwidth saved by the step of compressing the input data.

Abstract: A method of and system for providing a primary content file to a client device wherein the primary content file will vary based on the display (or other) parameters of the client device, which is referred to as device-based routing. The URL is assembled based on an additional parameter that is a client device identification code, which designates for example if the client device is a wireless device supporting WML content or HTML content, or perhaps a personal computer supporting HTML content.

Abstract: A method of and system for accessing a primary content file with a client device that is browser-based; i.e. that does not require a plug-in type program to be executed on the client device in addition to the browser. URLs based on linkage codes entered into the client device are assembled by a network-based URL-assembly server rather than at the client device. This invention is especially suited for use with web-enabled cell phones or an internet kiosks.

Abstract: A network-based system and method permit a publisher to generate and encode content to be readily accessed by codes or indicia, such as bar codes, and which may be associated with advertising related to the content via the codes. The system supports composer, reader, discovery, and static web page interfaces for permitting users to act as publishers, readers, or browsers, using the codes for efficient and rapid access of content.

Abstract: A method for providing remote access to on-line resources comprising the steps of encoding address and access information and optional source identification information into a format suitable for embedding onto a document, the format comprising one or two-dimensional bar codes or printed matter, embedding the encoded information onto a document, scanning the document with a scanner enhanced remote control unit comprising a scanning system adapted to obtain an image of the embedded information and a transmission system adapted to transmit the scanned information, transmitting the scanned information, receiving the transmitted information, optionally processing the received information, optionally collecting the user demographic and source identification information, retrieving the on-line resource, and displaying the on-line resource to a user.

Abstract: A postage metering system is provided with a countdown time. The countdown timer issues a priority interrupt when the timer has timed out which interrupts the control system of the meter in such a manner as to hold the meter in reset preventing operation of the postage meter. The timer is reset to a fixed period upon each funds recharge after the meter has been placed in recharge mode but prior to exposure of the secure accounting memory to recharge information.

Abstract: A Key Management System for generating, distributing and managing cryptographic keys used by an information transaction system that employs cryptographic means to produce evidence of information integrity. The system comprises a plurality of functionally distinct secure boxes operatively coupled to each other. Each of the secure boxes performs functions for key generation, key installation, key verification or validation of tokens. Computers, operatively coupled to the secure boxes, provide system control and facilitate communication among the secure boxes. A plurality of separate logical security domains provide domain processes for key generation, key installation, key verification and validation of tokens produced by the transaction evidencing device within the domain using the key management functions. A plurality of domain archives, corresponding respectively to each of the security domains, securely and reliably record key status records and master keys for each domain.

Abstract: A method of transferring update data from a microcomputer to a memory device having a transportable non-volatile memory median requiring that the transportable non-volatile memory median is divided into a plurality of sectors. Update data is to be written to data sectors of the transportable non-volatile memory median in accordance with a sector map. One of the sectors to be updated is the directory sector and another one of the sectors to be updated is the file access table sector. The microcomputer is programmed to reserve a specified number of sectors as a recovery area wherein some of the sectors of the recovery area are reserved for the sector map and other sectors of the recovery area are reserved for storage of the update data. The microcomputer identifies if a sector map resides in the recovery area. If no sector map resides in the sector map area of the recovery area, the microcomputer proceeds to identify which of the sectors are to be updated and generating a sector map accordingly.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing transaction evidencing devices, such as digital postage meters, includes the steps of generating a master key in a logical security domain of a Key Management System; installing the master key into a digital postage meter; verifying the installation of the master key; and registering the master key to a logical security sub-domain in the Key Management System. The step of generating the master key further includes the steps of generating a domain; generating at least one sub-domain; installing the domain in secure boxes of the Key Management System; generating a master key and test token within the domain; and recording the master key in the domain archive. The step of installing the master key further includes the steps of installing the master key into a digital meter; and associating the master key with a unique device identifier.

Abstract: An interface apparatus is provided with a number of communication ports for providing a communication interface between a postage meter and a plurality of external devices, such as, a scale and a modem. A principal communications port connectable to the postage meter. A secure communication port is provided for receiving messages on a secure scale using encrypted protocol signals. The interface unit includes an additional number of unsecured ports for communication with unsecured devices such as a modem or an unsecured scale utilizing conventional protocol signals. The interface further includes a programmable microcontroller in bus communication with a random access memory, a non-volatile memory and a program memory, a first communication bus connecting the principal port to the microcontroller and a second communication bus connecting one or more of the second communication ports to the microcontroller.

Abstract: An improved electronic meter for accounting for funding and transaction information includes a micro control system for controlling the operation of the meter in response to an operation program. The micro control system utilizes a microprocessor in bus communication with a plurality of addressable memory units and input device in bus communication with the microprocessor. The meter has a first mode of operation for performing transactions and accounting for the transactions and a second mode of operation for accessing the accounting information in response to a first security code. At least one of the memory units has a plurality of accounting registers for storing the accounting information in predetermined categories. The meter has a third mode of operation for accessing the registers of the first memory and initializing the registers in response to the input of a second security code.

Abstract: In an electronic postage meter which has a thermal printer and a control system for causing the thermal printer to print a postage indicia, the thermal printer includes a linear array of thermal elements. The electronic postage meter control system is comprised of a print control circuit for producing lengthwise and serially, during a first mode of operation, a composite image having alphanumeric characters and graphic data. The image is divided into a plurality of widthwise sections. A first widthwise section has highly critical alphanumeric character information and graphic information. A second widthwise section of the image having less critical alphanumeric character information. The control system has a second mode of operation for producing serial test data coupled to the thermal elements such that the thermal print elements are selectively responsive to the serial test data for developing for each of the thermal elements an associated test signal during each second mode of operation.