Abstract: The postal operator or carrier completes an “incomplete” address or modifies or overrides elements of the address that were misprinted or are unreadable, and forwards the corrected address to the sender for the sender's subsequent use. The foregoing will allow the sender to take advantage of postal operator's work sharing and postal discounts.

Abstract: A transaction evidencing system includes a plurality of computer systems operatively configured to form a network with one of the computer systems functioning as a server and the remaining computer systems functioning as clients. Each of the computer systems includes a processor, memory and storage media. At least some of the storage means includes non-metering application programs that are selectively run on the client computer systems. An unsecured printer is operatively coupled to at least one of the computer systems for printing in accordance with the non-metering application programs. A portable vault card, which is removably coupled to the server computer system, includes digital token generation and transaction accounting processing. The client computer systems issue requests for digital tokens to the server computer system in response to requests for indicia from the non-metering application programs.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for monitoring and recording for later use values pertaining to the parameters of a subject motor vehicle. The monitoring and recording system includes a plurality of sensors capable of automatically measuring vehicle parameters and a system clock, both of which are in communication with a system computer. The system computer is capable of displaying and/or recording the data that is obtained (either automatically or manually) on a monitor or computer-readable medium for later use, respectively. The system can be used, for example, to monitor driving styles or to verify or detect infractions committed by the operator of the subject motor vehicle. In some embodiments, the monitoring and recording system is installed in the subject motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method for certifying the public key of a digital postage meter using a public key encryption system by a certifying authority. A certifying station and a user station, or a digital postage meter, exchange information and the user station and downloads, or the meter derives, a public key from the exchanged information. The certifying station also publishes related information and its public key. A third party can derive the public key corresponding to the meter's private key by operating on the published information with the certifying station public key.

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 business reply mail piece and associated processing system that allows information contained within business reply mail to be scanned and interpreted before the business reply mail reaches its ultimate destination is provided. A machine-readable block of control information that instructs computer-driven actuators what to do with the business reply mail document itself, its digital image (or parts of thereof) and the data elements contained in the document, based on selections made by the recipient, is provided on the business reply mail piece. A scanner module scans the business reply mail piece to read the selection made by the recipient and the corresponding instructions from the block of control information. A control module interprets the data to provide instructions for the processing of the business reply mail piece based on the recipient's selection.

Abstract: A business reply mail piece and associated processing system that allows information contained within business reply mail to be scanned and interpreted before the business reply mail reaches its ultimate destination is provided. A machine-readable block of control information that instructs computer-driven actuators what to do with the business reply mail document itself, its digital image (or parts of thereof) and the data elements contained in the document, based on selections made by the recipient, is provided on the business reply mail piece. A scanner module scans the business reply mail piece to read the selection made by the recipient and the corresponding instructions from the block of control information. A control module interprets the data to provide instructions for the processing of the business reply mail piece based on the recipient's selection.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for verifying digital postal marks on mailpieces or, more generally, for verifying a mark on any kind of document where the mark represents value and might be counterfeited or used fraudulently, the system including in the specific case of verifying a digital postal mark: a plurality of mail processing machine verification modules (MPMVMs), each responsive to information obtained from sampled mailpieces, and each further responsive to a control file specifying patterns of sampling and specifying responses to sampling results, each MPMVM performing local verification of the sampled mailpieces according to the control file, each MPMVM for providing the information obtained from the sampled mailpieces and optionally the local verification results; and a data center verification module (DCVM), responsive to the information obtained from the sampled mailpieces and also to the local verification results, for analyzing the information obtained from the sampled mailpieces, for period

Abstract: A method in which the creation of identifier information is done by the recipient in a convenient fashion and communicated to the mailer. A recipient, such as a business or consumer who orders mail items of value, i.e., merchandise, documents, etc., from a mailer would give the mailer the recipient's electronic address and the recipient's delivery and handling preferences for the ordered merchandise. The electronic address and delivery and handling preferences of the recipient may be given to the mailer in plain language or in codified or encrypted form. This invention takes into account recipient's desires and preferences by entering information about the recipient's desires and preferences into a computerized actionable form.

Abstract: This invention creates a hierarchy of radio frequency identification tags that are related to the mail pieces in mail trays and the pallet on which the mail trays sit. This hierarchical method provides a layered approach that is designed to minimize the probability that a mailer or the post office will misassemble or misroute a mailing or elements of a mailing.

Abstract: A business reply mail piece and associated processing system that allows information contained within business reply mail to be scanned and interpreted before the business reply mail reaches its ultimate destination is provided. A machine-readable block of control information that instructs computer-driven actuators what to do with the business reply mail document itself, its digital image (or parts of thereof) and the data elements contained in the document, based on selections made by the recipient, is provided on the business reply mail piece. A scanner module scans the business reply mail piece to read the selection made by the recipient and the corresponding instructions from the block of control information. A control module interprets the data to provide instructions for the processing of the business reply mail piece based on the recipient's selection.

Abstract: A process for evidencing postage payment begins by obtaining a destination address for a mail item and encoding it as a string of characters from which a subset of the encoded string is selected, concatenated with plain text data and then encrypted. The encrypted portion is hashed along and a digital signature is computed as part of the digital postage mark. During verification, the mail item is scanned to obtain a digital image thereof, which is parsed to identify and capture the digital postage mark and the destination address block. A recoverable portion of the DAB is extracted and the digital postage mark is parsed into a plain text area and a cryptographic validation code area. The CVC area is parsed to obtain a recoverable portion. If the recoverable portion of the DAB is within a threshold value of the recoverable portion of the CVC, then the mail item is accepted.

Abstract: A business reply mail piece and associated processing system that allows information contained within business reply mail to be scanned and interpreted before the business reply mail reaches its ultimate destination is provided. A machine-readable block of control information that instructs computer-driven actuators what to do with the business reply mail document itself, its digital image (or parts of thereof) and the data elements contained in the document, based on selections made by the recipient, is provided on the business reply mail piece. A scanner module scans the business reply mail piece to read the selection made by the recipient and the corresponding instructions from the block of control information. A control module interprets the data to provide instructions for the processing of the business reply mail piece based on the recipient's selection.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate completion of a mailing. Information can be received from a mailer that is descriptive of one or more mailing requirements, and one or more mailpiece identifiers can be provided to the mailer based upon the information descriptive of the mailing. An indication of fulfillment of one or more mailing requirements associated with a mailpiece identifier can be received from one or more service providers. Payment can be received from the mailer, and remuneration can be forwarded to an exchange or one or more service providers for services related to the fulfillment of the one or more mailing requirements.

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: Radio frequency identification tags are placed on mail pieces to uniquely identify registered mail pieces. The unique identifier is stored in a first computer and then communicated to a second computer. The radio frequency identification tag is then scanned at selected locations as the mail piece travels through the delivery process. Then the information scanned at the selected locations including the location of the scanner is communicated to the second computer as the mail piece travels through the delivery process.

Abstract: This invention creates a hierarchy of radio frequency identification tags that are related to the mail pieces in mail trays and the pallet on which the mail trays sit. This hierarchical method provides a layered approach that is designed to minimize the probability that a mailer or the post office will misassemble or misroute a mailing or elements of a mailing.

Abstract: Radio frequency identification tags are placed on mail contained in trays or tubs to locate and reroute mail that is misdirected, i.e., being routed to the incorrect destination. The method involves the carrier reading the identifying information contained in the radio frequency identification tags on each mail piece while each mail piece is in the trays or tubs and removing one or more mail pieces in the tray or tub that are to be routed differently than that routing information contained on the outside of the trays or tubs.

Abstract: A method for controlling a postage metering system defines a first set of postage parameters associated with the generation of postage evidence in a postage metering system and then initializes the postage metering system with a subset of the first set of postage parameters. The subset defines a combination of the postage parameters for which the generation of postage evidence is not authorized. When a request for postage evidence is received, the request includes a second set of postage parameters. The generation of postage evidence is inhibited when at least one of the postage parameters in the second set matches one of the postage parameters in the first set. When none of the postage parameters in the second set matches any of the postage parameters in the first set the requested postage evidence is generated.

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.