Abstract: A method for controlled acceptance mail payment and evidencing in accordance with the present invention includes creating a mail batch with a plurality of mailpieces each having encrypted indicia printed thereon. A mail documentation file is created containing the total weight of the mail batch, the total payment for the mail batch and mailer identification, all of which are digitally signed to facilitate a subsequent verification of the integrity of the data. The digital signature is included as part of the mail documentation file. The mail batch and mail documentation file are submitted to a carrier distribution system. The carrier processes the batch of mail and the mail documentation file as part of the carrier distribution process to determine the total weight of the batch of mail and verify the weight of the actual batch of mail in comparison to the total weight of the batch of mail as set forth in the mail documentation file.

Abstract: A method of token verification in a Key Management System provides a logical device identifier and a master key created in a logical security domain to a transaction evidencing device, such as a digital postage meter. The method creates a master key record in a key verification box, securely stores the master key record in a Key Management System archive, and produces in the transaction evidencing device evidence in the logical security domain of transaction information integrity. The method inputs the evidence of the transaction information integrity to a token verification box, and inputs in the token verification box the master key record from the Key Management System archive.

Abstract: A method and system for postage payment include the generation of a plurality of dispensable discrete items of encrypted data. Each of the items of encrypted data, which may be digital tokens, have a specific value. The generated plurality of discrete items of encrypted data are stored on a portable medium. A prepayment value is also stored on the portable medium. The dispensing of the stored plurality of discrete items of encrypted data is limited based on the prepayment value stored on the portable medium. The medium may be a device or member having memory for storing a plurality of dispensable tokens. The portable member or device may have a housing with a register within the housing. The postage prepayment value is stored in the register. The plurality of discrete items of encrypted data is stored in the housing with each of the items of encrypted data adapted to be formatted for printing.

Abstract: A mailing list is created including destination addresses for mailpieces to be submitted to a carrier service for delivery. A unique mailpiece identifier associated with mailpieces on the mailing list is generated by the carrier or other trusted third party. The unique mailpiece identifier is printed on the mailpiece with which it is associated. The mailpieces with the printed unique identifier are submitted to the carrier service. The carrier service obtains the printed unique identifier from the mailpiece. The obtained unique identifier from each said mailpiece is utilized to verify that data associated with the mailpiece has been processed by the carrier or trusted third party. When the unique number has been obtained from the mailpieces, the carrier service, if desired, may note this fact in the carrier records to prevent reuse of the unique identifier.

Abstract: A method and system for processing mail including imprinting on a mailpiece mailer identification information. Data is encrypted relative to the mailpiece with a private key associated with the mailer identification information. The private key also has an associated public key. The encrypted data is imprinted on the mailpiece and the mailpiece is placed in a mail delivery stream of a mail carrier. The mail is thereafter processed to determine from the mailer identification information the public key. The encrypted data is decrypted with the public key to authenticate the mailer and the mailers billing records are updated for mailer charges associated with the mailpiece. The addressee information for the mailpiece may be included as part of the encrypted data for mailpiece authentication. The billing record of the mailer may be encrypted with the mailer public key and transmitted to the mailer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing mailpieces involve the creation of mailing lists which includes correct and incorrect recipient address information. The list is transmitted to a data center. Received from the data center is a mailing list including addressed hygiened recipient address information and a digital token for each mailpiece with encrypted data. The encrypted data is based on the corrected address information for mailpieces with correct address information on the transmitted mailing list and on hygiened recipient address information the mailpieces with incorrect recipient address information on the transmitted mailing list. The digital tokens for each mailpiece may also be based on the rating parameter information.Selection is provided for utilizing a given one of the incorrect recipient address information and the correct recipient address information is applied to an encrypter generating the digital tokens.

Abstract: A data center provides a rate table to a user. The rate table is communicated to the mailer along with a hash code that is based on information from the rating table. The hash code provides a unique number based on the rating table. The user within a secure device and to which the rate table is loaded regenerates the hash code based on the information received from the rate table and compares the transmitted hash code with the generated hash code. The comparison verifies that the rate table data has not been intentionally or unintentionally corrupted. The transmitted hash code may be encrypted by the data center and when received decrypted by the mailer. The encryption decryption process provides authenticity of the data center if desired. The generation of the hash code and the comparison with the transmitted hash code can be initiated prior to postage printing and used to insure proper rating. Printing is enabled only after the rating process has been properly implemented.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for verifying that the correct postage has been paid includes a mail processing machine which is adapted to receive properly oriented mail via a transport from a facet apparatus. The mail processing machine includes a scale for weighing a mailpiece having postage affixed thereto for the purpose of cancelling it with a mark which includes the actual postage which should be affixed. In a further embodiment other information necessary to calculate the necessary postage is obtained by reading the information from the mailpiece. Any discrepancies between the postage affixed and the amount of postage which should actually be paid may be noted at acceptance or seen by the carrier as the mail is delivered. A batch of mail may be sampled to select representative mailpieces in a random manner and verified to compare the calculated total of postage required based on the sample to the postal amount paid for the batch by the sender.

Abstract: A method of making a selection of optional enclosures for a mailpiece including required enclosures. The method comprises the steps of assigning to each of the optional enclosures a weight, a cost and a benefit, creating a list of the potential compositions of the mailpiece, the list including a total of 2.sup.n combinations of the optional enclosures, where n equals the number of optional enclosures, computing a total weight of the mailpiece for each of the potential compositions, computing a value of the mailpiece for each of the potential compositions, the value being any computable function of the benefit and the cost of each optional enclosure included in each of the potential compositions, and selecting from one of the potential compositions based on the one having the optimal value.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for verifying that the correct postage has been paid includes a mail processing machine which is adapted to receive properly oriented mail via a transport from a racer apparatus. The mail processing machine includes a scale for weighing a mailpiece having postage affixed thereto for the purpose of cancelling it with a mark which includes the actual postage which should be affixed. In a further embodiment other information necessary to calculate the necessary postage is obtained by reading the information from the mailpiece. Any discrepancies between the postage affixed and the amount of postage which should actually be paid may be noted at acceptance or seen by the carrier as the mail is delivered. A batch of mail may be sampled to select representative mailpieces in a random manner and verified to compare the calculated total of postage required based on the sample to the postal amount paid for the batch by the sender.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for verifying that the correct postage has been paid includes a mail processing machine which is adapted to receive properly oriented mail via a transport from a racer apparatus. The mail processing machine includes a scale for weighing a mailpiece having postage affixed thereto for the purpose of cancelling it with a mark which includes the actual postage which should be affixed. In a further embodiment other information necessary to calculate the necessary postage is obtained by reading the information from the mailpiece. Any discrepancies between the postage affixed and the amount of postage which should actually be paid may be noted at acceptance or seen by the carrier as the mail is delivered. A batch of mail may be sampled to select representative mailpieces in a random manner and verified to compare the calculated total of postage required based on the sample to the postal amount paid for the batch by the sender.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for verifying that the correct postage has been paid includes a mail processing machine which is adapted to receive properly oriented mail via a transport from a facer apparatus. The mail processing machine includes a scale for weighing a mailpiece having postage affixed thereto for the purpose of cancelling it with a mark which includes the actual postage which should be affixed. In a further embodiment other information necessary to calculate the necessary postage is obtained by reading the information from the mailpiece. Any discrepancies between the postage affixed and the amount of postage which should actually be paid may be noted at acceptance or seen by the carrier as the mail is delivered. A batch of mail may be sampled to select representative mailpieces in a random manner and verified to compare the calculated total of postage required based on the sample to the postal amount paid for the batch by the sender.

Abstract: An insertion machine system provides for the rapid determination of a value of postage required for a mailpiece by a table search technique which searches for and locates the value of postage in a predetermined table of postage values, the search being guided by the information provided by a predetermined data key.

Abstract: An inserting machine which optimizes the final weight of a mailpiece in order to realize the maximum value of a postage category is disclosed. Each of the enclosure types which may be inserted within the mailpiece is assigned a level of priority based on a postage category. In addition, each of the enclosure types is assigned a maximum per enclosure weight. A processing unit calculates an initial weight for the mailpiece due to those enclosures having a priority which indicates that they must be inserted within the mailpiece without reservation. The processing unit then selects other enclosure types for insertion within the mailpiece based upon the priority level of the enclosure type and the maximum weight of the enclosure such that the final weight of the mailpiece is substantially equal to a maximum allowable weight threshold for a given postage category.

Abstract: A system for the preparation of items to be mailed, preparation of each item varying in accordance with selected values of pre-determined parameters. The system includes apparatus for marking each item with selected identification code values; apparatus for preparing each item to be mailed in accordance with stored parameters, the preparing apparatus having a detector for detecting and outputting identification values from the items; a data base system for storing selected values of the parameters in associated with the identification codes, a control system responsive to the output identification codes to access the associated selected values for output to the preparation apparatus. The preparation apparatus of the subject system includes an inserted system and the pre-determined parameters include parameters defining the inserts to be assembled with an item.

Abstract: Continuous operation of the conveyor in an inserter system is achieved by providing a lift up station (LUS) between a Document Entry Device (DED) and the next downstream Multiple Document Entry Device (MDED). A controller causes the LUS to remove documents from the conveyor when it is determined that the time, t.sub.2, required by the MDED to complete assembly of an enclosure for ejection onto the conveyor exceeds the time, t.sub.1, required by the conveyor to move the document ejected by the DED to the MDED, and subsequently causes the LUS to replace the documents onto the conveyor at a time substantially t.sub.2 -t.sub.1 later. Apparatus and method are disclosed.

Abstract: The recognition of patterns is accomplished through boundary tracing and subsequent storage of encoded range testable data commensurate with the occurrence, interrelationship and orientation of geometric features on the pattern boundaries. The encoded data is compared with generalized prototypes which define the geometric shape of all probable permutations of all possible patterns to be recognized, a match between the encoded data and a prototype constituting identification of the pattern.