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: Systems and methods for providing postal services which allow customers to flexibly obtain postal services while also allowing customers to defer the payment of postage until the time of mailing or later. Information provided by a postal service is used to identify items that have been processed by the postal service, allowing a service provider to collect payment for those items after they have been provided to the postal service for processing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing postal services which allow customers to flexibly obtain postal services while also allowing customers to defer the payment of postage until the time of mailing or later. Information provided by a postal service is used to identify items that have been processed by the postal service, allowing a service provider to collect payment for those items after they have been provided to the postal service for processing.

Abstract: A postage value exchange system and method provides for the improved generation of postage indicators. A meter requesting device sends a meter request to a postage security device (PSD). The PSD processes the request based on the identification of the requesting device and a comparison of available metering funds. If authorized, the PSD provides a meter response that includes an authorization. Based on this authorization, the requesting device may thereupon locally generate the postage indicator, eliminating processing and transmission overhead from the PSD generating these indicators.

Abstract: A refund processing system and method where mailpiece identification information carried in first indicia is embedded in second indicia. Second indicia are stored in a database. A refund processor receives a request for a refund that includes identifiers of mailpieces for which a postage refund is sought. The refund processor determines if a corresponding second indicia is stored in the database, if any such indicia is authentic and monitors the mailstream to determine if any mailpiece corresponding to the identifier in the refund request is processed by the carrier. If an authentic second indicia is found that corresponds to the mailpiece and the mailpiece identifier is not detected in the mailstream, the refund is processed and the requester's account is credited to an amount equal to the postage borne by the second indicia.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for restoring data related to funds for franking mail on a postal device in response to a hardware failure. A postal device may include a memory for storing funds data. For example, an ascending register may store the amount of funds charged by franking mail or a descending register may store the amount of funds remaining to frank mail. Once one or more pieces of mail have been franked, the funds data may be transferred to, and stored in, a storage base in a secure fashion. In response to a hardware failure of the postal device, the secure funds data may be retrieved from the storage. A replacement postal device may then be restored or reset based on the secure funds data received from the storage base. Alternatively, a customer account can be refunded based on the secure funds.

Abstract: A franking module is provided which allows the postal customer to apply indicia to an item of mail, the indicia including an indication of the current value of postage available in postage meter. The indicia would be read and the available postage value would be accessible by a third party service provider.

Abstract: An RFID system includes an RFID tag imbedded or printed on a print medium, such as a sheet of paper. The tagged sheet is used as part of a mail piece in a document handling system to direct the operation of the system through a controller. Data from the tagged sheet is read at multiple stages of the handling system to verify the identity, contents, and address of the mail piece.

Abstract: A system for providing postal and other services to postal security devices is established in which a secured communication connection is obtained through a service provider. The connection once established provides access to a central postal data center. As part of the authentication of a connection by the service provider, the service provider generates a session key having a discrete time limit. Expiration of the time limit terminates the session key. Security keys are provided to the service provider, with reference to public keys of the service provider, by the data center communication infrastructure.

Abstract: A method of connecting a service provider to a franking machine. The method is provided having steps of: providing a franking machine at a first location, the franking machine having a communication interface; providing a server at a central location remote from the first location; connecting a cellular interface to the communication interface of the franking machine; and establishing a secure channel of communication between the cellular interface and the server.

Abstract: A trusted gateway system for a proof-of-postage system. The system includes a postage meter system, a secure accounting and financial system for providing secure information to the meter, a secure connection between the meter and accounting and financial system providing at least authentication and encryption between the meter and the financial system and accounting, and a user interface, remotely coupled to the meter and adapted to allow a user to access the meter functionality with respect to the accounting and financial system.

Abstract: A mail processing system that includes a franking machine and at least one removable user interactive display. The display includes a wireless connection for wireless communication between the display and the franking machine when the display is physically disconnected from the franking machine.

Abstract: A secure postage-metering device has a computer and a printhead drivable by the computer for imprinting indicium on a piece of mail. Also included is a receiver for receiving programming instructions from a remote location for operation of the computer, and apparatus for establishing an amount of postage to be imprinted as part of the indicium on the piece of mail. The computer is operative in response to the programming instructions to cryptographically encode the indicium by use of a coding key included within the programming instructions. The computer is operative further in response to the programming instructions to authorize an amount of postage to be placed on the mail. An encoded indicium on the piece of mail is readable by a reading device of the Postal Service for verification of authenticity of postage appearing on the piece of mail.

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.