Abstract: In a system including a postage printing device and a data center, wherein the postage printing device and the data center have a first set of keys for use in requesting and downloading a plurality of postage data records from the data center for use in printing postal indicia, a method of securely transferring the postage printing device and any postage value stored therein from a first user to a second user. According to the method, a new set of keys for requesting and downloading postage data records is generated, any current postage value stored in the printer device is securely transferred to the second user using the new keys and some of the first set of keys, and the first set of keys is zeroed, thereby protecting the first user from any potential theft or fraud of postage funds on the part of the second user.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a PSD and an initializing infrastructure that uses a secret key, a PSD public/private key pair and a provider public/private key pair. The infrastructure prepares a signed provider key record using the provider public key and the provider private key and a first MAC using the signed provider key record and the secret key. Both are sent to the PSD. The PSD authenticates the signed provider key record using the first MAC and the provider public key using the included digital signature. The PSD prepares a signed PSD key record using the PSD public key and the PSD private key and a second MAC using the signed PSD key record and the secret key. Both are sent to the infrastructure. The infrastructure authenticates the signed PSD key record using the second MAC and the PSD public key using the included digital signature.

Abstract: A mail receipt terminal for accepting an envelope having evidence of postage applied thereto. The mail receipt terminal includes a controller module and an input scanner module and a printer module, both in operative communication with the controller module. The controller module includes a control system and a clock module. The input scanner module: (i) receives the envelope, (ii) scans the evidence of postage to determine its veracity, and (iii) rejects the envelope if the evidence of postage is determined to be improper. If the evidence of postage is determined to be proper, then the printer module prints a receipt including data thereon corresponding to the envelope where the receipt data includes a date/time stamp and an ID tracking number that uniquely corresponds to the envelope.