Abstract: A low-cost, network based, secure printer that can provide multiple vendors with independent protected access, as authorized by a secure printer authority, is provided. The secure printer authority issues certificates for each secure printer and authorized vendor. Each certificate includes a public key and identification for the respective secure printer or vendor. The certificates are utilized during generation of a secret session key that preferably can be utilized only once to print the requested document. The secret session key is used by the vendor to encrypt the document, and used by the printer to decrypt the document. Since the secret session key is preferably valid for only a single document, printing of the document can only occur once, thereby preventing any fraudulent printing of the document. Additionally, only vendors authorized by the secure printer authority will have the ability to establish session keys with the printer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing geodemographic analyses using a unique weighting, centering and scaling approach for intensive variables is provided in a principal components analysis. The system may use an extensive variable as a size parameter that is appropriate for the particular geodemographic application. Additionally, a sizing function may be applied to the determined principal components before a clustering analysis.

Abstract: A method includes scanning a check to generate image data representative of an image of the check. The method further includes detecting at least one security feature of the check. The method also includes transforming the image data to include at least one encoded indication of the detected at least one security feature of the check.

Abstract: A method and system for providing services to a mail delivery point are presented. According to the method, a delivery point identifier is acquired from a device located at the delivery point. Then, delivery point data is accessed corresponding to the delivery point identifier, and mail delivery services are provided in response to the delivery point data. The delivery point data are modifiable by a recipient who receives physical mail at the delivery point, and the delivery point data includes recipient preferences.

Abstract: Methods and systems for verification of indicia that do not require key management systems, and in which revocation of key pairs is easily performed without adding costs to the verification process are provided. Indicia are generated and authenticated utilizing an identity-based encryption (IBE) scheme. A key generating authority generates a private key for a PSD, distributes the private key securely to the PSD, and provides public information for use by a verification service when verifying cryptographic digital signatures generated with the private key. The corresponding public key is a string consisting of PSD information that is provided as part of the indicium. The verification service can verify the signature of each indicium by obtaining the public key string from the indicium, and utilizing the key generating authority's public information.

Abstract: A method for printing secure source images of the type that contain specific critical elements and non-secure images on a single printer includes determining the origin of an image (secure source or non-secure source). If the image to be printed is from the non-secure source, a determination is made if the image contains the specific critical elements of the type contained in secure source images. Printing of the image from the non-secure source is disabled if the image contains specific critical elements of the type contained in secure source images. Printing of the image from a non-secure source is enabled if the image does not contain specific critical elements of the type contained in the secure image. The determination if the non-secure source image contains the specific critical elements of the type contained in secure source images can be made after printing has commenced of the non-secure image.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for providing enhanced help messages for equipment operation is described herein. A device having a processor automatically detects an error condition in the device, and determines that the error condition requires operator action. An appropriate message is selected that indicates a required operator action corresponding to the error condition. The message is configured to include a scannable barcode. The scannable barcode includes a website link to a website having more detailed information to assist an operator in performing the operator action. The message is displayed on a screen so that the operator can scan the barcode with his mobile device, and see the more detailed information on how to perform the required operator action. Alternatively, the message is configured as radio frequency data to be transmitted by the equipment using near field communication (NFC) technology to a mobile device having an NFC receiver.

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: A method of printing a document includes generating commands in a computing device that include: (i) commands for printing based on document data, and (ii) an identification of a determined portion of the document data that is to be used in generating a printed copy detection pattern. The method further includes sending the printer control commands to an intermediate electronic device that stores a key, generating copy detection pattern data using the determined portion of the document data and the cryptographic key, and generating modified printer control commands that include commands for printing a first document portion based on the document data and a second document portion including the printed copy detection pattern based on the copy detection pattern data. Finally, the modified printer control commands are sent to a printing device. Also, a system is provided for implementing the method.

Abstract: A printer ink identification system including a detector, an excitation source and a controller. The detector is adapted to detect an excitable feature of an ink forming an indicium on an article. The excitation source is adapted to cause excitation of the excitable feature of the ink. The controller is coupled to the detector. The controller is adapted to initiate a predetermined task based, at least partially, upon input from the detector.

Abstract: A printing system is provided that dynamically adjusts the method of printing an image based on the lightness or darkness of the medium upon which the image will be printed. The reflectivity of the medium upon which an image is to be printed is determined, and the way in which the image will be printed is adjusted based on the determined reflectivity of the medium. For lighter colored mediums, on which sufficient contrast will be provided, the image can be printed directly onto the medium. For darker colored mediums, on which the ink used to print the image will not provide enough contrast with respect to the medium to produce a reliably readable image, the method of printing the image is modified to ensure that sufficient contrast is always provided to produce a reliably readable image.

Abstract: A method of printing an image having a graphic security element included therein includes receiving main image data representing a main image, receiving graphic security element data representing a graphic security element to be included in the main image, receiving a request to print the main image, responsive to receiving the request to print the main image, determining particular pixels of the main image data that are to be shifted based on the graphic security element data, and causing a plurality of ink deposits to be deposited on the print medium based on the main image data including causing the position of each of the ink deposits on the print medium that is determined to correspond to shifted pixels to be shifted relative to a normal position that would normally result from the main image data. Also, system that implements the method is provided.

Abstract: A method and system for securing the communication link between the accounting device and printer of a metering system by authenticating the data being sent via the link utilizing a Nonlinear Feedback Shift Register (NLFSR) based system is provided. A NLFSR is provided in each of the accounting unit and printing unit of a metering system. The NLFSR in the accounting unit is utilized to generate a message authentication code (MAC) for the image data being sent from the accounting unit to the printing unit. The printing unit generates a corresponding MAC for the received image data using the NLFSR in the printing unit. The MAC generated by the printing unit is compared with the MAC generated by the accounting unit. If the MACs are similar, the image data is accepted as authentic and the printing unit will print the image corresponding to the image data.

Abstract: Systems and methods including mailing machines having postage meters including multiple postal security devices are described. In one illustrative configuration, a postage meter having multiple postal security devices for use with different postal carriers is described. In another illustrative configuration, a postage meter is configured to apply two postage payment information indicia to a single mail piece using two separate postal security devices.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for printing and verifying postage stamps on demand via a personal postage stamp printer. The indicium by which the stamp is printed includes a color stripe and a data field including authentication data that corresponds to the color stripe. To authenticate the stamp, the authentication data in the data field is read and compared with authentication data extracted from the color stripe.

Abstract: A system, method, and medium, the method including receiving parameter information associated with a mailer, associating the parameter information with a mailing, receiving statistical information, the statistical information including historical performance data of at least one carrier, determining a delivery sequence for the mailing based on the received mailer parameter information and the statistical information, and outputting the determined delivery sequence for the mailing.

Abstract: An improved check sorting system capable of ordering cancelled checks for a plurality of accounts in a predetermined manner other than by account number is provided. Checks are ordered according to a priority value associated with the account number, and optionally check number, identified by each check. A database is utilized to store information indexed by institution and/or account number and optionally check number. The information includes a priority value. The check sorting system scans each check and reads the MICR code from each check. The institution and/or account number, and possibly check number, from each check are used as pointers to obtain the priority value for that check. The check is then sorted based on the priority value obtained from the database.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for printing and verifying postage stamps on demand via a personal postage stamp printer. The indicium by which the stamp is printed includes a color stripe and a data field including authentication data that corresponds to the color stripe. To authenticate the stamp, the authentication data in the data field is read and compared with authentication data extracted from the color stripe.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with detection of a “fragile watermark” in a printed image to aid in a determination whether a document under examination is an original or a copy. The watermark may be applied by phase-space encoding data to be included in the watermark. The image may be examined on a block-by-block basis after scanning. Correlation of detected watermark strength with block brightness and/or with wave vectors used for encoding may be used to detect that the image is a copy.

Abstract: A method for assigning unique printer resolutions or signatures, i.e., a unique number of dots per inch, to a class, or models of printers or lines of postage meters. The number of dots per inch or resolution may be specified within a image on a document or within a postal indicia and later checked to determine if the image on document or the postal indicia has the correct resolution. The foregoing would be able to detect an image or postal indicia that was scanned into a computer and printed with a printer that did not have the number of dots per inch specified in the image or postal indicia.