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 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: Improvements are provided in processing of documents to increase their security and/or decrease the complexity of testing for authenticity. Methods for printing documents with security markings and methods and apparatus for authenticating documents are described. In one aspect a document is printed with a security marking comprised of an image printed in at least two image segments. The image can be printed with an ink capable of forming images which are visible both to viewing under white light and as fluorescent images when irradiated with ultraviolet light, the segments having features of different sizes. The relative sizes of the two image segments will provide a detectable difference in fluorescent image sharpness. The apparatus provides means, all of which are simple and easily available for carrying out the methods.

Abstract: A method and system for notifying users of a mail system that a mail piece has been quarantined is provided. A plurality of incoming mail mailboxes each include a sampler to sample air from a letter that is tested using a first sensor. Source information corresponding to hazard flagged mail pieces and other quarantined mail is utilized to notify the affected users of the mail system.

Abstract: A method that enables the recipient to receive notification of the letters, flats and/or packages (mail) that the recipient is going to receive prior to the delivery of the mail. The recipient is then able to inform a post or courier, e.g., Federal Express®, Airborne®, United Parcel Service®, DHL®, etc., of the manner in which the recipient would like the mail delivered if the sender elects to permit the recipient to divert the mail. The post and courier hereinafter will be referred to as “carrier”. For instance, the recipient may want the mail physically delivered to their house faster or slower, or the mail physically redirected to the recipient's temporary address, or physically delivered to the recipient's agent, or physically delivered to the recipient's attorney, or physically returned to the mailer, or have the carrier open the physical mail and have the post e-mail or fax the contents of the envelope to the recipient and/or parties designated by the recipient.

Abstract: A transaction evidencing system includes a personal computer (PC) comprising a processor, memory and hard drive, with a plurality of non-metering application programs that selectively run on the PC. An unsecured printer is operatively coupled to the PC for printing in accordance with the non-metering application programs. A portable vault card that is removably coupled to the PC is programmed to generate tokens generation and perform transaction accounting. An application interface module in the PC, which interfaces with the non-metering application programs, issues a request for digital tokens in response to requests for indicia from a non-metering application program. A secure communications module in the PC, which securely communicates with the vault card when the vault card is coupled to the PC, sends the request for digital token to the vault card and receives a digital token generated by the vault card.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for embedding information in an image during relative movement between a print medium and an ink jet print head is provided. A plurality of first lines are printed and a plurality of second lines are printed. Each of the first lines includes a plurality of first dots and a plurality of second dots offset from the first dots by a first amount, and each of the second lines includes a plurality of third dots and a plurality of fourth dots offset from the third dots by a second amount different than the first amount. The information is encoded in the image using an encoding scheme in which the first lines represent a first value in the encoding scheme and the second lines represent a second value in the encoding scheme.

Abstract: A card for testing print heads includes a first layer having a first height and longitudinal length and a second layer located on top of the first layer having a second height and longitudinal length smaller than the first length. Also, a method of determining ink drop velocity including providing such a card, and printing a line including a plurality of dots thereon. A first of the dots is located on the first layer and a second of the dots is located on the second layer. Finally, the method includes determining a first relative distance between the first and second of the dots along the print direction, determining a second relative distance between the top surfaces of the first and second layers, and calculating the ink drop velocity as follows: V*(RD1/RD2), wherein V is the print velocity, D1 is the first relative distance, and D2 is the second relative distance.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for printing and verifying postage stamps on demand via a personal postage stamp printer. The indicia by which the stamp is printed includes a color bar sequence and a data field including data that corresponds to the color bar sequence. To authenticate the stamp, the data field is read and the color bar sequence data included in the data field is compared with the data generated by detecting the color bar sequence itself.

Abstract: A method and system for validating the creation and submission of absentee ballots is provided. An authentication/validation mark is generated and printed on an absentee ballot and/or the envelope that contains the absentee ballot. The authentication/validation marks include information such as, for example, the date and time of printing, an identification and location of the vote validator that generated and printed the mark, a unique identifier of the mark, and a digital signature of the authentication/validation data. Upon receipt of the absentee ballot by election officials, the authentication/validation marks printed on the absentee ballot and/or envelope containing the ballot can be verified by authenticating the digital signature and verifying the validity of the data in the mark. If the mark is verified, the authenticity and creation/submission dates of the absentee ballot are guaranteed and the absentee ballot can be accepted as a valid absentee ballot for election purposes.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an authentication system and related methods for authenticating printed objects. The system uses an information-based metric along with one or more print quality metrics to provide accurate detection or classification of a counterfeit printed object. The print quality metric evaluates attributes of a subject image associated with the original printer, ink or paper to detect degradation of those operations due to copying operations like an image scanning and halftone printing subsequent to the original printing of the object. The information-based metric measures message symbol errors in an optically readable code, such as a digital watermark.

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 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: 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: A method for detecting a copy of a composite image that includes a first image and a second image that has information embedded in the second image that will change in appearance when the first and second images are scanned or photocopied. The foregoing is accomplished by scanning the first and second images, and detecting a change in appearance of the second image that indicates the first and second images were scanned or photocopied.

Abstract: A phase space encoded watermark is applied to an image to guard against counterfeiting and/or unauthorized copying. The watermark is formed of wavepackets. An authentication message is encoded in the wavepackets by variations in one or both of the intensities of the wavepackets and the phases of the wavepackets.

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 system and method include means for processing a cryptographic certificate adapted to provide security functionality. A register means is provided and means for adjusting the register means to account for services when the cryptographic certificate is processed. In accordance with anther aspect, a system and method include a register means for storing funds. Means are provided for processing a digital token providing proof of postage payment and means are also provided for processing a cryptographic certificate adapted to provide security functionality. Means debit funds stored in the register means when the digital token is processed and when the cryptographic certificate is processed. Processing the cryptographic certificate may involve many functions such as providing security services and/or certificate management functions (including generating and verifying cryptographic certificates) and/or key management functions and/or access to any needed private keys to perform security services.

Abstract: FIG. 6 shows the operation of modules 22 in processing a request for a digital postal indicium. At 72 the selected one of modules 22 receives the indicium request and the requested meter record and, at 76 confirms that sufficient funds are available. If not the request is rejected at 78; again in a manner whose details form no part of the subject invention. At 80 the selected module constructs an indicium message having an appended indicium signature, which when printed in relevant part on a mailpiece will evidence payment of postage in the amount shown, and at 84 updates the requested meter record and appends a meter record signature. Generation of indicia and updating meter records is more fully described in specifications for the Information Based Indicia Program (IBIP) published by the United States Postal Service and further discussion is not believed necessary for an understanding of the subject invention.) At 86 the selected module updates the audit data.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for printing and verifying postage stamps on demand via a personal postage stamp printer. The indicia by which the stamp is printed includes a color bar sequence and a data field including data that corresponds to the color bar sequence. To authenticate the stamp, the data field is read and the color bar sequence data included in the data field is compared with the data generated by detecting the color bar sequence itself.