Abstract: Various methods for detecting the removal of a processing unit, such as a microprocessor or a microcontroller, form a printed circuit board in a secure printing system, such as a postage metering system are provided. The methods utilize one or more of a real time clock provided internal to the processing unit, a CMOS device provided on the printed circuit board external to the processing unit, and CMOS memory internal to the processing unit to detect the removal of the processing unit and therefore an attack.

Abstract: A system and method for efficient uncorrectable error detection in flash memory is described. A microcontroller including a non-volatile flash memory utilizes an Error Correction Code (ECC) having a certain error detection and correction bit strength. The user data is first processed by a hash function and hash data is stored with the user data. Then, the user data and hash data are processed by the ECC system. In detection, the hash ensures that a relatively low bit-strength ECC system did not incorrectly manipulate the user data. Such a hash integrity check provides an efficient, robust detection of incorrectly corrected user data resulting from errors beyond the correction but strength of the ECC system utilized.

Abstract: A system and method for efficient uncorrectable error detection in flash memory is described. A microcontroller including a non-volatile flash memory utilizes an Error Correction Code (ECC) having a certain error detection and correction bit strength. The user data is first processed by a hash function and hash data is stored with the user data. Then, the user data and hash data are processed by the ECC system. In detection, the hash ensures that a relatively low bit-strength ECC system did not incorrectly manipulate the user data. Such a hash integrity check provides an efficient, robust detection of incorrectly corrected user data resulting from errors beyond the correction but strength of the ECC system utilized.

Abstract: A system and method for efficient uncorrectable error detection in flash memory is described. A microcontroller including a non-volatile flash memory utilizes an Error Correction Code (ECC) having a certain error detection and correction bit strength. The user data is first processed by a hash function and hash data is stored with the user data. Then, the user data and hash data are processed by the ECC system. In detection, the hash ensures that a relatively low bit-strength ECC system did not incorrectly manipulate the user data. Such a hash integrity check provides an efficient, robust detection of incorrectly corrected user data resulting from errors beyond the correction but strength of the ECC system utilized.

Abstract: A mail processing system having a postal security device (PSD) that can be dynamically configured to support multiple customers and carriers is provided. Meter records are maintained at a data center. Each meter record includes information necessary to configure the PSD for a particular customer and/or a specified carrier. The data center provides a requested meter record to the PSD, which then is configured according to the meter record. Once loaded with a complete meter record, the PSD will function as a traditional PSD and mail processing can be performed by the mail processing system using the configured PSD. All accounting takes place locally in the PSD, and all records maintained in the meter record are updated locally in the PSD. Upon completion of the mail run, the updated meter record can then be uploaded to the data center until the next mail run that requires the meter record.

Abstract: Various methods for detecting the removal of a processing unit, such as a microprocessor or a microcontroller, form a printed circuit board in a secure printing system, such as a postage metering system are provided. The methods utilize one or more of a real time clock provided internal to the processing unit, a CMOS device provided on the printed circuit board external to the processing unit, and CMOS memory internal to the processing unit to detect the removal of the processing unit and therefore an attack.

Abstract: A system and method for efficient uncorrectable error detection in flash memory is described. A microcontroller including a non-volatile flash memory utilizes an Error Correction Code (ECC) having a certain error detection and correction bit strength. The user data is first processed by a hash function and hash data is stored with the user data. Then, the user data and hash data are processed by the ECC system. In detection, the hash ensures that a relatively low bit-strength ECC system did not incorrectly manipulate the user data. Such a hash integrity check provides an efficient, robust detection of incorrectly corrected user data resulting from errors beyond the correction but strength of the ECC system utilized.

Abstract: A method comprising the steps of generating a code at a data center, the code being associated with the value dispensing system; creating a challenge card having the code therein; sending the challenge card via a carrier service to the specific location; retrieving the code from the challenge card and entering the code into the value dispensing system subsequent to receipt of the code at the specific location; communicating the code retrieved from the challenge card from the value dispensing system to the data center; and comparing the code received at the data center from the value dispensing system to the code generated at the data center to verify that the value dispensing system is physically located at the specific location.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a key from a first device to a remotely located second device includes the steps of generating the key within the first device; selecting one of a plurality of one-time pad values from a one-time pad stored within the first device; creating a hash of at least the key and the selected one of the plurality of one-time pad values; and sending the hash and the key from the first device to the second device.

Abstract: A method is provided for establishing mutual authentication and secure communications between an microprocessor-based transaction evidencing device and a microprocessor-based server coupled thereto. A session key KS is generated at the transaction evidencing device and encrypted with a first key K1 to form a first message. The first message is sent to the server and decrypted using a second key K2. In response to the first message a second message is generated at the server and encrypted using the session key KS. The encrypted second message is sent to the transaction evidencing device and decrypted using the session key KS. A response to the second message is generated at the transaction evidencing device and is signed using a third key K3. The signed response is encrypted with the session key KS and transmitted to the server. The encrypted signed response is decrypted using the session key KS and the signature is verified using a fourth key k4.

Abstract: A method for removing postal funds from a postage meter provides an accounting unit of a postage meter with indicium-related information which is invalid for mailing such as invalid origin zip or date. The accounting unit generates a digital signature, which is an encrypted value of the postal funds removed from the postage meter and other postal data including the indicium-related information. The accounting unit through a Host PC sends to a data center the amount of the postal funds removed from the postage meter and the digital signature. The data center verifies that the digital signature has been generated using the indicium-related information. The meter is disabled when the digital signature cannot be verified. When the digital signature is verified a request for a refund is sent by the data center to a postal authority. An example of the indicium-related information is an invalid destination postal code or an invalid origination postal code.

Abstract: A secure system for Authentication information. The system includes a scanner for reading the information contained in a document, a timing mechanism for entering the time the document was read, an encryptor for encrypting the read and timed information and a counter for counting the number of documents processed.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving print quality for a 2-D bar code. The method includes determining printer type, including print resolution, for printer that will print 2-D bar code and entering paper type for the envelope. A suggested 2-D bar code module size is calculated based on the paper and the printer type. A test sample 2-D bar code is printed at the suggested 2-D bar code module size. The printed test sample is scanned and then evaluated for print quality and readability. The method can also suggest a 2-D bar code module size to the user.

Abstract: This invention is a system for producing and distributing new decryption keys to verifiers. Verifier decryption key updates are printed in a secure manner on paper or postcards and mailed to the owners of the verifiers. The paper or postcards containing the verifier decryption key is scanned into the verifier and the verifier's key file is updated.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for refilling a postage metering system that includes a host coupled to a postal security device (PSD). A user enters a first request for postage refill which is transmitted to a meter server. The meter server transmits a request for a PSD audit to the postage metering system. PSD audit data is signed with a first secret key stored in the PSD to produce an audit message that includes a first signature and the PSD audit data. The audit message is transmitted to the meter server which transmits the first signature to a key management system which then verifies the first signature using a second secret key stored in the key management system. The PSD audit data is verified at the meter server which then constructs a second request for meter refill and transmits it to a meter recharging data center. The meter recharging data center generates a refill combination and transmits it to the meter server.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of determining the authenticity of a signal indicative of the mass of an article being weighted. The article is placed upon the platform, and the platform is caused to oscillate and the period of harmonic motion is measured. One of or both the frequency of oscillation and amplitude of the transducer signal is monitored for purposes of determining authentication.