System and method for controlling postage usage independent of meter balance

A postage evidencing meter system is disclosed. The system comprises an authorization database for storing parameters for at least one user, wherein the parameters limit the at least one user's ability to evidence postage using the meter. The parameters include a maximum postage amount that the at least one user is allowed to use on the meter to evidence postage. The parameters may alternatively or also include a period of time during which the user is allowed to use the meter to evidence postage or a maximum amount of postage that can be used during a period of time. The postage evidencing meter further comprises a user interface, a printer, and a security module. In alternative embodiments, the authorization database is stored on a removable storage device and/or is coupled to the meter via a communication link to a remote postage information system.

Distributed image acquisition for postal processing

Mail processing methods and systems. A method includes receiving a mailpiece at a local system and scanning the mailpiece by the local system to produce an image. The method can include receiving payment information from the customer by the local system for mailing the mailpiece. The method includes applying an identification code to the mailpiece by the local system, and after the mailpiece is delivered to a central processing facility, processing the mailpiece, using the image, by a central server system at the central processing facility. Related apparatuses and systems are discussed.

Delivery point validation system

A computer-implemented method represents a list of informational items using a bit array. The method converts an informational item to a cryptographic value using a cryptographic algorithm and extracts a plurality of n-bit samples from the cryptographic value. The n-bit samples includes at least a first field and a second field. The first field identifies a group of bits of the bit array and the second field identifies one or more individual bits within the group of bits. The individual bits are set to a pre-determined value according to the first field identifying the group of bits and the second field identifying the individual bits within the group of bits.

Resource Reduction in Address Validation

A method and apparatus for reducing an amount of resources required for address validation. An address validation program running on a processor unit configures a tax information table in a payroll database to have an authorization column indicating whether an employee having data in a row of the tax information table has authorized release of data in the row; receives a validation request for at least one validated address entered in one or more request fields in a graphical user interface connected to the processor unit; searches only rows having an indication of authorization in the authorization column of the tax information table; and responsive to finding at least one current address in the tax information table, displays the at least one current address in one or more response fields of the graphical user interface as the at least one validated address. 1. A computer-implemented method for reducing an amount of resources required for address validation , the computer-implemented method comprising:configuring, by an address validation program running on a processor unit, a tax information table in a payroll database to have an authorization column indicating whether an employee having data in a row of the tax information table has authorized release of data in the row;receiving, by the address validation program running on a processor unit, a validation request for at least one validated address entered in one or more request fields in a graphical user interface connected to the processor unit;searching, by the address validation program running on the processor unit, only rows having an indication of authorization in the authorization column of the tax information table; andresponsive to finding at least one current address in the tax information table, displaying, by the address validation program running on the processor unit, the at least one current address in one or more response fields of the graphical user interface as the at least one validated ...

METHOD FOR UNIQUELY IDENTIFYING MAILPIECES HAVING NON-PERSONALIZED ENCLOSURES

A method for uniquely identifying mailpieces having non-personalized enclosures during an inserting and printing process in a mailpieces production system, the method including: creating a Job file containing at least a mailing list of addresses to be printed on mailpieces, allocating a distinct mailpiece identifier for a mailpiece, allocating a temporary machine identifier to a non-personalized enclosure extracted from an insert feeder of the mailpiece production system, associating said temporary machine identifier with said distinct mailpiece identifier and recording the mailpiece identifier as being in process, creating the mailpiece by inserting at least the non-personalized enclosure into an envelope, printing on the envelope an address associated with the mailpiece identifier, and recording the mailpiece identifier as being inserted. 2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising capturing an insert identifier on the non-personalized enclosure and associating said insert identifier with the temporary machine identifier allocated to the non-personalized enclosure.3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising printing an insert identifier on the non-personalized enclosure and associating said insert identifier with the temporary machine identifier allocated to the non-personalized enclosure.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the insert identifier is equal or derived from the temporary machine identifier.5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the insert identifier is created according to predetermined instructions contained in the Job file.6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising printing a customized message on the non-personalized enclosure before the non-personalized enclosure is inserted into the envelope.7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising adding a document to the enclosure and inserting said document in the envelope.8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising printing on the envelope other data corresponding to the mailpiece identifier along ...

Method and system for marking consignment units

The invention relates to a method for marking a consignment unit in a logistics process. The invention furthermore relates to a system for marking a consignment unit in a logistics process. The method according to the invention for marking a consignment unit in a logistics process contains the steps of initially creating a first image of the surface of a consignment unit in order to then link this image to an identification number and store the image and the identification number on a data processing unit. 1. A method for marking a consignment unit in a logistics process ,containing the steps:creating a first image of the surface of the consignment unit, wherein the first image characterizes the consignment unit;linking the first image with an identification number;storing the first image and the identification number on a data processing unit.2. The method as claimed in claim 1 ,whereinthe first image is stored as an image file.3. The method as claimed in claim 1 ,whereinthe first image is created with a digital camera.4. The method as claimed in claim 3 ,whereinthe digital camera is integrated into a mobile device which is connected to a data transmission network and has functionalities of a computer system, wherein the data transmission network is connected to a data processing unit and a computer program by means of which the first image is transferred onto the data processing unit runs on the mobile device.5. The method as claimed in claim 1 ,whereina logistics fee is linked to the first image.6. The method as claimed in claim 1 ,whereina second image of the consignment unit is created at a later time, wherein the second image is compared with the first image and the consignment unit is classified as identical to that of the first image if the first image and the second image match one another to a previously input extent.7. The method as claimed in claim 6 ,whereinthe previously input extent is at least 50%.8. The method as claimed in claim 1 ,whereina ...

HARDWARE SERVER AND TECHNICAL METHOD TO OPTIMIZE BULK PRINTING OF MAILING ITEMS

A method includes distributing a number of printer devices across a computer network with corresponding logistical nodes associated therewith, and, through a server, dynamically extracting, from a number of digital pre-print mail files related to physical mailing items, metadata related thereto and mailing constraints based on scanning the number of digital pre-print mail files, and classifying the number of digital pre-print mail files into groups based on an extent to which the dynamically extracted metadata is shared between constituents thereof. The method also includes, through the server, matching each classified group to a logistical node based on the dynamically extracted metadata shared between the constituents thereof and dynamically tracked printer characteristics, and commingling the extracted metadata within the each classified group into a master document in which the extracted metadata is laid out to enable printing thereof through a printer device associated with the matched logistical node. 1. A method comprising:distributing each printer device of a plurality of printer devices across a computer network with a corresponding each logistical node of a plurality of logistical nodes associated therewith, the corresponding each logistical node being a data processing device;determining, through a server communicatively coupled to the plurality of printer devices via the computer network, receipt of a number of digital pre-print mail files relevant to physical mailing items to be mailed from source locations to destination locations, each of the number of digital pre-print mail files being associated with a client device of a plurality of client devices communicatively coupled to the server through the computer network, and each client device of the plurality of client devices being related to a physical mailing item;through the server, dynamically extracting, from the number of digital pre-print mail files, metadata about source addresses and ...

SECURE ON-LINE TICKETING

A method and apparatus for generating a Value Bearing Indicium (VBI) for on-line ticketing applications. A VBI may be generated by hashing user information to create a message digest that is used to create a digital signature. The digital signature is combined with the user information to create a VBI that can be validated by a variety of stand-alone or on-line methods. An on-line ticketing application using the VBI is described. 1. A method of providing a ticket to an end-user via a computer network , the method comprising:providing a ticket server, the ticket server coupled to a database;receiving by the ticket server validation information based on a ticket request from an end-user machine and a link to an indicium graphic, from the end-user machine via the computer network;generating by the ticket server an indicium graphic, using the validation information and the link to the indicium graphic;generating by the ticket server a ticket using the indicium graphic and the validation information;storing the indicium graphic and the validation information in the database, before the ticket is validated;transmitting the ticket by the ticket server to the end-user machine, wherein the ticket includes a copy of the indicium graphic and the validation information;receiving scanned information from a printed copy of the ticket from a remote terminal including a scanning machine, by the ticket server via the computer network;determining a validity status for the ticket by the ticket server using the received indicium graphic data and the validation information in the ticket, and the database; andtransmitting the validity status to the remote terminal by the ticket server via the computer network.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ticket is an airline ticket.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the airline ticket includes passenger validation information.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the passenger validation information includes fields for a ticket number claim 3 , a ...

Method and apparatus for detection of counterfeit and/or reused stamps

A method is disclosed which is performed by at least one first apparatus. In the method, information indicative of at least one characteristic of a franking is obtained. It is determined whether or not the franking is a counterfeit franking and/or a reused franking based on the obtained information or based on the obtained information and based on reference information indicative of at least one characteristic of a franking. The at least one characteristic includes at least one of a physical characteristic of the franking, a visual characteristic of an image provided on the franking, and/or a characteristic based on at least one material of the franking.

ACTIVATABLE POSTAGE

Aspects of the technology described herein provide an activatable postage. As an initial step, the activatable postage is printed on a media, such as an envelope or sticker. Initially, the activatable postage has no postage value and will not have any value until activated. Each instance of activatable postage comprises a unique identifier encoded in a machine-readable format. Postage value is added to the activatable postage through an activation process. In order to activate an individual instance of activatable postage, the unique identifier encoded in the activatable postage needs to be provided to the activation application. At the end of the activation process, a central database is updated to associate the unique identifier with a postal value calculated during activation. When the Postal Service receives an item with activatable postage it validates the activatable postage and then deactivates the activatable postage by updating the central database. 1. A method of activating postage from a computing device , comprising:receiving, at a postage-activation application, a unique identifier that is encoded with an instance of activatable postage printed on an item; andcommunicating, from the postage-activation application, an activation message to an activatable-postage service that comprises the unique identifier.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining a postage rate required for the item to be posted and communicating a postage value that is associated with the unique identifier to the activatable-postage service.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said determining the postage rate comprises identifying a greeting card to be sent in the item by scanning the greeting card and looking up specifications for the greeting card in a greeting card database.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the greeting card is identified through computer vision analysis of a visual design on the greeting card.5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the greeting card is ...

REPRINTS AND REFUNDS OF INDICIA

Systems and techniques are provided that allow for efficient and simple provision of reprint indicia, refund requests and refunds for erroneous or damaged indicia, and combinations thereof, without the technical and administrative overhead common to conventional postage systems. 1. A method comprising:determining that a shipping label comprising an initial indicia did not print correctly;determining whether a reprint of the shipping label is available; presenting an option to a user to reprint the shipping label;', 'in response to the user selecting the option to reprint the shipping label, sending a request for a reprint indicia to a postage system;', 'receiving the reprint indicia from the postage system; and', 'attempting to print the shipping label using the reprint indicia instead of the initial indicia;, 'where a reprint of the initial indicia is available determining that a refund of the initial indicia is available from the postage system; and', 'processing a refund of the initial indicia to the user., 'where a reprint of the initial indicia is not available2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:determining that an error occurred during an attempt to print the shipping label;wherein the step of determining whether a reprint of the shipping label is available is performed in response to a determination that the error occurred.3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:receiving a request to initiate a reprint or refund of the shipping label from a user.4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising claim 1 , where the reprint of the initial indicia is not available:presenting an option to the user to print the shipping label including a new indicia in addition to processing the refund;in response to receiving a selection of the option to print the shipping label using the new indicia, sending a request for the new indicia to the postage system;receiving the new indicia from the postage system; andprinting the shipping label with the new indicia.5. ...

AUTOMATIC ADDRESS VALIDATION

An identifier is received with a portion of a postal address. That portion is compared against multiple additional postal addresses associated with the identifier. If a match is detected, a confirmation is transmitted to a requestor who originally sent the identifier and the portion of the postal address. 1. (canceled)2. A system , comprising:a non-transitory memory storing a plurality of financial service accounts, wherein each financial service account in the plurality of financial service accounts comprise one or more postal addresses; and receiving, from a merchant website presented on a user device associated with a user, a validation request for validating a combination of an account identifier and a portion of a postal address provided by the user;', 'validating the combination of the account identifier and the portion of the postal address by identifying a particular financial service account from the plurality of financial service accounts based on the account identifier and matching the portion of the postal address with a particular postal address associated with the particular financial service account;', 'in response to the validating, generating a token based on the combination of the account identifier and the portion of the postal address;', 'transmitting the token to the merchant website;', 'receiving, from the merchant website, a redirect request that redirects the user from the merchant website to a payment service provider website, wherein the token is appended to the redirect request; and', 'in response to receiving the token appended to the redirect request, providing, on the user device, a user interface for completing a purchase transaction between the user and the merchant website using the particular financial service account based on the token., 'one or more hardware processors coupled to the non-transitory memory and configured to execute instructions to cause the system to perform operations comprising3. The system of claim 2 , wherein ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING DELAY RELATED TO POSTAGE INDICIA DISPENSING

In certain embodiments, reduction of delay related to postage indicia dispensing may be facilitated. In some embodiments, a postage distributor system may retrieve indicia data representing postage indicia from a postage provider system associated with a postage provider. The postage distributor system may store the indicia data representing the postage indicia at a storage system of the postage distributor system. The postage distributor system may receive, via a user device, a request to purchase one or more indicia subsequent to the storage of the indicia data representing the postage indicia at the storage system. The postage distributor system may provide indicia data representing the requested indicia to the user device from the indicia data representing the postage indicia. In some embodiments, the postage distributor system's receipt of the request and providing of the indicia data representing the requested indicia occur during a downtime period of the postage provider system. 1. A postage distributor system for facilitating reduction of delay related to postage indicia dispensing , the postage distributor system being associated with associated with a postage distributor and comprising:a storage system; retrieve indicia data representing postage indicia from a postage provider system associated with a postage provider;', 'store the indicia data representing the postage indicia at the storage system;', 'receive, via a user device, a request to purchase one or more indicia subsequent to the storage of the indicia data representing the postage indicia at the storage system; and', 'provide indicia data representing the requested indicia to the user device from the indicia data representing the postage indicia., 'one or more processors programmed with computer program instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to2. The postage distributor system of claim 1 , wherein the postage indicia comprise a plurality of digitally-signed indicia.3. ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING TRANSACTION DATA RETRIEVAL

In certain embodiments, transaction data retrieval from a postage vendor system database may be facilitated (e.g., via label generation with multiple barcode representations of a portion of a postage tracking identifier, where the tracking identifier is generated based on a carrier-specific tracking identifier unique within a carrier system with respect to accounts recognized by the carrier system). In some embodiments, the tracking identifier may be generated such that (i) the tracking identifier comprises the carrier-specific tracking identifier and (ii) enables a mail piece associated with a postage transaction to be tracked within the carrier system, and the tracking identifier portion is allocated to the postage transaction in one or more databases of the vendor system. An indicium identifier may be generated to comprise the tracking identifier portion, thereby enabling the vendor system to identify the postage transaction using one of the two identifiers without the other one of the identifiers. 1obtaining, by a vendor computer system associated with a postage vendor, a carrier-specific tracking identifier unique within a carrier computer system with respect to accounts recognized by the carrier computer system;generating, by the vendor computer system, based on the carrier-specific tracking identifier, a postage tracking identifier having a length longer than the carrier-specific tracking identifier such that (i) the postage tracking identifier comprises the carrier-specific tracking identifier and (ii) the postage tracking identifier is allocated to a postage transaction and enables a mail piece associated with the postage transaction to be tracked within the carrier computer system;allocating, by the vendor computer system, a portion of the postage tracking identifier to the postage transaction in one or more databases of the vendor computer system;generating, by the vendor computer system, a postage value indicium identifier such that the postage value ...

Method for protecting an apparatus against piracy and arrangement for carrying out this method

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADDRESS COMPARISON

Franking method and device

Method and device for processing mail items

FIELD: mail item processing. SUBSTANCE: in accordance to the invention, to determine whether an item of mail has expected postage payment, automated check is performed, and completion of that check is recorded by applying code marking onto mail item. EFFECT: increased efficiency. 2 cl ÐÎÑÑÈÉÑÊÀß ÔÅÄÅÐÀÖÈß RU (19) (11) 2 309 012 (13) C2 (51) ÌÏÊ B07C 1/00 (2006.01) ÔÅÄÅÐÀËÜÍÀß ÑËÓÆÁÀ ÏÎ ÈÍÒÅËËÅÊÒÓÀËÜÍÎÉ ÑÎÁÑÒÂÅÍÍÎÑÒÈ, ÏÀÒÅÍÒÀÌ È ÒÎÂÀÐÍÛÌ ÇÍÀÊÀÌ (12) ÎÏÈÑÀÍÈÅ ÈÇÎÁÐÅÒÅÍÈß Ê ÏÀÒÅÍÒÓ (21), (22) Çà âêà: 2004109915/12, 15.10.2002 (24) Äàòà íà÷àëà îòñ÷åòà ñðîêà äåéñòâè ïàòåíòà: 15.10.2002 (30) Êîíâåíöèîííûé ïðèîðèòåò: 16.10.2001 (ïï.1-7) DE 10150464.0 (73) Ïàòåíòîîáëàäàòåëü(è): Äîé÷å Ïîñò Àà (DE) (43) Äàòà ïóáëèêàöèè çà âêè: 10.03.2005 R U (72) Àâòîð(û): ÔÓËËÜÐÈÄÅ Êàðñòåí (DE), ØÒÓÌÌ Äèòåð (DE), ÌÀÉÅÐ Ãþíòåð (DE), ÕÅËÜÌÓÑ Þðãåí (DE), ÔÅÐÈ Ïåòåð (DE) (45) Îïóáëèêîâàíî: 27.10.2007 Áþë. ¹ 30 2 3 0 9 0 1 2 (56) Ñïèñîê äîêóìåíòîâ, öèòèðîâàííûõ â îò÷åòå î ïîèñêå: ÅÐ 0373972 À2, 20.06.1990. ÅÐ 0906792 À2, 07.04.1999. US 5420403 À, 30.05.1995. US 4725718 À, 16.02.1988. RU 2146390 C1, 03.10.2000. RU 2054338 C1, 20.02.1996. SU 466636 A, 03.09.1975. (87) Ïóáëèêàöè PCT: WO 03/035283 (01.05.2003) Àäðåñ äë ïåðåïèñêè: 191036, Ñàíêò-Ïåòåðáóðã, à/ 24, "ÍÅÂÈÍÏÀÒ", ïàò.ïîâ. À.Â.Ïîëèêàðïîâó (54) ÑÏÎÑÎÁ È ÓÑÒÐÎÉÑÒÂÎ ÄËß ÎÁÐÀÁÎÒÊÈ ÏÎ×ÒÎÂÛÕ ÎÒÏÐÀÂËÅÍÈÉ (57) Ðåôåðàò: Èçîáðåòåíèå îòíîñèòñ ê îáëàñòè îáðàáîòêè ïî÷òîâûõ îòïðàâëåíèé. Ñîãëàñíî èçîáðåòåíèþ äë óñòàíîâëåíè , èìååò ëè ïî÷òîâîå îòïðàâëåíèå îæèäàåìóþ ïî÷òîâóþ îïëàòó, âûïîëí þò àâòîìàòèçèðîâàííóþ ïðîâåðêó, è âûïîëíåíèå ýòîé ïðîâåðêè îòìå÷àþò íàíåñåíèåì êîäà íà ïî÷òîâîå îòïðàâëåíèå. 2 í. è 5 ç.ï. ô-ëû. R U 2 3 0 9 0 1 2 (86) Çà âêà PCT: DE 02/03886 (15.10.2002) C 2 C 2 (85) Äàòà ïåðåâîäà çà âêè PCT íà íàöèîíàëüíóþ ôàçó: 17.05.2004 Ñòðàíèöà: 1 RU RUSSIAN FEDERATION RU (19) (11) 2 309 012 (13) C2 (51) Int. Cl. B07C 1/00 (2006.01) FEDERAL SERVICE FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS (12) ABSTRACT OF INVENTION (21), (22) Application: ...

Method of paying for the resetting of an electronic franking machine

Secure on-line ticketing

A method and apparatus for generating a Value Bearing Indicium (VBI) for on-line ticketing applications. A VBI may be generated by hashing user information to create a message digest that is used to create a digital signature. The digital signature is combined with the user information to create a VBI that can be validated by a variety of stand-alone or on-line methods. An on-line ticketing application using the VBI is described.

Secure on-line ticketing

A method and apparatus for generating a Value Bearing Indicium (VBI) for on-line ticketing applications. A VBI may be generated by hashing user information to create a message digest that is used to create a digital signature. The digital signature is combined with the user information to create a VBI that can be validated by a variety of stand-alone or on-line methods. An on-line ticketing application using the VBI is described.

Secure on-line ticketing

System and method for dispensing postage based on telephonic or web milli-transactions

A system for electronic distribution of postage includes at least one secure central computer for generating postal indicia in response to postage requests submitted by end user computers, and at least one postal authority computer system for processing the postal indicia on mail pieces. A key aspect of the system is that all secure processing required for generating postal indicia is performed at secure central computers, not at end user computers, thereby removing the need for specialized secure computational equipment at end user sites. A secure central computer includes a database of information concerning user accounts of users authorized to request postal indicia from the secure central computer. A request validation procedure authenticates received postage requests with respect to the user account information in the database. A postal indicia creation procedure, applies a secret encryption key to information in each authenticated postage request so as to generate a digital signature and combines the information in each authenticated postage request with the corresponding generated digital signature so as to generate a digital postage indicium in accordance with a predefined postage indicium data format. A communication procedure securely transmits the generated digital postage indicium to the requesting end user computer. Each end user computer typically includes a communication procedure for sending postage requests to a secure central computer at which a user account has been established, and for receiving a corresponding digital postage indicium. A postage indicium printing procedure prints a postage indicium in accordance with the received digital postage indicium.

System and method for mail destination address information encoding, protection and recovery in postal payment

A process for evidencing postage payment begins by obtaining a destination address for a mail item and encoding it as a string of characters from which a subset of the encoded string is selected, concatenated with plain text data and then encrypted. The encrypted portion is hashed along and a digital signature is computed as part of the digital postage mark. During verification, the mail item is scanned to obtain a digital image thereof, which is parsed to identify and capture the digital postage mark and the destination address block. A recoverable portion of the DAB is extracted and the digital postage mark is parsed into a plain text area and a cryptographic validation code area. The CVC area is parsed to obtain a recoverable portion. If the recoverable portion of the DAB is within a threshold value of the recoverable portion of the CVC, then the mail item is accepted.

Virtual security device

A system and method for remote postage metering of postage indicia, including demanding a desired postage amount and subsequently printing the postage indicia onto a piece of mail. A user inputs certain necessary information, as well as additional desired information, into a local processor-based system. The local system then assembles a postage demand in suitable format and transmits the same to a remote postage metering device. The remote postage metering device then verifies the demand for authority to demand and valid funding. Upon verification, the remote postage meter serves the transaction by configuring a shared device using virtual user device data structures and assembles a data packet representing an authorized postage indicia. The data packet is transmitted to the local system for printing. Printing of the postage indicia may be unaccompanied, or may include additional information. Such additional information may include destination and return address, machine readable routing or identification information, or a complete document to be posted.

Remote authentication of two dimensional barcoded indicia

An indicia authentication system includes a franking device for embedding identification and encrypted authentication data into indicia and applying the indicia to an article, and a computing device for utilizing the identification data to retrieve a key for deciphering the encrypted authentication data, where the computing device is adapted to utilize the deciphered authentication data to determine the validity of the indicia.

System and method for smart polling

【課題】 本発明は、イメージをデコーディングする方法に関する。この方法は、以下のステップを有する：イメージに対して並列に第１及び第２光学文字認識の処理を適用し、このイメージは、複数の分類を含み；第１及び第２光学文字認識処理が実質的に類似のイメージ結果を生成するかどうかを決定し；このイメージ結果が類似でない場合、結果に基づいて最も高く重み付けされたＯＣＲを選択し；結果に基づく最も高く重み付けされたＯＣＲ処理の分類を、分類の基礎による分類に関するこのイメージ結果に割り当てる。

Mail address prereader and address prereading method

(57)【要約】 【課題】宛先記載領域を簡単に検出できるようにして読 取率の向上と誤読率の低減を図ることができる郵便物宛 先読取装置を提供することを目的とする。 【解決手段】 予め登録された郵便物画像パターンと の比較、あるいはいくつかの先行郵便物画像との比較、 あるいは先行郵便物画像と現在の読取り画像との比較か ら現在の画像と類似あるいは一致した画像がすでに登録 または読み取られたことを検知し、すでに取得されてい る画像読取り結果を利用して宛先記載領域を見つけだ し、宛先記載内容を検知するように構成される。

Method and apparatus for tracking a special service delivery of a mail item created by an office worker

A method and apparatus for tracking a special service delivery by a carrier of a mail item created by an office worker. The method utilizes one or more special service indicators on the mail item to ensure that the office worker can obtain information about the status of the mail item by the simple placement of one of the special service stickers on the mail item.

Method for approving utilization of ink cartridge of postage meter that is utilized for producing valid franking impression on mail item, involves carrying out billing of approval of utilization if non-usage of cartridge is detected

The method involves transmitting authorization information to a remote data center (106) over a communication network (105) i.e. internet, and checking the authorization information in the center. Another authorization information is generated based on a result of the checking process and transmitted to a data processing unit (102.1). The latter information is checked, and approval of utilization of an ink cartridge (107) is carried out based on a result of the latter information checking process. Billing of the approval is carried out if non-usage of the cartridge is detected. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) an arrangement for approving utilization of consumption medium holding unit of a consumption device of a consumption arrangement (2) a data processing device.

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING THE USE OF A CARTRIDGE UNIT

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein System zum Drucken eines Abdrucks auf ein flaches Gut mit einer ein Verbrauchsgut enthaltenden Kartuscheneinheit (107) und einem Gutverarbeitungsgerät (102, 103, 104), insbesondere einer Frankiermaschine, die eine zur Nutzung der Kartuscheneinheit (107) ausgebildete Druckeinrichtung (102.6) und eine mit der Druckeinrichtung (102.6) verbundene erste Datenverarbeitungseinheit (102.1) zur Steuerung der Nutzung der Kartuscheneinheit (107) zum Drucken des Abdrucks umfasst. Das Gutverarbeitungsgerät (102, 103, 104) ist dazu konfiguriert, ein Einsetzen der Kartuscheneinheit (107) in die Druckeinrichtung (102.6) zu erfassen. Weiterhin ist das Gutverarbeitungsgerät (102, 103, 104) dazu konfiguriert, eine aktuelle Verbrauchsinformation zu erzeugen, welche für die Nutzung der Kartuscheneinheit (107) durch die Druckeinrichtung (102.6) seit dem Einsetzen repräsentativ ist. Die Kartuscheneinheit (107) weist einen ersten Speicher (107.1) auf, in dem nichtflüchtig, insbesondere unveränderbar, eine eindeutige Kartuschenidentifikation der Kartuscheneinheit gespeichert ist. Die erste Datenverarbeitungseinheit (102.1) ist dazu konfiguriert, zumindest bei Eintreten wenigstens eines vorgebbaren nutzungsrelevanten Ereignisses ein Speichern einer mittels der aktuellen Verbrauchsinformation generierten aktuellen Nutzungsinformation logisch verknüpft mit der Kartuschenidentifikation in wenigstens einem zweiten Speicher (102.3, 106.6) zu veranlassen, wobei das nutzungsrelevante Ereignis für die Nutzung der Kartuscheneinheit (107) durch die Druckeinrichtung (102.6) relevant ist. Weiterhin ist die erste Datenverarbeitungseinheit (102.1) dazu konfiguriert, bei Eintreten des nutzungsrelevanten Ereignisses einen irreversibel beschreibbaren Speicherbereich (111.1, 111.2) des ersten Speichers (107.1) zu beschreiben. The present invention relates to a system for printing an impression on a flat good with a cartridge unit (107) containing a consumer good and a ...

Method and system for controlling the use of a cartridge unit

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein System zum Drucken eines Abdrucks auf ein flaches Gut mit einer ein Verbrauchsgut enthaltenden Kartuscheneinheit (107) und einem Gutverarbeitungsgerät (102, 103, 104), insbesondere einer Frankiermaschine, die eine zur Nutzung der Kartuscheneinheit (107) ausgebildete Druckeinrichtung (102.6) und eine mit der Druckeinrichtung (102.6) verbundene erste Datenverarbeitungseinheit (102.1) zur Steuerung der Nutzung der Kartuscheneinheit (107) zum Drucken des Abdrucks umfasst. Das Gutverarbeitungsgerät (102, 103, 104) ist dazu konfiguriert, ein Einsetzen der Kartuscheneinheit (107) in die Druckeinrichtung (102.6) zu erfassen. Weiterhin ist das Gutverarbeitungsgerät (102, 103, 104) dazu konfiguriert, eine aktuelle Verbrauchsinformation zu erzeugen, welche für die Nutzung der Kartuscheneinheit (107) durch die Druckeinrichtung (102.6) seit dem Einsetzen repräsentativ ist. Die Kartuscheneinheit (107) weist einen ersten Speicher (107.1) auf, in dem nichtflüchtig, insbesondere unveränderbar, eine eindeutige Kartuschenidentifikation der Kartuscheneinheit gespeichert ist. Die erste Datenverarbeitungseinheit (102.1) ist dazu konfiguriert, zumindest bei Eintreten wenigstens eines vorgebbaren nutzungsrelevanten Ereignisses ein Speichern einer mittels der aktuellen Verbrauchsinformation generierten aktuellen Nutzungsinformation logisch verknüpft mit der Kartuschenidentifikation in wenigstens einem zweiten Speicher (102.3, 106.6) zu veranlassen, wobei das nutzungsrelevante Ereignis für die Nutzung der Kartuscheneinheit (107) durch die Druckeinrichtung (102.6) relevant ist. Weiterhin ist die erste Datenverarbeitungseinheit (102.1) dazu konfiguriert, bei Eintreten des nutzungsrelevanten Ereignisses einen irreversibel beschreibbaren Speicherbereich (111.1, 111.2) des ersten Speichers (107.1) zu beschreiben. The present invention relates to a system for printing an impression on a flat good with a cartridge unit (107) containing a consumer good and a ...

Franking machine and method of identifying franking machine

Ensuring print quality for postage meter systems

Print quality is ensured in a postage meter system employing an ink system and having settable modes of printing operation by detecting the type of ink system employed in the postage meter system, setting a first mode of printing operation for the postage meter system when the detected ink system is of a first type and setting a second mode of printing operation for the postage meter system when the detected ink system is of a second type. The detected information may be communicated to a data center to obtain modes of operation for the postage meter system and other corrective actions may be implemented. The method and system are applicable to other consumable item systems employing various types of consumable items.

Franking system with functions for refund and reprint

Frankiersystem und Verfahren zum Frankieren einzelner Briefsendungen durch einen Versender, aufweisend – eine Wiegevorrichtung zur Bestimmung des Gewichtes einer Briefsendung und zur Ermittlung eines der Briefsendung zugeordneten Portobetrages, – eine Druckvorrichtung zum Aufdrucken eines dem Portobetrag entsprechenden Wertaufdruckes und eines der Briefsendung zugeordneten und eine eindeutige Identitätsnummer repräsentierenden Codes, insbesondere in Form eines ein- oder zweidimensionalen Barcodes, auf der Briefsendung, – eine Steuereinheit zur Erstellung eines der Briefsendung zugeordneten Datensatzes, – eine der Steuereinheit zugeordnete Speichereinheit zur Speicherung des Datensatzes in einer dem Versender zugeordneten Datei, wobei der Datensatz die Identitätsnummer der Briefsendung und den Portobetrag, der seitens des Zustelldienstes gegenüber dem Versender anhand des Datensatzes abzurechnen ist, enthält, – eine der Steuereinheit zugeordnete Registriereinheit, die Möglichkeit des Vorliegens eines Fehldruckes registriert und bei Vorliegen eines möglichen Fehldruckes ein erstes Datenfeld des Datensatzes mit einer Information über das Vorliegen des möglichen Fehldruckes beschreibt. A franking system and method for franking individual mailpieces by a sender, comprising - a weighing device for determining the weight of a mail piece and for determining a postage amount associated postage amount, - a printing device for printing a postage amount corresponding value imprint and one of the mailpiece assigned and representing a unique identity number Codes, in particular in the form of a one- or two-dimensional barcode, on the mail piece, - a control unit for creating a data set associated with the mailpiece, - a memory unit associated with the control unit for storing the record in a file associated with the mailer, the record containing the identity number of the Briefsendung and the postage amount, which is to be settled by the delivery service to the sender on the ...

Postage meter system

A system for processing documents with value markings thereon, having a reading element for reading the value markings, an accounting element for accounting for the value, and a marking element responsive to the accounting element for marking the document with information representing successful accounting of the value and uniquely identifying the accounting element. The marking element is positioned with respect to the document so as to cause the mark to be placed on the document. The value information, the reading element, the accounting element and the marking element are all positioned within a secure housing.

Franking device and a method for generating valid data for franking imprints

Eine Frankiereinrichtung (10) für ein kleines Postaufkommen besteht aus einem Computer (1) und mit einem angeschlossenen Drucker (17), wobei der Computer einen Speicher (13) mit einer lokalen Datenbank für Postempfängeradreßdateien über ein Kommunikationsmittel (15) mit einer Datenzentrale (20) verbunden ist, welche eine zentrale Datenbank (23) aufweist. Der Computer (11) ist entsprechend programmiert, daß Anforderungsdaten gebildet und zur Datenzentrale übermittelt und angeforderte zurückübermittelte Daten empfangen und gespeichert werden. Das Verfahren zur Erzeugung gültiger Daten für Frankierabdrücke umfaßt dabei folgende Schritte: DOLLAR A - Bildung und Übermittlung von Anforderungsdaten für eine Signatur, DOLLAR A - Verifikation von übermittelten Daten in einer Datenzentrale (20), DOLLAR A - Erzeugung einer Signatur auf der Basis verifizierter Daten unter Verwendung eines asymmetrischen Kryptoalgorithmus und geheimen privaten Schlüssels, sowie DOLLAR A - Rückübermittlung der verifizierten Daten und der Signatur zur Frankiereinrichtung (10), wobei die Authetizität der zurückübermittelten Daten anhand der Signatur unter Verwendung eines öffentlichen Schlüssels überprüfbar ist, sowie DOLLAR A - Speicherung authentischer empfangener Daten in der lokalen Datenbank (13). A franking device (10) for a small amount of mail consists of a computer (1) and a connected printer (17), the computer having a memory (13) with a local database for mail recipient address files via a communication means (15) with a data center (20 ) which has a central database (23). The computer (11) is programmed accordingly so that request data are formed and transmitted to the data center, and requested transmitted data are received and stored. The method for generating valid data for franking imprints comprises the following steps: DOLLAR A - formation and transmission of request data for a signature, DOLLAR A - verification of transmitted data in a data center (20), DOLLAR A - generation of a ...

Franking machine and a method for generating valid data for franking

Method for verifying the validity of digital indicia

Verfahren zur Überprüfung der Echtheit eines unter Einsatz eines Freimachungsschlüssels erzeugten und auf einer Postsendung aufgebrachten Freimachungsvermerks, wobei in dem Freimachungsvermerk enthaltene kryptographische Informationen entschlüsselt und zur Überprüfung der Echtheit des Freimachungsvermerkes eingesetzt werden, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein Datenschlüssel (KD) erzeugt, von einem zentralen Entgeltsicherungssystem (ZinS-zentral) an lokale Entgeltsicherungssysteme (ZinS-lokal) übertragen und von diesen importiert wird, dass ein Ergebnis des Imports an das zentrale Entgeltsicherungssystem (ZinS-zentral) übermittelt wird und dass bei erfolgreichem Import des Datenschlüssels (KD) auf im Wesentlichen allen lokalen Entgeltsicherungssystemen (ZinS-lokal) der Datenschlüssel (KD) zur Erzeugung von Freimachungsvermerken freigegeben wird. method to check the Authenticity of a generated using a franking key and on a mailing applied franking mark, wherein Cryptographic information contained in the franking mark decrypts and to review the Authenticity of the franking mark, characterized in that that a data key (KD) generated by a central payment assurance system (ZinS central) transferred to local payment assurance systems (ZinS-local) and imported by them that will be a result of the import to the central payment guarantee system (ZinS central) and that upon successful import of the data key (KD) on essentially all local payment assurance systems (ZinS local) the data key (KD) is released for the production of franking marks.

Improved encryption control system for a mail processing system with verification by the data center

Method for protecting an apparatus against piracy and arrangement for carrying out this method

Das Verfahren zum Schutz eines Gerätes vor einem Betreiben mit unzulässigem Verbrauchsmaterial, dessen Authentizität überprüft wird, umfaßt Schritte zum Zuordnen eines Codezahlenbereiches für ein Gerät zu einer Kundennummer im Speicher einer Datenbank entfernt vom Gerät, zur Aggregation des Verbrauchsmaterials mit einer generierten Codezahl, wobei die Codezahl in vorbestimmter Beziehung zu einer Referenzcodezahl aus einer Gruppe von Referenzcodezahlen steht, welche im Gerät gespeichert vorliegen und im Referenzcodezahlenbereich liegen, zur Speicherung der Zuordnung in der Datenbank als Datensatz mit Kundennummer, Codezahl und Identifikationsnummer des Verbrauchsmaterials. In einem vom Datenzentrum entfernten Gerät erfolgt ein Erkennen des Erfordernis des Wechselns des Verbrauchsmaterials, ein Generieren einer entsprechenden Anzeige zur Eingabe der Codezahl und Überprüfung der Gültigkeit und Authentizität des Verbrauchsmaterials im Gerät anhand der eingegebenen Codezahl und des Referenzcodezahlenbereiches sowie Konsumieren der gespeicherten Referenzcodezahl. Die Anordnung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens hat einen Mikroprozessor, der zum Generieren und Anzeigen einer Mitteilung nach dem Erkennen einer Notwendigkeit des Wechselns eines Verbrauchsmaterials, zur Überprüfung der Gültigkeit und Authentizität des letzteren und zur Speicherung von Daten, die mit dem Wechseln des Verbrauchsmaterial in Beziehung stehen programmiert ist. Die Eingabe einer Codezahl kann per Chipkarte erfolgen. The method for protecting a device against operation with impermissible consumables, the authenticity of which is checked, comprises steps for assigning a code number range for a device to a customer number in the memory of a database remote from the device, for aggregating the consumables with a generated code number, the code number is in a predetermined relationship to a reference code number from a group of reference code numbers, which are stored in the device and are in the reference ...

Method for protecting an apparatus against piracy and arrangement for carrying out this method

The pirate protection method has the authenticity of the material loaded in a franking machine (1) checked at a remote data centre (100), by comparison of a transmitted codeword identifying the material with a stored reference codeword stored in a databank (110) alongside the franking machine customer number, before transmission of an authorisation from the remote data centre to the franking machine. An Independent claim for a pirate protection device for a franking machine is also included.

Procedure for piracy protection of a device

Verfahren zum Schutz eines Gerätes vor einem Betreiben mit unzulässigem Verbrauchsmaterial, mit folgenden Schritten: – Generieren einer Geräte-ID-Nummer, – Generieren eines Codezahlenbereiches und mindestens einer Codezahl beim Hersteller des Gerätes und/oder Verbrauchsgutes bzw. bei einem Datenzentrum, um ein Verbrauchsmaterial zu identifizieren, wobei die Codezahl in dem vorgenannten Codezahlenbereich liegt, – Zuordnung des Codezahlenbereichs zu einer Geräte-ID-Nummer, – Generieren eines Referenzcodezahlenbereichs im Gerät, wobei die Codezahl in vorbestimmter Beziehung zu einer Referenzcodezahl aus einer Gruppe von Referenzcodezahlen steht, welche im Referenzcodezahlenbereich liegen, – Speicherung der Geräte-ID-Nummer und des generierten Referenzcodezahlenbereichs im Gerät, – Aggregation des Verbrauchsmaterials mit der generierten Codezahl bei einer Anforderung des Kunden zur Bestellung von Verbrauchsmaterial, – Erkennen einer Notwendigkeit des Wechselns eines Verbrauchsmaterials auf einem indirektem Wege in einem Gerät entfernt vom Datenzentrum, – Generieren einer entsprechenden Anzeige im Gerät zur Eingabe einer Codezahl, – Überprüfung der... A method for protecting a device from being operated with improper consumables, comprising the steps of: Generate a device ID number, Generating a code number range and at least one code number at the manufacturer of the device and / or consumable or at a data center to identify a consumable, the code number is in the aforementioned code number range, Assignment of the code number range to a device ID number, Generating a reference code number range in the device, wherein the code number is in predetermined relation to a reference code number from a group of reference code numbers which lie in the reference code number range, Storage of the device ID number and the generated reference code number range in the device, - Aggregation of the consumable with the generated code number when the customer requests to order ...

Method for piracy protection of an apparatus and arrangement for the implementation of the method

In a method and arrangement for protecting a device against operation with unauthorized consumables a code number range for a device is allocated to a customer number in the memory of a data bank remote from the device. The consumable is aggregated with a generated code number which has a predetermined relationship to a reference code number from a group of reference code numbers that are stored in the device and lie in the aforementioned reference code number range. The allocation is stored in the data bank as a dataset with a customer number, a code number and an identification number of the consumable. In a device remote from the data center, a recognition of the need to change the consumable is recognized, whereupon a message is displayed for entering the code number, the validity and authenticity of the consumable in the device is checked on the basis of the entered code number and the reference code number range. The currently stored reference code number is then made unavailable for further use. The input of the code number can ensue via a chip card.

Method for piracy protection of a device and arrangement for carrying out the method

Process for protecting a device against piracy and arrangement for carrying out the process

Das Verfahren zum Schutz eines Gerätes vor einem Betreiben mit unzulässigem Verbrauchsmaterial, dessen Authentizität überprüft wird, umfaßt Schritte zum Zuordnen eines Codezahlenbereiches für ein Gerät zu einer Kundennummer im Speicher einer Datenbank entfernt vom Gerät, zur Aggregation des Verbrauchsmaterials mit einer generierten Codezahl, wobei die Codezahl in vorbestimmter Beziehung zu einer Referenzcodezahl aus einer Gruppe von Referenzcodezahlen steht, welche im Gerät gespeichert vorliegen und im Referenzcodezahlenbereich liegen, zur Speicherung der Zuordnung in der Datenbank als Datensatz mit Kundennummer, Codezahl und Identifikationsnummer des Verbrauchsmaterials, zum Erkennen des Erfordernisses des Wechselns eines Verbrauchsmaterials in einem Gerät entfernt vom Datenzentrum und Generieren einer entsprechenden Anzeige zur Eingabe der Codezahl, zur Eingabe der Codezahl und Überprüfung der Gültigkeit und Authentizität des Verbrauchsmaterials im Gerät anhand des Referenzcodezahlenbereiches und Konsumieren der gespeicherten Referenzcodezahl und zur Speicherung von Daten, die mit dem Wechseln des Verbrauchsmaterials in Beziehung stehen. DOLLAR A Die Anordnung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens hat einen Mikroprozessor, der zum Generieren und Anzeigen einer Mitteilung nach dem Erkennen einer Notwendigkeit des Wechselns eines Verbrauchsmaterials und zur Überprüfung der Gültigkeit und Authentizität des letzteren programmiert ist. Die Eingabe einer Codezahl kann per Chipkarte ... The method for protecting a device against operation with impermissible consumables, the authenticity of which is checked, comprises steps for assigning a code number range for a device to a customer number in the memory of a database remote from the device, for aggregating the consumables with a generated code number, the code number is in a predetermined relationship to a reference code number from a group of reference code numbers which are stored in the device and are in the reference code ...

Method for the automatic installation of franking machines and apparatus for carrying out said method

Computer remotely-controlled postal-parcel posting and delivering method and system

本发明公开了一种由计算机远程控制的邮包寄递方法和系统，该方法用于建立一个全国、全球联网的邮包寄送、投递、接收的公共服务平台。该方法和系统的核心包括一套物邮地址命名方法、一种含有身份识别的邮包物邮标签、物邮邮箱和物邮服务器，实现了寄件人和收件人的个人隐私信息的屏蔽，避免了恶意邮包、垃圾邮包的产生。在邮包的寄送、投递、接收过程中，通过计算机远程控制系统对用户、邮包、邮箱进行身份验证，并监控寄送、投递、接收的全部过程，从而保证邮包准确、高效地投送到收件人。

Method for access control in a virtual postage metering system

A method of remotely accessing a postage security account at a data center from a remote user device begins with a remote user assigning a password to the user's postage security account at a data center. A cryptographic key corresponding to the user's postage security account is provided to the remote user device and is stored at the data center. The password and the cryptographic key are combined at the remote user device and the data center respectively to obtain a user authentication key. An authentication algorithm is performed using the user authentication key to obtain a remote access message. The remote access message is sent to the data center to initiate request for access to the postage security account by the remote user device. The remote user device is authenticated for accessing the postage security account when the data center verifies the remote access message.

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR VALIDATION AND VERIFICATION OF POSTAL MAIL

Procédé de validation d'articles de courrier par un expéditeur en vue de leur remise à un service de distribution de courrier dans lequel les articles de courrier sont remis par l'expéditeur au service de distribution de courrier sans apposition d'aucune marque postale, les articles de courrier comportant chacun lors de leur fabrication un numéro d'identification unique et ce numéro étant après capture par l'expéditeur transmis à un serveur avec un montant à payer déterminé par l'expéditeur, la confirmation du paiement par débit du compte de l'expéditeur dans le serveur valant affranchissement.L'invention concerne également un article de courrier et des terminaux de validation et de vérification de courrier. A method of validation of mail items by a sender for delivery to a mail delivery service in which the mail items are delivered by the sender to the mail delivery service without affixing any postal mark, the mail items each having a unique identification number at the time of their manufacture and this number being after capture by the sender transmitted to a server with an amount to be paid determined by the sender, confirmation of payment by debit of the account of the sender sender in the postage-paid server.The invention also relates to a mail item and validation and mail verification terminals.

METHOD FOR ELECTRONIC CONSOLIDATION OF MAIL ITEMS

Production mail system having subsidies for printing of third party messages on mailpieces

A production mail system for producing a mailpiece including an inserter system for feeding a document in a path of travel and into an envelope. The document includes a control code printed thereon. The inserter includes a scanner located adjacent the path of travel for reading the control code on the document and a printer for printing a selected message on the envelope corresponding to the control code.

MANUFACTURED SIGNATURE MAIL ARTICLE SENDING SYSTEM

Dans un système de traitement de courrier comportant un moyen de traitement informatique (12A, 14) associé à des moyens d'impression (16) pour apposer au moins un numéro unique d'envoi sur une enveloppe vide (22), il est prévu en outre un ensemble à signer (26 ; 26A, 26B) pour écrire, sur chacune des enveloppes portant ce numéro unique d'envoi (24) et délivrées à l'ensemble à signer, une adresse destinataire à l'aide d'un instrument d'écriture. Cette adresse destinataire est extraite d'une base de données (12B) reliée au moyen de traitement informatique et est indexée dans la base de données avec le numéro unique d'envoi porté par l'enveloppe.

Courier articles` e.g. postmarked object, electronic consolidation method for logistic system, involves sending file, consolidated with files for sending articles of senders, to postal administration server to remit articles at goods office

Procédé de consolidation électronique d'articles de courrier entre une pluralité d'expéditeurs et une administration postale chargée de délivrer ces articles de courrier à leurs destinataires dans lequel, au niveau de chacun des expéditeurs, il est apposé sur chacun des articles de courrier à expédier un code d'identification unique qui identifie à la fois l'expéditeur et l'article de courrier et créé un fichier d'expédition des articles de courrier contenant, pour chaque article de courrier, le code d'identification unique et l'adresse du destinataire de cet article de courrier, pour l'envoyer à un serveur central distant d'un organisme tiers, et, au niveau du serveur central de cet organisme tiers, les fichiers reçus de tous les expéditeurs sont consolidés en un fichier unique de consolidation, un ordre de ramassage est envoyé à un service de collecte des articles de courrier pour qu'un agent de collecte procède au ramassage des articles de courrier à expédier auprès des différents expéditeurs, les articles de courrier sont réceptionnés à l'issu du ramassage et il est imprimé sur chacun d'eux au moins un code à barres pour faciliter leur tri ultérieur par l'administration postale, et le fichier unique de consolidation est envoyé à un serveur de l'administration postale, les articles de courrier étant remis à un bureau de réception de l'administration postale.

Postage printing system having subsidized printing of third party messages

A postage printing system, comprising a computer (150), a data center (200) and a control system (152,202). The computer (150) is in operative communication with a printer (120,130) for printing a postal indicia (30) on an envelope (20). The data center (200) is in operative communication with the computer (150) which in turn is located remotely from the data center (200). The data center includes a plurality of user accounts (204) and a plurality of advertiser accounts (206) where each of the plurality of advertiser accounts includes respective ad data including message data and restriction data. The control system (152,202) is in operative communication with the data center (200) and the computer (150) and is for: (i) establishing a transaction session between a user of the computer corresponding to one of the plurality of user accounts and the data center; (ii) obtaining recipient address information from the user; and (iii) using the recipient address information and the restriction data from the plurality of advertiser accounts to identify message data available for printing on the envelope in conjunction with the postal indicia.

Postal rating system with verifiable integrity

In-line verification, reporting and tracking apparatus and method for mail pieces

An apparatus for automatically acquiring and verifying, relative to pre-established rules, address information and postage value indicia on a face of each of a plurality of mail pieces. The mail pieces can be subsequently placed in a tray and a label is applied to the tray, the label imprinted with information which relates to the mail piece content of the tray. The apparatus includes an inserter adapted to insert documents into an envelope and seal the envelope to produce a finished mail piece or a sorter which conveys finished mail pieces, with the address information and postage value indicia visible on a face of each mail piece. An in-line module is disposed adjacent the inserter, the module including a path along which each finished mail piece is transported. The module includes a scale and an image capture device, the scale adapted to measure and record the weight or mass of each finished mail piece, and the image capture device adapted to capture an image of the address information on the face of each finished mail piece. A scanning device can be provided to acquire a representation of the information on the tray label. The scale, image capture device and, optionally, scanning device are electronically linked to a control processor device for controlling acquisition, storage and verification of the address information and postage value indicia on the finished mail piece and the information on the label. An image processing device is provided in communication with the control processor device, and is adapted to synchronize acquisition, storage and verification of the address information, postage value indicia and label information.

Mail processing system with unique mailpiece authorization assigned in advance of mailpieces entering carrier service mail processing stream

A mailing list is created including destination addresses for mailpieces to be submitted to a carrier service for delivery. A unique mailpiece identifier associated with mailpieces on the mailing list is generated by the carrier or other trusted third party. The unique mailpiece identifier is printed on the mailpiece with which it is associated. The mailpieces with the printed unique identifier are submitted to the carrier service. The carrier service obtains the printed unique identifier from the mailpiece. The obtained unique identifier from each said mailpiece is utilized to verify that data associated with the mailpiece has been processed by the carrier or trusted third party. When the unique number has been obtained from the mailpieces, the carrier service, if desired, may note this fact in the carrier records to prevent reuse of the unique identifier. The carrier service as part of issuing the unique identification may: charge the mailer's account of other fund depository for the carrier service charges associated with the mailpiece; and/or, assign a destination delivery code; and/or, provide address hygiene for the mailpiece; and/or change of address processing. When the unique identifier is obtained from the mailpiece, a delivery point destination code may be printed on the mailpiece, based on the corrected address. As an alternative, the destination delivery code may be provided to the mailer with the unique mailpiece identifier to be printed on themailpiece by the mailer. Various cryptographic techniques may be employed to authenticate the mailer and the carrier service and to protect the transmitted information between the parties. The payment for the carrier services can be implemented prior in time to the entry of the mailpieces to the carrier service mailstream. Unauthorized mailpieces may be out sorted early in the carrier service processing procedure.

MAIL PROCESSING TERMINAL FOR MONITORING COURIER CONTENT

System and method for employing digital postage marks as part of value-added services in a mailing system

System and method for providing confirmation relating to the distribution of a mailpiece within a mailing system includes a determination of postal data required for postage evidencing of a mailpiece originated by a mailer. The postal data is combined with other data related to value-added services desired for the mailpiece. The value-added services data includes addressing information for a return receipt to the mailer. A digital postmark which includes the postal data and the value-added services data is created. At delivery of the mailpiece, the digital postmark is read and the value-added services data is captured from the read digital postmark. A confirmation message is sent to the mailer and/or other interested third parties, in accordance with information contained in the value-added services data.

Method for creating secure boxes in a key management system

Method of postage digital characters validation

FIELD: information systems. SUBSTANCE: invention refers to postage digital characters validation that are created using the franking key and applied on mailing units. Cryptographic data contained in the mentioned franking key, are decrypted and used for franking key verification. According the proposed method, the new data key is generated and sent from the main payment guarantee systems into the local ones. The local payment guarantee systems transfer the result of importing the data key into the main payment guarantee system. The key is activated after it is successfully imported by all local payment guarantee systems. EFFECT: allows prompt and reliable verification of postage characters. 18 cl, 9 dwg ÐÎÑÑÈÉÑÊÀß ÔÅÄÅÐÀÖÈß (19) RU (11) 2 333 534 (13) C2 (51) ÌÏÊ G07B 17/00 (2006.01) ÔÅÄÅÐÀËÜÍÀß ÑËÓÆÁÀ ÏÎ ÈÍÒÅËËÅÊÒÓÀËÜÍÎÉ ÑÎÁÑÒÂÅÍÍÎÑÒÈ, ÏÀÒÅÍÒÀÌ È ÒÎÂÀÐÍÛÌ ÇÍÀÊÀÌ (12) ÎÏÈÑÀÍÈÅ ÈÇÎÁÐÅÒÅÍÈß Ê ÏÀÒÅÍÒÓ (21), (22) Çà âêà: 2005123803/09, 21.01.2004 (24) Äàòà íà÷àëà îòñ÷åòà ñðîêà äåéñòâè ïàòåíòà: 21.01.2004 (30) Êîíâåíöèîííûé ïðèîðèòåò: 12.02.2003 DE 10305730.7 (73) Ïàòåíòîîáëàäàòåëü(è): Äîé÷å Ïîñò Àà (DE) (43) Äàòà ïóáëèêàöèè çà âêè: 27.03.2006 R U (72) Àâòîð(û): ÔÅÐÈ Ïåòåð (DE), ÕÅËÜÌÓÑ Þðãåí (DE), ÌÀÉÅÐ Ãþíòåð (DE), ØÒÓÌÌ Äèòåð (DE), ÔÓËÜÐÈÄÅ Êàðñòåí (DE) (45) Îïóáëèêîâàíî: 10.09.2008 Áþë. ¹ 25 2 3 3 3 5 3 4 (56) Ñïèñîê äîêóìåíòîâ, öèòèðîâàííûõ â îò÷åòå î ïîèñêå: WO 01/17160 A1, 08.03.2001. RU 2146390 C1, 10.03.2000. ÅÐ 0854444 À2, 22.07.1998. US 5150408 A, 22.09.1992. ÅÐ 0735722 À2, 20.10.1996. (85) Äàòà ïåðåâîäà çà âêè PCT íà íàöèîíàëüíóþ ôàçó: 12.09.2005 2 3 3 3 5 3 4 R U (87) Ïóáëèêàöè PCT: WO 2004/072911 (26.08.2004) C 2 C 2 (86) Çà âêà PCT: DE 2004/000083 (21.01.2004) Àäðåñ äë ïåðåïèñêè: 191036, Ñàíêò-Ïåòåðáóðã, à/ 24, "ÍÅÂÈÍÏÀÒ", ïàò.ïîâ. À.Â.Ïîëèêàðïîâó (54) ÑÏÎÑÎÁ ÏÐÎÂÅÐÊÈ ÄÅÉÑÒÂÈÒÅËÜÍÎÑÒÈ ÖÈÔÐÎÂÛÕ ÇÍÀÊΠÏÎ×ÒÎÂÎÉ ÎÏËÀÒÛ (57) Ðåôåðàò: Èçîáðåòåíèå îòíîñèòñ ê ñïîñîáó ïðîâåðêè äåéñòâèòåëüíîñòè çíàêîâ ïî÷òîâîé îïëàòû, êîòîðûå ñîçäàþò ñ èñïîëüçîâàíèåì êëþ÷à ...

Encrypted mail monitoring and data retrieval system

An encrypted mail monitoring and data retrieval system employing POSTNET (Postal Numeric Encoding Technique) PLANET (Postal Alpha-Numeric Encoding Technique) and CONFIRM (Computerized On-Line Notification For Inbound Reply Mail) techniques to allow the U.S.P.S. to read, record, collect, transmit and retrieve encrypted data on articles of mail (1); wherein the data is indicative of the origin, content, location, destination, etc. pertaining to the individual articles of mail; and, wherein the USPS will then selectively transmit portions of the collected data to subscribers of the new system.

System and method for employing digital postage marks as part of value-added services in a mailing system

System and method for providing confirmation relating to the distribution of a mailpiece within a mailing system includes a determination of postal data required for postage evidencing of a mailpiece originated by a mailer. The postal data is combined with other data related to value-added services desired for the mailpiece. The value-added services data includes addressing information for a return receipt to the mailer. A digital postmark which includes the postal data and the value-added services data is created. At delivery of the mailpiece, the digital postmark is read and the value-added services data is captured from the read digital postmark. A confirmation message is sent to the mailer and/or other interested third parties, in accordance with information contained in the value-added services data.

Removal of defective documents in a mail processing system

The present application relates to techniques and equipment for printing documents, inspecting the quality of the documents and correcting for defective printed material in a document processing environment. The present techniques and equipment detect one or more defective pages in a document and uniquely identify the defective document. Once the defective document is identified, it can be removed from a document processing system while continuing the document processing run for subsequent documents in a mailing.

System and method for controlling a postage metering system using data required for printing

A method for controlling a postage metering system (1) defines a first set of postage parameters P1, P2, P3 to Pn associated with the generation of postage evidence in a postage metering system (10) and then initializes the postage metering system (10) with a subset of the first set of postage parameters F1, F2, F3 to Fn. The subset F1, F2, F3 to Fn defines a combination of the postage parameters for which the generation of postage evidence is not authorized. When a request for postage evidence is received, the request includes a second set of postage parameters P1, P2, P3 to Pn that are combined to form a postage parameter vector (PPV). The generation of postage evidence is inhibited when at least one of the postage parameters P1, P2, P3 to Pn in the second set matches one of the postage parameters in the first set F1, F2, F3 to Fn. When none of the postage parameters P1, P2, P3 to Pn in the second set matches one of the postage parameters in the first set F1, F2, F3 to Fn the requested postage evidence is generated. In an alternative method the subset defines a combination of the postage parameters for which the generation of postage evidence is authorized, and the requested postage evidence is generated when each of the postage parameters in the first set matches one of the postage parameters in the second set.

Postage printing system having variable subsidies for printing of third party messages

A postage printing system, comprising a computer, a data center and a control system. The computer is in operative communication with a printer for printing a postal indicia on an envelope. The data center is in operative communication with the computer which in turn is located remotely from the data center. The data center includes a plurality of user accounts and a plurality of advertiser accounts where each of the plurality of advertiser accounts includes respective ad data including message data and restriction data. The control system is in operative communication with the data center and the computer and is for: (i) establishing a transaction session between a user of the computer corresponding to one of the plurality of user accounts and the data center; (ii) obtaining the user profile data from the user; and (iii) using the recipient user profile data to identify message data available for printing on the envelope in conjunction with the postal indicia.

Address recognizing method and mail processing apparatus

A method recognizes an address of a letter. The method including registering data including a whole image and coordinate data of an address information mentioning position corresponding to the whole image of a referring letter, obtaining a whole image of a letter, correlating the whole image with the registered whole image, and detecting an address information mentioning position from the obtained whole image based on the coordinate data when the correlating result indicates conformity. Using data from previous read, the address may be recognized more quickly by assuming that the letter currently being read is similar to the previously read letter or letters, such as in bulk processing.

Mail Stamping Apparatus and Method

Method and apparatus for the cancellation of stamps and printing of pre-programmable messages on envelopes. The apparatus comprises means for feeding a plurality of envelopes in singulated manner to a sensing means, which detect the leading and top edges of the envelope and trigger printing means which cancel the stamp and/or print on a pre-programmable message. The apparatus and method is of value when envelopes of different sizes, generally having the stamp in a common region, i.e. upper right-hand corner, as part of the plurality of envelopes are present.

Mail processing system with unique mailpiece authorization assigned in advance of mailpieces entering carrier service mail processing stream

A mailing list is created including destination addresses for mailpieces to be submitted to a carrier service for delivery. A unique mailpiece identifier associated with mailpieces on the mailing list is generated by the carrier or other trusted third party. The unique mailpiece identifier is printed on the mailpiece with which it is associated. The mailpieces with the printed unique identifier are submitted to the carrier service. The carrier service obtains the printed unique identifier from the mailpiece. The obtained unique identifier from each said mailpiece is utilized to verify that data associated with the mailpiece has been processed by the carrier or trusted third party. When the unique number has been obtained from the mailpieces, the carrier service, if desired, may note this fact in the carrier records to prevent reuse of the unique identifier. The carrier service as part of issuing the unique identification may: charge the mailer's account of other fund depository for the carrier service charges associated with the mailpiece; and/or, assign a destination delivery code; and/or, provide address hygiene for the mailpiece; and/or change of address processing. When the unique identifier is obtained from the mailpiece, a delivery point destination code may be printed on the mailpiece, based on the corrected address. As an alternative, the destination delivery code may be provided to the mailer with the unique mailpiece identifier to be printed on the mailpiece by the mailer. Various cryptographic techniques may be employed to authenticate the mailer and the carrier service and to protect the transmitted information between the parties. The payment for the carrier services can be implemented prior in time to the entry of the mailpieces to the carrier service mailstream. Unauthorized mailpieces may be out sorted early in the carrier service processing procedure.

Permit creation and tracking in a mailing machine

The present invention includes methods for operating a mailing machine. A permit mail imprint is generated in the mailing machine on the basis of input signals entered into the mailing machine via a user interface of the mailing machine. At least some of the input signals may represent alphanumeric characters. For example, the permit number may be entered via a keypad or keyboard in the form of numeric characters.

Distributed system for issuing official stamps and/or titles comprising a plurality of smart cards

A distributed system (10) for issuing official stamps and/or titles (25), particularly stamps, comprising a central control unit or Service Centre (12), a plurality of local terminals (11) distributed throughout the land for materially issuing the official stamps and/or titles (25), and a plurality of smart cards (21) assigned to the operators of the local terminals (11), in which an initialisation programme (40) is provided for initialising, in combination, a given local terminal (11) and a given smart card (21) of the system (10), in order to establish between that given terminal (11) and that given smart card (21) a bi-unequivocal type relationship of correspondence and cooperation, so that the given local terminal (11) and the given smart card (21), once initialised, are enabled within the system (10) to cooperate uniquely between one another to the exclusion of all other terminals and all other smart cards. In particular, this bi-unequivocal correspondence is set up by the initialisation programme (40) by "signing" or encrypting, through a secret key (35a) of the smart card (21), a data string (24a, 24b) defined by the target terminal (11) with which the smart card (21) is intended to exclusively cooperate.

Fund transfers using postage indicia

A method (200) of operating a delivery service (100) is disclosed. In accord with the method, the delivery service receives a mail piece (110) addressed to an entity (120). The mail piece includes postage indicia (111) indicating an initial value. The delivery service determines a cost for delivering the mail piece to the entity. The delivery service modifies the postage indicia to indicate a remaining value wherein the remaining value indicates the initial value reduced by the cost for delivering the mail piece. The delivery service delivers the mail piece to the entity. The entity presents the postage indicia to the delivery service and the delivery service compensates the entity for the remaining value of the postage indicia.

System for accepting non life harming mail from people who are authorized to deposit mail in a receptacle

A system that determines if mail contains life-harming materials before the mail enters the interior of a receptacle, i.e., mail box. This invention accomplishes the foregoing by issuing identification cards that uniquely identify mailers; having a scanner at a receptacle read the identification card and send the unique identifying code contained in the card to a data center that checks if the card is genuine; and stores the card's unique code before mail is permitted to enter the interior of the receptacle.

Systems and methods for re-estimating the postage fee of a mailpiece during processing

A method and system for receiving payment for postage by a delivery system operator from a customer is provided. The method includes receiving payment from the customer for a first postage value; receiving the parcel for delivery, the parcel including a machine-readable postage indicia indicating the amount of the received payment; determining parcel attributes; calculating a determined postage value for the parcel based on the determined parcel attributes; determining the first postage value from the indicia; and transmitting a postage payment adjustment amount based on a comparison between the first postage value and the determined postage value.

Failure recovery mechanism for errors detected in a mail processing facility

The present application relates to techniques and equipment for printing documents, inspecting the quality of the documents and correcting for defective printed material in a document processing environment. The present techniques and equipment detect one or more defective pages in a document and uniquely identify the defective document. Once the defective document is identified, it can be removed from a document processing system while continuing the document processing run for subsequent documents in a mailing.

Method and device for creation of mailing piece

FIELD: physics; control. SUBSTANCE: invention is related to method and device for creation of mailing piece. Order data for mailing piece, which should be printed and/or mailed, is formed in component of order generation. Order electronic data are received, data on recipient address as well as product identification code that identifies the product are extracted from order data, and then product identification code is sent to unit of warehouse control. Invention also includes presentation of address in such a form that may be related to products. Device realises the method. EFFECT: higher reliability of mailing piece creation and product delivery on auction completion. 13 cl, 4 dwg ÐÎÑÑÈÉÑÊÀß ÔÅÄÅÐÀÖÈß RU (19) 2 343 541 (11) (13) C2 (51) ÌÏÊ G06Q 10/00 (2006.01) ÔÅÄÅÐÀËÜÍÀß ÑËÓÆÁÀ ÏÎ ÈÍÒÅËËÅÊÒÓÀËÜÍÎÉ ÑÎÁÑÒÂÅÍÍÎÑÒÈ, ÏÀÒÅÍÒÀÌ È ÒÎÂÀÐÍÛÌ ÇÍÀÊÀÌ (12) ÎÏÈÑÀÍÈÅ ÈÇÎÁÐÅÒÅÍÈß Ê ÏÀÒÅÍÒÓ (21), (22) Çà âêà: 2006108883/09, 16.09.2004 (72) Àâòîð(û): ÌÅÉÅÐ Áåðíä (DE), ËÀÍà Éþðãåí (DE) (24) Äàòà íà÷àëà îòñ÷åòà ñðîêà äåéñòâè ïàòåíòà: 16.09.2004 (73) Ïàòåíòîîáëàäàòåëü(è): Äîé÷å Ïîñò Àà (DE) R U (30) Êîíâåíöèîííûé ïðèîðèòåò: 26.09.2003 DE 10345056.4 (43) Äàòà ïóáëèêàöèè çà âêè: 10.11.2007 (45) Îïóáëèêîâàíî: 10.01.2009 Áþë. ¹ 1 2 3 4 3 5 4 1 (56) Ñïèñîê äîêóìåíòîâ, öèòèðîâàííûõ â îò÷åòå î ïîèñêå: RU 2156038 Ñ2, 10.09.2000. RU 2177638 Ñ2, 27.12.2001. WO 99/21330 A1, 29.04.1999. WO 02/37425 A1, 10.05.2002. (85) Äàòà ïåðåâîäà çà âêè PCT íà íàöèîíàëüíóþ ôàçó: 26.04.2006 2 3 4 3 5 4 1 R U (87) Ïóáëèêàöè PCT: WO 2005/034043 (14.04.2005) C 2 C 2 (86) Çà âêà PCT: EP 2004/010400 (16.09.2004) Àäðåñ äë ïåðåïèñêè: 191036, Ñàíêò-Ïåòåðáóðã, à/ 24, "ÍÅÂÈÍÏÀÒ", ïàò.ïîâ. À.Â.Ïîëèêàðïîâó (54) ÑÏÎÑÎÁ È ÓÑÒÐÎÉÑÒÂÎ ÄËß ÑÎÇÄÀÍÈß ÏÎ×ÒÎÂÎÃÎ ÎÒÏÐÀÂËÅÍÈß (57) Ðåôåðàò: Èçîáðåòåíèå îòíîñèòñ ê ñïîñîáó è óñòðîéñòâó ñîçäàíè ïî÷òîâîãî îòïðàâëåíè . Òåõíè÷åñêèì ðåçóëüòàòîì âë åòñ ïîâûøåíèå íàäåæíîñòè ñîçäàíè ïî÷òîâîãî îòïðàâëåíè è äîñòàâêè òîâàðà ïîñëå çàâåðøåíè àóêöèîíà. Äàííûå çàêàçà íà ïî÷òîâîå îòïðàâëåíèå, êîòîðîå ...

Method of providing mail piece franking

The present invention relates to a method for electronic franking wherein the customer is provided with an authenticable code (18, 30) which may be written or otherwise printed on a parcel. Given the authentic nature of the code, the code may be provided remotely (14). The code may be linked to a delivery address, the relationship later verified (106). Alternatively, the code may be the result of applying a precode and date of purchase to an algorithm thereby producing a resulting code (178, 179). The resulting code can be easily verified (134). The algorithm is complex and difficult to reverse engineer, including an encryption algorithm.

Enhanced encryption control system for a mail processing system having data center verification

A key control system comprises the generation of a first set of predetermined keys K pred which are then used as master keys for a plurality of respective postage meters. The keys are then related to a respective meter in accordance with a map or algorithm. The predetermined master key K pred is encrypted with the date to yield a date dependent key K dd related to the respective meter. The date dependent key is encrypted with a unique identifier or the respective meter to yield a unique key K final that is by the respective meter to generate digital tokens. The Data Center encrypts the date with each predetermined key K pred to yield a table of dependent keys K dd's. The table of K dd's are distributed to verification sites. The verification site reads a meter's identification from a mailpiece being verified to obtain the dependent key K dd of the meter. The verification site encrypts the dependent key K dd with the unique identifier to obtain the unique meter key which is used to verify tokens generated by the meter. In the preferred embodiment, the master key K pred, the date dependent key K dd, and the unique key K final, in the meter are stored in the meter. In an alternate embodiment, the master key K pred is encrypted with a unique meter identifier to obtain the unique key K final which is stored in the meter. The meter then generates its date dependent key K dd, which is used to generate digital tokens.

Delivery point validation system

Systems and methods consistent with the present invention encode a list so users of the list may make inquiries to the coded list without the entire content of the list being revealed to the users. Once each item in the list has been encoded by an encoder, a bit array with high and low values may be used to represent the items in the list. The bit array may be embodied in a validation system for allowing users to query the list to determine whether an inquiry item is on the list. The validation system determines which bits to check by executing the same coding process executed by the encoder. If all the bits are high, then the inquiry item is determined to be part of the list, if at least one of the bits is low, then the inquiry item is determined not to be part of the original list.

System and method for authenticating a mailpiece sender

A method and system for authenticating the sender of a mailpiece is described for identifying certain mailpieces as originating from known trusted senders. In one configuration, biometric information and/or biometric metadata is captured when a user writes on a mailpiece with a digital pen. That data is then compared to reference data in a database. Registrant data is then loaded into storage device on the mailpiece and may be digitally signed and/or encrypted by the trusted third party. In another configuration, a mailpiece includes the signature of a sender and the biometric data includes authentication data obtained from the signature that is compared to the biometric data related to the signature obtained during a sender registration process.

System and method for employing digital postage marks as part of value-added services in a mailing system

System and method for providing confirmation relating to the distribution of a mailpiece within a mailing system includes a determination of postal data required for postage evidencing of a mailpiece originated by a mailer. The postal data is combined with other data related to value-added services desired for the mailpiece. The value-added services data includes addressing information for a return receipt to the mailer. A digital postmark which includes the postal data and the value-added services data is created. At delivery of the mailpiece, the digital postmark is read and the value-added services data is captured from the read digital postmark. A confirmation message is sent to the mailer and/or other interested third parties, in accordance with information contained in the value-added services data.

Method and arrangement for enabling the use of a consumable unit

In a method for enabling the use of a consumable unit in a consumption device of a consumption arrangement, a first item of authorization information assigned to the consumable unit is transmitted from the consumption arrangement to a remote data center. The data center implements a first verification of the first item of authorization information and, as a function of this verification, a second item of authorization information assigned to the consumable unit is generated. The second item of authorization information is transmitted to the consumption arrangement, which implements a second verification of the second item of authorization information, dependent on which use of the consumable unit in the consumption device is enabled. The outcome of either the first or second verification is also used for an accounting for use of the consumable unit when, the first verification indicates that the consumable unit was previously unused.

Postal Processing System with Unique Mailing Authorization Granted Before Mailing is Included in the Mailing Service Processing Flow

Postage printing system having a digital coupon distribution system

A postage printing system, comprising a computer, a data center, a control system and a redemption center. The computer is in operative communication with a printer for printing a postal indicium on an envelope. The data center is in operative communication with the computer, which in turn is located remotely from the data center. The data center includes a plurality of user accounts and a plurality of advertiser accounts where each of the plurality of advertiser accounts includes respective ad data including coupon data and restriction data. The control system is in operative communication with the data center and the computer and is for: (i) establishing a transaction session between a user of the computer corresponding to one of the plurality of user accounts and the data center; (ii) obtaining recipient address information from the user; and (iii) using the recipient address information and the restriction data from the plurality of advertiser accounts to identify coupon data available for printing on the envelope in conjunction with the postal indicium. The redemption center is in operative communication with the data center and coupon redeemers for reconciling payments corresponding to redeemed coupons.

Method and device for the creation and distribution of flat mailings for circular posting

Method and device for processing mail items

The invention relates to a method and device for processing postal articles. According to the invention, the method is characterized in that an automated verification of whether the postal article has an expected prepayment is executed, and in that the execution of the verification of the postal article is indicated by placing a code on the postal article.

Postal rating system with verifiable integrity

A data center provides a rate table to a user. The rate table is communicated to the mailer along with a hash code. The hash code is based on information from the rating table. The hash code provides a unique number based on the rating table provided. The algorithm within a secure device and to which the rate table is loaded regenerates the hash code based on the information received from the rate table and compares the transmitted hash code with the generated hash code. A comparison is made of the received hash code and the generated hash code to verify that the rate table data has not been intentionally or unintentionally corrupted. The transmitted hash code may be encrypted by the data center and when received decrypted by the mailer. The encryption decryption process establishes authenticity of the data center if desired. The generation of a hash code based on the stored rate table and a comparison with a stored hash code previously transmitted can be initiated prior to postage printing and used to insure proper rating. Printing is enabled only after the rating process has been properly implemented. The hash code and rating information may be printed on the mail piece such that a verifying party can reconstruct the rating process and determine if rating inaccuracy occurred. Various rating inaccuracy for a particular user can be stored by the verifying party to detect a recurrence of rating errors. Rating profiles for particular users or group of users may be stored to enable generation of user profiles.

Providing a verifiable delivery payment coding

Providing a verifiable delivery payment coding comprises providing verification data (430) configured to be included in a delivery payment coding. Next, providing the verifiable delivery payment (420) coding compris es receiving an item in an item delivery system (440), the item comprising the delivery payment coding including the verification data. In addition, providing the verifiable delivery payment coding comprises verifying the authenticity of the delivery payment coding (450) using the verification (43 0) data included in the delivery payment coding.

Systems and methods for dispensing postage stamps

Postage stamps are dispensed by receiving payment from a customer for a postage value (530) at a point of sale terminal. The point of sale terminal requests and receives an authorization key (560) from an authorization system. The authorization key is provided to the customer (570). Thereafter, the customer provides the authorization key to a postage dispensing machine, which provides postage stamps equivalent to the postage value (580).

Mail stamping apparatus and method

Process and system for validating and verificating mailpieces

Procédé de validation d'articles de courrier par un expéditeur en vue de leur remise à un service de distribution de courrier dans lequel les articles de courrier sont remis par l'expéditeur au service de distribution de courrier sans apposition d'aucune marque postale, les articles de courrier comportant chacun lors de leur fabrication un numéro d'identification unique et ce numéro étant après capture par l'expéditeur transmis à un serveur avec un montant à payer déterminé par l'expéditeur, la confirmation du paiement par débit du compte de l'expéditeur dans le serveur valant affranchissement. L'invention concerne également un article de courrier et des terminaux de validation et de vérification de courrier. A method of validation of mail items by a sender for delivery to a mail delivery service in which the mail items are delivered by the sender to the mail delivery service without affixing any postal mark, the mail items each having a unique identification number at the time of their manufacture and this number being after capture by the sender transmitted to a server with an amount to be paid determined by the sender, confirmation of payment by debit of the account of the sender sender in the server worth postage. The invention also relates to a mail item and validation and mail verification terminals.

Dynamic allocation of postal security devices

A system for dynamically allocating one or more postal security devices (PSDs), includes an indicia pool utilizing PSDs for generating indicia, a download pool for refreshing PSD funds, and a means for allocating the one or more PSDs among the indicia pool and download pool according to indicia generating requirements and funding amounts within the one or more PSDs.

Method for retrieving mailpiece tracking details using mailpiece images

A method for retrieving mail tracking details of a mailpiece sent to a recipient using a stored image of the mailpiece. A mailpiece is provided with a unique mailpiece tracking identifier and the identifier is stored in a database. An image of the mailpiece is then acquired and also stored in the database in association with the unique mailpiece tracking identifier. Mailpiece tracking details for the mailpiece are then acquired as the mailpiece is delivered to a recipient, which tracking details are stored in the database in association with the mailpiece tracking identifier and stored image. A user seeking the particular tracking details is then presented with at least one stored image of a mailpiece, and when an image is selected by a user, the user is presented with the mail tracking details that were stored in association with the selected mailpiece image.

Mechanism for obtaining and paying for postage

A method (200) for obtaining a postage verification code includes the steps of transmitting a request (210) for a postage verification code from a communication device (120) to, and receiving the request (220) at, a Postal server (110). The Postal server (110) generates (230) and sends (240) a postage verification code to the communication device (120), in response to the request, such that a charge associated with said postage verification code is attributed to said communication device. The communication device (120) receives the postage verification code for subsequent applying to an item to be posted. In this manner, a user of say, a wireless communication device is provided with the ability to wirelessly request and receive postage verification codes at anytime, and from anywhere, so long as the user is able to connect to a wireless communication network, such as a GSM network, using a mobile phone, or similar wireless communication device. In particular, the user can be billed for the postage verification code via the user's wireless communication device account.

Postal or electronic mail addressing and processing method

The invention concerns a mail addressing and processing method which consists in using an identification number in Arab numerals, borne by the mail, to subject it to a database which identifies the addressee and his address. The identification number is the addressee's telephone number; the database is a database operating according to the principle of reverse directory; when the mail is being processed, it is superimposed with one or several value-added services are.

Mail processing system with unique mailpiece authorization assigned in advance of mailpieces entering carrier service mail processing stream

生成的邮件清单包括将提交给邮政部门投递的邮件的目的地地址。印有独特标识的邮件交到邮政部门。邮政部门用从各邮件获得的独特标识符核实已由邮局或受托第三方处理的该邮件的相关数据。按需要邮政部门可在邮局记下该事实以防独特标识的再用。发出独特标识的邮政部门可给寄件人记帐或收取给邮政部门的有关邮件的其它资金抵押；和/或分配一个目的地递送编码，和/或邮件提供更新地址，和/或作改变地址处理。

Method and apparatus for printing a postage mark on a document

Mail delivery verification

For mail delivery verification address information 18 and a corresponding image 15 uniquely identifying an intended recipient are affixed to a mailing item. The identifying image 15 is compared with a person presenting to receive the item to determine whether the person presenting is the intended recipient.

Method for controlling the column-by-column printing of a postal stamp image in a franking machine.