摘要:
An encrypted mail monitoring and data retrieval system (10) 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). The data is indicative of the origin, content, location, destination, etc. pertaining to the individual articles of mail; and, the USPS will then selectively transmit portions of the collected data to subscribers of the new system.
摘要:
A database system for maintaining accounting records in relation to usage of postage meters (10 1 ......10 n ) is disclosed. The database system is provided with two computers (13, 14), both of which provide access to the system from remote postage meters via a telephone network (11,12), and each computer maintains a separate database (15, 16). One computer (13) acts as primary and handles all transactions, received either direct or via the other secondary computer (14), and maintains a primary database (15). For each transaction, the primary computer creates an archived record in a buffer and periodically when the buffer is full sends an archive record to the secondary computer (14) for use by the secondary computer to update the secondary database (16). In addition for critical transactions such as a postage meter recredit transaction, the primary computer also creates a transaction log and sends it to the secondary computer for storing in a FILO buffer. The primary computer lastly authorises credit to the postage meter. In the event the archived record is not sent to the secondary computer due to a fault in the primary computer, the secondary computer utilises the transaction log to update the secondary database with critical accounting data.
摘要:
Apparatus (10) is disclosed for obtaining recharge codes for one or more postage meters. The apparatus includes a conventional microcomputer (12), including a keyboard (14), display (16) and disk drive (20), which is connected through a modem (22) to a remote data processing center (30). The center (30) provides codes which may be used to recharge postage meters (40a,40b), i.e., to reset the meters so that they may continue printing postage. The apparatus includes a data bank of information relating to each of the postage meters, including identification codes for each of the meters. A user enters information, including a control sum, for each meter and the apparatus combines it with other information stored in the data bank to form messages. The apparatus then enters into transactions with the remote data processing center (30) to obtain recharge codes for each of the meters, which codes are then displayed for entry into the meters. In another embodiment the apparatus may operate via a local communications network.
摘要:
A separator apparatus for separating and moving sheets from a stack of sheets is described. The separator includes an input area, a first and second series of rollers (R2, R3) for feeding a sheet on the bottom of the stack, a third and fourth series of rollers and a first series of belts. A pre-separation brake is provided to act on the first series of belts to cause a first stage separation of the bottom sheet. A separation brake is provided to act on the fourth series of rollers to cause a second stage separation of the bottom sheet. The pre-separation and separation brakes permit the bottom sheets to be separated from the stack. A fifth series of rollers and a second series of belts are provided to feed the bottom sheets away.
摘要:
A method of remotely accessing a postage security account at a daa center (30) from a remote user device begins with a remote user assigning a password to the user's postage security account at a data center (30). 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 (30). The password and the cryptographic key are combined at the remote user device and the data center (30) 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 (30) 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 (30) verifies the remote access message.
摘要:
A modular franking system (10) for processing envelopes into mailpieces having a path through the modules (11, 12A/12B, 13, 14, 15, 16) for performing steps on the envelopes such a weighing (12A/12B) each envelope and calculating a franking charge (14)for each envelope. The franking system (1) includes a network protocol stack and a network controller or node (N1, N2) that connects the system (10) to a gateway such as a LAN (21). The LAN (21) can allow access to the Internet (22). Via the LAN (21), the franking system (10) can be remotely configured.
摘要:
A customized modular mailing system (10) including a module capable of metering value (14) and having a plurality of disabled operating features that are not available for use is described. The system (10) includes the ability for generating an authorization code for disabling certain designed operating features; and for entering the authorization code into the value metering module (14) whereby the desired combination of operating modules (11, 12, 13, 15) having the desired operating features could be placed in communication with the metering value module (14) to create a desired modular mailing system.(10).
摘要:
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.
摘要:
A method and System for using a postal meter to pay for services other than postage. This can include funding the postal meter from a postal data center, establishing a communication channel between the postal meter and a host server, accessing a services/products purchase menu through the post server, selecting one or more services/products for purchase, debiting funds from the postal meter for the services/product purchased, adjusting a postal account associated with the postal meter with the funds debited from the postal meter for the services/product purchase, and reallocating the recredited funds to an account associated with the services/products purchased.