摘要:
A method and system for notifying users of a mail system that a mail piece has been quarantined is provided. A plurality of incoming mail mailboxes each include a sampler (300) to sample air from a letter (100) that is tested using a first sensor (232). Source information corresponding to hazard flagging mail pieces and other quarantined mail is utilized to notify the affected users of the mail system.
摘要:
The number of dots per inch or resolution may be specified within an image on a document or within a postal indicia and later checked to determine if the image or document or the postal indicia has the correct resolution. The foregoing is accomplished by specifying that the image on the substrate (14) will be printed with n plus m dots per inch; rotating an ink jet head (11) having n nozzles per inch about an axis (13) parallel to a substrate by an angle theta so that the ink jet head will produce an image on the substrate having (n/cos theta) dots per inch; storing in a data center that the specified image will be printed with (n/cos theta) dots per inch; analyzing the image to determine if the image has (n/cos theta) dots per inch; and comparing the number of dots per inch in the analyzed image with the number of dots per inch stored for the specified image to determine if they have the same number of dots per inch.
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 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 system and corresponding method for detecting duplicate indicia on mailpieces. The system includes: a plurality of postal machines, each operated by a particular branch postal facility among a plurality of branch postal facilities, each postal machine having a scanning system for scanning indicia, each responsive to selection criteria, and each for providing data from sampled indicia based on the selection criteria and also for providing results of local verification of indicia; the plurality of branch postal facilities, each operating at least one of the postal machines, each responsive to selection criteria received from a central postal site, and in turn for providing the selection criteria to at least one of the postal machines it operates, each further responsive to the sampled indicia and to the local verification results provided by the postal machines it operates, and each for further providing to the central postal site data from the sampled indicia as well as a summary of all of the local verification results received from the postal machines it operates; and the central postal site, responsive to the sampled indicia and to the summary of the local verification results provided by each branch postal facility, for determining a duplicate detection list based on the sampled indicia, and for generating selection criteria to replace existing selection criteria and providing the selection criteria to the branch postal facilities so as to control sampling by the branch postal facilities by restricting the sampling to a subset that is a fraction of all indicia.
摘要:
A system (10) and method of evidencing postage payment includes a data center (3) with a database (36) having a plurality of meter records (64) stored therein. Each meter record (64) includes meter information corresponding to a metering account assigned to each of a plurality of remote user devices (20, 22) that are authorized to request evidence of postage payment. When a request for postage (100) is received at the data center (30), a secure co-processor device (44) in the data center (3) obtains the appropriate meter record (64) and verifies the authenticity of the meter record (64) by verifying a signature (205, 210) in the meter record (64) and comparing freshness data (220, 225) in the meter record (64) to freshness data in the secure device (44). If verified, the secure device (44) then accounts for an amount of postage to be evidenced (130), generates evidence of postage payment (130) and updates the meter information, including the freshness data (130), in the meter record (64). The secure device (44) then signs the updated meter information and stores the signature in the meter record (64, 135, 140). The secure device (44) then returns the updated meter record (64) to the database (36, 135, 140).
摘要:
A method and system for validating the creation and submission of absentee ballots is provided. An authentication/validation mark is generated and printed on an absentee ballot and/or the envelope that contains the absentee ballot. The authentication/validation marks include information such as, for example, the date and time of printing, an identification and location of the vote validator that generated and printed the mark, a unique identifier of the mark, and a digital signature of the authentication/validation data. Upon receipt of the absentee ballot by election officials, the authentication/validation marks printed on the absentee ballot and/or envelope containing the ballot can be verified by authenticating the digital signature and verifying the validity of the data in the mark. If the mark is verified, the authenticity and creation/submission dates of the absentee ballot are guaranteed and the absentee ballot can be accepted as a valid absentee ballot for election purposes.
摘要:
A closed loop postage metering system includes networked meters that provide mailers and/or recipients the capability to request additional or modified services during processing of a mail piece by a carrier. The networked meter allows the Post to charge the mailer, or even the recipient for these services or to provide them with a refund or credit. The services can include changing the processing of the mail piece. Further, the closed loop postage metering system enables more precise methods of paying for services when multiple carriers handle a mail piece. A special case of such multiple carriers handling is the handling of international mail.
摘要:
A method and system for processing postage payments is described. In one configuration a digital pen is utilized to provide a mail piece identifier. The data provided is utilized to account for postage and verify payment of postage.