摘要:
A key control system comprises the generation of a first set of keys (44) which are then used for a plurality of respective postage meters (12). The keys are then related to a respective meter in accordance with a map or algorithm. The keys may be changed by entering the second key via an encryption (DES) using the first key.
摘要:
A system and method is provided for printing an advertisement for insertion into a mailpiece. A customer computer system (150) communicates with a mailing service provider data processing system (80). The customer computer system (150) transmits to the mailing service provider data processing system (80) an electronic copy of at least one mailing address and at least one corresponding document to be mailed to the mailing address. The mailing address is cleansed as necessary by the mailing service provider data processing system (80), which then identifies a subset of third party advertisements available for insertion into a mailpiece to be assembled with the corresponding document. Enclosures to be printed from the subset of third party advertisements are selected by the customer or automatically by mailing service provider data processing system based on advertisement profiles. The corresponding document and the selected enclosures are printed and then inserted into an envelope to form the assembled mailpiece.
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 proof-of-postage generating system (22, 24, 25, 26, 27) wherein funds, application of those funds, the replenishment of those funds and the auditing of those funds are secure against attempts at fraud. The system (22, 24, 25, 26, 27) may either be a Closed System (CS) wherein the proof-of-postage printing means (22) are housed within the system computational means (24, 26) or within a cryptographically secure boundary. Further, the system (22, 24, 25, 26, 27) may be an Open System (OS) wherein the proof-of-postage printing means are external to the system computational means (24, 26).
摘要:
A postage metering system (10) includes a plurality of printer modules (20, 22) connected as part of a network and operating as clients on the network. Postal security devices (40) (PSDs) are coupled the clients (20, 22). Each PSD (40) is local to the coupled client functioning as a host to the PSD and remote to the other of the plurality of clients. The PSD includes unique identification, postal value storage and a digital signature generator. The clients function as a postage metering network (10) wherein a client requests evidence of postage payment from a remote PSD (40) for concluding postage metering transactions. Each of the clients determines which of the remote PSDs are available for metering transactions on the network by broadcast messages and requests. In one embodiment, a broadcast request for the identity of remote PSDs whose host is logged onto the network is sent over the network by a client when the client logs onto the network. Additional broadcast requests are periodically sent over the network by the client to other clients logged onto the network. Broadcast messages indicating the unique identification of the PSD coupled to a host are sent over the network by the host when the host logs onto the network. Additional broadcast messages are sent periodically over the network by the host. Another broadcast message indicating that a PSD is no longer available is sent over the network by the host when it logs off the network. In alternate embodiments a network server controls broadcast requests and messages.
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:
A franking machine system is disclosed in which a master controller (19) is provided to communicate with a postal authority resetting centre computer (14) and with a plurality of franking machines (17,21). The controller (19) includes registers (25,26) for storing the value of credit available for distribution to the franking machines (17,21) and registers (25,26) for storing data relating to usage of the individual franking machines (17,21). Credit is obtained from the resetting centre computer (14) by the controller (19) and is distributed to the franking machines (17,21) as required by each machine.
摘要:
A network connectivity device (12) that when coupled to a mail processing machine (10) enables a cloud application running on a personal computer (16) or other device to interface with and control the mail processing machine (10) without requiring any software to be installed on the personal computer (16) other than a web browser. The network connectivity device (12) plugs into a standard USB port on the mail processing machine (10) to allow wired or wireless connectivity to a network (14). There is no software or other code required to run on the personal computer (16) other than a standard web browser running a hosted web application. The network connectivity device (12) allows the mail processing machine (10) to be found and addressed by the hosted web application. This allows a user to control operations of the mail processing machine (10), as well as giving the mail processing machine network connectivity for outside world communication activities.