摘要:
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.
摘要:
Die Erfindung beschreibt ein Verfahren zur Nutzung vorhandener Kommunikations-Endgeräte (1) zum Frankieren von Postgut. Hierzu wird vorgeschlagen, durch Kopplung eines Endgerätes (1) mittels einer Frankiereinheit (6) die technischen Möglichkeiten für eine Datenverarbeitung der Frankierwerte und auch die vorhandenen Druckeinrichtungen (18) des Kommunikations-Endgerätes (1) für den Frankierdruck zu nutzen.
摘要:
A communication system for processing information for distribution, including: a central data station, a plurality of user stations, each of the user stations including a plurality of components forming a secure path for the proper distribution of the information, a communication link interconnecting the user stations with the central data stations, the central data station including means for periodically interrogating a user station for determining the operational status of each of the components, means located within the central data station for indicating an error condition in any one of the components, and means at the central data station for transmitting a condition signal from the central data station to the user station for indicating the error condition.
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:
Zum Auffüllen des Wertvorgabespeichers (20) einer Frankiermaschine wird aus deren Festwertspeicher (21) ein Retourcode freigegeben, der einer autorisierenden Zentrale zusammen mit der aufzufüllenden Wertmenge mitgeteilt werden muss, um einen das Auffüllen des Wertvorgabespeichers mit diesem Betrag ermöglichenden Eingabecode von dieser zu erhalten. Bei der Zentrale sowie im Festwertspeicher (21) der Frankiermaschine sind zahlreiche, aus einem Eingabecode und einem Retourcode bestehende Informationspaare tabellenartig aufbewahrt. Diese Codes bestehen aus echten Zufallszahlen. Nach Eingabe des Eingabecodes in die Frankiermaschine wird aufgrund eines Programmes einer zentralen elektronischen Steuereinheit der Frankiermaschine in deren Festwertspeicher (21) der Tabellenplatz aufgesucht, an dem sich eine identische, echte Zufallszahl befindet. Nachdem diese Identität festgestellt worden ist, erfolgt die Auffüllung des Wertvorgabespeichers (20) um eine der Tabelle entsprechende, vorgegebene Wertmenge und es wird der für zukünftige Auffüllungen erforderliche und dem letzten Eingabecode tabellengemäss zugeordnete neue Retourcode ausgegeben.
摘要:
A technique for reconfiguring in the field external devices in communication with postage meters, the external devices having an external device feature set that may be selectively enabled or disabled by software. The technique provides security so that any changes to the feature set is authorized. The meter (10) is capable of being put into an I/O configuration mode by suitable entries from the keyboard (14), in which mode it is inhibited from printing postage. The meter (10) has a storage register (26) for a current or old I/O configuration number (IOCN), and can receive a desired new IOCN via keyboard (14) entry. The meter (10) calculates an encrypted I/O configuration request code that depends on the new IOCN. The I/O configuration request code, when communicated to a data center computer (25) along with other validating identification information, is checked by the data center computer (25) which computes the I/O configuration request code using the same algorithm. If the two values agree, the data center ccmputer (25) calculates an encrypted I/O configuration enable code that depends on the meter serial number. This is communicated to the meter (10), which receives the I/O configuration enable code and also calculates a I/O configuration enable code using the same algorithm as the data center computer (25). If the I/O configuration enable codes agree, the meter (10) overwrites the old IOCN with the new IOCN, thereby reconfiguring the meter (10) and the external devices.
摘要:
Credit in a credit register (19,20) of a franking meter (10) is reset by telephone communication with a resetting terminal (13). A request for a selected credit amount is transmitted from the meter apparatus (10) to the terminal (13) and in response the terminal (13) interrogates the meter (10) to establish identity of the meter (10). The terminal (13) locks the meter (10) to prevent operation of the meter (10) for franking while the resetting takes place. The terminal (13) checks the validity of the reset request with customer records stored in the terminal (13) and if valid transmits a reset signal which includes the credit reset amount and a pseudo-random number (TID) to enable the meter (10) to reset its credit register. Upon completion of the resetting the meter (10) sends a request including a random number for unlocking of the meter (10). The terminal (13) requests the register values from the meter (10), each request including a random number. The meter (10) transmits the register values together with the random number to the terminal (13). If the value and random number are correct, the terminal (13) unlocks the meter (10) by sending an unlock signal which includes the TID and random number.