摘要:
The present invention provides techniques for sharing a plurality of postage dispensing resources among a plurality of customers using a communication network such as the Internet. In an exemplary embodiment, the consumer is provided with a plurality of mailing and/or shipping products, including goods and/or services, based upon a single customer account and a single postage license. Specific embodiments increase customer convenience and reduce overhead expenses by eliminating the need for administering multiple licenses and multiple customer accounts. In addition the consumer with at least one account, through a web interface, may either add or remove products without establishing or cancelling accounts or licenses.
摘要:
The generation of secure compact indicia without the need for cryptographically generated identifiers such as digital signatures in the indicia. A unique serial number is assigned to each indicium, the serial number is incorporated into the indicium, and additional information is stored. This additional information includes what is referred to as 'other required information,' which is information specified to be sufficient to verify the indicium, and is ultimately stored at a different location (102) from the location (104), where the indicium request initiated. Verification occurs by comparing the required indicium content (serial number and other required information) with the previously stored version of the required indicium content.
摘要:
Techniques for dispensing postage using a communication network such as the Internet. A postage vendor system (PVS) is assigned a single postal license number by a postal authority, such as the USPS, and is used by the PVS to cater to postage requests from a plurality of unrelated users who may be at different geographical addresses. The PVS may comprise a plurality of server systems and may receive requests to purchase stamps from one or more user systems. In response to the postage purchase requests, the PVS may generate information for printing indicia corresponding to the stamp requests based upon the single postal license number associated with the PVS. The PVS may then communicate the information for printing the indicia to the one or more user systems. The user systems may print the indicia based upon the information for printing the indicia received from the PVS.
摘要:
A postal system includes a local computer (110, 300) having a user interface (316, 318) and an associated storage unit (322) for storing a secure data file that contains postal (e.g., accounting) data. A secure processing unit (140, 340, 400) interfaces with the local computer (110, 300) and performs the secure processing normally associated with a secure postal environment. The secure processing unit (140, 340, 400) can be designed to receive power from the computer to which it couples, and generally does not require special interconnect. By using the secure processing unit (140, 340, 400) to perform the secure processing and the local computer (110, 300) to perform other postal functions (e.g., user interface), complexity is reduced which translates to faster speed of operation and a more economical hardware design.
摘要:
A technique for printing postage and other value indicia at a user location. A user at a user computer acquires secure postage labels having one or more security features such as serrated edges, a microprint strip, a color fiber, taggants, a watermark, a hologram, or a fluorescent stripe. The labels have associated serial numbers, possibly at the sheet or individual label level. The user establishes communication with a postage vendor system (PVS), which may include one or more servers, and requests one or more indicia. The user also provides one or more serial numbers for the label(s) or label sheet(s) on which the one or more indicia are to be printed. The PVS determines if the one or more serial numbers are valid, and if so, generates information for printing the one or more indicia and then sends the information to the user computer. The information preferably includes a digital signature for each indicium, which may incorporate the serial number. The user computer receives the information and prints the one or more indicia on one or more postage labels.
摘要:
Techniques for dispensing postage using a communication network such as the Internet. A postage vendor system (PVS) is assigned a single postal license number by a postal authority, such as the USPS, and is used by the PVS to cater to postage requests from a plurality of unrelated users who may be at different geographical addresses. The PVS may comprise a plurality of server systems and may receive requests to purchase stamps from one or more user systems. In response to the postage purchase requests, the PVS may generate information for printing indicia corresponding to the stamp requests based upon the single postal license number associated with the PVS. The PVS may then communicate the information for printing the indicia to the one or more user systems. The user systems may print the indicia based upon the information for printing the indicia received from the PVS.
摘要:
A technique for printing postage and other value indicia at a user location. A user at a user computer acquires secure postage labels having one or more security features such as serrated edges, a microprint strip, a color fiber, taggants, a watermark, a hologram, or a fluorescent stripe. The labels have associated serial numbers, possibly at the sheet or individual label level. The user establishes communication with a postage vendor system (PVS), which may include one or more servers, and requests one or more indicia. The user also provides one or more serial numbers for the label(s) or label sheet(s) on which the one or more indicia are to be printed. The PVS determines if the one or more serial numbers are valid, and if so, generates information for printing the one or more indicia and then sends the information to the user computer. The information preferably includes a digital signature for each indicium, which may incorporate the serial number. The user computer receives the information and prints the one or more indicia on one or more postage labels.
摘要:
The present invention provides techniques for sharing a plurality of postage dispensing resources among a plurality of customers using a communication network such as the Internet. In an exemplary embodiment, the consumer is provided with a plurality of mailing and/or shipping products, including goods and/or services, based upon a single customer account and a single postage license. Specific embodiments increase customer convenience and reduce overhead expenses by eliminating the need for administering multiple licenses and multiple customer accounts. In addition the consumer with at least one account, through a web interface, may either add or remove products without establishing or cancelling accounts or licenses.