摘要:
A secure and reliable method for verifying in the host system that the expected PSD is coupled to the host system includes generating a random number in the host system and encrypting the random number with a PSD state identification number. The encrypted random number is then sent to the PSD. The PSD decrypts the encrypted random number received using the PSD state identification number and sends the decrypted random number to the host system. The host system compares the decrypted random number received from the PSD to the random number generated in the host system. If they are the same, the host system has verified the expected PSD and has also verified that the PSD has not completed any transactions apart from the host system. A method for verifying that the expected host is coupled to the PSD mirrors the method for verifying the expected PSD.
摘要:
A postage printing system, comprising a computer, a data center and a control system. The computer is in operative communication with a printer for printing a postal indicia on an envelope. The data center is in operative communication with the computer which in turn is located remotely from the data center. The data center includes a plurality of user accounts and a plurality of advertiser accounts where each of the plurality of advertiser accounts includes respective ad data including message data and restriction data. The control system is in operative communication with the data center and the computer and is for: (i) establishing a transaction session between a user of the computer corresponding to one of the plurality of user accounts and the data center; (ii) obtaining recipient address information from the user; and (iii) using the recipient address information and the restriction data from the plurality of advertiser accounts to identify message data available for printing on the envelope in conjunction with the postal indicia.
摘要:
A postage metering system includes a plurality of meter printers operatively connected as part of a metering network and operating as client meter printers on the meter printer network. At least one postal security device (PSD) is coupled to at least one of the client meter printers (local client meter printer). The PSD includes unique identification the ability to store postal value and generate digital signatures. The client meter printers function as a postage metering network wherein a client meter printer other than the local client meter printer (remote client meter printer) requests evidence of postage payment from the PSD for concluding a postage metering transaction. The local client meter printer functions as a meter server and the remote client meter printer functions as a meter client on the postage metering network. The remote client meter printer initiates a postage metering transaction in the PSD by sending a request for evidence of postage payment to the local client meter printer. The local client meter printer sends the request for the evidence of postage payment to the PSD, receives transaction information from the PSD and sends the evidence of payment to the remote client meter printer for subsequent printing.
摘要:
A postage evidencing system including a plurality of domains for partitioning a population of postage meters according to an operating characteristic, a data center, a postage meter in operative communication with the data center and a printer in operative communication with the postage meter. The postage meter is initialized to operate in a particular domain while the printer is capable of operating in each of the plurality of domains. To update or enable a domain in the printer, the postage meter transmits an indication of the particular domain to the data center. Then, the data center encrypts the indication and transmits the indication to the postage meter which in turn forwards the encrypted indication to the printer. The printer decrypts the encrypted indication and using the indication enables a respective domain in the printer corresponding to the particular domain of the postage meter. A method for updating domains in a postage evidencing system is also provided.
摘要:
A method is provided for determining origin ZIP code for a postage meter. The method includes receiving at a data center a call that originates from the location of the postage meter. Using caller ID, the data center determines the phone number originating the call. The data center also determines the identification of the postage meter. If the phone number has changed from a phone number from the previous phone call for the postage meter, the data center obtains a five-digit ZIP code for the address corresponding to the phone number. If the five-digit ZIP code has changed from a previous ZIP code used for postal accounting during previous transactions for the postage meter, the data center obtains a new certificate based on the five-digit ZIP code and downloads the new certificate to the postage meter. The data center transfers postage meter register values to a new postal account for the new certificate.
摘要:
A system and method is provided for refilling a postage metering system that includes a host coupled to a postal security device (PSD). A user enters a first request for postage refill which is transmitted to a meter server. The meter server transmits a request for a PSD audit to the postage metering system. PSD audit data is signed with a first secret key stored in the PSD to produce an audit message that includes a first signature and the PSD audit data. The audit message is transmitted to the meter server which transmits the first signature to a key management system which then verifies the first signature using a second secret key stored in the key management system. The PSD audit data is verified at the meter server which then constructs a second request for meter refill and transmits it to a meter recharging data center. The meter recharging data center generates a refill combination and transmits it to the meter server. The refill combination is transmitted from the meter server to the key management system for signature using the second secret key to produce a refill message that is transmitted to the meter server. The refill message includes a second signature and the refill combination. The refill message is transmitted to the PSD which verifies the signature and the refill combination using the first secret key and credits the PSD for the amount.
摘要:
Fraud detection mechanisms and methods that are adapted for inconsistent data collection are provided. Data is analyzed to determine normal operational variations from ideal system behavior. Profiles are developed for each individual sender, e.g., the number of multiple scans performed per confirmation number generated by each sender, and other parameters, such as delivery areas, e.g., the number of multiple scans performed per specific geographic area. If the sender's profile differs significantly from the normal operational variations, there is an indication of potential fraudulent activity and an investigation can be initiated. By analyzing a combination of sender and delivery scan data with system wide scan data, the effect of inconsistent data is minimized to significantly reduce the number of erroneous indications of fraudulent activity while still providing a high level of fraud detection.
摘要:
A printing system is provided that dynamically adjusts the method of printing an image based on the lightness or darkness of the medium upon which the image will be printed. The reflectivity of the medium upon which an image is to be printed is determined, and the way in which the image will be printed is adjusted based on the determined reflectivity of the medium. For lighter colored mediums, on which sufficient contrast will be provided, the image can be printed directly onto the medium. For darker colored mediums, on which the ink used to print the image will not provide enough contrast with respect to the medium to produce a reliably readable image, the method of printing the image is modified to ensure that sufficient contrast is always provided to produce a reliably readable image.
摘要:
An authentication method based on the use of an inanimate physical object that includes storing first object data in a storage medium, wherein the first object data is generated based on a first image of at least a portion of the physical object, capturing a second image of the at least a portion of the physical object, and generating second object data based on the second image. The method further includes searching the storage medium and determining that the second object data and the first object data are a match, and authenticating an individual associated with the physical object in response that determination. Also provided are embodiments of an authentication system that may be adapted to implement the method.
摘要:
A method that allows taxing jurisdictions to collect sales and/or use taxes from sales that are made via the internet and catalogs. The method also makes it easier for sellers to comply with the taxing jurisdiction's mandated seller administrative functions. The foregoing is accomplished by using an agent to perform the sales tax administration functions of a seller, relieving the seller of as much of the burden of compliance as possible.