摘要:
A method and system for generating and printing an indicium, such as a postal indicium, on an object such as a mail piece. Other printed material, such as an address block, on the object is scanned, and the scanned image is processed to abstract characterizing information descriptive of the other printed material. Alternatively, the image to be processed can be obtained by filtering the original image wit a print/scan filter which simulates printing and scanning processes. The characterizing information can be text-based or image-based. Image-based characterizing information can be measurements of word lengths, counts of outliers in images of characters, or descriptions of the shape of the other printed material. The characterizing information is combined with other information, such as postal information and the combined information is then cryptographically authenticated with a digital signature or the like. An indicium representative of the authenticated information is then printed on the object. The object's relationship to the indicium can be verified by regenerating the characterizing information from the other printed material and comparing the regenerated characterizing information with characterizing information recovered from the indicium. Thus, copies of the indicium cannot easily be used, without detection, on other objects which do not include the other printed material.
摘要:
A method and system for generating and printing an indicium, such as a postal indicium, on an object such as a mail piece. A digital image of other printed material, such as an address block, on the object is obtained, and the image is processed to abstract characterizing information descriptive aspects of the other printed material. The aspects can be measurements of word lengths, counts of outliers in images of characters, or descriptions of the shape of the other printed material. The characterizing information is combined with other information, such as postal information, and the combined information is then cryptographically authenticated with a digital signature or the like. An indicium representative of the authenticated information is then printed on the object. The object's relationship to the indicium can be verified by regenerating the characterizing information from the other printed material and comparing the regenerated characterizing information with characterizing information recovered from the indicium. Thus, copies of the indicium cannot easily be used, without detection, on other objects which do not include the other printed material.
摘要:
Methods and systems for verification of indicia that do not require key management systems, and in which revocation of key pairs is easily performed without adding costs to the verification process are provided. Indicia are generated and authenticated utilizing an identity-based encryption (IBE) scheme. A key generating authority generates a private key for a PSD, distributes the private key securely to the PSD, and provides public information for use by a verification service when verifying cryptographic digital signatures generated with the private key. The corresponding public key is a string consisting of PSD information that is provided as part of the indicium. The verification service can verify the signature of each indicium by obtaining the public key string from the indicium, and utilizing the key generating authority's public information.
摘要:
Methods and systems for providing confidentiality of communications sent via a network that is efficient, easy to implement, and does not require significant key management. The identity of each node of the routing path of a communication is encrypted utilizing an identity-based encryption scheme. This allows each node of the routing path to decrypt only those portions of the routing path necessary to send the communication to the next node. Thus, each node will only know the immediate previous node from which the communication came, and the next node to which the communication is to be sent. The remainder of the routing path of the communication, along with the original sender and intended recipient, remain confidential from any intermediate nodes in the routing path. Use of the identity-based encryption scheme removes the need for significant key management to maintain the encryption/decryption keys.
摘要:
Methods and systems for providing confidentiality of communications sent via a network that is efficient, easy to implement, and does not require significant key management. The identity of each node of the routing path of a communication is encrypted utilizing an identity-based encryption scheme. This allows each node of the routing path to decrypt only those portions of the routing path necessary to send the communication to the next node. Thus, each node will only know the immediate previous node from which the communication came, and the next node to which the communication is to be sent. The remainder of the routing path of the communication, along with the original sender and intended recipient, remain confidential from any intermediate nodes in the routing path. Use of the identity-based encryption scheme removes the need for significant key management to maintain the encryption/decryption keys.
摘要:
Methods and systems that prevent completion of postdated financial transactions until the specified future date is provided. A portion of the information necessary to complete a financial transaction is encrypted utilizing an identity-based encryption (IBE) scheme. The encryption key used to encrypt the information is associated with the date on which the transaction is authorized to be completed. The encrypted information is provided to the payee. The issuing bank provides a daily decryption key that allows decryption of information encrypted using the key associated with the corresponding date. Thus, only when the maturity date of the transaction has arrived will the payee or depositing bank be able to obtain the decryption key that will decrypt the encrypted information necessary to complete the transaction. Since the encrypted information can not be decrypted until the date associated with the encryption key, the financial transaction can not be completed until such date.
摘要:
Methods and systems for verification of indicia that do not require key management systems, and in which revocation of key pairs is easily performed without adding costs to the verification process are provided. Indicia are generated and authenticated utilizing an identity-based encryption (IBE) scheme. A key generating authority generates a private key for a PSD, distributes the private key securely to the PSD, and provides public information for use by a verification service when verifying cryptographic digital signatures generated with the private key. The corresponding public key is a string consisting of PSD information that is provided as part of the indicium. The verification service can verify the signature of each indicium by obtaining the public key string from the indicium, and utilizing the key generating authority's public information.
摘要:
A method and system for secure package delivery utilizing digital signatures is described. In one configuration, data regarding the weight, dimensions and origination are cryptographically processed to create an authentication digital signature with message retrieval capability. The data is read and independently verified at the package destination.
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 in which the creation of identifier information is done by the recipient in a convenient fashion and communicated to the mailer. A recipient, such as a business or consumer who orders mail items of value, i.e., merchandise, documents, etc., from a mailer would give the mailer the recipient's electronic address and the recipient's delivery and handling preferences for the ordered merchandise. The electronic address and delivery and handling preferences of the recipient may be given to the mailer in plain language or in codified or encrypted form. This invention takes into account recipient's desires and preferences by entering information about the recipient's desires and preferences into a computerized actionable form.