Postage metering system and method for automatic detection of remote
postage security devices on a network
    1.
    发明授权
    Postage metering system and method for automatic detection of remote postage security devices on a network 失效
    用于自动检测网络上远程邮资安全设备的邮资计费系统和方法

    公开(公告)号:US6098058A

    公开(公告)日:2000-08-01

    申请号:US993353

    申请日:1997-12-18

    摘要: A postage metering system includes a plurality of printer modules connected as part of a network and operating as clients on the network. Postal security devices (PSDs) are coupled the clients. Each PSD 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 wherein a client requests evidence of postage payment from a remote PSD 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.

    摘要翻译: 邮资计费系统包括作为网络的一部分连接并作为网络上的客户端操作的多个打印机模块。 邮政安全设备(PSD)与客户端相连。 每个PSD对于耦合的客户端是本地的,用作PSD的主机并且远程到多个客户端中的另一个。 PSD包括唯一标识,邮政储值和数字签名生成器。 客户端用作邮资计费网络,其中客户端从远程PSD请求邮费的证据,用于结束邮资计费交易。 每个客户端通过广播消息和请求确定哪些远程PSD可用于网络上的计量事务。 在一个实施例中,当客户端登录到网络上时,客户端通过网络通过网络发送对主机登录到网络上的远程PSD的身份的广播请求。 客户端通过网络周期性地将其他广播请求发送到登录到网络的其他客户端。 当主机登录到网络上时,通过主机通过网络发送指示耦合到主机的PSD的唯一标识的广播消息。 主机通过网络周期性地发送附加的广播消息。 主机在注销网络时,通过网络发送指示PSD不再可用的另一广播消息。 在替代实施例中,网络服务器控制广播请求和消息。

    Postage metering system and method for a stand-alone meter operating as
a meter server on a network
    2.
    发明授权
    Postage metering system and method for a stand-alone meter operating as a meter server on a network 失效
    用于在网络上作为仪表服务器运行的独立仪表的邮资计费系统和方法

    公开(公告)号:US6085181A

    公开(公告)日:2000-07-04

    申请号:US993354

    申请日:1997-12-18

    摘要: A postage metering system includes a plurality of printer modules operatively connected as part of a network and operating as client printer modules on the network. A postal security device (PSD) is coupled directly to a local one of the client printer modules. The PSD includes unique identification, postal value storage and a digital signature generator. The client printer modules function as a postage metering network wherein a one of the client printer modules remote to the PSD requests evidence of postage payment from the PSD through the local client printer module for concluding postage metering transactions. The local client printer module function as a stand-alone meter when requests for evidence of postage payment from the PSD are initiated at the local client printer module. The local client printer module initiates local requests for evidence of postage payment to be printed at the local client printer modules and receives remote requests for evidence of postage payment from the remote client printer modules. The remote requests include identification of the remote client printer modules. The local client printer module sends each request for evidence of postage payment to the PSD and receives from the PSD the evidence of postage payment including a digital signature corresponding to each request for evidence of postage payment;. The local client printer module sends the evidence of postage payment to the remote client printer modules in response to the remote request, and prints the evidence of postage payment in response to the local request.

    摘要翻译: 邮资计费系统包括作为网络的一部分可操作地连接并作为网络上的客户端打印机模块操作的多个打印机模块。 邮政安全设备(PSD)直接耦合到本地客户端打印机模块。 PSD包括唯一标识,邮政储值和数字签名生成器。 客户端打印机模块用作邮资计费网络,其中远离PSD的客户端打印机模块中的一个客户端打印机模块通过本地客户端打印机模块从PSD请求邮费支付的证据,用于结束邮资计费交易。 在本地客户端打印机模块启动从PSD发送邮资凭证的请求时,本地客户端打印机模块作为独立的计费器。 本地客户端打印机模块启动本地客户端打印机模块打印的本地邮资凭证请求,并从远程客户端打印机模块接收远程请求邮资支付凭证。 远程请求包括远程客户端打印机模块的标识。 本地客户打印机模块向邮政署发送每一笔邮资证明请求,并从PSD收到邮费支付证明,其中包括与每笔邮费证明文件相对应的数字签名。 本地客户端打印机模块响应于远程请求向远程客户端打印机模块发送邮资支付证据,并根据本地请求打印邮资支付证据。

    Postage metering system and method on a network

    公开(公告)号:US06138108A

    公开(公告)日:2000-10-24

    申请号:US993352

    申请日:1997-12-18

    摘要: A postage metering system includes a plurality of computers operatively connected as part of a computer network and operating as client computers on the computer network. At least one postal security device (PSD) is coupled to at least one of the client computers (local client computer). The PSD includes unique identification the ability to store postal value and generate digital signatures. The client computers function as a postage metering network wherein a client computer other than the local client computer (remote client computer) requests evidence of postage payment from the PSD for concluding a postage metering transaction. The local client computer functions as a meter server and the remote client computer functions as a meter client on the postage metering network. The remote client computer initiates a postage metering transaction in the PSD by sending a request for evidence of postage payment to the local client computer. The local client computer 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 computer for subsequent printing.

    System for printing on a local printer coupled to a meter server postage requested from a remote computer
    4.
    发明授权
    System for printing on a local printer coupled to a meter server postage requested from a remote computer 有权
    用于在与从远程计算机请求的仪表服务器邮资相耦合的本地打印机上打印的系统

    公开(公告)号:US06813613B1

    公开(公告)日:2004-11-02

    申请号:US09693203

    申请日:2000-10-20

    IPC分类号: G06F1700

    摘要: A postage metering system includes a plurality of computers operatively connected as part of a computer network and operating as client computers on the computer network. At least one postal security device (PSD) is coupled to at least one of the client computers (local client computer). The PSD includes unique identification the ability to store postal value and generate digital signatures. The client computers function as a postage metering network wherein a client computer other than the local client computer (remote client computer) requests evidence of postage payment from the PSD for concluding a postage metering transaction. The local client computer functions as a meter server and the remote client computer functions as a meter client on the postage metering network. The remote client computer initiates a postage metering transaction in the PSD by sending a request for evidence of postage payment to the local client computer. The local client computer 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 computer for subsequent printing.

    摘要翻译: 邮资计费系统包括作为计算机网络的一部分可操作地连接并作为计算机网络上的客户端计算机操作的多个计算机。 至少一个邮政安全设备(PSD)被耦合到至少一个客户端计算机(本地客户端计算机)。 PSD包括独特的识别能力,可以存储邮政值并生成数字签名。 客户端计算机用作邮资计费网络,其中除了本地客户端计算机(远程客户端计算机)之外的客户端计算机从PSD请求邮费支付的凭证用于结束邮资计费交易。 本地客户端计算机作为仪表服务器,远程客户端计算机作为邮资计费网络上的计费客户端。 远程客户端计算机通过向本地客户端计算机发送邮资支付证明请求,在PSD中启动邮资计费交易。 本地客户端计算机向PSD发送邮资证明请求,从PSD接收交易信息,并将付款凭证发送给远程客户端计算机进行后续打印。

    Method for removing funds from a postal security device
    5.
    发明授权
    Method for removing funds from a postal security device 失效
    从邮政安全设备中删除资金的方法

    公开(公告)号:US6058384A

    公开(公告)日:2000-05-02

    申请号:US996602

    申请日:1997-12-23

    IPC分类号: G07F7/08 G07B17/00 G06F17/00

    摘要: A method for removing postal funds from a postage meter provides an accounting unit of a postage meter with indicium-related information which is invalid for mailing such as invalid origin zip or date. The accounting unit generates a digital signature, which is an encrypted value of the postal funds removed from the postage meter and other postal data including the indicium-related information. The accounting unit through a Host PC sends to a data center the amount of the postal funds removed from the postage meter and the digital signature. The data center verifies that the digital signature has been generated using the indicium-related information. The meter is disabled when the digital signature cannot be verified. When the digital signature is verified a request for a refund is sent by the data center to a postal authority. An example of the indicium-related information is an invalid destination postal code or an invalid origination postal code.

    摘要翻译: 从邮资计费器中删除邮政资金的方法为邮资计费器的会计单位提供与邮政无效的邮戳相关的信息,如无效起始邮件或日期。 会计单位生成数字签名,该数字签名是从邮资计费器中删除的邮政资金的加密值,以及包括与标记有关的信息的其他邮政数据。 通过主机PC的会计单元向数据中心发送从邮资计费器中删除的邮政资金的数量和数字签名。 数据中心使用标记相关信息来验证数字签名是否已经生成。 当数字签名无法验证时,仪表被禁用。 当数字签名经过验证后,数据中心将向邮政机关发送退款请求。 标记相关信息的示例是无效的目的地邮政编码或无效的起始邮政编码。

    Method and system for data repository
    6.
    发明授权
    Method and system for data repository 有权
    数据存储库的方法和系统

    公开(公告)号:US07110965B1

    公开(公告)日:2006-09-19

    申请号:US09475912

    申请日:1999-12-30

    申请人: Perry A. Pierce

    发明人: Perry A. Pierce

    IPC分类号: G06G30/00

    CPC分类号: G06Q30/06 G06Q30/0611

    摘要: A method and system for electronically selling a data item such as a song, a literature piece or a picture. A data repository is used for a seller to store the data item that the seller wishes to sell for a fee. The data repository is accessible to a buyer who deposits a fund to the data repository prior to downloading the data item. Preferably, the data repository is connected to a telecommunication network such as the Internet so that the buyer can download the purchased data item directly through the telecommunication network. Preferably, the seller posts a price which is the maximum amount the seller wishes to collect and sets a minimum amount that the seller is willing to collect from the buyer for downloading the data item. Preferably, the buyer makes an offer to the data repository wherein a software program is used to check whether the offered price falls within the fee range as set by the seller.

    摘要翻译: 一种用于电子销售诸如歌曲,文献作品或图片的数据项的方法和系统。 数据存储库用于卖方存储卖方希望出售的数据项目。 数据存储库可以在下载数据项之前将资金存入资料库的买方使用。 优选地,数据存储库连接到诸如因特网的电信网络,使得买方可以通过电信网络直接下载所购买的数据项。 优选地,卖方发布作为卖方希望收集的最大金额的价格,并设置卖方愿意从买方收集用于下载数据项目的最小金额。 优选地,买方向数据存储库提供报价,其中使用软件程序来检查所提供的价格是否落在由卖方设定的费用范围内。

    Method for preventing the duplicate printing of an IBIP indicium
    7.
    发明授权
    Method for preventing the duplicate printing of an IBIP indicium 有权
    防止IBIP标签的重复打印的方法

    公开(公告)号:US06680783B1

    公开(公告)日:2004-01-20

    申请号:US09451598

    申请日:1999-11-30

    IPC分类号: G06K1500

    摘要: A method for printing an indicium with a printer coupled to a personal computer includes the steps of collecting indicium data in memory of the PC, generating an indicium bar code relating to the indicium data, creating in the PC memory a printable image of a valid indicium including the indicium bar code, printing the printable image, and destroying the printable image in the PC memory as soon as the printable image has been printed. Messages of the PC operating system can be monitored for printing activity such that the printable image can be modified after a first copy of the printable image has been printed. The step of creating a printable image includes determining if more than one copy of the indicium is to be printed, and changing the number of copies to be printed to one when more than one copy is determined. The step of creating a printable image renders an indicium image to a memory device context. The printable image can be destroyed by overwriting the printable image with other information.

    摘要翻译: 一种用打印机连接到个人计算机的打印方法包括以下步骤:在PC的存储器中收集标记数据,产生与标记数据相关的标记条形码,在PC存储器中创建有效标记的可打印图像 包括标记条形码,打印可打印图像,以及一旦可打印图像被打印,则可以在PC存储器中销毁可打印图像。 可以监视PC操作系统的消息以进行打印活动,使得可打印的图像可以在打印可打印图像的第一副本之后被修改。 创建可打印图像的步骤包括确定是否要打印标记的多于一个的副本,以及如果确定多于一个的复印件,则将要打印的份数更改为一个。 创建可打印图像的步骤将标记图像呈现给存储器设备上下文。 可打印的图像可以通过用其他信息覆盖可打印图像来破坏。

    Postage printing system having label printing capability
    8.
    发明授权
    Postage printing system having label printing capability 有权
    具有标签打印功能的邮资打印系统

    公开(公告)号:US06296404B1

    公开(公告)日:2001-10-02

    申请号:US09433481

    申请日:1999-11-04

    IPC分类号: B41J530

    摘要: A method of producing a label for a mailpiece having a postal indicium printed thereon including the following steps: (i) providing a user with a label stock including a plurality of labels; (ii) prompting the user to provide an input of a label position indicator corresponding to a selected one of the plurality of labels; (iii) feeding the label stock through a printer; and (iv) printing the postal indicium on the selected label.

    摘要翻译: 一种生产印有邮戳的邮件的标签的方法,包括以下步骤:(i)向用户提供包括多个标签的标签纸; (ii)提示用户提供对应于所述多个标签中所选择的一个标签的标签位置指示符的输入; (iii)通过打印机送入标签原料; 和(iv)在所选标签上印刷邮戳。

    External interface unit having message routing and protocol conversion

    公开(公告)号:US5666292A

    公开(公告)日:1997-09-09

    申请号:US357174

    申请日:1994-12-13

    IPC分类号: G07B17/00 H04L29/06 G06K15/00

    摘要: An interface apparatus is provided with a number of communication ports for providing a communication interface between a postage meter and a plurality of external devices, such as, a scale and a modem. A principal communications port connectable to the postage meter. A secure communication port is provided for receiving messages on a secure scale using encrypted protocol signals. The interface unit includes an additional number of unsecured ports for communication with unsecured devices such as a modem or an unsecured scale utilizing conventional protocol signals. The interface further includes a programmable microcontroller in bus communication with a random access memory, a non-volatile memory and a program memory, a first communication bus connecting the principal port to the microcontroller and a second communication bus connecting one or more of the second communication ports to the microcontroller. The microcontroller of the interface unit is programmed to establish a communication link between one of the second communication ports and the principal port pursuant to a communication request signal from the principal port identifying which of the second communication ports for communication. Conversely, the microcontroller can establish a communication link between the second communication port and the principal communication port pursuant to a communication request from one of the second communication ports. The messages being communicated are comprised of a number of message frames and each of the message frames has a header, one of headers being designated for message frames which are intended to be directed to the interface unit. The interface unit monitors the header portion of each message frame and stripping the message frames from the messages having the designated message frame header for messages intended as instructions for the interface unit. An established communication link can be interrupted when a message having the designated message frame header and message frame instructs the microcontroller to establish communication between the microcontroller and the postage meter through principal port.

    Microprocessor motor control
    10.
    发明授权
    Microprocessor motor control 失效
    微处理器电机控制

    公开(公告)号:US5552691A

    公开(公告)日:1996-09-03

    申请号:US338727

    申请日:1994-11-14

    摘要: A method for providing motion information for a motor controller is accomplished by defining a determined set of motion parameters for describing a desired motion in terms of encoder position data. The parameters are stored for use in calculating the desired motion profile of the motor during the various motion segments of the desired profile as the motor is being driven. The method saves on required memory storage for all the various motor profiles typically used in devices such as inserters since only the parameters used in calculating must be stored. A flag field is also provided to enable the microprocessor to determine which of the segments is being generated.

    摘要翻译: 通过根据编码器位置数据定义用于描述期望运动的确定的一组运动参数来实现用于为马达控制器提供运动信息的方法。 这些参数被存储用于在电动机被驱动时期望期望轮廓的各种运动段期间计算电动机的期望的运动曲线。 该方法节省了通常用于诸如插入器的设备中的所有各种电动机轮廓的所需存储器存储器,因为仅必须存储用于计算中的参数。 还提供标志字段以使得微处理器能够确定正在生成哪些片段。