Pitney Bowes Inc.

Craig J DeFilippo

William F Bailey

Charles F Murphy, Iii

Joseph L Gargiulo

Robert G Arsenault

Mark N Harris

Joseph M Mozdzer

A system and method for allowing multiple postage meters to utilize removable storage media to accurately track and protect data generated during use is provided. A unique identifier is provided for each removable storage medium, and the removable storage medium is associated with a single meter. A catalog of additional meters authorized for use with the storage medium is maintained on each medium. When the storage medium is attached to a meter, the meter determines if the storage medium has been authorized for use with the meter or, if allowable, establishes a new entry in the catalog for the meter. Thus, data for a plurality of meters can be maintained on the same storage medium. Any discrepancies that exist between the data stored in the meter and the storage medium can be reconciled by the user, thereby allowing accurate maintenance of the data.

Method and system to protect and track data from multiple meters on a removable storage medium

A postage meter includes a vault that accounts for postage dispensed by the postage meter; and a printhead module having a printhead for printing the postage dispensed; a smart card chip having a ROM having software code stored therein; an EEPROM having an encrypted key and executable code stored therein, a CPU; a RAM; and a flash memory having an encrypted pointer data file stored therein. During power-up of the postage meter the encrypted pointer data file is read from the flash memory into the RAM by the CPU, the CPU uses the executable code to decrypt the encrypted pointer data file to obtain from the software code components parts of a decryption key and to assemble in the ram the decryption key from the component parts, the CPU uses the assembled decryption key and the executable code to decrypt the encrypted cryptographic key, and the CPU stores the decrypted cryptographic key in a secure area of the EEPROM, erases the decryption key and the encrypted pointer data file from the RAM, erases the encrypted cryptographic key and executable code from the EEPROM, and erases the pointer data file from the flash memory.

Method for dynamically using cryptographic keys in a postage meter

A value dispensing system includes a vault that accounts for units of a currency type dispensed by the value dispensing system, the vault including a first identifier that indicates one of different first and second currency types the vault is currently accounting for and a second identifier indicative of whether the vault is pending conversion to account for the one of the first and second currency types it is not currently accounting for in lieu of the one of the first and second currency types it is currently accounting for; a printing module which prints an indicium indicative of value, the printing module having a first indicator indicative of which of the first and second currency types the printhead module is set to print as part of the indicium; and an apparatus for determining if a first predetermined relationship exists between the first indicator, the first identifier, and the second identifier and for preventing the printing of the indicium if the predetermined relationship does not exist.

Postage metering system having currency compatibility security feature

A postage metering system which performs a plurality of different functions including printing of postage and exchange of data with a remotely located data center to accomplish a postage fund refill of the postage metering system, a remote postage metering system inspection, and a download of location data into the postage metering system is provided and further includes a portable vault having first data indicative of location stored therein, the portable vault accounting for the value of postage printed; and a terminal which houses structure for removably receiving the portable vault, a printing mechanism for printing postage, apparatus for communicating with the data center to perform the remote postage metering system inspection, the postage fund refill of the postage metering system, and the download of location data into the postage metering system, structure for storing second data indicative of location, and apparatus for comparing the first and second data at times when the portable vault is inserted in the receiving means, for permitting operation of all of the plurality of different functions if the first and second data match, and for preventing the printing of postage while permitting the operation of at least some of the other of the plurality of different functions if the first and second data do not match. A method associated with the postage metering system is also provided.

Method and apparatus for ensuring for the correct accounting of postage

A system includes a system time counter associated with a micro controller and a secure clock module having a real time clock and an elapsed time counter. The system synchronizes operation between the secure clock module and the system time counter. The synchronized time entered into the system time counter is utilized in the operation of the system. The real time clock time can be caused to be entered into the elapsed time counter at certain point in the operation of the system. The relationship of the time provide enhanced systems security.

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Milford, CT, United States of America

Craig J DeFilippo