Pitney Bowes Inc.

Hyung-Kun (Paul) Kim

Robert A Cordery

Jose Pastor

William V Pickering, Jr

A system for controlling the validity of printing of indicias on mailpieces from a potentially large number of users of postage meters includes apparatus disposed in each said postage meter for generating a code and for printing the code on each mailpiece. The code is an encrypted code representative of the postage meter apparatus printing the indicia and other information uniquely determinative of the legitimacy of postage on the mailpieces. The keys for the code generating apparatus are changed to change its code generation at predetermined time intervals in each of the meters. A security center includes apparatus for maintaining a security code database and for keeping track of the keys for generating security codes in correspondence with the changes in each generating apparatus and the information printed on the mailpiece by the postage meter apparatus for comparison with the code printed on the mailpiece. There may be two codes printed, one used by the Postal Service for its security checks and one by the manufacturer. The encryption key may be changed at predetermined intervals or on a daily basis or for printing each mailpiece.

Mail processing system including data center verification for mailpieces

A system for automatically remotely recharging a postage meter. The system includes an integrated circuit microcontroller which establishes communication with existing electronic postage meters to obtain information necessary for automatic recharging using existing remote data processing system for the automatic recharging of postage meters, compiles that information with other information already contained within the system to form a message, transmits that message to the remote data processing system and receives in response a recharging code. The system then transmits the recharging code to the electronic postage meter which in turns test the code and, if the code is found valid, increments the meter descending register to effect the recharge. In one embodiment the system includes a communications unit and a base unit where the base unit is permanently connected to the meter and the communications unit may be separated from the base unit. This embodiments allows one communications unit to be used to recharge a number of meters and also allows the communications unit to be physically transported to a remote telephone line.

Growing community of inventors

Wilton, CT, United States of America

Hyung-Kun (Paul) Kim