Pitney Bowes Inc.

Other

Perry A Pierce

Frederick W Ryan, Jr

Charles R Malandra, Jr

Judith D Auslander

David K Lee

David W Riley

Michael J Critelli

Kevin D Hunter

Brian M Romansky

Kevin L Strobel

Linda V Gravell

Peter K Zanger

Robert A Cordery

Richard W Heiden

Robert W Sisson

Allen L Kramer

Tracy Ann Weber

William T Shannon

Meredith B Fischer

Stephen C Nunnally

Suzanne N Grey

Matthew E Sanchez

Iiya Shnayder

Linda A Gravell

A method for improving the readability of composite images by determining available areas on a document where no text or graphics will be printed in visible ink and printing one or more 2-D bar code with invisible ink at a size pre-determined based on the available areas. The one or more auxiliary 2-D bar codes are printed in luminescent ink, either invisible or lightly colored when viewed under white light.

Method for improving the readability of composite images

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.

Method and system for data repository

FIG.shows the operation of modulesin processing a request for a digital postal indicium. Atthe selected one of modulesreceives the indicium request and the requested meter record and, atconfirms that sufficient funds are available. If not the request is rejected at; again in a manner whose details form no part of the subject invention. Atthe selected module constructs an indicium message having an appended indicium signature, which when printed in relevant part on a mailpiece will evidence payment of postage in the amount shown, and atupdates the requested meter record and appends a meter record signature. Generation of indicia and updating meter records is more fully described in specifications for the Information Based Indicia Program (IBIP) published by the United States Postal Service and further discussion is not believed necessary for an understanding of the subject invention.) Atthe selected module updates the audit data. (Updating the postage and transaction data is a matter of simple addition. Updating of the error correcting code will be described further below.) Atthe updated audit data is stored in nonvolatile memory, and atthe signed indicium message and signed meter record are sent to serverfor processing as described above. The audit data and the indicium are transmitted to the server at the same time. The indicium is forwarded to customerand a copy of the audit data is stored in server. While perhaps less secure than data stored in modules, audit data stored in servercan be verified against that in modulesand can be used, for example, when a module is off-line.

Method for auditing a database and system for carrying out such method

Machine-readable light-colored or invisible, but luminescent, postage-evidencing symbology and dark, readable other postage information are printed, preferably in a single print operation, to provide large amounts of information without diminishing read rates. The resulting combination image can be printed independent of substrate material to enable the provision of a high information density without obscuring any one component. The postage-evidencing symbology is printed in large-format and can include redundant information within an IBI image or between an IBI and visible dark image for a variety of practical purposes. In a preferred form, the images are printed using conventional ink jet printers using water-based inks. In one embodiment of this type, the images are printed with a conventional two-cartridge color ink jet printer by printing postage-evidencing symbology with a single-color ink and printing the visible dark image as a composite dark color from a standard multi-color cartridge.

Method for printing high information density machine-readable composite images

A cryptographic method for providing a level of security by a postage security device, which generates a digital token using a cryptographic key. When it is required to make a key change in order to improve the level of security, the postage security devices replaces the cryptographic key with a new cryptographic key, wherein the new cryptographic key has a key length that is equal to or greater than the replaced cryptographic key. The new cryptographic key can be generated by the postage security device based on a given key length, or selected from a plurality of replacement keys stored in a storage device.

Postage security device having cryptographic keys with a variable key length

A payment processing system includes a data center, a postage metering system and a control system in operative communication with the data center and the postage metering system. The postage metering system is located remotely from the data center. The control system obtains payment data via the postage metering system where the payment data includes a payee and a payment amount. Further, the control system dispatches payment from the data center to the payee for the payment amount.

Postage metering system having third party payment capability

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

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.

Method for preventing the duplicate printing of an IBIP indicium

A method for requesting a postage refund includes the steps of generating a postage indicium having a postage value and first data indicative that a refund of the postage value is requested; and printing the postage indicium on a mailpiece.

Method for requesting and refunding postage utilizing an indicium printed on a mailpiece

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.

Postage printing system having label printing capability

A system for visually detecting unauthorized print value, such as postal indicia on a mail piece. At least one print image is imprinted on a document based upon predetermined relationships and corresponding to a relationship indicator such that the relationship indicator is made known to an authority who may visually inspect the document to detect whether the value was printed by an authorized machine. The relationship indicator may be dependent on valid indicia, geographical location, time of printing, document position, print graphic or like information. The print graphic may also be imprinted in invisible ink for increased security.

Mail generation system with enhanced security by use of modified print graphic information

The present invention provides a postage metering system that includes a plurality of closed and open meter printer modules operatively connected as part of a metering network. A single postal security device (PSD) is coupled to the network, either directly, through a personal computer or through one of the printer modules. The PSD includes unique identification and the ability to store postal value and generate digital signatures. The printer modules function as a postage metering network wherein a printer module requests evidence of postage payment from the PSD for concluding a postage metering transaction. The printer module initiates the postage metering transaction in the PSD by sending a request for evidence of postage payment to the PSD. The PSD receives the request and sends the evidence of payment to the printer module for subsequent printing.

Postage metering system and method for a single vault dispensing postage to a plurality of printers

A postage metering system includes a host processor having a printer coupled thereto. A postal security device (PSD) is coupled to the host processor. The PSD includes first unique identification, first postal value storage and first digital signature generator. The host processor can request and obtain from the PSD first evidence of postage payment to be printed by the printer. The host processor can also request and obtain from a remote data center second evidence of postage payment to be printed by the printer. For each metering transaction to be printed by the printer, the host processor initiates the request for one of the first and second evidences of postage payment. In one embodiment the host processor is a general purpose computer.

Postage metering system and method for a stand-alone meter having virtual meter functionality

A system and method for postage metering provides a plurality of client modules on a network. A local postage security device (PSD) is coupled to a first one of the client modules and a remote PSD is coupled to a second one of the client modules. The local and remote PSDs include respectively first and second unique identification, postal value storage and digital signature generator. The first client module is connected to a remote data center that includes third unique identification, third postal value storage and a third digital signature generator. The first client module selectively requests one of a first evidence of postage payment from the local PSD, a second, evidence of postage payment from the remote PSD and a third evidence of postage payment from the data center. The first client module includes a printer for printing the selected one of the first, second and third evidences of postage payment on a mailpiece.

Growing community of inventors

Darien, CT, United States of America

Perry A Pierce