Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems, Inc.

Neopost Technologies

Hasler, Inc.

Robert G Schwartz

Fetneh Eskandari

George M Brookner

William A Weirsman

James S Emmett

Allen A Crowe

Joseph L Lehman

Robert J Japenga

Mark E Simcik

Robert Swanbery

Martin F Palange

George P Rahgo

Michael A Brown

Gaye D Gardner, Legal Representative

Douglas T Heroy

David H Mechler

Edward J Naclerio

Eric Zuidema

Richard Rosen

Brian T Leary

Gary A Gardner

Urs Bernhard Jenny

In a mailing system for franking a postage indicium serving as a proof of postage, postal data including the postage needs to be communicated through such an indicium. Illustratively, the postal data is categorized into (a) invariable postal data, e.g, a device ID identifying the mailing system, which is unaffected by a franking transaction, and (b) variable postal data, e.g., the postage, which may change from one franking transaction to another. To avoid latency of the franking operation, the invariable postal data is preset for initial printing of the postage indicium, and the variable postal data is determined and set for printing in real time. In printing the postage indicium, the invariable postal data and the variable postal data are presented in that order in one or more symbols.

Technique for effectively generating multi-dimensional symbols representing postal information

In a postage payment system, a secure integrated circuit (IC) card is used to manage postage funds, and created encrypted postage indicia. Among other things, the system is capable of performing charge-back accounting of postage expenses and generating mail contents. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the postage indicia are applied onto selected locations of the mail contents while they are being generated. In the preferred embodiment, each mail content is placed in a window envelope such that the postage indicium on the mail content exposes through a window of the envelope to facilitate inspection of the indicium. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, by including transactional data in addition to the traditional postal data in a postage indicium, the indicium can be used to pay bills, purchase products and services, including any courier service different than the postal service.

Secure postage payment system and method

A system for dispensing funds. The system includes a non-dedicated printer adapted to print indicia of a monetary value, and a postal security device coupled to the franking machine. The postal security device includes an accounting register indicative of a value of monetary funds stored in the postal security device. The system also includes a money transfer system coupled to the franking machine and adapted to allow a user to transfer funds from the postal security device to the money transfer system and vice versa.

Use of electronic devices for money transfer

System and method for conducting a financial transaction between a sender and recipient of a mail piece

In a postage payment system, a secure integrated circuit (IC) card is used to manage postage funds, and create encrypted postage indicia. Among other things, the system is capable of performing charge-back accounting of postage expenses and generating mail contents. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the postage indicia are applied onto selected locations of the mail contents while they are being generated. In the preferred embodiment, each mail content is placed in a window envelope such that the postage indicium on the mail content exposes through a window of the envelope to facilitate inspection of the indicium. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, by including transactional data in addition to the traditional postal data in a postage indicium, the indicium can be used to pay bills, purchase products and services, including any courier service different than the postal service.

An improved system for protecting cryptographic processing and memory for postal franking machines. Appropriate cryptographic processing and memory resources are contained in a Postal Security Device (PSD), which defines a cryptographic and physical boundary. Cryptographic processing occurs in the PSD, which provides security to these resources, thereby minimizing a successful fraudulent attack on the system. Speed of the cryptographic processing is also increased. The PSD may be in the form of an Applications Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) Card.

System for protecting cryptographic processing and memory resources for postal franking machines

In the system of the invention, a user provides inputs at a user interface (). The user's inputs relate to the expected type of delivery (). Alternatively, the system may already have information stored as to the type of delivery () to be used with particular correspondents. Based on the type of delivery (), the system () determines for each item of correspondence, whether the delivery will be by physical delivery of a printed document (), by fax () or by e-mail (). The system () further determines for each item of correspondence, which is to be delivered by physical delivery a printed document (), whether an envelope () is required and if the address information is to be printed on the envelope or on a label () that is to be applied to the envelope. Further in the case of an item of correspondence, which is to be delivered by physical delivery a postage indicia is printed on the envelope or on a label () that is to be applied to the envelope. If the system () determines for an item of correspondence that the delivery will be by fax (), then the correspondence is sent using fax (). If the system () determines for an item of correspondence that the delivery will be by e-mail (), then the correspondence is sent using a SMTP server ().

System and method for management of correspondence

In an improved postage scale system, soft-selection keys are used for selecting options including shipping service options provided by the system. The display on such a system is adjustable for comfortable viewing thereof. The system is capable of interfacing and communicating with other devices such as a printer, a remote computer, an optical scanner, an integrated circuit (IC) card, etc. Certain data and code for use in the system can be updated by downloading new data and code from IC cards to the system. A security measure is instituted such that, after an update of the data or code, a system user is required to enter a valid authorization number in order to enable the system. Such a measure is, in part, necessary for deterring unauthorized copying of software of the system onto another similar system.

Growing community of inventors

Branford, CT, United States of America

Robert G Schwartz