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

Abstract

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.