EP0132782A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for printing encrypted messages with bar-code representation
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1984-07-18
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-07-18
Abstract
Abstract @ Asystem for the metering of encrypted postage and similar indicia includes a device (32) for printing such indicia and a device (34) for reading such indicia. The printing is accomplished with a bar-code printer driven by signals obtained from a keyboard (48) and from an encryption circuit. The reading is accomplished with a bar-code reader to retreive the characters, and permit the comparison of the separated coded data with a reference code to determine the accuracy of the printed material. Both the data and the code area imprinted by a bar-code indicia, a portion of the code being set aside for the data and a portion of the bar-code being set aside for encryption purposes. Thereby, the two portions can readily be separated to allow for automatic reading of the bar code for extraction of the message, while also allowing for automatic verification (54) by use of the encrypted material.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel F. Dlugos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:06
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K1/00; G06K1/12; G06K1/121; G06K17/00; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00508; G07B17/00185; G07B17/00435; G07B2017/00443; G07B2017/00516; G07B2017/00524; G07B2017/00548; G07B2017/00572; G07B2017/0058; G07B2017/00588; G07B17/00661; G07B2017/00709; G07B2017/00717; G07B2017/00725
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A device (32, 200, 400, 600, 800) for the metering of encrypted messages, such as postage and similar indicia characterized by: (a) an entry means (48) for the entry of data; (b) means (86, 90) coupled to said entry means (48) for the storage of said data; (c) an encryption circuit (88, 92) for developing a code word; (d) means (36, 406) coupled to said storage means (86, 90) and to said encryption circuit (88, 92) for imprinting a bar-code representation of the data of said storage means and a code word (210) of said encryption circuit; (e) means (82, 94; 201, 208) synchronized with said imprinting and coupled between said storage means (86, 90) and said encryption circuit (88, 92) for alternately feeding data of said storage: means (86, 90) and a code word of said encryption circuit (88, 92) to said imprinting means (36, 402).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
147 words
A device (32, 200, 400, 600, 800) for the metering of encrypted messages, such as postage and similar indicia characterized by: (a) an entry means (48) for the entry of data; (b) means (86, 90) coupled to said entry means (48) for the storage of said data; (c) an encryption circuit (88, 92) for developing a code word; (d) means (36, 406) coupled to said storage means (86, 90) and to said encryption circuit (88, 92) for imprinting a bar-code representation of the data of said storage means and a code word (210) of said encryption circuit; (e) means (82, 94; 201, 208) synchronized with said imprinting and coupled between said storage means (86, 90) and said encryption circuit (88, 92) for alternately feeding data of said storage: means (86, 90) and a code word of said encryption circuit (88, 92) to said imprinting means (36, 402).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said imprinting includes a printhead (96) for imprinting marks on a printing medium (22).
Claim 4
Independent Claim
42 words
A device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said entry means comprises a keyboard (48) and in that said keyboard (48) includes means (40, 64, 66) for moving the printing medium (22) passed said printhead (36).
Claim 5
Independent Claim
47 words
A device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said printing medium is a package (22), said device further comprising timing means (42, 43) coupled to said moving means (66) for synchronizing said alternate feeding with the position of said package (22).
Claim 6
Independent Claim
123 words
A system (20) for the printing (32, 200, 400, 600, 800) of encrypted messages wherein the messages are printed in a bar-code format on a printing medium (22) characterized by: (a) a keyboard (48) for the entry of data; (b) means (86, 90) coupled to said keyboard (48) for storing the data; (c) encryption means (88, 92; 202) responsive to the data for producing a code (210) derived from the data; (d) a bar-code printer (406) for printing a bar-code indicia on said medium; (e) means (82, 94; 201, 202, 208) coupled to said storage means (86, 90) for alternately driving said printer (406) with data from said keyboard (48) and with elements of the code of said encryption means (88, 92, 202).
Claim 7
Independent Claim
123 words
A system (20) for the printing (32, 200, 400, 600, 800) of encrypted messages wherein the messages are printed in a bar-code format on a printing medium (22) characterized by: (a) a keyboard (48) for the entry of data; (b) means (86, 90) coupled to said keyboard (48) for storing the data; (c) encryption means (88, 92; 202) responsive to the data for producing a code (210) derived from the data; (d) a bar-code printer (406) for printing a bar-code indicia on said medium; (e) means (82, 94; 201, 202, 208) coupled to said storage means (86, 90) for alternately driving said printer (406) with data from said keyboard (48) and with elements of the code of said encryption means (88, 92, 202).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
A system (34, 420, 620, 850) for reading of encrypted messages according to claim 7, characterized by: (a) means (422) for reading said bar-code indicia on said medium; (b) means (426, 88, 92, 201) coupled to said reading means (422) for regenerating said codes; (c) means (428) for comparing a code read by said reading means (422) with a code of said regenerating means (426, 88, 92, 201) for verification (54) of said bar-code indicia.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said printer includes a printhead (96) and means (40, 64) for moving said medium passed said printhead.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
45 words
A system according to at leastone of the preceding claims 5 to 7, characterized in that said moving means (40, 64) includes means (42) responsive to positions of said medium (22) for synchronizing (43) said printer driving means (64) with the movement of said medium.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
58 words
A system according to one of the preceding claims 5 to 8, characterized in that said reading means (34) includes a reading head for sensing indicia on said medium, means for translating said medium (22) passed said reading head, and means (42) responsive to the position of said medium (22) for timing (106) said alternate driving means (64).
Claim 12
Independent Claim
90 words
A device for verifying the presence of encrypted material presented serially with data in a bar-code format printed on a printing medium wherein the encrypted material is derived from the data characterized by: (a) means (422) for reading bar-code indicia on said printing medium (22); (b) means (426, 88, 92, 201) responsive to data read by said reading means (422) for generating the encrypted material; and (c) means (428, 54) for preparing the regenerated encryption material with a reading of such material by said reading means to verify the indicia.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
90 words
A device for verifying the presence of encrypted material presented serially with data in a bar-code format printed on a printing medium wherein the encrypted material is derived from the data characterized by: (a) means (422) for reading bar-code indicia on said printing medium (22); (b) means (426, 88, 92, 201) responsive to data read by said reading means (422) for generating the encrypted material; and (c) means (428, 54) for preparing the regenerated encryption material with a reading of such material by said reading means to verify the indicia.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 10, characterized by means (106, 64) synchronized with a reading by said reading means for moving the printed medium (22) and a reading head of said reading means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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