US4775246A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for detecting unaccounted for printing in a value printing system
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1986-02-25
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Granted: 1988-10-04
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Expires: 2006-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A system for detecting fraudulent imprints on documents is disclosed. The system comprises a metering device, a host and a verifying facility. The metering device provides a validation signal to the host and its associated printer. Thereafter, the printer prints information which includes information from the validation signal. Thereafter the information printed on a mailpiece can be validated at the verifying facility by detecting the validation information provided by the metering device. The system provides a method to make a secure metering device without an integral printer. This value printing system provides for a secure system that will allow for the detection of fraudulent imprints at a verifying facility.
Inventors
- 👤 George B. Edelmann
- 👤 Kevin D. Hunter
- 👤 Arno Muller
- 👤 Alfred C. Schmidt, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:14
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00185; G07B17/00193; G07B17/00016; G07B17/0008; G07B17/00314; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00508; G07B17/00733; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/10; G07F7/1016; G07B2017/00088; G07B2017/00096; G07B2017/00153; G07B2017/00177; G07B2017/00201; G07B2017/00241; G07B2017/00258; G07B2017/00322; G07B2017/00572; G07B2017/0058; G07B2017/00588; G07B2017/00596; G07B2017/00741; G07B2017/0075; G07B2017/00822; G07B2017/0083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A value printing system having a first processing means coupled to a printing means and a metering device, said metering device comprising: a second processing means; a non-volatile memory means coupled to said second processing means, said non-volatile memory means for storing accounting information located therein and for transferring accounting information to said second processing means; means, coupled to said second processing means, for encrypting information supplied by said first processing means such that said second processing means accounts for the value to be printed and supplies said first processing means with data giving evidence, to be printed along with the value by said printing means that value has been accounted for; and a portable device, removably coupled to said meter, said portable device supporting said second processing means and said non-volatile memory.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A value printing system having a first processing means coupled to a printing means and a metering device, said metering device comprising: a second processing means; a non-volatile memory means coupled to said second processing means, said non-volatile memory means for storing accounting information located therein and for transferring accounting information to said second processing means; means, coupled to said second processing means, for encrypting information supplied by said first processing means such that said second processing means accounts for the value to be printed and supplies said first processing means with data giving evidence, to be printed along with the value by said printing means that value has been accounted for; and a portable device, removably coupled to said meter, said portable device supporting said second processing means and said non-volatile memory.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 1 further including a permanent program storage means and a dynamic data storage means coupled to said second processing means, said permanent program storage means and said dynamic data storage means supported on said device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 2 further comprising a private bus means supported on said device and coupling said second processor means and said nonvolatile memory such that said nonvolatile memory means can only be accessed through said second processing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 3 further comprising a permanent program storage means and a dynamic data storage means supported on said device and coupled to said private bus means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 3 wherein said first processing means and said second processing means are coupled by a public bus means such that access by said first processing means to said nonvolatile memory means is by way of said public bus means, said second processing means and said private bus means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 5 wherein said removable device provides physical and electrical protection for said second processing means, said nonvolatile memory means, said permanent program storage means and said dynamic data storage means, which are supported on said device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 1 further comprising a second nonvolatile memory means, said s ond nonvolatile memory means coupled to said second processing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 7 further comprising a clock/calendar means coupled to said second processing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 1 further comprising a permanent program storage means coupled to said first processing means, said permanent program storage means containing operating programs for a plurality of different types of printing means, and said printing means removably coupled to said first processing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 9 further comprising a clock/calendar means coupled to said second processing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 5 wherein said public bus means is a local area network.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 5 wherein said public bus means is a telephone network.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 3 further comprising a second permanent program storage means coupled to said first processing means and wherein portions of the operating program for said second processing means is stored in said first and said second permanent program storage means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a value printing system, the system including a printing means, the value printing system including a portable metering device, the portable metering device comprising, a processing means input means coupled to said processing means for inputting information, a nonvolatile memory means, private bus means coupling said nonvolatile memory menas to said processing means, said nonvolatile memory means for storing accounting information located therein and for transferring accounting information to the processing means, and means coupled to the processing means for encrypting information to be printed by said printing means, in which the processing means accounts for the value to be printed and supplies the printing means with data giving evidence that value has been accounted for and which said printing means will print along with the value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a value printing system, the system including a printing means, the value printing system including a portable metering device, the portable metering device comprising, a processing means input means coupled to said processing means for inputting information, a nonvolatile memory means, private bus means coupling said nonvolatile memory menas to said processing means, said nonvolatile memory means for storing accounting information located therein and for transferring accounting information to the processing means, and means coupled to the processing means for encrypting information to be printed by said printing means, in which the processing means accounts for the value to be printed and supplies the printing means with data giving evidence that value has been accounted for and which said printing means will print along with the value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 14 further including a device removably coupled to said meter, said processing means and said nonvolatile memory means supported on said device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 15 further including a permanent program storage means and a dynamic data storage means coupled to said processing means, said permanent program storage means and said dynamic data storage means supported on said device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 16 further comprising a private bus means supported on said device and coupling said processing means and said nonvolatile memory such that said nonvolatile memory means can only be accessed through said processing means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 17 further comprising a permanent program storage means and a dynamic data storage means supported on said device and coupled to said private bus means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 17 wherein said processing means and said printer are coupled by a public bus means such that access to said nonvolatile memory means is by way of said public bus means, said processing means and said private bus means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 19 wherein said removable device provides physical and electrical protection for said processing means, said nonvolatile memory means, said permanent program storage means and said dynamic data storage means, which are supported on said device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 15 further comprising a clock/calendar means coupled to said public bus means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 19 wherein said public bus means is a local area network.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 19 wherein said public bus means is a telephone network.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 19 wherein said printing means is removably coupled to said public bus means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 1 wherein the accounting information is stored in said nonvolatile memory employing a fault tolerant data storage technique.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 25 wherein the fault tolerant data storage techniques comprising space diversity storage.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
A value printing system as defined in claim 26 wherein the fault tolerant data storage technique further comprises an error correcting data storage technique.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-10-04 | 1992-04-04 | 1992-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-04 | 1996-04-04 | 1996-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-04 | 2000-04-04 | 2000-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |