US5448641A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Postal rating system with verifiable integrity
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
•
Filing: 1993-10-08
•
Granted: 1995-09-05
•
Expires: 2013-10-08
Abstract
Abstract A data center provides a rate table to a user. The rate table is communicated to the mailer along with a hash code that is based on information from the rating table. The hash code provides a unique number based on the rating table. The user within a secure device and to which the rate table is loaded regenerates the hash code based on the information received from the rate table and compares the transmitted hash code with the generated hash code. The comparison verifies that the rate table data has not been intentionally or unintentionally corrupted. The transmitted hash code may be encrypted by the data center and when received decrypted by the mailer. The encryption decryption process provides authenticity of the data center if desired. The generation of the hash code and the comparison with the transmitted hash code can be initiated prior to postage printing and used to insure proper rating. Printing is enabled only after the rating process has been properly implemented. The hash code and rating information may be printed on the mail piece such that a verifying party can reconstruct the rating process and determine if any rating inaccuracy occurred. Various rating inaccuracies for a particular user can be stored by the verging party to detect a recurrence of rating errors. Rating profiles for particular users or group of users may be stored to enable generation of user profiles.
Inventors
- 👤 Leon A. Pintsov
- 👤 Richard A. Connell
- 👤 Ronald P. Sansone
- 👤 Alfred C. Schmidt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:34
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00733; G07B17/00016; G07B17/0008; G07B17/00185; G07B17/00435; G07B2017/00153; G07B2017/00161; G07B2017/00443; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00508; G07B2017/00572; G07B2017/0058; G07B2017/00741; G07B2017/00782
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 67
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A postal rating system comprising: a postal rating device having non-volatile storage means; means for transmitting a postal rate table to said postal rating device such that said postal rate table is stored in said rating device non-volatile memory; means for transmitting to said postal rating device a hash code such that said hash code is stored in said rating device non-volatile memory, said hash code based on information from said rating table; means in said postal rating device for generating a hash code based on information from said received rate table stored in said rating device non-volatile memory; and means for comparing the received hash code with the generated hash code.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A postal rating system comprising: a postal rating device having non-volatile storage means; means for transmitting a postal rate table to said postal rating device such that said postal rate table is stored in said rating device non-volatile memory; means for transmitting to said postal rating device a hash code such that said hash code is stored in said rating device non-volatile memory, said hash code based on information from said rating table; means in said postal rating device for generating a hash code based on information from said received rate table stored in said rating device non-volatile memory; and means for comparing the received hash code with the generated hash code.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A postal rating system as defined in claim 1 wherein said transmitted hash code is an encrypted hash code and including means in said rating device for decrypting the encrypted hash code and comparing the decrypted hash code with the generated hash code.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A postal system as defined in claim 2 wherein the received hash code and the generated hash code are each based upon the entire rate table.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A postal system as defined in claim 2 wherein said transmitted hash code and said transmitted rate table each includes data as to the time period when the rate table is valid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
91 words
A postage evidence device comprising: means for storing a postal rate table in a non-volatile memory; means for storing a hash code based on information from the rate table in said non-volatile memory; means for receiving a request for printing of postage value; means for recomputing the hash code from said information from said rate table stored in said non-volatile memory; means for comparing the recomputed hash code based with said hash code stored in said non-volatile memory; and means for comparing said recomputed hash code and said stored hash code.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
91 words
A postage evidence device comprising: means for storing a postal rate table in a non-volatile memory; means for storing a hash code based on information from the rate table in said non-volatile memory; means for receiving a request for printing of postage value; means for recomputing the hash code from said information from said rate table stored in said non-volatile memory; means for comparing the recomputed hash code based with said hash code stored in said non-volatile memory; and means for comparing said recomputed hash code and said stored hash code.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
A postage evidencing device as defined in claim 5 further including: means for printing at least one of said stored and said recomputed printing hash codes on a mail piece; means for printing said mail piece rating parameters on said mail piece such that a verifying party can reconstruct the rating process and determine if rating inaccuracy occurred.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A postage evidencing device as defined in claim further including means for encrypting said hash code such that said printing means is enabled to print an encrypted hash code on said mail piece.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
60 words
A system for verifying the accuracy of postal rating, comprising: means for scanning a mail piece to detect a hash code printed on a mail piece and rating parameters also printed on the mail piece; means for recomputing the rating process to determine the rating accuracy; and, means for determining the correctness of said rating for said scanned mail piece.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
60 words
A system for verifying the accuracy of postal rating, comprising: means for scanning a mail piece to detect a hash code printed on a mail piece and rating parameters also printed on the mail piece; means for recomputing the rating process to determine the rating accuracy; and, means for determining the correctness of said rating for said scanned mail piece.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as defined in claim 8 further including means for storing a profile of a mailer based on information from said determining means to provide data concerning rating activities for a series of mail pieces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
A mail piece having imprinted thereon a postal rate based on a postal rate table, the improvement comprising imprinting on said mail piece a code based on information derived from the postal rate table and which provides an identification of the rate table.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
A mail piece having imprinted thereon a postal rate based on a postal rate table, the improvement comprising imprinting on said mail piece a code based on information derived from the postal rate table and which provides an identification of the rate table.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
A mail piece as defined in claim 10 wherein said code imprinted on said mail piece is a value derived from processing said rate table information with a function which precludes recreating said rate table information based solely on said imprinted value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
A mail piece as defined in claim 10 wherein said code is encrypted.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A mail piece as define in claim 11 wherein said function is a hash function.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A mail piece as defined in claim 13 wherein said code is encrypted.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A mail piece as defined in claim 13 wherein said code imprinted on said mail piece is related to a hash value.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
A mail piece as defined in claim 15 wherein said code is an encrypted hash value.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A mail piece as defined in claim 15 wherein the hash value is imprinted in machine readable form.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
A mail piece as defined in claim 17 wherein said hash value is imprinted in bar code format.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A mail piece as defined in claim 18 wherein said bar code format is a bar half bar code format.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
A mail piece as defined in claim 19 wherein said value is an encrypted hash value.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
54 words
A method for postal rating, comprising the steps of: transmitting a postal rate table to a rating device; transmitting to said rating device a code, said code based on information from said rating table; generating a code based on information from the received rate table; and comparing the received code with the generated code.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
54 words
A method for postal rating, comprising the steps of: transmitting a postal rate table to a rating device; transmitting to said rating device a code, said code based on information from said rating table; generating a code based on information from the received rate table; and comparing the received code with the generated code.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 21 wherein said received code and said generated code are hash code.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as defined in claim 22 wherein said transmitted hash code is an encrypted hash code and including the further steps of decrypting the encrypted hash code and comparing the decrypted hash code with the generated hash code.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined in claim 21 where the transmitted and said generated codes are based upon the entire rate table.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of printing postage evidence, comprising the steps of: storing a postal rate table in a non-volatile memory; storing a code based on information from the rate table in said non-volatile memory; receiving a request for printing of postage value; recomputing the code from said information from said rate table stored in said non-volatile memory; and comparing said recomputed code and said stored code.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of printing postage evidence, comprising the steps of: storing a postal rate table in a non-volatile memory; storing a code based on information from the rate table in said non-volatile memory; receiving a request for printing of postage value; recomputing the code from said information from said rate table stored in said non-volatile memory; and comparing said recomputed code and said stored code.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 25 wherein said stored code and said recomputed code are each hash codes.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method of printing postage as defined in claim 25 further including the steps of: printing said code on a mail piece; printing said mail piece rating parameters on said mail piece to enable reconstruction of the rating process from information imprinted on said mail piece.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 27 wherein said code is encrypted and said encrypted code is printed.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as defined in claim 25 further including printing a postage rate, printing the date of printing the postage rate and printing said code on said mail piece, said code containing data as to the time period when said rate table is valid.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 29 wherein said code is encrypted and said encrypted code is printed.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
60 words
A system for verifying the accuracy of postal rating, comprising the steps of: scanning a mail piece to detect a code for a mail piece printed on said mail piece and rating parameters also printed on said mail piece; recomputing the rating process to determine the rating accuracy; and determining the correctness of said rating for said scanned mail piece.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
60 words
A system for verifying the accuracy of postal rating, comprising the steps of: scanning a mail piece to detect a code for a mail piece printed on said mail piece and rating parameters also printed on said mail piece; recomputing the rating process to determine the rating accuracy; and determining the correctness of said rating for said scanned mail piece.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as defined in claim 31 wherein said code is a hash code.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined in claim 32 where in said code is an encrypted code and including the further steps of decrypting said encrypted code.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system as defined in claim 31 further including storing a profile of a mailer or group of mailers based on scanned data concerning rating activities for a series of mail pieces for said mailer or group of mailers.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined in claim 23 wherein said transmitted hash code and said transmitted rate table each include data as to the rate table validity time period.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
116 words
A postal rating system comprising: a postal rating device having secure storage means; means for transmitting a postal rate table to said postal rating device such that said postal rate table is stored in said rating device secure storage means; means for transmitting to said postal rating device a hash code such that said hash code is stored in said rating device secure storage means, said hash code based on information from said rating table; means in said postal rating device for generating a hash code based on information from said received rate table stored in said rating device secure storage means memory; and means for comparing the received hash code with the generated hash code.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
116 words
A postal rating system comprising: a postal rating device having secure storage means; means for transmitting a postal rate table to said postal rating device such that said postal rate table is stored in said rating device secure storage means; means for transmitting to said postal rating device a hash code such that said hash code is stored in said rating device secure storage means, said hash code based on information from said rating table; means in said postal rating device for generating a hash code based on information from said received rate table stored in said rating device secure storage means memory; and means for comparing the received hash code with the generated hash code.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
43 words
A postal rating system as defined in claim 36 wherein said transmitted hash code is an encrypted hash code and including means in said rating device for decrypting the encrypted hash code and comparing the decrypted hash code with the generated hash code.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
26 words
A postal system as defined in claim 37 wherein the received hash code and the generated hash code are each based upon the entire rate table.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
32 words
A postal system as defined in claim 37 wherein said transmitted hash code and said transmitted rate table each includes data as to the time period when the rate table is valid.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of printing postage evidence, comprising the steps of: storing a postal rate table; storing a code based on information from the rate table; receiving a request for printing of postage value; recomputing the code from said information from said stored rate table; and comparing said recomputed code and said stored code.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of printing postage evidence, comprising the steps of: storing a postal rate table; storing a code based on information from the rate table; receiving a request for printing of postage value; recomputing the code from said information from said stored rate table; and comparing said recomputed code and said stored code.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 40 wherein said stored code and said recomputed code are each hash codes.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method of printing postage as defined in claim 40 further including the steps of: printing said code on a mail piece; and, printing said mail piece rating parameters on said mail piece to enable reconstruction of the rating process from information imprinted on said mail piece.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 42 wherein said code is encrypted and said encrypted code is printed.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as defined in claim 40 further including printing a postage rate, printing the date of printing the postage rate and printing said code on said mail piece, said code containing data as to the time period when said rate table is valid.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 44 wherein said code is encrypted and said encrypted code is printed.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for a mailing system, comprising the steps of: generating a request for recharging a postage evidencing device with additional postage value to be printed; determining the validity of a rate table associated with said postage evidencing device; and, enabling recharging of said postage evidencing device if said rate table is determined to be valid.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for a mailing system, comprising the steps of: generating a request for recharging a postage evidencing device with additional postage value to be printed; determining the validity of a rate table associated with said postage evidencing device; and, enabling recharging of said postage evidencing device if said rate table is determined to be valid.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as defined in claim 46 wherein said steps of determining includes said postage evidencing device transmitting to a remote location a hash code value of a rate table currently associated with said postage evidencing device.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as defined in claim 46 wherein said steps of determining includes transmitting to said postage evidencing device a hash code value of a currently valid rate table.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
40 words
A method for a mailing system, comprising the steps of: determining the validity of a rate table associated with a postage evidencing device; and enabling operation of said postage evidencing device if said rate table is determined to be valid.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
40 words
A method for a mailing system, comprising the steps of: determining the validity of a rate table associated with a postage evidencing device; and enabling operation of said postage evidencing device if said rate table is determined to be valid.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined in claim 49 wherein said determining step is initiated periodically based on a calendar clock value in said postage evidencing device.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined in claim 49 wherein said determining step is initiated based on the amount of postage printed by said postage evidencing device.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
36 words
A mailing system, comprising the steps of: determining the validity of mailing data associated with a postage evidencing device; and enabling operation of said postage evidencing device if said mailing data is determined to be valid.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
36 words
A mailing system, comprising the steps of: determining the validity of mailing data associated with a postage evidencing device; and enabling operation of said postage evidencing device if said mailing data is determined to be valid.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 52 wherein said determining steps includes generating a hash code value based on said mailing data.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 53 wherein said hash code value is respectively generated and stored for later retrieval and verification.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 54 wherein said hash code values are stored in a secure memory.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-09-04 | 1999-03-06 | 1999-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-09-04 | 2003-03-06 | 2003-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-09-04 | 2007-03-06 | 2007-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |