Patent US6240403B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6240403B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for a modular postage accounting system
Assignee: Quadient Technologies France SA
•
Filing: 1998-01-22
•
Granted: 2001-05-29
•
Expires: 2018-01-22
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for a modular postage accounting system. An open system metering device of the present invention includes a general purpose computer, a digital printer and a secure metering device (SMD). The SMD performs the accounting functions of a postage meter and generates encrypted postage indicia data for transmission by the computer to the digital printer and subsequent printing on a mailpiece by the digital printer. Postage credit data can be entered into the SMD using a computerized meter resetting system just as it is in a conventional postage meter.
Inventors
- 👤 Chandrakant J. Shah
- 👤 Keith B. Robertson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:36
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00508; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/10; G06Q20/102; G07B17/00016; G07B17/0008; G07B17/00185; G07B17/00193; G07B17/00661; G07B2017/00088; G07B2017/00096; G07B2017/00137; G07B2017/00201; G07B2017/00241; G07B2017/00572; G07B2017/0058; G07B2017/00709; G07B2017/00725; G07B17/00733; G07B2017/00959; G07B2017/00967
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A modular postage accounting system comprising: a secure metering device configured to store postage accounting information, to generate data representing at least a portion of a secure postage indicium, and to account for the generation of said data by changing at least a portion of said postage accounting information, and wherein said secure postage indicium is configured to permit authentication of said secure postage indicium using encoded information included therein; a first computer coupled to said secure metering device, wherein said first computer is configured to control said secure metering device via at least one control signal, and wherein said secure metering device is configured to generate said data in response to said at least one control signal; a second computer; a printer coupled locally to said second computer; and a network communications medium coupled to said first and second computers, wherein said first computer is configured to convey said data to said second computer via said network communications medium to allow said second computer to control said printer to print said secure postal indicium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A modular postage accounting system comprising: a secure metering device configured to store postage accounting information, to generate data representing at least a portion of a secure postage indicium, and to account for the generation of said data by changing at least a portion of said postage accounting information, and wherein said secure postage indicium is configured to permit authentication of said secure postage indicium using encoded information included therein; a first computer coupled to said secure metering device, wherein said first computer is configured to control said secure metering device via at least one control signal, and wherein said secure metering device is configured to generate said data in response to said at least one control signal; a second computer; a printer coupled locally to said second computer; and a network communications medium coupled to said first and second computers, wherein said first computer is configured to convey said data to said second computer via said network communications medium to allow said second computer to control said printer to print said secure postal indicium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The modular postage accounting system of claim 1 , wherein said first computer is further configured to retrieve said postage accounting information stored in said secure metering device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
144 words
The modular postage accounting system of claim 1 , wherein said secure metering device comprises: a first memory unit configured to store said at least said portion of said postage accounting information; a second memory unit configured to store said at least said portion of said postage accounting information; a central processing unit coupled to said first and second memory units and configured to update at least a portion of said at least said portion of said postage accounting information stored in said first and second memory units; and a communications port coupled to said central processing unit and said first computer, wherein said central processing unit is configured to communicate information held in said first and second memory units to said computer via said communications port, and said computer is configured to access said first and second memory units via said communications port.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The modular postage accounting system of claim 1 , wherein at least one component of said secure metering device is housed in a housing configured to impede unauthorized access to said at least one component.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The modular postage accounting system of claim 1 , wherein at least one component of said secure metering device is a memory unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The modular postage accounting system of claim 1 , wherein at least one component of said secure metering device is a storage device configured to store said postage accounting information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
86 words
The modular postage accounting system of claim 1 , wherein said secure metering device comprises: a first storage device and a second storage device capable of redundantly and securely storing said postage accounting information; a communications unit configured to communicate with said computer; and a processor coupled to said first and second storage devices and to said communications unit, said processor configured to control said first and second storage devices and to transfer postage information from said first and second storage devices to said communication unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The modular postage accounting system of claim 1 , further comprising: a reader configured to read human-readable information and said encoded information from said secure postage indicium; and a computing unit coupled to said reader and configured to determine the authenticity of said secure postage indicium by comparing said human-readable information and said encoded information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
The modular postage accounting system of claim 1 , wherein said secure metering device comprises: a first storage unit configured to store said at least said portion of said postage accounting information; a control unit coupled to said first storage unit, said control unit configured to update information stored in said first storage unit; and a communications port coupled to said control unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The modular postage accounting system of claim 9 , wherein said control unit is configured to communicate information stored in said first storage unit to said first computer via said communications port, and said computer is configured to access information stored in said first storage unit via said communications port.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The modular postage accounting system of claim 9 , wherein said secure metering device further comprises: a second storage unit coupled to said control unit and configured to store a redundant copy of information stored in said first storage unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The modular postage accounting system of claim 9 , wherein said first storage unit comprises a non-volatile memory unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
146 words
A modular postage accounting system comprising: a secure metering device configured to generate data representing at least a portion of a secure postage indicium and to account for the generation of said data; a printer configured to print said secure postage indicium, wherein said secure postage indicium is configured to allow authentication of said secure postage indicium using secure information included therein; a first computer coupled to said secure metering device and configured to cause said secure metering device to generate said data; a second computer coupled locally to said printer; and a network communications medium coupled to said first and second computers; wherein said first computer is configured to convey said data to said second computer via said communications medium and said second computer is configured to receive said data from said first computer and to cause said printer to print said secure postage indicium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
146 words
A modular postage accounting system comprising: a secure metering device configured to generate data representing at least a portion of a secure postage indicium and to account for the generation of said data; a printer configured to print said secure postage indicium, wherein said secure postage indicium is configured to allow authentication of said secure postage indicium using secure information included therein; a first computer coupled to said secure metering device and configured to cause said secure metering device to generate said data; a second computer coupled locally to said printer; and a network communications medium coupled to said first and second computers; wherein said first computer is configured to convey said data to said second computer via said communications medium and said second computer is configured to receive said data from said first computer and to cause said printer to print said secure postage indicium.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The modular postage accounting system of claim 13 , wherein at least one component of said secure metering means is housed in a housing configured to impede unauthorized access to said at least one component.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The modular postage accounting system of claim 13 , wherein said printer is a physically unsecure unit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The modular postage accounting system of claim 13 , wherein said printer is configured to print information in addition to said secure postage indicium.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
178 words
A modular postage accounting system comprising: a first computer; a second computer; a printer coupled locally to said second computer, said printer configured to print a secure postage indicium and additional information; and a secure metering device coupled to said first computer and configured to generate data representing at least a portion of said secure postage indicium, to account for the generation of said data by updating at least a portion of postage accounting information, and to communicate postal information to and from said first computer; and a network communications medium coupled to said first and second computers, wherein said first computer is configured to convey said data to said second computer via said network communications medium to allow said second computer to control said printer to print said secure postal indicium; wherein at least one component of said secure metering device is housed in a housing configured to impede unauthorized access to said at least one component, and said secure postage indicium is configured to permit authentication of said secure postage indicium via secure information included therein.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
178 words
A modular postage accounting system comprising: a first computer; a second computer; a printer coupled locally to said second computer, said printer configured to print a secure postage indicium and additional information; and a secure metering device coupled to said first computer and configured to generate data representing at least a portion of said secure postage indicium, to account for the generation of said data by updating at least a portion of postage accounting information, and to communicate postal information to and from said first computer; and a network communications medium coupled to said first and second computers, wherein said first computer is configured to convey said data to said second computer via said network communications medium to allow said second computer to control said printer to print said secure postal indicium; wherein at least one component of said secure metering device is housed in a housing configured to impede unauthorized access to said at least one component, and said secure postage indicium is configured to permit authentication of said secure postage indicium via secure information included therein.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
88 words
The modular postage accounting system of claim 17 , further comprising software residing on said computer for controlling said printer, said modem, and said secure metering device, wherein said software is configured to cause said secure metering device to generate said data, cause said secure metering device to communicate said data to said computer, cause said computer to generate said secure postage indicium using said data, cause said computer to communicate said secure postage indicium to said printer, and cause said printer to print said secure postage indicium.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
93 words
The modular postage accounting system of claim 17 , wherein said secure metering device comprises: a first storage device and a second storage device configured to redundantly and securely store postage information, wherein said first storage device serves as said at least one component; a communication unit coupled to said computer; and a processor coupled to said first and second storage devices and said communication unit, said processor configured to control said first and second storage devices and to transfer postal information from said first and second storage devices to said communication unit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
57 words
The modular postage accounting system of claim 17 , further comprising: a reader configured to read human-readable information and said secure information from said secure postage indicium; and a computing unit coupled to said reader, said computing unit configured to determine the authenticity of said secure postage indicium by comparing said human-readable information and said secure information.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
140 words
The modular postage accounting system of claim 17 , wherein said secure metering device comprises: a first memory unit configured to store said at least said portion of said postage accounting information; a second memory unit configured to store said at least said portion of said postage accounting information; a central processing unit coupled to said first and second memory units, said central processing unit configured to update at least a portion of said at least said portion of said postage accounting information stored in said first and second memory units; and a communications port coupled to said central processing unit and said first computer, wherein said central processing unit is configured to communicate said data to said computer via said communications port, and said computer is configured to access said first and second memory units via said communications port.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
169 words
A postal system comprising: a secure metering device configured to store postage accounting data, to generate postal data embodied in least a portion of a postage indicium, which indicium includes secure data that permits authentication of said postage indicium, and to account for the generation of said postal data by updating at least a portion of said postage accounting data; and a first computer coupled to said secure metering device, said first computer configured to control said secure metering device via at least one control signal, and wherein said secure metering device is configured to generate said postal data in response to said at least one control signal; a second computer; a printer coupled locally to said second computer; and a network communications link coupled to said first and second computers, wherein said first computer is configured to convey said postal data to said second computer via said network communications medium to allow said second computer to control said printer to print said postal indicium embodying said postal data.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
169 words
A postal system comprising: a secure metering device configured to store postage accounting data, to generate postal data embodied in least a portion of a postage indicium, which indicium includes secure data that permits authentication of said postage indicium, and to account for the generation of said postal data by updating at least a portion of said postage accounting data; and a first computer coupled to said secure metering device, said first computer configured to control said secure metering device via at least one control signal, and wherein said secure metering device is configured to generate said postal data in response to said at least one control signal; a second computer; a printer coupled locally to said second computer; and a network communications link coupled to said first and second computers, wherein said first computer is configured to convey said postal data to said second computer via said network communications medium to allow said second computer to control said printer to print said postal indicium embodying said postal data.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The postal system of claim 22 , wherein said postage accounting data is accessible by said computer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The postal system of claim 22 , wherein said postal data is provided to said computer via a secure mechanism.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The postal system of claim 24 , wherein said secure mechanism is achieved by encryption.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
53 words
The postal system of claim 22 , wherein said secure metering device comprises: a first storage unit configured to store said at least said portion of said postage accounting data; and a control unit coupled to said first storage unit, said control unit configured to update data stored in said first storage unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3652795A
Cited
US3938095A
Cited
US3792446A
Cited
US3890599A
Cited
US3990558A
Cited
US3978457A
Cited
US4097923A
Cited
US4168533A
Cited
US4122532A
Cited
US4252537A
Cited
US4253158A
Cited
US4484307A
Cited
US4629871A
Cited
US4319328A
Cited
US4376299A
Cited
US4447890A
Cited
US4547853A
Cited
US4569022A
Cited
US4574352A
Cited
US4868757A
Cited
US4649266A
Cited
US4757537A
Cited
US4752950A
Cited
US4831555A
Cited
US4812994A
Cited
US4743747A
Cited
US4725718A
Cited
US5029093A
Cited
US4760532A
Cited
US4837701A
Cited
US4853865A
Cited
US4760534A
Cited
US4796193A
Cited
US5375172A
Cited
US4858138A
Cited
US4809185A
Cited
US4887204A
Cited
US4908770A
Cited
US4980542A
Cited
US4901241A
Cited
US4949381A
Cited
US5077792A
Cited
US5202834A
Cited
US5181245A
Cited
US5341505A
Cited
US5243654A
Cited
US5319562A
Cited
US5367464A
Cited
US5309363A
Cited
US5480239A
Cited
US5510992A
Cited
US5606507A
Cited
US5539190A
Cited
US5583779A
Cited
US5758345A
Cited
US5822738A
Cited
US5918234A
Cited
EP0927960A2
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-05-28 | 2004-11-27 | 2005-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-28 | 2008-11-27 | 2009-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-28 | 2012-11-27 | 2013-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |