US6701304B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for postage label authentication
Assignee: Quadient Technologies France SA
•
Filing: 1999-07-21
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Granted: 2004-03-02
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Expires: 2019-07-21
Abstract
Abstract A postage metering system that includes a secure metering device (SMD) coupled to a printer. The SMD generates an indicium and the printer receives and prints the indicium onto a label. The printed indicium label includes a human-readable portion, a machine-readable portion, and an identifier portion. The human-readable portion includes at least one data element, with each data element providing a particular postage information. The machine-readable portion includes a combination of one or more graphical representations and encoded texts. The identifier portion exhibits characteristics useful for authenticating the indicium label and can include a fluorescent strip, a micro printing portion, taggants, other identifiers, or a combination thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Jp Leon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:41
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00016; G07B17/0008; G07B17/00185; G07B17/00314; G07B17/00733; G07B2017/00137; G07B2017/00322; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00508; G07B2017/00612; G07B2017/0062; G07B2017/00637; G07B2017/00653; G07B2017/00959; G07B2017/00967
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A postage metering system comprising: a computer having a user interface to receive postage information; a secure metering device (SMD) operatively coupled to the computer via a communications link, the SMD including a processor configured to receive the postage information from the computer, direct generation of a postage indicium, and account for the postage indicium, and a tamper evident enclosure that houses the processor; and a printer coupled to the SMD, the printer configured to receive and print the postage indicium; wherein: the postage indicium is printed on a specially manufactured postage label having an identifier printed with fluorescent ink that is visible when exposed to light of one or more selected wavelengths; the postage label includes at least one portion printed with an ink that includes a plurality of taggant beads; and each taggant bead has multicolored layers that are arranged in a color pattern to encode information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A postage metering system comprising: a computer having a user interface to receive postage information; a secure metering device (SMD) operatively coupled to the computer via a communications link, the SMD including a processor configured to receive the postage information from the computer, direct generation of a postage indicium, and account for the postage indicium, and a tamper evident enclosure that houses the processor; and a printer coupled to the SMD, the printer configured to receive and print the postage indicium; wherein: the postage indicium is printed on a specially manufactured postage label having an identifier printed with fluorescent ink that is visible when exposed to light of one or more selected wavelengths; the postage label includes at least one portion printed with an ink that includes a plurality of taggant beads; and each taggant bead has multicolored layers that are arranged in a color pattern to encode information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the postage label includes a micro printing portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the taggant beads are formulated to resonate at a particular frequency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the postage indicium includes a human-readable portion and a machine-readable portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 4 , wherein the machine-readable portion includes a barcode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 4 , wherein the machine-readable portion includes a facing identification mark (FIM) mark.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the postage indicium includes a plurality of data fields, each field including at least one data element from a set of available data elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the postage indicium includes a plurality of data elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the postage indicium includes postage information signed using a digital signature algorithm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the postage indicium includes postage information encoded using a cryptographic algorithm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein the data fields conform to IBIP specifications.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
141 words
A postage metering system comprising: a secure metering device (SMD) configured to generate a postage indicium; and a printer coupled to the SMD and configured to receive and print the postage indicium onto a postage label, wherein the postage indicium includes a human-readable portion that includes at least one data element, each data element providing a particular item of postage information, a machine-readable portion that includes a combination of one or more graphical representations and encoded texts, and an identifier portion that exhibits characteristics used for authenticating the postage indicium; wherein: the identifier portion includes a fluorescent strip; the postage label includes at least one portion printed with an ink that includes a plurality of taggant beads; and the taggant beads have multicolored layers that are arranged in at least one color pattern that is an indicator of postage authentication information.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
141 words
A postage metering system comprising: a secure metering device (SMD) configured to generate a postage indicium; and a printer coupled to the SMD and configured to receive and print the postage indicium onto a postage label, wherein the postage indicium includes a human-readable portion that includes at least one data element, each data element providing a particular item of postage information, a machine-readable portion that includes a combination of one or more graphical representations and encoded texts, and an identifier portion that exhibits characteristics used for authenticating the postage indicium; wherein: the identifier portion includes a fluorescent strip; the postage label includes at least one portion printed with an ink that includes a plurality of taggant beads; and the taggant beads have multicolored layers that are arranged in at least one color pattern that is an indicator of postage authentication information.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein the identifier portion includes a micro printing portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein the characteristics aid in the detection of counterfeit postage indicium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
93 words
A postage label having a postage indicium, the postage label comprising: a human-readable portion that includes at least one data element, each data element providing a particular postage information; a machine-readable portion that includes a combination of one or more graphical representations and encoded texts; and an identifier portion that exhibits characteristics used for authenticating the postage label, wherein: the identifier portion includes at least one of the group including a fluorescent strip, a micro printing portion, and an identifier; and the identifier portion is printed with an ink that includes taggant beads.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
93 words
A postage label having a postage indicium, the postage label comprising: a human-readable portion that includes at least one data element, each data element providing a particular postage information; a machine-readable portion that includes a combination of one or more graphical representations and encoded texts; and an identifier portion that exhibits characteristics used for authenticating the postage label, wherein: the identifier portion includes at least one of the group including a fluorescent strip, a micro printing portion, and an identifier; and the identifier portion is printed with an ink that includes taggant beads.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The postage label of claim 15 , wherein the identifier portion includes a fluorescent strip.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The postage label of claim 15 , wherein the identifier portion includes a micro printing portion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The postage label of claim 15 , wherein the characteristics aid in the detection of counterfeit postage labels.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
116 words
A postage metering system comprising: a computer having a user interface to receive postage information; a secure metering device (SMD) operatively coupled to the computer via a communications link, the SMD including: a processor configured to receive the postage information from the computer, direct generation of a postage indicium, and account for the postage indicium, and a tamper evident enclosure that houses the processor; and a printer coupled to the SMD, the printer configured to receive and print the postage indicium; wherein the postage indicium is printed on a specially manufactured label having an identifier, the label includes at least one portion printed with an ink that includes taggant beads formulated to provide an identifying characteristic.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
116 words
A postage metering system comprising: a computer having a user interface to receive postage information; a secure metering device (SMD) operatively coupled to the computer via a communications link, the SMD including: a processor configured to receive the postage information from the computer, direct generation of a postage indicium, and account for the postage indicium, and a tamper evident enclosure that houses the processor; and a printer coupled to the SMD, the printer configured to receive and print the postage indicium; wherein the postage indicium is printed on a specially manufactured label having an identifier, the label includes at least one portion printed with an ink that includes taggant beads formulated to provide an identifying characteristic.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein: the taggant beads include aluminum particles that are formulated to resonate at a particular resonant frequency; and the resonant frequency provides the identifying characteristic.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein the taggant beads are formulated to provide a color pattern.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
105 words
A postage metering system comprising: a secure metering device (SMD) configured to generate a postage indicium's; and a printer coupled to the SMD and configured to receive and print the postage indicium's onto a label; wherein the postage indicium's includes a human-readable portion that includes at least one data element, each data element providing a particular item of postage information, a machine-readable portion that includes a combination of one or more graphical representations and encoded texts, and an identifier portion that exhibits characteristics used for authenticating the postage indicium's; wherein the identifier portion includes a micro-printing portion and printed with ink that includes taggant beads.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
105 words
A postage metering system comprising: a secure metering device (SMD) configured to generate a postage indicium's; and a printer coupled to the SMD and configured to receive and print the postage indicium's onto a label; wherein the postage indicium's includes a human-readable portion that includes at least one data element, each data element providing a particular item of postage information, a machine-readable portion that includes a combination of one or more graphical representations and encoded texts, and an identifier portion that exhibits characteristics used for authenticating the postage indicium's; wherein the identifier portion includes a micro-printing portion and printed with ink that includes taggant beads.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The postage metering system of claim 22 wherein the micro printing portion is disposed adjacent to a ruled line.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
107 words
A postage metering system comprising: a secure metering device (SMD) configured to generate a postage indicium; and a printer coupled to the SMD and configured to receive and print the postage indicium onto a label; wherein the postage indicium includes a human-readable portion that includes at least one data element, each data element providing a particular item of postage information, a machine-readable portion that includes a combination of one or more graphical representations and encoded texts, and an identifier portion that exhibits characteristics used for authenticating the postage indicium; wherein the identifier portion is printed with ink that includes taggant beads that are viewable under microscopic magnification.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
107 words
A postage metering system comprising: a secure metering device (SMD) configured to generate a postage indicium; and a printer coupled to the SMD and configured to receive and print the postage indicium onto a label; wherein the postage indicium includes a human-readable portion that includes at least one data element, each data element providing a particular item of postage information, a machine-readable portion that includes a combination of one or more graphical representations and encoded texts, and an identifier portion that exhibits characteristics used for authenticating the postage indicium; wherein the identifier portion is printed with ink that includes taggant beads that are viewable under microscopic magnification.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 wherein: the ink that includes the taggant beads is the fluorescent ink; and the identifier is printed in the fluorescent ink.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the taggant beads are viewable under microscopic magnification.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the micro printing portion is disposed adjacent a ruled line.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the micro printing portions is printed with the ink that includes the taggant beads.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the resonant frequency is a radio frequency.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the identifier portion is the at least one portion printed with the ink that includes the taggant beads.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 30 wherein the fluorescent strip is printed with the ink that includes the taggant beads.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 15 wherein the taggant beads are viewable under microscopic magnification.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
30 words
The postage label of claim 15 wherein the taggant beads have multicolored layers that are arranged in at least one color pattern that is an indicator of postage authentication information.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
34 words
The postage label of claim 15 wherein: the taggant beads include aluminum particles that are formulated to resonate at a particular resonant frequency; and the resonant frequency is an indicator of postage authentication information.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 20 wherein the resonant frequency is a radio frequency.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 33 wherein the resonant frequency is a radio frequency.
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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) | 2007-03-02 | 2007-09-01 | 2008-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-03-02 | 2011-09-01 | 2012-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-03-02 | 2015-09-01 | 2016-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |