Secure postage dispensing system
US4873645A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 1987 |
| Grant date | Oct 10, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07B2017/00879
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A secure postage dispensing system is provided, which comprises: apparatus for receiving mailing information including a list of addresses, wherein the list is associated with a number of mail pieces to be sent and information indicative of the postage due for the mail pieces; structure for calculating the total postage required for the mail pieces; and structure for establishing communication with a funds control center, which is adapted to receive the total postage and the total number of mail pieces to be mailed and includes instrumentalities for effecting a funds transfer in the amount of the total postage to a carrier service and, upon completion of such funds transfer, returning a cryptographic key and a batch identifier. In addition, the dispensing system includes apparatus for using said cryptographic key to provide a unique encrypted number for each address in the list of addresses, and apparatus for outputting the list of addresses with each address having the unique encrypted number appended thereto.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.