Postal rating system with verifiable integrity
US5448641A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 8, 1993 |
| Grant date | Sep 5, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 8, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07B2017/00782
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
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 …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.