Postage payment system with security for sensitive mailer data and enhanced carrier data functionality
US5586036A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 5, 1994 |
| Grant date | Dec 17, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 5, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07B2017/00951
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and system for processing mail including imprinting on a mailpiece mailer identification information. Data is encrypted relative to the mailpiece with a private key associated with the mailer identification information. The private key also has an associated public key. The encrypted data is imprinted on the mailpiece and the mailpiece is placed in a mail delivery stream of a mail carrier. The mail is thereafter processed to determine from the mailer identification information the public key. The encrypted data is decrypted with the public key to authenticate the mailer and the mailers billing records are updated for mailer charges associated with the mailpiece. The addressee information for the mailpiece may be included as part of the encrypted data for mailpiece authentication. The billing record of the mailer may be encrypted with the mailer public key and transmitted to the mailer. The various mailpieces of the mailer deposited with the carrier service may be consolidated into a single encrypted statement and provided to the mailer, either in physical form or electronically along with other information including address hygiene, availability of special services from th…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.