Patent · US Expired

Token generation process in an open metering system

US5781438A · kind A · utility

338Cited by
14References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 19, 1995
Grant dateJul 14, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 19, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG07B2017/00935
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method of issuing digital tokens in a open system meter includes the steps of sending a request for digital tokens and predetermined postal information, including addressee information, from a host processor to a vault that is operatively coupled to the host processor; calculating in the vault in response to the request for tokens at least one digital token using the predetermined postal information; debiting postal funds in the vault; issuing the digital token to the host processor; and storing the digital token and the predetermined postal information as a transaction record in the host processor for subsequent generation and printing of an indicia. The method further includes the steps of generating in the host processor an indicia comprising a graphical image of the digital token and the predetermined postal information and storing the indicia in the host processor; and printing the indicia on a mailpiece when requested.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.