Virtual postage meter with secure digital signature device
US6466921B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 11, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 15, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 11, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07B2017/00967
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method of evidencing postage payment includes a data center with a database storing a plurality of meter records. Each meter record includes meter information corresponding to a metering account. When a request for postage is received, a secure co-processor device in the data center obtains the appropriate meter record and verifies the authenticity of the meter record by verifying a signature in the meter record and comparing freshness data in the meter record to freshness data in the secure device. If verified, the secure device then accounts for an amount of postage to be evidenced, generates evidence of postage payment and updates the meter information, including the freshness data, in the meter record. The secure device then signs the updated meter information, stores the signature in the meter record, and returns the updated meter record to the database.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.