Franking unit and method for generating valid data for franking imprints
US6523014B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 15, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07B2017/00766
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A franking unit for low mail volume is composed of a computer and with a connected printer. The computer has a memory with a local data bank for postal recipient address datafiles and is connected via a communication path to a data center that comprises a central data bank. The computer is appropriately programmed so that request data are formed and communicated to the data center and requested data that are communicated back and are received and stored. A method for generating valid data for franking imprints includes the steps of formation and transmission of request data for a signature, verification of communicated data in a data central, generation of a signature on the basis of verified data using an asymmetrical crypto algorithm and secret private key, as well as re-transmission of the verified data and of the signature to the franking unit, wherein the authenticity of the data transmitted back can be checked on the basis of the signature using a public key, as well as storage of authentic, received data in the local data bank.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.