Secure data capture apparatus and method

US7171392B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems Inc · US

Inventors

• George Brookner · Norwalk, US
• Roman Kresina · Oxford, US
• Lorenz Frey · Zuchwil, CH

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 5, 2002
• Grant date: Jan 30, 2007
• Expiry date: Feb 12, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07B2017/00967
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

In a postage meter system (FIG. 2), a user enters information,indicative of a batch of mail pieces to be franked (30). The mail pieces are franked(31), and when the batch is completed, data relating to the batch are made the subject of a cryptographic engine(33). The data digitally signed, or a message authentication code (MAC) is derived, all in a postal security device (PSD)(32). The data are communicated(34), preferably by means of public-key cryptography(35). These data are then made available to the postal authority in a secure way.(36)