Method for verifying digital franking notes

US7580529B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Deutsche Post AG · DE

Inventors

• Peter Fery · Zwingenberg, DE
• Juergen Helmus · Bonn, DE
• Gunther Meier · Porta Westfalica, DE
• Dieter Stumm · Wiesmoor, DE
• Carsten Vullriede · Walsrode, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 21, 2004
• Grant date: Aug 25, 2009
• Expiry date: Jul 24, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07B2017/0087
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Digital franking notes generated in customer systems and comprise cryptographic information that is used for verifying the postage indicia in local payment assurance systems. A data key used for generating the postage indicia is generated in a value transfer center and transmitted via a central payment assurance system to the local payment assurance systems, which import the key in order to verify franking notes generated using the key. The local payment assurance systems notify the value transfer center of successful key imports. After a successful import, the value transfer center issues a data key to the customer systems and postage indicia are verified by decrypting the contained cryptographic information in the local payment assurance systems.