Patent · US Active

Franking method and mail transport system with central postage accounting

US8046304B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by

20References

18Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Francotyp-Postalia GmbH · DE

Inventor

Gerrit Bleumer · Schildow, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Sep 26, 2008
Grant date	Oct 25, 2011
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Sep 4, 2029

Classification

Technology area (CPC G)Physics
CPC primaryG07B2017/00846
WIPO fieldControl
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

In a franking method and a mail transport system, a franking image is calculated before generation thereof on a mail piece. The franking image includes a franking image key, and for each new franking image, the franking image key therefor is derived from a predecessor franking image key according to a first crypto-algorithm. An integrity check code is also generated based on the new franking image key, a key generation number, an apparatus identifier of the franking device, and a second crypto-algorithm. The franking image includes at least the device identifier, the key generation number and the integrity check code. Upon transport of the mail piece to a sorting center, the franking image is scanned and fees for billing are generated based thereon.

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