AU4376800A - Storing, retrieving and automatically printing postage on mail - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 E-Stamp Corporation

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT o r v r r o rn rr c r r.

r r n or cc r Invention Title: Storing, retrieving and automatically printing postage on mail The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- STORING, RETRIEVING AND AUTOMATICALLY PRINTING POSTAGE ON MAIL TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates, in general to a portable postage storage device that can be coupled to processor-based systems to receive and retrieve an amount of authorized postage. More specifically, the invention relates to a system and method for a user to automatically calculate the necessary postage for an item of mail and print a postage meter stamp for the calculated amount, along with other encrypted 10 information, on a piece of mail or postage label under the control of a word processing program.

*oo oo* o *o *o* o*° BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Presently, it is common for individuals or businesses to have residing within their offices a postage meter rented from a commercial business such, for example, Pitney Bowes. This arrangement is very convenient, since letters may be addressed, postage applied, and mailed directly from the office without i requiring an employee to physically visit a post office and wait in line in order to apply postage to what is often a quite significant volume of outgoing mail, or to manually apply stamps to each piece of mail in which case mail is slower because it has to go through a postage cancelling machine.

Quite naturally, postage meters were developed to relieve the manual application of stamps on mail and to automate the above process. Nevertheless, a postage meter residing within an office is not all that convenient and efficient as it may first seem to be.

First, a postage meter may not be purchased, but must be rented. The rental fees alone are typically over twenty dollars per month. For a small business, this can be quite an expense to incur year after year.

Second, a postage meter must be adjusted, serviced and replenished manually; each day the date must be adjusted manually, periodically the stamp pad must be re-inked, and when the amount of postage programmed within the postage meter has expired the postage in the meter must be replenished. To be replenished, a postage meter must be manually unplugged, placed into a special case (the meter is of a significant weight), and an employee must visit a post office to have the meter reprogrammed with additional postage. Upon arrival at a post office, a teller must cut the seal, replenish the meter with a desired amount of postage, and reseal the meter before returning it to the employee. The meter must then be returned to the office and powered up.

A slightly more expensive meter (rental of approximately $30.00 more) works in the following manner: 1) a user sets up an account with Pitney Bowes, 2) 7 to 10 days before a user requires any postage, the user deposits with the meter owner the amount of postage required, 3) the user then calls the owner (7 to 10 days later) and they issue instructions as to the manual pushing of a variety of buttons on the meter (programming) which will replenish the postage amount on the meter. Nonetheless, the meter must be 15 taken to the post office every 6 months.

Thus, in addition to the monthly rent, the servicing and replenishing of the meter requires the ~time and expense of at least one employee to take the ooo* meter to a post office to have it replenished. Of course, this procedure results in down-time wherein the postage meter is not available to the business for the application of postage to outgoing mail. In addition, because of the monthly rent and the size of these devices, it is generally not practical for businesses to have more than one postage meter to alleviate this down-time.

As previously mentioned, the alternative to a business, especially a small business, is to forego the advantages of a postage meter and to buy sheets, or books, of stamps. Without a doubt, this is not a sufficient solution. Since a variety of denominations of stamps are generally required, applying two 29C stamps to a letter requiring only 40C, will begin to add up over time. Additionally, it is difficult for a business to keep track of stamp inventories and stamps are subject to pilferage and degeneration from faulty handling. Moreover, increases in the postal rate (which seem to occur every three years) and the requirement for variable amounts of postage for international mail, makes the purchase of stamps even more inefficient and uneconomical.

Because of different postage zones, different classes of mail, different postage required by 10 international mail and the inefficiency of maintaining stamps within an office, it is important to have an automatic postage system, such as the aforementioned inefficient and relatively expensive postage meter.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a system 15 and method that provides the automatic placement of postage on mail at locations other than a post office, while not requiring the use of a traditional postage meter.

Summary of [lip Invention Thus. it is a primary object of the present Inivenution to providle a sYstem and method for atutomiatIically prov'idling for Ilhe placeumient of postage oil mail oumtsideO of t he enivi ronmenolt of ai post office. withbout reqjui ring [lie use of a coniventional postage imeter.

hus in a first aspect of the presenit invention there is providIed a memory storage device for storing anid retri~eving an authorization for all anoumut of postage. said storage device colmprisinig: a nmemory: means for limiting access to saidI muemnory to- a remote authorized postaige granting device: mmea ns for :ouipi i g said storage device to siid remote au tiorized p~ostamge granmt ing device whuereini siid storage device c-all receive said attimorizatiomi for said postage hY' modem: meanus for retrievably storing said ami l (if po)stage: anmd ineamus for coupling said storage dexvicf! to a glimeral purIIpose pro(:essor-based ss teum. whlereinm sa id gen erat pIi rj ii sf processor-tIaseci system c:alm retrieve alms portion of said an ihIorizevt imnouti of postalge fromu "lid c01lld device.

::20 [11 a second aspect of Ime preSvint itivei!ltnim then!l is J)IOli(Id anm authmoriiedl postage granting app~aratuls. saidl ;q)iarflus L()lliJprisillg: nmeans for couin~ g said a ppa rat us In 'I p os tage stora;ge(I device! via a public switched netwvork. said device conmtainming enlcodled data for iIeltifyiI g said dlevice: meanus for retrieving said encoded data and for verifyving the identity of said (device: and mneamns controlled ini part by said verifyin g mieanis for transferring anl authorized ammuouimt of postage to said device: and mmeans for coupling said postage storage device to a general purpose processor-based system whereby said general purpose processor-based system can retrieve any portion of said authorised ammounut of postage from said coupled device.

III a third aspect of thle present inv ~ent ion t here is provided a general purpose processor-based systeim for printing a p~ostage mieter stailip'with a dlesired amounit of postage onuto a piece of mail. said sYs tem comnpris ig: mieans for remiovablv couipling a postage storage device to said system: ineamis for retrieving informiation fromi saidl postage storage device.

said informiation including a total aniount of postage stored inl said postage storage device: mueans for automatically calculating a correct amounit of postage for said lpiece of mail as a fictiomi of mailing parameters entered iiito said system amid p~articumlar to said piece of mail: ~~mieans for automaticallY ded tictimig sa id correct amiouniit of postage glefromi said total amiounmt of postage: anid mm inca meis for forniattIing data to be senmt to aI iiter coupJledl to said sYstem. whlerimi said foriiatted data is ope~rable to prinit said hideer stamip with said correct amouint of postage.

,IIn a fourth aspect of the p~resenit inv~enmtion there Is provided a genieral ~~pu rpose pro(:essor-basedl sys teim for prinit inmg a postage i lie te S tamp ithi a deOsi red a moun mt of postage onito a piece of m a il. said svs temi Comiprisin1g: 20 mieanis for readinig a total amunt of postage fromi a TIU buttoni *Poo' reniovalY coupled to saidsytm mneans romtrolled byv a p~articuilar' general purp~ose processor for o*4 hand~shmakinmg wi th Iisaid TNIU bit tomi to read dlata fromi said TMLJ um t lon a ~~~incluid ig a un iquie serial niumiiber ass ignied to sai hI ht tonl and verifyvinmg t hat saidl lut ton is authorized for use inl printing postage meter staimps: means for automatically calculating a correct amount of postage for said piece of mail as a function of mailing parameters entered into said system and( particular to said piece of mail: mueans for automatically deducting said correct amount froii said total amount thereby creating a new total aniounit: and mieans for formatting data to be sent to a printer coupfled to said system. wherein said formatted data is operable to prinit said meter stamlp with said correct amiount of postage.

In a fi fthI aspect of the preseunt iventIion t here is provided a processor-based system. installing onI a selectively controllable b~asis a first application programn. saidl program controllitig a muethiod for p~riniting a postage mieter stamip on a piece of mail, said stamp including postage for mailing said piece of miail. saidl miethodI comprising the steps of: read ing and( dlisplaying under control of said installedI first application prograni a serial number and a postage balance specific to a TINMU button removable coupled to said systeni: receiving in said processor-based system by a general puirpose second app~licationi installed within said processor-based system one or inure p~aramieters p~ertaininlg to imailinig of said p~iece of mnail: ~attomuaticallv calcuilatinig undelr joimt iimfl mice of said~ first and scoind apl~llica tion programs said postage as a fuiict ion of said pjaramieters: ailoimiatically deduicting under joint rcomitol of saidl first application and niemiom-v :ointainied within saidl TNIt 7 lImittoil said 1 )5tiage froiii d p~ostage balance resumltinig in a nemv balamicv stored!( wvitlin said button: aInd prit ing saidl postage meter st aimp inclu hd in g said postage on said piece of muall. said printing occurring oo a general plms~l)e prinlter coiicCtOel to ani output p~ort of said processor-based svsem.

In a sixth aspect of the p~resenit IniiweiitIoi re is provided a general purpose processor-based compumter svsteii ol)erjall! for olit pumtt inmg data pertaiinmg to a postage meter stamp); to be printed oin a piece of m1a i said system comiprisimng: mneaiis for verify* ing that a universal storage means. programmned to contain a predetermined amount of postage that may be p~riiited and coupled to said svstenis is an authorized storage iieaiis. said mieans for verifying usinig la ta stored wvithini said storage mnics: mieaiis for retrieving a portion of ani amount of postage storedl within said storage nieans: mieans for outputting data pertaiinmg to said retriev'ed port iou alomng with dlata operable for printing said postage inc er stamp including an indication of said retrieved postage portion: and wherein said retrievinig imeans anl said outputting mieaiis are comtrolled in part by coded data p~rovidled oin a storage Inedium separate fr'om said storage mieaiis.

C-

lIn a seven th aspect of I he preCsen1t imil~einhon theire is provided a general purpose processor- based systemi adaptale for inputting to a universal data storage means dlata pertaining to an amiotunt of postage. saidl system Comiip rising: uuueaus for removably coupling said dIata storage meaans to said SVstenII: mxeans including unique (data uiual terablY stored ini said dlata storage mueanis for verifying that said data storage mueanxs is autlorized to receive data pertaining to an amount of postage: 10 means operable for receiving user input pertaining to a desired 4 amiounit of postage to b~e storedl within said dlata storage ineans: iaaeazns. responsive to said ruceived tiser input. for transferring said (desiredl 'au11011t of postage to said dIata Storage inaals: iuteans for storing ana iIelificatioi) pertainuing to Salid system within said (data storage iuacans along withuini said transfer of saidl amuoiunt of postage: and imeanas for (lisplaviuig to a user- an idlentific:ationl of saidl verified data storage mneans.

III fie attaiunmenat of thme primar object. tIl(e present inventioln Is eumbodijed wvith in a processor-)asCe s vstem loca tedl at aI hu s Iii5ss offices. A nwmauis is p~rov'idedl for puirchmasinag a desir-ed a~mitIIit of postage at a post office and for storing this purchased amounut within a postage storage dleviCe.

Thelireafter. a user umaY Invxoke the processor-based sYstem to access the postage storage device and retrieve a portion of the stored amuiouint of postage for subsequent printing on an envelope, a label, or a letter via a printer coupled to the processor-based systemi in a formi similar to that employed by a coun'entiouual postage meter.

In a p~referred embhodimecnt of the present invention. the processorb~ased system is a personal computer located withini a business' office.

The PC wvill storc a program. hereiniafter referred to as the "E-STIPI program. which requests input from the user on the amount of dlesired postage and subsequently prints on an envelope, a letter or a label through a1 printer, or a special purpose label-maker. coupled to the IC the dlesired amount of postage. The desired amount of postage is printed as a meter stamip and may contain encrypted information for sec~urity purposes. The E- STAM!P program interfaces with the user through time display screen and the kevboard, or mouse, of the PC.

In another oreferred embodiment of the present invention, a touch memory utility button, manufactured by, for example, Dallas Semiconductor, Dallas, Texas, is utilized for transferring the purchased amount of postage from a post office to the processor based system at the user's office.

Typically, a user will physically take the TMU button to (or purchase from) a post office location, that post 9* office having a system complementary to the one 10 installed on the customer's PC. A postal worker will interface the TMU button with the system residing at the post office in order to replenish the amount of postage programmed within the button in an amount requested and purchased by the customer. The user may also call a number (post office) and have the post office transfer the required amount of postage by Smodem. The post office may also elect to sell disposable TMU buttons pre-loaded in various denominations.

o 20 The customer will then physically carry the button back to the processor-based system, couple the button to a corresponding receiving apparatus coupled to the processor-based system so that portions of the stored postage may be downloaded to the E-STAMP program upon a request by the customer. Upon invocation of the E- STAMP program by the customer, the program will inform the customer of the newly obtained amount of postage via the display screen.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the display screen cjupled to the processorbased system employs a "windows" type display for interfacing with the user. Through the display screen, the E-STAMP program will request a password from the user ana the amount of postage the user wishes to apply to a piece of outgoing mail or corresponding label for subsequent application to a package or envelope. The user will enter the desired amount of postage, the program will retrieve this postage stored within the TMU button,and the E-STAMP program will print a meter stamp through a coupled printing device onto the outgoing mail or label.

In still yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the E-STAMP program may be coupled 10 to a word processing program residing within the processor-based system. As a result, the application of the meter stamp may be made in conjunction with the word processing program, which has the capability to print envelopes, separately or in conjunction with the printing of a corresponding letter produced by the word processing program.

Furthermore, the E-STAMP program may also be programmed to print the address, return address and meter stamp on correspondence. This correspondence can 20 then be placed in envelopes with cutouts or glassine paper at the appropriate areas so that the address, return address and/or meter stamp can be visualized through the envelope.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned TMU buttons are specially manufactured by Dallas Semiconductor for use in conjunction with E-STAMP programs, unique serial numbers specific to the E-STAMP program are embedded within each TMU button. These serial numbers are then provided to a post office for programming into their corresponding E-STAMP MAKER program and system. Thus, a form of security is provided since only the TMU buttons specially manufactured for use with the E-STAMP program are able to receive or retrieve data pertaining to postage amounts, as previously described.

Additionally, a special password could be dedicated for use with the E-STAMP program so that access is only provided to users entering the correct password. As a result of the aforementioned, a post office can be assured that only authorized users are able to obtain postage replenishment, and that users ife are unable to replenish their postage within the E- 10 STAMP program or the TMU button without cooperation from a post office. The aforementioned serial numbers and passwords may also allow a user and a post office to track postage used by every company, department, employee, etc. Furthermore, other software programs may also be configured to access the E-STAMP program so that spread sheets and/or graphs may be produced providing statistics on postage use within a business.

Furthermore, the E-STAMP program can be used to encode a variety of information within the -ostage 20 meter stamp using symbol technology. Such information would be machine readable and can be used to identify meter stamp forgeries.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the E-STAMP program is able to automatically calculate the correct postage to place on a letter, parcel or label as a function of the class, zone and weight of the particular item to be mailed. One embodiment of the present invention includes a balance coupled to the processor-based system so that mail can be placed on the balance and the weight of the mail automatically entered into the E-STAMP program for calculating the correct postage for that mail.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the ccnception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present 10 invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

o *oo BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: **FIGURE 1A illustrates a processor-based system for implementation of the present invention; FIGURE 1B illustrates several embodiments of the postage storage device; FIGURE 2 illustrates an embodiment of user instructions and screen prompts utilized by the present invention to interface with a user when installing the program on the processor-based system for implementation of the present invention; 15 FIGURE 3 illustrates an embodiment of a user registration form; FIGURES 4A-4B illustrates a display screen :....utilized by the present invention to interface with a U.S. Post Office employee when replenishing postage within the present invention; FIGURE 5 illustrates a flow diagram of the replenishing process; FIGURE 6 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the security techniques utilized within the present invention; FIGURE 7 illustrates a flow diagram of the operation of the present invention within a processorbased system; FIGURE 8 illustrates a display interface provided to a user when accessing the present invention on a processor-based system; and FIGURE 9 illustrates an envelope used to display the postage meter stamp printed on a letter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides for a portable postage storage device, described in more detail below, that can be coupled to a processor-based system at both the customer's site and at the U.S. Post Office.

Throughout the remainder of this description, reference Sis made to the U.S. Post Office. Note, however, that the present invention may be implemented within any country and with respect to any postal system.

10 The present invention will allow an individual to purchase a desired amount of postage at a U.S. Post Office, such postage being stored within a postage storage device. The user may then invoke a processor-based system to access and retrieve a portion of the stored amount of postage via a program stored on a processor-based system, such program hereinafter referred to as the "E-STAMP" program. The E-STAMP program requests input from the user on the weight of the item to be mailed, the addressee's address, etc.

The E-STAMP program will utilize the information that was entered to calculate the amount of desired postage for an item to be mailed and print a meter stamp on an envelope, label or letter through a printer or special purpose label maker coupled to the processor-based system.

The postage storage device can also be coupled to a processor-based system located at the U.S. Post Office. Particular post office sites will have installed a system complimentary to the E-STAMP system installed on the customer's PC. The program installed at the U.S. Post Office, hereinafter referred to as the "E-STAMP MAKER" will allow a postal worker to interface the postage storage device with the processor-base 12 system residing at the post office in order to replenish the amount of postage programmed within the postage storage device in an amount requested and purchased by the customer.

Referring to FIGURE 1, there is illustrated a processor-based system 10 utilized for implementing the present invention, specifically the aforementioned E-STAMP and E-STAMP MAKER programs. System 10 includes chassis 11 enclosing processor 12 and disk drive 14. Coupled to CPU 12 is display 13, keyboard and mouse 16. Furthermore, system 10 is adapted for coupling with a postage storage device 18, such as the preferred embodiment touch memory utility ("TMU") button 182 illustrated in FIGURE lB. Postage storage device 18 is coupled to the processor-based system 'through a postage storage device receptor 17.

The postage storage device may be any memory device having some residual data capability, where that memory device can provide sufficient security measures 20 to efficiently limit access to the memory of the device to authorized users. For example, since algorithms can be used to control access to the memory device a standard "diskette" can be used if desired.

The preferred embodiment, TMU button 182 incorporates a small disk having a memory. TMU button 182 is a small, light-weight, portable, essentially non-breakable device available from Dallas Semiconductor, Dallas, Texas. A TMU button 182 may be coupled to processor-based system 10 through button holder 172. 'n a preferred embodiment of the present .nvention a batch of TMU buttons will be manufactured with specifically designated serial numbers for use solely with the present invention. However, disposable TMU buttons 182, preloaded in various denominations, could also be sold either over the counter or in existing stamp machines at post office locations. the post office may also select to sell pre-loaded TMUs, on which the customer pays a deposit, that can be exchanged for another TMU or returned for the deposit whenever button 182 is depleted of postage. All postal locations may sell preloaded TMUs or the post office may elect co designate particular post office locations for selling TMUs.

An advantage of the preferred embodiment (the TMU 10 button 182) is that a TMU button 182 is small enough and light enough that several may be carried in one hand.

Furthermore, the TMU button 182 is sufficiently durable to be sent through interoffice mail.

Additional alternative embodiments of the postage 15 storage device 18 are illustrated in FIGURE B1. One alternative postage storage device 18 is a smart disk 188 incorporating its own electronic modules capable of read/write operations. One embodiment of such a smart disk 188. Smart Disk", can be obtained from Smart Disk Security 20 Corporation, Naples, Florida. The Smart Disk T looks like a floppy disk and fits into a typical PC's floppy disk drive 178, connected either externally or internally to processor-based system 10; however, Smart Disk m has its own microprocessor that provides secure, password protected s-orage. One advantage of the Smart Disk" is that it can operate in a standard PC disk drive 178 without modification to the disk drive or PC. Smart Disk

T

provides security for stored postage with an encrypted password and the encryption algorithm.

Another type of postage storage device 18 is a smart card 186, a plastic card embedded with a microchip. The microchip contain mathematical formulas that encrypt computer data to secure access to that data postage) and verify a user's identity before allowing access to the data. One drawback in the currently available smart cards 186 is that they require a magnetic card processor 176 hooked to the processor-based system Still another type of postage storage device 18 is a PCMCIA card 184. PCMCIA cards are currently used on o notebook computers for modular storage and communication. Both external and internal add-on 10 hardware 174 card slots) are available for PCs.

The pustal storage device 18 may be used on a variety of processor-based systems 10. Processor-based systems 10 may be located in an individual's home, at any business location, or may even be present in a post office lobby for after hour usage. In a preferred embodiment, system 10 is a PC. In an alternative embodiment, system 10 could be part of a main-frame computer or system 10 could be part of a network system.

20 Typically, a user will buy a postage stor.age device 18, containing a small quantity of postage, with a copy of the E-STAMP program. The user will then install the E-STAMP program on the user's processor-based system 10. FIGURE 2 illustrates one embodiment of user instructions and screen prompts to be followed by the user during the installation of the E-STAMP program. The instructions and screen prompts illustrated in FIGURE 2 reflect the installation of the E-STAMP program in a "windows" operating environment on a PC equipped with a TMU button 182 and TMU 172 holder.

Of course, other means could be employed for implementing the present invention within a processor-based system The user installation instructions 201 inform the user how to pull up the E-STAMP installation program.

Once the installation program is initiated, screen 203 will appear. Screen 203 instructs the user to connect the TMU holder 172 to a serial port and to insert the TMU button 182 into the holder 172. The user is then instructed to turn on a printer 19 that has been coupled to the processor-based system 10 and check to see that the printer 19 is supplied with paper.

10 Screen 203 further requests that the user prepare the following information: the user's full name and address, an identification number for the user an employer identification number if the user :o is a business or organization; or a social security o number if the user is an individual), the user's zip code, the user's telephone number and the user's fax number. The next screen, screen 205 displays the Post N Mail License Agreement with its legal terms and conditions. Acceptance of the terms and conditions set go 20 out in the license agreement is indicated when the user continues with the installation program.

Next, screen 207 will appear and display the E-STAMP serial number and TMU serial number. At this time the user-specific information requested in screen 203 should be entered into the E-STAMP program.

Once the user has entered the user-specific information, screen 209 will appear warning the user to carefully verify the correctness of the entered information.

After verifying the information added into the E-STAMP program, screen 211 will remind the user to ensure that a coupled printer 19 is on line. The user information entered into the E-STAMP program will then be incorporated into a user registration form, one embodiment of which is illustrated in FIGURE 3. The E-STAMP registration form will be printed in triplicate. The user is instructed to sign and mail two copies of the registration form to the creator of the E-STAMP program, Post N Mail, Inc. and to retain one copy of the registration form. Screen 211 also .informs the user that a registration card will be mailed to the user in order that the user may access TMU refilling stations.

10 The E-STAMP installation program continues with screen 213, which describes the progress being made in installing the E-STAMP program, and screen 215, which informs the user when the E-STAMP program installation has been completed.

Referring to FIGURE 3, there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the E-STAMP registration form.

*The registration form includes information such as the TMU button serial number 31, the E-STAMP serial number 32, the date and time that the E-STAMP program 20 was installed 33, and user-specific information name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and identification number), and a copy of the Post N Mail License Agreement 38 having an identified location for the user to sign. A preferred embodiment of the E-STAMP registration form will also contain all of the information needed to specifically identify the TMU button, E-STAMP program, and registered user in an encrypted format 37. The encrypted information 37 will be in a machine-readable graphical security interface such as a standard bar code.

The standard bar code contains white and dark areas in the form of bars that can be read by a laser scanner. The laser scanner illuminates the white and dark areas with a light of a certain frequency. The light is reflected back to the laser scanner in such a way as to indicate the pattern of white and black areas within the bar code. Since white areas reflect much more light than dark areas do, a perpendicular scan of the bar code will allow the scanner to translate the reflected light into the coded information. More than linear bar code languages have been developed, each with its own specifications for how many bars and i: spaces make up a character, how characters are to be 10 arranged, whether the characters can be letters as well as numbers, and so forth. The most widely-used bar code is the Universal Product Code (UPC) seen on everyday grocery items. The standard bar code currently used by the post office is POSTNET ZIP+4 described in Postal Service Publication number 67.

More sophisticated graphical security interfaces have been developed over the last decade, such as Intermec Corporations' Code 49 and Laserlight System Inc.'s Code 16K. A major advantage of these more 20 sophisticated graphical security interfaces is that they contain an error-correction formula which can often recover the entire message even if parts of the code have been torn or damaged.

A preferred embodiment of encrypted information 37 is a graphical security interface developed by Symbol Technologies of Bohemia, New York and is called PDF417, a portable data file. PDF417 is a graphical security interface constructed from data units called "words," each of which is 17 modules long. Bars are made from filling in up to six consecutive modules and each unit has four separate bars and four spaces. In essence, PDF417 can stack the equivalent of up to SO one-dimensional bar codes, each just three hundredths of an inch high. Thus, the PDF417 symbology is more complicated to produce and scan than is the typical one-dimensional bar code and allows for a denser coding of information. Because the PDF417 symbology specification includes sophisticated protocols for error-correction, the actual density of information is highly variable, but can be ten times the amount of information found in U.S.P.S. PostNet bar code, per square inch. PDF417 is available from Symbol Technologies, Inc., 116 Wilbur Place, Bohemia, N.Y.

11716 and the operation of the PDF417 is detailed in PDF Primer obtained from them and is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

When Post N Mail, Inc. receives the signed Post N *o Mail License Agreement from the user, the encrypted information 37 can be scanned with a laser scanner so that the information contained therein can be automatically transferred to a registered user's database. When che encrypted information 37 has been transferred to the registered user's database, a 20 registration card containing a Post N Mail (PNM) serial number will be printed and mailed to the registered user.

The user may then take that registration card with the user's TMU button 182, or other postage storage device 18, to the post office to be registered with the post office. Until the TMU button 182 has been registered with the post office, the E-STAMP MAKER program will not recognize TMU button 182 as being an authorized postage storage device 18.

To register a TMU button 182, or other postage storage device 18, a postal worker must enter the information on the PNM registration card into the E-STAMP MAKER program. Such information will include the PNM serial number, EIN# number or SS#, TMU button serial number, and the address and telephone number of the registered user. Once all of this information has been entered into the system, the E-STAMP MAKER program will then recognize TMU button 182 and allow a postal worker to replenish the amount of postage stored within button 182 at the request of the user in a manner to be discussed below.

System 10 may be utilized at a customer site for permitting a user to retrieve postage stored withi-i postage storage device 18, via the E-STAMP program, for subsequent printing as a postage meter stamp onto a piece of mail through printer 19, coupled to system The utilization of the E-STA-? program by a customer will be further described below.

Alternatively, a pair of systems 10 may be linked together through Public Switched Network 102 via modem 101 or directly through digital telecommunications trunks (not shown). Processor based systems 10 located at difference U.S. Post Offices may 20 be linked via PSN 102 in a conventional well known manner (such as through modem 101) so that information may be shared between the various post offices.

Generally, a copy of the E-STAMP MAKER program will be stored within at least one processor-based system at selected U.S. Post Office locations. PSN linkage of processor-based systems 10 by the post office and the customer, or user, will allow the sharing of information between the various post offices and will allow a customer to call a number (an authorized post office number) and have the post office transfer the required amount of postage to a postage storage device 18 button installed at a customer site by modem.

Referring to FIGURE 4A, there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of a display screen shown on display 13 to a U.S. Post Office employee when accessing the present invention on system 10. Of course, the particular display aspects illustrated in FICURE 4A may be modified in any one of numerous ways.

Also, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, processor-based system 10 will provide for input from a user via keyboard 15 and mouse 16.

However, other various fors of input available to processor-based systems may be utilized, such as a 1: 0 light pen or a touch-sensitive screen (both not shown).

At the upper right-hand corner of uisplay screen 40, there is indicated an E-STAMP ,rAKE., serial number, in this example "77014-9998-44." This serial number may include the zip code of the post office location, 15 or may be selected at random. This serial. number may also include a designation of a particular system 30 or a designation of the postal employee performing the transaction.

In the upper left-hand corner of display screen is illustrated a TMU serial number, in this example "2 128 176 32 0 0 0 175." This serial number represents eight bytes of information stored within TMU button 182, each byte may represent any number from 0 to 255.

A TMU serial number is specifically assigned to and will identify a specific TMU button 182. Thus, display screen 40 indicates that the postal employee has coupled an authorized TMU button 182 to a processorbased system 10 which incorporates the E-STAMP MAKER program.

Typically, the first two numerals (bytes) within the TMU serial number are assigned by the button (or memory) manufacturer. The third byte is selected by the U.S. Postal System and identifies TMU buttons 192 specifically designed for the E-S-AMP MAKER program, excluding other TMU buttons 182 not designed for the E- STAMP MAKER program, such as disposable buttons, and assisting in the exclusion of any other means for accessing the E-STAMP MAKER progran.. As a result, the present invention may be designed so that only authorized TMU buttons 182 may access the E-STAMP MAKER program for replenishment of postage as will be discussed below.

The remainder of the TMU serial number is basically the sequential serial number of that particular TMU button 182 in paiiicular.

As the -STAMP MAKER program reads the information stored within TMU button 182, the TMU serial number and the information in blocks 401 and 402 are displayed on display 13. The "TMU Verification" information in block 401 shows the date and post office location where ~the last addition of postage was electronically stored within button 182. As shown within box 401 of FIGURE 4A, coupled TMU button 182 currently contains a 20 postage balance of $6.72, which is most likely a portion of the postage that was input into button 182 at 3:18 p.m. on October 30, 1993, at the post office having an ID number of "77090-2765-65." It may be observed that this serial number is different from the E-STAMP MAKER serial number shown at the upper righthand corner of display screen 40, indicating that these numbers represent two different post office locations, and that button 182 was formerly coupled to a processor-based system 10 at post office "77090- 2765-65" but is currently coupled to a processor-based system 10 residing at post office "77014-9998-44".

Box 401 also shows the expiration date of button 182, the user's PNM registration number, the user's E-STAMP serial number, and a strike .nd dollar counter check as will be described in more detail below.

Box 402 is also displayed on screen 10 and itemizes the quantity of postage of designated values that has been used and subtracted from the postage stored in button 182.

For example, box 401 of FIGURE 4A shows that $500.00 worth of postage was initially added to button 182 and that $6.72 worth of postage remains in button 182. This means that $493.28 worth of postage has been deducted frcm button 182.

Box 402 of FIGURE 4A shows that postage valued from $.01 to 10 $.29 was subtracted from the amount of stored postage 991 times, that postage valued from was subtracted 166 times, that postage valued from $.41-S.45 was subtracted 122 times, that postage valued at $1.00-$1.99 was subtracted 14 times and that postage valued at more than $3.00 was subtracted 16 times.

In a manner to be discussed in detail below with respect to FIGURE 5, the first password BCLINTON) is entered into the E-STAMP MAKER software and shown in Box 403. That password will be used to generate other 20 passwords as described below and checked against the information stored in button 182. If the post office requests it, an extra password can be included to access and start the E-STAMP MAKER program. When the correct password for button 182 is entered into E-STAMP MAKER BClinton), a string of numerals are generated as shown in block 404. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first several numerals within block 404 represent the current time and date. A second string of numerals represent the E-STAMP MAKER serial number and the post office identification number. The remainder of the 45 bytes are generated randomly by the E-STAMP MAKER program. This generation of random niunbers is detailed below.

Thereafter, a second password is generated from the numbers within block 404 through the application of an algorithm, an example of a second password is illustrated in block 405. These numbers are used as a second password to assist in the random generation of numerals within block 406.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, fourteen of the 45 bytes or numerals within block 406 represent a button usage analysis how much of what value of postage has been used); three numerals (bytes) represent the number of strikes (or oo/, uses) that have been made and subtracted from a starting point of 2,500,000; and four numerals (bytes) represent the dollar value of postage used and subtracted from a starting point of $2,500,000. The remainder of the numerals are generated randomly by the E-STAMP MAKER program.

20 Thereafter, another algorithm utilizes the numerals generated within block 406 to derive the third password displayed within block 407. If all is correct, the cursor will then stop within block 408 so that the postal employee may enter a desired amount of postage in U.S. dollars as requested by the user owning TMU button 182 currently coupled to the E-STAMP MAKER program. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, four bytes represent the amount of postage entered by the postal worker, ten bytes represent user-specific information, five bytes represent the user's zip code, three bytes represent the original postage amount, three bytes represent the number of strikes (or times that the postal storage device has been accessed), four bytes represent the accumulated value of postage taken from the postage storage device, and three bytes represent the expiration date of button 182. Button 182 may be programmed to expire at any time desired by the post office. The post office may desire that postage storage devices 18 expire every six months in order to maintain a valid registration with updated information.

None of the numbers described above, or the passwords generated therefrom, are displayed on the screen. However, E-STAMP MAKER utilizes information from button 182 to generate numerals in blocks 406 and 408 to generate the usage analysis log illustrated in block 402 and to perform a counters check illustrated in block 401. The counters check adds the numbLr of strikes subtracted from 2,500,000 (see block 406; descending strike counter) to the number of strikes made (see block 408; ascending strike counter) If these numbers are accurate, their sum should equal 2,500,000. A similar dollar counter check is also 20 performed. The TMU button 182 is initialized to recognize 2,500,000 strikes and $2,500,000 worth of postage. Whenever a user has used 2,500,000 strikes or used $2,500,000 worth of postage, the postage storage device must be returned to the post office, or exchanged for a new one.

As shown in block 408, the user has desired to add $500.00 worth of postage to TMU button 182. This amount has been entered by the employee. Subsequent to entering the $500.00 amount, the postal employee will press button 409, and then press button 410 to "write" the $500.00 amount into TMU button 182 coupled to system Alternatively, a user may maintain an account with the post office or a credit card account which will be automatically charged for postal charges printed using TMU button 182. In this situation, a set money value will not be entered into TMU button 182, but rather an authorization to debit a particular account will be entered into TMU button 182.

Immediately thereafter, display screen 42, illustrated in FIGURE 4B, is shown to the postal employee. Display screen 42 is similar to display screen 40 except for the new information within block 411 which now shows that TMU button 182 contains $506.72 worth of postage, which was updated at 10:45 a.m. on December 15, 1993 by the E-STAMP MAKER program located at post office location "77014-9998-44." Note that in this embodiment the postage original (block 411) and usage analysis log (block 412) are re-zeroed whenever new postage is added to TMU button 182.

Referring next to FIGURE 5, there is illustrated a flow diagram of the aforementioned method of providing security within the present invention. First, in block 510, the TMU serial number is accessed by the security program within the present invention. If the TMU serial number is not one specifically assigned to the U.S. Postal Service, the process will not proceed to step 520. In step 520, the program will write a password provided by the creator of the program.

Thereafter, at step 530, the aforementioned data is produced and displayed within block 404. The random numerals will be produced as a function of the entered password.

Thereafter, in step 540, a first algorithm selected by the U.S. Postal Service will operate on the data within block 404 to produce a second password (step 550). This second password, displayed within block 405, is used within step 560 to generate a second set of data (the numerals displayed within block 406).

A second algorithm within step 570, utilizes the second set of data to produce a third password (step 580).

Once the above is written on the TMU button 182, the post office employee will be able to store postage to TMU button 182 by adding the desired amount within block 408 (step 590). Thereafter at step 505, write button 410 is "depressed" to thereby store postage within TMU button 182.

Referring next to FIGURE 6, there is illustrated the algorithm used within the present invention, and described with respect to FIGURE 5. Note that the TMU serial number may be incorporated into the algorithm(s) to make each TMU button unique. For a given S-byte password, "pl" represents the first byte of that password. For a given 45-byte data area, "dl" represents the first byte of that data. The "mod operator" stands for the modulus, or remainder, of a division.

20 Once the required amount of postage has been transferred to the TMU button 182 the user may then physically carry the button back to the user's business location and couple TMU button 182 to a processor-based system 10 through button holder 172. Upon invocation of the E-STAMP program by the customer, the customer's processor-based system 10 can access the postal amount stored in TMU button 182 and down-load portions of the stored postage to the E-STAMP program to be used for printing postage meter stamps on pieces of mail.

Referring next to FIGURE 7, there is illustrated a flow diagram of the process employed within processor-based system 10 configured for allowing a user to print a postage meter stamp. As previously discussed, the E-STAMP program may be a stand alone o*

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oo oo oo o oo ooeo program, or it may be associated and coupled with a word processor program. Therefore, the E-STAMP program may be started directly (step 701) or through a word processor program also residing on the processor-based system 10 (step 702). Thereafter, at step 703, the E- STAMP program shows display 80, illustrated and described with respect to FIGURE 8, to the user.

Next, in step 704, as shown in FIGURE 7, the E- STAMP program verifies the TMU serial number associated with TMU button 182 coupled to processor-based system If TMU button 182 has not been inserted within its holder 172, at step 705, a message is flashed to the user to insert TMU button 182. If the wrong TMU button, or a TMU button not programmed for use with the E-STAMP program, has been inserted and coupled to system 10, a warning is flashed to the user to insert an authorized, or valid, TMU button 182 as illustrated in box 706. The process of TMU verification represented follows: by box 704 includes several steps as Step 1 Serial number is verified.

Step 2 E-STAMP will match its Password 1 (BCLINTON) with the TMU's Password 1.

If ok, Step 3 E-STAMP will read information in Data 1 (block 530) and process it through algorithm 1.

Step 4 If the results of step 3 match Password 2, E-STAMP will proceed to Data 2 (block 560).

Step 5 E-STAMP will read information in Data 2 and process it through algorithm 2.

Step 6 If the results of step 5 match Password 3, E-STAMP will then be able to access Data 3 which contains postage amount and proceed to step 707.

If a valid TMU button is coupled to system 10, at step 707, the information within TMU button 182 is read and the information is verified, for example the ascending and descending counters are added together for verification and the expiry data is verified if the postal balance is greater than $2.01. In addition, the zip code, E-STAMP serial number and user identification 19 number are verified. If all of the information checks out the TMU button's serial number is displayed in conjunction with the E-STAMP serial number in the top right corner of screen 80 (see 801). The remaining postage balance residing within TMU button 182, is 15 displayed within block 806.

Next, at step 708, return address box 803 is completed automatically or manually. The address within 803 may be automatically entered from the adjoining word processor program, the address may be selected from a drop-down box (not shown), or the address may be manually input. Any entered address may be saved within the E-STAMP program. Additionally, if a return address is not desired, it may be omitted.

Thereafter, in step 709, the contents of address box 805 are entered in a manner similar to the contents of return address 803.

Next, at step 710, the user may select the print format by the use of box 804. As illustrated, the postage meter stamp may be printed on a label through printer/label maker 19, or a choice may be made to print the postage meter stamp on an envelope inserted within printer 19, which may be chosen to be a standard size or a nonstandard size as selected by the user.

Note that if the postage meter stamp is to be printed on a label, it may be desired ti,at the return address within 803 and the address within box 805 not be printed.

Alternatively, the postage meter stamp and the addresses within boxes 803 and 805 may all be printed on a flyer, a pamphlet, a postcard or sheet of paper.

Whenever the meter stamp is printed cn a letter, along with the addresses in boxes 803 and 805, that letter may be folded so that the meter stamp will show through an opening or window 901, in the top right hand corner of a specially designed envelope 900 illustrated in FIGURE 9. Envelope 900 may be a standard or non-standard size with any number of windows as designed by the user. Typically, envelope 900 will have a first window 901 in the top right hand corner for the printed postage meter stamp to show through.

Envelope 900 may also have other windows for the Saddressee's name and address (903) and for a return address (902) to show through. Envelope 900 may have o 20 glassine paper, or other transparent covering material 904, covering the described windows such that the postage meter stamp and other imprinted information is protected from inadvertent detachment and adverse conditions (such as inclement weather).

Thereafter, in step 711, the user enters the weight of the package or letter associated with the postage meter stamp. Th.is weight may be entered manually, or automatically through the use of scale 103 coupled to processor-based system 10 in a manner well known in the art. In step 712, the user selects the class of mail from the choices shown in box 809.

At step 713, the user may select whether or not to print selected data within the meter stamp using a graphical security interface (see previous discussion of graphical security interfaces). The graphical security interface may be a standard POSTNET ZIP+4 Coding as provided in Postal Service Publication 67 and incorporated herein by reference. However, a preferred embodiment will print the postage meter stamp utilizing Symbol's Portable Data File code (the PDF417 symbology) as described above.

Typically the postal meter stamp may include any combination of the following information: the day, the 10 date, the postage storage device serial number, the =E-STAMP serial number, the sender's zip code, the addressee's zip code, the expiration date of the postage storage device, the cumulative values of the coo• strike and dollar counters, PNM registration number, the user's identification number, and the post office identification number. The postage meter stamp may contain this encrypted information incorporated within an insignia or design, or it may appear as a background for the postage amount printed in a visually recognized 20 form.

By printing the postal meter stamp with encrypted information within the stamp, the post office can scan the postal meter stamp to verify that an item of mail has been posted with authorized postage and/or to automatically sort the mail for distribution.

Furthermore, the use of the E-STAMP MAKER program in conjunction with a database program will allow the post office to generate records indicating all E-STAMP authorized postage by post office location (or zip code), post office employee, TMU serial number, etc.

This information can be easily compiled to determine post office sales, market forecasts, etc.

Next, at step 714, the user may select a U.S.

postal zone or alternatively elect that the particular 31 piece of mail is to be sent to Canada, Mexico or some other international designation as depicted in box 808.

The E-STAMP program will automatically incorporate the aforementioned entered parameters weight, class, zone in order to correctly calculate the correct postage to print in conjunction with the meter stamp and to deduct from the postage amount stored within TMU button 182.

Lastly, in step 715, when the user clicks button 807, the E-STAMP program utilizes the input/output ports of 10 processor-based system 10 to send to printer/label maker 19, the correct data pertaining to the meter scamp to be printed on an envelope, letter, card or label.

The amount of postage printed on the meter stamp is automatically deducted from the amount stored within Tu button 182. Other information is also automatically updated including the usage record for this particular serial number of TMU button 182 and any other information, '.such as the addressee, the postage amount, the date, and the original dencmination.

20 Note that during the selection of the various parameters within display 80, the E-STAMP program may be implemented to update the postage amount displayed within meter display 806 as each parameter is chosen on essentially a real-time basis.

Box 802 is provided for the user to insert the location from which the mail is to be sent. The date that the mail is stamped is automatically adjusted every day by the E-STAMP program and will prevent post-datirg or predating mail. This information is added within display 811 or may be encrypted within the postage meter stamp. The location may also be utilized by the E-STAMP program to calculate the correct postage.

Claims (4)

1. A general purpose processor-based system for printing a postage meter stamip with a desired amount of postage onto a piece of mail, said system comprising: means for removably coupling a postage storage device to said system; means for retrieving information from said postage storage device, said information including a total amount of postage stored in said postage storage device: means for automatically calculating a correct amount of postage for 10 said piece of mail as a function of mailing parameters entered into said system and particular to said piece of mail;, means for automatically deducting said correct amount of postage from said total amount of postage; and means for formatting data to be sent to a printer coupled to said system, wherein said formatted data is operable to print said meter stamp wi'th said correct amount of postage.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a means for verifying that said storage device is authorised to communicate with the system. 20 3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said meter stamp comprises encrypted information in a machine-readable format. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said postage storage device is a touch memory utility button. In a processor-based system, installing on a selectively controllable basis a first application program. said program controlling a method for printing a postage mneter stamip on a piece of mail, said stamip including postage for mnailing said piece of mail, said method comprising the steps of: reading and displaying under control of said installed first application program a serial number and a postage balance specific to a TN{fU button removably coupled to said system; receiving in said processor-based system by a general purpose second application installed within said processor-based system one or more parameters pertaining to mnailing of said piece of mail; automatically calculating under joint influence of said first and second application programs said postage as a function of said parameters; 33 automatically deducting under joint control of said first application and memory contained within said TMU button said postage from said postage balance resulting in a new balance stored within said button; and printing said postage meter stamp including said postage on said piece of mail, said printing occurring on a general purpose printer connected to an output port of said processor-based system.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, further comprising the steps of: receiving address information from a source external to both said first and second application programs to be printed on said piece of mail; and 10 automatically printing said address information on said piece of mail.

7. The method as recited in claim 5. further comprising the step of: verifying that said button is authorised to grant postage to said system. .0 Dated this thirtieth day of June 2000 E-Stamp Corporation Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: F B RICE CO 0000 0000 0 o