EP1709593A1 - Procede et dispositif permettant d'affranchir des envois postaux - Google Patents

Procede et dispositif permettant d'affranchir des envois postaux

Info

Publication number
EP1709593A1
EP1709593A1 EP04821067A EP04821067A EP1709593A1 EP 1709593 A1 EP1709593 A1 EP 1709593A1 EP 04821067 A EP04821067 A EP 04821067A EP 04821067 A EP04821067 A EP 04821067A EP 1709593 A1 EP1709593 A1 EP 1709593A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
franking
valid
customer
central
franking mark
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP04821067A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Bernd Meyer
Jürgen Lang
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Deutsche Post AG
Original Assignee
Deutsche Post AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Deutsche Post AG filed Critical Deutsche Post AG
Publication of EP1709593A1 publication Critical patent/EP1709593A1/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00435—Details specific to central, non-customer apparatus, e.g. servers at post office or vendor

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for franking mail items, in particular letter items and parcels, the postage indicium being created on a central system and transmitted to a customer system for printing.
  • the invention further relates to a device suitable for carrying out the method.
  • franking systems can be divided into central systems and customer systems in order to reduce costs.
  • Traditional franking systems such as Sender free stamp machines that are not divided up in this way contain both mechanisms for the secure creation of postage indicia as well as a printing unit for printing out these indications.
  • a data network is used between the central and customer systems.
  • postage indicia is a security-critical process. Since franking marks have a monetary value, In the interest of the postal service provider, care must be taken when creating that valid franking notes are only generated in those cases in which their correct payment is ensured.
  • cryptographic methods ensures that postage indicia cannot be falsified. If cryptographic keys are used in the preparation of postage indicia and their later verification in the context of the postal letter or package production, which were agreed between these parties or from which the identity of these parties is beyond doubt, then unauthorized third parties have no possibility due to the missing cryptographic key To forge postage indicia in such a way that they would be regarded as valid postage indicia in letter or parcel production.
  • cryptographic keys e.g. encryption or digital signature
  • Measures to suppress the creation of duplicates or so-called "duplicates" of valid franking marks prevent valid franking marks from being used multiple times for sending letters and parcels. Measures to suppress duplicates are just as varied as franking methods. While analogue franking marks generated by printing technology use special colors and papers that largely prevent identical duplicates from being created, digital franking processes use computer processes that cannot be manipulated and prevent multiple printing (e.g. in the case of new franking machines).
  • STAMPIT An example of a central system for creating franking notes is the PC franking system from Deutsche Post called STAMPIT.
  • STAMPIT consists of a software called “STAMPIT Client” installed on the PC of every STAMPIT customer and a central system called “STAMPIT Server” operated in a data center of the Deutsche Post. If a customer wants to create a franking, a request is sent from the STAMPIT client to the STAMPIT server via a network connection. This creates the franking mark in a cryptographically highly secured area as an electronic byte sequence.
  • the cryptographically secured byte sequence is converted there into a machine-readable barcode and this barcode is printed out together with other information on a valid franking mark.
  • German patent relates to German patent a
  • German patent specification DE 100 20 561 C2 of the applicant discloses a security module for generating counterfeit-proof documents, which is designed in such a way that it contains two combination machines, one of the combination machines combining the output value of an identification register and the output value of a secret generator, and a second combination machine combines a secret with input data entered.
  • the Internet offers its users easy access to information content and services.
  • a standard program is used on the user's PC called “browser”.
  • the Internet user is able to call up central services that can be accessed via the Internet, so-called “web servers”, and to use their information content or services.
  • web servers so-called “web servers”
  • What is particularly advantageous about this method is that due to standardizations in the area of the interfaces (e.g. HTML HyperTextMarkupLanguage) and the protocols (e.g. http HyperTextTransferProtocol), data between any web server and browser is usually spontaneous and without any prior data Announcements or agreements can be exchanged.
  • the object of the invention is to further develop a generic method in such a way that the frankings can be generated in the simplest and fastest possible manner.
  • the most comprehensive possible protection against misused postage should be achieved.
  • this object is achieved in connection with the preamble of patent claim 1 in that the transfer of the franking mark from the central system to the customer system takes place in two stages, with an invalid preprint of the franking mark and in a feedback to the central controlled by the printing process being carried out in a first stage - System the valid franking mark is transmitted to the central franking system.
  • An advantage here is that at least some of the procedural steps required for a franking process can be controlled centrally.
  • the most preferred Embodiment of the invention used central control of part of the franking process allows flexible modification of parameters of the franking, for example a short-term implementation of new security features or the implementation of changed franking parameters, for example for the selection of people who are authorized to use the franking method or for billing franking processes ,
  • a program is used for operating the customer system which can call up at least one program running on the central system.
  • the method is expediently carried out in such a way that a standard web browser is used in the customer system.
  • the franking request is transmitted from the customer system to the central system via a standardized transmission protocol.
  • the central system generates a valid franking mark in response to the franking request and that the central franking system converts the valid franking mark to an invalid preprint.
  • the central system replaces the valid franking mark with an invalid preprint. It is advantageous that the central system temporarily stores the valid franking mark in a temporary register and controls access to it.
  • the method is expediently carried out in such a way that the customer system is given access to the invalid preprint.
  • the customer system displays the invalid preprint as the result of the requested franking mark.
  • the transmitted valid franking mark is not shown in the customer system, but is printed out immediately.
  • the valid franking mark is generated in such a way that it contains the result of an irreversible linking of data.
  • the resulting high level of data security can also be further improved by the fact that the franking mark contains irreversible link between data provided by the customer system with data of the central system (ZS).
  • An increase in data security can also be achieved in that the valid franking mark contains information about the franking date.
  • the valid franking mark to contain information about an intended recipient of the mail item.
  • the invention further relates to a method for checking the authenticity of mail items.
  • this method is carried out in such a way that the mailpieces are generated according to one or more of claims 1 to 18 and that the central system transmits information about the valid franking marks generated to at least one checking center.
  • the invention also relates to a device for franking mail items with a central system and a customer system and an upstream system.
  • this device is equipped in such a way that the upstream system contains a temporary register in which valid postage indicia can be stored.
  • a particularly preferred embodiment of this device is characterized in that the upstream system contains an interface which is equipped in such a way that information stored in the temporary register is immediately available a printer connected to the customer system can be transmitted.
  • Figure 1 a schematic representation of a flow chart for a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • the central system is connected to an upstream web server.
  • the upstream web server fulfills the functions shown below.
  • FIG. 1 shows a particularly preferred embodiment of a two-stage process of requesting and transmitting postage indicia from the perspective of the customer browser.
  • a customer requests a franking mark with an access program.
  • a franking request is expediently transmitted from the customer system to the central system (AI).
  • the transmission protocol used is, for example, HTML or XTML. This has the further advantage that a standard web browser can be used by the customer system.
  • the central system generates a valid franking note.
  • This franking mark is expediently processed in such a way that it is not accessible to the customer system during its generation and immediately thereafter. This has the advantage that, with the help of the customer system, no valid franking marks can initially be generated. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the franking mark is generated immediately upon receipt of a franking request in the central system.
  • the franking request is checked and, after authentication, forwarded to the central system for the creation of a valid postage indicium (A2).
  • This central system is designed in such a way that it can carry out procedural steps that are particularly suitable for franking systems. Since it is particularly suitable for the generation of frankings in accordance with Deutsche Post's STAMPIT procedures, the server is also referred to below as the STAMPIT server.
  • the customer is preferably provided with a standard HTML page (A3) in response to his valid postage printing request.
  • the suitable input interface preferably a standard HTML page, is preferably based technically on a so-called "cascading style sheet".
  • CSS ascading StyleSheets CSS
  • Form types, font sizes, positioning, etc.
  • Using CSS technology it is possible to print postage indicia so uniformly and correctly that they can be machine-read in letter and parcel production.
  • the CSS used here is made individually for each franking process and stored on the web server. In addition to other formatting, it contains the openly accessible address of the invalid preprint to be displayed in the HTML browser view. It is important in the context of the invention that the access protection to the register of the valid franking mark required later in the second step when printing is also integrated into the CSS in the form of a cryptographic session key.
  • a data record is transferred from the upstream web server to the customer system (A4). This is preferably done
  • Transfer in a standard HTML format is in particular individually determined for franking, preferably by CSS.
  • a preprint to the customer is sent to the STAMPIT server to create a valid PC franking note.
  • This request contains all the information required to create a valid franking, including the customer's serial number, the customer's authentication (PIN), the desired product and charge, the date of the franking and parts of the address of the recipient (A5).
  • the valid franking mark is generated in the STAMPIT server (A6).
  • the data content of the machine-readable barcode of the franking note is transferred back (A7).
  • the data content of the machine-readable barcode is converted into a printable graphic and temporarily stored in a temporary register (A8).
  • the previously created cryptographic session key which is integrated in the CSS used for franking, ensures that the register can only be accessed once and only by the authenticated customer.
  • the second stage of web communication which is not required in standard web technology, starts.
  • a second connection to the web server is made invisible to the customer (A9).
  • the web server uses the cryptographic session key to check the authorization to access the valid franking mark and issues it.
  • the graphic of the valid franking mark, the session key and the CSS are then deleted on the web server. Access and deletion are logged.
  • the valid franking mark is requested from the STAMPIT server at the earliest possible time (A2). Alternatively, it would be possible to wait until the printout has fed back (A9 above). In practice, the early requirement is based on the fact that an additional waiting time for the customer after starting the printing process should be avoided.
  • a particularly preferred practical implementation of the invention provides for using CSS in such a way that, on the one hand, a distinction can be made between graphics which are displayed on the screen and those which are used in the printout. This requires server-side extensions in order to generate CSS individually in a first communication step with a cryptographic session key provided and temporarily stored for access by the authorized user.
  • the invention discloses several expedient embodiments for the suppression of multiple prints of valid franking marks generated and thus avoids the misuse of further franking marks.
  • Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention also allow the use of standard technologies in the area of the customer system, so that the invention also enables conventional computers to have access to franking methods without requiring them to be specially equipped.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé permettant d'affranchir des envois postaux. La mention d'affranchissement est réalisée dans un système central (ZS) et transmise à un système client aux fins d'impression. Selon l'invention, le procédé est caractérisé en ce que la transmission de la mention d'affranchissement du système central (ZS) au système client s'effectue en deux temps. Dans une première étape, une préimpression non valable de la mention d'affranchissement et, dans un rétrocouplage au système central (ZS), commandé par le processus d'impression, la mention d'affranchissement valable est transmise au système d'affranchissement central. L'invention concerne également un dispositif approprié à la mise en oeuvre de ce procédé.
EP04821067A 2004-01-20 2004-12-15 Procede et dispositif permettant d'affranchir des envois postaux Ceased EP1709593A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102004003004A DE102004003004B4 (de) 2004-01-20 2004-01-20 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Frankierung von Postsendungen
PCT/EP2004/014288 WO2005069230A1 (fr) 2004-01-20 2004-12-15 Procede et dispositif permettant d'affranchir des envois postaux

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1709593A1 true EP1709593A1 (fr) 2006-10-11

Family

ID=34744940

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04821067A Ceased EP1709593A1 (fr) 2004-01-20 2004-12-15 Procede et dispositif permettant d'affranchir des envois postaux

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20070124260A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1709593A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2007519109A (fr)
CA (1) CA2553639A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE102004003004B4 (fr)
WO (1) WO2005069230A1 (fr)

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FR2865830B1 (fr) * 2004-01-30 2006-05-19 Neopost Ind Systeme d'affranchissement de courrier a mode d'impression externe securise
US9728107B1 (en) * 2008-04-15 2017-08-08 Stamps.Com Inc. Systems and methods for protecting content when using a general purpose user interface application
US11893089B1 (en) 2004-07-27 2024-02-06 Auctane, Inc. Systems and methods for protecting content when using a general purpose user interface application
US20110242554A1 (en) * 2008-12-12 2011-10-06 Psi Systems, Inc. System and method for providing an extensible multinational postage service and system and method that delivers printable postage to a client device
US12039809B2 (en) 2017-12-11 2024-07-16 Hallmark Cards, Incorporated Activatable postage

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US5835689A (en) * 1995-12-19 1998-11-10 Pitney Bowes Inc. Transaction evidencing system and method including post printing and batch processing
US5988897A (en) * 1997-09-03 1999-11-23 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method for preventing fraudulent printing of a postage indicium displayed on a personal computer
US20010042016A1 (en) * 1997-09-11 2001-11-15 Muyres Matthew R. Local portal
DE19812903A1 (de) * 1998-03-18 1999-09-23 Francotyp Postalia Gmbh Frankiereinrichtung und ein Verfahren zur Erzeugung gültiger Daten für Frankierabdrucke
US20020040353A1 (en) * 1999-11-10 2002-04-04 Neopost Inc. Method and system for a user obtaining stamps over a communication network
DE10020402C2 (de) * 2000-04-27 2002-03-14 Deutsche Post Ag Verfahren zum Versehen von Postsendungen mit Freimachungsvermerken
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DE10131254A1 (de) * 2001-07-01 2003-01-23 Deutsche Post Ag Verfahren zum Überprüfen der Gültigkeit von digitalen Freimachungsvermerken
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE102004003004A1 (de) 2005-08-11
US20070124260A1 (en) 2007-05-31
CA2553639A1 (fr) 2005-07-28
DE102004003004B4 (de) 2006-10-12
WO2005069230A1 (fr) 2005-07-28
JP2007519109A (ja) 2007-07-12

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