WO2001075722A1 - Systeme servant a distribuer un timbre electronique au moyen d'internet et procede de classement automatique de courrier au moyen de ce timbre electronique - Google Patents

Systeme servant a distribuer un timbre electronique au moyen d'internet et procede de classement automatique de courrier au moyen de ce timbre electronique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001075722A1
WO2001075722A1 PCT/KR2001/000457 KR0100457W WO0175722A1 WO 2001075722 A1 WO2001075722 A1 WO 2001075722A1 KR 0100457 W KR0100457 W KR 0100457W WO 0175722 A1 WO0175722 A1 WO 0175722A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
electronic stamp
user
information
electronic
stamp
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2001/000457
Other languages
English (en)
Korean (ko)
Inventor
Jung-Yong Kim
Original Assignee
Chang-Il Communication Co., Ltd.
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
Priority claimed from KR1020000014743A external-priority patent/KR20000036605A/ko
Application filed by Chang-Il Communication Co., Ltd. filed Critical Chang-Il Communication Co., Ltd.
Priority to AU44769/01A priority Critical patent/AU4476901A/en
Priority to JP2001573326A priority patent/JP2003529849A/ja
Publication of WO2001075722A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001075722A1/fr

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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
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • 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
    • G07B17/00024—Physical or organizational aspects of franking systems
    • G07B2017/00048—Software architecture
    • G07B2017/00056—Client-server
    • G07B2017/00064—Virtual meter, online stamp; PSD functions or indicia creation not at user's location
    • 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
    • G07B2017/00145—Communication details outside or between apparatus via the Internet
    • 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
    • G07B2017/00153—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information
    • G07B2017/00161—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information from a central, non-user location, e.g. for updating rates or software, or for refilling funds
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00572—Details of printed item
    • G07B2017/0058—Printing of code
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00572—Details of printed item
    • G07B2017/0058—Printing of code
    • G07B2017/00588—Barcode

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for distributing an electronic stamp through the Internet and a method for automatically classifying mailpieces using the electronic stamp. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic stamp distribution method in which a user requests an electronic stamp distribution system managed by an enterpriser to distribute electronic stamp having a customized image through an electronic stamp distribution program or a web page, and prints the electronic stamp for use after payment for the electronic stamp in a predetermined manner, and a method for automatically classifying mailpieces using the electronic stamp attached to the same.
  • - Local post office refers to a public service system operated in each district and responsible for collecting and delivering mailpieces.
  • Central post office refers to a public service system responsible for classifying mailpieces collected from local post offices based upon zip codes to appropriately transfer the mailpieces to other central offices or local post offices.
  • the postal service organization refers to the national system that is responsible for postal services including stamp distribution.
  • stamp distribution system real stamp (off-line stamp) is exclusively distributed by the national postal service organization responsible for general postal services including stamp distribution, so the kinds of the designs of stamps are limited and the tastes of senders cannot be consulted with the limited designs of the stamps.
  • present postal service policy needs to be diversified by considering a recent trend towards originality of the individuals of society, which is reflected by the development of new words, such as personal identity (PI) or corporate identity (CI).
  • PI personal identity
  • CI corporate identity
  • the postal service organization responsible for all planning, designing, selling, and distributing various kinds of stamps is confronted with problems of cost and time increases.
  • the first object of the present invention is achieved by a method for distributing an electronic stamp through the Internet, the electronic stamp having a customized image selected by a user and a bar code including delivery related information and an authentication key.
  • the method comprises: (a) providing an image selection interface to the user if the user is verified as a registered user, to allow the user to select an image for the electronic stamp; (b) receiving information on name of an addressor, name of an addressee, and their addresses and zip codes from the user; (c) receiving information on the type of the electronic stamp with which a postal charge is determined based upon the type of mailpiece and information on the type of payment for the electronic stamp from the user; (d) settling the amount of money for the electronic stamp in connection with a predetermined settlement agency in response to a user request for distribution of the electronic stamp, and receiving the authentication key from an authentication key issuing agency; (e) encrypting information input by the user including the delivery related information and the authentication key, and transforming the encrypted result into a bar code; and (f) creating the electronic
  • the delivery related information in step (e) includes name of the addressor, name of the addressee, and their addresses and zip codes. It is preferable that when the user views or clicks on an advertisement provided on a web page during steps (a) through (f), the electronic stamp is paid for at a predetermined discount rate or cyber money is reserved for the user. It is preferable that when the user selects an advertising image as the image for the electronic stamp in step (a), the electronic stamp is paid for at a predetermined discount rate. It is preferable that, in step (f), a print program module is provided on a web page to print the electronic stamp displayed through the graphics interface.
  • the print program module supports functions of printing on envelope, label paper, and folded paper, and information on the type of print paper on which the electronic stamp is to be printed is further received from the user in step (c). It is preferable that, after step (f), the information on name of the addressor, name of the addressee, and their addresses and zip codes is output through a graphics interface in a predetermined region of a web page according to the type of mailpiece as a function of preview.
  • the electronic stamp distribution method before step (a), further comprises the user being registered by inputting user profile information including a predetermined payment information according to a payment means to be used for paying for the electronic stamp, and in step (c), only information on the type of payment means to be used for paying for the electronic stamp is input from the user.
  • the first object of the present invention is achieved by a method for distributing an electronic stamp using an electronic stamp distribution program installed and operated in a client computer and linked to an electronic stamp distribution system through a communications module, the electronic stamp having a customized image selected by a user, and a bar code including delivery related information and an authentication key.
  • the method comprises: (a) checking whether the user is registered through a user verification interface provided by the electronic stamp distribution program by receiving verifying information from the user; (b) receiving information on an image file to be used as an image of the electronic stamp, information on name of an addressor, name of an addressee, and their addresses and zip codes, information on the type of mail piece, information on the type of the electronic stamp, and information on the type of payment for the electronic stamp, which are input by the user on an information input interface provided by the electronic stamp distribution program, through the Internet; (c) settling the amount of money for the electronic stamp in connection with a predetermined settlement agency, and receiving the authentication key from an authentication key issuing agency, and transmitting the authentication key to the client computer; and (d) upon the receipt of the authentication key, encrypting the delivery related information and the authentication key and transforming the encrypted result into a bar code using the electronic stamp program, and creating the electronic stamp by merging the image file selected by the user and the bar code.
  • the delivery related information in step (d) includes name of the addressor, name of the addressee, and their addresses and zip codes. It is preferable that when the user views or clicks on an advertisement displayed in an advertisement display region of the electronic stamp distribution program during steps (a) through (d), the electronic stamp is paid for at a predetermined discount rate or cyber money is reserved for the user. It is preferable that when the user selects an advertising image downloaded from an electronic stamp distribution system as the image for the electronic stamp in step (b), the electronic stamp is paid for at a predetermined discount rate. It is preferable that, in step (d), the electronic stamp is displayed in an electronic stamp display region through a graphics interface, and the electronic stamp distribution program includes a print program module for printing the electronic stamp displayed through the graphics interface.
  • the print program module supports functions of printing on envelope, label paper, and folded paper, and information on the type of print paper on which the electronic stamp is to be printed is further received from the user in step (b). It is preferable that, after step (d), the information on name of the addressor, name of the addressee, and their addresses and zip codes is output through a graphics interface in a predetermined region of the electronic stamp distribution program according to the type of mailpiece as a function of preview.
  • the electronic stamp distribution method before step (a), further comprising the user being registered by inputting user profile information including a predetermined payment information according to a payment means to be used for paying for the electronic stamp, and in step (b), only information on the type of payment means to be used for paying for the electronic stamp is input from the user.
  • the second object of the present invention is achieved by a method for automatically classifying a mailpiece to which the electronic stamp distributed according to the present invention is attached, using an automated mailpiece classifying line installed and operated by a central post office to deliver the mailpiece.
  • the automated mailpiece classification method comprises: (a) once the electronic stamp is distributed to the user, storing user information and the authentication key in a database synchronized with a first server computer of the authentication key issuing agency by matching the authentication key with corresponding user information; (b) putting the mailpiece to which the electronic stamp is attached into the automated mailpiece classifying line, wherein the mailpiece being transferred to the central post office from a local post office; (c) decrypting information stored in the bar code by scanning the bar code of the electronic stamp; (d) transmitting the information decrypted in step (c) to the authentication key issuing agency and requesting the authentication key issuing agency to check for validity of the electronic stamp; (e) the first server computer checking for the validity of the electronic stamp based on the database and transmitting the checked result to
  • FIG. 1 shows a network structure by which an electronic stamp distribution method according to the present invention is implemented
  • FIG. 2 shows a network structure by which an automated mailpiece classification method according to the present invention based on the electronic stamp distribution method is implemented
  • FIG. 3 shows a data configuration built in a database of an electronic stamp distribution system, which is synchronized with a data management server in the network by which the electronic stamp distribution method according to the present invention is implemented;
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of the electronic stamp distribution method according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 shows the structures of modules of the client based electronic stamp distribution program used in a second embodiment of the electronic stamp distribution method according to the present invention
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the second embodiment of the electronic stamp distribution method according to the present invention.
  • FIGS. 7 through 9 show examples of the use of electronic stamps distributed by the first and second embodiments of the electronic stamp distribution method according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating each step of a process for delivering a mailpiece, to which the electronic stamp distributed according to the present invention is attached, to an addressee, including mail classification at a central post office. Best mode for carrying out the Invention
  • FIG. 1 shows the structure of a network by which an electronic stamp distribution method according to the present invention is implemented.
  • the network for the electronic stamp distribution method according to the present invention includes an external client 10 used by a user to purchase an electronic stamp, an electronic stamp distribution system 30 for distributing an electronic stamp requested by the user while being connected with the external client 10 for communications with the same through the Internet 20, and an authentication system 40 for verifying the electronic stamp distributed in response to a user request by the electronic stamp distribution system 30.
  • internal system resources of the electronic stamp distribution system 30 are interconnected by a local area network (LAN) 50.
  • LAN local area network
  • the external client 10 may be a client computer 10a equipped with a printing device, for example, a printer 60, a client computer 10b which is not equipped with a printer, or a stand-alone electronic stamp distributor 10c.
  • the printer 60 may be an ink jet printer or a laser beam printer, which may be shared by a plurality of computers through a predetermined network.
  • the client computer 10a (10b) may install basic hardware including a display device such as a monitor, input devices such as a key board or computer mouse, a microprocessor for data processing, storage media, a modem, or a LAN card. It is preferable that an operating system for supporting graphic user interface, such as Microsoft Windows series, and a web browser, for example, Microsoft Explorer (a registered trademark of Microsoft) or Netscape Navigator (a registered trademark of Netscape) are basically installed in the client computer 10a (10b).
  • Microsoft Explorer a registered trademark of Microsoft
  • Netscape Navigator a registered trademark of Netscape
  • the stand-alone electronic stamp distributor 10a which is installed in any convenient place for use, for example, supermarkets, stationary or specialty stores, post offices, schools, banks, or subway stations, performs substantially the same function as the client computer 10a (10b), but it is designed and manufactured for self-stamp distribution services.
  • the stand-alone electronic stamp distributor 10a is being connected to the electronic stamp distribution system 30 through the Internet 20 for communications with the same, and distributes an electronic stamp in response to a user request.
  • Basic hardware and software as installed in the client computer 10a (10b), which is described above, need to be installed in the stand-alone electronic stamp distributor 10c.
  • a payment device such as a coin or paper money accepting device equipped in a common automated beverage vending system, may be installed in the stand-alone electronic stamp distributor 10c.
  • the electronic stamp distribution system 30 includes a web server 70 as a host responsible for web document processing and communications with the external client 10 through the Internet 20, a data management server 80, a database 90 for storing external information input through the data management server 80 in real time, and a payment management server 100 as an essential unit for managing payment for the distribution of an electronic stamp.
  • the data management server 80 builds up a database from a various kinds of information interactively transmitted from the external client 10 and an external system (not shown) that joins in distributing an electronic stamp according to the present invention as partnership, and efficiently distribute throughput of the web server 70.
  • the electronic stamp distribution system 30 may further include a fire-wall server 110 and an intrusion detection server 120 as needed.
  • the fire-wall server 110 protects internal system resources and valid records from an external network such as the Internet 20 or from unauthorized users of the electronic stamp distribution system 30.
  • the intrusion detection server 120 is for providing the internal resources and valid records of the electronic stamp distribution system 30 with complete security against intrusion by unauthorized internal user's attack. It will be appreciated that a router 130 may be interposed between the Internet 20 and the fire-wall server 110.
  • the electronic stamp distribution system 30 may optionally include an internal client computer 140 for managing a variety of resources of the electronic stamp distribution system 30, backup servers 70' and 80'for the web server 70 and the data management server 80, respectively, which are provided for the balancing of load and stabilizing the electronic stamp distribution system 30 and preventing a sudden shot down of the electronic stamp distribution system 30, and an application server 150 for interactively processing information that a user requests the electronic stamp distribution system 30 through the external client 10 and transmitting the processed information to the data management server 80, but not for processing web documents.
  • the application server 150 When the application server 150 is incorporated into the electronic stamp distribution system 30, the application server 150 serves as a middleware, improving operational efficiency in the cyberspace associated with electronic stamp distribution by the electronic stamp distribution system 30 in connection with the external client 10.
  • a server expansion may be performed to distribute throughput of a particular server installed in the electronic stamp distribution system 30.
  • an additional web server 160 and its backup server 160' are installed in the electronic stamp distribution system 30.
  • FIG. 2 shows the structure of a network by which an automated mailpiece classification method according to the present invention based on the electronic stamp distribution method is implemented.
  • the network for the automated mailpiece classification method according to the present invention includes the external client 10 and the electronic stamp distribution system 30, which are described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 1 , a postal service system 170, a central post office system 180, and a local post office system 190.
  • the postal service system 170 is connected to the electronic stamp distribution system 30 for communications with the same by, but not limited to, a secured leased line 200, for example, in X.25 protocol.
  • the postal service system 170 and the electronic stamp distribution system 30 may be connected for mutual communications through the Internet using a transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) protocol.
  • the postal service system 170 includes an application server 210 for processing information provided or requested from the application server 150 (see FIG. 1), which is synchronized with the data management server 80 (see FIG. 1 ) of the electronic stamp distribution system 30, at a predetermined interval or in real time, a data management server 220, which is synchronized with the application server 210, for managing many kinds of information in the postal service system 170, a database 230 for storing the information managed by the data management server 220, and an internal client computer 240 for managing system resources of the postal service system 170.
  • the postal service system 170 may include a backup server 220' for the data management server 220, and a database 230' which is synchronized with the backup server 220'.
  • the database 230 installed in the postal service system 170 stores information required for mailpiece delivery and associated with the authentication of an electronic stamp in synchronization with the database 90 of the electronic stamp distribution system 30.
  • An exemplary feature of the database 230 will be described later with reference to FIG. 3.
  • the central post office system 180 is connected to the postal service system 170 for communications with the same by, but not limited to, a secured leased line 250, for example, in X.25 protocol. Alternatively, the central post office system 180 and the postal service system 170 may be connected for mutual communications through the Internet using a TCP/IP protocol.
  • the central post office system 180 includes an automated mailpiece classification line 260, an application server 270, and an internal client computer 280 for managing system resources of the central post office system 180.
  • the automated mailpiece classification line 260 automatically classifies mailpieces, to which the electronic stamps distributed according to the present invention are attached and which are collected from local post offices, by local post office basis, and screens out mailpieces having an fraudulent electronic stamp or incorrect designation address.
  • the application server 270 controls the automated mailpiece classification line 260 and check validity of the use of the electronic stamp distributed according to the present invention to find out the mailpieces to which fraudulent electronic stamps are attached.
  • the local post office system 190 is connected to the postal service system 170 and/or the central post office system 180 for communications with the same by a secured leased line 290, for example, in X.25 protocol, and includes a Kiosk server 300 and an internal client computer 310 for managing internal system resources.
  • the local post office system 190 may be connected to the postal service system 170 and/or the central post office system 180 through the Internet using a TCP/IP protocol for mutual communications.
  • the Kiosk server 300 allows the user to access information on the mailpieces, which they have received or will soon receive, through a terminal (not shown) installed in the local post office, and provides various kinds of statistic data on the screen or as a printed form.
  • FIG. 3 shows a data configuration built in the database 90 of the electronic stamp distribution system 30, which is synchronized with the data management server 80 in the network by which the electronic stamp distribution method according to the present invention is implemented.
  • the database 90 may be build up as a relational database, distributed database, object-oriented database, etc.
  • the relational database with easy extensibility is preferred, but not being limited to the same.
  • the database 90 synchronized with the data management server 80 may include a user profile database 90a, an image information database 90b, an addressee information database 90c, an addressor information database 90d, a processed information database 90e, and an authentication information database 90f.
  • the database 90 may further include a central post office database 90g and an error information database 90h as needed. It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that additional databases can be designed and modified in alternative embodiments of the present invention.
  • the user profile database 90a includes information on the profile of users who wish to receive the electronic stamp distribution service according to the present invention, and information on the type of payment for the distributed electronic stamp, which are provided by the user when he/she accesses to the web server 70 and registers to receive the electronic stamp distribution service according to the present invention.
  • the user profile database 90a includes an identification (ID) number, password, name, address, resident number, e-mail address, telephone number, mobile phone number, credit card number, etc.
  • image information database 90b image data to be used by the user as the image of an electronic stamp when the electronic stamp distribution service according to the present invention is provided are recorded in a hierarchical category structure.
  • an operator of the electronic stamp distribution system 30 may build up the image information database 90b.
  • the image information database 90b may be built up by user uploading images created using well-known drawing or editing software, such as "Adobe Photoshop", “Corel Draw”, or "Paint Shop", in a personal database area allocated to the user.
  • the image information may be stored as an image file in the image information database 90b.
  • a file path to each image file is stored in the image information database 90b for database management efficiency.
  • the addressee information database 90c stores information on the addressee which is input by the user while the electric postage distribution service according to the present invention is provided to the same.
  • the addressee information database 90c is preferably built up only when a user's request for the distribution of an electronic stamp is accepted by the electronic stamp distribution system 30. In particular, name of the addressee, address, zip code, etc. are recorded in the addressee information database 90c.
  • the addressor information database 90d stores information on the addressor, the type of payment for an electronic stamp, information on the type of the distributed electronic stamp, information on the type of print paper on which the electronic stamp is printed, etc., which are input by the user while the electric postage distribution service according to the present invention is provided to the same.
  • the addressor information database 90d is preferably built up only when a user's request for the distribution of an electronic stamp is accepted by the electronic stamp distribution system 30.
  • the information on the addressor may include name of the addressor, address, zip code, telephone number, facsimile number, e-mail address, etc.
  • the information on the type of payment may indicate whether the distributed electronic stamp is paid for by electronic money, credit card, mobile phone, telephone, transfer from a bank account, etc.
  • the information on the type of electronic stamp may include information on mail class, such as normal delivery mail, express delivery mail, and registered mail, and information on whether the mailpiece to be delivered is a letter or parcel, to discriminate postal charges.
  • the type of the print paper may include any type of paper on which the electronic stamp can be printed, such as envelope, folded paper, label paper, etc.
  • the processed information database 90e is built up while a user's request for the distribution of an electronic stamp is accepted through valid user verification and payment processes, and the mail delivery related information and , authentication information of the electronic stamp are transmitted to the postal service system 170.
  • the processed information database 90e roughly includes information on the processes done by the electronic stamp distribution system 30, information on data transfer to the postal service system 170, and information on the status of data transfer to the postal service system 170, i.e. whether the data transfer is successful, and information on the time of data transfer to the postal service system 170.
  • the information processed by the electronic stamp distribution system 30 and transferred to the postal service system 170 may include information on the addressee, information on the addressor, information on the type of the electronic stamp distributed to the addressor, and information on the authentication key issued to the distributed electronic stamp.
  • the authentication information database 90f stores an authentication key issued by the authentication system 40 in conjunction with the distribution of the electronic stamp to the user.
  • Authentication keys may be issued by a manager of the electronic stamp distribution system 30, a manager of the postal service system 170, or managers of other authentication systems (not shown). Because the electronic stamp is a kind of securities, authentication keys are preferably issued by the postal service system 170 managed by the government. When there is a need for a manager of the electronic stamp distribution system 30 or other authentication systems to issue authentication keys, prior consent by the manager of the postal service system 170 through a prescribed contraction to the issuing of authentication keys and ex pos. facto approval for the issued authentication keys by the same are needed.
  • the authentication system 40 of FIG. 1 is preferably installed in the postal service system 170.
  • the central post office database 90g stores information on central post offices to which mailpieces are delivered, based upon the addressee's address information provided by the user. To accomplish this, although not illustrated in FIG. 3, a database for storing information on central post offices classified according to the addressee's information is preferably built up in the electronic stamp distribution system 30. Many kinds of information stored in the database 90 of the electronic stamp distribution system 30, which are provided while a postal service is provided according to the electronic stamp distribution method of the present invention, is transferred to the postal service system 170 at a predetermined time interval or in real time and then stored in the database 230 of the postal service system 170.
  • the database 90 of the electronic stamp distribution system 30 stores information on a variety of error messages, which would appear while the electronic stamp distribution method and the automated mailpiece classification method according to the present invention are implemented.
  • an error message such as "Stamp Distribution Unavailable to an Unauthorized User" may be stored in the error information database 90, but not being limited to this message.
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of the electronic stamp distribution method according to the present invention.
  • a user accesses to the web server 70 of the electronic stamp distribution system 30 through the Internet 20 by launching a web browser on the external client 10.
  • the user selects an item of the electronic stamp distribution service according to the present invention with a predetermined selecting device, such as a computer mouse, key pad, touch pad, etc.
  • the web server 70 provides a web page including user ID and password entry regions as a user interface for verifying a registered user to the external client 10.
  • it is determined whether the user is registered (step 20). If the user is not registered, the process goes to step S30.
  • Step 30 the user registers with the electronic stamp distribution system 30 by providing a predetermined user profile, which is required by a manager of the electronic stamp distribution system 30.
  • the web serve 70 provides a web page including a registration input form as a user interface to the user's external client 10.
  • the user inputs the predetermined user profile on the web page.
  • the user profile may includes ID, password, resident number, name, age, sex, address, telephone number, mobile phone number, credit card number, bank account number, e-mail address, etc.
  • the user's telephone number, mobile phone number, credit card number, and bank account number may be used for paying for the distributed electronic stamp.
  • the telephone number when the telephone number is used for paying for the distributed electronic stamp, an amount of money for the electronic stamp is charged along with a telephone charge.
  • the mobile phone number when used for paying for the distributed electronic stamp, an amount of money for the electronic stamp is charged along with a mobile phone charge.
  • the credit card number can be used for paying for the distributed electronic stamp in connection with a server computer operated by a financial telecommunications & clearing institute.
  • the bank account number can be used for paying for the distributed electronic stamp in connection with a server computer operated by a bank with which the account is established.
  • the credit card number and the bank account number may be provided later in a step of payment, not in the registration step S30, for security purpose as needed.
  • step S30 After a user' ID and password are provided in step S30 as a result of the registration, the user moves onto a web page provided for the electronic stamp distribution service according to the present invention.
  • the user requests a user verification in step S40 by inputting his/her ID and password on a user verifying interface displayed on the web page and transmitting the input information to the electronic stamp distribution system 30.
  • step S50 the electronic stamp distribution system 30 searches the user profile database 90a to check whether the user is registered, and displays a web page having an electronic stamp distribution interface on the user's external client 10 if the user is verified.
  • the electronic stamp distributing interface may include an item of checking reserved printing, an item of inputting delivery information, an item of selecting an image of the electronic stamp, an item of selecting a print paper, an item of payment, and an region of displaying a selected electronic stamp through a graphics interface. It will be appreciated that a variety of items excluding the items listed above may be incorporate into the electronic stamp distribution interface as needed. Attributes of information provided in association with the items listed above may be modified.
  • the item of checking reserved printing is available when the user have reserved a printing of the electronic stamp, which had been distributed by the electronic stamp distribution system 30 through a valid user request and payment, but not printed by the user.
  • information on the reserved printing of the electronic stamp is stored in a reserved print database (not shown in FIG. 3) in connection with the user profile database 90a. It will be appreciated that there is no information on the reserved printing of the electronic stamp for a newly registered user who first accesses the electronic stamp distribution system 30 to receive the electronic stamp distribution service according to the present invention with his/her ID and password.
  • the item of inputting delivery information is provided to allow the user to input information associated with electronic stamp distribution and mailpiece delivery.
  • the delivery information includes, for example, name of the addressor, name of the addressee, their addresses and zip codes, and the type of the electronic stamp to be distributed (which is diversified into, for example, express delivery mail or normal delivery mail, or according to whether the mailpiece to be delivered is a letter or parcel, to discriminate postal charges).
  • the electronic stamp distribution system 30 provides an automated address input interface based on an address information database (not shown in FIG. 3) in which address information is matched with corresponding zip codes. For example, when the user inputs information on a destination district, the electronic stamp distribution system 30 searches the address information database and automatically provides a corresponding zip code and address, so that the user can conveniently input information on the addressor's and addressee's addresses.
  • the electronic stamp distribution system 30 may further provide an address management interface which allows the user to manage the addressor's and addressee's addresses in an address book.
  • the user can store the addressors' and addresses' information, which is provided while the user input delivery information, in an address book for convenient use in receiving a future electronic stamp distribution service according to the present invention.
  • the electronic stamp distribution system 30 operates an address book database (not shown in FIG. 3) in connection with the user profile database 90a.
  • the address management interface may include modules for managing the address book, for example, for adding a new address, deleting an old address, editing the address book, and sorting the addresses of the address book.
  • the electronic stamp distribution system 30 needs to provide the user with a web program that allows user access to the address book database such that desired management of his/her address book can be accomplished.
  • the item of selecting the image of an electronic stamp is for providing an image selection interface with which the user can select a preferred image of the electronic stamp to be distributed.
  • the electronic stamp distribution system 30 provides a variety of stamp images, which are previously built into a database with a hierarchical category structure, in response to a user's request.
  • the user may upload an image file that is created or edited on his/her own to the electronic stamp distribution system 30 through a file upload module provided by the image selection interface to get a customized stamp image.
  • the electronic stamp distribution system 30 may allocate a predetermined storage area for the uploaded image file to each registered user.
  • the image selection interface may provide a module for deleting the image file uploaded by the user and a module for downloading an image file to the client computer 10.
  • the electronic stamp distribution system 30 may provide advertising image information provided by a particular advertiser, which is made into a database with a hierarchical category structure, as an image of the electric stamp.
  • advertising image information provided by a particular advertiser, which is made into a database with a hierarchical category structure, as an image of the electric stamp.
  • the manager of the electronic stamp distribution system 30 can fix a predetermined discount rate on the electronic stamp having an advertising image, which the user will get by using the advertising image, through a contraction with the advertiser, and the cost of the discount rate can be accounted for in an advertising fee paid by the advertiser.
  • the item of selecting a print paper is for user selecting a print paper on which the electronic stamp selected by the- user is to be printed, and a print selection interface including selections of a general paper, envelope, folded paper, postcard paper, label paper, etc. is provided.
  • a print selection interface including selections of a general paper, envelope, folded paper, postcard paper, label paper, etc. is provided.
  • the item of selecting a print paper is provided when the electronic stamp is printed directly on a web through an additional print module provided by the electronic stamp distribution system 30, but not by a print function of the web browser.
  • the item of payment is for user selecting the way of paying for a distributed electronic stamp, and a variety of payment interfaces including a transfer-from-bank account interface, credit card payment interface, mobile phone payment interface, telephone payment interface, electronic money payment interface, etc. are provided.
  • the transfer-from-bank account interface may include an interface for inputting information on a bank account from which the cost of an electronic stamp selected is to be withdrawn, that is account number, and verifying information (e.g., password for money transfer).
  • the credit card payment interface may include an interface for inputting the kind of a credit card, credit card number, credit card password, and the term of card validity.
  • the mobile phone payment interface may include an interface for inputting a user's mobile phone number
  • the telephone payment interface may include an interface for inputting a user's telephone number
  • the electronic money payment interface may include an interface for inputting an electronic money issuing organization, electronic money verification number, and electronic money password. It will be appreciated that information input to each of the payment interfaces described above may be varied in providing the electronic stamp distribution service according to the present invention. Information related with the each type of payment may be provided by the user in the user registration step (S30) based on user prior consent as needed. In this case, the information related with the each type of payment input by the user is stored into a database for use in paying for the distributed electronic stamp merely by selecting the type of payment in the payment step without need for extra user input.
  • the electronic stamp distribution system 30 checks whether the information transmitted by the user is valid (step S80). If it is determined in step S80 that the transmitted information is invalid, the process branches off for an error process routine.
  • step S90 whether the payment for an electronic stamp required by the user is available.
  • the electronic stamp distribution system 30 encrypts information related with payment and transmits the encrypted information to a server computer operated by a settlement agency, such as a bank, a credit card service company, a mobile phone service company, a telephone service company, or an electronic money offering company according to the way of payment selected by the user to check for user's paying ability for the selected electronic stamp. If it is determined in step S90 that paying for the electronic stamp is unavailable, the electronic stamp distribution system 30 sends an error message indicating user payment unavailability to the user via an error process routine.
  • a settlement agency such as a bank, a credit card service company, a mobile phone service company, a telephone service company, or an electronic money offering company according to the way of payment selected by the user to check for user's paying ability for the selected electronic stamp.
  • the electronic stamp distribution system 30 receives from the server computer managed by the settlement agency information indicating that user paying for the electronic stamp is available in step S90, the electronic stamp distribution system 30 requests the settlement agency to settle the amount of money for the electronic stamp in step S100. If, in step 100, the electronic stamp distribution system 30 receives information indicating that settlement for the electronic stamp is unavailable due to a system error, the electronic stamp distribution system 30 sends an error message indicating the unavailability of settlement by the settlement agency to the user via an error process routine.
  • the electronic stamp distribution system 30 transmits payment success information to the user who requests for the distribution of the electronic stamp to the postal service system 170, and requests the postal service system 170 to issue an authentication key for the electronic stamp (step S110). Then, in step S120, the postal service system 170 issues the authentication key for the electronic stamp to the electronic stamp distribution system 30, and stores the issued authentication key for the electronic stamp in the database 230 of the postal service system 170 by matching with the corresponding user information. Next, in step S120, the electronic stamp distribution system 30 checks whether the authentication key for the electronic stamp transmitted from the postal service system 170 is safely received.
  • the electronic stamp distribution system 30 stores the authentication key for the electronic stamp in the database 90 of the electronic stamp distribution system 30 by matching with the corresponding user information. If it is determined in step S120 that the receipt of the authentication key for the electronic stamp is unsuccessful, the electronic stamp distribution system 30 sends an error message indicating that issuing of the authentication key for the electronic stamp is unsuccessful to the user via an error process routine.
  • the authentication key for the electronic stamp is issued by the postal service system 170 in the embodiment described above, the authentication key for the electronic stamp may be issued directly by the electronic stamp distribution system 30 through prior consultation with the postal service organization. Alternatively, the authentication key for the electronic stamp may be issued through a server computer managed by a private authentication agency authorized by the postal service organization.
  • step S130 name of the addressor, name of the addressee, their addresses and zip codes, the type of the mailpiece, the type of the electronic stamp, the price of the electronic stamp, the time of electronic stamp distribution, the authentication key for the electronic stamp, etc. are encrypted using an encryption algorithm, for example, the Hash algorithm.
  • the encrypted information is transformed into a 2-dimensional (2D) bar code, using a bar code technique well known to those skilled in the art, for example, using a PDF417 2D bar code technique.
  • the information stored in the 2D bar code may be varied in alternative embodiments of the electronic stamp distribution method according to the present invention.
  • step S140 the electronic stamp distribution system 30 creates a final electronic stamp by merging an image file storing an image selected for the electronic stamp by the user with the bar code formed in step S130.
  • the resulting electronic stamp is provided on the client computer 10 through a graphic user interface.
  • the electronic stamp distribution system 30 stores details about the distribution of the electronic stamp in the database 90 (step S150). That is, the electronic stamp distribution system 30 records the user information input to request the distribution of the electronic stamp in a corresponding user data area of the database 90.
  • step S160 the electronic stamp distribution system 30 extracts information needed for the mailpiece delivery service of the postal service organization from the database 90, and transmits the extracted information to the postal service system 170.
  • the postal service system 170 records the transmitted information in the database 230.
  • step S170 the user decides whether to print the electronic stamp displayed on the client computer 10. If the user decides to print the electronic stamp directly after the electronic stamp distribution in step S170, the electronic stamp is printed in step S180 by using a print function of the web browser, or through a print module provided on a separate web page by the electronic stamp distribution system 30. If the printing of the electronic stamp in step S180 is unsuccessful, the electronic stamp distribution system 30 sends an error message indicating a failure of printing the electronic stamp to the user via an error process routine.
  • step S170 printing of the electronic stamp is reserved for a later use in step S190.
  • the electronic stamp that will be printed later is stored in the corresponding user data area of the database 90.
  • the user accesses to the electronic stamp distribution system 30 through user verification, and retrieves and prints the electronic stamp stored in the user data area of the database 90 by selecting the item of checking a reserved printing on the electronic stamp distribution interface.
  • step S200 If printing of the electronic stamp in step S180 is completed, the user decides to finish the process of electronic stamp distribution according to the present invention (step S200). If the user decides to continue the process of electronic stamp distribution according to the present invention in step S200, the user returns to the web page with the electronic stamp distribution interface for an additional request of electronic stamp distribution (i.e., goes back to step S50).
  • the user may register with the electronic stamp distribution system 30 in the. name of a corporation. A series of processes of electronic stamp distribution carried out on the web using a web browser are described above with reference to FIG. 4.
  • the electronic stamp distribution method according to the present invention may be implemented using an electronic stamp distribution program, which is provided by the manager of the electronic stamp distribution system 30, and installed and operated in the client computer 10, instead of using the web browser.
  • an electronic stamp distribution program which is provided by the manager of the electronic stamp distribution system 30, and installed and operated in the client computer 10, instead of using the web browser.
  • a second embodiment of the electric stamp distribution method according to the present invention performed using the electronic stamp distribution program operated in the client computer 10 will now be described. First, module structures of the client based electronic stamp distribution program used in the second embodiment of the electronic stamp distribution method according to the present invention will be described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 5.
  • the electronic stamp distribution program 320 includes a first program module 330 for selecting an electronic stamp image by accessing to an image file stored in the client computer 10, a second program module 340 for inputting name of the addressor, name of the addressee, and their addresses and zip codes, a third program module 350 for selecting print paper on which the electronic stamp is to be printed later on, a fourth program module 360 for selecting the type of paying for the electronic stamp, a fifth program module 370 for selecting the type of the mailpiece, a sixth program module 380 for transmitting a user ID and password input by the user to the electronic stamp distribution system 30 and connecting the electronic stamp distribution system 30 and the client computer 10 without using an additional web browser for mutual communications when the electronic stamp distribution system 30 permits user access, a seventh program module 390 for transmitting user information input in association with electronic stamp distribution to the electronic stamp distribution system 30 and requesting the electronic stamp distribution system 30 to distribute an electronic stamp, an eighth program module 400 for, when the electronic stamp distribution system 90 accepts the user request of electronic stamp distribution, encrypting information
  • the image file retrieved by the first program module 330 includes downloaded files from the electronic stamp distribution system 30, basic files installed in the client computer 10 upon installation of the electronic stamp distribution program 320, and a variety of user files created, edited, or collected by the user.
  • the second program module 340 includes an address book management module with which the addressor and addressee information can be built up as a database in the client computer 10, and a particular address can be added to or deleted from the address book and also can be edited.
  • the second program module 340 may further include an automated address input program module as in the first embodiment.
  • the electronic stamp distribution program may further includes an advertisement display module for displaying an advertising banner provided by an advertiser in a predetermined advertisement display region on the screen.
  • the electronic stamp distribution system 30 may be designed such that the user can get a predetermined discount rate in paying for an electronic stamp, or can get cyber money available in paying for an electronic stamp in proportion to a period of time for which the user views an advertisement.
  • the user can download an advertising image provided by the electronic stamp distribution system 30 for use as an electronic stamp image. In this case, the user can take the benefit of his/her using the advertising image as in the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the second embodiment of the electronic stamp distribution method according to the present invention.
  • the user runs the electronic stamp distribution program installed in the client computer 10 (step
  • step S210 a user verification interface having a user ID and password entry region is displayed on the client computer 10.
  • step S220 the user requests user verification to the electronic stamp distribution system 30 by inputting his/her ID and password on the user verification interface and transmitting the input information.
  • the user has registered with the electronic stamp distribution system 20 before step S220 by providing substantially the same user registration information as in the first embodiment to get the user ID and password.
  • step S230 the user inputs on an interface provide by the electronic stamp distribution program information on the image of the electronic stamp, and information on name of the addressor, name of the addressee, their addresses and zip codes, the type of the mailpiece (e.g., a letter, a postcard or a parcel), the type of the electronic stamp (e.g., mail class such as a normal delivery mail or a express delivery mail depending on which postal charges vary), the type of payment (e.g., by credit card, telephone, mobile phone, transfer-from-bank account, electronic money, etc.), and the type of print paper (e.g., envelope, folded paper, label paper, etc.).
  • the electronic stamp distribution program information on the image of the electronic stamp e.g., information on name of the addressor, name of the addressee, their addresses and zip codes, the type of the mailpiece (e.g., a letter, a postcard or a parcel), the type of the electronic stamp (e.g., mail class such as a normal delivery mail or a express delivery mail
  • step S240 the user transmits the information input in step S230 to the electronic stamp distribution system 30, and requests the electronic stamp distribution system 30 to settle the amount of money for the electronic stamp and distribute the electronic stamp.
  • step S250 the electronic stamp distribution system 30 settles the amount of money for the electronic stamp and issues the authentication key for the electronic stamp through substantially the same processes as steps S80 through S120 of the first embodiment, and transmits the authentication key to the client computer 10.
  • step S260 the electronic stamp distribution program 320 encrypts information on name of the addressor, name of the addressee, their addresses and zip codes, the type of the mailpiece, the type of the electronic stamp, the authentication key for the electronic stamp, the time of electronic stamp distribution, etc., using a predetermined encryption algorithm, for example, the Hash algorithm, and transforms the encrypted information into a 2D bar code using a known bar code technique, for example, using a PDF417 2D bar code technique.
  • step S270 the electronic stamp distribution program 320 completes distribution of the electronic stamp. by merging the stamp image selected by the user and the 2D bar code.
  • the user prints the electronic stamp through a print program module provided by the electronic stamp distribution program 320 (step S280).
  • the printed electronic stamp is attached to the mailpiece for use.
  • the second embodiment of the electronic stamp distribution method using the electronic stamp distribution program according to the present invention can be applied for a company to send dummy messages (DMs) to their customers using an internal database built up based upon customer profile and address information.
  • the electronic stamp distribution program 320 may further include an eleventh program module for extracting information on names of target customers to which a DM is sent, their addresses and zip codes in synchronization with the internal database and a twelfth program module for requesting the electronic stamp distribution system 30 to distribute electronic stamps for DMs, in batch or in sequence, based upon information on the company as a sender and the customers information extracted by the eleventh program module.
  • the tenth program module 420 as an electronic stamp print module supports a batch printing function of printing all electronic stamps distributed for DMs at once or a divisional printing function of printing electronic stamps by a predetermined number.
  • step S230 may be modified such that an engineer working for the company can select a list of target customers to which DMs are to be sent based on the internal database, and generate a set of information needed for electronic stamp distribution with respect to each customer by merging information on each customer extracted sequentially from the list of target customers with information on the company as a sender.
  • step S240 may be modified into a step of requesting the electronic stamp distribution system 30 to distribute the electronic stamps by a batch process or a sequential process based on the set of information generated for each customer.
  • the electronic stamps are paid for by post-payment or using deposit reserved according to a predetermined payment contraction between the manager of the electronic stamp distribution system 30 and the company, rather than being paid for immediately after distribution.
  • FIGS. 7 through 9 show examples of the use of electronic stamps distributed by the first and second embodiments of the electronic stamp distribution method according to the present invention.
  • the user attaches the printed electronic stamp to a stamp region 430 of the mailpiece for use.
  • the electronic stamp distributed by the method according to the present invention includes an image portion 440, which is arbitrarily formed by the user, and a 2D bar code 450 arranged below the image portion 440.
  • an individual can express his/her individuality by forming the image portion with an image 460 selected in person.
  • An entertainer or a salesperson can use his/her photographic image as a stamp image with improved public relation effects.
  • a company can design an image 470 for an electronic stamp based on the concept of a particular product or the image of company for the purpose of public relation expansion or events promotion.
  • a public office or organization can create an image (not shown) for the purpose of public interest advertising, national campaigning, or publication of a variety of systems for use as the image of an electronic stamp.
  • the electronic stamp print module used in the electronic stamp distribution method according to the present invention described above can support a function of printing the addressor and addressee information along with the electronic stamp, as shown in FIGS. 7 through 9. In this case, user inconvenience of handwriting the addressor and addressee information on the mailpiece is eliminated.
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating each step of a process for delivering the mailpiece to which the electronic stamp distributed according to the present invention is attached.
  • the user attaches the electronic stamp, which is distributed by the method according to the present invention and printed, to the stamp region of the mail piece, and sends the mailpiece to a local post office (step S290).
  • the mailpiece is transferred to a central post office (step S300).
  • the mailpiece is put into the automated mailpiece classification line 260 (see FIG. 2) equipped with a high-speed bar code reader (step S310).
  • step S320 the electronic stamp attached to the mailpiece is scanned with the high-speed bar code reader installed in the automated mailpiece classification line 260 of the central post office.
  • step S330 the information recorded in the 2D bar code is decrypted.
  • the decrypted information (preferably, the authentication key information) is transmitted to the postal service system 170 through the leased line 250 by the application server 270 of the central office system 180 (step S340).
  • step S350 the application server 210 of the postal service system 170 requests the data management server 220 to search the database 230 of the postal service system 170 for the authentication key for the electronic stamp used by the user.
  • step S350 the validity of the electronic stamp used by the user is checked in step S360. If the electronic stamp used by the user is determined to be valid, information of use of the electronic stamp is recorded in the database 230 to prevent a second use of the electronic stamp.
  • step S360 of checking for the validity of the electronic stamp used by the user information on whether the electronic stamp is valid or invalid is transmitted to the application server 270 of the central office system 180 (step S370).
  • step S370 the process branches off for an error process routine.
  • the application server 270 of the central post office system 180 controls the automated mailpiece classification line 260 to automatically classify the mailpiece as one of two groups (step S380). In particular, if information indicating that the electronic stamp used by the user is invalid is transmitted from the postal service system 170, the application server 270 of the central post office system 180 classifies the mailpiece as an invalid one.
  • the application server 270 of the central post office system 170 determines the mailpiece to be valid, and classifies the mailpiece by local post office basis using the addressee's address information decrypted from the 2D bar code of the electronic stamp. After mail classification based on local post offices, the mailpiece is transferred to a corresponding local post office (step S290) and in turn to the addressee by a mailman (step S400).
  • the second use of the electronic stamp can be determined to be invalid, thereby fundamentally blocking double use of the electronic stamp through illegal duplication.
  • additional delivery order information for each mailman may be recorded in the 2D bar code in the course of distributing the electronic stamp based on the addressee's address information.
  • mailpieces may be classified by the delivery order information for each mailman in the process of mailpiece classification at the central post office, thereby reducing manpower and expense compared to a manual classification in mailman delivery order.
  • an electronic stamp distribution agency may display an advertising banner in a predetermined region of a homepage of the electronic stamp distribution agency, or of the electronic stamp distribution program by a contraction with a certain advertiser.
  • a predetermined amount of cyber money is deposited upon every user clicking on the advertising banner and the deposited cyber money is available to pay for the electronic stamp.
  • the user can get a predetermined discount rate in paying for the electronic stamp.
  • the electronic stamp distribution program may be downloaded to the client computer through the Internet from the electronic stamp distribution system, or may be distributed as a predetermined storage medium, for example, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), which can be installed to the client computer.
  • a predetermined storage medium for example, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), which can be installed to the client computer.
  • CD-ROM compact disc read only memory
  • the user can purchase electronic stamps through simple processes every time and everywhere as long as having the client linked to the Internet.
  • the user can choose a customized stamp image, thereby eliminating a drawback of the conventional off-line based stamps in that individuality of each sender is not reflected on the image of the stamps.
  • a personal photograph, PR (public relation) or advertising messages or images, the logo of a company, etc. are available as the image of an electronic stamp, and thus the image of the electronic stamp may be varied according to the contents of mailpieces to be delivered, thereby raising personal or corporate identity of the sender.
  • information on the electronic stamp issued to a user is recorded in a database of the postal service system, and thus invalid use of the electronic stamp can be screened out in classifying mailpieces to which electronic stamps are attached, based on the database built in the postal service system.
  • information associated with automated mailpieces classification is recorded in the electronic stamp as a bar code, automation in mail delivery services can easily be realized.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

Abstract

Procédé servant à distribuer un timbre électronique par Internet. Ce timbre électronique possède une image personnalisée sélectionnée par l'utilisateur et un code à barres comprenant des informations relatives à la distribution et un code d'authentification. Procédé servant à classer automatiquement des courriers au moyen de ce timbre électronique. Le procédé de distribution consiste à créer une interface de sélection d'images pour l'utilisateur si ce dernier est autorisé, de manière à lui permettre de sélectionner une image pour le timbre électronique, à recevoir de l'utilisateur des informations concernant le nom d'un expéditeur et d'un destinataire, ainsi que leurs adresses et codes postaux, à recevoir de l'utilisateur des informations concernant le type de timbre électronique déterminé selon la charge postale en fonction du type de courrier, et la modalité de règlement du timbre électronique, à régler le montant du timbre en relation avec une agence de règlement prédéterminée en réponse à la demande de distribution du timbre électronique formulée par l'utilisateur et à recevoir le code d'identification d'une agence émettrice. On chiffre ensuite les informations entrées par l'utilisateur, y compris les informations relatives à la distribution et le code d'authentification et on transforme le résultat chiffré en un code à barres. On crée le timbre électronique par fusion de l'image sélectionnée par l'utilisateur et du code à barres et l'utilisateur obtient ce timbre électronique par l'intermédiaire d'une interface graphique.
PCT/KR2001/000457 2000-03-23 2001-03-22 Systeme servant a distribuer un timbre electronique au moyen d'internet et procede de classement automatique de courrier au moyen de ce timbre electronique WO2001075722A1 (fr)

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AU44769/01A AU4476901A (en) 2000-03-23 2001-03-22 System for distributing electronic stamp using internet, and method of automatically classifying postal matter using the electronic stamp
JP2001573326A JP2003529849A (ja) 2000-03-23 2001-03-22 インターネットを用いた電子切手の発行方法及び電子切手を用いた郵便物の自動分類方法

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KR1020000014743A KR20000036605A (ko) 2000-03-23 2000-03-23 전자 우표 유통 방법
KR2000/14743 2000-03-23
KR2001/14578 2001-03-21
KR1020010014578A KR20010093062A (ko) 2000-03-23 2001-03-21 인터넷을 이용한 전자우표 발행방법 및 상기 전자우표를이용한 우편물 자동분류 방법

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US11908035B2 (en) 2019-06-06 2024-02-20 Frederick Hutson System and method for authenticated mail

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JP2015018342A (ja) * 2013-07-09 2015-01-29 株式会社Ｉｍｃ 電子文通装置、プログラム。
KR101706589B1 (ko) * 2016-02-29 2017-02-15 이영진 우표 카드를 이용한 우표 발행 시스템 및 이의 실행 방법

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US5778076A (en) * 1994-01-03 1998-07-07 E-Stamp Corporation System and method for controlling the dispensing of an authenticating indicia
KR20010044536A (ko) * 2001-03-05 2001-06-05 김주평 인터넷을 이용한 우편물 발송 방법 및 그 장치

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US5717597A (en) * 1995-10-11 1998-02-10 E-Stamp Corporation System and method for printing personalized postage indicia on greeting cards
KR20010044536A (ko) * 2001-03-05 2001-06-05 김주평 인터넷을 이용한 우편물 발송 방법 및 그 장치

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US6746870B1 (en) 1999-07-23 2004-06-08 The Regents Of The University Of California DNA recombination in eukaryotic cells by the bacteriophage PHIC31 recombination system
US11908035B2 (en) 2019-06-06 2024-02-20 Frederick Hutson System and method for authenticated mail

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