Data processing: financial – business practice – management – or co – Business processing using cryptography – Postage metering system
Reexamination Certificate
1998-01-26
2001-01-09
Cosimano, Edward R. (Department: 2761)
Data processing: financial, business practice, management, or co
Business processing using cryptography
Postage metering system
C705S408000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173273
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a system for secure communication of messages from an originator of a message to an intended recipient of the message.
In systems for applying postage indicia to mail items it has been proposed to include encrypted information in the imprint of the postage indicia in order to provide security in respect of the postage indicia. The information which is encrypted relates to the postage meter system utilized to print the indicia so as to identify the mailer and also relates to postage information, for example the amount of postage charge applicable to the mail item and for which accounting has been effected. The encrypted information may be printed as alphanumeric characters but it has also been proposed to print the encrypted information in the form of a so-called 2D code comprising an array of binary elements of first and second characteristics, for example black and white.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention a secure communication system includes a sender postage metering terminal and a plurality of recipient postage metering terminals, each terminal comprising input means for input of a postage charge; encryption means for encrypting postage information; printing means for printing a postage indicium including said encrypted postage information on a mail item; wherein the input means of the sender terminal is operable to input a message, intended for receipt by a designated one of the recipient terminals, to the encryption means of the sender terminal; said encryption means of the sender terminal being operable to encrypt said message using a key unique to the designated recipient terminal; and each recipient terminal including means for input of a received encrypted message to the encryption means of the recipient terminal; and the encryption means of the designated recipient terminal being operable to use a key unique to that terminal to decrypt the encrypted message.
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Darlin, Damon; Innovate or die; Feb. 1997; Forbes, v159, n4, p 108(3); DialogWeb copy p.104.*
Cosimano Edward R.
Dixon Thomas A.
Neopost Limited
Shoemaker and Mattare LTD
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