Postage meter machine with protected print head
First Claim
1. A postage meter machine for franking postal items, comprising:
- a computer unit;
a printer unit adapted for printing a franking image on postal matter, connected to and controlled by said computer unit and having a replaceable, removable print head;
a first identification code arranged at said print head so as to be machine readable;
a memory unit uniquely allocated to said print head having a second identification code and a stored security code stored therein, said stored security code being generated with a key code from said first identification code and said second identification code using an encryption algorithm; and
an input unit connected to said computer unit which, upon insertion of said print head in said printer unit, reads said first identification code and reads out said second identification code and said stored security code and supplies said first identification code, said second identification code and said stored security code to said computer, said computer having access to said key code and said encryption algorithm and generating a generated security code from said first identification code, said second identification code and said key code using said encryption algorithm, and comparing said generated security code to said stored security code and enabling usage of said print head in said printer unit only if said generated security code and said stored security code coincide.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In a postage meter machine has a printing unit with a replaceable print head, a print head for such a postage meter machine and a method for the authentication of such a print head, a number of manipulation possibilities are precluded, such as refilling an authorized print head unauthorized ink usage of and an authorized print head in a conventional printer without paying fees for franking. For this purpose a security code is generated by an encryption algorithm from a first identification code attached to the print head and from a second identification code stored in a memory unit allocated to the print head, and is compared to a security code that is likewise stored in the memory unit when the print head is manufactured.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A postage meter machine for franking postal items, comprising:
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a computer unit;
a printer unit adapted for printing a franking image on postal matter, connected to and controlled by said computer unit and having a replaceable, removable print head;
a first identification code arranged at said print head so as to be machine readable;
a memory unit uniquely allocated to said print head having a second identification code and a stored security code stored therein, said stored security code being generated with a key code from said first identification code and said second identification code using an encryption algorithm; and
an input unit connected to said computer unit which, upon insertion of said print head in said printer unit, reads said first identification code and reads out said second identification code and said stored security code and supplies said first identification code, said second identification code and said stored security code to said computer, said computer having access to said key code and said encryption algorithm and generating a generated security code from said first identification code, said second identification code and said key code using said encryption algorithm, and comparing said generated security code to said stored security code and enabling usage of said print head in said printer unit only if said generated security code and said stored security code coincide. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A print head adapted for removable insertion into a printer unit of a postage meter machine for franking postal items, said print head having a machine readable first identification code disposed thereon, and having a memory unit uniquely allocated to said print head in which a second identification code and a security code are stored, said security code being generated with a key code from said first identification code and said second identification code using an encryption algorithm.
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12. A method for authentication of a print head for a postage meter machine for franking postal items comprising:
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disposing a machine readable first identification code on a print head;
uniquely allocating a memory unit to said print head and storing in said memory unit a second identification code and a stored security code generated from said first identification code, said second identification code and a key code using an encryption algorithm;
upon insertion of said print head into a printer, machine reading said first identification code and reading said second identification code and said storage security code out of said memory unit;
supplying said first identification code, said second identification code and said stored security code from said print head to a computer;
providing said computer with access to said key code and said encryption algorithm;
in said computer, generating a generated security code from said first identification code, said second identification code, and said key code using said encryption algorithm;
in said computer, comparing said generated security code to said storage security code; and
enabling usage of said print head in said printer only if said generated security code and said storage security code coincide. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification