Dynamic reassignment of postal metering device licensing location

• US 20010047278A1
• Filed: 04/09/2001
• Published: 11/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Neopost Technologies S.A. (Quadient SA)
• Original Assignee: Neopost Technologies S.A. (Quadient SA)
• Inventors: Landino, Michael R., Brookner, George M.
• Application Number:
  US09/829,171
• Publication Number:
  US 20010047278A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00024 Physical or organizational aspects of franking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/0008 Communication details outside or between apparatus coin-freed apparatus for franking per se G07F17/26
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00733 Cryptography or similar special procedures in a franking system
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00032 Determining the location of apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00161 from a central, non-user location, e.g. for updating rates or software, or for refilling funds
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00177 from a portable device, e.g. a card or a PCMCIA
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00967 PSD [Postal Security Device] as defined by the USPS [US Postal Service]

Abstract

A method for operating a device, a device, and an arrangement including the device, for the secure storage of funds comprising interfacing the device with a system; transmitting from the device to the system a present location of the device; comparing in a database associated with the system the present location of the device with a previously stored location; and transmitting to the device from the system an authorization to utilize the funds only if the present location is within a predetermined region associated with the previously stored location. The authorization is transmitted only if the present location matches the previously stored location. Generally, the device is licensed for use at the previously stored location, and if the comparing indicates that the device is not in the predetermined region, the system issues a new license for a region associated with the present location of the device.

Claims

1. A method for operating a device for the secure storage of funds comprising:

interfacing said device with a system;

transmitting from said device to the system a present location of said device;

comparing in a database associated with said system the present location of said device with a previously stored location; and

transmitting to said device from said system an authorization to utilize said funds only if the present location is within a predetermined region associated with said previously stored location.

2. The method of

claim 1

, wherein said authorization is transmitted only if the present location matches the previously stored location.

3. The method of

claim 1

, wherein said device is licensed for use at said previously stored location, and if the comparing indicates that the device is not in the predetermined region, the system issues a new license for a region associated with the present location of said device.

4. The method of

claim 3

, further comprising communicating from the system to the device, data associated with the present location.

5. The method of

claim 4

wherein said device is a postal security device and said data includes at least one of zip code, city and state information.

6. The method of

claim 1

, further comprising powering up said device, the method being conducted when said device is powered up.

7. The method of

claim 1

, wherein said transmitting is done when said device establishes a contact with said system.

8. The method of

claim 7

, wherein said contact with said system is terminated after the location of said device is determined.

9. The method of

claim 7

wherein if said contact is made by telephone, the location of said device is determined by using caller identification.

10. The method of

claim 7

wherein if said contact is made using a network, the location of said device is determined by obtaining a network address of said device.

11. The method of

claim 7

wherein if said contact is made using the internet, the location of said device is determined by using internet service provider location identification.

12. The method of

claim 7

wherein if said contact is made using a cellular telephone port, the location of said device is determined using a location identifier of a cellular telephone system with which said cellular telephone communicates.

13. The method of

claim 7

wherein said device is associated with a position determining apparatus for determining its location, said device providing to said system its location as determined by said position determining apparatus.

14. The method of

claim 13

wherein said position locating apparatus is a global positioning system receiver.

15. The method of

claim 1

wherein said device is a postal security device.

16. A device for the secure storage of funds comprising:

a memory for storing value of said funds;

apparatus associated with said device for determining a location of said device; and

a communication port for providing communication between said device and a system, said device communicating said location to said system via said port.

17. The device of

claim 16

further comprising apparatus for receiving from said system an authorization to access said funds, if said location is within a predetermined region.

18. The device of

claim 17

wherein said apparatus provides access to said funds if said location corresponds to a predetermined location.

19. The device of

claim 16

, further comprising apparatus for encrypting and digitally signing, or digitally signing said communication.

22. The arrangement of

claim 19

wherein cryptographic key management supports secure communication with the device.

20. An arrangement for securely dispensing funds comprising:

a device for the secure storage of funds, including;

a memory for storing value of said funds,

apparatus associated with said device for determining a location of said device;

a communication port for providing communication between said device and a system, said device communicating said location to said system via said port;

the system having a database for storing, for each device, a predetermined location; and

apparatus in said system for providing an authorization to said device to dispense funds only if said present location is within a region associated with said predetermined location.

21. The arrangement of

claim 20

wherein said apparatus provides said authorization only if said present location matches said previously stored location.

23. A device for the secure storage of funds comprising:

a memory for storing value of said funds;

a communication port for providing communication with a with a host for said device;

apparatus for preventing operation of said device or said host if said device does not receive a predetermined digital coded sequence from said host or said host does not receive a predetermined digital coded sequence from said device.