Secure postage payment system and method

• US 20020073040A1
• Filed: 08/23/2001
• Published: 06/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neopost Technologies S.A. (Quadient SA)
• Original Assignee: Neopost Technologies S.A. (Quadient SA)
• Inventors: Mechler, David H., Gardner, Gaye D., Brookner, George M., Brown, Michael A., Gardner, Gary A., Heroy, Douglas T., Schwartz, Robert G., Eskandari, Fetneh
• Granted Patent: US 7,257,558 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/62
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/346 Cards serving only as information carrier of service
• 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 17/00459 Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00467 Transporting mailpieces postal sorting B07C
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00177 from a portable device, e.g. a card or a PCMCIA
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00491 Mail/envelope/insert handling system
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00572 Details of printed item
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00588 Barcode
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00766 Digital signature, e.g. DSA, DSS, ECDSA, ESIGN
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/56 Financial cryptography, e.g. electronic payment or e-cash
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/60 Digital content management, e.g. content distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 involving digital signatures
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3263 involving certificates, e.g. public key certificate [PKC] or attribute certificate [AC]; Public key infrastructure [PKI] arrangements network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using certificates in a packet data network H04L63/0823

Abstract

In a postage payment system, a secure integrated circuit (IC) card is used to manage postage funds, and created encrypted postage indicia. Among other things, the system is capable of performing charge-back accounting of postage expenses and generating mail contents. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the postage indicia are applied onto selected locations of the mail contents while they are being generated. In the preferred embodiment, each mail content is placed in a window envelope such that the postage indicium on the mail content exposes through a window of the envelope to facilitate inspection of the indicium. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, by including transactional data in addition to the traditional postal data in a postage indicium, the indicium can be used to pay bills, purchase products and services, including any courier service different than the postal service.

Claims

1. Integrated circuit (IC) card apparatus for dispensing postage comprising:

a memory for storing first data representative of a value of postage funds;

a processor for changing the value of the stored postage funds, the changed value being a function of a value of said postage, and

an interface for providing second data for creation of a postage indicium indicative of the value of said postage.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second data includes a digital signature.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said memory further includes an encryption algorithm, said second data being encrypted in accordance with said encryption algorithm.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said encryption algorithm is an RSA algorithm.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said encryption algorithm is a digital signature algorithm (DSA).

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said memory includes information for determining past postage dispensation.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said processor changes the value of the stored postage funds in response to a purchase.

8. Apparatus for generating a content of a mail piece, said mail piece including a cover for enclosing said content, said apparatus comprising:

an input for receiving data representative of at least part of said content;

a processor responsive to said data for computing costs for delivering said mail piece; and

an output for applying at least an indicator indicative of said costs onto said content at a selected location thereof.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said costs include postage for delivering said mail piece.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said indicator includes a postage indicium.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said indicator is applied onto said content close to an address.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein information concerning said costs is read by a scanner'"'"'s scanning said indicator.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said cover is an envelope.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said envelope has at least one window coinciding with said indicator such that at least part of said indicator exposes through the at least one window.

15. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein at least part of said data is indicative of the selected location.

16. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the selected location is a corner of said content.

17. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said processor derives, from said data, information for determining a weight of said content.

18. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said processor derives, from said data, information concerning pagination of the content.

19. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said processor derives, from said data, information concerning an address.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said information includes zip code information.

21. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said processor derives, from said data, information for identifying at least one party to which said costs are attributed.

22. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said processor computes said costs based on one or more selected shipping rates.

23. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a memory for storing a database.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said database includes statistical information based on said costs.

25. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said database includes information identifying said mail piece for tracking thereof.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said interface includes a connector for connecting a scanner to said apparatus.

28. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the selected information is represented by a bar-code on said mail piece.

29. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the selected information includes data identifying an originator of said mail piece.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the processor disallows a dispensation of the postage when said originator is determined to be unauthorized to expend the postage.

31. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the originator is an individual.

32. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the originator is an organization.

33. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the selected information includes information representative of an authorization code.

34. The apparatus of claim 26 further comprising a receiver for receiving data representative of costs of said delivery.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the processor determines whether the postage is dispensed in response also to said data.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said transactional data includes information identifying said second party.

38. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said transactional data includes information concerning an originator of said postage indicium.

39. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said transactional data includes an indicator indicative of a method by which the transaction amount is paid to the second party.

40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said method includes an electronic funds transfer.

41. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said transactional data includes a personal identification number (PIN).

42. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said PIN is encrypted.

43. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said transactional data includes instructional information, the first party causing the transaction amount to be paid to the second party in response to the instructional information.

44. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein said instructional information includes a request for a confirmation by the first party to the second party that the transaction amount has been paid.

45. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein said instructional information includes information on a date by which the transaction amount is paid to the second party.

46. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said postage indicium includes a digital signature for authenticating at least part of said postage indicium.

47. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said transactional data is encoded in a bar-code.

48. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said postage indicium includes a human readable portion.

49. The apparatus of claim 48 wherein said human readable portion includes information identifying said second party.

50. The apparatus of claim 48 wherein said human readable portion includes the transaction amount.

51. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said postage indicium includes a machine readable portion.

52. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said first party is a postal authority.

53. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein said second party is a courier other than the postal authority.

54. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the amount of said payment for service is zero.

55. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said postage indicium is generated onto a tangible medium.

56. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein said tangible medium is paper.

57. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said postage indicium is generated onto a mail piece.

59. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said postage indicium appears on a mail piece.

60. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein said processor causes said mail piece to be delivered according to an address appearing on said mail piece.

61. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said processor includes a scanner for scanning at least part of said postage indicium.

62. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said transactional data includes information identifying said second party.

63. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said transactional data includes information concerning an originator of said postage indicium.

64. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said transactional data includes an indicator indicative of a method by which the transaction amount is paid to the second party.

65. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said method includes an electronic funds transfer.

66. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said transactional data includes a PIN.

67. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said PIN is encrypted.

68. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said transactional data includes instructional information, the first party causing the transaction amount to be paid to the second party in response to said instructional information.

69. The apparatus of claim 68 wherein said instructional information includes a request for a confirmation by the first party to the second party that the transaction amount has been paid.

70. The apparatus of claim 68 wherein said instructional information includes information on a date by which the transaction amount is paid to the second party.

71. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said postage indicium includes a digital signature for authenticating at least part of said postage indicium.

72. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said transactional data is encoded in a bar-code.

73. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said postage indicium includes a human readable portion.

74. The apparatus of claim 73 wherein said human readable portion includes information identifying said second party.

75. The apparatus of claim 73 wherein said human readable portion includes the transaction amount.

76. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said postage indicium includes a machine readable portion.

77. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said first party is a postal authority.

78. The apparatus of claim 77 wherein said second party is a courier other than the postal authority.

79. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein the amount of said payment for service is zero.

80. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said postage indicium is fixed on a tangible medium.

81. The apparatus of claim 80 wherein said tangible medium includes a label.

26. Apparatus for processing at least one mail piece to be delivered comprising:

an interface for obtaining from the mail piece selected information appearing thereon; and

a processor responsive to at least the selected information for determining whether postage is dispensed to pay for delivery of the mail piece.

36. Postage dispensing apparatus comprising:

a processor for creating a postage indicium, said postage indicium including a proof of payment for service by a first party, and transactional data comprising at least information representative of a transaction amount, said first party causing said transaction amount to be paid to a second party in response to at least said transactional data when said first party processes said postage indicium; and

an output for generating said postage indicium.

58. Postage processing apparatus comprising:

a processor for processing at least one postage indicium including a proof of payment for service by a first party, and transactional data comprising at least information representative of a transaction amount; and

an output responsive to at least said transactional data for causing said transaction amount to be paid to a second party when the postage indicium is processed.

82. A system for dispensing postage comprising:

an IC card apparatus including a memory for storing first data representative of a value of postage funds;

a processor in said IC card apparatus for changing the value of the stored postage funds as a function of a value of said postage;

an interface in said IC card apparatus for providing second data for creation of a postage indicium indicative of the value of said postage; and

an output responsive to said second data for generating a postage indicium indicative of the value of said postage.

83. The system of claim 82 further comprising a computer.

84. The system of claim 83 wherein said computer is a personal computer (PC).

85. The system of claim 82 further comprising a control element for controlling access to said system.

86. The system of claim 82 further comprising a management information subsystem for processing documents.

87. The system of claim 86 wherein said documents include invoices.

88. The system of claim 82 further comprising an address cleanser for checking address information on mail pieces processed by the system.

89. The system of claim 82 further comprising a second interface for obtaining shipping rate information.

90. The system of claim 82 further comprising a second interface for communicating with a remote computer.

91. The system of claim 82 further comprising a second interface for establishing a connection to a communication network.

92. The system of claim 91 wherein said communication network includes at least part of the Internet.

93. The system of claim 82 further comprising a communicator for communicating information with a selected recipient.

94. The system of claim 93 wherein said communicator communicates with a certification authority other than the selected recipient to verify receipt by the selected recipient of the information.

95. The system of claim 93 wherein said communicator communicates with a certification authority other than the selected recipient to verify access by the selected recipient to the information.

96. The system of claim 82 wherein said second data includes a digital signature.

97. The system of claim 82 further comprising a transmitter for transmitting facsimile information.

98. The system of claim 97 wherein said facsimile information is encrypted.

99. The system of claim 97 wherein said facsimile information includes a digital signature for authenticating the facsimile transmission.

100. The system of claim 82 further comprising a receiver for receiving facsimile information.

101. The system of claim 100 wherein said facsimile information is encrypted, said receiver includes a decoder for decrypting the encrypted facsimile information.

102. The system of claim 100 wherein said facsimile information includes a digital signature, said receiver includes a mechanism for verifying said digital signature.

103. The system of claim 82 wherein said memory further includes an encryption algorithm, said second data being encrypted in accordance with said encryption algorithm.

104. The system of claim 103 wherein said encryption algorithm is an RSA algorithm.

105. The system of claim 103 wherein said encryption algorithm is a DSA.

106. The system of claim 82 wherein said memory includes information for determining past postage dispensation.

107. A method for use in an IC card apparatus for dispensing postage comprising the steps of:

storing first data representative of a value of postage funds;

changing the value of the stored postage funds, the changed value being a function of a value of said postage, and

providing second data for creation of a postage indicium indicative of the value of said postage.

108. The method of claim 107 wherein said second data includes a digital signature.

109. The method of claim 107 wherein said second data is encrypted in accordance with an encryption algorithm.

110. The method of claim 109 wherein said encryption algorithm is an RSA algorithm.

111. The method of claim 109 wherein said encryption algorithm is a DSA.

112. The method of claim 107 wherein the value of the stored postage funds is changed in response to a purchase.

114. The method of claim 113 wherein said costs include postage for delivering said mail piece.

115. The method of claim 113 wherein said indicator includes a postage indicium.

116. The method of claim 113 wherein said indicator is applied onto said content close to an address.

117. The method of claim 113 wherein said cover is an envelope.

118. The method of claim 117 wherein said envelope has at least one window coinciding with said indicator such that at least part of said indicator exposes through the at least one window.

119. The method of claim 113 wherein at least part of said data is indicative of the selected location.

120. The method of claim 113 wherein the selected location is a corner of said content.

121. The method of claim 113 wherein information for determining a weight of said content is derived from said data.

122. The method of claim 113 wherein information concerning pagination of the content is derived from said data.

123. The method of claim 113 wherein information concerning an address is derived from said data.

124. The method of claim 123 wherein said information includes zip code information.

125. The method of claim 113 wherein information for identifying at least one party to which said costs are attributed is derived from said data.

126. The method of claim 113 wherein said costs are computed based on one or more selected shipping rates.

127. The method of claim 113 further comprising the step of storing a database.

128. The method of claim 127 wherein said database includes statistical information based on said costs.

129. The method of claim 127 wherein said database includes information identifying said mail piece for tracking thereof.

131. The method of claim 130 wherein the selected information is represented by a bar-code on said mail piece.

132. The method of claim 130 wherein the selected information includes data identifying an originator of said mail piece.

133. The method of claim 132 wherein the a dispensation of the postage is disallowed when said originator is determined to be unauthorized to expend the postage.

134. The method of claim 132 wherein the originator is an individual.

135. The method of claim 132 wherein the originator is an organization.

136. The method of claim 130 wherein the selected information includes information representative of an authorization code.

137. The method of claim 130 further comprising the step of receiving data representative of costs of said delivery.

138. The method of claim 137 wherein whether the postage is dispensed is determined in response also to said data.

140. The method of claim 139 wherein said transactional data includes information identifying said second party.

141. The method of claim 139 wherein said transactional data includes information concerning an originator of said postage indicium.

142. The method of claim 139 wherein said transactional data includes an indicator indicative of a methodology by which the transaction amount is paid to the second party.

143. The method of claim 142 wherein said methodology includes an electronic funds transfer.

144. The method of claim 139 wherein said transactional data includes a PIN.

146. The method of claim 139 wherein said transactional data includes instructional information, the first party causing the transaction amount to be paid to the second party in response to the instructional information.

147. The method of claim 146 wherein said instructional information includes a request for a confirmation by the first party to the second party that the transaction amount has been paid.

148. The method of claim 146 wherein said instructional information includes information on a date by which the transaction amount is paid to the second party.

149. The method of claim 139 wherein said postage indicium includes a digital signature for authenticating at least part of said postage indicium.

150. The method of claim 139 wherein said transactional data is encoded in a bar-code.

151. The method of claim 139 wherein said postage indicium includes a human readable portion.

152. The method of claim 151 wherein said human readable portion includes information identifying said second party.

153. The method of claim 151 wherein said human readable portion includes the transaction amount.

154. The method of claim 151 wherein said postage indicium includes a machine readable portion.

155. The method of claim 139 wherein said first party is a postal authority.

156. The method of claim 155 wherein said second party is a courier other than the postal authority.

157. The method of claim 139 wherein the amount of said payment for service is zero.

158. The method of claim 139 wherein said postage indicium is generated onto a tangible medium.

159. The method of claim 158 wherein said tangible medium includes a label.

160. The method of claim 139 wherein said postage indicium is generated onto a mail piece.

162. The method of claim 161 wherein said postage indicium appears on a mail piece.

163. The method of claim 162 wherein said mail piece is delivered according to an address appearing on said mail piece.

164. The method of claim 161 wherein said transactional data includes information identifying said second party.

165. The method of claim 161 wherein said transactional data includes information concerning an originator of said postage indicium.

166. The method of claim 161 wherein said transactional data includes an indicator indicative of a methodology by which the transaction amount is paid to the second party.

167. The method of claim 166 wherein said methodology includes an electronic funds transfer.

168. The method of claim 161 wherein said transactional data includes a PIN.

169. The method of claim 168 wherein said PIN is encrypted.

170. The method of claim 161 wherein said transactional data includes instructional information, the first party causing the transaction amount to be paid to the second party in response to said instructional information.

171. The method of claim 170 wherein said instructional information includes a request for a confirmation by the first party to the second party that the transaction amount has been paid.

172. The method of claim 170 wherein said instructional information includes information on a date by which the transaction amount is paid to the second party.

173. The method of claim 161 wherein said postage indicium includes a digital signature for authenticating at least part of said postage indicium.

174. The method of claim 161 wherein said transactional data is encoded in a bar-code.

175. The method of claim 161 wherein said postage indicium includes a human readable portion.

176. The method of claim 175 wherein said human readable portion includes information identifying said second party.

177. The method of claim 175 wherein said human readable portion includes the transaction amount.

178. The method of claim 161 wherein said postage indicium includes a machine readable portion.

179. The method of claim 161 wherein said first party is a postal authority.

180. The method of claim 179 wherein said second party is a courier other than the postal authority.

181. The method of claim 161 wherein the amount of said payment for service is zero.

182. The method of claim 161 wherein said postage indicium is fixed on a tangible medium.

183. The method of claim 182 wherein said tangible medium includes a label.

185. The method of claim 184 further comprising the step of controlling access to said system.

186. The method of claim 184 further comprising the step of checking address information on mail pieces processed by the system.

187. The method of claim 184 further comprising the step of obtaining shipping rate information.

188. The method of claim 184 further comprising the step of communicating information with a selected recipient.

189. The method of claim 188 wherein the communicating step includes the step of communicating with a certification authority other than the selected recipient to verify receipt by the selected recipient of the information.

190. The method of claim 188 wherein the communicating step including the step of communicating with a certification authority other than the selected recipient to verify access by the selected recipient to the information.

191. The method of claim 184 wherein said second data includes a digital signature.

113. A method for generating a content of a mail piece, said mail piece including a cover for enclosing said content, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving data representative of at least part of said content;

computing costs for delivering said mail piece in response to said data; and

applying at least an indicator indicative of said costs onto said content at a selected location thereof.

130. A method for processing at least one mail piece to be delivered comprising the steps of:

obtaining from the mail piece selected information appearing thereon; and

determining, in response to at least the selected information, whether postage is dispensed to pay for delivery of the mail piece.

139. A method for dispensing postage comprising the steps of:

creating a postage indicium, said postage indicium including a proof of payment for service by a first party, and transactional data comprising at least information representative of a transaction amount, said first party causing said transaction amount to be paid to a second party in response to at least said transactional data when said first party processes said postage indicium; and

generating said postage indicium.

145. The method of claim 444 wherein said PIN is encrypted.

161. A postage processing method comprising the steps of:

processing at least one postage indicium including a proof of payment for service by a first party, and transactional data comprising at least information representative of a transaction amount; and

causing, in response to at least said transactional data, said transaction amount to be paid to a second party when the postage indicium is processed.

184. A method for use in a postage dispensing system, said system including an IC card apparatus, comprising:

storing first data representative of a value of postage funds in the IC card apparatus;

changing by the IC card apparatus the value of the stored postage funds as a function of a value of said postage;

providing by the IC card apparatus second data for creation of a postage indicium indicative of the value of said postage; and

generating a postage indicium indicative of the value of said postage in response to said second data.