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Method for improving the security of postage meter machines

  • US 5,671,146 A
  • Filed: 11/30/1994
  • Issued: 09/23/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for improving the security of a postage meter machine which is capable of communication with a remote central data station, said postage meter machine being openable and containing a microprocessor which controls the execution of a system routine, said method comprising the steps of:

  • establishing a first communication link between a user and said central data station;

    establishing a second communication link between said postage meter machine and said central data station and communicating data between said central data station and said postage meter machine which permits said postage meter machine to determine if a subsequent opening of said machine is authorized or unauthorized;

    upon any opening of said housing of said postage meter machine, automatically causing said microprocessor to conduct a routine, employing said data communicated to said postage meter machine from said central data station, to determine whether said opening is authorized or unauthorized;

    if said opening was authorized and said housing is closed, permitting said system routine to enter into said franking mode;

    if said opening was unauthorized and said housing is closed, preventing said system routine from entering into said franking modereporting an intent to conduct an authorized opening of said postage meter machine by making a request for opening at said central data station after establishment of said communication link;

    communicating a new code word to said postage meter machine from said central data station upon approval of said request for opening, as part of said data communicated between said postage meter machine and said central data station; and

    automatically transferring said postage meter machine into a first mode for effectively shutting said postage meter machine off if said postage meter machine is opened and said new code word is absent from said postage meter machine.

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