Electronic postage scale system and method

• US 5,780,778 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 07/14/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Schwartz, Robert G., Eskandari, Fetneh, Weirsman, William A., Swanbery, Robert, Rahgo, George P., Japenga, Robert J., Crowe, Allen A., Palange, Martin F., Emmett, James S., Simcik, Mark E., Lehman, Joseph L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gellner, Michael L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy W.
• Application Number:
  US08/485,270
• Time in Patent Office: 1,133 Days
• Field of Search: 177/25.11, 177/25.12, 177/25.13, 177/50, 177/126, 177/127, 177/238, 177/244, 177/25.15, 177/45, 177/46, 177/47, 177/48, 361/681, 361/807, 361/809, 361/682, 248/917, 248/918, 248/919, 248/920, 248/921, 248/922, 248/923, 364/708.1, 364/466, 364/709.14, 364/709.15, 364/406, 364/464.02, 364/464.03, 235/466, 235/375, 235/380, 235/381, 235/382, 340/825.3, 340/825.34, 340/825.35, 340/825.31, 380/23, 380/28, 395/218
• US Class Current: 177/25.13
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/005 with electric or electronic computing means
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4148 for controlling postal rate in articles to be mailed franking apparatus with means for computing G07B17/02
• 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 17/00193 Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00362 Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00508 Printing or attaching on mailpieces printing mechanisms B41J; security printing B41M3/14; marking methods B41M5/00; inks C09D11/00; record carriers with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00661 Sensing or measuring mailpieces weighing G01G19/00
• 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 2017/00169 from a franking apparatus, e.g. for verifying accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00177 from a portable device, e.g. a card or a PCMCIA
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00201 Open franking system, i.e. the printer is not dedicated to franking only, e.g. PC (Personal Computer)
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00258 Electronic hardware aspects, e.g. type of circuits used
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00282 Touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/0029 Soft buttons; buttons that can change function
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00306 Acoustic, e.g. voice control or speech prompting
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00322 Communication between components/modules/parts, e.g. printer, printhead, keyboard, conveyor or central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/0033 Communication with software component, e.g. dll or object
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00379 Calculation of different sending options for a mail piece
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00395 Memory organization
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00419 Software organization, e.g. separation into objects
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00588 : Barcode
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00701 : Measuring the weight of mailpieces
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00717 : Reading barcodes
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00766 : Digital signature, e.g. DSA, DSS, ECDSA, ESIGN
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/0083 : Postal data, e.g. postage, address, sender, machine ID, vendor
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00935 : Passwords
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00951 : Error handling, e.g. EDC (Error Detection Codes)
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00967 : PSD [Postal Security Device] as defined by the USPS [US Postal Service]

Abstract

In an improved postage scale system, soft-selection keys are used for selecting options including shipping service options provided by the system. The display on such a system is adjustable for comfortable viewing thereof. The system is capable of interfacing and communicating with other devices such as a printer, a remote computer, an optical scanner, an integrated circuit (IC) card, etc. Certain data and code for use in the system can be updated by downloading new data and code from IC cards to the system. A security measure is instituted such that, after an update of the data or code, a system user is required to enter a valid authorization number in order to enable the system. Such a measure is, in part, necessary for deterring unauthorized copying of software of the system onto another similar system.

Claims

1. An electronic shipping scale system, comprising:

a display having a screen;

a weight evaluator for providing a data signal representing the weight of an item;

a keyboard having a plurality of keys;

a memory for storing data, including data relating to shipping rates and data containing a system number which uniquely characterizes said electronic shipping scale system;

a processor operating under a program and responsive to said weight data signal, said keyboard and said shipping rate data for computing shipping cost, and for providing display data;

means for receiving from said keyboard an encrypted authorization number comprising an encrypted electronic signature number and an encrypted option number, wherein said encrypted electronic signature number is formed by encrypting a configuration number and an option number using a first encryption algorithm, and wherein said encrypted option number is formed by encrypting said option number using a second encryption algorithm;

means for determining said option number by decrypting said encrypted option number using a decryption algorithm inverse to said second encryption algorithm;

means for retrieving from said memory said data containing said system number and for determining said system number;

means for combining said system number with said option number to form a system electronic signature number;

means for forming an encrypted system electronic signature number by encrypting said system electronic signature number using said first encryption algorithm;

means for comparing said encrypted electronic signature number from said encrypted authorization number with said encrypted system electronic signature number and for determining whether said encrypted electronic signature number is identical to said encrypted system electronic signature number; and

means for preventing said electronic shipping scale system from operating unless said encrypted electronic signature number is identical to said encrypted system electronic signature number.

2. The electronic shipping scale system of claim 1 wherein said option number is a binary number selected to enable desired optional functions of said shipping scale system.

3. The electronic shipping scale system of claim 2 wherein said optional functions are selected from the group of functions consisting of printer functions, barcode scanner functions, differential weighing functions, and manifesting functions.

4. The electronic shipping scale system of claim 1 wherein said option number is stored in said memory for storing data.

5. The electronic shipping scale system of claim 1 wherein said system number is derived from at least a serial number uniquely identifying said electronic shipping scale system.

6. The electronic shipping scale system of claim 1 wherein said system number is derived from at least a number representative of a model number of said electronic shipping scale system.

7. The electronic shipping scale system of claim 1 wherein said system number is derived from at least a number representative of a version of said data stored in said memory.

8. The electronic shipping scale system of claim 1 wherein said system number is derived from at least a number representative of a version of said program operating said processor.

9. An electronic shipping scale system, comprising:

a display having a screen;

a weight evaluator for providing a data signal representing the weight of an item;

a keyboard having a plurality of keys;

a memory for storing data, including data relating to shipping rates and data containing a system number which uniquely characterizes said electronic shipping scale system;

a processor operating under a program and responsive to said weight data signal, said keyboard and said shipping rate data for computing shipping cost, and for providing display data;

means for receiving from said keyboard an encrypted authorization number comprising an encrypted electronic signature number and an encrypted option number, wherein said encrypted electronic signature number is formed by encrypting a configuration number and an option number using a first encryption algorithm, and wherein said encrypted option number is formed by encrypting said option number using a second encryption algorithm;

means for determining said option number by decrypting said encrypted option number using a decryption algorithm inverse to said second encryption algorithm;

means for retrieving from said memory said data containing said system number and for determining said system number;

means for combining said system number with said option number to form a system electronic signature number;

means for determining said electronic signature number taken from said encrypted authorization number by decrypting said encrypted electronic signature number using a decryption algorithm inverse to said first encryption algorithm;

means for comparing said electronic signature number with said system electronic signature number and for determining whether said electronic signature number is identical to said system electronic signature number; and

means for preventing said electronic shipping scale system from operating unless said electronic signature number is identical to said system electronic signature number.

10. The electronic shipping scale system of claim 9 wherein said option number is a binary number selected to enable desired optional functions of said shipping scale system.

11. The electronic shipping scale system of claim 10 wherein said optional functions are selected from the group of functions consisting of printer functions, barcode scanner functions, differential weighing functions, and manifesting functions.

12. The electronic shipping scale system of claim 9 wherein said option number is stored in said memory for storing data.

13. The electronic shipping scale system of claim 9 wherein said system number is derived from at least a serial number uniquely identifying said electronic shipping scale system.

14. The electronic shipping scale system of claim 9 wherein said system number is derived from at least a number representative of a model number of said electronic shipping scale system.

15. The electronic shipping scale system of claim 9 wherein said system number is derived from at least a number representative of a version of said data stored in said memory.

16. The electronic shipping scale system of claim 9 wherein said system number is derived from at least a number representative of a version of said program operating said processor.

17. A method for authorizing operation of an electronic shipping scale system having a processor operating under a program, a display, a keyboard having a plurality of keys, and a memory for storing data, including data relating to shipping rates and data containing a system number which uniquely characterizes said electronic shipping scale system, comprising the steps of:

receiving from said keyboard an encrypted authorization number comprising an encrypted electronic signature number and an encrypted option number, wherein said encrypted electronic signature number is formed by encrypting a configuration number and an option number using a first encryption algorithm, and wherein said encrypted option number is formed by encrypting said option number using a second encryption algorithm;

determining said option number by decrypting said encrypted option number using a decryption algorithm inverse to said second encryption algorithm;

retrieving from said memory said data containing said system number and determining said system number;

combining said system number with said option number to form a system electronic signature number;

forming an encrypted system electronic signature number by encrypting said system electronic signature number using said first encryption algorithm;

comparing said encrypted electronic signature number from said encrypted authorization number with said encrypted system electronic signature number and determining whether said encrypted electronic signature number is identical to said encrypted system electronic signature number; and

preventing said electronic shipping scale system from operating unless said encrypted electronic signature number is identical to said encrypted system electronic signature number.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said option number is a binary number selected to enable desired optional functions of said shipping scale system.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said optional functions are selected from the group of functions consisting of printer functions, barcode scanner functions, differential weighing functions, and manifesting functions.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein said option number is stored in said memory for storing data.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein said system number is derived from at least a serial number uniquely identifying said electronic shipping scale system.

22. The method of claim 17 wherein said system number is derived from at least a number representative of a model number of said electronic shipping scale system.

23. The method of claim 17 wherein said system number is derived from at least a number representative of a version of said data stored in said memory.

24. The method of claim 17 wherein said system number is derived from at least a number representative of a version of said program operating said processor.

25. A method for authorizing operation of an electronic shipping scale system having a processor operating under a program, a display, a keyboard having a plurality of keys, and a memory for storing data, including data relating to shipping rates and data containing a system number which uniquely characterizes said electronic shipping scale system, comprising the steps of:

receiving from said keyboard an encrypted authorization number comprising an encrypted electronic signature number and an encrypted option number, wherein said encrypted electronic signature number is formed by encrypting a configuration number and an option number using a first encryption algorithm, and wherein said encrypted option number is formed by encrypting said option number using a second encryption algorithm;

determining said option number by decrypting said encrypted option number using a decryption algorithm inverse to said second encryption algorithm;

retrieving from said memory said data containing said system number and determining said system number;

combining said system number with said option number to form a system electronic signature number;

determining said electronic signature number taken from said encrypted authorization number by decrypting said encrypted electronic signature number using a decryption algorithm inverse to said first encryption algorithm;

comparing said electronic signature number with said system electronic signature number and determining whether said electronic signature number is identical to said system electronic signature number; and

preventing said electronic shipping scale system from operating unless said electronic signature number is identical to said system electronic signature number.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein said option number is a binary number selected to enable desired optional functions of said shipping scale system.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein said optional functions are selected from the group of functions consisting of printer functions, barcode scanner functions, differential weighing functions, and manifesting functions.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein said option number is stored in said memory for storing data.

29. The method of claim 25 wherein said system number is derived from at least a serial number uniquely identifying said electronic shipping scale system.

30. The method of claim 25 wherein said system number is derived from at least a number representative of a model number of said electronic shipping scale system.

31. The method of claim 25 wherein said system number is derived from at least a number representative of a version of said data stored in said memory.

32. The method of claim 25 wherein said system number is derived from at least a number representative of a version of said program operating said processor.