Security module and method for securing computerized postal registers against manipulation

• US 6,362,724 B1
• Filed: 06/14/2000
• Issued: 03/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH (Francotyp-Postalia Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH (Francotyp-Postalia Holding AG)
• Inventors: Rosenau, Dirk
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US09/594,003
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 340/541, 340/5.2, 340/5.4, 340/5.9, 705/401, 705/400, 705/30, 705/60, 713/200, 235/375
• US Class Current: 340/5.2
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00733 Cryptography or similar special procedures in a franking system
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00233 Housing, e.g. lock or hardened casing
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00298 Visual, e.g. screens and their layouts
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00306 Acoustic, e.g. voice control or speech prompting
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00346 Power handling, e.g. power-down routine
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00403 Memory zones protected from unauthorized reading or writing
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00967 PSD [Postal Security Device] as defined by the USPS [US Postal Service]

Abstract

In a data security and a security module, first and second data processing units are employed having non-volatile memories for postal register data. At a first point in time at least following letter insertion and following a check of the previously valid accounting data on the basis of an authorization code, the first data processing unit undertakes an advance calculation of the new postal register setting, which is made taking the previously set postage value into consideration, and forms a new authorization code. At a second point in time, the second data processing unit undertakes an accounting with calculation of the new postal register setting, which occurs taking the previously set postage value into consideration. A storage of the pre-calculated, new authorization code and of the new postal register set determined by the second data processing unit in the non-volatile memories subsequently ensue.

Claims

1. A security module for securing computerized postal registers against manipulation, comprising:

a first data processing unit containing an internal memory;

a second data processing unit;

a non-volatile memory and a program memory containing a program, each connected to said first data processing unit and to said second data processing unit;

said first data processing unit and said second data processing unit participating in a plurality of accounting operations resulting in postal register data being stored in said non-volatile memory, and said first data processing unit operating according to said program to check validity of postal register data stored in said non-volatile memory from a previous accounting procedure, and to calculate new postal register data in advance of a current accounting procedure if said postal register data stored for said previous accounting procedure are validated, and to form a code dependent on said new postal register data and to store said code in at least one of said non-volatile memory and said internal memory; and

said second data processing unit operating according to said program to form postal register data for said current accounting operation and to store said postal register data for said current accounting operation in said non-volatile memory associated with said code.

2. A security module as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first data processing unit forms an MAC over said postal register data calculated in advance, as said code.

3. A security module as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first data processing unit forms a digital signature based on said postal register data calculated in advance, as said code.

4. A security module as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first data processing unit is a processor module and wherein said second data processing unit is an application specific integrated circuit with a hardware accounting unit and wherein said module processor is programmed for conducting said validity check, and for implementing at least one of a static self-test and a dynamic self-test.

5. A security module as claimed in claim 4 wherein said MAC is a first MAC, and wherein for conducting said validity check said processor module forms a second MAC over said postal register data for said previous accounting operation and compares said second MAC to said first MAC and determines said postal register data to be valid given coincidence of said first MAC and said second MAC, and thereupon authorizes said second data processing unit to conduct said current accounting operation, and wherein said processor module emits a humanly perceptible signal if said second MAC does not coincide with said first MAC.

6. A security module as claimed in claim 5 wherein said processor module contains at least one key for calculating said first MAC and said second MAC, said key being protectively stored against access in said internal memory.

7. A security module as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least said first data processing unit is programmed by said program to monitor a status of at least said first data processing unit and to emit a humanly perceptible signal indicative of said status.

8. In a franking apparatus which receives a letter therein having a postage value associated therewith and a postal register for participating in an accounting operation associated with said postage value, a method for securing said postal register against manipulation comprising:

at a first point in time following receipt of said letter in said apparatus, making an advance calculation of a new postal register setting in a first data processing unit, said new postal register setting being dependent on said postage value, and in said first data processing unit also checking validity of postal register data from a previous accounting based on a first authorization code, associated with said postal register data from said previous accounting, and, if said postal register data from said previous accounting are validated forming a second authorization code for said new postal register setting;

at a second point in time, performing a calculation of a new postal register data setting in a second data processing unit dependent on said postage value; and

storing the second authorization code in a memory together with the new postal register data setting calculated by said second data processing unit.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 comprising storing said second authorization code in a protected area of a memory for said postal register data.

10. A method as claimed in claim 8 comprising storing said second authorization code in an internal memory in said first data processing unit.

11. A method as claimed in claim 8 comprising storing said new postal register data setting calculated by said second data processing unit together with said second authorization code in a separate non-volatile memory, and redundantly storing said second authorization code in an internal memory in said first data processing unit until a next accounting operation.

12. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein said first data processing unit conducts at least one of a static self test and a dynamic self test of said second data processing unit.

13. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein, for each successive accounting procedure, said first data processing unit overwrites the authorization code calculated in the immediately preceding accounting operation.

14. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein said first data processing unit generates an additional security code for each accounting operation and communicates said additional security code to a location outside of said first data processing unit.

15. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein said first data processing unit emits a humanly perceptible signal identifying a status of said first data processing unit.