Encoding method

• US 7,367,058 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2002
• Issued: 04/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Lawson, Alfred D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lanier; Benjamin E.
• Application Number:
  US10/158,036
• Publication Number:
  US 20020194472A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,163 Days
• Field of Search: 705/406, 705/407, 382/101, 382/102, 726/26
• US Class Current: 726/26
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4552 Lookup mechanisms between a plurality of directories; Synchronisation of directories, e.g. metadirectories
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0407 wherein the identity of one or more communicating identities is hidden cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for anonymous credentials or for identity based cryptographic systems H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

A method is described that provides efficient, secure web-based recognition services. More particularly, an embodiment of the method relates to confidential encoding by dissociating image information into individual word segments, or snippets, at a distribution point and distributing the snippets over a network to users who subscribe to provide their services. Users could include college students, housewives, or any individual with Internet access. The users view the snippets, enter equivalent ASCII information for the snippets, and send the ASCII information back over the network to the distribution point for reassembly.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

dissociating an image obtained from an envelope or package into a plurality of components, each component associated with an identifier (ID);

transmitting each of said component and its corresponding ID to a respective plurality of interpreters, wherein each said interpreter receives no more than one said component of any said image; and

receiving each ID and an ASCII representation of its respective component from each said interpreter; and

deriving an image from at least the ASCII representations assembled according to the respective ID thereof, wherein the derived image corresponds to a delivery address suitable for the delivery of said envelope or package to the delivery address.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein for each of said components transmitted to said respective interpreter, said respective interpreter is remunerated in an amount determined by an accepted bid for providing interpretation services.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein for each of said components transmitted to said respective interpreter, said respective interpreter is remunerated in an amount determined by a fixed fee offered to said interpreter.

4. A method comprising:

dissociating an image into a plurality of components, each component associated with an identifier (ID), wherein;

the image depicts at least one visual aspect of a vehicle; and

the image comprises visual information that corresponds to a registrant to whom registration of the vehicle is attributed in a vehicle registry;

transmitting each of said component and its corresponding ID to a respective plurality of interpreters, wherein each interpreter receives no more than one said component of any said image;

receiving the ID and an ASCII representation of its component from each said interpreter; and

deriving a license plate identification from at least the ASCII representations assembled according to the respective ID thereof.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein for each of said components transmitted to said interpreter, said interpreter is requested to place a bid for providing interpretation services.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein for each of said components transmitted to said interpreter, said respective interpreter is remunerated in an amount selected from the group consisting of an accepted bid for providing interpretation services and a fixed fee offered to said interpreter.