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Programmable RFID postage stamps

  • US 7,539,622 B1
  • Filed: 08/13/2008
  • Issued: 05/26/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2008
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A digital system comprising:

  • a stamp without a predetermined postage affixed to an article to be mailed, wherein the stamp is a digital electronic paper comprising a top layer having a visual display, middle layer having an electronics layer, and a bottom layer having an adhesive layer;

    a microcontroller housed in the electronics layer comprising at least a converter module, transmitter and receiver module and a memory module, wherein the stamp is activated by swiping a smart card over the stamp in order to encode the stamp with a unique payment identifier valid for a single payment and other information by data signals sent from the converter module to the transmitter and receiver module;

    wherein the memory module receives power such that the visual display automatically updates to show a representation of the encoded information;

    wherein the visual display and the encoded information is verified on the stamp for evidence of tampering by the memory module indicating the state of the adhesive; and

    an anti-tamper mechanism comprising an adhesive adjustment module wherein the adhesive is altered through electrostatic manipulation from a signal sent by the memory module to the adhesive adjustment module to allow the removal of the affixed stamp so that the stamp may be reused.

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