Cryptographic module for secure processing of value-bearing items
First Claim
1. An on-line system for printing value bearing items (VBI) comprising:
- one or more client systems for interfacing with a plurality of users; and
a database remote from the users comprising a plurality of user records, each user record including information about a respective user of the plurality of users;
a cryptographic module having a memory and remote from the users programmed to perform database transactions responsive to a request from a user, wherein the cryptographic module stores in the memory one or more checkpoint records related to one or more recent database transactions, respectively, wherein the database stores a checkpoint record related to a most recent database transaction performed by the cryptographic module, wherein each checkpoint record includes a total amount printed by the cryptographic module, and wherein the cryptographic module inputs the checkpoint record stored in the database and compares it with one of the one or more checkpoint records stored in the memory related to said most recent database transaction, before processing a new request from a user.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An on-line value bearing item (VBI) printing system that includes one or more cryptographic modules and a central database is disclosed. The cryptographic modules are capable of implementing the USPS Information Based Indicia Program Postal Security Device Performance Criteria and other required VBI standards. The modules encipher the information stored in the central database for all of the on-line VBI system customers and are capable of preventing access to the database by unauthorized users. Additionally, the cryptographic module is capable of preventing unauthorized and undetected modification, including the unauthorized modification, substitution, insertion, and deletion of VBI related data and cryptographically critical security parameters.
183 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. An on-line system for printing value bearing items (VBI) comprising:
-
one or more client systems for interfacing with a plurality of users; and a database remote from the users comprising a plurality of user records, each user record including information about a respective user of the plurality of users; a cryptographic module having a memory and remote from the users programmed to perform database transactions responsive to a request from a user, wherein the cryptographic module stores in the memory one or more checkpoint records related to one or more recent database transactions, respectively, wherein the database stores a checkpoint record related to a most recent database transaction performed by the cryptographic module, wherein each checkpoint record includes a total amount printed by the cryptographic module, and wherein the cryptographic module inputs the checkpoint record stored in the database and compares it with one of the one or more checkpoint records stored in the memory related to said most recent database transaction, before processing a new request from a user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. An on-line system for printing value bearing items (VBI) comprising:
-
one or more client systems for interfacing with a plurality of users; and a database remote from the users comprising a plurality of user records, each user record including information about a respective user of the plurality of users; a cryptographic module having a memory and remote from the users programmed to perform database transactions responsive to a request from a user, wherein the cryptographic module stores in the memory one or more checkpoint records related to one or more recent database transactions, respectively, wherein the database stores a checkpoint record related to a most recent database transaction performed by the cryptographic module, wherein each checkpoint record includes information about one or more of the group consisting of an amount printed by the cryptographic module, an amount reset by the cryptographic module, and an amount refund by the cryptographic module, and wherein the cryptographic module inputs the checkpoint record stored in the database and compares it with one of the one or more checkpoint records stored in the memory related to said most recent database transaction, before processing a new request from a user. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. An on-line system for printing value bearing items (VBI) comprising:
-
one or more client systems for interfacing with a plurality of users; and a database remote from the users comprising a plurality of user records, each user record including information about a respective user of the plurality of users; a cryptographic module having a memory and remote from the users programmed to perform database transactions responsive to a request from a user, wherein the cryptographic module stores in the memory one or more checkpoint records related to one or more recent database transactions, respectively, wherein the database stores a checkpoint record related to a most recent database transaction performed by the cryptographic module, wherein each checkpoint record is a function of one or more of the group consisting of an amount printed by the cryptographic module, an amount reset by the cryptographic module, and an amount refund by the cryptographic module, and wherein the cryptographic module inputs the checkpoint record stored in the database and compares it with one of the one or more checkpoint records stored in the memory related to said most recent database transaction, before processing a new request from a user. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
-
Specification