Patent ID: 8046304
Filing Date: 2011-10-25
Classification: G07B

Abstract:
1. A method for operating a mailing system, comprising: initializing a franking device in a processor of the franking device by (a) generating a first franking image key IDAKey transmitting said first franking image key and said first key generation number and said apparatus identifier g from said franking device to a data center remote therefrom; franking a plurality of mail pieces successively with said franking device by respectively printing successively calculated franking images on said mail pieces, with one franking image on each mail piece; in said processor at said franking device, calculating a first of said successively calculated franking images using said first franking image key; in said processor of said franking device, for each franking image in a remainder of said successively calculated franking images, incrementing i by a predetermined amount h and deriving a new franking image key IDAKey also in said processor of said franking device, calculating an integrity check code M for each of said successively calculated franking images, using a second crypto-algorithm, based on said franking image key IDAKey when printing the successively calculated franking images respectively on the plurality of mail pieces, also printing, on each mail piece, said integrity check code m and the value of i for the franking image on that mail piece, and printing the apparatus identifier on each mail piece; transporting the mail pieces with the respective franking images printed thereon to a mail sorting center in communication with said data center and, at said mail sorting center, scanning the franking image on each mail piece and, in a further processor in communication with said data center, determining a formulated franking image key IDAKey upon said comparison integrity check code matching said integrity check code M scanned from said mail piece, recording a fee for mailing the mail piece, and associating said fee at said data center with said apparatus identifier g; and at an end of an accounting period, invoicing a sender associated with the franking device identified by the apparatus identifier g for all fees recorded during said accounting period.