Patent ID: 6173273
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: G07B

Abstract:
A secure communication system including a sender postage metering terminal and a plurality of recipient postage metering terminals, each sender and recipient terminal comprising input means for input of postage information including a postage charge; encryption means for encrypting said postage information; printing means for printing a postage indicium including said encrypted postage information on a mail item; wherein the input means of the sender terminal is operable to input a message, intended for receipt by a designated one of the recipient terminals, to the encryption means of the sender terminal; said encryption means of the sender terminal being operative to encrypt said message using a first key unique to the designated one of the recipient terminals to produce an encrypted message; and each recipient terminal including means for input of the encrypted message received from the sender terminal to the encryption means of the recipient terminal; and the encryption means of the designated one of the recipient terminals being operable to use a second key unique to said designated one of said terminals to decrypt the encrypted message received from the sender terminal.