Patent ID: 6073125
Filing Date: 2000-06-06
Classification: G06Q,H04L

Abstract:
A method for controlled acceptance mail accounting and evidencing, comprising the steps:creating a mail batch including at least one mail piece having an encrypted indicium printed thereon, the encrypted indicium being generated by a meter using a key K.sub.m ;creating a statement of mailing containing data related to the mail batch,encrypting the key K.sub.m with a public key P.sub.AU of an authentication unit of a carrier distribution system, the public key P.sub.AU having an associated private key P'.sub.AU ;signing with a private key P.sub.M of the meter a file consisting of at least the statement of mailing with the encrypted key K.sub.m appended thereto, the private key P.sub.M having an associated public key P'.sub.M ;submitting the mail batch and the statement of mailing to the carrier distribution system; and,verifying the signature of the file using the meter public key P.sub.M ;decrypting the encrypted key K.sub.M using the authentication unit private key P'.sub.AU ; andusing the key K.sub.m to verify each indicium of each mail piece in the mail batch.