Abstract:
An embodiment of the invention provides a method for performing electronic postmarking of data, including ancillary data is provided. The method includes receiving data from a sender. The method further includes selecting ancillary data. The method further includes generating an electronic postmark including the ancillary data. The method further includes forwarding the data with the electronic postmark including the ancillary data to a receiver.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of a provisional application entitled “Systems and Methods for Electronic Postmarking Including Ancillary Data,” filed Apr. 12, 2001 and assigned Ser. No. 60/283,157. The contents of the above application is relied upon and expressly incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND 
   1. Technical Field 
   The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for electronic postmarking. More particularly, this invention relates to systems and methods for electronically postmarking including ancillary data 
   2. Related Art 
   The use of electronic networks to convey information among networked users has undergone an enormous amount of growth in recent years. The ability to transfer data using computer applications, such as, for example, electronic mail (“e-mail”) and file transfer protocol (“CFTP”) programs, has become increasingly important in personal, and especially, business communications. Electronic communication services have become invaluable to individual and business concerns. 
   E-mail is a well-known means of communication for individuals and businesses with access to computers and Internet connections. When a user establishes an account with an e-mail service provider, e.g., America Online™ or Hotmail™, the user is assigned a unique e-mail address, e.g., someone@inter.net. Another individual can send a message to the user by entering the user&#39;s e-mail address along with the message and sending it via the Internet. E-mail can provide almost instant message delivery among individuals and businesses over vast distances for very little or no cost. 
   Despite the advantages of e-mail, there are drawbacks. E-mail messages are insecure, and can be intercepted en route by unknown third parties. Individuals and businesses that communicate electronically need to know that they can rely on the address to correctly identity the sender and/or recipient. 
   FTP allows a user to transfer files between two computers, generally connected via a network. If a system has FTP and is connected to a network, a user can access files available on connected computer systems. FTP allows for the easy transfer of large numbers of files, for instant access to files, and file sharing by many individuals over vast distances. 
   Despite the advantages of FTP, there are drawbacks. It may be difficult to keep files to be transferred secure and to control the flow of the electronic files. Individuals and businesses that use FTP for file sharing need to know that they can correctly identify the requestor and source of the file. 
   In addition to e-mail and FTP programs, other types of data transfer are employed in business communications. For example, buying and selling goods online, electronic funds transfer, online advertising, and accessing business information resources, is known as electronic commerce (E-commerce). E-commerce can improve the efficiency of current business processes and provide opportunities to widen existing customer bases. As the number of Internet users continues to expand, e-commerce has the potential to be the source of an extraordinary amount of revenue growth. In order to realize this potential, a variety of communication services and features will be required for e-commerce, which traditionally have been available in physical communication channels. 
   The United States Postal Service (USPS), an independent establishment of the executive branch of the U.S. Government, provides many features through a variety of document and package delivery services. The USPS is widely recognized as a secure and reliable means for sending and receiving packages and mail used for both personal and business transactions. Packages and mail sent via the USPS are physically time-stamped with an official postmark, which provides the recipient with proof of the time the item was sent. Additionally, once a package or mail item is placed with the USPS, the item is no longer in the sender&#39;s control, and thus cannot be recalled. Furthermore, packages and mail sent through the USPS are protected from third party tampering by Federal laws. 
   In contrast, electronic communication services and e-commerce services currently do not provide these features. As described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/675,677, filed Sep. 29, 2000, entitled “Systems and Methods for Authenticating an Electronic Message,” the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, an “electronic postmark,” or EPM, provides content and temporal integrity and identification authenticity for data that is transferred over a network. Such EPMs have traditionally been used to authenticate the identity of the sender of a particular message or to authenticate the time/date at which the message was created. 
   In addition to authenticating the electronic message itself, it would be advantageous to authenticate included ancillary data, such as an attached image, sent along with an electronic message. In light of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide systems and methods for electronic communication services and e-commerce services providing for authentication of electronic transactions by use of an electronic postmark including ancillary data. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides systems and methods for performing electronic postmarking of data, including ancillary data. 
   In one embodiment consistent with the present invention, a method for performing electronic postmarking of data, including ancillary data is provided. The method includes receiving data from a sender. The method further includes selecting ancillary data. The method further includes generating an electronic postmark including the ancillary data. The method further includes forwarding the data with the electronic postmark to a receiver. 
   It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
       FIG. 1A  shows a block diagram of an exemplary system in which methods and system consistent with the invention may be implemented. 
       FIG. 1B  shows a detailed block diagram of a pictorial EPM system of  FIG. 1A  in which methods and system consistent with the invention may be implemented. 
       FIG. 2  shows an internal block diagram of an exemplary computer system in which methods and system consistent with the invention may be implemented. 
       FIG. 3  shows an exemplary block diagram of a pictorial EPM consistent with the invention. 
       FIG. 4  shows an illustration of an exemplary pictorial EPM consistent with the invention. 
       FIG. 5  shows a flowchart of an exemplary method for performing electronic postmarking of data, including ancillary data. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Reference will now be made to the present embodiments consistent with the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
   The described system and methods relate to electronic communication services and e-commerce services providing for authentication of electronic transactions by use of an electronic postmark including ancillary data. 
   Exemplary System Architecture 
   Basic Architecture 
     FIG. 1A  is block diagram of an exemplary system  100  in which methods and system consistent with the invention may be implemented. System  100  includes a sender  110  and a receiver  120  connected by a network  130 . Between sender  110  and receiver  120  is a pictorial EPM system  140 . 
   Network  130  can be TCP/IP based, wireless, or any kind of digital network connection, such as the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN) or a proprietary network. System architecture  100  is suitable for use with the Java™, Python™, C++, SQL™ programming languages, and other like programming languages. 
   Sender  110 , receiver  120 , and pictorial EPM system  140  may all be individual computers or systems running together on one computer. They may be personal computers, such as Apple PowerMacintoshes or Pentium-based personal computers running a version of the Windows operating system, workstation, or other appropriate types of computers. 
   In system  100 , sender  110  communicates with receiver  120  through network  130 . The communication between the sender  110  and receiver  120  can be conducted through a web-based environment in which the sender  110  and receiver  120  communications are transmitted via HTTP protocol. 
   Sending user may use sender  110 , which may be a personal computer to send a message (not shown) via network  130  to receiving user who is using receiver  120 , which also may be a personal computer. The message, which may be any type of electronic transaction, passes through pictorial EPM system  140  and pictorial EPM system  140  the message receives an electronic postmark which includes ancillary data. The ancillary data may be and attached image. 
   Receiver  120  could be connected to a variety of devices for storing and displaying the image. Such devices may include a hard copy device  155 , a digital storage device  160 , and/or a smart card  165 . Receiving user at receiver  120  thus has an option of storing in hardcopy device  155 , for example, a printer or fax machine, or in smart card  165  so that the receiving user can carry that image around, use it, or show it somewhere else. Another option is using digital storage device  160 . 
     FIG. 1B  is block diagram of a pictorial EPM system  140 . Pictorial EPM system  140  includes an EPM server  145 , a postmark content server  170 , an image processor  180  and a registration database  150 . EPM server  145  receives a message from sender  110 . EPM server attaches a postmark to the message and then forwards the message with the postmark to receiver  120 . One example of EPM server  145  is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/675,677, filed Sep. 29, 2000, entitled “Systems and Methods for Authenticating an Electronic Message.” EPM server  145  generates the electronic postmark that is attached to the electronic transactions. A postmark may include a hash of the message, a time and date stamp and a digital signature for authenticating the message. 
   For pictorial electronic postmarking, EPM server  145  is connected to image processor  180  and postmark content server  170 . Postmark content server  170  can generate images to create a pictorial EPM, similar to a stamp. Postmark content server  170  is also connected to sender  110 . Sending user using sender  110  can register with postmark content server  170  and select particular content, such as a graphic image, that sending user desires to be to messages from sender  110 , similar to picking a stamp at the post office. If sender  110  does not select a preference for a specific graphic image, content server  170  will select the graphic image to be used. The content can be similar to currently existing postage stamps. 
   The graphic image selected is an electronic image, such as a .tiff, .gif, .jpeg, or other type of electronic file. Code embedded in the graphic image will allow for a hyperlinks to content on the Internet. Thus when a receiving user receives the image on receiver  120 , the receiving user can “click” on the image and be taken via a web browser, such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer, to a web page displaying information about the image. For example, a pictorial EPM can include a graphic image of an Ansil Adams photograph of Yosemite. When the receiving user receives the pictorial EPM they may “click” on the image of Yosemite and be taken via a hyperlink to more information about the national park, Yosemite, more information about Ansil Adams, or more information about California In another embodiment, the receiving user may pass a “cursor” over the image and a pop-up dialog box may appear on the screen containing more information about the image. The content of the graphic image in the pictorial EPM can be an image tied to daily changing news. One example of this is an image from the headline of USA Today. For example, on a Monday, a sports topic image will be used; Tuesday, a current events image; Wednesday, a science image; Thursday, a human-interest image. The image would not just be a graphic, but could also provide a link to more information, such as the USA Today text article. 
   The EPM server may also receive an image from sender  110 , and use image processor  180  to attach the image to the EPM. For example the sending user may capture a real time image comprising a self-portrait to add to and authenticate the electronic transfer. Sender  110  may have a corporate identity and wish for all electronic transactions to have a corporate logo or corporate information attached to the EPM. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1B , EPM system  140  may include a registration database  150 , connected to RPM server  145  and receiver  120 . Registration database  150  may be updated by EPM server  145  to include information about a pictorial EPM that was sent to a particular receiver  120 . This information may indicate that the receiver  120  has or will be receiving the limited edition sports images with the electronic transaction and will register the receiver  120  as a legal owner of, for example, the sports image of Babe Ruth—serial number 123456. That information would then reside in the registration database  150 . However, if the electronic transaction is not registered by EPM server  145 , and if receiver  120  wishes to enhance the pictorial EPM received, receiver  120  may communicate with the registration database and register the pictorial EPM. This registration can be used for future trading or selling of the pictorial EPM. 
   Exemplary Computer System 
     FIG. 2  is an internal block diagram of an exemplary computer system  200  in which methods and system consistent with the invention may be implemented. Computer system  200  may represent the internal components of sender  110 , receiver  120 , pictorial EPM system  140 , or registration database  150  in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
   Computer system  200  includes several components all interconnected via a system bus  260 . Bus  260  may be, for example, a bidirectional system bus that connects the components of computer system  200 . For example, bus  260  may contain thirty-two address lines for addressing a memory  265  and thirty-two bit data lines for transferring data among the components. Alternatively, multiplex data/address lines may be used instead of separate data and address lines. Computer system  200  may communicate with other computing systems on network  160  via network I/O  285 , examples of which include Ethernet or dial-up telephone connections. 
   Computer system  200  contains a central processing unit (CPU)  255  connected to a memory  265 . CPU  255  may be a microprocessor such as the Pentium® family microprocessors manufactured by Intel Corporation. However, any other suitable microprocessor, micro-, mini-, or mainframe computer may be used. Memory  265  may include a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a video memory, or mass storage. Mass storage  290  may include both fixed and removable media (e.g., magnetic, optical, or magnetic optical storage systems or other available mass storage technology). 
   Memory  265  may contain a program, an application programming interface (API), and other instructions for performing the methods consistent with the invention. Media Application  170  may be implemented as a software program in memory  265  executed by CPU  255 . In one embodiment, media application  170  is a computer pram suitable for the C++ programming language. 
   Computer system  200  may also receive input via input/output (I/O) devices  270 , which may include a keyboard, pointing device, or other like input devices. Computer system  200  may also present information and interfaces via display  280 . 
     FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a pictorial EPM  300  generated by EPM server  145 . Pictorial EPM  300  may include hash  310  of a message received from sender  110 , a time and date stamp  320 , an optional digital signature  330 , and ancillary data  340 . Hash  310  of a message authenticates the content of the message. The message may be an email, a document, or any type of electronic data transfer. Time and date stamp  320  may be added by the USPS at EPM server  145 . Digital signature  330  can be the signing of hash  310  using a postal signing key and optionally also including a public or private key in the postmark. Ancillary data  340  may be a digital picture, for example, a picture from a vacation or a sporting event. The ancillary data may also be or include a hyperlink, text data, a video or a GIF animation, or a computer program. 
     FIG. 4  is an illustration of an exemplary pictorial EPM  300  as viewed by receiver  120  or recipient of the pictorial EPM. Pictorial EPM  300  could, of course, be much simpler in appearance than this representation. EPM  300  authenticates the time and date the message was sent, with time and date stamp  320 . EPM server  145  can be identified at  350  along with hash  310  and digital signature  330 . Additionally, EPM  300  authenticates the time and date that the ancillary data was sent, as well as authenticating the fact that the ancillary data was sent with a particular message including ancillary data, such as an image  340 . Included in EPM  300  is information about how to verify the authenticity of the postmark. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates the pictorial EPM process. First, sender  110  sends a message to pictorial EPM system  140  (step  500 ). Pictorial EPM system  140  receives or generates ancillary data (step  530 ). Sender  110  has the option of sending ancillary data for the pictorial EPM, of requesting specific ancillary data from postmark content server  170 , or permitting EPM server  145  to generate the ancillary data. EPM  300 , including the ancillary data, is generated (step  540 ). The message, including EPM  300 , is sent to receiver  120  (step  550 ). Receiver  120  can save and/or print the message (step  560 ). Optionally the EPM ancillary data can be registered in a registration database (step  570 ). Registration serves as a fail-safe procedure for authenticating whether or not ancillary data associated with an EPM is an original pictorial EPM. 
   Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.