Abstract:
A postage evidencing meter system is disclosed. The system comprises an authorization database for storing parameters for at least one user, wherein the parameters limit the at least one user&#39;s ability to evidence postage using the meter. The parameters include a maximum postage amount that the at least one user is allowed to use on the meter to evidence postage. The parameters may alternatively or also include a period of time during which the user is allowed to use the meter to evidence postage or a maximum amount of postage that can be used during a period of time. The postage evidencing meter further comprises a user interface, a printer, and a security module. In alternative embodiments, the authorization database is stored on a removable storage device and/or is coupled to the meter via a communication link to a remote postage information system.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/606,579, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY PROCESSING MAIL,” filed Jun. 26, 2003; co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/643,745, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY PARTITIONING A POSTAGE EVIDENCING METER,” filed Aug. 19, 2003; co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/677,619, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HIGH-SPEED POSTAGE APPLICATION MANAGEMENT,” filed Oct. 2, 2003; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/677,829, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACCESSING A REMOTE POSTAGE METER ACCOUNT FROM A DEVICE THAT HAS A DEDICATED LOCAL METER AND ACCOUNT,” filed Oct. 2, 2003, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     TECHNICAL HELD 
     The present invention relates to postage usage and, more specifically, to controlling postage usage independent of a meter balance. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The only limit on the amount of postage that can be evidenced using current postage meters is the amount of postage that is currently deposited in the meter. If that meter is shared, there is no way to limit the amount of postage evidenced by any one user. For example, in environments where meters are shared, such as a workplace, the amount of postage on deposit in the meter is the only limit on how much postage individuals can print. This offers limited control on postage usage and postage expenses cannot be managed effectively. A business or individual may desire to limit the amount of postage that can be used for a specific purpose or used by each individual. 
     For example, a company&#39;s policy might permit employees to use the company&#39;s postage meter for personal purposes. This arrangement is typically not problematic if employees mail only one or two pieces of personal mail in a week. However, there is a risk that some employees will abuse the system by processing a large volume of mail. A company may have a relatively high limit on their postage use, and an unscrupulous employee would be able to take advantage of the system without detection. The problem is compounded when multiple meters are available within a facility or a company. A company may have a combination of mechanical meters and online meters. An employee intending to abuse such a system would have several options for printing postage, and it is unlikely that the employee will be caught by the employer. It would be advantageous to have the capability of controlling postage use in order to prevent misuse. 
     It would also be advantageous if companies could control the use of postage by other parties. For example, at times, companies need to authorize other parties to print postage on the company&#39;s behalf. In one case, a third party, such as a print shop, letter facility, or high-speed mail facility, may be asked to prepare mail at its own facility on behalf of the company. The company is then billed for the amount of postage used. 
     As another example, a catalog company that pays for customers&#39; postage for returned item to the company have to deal with a customer reimbursement policy or other process. It would be preferable instead to be able to authorize an individual, such as a customer, to print the required postage amount to pay for shipping an item back to the company. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a system and method that controls postage usage independent of a meter balance. A user can set meter limits for individuals or entities. These limits may be set for a selected period of time or on a one-time-use basis. The meter allows an individual to print a set dollar amount of postage per week or per month, independent of the meter&#39;s postage balance. Accordingly, employees would not be allowed to evidence postage if they have exceeded their threshold amounts for the specified period or if there is insufficient money available on the meter balance to perform the postage transaction. 
     Additional embodiments of the invention allow the user to grant authorizations on a one-time basis to outside service bureaus, for example, to print a set dollar amount of postage on the user&#39;s behalf. This avoids the need to be reimbursed for postage costs at a later time. As an alternative embodiment, the present invention allows postage to be transferred among meters within a given entity as a method of controlling postage outside of a meter balance. 
     One embodiment of the invention is directed to a postage evidencing meter comprising an authorization database for storing parameters for at least one user, wherein the parameters limit the at least one user&#39;s ability to evidence postage using the meter. The parameters include a maximum postage amount that the at least one user is allowed to use on the meter to evidence postage. The parameters may alternatively or also include a period of time during which the user is allowed to use the meter to evidence postage. The postage evidencing meter further comprises a user interface, a printer, and a security module. In alternative embodiments, the authorization database is stored on a removable storage device and/or is coupled to the meter via a communication link to a remote postage information system. 
     In another embodiment of the invention a system for controlling postage usage comprises one or more postage evidencing meters having a communication module for providing a communication link between the postage evidencing meter and a postage information system, wherein the postage information system includes a database for storing postage usage parameters for at least one user, wherein the parameters limit the at least one user&#39;s ability to evidence postage using the meter. The parameters include a maximum postage amount that the at least one user is allowed to use on the meter to evidence postage and/or a period of time during which the user is allowed to use the meter to evidence postage and/or an amount of postage that the user can use over a period of time (for example, $10 per week). The communication link in the system may be a wireless link or a wireline link. The postage evidencing meters further comprise a removable storage device for storing postage usage parameters for at least one user, wherein the parameters limit the at least one user&#39;s ability to evidence postage using the meter. 
     In other embodiments of the invention, a system for controlling postage usage, comprises at least two postage evidencing meters, each meter having a processor and a communication module for providing a communication link between the at least two meters, wherein postage usage parameters for at least one user are exchanged between meters via the communication link, and wherein the parameters control the at least one user&#39;s ability to evidence postage using the meters. The parameters include a maximum postage amount that the at least one user is allowed to use on the meter to evidence postage and/or a period of time during which the user is allowed to use the meter to evidence postage and/or an amount of postage that the user can use over a period of time. The communication link is a wireless link or a wireline link. The communication link is used to transfer postage values securely between the at least two meters using cryptographic techniques. In other embodiments, the exchange of postage usage parameters is bi-directional. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, a method for transferring postage value between postage evidencing devices comprises receiving a request for a postage value transfer, the request identifying a destination device and an amount of postage value to be transferred, creating a postage value token at a first postage evidencing device, subtracting the postage value amount from registers in the first postage evidencing device, transferring the postage value token to a second postage evidencing device, verifying the postage value token at the second postage evidencing device, and adding the postage value to registers at the second postage evidencing device. 
     The method for transferring postage value may further comprise transferring the postage value using a communications link between the first and second postage evidencing devices. The communication link may be a wireless link or a wireline link. The method for transferring postage value further comprises transferring the postage value using a removable storage device. The postage value token is a cryptographically secure token in some embodiments. 
     Embodiments of the invention also include a method for controlling postage usage comprising receiving a request to evidence postage from a selected user, determining if sufficient postage is available to fulfill the request for the selected user and if the user has not exceeded his or her postage usage limit, determining if the request is received in an approved time period for the selected user, evidencing a requested postage amount, and recording postage usage for the selected user. The method may further comprises receiving a request to use the postage account of a selected user, and authenticating the selected user. Additionally, the method may comprise receiving a request to configure parameters for the selected user, and modifying postage usage limits for the selected user. In alternative embodiments, the usage limits are selected from the group consisting of: a maximum amount of postage that can be evidenced for the user, a time period during which the user is authorized to evidence postage, a class of postage that the user is authorized to evidence, and an amount of postage that the user can use per period of time. The method further comprises receiving a request to purchase postage for the selected user, and adding a purchased postage value to the meter balance. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a postage meter incorporating embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of postage meters incorporating alternative embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a process for using a postage evidencing device according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of postage meters incorporating alternative embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a process for using a postage evidencing devices according to the embodiments illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of postage meter  11  incorporating embodiments of the invention. Display  12  and keypad  13  allow users to interact with meter  11 , such as to select an amount and class of postage to be evidenced. Security module  14  controls access to meter  11  so that only an authorized person adjusts the amount of postage available on the meter. Printer  15  is used to evidence postage on mail pieces. 
     Meter  11  also includes authorization database  16 , which maintains records about individual users and the amount of postage that each individual user is allowed to print over a specified time frame. This specific time frame could be daily, weekly, monthly, or any other time period that has been authorized by the system manager. A user may be limited to printing a certain amount of postage over the selected period of time, such as during certain hours on work days or certain days of the week. 
     Alternatively, authorization database  16  specifies a one-time fixed amount of postage that each individual user is not allowed to exceed. Accordingly, authorization database  16  maintains a record of the postage amounts used by each individual user over the specified time period. Authorization database  16  may also maintain a authorization list of the operations that each individual user is allowed to perform, such as evidencing a particular number of mail pieces, particular classes of mail pieces, and the like. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of postage meters incorporating alternative embodiments of the present invention. System  20  includes multiple postage meters  21 - 1  to  21 -N. Meters  21  are similar to meter  11  ( FIG. 1 ), but authorization database  16  is replaced with communication module  22  in each meter  21 . Communication module  22  communicates with external postage information system  23 , which maintains the authorization information for each meter  21 . The information maintained in postage information system  23  is the same information that was stored in authorization database  16 , such as records about individual users and the amount of postage that each individual user is allowed to print over a specified time frame. 
     Postage information system  23  provides a central database for tracking the postage amounts used by each individual user and for maintaining a list of the operations that each individual user is allowed to perform. Meters  21  communicate with postage information system  23  via connection  24 , which may be any wireline or wireless connection, such as a direct cable connection, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), intranet, the Internet, or the like using any protocol now known or later developed that provides for the transmission of data between two or more devices. 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating process  30  for using a postage evidencing device according to embodiments of the present invention. A user is selected at  301  and is authenticated at  302 . If the authentication was not correct, then at  303  the process returns to the start to reattempt the authentication. If the authentication was successful, then process  30  moves to  304 , where the user is allowed to choose a desired operation. 
     At  305 , the user can choose to configure the meter or system. If the configure option is selected at  305 , then the process moves to  306  where the process determines if the user is authorized to configure the meter or system. The authorization check may be accomplished, for example, by checking if the selected user is on a list of users approved to configure the meter or system. If the user is not authorized to configure the meter or system, then process  30  returns to  304  and the user can select another operation. If the user is allowed to configure the meter or system, then at  307  the user enters modifications to the system configuration. For example, the user may adjust the access parameters for himself or any other user, including the amount of postage that particular users are allowed to evidence and an associated period of time within which the user can print that postage. The user is returned to  304  after configuring the system. 
     If the user does not configure the system at  305 , then at  308  the user can choose to evidence postage. When the user chooses to print postage, then the system determines whether the user has enough postage at  309 . If the user&#39;s account does not have sufficient postage, then the process returns to  304  to allow the user to make another selection. If the user has sufficient postage in his account, then at  310  the system checks whether the user is authorized to evidence postage at the current time or if the user has exceeded a limit on the amount of postage that he is authorized to print over a period of time. If the user is not authorized to use the meter at this time or has exceed the amount of postage that he is authorized to use during the current time period, then the process returns to  304 . If the user has sufficient postage available and is within the authorized time period, then at  311  the postage is evidenced and the meter usage is recorded and the user&#39;s data is updated at  312  before returning to  304 . 
     If the user does not want to evidence postage at  308 , then at  313  the user can choose to receive a report on meter usage. Reports may include items such as a list of authorized users and postage amounts and times of authorized use as well as a record of past meter use. If the user selects to run a report, then authorization is checked at  314 . If not authorized, then the process returns to  304 . If the user is authorized to run a report, then that report can be printed at  315  before returning to  304 . 
     If the user does not run a report at  313 , then the purchase postage option is available at  316 . If the user chooses to purchase postage for the shared meter balance, authorization is checked at  317 . Unauthorized users are returned to  304 . Authorized users may purchase postage at  318  before returning to  304 . If the user does not choose to purchase postage at  316 , then process  30  ends at  319 . 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of postage meters  41 ,  41 ′ incorporating alternative embodiments of the present invention. System  40  depicts two meters  41 ,  41 ′ that are similar to meter  11  ( FIG. 1 ) and meter  21  ( FIG. 2 ). Meter  41 ′ includes the same components as meter  41 . Accordingly, the discussion of the components of meter  41  will apply to both meters. Meter  41  includes communication module  22 . This allows meters  41  and  41 ′ to communicate with each other via connection  43 , which may be any wireline or wireless connection, such as a direct cable connection, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), intranet, the Internet, or the like using any protocol now known or later developed that provides for the transmission of data between two or more devices. 
     Meter  41  and  41 ′ also include removable storage drive  42 . Removable storage drive  42  is a device capable of receiving removable storage  44 , such as a floppy disk, removable hard drive, a SMARTMEDIA™ flash memory card, a COMPACTFLASH® card, a MEMORY STICK® card, a SD SECURED DIGITAL® memory card, or the like. Removable storage  44  acts like authentication database  16  ( FIG. 1 ) and provides a database for tracking the postage amounts used by one or more individual users and for maintaining a list of the operations that each individual user is allowed to perform. Before evidencing postage using meter  41 , the meter checks removable storage device  44  to determine if the user is authorized to print postage. In an office or company environment with multiple postage meters, a user may carry removable storage device  44  so that he can access available postage meters as the need occurs. 
     Removable storage  44 , or communications transfer over link  43 , is used to securely transfer postage values from meter  41  to remote meter  41 ′ using, for example, cryptographic techniques. The transfer between meter  41  to meter  41 ′ can be bi-directional so that unused postage could be returned back to meter  41 , or postage from remote meter  41 ′ could be transferred into meter  41 . 
     Meters  41  and  41 ′ also include processor  45  which controls data transfers between meters  41  and  41 ′ and also handles the control of other components within meter  41 ,  41 ′. Processor  45  holds the authorization data for users and determines whether a user is authorized to evidence a selected postage amount at a particular time. When the authorization data is transferred via communications link  43  or removable storage device  44  to remote meter  41 ′, then processor  45 ′ holds the data and determines whether the user is authorized to use meter  41 ′. 
     The use of multiple meters is not limited to a transfer between meter  41  and meter  41 ′. Any compatible meter can transfer postage in this fashion. Accordingly, meters  41  and  41 ′ can be located on the same premises or on remote premises anywhere in the world. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a process for using a postage evidencing devices according to the embodiments illustrated in  FIG. 4 . A postage transfer request is made at  501 . At  502 , the process determines whether there is sufficient postage to fulfill that transfer. If the available postage is not sufficient, then the user&#39;s session terminates. 
     If there is sufficient postage, then the user specifies a destination for the postage transfer at  503 . A cryptographically secure token is created at  504 . The token has the value for the postage to be transferred. At  505 , postage is subtracted from the registers of the initiating meter as if postage was evidenced by the meter. At  506 , the process decides whether to use removable media or the communication module to perform the token transfer. 
     If removable media is used, then the token is written to the removable media at  507 . The token is physically transferred on the removable storage to the remote meter in process  508 . The token is then read and loaded into the remote meter at  509 . If the user decides not to use the removable media at  506 , then the transfer will be made using the communication module. At  510  a connection is established to the remote meter using the communication module. The token is transferred to the remote system at  511  over a communication link, such as link  43  ( FIG. 4 ). 
     At  510  the transferred token, whether received by physical transfer on a removable disk or by communication link, is verified. This ensures that the token has not been tampered with or used before. At  511 , if the token passes verification, the system accepts the token as if the postage was purchased and the meter registers are adjusted to show the new postage amount. After proper adjustments have been made, user&#39;s postage transfer session is concluded and the postage is available for use on the remote meter. 
     Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.