On-line value-bearing indicium printing using DSA
AssigneeStamps.com Inc.
InventorsSeth Weisberg, Craig Leonard Ogg
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for generating a Value Bearing Indicium (VBI) for on-line applications. A VBI is generated by hashing user information to create a message digest that is used to create a digital signature. The digital signature is combined with the user information to create a VBI that can be validated by a variety of stand-alone or on-line methods. An on-line postage metering application using the VBI is described.
Claims37
A method of printing a value bearing indicium (VBI), the method comprising the steps of:
- generating a message digest by hashing relevant information;
- generating a digital signature from the message digest;
- generating a textual representation of the digital signature;
- and
- generating a 2-D bar code comprising the relevant information.
A data processing system adapted to print a VBI, the data processing system comprising:
- one or more processors;
- and
- one or more memories operably coupled to the processors and having program instructions stored therein, the processors being operable to execute the program instructions, the program instructions including:
- generating a message digest by hashing relevant information;
- generating a digital signature from the message digest;
- generating a text representation of the digital signature;
- and
- generating a 2-D bar code comprising the relevant information.
A data processing system adapted to print a VBI, the data processing system comprising:
- a processor;
- and
- a memory operably coupled to the processor and having program instructions stored therein, the processor being operable to execute the program instructions, the program instructions including:
- generating a message digest by hashing relevant information;
- generating a digital signature from the message digest;
- generating a text representation of the digital signature;
- and
- generating a 2-D bar code comprising the relevant information.
A computer-readable storage medium embodying computer program instructions for execution by a computer, the computer program instructions adapting a computer to provide a value bearing indicium to a user via a computer network, the computer program instructions comprising:
- generating a message digest by hashing relevant information;
- generating a digital signature from the message digest;
- generating a text representation of the digital signature;
- and
- generating a 2-D bar code comprising the relevant information.
A VBI comprising:
- a 2-D barcode including relevant information;
- and
- a text representation of a digital signature generated from a message digest, the message digest generated using a secure hash algorithm to hash the relevant information.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.