Secure user certification for electronic commerce employing value metering system

A system, comprising:

• register means for storing funds;
• means for processing a digital token providing proof of postage payment;
• means for processing a cryptographic certificate;
• and,
• means, operatively connected to said register means and to said means for processing a digital tokens and to said means for processing a certificate, for debiting funds stored in said register means when said digital token is processed and when said cryptographic certificate is processed.

A system, comprising:

• register means;
• means for processing a digital token providing proof of postage payment;
• means for processing a cryptographic certificate;
• and,
• means, operatively connected to said means for processing a digital token and to said means for processing a cryptographic certificate, for adjusting said register means to account for services when said cryptographic certificate is processed and when said digital token is processed.

A method for use in a system having a register means, comprising:

• register means;
• processing a cryptographic certificate;
• and,
• adjusting said register means to account for services when said cryptographic certificate is processed.

A method for use in a system having register means for storing funds, comprising:

• processing a digital token providing proof of postage payment;
• processing a cryptographic certificate;
• and,
• debiting funds stored in said register means when said digital token is processed and when said cryptographic certificate is processed.