# US 5,918,234 A · Method and apparatus for redundant postage accounting data files

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- Number: US 5,918,234 A
- Document ID: US5918234A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/562,143
- Filed: 1995-11-22
- Granted: 1999-06-29
- Earliest claimed: 1995-11-22
- Assignees: f.m.e. Corporation
- Inventors: Chandrakant J. Shah; Keith B. Robertson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5918234A

## CPC

- G07B 17/00193: {Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system}
- G07B 17/0008: {Communication details outside or between apparatus (coin-freed apparatus for franking per se G07F17/26)}
- G07B 17/00362: {Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value}
- G07B 2017/00137: {In a LAN}
- G07B 2017/00161: {from a central, non-user location, e.g. for updating rates or software, or for refilling funds}
- G07B 2017/00201: {Open franking system, i.e. the printer is not dedicated to franking only, e.g. PC (Personal Computer)}
- G07B 2017/00241: {Modular design}
- G07B 2017/00411: {Redundant storage, e.g. back-up of registers}
- G07B 2017/00419: {Software organization, e.g. separation into objects}
- G07B 2017/00427: {Special accounting procedures, e.g. storing special information}
- G07B 2017/00959: {Cryptographic modules, e.g. a PC encryption board}
- G07B 2017/00967: {PSD [Postal Security Device] as defined by the USPS [US Postal Service]}
- Y10S 707/99933: Query processing, i.e. searching
- Y10S 707/99955: Archiving or backup
- G07B: TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

Apparatus and method for the maintenance of redundant postage accounting datafiles. Redundant postage accounting report data is maintained by the present invention by first creating a datafile on a postage metering device (e.g., an SMD) to store postage accounting data. A second datafile is created on a computer capable of communicating with the SMD (which may be either remote or local to the computer). For every transaction which updates the postage accounting data stored in the SMD, the datafile residing on the computer is updated to reflect the change.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of maintaining redundant postage accounting report data, comprising the steps of:
creating a first datafile in a data storage device within an enclosure of a postage metering device, said first datafile storing postage accounting data, wherein the security of said first datafile is maintained by restricting access to said first datafile, said access being under the control of a postal authority;
creating a second datafile in a data storage device of a computer, said data storage device of said computer being capable of recording each transaction performed by said postage metering device and being outside of said enclosure, said computer communicatively coupled to said secure metering device, for the purpose of maintaining a redundant datafile, wherein access to said second datafile is not under the control of said postal authority; and
updating said second datafile to reflect changes in said first datafile.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said second datafile allows only read-only access.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein a consolidated reset payment report pertaining to activities within a plurality of postage metering devices is generated in said computer.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said postage metering device is located within an enclosure of said computer.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said computer is located remotely from said postage metering device.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said second datafile is secure.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said postage metering device is communicatively coupled to a plurality of computers.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said second datafile contains a history of transactions carried out by said postage metering device.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said first datafile is stored in dual redundant memory devices within the enclosure of the postage meter.

### Claim 10

A postage accounting report generation system wherein a postage transaction is recorded in a first datafile residing in a data storage device within an enclosure of a postage metering device and a second datafile residing in a data storage device of a computer, said data storage device of said computer being capable of recording each transaction performed by said postage metering device and being outside of said enclosure, said computer communicatively coupled to said postage metering device for the purpose of maintaining redundant postage transaction information in said second datafile, wherein the security of said first datafile is maintained by restricting access to said first datafile, said access being under the control of a postal authority, and wherein access to said second datafile is not under the control of said postal authority.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein access to said second datafile is read-only.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a consolidated reset payment report pertaining to activities within a plurality of postage metering devices is generated in said computer.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said postage metering device is located within an enclosure of said computer.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said computer is located remotely from said postage metering device.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said second datafile is secure.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said postage metering device is communicatively coupled to a plurality of computers.

### Claim 17 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said second datafile contains a history of transactions carried out by said postage metering device.

### Claim 18 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said first datafile is stored in dual redundant memory devices within the enclosure of the postage meter.