Method and devices for printing a franking mark on a document
AssigneePTT Post Holdings B.V.
InventorsHennie Wesseling, Dick Brandt, Anthonius Johannes Franciscus Van Haldern, Rob Pieterse, Niels Alexander Van Golden, Johannes Francis Gerlofs
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Abstract
A method and system for checking a franking mark (28), comprising at least an identification code and a unique bit string, said system comprising means for: a) reading the franking mark (28), b) decoding the franking mark (28), c) checking whether the identification code is correct by comparing it to data stored in a memory (40), d) checking whether the unique bit string is valid by comparing it to data stored in said memory (40).
Claims20
A method of producing and checking franking marks, comprising the steps of:
- storing a set of unique bit strings in a first memory in a central office that is connected to a plurality of terminals;
- making one or more of the unique bit strings available to at least one terminal of the plurality of terminals;
- at the central office, receiving from the one terminal a copy of the unique bit string made available thereto in combination with an identification code and storing in a second memory at the central office the copy of the unique bit string in combination with the identification code received from the one terminal;
- reading of a franking mark after the franking mark has been printed on a document, the franking mark including an encoded identification code and an encoded unique bit string;
- decoding the franking mark to render a decoded identification code and a decoded unique bit string;
- checking whether the decoded identification code is correct by comparing the decoded identification code to the identification code stored in the second memory;
- and
- checking whether the decoded unique bit string is valid by comparing the decoded unique bit string to the unique bit string stored in the second memory.
A system for producing and checking franking marks, comprising:
- means for storing a set of unique bit strings in a first memory in a central office that is connected to a plurality of terminals;
- means for making one or more of the unique bit strings available to at least one terminal of the plurality of terminals;
- at said central office, means for receiving from said one terminal a copy of the unique bit string made available thereto in combination with an identification code and storing in a second memory at said central office the copy of the unique bit string in combination with the identification code received from said one terminal;
- means for reading of a franking mark after the franking mark has been printed on a document, the franking mark including an encoded identification code and an encoded unique bit string;
- means for decoding the franking mark to render a decoded identification code and a decoded unique bit string;
- means for checking whether the decoded identification code is correct by comparing the decoded identification code to the identification code stored in the second memory;
- and
- means for checking whether the decoded unique bit string is valid by comparing the decoded unique bit string to the unique bit string stored in the second memory.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.