Custom Image Control in Postage Metering via Hash Verification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Postage metering systems face challenges in accounting and controlling the use of custom images, as they are difficult to secure and manage without receiving the image data, making it hard to prevent copyrighted or offensive content and charge users appropriately.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates a hash of the custom image, creates a digital signature with a custom image identifier, and transmits it to the user, allowing the provider to account and charge for the image use without receiving the image data, while ensuring only authorized images are printed by verifying the digital signature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the provider receives and possesses the custom image data, then the provider can account for and charge for the custom image use, but the provider may be exposed to copyrighted and/or offensive images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential identifying characteristics of the custom image (hash value and bounding box coordinates) from the complete image data. The provider receives and stores only these extracted features, not the actual image content, enabling accounting control while avoiding exposure to copyrighted or offensive material.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary verification process where the provider sends a digital signature back to the user's device. This signature serves as a mediator that confirms the custom image parameters are approved without the provider ever viewing or possessing the actual image data, thus preventing harmful content exposure while maintaining accounting control.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the provider does not receive the custom image data, then the provider avoids exposure to copyrighted and/or offensive images, but the provider cannot account for or charge for the custom image use
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of receiving the actual custom image data, the system receives and stores a cryptographic hash (copy of the image's digital fingerprint) and bounding box coordinates. This copy contains sufficient information for accounting and verification purposes while completely avoiding the need to possess or view the original image data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical approach of physically reviewing and approving image files with a digital cryptographic verification system. The provider uses digital signatures and hash verification to approve custom images remotely and automatically, eliminating the need to handle or view the actual image content while maintaining secure accounting control.
3Reliability
If predetermined provider images are used, then the provider can control the images and charge fees, but users cannot use their own custom images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image approval process into two distinct pathways: (1) selection from predetermined provider-controlled images, and (2) submission of user-created custom images with automated verification. This segmentation allows the system to maintain control over provider images while simultaneously enabling user versatility with custom images through the hash-based verification system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a universal verification mechanism that handles both predetermined provider images and user-created custom images through the same cryptographic process. The provider's digital signature system serves multiple functions: approving provider images, verifying user custom images, and enabling billing for both types, thus achieving both control and versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling the use of a custom image by a user in a value dispensing system, such as a mail processing system, that enables the system provider to account and charge for the use of the custom image without ever actually receiving the data representing custom image. The method includes steps of receiving a hash generated from at least the custom image at a provider location, such as a data center, generating a digital signature from data including at least the received hash, and transmitting the digital signature and data used to generate the digital signature to the user at a user location. The method may further include additional steps of determining whether the digital signature can be successfully verified, and allowing the custom image to be printed by the user only if it is determined that the digital signature can be successfully verified.