Mobile Postage Token Generation via Remote Server Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing postage systems, including traditional postage meters and processor-based systems, are cumbersome, unreliable, and inconvenient for users, especially when traveling, due to bulkiness, complex management, and the need for specific equipment and supplies, and may result in misprints and inappropriate use of postage.
Innovation Solution
The use of mobile communication handsets to obtain and activate tokens as postage indicia, which can be printed on various media using available equipment, allowing users to generate and print postage on demand without traditional metering systems, using a mobile communication handset to request, generate, and activate tokens with associated postage value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional postage meters are used, then postage indicia can be generated securely, but the system becomes bulky and cumbersome to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the postage generation function from the bulky traditional postage meter hardware and relocates it to remote postage servers. The mobile device acts as a thin client that communicates with these servers over a network, obtaining postage indicia digitally without requiring local storage of large postage value vaults or complex security mechanisms physically present in the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces postage servers as intermediaries between the user's mobile device and the postage value storage system. These servers handle the secure storage of postage values, validation of postage indicia, and generation of authentication codes, while the mobile device merely facilitates user interaction and displays the generated postage.
2Ease of operation
If processor-based systems are used, then postage can be generated on-demand with more convenience, but the system requires bulky printers and supplies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables universal access to postage generation capability through mobile devices that users already possess and carry everywhere. Instead of requiring dedicated postage printing equipment, the system leverages the universal presence of mobile phones and their existing communication and display capabilities to provide postage generation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical printing system (inkjet or laser printers with physical ink/toner cartridges) with an electronic digital system. Postage indicia are generated as digital images or text on the mobile device screen, which can then be photographed, transmitted electronically, or printed using minimal local resources when necessary.
3Reliability
If traditional postage meters are used, then postage value can be stored securely, but refilling postage value is complicated and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service refilling where users can automatically replenish their postage value accounts through electronic payments using their mobile devices. The system handles account verification, payment processing, and value crediting automatically without requiring users to physically visit service centers or manually input complex refilling information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors postage value balances, notifies users when balances are low, and enables automatic top-up operations. The mobile device receives real-time updates about account status and facilitates immediate refilling actions based on user preferences and payment methods.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods which provide postage indicia using mobile communication handsets are shown. According to embodiments, users are enabled to introduce mail pieces into a mail delivery stream which are accepted as having acceptable postage indicia having value associated therewith without the use of traditional metering systems or processor-based postage generation and printing systems. Instead, a mobile communication handset is used to obtain tokens to be used as postage indicia. The tokens may be transmitted to or otherwise printed by appropriate, available printing equipment, such as facsimile machines, network printers, network photo copiers, etc., in response to a request by a mobile communication handset for postage indicia. The foregoing tokens may be printed upon various stock for inclusion with or as a mail piece. The mail piece bearing the token may be placed into the mail stream for processing and delivery using the token as activated as postage indicia.