Non-secure franking using pre-stored electronic stamp IDs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional secure franking methods require a complex and expensive Postal Security Device (PSD) for printing postage imprints, which is impractical for private individuals or small businesses, and online printing solutions become time-consuming for multiple stamp printing.
Innovation Solution
A method for non-secure franking that involves users connecting to a franking service provider, receiving unique identification numbers for postage imprints, and manually or automatically printing these numbers on mail items, eliminating the need for a PSD by relying on a database for validation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a Postal Security Device (PSD) is used for secure franking, then the security and reliability of postage imprint generation is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the security verification function from the user's franking device and relocates it to the postal administration's database system. Instead of requiring a complex PSD at the user end, the system uses a simple database lookup to verify stamp validity, thereby reducing user device complexity while maintaining security through centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a shared database as an intermediary between the user's franking system and the postal administration's verification system. This database stores validation information for electronic stamps and serves as the security mechanism, replacing the need for complex cryptographic devices while maintaining reliable verification through centralized data management.
2Reliability
If online printing with server authorization is used, then the security of single stamp printing is improved, but the time consumption for multiple stamp printing increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by pre-generating and storing multiple electronic stamp identification numbers in the user's system before they are needed. Instead of requesting authorization for each individual stamp printing operation, the system receives a batch of valid identification numbers in advance, allowing users to print multiple stamps locally without repeated server communications, thus reducing time loss while maintaining security through pre-validated data.
3Reliability
If a Postal Security Device (PSD) is used for franking, then the security and validation of postage imprints is improved, but the cost of the franking system increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive, complex PSD hardware with a simple software-based system that uses a shared database for validation. The electronic stamps are represented by identification numbers that can be verified through database lookup, eliminating the need for costly cryptographic hardware while maintaining validation reliability through centralized data management and periodic updates.
4Reliability
If on-line printing with server authorization is used, then the security control of stamp printing is improved, but the ease of operation for multiple stamp printing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-authorizing and storing multiple electronic stamp identification numbers in the user's system. This allows users to print multiple stamps locally without repeated server interactions, significantly improving ease of operation for bulk printing while maintaining security through pre-validated identification numbers that are verified against the shared database.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of performing non-secure franking by means of a communications terminal comprising means for communicating with a franking service provider's server, a non-secure memory for recording identification numbers and associated postage amounts received in the franking service provider's server. The communications terminal can further comprise print command means for instructing a standard printer to print one of the identification numbers corresponding to the desired postage amount and extracted from the non-secure memory on a mail item to be sent.