Postal Indicia Data Stream Security Segment Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing postal indicia data stream formats require changes to encryption algorithms and recertification when accommodating additional information, which is costly and time-consuming due to compliance with FIPS standards.
Innovation Solution
A method that modifies a portion of the security segment in the postal indicia data stream to include additional information without altering the payload region or encryption algorithm, allowing the inclusion of extra data such as service codes or sender information without necessitating firmware changes or recertification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the indicia data stream format is changed to accommodate additional information, then the capability to include extra data (such as service codes) is improved, but the device complexity and recertification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The security segment is divided into a first portion containing the cryptographic signature and a second portion containing additional information. This segmentation allows the additional information to be incorporated without affecting the cryptographic integrity of the first portion, thereby avoiding firmware changes and recertification while maintaining adaptability.
2Quantity of substance
If the payload size is increased relative to the security region to include more information, then the information capacity is improved, but the encryption algorithm complexity and recertification costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the payload size horizontally, the invention adds information capacity by utilizing an additional dimension - the second portion of the security segment. This allows extra information to be embedded without modifying the payload structure or encryption algorithm, avoiding recertification costs while increasing information capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating a postal indicia associated with a mailpiece is disclosed. The method includes generating an indicia data stream including a postal information segment and a security segment that is based upon the postal information segment and modifying a portion of the security segment to include additional information, thereby defining a modified indicia data stream.