Virtual Stamp Transfer via Segmented Packet Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for transferring information of value, such as postage indicia, over networks like the Internet face issues with reliability due to the lack of end-to-end acknowledgments and serial transfer requirements, leading to potential double charges or losses when communication is interrupted or messages are not explicitly acknowledged.
Innovation Solution
A system that assigns unique identifiers to Units of Information Value (UIV) and enforces their storage and usage policies, allowing for batch transfers and selective resends without end-to-end acknowledgments, using a digital signature to prevent attacks and ensure secure storage and usage tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If connectionless packet switched networks are used for transferring postage indicia, then network flexibility and routing efficiency are improved, but message delivery reliability deteriorates due to potential packet loss and lack of guaranteed delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the postage indicia transfer into individual packet units, each containing a unique identifier and sequence information. This segmentation allows packets to be routed independently through the network while maintaining the ability to reassemble them in the correct order at the destination, thus achieving both network flexibility and delivery reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by assigning unique identifiers and sequence numbers to each packet before transmission. This pre-packaging of information enables the receiving end to automatically reassemble packets in the correct order and detect any missing packets, ensuring reliable delivery without requiring complex real-time coordination during transmission.
2Reliability
If end-to-end acknowledgments and serial transfer are implemented, then message delivery reliability is improved, but system complexity and transaction time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where each packet contains sufficient information (unique identifier, sequence number, checksum) for the receiving system to autonomously verify packet integrity, detect missing packets, and request retransmission only of specific lost packets rather than requiring complex end-to-end acknowledgment protocols for the entire transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the approach from serial transfer to parallel packet transfer, where multiple packets can be transmitted simultaneously through different network routes. Each packet carries independent verification parameters, allowing the receiving system to process and verify packets in any order while maintaining overall transfer reliability without sequential dependencies.
3Reliability
If sophisticated cryptographic processing is required for secure postage printing, then security is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies cryptographic processing in advance during the packet creation phase at the sending end. Digital signatures and encryption are performed on the postage indicia data before segmentation and transmission. This preliminary cryptographic processing ensures security is established before the packets enter the network, eliminating the need for time-consuming cryptographic operations at the receiving end during the transfer process.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application describes systems and methods for reliable transfer of information of value such as virtual postage stamps between a remote data center and a local device. An identifier that is unique over at least some time duration is assigned to each virtual postage stamp such that the identifier is associated with a specific index memory location or record storage location in the local virtual stamp-printing device. The local printing device permits only a single use of a virtual stamp using a secure state flag. The transfer protocol provides reliable transfer of virtual stamps between the remote data center and the local printing device that accommodates resend requests, that is not limited to serial transfer and that does not require end-to-end acknowledgements.