The technology described herein provides a handwritten postage that comprises handwriting on a postal item that forms a unique identifier for the postal item (e.g., envelope, postcard, sticker) when analyzed by a computer vision application. The unique identifier is computer derived from the handwritten postage and allows one instance of handwritten postage to be differentiated from all other instances of handwritten postage. The unique identifier may be derived from an image of an envelope that includes an instance of handwritten postage when the handwritten postage is activated. The unique identifier may be formed from a combination of handwriting content (e.g., to and from address), metadata (e.g., date activated), pre-printed content on the postal item (e.g., fiducial marks), post-printed content (e.g., to or from address) and the visual image created by all or a portion of the handwriting. Postage value is added to the handwritten postage through an activation process.

Systems and methods which are adapted to generate multiple indicia in a single secure environment session are described. Embodiments provide for generation of a plurality of postage indicia in a single postage security device (PSD) transaction, whereby the PSD loads and unloads corresponding virtual PSD information a single time for generating the plurality of postage indicia (i.e., in a single secure environment session). The indicia generated in a same secure environment session according to embodiments of the invention may comprise a plurality of indicia requested by a same, single user. Additionally or alternatively, the indicia generated in the same secure environment session may comprise a plurality of indicia requested by multiple different users.

The field of the invention relates to online postage systems, and more particularly to systems and methods for establishing the colors of a customized stamp purchased through an online postage system. In one embodiment, a method is employed for customizing the colors of a customized stamp having a panel and an image. The method includes the steps of enabling a user to select a region of the image, retrieving a color value corresponding to the region of the image, and applying the retrieved color value to a visual feature of the panel, such as the background and text of the panel. The method also maintains a minimum amount of contrast in brightness and color between the background and the text of the panel.

A method that includes allowing an installer to install a system at a location, using a biometric reader to collect the installer's biometric identifier upon installation, and using a communications device to notify a central station of the system's installation and transmit the installer's biometric identifier and time of installation to the central station. A method that includes providing a mobile postage system at a location, fixing the mobile postage system to a structure at the location, allowing a service user to secure a secure access panel on the mobile postage system, and allowing users to use the mobile postage system.

The present invention is directed to systems and methods which identify fraudulent situations during the transaction phase. In one embodiment, such detection is accomplished by monitoring for situations either outside the range of normal for the general population or outside the range of normal for this particular user. The normal range could be rule driven and, for example, could include size of a given purchase, frequency of purchases, identity of use equipment being utilized for the current transaction, etc. The rule could be relaxed or tightened, at least in part, based on the length of time that the user has been a customer and the user's past payment history. In one embodiment, device ids are used to detect fraudulent users. These device (or software) ids could, for example, be a “fingerprint” of the user's equipment, or a “cookie” previously downloaded to the user that identifies the user to the fulfillment system. In situations where fraud is detected downloading the value to the user is interrupted.

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will provide methods and systems for automatic tracking and reporting of refunds for parcels for which the United States Postage Service (the “USPS”) fails to provide delivery to the designated delivery address by a guaranteed delivery date. Various embodiments of the present invention will automatically detect a parcel for which a delivery date has been guaranteed, but for which the USPS failed to make delivery by the guaranteed delivery date. For such guaranteed delivery failures, various embodiments of the present invention will display an online report to the user, or will send an electronic report of the failure, such as by electronic mail (“email”), to the user that printed the corresponding USPS Express Mail postage, or will otherwise notify the user of, or make available to the user information regarding, such failures. Various embodiments of the present invention will automatically and periodically analyze electronic and/or digital scanning events provided by the USPS regarding postage printed by users that used the subject Internet postage provider to print Express Mail Postage with a corresponding USPS Express Mail Label Number. Various embodiments of the present invention will automatically and periodically analyze such electronic and/or digital scanning events in order to determine whether a scanned tracking event indicates a delivery corresponding to postage printed by a user using the subject Internet postage provider and in order, then, to determine whether the actual delivery date and/or time, if delivered, exceeds the guaranteed delivery and/or time.

Systems described herein for controlling, requesting, and coordinating the creation and generation of labels can be a label broker, providing a centralized location for storing label information created by various entities, and managing the requests for generation of physical labels coming from various sources and entities.

Systems and methods which prevent or limit access to protected content (e.g., value bearing indicia (VBI)) by a general purpose user interface application (e.g., web browser) are shown. Embodiments implement techniques to avoid displaying protected content by a general purpose user interface application, or displaying protected content during a time in which a user does not have access to particular functions of the general purpose user interface application, to protect the content from various operations, such as repeated printing, electronic copying, etc. Data presentation formatting control in the form of style sheets may be utilized to control access to content. Additionally or alternatively, executable code or an executable object may be implemented within a page or other content to control access to content. Similarly, separate areas, such as windows or pages, may be utilized to control access to content.

Assemblies, systems, and methods for applying postage indicia to one or more sequential mailpiece on a high speed mail sorter are disclosed. In some aspects, a system for franking one or more sequential mailpiece using a postal security device (PSD) hub assembly on a high speed mail sorter includes a plurality of PSDs configured to generate a coded digital signature for the one or more sequential mailpiece during a latency period, a plurality of photo sensors configured to define the latency period, a PSD host configured to receive the generated coded digital signature, wherein the generated coded digital signature is encoded in a data matrix, and an indicia printer configured to receive printer control data and to print the printer control data on the one or more sequential mailpiece in an order in which the plurality of PSDs are tasked during the latency period.

A postage generating system and method that allows for the generation of postage without the use of a PSD, while still maintaining the necessary data integrity and non-repudiation aspects. The cryptographic and accounting functions are performed separately when an indicium is generated and reconciled to ensure that every transaction is properly accounted for and funds are deducted from the user's account. The cryptographic functions for an indicium are performed utilizing a cloud-based Hardware Security Module (HSM). Transaction records for indicium generated by an HSM are stored in a database. The accounting is performed by a transaction server, separate and remote from the HSM, to make updates to the client's account to account for generated indicia. An Integrity Monitor Server monitors the consistency of the transactions, i.e., that every transaction performed by an HSM is properly accounted for by the transaction server and funds are deducted from the user's account.