DE3613008A1 - POSTAGE CHARGING AND SHIPPING INFORMATION APPLICATION SYSTEM - Google Patents

Description

Description

[/ J Since the publication of US patent no. 1530 for Arthur H. Pitney on 24 March 1925, the franking machine led by a steady evolution development. Franking machines are Mass production devices for printing a defined unit value for state or Private transport of parcels and envelopes. The term postage meter also includes similar ones Devices which are used for a standard value pressure, such as a tax or fee stamp meter. Postage meter machines include internal Billing devices, which one Settle postage value, this postage value within the franking machine is saved. The accounting facility calculates loading the franking machine with the additional postage value from as well as with the Postage printing by the

Postage meter printing mechanism. No external independent billing system is for billing the postage printed by the postage meter available. Therefore, franking machines must have a high Possess reliability to the loss of Avoid user-related or government credits.

Two main types of postage meter machines have been used over the years. One uses one rotatable printing drum and is called a rotary franking machine. The other

uses a stationary printhead and a reciprocating platen and is known as a flatbed postage meter. Recently there has been a shift from the fully mechanical device to postage meter machines in which electronic components are extensively incorporated. Although there have been numerous changes, certain elements have remained constant, for example the need for security is absolute. In earlier franking machines this security was used for the printing area of the franking machine and for the accounting area. The reason for the absolute security requirements is that a postage meter prints a value. Unless security measures or hateful actions take place, one would be able to print unauthorized postage and thereby defraud the postal authority * Most security measures that are taken are of a physical nature. However, there have recently been suggestions and ideas about using encryption to ensure that the postage indicia I is valid. Nonetheless, such encryption only supports the physical security systems that have already been used and brought about by the prior art. In addition, the known encryption systems attest the validity of the franking stamp / but do not create any means to determine whether the printed franking mark is only a copy of a valid franking mark. In addition, the known systems related to post office accounting for postage by monitoring the number and value of the mail items sent by a particular franking machine user.

Another common factor in well-known Postage fee systems are included or the inclusion of a

Postage indicia, usually in the upper right corner on the surface of a Envelope or packaging is placed. This indicia has taken a specific form. Of the Postage amount is at a right angle Border included, while the date of the postage imprinted in a circular border line appears. This shape has changed from the original Appearance of an invalid stamp, the stamp being of rectangular configuration and the invalidation mark with the date lies within a circle. This indicia also includes the

Franking machine number as well as the city and the State from which the envelope was posted.

Though postage meters in a placid manner have done their work in the past and also satisfactory in their function and performance keep working with the improved Electronics, there is a need for postal systems that are less expensive and more flexible, and yet which are Provide usability and the desired security. In addition, it is desirable to have a postage system too which is more compatible with contemporary shipping processing systems.

Encryption is used to prevent fraudulent postage charges from being used will. An encryption message is generated from the Postage information and / or the

Recipient address information derived and on a Shipping item applied. With the inclusion of the Receiving — address information in the Encryption message there is a relationship between the legalization and the package, which is uniform for each package. In accordance with one aspect of the invention the postage information and the encryption in Address field of the package placed along with the address information. Hit the encryption In the address field, legalization can be carried out using a automatic dispatch or

Franking scanner / sorting machine fast and effective, so to speak on the fly.

The invention is characterized by the features contained in the characterizing part of claim 1. Further refinements can be found in the subclaims.

In the following, the invention will be described with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS described. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a system that incorporates the Invention used

Figure 2 is a plan view of an envelope with postage information printed thereon is, in the address field in accordance with the invention,

3a shows a view similar to FIG. 2, but with See bar codes instead of alpha-numeric Information in the area of the address field,

Fig.3b is a view similar to that of Fig. 3a with a different format,

Figure 4 is a block diagram of a

Shipping goods scanning / sorting machine, which for the invention is used,

Fig. 5 is a flow diagram of the collaboration between two components according to FIG. 2, and

Fig. 6 is a block diagram of another Embodiment of the invention.

Reference is made to Fig. 1. Postage and postage

Shipping information application system is 10 denotes and comprises a control and monitoring center 12 and an accounting unit 14, that are in communication with each other via a Communication device such as a telephone 16, a facsimile machine, a telex machine and similar.

A modem is located within the accounting unit 14 or a transducer 18 arranged for communication between the telephone 16 and the Control module 20 provides the accounting unit, the control module being a CPU, such as a Intel 8085 microprocessor from Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, California, can be. The control module 20 has a memory 19 and a Clock 21, which is either integrated or connected to it. The memory 19 stores an execution number, i.e. a number,

which is assigned to the accounting unit for the Arranging for the clarification of the postage for the system 10, the customer number and the like. In Communication with the control module 20 is established Encryption module 22 and a Accounting module 24. The encryption module is such one readily available Encryption device, which e.g. Match with the

NBS Data Encryption Standard (DES) is encrypted according to a preset security key. An example of such a suitable encryption module 22 is the INTEL 8294 encryption circuit. The billing module 24 may be a RAM, which is augmented by a battery, wherein the RAM rising and falling register umfaßt..Wie already from the preceding franking devices known is / is the ascending register, the register which records the amount of postage, which issued or has been distributed or printed on every transaction or execution, while the falling register is the register which records the value or postage amount that can be distributed and which decreases from the original loading amount (postage credit) when the postage is printed. Another modem 26 within the accounting unit 14 provides communication between the control module 20 and a user computer 28. The user computer can be a typical computer, for example, which has an input, logic and output, for example a personal or home computer, such as the IBM AT available from IBM Corp., Armonk, NY. With the

User computer 28 is a user printer tied together. Although the user printer can be of the type can who is able to individual Printing a alphanumeric numbers is a Dot-matrix printers are preferable to being one Dot-matrix printer is capable of any Configuration including bar codes to print.

In the block diagram of Fig. 1, the control or Tax center rutn 12 be a post office, which as a source is used for the postage value. Systems are known that allow a postage meter to be operated remotely can be loaded by the fact that a user his assigned user or For example, if the customer number is communicated to the post office, see US Patent 4,097,923. The post office for its part provides the postage value that is automatically entered into the The customer's franking machine is entered in in this case the accounting unit 14. The Postage value is received within the falling register area of the accounting module 24, to increase the amount to a number, which is the sum of the value that was loaded and the unused amount from the previous top-up. In the system according to FIG. 1, the security area of the postage meter machine by the accounting unit 14 replaced, which is a secure unit, so that corruption by physical, electronic or magnetic means are prevented. Security features, such as shields, Breakaway bolts and the like are well known so that the means for securing the accounting unit 14 cannot be further described. In a preferred

Embodiment has the accounting unit no display. There is only access to it through the user computer 28, namely with one assigned code word, which by the control module 20 of this accounting unit 14 from Application computer is received. It will be understood that the user printer 30 is not secure printer is. The same applies to the connections between the user computer 28 and the accounting unit 14, the user computer and the user printer. The postage information, which to be printed by the user printer 30 includes an encryption number which is indicated by the Encryption ^ module 22 is generated. The encryption can be based on any identification code such as DES, Supra, National Security Council (NSA) - cipher or Rivest, Shamir and Adleman (RSA) cipher. With suitable information which the accounting unit of the Application computer 28 is supplied, the encryption module 22 generates a

Encryption number, which is then communicated by the application computer 28 and by the User printer 30 is printed. This information provided knows the customer number Include postage and the like. In a particular embodiment of this invention is also the street address, the zip code and the like included in the encryption by the recipient for legitimation or authenticity purposes. The authentication or legalization is done here defined as the determination or determination of the authenticity of what is printed on a package Postage r.

Referring to Figure 2, there is a format for application and application of postage information and of Shipping information for the address field of a Shipping item, such as an envelope 34, shown. With the postage information is that Postage value, the date of dispatch, the franking machine or customer number, the Implementation or transaction number, the class of Sending and the like meant. With the Address information is the house number, name, city, State, zip code and the like of the shipping recipient meant. In this particular configuration there is a Envelope 34 shown with a strip 36 which is in the Address field area of the envelope is attached. The term "address field" has the meaning as defined in the US Postal Service Regulations. Such a definition can be found, for example, in the US Post Service publication "Guides for Business Mail Regulations, "p. 20, Sep. 1984 can be read. Although this embodiment example in combination of an adhesive tape or label 36 and an envelope 34 is written on it is also preferable that the indicia be printed directly on the envelope or on an insert which is placed within a window of the envelope. This label 36 replaces and eliminates the need for the normal indicia which is on the top right corner of the package is attached. One of the features the invention is that a standard stamp does not longer is required because the Security features that are supported by such Standa rd-F free stamps are provided ', are replaced by the security, which by the Encryption is required.

In a preferred embodiment, the first line 38 of the label information relating to on the postage amount and the customer number. The second line 40 contains the date of the Dispatch, the time at which the postage fee was printed and the shipping class. The third Line 42 contains an encryption message in Form of numbers and letters, which from the information from the first two lines as well as from the information of the address of the recipient of the package, which follows the third line, can be derived. As shown, the printed lines are parallel to each other to make the to simplify automatic reading. It is it is preferred that other conventional machine readable configurations be used in place of the parallel lines can be used.

The postage amount, the customer number, the date and the class of mailing are entered into the control module 20 via a keyboard of the user computer 28. The encryption module 22 then generates an encryption number or message, and when the print command is given by the computer user, the time is determined and an encrypted message is received. This encryption message 42 is then printed by the user printer 30 on line 3 of the label. If this information is received, the post office employee is able to enter the encrypted message into a suitable computer and to determine whether the postage fee is genuine with the aid of the decryption of the information.

Although the system uses aIpha-numeric numbers in the Address field is shown, it is also desirable that a bar code to print the first three Lines as shown in Fig. 3 can be used. This bar code can be of any shape including dash-half-dash configuration, which is currently used by the post office. The bar codes can be stamped out in a free aesthetic reasons are combined and placed within the address field as shown in Fig. 3b or in the upper right corner of envelope 34. Although the bar code is shown, that it is parallel to the alpha-numeric numbers extends, it is also possible that the bar codes run parallel to this. Of the Bar code can also appear on the bottom edge of the envelope, as illustrated by 44, so that it can be read by current post office machines.

The advantage of the system shown and type described is to be able to eliminate standard postage indicia, which have been used for decades and still have the guarantee and safety associated with them, supplies. In addition, it should be noted that because all information is present in the address field, the legalization and authenticity quickly out of the Information can be obtained which appears on the envelope. Due to the presence of the Zip codes for the recipient is the encryption message 42, which is on the Label 36 appears for the package unique. In particular, a connection is created

between the package and the encryption message. In previous systems there was there is no relationship or connection between the Code, the seal and the package but rather a grain (SEED) number or similar. Such was in connection with the sending information, such as the zip code of the sender, the franking machine number and the like, used. Present

High speed automatic scanning / sorting machines include OCR readers capable of reading the information in the address field of an envelope 34 read and sort them in accordance with this. An example of such an automatic Scanning sorting machine is the optical one Pitney Bowes license plate reader described in US Postal Service Publication 150 at entitled "Automatic Mechanization of Postverarbeitungssystemen ", page 14, Hai 1985. A decoding module can lead to such added to an automatic sorting machine, through which the encrypted line 42 is read can as well as the address line through the OCR reader.

This encryption module determines the authenticity of postage not just based on visual testing of postage, date, Postage meter number and the like but also based on the recipient address. In this way a check is carried out not only for the authenticity of the postage, but also for the fact that the encrypted line to this particular Shipping or mail piece belongs and only this one

Pieces based on the recipient address. In particular is what is contemplated is a two-way locking scheme in which the Decide on a "key." has to authenticity to be determined on the basis of the information on the front of envelope 34. This is in the Contrasted with a two-way scheme in which "grain" - (SEED) Numbers are used and the encryption is performed twice and compared will .

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, in which one automatic scanning / sorting machine with Ability to decipher is shown. & i e machine includes a mechanical transport unit 48 which Mail stacks in a stream of mail items occasionally, which with a predetermined pitch according to the different machine stations be promoted, which a scanner or connoisseur 50, a line finder 54, a Segmentation block 56, a normalizer 58, a Similarity meter 60 and a text analysis block having. Each envelope 34 is behind the Scanner 50 promoted, which digitized Generates binary images of the address field, which consists of black and white pixels. Of the Line finder or finder 54 finds lines in the Address field which are to be read. Of the Segmentation module I 56 separates the lines into Mark. The normalization block 58 converts the segmented identifier into a predetermined size around. The standardized license plate images are then transferred to the similarity measurement block 60, where them with stored, known license plate templates

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be compared to a license plate recognition obtain. The results of these comparisons are then fed to the text analysis unit 62, where the final decision is made for the address part of the information during the Encryption part goes through. One ASCH Codi e r characterization or representation of the recognized license plate is then a buffer 64, the easily stores the address information and sent to a decipherer 66, which the encrypted line 42 decrypted. the Information from buffer 64 and decipherer 66 is made then sent to a computer 68 where the information from each is compared. The results of the Comparator are sent to a censor 70, where the decision is made in relation to the Authenticity of the postage on the package. If it is found to be authentic, the Umschtag 34 is supplied to a sorting stack module 72. However, if it is found to be defective or fraudulent, the envelope will be sent to you Rejection slot 74 sent. To this In this way, the authenticity of the postage fee on an envelope can be determined on the fly, so to speak. This process is obviously improved, because the printed information is applied on the envelope 32 in a parallel manner, which facilitates quick and automatic processing. If the authenticity or Authentication is carried out, the Encryption message in barcode form to the Lower edge of envelope 32 can be printed, as recently done with the address information a bar code printer 76 of an automatic

Mail sorter is done. It's understandable, that this bottom edge bar code printing of the the encrypted message can alternatively be carried out by the printer 30 of the user, when programmed this way.

Referring to Fig. 5, there is a flow chart in which the cooperation between the accounting unit and user computer 28 is shown. The system is started at 76 and there a command 78 is generated by the accounting unit 14, namely whether the user is correctly identified. When the user is identified, a command is identified by the Accounting unit 14 for an address and Postage fee information 80 delivered to Purpose of generating the encryption message. The information is received at 82 and a postage balance check is requested, such as this is indicated by 84. Then becomes a Determination carried out whether postage credit is available are available as shown by 86. If enough postage is available, it will be in accordance with the information with the internal time, the date, the increasing registers and the other information in the accounting unit 14 combined. the Encryption message is generated at 90. Of the Plain text and the encrypted text are made according to supplied to the user computer 28. Since the plain text and the encrypted text are sent, at 94 the execution is settled and the system returns to its starting point. When on the other. Page postage credits are not available as indicated at 86, the message is sent to the user computer 28 with the message, that insufficient postage credit is present.

The user computer 28 initially receives the Request from accounting module 14 for address and postage information 10. With this Upon request, the user enters the appropriate address and postage information 102 and this is done sent at 104 to the accounting unit 14. After Transfer of address and

Postage fee information is asked whether sufficient postage credit has been received, see 106. If enough postage credit are received, the plaintext and ciphertext at 108 are retrieved from the Accounting unit 14 received and it becomes the Command given at 110 to print the information on a mailer 34.

To this extent, the present invention was made in connection with a billing unit 14 described, which interacts with a control center 12 via a telephone 16 and with a user computer 28. An alternative embodiment of the invention includes use a portable or detachable data device in place of the accounting unit 14.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, in which a System is shown in which data can be entered into user computer 28 without the central station 12 or the accounting unit 14 to contact. In this system, the user computer includes an input interface 78, the is capable of communicating with a To create and maintain remote data device 80. The detachable data device 80 can be in the format

a "small credit card" or a larger one closed structure, e.g. a cassette or a safe. For the purpose of In this description, such a structure will be referred to as a "card" for short. The card 80, which in FIG. 6 is shown enlarged for better description, provides physical support and for a protection of a microcomputer 82 which by a private bus 84 with a variety of internal Components is connected. The microcomputer 82 is via the bus 84 with a read-only memory (ROM) 86 which contains the operating program for the microcomputer 82. The one recorded in the ROM 86 The program not only controls the operation of the microcomputer 82 but also provides Operating instructions through that of the microcomputer with the user computer 28 in communication stands.

The microcomputer 82 is also connected via the bus 84 a random access memory (RAM) 88 or other operational memory connected to during the Operational for dynamic data storage too care for. A non-volatile memory (NVM) 80, like E.g. an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) provides a non-volatile storage for Encryption data. The NVM 80 can do a falling register value, the rising register value, a piece counting value and the like as well as a Include address information. Any accounting or other data that is kept or saved during a supply failure such as during maintenance

can also be entered and stored in the non-volatile memory 90. The non-volatile memory 90 can also include a
Contain user identification number and different configuration data, so that the user computer 28 can be operated in different countries which have different requirements and in different systems which have different configurations. The microcomputer 82 is connected via the bus 84 to an encryption module 92 which performs the same functions as is described in connection with the encryption module 22.

In contrast to the private bus 94, to which no user or no external device to the card 80 has access is a public bus 94 for communication with the user computer 28 and the Card 80 provided. It should be noted that other devices which are peripheral to the user's computer 28 can be connected to the public bus 94, such as additional Printers, displays, communication devices and similar. The public bus 94 is a general purpose bus for carrying communications between the User computer 28 and the components within card 80 and between card 80 and the Central station 14 to allow when the card in the Input interface 78 is entered.

It should be noted that the user computer 28 by an external power source (not shown) is operated and during normal

Operation that supplies the energy to the Microcomputers 82 and the different ones To supply components of the card 80. These components include the ROH 86, the RAM 88, the HVM 90 and the locking module 92. The supply takes place via the bus 94. The Power sensor circuit is not shown and is described in U.S. Patent 4,285,050 entitled "Operating Voltage Change Sensor System for a electronic postage meter ". This can determine the presence of a performance degradation. Es causes the microcomputer 82 to execute a power down subroutine stored in ROM 86 is saved, starts and executes to the Finish operations that are currently in progress and stores the accounting data in the NVM 90.

Replaced when inserted into input interface 78 the card 80 the accounting unit 14 to how desired to perform the same functions. Of the Postage charge is transferred to the NVM 90 of the card the communication with the control center 12 transferred. This communication takes place via the public Bus 94. At the command of microcomputer 52, Information by the user computer 28 through the CRT and keyboard of the user computer delivered. With the card 80, which is in the Input interface 78 is entered, all Functions for the accounting unit 14 with the help of the card 80 executed.

The address information, the postage amount, the User identification number, the date and the The class of the goods to be sent is entered using the keyboard of the

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User computer 28 into microcomputer 82 entered. The lock module 90 then generates an encryption number or message based on those entered and stored lock Ltefi routines. On the pressure command L, which is given by the computer operator, an encrypted message is transmitted to the user computer 28. These Encryption message 42 is then sent by the User printer 30 printed in line 3 of the label. With this information is a Post office attendant will be able to do that Encryption message in a suitable Computer and see if the Postage fee is real and in the way of Decryption of the information as before just cried.

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Claims (1)

PITNEY BOWES INC. Stamford, Connect United States Postage and shipping information Application system Claims 1 . Package, characterized in that it has a plurality of lines printed substantially in parallel, that at least one of the Lines contains postage information that at least one of the lines one Contains recipient address information, and that at least one of the lines one Has encryption information which is from the Postage information and the Received — address information of the lines mentioned is derived. 2. Shipping item according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking information of the relevant Line is executed in bar code form. 3. Shipping item according to claim 1, characterized in that that the encryption information line in Edge area of the shipping item is provided. 4. Shipping item according to claim 1, characterized in that that the times in the address field of the package appear. 5. Package with a large number of machine-readable lines, characterized in that at least one of the lines has a Postage information, at least one of the lines recipient address information and at least one of the lines contains encryption information contains. 6. Shipping item according to claim 5, characterized in that that at least the line with the encryption information in bar code form is trained. 7. Shipping item according to claim 5, characterized in that it is marked that the lines are provided in the address field of an envelope. 8. Procedure for applying postage and Shipping information on a shipping item, g e k e η η ζ e i c h η e t through the steps: Apply at least one line to one Package, which postage information contains, Apply at least one line on the Package which receiving address information in parallel form containing at least one postage information line, Apply at least one line to the goods to be shipped with an encrypted message indicating which parallels for postage information and Received address information line is. 9. The method according to claim 8,
characterized in that the lines are applied within the address field of the mail piece. 10. The method according to claim 8, marked by conveying the envelope through an automatic sorting machine with an OCR reader module and a decision module, reading the lines in the address field on the mail piece, decrypting the encrypted information and checking the authenticity of the postage on the mail piece. 11, package according to claim 8, g e k e η η ζ e i c h η e t by printing a Barcode representation of the encrypted message Along one edge of the shipping item. 12 .... ". Method for applying a Closure message on a package, g e k e η η ζ ei c h η e t through the steps: transmission of the recipient address information to a cap, Transmission of the postage information to a Shut up Le r, Derivation of a lock message on the Basis of the notified recipient address information and the postage information and Application of the closure message on the Piece of shipping. 13. The method according to claim 12, g e k e η η ζ e i c h η e t by notifying the Recipient addresses zip codes to the locker. 14 «Method according to claim 13, g e k e η η ζ e i c h η e t by notifying a Shipping goods sender identification number for the Closures. 15. The method according to claim 12, g e k e η η ζ e i c h η e t by printing the Locking message on a label or Strip and apply that label or strip to the package. 16. System of a self-authenticity test of a Package, marked by: a locking device that can be operated, to send an encryption message based on the Postage information and the address information to derive a device to share the Received — address information to the Enclosed message, a device for the notification of Postage information to the Encryption facility and a device for applying an encryption message to the package, generated by the encryption facility. 17. System according to claim 16, with a shipping goods authenticity checking device, marked by: a device for decrypting the Encryption message and means for comparing the decryption message with the Postage information and address information, the authenticity and legalization of the package to be determined. 18. System according to claim 17, characterized in marked c h η e t, that the address information is the zip code of the Shipping goods recipient includes. 19. System according to claim 17, thereby indicating that the postage information is a Has identification number that is the only or is unique for the consignment sender. 20. System according to claim 17, characterized in that that the shipping information is the house number of the Shipping goods recipient includes. 21. System for the delivery of a Self-authentication on a shipping item, g e k e η η ζ e i ch η e t by: an encryption facility that can be operated, to send an encrypted message based on the Derive address information, a facility for communicating the Recipient address information to the Encryption facility and a device for applying an encrypted Message on a package, which from the address information through the Encryption facility is derived. 22. System according to claim 21 with an authenticity checking device comprising: a facility for making decisions encrypted message and means for comparing the decrypted Information with the address information to the To determine the authenticity of the package. 23. System according to claim 22, characterized in that the address information comprises the zip code of the consignment recipient. 24. System according to claim 23, characterized in that the address information comprises the street address of the consignment recipient. 25. Method for applying an encryption message to a dispatch item, identified by the steps: Communicating the address information to one Lusseler. Deriving an encryption message on the basis of the communicated address information and Applying the encrypted message to the Shipping goods. 26. The method according to claim 25, g e k e η η ζ e i c h η e t through the communication of the shipping address zip code to Closures. 27. The method according to claim 26, g e k e η η ζ e i c h η e t by notifying the Street address of the recipient to the seal egg. 28. The method according to claim 25, identified by printing the encryption message on a label or Stripping and applying the label or stripe to the package. 29. Package, characterized in that it contains postage information, Recipient shipping address information and Contains encryption information which is used by the Postage information and the Recipient shipping address information is derived. 30. Shipping item according to claim 29, characterized by chnet, that the encryption information in Bar code form is formed. 31. Shipment according to claim 30, characterized in that it is marked, that the encryption information in the edge area of the shipping item is provided. 32. Shipment according to claim 29, characterized in that it is marked, that the information in the address field of the goods to be shipped is provided. 33. Shipment according to claim 29, characterized in that it is marked, that the information is in a Ipha-numerical form is shown. 34. Shipping goods, characterized in that it contains recipient mailing address information and Contains encryption information derived from the received-dispatch address information. 35. System of verification or control for the Processing of shipping goods, marked by: a card with a processor, a Encryption module and a memory, a computer with a device for outputting information, a communication link between the card and the computer, a first printer in communication with the Computer, a device for the delivery of packages to first printer, a second printer in communication with the Computer, and a device for the delivery of a sheet to second printer, 36. System according to claim 3 5, characterized in / that the memory has a falling register for storing a postage fee value. 37. System according to claim 36, characterized in that the memory is non-volatile and contains an identification number. 38. System according to claim 35, characterized in that the mailer supply device is a one-piece device which places the inserts in the mail pieces and conveys the mail pieces to the first printer. 39. System according to claim 35, characterized in that the first printer is a dot-matrix printer and means for supplying labels or strips to the first printer. 40. System with a computer to enable self-authentication on a Package, marked by: a map, a device to enable communication between the card and the computer, a worn lung device, which is caused by the Card supports and is operational to a Encrypted message based on the Derive address information, a facility for Kittei Lung the Received — address information to the Encryption facility, and a device for attaching an encrypted Message on the package derived from the address information by means of the Locking device. 41. System according to claim 40, a package authenticity checking device, marked by: a facility for decrypting the encrypted message and means for comparing the decryption information with the Address information to verify the authenticity of the To determine the package. 42. System according to claim 41,
characterized in that the address information includes the zip code of the mailpiece recipient. 43. System according to claim 42, characterized in that the address information comprises the street address of the mailpiece recipient. 44. Method of applying a Closure message on a package, g e k e η η ζ e i c h ne t through the steps: Inserting a card into a computer, Sending the address information to one Closures supported by the card, Deriving a lock message on the Basis of the communicated address information, Application of the communicated address information, Applying the encryption message to the Package. 45. The method according to claim 44, marked by the notification of the shipping address zip code the encryptor. 46. The method according to claim 44, characterized by the communication of the street address of the recipient to the encryption egg. 47. The method of claim 44, characterized by printing the lock message in Dot matrix shape on a label or strip and Applying the strip or label to a piece of mail.