Global Patent Index - EP 1047025 A2

EP 1047025 A2 20001025 - Method and apparatus for detecting misuse of postal indica

Title (en)

Method and apparatus for detecting misuse of postal indica

Title (de)

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Feststellen des Missbrauchs von Postwertzeichen

Title (fr)

Procédé et appareil pour détecter l'usage illicite de marques d'affranchissement

Publication

EP 1047025 A2 20001025 (EN)

Application

EP 00108083 A 20000425

Priority

US 29919999 A 19990423

Abstract (en)

A method for detecting misuse of postal indicia, and an apparatus for executing the method. The method includes the steps of storing a first information signal indicative of a postal indicia on a mail piece to be posted, sensing a postal indicia on a received mail piece for providing a second information signal indicative of the sensed postal indicia, retrieving the first information signal, and comparing the first information signal with the second information signal for providing a misuse signal if the first information signal is not the same as the second information signal. <IMAGE>

Involves storing in a memory an information signal indicating a postal indicia applied at a sender location on a mail piece to be posted. The postal indicia is characteristic of a device which applied the postal indicia to the mail piece to be sent. The applied postal indicia is also characteristic of the mail piece to be posted. At the post office the postal indicia is read and provides a second information signal indicating the read postal indicia; the read postal indicia characteristic of a device which applied the read postal indicia, and the read postal indicia is also characteristic of the received mail piece. The first information signal is retrieved from the memory and compared with the second information signal giving a misuse signal when no match is found. An independent claim is included for an apparatus for detecting misuse.

IPC 1-7

G07B 17/04

IPC 8 full level

G07B 17/00 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP)

G07B 17/00435 (2013.01); G07B 2017/00169 (2013.01); G07B 2017/00443 (2013.01)

Citation (applicant)

Designated contracting state (EPC)

DE FR GB

DOCDB simple family (publication)

EP 1047025 A2 20001025; EP 1047025 A3 20001220

DOCDB simple family (application)

EP 00108083 A 20000425