초록 ▼

In an improved postage scale system, soft-selection keys are used for selecting options including shipping service options provided by the system. The display on such a system is adjustable for comfortable viewing thereof. The system is capable of interfacing and communicating with other devices suc

In an improved postage scale system, soft-selection keys are used for selecting options including shipping service options provided by the system. The display on such a system is adjustable for comfortable viewing thereof. The system is capable of interfacing and communicating with other devices such as a printer, a remote computer, an optical scanner, an integrated circuit (IC) card, etc. Certain data and code for use in the system can be updated by downloading new data and code from IC cards to the system. A security measure is instituted such that, after an update of the data or code, a system user is required to enter a valid authorization number in order to enable the system. Such a measure is, in part, necessary for deterring unauthorized copying of software of the system onto another similar system.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] An electronic shipping scale system, comprising:a display having a screen;a weight evaluator for providing a data signal representing the weight of an item;a keyboard having a plurality of keys;a memory for storing data, including data relating to shipping rates and data containing

[ We claim:] [1.] An electronic shipping scale system, comprising:a display having a screen;a weight evaluator for providing a data signal representing the weight of an item;a keyboard having a plurality of keys;a memory for storing data, including data relating to shipping rates and data containing a system number which uniquely characterizes said electronic shipping scale system;a processor operating under a program and responsive to said weight data signal, said keyboard and said shipping rate data for computing shipping cost, and for providing display data;means for receiving from said keyboard an encrypted authorization number comprising an encrypted electronic signature number and an encrypted option number, wherein said encrypted electronic signature number is formed by encrypting a configuration number and an option number using a first encryption algorithm, and wherein said encrypted option number is formed by encrypting said option number using a second encryption algorithm;means for determining said option number by decrypting said encrypted option number using a decryption algorithm inverse to said second encryption algorithm;means for retrieving from said memory said data containing said system number and for determining said system number;means for combining said system number with said option number to form a system electronic signature number;means for forming an encrypted system electronic signature number by encrypting said system electronic signature number using said first encryption algorithm;means for comparing said encrypted electronic signature number from said encrypted authorization number with said encrypted system electronic signature number and for determining whether said encrypted electronic signature number is identical to said encrypted system electronic signature number; andmeans for preventing said electronic shipping scale system from operating unless said encrypted electronic signature number is identical to said encrypted system electronic signature number.