Mark J Ferraro

US Patent:

8046311, Oct 25, 2011

Filed:

Jul 1, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/166005

Inventors:

Mark Ferraro - Hamden CT, US
Daniel Lynch - Bridgewater CT, US

Assignee:

Neopost Technologies - Bagneux

International Classification:

G07B 17/02

US Classification:

705401

Abstract:

A method for generating a postal indicia associated with a mailpiece is disclosed. The method includes generating an indicia data stream including a postal information segment and a security segment that is based upon the postal information segment and modifying a portion of the security segment to include additional information, thereby defining a modified indicia data stream.

US Patent:

20040260655, Dec 23, 2004

Filed:

Jan 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/768337

Inventors:

Mark Ferraro - Hamden CT, US

International Classification:

G06F017/60

US Classification:

705/060000

Abstract:

A secure postage-metering device has a computer and a printhead drivable by the computer for imprinting indicium on a piece of mail. Also included is a receiver for receiving programming instructions from a remote location for operation of the computer, and apparatus for establishing an amount of postage to be imprinted as part of the indicium on the piece of mail. The computer is operative in response to the programming instructions to cryptographically encode the indicium by use of a coding key included within the programming instructions. The computer is operative further in response to the programming instructions to authorize an amount of postage to be placed on the mail. An encoded indicium on the piece of mail is readable by a reading device of the Postal Service for verification of authenticity of postage appearing on the piece of mail.

US Patent:

20070078778, Apr 5, 2007

Filed:

Oct 4, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/243067

Inventors:

Mark Ferraro - Hamden CT, US

International Classification:

G06Q 99/00

US Classification:

705060000

Abstract:

A method of connecting a service provider to a franking machine. The method is provided having steps of: providing a franking machine at a first location, the franking machine having a communication interface; providing a server at a central location remote from the first location; connecting a cellular interface to the communication interface of the franking machine; and establishing a secure channel of communication between the cellular interface and the server.

US Patent:

20070094153, Apr 26, 2007

Filed:

Oct 25, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/257663

Inventors:

Mark Ferraro - Hamden CT, US

International Classification:

G06Q 99/00

US Classification:

705067000

Abstract:

A system for providing postal and other services to postal security devices is established in which a secured communication connection is obtained through a service provider. The connection once established provides access to a central postal data center. As part of the authentication of a connection by the service provider, the service provider generates a session key having a discrete time limit. Expiration of the time limit terminates the session key. Security keys are provided to the service provider, with reference to public keys of the service provider, by the data center communication infrastructure.

US Patent:

20070179910, Aug 2, 2007

Filed:

Jan 31, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/343318

Inventors:

Mark Ferraro - Hamden CT, US

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

705401000

Abstract:

A franking module is provided which allows the postal customer to apply indicia to an item of mail, the indicia including an indication of the current value of postage available in postage meter. The indicia would be read and the available postage value would be accessible by a third party service provider.

US Patent:

20070179913, Aug 2, 2007

Filed:

Jan 31, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/343901

Inventors:

Mark Ferraro - Hamden CT, US

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

705408000

Abstract:

An RFID system includes an RFID tag imbedded or printed on a print medium, such as a sheet of paper. The tagged sheet is used as part of a mail piece in a document handling system to direct the operation of the system through a controller. Data from the tagged sheet is read at multiple stages of the handling system to verify the identity, contents, and address of the mail piece.

US Patent:

20080010211, Jan 10, 2008

Filed:

Sep 7, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/898042

Inventors:

Mark Ferraro - Hamden CT, US

International Classification:

G06Q 50/00
G06F 17/00

US Classification:

705060000, 705405000

Abstract:

Systems, apparatuses and methods for restoring data related to funds for franking mail on a postal device in response to a hardware failure. A postal device may include a memory for storing funds data. For example, an ascending register may store the amount of funds charged by franking mail or a descending register may store the amount of funds remaining to frank mail. Once one or more pieces of mail have been franked, the funds data may be transferred to, and stored in, a storage base in a secure fashion. In response to a hardware failure of the postal device, the secure funds data may be retrieved from the storage. A replacement postal device may then be restored or reset based on the secure funds data received from the storage base. Alternatively, a customer account can be refunded based on the secure funds.

US Patent:

20080249964, Oct 9, 2008

Filed:

Apr 9, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/783360

Inventors:

Mark Ferraro - Hamden CT, US
Donald Eager - Milford CT, US

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

705410

Abstract:

A refund processing system and method where mailpiece identification information carried in first indicia is embedded in second indicia. Second indicia are stored in a database. A refund processor receives a request for a refund that includes identifiers of mailpieces for which a postage refund is sought. The refund processor determines if a corresponding second indicia is stored in the database, if any such indicia is authentic and monitors the mailstream to determine if any mailpiece corresponding to the identifier in the refund request is processed by the carrier. If an authentic second indicia is found that corresponds to the mailpiece and the mailpiece identifier is not detected in the mailstream, the refund is processed and the requester's account is credited to an amount equal to the postage borne by the second indicia.