TECHNIQUE FOR SECURING A SYSTEM CONFIGURATION OF A POSTAGE FRANKING SYSTEM

摘要

In a franking system a postal security device (PSD) tracks a postage fund fo r dispensing postal indicia and enforce the configuration of the franking system. An authorization code, which is particular to the system, is used to verify the system configuration. An unauthorized change in the system configuration causes invalidation of the code and generation of the postal indicia is denied. Data center (125) records configuration information of ea ch franking system (100). The data center generates a valid authorization code for verification in the franking system based on new configuration information. Components added to the system must be preapproved to prevent fraudulent generation of postage indicia. A registration identifier is assigned to each preapproved component which is necessary for interaction wi th the franking system.