Computer-based value-bearing item customization security
View Patent ↗The exemplary embodiment of the present invention will provide computer systems and methods for protecting the security of processing for customization of computer-based value-bearing items, such as, for example, securing processing of exemplary image-customized computer-based postage label 1 in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as depicted in FIG. 1 . The exemplary embodiment of the present invention will further provide computer systems and methods for securing computer-based value-bearing items, such as, for example, securing image-customized computer-based postage label 1 as depicted in FIG. 1 . With reference to FIG. 1 , the exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will bear an image 2 that would be provided by a corresponding user, namely by the user that orders the customized computer-based postage label. The user may provide image 2 in an electronic form, such as by uploading a digital representation of image 2 . In a variation of the exemplary embodiment, a user could alternatively provide a hardcopy image. The exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will bear a human-readable indication of the country 4 for which the postage is approved. The exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will also bear a human-readable indication of an amount of postage 5 . The exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will also bear a human-readable identifier (such as a serial number) 6 that will uniquely identify the particular customized computer-based postage label. The exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will also bear a machine-readable set of information 7.
1. A method of producing computer-based value-bearing items, said method comprising:
generating an identifier for a computer-based value-bearing item;
applying a fluorescent ink in a pre-determined pattern on a label, said pre-determined pattern comprising a representation of the identifier, wherein said label is adapted for bearing a computer-based value-bearing item and wherein the fluorescent ink has a fluorescence frequency ranging from 600 nm to 620 nm; and
printing the identifier on the label.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said label comprises an item of label stock.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said label comprises a sheet of paper.
4. The method of claim 1 , the method further comprising:
generating a set of computer-based value-bearing item indicia for the computer-based value-bearing item, the set of computer-based value-bearing item indicia comprising the identifier;
generating a machine-encoded representation of the set of computer-based value-bearing item indicia; and
printing the machine-encoded representation on the label.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluorescent ink is applied during a printing of a computer-based value-bearing item.
6. A method of producing computer-based value-bearing items, said method comprising:
generating a set of computer-based value-bearing item indicia data for a computer-based value-bearing item, the set of computer-based value-bearing item indicia data comprising an identifier for the computer-based value-bearing item;
generating a machine-encoded representation of the set of computer-based value-bearing item indicia data;
printing the identifier and the machine-encoded representation of the set of computer-based value-bearing item indicia data on a label; and
applying a fluorescent ink in a pre-determined pattern on the label, the pre-determined pattern comprising a representation of the identifier.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the computer-based value-bearing item comprises a perimeter, and wherein the application of the fluorescent ink in the pre-determined pattern is characterized by a pre-determined position relative to a particular location on the perimeter of the computer-based value-bearing item.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the pre-determined pattern is characterized by a pre-determined application density of the fluorescent ink.
9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the fluorescent ink is red fluorescent.
10. The method of claim 6 , wherein the fluorescent ink has a fluorescence frequency ranging from 600 nm to 620 nm.
11. The method of claim 6 , wherein the computer-based value-bearing item comprises a postage-indicia-bearing item.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the pre-determined pattern comprises a representation of an identifier.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the pre-determined pattern comprises a representation of a unique serial number.
14. The method of claim 6 , wherein the computer-based value-bearing item is located on a sheet of a plurality of computer-based value-bearing items, and wherein the fluorescent ink is applied in a pre-determined pattern on each computer-based value-bearing item on the sheet of computer-based value-bearing items.
15. A method using a programmable ink applicator for producing computer-based postage-indicia-bearing items, said method comprising programming the programmable ink applicator to:
apply a first magnitude of luminescence of a fluorescent ink in a first portion of a pre-determined pattern on each computer-based postage-indicia-bearing item on a sheet of a plurality of computer-based postage-indicia-bearing item.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein each computer-based postage-indicia-bearing item comprises a perimeter and wherein the applying of the first magnitude of luminescence of the fluorescent ink in the first portion of the pre-determined pattern is characterized by a first pre-determined position relative to a first particular location on the perimeter of each computer-based postage-indicia-bearing item.
17. The method of claim 15 , the method further comprising further programming the programmable ink applicator to:
apply in a second pre-determined position, a second magnitude of luminescence of the fluorescent ink in a second portion of the pre-determined pattern on each computer-based postage-indicia-bearing item on the sheet.