System and method for providing controlled access to a funds dispensing device from external processors

1. A proxy server system using an external collocated processor for providing controlled access to a postage meter from multiple programs executing on the external collocated processor comprising:

the external collocated processor executing an operating system, the multiple programs including a multi-purpose software application and executing the proxy server, the external collocated processor including memory and instructions configured to perform the following when executing the proxy server:

receiving a proxy server capture request from a multi-purpose software application running on the external collocated processor;

if the proxy server is not currently captured, accepting the capture request and if the proxy server is currently captured, providing an error notification;

if the proxy server capture request is accepted,

setting the multi-purpose software application as an active user entitled to exclusive access to the proxy server;

broadcasting an event notice to the operating system executing on the external collocated processor;

receiving a postage meter capture request;

sending the postage meter capture request to the postage meter;

receiving a capture request notice from the postage meter; and

sending an associated notice to the multi-purpose software application.

2. The proxy server system of claim 1 , further comprising:

the external collocated processor including memory and instructions configured to perform the following:

receiving a postage meter release request;

sending the postage meter release request to the postage meter; and

sending an associated notice to the multi-purpose software application.

3. The proxy server system of claim 2 , further comprising:

the external collocated processor including memory and instructions configured to perform the following:

receiving a proxy server release request;

processing a proxy server release command; and

broadcasting a proxy server available event notice to the operating system executing on the external collocated processor.

4. The proxy server system of claim 1 , further comprising:

the external collocated processor including memory and instructions configured to perform the following:

authenticating the multi-purpose software application.

5. The proxy server system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a dedicated communications channel operatively connecting the external collocated processor to the mailing machine.

6. The proxy server system of claim 5 , wherein:

the dedicated communications channel comprises a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port.

7. The proxy server system of claim 1 , further comprising:

the external collocated processor including memory and instructions configured to perform the following:

receiving control messages received from the multi-purpose software application;

sending the control messages received from the multi-purpose software application to the postage meter;

receiving response messages received from the postage meter; and

processing response messages received from the postage meter.

8. The proxy server system of claim 1 , further comprising:

the external collocated processor including memory and instructions configured to perform the following:

authenticating the collocated processor.

9. The proxy server system of claim 4 , further comprising:

the external collocated processor including memory and instructions configured to perform the following:

authenticating the multi-purpose software application by communicating with a remote data center to obtain at least one validation signature associated with the multi-purpose software application.

10. The proxy server system of claim 4 , further comprising:

the external collocated processor including memory and instructions configured to perform the following:

authenticating the multi-purpose software application by using at least one validation signature stored in the proxy server system.

11. The proxy server system of claim 4 , further comprising:

the external collocated processor including memory and instructions configured to perform the following:

authenticating the multi-purpose software application by using at least one validation signature stored in a secure cryptographic coprocessor included in the postage meter.

12. A mailing machine having an embedded processor and an embedded user interface, wherein the mailing machine is configured to allow user interface access from an external collocated processor executing a proxy server and at least one multi-purpose software application, the mailing machine comprising:

the embedded processor including memory and instructions configured to perform the following:

receiving a postage meter capture request from a proxy server;

determining if the embedded user interface is active;

if the embedded user interface is active, returning a busy message; and if the embedded user interface is not active, processing the meter capture to lock-out the embedded user interface and transfer exclusive control of the mailing machine to the proxy server.

13. The mailing machine of claim 12 , further comprising:

the embedded processor including memory and instructions configured to perform the following:

authenticating the proxy server.

14. The mailing machine of claim 12 , further comprising:

the embedded processor including memory and instructions configured to perform the following:

displaying a lock-out override prompt using the embedded user interface.

15. The mailing machine of claim 12 , further comprising:

the embedded processor including memory and instructions configured to perform the following:

polling for error conditions and releasing the lock-out condition if a critical error is detected.

16. The mailing machine of claim 12 , further comprising:

the embedded processor including memory and instructions configured to perform the following:

starting a timer upon lock-out of the embedded user interface, and

releasing the lock-out condition if a timeout of the timer occurs.

17. The mailing machine of claim 12 , further comprising:

the embedded processor including memory and instructions configured to perform the following:

using a secure cryptographic coprocessor to provide a secure end-to-end communication channel through the proxy server to a remote data center.