Abstract:
An email postal system and method for acquiring, attaching, authenticating, and managing digital postage for use in conjunction with electronic mail (email) messages. The preferred embodiment teaches the use of a postage database used in conjunction with a digital stamp generator capable of generating branded digital stamps on demand. Methodologies for deploying digital postage techniques with classical email systems lacking postage capabilities using either an embedded or discrete mail submission agent is disclosed. Systems and methods for branding and canceling digital stamps in an email environment is also disclosed. The present invention further teaches the use of stamp recipient unit counters (SRU's) as methodology for associating economic value with digital postage stamps. A system and method for providing a gateway for receiving and managing emails having digital postage stamps is also disclosed.