| CPC G05B 19/4155 (2013.01) [G05B 19/41875 (2013.01); G05B 23/0205 (2013.01); G05B 2219/31372 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
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1. A system for executing a work process on a postal product, wherein the work process comprises at least one process step and wherein at least one state of the postal product is changed at least temporarily by the work process, wherein the system comprises:
one or more work stations that execute the at least one process step of the work process; an acquisition device for detecting at least one acquisition information associated with the postal product, wherein the acquisition information comprises a status parameter of the postal product and an operating parameter of the work station, wherein the status parameter of the postal product describes a condition of the postal product, when the postal product passes through the work station, and wherein the operating parameter describes a state of the work station at a time, when the postal product passes through the work station;
an auditor device; and
a set of hardware security modules (HSM) that provide protection within the system and secure external communication to the system, where an individual HSM from the set of HSM is positioned in the one or more work stations, the acquisition device, and the auditor device;
wherein the HSM is a hardware-based cryptographic module formed by or included on a single chip module, an autonomous multi-chip module, or an embedded multi-chip module, the HSM adapted to store data in a secure manner and is configured to generate, store, use, and maintain security parameters comprising passwords, confidential data, or keys for encrypting data;
wherein the HSM further comprises at least one of a battery-powered circuit or a voltage monitor that integrates or provides for a real-time clock for time recording and time stamping;
wherein each work station is assigned an acquisition device, wherein the acquisition device is configured to acquire the operating parameter of the associated work station and the status parameter of the postal product, wherein an identification element is assigned to the postal product and the acquisition device is adapted to output the acquisition information to the auditor device, the auditor device being adapted to assign the acquisition information comprising the operating parameter of the work station describing the state of the work station at the time the postal product passes through the work station and the status parameter of the postal product describing the condition of the postal product, when the postal product passes through the work station, to the identification element of the postal product; and
wherein the auditor device is adapted to receive input information and to assign the acquisition information to the postal product depending on said input information.
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