WO1992006453A1

WO1992006453A1 - Method and device for the automatic stamping for payment of fees

Info

Publication number: WO1992006453A1
Application number: PCT/FR1991/000757
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gilbert Necco; Louis Gros
Original assignee: Gilbert Necco; Louis Gros
Priority date: 1990-09-28
Filing date: 1991-09-27
Publication date: 1992-04-16
Also published as: FR2667422A1; AU8547891A

Abstract

The present invention relates to automatic stamping of documents for the payment of fees in return for a service or a registration. It comprises a known stamping system including at least one keyboard (11, 12) and a display screen (2), an electronic clock (8), a printer (10) which may receive any support for receiving any indication corresponding to said fees, and a microprocessor (1 and 3) controlling said printer on the basis of information, characteristics and type of fees concerning the document and its use entered by means of the keyboard, stored in a memory, and transmitted by any other means necessary corresponding to said uses, comprising a reader (7) for memory card (15) with access code, a closed room (14) wherein the system is installed, situated at any selected place to which access is authorized at any time to any person with a card (15) compatible with the reader and provided with a personal code.

Description

Method and device for automatic franking for the payment of taxes.

DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a method and an automatic franking device for the payment of taxes.

The technical sector of the invention is the field of public equipment such as street furniture.

One of the main applications of the invention is the production of individual cubicles for public or private use, to be installed at any desired location, to allow any person to frank their own mail, for example, without having to travel to a ^• post office to pay the postage tax corresponding to its dispatch or to equip itself as a business, with an individualized system.

Indeed, it is known to date that any document for which a tax must be paid, must receive, to allow the administration or the department responsible for easily verifying that the payment of this tax has been made, then possibly perform the service corresponding to this tax, a distinctive sign approved by said administration or service: this distinctive sign is generally affixed either by means of a stamp which is then stuck on the document, or by its direct printing on it.

The first means by stamps requires that the person holding the document moves to a place authorized to sell them, either in

FRANCE for mailing post offices and tobacco shops exclusively and for the payment of tax taxes tax centers and also tobacco shops.

The person must calculate in parallel, himself or by having it done, the amount of the tax payable for his document to stick the corresponding stamp on it, which can be a source of error and then cause a delay in mail. in a mailing, or rejection of registration, or other, for a tax.

Then, said person must take their document to a service or office authorized to receive it, or to a specialized inbox such as mailboxes for mail. All these operations therefore require multiple trips, with risk of errors, or require the person to do all of these operations in a specialized office, which are distributed in small numbers on the territory of a country and where it is necessary often wait in queues before an attendant is available to handle the document.

A second way, to avoid the above trips, is to personally equip individual machines for composting taxes by printing on the document. These machines exist only for the moment, in the field of postal consignments, but taking into account their cost, they are used only by the companies whose importance and the quantity of mail justify it.

In these categories of equipment, there are a certain number of patents which have been filed in particular to solve the problems posed, on the one hand by the risks of fraud, on the other hand by the verification and invoicing a posteriori of taxes 'postage used, and finally by calculating and changing rates for each document concerned.

Thus, there is a whole series of patent applications filed by the company PITNEY BOWES Inc in 1987 and 1988 such as "an electronic franking device" filed in the USA on April 10, 1986 under No. US 8,504,986, and having is the subject of several divisional requests in FRANCE: These relate, among other things, to a clock setting process for recharging, by telephone link from an accounting center, a local tax charge register (No. FR. 2.607 .292) and on a system and method for printing messages (FR. 2.601.796) which can be modified remotely.

We also know the American patent application No. US 7,023,479 filed by the same company PITNEY BOWES Inc on August 26, 1980 on "a method and device for calculating postage internal and international", in which the postal and weight information are entered by a keyboard and a balance, and processed by a microprocessor, which has a table of taxes in memory. which is rechargeable.

There is also the German patent application DE. 3.337.491 filed on October 13, 1983 on "a process and device postage meter ", using a postage meter coupled to a telephone set, possibly associated with a selector and a display screen and which makes it possible to deduct postal charges, either by a specific counter, or by that of telephone charges.

All these systems, taking into account their design and their use, are therefore each assigned to a specific user known by the service company or the administration, in charge of the management of said service and associated taxes. For the private individual, the franking operations can only be done manually by himself and by stamps, or by a specialized office where he must move and wait for the availability of an attendant.

The problem posed is therefore to make systems available to the public allowing anyone and at any time to pay the payment of fees corresponding to a document in return for a service or a specific recording of that service. - and affix on this document a postage sign which justifies the payment of the said tax and this, in an automatic manner and in sufficiently numerous places to avoid long trips and loss of time.

A solution to the problem posed is a method and a device for automatic franking of documents for the payment of fees in return for a service or a recording, using any known franking system, comprising at least one keyboard and display screen, electronic clock, printer capable of receiving any medium for affixing any indication corresponding to said taxes and a microprocessor; the latter orders said printer according to the information, characteristics and type of tax relating to the document and its use; this information, characteristics and types of taxes are entered using the keyboard, stored in memory and / or transmitted by any other necessary means; they correspond to said uses. The method according to the invention then includes the following operations: - a memory card reader and an access code reader is associated with said franking system;

- the entire system is installed in a closed room, access is authorized at any time to anyone with a card compatible with the reader and with a personalized code and wishing to pay a fee for a document and a given use for postage thereof; - Said memory card is introduced into the reader and a personalized secret code using the keyboard to allow access, after control using the microprocessor, to a selection table of the various operations corresponding to the uses of the system for which a fee is required; - the desired use is selected and, for this use, certain postage choices by pressing at least one of the corresponding function keys on the table, so that said printer, after validation, produces a sign proving the payment of the tax on the date given by the clock and corresponding to the selected use and which can be affixed on the document;

- the amount of said tax is recorded in order to debit it on a bank account of the person holding said card;

- the card is removed and one leaves said room so that another person can carry out a new franking operation. For documents which are parcels or postal envelopes, said taxes then being postage stamps, the document is weighed prior to the selection and validation of the choice of postage on a balance connected to the microprocessor; the amount of the tax is then calculated according to the weight of the document, and a distributor of postal printed matter and a specialized printer are associated with the system for the printing, on these printed matter, of information and supporting signs for certain types of selected shipments.

In a preferred embodiment, said display screen and the microprocessor are connected, by at least one transmission line, to an external accounting unit, in order to be able to debit directly the bank account of the holder and is used as a memory card any known credit card associated with said account. The result is new methods and devices for automatic franking by paying taxes through the use of memory cards. The advantages of the systems produced thanks to this invention are multiple. Indeed, it responds in particular to the drawbacks mentioned previously in the postage procedures, in particular postal or tax present. Franking as it is currently practiced by fiscal stamps, postage stamps or franking machines for companies with a royalty counter, is no longer suitable for modern life.

Postal items of all kinds are constantly increasing in volume and saturating the services. Postage or tax stamps are not always available from tobacco debtors; it is therefore necessary to go to a post office or a tax office with the constraint of waiting at the counter and specific opening hours. There is no point in assessing what this loss of time can cost for active people and business managers, not to mention, as mentioned above, that these offices are in small numbers and often require large trips.

One of the advantages of the present invention is in fact its design as an autonomous unit of the individual cabin type, which can therefore be installed in any private place, in businesses for example, or public place such as on public roads, stations, airports. etc. The systems are then available there 24 hours a day.

The franking device according to the invention overcomes other disadvantages of current systems and provides them with a durable and effective solution.

Its design enables it to ensure the following fiscal and postal franking operations: for the franking by the printing of fiscal stamp of the amount requested by the taxpayer, he simply types this amount on a numeric keyboard; the same is true for postage such as standard rate single letters, reduced rate single letters, registered packages, registered letters with acknowledgment of receipt, registered packages with acknowledgment of receipt. The public or private automatic franking device according to the invention operates using cards with a financial reserve, or debit cards from current bank or postal accounts, with access codes to computers in banking or postal establishments.

It is also possible to envisage the use of the present invention for any other type of postage apart from postal items or fiscal taxes, for example in a private type organization having members or members spread over a whole territory.

We could cite other advantages of the present invention, but those mentioned above already show enough to demonstrate its novelty and interest.

The description and the figure below represents an exemplary embodiment of the invention, but are in no way limiting: other embodiments are possible from the claims which specify the scope and the scope of this invention, in particular , by choosing any type of material represented schematically in the figure: this material can be taken from the equipment existing to date such as those described in the patent applications cited above; other known materials can of course be used if they make it possible to perform the functions of the present invention in combination.

The single figure attached is a diagram of installation and operation of the method and of the franking device.

The entire system essentially comprises a known franking system, comprising at least one keyboard 11, 12 and a display screen 2, an electronic clock 8, a printer 10, which can receive any support for affixing any indication corresponding to said said charges and a microprocessor 3, controlling said printer according to the information, characteristics and type of charges relating to the document and its use; this information can be entered using the keyboard, stored in memory and / or transmitted by any other necessary means and corresponding to said uses.

The franking device also comprises a reader 7 of memory cards 15 and with an access code; it is located in a closed room 14, access to which is authorized at any time, to anyone with a card 15. compatible with the reader 7 and provided with a personalized code.

This closed room 14 can be an urban furniture type cabin, including the entire system and can be located in any chosen location.

In addition, for certain uses, it comprises at least one transmission line 17 connected to an external accounting unit, in order to be able to debit directly the bank accounts of the people using the device: for this, all known credit cards are used as memory cards 15 associated audits respectively. user accounts.

In postal applications, where said charges are then postage stamps, the device comprises a balance 4 connected to the microprocessor 3, a distributor 13 of postal printed matter and a printer 5 specialized for printing on these printed information forms and justifications for certain types of selected shipments. In order to make the system more user-friendly, it is also possible to associate with the device a sound system 9, associated with said microprocessor 1, 3 and which informs the users of the progress of the operations and of the choices of order and / or validations which must be confirmed to the system. If one does not want to connect the device to an external terminal to debit the accounts of the users, one can also use memory cards 15 of the type with financial reserve cards previously purchased and each comprising a certain number of value units, which the 'we debit as and when the consumption corresponding to said postage taxes and thanks to said reader 7.

Depending on the case, postage can be made by affixing directly the sign or stamp on document 16, which is then placed in a suitable housing in the printer 10. The display screen 2 can be that of a computer display console of the "Minitel" type, registered trademark, which is a terminal for the communication and transmission of information and orders by telephone cable, and the microprocessor can also be integrated into a central unit 3 with also another terminal 1, for external relations by line 17. allowing for example the remote updating of charging and tariff information stored in that of the microprocessor. The device can also integrate a mailbox for storing documents to be sent after postage so that they can be picked up by any company or organization that collects and distributes these documents. Thanks to the display screen 2, the keyboard 11, the central unit 3. the personal memory card 15 and its code, and the external connections 17, it may be possible to carry out from this device other various order operations on the bank account associated with said card 15 such as transfers, bill payments for administrations or other service companies ...

The reader 7 of the memory card 15, the keyboard 11 for the introduction of its code, and the selection table 12 of the different functions and operations corresponding to the desired use, can be independent consoles or boxes linked together in furniture suitable for this, as shown in the figure; they can also be ^'grouped on one console, which itself may be incorporated into a central processing unit 3 with the outside connecting terminal 1. It is the same to the printer 5 specialized for registered mail and printer 10 of said tax stamps or direct printing stamps on documents 16: these two printers can optionally be combined into one, depending on the desired use. In the figure, there is also shown an element of the electronic lock type 6, which is a locking element of the central unit 3, from the card reader 7 and the keypad 11 for entering the code, so as to allow the opening and use of the entire device. This electronic lock 6 can of course also be integrated into the central unit or the microprocessor 3.

The closed room 14 in the case where it is a street furniture type cabin installed on the public highway or in a public place, can also serve as a support for posters for municipal information or even for advertising panels which allow make the cabin even more profitable and integrate it into the urban landscape. As an example of operation of the device according to the method as shown in the figure, one can indicate:

After inserting the card 15 into the hole provided for this purpose in the reader 7, access to the device is ensured by typing a personalized code on the keyboard 11, in particular allowing access to the dashboard 12 where there are all orders for the choice of postage or tax postage by function keys.

For fiscal postage, we type the amount of the stamp or the tax, after having checked if the amount displayed on screen 2 is indeed the desired one, then we press a validation key of table 12 of type entitled "agreement" . The device then delivers a self-adhesive stamp made by the printer 10. The financial debit of the amount of the stamp or the tax paid by the person concerned is done simultaneously, by the card reader 7 when it comes to debit cards with financial reserves, or by one of the communication links 17 from the terminal or from the central unit to a bank account when it comes from a credit card associated with said account to debit it.

For postage, you have the choice of the nature of the postage by pressing different keys on the selection table 12, such as for example for a "normal letter simple rate" a key indicated "LSTN" and for a "simple letter reduced rate" another key indicated "LSTR".

This operation being carried out, the letter or the parcel being placed on the scale 4, when the weight does not exceed a certain amount of basic tax, after having checked it on screen 2, the amount of the stamp is that of amount of the basic fee. A "agreement" or "validation" type key is then pressed on the selection table 12. The device issues a self-adhesive stamp corresponding to the amount displayed and the financial debit is made simultaneously and automatically as before for fiscal postage.

For letters and postal packages whose displayed weight exceeds that of the basic weight, the device can propose the amount of the corresponding postage fee and the operator can confirm by pressing the "agreement" type button on the table. selection 12 to obtain the corresponding self-adhesive stamp. For registered items, whether letters or packages, a "LR" or "PR" type key is pressed with selection of insurance values or any other indication provided by the postal administration considered for the declared value. The postal object being deposited on the balance 4. the weight and the price are displayed on the dial of the screen 2 so that the person who handles it can control it. The device delivers by the distributor 13 a form corresponding to the choice made on the type of shipment recommended above, which therefore suffices to take and place in the special printer 5 provided to display the weight, the price , time, and place of issue necessary to appear on this postal document.

For registered deliveries with acknowledgments of receipt, letters or packages, other keys labeled "LRAR" or "PRAR" with the same selections as above for the declared values allow the display on the bright screen of the chosen function and to print, thanks to the printer 5, the postal printout provided by the distributor 13 and which will then be filled in the same way by the printer, the sender filling in turn as usual, the part that comes back to him. Each postal franking operation is recorded in a memory of the central unit 3 according to each specificity of the choice above and which will be the subject of a slip at each collection of the mail by an employee of the administration, who may thus carry out checks on all of what has happened in said device, where this said information can be returned by means of an external link 17 to an external control assembly then not requiring the movement of an attendant.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Method of automatic franking of documents for the payment of taxes in return for a service or of a recording, thanks to any known franking system, comprising at least one keyboard (11, 12) and a display screen (2), a memory card reader (7), an electronic clock (8), a printer (10) which can receive any support for affixing any indication corresponding to said taxes and a microprocessor (3). controlling said printer as a function of the information, characteristics and type of fee relating to the document and its use, which information being entered on the keyboard, stored in memory and transmitted by any other necessary means and corresponding to said uses, characterized in that:

- memory cards (15) with an access code are used, - the entire system is installed in a closed room (1.) access to which is authorized at any time to any person holding a card ( 15) compatible with the reader and provided with a personalized code and wishing to pay a fee for a document and a given use for the postage thereof; - Said memory card is introduced into the reader (7) and a personalized secret code using the keyboard (11) to allow access, after control using the microprocessor (3). a table (12) for selecting the various operations corresponding to the uses of the system for which a tax is required; - the desired use is selected and, for this use, certain postage choices by pressing the corresponding function keys on the table (12), so that said printer (10), after validation, produces a sign proving the acknowledgment the tax on the date given by the clock (8) and corresponding to the selected use and which can be affixed to the document (16);

- the amount of said tax is recorded in order to debit it on a bank account of the person holding said card (15);

- the card (15) is removed and one leaves said room (1.) so that another person can carry out a new franking operation.

2. Method for automatic franking of documents according to claim 1 and for documents (16) which are packages or postal envelopes, said charges then being postage stamps, characterized in that:

- Weighing prior to the selection and validation of the choice of franking said document (16) on a scale (.) connected to the microprocessor to develop the amount of tax based on the weight of the document;

- We associate with the system a distributor (13) of postal printed matter and a printer (5) specialized for printing on these printed matter information and justifications for certain types of selected items.

3. Method for automatic franking of documents according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the users are informed of the progress of the operations and of the order and validation choices which must be confirmed to the system by any sound system (9) associated with said microprocessor (1,

3).

4. Method for automatic franking of documents according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said display screen (2) and the microprocessor (3) are connected by at least one transmission line (17 ), to an external accounting unit, which makes it possible to debit directly the bank account of the holder and one uses as memory card (15) any known credit card associated with said account.

5. Method for automatic franking of documents according to any one of claims 1 to 3. characterized in that one uses as memory card (15) a financial reserve card previously purchased and comprising a certain number of units of values, which are debited as and when they are consumed, corresponding to said postage taxes and thanks to said reader (7).

6. Device for automatic franking of documents for the payment of fees in return for a service or a recording and comprising a known franking system, comprising at least one keyboard (11, 12) and a screen display (2), a reader (7) of memory cards (15). an electronic clock (8) _Λ a printer (10) capable of receiving all media to affix any indication corresponding to said taxes and a microprocessor (3), controlling said printer as a function of the information, characteristics and type of fee relating to the document and its use, which information is entered on the keyboard, stored in memory and transmitted, by any other necessary means and corresponding to said uses, characterized in that said device comprises a closed room (1.) located in any chosen place, comprising the entire system, including said reader (7) of memory cards (15) which are with access code, which room (1.) is accessible at any time, by anyone with a card (15). compatible with the reader (7) and provided with a personalized code.

7. Franking device according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one transmission line (17) connected to an external accounting unit, in order to be able to debit directly the bank accounts of the users and that said memory cards (15) are all known credit cards associated respectively with said accounts of users.

8. Franking device according to any one of claims 6 and 7. for documents (16) which are parcels or postal envelopes, said charges then being franking stamps, characterized in that it comprises a balance (4) connected to the microprocessor (3), a distributor (13) of postal printed matter and a printer (5) specialized for printing on these printed matter information and justifications for certain types of selected items. 9 "Franking device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a sound system (9), associated with said microprocessor (1, 3) and which informs users of the progress of • operations and choices of order and validation which must be confirmed to the system.