CH675495A5 - - Google Patents

Description

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Description

The present invention relates to a franking device according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method of actuating such a device.

Franking devices are well known devices. Simply put, franking machines allow a user to print their own stamps. When paying at a postal service, such as the United States Postal Service, a dollar value is recorded in the postage meter. We can then use the franking device to print signs on mail pieces that correspond to the values chosen for franking. The postage meter can be used until the pre-paid dollar value stored in the meter is spent.

Such franking devices can be implemented in mechanical or electromechanical form. Typical of the latter type of franking device, which uses microprocessors for most of the control and accounting functions, is the system described in United States Patent No. 4,301,507 which is incorporated herein as reference.

Hitherto, since the printed signs must correspond to the chosen postage value, the franking devices of the prior art have incorporated an adjustable mechanism for printing the chosen postage value, expressed in dollars and cents. In general, this has proven to be a satisfactory means of ensuring correspondence between the signs and the value chosen for postage. However, some users such as those with large inserter systems that produce large volumes of mail pieces requiring various franking values have requirements which may reach the limits of the possibilities of the known franking device. In order to minimize costs and reduce the energy dissipation of the franking device, the drive unit establishing the dollar value establishes each digit sequentially and at a relatively low power, which results in an adjustment time. for typical franking devices on the order of one second and may possibly exceed (peak processing speeds in the case of high volumes of mail items. As a result, common practice has been to use multiple groups of franking devices, pre-set to various franking values, with inserter devices of considerable importance. Mail folds pass one after the other in each franking device and are printed with the appropriate postage value.

Clearly, this solution has the effect of increasing costs and reducing the reliability associated with franking devices in such mail delivery systems.

One solution to this problem would consist in simply tolerating the drawbacks just exposed in terms of costs and energy dissipation and in simply reducing the adjustment times of "high force" devices. Another solution would naturally consist in slowing down the processing speed to bring it back to what only a franking device can process. In general, none of these solutions was considered acceptable.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to create a high speed franking device which is suitable for large inserators, and which decreases, or only slightly increases costs, and which uses lower power for settings.

The foregoing objects are achieved by the features described in claim 1.

By "information determining the postage value" is meant information such as the weight, the class of service, etc., which includes the independent variables on which the functions work, defined by the postal rates stored so as to calculate appropriate postage values. By "establishing the information determining the particular postage value", we mean here that we make sure that the information printed on a particular mail fold is the information that is used to calculate the postage value associated with this mail fold which the franking device takes into account.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the franking device further comprises a device for ensuring that the postal rates used in the device are valid (that is, up to date and precise).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the device giving the insurance described above further comprises a security device for printing on each mail ply signs indicating the monetary value and the accuracy of the postal rates used.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the information determining the postage value includes an element that characterizes a complete batch of mail pieces to be processed.

The present invention will be clearly understood from the following description given in conjunction with the attached drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a prior art mail processing system comprising a franking device;

Figure 2 shows the set of variable signs that can be used to print postage values using the device of Figure 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a mail processing system comprising a franking device according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 represents a set of variable signs which can be used with the franking device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 represents a block diagram of the printing mechanism used to print the variable signs of FIG. 4;

Figure 6 is a block diagram of a variant of

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printing mechanism;

Figure 7 is an operating flow diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a flow diagram for entering new tariffs in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 9 is a flow diagram of the operation of a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a mail processing system according to the prior art. A mail fold 10 is weighed on a postal scale 20. The balance 20 comprises a load cell 22, a tariff memory 24 and a processor 26. The processor 26 calculates the appropriate value of the postage for the fold 10 in accordance with postal rates stored in memory 24 as a function of the weight measured by load cell 22 and other inputs which can be supplied by an operator. A more complete description of the postal scale 20 can be found in U.S. Patent No. 4,376,981. The value calculated for postage is then transmitted to a postage meter, such as that taught in U.S. Patent No. 4,301,507 cited above, as well as in the other patents mentioned. The franking device 30 comprises a control unit 32, an accounting unit 34, and a printing unit 36. The franking device 30 also comprises a keyboard 38 which can be used for manual operation of the device and for other functions which are beyond the scope of this discussion. The control unit 32 receives the calculated value of the postage and transmits it to the accounting set 34. The accounting set 34 temporarily stores the value of the postage and retransmits it to the printing set 36. L the printing assembly 36 then selects the appropriate signs from sets of signs 42, 44 illustrated in FIG. 2 to represent the value of the postage. As will be described in detail below, these signs are carried by the surface of print wheels which can be used and which are rotated by the printing assembly 36 so that pairs signs (that is to say figures) corresponding directly to the value calculated for postage are set up for printing (the skilled person will note that, although only two sets of signs have been represented. As a simplification, the typical franking devices of the prior art include three or more printing wheels with signs to allow the printing of postage values exceeding one dollar and / or fractions of a cent). As soon as the printing wheels are in position to select the appropriate signs, the franking device 30 is validated to proceed with printing. When the mail fold 10 is correctly placed in the device 30, a detector (not shown), commonly designated by "trigger switch", sends a signal 3 to the printing assembly 36, which activates the printing mechanism and transmits a signal to the accounting unit 34 to take account of the postage value spent. The accounting package 34 subtracts the postage value from the dollar value previously entered and stored in a "regressive register" and adds it to the total spent value which is stored in the "ascending register", registers which are maintained in a non-volatile memory to account for postage expenses. An armored housing 40 is provided to provide additional security for this decisive information which is stored in the accounting unit 34.

From the preceding description, it can be seen that the determining function of the franking devices of the prior art is to take account of the franking spent if and only if the signs corresponding directly to the spent value of franking are printed on the mail fold.

In connection with Figure 3, there is shown a mail processing system according to the present invention. In contrast to the franking device 30 of the prior art, the input of the device 100 is a signal representative of the weight of the mail folds. This signal is supplied by a device 50. The device 50 provides a train of signals on the weight which correspond to a train of mail items, and its particular nature is not considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, the device 50 can be an intelligent insertion device, which calculates the weight of the mail folds from a priori knowledge of the weights of the elements constituting the mail fold or can be a weighing scale "on the fly" At high speed to determine the weights of mail folds with high throughput.

In another embodiment, the device 50 can be a scanning device which scans the envelopes for information determining the pre-printed postage value, which can be read by machine on the envelopes, in particular from coded marks. such as dashes in alignment with the address zone on an attached element visible in the window of the envelope, and typically placed by a computerized printer during the printing operation of the invoicing.

In this embodiment, the scanned information can be confirmed by pre-printing the information determining the postage value in a manner which will be described later; depending on the error rate and the reliability that can be obtained with a scanning system.

In the franking device 100, the signal on the weight is received by a processor 126 which then calculates the appropriate value of the franking in accordance with the postal rates stored in a memory 124 according to the weight and other information which can be provided in a manner described more fully below. The operation of processor 126 and memory 124 is substantially similar to that of processor 26 and memory 24 of the prior art, the difference being that processor 126 transmits the va5

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their postage calculation as well as the weight to the control unit 132 of the device 100. The control unit 132 retransmits the value of the postage and the weight to the accounting unit 134. The accounting unit 134 stores temporarily the value of the postage and retransmits the weight to the printing assembly 136.

Again, those skilled in the art will note that, apart from the exceptions mentioned above, the operation of the sets 132, 134 and 136 is substantially identical to that of the sets 32, 34 and 36 of the prior art.

The printing assembly 136 then chooses signs corresponding to the weight from a set of signs 142 illustrated in FIG. 4. Here again, as with the device 30 of the prior art, the signs 142 are carried by the surface of wheels d printing can be implemented. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, advantage is taken of the fact that the maximum weight of mail pieces in the case of large volumes is typically limited to 3. Thus, the set of signs 142 comprises only 3 characters, per contrast with the 10 pairs of characters in FIG. 2. Thus, the choice of the appropriate character in the set of signs 142 will require at most one step of a single wheel. As a result, the device 100 can reach much higher speeds without increasing costs or dissipating energy.

FIG. 4 also represents sets of signs 144 and 146. The set of signs 144 comprises characters corresponding to the various “discounts” which are available with a first class mail (by “discount”, we mean here the discounts that can be applied postage depending on the amount of pre-sorting that can be done by the sender). For the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, these discounts are as follows:

FP - pre-sorting of first class mail ZP - postal code plus 4 pre-sorting CP - CAR-RT pre-sorting CN - no sorting, postal code plus 4 FN - first class (no discount)

The set of signs 146 consists of a set of arbitrary characters which are used to have the assurance that the postal rates used in the device 100 are up to date and precise.

Although the sets of signs 144 and 146 are variable, they are constant from one mail fold to another in a given batch of mail. Set 144 is only changed with successive batches of mail and set 146 is changed only when the postal rates stored in memory 124 are changed. Consequently, these signs can be considered to be fixed, with regard to the operation of the franking device 100 for one mail fold to another fold, and they do not create any obstacle for the device 100 with regard to the delivery speed. in action.

The appropriate selection and implementation of sign sets 144 and 146 will be described more fully below.

Figure 5 is a block diagram of the printing assembly 136 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The printing assembly 136 comprises a controller 150 managed by microprocessor which is in bi-directional communication with the accounting unit 134. The controller 150 receives the information on the weight to control the implementation of the wheel 180 on the weight as well as additional information for ordering the implementation of wheel 182 on discounts and wheel 184 on validation of prices. As noted above, the wheels 182,184 remain stationary for the duration of processing a given batch of mail and the process for implementing these wheels will be described more fully below.

When the controller 150 receives information on the weight from the accounting unit 134, it controls the transmission 160 to couple the wheel 180 on the weight to the drive motor 170, then controls the motor 170 so that it sets up the wheel 180 in accordance with the information received on the weight.

When a mail fold is correctly placed in the franking device 100, a trigger switch 192 sends a signal to the controller 150 which then activates a drive member 190 for printing in order to print signs on the mail fold , and also sends a signal to the accounting unit 134 so that it takes account of the corresponding value of the postage. The printed signs include characters chosen from sign sets 142, 144, 146, as well as fixed signs (not shown) such as logos or advertising patterns.

There will be a more complete understanding of the control and mechanical aspects of the operation of the printing assembly 136 by referring to the embodiment of FIG. 5 of the patents of the United States of America cited above. Those skilled in the art will note that the mechanical aspects and the immediate control of the wheels 180, 182 and 184 are substantially identical to those found in the device 30 of the prior art; however, as will be seen, the sequence of operations and the meaning of the signs chosen are very significantly different.

Figure 6 shows a block diagram of a printing assembly 136 according to another embodiment of the present invention. A controller 250 managed by microprocessor is again in two-way communication with the accounting unit 134 so as to receive information on the weight which defines the adjustment of a wheel 280. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, a wheel 282 on discounts and a wheel 284 for validating prices are implemented manually by an operator via levers 283 and 285. Wheel 280 is directly coupled to a motor 270 and when the controller 250 receives a signal on the weight, it directly controls the motor 270 in order to implement the wheel 280. In addition, as will be described more fully below, before each operation of the franking device 100, the controller 250 tests shaft encoders 260, 262 to determine the settings of the wheels 282, 284. When the wheel 280 is adjusted and the settings of the wheels 282, 284 are also adjusted, the device

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franking 200 is validated and when the trigger switch 292 detects a mail fold, the controller 250 activates a printing drive member 290 so as to print signs and sends a signal to the accounting unit 134 so that 'It takes into account the value of postage by following the process described above.

Figure 7 is a flow diagram of the operation of the present invention in the case of the embodiment of Figure 5. In step 300, the franking device 100 requests the operator to enter the appropriate discount, and l operator enters the discount via the keyboard 138. In step 302, the control unit 132 transmits the information on the discount via the accounting unit 134 to the printing unit 136 to implement the wheel 182. The control unit 132 also transmits the information on the discount to the processor 126 for use in calculating postage values.

The franking device 100 is now initialized to enter into operation. In step 304, the franking device 100 receives information on the weight from the device 50 and adjusts the wheel 182 to match. In step 306, the franking device 100 calculates the value of the franking as a function of the weight and the discount. In step 308, the franking device 100 validates the printing assembly 136. In step 310, the device 100 waits for a trigger signal and when the trigger signal is received in step 302, prints signs and takes into account the spent value of postage. The device 100 will remain in this loop until the last mail fold is processed and the system is re-initialized for the next batch or until there is a power cut.

A franking device having the above description will give satisfactory operation, with the exception, however, of the unfortunate fact that postal rates change from time to time. Therefore, it is preferable that the device 100 includes a means for validating the fact that the postal rates used are up to date and precise.

This validation function is obtained when the franking device 100 operates in accordance with the flow diagram of FIG. 8 to execute an operation for updating the tariffs. In step 400, the device 100 requests the operator to enter the new postal rates. Given the relative simplicity of first class mail, the franking devices used only with this type of mail can be updated by entering data on postal rates through the keyboard 138. Alternatively, the new data can be entered via conventional links, portable media or programmable ROMs. In step 402, the operator then enters a control zone provided by the postal service or the seller. In step 404, the system calculates a checksum as an encrypted function of the new rates and the postage meter identification number (The use of unique checksums prevents a security failure from only one franking device is disseminated throughout the population of the devices). In step 406, the device 100 verifies that the checksum is equal to the control zone. If there is equality in step 408, the device 100 sets the validation wheel 184 to the next setting, or other appropriate setting, and exits. Since this program is the only one, mechanism provided for adjusting the validation wheel 184, the postal service can be sure that the impression of the appropriate character which has been chosen in the set of signs 146 validates the postal rates used. If in step 406 the checksum is not equal to the control field, an error routine is entered in step 410. Preferably, this routine will allow a predetermined number of attempts, then block the system.

In the embodiments of the present invention in accordance with FIG. 6, in the case where the validation wheel 284 is operated manually, in step 408 the device 100 will store the appropriate setting for the wheel 284 in a location predetermined. To have additional security, this implementation can be stored in encrypted form specific to each franking device.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of the operation of an embodiment of the present invention in accordance with FIG. 6. In step 500, the franking device requests the operator to manually adjust the wheel 282 on the discounts and the validation wheel 284. The franking device is then in operation, receives the weight and puts the weight wheel at the appropriate weight. In step 504, the franking device tests the validation wheel according to the previously stored setting. If in step 506, the rates are valid, in step 508 the device 100 tests the wheel 282 on the discounts in order to determine the discount and calculates the value of the postage as a function of the weight and the discount to the step 508. If the tariffs are not valid in step 506, the device 100 enters an error routine in step 510. In step 512, the device 100 waits for a trigger signal and, on reception of the signal, in step 514 prints the signs and takes into account the postage. Again, the device 100 will remain in this loop until the last mail fold has been processed and the system is re-initialized for the next batch, or until there is a cut in food.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described. In particular, those skilled in the art will easily see that architectures other than those shown are possible, and that particular sequences of operation can be easily re-arranged. In fact, with the continuing decrease in the prices of microprocessors and the increase in their possibilities, it may prove preferable to combine functions currently performed by two or more separate sets.

Claims (21)

Claims 1. Postage meter for use 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 5 9 CH 675 495 A5 10 in a mail processing installation, characterized in that it comprises a memory (124) for postal rates, an information receiving device which determines information determining a particular value for franking mail pieces, a computer ( 126) responding to the receiving device and to the memory for calculating the postage values of mail pieces in accordance with the postal rates and an accounting set (134) recording the calculated postage values. 2. Franking device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a verification device (400-410) allowing the control of postal rates. 3. Franking device according to claim 2, characterized in that the verification device (400-410) is arranged to print on the mail folds signs (146) representative of the validity of postal rates. 4. Mailing device according to claim 3, characterized in that the verification device (400-410) further comprises a selection means (408) for choosing new signs (144) indicative of rates if new postal rates valid have been entered into the device. 5. Franking device according to claim 4, characterized in that the selection means (408) further comprises means (406) for comparing a pre-calculated check digit on the basis of certain items of the new postal rate with a figure obtained by performing the same calculation with corresponding recorded data of this new postal rate. 6. Franking device according to claim 5, characterized in that a means of supplying the check digit (404, 406, 408) is arranged so as to provide a check digit incorporating the unique identity number of the device postage. 7. Franking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the information receiving device (50) comprises a balance for weighing mail folds. 8. Franking device according to claim 7, characterized in that the receiving device (50) comprises a printing means (180,280) in order to print a set of signs corresponding to the weights and establishes the information determining the value d postage by printing their weights on the mail folds. 9. Franking device according to claim 8, characterized in that the measuring device is arranged to communicate the weights of the mail pieces to the franking device (100) and to send the mail pieces leaving the receiving device (50 ) to the franking device (100) to frank them. 10. Postage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the information receiving device (50) is a scanning reading member for reading information determining the value of the postage from signs printed on mail folds. 11. Franking device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a sorting device arranged to assemble a batch of mail pieces according to criteria (CP) desired, batch which is intended to be processed in a sequence. 12. Franking device according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a device by which an operator can enter an element defining the criteria (CP) for the assembly of a batch of mail before the processing of this batch . 13. Franking device according to claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises a printing member (182,282) intended to print on the folds this mail indicia corresponding to said element defining the criteria for the assembly of a batch. 14. Franking device according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises means adjusting the printing member (182, 282) in accordance with these criteria (CP). 15. Franking device according to claim 13, characterized in that the printing member (182, 282) can be adjusted by the operator, in that it comprises a device allowing the operator to enter the element defining the criteria by an adjustment of the printing member (182, 282), and in that the postage calculator (126) is arranged to determine this element on the basis of said adjustment of the printing member printing before calculating the postage value. 16. Franking device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the computer (126) is arranged so as to control the accounting unit (134). 17. Method for activating a franking device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that - that the appropriate postage rates are determined; - that information is printed on mail envelopes determining the postage value; - that the postage value for mail items is calculated in accordance with the information determining the postage value and postal rates; - that the mail envelopes are freed, and - that the postage value is recorded after the mail items have been postmarked. 18. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that the information determining the postage value is established and the postage is executed by printing postage signs, at least part of the postage signs indicating the information determining the postage value. 19. Mail processing installation comprising a franking device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 16, for receiving and franking a batch of mail pieces. 20. Mail processing installation according to claim 19, characterized in that it is arranged to receive information determining the postage value for particular mail items and to transmit it to the postage device (100) . 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 6 11 CH 675 495 A5 21. Mail processing installation according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that it comprises an insertion system. 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 7