CH712903A2 - Method for producing a print template for franked form letters. - Google Patents

Abstract

In a method for producing a print template for franked form letters, firstly a plurality of first print templates for unfranked letters are received, whereby an arrangement of recipient addresses matches all unfranked letters. The recipient addresses are recognized in all of the multiple first print templates. The recipient addresses (12) in all of the plurality of first print templates are supplemented with a franking (15), to obtain a plurality of second print templates (101) for franked form letters. The second artworks (101) are then provided. Based on the second print template (101), a physical mailpiece, in particular a letter, can be created using a printer. The printed mail piece according to the corresponding second print template (101) is already franked and can be easily entered into the postal service provider's shipping process, e.g. by throwing in a mailbox. The sender therefore does not need to keep any stamps in stock, he does not need a franking machine and he is not bound to the opening hours of a post office.

Description

Description TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a method for producing a print template for franked form letters.

Background Art In order for mail such as letters to be conveyed from a postal company to the recipient, they are generally to be franked. Conventionally, this is done by sticking a stamp or by attaching a Frankaturstempels by a postage meter. For some years, solutions exist, by means of which sender can generate computer-based valid frankings. These are usually provided with machine-readable elements that confirm the authenticity of the franking. The frankings ("electronic stamps") are printed out by the sender and attached to the mailpieces. Today's franking machines produce similar printouts that can be applied directly to the mailpieces.

[0003] Senders of a small number of mailpieces (e.g., individuals or small businesses) typically generate the frankings as needed using a web application. They are printed on an existing printer (also on labels, for example) and attached to the mail item to be sent.

[0004] Senders with a high number of mail items have a franking machine or an automatic franking system or deliver their outgoing mail directly to the postal service provider on a defined channel.

Especially senders with a medium-sized volume of outgoing mail or senders who send sporadic form letters, are not optimally served with both solutions: Although the existing web platforms can be basically simply and efficiently produce the desired frankings. However, printing (e.g., on labels) and sticking is expensive. The purchase and operation of a franking machine or even an automated franking system and the associated training costs for the users is nevertheless often not justified with these senders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the invention to provide a method for producing a printed copy for franked form letters which belongs to the technical field mentioned at the outset and which simplifies the production of franked form letters and does not require a franking machine or a franking system.

The solution of the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps: a) receiving a plurality of first printing templates for unfranked letters, whereby an arrangement of recipient addresses coincides with all unfranked letters; b) detecting the recipient addresses in all of the plurality of first artworks; c) supplementing the recipient addresses in all of the plurality of first printing originals with a franking for obtaining a plurality of second printing templates for franked form letters; d) providing the second artwork.

Based on the second artwork, a physical mailing, especially a letter, can be created using a printer. The printing can be done by the sender, by a third party or directly by the postal service provider. Accordingly, the provision of the second print template is also carried out. The present method is particularly advantageous in cases where printing is done at the sender, since the printed mail piece is already franked according to the corresponding second print template and can be easily entered into the postal service provider's mailing process, e.g. by throwing in a mailbox. The sender therefore does not need to keep any stamps in stock, he does not need a franking machine and he is not bound to the opening hours of a post office.

A serial letter is one of a plurality of letters from a sender, the content (essentially) are identical, but are addressed to different recipients. The letters are addressed and often include individual salutations. The format of the letters (letterhead, arrangement of sender and recipient addresses, number of pages) as well as the inserts are usually the same for all letters in a series. For multi-page letters, the recipient address is usually located on the first page.

Often serial letters are sent in window envelopes, the recipient address is visible through the window of the envelope. Thus, the envelopes do not have to be provided with the address of the recipient and filled appropriately with the addressed mailing letters. In the context of the present proceedings, the addition of

Receiver address in this case such that in addition to the recipient address and the franking through the window of the window envelope is visible.

The inventive method is particularly offered via a web platform, i. E. The sender uses a service offered via the WWW via a browser. He needs no specific software and can basically use the service with all his Internet-enabled devices.

Advantageously, the recipient addresses are recognized based on predetermined features, in particular on the basis of elements of the recipient addresses and / or positioning and a relationship to other elements of the first multiple artwork templates. Suitable elements that are present at (practically) all recipient addresses are the postal code and the destination. Addresses are also distinguished from other elements of a letter by their number of lines, the length of the corresponding elements, a space surrounding the element and / or the arrangement (upper half or upper third of the page, corresponding to the location of windows of normalized window envelopes) Area adjacent to the left or right margin). All of these features can be used individually or in some combination to reliably recognize the recipient's address (or other addresses).

Alternatively, the sender indicates where the recipient address is at the first print templates. He chooses e.g. in the context of the method, a corresponding area on a representation of the first page of one of the print templates by clicking on it or drawing a rectangle, which includes the address. Another possibility, especially when using window envelopes, is the selection of various possibilities, e.g. known positions of windows in standardized window envelopes.

Preferably, at least one of the plurality of first print templates comprises a plurality of pages and a first page of this at least one first print template is detected. This is especially important if the individual first print templates are not in separate files but are consolidated in a single file. The first page in each case comprises the recipient address and is the page which is to be provided with the franking. The recognition of the first page may be based on various criteria, in particular the presence of a recipient address and / or a sender address or the presence of a letterhead. Since the page number of the individual letters is always identical for form letters, it can also be concluded from the repetition of certain elements and the total number of pages which pages are the first page in each case. Various of the above criteria can be combined to obtain the best possible reliability. If the results are conflicting, the sender may be asked to designate the first pages.

Advantageously, an arrangement of a sender address is the same for all unfranked letters, and the sender address is recognized in all of the multiple first print templates. The match does not have to be exact - minor deviations in the positioning or differences in the number of lines should not interfere with this recognition. The recognition of the sender address also provides an important criterion for recognizing the first page. If an address present on the first page is also recognized as the sender address, it can be avoided that it is mistakenly regarded as a recipient address.

Preferably, the first page of the at least one print template is thus recognized (exclusively or supportively) on the basis of the sender address.

Advantageously, a user is requested to select the sender and / or recipient address based on at least one of the artwork for unfranked letters. This ensures that the sender address selection is correct. Preferably, the most likely assignment of sender and recipient address is already preselected in this selection, so that the user in most cases only has to submit a confirmation.

Advantageously, the plurality of first print templates for unfranked letters are arranged consecutively in a single file. This simplifies the delivery of the form letters by the sender. He can export the form letters directly into a single document by the generating application and only has to submit a document to the service provider, e.g. upload on a web platform. In particular, the individual file is a PDF file. This ensures that the print image according to the second print template corresponds to the desired print image of the sender. The PDF format is also widely used, and appropriate print templates can be created with all major systems. Particularly preferably, it is a PDF document in which texts are stored not only as an image (bitmap), but also alphanumerically. This simplifies further processing. PDF documents, which only contain the text as an image, are either rejected or first submitted to a text recognition process (OCR), depending on the method of execution.

Advantageously, the plurality of second print templates for stamped form letters are arranged continuously in a single file. This simplifies the transmission to the sender (or any other location that generates the physical broadcasts by printing). Also this file is preferably a PDF file.

In principle, it is possible to start from several files and spend at the end of a single file or vice versa. Advantageously, however, the number of files in the first and second print templates is identical. Thus, the inventive method can be easily integrated into an established process of the user.

Preferably, the recognized recipient addresses are checked and displayed to a user for confirmation. The user thus has a correction option. In the course of the procedure, possible errors (incorrect post code, unknown location details, incomplete addresses, etc.) are recognized and indicated as part of the confirmation process. Also reported are shipments that can not be franked (because, for example, foreign broadcasts are not supported or a letter is marked as registered).

The check thus advantageously includes a check as to whether a letter to the recognized recipient address can be provided with a franking.

Preferably, the check comprises a check as to whether the recognized recipient address corresponds to an entry in an address directory. The address directory is, in particular, a directory of the shipping service provider, for example a postal company. In addition to checking for errors, this check also allows the sender to be informed when his address information is outdated. Optionally, a new address can be proposed directly within the scope of the method, especially if access to relocation messages exists. The notification of new addresses can be done as part of the creation process or in its follow-up.

Alternatively, the confirmation is omitted by the sender, or it is only a request, if errors or ambiguities were found.

Preferably, to obtain the plurality of second artwork, the recognized recipient address in the first artwork is replaced by a combination of recipient address and franking. This ensures that both the address and the franking are visible in the window of a window envelope. This is true even if the original address is formatted to substantially fill the window of the envelope. When replacing the address is then reduced accordingly, so that the franking next to it. The handling of the original address can be done by means of appropriate image information or the alphanumeric data.

Advantageously, an arrangement of the combination of recipient address and franking is thus adapted to the geometry of a selectable window envelope.

The generation and positioning of the combination of recipient address and franking can even be such that even in the case of first print templates in which the arrangement of the recipient address does not correspond to the position of a window of a window envelope, the combination is correctly positioned for the given location of the window , However, this can lead to obscuring other elements of the first artwork. Especially in this case, it makes sense, therefore, if the user before the final production of the second print templates a preview of the same is displayed.

Alternatively, only the franking is supplemented, and the recipient addresses correspond to those in the first print templates.

From the following detailed description and the totality of the claims, there are further advantageous embodiments and feature combinations of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings used to explain the embodiment show:

Fig. 1A, 1B Two unfranked letters of a series according to the first printing templates;

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a graphical user interface for uploading first print templates;

3 shows a schematic representation of a graphical user interface for selecting a sender address;

4 shows a schematic representation of a graphical user interface for checking address addresses;

5 shows a schematic representation of a graphical user interface for selecting window arrangement and letter format; and

Fig. 6 is a franked letter of a series according to a second artwork.

Basically, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the following, an embodiment of the method according to the invention will be explained in connection with FIGS. 1-6.

In Fig. 1A, 1B two unfranked letters 1, 2 are shown. They are part of a series and correspond to the first print templates. The letters 1, 2 each include a sender address 11.1, 11.2, which is the same for both letters 1, 2 (and the other letters of the series). They further comprise different recipient addresses 12.1, 12.2. Further, the letters 1, 2 include the actual letter content 13.1, 13.2 with a location and date, a subject line, a form of address, a letter text, a greeting formula and a signature. Finally, the letters comprise a graphic element 14.1, 14.2. The salutation is personalized, the remaining elements (except, of course, the mentioned recipient address 12.1, 12.2) are the same for both letters 1, 2 (and the other letters in the series).

The series to be franked comprises a large number of corresponding letters. For the sender, these are continuously available in a single PDF file. They were created with a common application on the sender side. All letters are now to be franked, so that they can finally be printed out by the sender, filled in window envelopes and sent by throwing into a postal mailbox.

For this, the sender visits a web platform and selects the appropriate service. It then first reaches a graphical user interface as shown in FIG. This comprises a window 21, in which the following explanatory text 22 is shown: [0035] «Upload your form letter here. The recipients are recognized in your letters and the frankings are integrated into the respective letter. To recognize your recipient addresses, we need the document in PDF format. Scanned PDF files are not possible.

Attention: street / no. (or PO Box) and ZIP / City must be present in the recipient addresses. "Below the text 22, a square interaction surface 23 is shown, again below a button 24. The interaction surface 23 is with" Drag & Drop »labeled, button 24 with« Upload PDF ». The sender can now copy the existing PDF document with the print templates by drag & drop. Upload drop to the interaction area 23. Alternatively, she can press the button 24 and then she will be displayed in a conventional manner, a file selection window in which they can select the PDF file on a storage medium of their computer or on a cloud server.

The PDF file, in which the individual letters of the series are consecutively contained, is then transmitted from the sender's computer to the server of the platform. The transmission may be secured in a manner known per se, e.g. using Transport Layer Security (TLS).

By selecting another button 25, the sender arrives at the next step of the procedure. Another button 26 allows you to return to the previous step (product selection).

On the server, the addresses contained on the first page of the PDF file are now extracted. These are identified by their position (top half of the page), the format (3-6 lines, average line length up to 40% of the page width), the combination of postal code and location and the surrounding spaces.

The graphic user interface according to FIG. 3 will now be illustrated. It comprises a window 31 in which a reproduction 32 of the first page of the uploaded PDF file is shown. Underneath, an explanatory text 33 is shown as follows: [0041] «First page preview

Please select the sender address on the first page of the letter; Below that are the addresses 34a, 34b extracted on the first page. Each address 34a, 34b is assigned a button 35a, 35b in the manner of a radio button, wherein the first button 35a is preselected. The sender can change the selection by clicking on the other button 35b, whereby only one button 35a, 35b can always be selected. The sender now checks whether the selected first address 35a is the sender address, recognizes that this is true and thus selects the further button 36 in order to proceed to the next step of the method. Another button 37 allows you to return to the previous step (upload).

In the illustrated method, the first letter pages are now identified, which is simple in the present case, because it is one-page letters. On the first pages of the letter, in the manner described above, all addresses are recognized and the sender address previously selected by the user (which corresponds to all the letters in the series) is discarded. The recipient addresses remain. Based on the combination of postal code and city contained in the recipient addresses, it is checked whether a franking is possible.

The addresses are then displayed in the graphical user interface according to FIG. 4. This comprises a window 41, in which a list 42 elements of the recognized recipient addresses, namely name and first name as well as postcode and city, are displayed. Furthermore, a status indication is displayed for each recipient address. This indicates whether the address was entered correctly and whether the franking is possible. Since not all recipient addresses can be displayed in the window 41, the interface includes buttons 43, 44 for scrolling through the list 42 of recipient addresses.

After checking the recipient addresses, the sender selects the other button 45 to go to the next step of the method. Another button 46 allows you to return to the previous step (selecting the sender address).

The graphic user interface according to FIG. 5 will now be illustrated. This includes a window 51. Therein an explanatory text 52 is shown as follows:

Claims (13)

Now determine the format of the window envelope and the arrangement of the window. By two buttons 53a, 53b in the manner of radio buttons, either a left or right-hand arrangement of the window can be selected. By means of three further buttons 54a, 54b, 54c in the manner of radio buttons, the format of the envelope (C5 / 6, C5 or C4) can be selected. The sender selects by clicking the buttons 53b and 54b according to the location of the recipient address a right-hand arrangement of the window and according to the paper size and the intended folding the envelope format C5. The sender then actuates the further button 55 to go to the next step of the procedure. Another button 56 allows returning to the previous step (checking the recipient addresses). In the individual letters of the letter series, the recipient address 12 is now replaced by a combination of the recipient address 12 with a franking 15 and created corresponding second print templates 101. These are arranged continuously in a new PDF document. In particular, the franking 15 comprises an indication of the value of the franking and a two-dimensional machine-readable code which i.a. is provided with a unique identification number which allows the postal undertaking to determine whether or not the franking has already been used once and to authenticate. The size and position of the combination of recipient address 12 and franking 15 are chosen so that the combination is completely within the window of the window envelope and thus is visible in the packaged state of the letter from the outside. This can lead to the reproduction of the recipient address 12 being slightly smaller than the original size according to the first print template. After pressing the button 55, the sender arrives at a page on which the cost of the franking are indicated and on which in a conventional manner payment options can be selected. Finally, the order is confirmed. On another page then the second artwork is provided as a consolidated PDF file for downloading. The sender is advised that the franked letters should be printed with the "actual size" option to ensure that the positioning of the address and franking matches the location of the window envelope window. Finally, a receipt and a delivery note are provided for the sender. The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. In particular, the specific procedure may be different. The generated second artwork may also be otherwise communicated to the sender, e.g. by sending an e-mail. Optionally, there may be the possibility that the print templates are printed out directly at the postal service provider, packaged and transferred to the shipping process. This printing can be done centrally or distributed in units of the service provider in the vicinity of the recipient. In summary, it should be noted that the invention provides a method for generating a print template for franked form letters, which simplifies the preparation of franked form letters and does not require a franking machine and no franking system. claims A method of producing a print template for prepaid mail, comprising the steps of: a) receiving a plurality of first print templates for unfranked letters, wherein an arrangement of recipient addresses matches all the unfranked letters; b) detecting the recipient addresses in all of the plurality of first artworks; c) supplementing the recipient addresses in all of the plurality of first printing originals with a franking for obtaining a plurality of second printing templates for franked form letters; d) providing the second artwork. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the recipient addresses are recognized on the basis of predetermined features, in particular on the basis of elements of the recipient addresses and / or positioning and a relationship to other elements of the plurality of first print templates. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the plurality of first print templates comprises a plurality of pages and that a first page of the at least one first print template is detected. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an arrangement of a sender address in all unfrankierten letters matches and that the sender address is detected in all of the plurality of first print templates. 5. The method according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the first page of the at least one print template is detected on the basis of the sender address. 6. The method of claim 4 or 5, characterized in that a user is requested to select the sender and / or recipient address based on at least one of the templates for unfranked letters. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the plurality of first printing templates for unfranked letters are arranged continuously in a single file. 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the plurality of second print templates for franked form letters are arranged continuously in a single file. 9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the recognized recipient addresses are checked and displayed to a user for confirmation. 10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the check comprises a check as to whether a letter to the recognized recipient address can be provided with a franking. 11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the check comprises a check as to whether the recognized recipient address corresponds to an entry in an address directory. 12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that to obtain the plurality of second print templates, the recognized recipient address in the first print template is replaced by a combination of recipient address and franking. 13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that an arrangement of the combination of recipient address and franking is adapted to the geometry of a selectable window envelope.