EP0325544A2 - Frankiermaschine mit normaler und durchlässiger Betriebsart - Google Patents

Frankiermaschine mit normaler und durchlässiger Betriebsart Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0325544A2
EP0325544A2 EP89400170A EP89400170A EP0325544A2 EP 0325544 A2 EP0325544 A2 EP 0325544A2 EP 89400170 A EP89400170 A EP 89400170A EP 89400170 A EP89400170 A EP 89400170A EP 0325544 A2 EP0325544 A2 EP 0325544A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
meter
data
user
input
postage
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP89400170A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0325544A3 (de
Inventor
John Gregory Haines
Nolan Glen Rosenbaum
Albert Louis Pion
Marc Lecarpentier
Christophe Henriot
Cyrus Abumehdi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Quadient Technologies France SA
Original Assignee
Neopost Technologies SA
Alcatel Satman SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Neopost Technologies SA, Alcatel Satman SA filed Critical Neopost Technologies SA
Publication of EP0325544A2 publication Critical patent/EP0325544A2/de
Publication of EP0325544A3 publication Critical patent/EP0325544A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00314—Communication within apparatus, personal computer [PC] system, or server, e.g. between printhead and central unit in a franking machine
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00266—Man-machine interface on the apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00314—Communication within apparatus, personal computer [PC] system, or server, e.g. between printhead and central unit in a franking machine
    • G07B2017/00322—Communication between components/modules/parts, e.g. printer, printhead, keyboard, conveyor or central unit

Definitions

  • Postage meters are well known devices for printing postage impressions of desired value.
  • a meter generally has a set of registers, a print mechanism and a controlling mechanism.
  • the controlling mechanism acts to interlock the print mechanism and registers to ensure that all postage printed is accounted for.
  • the registers, the print mechanism, and the meter controller are enclosed within a secure housing so as to be inaccessible to the user.
  • the controlling mechanism is a microprocessor (hereinafter called “meter controller") and the registers are implemented as locations in random access memory (hereinafter called 'meter memory").
  • the meter memory can be expanded to include accounting, cost allocation, or non-revenue information
  • External and permanently affixed to the housing is a keyboard for data entry to the meter controller and a display for data output to the user.
  • an input/output port hereinafter called “I/O port” way be provided so the meter controller can communicate with external devices.
  • I/O port input/output port
  • Many prior security measures are retained or improved.
  • the meter housing is still utilized to maintain physical security.
  • the meter controller may utilize new techniques unique to electronic equipment to increase security for the meter memory.
  • the meter is placed on a base from which it derives power.
  • the base performs envelope handling and similar functions, and may include an input/output facility (hereinafter called "I/O device").
  • the I/O device can communicate with the meter through the meter's I/O port.
  • the I/O device can also communicate with other peripherals external to the base such as scales and printers.
  • a scale may be used to weigh an article, calculate the cost of sending the article through the mail, and send that cost to the I/O device.
  • the I/O device then tells the meter the denomination of postage to print.
  • a user can also use an external user interface, such as the keyboard and display on a scale, to command the I/O device to generate a preprogrammed report.
  • the I/O device then queries the meter controller for certain accounting or non-revenue information contained in the meter memory, formats that information, then commands a printer to print the report. However, in each case the meter controller does not initiate any commands to the I/O device, the meter controller merely responds to commands from the I/O device.
  • the meter controller determines whether a key press sequence on a keyboard has occurred, generates a command describing the key press sequence, then transmits that command through an I/O port to the I/O device.
  • the I/O device can command the meter controller to put data onto a display. As a result, the user is able to communicate directly with the I/O device without requiring additional peripheral equipment.
  • the meter in the normal mode when the meter in the normal mode sees an unknown key press sequence, it automatically generates a command describing the key press sequence and transmits that command to the I/O device. If the key press sequence is unknown to the I/O device, it is ignored, otherwise the I/O device will perform the command. As a result, limited communication with the I/O device is available to the user when the meter is in the normal mode. It is through this process that the user can use the keyboard to tell the I/O device to command the meter to enter the transparent mode.
  • any key press sequence on the keyboard is passed directly to the I/O device by the meter controller.
  • the display shows only data which the I/O device commands the meter to put on the display. The meter does not respond to the contents of the keyboard entries nor does it generate data to put on the display.
  • the keyboard and display are not under the control of the meter, the user is unable to control the meter printing function.
  • the meter does not respond to the keyboard entries and the display does not tell the user what printing functions are occurring. Therefore with current applications, meter printing is disabled when the meter is in the transparent mode. However, future applications may allow the I/O device to actuate the primary function under the control and security of the meter controller.
  • the user In order to go from the transparent mode back to the normal mode the user merely enters a predetermined data on the keyboard which is passed by the meter controller to the I/O device.
  • the I/O device then commands the meter to return to the normal mode of operation.
  • the meter also returns to the normal mode if it is powered down, then powered up again. However, if the I/O device is still in communication with the meter, it may command the meter to return to the transparent mode.
  • the above functions require changes to the protocol between the meter controller and the I/O device.
  • the meter controller can now initiate communication with the status command and with commands describing what keys have been pressed by the user.
  • the I/O device has new commands including commanding the meter controller to put certain data on the display.
  • the meter controller maintains control of communications between the meter memory and the I/O device thereby protecting the meter memory from unauthorized access or use.
  • the meter controller does not respond to the keyboard entries because if the meter controller responded to both the keyboard entries and the I/O device, potential conflicts could occur.
  • the printing function is disabled with current applications to maintain security and prevent user confusion.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a prior art or normal mode configuration of a postage meter in communication with external devices.
  • a meter 5 includes a secure meter housing 10 in which are located a meter controller 12, a meter memory 14, a print mechanism 16, and an I/O port 18.
  • the meter controller communicates directly with each of the devices located in the housing and with a keyboard 20 and a display 22 that are external to the housing.
  • Meter controller 12 controls the actions of and maintains the security for the devices located in the housing.
  • the meter controller also communicates through the I/O port 18 to an I/O device 24 located in a meter base 26.
  • the I/O device communicates directly with one or more peripheral devices 28 such as a scale a printer, a modem, a computer, and the like.
  • the meter controller communicates with the user through the keyboard and display, and can respond to commands from the I/O device.
  • the meter cannot initiate commands to the I/O device.
  • the I/O device communicates with the user through one of the peripheral devices, which is in most instances the scale.
  • the requisite postage is provided to the controller meter from the scale through the I/O device.
  • An acknowledge message is transmitted from the meter controller to the scale through the I/O device and is indicated at a scale display, while. the meter controller controls the print mechanism 16 and meter memory 14.
  • Figure 2 schematically shows the meter in communication with external devices while the meter is in the transparent mode. Reference numbers corresponding to Figure 1 will be used.
  • a modified meter controller 12′ continues to control the actions of and maintain the security for the meter memory 14, print mechanism and I/O port 18 located in the secure housing 10. The printing mechanism has been disabled and is not shown.
  • the meter controller determines whether a key press sequence on the keyboard 20 has occured, generates a command describing the key press sequence, and transmits that command, via a first transfer link 12′A and through the I/O port 18, to a modified I/O device 24′.
  • the I/O device can command the meter controller to put data on the display 22 as shown by a second transfer link 12′B.
  • the user is able to communicate directly with the I/O device.
  • the meter controller does not respond to the key entries nor does it generate data to put on the display.
  • Figure 3 is a flow chart showing user communication with the meter controller and the I/O device in the normal/transparent postage meter.
  • the meter controller reads the key press sequence by scanning the keyboard (102).
  • the meter controller then checks a software switch to determine whether the meter is in the normal mode or transparent mode (104). If the meter is in the normal mode, the meter controller looks at a function table in memory to determine whether the key press sequence references a valid meter function (106). If the key press sequence does describe a valid meter function, then the meter performs the function (108). Examples of valid meter controller functions include printing postage, displaying some data contained in memory, etc.
  • the meter If the meter is in the transparent mode or if the key press sequence is not a valid meter function, then the meter generates a command describing the key press sequence and transmits that command to the I/O device (110).
  • the command includes an opcode and a variable length data field.
  • the opcode states that the command is describing a key press sequence.
  • the data field describes the key press sequence.
  • the I/O device determines whether the key press sequence references a valid I/O device function (112). Il the key press sequence does reference a valid function, the I/O device performs that function (114).
  • Example of valid I/O device functions include controlling the meter to go into the transparent mode, to go back to the normal mode, to put data on the display when the meter is in transparent mode.
  • any key press sequence is passed directly to the I/O device which can command the meter controller to put data on the display.
  • the keyboard and the display are not under control of the meter controller.
  • the user is unable to control printing postage ; printing postage function of the meter is disabled.
  • the user presses *1 on the keyboard while the meter is in normal mode. Because *1 does not reference a valid meter function, the meter controller generates a command describing the *1 key press sequence and transmits the command to the I/O device.
  • the I/O device recognizes the *1 sequence as a command to cause the meter to go into transparent mode.
  • the I/O device then generates a command instructing the meter to go into the transparent mode and transmits that command to the meter controller.
  • the meter controller then causes the meter to go into the transparent mode, then passes a command back to the I/O device telling it whether the change to transparent mode was successful.
  • the I/O device performs each valid I/O device function entered by the keyboard, when the meter is in its transparent mode.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
EP89400170A 1988-01-22 1989-01-20 Frankiermaschine mit normaler und durchlässiger Betriebsart Withdrawn EP0325544A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14691988A 1988-01-22 1988-01-22
US146919 1988-01-22

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0325544A2 true EP0325544A2 (de) 1989-07-26
EP0325544A3 EP0325544A3 (de) 1990-08-16

Family

ID=22519575

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89400170A Withdrawn EP0325544A3 (de) 1988-01-22 1989-01-20 Frankiermaschine mit normaler und durchlässiger Betriebsart

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0325544A3 (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0717377A3 (de) * 1994-12-13 1999-08-25 Pitney Bowes, Inc. Ferngesteuerte und sichere Aktivierung von Merkmalen für eine Frankiermaschine
EP0889442A3 (de) * 1997-06-30 2000-06-14 Pitney Bowes Inc. Frankiermaschine mit externer Benutzerschnittstellenfähigkeit
EP0927967A3 (de) * 1997-12-30 2000-10-11 Micro General Corp. Frankiersicherheitsvorrichtung mit Rechnertastaturschnitstelle

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4093981A (en) * 1976-01-28 1978-06-06 Burroughs Corporation Data communications preprocessor
US4180856A (en) * 1977-07-29 1979-12-25 Pitney Bowes Inc. Electronic postage metering system
FR2409551A1 (fr) * 1977-11-21 1979-06-15 Cii Honeywell Bull Coupleur rapide de ligne de transmission ou peripheriques d'ordinateur utilisant une structure particuliere de microinstruction
FR2463951B1 (fr) * 1979-08-23 1985-10-11 Cit Alcatel Dispositif de gestion d'une liaison entre un appareil peripherique et un ordinateur
US4466079A (en) * 1981-02-17 1984-08-14 Pitney Bowes Inc. Mailing system peripheral interface with communications formatting memory
US4606003A (en) * 1982-09-30 1986-08-12 Pitney Bowes Inc. Mailing system peripheral interface with replaceable prom for accessing memories
US4595984A (en) * 1982-10-22 1986-06-17 Pitney Bowes Inc. Apparatus and method for determining special postage fees

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0717377A3 (de) * 1994-12-13 1999-08-25 Pitney Bowes, Inc. Ferngesteuerte und sichere Aktivierung von Merkmalen für eine Frankiermaschine
EP0889442A3 (de) * 1997-06-30 2000-06-14 Pitney Bowes Inc. Frankiermaschine mit externer Benutzerschnittstellenfähigkeit
EP0927967A3 (de) * 1997-12-30 2000-10-11 Micro General Corp. Frankiersicherheitsvorrichtung mit Rechnertastaturschnitstelle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0325544A3 (de) 1990-08-16

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