EP0493949B1 - Frankiermaschine - Google Patents

Frankiermaschine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0493949B1
EP0493949B1 EP91311900A EP91311900A EP0493949B1 EP 0493949 B1 EP0493949 B1 EP 0493949B1 EP 91311900 A EP91311900 A EP 91311900A EP 91311900 A EP91311900 A EP 91311900A EP 0493949 B1 EP0493949 B1 EP 0493949B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
meter
flag
electronic circuits
postage meter
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.)
Revoked
Application number
EP91311900A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0493949A3 (en
EP0493949A2 (de
Inventor
Dennis Thomas Gilham
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.)
Neopost Ltd
Original Assignee
Neopost Ltd
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
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=10687696&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP0493949(B1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Neopost Ltd filed Critical Neopost Ltd
Publication of EP0493949A2 publication Critical patent/EP0493949A2/de
Publication of EP0493949A3 publication Critical patent/EP0493949A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0493949B1 publication Critical patent/EP0493949B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Revoked 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
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00733—Cryptography or similar special procedures in a franking system
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
    • G07C9/30—Individual registration on entry or exit not involving the use of a pass
    • G07C9/32—Individual registration on entry or exit not involving the use of a pass in combination with an identity check
    • G07C9/33—Individual registration on entry or exit not involving the use of a pass in combination with an identity check by means of a password
    • 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
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G07B2017/00088—Communication details outside or between apparatus via landlines
    • G07B2017/00096—Communication details outside or between apparatus via landlines via phone lines
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G07B2017/00153—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information
    • G07B2017/00161—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information from a central, non-user location, e.g. for updating rates or software, or for refilling funds
    • 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
    • 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
    • G07B2017/00346—Power handling, e.g. power-down routine
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00733—Cryptography or similar special procedures in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00741—Cryptography or similar special procedures in a franking system using specific cryptographic algorithms or functions

Definitions

  • This invention relates to postage meters and in particular to the installation of postage meters and initiation of such meters for use by a customer of a postal service.
  • the meter despatched does not have dies for printing the franking impression installed in the meter so that at this stage the meter is unable to be used for franking mail items.
  • Another procedure is to advise those responsible for service of the equipment in the field that the equipment is to be supplied to the customer and to order the supply of printing dies specifically for this customer.
  • a further necessary procedure is for the supplier to request, from the postal authority, a licence permitting the customer to use the postage meter proposed to be supplied.
  • the postal authority checks that the credit status of the customer is satisfactory with regard to the postal authority's requirement in respect of use of postage meters. If the postal authority considers the credit status of the customer to be unsatisfactory, the postal authority declines to issue a licence and advises the supplier to this effect.
  • the supplier Upon receipt of this advice from the postal authority the supplier stops despatch of the meter, recovers the meter from the customer or declines to supply the meter depending upon the time of receiving this advice in relation to the progressing of the supply of the meter.
  • the postal authority considers the credit status of the customer to be satisfactory, the postal authority advises the local office of the authority and the centre which will be responsible for re-setting the meter with credit funding that a licence is to be issued to the customer. The postal authority likewise advises the supplier of the issue of the licence.
  • the dies are despatched to a representative of the supplier who then visits the customer's premises to install the dies on the meter to enable use of the meter by the customer.
  • a credit resetting procedure for remotely resetting a credit register of a postage meter under the control of a remote central resetting computer,disclosed in EP A-0 376 573 the meter is inhibited from carrying out postage printing during the resetting of the credit register of the meter. Inhibition of printing is effected by a resetting routine in the meter causing a flag in the meter to be set to inhibit printing.
  • the remote computer interrogates the postage meter to check that resetting of the credit register has been successfully accomplished and if this check indicates successful resetting of the register the remote computer sends an unlock message to the meter to enable the meter to unset the flag.
  • a method of providing and installing a postage meter for use by a user at a location for franking mail items said postage meter including electronic circuits for carrying out accounting and control functions under the control of program routines and a printing device operable by said electronic circuits for printing franking impressions on the mail items, wherein a meter identification is stored in said non-volatile storage device and said electronic circuits are inhibited from operating said printing device when a flag is set and being capable of operating said printing device to print franking impressions when the flag is unset is characterised by the steps during manufacture of the postage meter of :- providing in the electronic circuits of the meter a non-volatile storage device storing the flag, said flag having set and unset states; setting said flag to said set state to inhibit operation of the electronic circuits from operating said printer to print franking impressions; said flag being capable of being unset from the set state to the unset state only by entry to said electronic circuits of an electronic key; and by the steps after receipt by
  • the supplier of the postage meter undertakes the licensing procedure and the postage meter is despatched complete with printing dies to the customer.
  • the supplier upon receipt of an order the supplier checks the credit status of the customer not only in respect of payment for the supply of the equipment but also in respect of payment to the postal authority for value of postage to be used in operation of the meter. If the credit status check is not satisfactory in both respects, the supplier declines to accept the order. On the other hand if the credit check is satisfactory in both respects the supplier initiates the processing of the simplified procedures to meet the order.
  • the supplier places an order for supply of the equipment on the supplier's factory and advises the field service representative that the equipment is to be supplied.
  • the supplier issues a licence in respect of the equipment for the customer and transmits on line to the postal authority computer data containing details of the customer and meter identification.
  • the data is transmitted in a secure manner for example by encryption and the inclusion of a secure code in the transmitted data.
  • the data transmission protocol includes data checking and re-transmission of the data in the event of error or transmission failure.
  • the postal authority computer Upon successful receipt of ⁇ he data the postal authority computer returns an acknowledgement signal to the supplier.
  • the transmission of this data will be to a central postal authority computer and the postal authority will then disseminate the data to a local postal authority office and a resetting centre as required.
  • the supplier despatches the postage meter complete with dies.
  • the secure housing of the meter containing the accounting circuits and other elements required to be protected, is sealed with security seals to prevent unauthorised tampering.
  • the meter is despatched with all documents required for instruction of a customer in the installation and use of the meter. Accordingly the customer receives the meter ready to be powered and used.
  • a licence flag is set to prevent use of the meter for franking operations.
  • the postage meter comprises a microprocessor 10 operable under program routines stored in a read only memory (ROM) 11 to carry out accounting and control functions in the meter.
  • ROM read only memory
  • a keyboard 12 is provided to enable a user to input data and control signals to the microprocessor and a display device 13 displays information to assist the user in use of the meter.
  • Non-volatile memory devices 14, 15 are provided for storage of accounting data and a random access memory 16 is provided as a working store for the microprocessor.
  • the non-volatile memory devices 14, 15 provide a descending register for storing a value of credit available for use in franking, an ascending register for storing an accumulated value of postage used, and registers for an items count of the number of franking impressions printed and a high items count of the number of items franked with a value above a predetermined value.
  • the registers are replicated in each of the memory devices 14; 15 in order to maintain integrity of the accounting data in the event of a fault.
  • the meter includes a printing device 17 which may be a print drum with print wheels settable by operation of the microprocessor for printing franking impressions including selected values of postage.
  • a remote device such as a computer 18
  • Communication with a remote device is enabled by means of an input/output connector 19 in the wall of the secure housing 20 of the meter which is connected to the microprocessor via an input/output interface 21.
  • a meter identification code which may a licence number
  • a licence flag is set in a storage location of the non-volatile memory. Access to the storage location storing the licence flag is protected by a secure electronic key.
  • the licence flag is set, the meter is disabled and cannot be used although information can be displayed on the display device.
  • the licence flag is set the meter cannot be used for franking mail items and credit cannot be entered in the descending credit register.
  • the flag can be unset only by receipt of the secure electronic key which permits access to the storage location containing the flag.
  • the microprocessor first determines the state of the flag and if the flag is set the microprocessor terminates operation of the meter and returns to a standby mode. However if the flag is determined to be in the unset state, the microprocessor proceeds with program routines for carrying out a franking operation.
  • the meter can be installed at the customer's premises by the customer as soon as it is received by the customer.
  • Communication is established between the postage meter and the supplier's computer 18. This is achieved by connecting the input/output connector 19 via a modem 22 to the telephone communications network 23. This may be initiated by the customer dialling the telephone number of the supplier's computer or may be initiated by a service representative.
  • the supplier's computer checks that communication has been established with the meter and transmits a message or sequence of messages to unset the meter licence flag to enable the meter for normal use.
  • the meter installation routine is illustrated by the flow chart of Figure 2(b).
  • the transmission from the supplier's computer contains an application code relating to meter installation and meter identification in unprotected format together with a secure data block containing the secure key.
  • the key is encrypted using a non-linear algorithm containing, for example, a random number table.
  • the algorithm is unique to the supplier and installation procedure. A different algorithm is used in respect of other remote services such as credit re-setting by postal authorities.
  • the microprocessor Upon receipt of the application code from the computer, the microprocessor enters an installation routine and checks the received meter identification with an identification stored in the memory of the meter. If the result of the check is positive the microprocessor decrypts the secure data block containing the secure electronic key. This key Is compared with an electronic key stored in the meter and if the comparison is successful the microprocessor is enabled to access the storage location containing the flag and thence to unset the licence flag. Upon the licence flag being unset the meter is then in a condition to permit normal usage of the meter for franking and for resetting of credit value in the descending register. If either the meter identification check or the comparison of the electronic key is unsuccessful, the installation routine is terminated and may be re-initiated. After a predetermined number of attempts at installation have failed, the installation routine is inhibited and cannot be re-initiated until the equipment has been examined by a service representative.
  • the installation procedure and the communication link is terminated. After a predetermined interval the installation procedure is re-initiated. If the second attempt to install the meter fails, a visit is made by the service representative to the customer's premises to check the equipment.
  • the customer may enter a key sequence on the keyboard of the meter prior to connecting the meter on-line to the supplier's computer.
  • This entered key sequence instructs the microprocessor to display prompts on the display device to assist the customer in carrying out any operations required for installation of the meter particularly if the first initiated communication and installation procedure should fail.
  • the installation may be accomplished by the customer keying in manually a secure code on the keyboard of the meter. This secure code would contain the secure electronic key to unset the licence flag and the customer may additionally be required to key in data identifying the meter.
  • the secure code keyed in manually may be a truncated section of the secure code which would be transmitted direct to the meter over the telephone network by the supplier's computer.
  • the installation procedure would be inhibited after a predetermined number of attempts in which codes not recognised by the meter are entered.
  • the postage meter has been described as having a printing device such as a print drum requiring printing dies to print the fixed invariable portions of the franking impression, it is to be understood that other printing devices may be used. Instead of a print drum carrying printing dies and having settable print wheels for printing variable information such as the postage amount and the date of franking, a digital printing device may be used. Typically such printing devices print dots in selected positions along a row in a succession of printing cycles whereby the fixed and variable data is printed row by row to build up a complete franking impression as the mail item is fed past the printing device.
  • the non-volatile memory devices 14, 15 of the meter for storing accounting data, meter identification and the licence flag may be volatile random access memory devices powered by long life battery to ensure that data stored therein is retained even when the meter is not powered or the memory devices may be non-volatile devices such as E 2 PROM which retain data even in the absence of power.
  • the printing device 17 of the postage meter has been described as a print drum with print wheels settable for printing franking impressions with selected values of postage.
  • Such print drums carry one or more printing dies on the peripheral surface thereof which print invariable portions of the franking impression as determined by the postal authority and a logo or other material as may be required by the user of the postage meter.
  • the drum printing devices are manufactured as an integral part of the postage meter.
  • printing devices include dot matrix printers in which a line of printing elements are operated selectively to print dots in selected positions in a line and are repetitively and selectively operated to build up the required impression line by line.
  • Printing devices operating in this manner include thermal, ink jet or optical printing devices.
  • the ink jet and optical printing devices may utilise a single element and a scanning system to traverse an ink trajectory or optical beam across an area in which printing is to be effected.
  • the printing device 17 may be desired to house the printing device 17 separately from the postage meter which enables the printing device to be positioned at a location convenient for handling mail items while the postage meter is located at a different location which is convenient for operation thereof and does not interfere with or impede the handling of the mail items.
  • the printing device 17 is controlled remotely by the postage meter and is coupled to the meter either by electric cable 24 or by signals transmitted by radiation.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

Claims (6)

  1. Verfahren zum Bereitstellen und Installieren einer Frankiermaschine zum Gebrauch durch einen Benutzer an einem Ort zum Frankieren von Poststücken, wobei die Frankiermaschine (20) elektronische Schaltungen (10) zum Ausführen von Abrechnungs- und Steuerfunktionen unter der Steuerung von Programmroutinen (11) und eine Druckvorrichtung (17) aufweist, die durch die elektronischen Schaltungen zum Drucken von Frankierbildern auf Poststücke betätigbar ist, wobei eine Frankiermaschinenidentifikation in der nicht flüchtigen Speichervorrichtung (14,15) gespeichert ist und die elektronischen Schaltungen (10) an der Betätigung der Druckvorrichtung (17) gehindert werden, wenn eine Markierung gesetzt wird, und fähig sind, die Druckvorrichtung zum Drucken von Frankierbildern zu betätigen, wenn die Markierung nicht gesetzt wird,
    gekennzeichnet durch
    folgende Schritte während der Herstellung der Frankiermaschine:-
    Bereitstellen einer die Markierung speichernden nicht flüchtigen Speichervorrichtung (14,15) in den elektronischen Schaltungen (10) der Frankiermaschine, wobei die Markierung gesetzte und ungesetzte Zustände hat; Setzen der Markierung in den gesetzten Zustand zum Verhindern der Betätigung der elektronischen Schaltungen (10) zum Betätigen des Druckers (17) zum Drucken von Frankierbildern; wobei die Markierung fähig ist, aus dem gesetzten Zustand in den ungesetzten Zustand nur durch den Eintritt eines elektronischen Schlüssels in die elektronischen Schaltungen gesetzt zu werden, und durch die Schritte nach dem Empfangen der Frankiermaschine (20) durch den Benutzer an dem Ort mit der Markierung in dem gesetzten Zustand:-
    Einsetzen des elektronischen Schlüssels in die elektronischen Schaltungen (20), und
    Betätigen der elektronischen Schaltungen (20) unter der Steuerung einer Installationsroutine (11) zum Benutzen des eingeführten elektronischen Schlüssels, um auf die Markierung zuzugreifen und diese aus dem gesetzten Zustand in den ungesetzten Zustand zu bringen, um den elektronischen Schaltungen zu ermöglichen, durch den Benutzer zur Ausführung und Steuerung der Frankiermaschine betätigt zu werden.
  2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1,
    gekennzeichnet durch
    nach dem Empfangen der Frankiermaschine durch den Benutzer die Schritte des Eingebens eines Frankiermaschinenidentifikationssignales und Vergleichen dieses Frankiermaschinenidentifikationssignales mit der gespeicherten Frankiermaschinenidentifikation und Fortsetzen des Schrittes des Benutzens des elektronischen Schlüssels zum Zugreifen auf die Markierung nur wenn die Identifikation mit den Identifikationssignalen übereinstimmt.
  3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet,
    daß der elektronische Schlüssel in die Frankiermaschine in einem Sicherheitsdatenblock eingegeben wird, und daß die elektronischen Schaltungen (20) geeignet sind, den Schlüssel aus dem Datenblock wiederherzustellen.
  4. Verfahren nach irgendeinem vorangehenden Anspruch,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet,
    daß nach dem Empfangen der Frankiermaschine (10) durch den Benutzer die Frankiermaschine über einen Kommunikationsanschluß (23) an einen entfernten Computer (18) angeschlossen wird, und daß das Frankiermaschinenidentifikationssignal und der elektronische Schlüssel durch den Computer zur Frankiermaschine übertragen wird.
  5. Verfahren nach irgendeinem vorangehenden Anspruch,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet,
    daß die Druckvorrichtung (17) als integraler Teil der Frankiermaschine (20) geliefert wird.
  6. Verfahren nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet,
    daß die Druckvorrichtung (17) als eine Einheit getrennt von der Frankiermaschine (20) geliefert wird und durch die elektronischen Schaltungen (10) der Frankiermaschine zum Drucken von Frankierbildern getrennt steuerbar ist.
EP91311900A 1990-12-31 1991-12-20 Frankiermaschine Revoked EP0493949B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9028225 1990-12-31
GB9028225A GB2251213A (en) 1990-12-31 1990-12-31 Postage meter.

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0493949A2 EP0493949A2 (de) 1992-07-08
EP0493949A3 EP0493949A3 (en) 1992-08-05
EP0493949B1 true EP0493949B1 (de) 1996-11-27

Family

ID=10687696

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP91311900A Revoked EP0493949B1 (de) 1990-12-31 1991-12-20 Frankiermaschine

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0493949B1 (de)
DE (1) DE69123340T2 (de)
GB (1) GB2251213A (de)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5377264A (en) * 1993-12-09 1994-12-27 Pitney Bowes Inc. Memory access protection circuit with encryption key
US5822738A (en) * 1995-11-22 1998-10-13 F.M.E. Corporation Method and apparatus for a modular postage accounting system
US6050486A (en) * 1996-08-23 2000-04-18 Pitney Bowes Inc. Electronic postage meter system separable printer and accounting arrangement incorporating partition of indicia and accounting information
US5812400A (en) * 1996-08-23 1998-09-22 Pitney Bowes Inc. Electronic postage meter installation and location movement system
US5731980A (en) * 1996-08-23 1998-03-24 Pitney Bowes Inc. Electronic postage meter system having internal accounting system and removable external accounting system
DE19913067A1 (de) 1999-03-17 2000-09-21 Francotyp Postalia Gmbh Verfahren zur automatischen Installation von Frankiereinrichtungen und Anordnung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH668134A5 (de) * 1985-03-15 1988-11-30 Hasler Ag Ascom Vorrichtung und verfahren zum freigeben und kontrollierten einspeichern beliebiger vorgabebetraege in den vorgabespeicher einer frankiermaschine.
GB2173741B (en) * 1985-04-17 1989-07-05 Pitney Bowes Inc Unsecured postage applying system and method
US4780835A (en) * 1985-12-26 1988-10-25 Pitney Bowes Inc. System for detecting tampering with a postage value accounting unit
US4783745A (en) * 1986-01-30 1988-11-08 Pitney Bowes Inc. Nonvolatile memory unlock for an electronic postage meter
GB8830423D0 (en) * 1988-12-30 1989-03-01 Alcatel Business Systems Franking system
DE69014361T2 (de) * 1989-03-23 1995-04-27 Neopost Ind Verfahren zur Erhöhung der Sicherheit einer elektronischen Frankiermaschine mit Fernaufwertung.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69123340D1 (de) 1997-01-09
DE69123340T2 (de) 1997-04-24
EP0493949A3 (en) 1992-08-05
GB2251213A (en) 1992-07-01
EP0493949A2 (de) 1992-07-08
GB9028225D0 (en) 1991-02-13

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