EP0578042B1 - Procédé pour commander l'impression colonne-par-colonne de l'image d'un timbre postal dans une machine d'affranchissement - Google Patents

Procédé pour commander l'impression colonne-par-colonne de l'image d'un timbre postal dans une machine d'affranchissement Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0578042B1
EP0578042B1 EP93109899A EP93109899A EP0578042B1 EP 0578042 B1 EP0578042 B1 EP 0578042B1 EP 93109899 A EP93109899 A EP 93109899A EP 93109899 A EP93109899 A EP 93109899A EP 0578042 B1 EP0578042 B1 EP 0578042B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
image information
printing
column
alterable
unalterable
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP93109899A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP0578042A3 (fr
EP0578042A2 (fr
Inventor
Stephan Günther
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Francotyp Postalia GmbH
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Francotyp Postalia GmbH
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0578042A2 publication Critical patent/EP0578042A2/fr
Priority to US08/263,378 priority Critical patent/US5608636A/en
Publication of EP0578042A3 publication Critical patent/EP0578042A3/fr
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Publication of EP0578042B1 publication Critical patent/EP0578042B1/fr
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • 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
    • G07B17/00024—Physical or organizational aspects of franking systems
    • 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
    • G07B17/00362—Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value
    • 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
    • G07B17/00435—Details specific to central, non-customer apparatus, e.g. servers at post office or vendor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D7/00—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
    • G07D7/004—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency using digital security elements, e.g. information coded on a magnetic thread or strip
    • G07D7/0047—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency using digital security elements, e.g. information coded on a magnetic thread or strip using checkcodes, e.g. coded numbers derived from serial number and denomination
    • 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
    • G07B17/00024—Physical or organizational aspects of franking systems
    • G07B2017/00032—Determining the location of 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
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00258—Electronic hardware aspects, e.g. type of circuits used
    • 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
    • G07B2017/00354—Setting of date
    • 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
    • G07B17/00362—Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value
    • G07B2017/00395—Memory organization
    • 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
    • G07B17/00362—Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value
    • G07B2017/00395—Memory organization
    • G07B2017/00403—Memory zones protected from unauthorized reading or writing
    • 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
    • G07B17/00435—Details specific to central, non-customer apparatus, e.g. servers at post office or vendor
    • G07B2017/00443—Verification of mailpieces, e.g. by checking databases
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00516—Details of printing apparatus
    • G07B2017/00524—Printheads
    • G07B2017/0054—Thermal printhead
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00572—Details of printed item
    • G07B2017/0058—Printing of code
    • G07B2017/00588—Barcode
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00572—Details of printed item
    • G07B2017/00604—Printing of advert or logo
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00637—Special printing techniques, e.g. interlacing
    • G07B2017/00645—Separating print into fixed and variable parts
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00709—Scanning mailpieces
    • 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
    • G07B2017/0075—Symmetric, secret-key algorithms, e.g. DES, RC2, RC4, IDEA, Skipjack, CAST, AES

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for controlling the column-wise printing of a postage stamp image in a franking machine in which the image information coded ready and before the respective printing process in binary signals to control printing elements be implemented.
  • Another disadvantage is that the implementation of the coded Image information for an entire postage stamp image is relatively time consuming.
  • the one required for coding Time increases time in a franking machine between two prints, so that the throughput of letters is limited per unit of time.
  • a method is known from US Pat. No. 4,580,144 known in which the postage stamp image from two partial images is put together.
  • the constant one Image portion is transferred from a first printing station to one Envelope printed.
  • the post value which varies depending on Letter can be changed by a second printing station printed.
  • the image information for the changeable Images are in coded form and are when printing in binary signals to control Printing elements of a thermal transfer print head implemented. By dividing the postage stamp image to be printed the printing speed on two partial prints for the overall character. There two printheads are used in this known solution the technical effort is great.
  • a printing method is known from DE 40 34 292 A1, where a fixed part of the postage stamp image stored in a memory in the franking machine while another part is in one of the franking machine remote data processing system is kept ready. From the data processing system data of the fixed predetermined part transferred to the franking machine and there before printing put together. The data of the predefined part of the postage stamp image are in a non-volatile Memory saved.
  • DE 37 12 100 A1 is a franking machine message printing system known in which the franking machine one Has memory for advertising messages. These advertising messages can be modified, being from a remote station Print data are transferred to the memory.
  • a franking machine is known from EP 0 352 498 A1 known with a first memory, the fixed data of one saves repetitive print images with each franking. Modifiable data are stored in a second memory. The data from the two memories are used to print each other superimposed, the variable image data to be printed be determined before the actual printing process.
  • EP 0 261 978 A2 describes a method for controlling the Printing a postage stamp image in a franking machine known, where unchangeable image information and changeable Image information using thermal printing elements to be printed.
  • a first set of thermal printing elements prints only the unchangeable image information.
  • a second set of thermal printing elements only prints the changing image information.
  • the unchangeable Image information is therefore not necessary these in binary signals for driving the associated thermal printing elements to implement.
  • the process is also missing from the implemented variable and the implemented unchangeable image information are to be put together to enable control of the thermal printing elements.
  • the invention is based on the consideration that at a separate implementation of the unchangeable image information and the variable image information in binary signals it becomes possible to split the transfer process and perform the sub-operations at different times.
  • the immutable Image information the recurring parts of the image of the postage stamp image concern, in a period of time be implemented in which there is no pressure, for example during the transport of envelopes to the printing station. This can give time for the implementation can be saved during the printing process and run faster.
  • the throughput letters in the franking machine are thus increased.
  • By merging the converted image information only during printing is achieved that the time between defining the ones to be printed changeable image information that depend, for example, on the weight of a letter, and actual pressure becomes minimal. This will likewise the throughput of letters in the Franking machine increased.
  • the changeable and unchangeable Image information merged optimally so that overall the franking of mail is accelerated.
  • the binary data of which merged while printing a postage stamp image can be provided by providing various Sentences with unchangeable or changeable Image information a large number of different Postage stamp images are generated. This is neither a large storage volume or a complicated hardware technology required. The method can therefore with with little technical effort.
  • the changing image information for each Print columns separately between printing two print columns implemented, e.g. during the transport of the Letter in the printing station for printing the postage stamp image.
  • This changeable image information are known to affect the variable parts of the image Postage stamp image, for example the postage value or a date. Because the amount of changing Image information in general in relation to the immutable image information is smaller for the implementation of the changing image information only needed a short time. This will make for the Convert coded image information into binary signals required time, which relates directly to the Throughput of envelopes per unit time affects shortened. The throughput of the franking machine is further improved as a result.
  • Another preferred embodiment provides that the changing image information before printing of the postage stamp image converted into binary data and are kept in a memory and that the binary signals are generated from the binary data.
  • the implementation process takes place in the exemplary embodiment instead of printing, i.e. the printing process can be done in one run even shorter because there is no time for the conversion may be provided during printing got to.
  • the throughput of the franking machine is like this increased even further.
  • the immutable coded picture information held in a read-only memory This picture information will print from this before the start of printing Read-only memory read out and decoded.
  • the read-only memory generally contains the control program for the microprocessor, under whose control the process is carried out according to the invention.
  • the read-only memory is generally on a chip chip ordered and will be when the work program changes the franking machine. With this The unchangeable image information can also be exchanged for predefined image parts of a postage stamp image can be changed easily.
  • the encoded immutable picture information can be taken directly from the read-only memory is an intermediate storage of this image information not mandatory. This can save space or electronic components can be saved.
  • the unchangeable image information before printing a postage stamp image converted into binary data from which binary signals are generated. This ensures that when printing a postage stamp image with regard to the constant part of the image already decoded data can be accessed. The amount of time for data conversion during printing can thus be saved. This creates flexibility the franking machine improved and the throughput of envelopes per unit of time further increased.
  • the encoded Add control characters to image information which indicate whether the image information is changeable or are unchangeable. You can use these control characters the type of image information that is usually in are stored in a memory, recognized and the image information can be treated differently when reading out become. Using the control character is also the saving or buffering of the image information depending on their type in different stores or memory areas possible.
  • the control characters can each image information, for example in the form of a control bit. The respective binary value then identifies the type of image information.
  • the Control character a value that is in the character set of the coded Image information is not included.
  • the control character for example a binary word with 8 bit word length, in the middle of a sequence of coded Image information arranged and when analyzing in In the course of converting the image information into binary data can be recognized as control characters.
  • a practical implementation of the method according to the invention is characterized in that the unchangeable Image information sequentially in columns Address-oriented converted to binary data and open Control characters are examined, with each address is assigned to a pressure element that when it occurs of a predetermined window control character Address cached as window address the binary data before printing a line the unchangeable image information in a print program sequentially address-oriented for printing for the relevant printing elements are provided, that when executing the print program and reaching it the window address branches to a window program in which the changing image information in Binary data converted and for the relevant printing elements are provided address-oriented, and that after processing the window program for the print program is branched back.
  • multiple window programs kept ready, their respective start address depending on the control character indirectly under the Window address is saved.
  • the Memory requirement for a read-only memory increased, in which the window programs are saved, however, these window programs, their processing time the throughput of letters in the franking machine can be branched quickly, without program parameters determined and to these window programs must be transferred.
  • the different Information of a control signal is assigned.
  • the control signal indicate a postage value to be printed, a date, a time, a serial number of the franking machine, a sequential print number and / or one variable image part of a company cliché included.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention becomes the run length coding for coding the image information used.
  • This type of coding draws characterized by high data compression, so that storage space can be saved.
  • FIG. 1 shows a letter envelope 10 in a franking machine under a thermal transfer print head 12 in Arrow direction 13 at constant speed v transported and with a postage stamp image 14 printed.
  • the thermal transfer print head 12 has one Thermal bar 16 with 240 arranged side by side Printing elements d1 to d240.
  • Each of these printing elements d1 to d240 has a heating resistor that the respective Heat pressure element d1 to d240 to a temperature can, in which the color of a 16 bypassed thermal ribbon (not shown) melts and thereby transferred to the envelope 10 becomes. This way the envelope will be Transport movement printed in columns like columns.
  • the columns s1, s2, s3, sj to sn are approximately each simultaneously by the pressure elements d1 to d240 printed so that the print image of a column, e.g. the Column sj, straight.
  • the present invention can be used for other printing processes, for example the ETR (Electroresistive Thermal Transfer ribbon).
  • the postage stamp image 14 has fixed, recurring Parts of the picture, such as a frame 18, a text 20, and a picture element 22. Others fixed image parts can, for example, company clichés, Addresses and promotional information, which, however, in the Figure 1 are not shown for reasons of clarity. Furthermore, the postage stamp image 14 contains variable ones Picture parts in windows FE1, FE2, FE3.
  • the window FE1 contains the current postage value from the franking machine depending on the weight of the letter or its Size is determined.
  • the window contains FE2 or FE3 franking machine-specific data, depending on the franking machine operation be changed.
  • FIG. 2 shows the hardware structure in a block diagram shown to perform the procedure can be used according to the invention.
  • a microprocessor 24 For controlling a microprocessor 24 is provided during the course of the method, which accesses memory elements R1, R2, 26a to 26f, which will be described later.
  • the microprocessor 24 communicates via a not shown Input / output module with peripheral modules, e.g. an electronic scale 28 which measures the weight of the to be printed envelopes 10 with content. Depending on this weight, the microprocessor 24 the postage value to be printed. Via a clock module 25 time data are transmitted to the microprocessor 24.
  • An input keyboard 30 is used for manual Control the operation of the franking machine.
  • a transport motor is placed over the input / output module 32 driven, the envelope 10 under the print bar 16 of the thermal transfer print head 12 moves through.
  • a coding module 33 detects the movement of the Motors, whereby the exact location of the envelope 10 in the Franking machine can be determined.
  • a display 34 shows the current operating status of the franking machine on. This display 34 also serves to show the unchangeable and changeable image information, for example during editing.
  • the Input / output module also passes to a register 36 a capacity of at least 50 bit binary data, which are converted into binary signals by a driver 38 with which the printing elements d1 to d50 des Thermal transfer print head 12 for printing a column can be controlled.
  • the microprocessor 24 processes data stored in memory elements R1, R2, 26a to 26f are stored.
  • Two registers R1, R2 are volatile memories (RAM) and serve as working registers.
  • a fleeting pixel or pixel memory 26a contains in binary form in one Column-wise arrangement of pixel data corresponding to the print (Binary data) from which the binary signals to Control of the pressure element d1 to d50 generated immediately become. Each pixel in the pixel memory 26a is individual addressable.
  • a memory for the microprocessor 24 serving volatile memory 26b data is temporarily stored.
  • the microprocessor 24 takes up another, which also serves as working memory Memory 26c too.
  • This memory 26c is not a volatile read / write memory. It can be battery backed up Memory or be designed as an EEPROM. Changing image information, e.g. the the window FE1, FE2 and FE3, as well as in an area S1 unchangeable image information saved.
  • a character memory 26d there are alphanumeric characters as pixel data in the form of binary data filed.
  • the character memory 26d is a read-only memory (ROM) trained.
  • Program memory 26e stores the program parts at whose execution the method according to the invention becomes.
  • Program memory 26e additionally the unchangeable Image information for predetermined fixed image parts, the names assigned to them are saved are.
  • a booking memory 26f is also provided, in which security-relevant data of the franking machine can be saved, for example the sum of the used up Postal charges.
  • the booking memory 26f is designed as a battery-buffered read / write memory.
  • FIG. 3 for the sake of simplicity, only one is 50 Column with pixels schematically the process of the method according to the invention in the conversion the coded image information is represented in binary data.
  • the Picture part a) shown printing elements d1 to d50 Thermal bar 16 of the thermal transfer print head 12 in arranged in a row.
  • the print pattern consists of a Distribution of colored pressure points, for example Pressure point 42, and unprinted pressure points to Example pressure point 44.
  • the pressure points are each printed by a printing element, e.g. the pressure point 42 through the pressure element d1.
  • Each pressure point is one specially addressable binary information, i.e. a bit assigned in the pixel memory 26a.
  • the bits of a column are by means of a run variable A with the value range 1 to 50 addressable. The value of the run variable A is interpreted as the address for the print elements d1 to d50.
  • Fig. 3 In part c) of Fig. 3 is shown how the encoded image information of the recurring Print pattern U are converted into binary data and that Occurrence of a window area is detected.
  • the unchangeable Image information of the print pattern U are in run-length-coded form after editing as hexadecimal values in the working memory 26c.
  • the Coded picture information is byte by byte in one follows with addresses a1 to a5 in area S1 for the Column saved. With the run length coding alternately indicated how many pressure points in a row should be printed in color or non-color.
  • the run length X of the code "02" is therefore two.
  • a hexadecimal value "00" serves as a print control character to control the color change, i.e. it causes the switchover from heating the pressure element to non-heating and vice versa, where the run length X is zero.
  • this print control character it is possible to choose any long chains of pressure dots of the same color information to build. This allows thermal print bars use with a number of printing elements that are larger is the available range of values of a byte.
  • the hexadecimal value "51" at address a3 is outside the defined value range the run length coding, which with 50 printing elements ranges from hexadecimal "O1" to "32". Within the possible hexadecimal range of values of a byte as is known to range from "00" to "FF", values that outside the range of the run length coding occur interpreted as control characters.
  • the first Value "5" of the hexadecimal value "51” means that a window begins to change within it Image information must be provided.
  • the second value "1" indicates the number of the window, i.e. on the Window FE1. In this way, multiple windows can be marked become. The when a control character occurs Process steps performed later explained.
  • the value "F0" occurs at address a5, which in turn is interpreted as a control character. He has the Meaning that the end of the column has been reached.
  • the run variable A must then be reset to the initial value A1, and converting the unchangeable image information in binary data for the next column can start.
  • Fig. 3 is schematic the conversion of the encoded variable image information with the addresses b1 to b4 of the window FE1 in Binary data shown. Even the changing image information are after the alternate run length coding encoded and are described in the above Way converted. It should be noted that the value of the Run variables A consistently match the value before occurrence of the control character.
  • the program for Generation of binary data from the unchangeable image information as well as filtering out the control characters indicated that indicate windows Preferably this program before turning on printing carried out, for example after a new postage stamp image fixed or the existing postage stamp image has been modified.
  • To change the Postage stamp image becomes an editing program (not shown) processed, with the unchangeable and changeable image information in the working memory 26c be deposited.
  • After starting the program in the procedural step 50 become the desired postage stamp image belonging unchangeable image information, which are stored, for example, in the working memory 26c are selected and selected.
  • these print data are opened Control characters checked.
  • step 64 checks for a control character is present, which indicates a window in which changeable image information must be provided. If negated, the coded print date examined is an unchangeable image information and it becomes Method step 66 branches. There is the run length coded Date decoded and the binary data according to the explanations for Fig. 3 generated. According to the Run length X, the value A of the run variable is increased and then branched to step 54.
  • Step 68 continued, in which the current value A 'of the run variable A is stored in the buffer 26b becomes.
  • the control character contains as information a window number n, which is also stored becomes. Since the length L, i.e. the number of Print points or bytes of the respective window in advance is known, the running variable A by this amount increased and branched back to step 54. After this all coded print data of the unchangeable Image information has been analyzed and decoded, the program is exited at step 58.
  • the at Binary data obtained from the decoding are stored in the pixel memory 26a filed.
  • Step 70 After starting the program in Step 70 becomes the electronic scale 28 incoming control signal analyzed (method step 72) and the postage value to be printed is determined. Depending on this post value is added to data in method step 74 in the working memory 26c with variable image information accessed who assigned this post value is. This data is called window print data for the Window FE1 provided (step 74). The Access is via indexed addressing, as later will be explained in step 94.
  • a run variable C loaded which is interpreted as the address at which the binary data of the unchangeable ones in the pixel memory 26a Image information is stored.
  • This run variable C has a fixed relationship to the above mentioned run variable A, which as mentioned as an address is interpreted for the binary data of a column.
  • the run variable C checks whether the postage stamp image has been printed is. If this is the case, the print program in the Method step 80 ended. Otherwise, in Method step 82 checks whether an end of the column has been reached is. If this is the case, then in register 36 ( Figure 2) all 50 binary information (bits) for provided the printing of a column, and this column can be printed in a single print. Then, in step 86, the run variable C set to the beginning of the next column.
  • step 82 If the answer is negative in step 82, it becomes the procedural step 88 branches.
  • step 90 If it is determined in step 90 that the current one Value of the run variable A corresponds to the value A ', this is how they are made available in the working memory 26c in step 74 encoded window print data decoded, converted to binary data using the run variable A loaded into register 36 in an address-oriented manner and at "End of column" at step 84 to the thermal transfer printhead 12 issued.
  • step 94 the Run variable C increased by the length L of the window FE1.
  • an index variable I is increased by 1. This serves the purpose that when converting the coded window print data in the column below on the Print data accessed through indexed addressing can be.
  • the program then branches to step 76. If all print columns of the postage stamp image are printed, so at "end of image" (Step 78) exit the print program.
  • the invention will be the invariable binary Data encoded from the unchangeable term Image information is generated by decoding in temporarily stored in a first area of the pixel memory 26a. From the changing image information Altered binary data are obtained in one second area of the pixel memory 26a temporarily stored. When printing a column, the unchangeable ones and changeable binary data from the first and second area of pixel memory 26a in the through the control characters given order are read out and written into the register 36 for printing a column. Merging the unchangeable and changeable image information takes place with this Variant in register 36.
  • the pixel memory 26a into several memory areas, according to the unchangeable ones and variable parts of the picture.
  • the division is made using the control characters.
  • the changing image information can be in a memory area of the pixel memory 26a given addresses according to the columns printing pixels of the printed image can be saved. When changing the binary data of a window, accessed the memory area via these fixed addresses and changed its data.
  • the unchangeable Image information stored in a read-only memory be, e.g. in the program memory 26e.
  • decoding the unchangeable image information is on this Read-only memory 26e accessed.
  • the caching the run-length-coded, unchangeable image information can then be omitted.
  • On the corresponding Memory area S1 of the working memory 26c can then to be dispensed with.

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

Claims (18)

  1. Procédé de commande de l'impression colonne par colonne de l'image d'un timbre postal (14) dans une machine à affranchir dans lequel on stocke les informations d'image sous une forme codée et, avant l'opération d'impression concernée, on les convertit en signaux binaires pour commander des éléments d'impression (d1-d240), les informations d'image invariables et les informations d'image variables étant converties séparément,
    les informations d'image invariables converties et les informations d'image variables converties étant combinées seulement pendant l'impression de l'image de timbre postal (14),
    caractérisé par le fait que
    l'on fixe les informations d'image variables seulement au moment du processus d'impression.
  2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que, pour chaque colonne d'impression (s1, s2, sj, sn), on convertit séparément les informations d'image variables entre l'impression de deux colonnes (par exemple sj, sj+1).
  3. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que, avant l'impression de l'image de timbre postal (14), on transforme les informations d'image variables en données binaires et on les stocke dans une mémoire (26b) et par le fait que l'on produit les signaux binaires à partir des données binaires.
  4. Procédé selon une des revendications 1 à 3 précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que l'on stocke les informations d'image invariables codées et les informations d'image variables codées dans des zones distinctes de mémoire non volatile (26c).
  5. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que l'on stocke les informations d'image invariables codées dans une mémoire à lecture seule (26e) et qu'on les lit dans ladite mémoire et on les décode avant le début de l'impression.
  6. Procédé selon une des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé par le fait que, avant l'impression d'une image de timbre postal (14),
    on convertit les informations d'image invariables en données binaires sur la base desquelles des signaux binaires sont produits.
  7. Procédé selon une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que l'on attribue aux informations d'image codées des caractères de commande (par exemple "51") qui indiquent si les informations d'image codées qui suivent sont variables ou invariables.
  8. Procédé selon une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que l'on répartit les informations d'image, en fonction des caractères de commande, en informations d'image variables et en informations d'image invariables.
  9. Procédé selon la revendication 8, caractérisé par le fait que les caractères de commande ont une valeur (par exemple "51") qui n'est pas contenue dans le registre de caractères des informations d'image codées.
  10. Procédé selon la revendication 9, caractérisé par le fait que l'on dispose les informations d'image invariables d'une rangée (par exemple adresses-sources a1 à a5) en accord avec l'impression colonne par colonne et que l'on insère des caractères de commande ("51") entre les informations d'image.
  11. Procédé selon la revendication 10, caractérisé par le fait que l'on convertit les informations d'image invariables colonne par colonne, séquentiellement de manière orientée adresse, en données binaires et que l'on examine leur caractère de commande, chaque adresse (A) étant associée à un élément d'impression, par le fait que lorsqu'un caractère de commande apparaít, (étape 64) on mémorise temporairement l'adresse concernée comme adresse de fenêtre (A'), par le fait qu'avant d'imprimer une colonne, on stocke les données binaires des informations d'image invariables séquentiellement de manière orientée adresse dans un programme d'impression pour imprimer les éléments d'impression concernés (d1 à d256) par le fait que lors du déroulement du programme d'impression et lorsqu'on atteint l'adresse de fenêtre (A') on bifurque vers un programme de fenêtre (étape 94), dans lequel les informations d'image variables sont converties en données binaires et stockées de manière orientée adresse pour les éléments d'impression concernés et par le fait qu'après le déroulement du programme de fenêtre (94) on revient au programme d'impression.
  12. Procédé selon la revendication 11, caractérisé par le fait que l'on stocke plusieurs programmes de fenêtre dont l'adresse de début est mémorisée de manière indirecte en fonction du caractère de commande sous l'adresse de fenêtre.
  13. Procédé selon une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que l'on stocke un grand nombre de jeux d'informations d'image variables codées auxquelles on associe les différentes informations d'un signal de commande.
  14. Procédé selon la revendication 13, caractérisé par le fait que le signal de commande contient comme information une valeur d'affranchissement à imprimer, une date, une heure, un numéro de série de la machine à affranchir, un numéro d'impression courant et/ou une partie d'image variable d'un cliché de société.
  15. Procédé selon la revendication 13 ou 14, caractérisé par le fait que l'appel des informations d'image variables a lieu par adressage mémoire indirect.
  16. Procédé selon une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que lors de l'impression séquentielle de plusieurs colonnes numérotées dans l'ordre croissant, l'appel des informations d'image variables a lieu par adressage mémoire indirect indexé, les informations d'image variables étant converties en données binaires en accord avec le numéro de colonne à imprimer.
  17. Procédé selon une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que l'on stocke plusieurs jeux d'informations d'image invariables codées que l'on appelle de manière sélective.
  18. Procédé selon une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que l'on utilise pour le codage des informations d'image le codage de longueur de déplacement.
EP93109899A 1992-06-26 1993-06-21 Procédé pour commander l'impression colonne-par-colonne de l'image d'un timbre postal dans une machine d'affranchissement Expired - Lifetime EP0578042B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

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US08/263,378 US5608636A (en) 1993-06-21 1994-06-21 Method for controlling the column-by-column printing of a franking image in a postage meter machine

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DE4221270 1992-06-26
DE4221270A DE4221270A1 (de) 1992-06-26 1992-06-26 Anordnung und Verfahren zur Klischeetextteiländerung für Frankiermaschinen

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EP0578042A2 EP0578042A2 (fr) 1994-01-12
EP0578042A3 EP0578042A3 (fr) 1994-12-07
EP0578042B1 true EP0578042B1 (fr) 1999-05-19

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EP98250403A Withdrawn EP0907149A3 (fr) 1992-06-26 1993-06-21 Méthode pour évaluer des impressions de sécurité
EP98250404A Expired - Lifetime EP0907150B1 (fr) 1992-06-26 1993-06-21 Méthode pour la vérification des impressions de sécurité
EP93109899A Expired - Lifetime EP0578042B1 (fr) 1992-06-26 1993-06-21 Procédé pour commander l'impression colonne-par-colonne de l'image d'un timbre postal dans une machine d'affranchissement
EP98250402A Expired - Lifetime EP0902400B1 (fr) 1992-06-26 1993-06-21 Procédé pour vérifier un motif destiné à la sécurité
EP93250183A Expired - Lifetime EP0576113B1 (fr) 1992-06-26 1993-06-21 Procédé et dispositif pour la génération d'une impression de sécurité

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EP98250403A Withdrawn EP0907149A3 (fr) 1992-06-26 1993-06-21 Méthode pour évaluer des impressions de sécurité
EP98250404A Expired - Lifetime EP0907150B1 (fr) 1992-06-26 1993-06-21 Méthode pour la vérification des impressions de sécurité

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EP98250402A Expired - Lifetime EP0902400B1 (fr) 1992-06-26 1993-06-21 Procédé pour vérifier un motif destiné à la sécurité
EP93250183A Expired - Lifetime EP0576113B1 (fr) 1992-06-26 1993-06-21 Procédé et dispositif pour la génération d'une impression de sécurité

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US (2) US5471925A (fr)
EP (5) EP0907149A3 (fr)
CA (1) CA2099206C (fr)
DE (5) DE4221270A1 (fr)

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DE4221270A1 (de) * 1992-06-26 1994-01-05 Francotyp Postalia Gmbh Anordnung und Verfahren zur Klischeetextteiländerung für Frankiermaschinen

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10230679A1 (de) * 2002-07-04 2004-01-22 Francotyp-Postalia Ag & Co. Kg Verfahren zum Steuern des Druckens in einem Postbearbeitungsgerät
DE10230678A1 (de) * 2002-07-04 2004-03-25 Francotyp-Postalia Ag & Co. Kg Anordnung zum Steuern des Druckens in einem Postbearbeitungsgerät
EP1696390A2 (fr) 2005-02-15 2006-08-30 Francotyp-Postalia GmbH Procédé et dispositif de controller l'impression d'une imprimante à transfert thermique
DE102005007220B4 (de) * 2005-02-15 2007-08-16 Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh Verfahren und Anordnung zum Steuern des Druckens eines Thermotransferdruckgeräts

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DE59309965D1 (de) 2000-04-13
CA2099206C (fr) 1998-10-27
DE4221270A1 (de) 1994-01-05
EP0576113B1 (fr) 2000-03-08
DE59310377D1 (de) 2005-10-06
EP0902400A3 (fr) 2000-09-13
EP0907149A2 (fr) 1999-04-07
EP0576113A3 (fr) 1994-12-07
DE59310376D1 (de) 2005-09-15
EP0902400B1 (fr) 2005-08-10
EP0907149A3 (fr) 2000-09-13
EP0576113A2 (fr) 1993-12-29
EP0907150B1 (fr) 2005-08-31
US5471925A (en) 1995-12-05
EP0578042A3 (fr) 1994-12-07
CA2099206A1 (fr) 1993-12-27
EP0578042A2 (fr) 1994-01-12
EP0907150A3 (fr) 2000-09-13
EP0907150A2 (fr) 1999-04-07
DE59309587D1 (de) 1999-06-24
EP0902400A2 (fr) 1999-03-17
US5894792A (en) 1999-04-20

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