EP0621562B1 - Machine à affranchir en deux parties - Google Patents
Machine à affranchir en deux parties Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0621562B1 EP0621562B1 EP94400793A EP94400793A EP0621562B1 EP 0621562 B1 EP0621562 B1 EP 0621562B1 EP 94400793 A EP94400793 A EP 94400793A EP 94400793 A EP94400793 A EP 94400793A EP 0621562 B1 EP0621562 B1 EP 0621562B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- head
- microprocessor
- base
- keyboard
- messages
- 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
Links
Images
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
- G07B2017/00233—Housing, e.g. lock or hardened casing
-
- 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
- G07B2017/00241—Modular design
-
- 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
- G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
- G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
- G07B2017/00516—Details of printing apparatus
- G07B2017/00524—Printheads
- G07B2017/00548—Mechanical printhead
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a machine for franking comprising a first part called “franking head” and a second part called “base”, a keyboard associated with the first part and means for communication linking these parts (EP-A- 0 086 396).
- the head performs the functions strictly postal services, in particular the sensitive functions of accounting and printing, which must be protected against any attempt at fraud or deterioration accidental information, while the base provides the most non-sensitive functions, i.e. do not not requiring the same level of security.
- the base is also likely to include a set of electronic cards allowing the management of peripherals such as a label dispenser electronic preselection, printer, scale postal, etc ...
- the means of communication allow the base and at the head to exchange, bidirectionally, all information required for the proper functioning of these elements.
- the head has a programmed microprocessor, especially in order to ensure postal functions highly secure, including the evolution of registers accountants, and in particular that including the statement of user's postal account at any time and refreshed after each franking operation. he is also planned a program allowing the modification of the content of these registers, and in particular the account statement register, to during the "reloading" of the machine in postal funds.
- the head includes gripping means, such as a keyboard, and display means.
- the head software is highly protected, to avoid any attempt at fraud.
- the present invention has, in this perspective, intended to make it scalable, in particular by adding new functions, a franking machine whose head software cannot be changed.
- Another object is to be able to reconfigure the case appropriate the head keyboard, and use the latter too good for ordering postal functions that functions non-postal specific to the base.
- Another object is also to be able select particular functions that can be available to a user in a certain country, but not in others.
- Another object is to be able to translate into several languages the indications appearing on the screen display, without having to modify the head.
- the first and second microprocessors implement, in a mode of so-called "normal" operation, a communication protocol suitable for transmitting to the message base representative of at least some of the orders entered on the keyboard and have it retransmitted from the base to the head the commands executable by the latter, such so that from the head keyboard you can't control at least some functions, without the commands relating to such functions do not pass through the base.
- the machine can also be characterized in that, on the one hand, said first microprocessor is arranged so that in a "normal" operating mode, it identifies the the keystrokes, and transmits to the base by said means of communication, one or more messages representative of identification, while, on the other hand, said second microprocessor is arranged to interpret the messages received, and have them transmitted, through said messages means of communication, one or more messages representative of orders executable by the first microprocessor, so that from the keyboard of the head we can not, in said normal operating mode, order no function at least related to postage, without the control of these functions transits through the base.
- the orders struck by the user on the keyboard are, before their execution by the microprocessor of the head, transmitted to the microprocessor of the base, which is responsible for transmitting to the microprocessor from the head an execution message.
- the microprocessor of the base which is responsible for transmitting to the microprocessor from the head an execution message.
- the invention is implemented in a franking machine of conventional structure comprising two parts, a first called “head”, and a second called “base”.
- head a first called "head”
- base a second called "base”.
- the base 12 has a schematic housing-frame under the reference 13 supporting, in a manner known per se, a motor 14, a connector 15 for linking to peripherals (not shown), a connector 18 for electrical connection with the head 11 and a connector 17a for logical connection with this head.
- the franking head 11 comprises a housing-frame shown schematically under the reference 20.
- the head 11 comprises, arranged in this housing, a display 21 and a keyboard 22 which comprises, in this embodiment, on the one hand, numeric keys and, on the other hand, functional keys.
- the keyboard can also have alphabetic keys configured, for example, as AZERTY.
- the head 11 includes a franking mechanism itself comprising a schematic franking tree under the reference 24, a mechanism 23 for adjusting the value franking by means of a stepping motor (no represented in this figure, but corresponding to that described in European patent 0.181.804), a device 26, 27, 28 for training letters or labels to be franked, essentially comprising the schematic rollers, a table guiding and ejecting letters to be franked, shown schematically under reference 29, (presenting a part corresponding 30 in the base, so as to form a table continuous) and a feeler device 25 for detecting the passage of envelopes.
- a franking mechanism itself comprising a schematic franking tree under the reference 24
- a mechanism 23 for adjusting the value franking by means of a stepping motor not represented in this figure, but corresponding to that described in European patent 0.181.804
- a device 26, 27, 28 for training letters or labels to be franked essentially comprising the schematic rollers
- the base also includes a member 14a of transmission of the torque from the engine 14 to the head 11.
- the organ 14a ( Figure 2) is connected to a device 31 of power take-off itself connected, via various trees shown diagrammatically under references 32-34, in game rollers 26-28 and to the franking shaft 24 by a clutch shown diagrammatically under reference 35.
- Clutch 35 receives the driving force by a pair of gears 35a and 35b.
- the clutch 35 is controlled by a device for trigger not shown.
- the head and the base have electronic cards with themselves microprocessors ensuring the various functions of the stamp machine.
- electronic cards shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 under the reference 80 they are connected to connector 18, electrical connection, and to a connector 17b, of logical connection, with the base.
- the electronics 80 of the head is connected to the output of the trigger device, as well as an organ, shown schematically under reference 40 for franking value control (in the present case described in the applicant's patent FR-2.645.267).
- Organ 40 monitors, as explained in this document, the mechanism 23 for fixing the value postage.
- the electronics 80 of the head is also connected to the display 21 and to the keyboard 22.
- the electronics of the base schematized under the reference 90 provides the various functions specific to it, in particular the management functions of certain peripherals (e.g. scale, label dispenser etc ).
- FIG 3 is a schematic representation of the franking machine which has just been described in support Figures 1 and 2. In this figure, there is shown certain means necessary for the understanding of this invention.
- the keyboard buffer 59 consists of a two-byte register ( X 1 , X 2 ) (see Annex II); between two resets, there is a copy in this register of the keys which have been pressed, so as to reproduce a map of all the keys which have been pressed at least once.
- the keyboard mask 71 ( Y 1 , Y 2 ) comprises a register of two bytes, the bits of which are assigned in the same way as those of the buffer; these bits, depending on their position, authorize or inhibit each key on the keyboard.
- the mask 72 for lighting the light-emitting diodes associated with the keyboard is a register comprising two bits per diode, ie two bytes ( Z 1 , Z 2 ) for eight diodes (limited to six diodes, in this embodiment ); when the two bits are in the same state, the diode is on (logic state "1") or off (logic state "0") and when they are in a different state, the diode flashes.
- keyboard and base are connected by means of communication 51, 54 themselves linked together by a serial link formed here by the logical link connectors 17a and 17b.
- the present invention implements a special cooperation of microprocessors 50, 53 and means of communication 51, 54, with a view to enabling employment keyboard 22 and display 21 to control or control functions performed by the head as well as by the base while giving the latter control of operations, insofar as postal security is not affected.
- This organization also aims to allow the reconfiguration on the one hand, of the keyboard 22 and on the other hand, display formats of the display 21.
- Microprocessors 50 and 53 are programmed to perform various postal and management functions.
- the program memory of microprocessor 50 which is hidden as it was said above, contains the programs who manage and control postal operations and functions (setting the value of postage, managing the counter ascending and descending counter as well as codes errors related to these functions). They manage and control, in in addition, the keyboard 22 and the display 21 (scanning of keyboard keys to locate a key pressed, send to the display of the characters to be displayed and of the ordered). These programs finally manage the means of communication 51, and in particular the recognition of codes received to call this or that function.
- the program memory of microprocessor 53 of the base is not hidden.
- the contained programs generate all non-postal functions such as management peripherals (for example: label dispenser, printer, balance, accounting head).
- management peripherals for example: label dispenser, printer, balance, accounting head.
- the different messages to be transmitted are also generated by these programs; these messages allow the command of all head functions including display and keyboard.
- one aspect of the invention resides in a communication protocol between head 11 and base 12 following the striking of certain orders on the keyboard 22, prior to their execution by the head, to allow base 12 to confirm the execution of the desired order.
- the logic of this dialogue will be described in support of figure 4.
- the messages or commands are coded on bytes, defining function or data parameters, and, include, other share, agreed words indicating the beginning and end of the message.
- This message is sent exclusively from the base to the head. Its format is: FO , (order code ), ( parity ), FF
- This message is exclusively sent by the base. It constitutes a command for writing X bytes from the address Y of the direct access memory RAM associated with the microprocessor 53 of the head; it should be noted that certain addresses are however protected against writing, such as for example postal registers. Its format is: F6 , (X , Y) , (data to be recorded) , (parity) , FF .
- This message is exclusively sent by the base. It constitutes a command to rewrite the keyboard buffer, ie X bytes from the Y address. Its format is: F7 , (X , Y) , (parity) , FF .
- This message is exclusively sent by the base. It constitutes a command for displaying the total credit contained in the permanent memory 70 of the head in which the state of the ascending counter is recorded. Its format is: F8 , (parity) , FF
- This message is exclusively sent by the base. It constitutes a command for displaying the current postage value contained in the RAM memory associated with the microprocessor 50 of the head. Its format is: F9 , (parity) , FF
- This message is exclusively sent by the base. It constitutes a command which validates (in this case sets to one), in accordance with the mask constituted by the Y byte, the flag bits contained, at the address specified by the X byte, in the direct access memory RAM associated with the head. Its format is: FA , (X , Y) , (parity) , FF
- This message is exclusively sent by the base. It constitutes a command which invalidates (in this case sets to zero), in accordance with the mask constituted by the Y byte, the flag bits contained, at the address specified by the X byte, in the direct access memory RAM associated with the head. Its format is: FB , (X , Y) , (parity) , FF
- This message is sent by the base. It constitutes the command for erasing the display windows. Its format is: FC , (parity) , FF .
- Figure 4 shows the sequence of operations from entering (100) keyboard keys and illustrates the communication protocol between the base and the head.
- This protocol is implemented in programs stored in microprocessors 50 and 53. These programs include routines for receiving, preparation and issuance of messages, as well as subroutines management of serial communication means 51 and 54. These routines and subroutines are inherently scope of the skilled person who can further implements the protocol described here based on the indications which will follow. The program will not be annexed to the present request for machine safety reasons which will be manufactured and marketed after the deposit of this application.
- the microprocessor 50 located in the head, manages the keyboard 22, that is to say that in particular it detects all the keys as they are pressed (101); he prepares messages reporting on pressing these keys (102) (see description of operation). These messages are issued (103) by the microprocessor 50 then sent (104) by means 51a transmitting means 51 towards the base via the serial link 17a-17b (step 104).
- the message sent by the head is received by the reception means 54b of the base; the received message is first checked to determine if it is complete and does not contain a transmission error; to do this, the parity byte is recalculated (step 109) from the received message, and compared with the parity byte received in the message (test 110); if the recalculated parity and the transmitted parity are different, a transmission error message ( FE , FF ) is prepared (111, 109) then sent (106, 107) by the transmission means 54a to the head. If the parities are identical, an error-free acknowledgment message ( FD , FF ) is prepared (112, 108) and then sent (106, 107) under the same conditions.
- a time delay of 50 ms (113a) is started in the head; when this time has elapsed, a test (114a) is operated in the head, in order to determine whether a message acknowledgment of receipt without error ( FD , FF ) has indeed been received. If this is not so (115a), the initial message is again sent to the base; three attempts are thus made; if after these three attempts the message acknowledgment of receipt without error is still not received, an error code is displayed on the display 21 of the head, signifying that the system is not working, and that it is necessary to call the maintenance department.
- the message When the message has been received and has resulted in an error-free acknowledgment, it is decoded (116) and its content is examined (test 117) to determine whether it message is addressed to the base, or if it is a message concerning the head.
- the conditions for this examination are entirely determined by the microprocessor program 53 from the base; it follows that the correspondence, which was given above, between the messages received from the head and the messages that the base sends back to it and their meaning, is only indicative. This correspondence can be modified by the only modification of the program of the microprocessor 53 of the base.
- one (or more) message (s) relating to the function is (are) prepared (s) (118-108) and then sent (s) (106-107) to the head for execution of the function.
- the message (s) are received by the reception means 51b. Control operations similar to those described above are then performed.
- the parity of the message is first of all recalculated (120).
- a test (121) is then carried out in order to determine whether the recalculated parity and the transmitted parity are different or not. If so, a transmission error message ( FE , FF ) is prepared (122-102) and then issued (103). If there is no error, an acknowledgment message ( FD , FF ) is prepared (123-102) and then sent.
- a time delay of 50 ms is started (113b) in the microprocessor of the base at each sending of message, a test (114b) is operated to determine if a message acknowledgment of receipt without error ( FD , FF ) has been successfully received. If this is not so (115b) the message is again sent to the head; three attempts are thus made.
- microprocessor 53 supports this request (step 119).
- the protocol described implements a bidirectional head and base linkage system which ensures very high security, and permanent control of its proper functioning.
- the interpretation of messages sent from the head keyboard and forwarding, by the base, of a message executable by the head are the fact of the software recorded in the microprocessor 53 of the base.
- This software can be modified.
- the software of the microprocessor 50 of the head is frozen once and for all, and may only understand certain messages.
- the present invention therefore offers both a certain flexibility, since the interpretation of messages sent by the head and the sending by the base of executable orders by the head, can be changed.
- the present invention at the same time presents an important security, since the structure of messages understandable by the head is frozen once and for all, while sensitive registers (e.g. postal registers) cannot be modified by messages transmitted from the base.
- sensitive registers e.g. postal registers
- the keyboard buffer 59 is updated, and the code of the corresponding digit is put in the working area of the RAM of the microprocessor of the head; when the key is released, a DC 5 message is sent to the base microprocessor.
- a function key is pressed, the keyboard buffer is updated and a DC 4 message is sent to the microprocessor 53 of the base. This message transmits the content of the keyboard buffer 59; this keyboard buffer will then be reset to zero before the base microprocessor accepts new keystrokes. Finally, when the key is released, a DC 5 message is sent to the base microprocessor.
- the content of the keyboard buffer is analyzed by the microprocessor 53 of the base, so that it can determine its subsequent behavior. If the base needs additional information, it will send a DC 5 message to which the head will respond by DC 1 .
- the base microprocessor will then first carry out the commands necessary to execute the mission defined by the function key contained in the keyboard buffer, (for example actuating the label dispenser, displaying a message on the screen using the DC 1 and DC 2 messages, modify the keypad buffer to inhibit certain keys and activate others, send the head an order to validate the value to be franked by a DC 1 message, or any other action determined by the function code received and the base microprocessor program). Then it will send, secondly, a DC 6 message to reset the keyboard buffer.
- keyboard input 22 cannot be executed without this order has passed through the base, which is favorable for the possible reconfiguration of the keyboard and the addition of new functions by simply modifying the base, and also gives good security to the franking machine since the order structure understandable by the head microprocessor is frozen once and for all in the hidden software of the head microprocessor 50.
- the operation described above can be substantially modified in the following way: each time a digital key is released, on reception of the resulting DC 5 message, the base microprocessor can intervene to read in the working memory the code of the digit, and use it as it pleases: for example, memorize this code to capture the sequence of numbers typed on the keyboard and interpret the combination, or even replace in the working memory of the head the code in question by another code, which allows you to redesign the keys on the numeric keyboard.
- all data typed on the keyboard is not relayed by the basic, as long as they do not concern the security of the postage function: for example, the transfer of the value of the numbers typed on the keyboard in the memory of work, and transfer of footprint offset values are also transferred directly from the work register to fingerprint shift register, when the FOOTPRINT key is pressed.
- the microprocessor of the base is informed and can always reconstitute the control actions performed; it is therefore possible that the base intervenes by sending messages aimed at prohibit, or modify these orders, and to account for them on the head display.
- the machine is likely to operate in "recharge" mode and, for this purpose, there are still other commands which are executed directly in the module, without the base microprocessor can be informed and can intervene: these are the orders concerning the reloading of the postage meter credit register by the personnel empowered to do so, or using procedures likely to restrict access: for example, access to a such reloading may involve the use of a code secret; the secret code, struck on the head keyboard is recognized by microprocessor 50 and does not cause any sending message; similarly, the data then typed on the keyboard to reload the down counter, once received authorization or after using an access key, do not also do not cause a report message to the base.
- the protocol described in support of figure 4 is substantially amended.
- the modifications are shown in dashed lines.
- the step (101) of detecting the keys pressed it is tested (131) to determine if the key or the combination of keys pressed are preferred (i.e. they correspond to executable orders directly by the head, without transit through the base by example: recognition of the mode access code "reload”). If so, the microprocessor 50 controls the execution (132) of such orders (for example change to "reload” mode). If not, the step (102) message preparation can be performed as described above.
- a test (133) can also be planned to prevent reporting at the base of certain orders executable by the head (in "reload” mode). For the rest the protocol is unchanged.
- the microprocessor 53 of the base takes control of the printing register of the head, by DC messages 6 , and of the display 21, by messages DC 1 and DC 2 ; and the microprocessor 53 of the base also sends DC 0 messages to cause the printer to automatically adjust to the tariff indications received by the device constituted by the scale and its tax calculator.
- the mask is organized as follows: KEYBOARD KEY BIT OCTET 1 OCTET 2 DATED 0 z 10 Z 1 z 20 Z 2 BALANCE 1 z 11 z 21 FOOTPRINT 2 z 12 z 22 PRINTER 3 z 13 z 23 GVA 4 z 14 z 24 LABELS 5 z 15 z 25 6 z 16 z 26 7 z 17 z 27
- the keyboard buffer is organized (2 bytes X 1 , X 2 ) and the validation mask (2 bytes Y 1 , Y 2 ) as follows :
Description
- la figure 1 est une vue schématique illustrant l'agencement des principaux moyens mécaniques d'une machine à affranchir mettant en oeuvre l'invention ;
- la figure 2 est une vue de dessus schématique et simplifiée de la machine illustrée en figure 1,
- la figure 3 est un schéma ilustrant l'organisation matérielle d'une partie de la machine à affranchir faisant l'objet des figures 1 et 2 ;
- la figure 4 est un diagramme fonctionnel illustrant l'interaction des deux parties de la machine, conformément à l'invention.
- à l'afficheur 21,
- au clavier 22,
- à des moyens de communication 51. Ces moyens de communication comportent d'une part, des moyens d'émission 51a et d'autre part, des moyens de réception 51b, gérés par le microprocesseur 50 et reliés au connecteur 17b,
- à une mémoire permanente 70 pour mémoriser les données postales,
- à une mémoire RAM comportant notamment :
- une zone 59 dite tampon de clavier, mémorisant les touches du clavier qui ont été utilisées,
- une zône 71 dite masque clavier, mémorisant les touches autorisées de ce clavier,
- une zone 72 dite masque d'allumage des diodes luminescentes associées au clavier,
- une zone 73 contenant des drapeaux figurant l'état de divers organes ou fonctions de la machine,
- une zône 74 servant de mémoire de travail pour les diverses fonctions remplies par le microprocesseur 50.
- à des moyens de communication 54. Ces moyens de communication, qui sont reliés au connecteur 17a, comportent des moyens d'émission 54a et des moyens de réception 54b gérés par le microprocesseur 53,
- à des moyens, de structure connue en soi, de gestion de périphériques associés à la base. Ces moyens de gestion sont schématisés sous la référence 55,
- et à d'autres moyens destinés à assurer les fonctions classiques attribuées en général à la base. Ces autres moyens sont illustrés sous la référence 56.
- les chiffres 0 à 9 et les lettres A à F , en caractères majuscules italiques soulignés représentent des chiffres hexadécimaux,
- les mots entre parenthèses et en lettres
italiques soulignées représentent des
octets. Il peut s'agit d'octets de données qui
sont intitulés ci-après : ( code de fonction ), ( données ),
( code de commande )., (paramètres ), (texte ASCII).
Il peut également s'agir d'un octet de contrôle de parité : ( parité ). - les lettres X , Y ou Z en italiques soulignées, éventuellement indicées représentent des octets de données ou d'adresse dans les mémoires à accès direct.
- les treize différents messages sont intitulés
DC 0 , DC 1 , ... DC C
A l'exception des messages d'erreur ou d'accusé
réception, le format général des messages ou des commandes
est :
Fx, (données), ( parité ), FF
où:- Fx :
- est un octet de début de valeur comprise entre FO et FC, correspondant à chacun des messages ou commande DC 0 à DC C ,
- Données:
- ce sont un ou plusieurs octets qui véhiculent des informations telles que codes de commande ou de fonction et éventuellement le ou les paramètres nécessaires à l'exécution de la fonction sélectionnée.
- Parité :
- c'est un octet de parité qui est calculé avec un OU exclusif octet par octet sur l'ensemble du message.
- FF :
- est un octet qui marque la fin du message.
- le recalcul de la parité donne un résultat juste : le récepteur renvoie un accusé de réception composé des deux octets FD , FF ,
- le recalcul de la parité donne un résultat faux : le récepteur renvoie un message d'erreur composé des deux octets FE, FF.
- Côté base, l'émission vers la tête est interrompue.
- Côté tête : si FF a déjà été envoyé, le tampon de réception est effacé. Une priorité à l'émission est ainsi conférée à la tête.
FO, ( code de commande ), ( parité ), FF
F1 , ( code fonction ), ( paramètres ), ( parité ), FF
F1 , ( X 1 ... X n ), ( parité ), FF , où :
( X 1 ... X n ) : données enregistrées dans le registre désigné par la commande DC 5 .
F2 , ( Texte ASCII ), ( parité ), FF
F2 , (parité) , FF
F3 , ( Z 1, Z 2), ( parité ), FF
F3 , (parité) , FF .
Son format est :
F4 , ( Y 1, Y 2), (parité) , FF
F4 , (X 1 , X 2 ) , ( parité ), FF.
F5 , ( X , Y ), ( parité ), FF
F5 , (parité) , FF.
F6 , (X , Y) , (données à enregistrer) , (parité) , FF .
F7 , (X , Y) , (parité) , FF .
F8 , (parité) , FF
F9 , (parité) , FF
FA , (X , Y) , (parité), FF
FB , (X, Y) , (parité) , FF
FC , (parité) , FF .
- en mode "clavier", c'est-à-dire dans un mode où les commandes et les données (notamment d'affranchissement) sont saisies sur le clavier 22,
- en mode "balance" où le clavier est partiellement inhibé et où les commandes et données d'affranchissement sont transmises à la base par un périphérique comportant une balance et un calculateur de taxes postales.
- un mode "normal" où le clavier est utilisé pour la saisie des commandes et des données d'affranchissement,
- des modes de "recharge" ou de "modification" où le clavier est utilisé par des utilisateurs habilités pour recharger la machine en fonds postaux et/ou modifier certaines caractéristiques.
- un message DC A pour valider dans la zone 73 de la RAM de la tête, le drapeau autorisant le déclenchement de l'impression,
- un message DC 3 pour allumer la diode luminescente associée à la touche "BALANCE",
- un message DC 4 pour transmettre au module un masque clavier chargé d'inhiber certaines touches, la touche "BALANCE" exceptée ;
TOUCHE CLAVIER | BIT | OCTET 1 | OCTET 2 | ||
DATE | 0 | z10 | Z 1 | z20 | Z 2 |
BALANCE | 1 | z11 | z21 | ||
EMPREINTE | 2 | z12 | z22 | ||
IMPRIMANTE | 3 | z13 | z23 | ||
GVA | 4 | z14 | z24 | ||
ETIQUETTES | 5 | z15 | z25 | ||
6 | z16 | z26 | |||
7 | z17 | z27 |
Claims (13)
- Machine à affranchir comportant une première partie (11) dite "tête" et une deuxième partie (12) dite "base", un clavier (22) et un afficheur (21) associés à la première partie, et des moyens de communication (51, 54 ; 17a, 17b) reliant ces deux parties, la tête (11) comportant un premier microprocesseur (50) agencé pour gérer un moyen d'impression et une mémoire dont certains registres sont affectés à la gestion de données postales, de telle façon que les données postales ne puissent être modifiées que pour enregistrer les affranchissements réellement imprimés par les moyens d'impression, et que les moyens d'impression ne puissent imprimer d'affranchissement sans que ces affranchissements soient comptabilisés en modifiant les données postales dans certains au moins desdits registres ; le premier microprocesseur (50) gérant en outre le clavier et l'afficheur ainsi que la partie (51) desdits moyens de communication destinée à transmettre des messages à la base (12) et à recevoir des messages de celle-ci, la base comportant un deuxième microprocesseur (53) agencé de telle sorte qu'il gère des moyens de communication (54) destinés à transmettre et à recevoir des messages à ou de la tête (11), machine caractérisée en ce que les premier (50) et second (53) microprocesseurs mettent en oeuvre, dans un mode de fonctionnement dit "normal", un protocole de communication adapté à faire transmettre vers la base des messages représentatifs de certaines au moins des commandes saisies sur le clavier (22) et à faire retransmettre de la base vers la tête les commandes exécutables par cette dernière, de telle sorte qu'à partir du clavier (22) de la tête on ne puisse commander au moins certaines fonctions, sans que les commandes relatives à de telles fonctions ne transitent par la base (12).
- Machine à affranchir comportant une première partie (11) dite "tête" et une deuxième partie (12) dite "base", un clavier (22) et un afficheur (21) associés à la première partie, et des moyens (51, 54 ; 17a, 17b) de communication reliant ces deux parties ; la tête (11) comportant un premier microprocesseur (50) agencé pour gérer un moyen d'impression et une mémoire dont certains registres sont affectés à la gestion de données postales, de telle façon que les données postales ne puissent être modifiées que pour enregistrer les affranchissements réellement imprimés par les moyens d'impression, et que les moyens d'impression ne puissent imprimer d'affranchissement sans que ces affranchissements soient comptabilisés en modifiant les données postales dans certains au moins desdits registres, ce microprocesseur gérant en outre le clavier (22), l'afficheur (21) associés à ladite tête ainsi que la partie desdits moyens de communication associée à la tête et destinée à transmettre (51a), respectivement recevoir (51b), des messages vers, respectivement de, la base (12), celle-ci comportant un deuxième microprocesseur (53) agencé de telle sorte qu'il gère la partie desdits moyens de communication associée à la base et destinée à transmettre, respectivement recevoir, des messages vers, respectivement de la tête (11), machine caractérisée en ce que, d'une part, ledit premier microprocesseur (50) est agencé de telle sorte que, dans un mode de fonctionnement dit "normal", il identifie la ou les touches frappées (101), et fait transmettre (103) vers la base par lesdits moyens de communication (51), un ou plusieurs messages représentatifs de l'identification, tandis que, d'autre part, ledit second microprocesseur est agencé pour interpréter les messages reçus (116), et faire transmettre (118, 108, 106), au travers desdits moyens de communication, un ou plusieurs messages représentatifs d'ordres exécutables par le premier microprocesseur, de telle sorte qu'à partir du clavier de la tête on ne puisse, dans ledit mode de fonctionnement normal, commander aucune fonction au moins en rapport avec l'affranchissement, sans que la commande de ces fonctions ne transite par la base (12).
- Machine à affranchir selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la tête (11) comporte également dans sa mémoire programme des instructions lui permettant de détecter des codes relatifs à des touches ou combinaisons de touches reçues du clavier (22) correspondant à des ordres exécutables par le microprocesseur (50) de la tête (11), le programme prévoyant qu'en cas de reconnaissance d'une combinaison relative à un ordre exécutable par ledit premier microprocesseur, cet ordre est exécuté (132).
- Machine selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1, 2 ou 3, caractérisée en ce que le microprocesseur de la tête (11) mémorise, dans une zône de sa mémoire associée dite tampon clavier, et tient à jour, un mot binaire identifiant toutes les touches non numériques qui ont été frappées depuis la dernière commande d'effacement de ce mot binaire.
- Machine selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle ledit mot binaire identifie également l'appui sur au moins une touche numérique.
- Machine selon l'une quelconque des revendications 4, 5, caractérisée en ce que le programme du microprocesseur de la tête (11) comporte des instructions de manière que tout appui sur certaines touches non numériques du clavier (22) de la tête (11) provoque l'envoi d'un message par les moyens de communication, ce message transmettant à la base (12) ledit mot binaire.
- Machine selon l'une quelconque des revendications 4 à 6, caractérisée en ce que le programme du microprocesseur (53) de la base (12) comporte des instructions lui permettant d'identifier la ou les touches non numériques contenues éventuellement dans les messages reçus, une telle identification provoquant alors l'envoi d'un message d'effacement dudit mot binaire dans la mémoire associée au microprocesseur de la tête (11).
- Machine selon l'une quelconque des revendications 4 à 7, caractérisée en ce que le programme du microprocesseur de la base (12) comporte des instructions lui permettant d'identifier, parmi les touches non numériques définies par le mot binaire reçu, celle qui a été frappée en dernier et a provoqué l'envoi du message.
- Machine selon la revendication 8, caractérisée en ce que le programme du microprocesseur de la base (12) comporte des instructions affectant à ladite touche non numérique frappée en dernier lieu une signification précise.
- Machine selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, caractérisée en ce que certains des messages concernant le clavier (22) sont des messages qui ont pour but d'inhiber ou d'activer certaines touches.
- Machine selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, caractérisée en ce que certains messages concernant la mémoire associée au microprocesseur de la tête (11) sont des messages commandant la lecture d'une zône de ladite mémoire, spécifiée à l'intérieur de ces messages, et commandant l'envoi d'un message en retour contenant ces données lues.
- Machine selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11, caractérisée en ce que certains messages concernant la mémoire associée au microprocesseur de la tête (11) sont des messages commandant l'écriture de données spécifiées aux adresses spécifiées de ladite mémoire, les adresse comportant des données sensibles ne pouvant être spécifiées grâce à des instructions du programme du microprocesseur de la base (12).
- Machine selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 12, caractérisée en ce que le programme du microprocesseur de la tête (11) est muni d'instructions interdisant l'exécution de messages d'écriture aux adresses comportant des données sensibles.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FR9304694 | 1993-04-21 | ||
FR9304694A FR2704343B1 (fr) | 1993-04-21 | 1993-04-21 | Machine à affranchir en deux parties. |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0621562A1 EP0621562A1 (fr) | 1994-10-26 |
EP0621562B1 true EP0621562B1 (fr) | 1998-01-21 |
Family
ID=9446280
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP94400793A Expired - Lifetime EP0621562B1 (fr) | 1993-04-21 | 1994-04-12 | Machine à affranchir en deux parties |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5586035A (fr) |
EP (1) | EP0621562B1 (fr) |
CA (1) | CA2121729C (fr) |
DE (1) | DE69408016T2 (fr) |
FR (1) | FR2704343B1 (fr) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
US5731980A (en) * | 1996-08-23 | 1998-03-24 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Electronic postage meter system having internal accounting system and removable external accounting system |
US5999921A (en) * | 1997-04-30 | 1999-12-07 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Electronic postage meter system having plural clock system providing enhanced security |
Family Cites Families (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4266222A (en) * | 1979-10-30 | 1981-05-05 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Electronic postage meter having reset base warning |
US4301507A (en) * | 1979-10-30 | 1981-11-17 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Electronic postage meter having plural computing systems |
US4319328A (en) * | 1980-02-27 | 1982-03-09 | Sabre Products, Inc. | Postage cost recording system |
US4543627A (en) * | 1981-12-14 | 1985-09-24 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Internal communication arrangement for a multiprocessor system |
US4471440A (en) * | 1982-02-01 | 1984-09-11 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Electronic postage meter having power magnetically coupled to the meter from the meter base |
US4636959A (en) * | 1984-10-04 | 1987-01-13 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Microprocessor controlled d.c. motor for controlling a postage meter |
US4646635A (en) * | 1984-10-04 | 1987-03-03 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Microprocessor controlled D.C. motor for controlling print value selection means |
US4635205A (en) * | 1984-10-04 | 1987-01-06 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Microprocessor controlled d.c. motor for indexing postage value changing means |
US4631681A (en) * | 1984-10-04 | 1986-12-23 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Microprocessor controlled d.c. motor and application therefor |
US4630210A (en) * | 1984-10-04 | 1986-12-16 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Microprocessor controlled d.c. motor for controlling a load |
US4809186A (en) * | 1986-09-19 | 1989-02-28 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Postage meter for metering mixed weight mail |
US5373450A (en) * | 1992-12-28 | 1994-12-13 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Mailing machine including improved tape dispensing means and control system therefor |
-
1993
- 1993-04-21 FR FR9304694A patent/FR2704343B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1994
- 1994-04-12 DE DE69408016T patent/DE69408016T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-04-12 EP EP94400793A patent/EP0621562B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-04-18 US US08/228,984 patent/US5586035A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-04-20 CA CA002121729A patent/CA2121729C/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US5586035A (en) | 1996-12-17 |
FR2704343B1 (fr) | 1995-07-13 |
FR2704343A1 (fr) | 1994-10-28 |
CA2121729C (fr) | 2004-08-10 |
CA2121729A1 (fr) | 1994-10-22 |
DE69408016D1 (de) | 1998-02-26 |
EP0621562A1 (fr) | 1994-10-26 |
DE69408016T2 (de) | 1998-06-04 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP0704081B1 (fr) | Procede de controle d'une imprimante et cartouche pour obtenir des affranchissements postaux | |
EP0464766B1 (fr) | Système de traitement des expéditions de paquets | |
FR2584516A1 (fr) | Procede et systeme de controle pour machines a affranchir | |
FR2661762A1 (fr) | Procede et dispositif de transaction entre un premier et au moins un deuxieme supports de donnees et support a cette fin. | |
FR2661534A1 (fr) | Dispositif et methode de validation d'une carte a memoire. | |
EP0423035A1 (fr) | Système de paiement ou de transfert d'informations par carte à mémoire électronique porte-monnaie | |
CH627866A5 (fr) | Installation de traitement d'informations protegeant le secret d'informations confidentielles. | |
CH678119A5 (fr) | ||
CH676161A5 (fr) | ||
CN1115059A (zh) | 用于允许软件产品试用期使用的方法和装置 | |
CH679087A5 (fr) | ||
FR2486268A1 (fr) | Appareillage d'elaboration de donnees avec memoire morte programmable et procede pour la modification d'informations dans ledit appareillage | |
WO2002007104A1 (fr) | Impression d'articles a valeur affichee activee par le web | |
FR2500661A1 (fr) | Machine a affranchir electronique a indication de memoire fatiguee, procede pour la mise en evidence d'une memoire fatiguee et ensemble d'intercommunication en comportant application | |
EP0621562B1 (fr) | Machine à affranchir en deux parties | |
EP1024461B1 (fr) | Système autonome multifonctions de préparation de courrier | |
EP1738292A2 (fr) | Systeme de generation automatique d'un message d'informations medicales | |
EP0700021B1 (fr) | Procédé de transmission d'informations entre un centre de contrôle informatisé et une pluralité de machines à affranchir électroniques | |
EP0826184B1 (fr) | Reseau de repartition et de gestion d'ordres de transports | |
EP1622090B1 (fr) | Système d'affranchissement à niveau d'encre controlé | |
FR2818776A1 (fr) | Procede pour le controle de l'usage d'un systeme de transmission d'informations presentees sous la forme de codes matriciels | |
EP0986029B1 (fr) | Procédé de contrôle des consommations de machines à affranchir | |
WO2020263212A1 (fr) | Plateforme cryptographique en ligne à base de chaînes de blocs pour émission de timbre d'affranchissement numérique (dps) et commande sur un dps émis | |
EP0090831A1 (fr) | Procede et dispositif de consultation de fichiers de donnees et/ou de transactions bancaires, preserves des fraudes grace a un procede de communication code par variable aleatoire | |
WO2001064358A2 (fr) | Procede permettant d'optimiser la gestion d'envois postaux et installation pour sa mise en oeuvre |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): CH DE FR GB LI SE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19941201 |
|
GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19970113 |
|
GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): CH DE FR GB LI SE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: NV Representative=s name: KIRKER & CIE SA |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 69408016 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 19980226 |
|
GBT | Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977) |
Effective date: 19980326 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed | ||
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: IF02 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PFA Owner name: SECAP (GROUPE PITNEY BOWES) Free format text: SECAP#21, QUAI ALPHONSE LE GALLO#92100 BOULOGNE BILLANCOURT (FR) -TRANSFER TO- SECAP (GROUPE PITNEY BOWES)#21 QUAI ALPHONSE LE GALLO#92100 BOULOGNE BILLANCOURT (FR) |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: CD |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20070417 Year of fee payment: 14 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: ST Effective date: 20081231 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20080430 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20110427 Year of fee payment: 18 Ref country code: CH Payment date: 20110425 Year of fee payment: 18 Ref country code: SE Payment date: 20110425 Year of fee payment: 18 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20110426 Year of fee payment: 18 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: SE Ref legal event code: EUG |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20120412 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20120430 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20120430 Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20120412 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R119 Ref document number: 69408016 Country of ref document: DE Effective date: 20121101 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20120413 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20121101 |