EP0775986A2 - Verfahren und Apparat für redundante Postgebührenabrechnungsdateien - Google Patents

Verfahren und Apparat für redundante Postgebührenabrechnungsdateien Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0775986A2
EP0775986A2 EP96402486A EP96402486A EP0775986A2 EP 0775986 A2 EP0775986 A2 EP 0775986A2 EP 96402486 A EP96402486 A EP 96402486A EP 96402486 A EP96402486 A EP 96402486A EP 0775986 A2 EP0775986 A2 EP 0775986A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
postage
computer
data file
smd
franking
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP96402486A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0775986A3 (de
EP0775986B1 (de
Inventor
Chandrakant J. Shah
Keith B. Robertson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Quadient Technologies France SA
Original Assignee
Neopost Technologies SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Neopost Technologies SA filed Critical Neopost Technologies SA
Publication of EP0775986A2 publication Critical patent/EP0775986A2/de
Publication of EP0775986A3 publication Critical patent/EP0775986A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0775986B1 publication Critical patent/EP0775986B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00193—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
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—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
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G07B2017/00137—In a LAN
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G07B2017/00153—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information
    • G07B2017/00161—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information from a central, non-user location, e.g. for updating rates or software, or for refilling funds
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00201—Open franking system, i.e. the printer is not dedicated to franking only, e.g. PC (Personal Computer)
    • 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
    • G07B17/00362—Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value
    • G07B2017/00395—Memory organization
    • G07B2017/00411—Redundant storage, e.g. back-up of registers
    • 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
    • G07B2017/00419—Software organization, e.g. separation into objects
    • 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
    • G07B2017/00427—Special accounting procedures, e.g. storing special information
    • 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
    • G07B2017/00959—Cryptographic modules, e.g. a PC encryption board
    • 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
    • G07B2017/00959—Cryptographic modules, e.g. a PC encryption board
    • G07B2017/00967—PSD [Postal Security Device] as defined by the USPS [US Postal Service]
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S707/00—Data processing: database and file management or data structures
    • Y10S707/99931—Database or file accessing
    • Y10S707/99933—Query processing, i.e. searching
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S707/00—Data processing: database and file management or data structures
    • Y10S707/99951—File or database maintenance
    • Y10S707/99952—Coherency, e.g. same view to multiple users
    • Y10S707/99955—Archiving or backup

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for the maintenance of redundant postage accounting data files. More specifically, the present invention relates to the maintenance of postage accounting data both in a postage meter with security (SMD) and in a general purpose computer (GPC).
  • SMS postage meter with security
  • GPS general purpose computer
  • postage meters have been dedicated stand-alone devices that only print printed postage stamps on envelopes or labels (in the case of packages) and resided at the user site. As such, these devices could provide postage only for that particular site and it was necessary for the user to physically transport the device to a post office for credit restoration (increased postage value contained in the postage meter).
  • security devices that contained mechanical (later electronic) accounting records that provided postage in isolation from other systems.
  • An advance over these systems has been the ability to re-credit a postage meter via codes communicated to the user. These codes were produced by either the manufacturer or the postal authority, once the customer had made a payment.
  • CMRS computerized postage meter credit restoration system
  • Mail accounting data can be accumulated and read at the more sophisticated electronic postage meters which have recently become available. These postage meters allow automatically record expenditure information and enable periodic accounting reports to be issued with regard to postage purchased. These reports can even present a detailed accounting of postage expenses (for example postage reports concerning the expenses made by different departments in a company).
  • the present invention provides an apparatus and method for the maintenance of redundant postage accounting data files. Redundant postage accounting report data is maintained by the present invention by first creating a data file on a postage meter (e.g., an SMD) to store postage accounting data . A second data file is created on a computer capable of communicating with the SMD (which can be either remote or local to the computer). For each transaction that updates postage accounting data stored in the SMD, the data file residing on the computer is updated to reflect the change.
  • a postage meter e.g., an SMD
  • SMD postage meter
  • a second data file is created on a computer capable of communicating with the SMD (which can be either remote or local to the computer). For each transaction that updates postage accounting data stored in the SMD, the data file residing on the computer is updated to reflect the change.
  • a postage transaction is recorded in a data file residing in a postage meter (such as an SMD) and in a second data file residing in a computer.
  • a postage meter such as an SMD
  • the present invention therefore makes it possible to support departmental accounting and centralization of remote postage accounting.
  • the second file is read-only and a consolidated credit restoration payment report relating to activities in a plurality of postage meters is generated in the computer.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram which represents an example of a modular postage accounting system (MPAS) 1.
  • the MPAS 1 is made up of three main components: a computer postage meter credit restoration system (CMRS) 105 , a ZIP code information system (ZCIS) 191 and an open system franking device (OSMD) 5.
  • CMRS 105 is a system based on modem communication between a modern electronic franking machine (not shown) and a credit restoration station computer 120.
  • the operation of CMRS 105 which is well known in the art is subject to government standardization. The operation of CMRS 105 is therefore not covered in detail here.
  • the second component, the ZCIS 191 provides computer access to national and international ZIP codes.
  • the ZCIS 191 is a commercially available system, and there are approximately 150 installations in the United States. Therefore, its operation will not be treated in detail either.
  • the final component, OSMD 5 performs all the functions traditionally associated with conventional franking machines and can include a security franking device (SMD) 10, a GPC 20, an electronic scale 40 and a digital printer 60.
  • SMD security franking device
  • the SMD 10 performs the accounting functions generally associated with the traditional franking machine.
  • the SMD 10 generates encrypted postage stamps for transmission by the computer to the digital printer 60 and for subsequent printing on a mail item (for example, the item 100).
  • a security communication link 30 connects the SMD 10 to the GPC 20.
  • the security communication link 30 can be any information transfer mechanism provided that it is protected from unauthorized interception, such as a RS-232C serial communication line or a direct internal connection to the GPC 20. These techniques must be combined with the encryption of postage information.
  • the SMD 10 contains two accumulator powered memories (BAMs not shown) to ensure non-volatile storage of postage accounting information. This postage information, as is well known in the art, typically consists of an ascending register, a descending register and a checksum register (none of these registers is shown).
  • an ascending register maintains a value equal to the postage value used
  • a descending register maintains a value equal to the postage value which remains unused
  • a checksum register maintains the sum of the ascending register and the descending register.
  • the SMD 10 can also contain a real-time clock and a memory (none of these elements is shown).
  • the encryption can be carried out by means of a wired encryptor or by means of a software algorithm (for example the algorithms known per se DES or RSA).
  • SMD 10 may contain postage accounting information for one or more departments in a customer organization, which departments can be widely dispersed geographically.
  • the GPC 20 is also connected to a communication interface device 50 which provides access to a CMRS 105 via a communication medium 110.
  • a communication device 130 allows a credit restoration station computer 120 to communicate with the GPC 20 and SMD 10 to perform credit restorations (to add postage value to SMD 20), accounting / audit operations and other functions, as required.
  • the GPC 20 and the SMD 10 can communicate with a ZCIS 150 computer.
  • the ZCIS 150 computer is connected to the communication medium 110 via a communication interface device 160.
  • a CD-ROM device 180 which maintains information of national and international ZIP codes is also connected to the ZCIS 150 computer.
  • CMRS 105 which supports communication between SMD 10, GPC 20 and CMRS 105
  • the software residing on the SMD 10 is also well known and is similar to that described in US Patent No. 4,484,307 to Quatse et al.
  • the GPC 20 sends control commands and information requests to the SMD 10.
  • the SMD 10 can send human-readable data (in response to information requests), printed stamps of postage (in response to postage requests, which printed stamps are encrypted) or both.
  • postage is requested by a user (not shown) using postage information entered by the user in the GPC 20.
  • the GPC 20 sends this information in association with the class / mail service as well as any other necessary values (e.g. insurance) as well as the destination ZIP code at SMD 10.
  • the SMD 10 responds by generating a file of printed security postage stamps (via encryption) in association with a license number and transmitting this information to the GPC 20.
  • the GPC 20 takes the information produced by SMD 10 and builds a print file of printed postage stamps comprising a two-dimensional code, graphic information and human readable data.
  • the printed postage stamp printing file in combination with optional information (such as address information, ZIP code bar coding, and any user-defined information), is sent to the printer 60 for printing.
  • the printer 60 then prints the printed postage stamps and any other information on an envelope (mail item 100), a label (not shown) or on any other means on which the postage should be affixed.
  • the GPC 20 can also access the CMRS 105 to re-accredit the SMD 10, for an audit by postal authorities and for other purposes. This allows credit restoration (entry of postage credit) in a similar manner to that of conventional electronic postage meters.
  • the SMD 10 can reside at the CMRS site and communicate with a credit restoration station computer 120 via a security communication link (not shown).
  • the GPC 20 and the credit restoration station computer 120 communicate on a communication medium 110 on a transactional basis.
  • the GPC 20 communicates the request to the credit restoration station computer 120, which in turn sends the request to the SMD 10.
  • the SMD 10 then returns a file of printed postage stamps which is communicated to GPC 20 for printing. Because the machine time per transaction is higher for this configuration, requests can be submitted together to reduce the machine time.
  • the present invention uses the interface described above between the SMD 10 and a computer (either the GPC 20 or the credit restoration station computer 120) in order to maintain postage accounting information, which can then be used to create reports.
  • a computer either the GPC 20 or the credit restoration station computer 120
  • a record of each transaction, or moving totals, or both are maintained in the GPC 20, the credit restoration station computer 120, or both, by comparing stored accounting information to moving totals residing in the SMD 10.
  • the Postage accounting reports can then be accessed by authorized parties such as the user accounting department, the manufacturer or the postal authority.
  • the maintenance of records in the MPAS is shown in Figure 2 and it typically takes place as follows.
  • data files are created in the SMD 10 and either the GPC 20, the credit restoration station computer 120, or both (depending on user requirements).
  • This creates redundant postage accounting data files, as shown in step 200 of Figure 2.
  • the user performs a transaction request.
  • a decision is made at step 220 to define whether the user has requested a printing transaction or a credit restoration transaction.
  • Other transactions can be carried out at this level but they are not shown for the sake of clarity.
  • C.'s patent application "Method and Apparatus for a Modular Postage Accounting System" Shah and K. Robertson having been the subject of a filing concurrently with the present application describes a complete listing of these communications.
  • print processing begins (step 300) by debiting the postage amount from the credit stored in the BAM (step 310) and then performing a check to ensure that the data has been entered success (step 320).
  • redundant postage accounting data files are updated by debiting the appropriate accounts. These data files contain the Mail Accounting Report (MAR) data, which details the use of postage by department. Again, the data files are checked to ensure that the data has been successfully entered (step 340).
  • MAR Mail Accounting Report
  • the system performs credit restoration processing (step 240).
  • the credit restoration processing begins (step 400) by crediting (or "restoring the credit") the SMD 10.
  • the credit restoration is carried out by increasing the postage value maintained in the BAM of the postage value purchased (step 410).
  • the values are checked to ensure that the data entry has been successful.
  • redundant postage accounting data files are updated by crediting the appropriate accounts. These data files contain postage credit restoration payment record data (PRRR), which maintain a history of postage credit restorations that have been performed. Again, the data files are checked to ensure that the data has been successfully entered (step 440).
  • PRRR postage credit restoration payment record data
  • a credit restoration treatment is then carried out in conclusion. If no other transaction is pending, the system returns to its waiting state, as reflected by step 250 in FIG. 2.
  • the present invention therefore allows automatic maintenance of redundant postage accounting report data.
  • This data can reside on the GPC 20, on the station computer. credit restoration 120 or both.
  • Maintaining redundant postage accounting report data on the credit restoration station computer 120 is the most attractive scenario since there is less opportunity for violation since access can be easily controlled and that users are limited to read-only access (and furthermore, they can only access their own data files).
  • the SMD 10 could also reside on the credit station computer 120.
  • the advantage of this approach is that large users, who can maintain a certain number of franking machines in various locations, have the option of obtaining a single consolidated report from central computer data, and destroyed or corrupt postage accounting report data can be restored from equally reliable data residing on the credit restoration station computer 120.
  • postage credit restoration transactions are controlled by the credit restoration station computer 120 located at the corporate headquarters , which is interfaced with the GPC 20 via a line by modem and telephone. Therefore, the existing link between the GPC 20 and the credit restoration station computer 120 can be exploited to provide another source for accounting data.
  • the redundant postage accounting data files can be maintained both on the GPC 20 and on the credit restoration station computer 120 to provide maximum redundancy.
  • this configuration penalizes the machine time per transaction most strongly, taking into account the communication and the update required for each transaction. The choice of configuration will therefore be based on the customer's requirements since certain configurations prejudice these communications in any way.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mathematical Physics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
  • Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
  • Financial Or Insurance-Related Operations Such As Payment And Settlement (AREA)
EP96402486A 1995-11-22 1996-11-20 Verfahren und Apparat für redundante Postgebührenabrechnungsdateien Expired - Lifetime EP0775986B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/562,143 US5918234A (en) 1995-11-22 1995-11-22 Method and apparatus for redundant postage accounting data files
US562143 2000-05-01

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0775986A2 true EP0775986A2 (de) 1997-05-28
EP0775986A3 EP0775986A3 (de) 1999-11-17
EP0775986B1 EP0775986B1 (de) 2006-05-03

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EP96402486A Expired - Lifetime EP0775986B1 (de) 1995-11-22 1996-11-20 Verfahren und Apparat für redundante Postgebührenabrechnungsdateien

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EP (1) EP0775986B1 (de)
DE (1) DE69636089T2 (de)

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US5918234A (en) 1999-06-29
EP0775986A3 (de) 1999-11-17
US6356919B1 (en) 2002-03-12
DE69636089T2 (de) 2006-12-14
DE69636089D1 (de) 2006-06-08
EP0775986B1 (de) 2006-05-03

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