EP0805419A2 - Procédé pour le traitement de l'information dans un système de traitement de courrier avec une machine d'affranchissement et un arrangement - Google Patents

Procédé pour le traitement de l'information dans un système de traitement de courrier avec une machine d'affranchissement et un arrangement Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0805419A2
EP0805419A2 EP97250132A EP97250132A EP0805419A2 EP 0805419 A2 EP0805419 A2 EP 0805419A2 EP 97250132 A EP97250132 A EP 97250132A EP 97250132 A EP97250132 A EP 97250132A EP 0805419 A2 EP0805419 A2 EP 0805419A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
data
carrier
franking machine
franking
cost center
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP97250132A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0805419A3 (fr
Inventor
Ralf Kubatzki
Wolfgang Dr. Thiel
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.)
Francotyp Postalia GmbH
Original Assignee
Francotyp Postalia GmbH
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 Francotyp Postalia GmbH filed Critical Francotyp Postalia GmbH
Publication of EP0805419A2 publication Critical patent/EP0805419A2/fr
Publication of EP0805419A3 publication Critical patent/EP0805419A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—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
    • G07B17/00016—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
    • G07B17/00193—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
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • 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
    • 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
    • G07B17/00016—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
    • G07B2017/00112—Wireless
    • G07B2017/0012—Wireless in a mobile phone 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
    • G07B2017/00153—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information
    • G07B2017/00177—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information from a portable device, e.g. a card or a PCMCIA
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00266—Man-machine interface on the apparatus
    • G07B2017/00274—Mechanical, e.g. keyboard
    • 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
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00709—Scanning mailpieces

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for data processing in a mail processing system with a franking machine according to the type specified in the preamble of claims 1, 2, 21, 25, 26, 27 and 28 and an arrangement according to the type specified in the preamble of claims 29 and 31.
  • Letters are created in modern offices on the personal computer.
  • the printed letters are enveloped by hand in the office or automatically enveloped in a post office with an inserting system.
  • Such post offices also have franking machines.
  • a franking machine is used for franking mail and can be equipped with a control unit, a storage means, an input means, a MODEM or other data receiving means, an input / output control means, a display means and a printer.
  • a fixed print head prints the franking imprint column by column with simultaneous letter transport. A print width of approximately 1 inch is achieved.
  • the postage meter contains a postage calculator, weight information is entered by the scale.
  • a method for data entry into a franking machine is already known for such a system, which uses chip cards or a cellular communication network to enter tariff changes.
  • chip cards which have a plurality of non-volatile memories or separately accessible memory areas and a microprocessor, are successively inserted into a single read / write unit in order to serially transmit data representing different information into the franking machine. This data stored in the franking machine can then be accessed during its operation.
  • Such a franking machine is a stand-alone franking machine and is not intended to be integrated into a mail processing system with a large number of devices.
  • the postage values determined in the balance are transmitted from the balance to the franking machine.
  • the franking machine checks whether the carrier's tariff table data stored in the scale is still valid and automatically decides whether reloading or updating is necessary. After initialization, normal operation is only carried out if the tariff table data in the scale is up to date.
  • the update takes place after switching on, preferably by means of a chip card, and is dependent on conditions, such as, for example, when called up at the beginning
  • Data of a clock / date module changed over time can be determined by the microprocessor as relevant for a reloading requirement.
  • communication is carried out, with the data center transmitting tariff table data and possibly further files to the franking machine on the basis of the transmitted request.
  • the franking machine is equipped with a routine for displaying and automatically entering print data. The change is displayed as a clear representation of the print image.
  • this requires a comfortable and therefore expensive user interface (keyboard and screen) at least in the franking machine.
  • DE 39 03 718 A1 has furthermore proposed a coupling to a personal computer in order to provide department-related accounting data via a print out separate printer.
  • a disadvantage is the required control unit, which has to be connected as a separate device between the individual devices such as scales, franking machine and personal computer.
  • using manually inserted smart cards to enter accounting reports into the personal computer is a hindrance to automating the creation of accounting reports.
  • a mail processing machine with a barcode user interface is already known from EP 600 749 A2. Commands are entered via a barcode reader to control the mail processing machine. However, this requires a catalog with the list of barcode commands and their manual scanning. Manual positioning of a pen and scanning for command input on the one hand reduces the input security and on the other hand assumes a sense of responsibility on the part of the operator, i.e. one trusts that he would not manipulate with the intention of falsification. It is trusted that there are no such commands in the list that can be misused with the intention of forgery. Entering unlisted, counterfeiting commands, i.e. the correspondingly generated barcode cannot be prevented. It is not ensured that the order of the barcode entries can only be made in accordance with the order of the mail items supplied.
  • a mail processing system with a large number of devices which work with the aid of a PC and which already have connected franking machines is described in US Pat. No. 4,800,506.
  • the individual facilities perform functions for the new compilation of the letters in the order of the postcodes of their addresses.
  • the aforementioned functions include opening a letter, scanning certain locations, possibly printing out the letter again or of notes, folding, inserting, postage calculation and orderly filing or bundling. Discounts are granted by some public postal carriers for mail items pre-sorted in this way. This process is expensive in that it may require the letter to be printed again.
  • a powerful computer must be installed in the post office. The latter must be operated by appropriately trained staff.
  • DE OS 38 08 178 describes a mail handling system with a first computer that creates the documents on fanfold paper and that is in communication with a second computer that controls devices in the post office. Communication is achieved on the one hand by means of markings printed on the document and on the other hand by a communication link.
  • the enveloping, addressing and franking of the mail is made indirect by means of a coding which identifies the respective piece of mail controllable.
  • these identification codes are assigned parameter values which are used to control the inserting, addressing and franking of the mail.
  • the database is connected to the second computer, to which the respective coding of the item of mail is transmitted via a coupled scanning device. Address printing in the post office is highlighted as an advantage, with regard to the easy subsequent change of, among other things, the addressing of filled envelopes and thus the avoidance of an invoice-like appearance of the envelopes, which adheres to window envelopes.
  • window envelopes are said not to be opened because bills are suspected. Apart from the fact that it would be nonsensical not to open window envelopes because bills are suspected because reminders are sent to such companies or persons, a prejudice comes to light here. This prejudice against addressing when creating letters and against the use of window envelopes leads to the aforementioned equipping of the post office with complicated technology. If settings have to be made in the post office in order to use cheap services from another private carrier, however, the aforementioned equipment of the post office with complicated technology is still inadequate, because now more highly qualified employees are required. Before mail items are dispatched, the weight and postage amount are determined. In connection with the increasing occurrence of private carriers, which are in competition with each other, cheaper special tariffs for transport and related services are increasingly being offered.
  • a reduction in weight by reducing the number of times the envelope is used is often sufficient to meet the requirements for such special tariffs.
  • the format, number of lines, font height etc. could be optimized in the interest of costs. So the number of pages could be reduced when creating letters.
  • the employees of the post office are hardly able to make such entries or changes in the database. The employees of the post office would now have to notify the employees who are creating the letter contents or to make such changes. However, such a procedure would only lead to unnecessary delays in mail processing.
  • the invention has for its object to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art and to create a more flexible mail processing system with a franking machine that can be expanded without prejudice to future services of various private mail carriers and ensures secure and largely automatic mail processing.
  • a method is therefore to be developed which, when a letter is created before the letter is printed, provides essential data for a subsequent accounting of the postage fee in a franking machine.
  • the arrangement for data processing in a franking machine is intended to allow an automatic system for setting essential data and an automatic system for billing postage fees according to cost centers, so that it is unnecessary to make manual franking machine entries.
  • An additional task consists of enabling the presentation of accounts on the one hand by cost center and on the other hand by public and private mail carriers by displaying and printing.
  • the invention is based on the idea of avoiding restrictions in the financing and implementation of mail processing as far as possible.
  • Window envelopes, standard envelopes, as well as other forms of envelope, such as are sometimes preferred by private carriers, can be used to insert envelopes in the office.
  • the postal items are already addressed in the office. Only the franking continues as before in the post office by means of a franking machine, for which the possibility has now been created to produce any type of imprints in the manner required by private carriers.
  • a mail carrier selected by means of the user interface of the personal computer is at least displayed or additionally printed out with the letter content as mail carrier information.
  • a letter created on the personal computer has a format with an area for a specific printed address.
  • this information about the recipient address is additionally supplemented by cost center information and printed out together with the letter content.
  • Sub-variants of the first solution variant are based on the possibility of modern office printers to print a letter recipient address as well as the cost center and / or carrier information on an envelope.
  • the invention is further based on the consideration of scanning this information from the letter or envelope in the remote post office using a commercially available scanner (scanner) and automatically entering it into the franking machine.
  • scanner scanner
  • At least one scanner is arranged in the mail feed stream in such a way that different formats are also scanned.
  • the franking machine automatically checks whether the selected services are available and otherwise starts communication with a remote data center, sending special request data and receiving the required data from the data center and loading the necessary data into its memory.
  • a solution is advantageously created in order for a mail carrier (USPS, UPS, Deutsche Post AG or others) to be able to call up at least the tariff table applicable to the location of the respective carrier in the system and load it if necessary.
  • a mail carrier USPS, UPS, Deutsche Post AG or others
  • cost center number The usual spatial separation of the post office from the modern office is assumed, with the letter contents and shipping information being created and department-related in the office, i.e. broken down by cost center number, managed. This is particularly advantageous if a large number of small companies work in one office, which operate a common post office, but have to invoice for the services of the carriers separately and independently of the other small companies. A separate cost center number is then assigned to each small company. In the post office, cost center or departmental billing takes place in the franking machine. And it is planned to create separate accounting reports for small companies or departments and for public or private mail carriers.
  • Those carried out in the personal computer in the office Operations include text creation and processing, entering the address and assigning a cost center number for cost center-related billing, and menu-driven selection of carriers.
  • the operations carried out in the post office include at least the scanning of the address field or a note with cost center and / or carrier information. After the aforementioned information from the letter or from the envelope has been scanned, this information is processed in the balance or franking machine and the franking of mail pieces.
  • such a preset carrier can of course still be changed manually in the post office if, for example, the entry was not made in the office or another carrier is cheaper. If it is intended to send a large number of letters created on the same day to the same postcode, it can usually be assumed that it will be cheaper if no different private carriers are used, but only the same carrier is used.
  • a routine is provided for forming request data for the reloading of selected carrier data and / or current carrier tariffs of the selected carrier. If the selected or missing data is missing, communication is carried out in a third step with a remote data center, with carrier-specific files comprising at least carrier-identifying image and current tariff files being transmitted from the data center to the franking machine on the basis of the aforementioned request data.
  • the improvements of the franking machine according to the invention are largely on the one hand automatic processing of the letter when using different tariff structures of different carriers and on the other hand in the creation of flexibility in terms of billing against different carriers. If the postal monopoly for mailing ceases to exist, an increase in postal delivery by regional, national or international private carriers is to be expected. It is already known from parcel shipping systems to provide invoices for different carriers. The billing for different carriers is usually done with a direct debit when using parcel shipping systems. However, with such billing, the customer has no automatic processing, postage calculation and security control available, as is the case, for example, with postal authorities for a franking machine into which a credit has been loaded. According to the invention, billing to various private carriers is now also provided in the postage meter module in a postage fee module on the basis of prepaid or credited credit.
  • billing data can be electronically transmitted to the remote data center at intervals, which carries out the billing with the carrier on behalf of the customer.
  • the data center can grant the customer a credit and transmit a credit after a query to the customer bank regarding the creditworthiness.
  • a receipt can be printed out for each mail carrier with the print head of the franking machine, after the reloading has been carried out after each reloading. This is made possible by switching the franking machine to internal pressure. It is further provided that a listing of the entirety and / or individual financial reloading data within a period of time and other register or service data can be printed out as proof from the print head of the franking machine, if this is desired.
  • FIG. 1 The block diagram shown in FIG. 1 for a mail processing system with a franking machine shows the flow of mail from a modern office 21 to a post office.
  • letters are created on a large number of personal computers PCa, PCb, PCc, ..., with associated printers Da, Db, Dc, ... and possibly other peripheral devices.
  • a mail carrier is selected and at least displayed by means of a user interface of the personal computer.
  • the selected mail carrier information is additionally printed out with the letter content in the address area and a window envelope is used for inserting.
  • Another sub-variant is based on an envelope. If necessary, the information about the selected mail carrier can be stuck on the envelope in the form of a sticker in the context of this manual envelope.
  • a sub-variant is also possible, with pre-printed or prepared envelopes being used to identify a private carrier.
  • the printer can in particular be a commercially available printer equipped for printing envelopes, which is connected to the personal computer.
  • At least one of the scanners scans the carrier and / or cost center information, which is printed at least in the address field or can be scanned through a window of a window envelope.
  • the scanner is electrically connected to the franking machine via a data line 18.
  • an additional scale can be arranged in the transport path to the franking machine in order to determine at least the weight data of the letter.
  • the scanner 26 can be arranged, for example, in the feed to the scale 22.
  • the scanners, possibly also the scale 22, can advantageously be part of an automatic feed station, which is arranged in the post office at the beginning of the letter transport route in front of the franking machine.
  • the franking machine FM can establish communication with a data center DZ via a suitable communication means 17 if required.
  • the block diagram shown in FIG. 2 for a franking machine has a programmable processor system, which has at least one scanner 26 and a modem 23, a scale 22, one Chip card read / write unit 20 and / or other corresponding receiving means or input means is connected.
  • the scanner is positioned at the beginning of the secure postal route in the post office. If the franking machine is equipped with an internal dynamic scale 22 and the internal mail route cannot be influenced from outside, the scanner 26 can also be arranged in a suitable place in the mail route in front of the franking machine. The latter position results from uniform postal regulations for the position of the address.
  • Corresponding programs for the position of the address and the other information exist in memories of the respective personal computers PCa, PCb or PCc in the office 21, which together control a printer or separate printer correspondingly for the aforementioned areas to be printed.
  • An additional line on the envelope or in the address field of the envelope is provided as the area to be printed.
  • the scanners are connected to a first mail item sensor 16 with a register unit 19, which temporarily stores data and carries out a parallel / series conversion.
  • the register unit 19 is electronically connected to an input / output control means 4 of the franking machine for serial data transmission via the data line 18.
  • the processor system consists of at least one memory means 5, a clock / date module 8 and a processing unit (CPU) as control means 6 and possibly a special circuit 80 and / or 81 for automating the loading of data from a data center via modem or chip card or one other suitable means of transmission.
  • the special circuit and / or program means 80, 81 are preferably part of a battery-supported non-volatile memory (CMOS-NV-RAM) in the clock / date module.
  • CMOS-NV-RAM battery-supported non-volatile memory
  • a pressure controller (DS) 14 is designed, for example, as an ASIC and is adapted to the respective preferably digital printing method.
  • an input / output control means 4 including a pressure control 14 is connected to the control means 6 of the franking machine via a bus and is designed, for example, as an ASIC.
  • the print head 1 is connected to the print controller 14.
  • the storage means usually consist of several permanent and temporary non-volatile memories. Part of the memory, together with the CPU 6, forms a postage computer in a known manner and another part forms a protected postal area within the processor system. For billing, the non-volatile memories of the other part of the memory mentioned above are used. In particular, it is provided to equip the protected postal area 50 with a special accounting unit, which works in a completely forgery-proof manner and relieves the CPU 6 of this task.
  • the protected postal area 50 of the processor system of the postage meter machine can advantageously be designed as a hardware-controlled billing unit in the form of a special circuit module or, for example, as an ASIC, so that the billing process cannot be manipulated without authorization, as already described under the postage meter machine in the German patent application 196 03 467.1 was proposed.
  • an area organized according to the carrier and cost centers can be provided in a special cost center memory 9 in order to carry out cost center-related operations. In this way, additional cost centers can be set up or deleted without reducing the security against manipulation.
  • the protected postal area 50 within the processor system can only be read, but not overwritten.
  • the postage computer can be formed from the CPU 6 and memory areas of the EEPROM 5b and / or other non-volatile memories. A part of the memory areas of the EEPROM 5b are intended to hold tariff tables of the individual carriers.
  • cost center memory KSP 9 individual cost center data (number of pieces, amount of consumption total) can be reduced by a predetermined amount or set to zero at the beginning of a billing period.
  • the correspondingly actuated keys on the keyboard 2 and / or other input means establish the connection to external memories in order to carry out cost center-related operations.
  • a permanent memory PSP 11 of the storage means of the franking machine has programs for communication via interfaces in the input / output control means 4 with the scanner 26 and with the input means 20 to 23.
  • Other peripheral input / output means (not shown) can also be connected to the processor system of the franking machine.
  • In the input / output control means 4 at least one parallel interface to the display unit 3 and, in connection with the print controller 14, at least one serial interface for print data control and data transmission can be arranged on the print head Control electronics may be provided.
  • Another serial interface can be connected to a plurality of scanners or sensors via the aforementioned register unit 19. At least one scanner 26 is a pixel sensor with a higher resolution.
  • the input / output control means 4 is preferably designed such that a plurality of sensors or actuators with connected sensor or actuator shift registers can be connected to a single common shift register in an actuator / sensor controller via a common serial interface data line 18, as was explained in more detail in the German patent application entitled: Interface franking machine internal interface (official file number P 44 45 053.2).
  • the base of the franking machine consists of a print head 1 and a power electronics / sensor / actuator module 12, which contains a power supply and control for the drives (paper transport, printer, tape, strip dispenser) or including the required drive motor.
  • These aforementioned means 1, 12 and an encoder 13 for detecting the mail piece transport speed are located in the base and are directly connected to the processor system 5, 8, 11, 14, 50, 80 and 81 and / or like the scale 22 and possibly other peripherals.
  • I / O means coupled in the post office or in the office 21 via the input / output control means 4.
  • the franking machine has a receiving means or an external MODEM 23 and associated MODEM interface in the franking machine for the external MODEM or an internal MODEM. Communication with a remote data center is made possible via MODEM.
  • MODEM Here Not only can an electronically stored credit be replenished in the franking machine, but current tariff table data and other data can also be transmitted.
  • a telecommunication network which contains an external memory with the data and / or flags that can be called up for reloading additional functions and information into the franking machine.
  • the external memory is supplied with update data by the public postal authority and / or private carriers, preferably via the aforementioned data center.
  • an external memory with required update data can also be provided in a mobile radio communication network and addressed by a corresponding communication connection and communication means. Assuming intermediate storage in the transmission means, data packets are then transmitted under the control of the franking machine and, if necessary, automatic acceptance of the current tariff by the franking machine is thereby ensured.
  • the tariffs are stored subsumed according to various public postal carriers or private carriers in separate storage areas of the aforementioned postage computer.
  • Special entries can be made with an alternative input means, in particular a chip card.
  • This is brought into contact with the chip card read / write unit 20 serving as input means 20.
  • the interface board of the chip card read / write unit is connected to a serial interface of the franking machine.
  • the contacting device has at least 6 contacts and the data exchange between the unprotected and / or the protected card storage area and a non-volatile memory of the program storage means of the franking machine is carried out automatically as part of a communication protocol as soon as the chip card has been inserted into the slot.
  • Such a special post office chip card for the employees in the post office can be used advantageously for location entry. After approval of the new location or change of location, an appropriately programmed chip card is sent to the user. Before the machines of the post office are transported to a new location, they must be switched off. A location-specific initialization of the franking machine takes place automatically each time it is switched on. A standby mode is provided so that the franking machine does not often have to be switched on or off at the same location.
  • Each assignment of semi-variable print image data (window data) that fill a special window in the print image (frame data) is stored in special memory areas, for example the EEPROM 5b and / or another non-volatile memory of the franking machine.
  • the automatically or manually set postage value is billed according to the cost center, which is explained in more detail in FIGS. 7a to 7d. It is also envisaged that for cost center dependent billing by Franking machine a printout can be created, as has already been described in German Offenlegungsschrift DE 42 24 955.
  • a printout is then made by the franking machine.
  • the used postage values are listed individually and cumulatively related to different carriers.
  • the cost center printout is sent to the relevant department in the office 21 regularly or in response to a need report.
  • the transmitted listing can also be compared with an internally stored listing. If the post office changes the attitude of the carrier, for example to take advantage of cheap offers or discounts from other carriers, this can be checked by means of such a comparison.
  • the overall flow chart for the franking machine shown in FIG. 3 shows a start and initialization routine, the latter including a sub-step 1011. After switching on, a communication requirement is formed in the aforementioned sub-step 1011 to enable automatic communication, for example via Modem 23 to initiate with the data center and to carry out a corresponding data transmission, in which the place name is changed in accordance with the current location in the date stamp.
  • the location-specific provision of data takes place optionally or in accordance with the type of franking machine present using a card-shaped transmission means or by means of appropriate receiving means from an external memory via a communication network (modem, mobile radio).
  • a communication network modem, mobile radio
  • the location is also entered, for example using a keyboard, when the franking machine is switched on by a new user, for example after a change of location.
  • a keyboard for example, a keyboard
  • Such an input possibility exists after switching on in a sub-step 1011 to step 101 of initialization, by entering the postcode ZIP code in the franking machine.
  • the initialization routine 101 in addition to entering the location, there is also the option of changing the previous carrier constellation by defining a new set of postal carriers, for example by entering a carrier identification number (CIN) corresponding to the name of the postal carrier in sub-step 1012 of the step 101, as proposed in the European application (official file number 95 250 313.4): Methods and an arrangement for entering data into a balance. If someone later the carrier has been selected from the aforementioned set of postal carriers, only the carrier identification number (CIN) needs to be automatically transmitted to the franking machine and the data stored in non-volatile manner in sub-step 1012 under the carrier identification number (CIN).
  • CIN carrier identification number
  • a branch is made to a first step 201 in order to call at least non-volatile settings for the franking machine in sub-step 2040 if no mail item is detected in the mail feed path.
  • a mail piece that may have been fed in the meantime remains in a waiting position, preferably at the beginning of the feed path or, if appropriate, in the feed path on the scale 22.
  • the franking mode 400 is reached . It is recognized there that the manual input is completed by comparing the loop runs after the last input with a predetermined number of loop runs or a time period with a predetermined time period after the last input. It is now switched to the standby mode before returning to the system routine 200.
  • a scanner 26 positioned in the mail feed path to the franking machine can input data into the franking machine if a mail item is detected by a first postal item sensor 16 and is transported to the print head.
  • a first flag is set.
  • a second flag is set. But if the second postal item sensor 16.1 is only alone or in front the first mail item sensor 16 is actuated, this can be ascertained in the query step 211, which then leads again to the error evaluation mode 213. If, for example, the franking machine is in the standby state and only the second postal item sensor 16.1 is activated, this does not result in franking. However, internal cost center printing or printing of service data or an advertising slogan can still be carried out.
  • the interfaces in the input / output control means 4 are selected in order to recognize the connected peripheral means and to switch the franking machine, if necessary, into a required preprogrammed operating mode which enables cooperation and communication with the aforementioned peripheral means. For example, detection of the scanned data can trigger a transport of the mail piece in the direction of the print head.
  • the interface to the scanner 26 is selected in order to detect at least one cost center and / or carrier information in steps 2010 to 2017 in order to read valid data into the memory areas of the non-volatile memory of the postage meter machine provided for this purpose, so that the tamper-proof automatic setting which can thus be achieved is retained even in the event of an operating voltage failure.
  • steps 2030 to 2035 the interface to the scale 22 is also selected, with a mode switchover taking place when a scale for weight entry is connected.
  • the franking machine is then in the slave state in order to receive data from the peripheral means scanner 26 and scale 22.
  • the new setting for the automatically entered weight value is also saved non-volatile, with the old setting data being overwritten.
  • a query is made as to whether the scanned data is meaningful Provide information or whether at least one limit value has been exceeded, ie whether a criterion has been met which, in a subsequent step, leads to a warning, for example to a display, which alerts the user or indicates the error.
  • the postage fee determined in the previous step 209 is booked or billed for a weighed mail item or according to the setting.
  • Print data is now provided for printing from the pixel memory RAM 7.
  • the initialization routine 101 automatically generates print data with secured data for preparing for printing, as has been described in more detail in US application 08 / 525,923 (Method for improving the security of postage meter machines).
  • further security criteria can be queried and displayed in the associated step 203 or prepared for signaling. Even if no further entries are made, a stamp print can be generated and printed with the stored data in a tamper-proof manner.
  • the subsequent second step 209 according to the invention relates to a special input and display routine.
  • the input data of the franking machine can be used to overwrite or change the data stored so far in a non-volatile manner or to make and display other inputs manually.
  • print data input for corresponding partial images is provided.
  • the transport of the mail piece in the direction of the print head may then be interrupted so that the entry can be completed.
  • mail processing and franking are fully automated.
  • a third step 301 asks whether there is a transaction request. This is the case when request data has been created or an entry has been made for the purpose of reloading the credit. If this is not the case, communication mode 300 is exited and point v, ie the actual operating mode 290 of the franking machine, is reached. If relevant data were transmitted in communication mode, branch to step 213 for data evaluation. In step 213, a statistical and error evaluation is carried out in order to obtain further current data which, after branching to the system routine 200, can also be called up in the sub-step 2040 to the first step 201.
  • step 212 a check is carried out to determine whether corresponding entries have been made in order to go to test mode 216 when a test is requested, or to go to display mode 215 when register status check 214 is intended. If this is not the case, point g, ie franking mode 400, is reached automatically. A number of security queries were provided in the franking mode and the cost center-related billing takes place only shortly before the franking image begins to be printed out, using memory address data which, due to the change in the cost center number, were formed beforehand after the input thereof.
  • the program routine of the franking machine branches from franking mode 400 to point u when a number credit S has been used up. Communication with the data center is automatically started in order to continue franking. From franking mode 400 branched repeatedly to point t in order to enable data input in the second step 209 by means of the franking machine keyboard.
  • Such manual entries are carried out in a practical manner if no signal for the printout request has yet been generated which is derived from a corresponding postal goods sensor signal.
  • cost center-dependent billing and franking of a piece of mail have been carried out according to the program, the process branches back to point s.
  • the block diagram shown in FIG. 4a for a franking machine differs from that shown in FIG. 2 by an external balance for postage calculation.
  • the data of the carrier information is entered with at least one scanner 26 via a line 28, first into the scale 22, in contrast to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2.
  • the external scale 22 transmits the calculated postage value via a line 25 to the franking machine, which is thus relieved of postage calculation.
  • the data is entered according to the first variant of the mail processing system solely on the basis of the scanning, but no cost center information can be entered.
  • an at least second scanner 27 is arranged separately positioned in the feed to the franking machine or arranged in the external scale 22 and electronically connected to the franking machine via a line 29.
  • the idea of the invention is not limited to this embodiment, because the scale or other peripheral input / output means can of course be connected to a common serial interface via the register unit 19 and the data line 18.
  • corresponding scanners 26.1, 26.2 for carrier information are in the mail feed path the scale 22 is arranged or corresponding scanners 27.2, 27.2 are arranged for cost center information in the mail feed path of the franking machine FM, which was only shown in FIG. 4a for the sake of clarity.
  • the overall flowchart shown in FIG. 4b for a franking machine with an external scale for postage calculation includes automatic data entry according to a second variant.
  • the first step 201 of a system routine 200 also includes sub-steps 2030 to 2035 for receiving data that are transmitted by the scale, and further sub-steps 2036 to 2037 for evaluation, as well as sub-step 2040 for calling of data etc. of scales input data, which include election pressure, postage fee and carrier type.
  • the aforementioned further sub-steps 2036 to 2037 for evaluation are necessary in order, if necessary, to update the tariff table data stored in the postage calculator of the scale 22 for individual carriers.
  • Sub-step 2037 then switches to the update mode (steps 128 to 135).
  • the corresponding verification data which are transmitted to the franking machine to check the up-to-dateness of the carrier-related data stored in the external scale, are transmitted during the scale communication mode (sub-steps 2030 to 2035).
  • step 2036 the postage meter machine first checks in a sub-step 2361 (not shown) whether check data have been transmitted from the scale to the postage meter machine.
  • a sub-step 2060 branches back to the beginning for the error message. If the routine 2036 for evaluating the transmitted verification data is successfully started, the request data is formed in the franking machine, which has already been explained in connection with the first variant in FIG. 8. The determination as to whether the tariff table data of the selected carrier is still valid decides whether reloading or updating is necessary before going on to normal operation. If request data were formed in step 2036, new update data are to be loaded and the query step 2037 branches to steps 128 to 133 in order to change the mode of the franking machine to the master state and to load the required update data into the franking machine in accordance with the request data.
  • step 134 those update data that are required by the scale are transmitted to the scale 22.
  • a successful update of the data stored in the scale 22 is determined in step 135 and then branches back to the initialization routine, whereby the mode switch is undone.
  • steps 2010 to 2037 the franking machine is again in the slave state.
  • the scale input data transmitted to the franking machine in step 2033 relate to the selection pressure, carrier identification number CIN, possibly the minimum period of validity of the postage fee table associated with the CIN and the determined postage fee for a weighed item of mail and possibly the measured weight value. If the minimum validity period of the postage fee table associated with the CIN is stored in the franking machine assigned to the CIN, the minimum validity period need not be transmitted by the scale.
  • an updatable assignment table implemented in the storage means 5 or 8 is called up in order to determine the minimum validity period or the validity period, which in step 2036 by comparison with the currently set or in the clock / Date block 8 stored non-volatile stored date can be evaluated.
  • step 2037 After the query in step 2037, with no update data to be loaded, normal mode is reached.
  • sub-steps 2010 to 2017 are carried out for scanning the cost center information directly from the letter through the window of a window envelope or from the envelope, as will be explained in more detail in connection with FIG. 6, before the Balance communication mode (sub-steps 2030 to 2035) is reached.
  • the franking machine is operated in the slave state, in which waiting for another automatic input. Therefore, the serial interface to the scanner 27 is selected in the first step 201. After corresponding scanning, automatically entered data bits are evaluated with regard to the cost center information and the recognized cost center number is stored in a non-volatile manner and is also provided as further setting data in addition to the setting data that has already been stored in a non-volatile manner. If an unknown cost center number is read in or another malfunction is caused, this can be determined and displayed using steps 202 and 203 which have already been explained.
  • the setting regarding the cliché, the mail carrier and their services or election prints is changed by entering an assigned number, the respective functions being called up by the actuating means of the input means 2 in the first sub-step 209-1 and in query steps 209 -7, 209-9, 209-11 are determined, and that the formation of request data with the aforementioned change in the setting of the mail carrier and / or in connection with such data called in the first step 201 but changed by the passage of time of the clock / date module 8 takes place, whereby the change can be determined by the microprocessor 6 in the third sub-step 209-3 (FIG. 5a).
  • the request data also result in the reloading of partial image or pixel image files, which are either embedded in the frame data as window pixel data or modify the frame data of the franking image itself in a customer-specific manner.
  • the transmitted partial image files assigned to a carrier identification number (CIN) corresponding to the respectively selected mail carrier are stored in a non-volatile manner in the franking machine so that when a predetermined one is selected Generate postal carrier number or CIN specific print images, and that the transmitted partial image files, pixel image files and the change data generated by automatic or manual input are stored in non-volatile memory areas of read / write memory means 5 and / or 8.
  • CDN carrier identification number
  • step 209 the data can be overwritten or changed using the input means of the franking machine, or other inputs can be made and displayed manually.
  • Entering the cost center information in the first step 201 of the system routine 200 can, in the second step 209, additionally lead to a subroutine 209-28 for entering an advertising slogan number based on the cost center information, as will be explained in more detail in connection with FIG. 5b.
  • Corresponding assignments of advertising slogan numbers to cost center information are stored in the franking machine in a non-volatile manner.
  • FIG. 4c shows a further block diagram for a franking machine according to a third variant, in contrast to the second variant according to FIG. 4a.
  • the cost centers / carrier scanners are connected to the external scale 22. It is provided that the cost center scanner 27 or carrier scanner 26 have an electronic circuit for image evaluation.
  • Such a marker reading device with subsequent image evaluation can be implemented as described, for example, in German Offenlegungsschrift DE 43 44 471 A1 under the title: Method and arrangement for generating and checking a security imprint.
  • the external scale 22 itself is an electronic circuit and has a program for image evaluation. While the cost center scanner 27 provides information which is only required in the franking machine FM, the carrier scanner 26 supplies the information required for postage calculation in the external balance 22. It goes without saying that such a balance with corresponding programs must be equipped for image evaluation in order to recognize the corresponding carrier information from a marking.
  • FIG. 4c shows a circuit with a serial interface and with an associated data division 18 to the register unit 19 in the base of the franking machine. Another variant where this register unit 19 has no letter sensor 16 was not shown. The latter is also connected to the external scale 22 in this further variant, not shown. Alternatively, all the data can be recorded by a common scanner, possibly processed in the scale 22 and thus evaluated or looped through the scale 22 to the franking machine.
  • FIG. 4d shows an overall flow chart for a franking machine according to the aforementioned third variant.
  • the special feature compared to the overall flowchart for the second variant, shown in FIG. 4b, is that there is no evaluation of the cost center marking in the franking machine.
  • the sub-step 2017 is therefore omitted.
  • the externally determined cost center and carrier number is transmitted together with further data, which are transmitted to check the up-to-dateness of the carrier-related data stored in the external balance, during the balance communication mode (sub-steps 2030 to 2035). .
  • a processing device for the scanned information is placed in the franking machine FM, in a scale or in another additional peripheral device, e.g. in an automatic feeder, integrated to determine the carrier or / or the cost center.
  • the cost center scanners 27 or carrier scanners 26 have an electronic circuit for image evaluation.
  • the electronic circuit in the scanner only supports an image evaluation carried out in a peripheral device or in the franking machine.
  • microprocessor 6 is programmed with a further routine in order to initialize the franking machine in a location-specific manner after switching on and to load further data into the franking machine if necessary.
  • This also includes essential franking image data specified or required by the carrier, analogous to the national emblem of the national state mail carrier, as has already been described in detail in the 195 49 305.2 German application.
  • This type of reloading is particularly intended for digital printing processes which allow programmable embedding of variable or semi-variable window pixel field data in constant frame pixel field data.
  • Such a method for controlling the column-wise printing of a postage stamp image in a franking machine is described for example in EP 578 042 A2.
  • an at least first scanner 26 is connected to the external scale 22 in order to read a carrier information into the scale, which carries out the carrier-specific fee calculation and inputs the determined postage value into the franking machine via a data line 25 and the input / output means 4
  • at least a second scanner 27 connected to the register unit 19 is connected to the franking machine via a data line 18 in order to automatically enter cost center information into the franking machine which is required for cost center-specific billing.
  • FIG. 5a shows a flow diagram of data input for the franking machine according to the first variant.
  • special query steps are used in addition to the usual ones.
  • a pre-dating for future mail is to be overwritten and displayed by means of the input means of the franking machine, the date that was previously stored in a non-volatile manner.
  • a date displayed in the second sub-step 209-2 is overwritten on the basis of a date entered in the first sub-step 209-1 by means of an input means, before a corresponding third sub-step 209-3 is reached for the query.
  • Sub-steps in particular a nineteenth sub-step 209-19 to form request data and via a twentieth sub-step 209-20 to reset the loop counter, branched back to point t at the input of the input and display routine (second step 209).
  • a preferred method for entering data into a franking machine has been described in detail in German application 195 49 305.2.
  • the next query in the fifth sub-step 209-5 is reached. It is queried whether a different value was selected during the entry. If so, i.e. a different value was selected when the entry was made, then the program branches to the sixth sub-step 209-6 in order to generate an encrypted verification code (MAC) for the selected value.
  • MAC encrypted verification code
  • the sub-step 209-20 branches back to point t at the input of the input and display routine (second step 209) in order to reset the loop counter. If this is not the case, further query steps 209-7 to 209-50 are carried out.
  • the basis for the form of representation of the respective carrier-specific stamp image is a carrier-specific control file, which is suitable for specifying or changing an assignment of partial images to other variable image data files (window image data) or variable image images (frame image data).
  • window image data variable image data files
  • variable image images frame image data.
  • European Application 95 114 057.3 shows such image data and control files in more detail in a method for generating a print image which is printed on a carrier in a franking machine.
  • the seventh sub-step 209-7 it is checked whether a different cliché was selected when entering the first sub-step 209-1.
  • the ninth sub-step 209-9 it is checked whether another carrier (carrier) was automatically selected in step 201 (FIG. 4a) or when entering in the first sub-step 209-1.
  • the eleventh sub-step 209-11 it is checked whether a different election print was selected when entering the first sub-step 209-1, which of course only represents a carrier-specific service in addition to express delivery, air mail, printed matter, return receipt, etc.
  • the setting of the services can be automatically transmitted to the franking machine as shipping data, as well as the carrier data and are preferably shown in the display field for the optional printing of the franking stamp and require further query steps for manual change, which are only shown in FIG. 5a for the sake of clarity have been.
  • the user interface is continuously adapted to the operator, as has already been described in DE 42 17 478 A1 and if - by branching back to the display to the second subroutine 209-2 - a clear representation of the stamp to be printed in the display occurs. This makes it easy to monitor any changes made to the stamp image, in particular if changes to a different cliché, a different carrier or a different print are entered manually or automatically.
  • a query criterion for a carrier change is met in ninth sub-step 209-9 in FIG. 5a, if a corresponding one
  • the mail has been scanned as part of the input routine (first step 201 in FIG. 3) or if the calculated postage value and associated data relating to the type of carrier are supplied by an external scale 22 (first step 201 in FIG. 4b) and thus automatically changed carrier information has been entered into the franking machine for billing purposes.
  • a branch is made from sub-step (209-7) to check for cliché input or from sub-step (209-11) to check for print input on an associated sub-step 209-8 or 209-12, to check the availability of the data in the Franking machine.
  • an advertising slogan assigned to the cost center can also be selected automatically. It is therefore up to the employee in the post office to manually change the election pressure if this appears necessary in his view and falls within his area of responsibility.
  • the sub-steps 209-8, 209-10 and 209-12 change to cliché, carrier or Election pressure input verification branches to assigned security verification steps 209-16, 209-17, 209-18, automatic print data entry being carried out if valid.
  • a data check using an encrypted check sum (MAC) prevents manipulation with the intention of forgery, as has already been described in detail in the German application entitled: Procedure for securing data and program code of an electronic franking machine (No. 195 34 530.4).
  • a branch is made to a point k to a nineteenth sub-step 209-19 in order to form request data. If actuating means for a new entry of a carrier were actuated during the input routine (first sub-step 209-1), this is determined in a query step (thirteenth sub-step 209-13) and also branches to point k of the nineteenth sub-step 209-19 in order to form request data.
  • the aforementioned nineteenth sub-step 209-19 is explained in more detail below in connection with FIG. 8.
  • the postage value changed due to the postage calculation is again determined in the fifth sub-step 209-5 then branches to a sixth sub-step 209-6 for the purpose of generating an encrypted checksum (MAC) via the changed postage value.
  • MAC encrypted checksum
  • This postage value secured in this way can now be stored in a tamper-proof manner together with the MAC and can be used for billing in the course of the franking mode 400 which runs later in time (FIG. 7b).
  • the twenty-third query step 209-23 and the associated twenty-fourth sub-step 209-24 are omitted for the internal postage calculation.
  • Cost center information in order to allocate billing data to this.
  • the cost center information scanned from the item of mail or also transmitted in the aforementioned manner by the personal computer can be used on the one hand for the automatic allocation of the accounting data depending on the cost center and on the other hand for the automatic setting of an advertising cliché in the franking image shown in FIG. 5b.
  • Prerequisite is a possibility for the non-volatile storage of a large number of advertising clichés in the franking machine.
  • a fixed number of advertising clichés can already be stored non-volatilely in an internal user memory ASP 10 (EEPROM) by the manufacturer.
  • the franking machine is equipped with a non-volatile memory for a number of advertising clichés, with each advertising cliché being assigned to the cost center of the respective department.
  • a number of advertising clichés can be loaded later.
  • a chip card read / write unit enables a frequent change of cards for a large number of entries. A can thus be advantageous Advertising cliché can be reloaded into the franking machine.
  • Another option is a password-protected function of deleting previous data for parts of the print image or assigning it to the cost center.
  • the franking machine is therefore equipped with a corresponding program such as input and display means.
  • a corresponding program such as input and display means.
  • circuit or program means which are present in the program memory PSP 11 and in the non-volatile memory areas of the clock / date module 8 and / or the memory means 5, a corresponding sequence for loading data or for updating is stored in order to Areas of the memory for deleted predecessor data now load successor data and to redefine their assignment to the cost center, as is shown in more detail below in connection with FIG. 5b.
  • a query criterion for a change in the cost center number is met if the mail has been scanned accordingly as part of the input routine in order to (first step 201 in FIGS. 3, 4b, 4d) automatically enter cost center information for billing purposes into the franking machine.
  • a twenty-sixth sub-step 209-26 is reached. The availability of the cost center number is checked here. It is possible that a cost center number has been deleted.
  • a twenty-seventh sub-step 209-27 there is a corresponding error message and then a branch back to the point t via the twentieth sub-step 209-20. Otherwise, the system branches from the twenty-sixth sub-step 209-26 to a twenty-eighth sub-step 209-28 if the cost center number is available. In the twenty-eighth sub-step 209-28, an advertising slogan assigned to the cost center number is automatically set.
  • a query is made for a desired change in the assignment between the cliché and the cost center number. If this is the case, a branch is made to a thirty-first sub-step 209-31 to display the currently entered cost center number and, after confirmation, to a thirty-second query step 209-32. If no confirmation has been made beforehand, then after the time has elapsed, a branch is automatically made back to point t via the twentieth sub-step 209-20. Then, in the seventh sub-step 209-7, it is possible to select a different cliché by entering a cliché number before the aforementioned query steps are repeated until the query in the thirtieth sub-step 209-30.
  • a branch is made from query step 209-32 to the thirty-third sub-step 209-33.
  • the previously assigned cliché number is displayed, which identifies the semi-variable window data for an advertising cliché to be embedded in carrier-dependent framework data.
  • a thirty-fifth sub-step 209-35 is reached, unless it is not previously determined in the thirty-fourth query step 209-34 that a change has not been confirmed, which then automatically leads back to the branch via the twentieth sub-step 209-20 to point t . This again enables a different cliché to be selected in a seventh sub-step 209-7 (FIG. 5a).
  • sub-steps 209-8, 209-16, 209-20, 209-1 to 209-23 which lead to points h and h in FIG. 5b
  • the thirtieth sub-step 209-30 is reached again for the query for a desired change in the assignment between the cliché and the cost center number.
  • a thirty-fifth sub-step 209-35 comprising a password input routine is reached if the cliché setting in the thirty-third sub-step 209-33 has been confirmed after the cliché number has been displayed.
  • a thirty-seventh sub-step 209-37 is reached, in order to then save the new assignment and then again for the cliché number display in the thirty-third sub-step 209-33 or for the cliché number display in a separate one - not shown - branch to sub-step 209-39, in order to then branch back to point t via the twentieth sub-step 209-20 to reset the loop counter.
  • the new assignment to the cost center number has thus been entered in the franking machine and is now still available.
  • a structure is provided in an area of the special cost center memory KSP 9, on the basis of which cost center-related operations can be carried out. So you can go to a basic cost center assigned to the respective carrier With the number zero, additional cost centers can also be set up or deleted under numbers other than zero. Values and quantities of individual cost centers other than the one with the number zero can be edited or deleted without affecting the security against manipulation.
  • the carrier-related basic cost center with the number zero contains a sum over the values of cost centers.
  • numbers are assigned to the names of cost centers or carriers, which can also be seen in the legend in FIG. 7c.
  • the name of the cost center that is common between the departments of the office 21 can be changed if this should be necessary. If a corresponding entry is made, this is recognized in the fortieth query step 209-40 and, after the assigned currently set number has been displayed, the system switches to the input routine of the new name (forty-first sub-step 209-41).
  • the carrier name used between the carriers can also be changed if necessary.
  • the display of all consumption totals for a single cost center can be useful to keep an overview of a large number of private carriers.
  • the listing is prepared. The list is based on a corresponding entry.
  • a representation or display of all carrier-related consumption totals for the set cost center number is preceded by an appropriate entry. If a corresponding entry is made, this is recognized in the forty-fourth query step 209-44 and, after the assigned currently set cost center number has been displayed, the system switches to the listing routine for the selected register (forty-fifth sub-step 209-45).
  • a representation or display of all carrier-related quantities for the set cost center number is preceded by another corresponding entry. If a corresponding entry is made, this is recognized in the forty-sixth query step 209-46 and after the assigned currently set cost center number has been displayed, the system switches to the listing routine for the selected register (forty-seventh sub-step 209-47).
  • all available cost center numbers a representation or display of all carrier-related consumption sums when a forty-eighth query step 209-48 and forty-ninth sub-step 209-49 are carried out, or a representation or display of all carrier-related quantities when a fiftieth query step 209-50 and fifty-first sub-step 209-51 are carried out , possible.
  • FIG. 6 shows a partial flowchart for automatic data entry based on the scanned cost center and / or carrier information.
  • the first step 201 of the franking machine system routine 200 can be divided into a multiplicity of communication modes. This can also include a chip card communication mode (not shown in FIG. 6) (sub-steps 2019 to 2027), the chip card being used, for example, as a key card.
  • a chip card communication mode not shown in FIG. 6
  • the chip card being used, for example, as a key card.
  • at least the sub-steps 2010 to 2017 for a scanner communication mode and the sub-steps 2031 to 2035 for a balance communication mode are carried out in the first step 201.
  • a routine is carried out in sub-step 2010, which includes the cost center and / or shipping data Carrier data, stored non-volatile as previous data, so that they are available as comparison data when it is necessary to decide whether a change in individual data has been made by automatic data entry. This involves deleting the old data mentioned above in the working memory of the franking machine.
  • a serial interface is selected in order to then receive data x1 from at least one of the scanners (mail item sensor 16) in the following sub-step 2012, before branching to a query step 2013.
  • a branch is made to a sub-step 2014 in order to send a handshake signal to the aforementioned register unit 19, to which the aforementioned scanner is connected together with other sensors.
  • a branch is made via the sub-step 2009 to the sub-step 2040 if no scanner data has been received.
  • a mail piece detection takes place in sub-step 2015. If the sensor 16 works according to a mechanical principle of operation, in the simplest case only the relevant bit needs to be stored. If the sensor 16 works according to the optical principle of action, this can be done by a relatively simple image evaluation.
  • a branch is made from the query step 2016 to a sub-step 2017 for evaluating the other scanned data (except for the variant according to FIGS. 4c and 4d, where the sub-step 2017 is omitted).
  • marking in the form of a barcode it may be necessary to move the mail piece further forward before an evaluation is successful.
  • the completeness of the scanning data must be ensured before an evaluation.
  • step 2008 If the data required for detection, ie for finding and evaluating, is incomplete What is ascertained in query step 2008, in response there is a branch back to step 2012 in order to await further data transmission from the scanners via register unit 19 and data line 18. Otherwise, the system branches directly to the next query step 2018.
  • the detection of the remaining scanned data in sub-step 2017 includes finding out the cost center and the carrier information.
  • the detection of the remaining scanned data in sub-step 2017 only includes the detection of the cost center information.
  • sub-step 2040 branches from query step 2016 to call up stored current data. Neither a smart card communication mode nor a scale communication mode is then run through.
  • a sub-step 2009 is run through in order to switch off the feed drive (not shown), ie to control motors in the feed device (not shown) in such a way that they switch off if necessary if a mail item to be transported is not found in the feed path when the system routine 200 is run through again. Only the input / display routine with print data input is then active and now enables manual input or presetting of the franking machine.
  • sub-steps 2031 to 2035 for a balance communication mode are carried out if a balance coupling is determined in the preliminary query step 2030.
  • a serial interface is selected, in order to then wait for a data transmission a from the scale 22 in the following sub-step 2032, before branching to a query step 2033.
  • a branch is made to a sub-step 2034 in order to send a handshake signal to the aforementioned scale 22. Without the handshake signal, the scale 22 repeats the data transmission automatically. From the query step 2033, the process branches back to the sub-step 2032 to wait for the new data transmission. After the handshake signal has been sent to the aforementioned scale 22, the scale data is evaluated in sub-step 2035.
  • step 201 if the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is to be used for automatic data entry in step 201 in accordance with one of the above-mentioned variants for a mail handling system which does not require a chip card, suitable commands must be used to ensure that the chip card communication mode is not run through. This can be done when the franking machine is initialized at the dealer. If, for example, no flag for a CC coupling is set when the franking machine is initialized, sub-steps 2019 to 2027 for the chip card communication mode are not carried out after the flag has been queried in step 2018. Instead, the scanner communication mode is immediately branched to the balance communication mode.
  • FIG. 7a shows a flowchart for the franking mode with a processing of accounting data related to the carrier and cost center. If no keyboard actuation or other input request is found in sub-step 401, a loop counter is incremented in sub-step 402 and a query step 404 is reached. If a predetermined limit number G is reached by the loop feeder, a standby flag is set.
  • the standby mode is reached when there is no input or print request for a predetermined time. The latter is the case if a letter sensor known per se - not shown in detail - does not determine the next envelope to be franked.
  • the step 404 in the franking mode 400, shown in FIG. 7a therefore includes a further query for a time lapse, which ultimately leads back to the point t and thus to the input routine according to step 209 if the time is exceeded. If the query criterion is met, a standby flag is set as in step 408 and branched back to point t without the billing and printing routine being carried out in step 406. The standby flag is queried later in step 211 (see, for example, FIG.
  • step 4d is reset in step 213 after the checksum check if no attempted manipulation is detected.
  • the query criterion in step 211 is expanded to include the question of whether the standby flag is set, i.e. whether the standby mode is reached.
  • step 213 is also branched to. The advantage of this method is that every attempt at manipulation is statistically recorded in step 213 before branching back to the system routine (point s).
  • step 401 it is checked whether there is an input. If a new input request is made in step 401, the process branches back to step 209.
  • This mail item sensor 16.1 for example, is connected to the register unit 19 in the same way as the sensor 16, but is mechanically arranged in the vicinity of the printing area and is also queried later in the order of the method steps than the sensor 16.
  • the above-mentioned mail item sensor 16.1 provides the letter to be franked detected and a print request triggered after the time has elapsed. It is thus possible to branch to the accounting and printing routine in step 406. If there is no print output request (step 405), the steps that are carried out at the beginning of the system routine, i.e. between the point s and the point t, branched back to the step 209 lying after the point t.
  • a communication request can be made at any time or another input can be made in accordance with the steps for data change 209, test request 212, register check 214 and input request 401.
  • Steps 401 to 404 are again carried out, as shown in the variant according to FIG. 7a.
  • a branch is made from step 404 to step 408.
  • the alternative query criterion can be queried in step 404 to set a standby flag in step 408 if there is no print output request after a predetermined time.
  • the standby flag can be queried in step 211 following communication mode 300. This does not branch to franking mode 400 until the checksum check has shown that all or at least selected programs are complete.
  • step 405 If a print output request is recognized in step 405, further queries are made in subsequent steps 407 to 420 and in step 406. For example, in step 409 the presence of authentic register values, in step 410 the achievement of a further quantity criterion and in step 406 the register data collected in the known manner for billing are queried. In addition, as already explained with reference to FIG. 5a, selected registers in the NVRAM of the franking machine are protected by MAC formation. If the number of items predetermined for franking had been used up in the previous franking, ie number of items equal to zero, step 410 automatically branches to point u in order to enter communication mode 300 so that a new predetermined number of items S is again credited by the data center.
  • step 410 the process branches from step 410 to the billing and printing routine in step 406.
  • a special sleeping mode counter is prompted in step 406, that is to say during the accounting routine which takes place immediately before printing, to continue counting.
  • the number of printed letters and the current values in the mail registers are registered in the non-volatile memories 5a, 5b of the franking machine in the accounting routine 406 in accordance with the entered cost center and are available for later evaluation Available.
  • the register values can be queried in display mode 215. It is also provided that the register values or other service data are printed out with the print head of the franking machine for billing or control purposes. This can be done, for example, in the same way as the normal printing of the franking image, but another frame is initially selected for fixed image data, into which the variable data are inserted in accordance with the register values stored in the non-volatile memory NVM 5 or in the cost center memory, similar to that in FIG columns 1 to 2 or in claim 9, in the German patent application DE 42 24 955, for the formation and display in three multi-line information groups or for a required switchover to a corresponding mode is carried out in principle.
  • the carrier and cost center information are to be used for billing. If a print output request is detected in step 405, the carrier-specific memory area is selected (step 416) and then step 417 is reached to form subaddresses for the memory areas from firstly a cost center number zero and secondly the selected cost center number which are different was set to zero for departmental billing.
  • Step 417 forming subaddresses, is required to control the memory areas during the billing.
  • a MAC security is placed over all the postal registers to be updated, which is required in order to decide in the query step 409, which is carried out further below, whether the register values are authentic. Since such a check is very time-consuming, in particular if the DES algorithm is used to encrypt the checksum, this check is only carried out for postal registers which must be updated for billing.
  • This check is therefore carried out in the aforementioned query step 409, upstream steps comprising the step 420 for a debit register check, the step 422 for a credit register check or the step 407 for a credit register check.
  • Such a credit register check has been described in the German application (No. 1995 34 530.4-53) under the title: Process for securing data and program code of an electronic franking machine.
  • a further step (not shown) for checking the prepaid card register may also be included in the above-mentioned parallel steps.
  • Billing on a special chip card (similar to a phone card or prepaid card) that has been brought into contact with the FM franking machine and edited by a number of carriers is another billing variant.
  • a prepaid amount as electronic credit in the credit account the chip card and, in the case of intended franking, reduced by the postage to be franked.
  • the debited postage value is transferred to the accounting unit of the franking machine.
  • Such a prepaid card which functions as an electronic wallet, can be used until the electronic wallet is empty.
  • the prepaid card is refilled up to a predetermined amount in special bank terminals in a remote bank.
  • both of the above-mentioned key codes and the data records for each individual booking are transmitted to an evidence center of the remote bank for checking.
  • the billing mode is checked in a step 418. If there is a settlement based on a debit credit, the query step 419 branches to a step 420 for checking the debit register. If there is a settlement on the basis of a credit balance, branching from query step 421 to step 422 for checking the credit register. However, if there is a customary settlement based on a prepaid credit, the query step 423 branches to step 407 for checking the credit register. Alternatively, if there is a settlement based on a prepaid credit in a prepaid card, then a corresponding query step 425 leads to a corresponding step 426 for checking the credit register branched accordingly in a prepaid card.
  • step 409 is then reached and, if necessary, branched to error evaluation 413. Tampering can only be ruled out if the register data is authentic. Then step 406 is reached via step 410 with the billing and printing routine.
  • FIG. 7b shows the partial flowchart for the billing and printing routine in franking mode with carrier and cost center-related billing.
  • a MAC-secured postage value can be checked in franking mode 400 at the beginning of the billing routine using the associated MAC (FIG. 7a). For this purpose, a checksum is formed about the postage value and its encryption. If the result is now equal to the MAC value, the validity of the postage value can be assumed and the actual billing process can thus be started.
  • a register R2 is increased by the postage value and a different register R1 is decreased by the postage value in sub-step 4060 by a non-manipulable accounting unit.
  • a comparable billing takes place with the quantity data.
  • the MAC security is added in sub-step 4061.
  • sub-step 4062 the data is saved under the selected carrier number and cost center number zero.
  • FIG. 7c shows the result of the carrier-related billing carried out in the tamper-proof billing module in the postal registers.
  • Ri postal register values
  • billing is first performed in the registers R1 to R8, regardless of a selected cost center number, and related to the selected carrier.
  • a group (not shown) from the large number of registers is assigned to the recording of paid transactions, including credit recharges. It can be queried periodically or at any time and provides an overview of the financial operations that have been carried out for individual carriers. The sum of these registers of all carriers can also be queried periodically or at any time and provides an overview of the current financial situation as a whole. Furthermore, if necessary, it is provided that a listing of the entirety and / or individual financial reloading data within a period of time and other register or service data are printed out as proof from the print head of the franking machine.
  • the carriers have a name to which a number is assigned so that they can be called up or set more easily at the push of a button.
  • the carriers also have a reference to a carrier identification number (CIN), which has several digits for the exact automatic identification of the carrier is formed in particular during communication with a data center of the franking machine manufacturer. With this CIN it is possible to load a set of carrier data into the franking machine. Furthermore, a number is also provided for each cost center so that it can be called up or set independently of its name by pressing a key.
  • CIN carrier identification number
  • FIG. 7d shows a two-dimensional cost center / carrier matrix for the respective amount of consumption (postage consumption p) assigned to cost centers in the ascending register R2 and for the respective number of pieces z assigned to cost centers in the number register R4.
  • postage consumption p the respective amount of consumption assigned to cost centers in the ascending register R2
  • pieces z assigned to cost centers in the number register R4.
  • a reset to zero takes place both for postage consumption p and for the number of items.
  • Such a list can be output, for example, as a cost center printout or as a carrier-related printout by the franking machine on a strip.
  • the routine 209-19 - shown in FIG. 5a - for checking stored data and for forming request data for data transmission of tariff table and additional data from a data center to the franking machine will now be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 8.
  • a comparison of predetermined data areas for checking data is carried out on the basis of corresponding predetermined comparison data stored in a non-volatile manner in order to be able to determine changes that have occurred or have been entered.
  • specific queries take place in order to form specific request data in the associated sub-steps 2095-13 to 2097-13.
  • sub-step 2092-13 branched to sub-step 2095-13 in order to form and save request data together with the current date and carrier.
  • sub-step 2093-19 the exceeding of the validity date, which is assigned to each carrier-specific table, is checked in order to then form and save request data together with the current location and carrier.
  • sub-step 2094-19 a new entry of a field name is evaluated, with which tables and information are specifically identified, before branching to sub-step 2097-19 in order to form and store request data specifically. Only if no changes are detected in queries 2092-19 to 2094-19 will you branch directly to point 1.
  • Such request data can be generated automatically in a step 209 (FIG. 3 or 4b, 4d or 5) which is continuously executed before point t and are evaluated in step 301 according to FIGS. 3, 4b or 4d as a communication request in order to switch to a communication mode to enter.
  • FIG. 9 shows the communication mode for the postage meter machine, which is required to carry out a data transmission which largely runs automatically via MODEM.
  • a recognized transaction request in the sub-step 301 of the step 300 leads to the display of the data and the status in the sub-step 332, and then after an initialization of the modem and dialing of the data center (telephone number) in the sub-step 333 to a sub-step 334 for establishing the connection to the data center . If the modem cannot be successfully initialized and dialed in sub-step 333, a branch is made back to sub-step 301 to display the status via a sub-step 310.
  • the system also branches back to sub-step 301 if it is determined in a sub-step 335 located after sub-step 334 that the connection is not being established done properly and it is determined in sub-step 337 that the connection cannot be established even after the nth redial.
  • sub-step 338 it is determined whether an error condition has occurred which can be remedied by re-establishing a connection to the data center in order to branch back to sub-step 334 via q. In sub-step 338, it is further determined whether an error condition has occurred that cannot be remedied, in order to branch back to sub-step 310 via w for the purpose of displaying the status. If a transaction has been carried out, further transactions can be carried out, branching back to sub-step 335 via r. If the connection is still intact, it is checked in sub-step 336 whether all transactions have been carried out or the last transaction has ended, in order then to branch back to sub-step 301 via sub-step 310.
  • the flag for a transaction request is reset in sub-step 338 when the last transaction has ended. It branches from sub-step 301 to step 211 in order to now store and evaluate the selected data transmitted to the franking machine. During the evaluation, the value of the transmitted CIN can be automatically classified in a predetermined manner (according to frequency or priority) will. The type of classification can be set. At least one actuating means is provided to set the type of classification.
  • the automatic reloading with data in sub-step 338 includes at least one treatment routine, which is explained in more detail in connection with FIG. 10.
  • the routine 1000 shown in FIG. 10 for handling transmitted table data in the franking machine has a sub-step 1009 for sending request data to the data center.
  • a sub-step 1010 is then carried out in order to select a non-volatile memory area in the postage meter machine in which the requested data can be buffered later.
  • a branch is made via sub-step 1011 to receive and decode the data packet transmitted by the data center to a sub-step 1012, in which a start processing status for data processing is set.
  • the first processing of the data then takes place in sub-step 1013.
  • the temporary storage of the data is advantageous if data is transmitted in several transactions or if a transaction has to be repeated.
  • the communication mode 300 After leaving the communication mode 300, it is determined in the query step 211 - shown in FIGS. 3, 4b and 4d - that data has been transmitted and then branches to the statistics and error evaluation mode 213. If the transmitted data is free of errors and valid, the non-volatile storage takes place in the franking machine in the aforementioned evaluation mode. After intermediate storage and, if necessary, subsequent decompression in the case of packed data in sub-step 1013 and completion of further sub-steps 1014, 1015 and 1020, the data record is stored which belongs to a complete postage fee set by a mail carrier. Such a data record comprises a header, version information, partial table data and a data record end identifier (DEK).
  • DEK data record end identifier
  • sub-step 1014 to check for complete receipt of the transmitted data packet, a branch is made to a sub-step 1015 when it is complete in order to set an end identifier as the processing status. Such identifiers are required in order to continue the program at this point after voltage recovery even if the program is terminated, for example as a result of an operating voltage interruption.
  • Subsequent sub-step 1020 calls the next transaction or action and thus branches off to continue executing the sequence shown in FIG. 9, in order to save the temporarily stored update data in a non-volatile manner in a subsequent step 213.
  • the automatic reloading with data in sub-step 338 includes special treatment routines which go beyond those explained in more detail in connection with FIG. 10.
  • the further procedure explained in the German application with the official file number 195 49 305.2 provides, on the one hand, a location-specific provision of window data for the postmark or additional functions for the franking machine and, on the other hand, current information for permanent and / or temporary configuration of the franking machine through a communication network, which contains a memory with the retrievable data blocks for reloading additional functions and information into the franking machine as well as update data.
  • step 504 a program routine for automatically entering the cost center number runs in conjunction with the first input mask.
  • step 504 is completely omitted. Then only the carrier selection is saved as a number and applied as a mark on the document, label, letter or envelope.
  • the marking in step 509 comprises the calling of programs for the position of the address and / or other information in accordance with the postal regulations for the position of the Address and / or other information.
  • Corresponding programs are loaded in the memories of the respective personal computers PCa, PCb or PCc, which are located in the office 21.
  • steps 508 and 509 a printer or separate printers are jointly controlled accordingly for the aforementioned areas to be printed.
  • step 518 is provided to send accounting data to office 21 in response to a request.
  • An optional step 518 is also provided in order to send accounting data to a personal computer in the office 21 in response to a request, in which case in a further step 519 in the personal computer a total storage of the total fees and listed according to carriers for a selected cost center and / or in a further step 520 cumulative storage of the cost center-related accounting data for a selected carrier takes place.

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