EP0991025B1 - Method for entering data into a postage computer and apparatus for carrying out the method - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for data entry into a postage calculator according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to the preamble of claim 8 an arrangement for carrying out the method according to claim 1. The invention aims at reducing the effort in a data center and minimizing the conversion time to a new postage fee table in a postage calculator. The method is intended both for franking machines, as well as for postage meter-containing scales or similar postage calculator-containing devices suitable.

From DE 38 23 719 C2 and US 41 38 735 it is known that reloading a rate table for postage is caused by a remote data center at certain times. If the data exchange is initiated by the server of the data center, the postage meter must remain constantly turned on, which of course is disadvantageous.

Alternatively, it has been proposed in US 5,490,077 or in US 5,606,508 to initiate the data loading from the franking machine on demand, wherein after the meter is switched on, the data is updated in dependence on conditions (such as name, date). In order to equip in good time the majority of the postal customers with a tariff table, the latter is stored far before it comes into force in a memory of a transmission means (smart card or in a cell of a GSM network) separately from the franking machine. The loading conditions are stored in non-volatile memory so that the machine can be switched off. When the franking machine is switched on, the date of the calendar module of the franking machine is used or linked with the other input conditions in order to select the table which is loaded into the memory of the franking machine during startup. When loading from a memory of the transmission means, the previous table is updated in the memory of the machine.

From US 5,710,706 (EP 724 141 A1) there is known data input to a scale interfaced with a postage meter to update rate table data with data. The data is loaded from a remote data center via modem to the franking machine. The loading and updating takes place immediately following each other. If there is information that tariff table data is to be updated, a loading and possibly intermediate storage of tariff data in the franking machine and a sector-specific deletion of the old postage table in the non-volatile memory of the balance takes place before the new tariff table data is transferred from the temporary storage of the franking machine to the balance and writing the new rate table data into the non-volatile memory of the balance. The scale can store several tables. However, each table refers to a separate carrier (carrier), which is selectable via keyboard. The minimum validity date of a rate table associated with a carrier identification number CIN is stored and evaluated by the postage meter to form, if necessary, request data for loading new rate table data or for updating in the memory of the balance according to the CIN. However, if the minimum valid date is also the date of change from an old to a new rate table, then there is a jam in the communication with the data center, if the franking machines want to communicate with this data center by the majority of the same day.

US Pat. No. 5,448,641 discloses a validated postal fee system in the terminal on the user side. The postage rate table is transmitted from the data center to the terminal. Also associated with the postage rate table code is transmitted from the data center to the terminal. The latter generates a comparison code from information based on the received postage rate table. Based on the comparison of the received code with the generated comparison code, the validity of the received postage rate table can be checked in the terminal. Thus, the terminal can verify the transmitted Portotariftabelte. To reduce the congestion in the communication with the data center, if the franking machines want to communicate with this data center on the same day by a majority, a very high number of modems would have to be used, which increases the overhead in a data center. The congestion causes communication problems. The latter leads to a new postage fee table for a number of devices to extend the conversion process. During this time, the user can not operate the affected devices for post processing.

The invention has for its object to develop a suitable method for data entry into a postage computer to shorten the conversion process to a new postage fee table, but without increasing the cost in the data center.

On request, a postage tariff table is to be transmitted to the terminal in order to be able to load it into corresponding memories of the postage computer without the loading having to be preceded by switching off the machine. Another object is the development of a suitable arrangement for carrying out the method.

The object is achieved with the features of the method according to claim 1 and with the features of the arrangement according to claim 8.

The method of entering data into a postage calculator involves loading and updating rate table data in the postage calculator. The transmission and storage of a new postage fee table in a postage computer can be carried out on demand as desired during the operation of the postage computer or pre-programmed on a first date automatically. After custom loading, the updating of rate table data is automatically performed at a second time defined by the carrier. The postage calculator may be located in one of the devices of a mail processing system. A shutter release button is preferably located in the same device containing the postage calculator. The device with the postage calculator preferably contains a memory for storing rate tables.

According to the invention, the memory of the postage computer can store at least two tables for the same mail carrier. One of the two tables is the table valid in the future, whose charge was promptly initiated by the actuation of a release button. The mail carrier is the competent postal authority or a private carrier, which transmits information to the user of the mail processing system. Usually there is still enough time until the changeover to the new table, from the day on which the user, for example, receives a cover letter containing the information from the postman. Would all systems at the same time try to load the data from the server of a data center, would be this temporarily inaccessible to some of these systems. Although the data processing capacity of the server would be very high, so that data could be charged much more quickly, and even if communication were possible on a variety of subscriber lines or modems, the problem could only be mitigated but not eliminated. According to the invention, the processes of loading and updating are now decoupled from each other in time, so that a relatively large period of time is available for loading.

The fact that the data is loaded before the day of the change makes it possible, in an advantageous manner, to reduce the telephone charges. Since the update is no longer performed during communication with the server but independently, the update can be performed simultaneously in all systems if these systems have preloaded the data into one of their memories and save it non-volatilely. This solution requires only a little more storage space, which is getting cheaper and thus minimizes not only the conversion time but also the required number of modems, which must be connected to the server.

The processes used to update data will expire automatically. In the device of the system, which is to save the date for the incapacity of the table or a conversion date, a memory space is reserved for it.

The memory space must be queried under certain conditions. The device of the system performing this query also checks whether the conversion time has been reached.

The invention is based on the need of some postal carriers to change the service data, in particular the fees in postage fee tables, as desired. The service data is needed in a processing module in or at the terminal. The service data include in particular the Fees in postage fee tables include, but are not limited to. If, in simplifying terms, only postage barge tables are discussed below, other service data are not excluded.

Advantageously, therefore, the communication from the data center via modem directly to the processing module in the terminal or indirectly via the terminal with the processing module.

The processing module is an electronic postage calculator. It is envisaged that the postage calculator is integrated in the terminal or is arranged separately from the terminal. The terminal is preferably an electronic postage meter or a postage computer scale. It is envisaged that the terminal is connected to a postage calculator and that the microprocessor of the terminal or the postage computer is programmed to make a storage of the new postage rate table data in the memory of the terminal or the postage computer.

Figur 1a,

Blockschaltbild einer Frankiermaschine mit internen Portorechner und Portotariftabellenspeicher,

Figur 1b,

Blockschaltbild einer Frankiermaschine mit Anschluß zu einer Portorechner-Waage,

Figur 1c,

Blockschaltbild einer Portorechner-Waage,

Figur 2,

Flußplan für eine Frankiermaschine nach Fig.1a.

Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims or are presented in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to FIGS. Show it:

FIG. 1a,

Block diagram of a franking machine with internal postage computer and postage fee table memory,

FIG. 1b,

Block diagram of a franking machine with connection to a postage computer scale,

FIG. 1c,

Block diagram of a postage computer balance,

FIG. 2,

Flow chart for a franking machine according to Fig.1a.

FIG. 1a shows a block diagram of the franking machine according to the invention with a printer module 1 for a fully electronically generated franking image, with at least one input element 2 having a plurality of actuators, a display unit 3, a MODEM 23 producing the communication with a data center, further input means 21 or balance 22 which are coupled to a controller 6 via an I / O control module 4 and to nonvolatile memories 5a, 5b and 9, 10 and 11, respectively, for data including the variable and constant parts of the franking image and programs for processing the image Data related to the mailing service which is to be requested from the carrier. The control device 6, in addition to a microprocessor μP in other embodiments, a separate postage computer 17 and other means such as a user-specific circuit ASIC for communication with sensors and actuators of the machine base (EP 716 398 A2), a security module SiMo (EP 789 333 A2) and other means, if necessary for improving data security (DE 196 50 993 A1).
Newer franking machines employ digitally operating pressure means 1. For example, thermal transfer printers or inkjet printers have been used for the first time in postage meter machines of the type T1000 or JetMail worldwide for the first time worldwide. This makes it possible in principle to print on a filled letter in the area of the franking stamp other information or any other way which is in a corresponding context with a service of a carrier. So it's easy to switch between private mail carriers and your services. The franking stamp imprint therefore advantageously contains an indication of the carrier and / or the service used or planned. A character memory 9 supplies the necessary pressure data for the variable parts of the franking image to a volatile working memory 7. The control device 6 has a microprocessor μP connected to the input / output control module 4, with the character memory 9, with the volatile random access memory 7 and non-volatile random access memories 5a, 5b (with internal non-volatile rate memory) or (dashed lines) with an additional nonvolatile tariff memory 16, with a nonvolatile main memory 10 and program memory 11, with the motor of a transport or feed device possibly with strip trigger 12, an encoder (Codierscheibe) 13 and with a battery-based calendar module (clock / Date module 8) is connected. The memory module which comprises the non-volatile main memory 5b can be, for example, an EEPROM, which is secured against removal by at least one additional measure, for example sticking to the printed circuit board, sealing or casting with epoxy resin. Further details on individual functions of the means are made in the German patent application DE 195 34 530 A1. The latter is entitled: Procedure for securing data and program code of an electronic franking machine.

For example, the storage of postage fee tables within nonvolatile memory 5a can be realized by providing particular storage areas. The postage fee tables may be stored separately in nonvolatile memory 16 (shown in phantom). The individual memories can be realized in several physically separate or - not shown - summarized in a few modules. The tariff table valid in the future will be stored in the appropriately provided memory area 16-01 or the valid tariff table will be stored accordingly in the separately provided memory area 16-02. The associated conversion date is stored in a third area 16-03 of the non-volatile memory 16. Information in the fourth memory area 16-04 for such new rate table data available in the data center is, for example, a carrier-specific version number. For example, the available storage capacity in non-volatile memory is 20 kbytes, which is best used by space-efficient storage management. The non-volatile tariff memory is preferably a battery-backed C-MOS RAM device.

The data center has modems 33 connected to a server 32 which accesses a database 31 when a corresponding request is received. Upon demand actuation of a key of the keyboard 2 or by means of another suitable input means 21 of the franking machine, the loading of the postage fee table data from the data center is triggered. The microprocessor μP of the terminal can now transmit the request data via modem 23 via a communication network to the modem 33 of the data center DZ. Alternatively, radio transmitting / receiving devices are used and transmitted by radio request data or a digital communication network used accordingly.

FIG. 2 shows a flow chart for a postage meter machine according to FIG. 1a, in which a store is operated separately from a changeover for a franking machine in operation. After switching on the franking machine in step Start 100 and passing through a start and initialization routine 101, which was explained in detail in the German patent application DE 195 34 530 A1, the point s of the system routine 200 is reached. The franking machine is now put into operation and is in its normal operating mode, which is also called normal mode. In a first step 201 non-volatile stored input data for setting the postage meter are called. If the franking machine was set to cooperate with a scale put into operation during the initialization routine 101, in the first step 201 a serial interface to the balance is selected in order to receive at least one transmitted weight value. The input means keyboard 2 allows a variety of other inputs for changing the settings.
For example, upon actuation of a key 19 of the keyboard 2, a load instruction is entered. Alternatively, the loading command can be entered as a code by means of the keys 20, which is acknowledged by means of the key 18. The input / display routine 209 contains a plurality of polling steps, of which only a single polling step 209-60 is shown. The latter concerns the query on input of a load instruction. If such an input has been detected, branching is made to sub-step 209-61 to form request data. If no such input or no further such input has been detected, branching is made to the point e, possibly via further interrogation steps. In communication mode 300 it is checked whether a transaction request exists. Such is recognized as present when request data has been formed and stored temporarily. For example, an E-flag is set and queried in the communication mode, whereupon an automatically running electronic communication with the data center is triggered.
In the communication mode 300, the requesting postage meter identifies itself at the data center with its identification number (ID) and transmits at least the version number of the previous postage rate table for the purpose of finding a new postage rate table in the database DB 31 of the data center. Each postage rate table is associated with a version number which is to be compared with the submitted one to determine the new version number of the postage rate table to be loaded in the future. The server 32 is programmed to check the proper transmission and error-free caching of service data, which will be explained in more detail with reference to the application EP-A-969420, entitled: Method for the secure transmission of service data to a terminal and arrangement for carrying out the method , The postage fee table data is preferably initially stored in the memory area 7d of the volatile memory RAM 7 of the franking machine in order to enable a check.
If service data has been transmitted as a result of the communication and buffered in the working memory area RAM 7d, this is detected in the subsequent query step 211 and the evaluation mode 213 is branched to check the correctness of the transmission and validity of the new service data. The result of this check is displayed in display mode 215 before going to point s of the system routine is branched back. If the result of this check was positive, for example, a U-flag for mode switching is set for a subsequent updating. In the query step 202, it is now possible to check, for example, based on the set U-flag, whether service data is to be loaded into the non-volatile memory 16. In step 203, a plurality of sub-steps for mode switching and for loading the service data into the non-volatile memory 16 is then carried out. The mode-switching U-flag is then reset in a final sub-step before branching back to point s of the system routine. At the next check, the result is negative. If the result of this check was negative, then the next step, for example query step 204, is branched. If no weight value is determined by the scale 22 and transmitted to the franking machine, then this is determined in the query step 204 and branched back to the point s of the system routine 200. The franking machine thus waits for an input from the balance 22. If this input is made, a handshake signal is sent to the scale 22 in step 205 and then branches to step 206 to the requirement of a conversion, in particular based on a stored changeover day and a current Date, check. When a changeover is required, updating of the service data is required, and it branches to step 208 to perform updating of the service data in the storage areas of the nonvolatile memory 16. Then, branching back to point s of the system routine. Otherwise, the point t of the system routine 200 is reached. The input / display routine 209 contains a plurality of polling steps, each of which is polled individually. In the above-mentioned German Patent Application DE 195 34 530 A1 further inquiry steps are shown. If there are no further inputs, step 300 is passed through without communication. If no further data has now been transmitted, which is determined via the query step 211, the point b of the system routine 200 is reached.

In the o.g. German Patent Application DE 195 34 530 A1 has already been explained that a multiplicity of steps between the points b and d of the system routine 200 can be run through before branching to the franking mode 400. In a manner known per se, one of the steps in the present exemplary embodiment is a postage calculation mode 220. The following franking mode 400 contains an inherently known billing and printing routine. After printing a franking imprint, the system routine 200 branches back to the point s.

The microprocessor μP is programmed as a postage computer and for loading and updating of rate table data by a program stored in the program memory 11. The program memory 11 is designed as a read-only memory ROM. The microprocessor is programmed to check the stored date of change in the postage meter based on the current date stored in the watch / date module 8 and to continue working with the old rate table data in case of a fall of the date of change by the current date or otherwise to transmit an instruction to execute the conversion.

The control device 6 may alternatively include a separate processor 17 for postage calculation, which forms a postage calculator with the memory 16. The microprocessor μP is programmed to check the stored date of change in the postage meter based on the current date. The processor 17 is programmed to continue to work with the old rate table data if the date of change falls short of the current date. The microprocessor μP is programmed to transmit an instruction to the postage calculator 17 to update the tariff cable data if equal or if the date of transition is exceeded by the current date.

• a) daß in einem Speicher 16 für Dienstdaten Speicherbereiche für auf Tariftabeilen bezogene Daten vorgesehen sind, einschließlich einem fünften Speicherbereich 16-05 mindestens zum Speichern eines aus einer Vielzahl von Städtenamen oder zum Speichern von einer vergleichbaren ersten Information, die den gewünschten Städtenamen kennzeichnet,
• b) daß der Portorechner programmiert ist:
  • zum Initialisieren eines den Portorechner einschließenden Systems nach dem Einschalten in einer Start- und Initialisierungs-routine 101, wobei entsprechend der Eingabe mindestens des Städtenamens oder einer vergleichbaren ersten Information, welche den Städtenamen kennzeichnet, die Initialisierung vorgenommen wird,
  • zum Detektieren der Eingabe und Einspeichern eines Ladeerfordemisses, einschließlich des im sechten Speicherbereich 16-06 gespeicherten Ladedatums, und/oder einer vergleichbaren im vierten Speicherbereich 16-04 gespeicherten zweiten Information, die dem Portorechner eine Vorauswahl einer Tariftabelle für einen vorbestimmten Carrier kennzeichnet,
  • zum Überprüfen des Ladeerfordemisses (im Schritt 202) bzw. des Ladedatums anhand des von einem Kalenderbaustein bereitgestellten Datums und zum Laden, beginnend mit einer Modusumschaltung auf einen Lademodus, wenn ein vom Kalenderbaustein bereitgestellte Datum das gespeicherte Ladedatum erreicht oder überschreitet und Übergang in den Betriebsmodus, wenn das bereitgestellte Datum das gespeicherte Ladedatum unterschreitet,
  • zur Eingabe eines Umstellungserfordemis beim Laden, insbesondere Einspeichern eines Umstellungsdatums in den Speicherbereich 16-03,
  • zum Überprüfen des Umstellungserfordernis (im Schritt 206), anhand des Umstellungsdatums im Vergleich mit dem vom Uhren/Datums-Baustein 8 bereitgestellten Datum und Umstellung auf die aktuelle neue Tariftabelle, wenn durch das bereitgestellte Datum das gespeicherte Umstellungsdatum erreicht oder überschritten wird oder Übergang in den Betriebsmodus, wenn das bereitgestellte Datum das gespeicherte Umstellungsdatum unterschreitet.

In one embodiment, the postage meter machine is initialized to a particular city and a particular load date. These settings may be stored in nonvolatile memory 5a or 16 in separate memory areas 16-05, 16-06. The loading date stored in the memory area 16-06 is interrogated, for example, in the inquiry step 202 and is separate from the conversion date stored in the memory area 16-03. Thus, a preprogrammed loading at a first time in the loading mode and a changeover of service data at a second time can be carried out automatically in the operating mode of the franking machine. If the franking machine is not switched off beforehand, service data is loaded into the first memory area 16-01 provided for loading at the preprogrammed first time, for example after midnight. The second point in time for the changeover is specified by the mail carrier and is loaded during loading into the third memory area 16-03. If equal or if the conversion date is exceeded by the current date, the postage calculator is programmed to update the rate table data. In doing so, the postage computer executes deletion and writing of data into the second storage area 16-02 upon update of the rate table data. The embodiment is:

• a) that storage areas for rate-related data are provided in a service data memory 16, including a fifth storage area 16-05 at least for storing one of a plurality of city names or for storing comparable first information indicating the desired city name;
• b) that the postage calculator is programmed:
  • for initializing a system including the postage computer after being switched on in a start and initialization routine 101, the initialization being carried out in accordance with the input of at least the city name or a comparable first information which identifies the city name,
  • for detecting the entry and storing of a loading request, including the loading data stored in the sixth memory area 16-06, and / or a comparable second information stored in the fourth memory area 16-04, which indicates to the postage computer a preselection of a tariff table for a predetermined carrier,
  • for checking the charging request (at step 202) or the charging date from the date provided by a calendar module and for charging, starting with a mode switching to a charging mode when a date provided by the calendar module reaches or exceeds the stored charging date and transitioning to the operating mode, if the provided date falls below the stored loading date,
  • for entering a changeover request when loading, in particular storing a changeover date in the memory area 16-03,
  • to check the changeover requirement (at step 206) based on the conversion date compared to the date provided by the watch / date building block 8 and switch to the current new rate table if the stored date is reached or exceeded by the provided date, or transition to Operating mode if the provided date falls short of the stored conversion date.

FIG. 1b shows a block diagram of the electronic franking machine for a variant with postage calculating scale 22a. In the modified flow chart, which is constructed in accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, the step 220 of a franking machine-internal postage calculation mode is of course eliminated.

The tariff memory 16 and the processor 27 are part of the postage calculator of the postage calculating balance 22a here. The latter is connected to its serial interface RS 232 via a connecting means 24 with a - not shown - serial interface RS 232 of the input / output control module 4. The scale 22a can now use the modem 23 of the franking machine for communication with the data center.

If service data is required, in particular a changed postage rate table in an electronic postage computer, a remote installation can consequently take place. The mail carriers entrust each one data center with the service for remote installation, on request service data, to transmit to the terminal to load them into appropriate memory of the processing module. In such a remote installation, a method for the secure transmission of service data to a terminal with the following method steps is used, which has already been described in detail in the non-prepublished German application 198 30 055.7. After providing new service data in the data center for future processing based on the service data, service data request data is formed by the terminal prior to the terminal communicating with a data center. The communication includes sending the request data to request the new service data from the data center, and receiving and caching the requested service data.
The mail processing system may include a postage meter and a scale, such as the well-known Libra / T1000 system from Francotyp Postalia AG & Co. In order to equip a majority of postal customers with a rate table that is current as of a changeover day, a preload is performed the future valid table. The postage computer is integrated in the scale 22a in this embodiment. The operated trigger key of the scale can trigger a preloading of the future valid table without updating the existing second table of the same mail carrier. For every Table version must be saved a date associated with the occurrence of the table. The check as to whether the table is to be put into effect continues to be carried out with the help of the postage meter machine because it already contains a clock / date module.

In contrast to the mail processing system according to EP 724 141 A1, the system according to the invention does not have to expect a long communication with a remote server and a conversion process taking place during the communication each time the machine is switched on. Rather, the actuated trigger key of the scale can now trigger an on-demand loading of the future valid table in advance of the conversion process. The conversion process itself remains unnoticed by the user, because it is offset in time and decoupled from on-demand loading and automatically on the changeover day and relatively fast.

FIG. 1c shows a block diagram of a postage computer balance, which is connected via a serial interface to the franking machine according to FIG. 1b. Connected to the RS-232 interface 25 of the scale 22a is an input / output port 26, which communicates with the internal BUS 43 with the processor 27 of the scale 22a. Such a BUS includes data, address and control lines.

The balance comprises input and output means 42 and 41, which are connected to the processor 27 via an I / O port 40, and storage means 28 connected to the processor 27 via the internal BUS 43 for storing the operating software of the balance, storage means 29 for Storing application data (eg, option print numbers) and storage means 16 for storing the loaded service data (eg, the postage tables). For determining the weight, a load cell 50 is connected to the processor 27 via an A / D converter 51, and also direct connections for resetting (reset) or tareing (weighing) the load cell 50 by the processor 27. Further Embodiments can be taken from US Pat. No. 5,710,706 (EP 724 141 A1). Optionally, a battery-backed calendar module 48 - dashed lines - be integrated into the scale 22a. It is connected to the internal BUS 43. All necessary inputs are made via the keyboard 42. On the display 41 such important information is output, such as the weight of the mail and the postage based on the postage fee table determined.

If a changed postage fee table is required in an electronic postage calculator, a remote installation can be made on demand. For this purpose, the key 45 is actuated to initiate the charging process and a corresponding display appears on the display 41. If the balance 22a is switched to the charging mode, various service data and in particular the postage fee table, which are to be changed in whole or in part, can be loaded. In contrast to the o.g. known solution of EP 724 141 A1 there is no coupling of the charging process with an update and the key 45 does not trigger an update mode.

• Bereitstellen mindestens eines ersten und zweiten Speicherbereiches im Portorechner, wobei der zweite Speicherbereich Tariftabellendaten der bisher gültigen Tariftabelle speichert und der erste Speicherbereich für Tariftabellendaten der zukünftig ab Umstellungsdatum gültigen neuen Tariftabelle vorgesehen ist,
• Überprüfen im Portorechner auf Vorliegen eines Ladebefehls, wobei bei Vorliegen eines Ladebefehls eine Bildung von entsprechenden Anforderungsdaten und deren Übertragung zur Datenzentrale durchgeführt wird,
• Modusumschaltung auf einen Lademodus mit Selektieren eines freien ersten Speicherbereiches im Speicher des Portorechners,
• Empfangen und Laden von komprimierten neuen Tariftabellendaten und von einem zugehörigen Umstellungsdatum sowie Umschaltung auf den Betriebsmodus,
• automatisches Aktualisieren unabhängig und zeitlich entkoppelt von dem vorgenannten Laden, wobei Tariftabellendaten aus dem ersten Speicherbereich dekomprimiert und in den zweiten Speicherbereich des Portorechners eingespeichert werden, wobei das Aktualisieren zu einem beliebig späteren Umstellungsdatum erfolgen kann.

The processor 27 is programmed to check the stored date of change in the postage meter based on the current date and to continue working with the old rate table data if the conversion date falls short of the current date and to transmit an instruction to the postage calculator to update the rate table data if equal or exceeded the date of the conversion by the current date. The postage calculator performs a write-in of data for updating the rate table data in the memory provided for this purpose. In this case, the method according to the invention for data entry into a postage computer, with loading and updating of rate table data in the postage computer, is provided in one embodiment with the following method steps:

• Providing at least a first and second memory area in the postage computer, wherein the second memory area Stores the tariff table data of the previously valid tariff table and the first storage area for tariff table data of the new tariff table valid in future from the changeover date is provided,
• Checking in the postage calculator for the presence of a load instruction, wherein in the presence of a load instruction a formation of corresponding request data and their transfer to the data center is carried out,
• Mode switching to a load mode with selecting a free first memory area in the memory of the postage computer,
• Receive and load compressed new rate table data and an associated conversion date as well as switch to operating mode,
• automatically updating independently and temporally decoupled from the aforementioned store, wherein rate table data is decompressed from the first storage area and stored in the second storage area of the postage computer, wherein the updating can take place at any subsequent conversion date.

It is further provided that the loading of new rate table data into a first area of the memory of the postage computer and the loading of an associated conversion date into a third area 16-03 of the memory of the postage computer. The franking machine contains a calendar module and transmits automatically at least once, for example, each time you switch on at the beginning of the day, the currently valid date of the postage calculator. In the postage calculator, the transmitted date is compared with the aforementioned conversion date. Automatic updating is omitted if the current date is less than the changeover date. The automatic update will be performed if the current date is greater than or equal to the changeover date.

In this case, a forwarding of the date of the day to the postage computer precedes the step that the postage computer automatically requests the currently valid date from the calendar module. The latter occurs, for example, after first switching on at the beginning of the day. The calendar module can be part of the balance and / or the franking machine. When loading data can be loaded into various devices of the system. The loading of new rate table data can take place in a first area of the memory of the postage computer and the loading of an associated conversion date into a second area of the memory of the postage meter machine.

• Bereitstellen einer Information für in der Datenzentrale verfügbare neue Tariftabellendaten, und ein
• Übermitteln der Information von der Datenzentrale über die Frankiermaschine zum Portorechner,
• Speichern der Information im vierten Speicherbereich 16-04 für den Portorechner für solche in der Datenzentrale verfügbare neue Tariftabellendaten,
• Überprüfen im Portorechner anhand der gespeicherten Information auf Eingabe eines der Information entsprechenden zugehörigen Lade-Codes, der per Eingabemittel eingegeben wurde,
• Modusumschaltung auf einen Lademodus mit Selektieren eines freien ersten Speicherbereiches im Portorechner, wenn der Lade-Code ein vorbestimmtes Verhältnis zur Information hat, und Laden von zur Information zugehörigen komprimierten neuen Tariftabellendaten und von einem zugehörigen Umstellungsdatum in Abhängigkeit von der Überprüfung im Portorechner vor dem automatischen Aktualisieren.

In one embodiment, information is also stored in a fourth memory area of the postage computer for new rate table data available in the data center, the information being, for example, a loading code or a carrier-specific version number. The following steps will be performed:

• Providing information for new rate table data available in the data center, and
• Transmitting the information from the data center via the franking machine to the postage computer,
• Storing the information in the fourth memory area 16-04 for the postage calculator for such new rate table data available in the data center,
• Checking in the postage calculator on the basis of the stored information on input of a corresponding loading code corresponding to the information which was input by means of input means,
• Mode switching to a load mode with selecting a free first memory area in the postage computer when the load code has a predetermined relationship to the information, and loading compressed new rate table data associated with the information and an associated change date depending on the check in the postage computer prior to the automatic update ,

In one embodiment, the invention provides loading of new rate table data associated with the information into a first area of a memory of the postage meter machine, with subsequent copying into the memory of the postage computer. Loading from an associated conversion date, however, occurs in a second area of the postage meter memory, followed by subsequent copying into the memory of the postage computer, whereby the changeover date in the second area of the postage meter memory is deleted. The franking machine is notified at each first transmission of weight or postage value data from the postage computer, the stored conversion date for the carrier, which has been set for the postage calculator.

The invention provides in one embodiment with a postage computer in a scale, that the postage computer carries out a selective deletion of storage areas in the scale before loading compressed new rate table data in a balance. The postage computer then updates the rate table data at a second time, possibly combined with a decompression of the loaded new rate table data and with a write-in from the decompressed data, whereby rate table data is decompressed from the first storage area and stored in the second storage area of the balance. This makes it possible for the automatic updating to be carried out independently of and at a later changeover date from the aforementioned loading.

It is provided in a variant that an automatic load request data forms at a first user-defined time, and then to update the loaded Porttotariftabellendaten when the second time defined by the postal carrier for new postage fee table data has moved to access current tables can , This automatic works depending on the post office carrier (Carrier ID), the version or order number or loading codes and the date supplied by the clock / date module 8 of the franking machine. The automatic is with a microprocessor and the keyboard in operative connection can be realized in the postage computer itself and / or in the memory cells of the clock / date module 8.

The postage calculator can be integrated into a postage calculating balance 22a, which is interfaced with the franking machine. It is also possible that the system including the postage meter is a postage meter. However, the case should not be ruled out that the postage computer is realized in the system separately from the postage meter and / or scale and is interfaced with the latter.

Claims (13)

1. A method for entering data into a postage computer with loading and updating of tariff tables in the postage computer, with verification of the stored change-over date by means of the current date,
   characterized in
   that the loading of new tariff tables is done either at a user-defined point of time that can be freely selected as required or at a certain pre-programmed point of time and that the updating of new tariff table data is done at a later point of time defined by the respective post carrier.
2. A method according to claim 1, characterized by the following steps:

   - provision of at least a first (16-01) and a second (16-2) memory area in the postage computer, the second memory area storing tariff table data of the tariff table currently in force and the first memory area being provided for tariff table data of the tariff table in force in the future as from the change-over date;

   - checking the postage computer for existence of a loading order (209), wherein, if a loading order exists, respective request data are formed and transmitted to the data central;

   - mode switch-over (300) to a loading mode (202, 203) with selection of a free first memory area in the memory of the postage computer;

   - reception and loading of compressed new tariff table data and of a related change-over date as well as switch-over to the operating mode;

   - automatic updating (207), independent from and not coupled to the time of the above-mentioned loading, tariff table data from the first memory area being decompressed and stored in the second memory area of the postage computer.
3. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that new tariff table data are loaded into a first area of the memory of the postage computer and a related change-over date is loaded into a third area (16-03) of the memory of the postage computer, that the franking machine contains a calendar module (8) and automatically transmits the valid current date at least once to the postage computer; that, in the postage computer, the transmitted current date is compared with the above-mentioned change-over date and that automatic updating is not performed if the current date is lower than the change-over date or that automatic updating is performed when the current date is higher than or equal to the change-over date.
4. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that new tariff table data are loaded into a first area of the memory of the postage computer and a related change-over date is loaded into a second area of the memory of the franking machine.
5. A method according to claim 1, characterized by storing an information in a fourth memory area of the postage computer for new tariff table data available at the data central, wherein, before storing the information in the postage computer, there is

   - provided an information for new tariff table data available at the data central;

   - transmitted the information from the data central, via the franking machine, to the postage computer;

   - stored of the information in the forth memory area (16-04) for the postage computer for such new tariff table data available at the data central;

   - checked the postage computer, based on the information stored, for the entry of a respective loading code belonging to the information that was entered via input means;

   - switched over to a loading mode with selection of a free first memory area (16-01) in the postage computer when the loading code has a certain pre-defined relation to the information; and there are loaded compressed new tariff table data appertaining to the information as well as an appertaining change-over date depending on the checking of the postage computer prior to automatic updating.
6. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that new tariff table data appertaining to the information are loaded into a first area of the memory of the franking machine and subsequently are copied into the memory of the postage computer and that an appertaining change-over date is loaded into a second area of the memory of the franking machine and subsequently is copied into the memory of the postage computer, the change-over date in the second area of the memory of the franking machine being deleted; that, with every first transmission of weight or postage value data from the postage computer, the franking machine is informed about the stored change-over date for the respective carrier set in the postage computer.
7. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the postage computer selectively deletes memory areas in a scale before loading compressed new tariff table data and that the postage computer, for updating the tariff table data, decompresses the loaded new tariff table data and writes decompressed data, wherein tariff table data from the first memory area are decompressed and stored into the second storage area of the scale, wherein the automatic updating can be performed at any later change-over date and not coupled to the time of the above-mentioned loading.
8. An arrangement for executing the method according to claim 1, having a postage computer programmed for loading and updating tariff table data, with a processor programmed for checking the stored change-over date on the basis of the current date and continuing to work with the old tariff table data when the change-over date is lower than the current date, wherein the postage computer is programmed for updating the tariff table data by writing data when the change-over date is equal to or higher than the current date, char-acterized in

   a) that a memory (16) for service data is provided with memory areas for data related to tariff tables;

   b) that the postage computer is programmed for

   - detecting the input and storing a loading requirement;

   - checking for a loading requirement and loading if a loading requirement exists;

   - entering a change-over requirement upon loading;

   - checking the change-over requirement and either changing over to the current new tariff table or switching to the operating mode.
9. An arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the postage computer automatically requests the applicable current date from a calendar module.
10. An arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that, in a memory (16) for service data, there are provided memory areas for data related to tariff tables, including a fifth memory area (16-05) at least for storing one out of a large number of names of towns or for storing a comparable first information identifying the desired name of a town and that the postage computer is programmed for

    - initializing, upon switching-on, a system including the postage computer by means of a start and initialization routine (101), the initialization being made according to the entry of at least the name of the town or a comparable first information identifying the name of the town;

    - detecting the input and storing a loading requirement, including loading date (in memory area 16-06), and/or of a comparable second information (in memory area 16-04) indicating a preselection of a tariff table for a pre-defined carrier to the postage computer;

    - checking the loading requirement (in step 202) or the loading date on the basis of a date provided by a calendar module and loading, starting with a switch-over to a loading mode when a date provided by the calendar module reaches or exceeds the stored loading date and passing to the operating mode if the date provided is lower than the stored loading date;

    - entering a change-over requirement upon loading, in particular storage of a change-over date in a third storage area (16-03);

    - checking the change-over requirement (in step 206) by means of comparing the change-over date with the date provided by the clock/date module (8) and change-over to the new tariff table if the date provided reaches or exceeds the stored change-over date or passing to the operating mode if the date provided is lower than the stored change-over date.
11. An arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the system including the postage computer is a scale.
12. An arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the system including the postage computer is a franking machine.
13. An arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the postage computer is provided in the system separately from the franking machine and/or scale and is connected to the latter ones via an interface:

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