EP1067483A2 - Procédé et système fournissant des informations à des usagers de machines - Google Patents

Procédé et système fournissant des informations à des usagers de machines Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1067483A2
EP1067483A2 EP00305817A EP00305817A EP1067483A2 EP 1067483 A2 EP1067483 A2 EP 1067483A2 EP 00305817 A EP00305817 A EP 00305817A EP 00305817 A EP00305817 A EP 00305817A EP 1067483 A2 EP1067483 A2 EP 1067483A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
metering apparatus
postage metering
data centre
postage
transaction
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP00305817A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1067483B1 (fr
EP1067483A3 (fr
Inventor
Dennis Thomas Gilham
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.)
Neopost Ltd
Original Assignee
Neopost Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Neopost Ltd filed Critical Neopost Ltd
Publication of EP1067483A2 publication Critical patent/EP1067483A2/fr
Publication of EP1067483A3 publication Critical patent/EP1067483A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1067483B1 publication Critical patent/EP1067483B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—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
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G07B2017/00153—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information
    • G07B2017/00161—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information from a central, non-user location, e.g. for updating rates or software, or for refilling funds
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00266—Man-machine interface on the apparatus
    • G07B2017/00298—Visual, e.g. screens and their layouts

Definitions

  • This invention relates to providing information to mailing machine users and in particular to providing information to users of postage metering apparatus and similar apparatus when the apparatus is placed in communication with a remote data centre.
  • a method of providing information to a user of postage metering apparatus includes the steps of initiating a transaction between the postage metering apparatus and a remotely located data centre; establishing communication between the postage metering apparatus and the data centre; communicating data between the postage metering apparatus and the data centre by means of the established communication and transmitting a message unrelated to the transaction from the data centre to the postage metering apparatus by means of said established communication.
  • a system for providing information to a user of postage metering apparatus includes postage metering apparatus; a data centre located remotely from said postage metering apparatus; a communication link between said postage metering apparatus and said data centre; said postage metering apparatus being operable in a transaction with the data centre to initiate establishment of communication between the postage metering apparatus and the data centre and to transmit and receive data respectively to and from the data centre, said data relating to said transaction; said data centre being operative in said transaction to transmit to the postage metering apparatus a message unrelated to the transaction; and the postage metering apparatus being operative in said transaction to receive said message and to display said message.
  • a postage meter 10 includes electronic accounting and control means comprising a micro-processor 11 operating under program routines stored in a read only memory (ROM) 12.
  • ROM read only memory
  • a keyboard 13 is provided for input of commands and data by a user and a display 14 is provided to enable display of information to the users of the postage meter.
  • a random access memory (RAM) 15 is provided for use as a working store for temporary storage of data during operation of the postage meter.
  • Non-volatile duplicated memories 16, 17 are provided for the storage of critical data relating to use of the postage meter and which is required to be retained even when the postage meter is not powered.
  • the microprocessor 11 carries out accounting functions in relation to use of the postage meter for dispensing postage value in respect of amounts of postage charges applicable to handling of the mail items by a postal authority or other carrier.
  • Accounting data relating to use of the postage meter for printing postal indicia, representing postage charges for mail items, and any other critical data to be retained is stored in the non-volatile memories 16, 17.
  • the accounting data includes a value of credit, an accumulated total of value used by the meter in franking mail items, a count of the number of mail items franked by the meter and a count of the number of mail items of a predetermined category for examples those items franked with a postage charge in excess of a predetermined value.
  • the value of credit may be a value of credit available for use by the meter and stored in a descending credit register.
  • the accumulated total value used by the meter is stored in an ascending tote register, the count of items is stored in a piece count register and the count of items franked of the predetermined category is stored in a predetermined items register.
  • a total value of credit entered into the meter may be stored in an ascending credit register.
  • each of the registers referred to hereinbefore for storing accounting data is replicated in order to enable integrity of the accounting data to be maintained even in the event of a fault or termination of power to the meter during operation of the postage meter.
  • Two replications of each of the registers are provided in each of the memory devices 16, 17.
  • the components of the postage meter are housed in a secure housing 18 to provide security against unauthorised tampering with the components of the postage meter.
  • a printer 19 is operated under control of the microprocessor 11 to print postal indicia on mail items, the postal indicia including postal data.
  • the postal data includes at least a value of postage applied to the mail item and usually includes other data, for example date, postage meter identification and identification of postal area in which the postage meter is located.
  • the postal indicia may include other information and may include a digital signature or encrypted information to enable authenticity of the postal indicia to be verified. Where the postage indicium includes a digital signature or encrypted information, the postage meter includes means to generate the digital signature or encrypted information respectively. If the printed postal indicia contain a digital signature or encrypted information to enable authenticity of the indicia to be verified, the printer 19 may be located externally of the secure housing 18. However if the postal indicia do not contain a digital signature or encrypted information for verification of the indicia the printer 19 is housed within the secure housing 18 to prevent unauthorised operation of the printer 19.
  • Power for operation of the postage meter is provided by a power supply 20.
  • the postage meter 10 is provided with an input/output port 21 to enable communication via a communication link 23 with a data centre 22 located remotely from the postage meter.
  • the communication link 23 may, for example, be provided by a telephone network but may be provided by any other means capable of transmitting data between the postage meter and the remote data centre.
  • the non-volatile memories 16, 17 of the postage meter include a register for storing an amount of credit and a register for storing a total of value that has been used by the postage meter in applying postage charges to mail items.
  • the microprocessor operates under a program routine to check that a sufficient value of credit is available for the current transaction and only if there is sufficient credit, the microprocessor continues under the program routine to carry out accounting functions to reflect the application of postage charge in the current transaction, stores new accounting data in the registers and operates the printer 19 to print the required appropriate postal indicium.
  • the value of credit available for applying postage charges is reduced and periodically the amount of credit stored in the postage meter must be incremented to enable continued operation of the postage meter. Incrementing of the amount of credit stored in the postage meter is effected in a credit resetting transaction by communication with the remote data centre 22 and may, for example, be effected by the methods described and claimed in US patents 4,907,271 and 5,077,792. In the methods described in these patents, the user of the postage meter operates a key to put the postage meter into a credit resetting mode to initiate (step 40 Figure 3) a credit resetting transaction.
  • the postage meter when in the credit resetting mode establishes communication (step 41) between the postage meter and the data centre via the communication link 23.
  • an identification of the postage meter, accounting information stored in the registers 16, 17 and an amount by which the credit is to be incremented is transmitted (step 42) by the postage meter and received (step 43) by the data centre.
  • the data centre 22 is provided with a database 24 storing data relating to respective postage meters, in particular accounting data and information relating to operation of the respective postage meters, the stored data being accessed by postage meter identification.
  • the data centre After receiving the information transmitted by the postage meter 10, the data centre uses the postage meter identification to access the database 24 and thereby obtain data relating to the identified postage meter. The data centre then verifies the accounting data received from the postage meter compared with the accounting data stored in the database. It the received data is verified, the data centre completes the transaction (step 48) which includes transmitting a credit reset instruction to the postage meter that is effective to increment the credit available in the postage meter by the requested amount and to cause the postage meter to complete the transaction (step 45). After completion of the transaction, the communication is terminated (step 46).
  • the postage meter establishes communication with the data centre in a credit resetting transaction when the user places the postage meter in a credit resetting mode.
  • the postage meter may be arranged to establish communication with the data centre for transactions other than credit resetting.
  • the database 24 is also utilised to store messages which it is desired to disseminate to users of postage meters.
  • the messages are unrelated to the transaction being carried out between the postage meter and the data centre and may relate to announcements of postage meter products or services that are provided or are to be provided in the future by the supplier of the remote postage meter credit resetting service or by another party, for example the other party may be a postal authority.
  • the messages may comprise advertising material or may relate to or include other information to be disseminated to postage meter users.
  • the messages may comprise text or graphical information or a combination of text and graphical information. Generally the message may be passive and intended merely to be viewed by the postage meter user.
  • the messages may form a part of an interactive procedure in which event the messages may incorporate action buttons or items of a menu that can be selected to initiate a dialogue between the postage meter and the data centre.
  • the dialogue between the postage meter and the data centre may, for example, be utilised for selection of options for service or for software upgrades.
  • the messages may be stored in the database 24 and accessed when required to be disseminated to a postage meter user.
  • the message may be input to the data centre 22 from a computer centre (not shown) operated by the other party via a communication link (not shown).
  • the data centre reads out from the database 24 a message which is to be disseminated and transmits (step 47) the message to the postage meter.
  • the postage meter displays (step 49) the message on the display 14 of the postage meter to be viewed by the user of the postage meter. While the message may be stored in the database and read therefrom, if the message originates from another party the message may not be stored in the database and may be accessed from elsewhere either in the data centre 22 or from the other party's computer centre.
  • the messages transmitted by the data centre may be the same in respect of each postage meter and in respect of each communication of a postage meter with the data centre. However if desired the messages may be personalised according to a profile of a user. Thus, for example, a first message may be transmitted to users of postage meters handling relatively small volumes of mail and a second different message may be transmitted to users of postage meters handling relatively large volumes of mail. Also when a message has been transmitted to a postage meter in one transaction involving communication with the data centre, a different message may be transmitted in the next succeeding transaction of that postage meter involving communication with the data centre.
  • the postage meter identification received by the data centre from a postage meter is utilised to identify a profile of the user and, in accordance with the identified profile, one of a plurality of messages stored by the data centre is selected (step 50) and transmitted to the postage meter.
  • the data centre may store an indication whereby, during a current transaction involving communication between a postage meter and the data centre, the data centre can determine if a specific message has already been transmitted to that postage meter in a preceding transaction. If a specific message has already been transmitted, the data centre may be operated to send another message, for example a modification of the specific message, or to not transmit a message in this current transaction.
  • the transmission of the message (step 47) by the data centre to the postage meter may be effected at any time while communication exists between the postage meter and the data centre.
  • the transmission of the message occurs after receipt of the meter identification (step 43).
  • the message may be displayed by the display while the transaction is being carried out and may remain displayed until or after completion of the transaction. Alternatively the message may be displayed after completion of the transaction. If the message is displayed after completion of the transaction, display of the message may be terminated after a predetermined time interval or when the postage meter is switched out of the transaction mode into postage metering mode.
  • postage metering apparatus in an alternative embodiment of the invention, includes a secure postage metering module 30 connected to a personal computer 31.
  • the postage metering module 30 is substantially the same as the postage meter of Figure 1 but lacks a keyboard and display. Components of the module corresponding to the components of the postage meter of Figure 1 have the same reference numerals.
  • Input of information to the module 30 is effected by the personal computer 31.
  • a keyboard 32 and display 33 are connected to the personal computer 31 respectively for the input of data, for example amount of postage charge, by a user and for display of information and messages to the user.
  • a printer 34 is connected to and operated by the personal computer. The printer may be a free-standing device or may be a printing device integrated with the secure postage metering module 30.
  • the personal computer is operated under control of a postage metering program routine and inputs postal data consisting of or including amount of postage charge to be applied in respect of a mail item.
  • the postage metering module 30 operates in substantially the same manner as the postage meter 10 to carry out accounting functions in respect of accounting data and then outputs data enabling the personal computer to operate the printer to print a required postage indicium on a mail item.
  • the personal computer In transactions requiring communication between the postage metering module and the data centre 22, the personal computer establishes communication with the data centre via a communication link 23. If the transaction is a credit resetting transaction, data is output from the module 30 to the personal computer and the personal computer transmits the data to the data centre. Similarly information transmitted by the data centre to enable resetting of the credit amount stored in the module is transmitted via the personal computer to the postage metering module 30.
  • the data centre transmits to the personal computer a message to be disseminated to users of postage metering modules.
  • the personal computer operates the display to display the message to the user.
  • a postage meter 10 has been described as communicating directly with a data centre 22 via communication link 23 and messages received from the data centre are displayed on a display device 14 of the postage meter 10.
  • a personal computer 31 provided with a secure postage metering module 30 has been described as communicating with a data centre 22 and messages received by the personal computer from the data centre are displayed on the display monitor 33 of the personal computer.
  • the postage meter 10 of Figure 1 may be connected to a personal computer and communications between the postage meter and the data centre are effected via the personal computer and communication link 23. Messages transmitted by the data centre are received by the personal computer and may be displayed on a display monitor of the personal computer. In addition, or alternatively, the received messages may be displayed on the display 14 of the postage meter 10.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
EP20000305817 1999-07-09 2000-07-10 Procédé et système fournissant des informations à des usagers de machines Expired - Lifetime EP1067483B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9916242.2A GB9916242D0 (en) 1999-07-09 1999-07-09 Method and system for providing information to mailing machine users
GB9916242 1999-07-09

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1067483A2 true EP1067483A2 (fr) 2001-01-10
EP1067483A3 EP1067483A3 (fr) 2001-05-16
EP1067483B1 EP1067483B1 (fr) 2010-09-08

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ID=10857046

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20000305817 Expired - Lifetime EP1067483B1 (fr) 1999-07-09 2000-07-10 Procédé et système fournissant des informations à des usagers de machines

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1067483B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE60044926D1 (fr)
GB (1) GB9916242D0 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002047036A2 (fr) * 2000-12-04 2002-06-13 Pitney Bowes Inc. Remote postage meter resetting system having rebate generating capabilities
US6941286B1 (en) * 1999-12-29 2005-09-06 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and apparatus for providing refunds in a postage metering system

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4907271A (en) 1985-04-19 1990-03-06 Alcatel Business Systems Limited Secure transmission of information between electronic stations
US5077792A (en) 1988-12-30 1991-12-31 Alcated Business Systems Limited Franking system

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5058008A (en) * 1989-10-03 1991-10-15 Pitney Bowes Inc. Mail system with personalized training for users
FR2665003B1 (fr) * 1990-07-18 1995-06-30 Alcatel Satmam Dispositif de suivi de consommation postale.
US5786748A (en) * 1996-02-29 1998-07-28 Mobile Telecommunications Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for giving notification of express mail delivery
US6260144B1 (en) * 1996-11-21 2001-07-10 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method for verifying the expected postal security device in a postage metering system
WO1998057304A1 (fr) * 1997-06-12 1998-12-17 Pitney Bowes Inc. Affranchisseuse virtuelle comportant un dispositif de signature numerique de securite
US6041319A (en) * 1997-07-14 2000-03-21 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and system for telephone updates of postal scales

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4907271A (en) 1985-04-19 1990-03-06 Alcatel Business Systems Limited Secure transmission of information between electronic stations
US5077792A (en) 1988-12-30 1991-12-31 Alcated Business Systems Limited Franking system

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6941286B1 (en) * 1999-12-29 2005-09-06 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and apparatus for providing refunds in a postage metering system
WO2002047036A2 (fr) * 2000-12-04 2002-06-13 Pitney Bowes Inc. Remote postage meter resetting system having rebate generating capabilities
WO2002047036A3 (fr) * 2000-12-04 2003-02-06 Pitney Bowes Inc Remote postage meter resetting system having rebate generating capabilities
US7143068B2 (en) 2000-12-04 2006-11-28 Pitney Bowes Inc. Remote postage meter resetting system having rebate generating capabilities

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9916242D0 (en) 1999-09-15
EP1067483B1 (fr) 2010-09-08
EP1067483A3 (fr) 2001-05-16
DE60044926D1 (de) 2010-10-21

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