EP1103924B1 - Procédé de protection d'un dispositif contre son fonctionnement avec des articles de consommation non autorisés et dispositif pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé - Google Patents

Procédé de protection d'un dispositif contre son fonctionnement avec des articles de consommation non autorisés et dispositif pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1103924B1
EP1103924B1 EP00250400A EP00250400A EP1103924B1 EP 1103924 B1 EP1103924 B1 EP 1103924B1 EP 00250400 A EP00250400 A EP 00250400A EP 00250400 A EP00250400 A EP 00250400A EP 1103924 B1 EP1103924 B1 EP 1103924B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
consumable
ink
code
data center
arrangement according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP00250400A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1103924A3 (fr
EP1103924A2 (fr
Inventor
Dieter Dr. Pauschinger
Wolfgang Dr. Thiel
Olaf Turner
Harald Windel
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 EP1103924A2 publication Critical patent/EP1103924A2/fr
Publication of EP1103924A3 publication Critical patent/EP1103924A3/fr
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Publication of EP1103924B1 publication Critical patent/EP1103924B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17543—Cartridge presence detection or type identification
    • B41J2/17546—Cartridge presence detection or type identification electronically
    • 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
    • G07B2017/00169—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information from a franking apparatus, e.g. for verifying accounting
    • 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
    • G07B2017/0025—Storage of, e.g. ribbon
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00314—Communication within apparatus, personal computer [PC] system, or server, e.g. between printhead and central unit in a franking machine
    • G07B2017/00322—Communication between components/modules/parts, e.g. printer, printhead, keyboard, conveyor or central unit
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00516—Details of printing apparatus
    • G07B2017/00524—Printheads
    • G07B2017/00532—Inkjet

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for protecting a device from being operated with improper consumables according to the preamble of claim 1 and an arrangement for carrying out the method according to the preamble of claim 6.
  • the solution below is applicable to the renewal of consumables of franking machines , It does not matter whether they are ink cartridges for ink jet printing units or thermal transfer ribbon cassettes or rotary printing drums.
  • Postage meter machines have been known since the twenties and are still being perfected to this day.
  • the printing principle has changed from original purely mechanical solutions with printing drum to electronic solutions with thermal transfer or inkjet printhead.
  • microprocessors and electronic credit stores were used.
  • a common payment principle "pay before” is based on in that a monetary value debited from a customer account, so-called credit amount, is managed in the postage meter machine. For each franking, this amount of credit is reduced by the amount of franking printed on the package.
  • the franking machine can be reloaded with a credit amount.
  • special security measures have been developed to prevent or detect unauthorized manipulation to the detriment of the manufacturer or user or the mail carrier.
  • the franking machine also consumes printing ink and wears the parts associated with the printing technology, it is in the interest of the user and the mail carrier, if high-quality own material of the manufacturer is consumed.
  • piracy products when so-called piracy products are used, this has an impact on the life and print quality of the machine.
  • it could be allowed for an original product to be recycled by the manufacturer. For example, authorized ink could be refilled into an original cartridge for a printing device. So far, however, it is not possible to completely exclude resulting manipulation possibilities.
  • An ink end detection with electrodes is from the DE 27 28 283 C2 previously known.
  • two electrodes for a comparative measurement and a separate electrode for a conductivity measurement for ink end signaling are introduced in the bottom of the ink container.
  • the contact resistance between these electrodes is measured and evaluated.
  • the electrodes are arranged in hollows, which are molded into the container bottom.
  • the prerequisite for the use of such ink end detection is the use of an electrically conductive ink. A protection against refilling with a color other than the original ink is not possible.
  • Such sensors for ink end detection provide the JetMail for safety's sake, a final signal when a maximum of 200 frankings are possible to avoid a due to lack of ink incomplete printed franking print image that has already been billed. However, then priming is already no longer possible. For a reorder of an ink tank, the end signal is usually delivered too late.
  • cassette-shaped container with ink liquid, ribbon or toner off US 5,365,312 comprising a chip-shaped integrated circuit having an electronic memory for a reservoir identifying code, an expiration date and other data and a counter to determine the consumption in printing by counting the individual pressure pulses which correspond to printed ink drops.
  • the integrated circuit stores the current fill status, which can be read and displayed by the printer controller.
  • the printer controller since reprogramming the chip and refilling the container is not possible, the container can not even be recycled by the manufacturer.
  • a reusability barrier has been proposed for a container for supplying ink to an ink jet print head.
  • An ink connection line is docked from inkjet print head to the container by means of a hollow needle through a rubber elastic closure.
  • the one cover device is triggered irreversibly when removing the container through the hollow needle.
  • a refilled ink reservoir can no longer be docked.
  • this solution also prevents the reuse of containers filled with original ink.
  • the used ink tanks can only be returned to the dealer or service of the manufacturer for proper disposal be returned. It appears unfavorable if even a manufacturer-supplied recycled consumable can not be reused.
  • the use of precisely copied piracy ink reservoirs can unfortunately not be prevented.
  • markings for example a bar code at the beginning of the ink ribbon
  • markings are stamped by the manufacturer on the ribbon.
  • a detection of this mark is automatically performed (eg by means of an optical scanner).
  • the control unit of the franking machine is transmitted the data content of the marking and compared with pre-stored reference codes.
  • reference codes have been non-volatilely stored by the manufacturer in the franking machine.
  • regenerate these codes at certain intervals, which can be stored by a data center of the manufacturer by remote data transmission in the postage meter.
  • Each code provided by the data center is also time-limited, preventing an attack after the predetermined period of time has elapsed. Also known is the counting of the imprints itself.
  • a disadvantage of the above method is the lack of synchronization between the output of the new codes for the consumable and the storage of the corresponding reference codes in the franking machine on the one hand and the unpredictable time of purchase and installation of the consumable in the franking machine. Inevitably, temporal overlaps occur, whereby consumables with old codes do not interact with the reference codes newly stored in the franking machine. To the extent that more than one of the codes is validated during these transitional periods increases to the same extent the danger that codes which have become known will be combined with unauthorized consumables and this can not be detected.
  • Another disadvantage is the lack of information for the manufacturer that a particular customer is trying to use unauthorized consumables. This information wins only the franking machine, which can then react only in a preprogrammed manner, for example by refusing the franking. A flexible response to the customer, for example through a personal telephone connection from the manufacturer combined with a temporary license to use the unauthorized consumables, is not possible.
  • the US 5,132,729 A shows an electronic device, which can allow or reject exchanged components operationally.
  • the object of the invention is to develop a method of protection against the use of improper consumables in devices, which minimizes the use of impermissible consumables largely. Overlaid old consumables are just as inadmissible as those of poor quality from other manufacturers, especially piracy products.
  • the protection according to the same method should be extended to different consumables, regardless of their type.
  • the attempt to use consumables by unauthorized manufacturers should also be covered.
  • An arrangement for carrying out the method should have means which recognize at least the change of consumable material, their type or optionally their identifier and, if appropriate, their manufacturer.
  • the refilling of authorized ink containers with unauthorized ink should be made more difficult.
  • Consumable piracy protection based on its authentication has been developed, with a data center checking authenticity. It is a significant logistical advantage to be able to protect different consumables, regardless of their nature, with the same procedure.
  • the perspective view of a franking machine 1 of the type T1000 is shown from the front left according to FIG.
  • the franking machine 1 has an internal modem and, for example, can be connected to a data center 100 via a first data connection 14 for the purpose of credit recharge, which has a database 130.
  • a chip card 10 serves, for example, to set the franking machine to a cost center under which the billing is to be made.
  • the franking machine 1 has a cassette compartment 7, which must be opened for insertion of a thermal transfer ribbon cassette 9.
  • a display text is generated by the microprocessor and on the display of a user interface 4, a warning appears before removing a cassette authorized by the manufacturer 9 and the continued operation of the franking machine 1 with an unauthorized cassette to prevent damage, as well as premature aging of the printing technique, and a qualitatively deteriorated printed image.
  • a marker is stamped as a bar code at the beginning of the ribbon. After inserting the new ribbon cassette in the postage meter, a detection of this mark is automatically carried out by means of an - not shown - optical scanner to the control unit of the postage meter to transmit the data content of the marking, as already described in EP 730 974 A2 is already known.
  • FIG. 2 A block diagram will be explained with reference to FIG. 2, which applies to the franking machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 or another arbitrary device.
  • a device has a microcomputer ⁇ P 19 for controlling a keyboard and a display with controller having user interfaces 4, a modem 13 and a printer 17 and / or other actuators, not shown, which via an input / output interface 18 to the microcomputer uP 19 are connected.
  • other sensors such as an encoder 90 and a letter sensor 91 are connected in a known manner.
  • At least one detector 16 is connected to the input / output interface 18 for the reliable detection of the removal or replacement of the consumable material.
  • a scanner 15 can be connected to the input / output interface 18 or a comparable means for detecting a codeword on the consumable. If the aforementioned device is a franking machine 1, a postage computer balance 2 can be connected to the input / output interface 18 via a cable 24 for data connection. A further data connection 14 is used to connect the modem 13 to the data center 100.
  • the scanner 15 can be omitted if a code word is input by means of user interface 4 and transmitted via the modem 13 and the data connection 14 to the data center 100.
  • FIG. 3 shows a circuit diagram of a detector which reliably detects the removal or replacement of the consumable even when the device is switched off and is not supplied with system voltage U s .
  • the detector has a commercial lithium battery BAT, which has a memory with a memory retention voltage of about 3V provided.
  • a first switch S1 is operated when removing or changing the consumable. For example, a mechanical contact is opened, which interrupts the power supply of the memory by the lithium battery BAT.
  • This voltage supply is detected and causes the closing of a second switch S2, which is preferably realized as a CMOS circuit.
  • the RESET input of the memory is thereby connected to ground (L level), which leads to the safe clearing of the memory contents of the memory.
  • the memory may be formed as SRAM, which can be equipped by the microcomputer 19 via the interface 18 by means of a - not shown - shift register with a code and can be queried for the presence of the code.
  • the type of aggregation of the consumable with the codeword preferably depends on the type of consumable. It is contemplated that a sensor may directly or indirectly permit the presence of consumables to be determined by a physical action principle, the consumable being a solid body.
  • the consumable is an ink ribbon for a postage meter machine according to FIG. 1.
  • the consumable material is an ink tank filled with ink.
  • the consumable material is an ink tank head with integrated ink tank or a cartridge.
  • Such a disposable print head is, for example, the Siemens type DHP50.
  • the postage meter machine has a sensor and a control unit with processor which is programmed to generate a message after the aforementioned recognition and to display and wait for the input of the number, which is transmitted as a code word via modem to the data center ,
  • the consumable is in a non-solid state.
  • the consumable is a particular liquid for a letter humidifier and closer.
  • the latter can be part of an automatic mailer for letters.
  • at least one container is present, which is a solid body and can be provided with a marking.
  • Another variant uses a chip in which the code word is stored and can be read by establishing a connection, for example via electrical contacts, when installing the new consumable.
  • a - shown in Figure 1 - postage balance 2 has a weighing plate 21, a display 23 and a keyboard 25 for input of shipping information about a letter to be conveyed 33rd
  • a Device for example, from the postage meter balance 2 of a franking system not only the weight, the postage value and other data to the franking machine 1 but via the modem of the franking machine 1 also sent a message to the remote data center 100, for example, which rate PROM for postage value calculation is used.
  • the latter is located within a memory card 22 which can be inserted in the postage computer scale 2.
  • the data center 100 may distinguish based on data stored in a database 110 whether an authorized or an unauthorized postage fee table is being used in the postage balance 2.
  • an automatic feeder 3 with integrated separating device is arranged upstream of the franking machine 1.
  • a pressure strap 35 can be folded up and then presses on a mail stack, from which 32 letters are separated by means of take-off rollers.
  • Under a hood 34 are more parts of the separating device.
  • One Brief abuts a guide plate 31 and is moved downstream to the guide plate 11 of the postage meter 1, where the "franking" printing process takes place.
  • a further moved franked letter is applied to a guide plate 81 of a closing module 8.
  • a closing roller pair 82 ensures the closing of not yet completely closed envelope and for ejection via an insert 5 in the storage box 6.
  • the construction of the franking machine of the type JetMail ® is, for example, in the non-prepublished German patent application DE 199 00 686.5-27 described in detail under the title: Arrangement for closing envelopes.
  • a chip card disk / reader unit 70 and an on / off switch 71 are arranged in the guide plate 11 of the franking machine 1. After switching on, a chip card 10 can be used in conjunction with the user interface 43, 45 for simplified setting of the franking machine.
  • the user interface 43, 45 is located on the meter 12 of the franking machine 1.
  • German utility model DE 298 21 903 U1 An international user interface has been explained in more detail.
  • a microprocessor of the franking machine 1 monitors the fill level of an ink tank 95 shown in FIG. 5 by means of an ink end sensor 92 German Patent 196 13 944 C1 with two electrodes in contact. As a precautionary measure, such sensors already provide a final signal in the JetMail if a maximum of 200 frankings are still possible in order to avoid a franking imprint printed incompletely because of lack of ink. If necessary, the microprocessor generates a display text for display in the display 43: THE INK PRESET IS ALMOST USED. PLEASE REPLACE THE TINTANT TANK AS SOON! RESERVE IN PRINT: 200.
  • the franking machine 1 can now continue to be operated with the reserve ink quantity.
  • the microprocessor realizes in its memory space a backward counter, preset by the end of ink signal to the number 200 and with each additional franking by one is decremented.
  • the number 200 results empirically from empirical values for a balance of possible impressions and a safety factor.
  • the number indicating the remainder can be displayed before the next franking.
  • the microprocessor After each further franking, the microprocessor generates a status line which indicates the number of remaining prints and issues the message at the end: THE INK ADVANTAGE IS REPLIED. PLEASE CHANGE THE TINTANCE TANK.
  • the used ink tank 95 can be removed and inserted into a plastic bag, which catches any leaking ink residues.
  • a new ink tank can be removed from the packaging to verify that the color of the ink is correct. For this purpose, a hole coding on the back of the ink tank can be used.
  • the new code word can be read.
  • the ink tank is inserted into lateral guide rails (not shown) of the ink tank compartment and pushed in until it noticeably engages. If the ink tank is not inserted correctly, the microprocessor generates the message: THE TINTED TANK IS MISSING! When docking the new consumables, a contact is automatically closed.
  • the postage meter recognizes through this contact that a new consumable has been installed.
  • a hole coding on the back of the ink tank can be detected by suitably trained contacts the original type of ink (post red, red flursmpd, etc.).
  • the microprocessor now generates a message that prompts the customer via the display to enter the new codeword: ENTER CODE WORD.
  • the customer can take this codeword from an imprint on the packaging and enter it in the franking machine 1 by means of the keyboard 45.
  • a connection with the data center of the manufacturer is made.
  • Modern franking machines are already all with a modem today equipped to communicate with the manufacturer's data center. This is normally used to load a credit amount from the data center if the corresponding storage has been franked.
  • the transmission of the codewords can take place separately immediately after the new consumable has been determined or can be an additional component of the communication for the periodic remote loading of the franking machine at a later time.
  • Known measures of data backup are used to prevent the codewords can be borrowed on the transmission line.
  • the data center receives the codeword of the new consumable 95 together with an identifier of the postage meter 1. In the group of stored reference codewords, the appropriate codeword is searched for.
  • the registered consumable is considered authorized and a further use of the franking machine 1 is not in the way. If the codeword is not identified, a fake or a no longer valid codeword must be assumed. In the case of a forged codeword, the customer has evidently purchased an unauthorized consumable with any pseudo-codeword, or has conceived of it upon request to enter the codeword in the absence of a true codeword. If the code word is no longer valid, it will be checked if it has already been used once. If no, it can be authorized but superimposed consumables. In this case, it should be checked whether the use of the material is still permissible. If the invalid code word has already been used, it is obviously a manipulation attempt.
  • FIG. 6 shows block diagram of a postage meter of the type JetMail ® with a processor 46 having control unit 40 to 58 and with a base including an integrated scale 20, a rate PROM 22, a modem 53, and such a detector 96 shown, the Changing or the use of a new ink tank cassette 95 detects.
  • the rate PROM 22 may alternatively be implemented in the dashed memory module 51, 52 within the meter.
  • the direct measuring method may be replaced by the detector 96 by an indirect measuring method which utilizes the existing sensors 92 and 97.
  • a predetermined remainder of ink is detected by means of the electrodes 93, 94 and the sensor 92 and communicated via the modules SAS 59, sensor / actuator control interface ASIC 58 to the microprocessor 46, which then generates a display.
  • There remains a predetermined remainder of ink which ranges for about 200 impressions when the conductivity between the contacts 93, 94 falls below a predetermined threshold. Switching the franking machine 1 off / on via the switch 71 can be detected via the sensor 97, which is likewise connected to the SAS 59.
  • Turning off at the time while the postage meter has only the remainder of the ink may indicate an impending change.
  • an ink end can be detected. If the postage meter machine can be further operated beyond a number of, for example, 200 impressions after being switched on again without a change to the restored conductivity between the contacts 93, 94 detected via the contacts 93, 94 and the sensor 92, then this is an indication that that in the meantime ink was refilled unauthorized.
  • at least one ad is generated and, if necessary, a message is sent to the datacenter when a credit needs to be reloaded.
  • a security module 60 developed by the applicant serves as the first charging module and has a hardware accounting unit 63 and a battery-powered nonvolatile memory 61 in which a credit can be loaded by modem 53.
  • An OTP (One Time Programmable) processor 66 executes security routines both during the credit debit, as well as to secure the register data with a MAC (Message Authentication Code).
  • the advantage of the security module is that the verification of the reliability and approval of the franking and franking machine according to the invention, which is carried out by the mail carrier, then only for the relevant processor system 60 and the connected printer module 55-57 is required.
  • a second processing module forms the smart card 10 in conjunction with the smart card write / read unit 70.
  • the microprocessor 46 and the first memory devices 41, 42 then form a third processing module and the microprocessor 46 and the second memory devices 51, 52 (dashed) then form a fourth processing module, and so on.
  • one abandon module is sufficient and the other processing modules can perform other tasks.
  • the microprocessor 46 with the associated memories 41, 42 is programmed to count the impressions in connection with the recognition of a change of the ink tank cassette and used as a postage computer and for pressure control.
  • the abort module 60 is used to bill and calculate encryption keys at least for communication with the data center for the purpose of credit recharge. Due to this division of tasks, the bill module 60 has been further developed into the security module.
  • All processing modules 41, 42 and 51, 52, security module 60, microprocessor 46, interface assemblies 44, 54 and 55, a main memory pixel RAM 47, clock / date module 48, cliche memory EEPROM 49, program memory ROM 50 and an ASIC with the sensor / actuator control interface 58 are connected to a meter internal BUS 40 of the controller.
  • a keyboard 45 By means of the keyboard 45, an input is made to the ports of the microprocessor 46 for the corresponding control of the franking machine 1.
  • Via the interface module 44 a generated screen image can reach the display 43.
  • the display has an integrated controller for support.
  • the sensor / actuator control interface 58 is further - not explained here - sensors and actuators of the base, an encoder 90 for the letter movement and at least one letter sensor 91 and the interface 54 at least the modem 53 electrically to the meter 12 of Franking machine 1 connected. Both interface circuits 54 and 58 can also be implemented in a user circuit ASIC. Further details are the EP 716 398 A2 removable, bearing the title: franking machine internal interface circuit and method for tamper-proof print data control. For controlling the other components in the base and in the periphery Other versions are the EP 875 864 A2 removable, bearing the title: Arrangement for communication between stations of a mailing machine.
  • the modem 53 is electrically connected via the interface 54 to the meter 12 of the franking machine 1.
  • the comparison of the codewords performed in the remote data center 100 provides another advantage. Even if a valid code word is checked, it is checked if it has already been used once. If it was reported by another franking machine, obviously its user has passed on the codeword and the new customer is trying to use unauthorized consumables in combination with this codeword. If the customer has already given the code word once, this is an indication that he has now taken possession of unauthorized after using authorized consumables.
  • the range of possible measures ranges from the friendly telephone admonition, to the sending of a service technician with original consumables to the remote stopping of the franking machine 1, eg a repeat offender.
  • the advantage of this method is that there are no "old" codewords that are no longer valid, which can cause infiltration of the security system by passing on. This is achieved in that the verification of the code words does not take place in the individual not networked franking machines 1, but away from it, at the level of the data center, which has access to all given codewords and always in sync with newly produced consumables with the corresponding reference codewords is loaded. The data center may be removed from a credit recharge data center, but is connected to the latter. Another advantage is the elimination of the need to issue new codes at certain intervals and invalidate the old ones, with more than one set of codewords always being valid during the transition periods.
  • the piece counter is transferred from the franking machine 1 to the data center, which indicates how many frankings have been made since the last credit recharge.
  • the consumable is designed for a certain number of franking imprints, which is subject to only a small fluctuation, if not or little primed (eg Jet Mail tank for 30,000 frankings +/- 5%).
  • the time of purchasing the consumable divides the period of time between two credit reloads into a certain ratio. This ratio must also correspond to the ink consumption, if the user behavior has not changed fundamentally.
  • the ratio calculation can also extend over more than one period of credit-recharge and gain in precision.
  • a found reference codeword is then transmitted to the franking machine.
  • known data protection measures are used to prevent the code words on the transmission link from being read out. It is checked in the franking machine whether both, ie the code word and the reference code word, are mathematically in a predetermined relationship to one another. If this is the case, the registered consumable is considered authorized and a further use of the franking machine 1 is not in the way.
  • the advantage of this variant is that even if communication with the data center is interrupted, the franking machine can independently carry out the comparison and unlock or block or change its operation in any other suitable manner, so that at least use of refilled authorized ink containers with unauthorized ink is difficult.
  • a review of the authorization of the consumable can basically also be done in both, ie in the data center and additionally in the franking machine.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Information Retrieval, Db Structures And Fs Structures Therefor (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
  • Measuring Or Testing Involving Enzymes Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)

Claims (20)

  1. Procédé destiné à la protection d'un appareil avant une exploitation avec un consommable inadmissible, dont l'authenticité est contrôlée dans un centre de données à distance, caractérisé en les étapes :
    - de génération d'au moins un mot code,
    - de sauvegarde d'une affectation à un consommable déterminé sous la forme d'un enregistrement avec mot code de référence,
    - d'agrégation du consommable avec le mot code généré, ce dernier se trouvant en relation prédéterminée avec le mode code de référence ou avec un groupe de mots codes de référence qui sont sauvegardés dans le centre de données,
    - de détection d'une opération de changement d'un consommable dans un appareil à distance du centre de données,
    - d'établissement d'une liaison de communication entre l'appareil et le centre de données à distance, et de retransmission du mot code agrégé avec le consommable,
    - de réception du mot code transmis dans le centre de données et de contrôle de l'authenticité du consommable à l'aide d'un mot code de référence sauvegardé ainsi que
    - de réception d'un message destiné à l'appareil après le contrôle du code dans le centre de données.
  2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'un mot code est joint au consommable prévu en vue de la vente ou en ce que ledit mot code est affecté exactement, par assujettissement, ou par des mesures comparables et en ce que l'affectation du code est sauvegardée comme mot code de référence destiné à un consommable déterminé dans une banque de données.
  3. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le fabricant du consommable attribue un numéro d'identification audit consommable et génère un mot code identificateur.
  4. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'un marquage du consommable est effectué à l'aide de ce mot code, de manière très différente en fonction du type de consommable par des mesures physiques ou chimiques.
  5. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en une génération d'un message avant l'établissement de la liaison de communication entre l'appareil et le centre de données à distance, sachant que le message comprend une invitation à entrer un code, avec exécution d'une routine afin d'attendre l'entrée d'un code et de sauvegarder le code entré, et par déclenchement d'un compteur destiné à la machine dans le centre de données après le contrôle du code et l'enregistrement du temps jusqu'à la recharge suivante de crédit, sachant que lors de la recharge suivante de crédit, le compteur de pièces est transmis par l'affranchisseuse dans le centre de données, ledit compteur indiquant combien d'affranchissements ont été exécutés depuis la dernière recharge de crédit, ainsi que l'analyse du nombre de pièces dans le centre de données selon les machines suspectes.
  6. Disposition destinée à la protection contre l'utilisation de consommables inadmissibles, dotée d'un microprocesseur dans une unité de commande (12, 19) d'un appareil et d'une interface utilisateur (4, 43, 45, 10), caractérisée en ce que l'unité de commande (12, 19) est reliée avec un détecteur (16, 96) afin de détecter une opération du changement d'un consommable et dotée de supports de transmission (13, 14, 53) afin d'établir une liaison de communication avec le centre de données à distance (100), en ce que le microprocesseur de l'unité de commande (12, 19) est programmé :
    - pour détecter le changement d'un consommable,
    - pour générer un message après la détection précitée et pour attendre une entrée d'un code,
    - pour établir une liaison de communication avec le centre de données à distance (100), afin de transmettre le code entré et de recevoir une information de l'appareil après le contrôle du code dans le centre de données (100) ainsi que
    - pour modifier le fonctionnement de l'appareil, lorsque l'information indique que le contrôle effectué du code n'a révélé aucune authenticité du consommable en externe à l'appareil.
  7. Disposition selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que le consommable est un liquide.
  8. Disposition selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que le consommable est une encre.
  9. Disposition selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que le consommable adopte un état de matière non solide.
  10. Disposition selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que le consommable est un corps solide.
  11. Disposition selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que le consommable est un ruban de couleur.
  12. Disposition selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que le consommable est une tête d'imprimante à jet d'encre (57) avec réservoir d'encre intégré.
  13. Disposition selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que le consommable est une cassette pleine à réservoir d'encre (95).
  14. Disposition selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce qu'au moins un capteur permet de constater directement ou indirectement la présence de consommable selon un principe d'action physique.
  15. Disposition selon les revendications 6, 13 et 14, caractérisée en ce que le microprocesseur (46) est relié avec les unités de stockage respectives (41, 42) et programmé pour compter les empreintes en liaison avec une détection indirecte d'un changement de la cassette à réservoir d'encre (95).
  16. Disposition selon la revendication 15, caractérisée en ce qu'une détection indirecte du changement d'une cassette à réservoir d'encre (95) s'effectue au moyen du microprocesseur (46), par une analyse d'une position prédéterminée du compteur pour les empreintes, lorsque les capteurs (97 et 92) saisissent une remise en marche et un niveau d'encre.
  17. Disposition selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce qu'un microprocesseur (46), un capteur (92) et des électrodes (93, 94) sont prévus sur la cassette à réservoir d'encre (95) afin de détecter la nécessité de changement de la cassette à réservoir d'encre (95) et en ce que, en raison d'un indicatif du consommable, il est possible d'entrer le code de celui-ci, ledit code étant caractéristique pour une encre déterminée.
  18. Disposition selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que le microprocesseur est programmé afin de modifier le fonctionnement de l'appareil, si le contrôle effectué du code n'a révélé aucune relation prédéterminée avec un des codes de référence enregistrés ou une non-concordance.
  19. Disposition selon la revendication 18, caractérisée en ce que le code de référence est sauvegardé à distance de l'appareil.
  20. Disposition selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que le microprocesseur (46) est programmé en cas d'information, afin de générer un message et de l'afficher par écran (43).
EP00250400A 1999-11-26 2000-11-24 Procédé de protection d'un dispositif contre son fonctionnement avec des articles de consommation non autorisés et dispositif pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé Expired - Lifetime EP1103924B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19958941A DE19958941B4 (de) 1999-11-26 1999-11-26 Verfahren zum Schutz eines Gerätes vor einem Betreiben mit unzulässigem Verbrauchsmaterial
DE19958941 1999-11-26

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EP1103924A2 EP1103924A2 (fr) 2001-05-30
EP1103924A3 EP1103924A3 (fr) 2001-08-16
EP1103924B1 true EP1103924B1 (fr) 2007-06-27

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DE50014441D1 (de) 2007-08-09
US6978255B1 (en) 2005-12-20
DE19958941B4 (de) 2006-11-09
EP1103924A3 (fr) 2001-08-16
EP1103924A2 (fr) 2001-05-30

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