EP1519325B1 - Arrangement for producing a printed image in franking and stampling machines - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic controller is used to print special postal information (20) in a position to the left of a first position. The special postal information identifies a private post handling company. The information preferably includes a data (21), a private postal company identifier (22) and a postal item identifier (23).

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement for producing a printed image for franking and postmarking machines according to the type specified in the preamble of patent claim 1. The printed image is particularly suitable for the use of postage meters or mail processing machines or computers with mail processing function (PC meter) and the carrier requirements accordingly selectable.

From the US 5,452,654 For example, a franking system with an increased level of security is already known for the correct payment of the carrier service. A print of a selected section with special postal information in a second position in the impression is used in particular for the identification of mail whose printed postage value is lower than the legal required postage value. However, the operator of a franking machine has no possibility of selecting the marking here.
Since the introduction of electronic (digital) printing on postage meters, variable information for corresponding elements of a printed image can be quickly and easily exchanged ( DD 233 101 B5 . US 4746234 ).

From the German utility model DE 92 19 183 U1 ( US 5,471,925 ) an arrangement for cliché text part change for franking machines is known. With a printer module, a fully electronically generated franking image is printed, which has an electronically replaceable advertising cliché and an editable via keyboard keyboard text part. The advertising cliche is located at a second position to the left of a first position intended for franking.
According to the German utility model DE 295 22 024 U1 ( US 5,852,813 ) an arrangement for data entry into a postage meter is known, which is equipped with input means and output means which are connected to a processor system. An actuating means is used to enter a command to call an advertisement or information transmitted during a communication (carrier INFO). Other actuating means are provided to change the appearance of the franking imprint in predetermined areas. The appearance of the stamp image or franking imprint can thus be adjusted according to the current requirements of the needs of different carriers.
Another method for producing a printed image, which is printed in a postage meter on a support, is from the EP 762334 B1 known.
A print image consisting of several elements can be assigned different security levels ( DE 199 31 962 A1 ).
The hitherto customary for franking printed image has from right to left on a value or franking stamp followed by a date or city stamp. So far, only a first position in the upper right corner of the letter has been selected for all mail carriers ( DE 199 13 066 A1 ).
This position may be moved to the left in an advantageous manner for large letter formats. Following an approx. 74 mm long and approx. 30 mm wide surface in the upper right-hand corner of a letter envelope prescribed for franking, Deutsche Post AG also permits the printing of an advertising cliché and the printing of a shipping method (for example, packet, letter , Printed matter or airmail). A print consisting of several elements must on the one hand the Requirements of the respective state-commissioned postal carrier and on the other hand meet the requirements of private postal carriers. Also, mailing one and the same mail is known by different companies / services to which different parts of the service have been assigned.
From the DE 19925194 A1 A method for mail processing and mail processing system is known, with automatic mail acceptance at special picking stations and with staggered mail processing starting with collecting shipping data and providing the mail with machine readable marking and post office storage at the picking stations. A first (private) mail carrier undertakes a transport of the marked mail to a remote dispensing station and transmits the shipping data associated with the tag. The remote delivery station comprises at least one franking device with a memory, in which via smart card the shipping data assigned to the mark are transmitted. Based on the shipping data, the postage is franked at the delivery station of the first (private) postal carrier. It is advantageous that the feeding stations need only be equipped with marking printers but not with expensive franking printers. Advantageously, the franking of the mail item to be transported can take place separately from the mail item according to the tariff of the second carrier. This has the advantage for a first carrier that he can deliver franked mail for his service and can negotiate a volume discount with a second carrier. The first carrier may also negotiate a volume discount with other carriers. The franking device of the dispensing station can be set for a large number of different carriers. Their delivery requires in the delivery station a storage system with a controllable switch and a plurality of shelves, each being assigned to the respective carrier. The franking device of the delivery station is programmed to determine for each transport task the carrier with the cheapest tariff. While the first carrier benefits from the tariff differences, has the delivery of different carriers to the mail sender has the advantage that the tariffs remain moderate due to competition. The franking device is based on the well-known franking system Jetmail® of the manufacturer Francotyp Postalia AG & Co.KG consisting of an automatic feeding station ( DE 19912807 A1 . DE 19913065 C2 and DE 19913974 C1 ), which, however, is completed by a barcode scraper, for example LS4100 type Datalogic ( DE 19925194 A1 ). The franking system Jetmail CONCORD® of the manufacturer Francotyp Postalia AG & Co.KG, continues to consist of a dynamic balance ( DE 19833767 C2 = US Pat. No. 6,265,675 B1 . DE 19860296 A1 and DE19922881 C2 ) which is downstream of the post-downstream of the automatic feeding and scoring station and also from a franking machine ( DE 19757652 A1 = US 6418422 B1 . DE 19911514 A1 . DE 19913066 A1 and DE 19931962 A1 ) downstream of the dynamic balance downstream of the downstream post. The neighboring stations of the franking system Jetmail CONCORD® are interfaced with each other (EP 875864 = US 6178410 ).
High-performance systems for address recognition, such as scanner systems with OCR software for the subsequent sorting of shipments, are already available in the field of mail processing. A suitable equipment of postal sorting systems of the companies Siemens, NPI and NEC known. Furthermore, systems for barcode labeling are known for the purpose of subsequent sorting, in particular in the inserting area.
In the context of the progressive liberalization of the European postal market, market opportunities are being created for smaller providers who, for example in Germany, offer their services as an alternative to the established postal companies, mainly on the basis of a "D license". Since the price / performance ratio determines the success of a company in free competition, the pressure for efficient processes is enormously high. However, the many smaller so-called "private letter service providers" can afford due to their predominantly regional activity no expensive sorting systems with OCR scanner systems to automate their processes. The goal is to invent a much cheaper solution for automating mail processing.

From the US 5,726,894 the choice is known to private postal carriers (carriers) and various postal services (printed matter, printed matter, registered mail ...).

The invention has for its object to provide an arrangement for generating a printed image for franking and postmarking machines. The production of printed images with an array of elements to meet the different requirements of the carrier.

The invention is further based on the object to process any mail pieces at a first mail carrier, in particular unsorted mixed mail. A scan of a pre-printed address in the address area of the mailpiece should be made possible at the first mail carrier. In this case, an evaluation of the address information is carried out to obtain a sorting information, which allows a sorted at the first postal carrier mail pieces a discount at a second mail carrier. The print image printed at the first mail carrier should offer the possibility of containing sorting information.

The object is achieved with the features of claim 1. It is contemplated that an electronic control means of the machine is connected to mail handling means which determine data enabling mail piece processing and sorting at the (private) first mail carrier. The mail processing means are controllable in dependence on means for evaluating the address, which has the advantage that for selected mailpieces after an address evaluation, a selected section with special postal information can be printed in a second position by the printer means. One section of the print image is for a franking zone to be printed at a first position and another section is for a special postal information to be printed to a second position, the mail valid section being selectable from a plurality according to the carrier. The special postal information (identifier, date and identifier) can now be printed in the section instead of the advertising cliché to a second position to the left of the first position. Instead of the franking stamp, a logo and a sorting info can be printed in the first position. Alternatively, the first position may remain unprinted. A shipping item information can be printed to a third position.

The aforesaid mail processing means are a computer and the stations of a franking system that are operatively connected to one another to enable mail item sorting at the first mail carrier. The computer contains address evaluation means.
The stations comprise at least a scanner module and a transport module, which are arranged post-upstream of a franking machine, wherein the stations and the franking machine are connected to the computer and are controllable in dependence on its means for address evaluation.
The scanner module allows OCR scanning of a preprinted address in the address area of the mail piece and the address evaluation means allow to evaluate the address information to obtain sorting information, depending on the computational time required and other parameters such as available computational power two-level superimposed speed control of the transport of mailpieces in the franking system.
Post-downstream of the franking machine, a second transport module and at least one sorting module are arranged, wherein the aforementioned stations are connected to the computer and are controllable in dependence on its means for address evaluation. In the second transport module, postal items lying on a conveyor belt are transported at a controllable speed to the at least one sorting module.
The mail processing means may advantageously comprise a scanner module, two transport modules and a plurality of sorting modules which are controllable by the computer in dependence on its address evaluation means. In the first transport module, mailpieces standing on a conveyor belt are transported to the franking machine at a controllable speed.

Figur 1,

Briefkuvert mit einem Druckbild eines privaten Postbeförderers,

Figur 2,

Briefkuvert mit einem Druckbild eines privaten Postbeförderers mit aufgedruckten zusätzlichen Informationen,

Figur 3,

Briefkuvert mit einem Druckbild eines staatlichen und privaten Postbeförderers,

Figur 4,

Briefkuvert mit einem versetzten Druckbild eines privaten Postbeförderers mit aufgedruckten zusätzlichen Informationen.

Figur 5,

Blockbild des Frankiersystems Jetmail (prior art),

Figur 6,

Blockbild des Frankiersystems Jetmail mit mehreren Stationen beim privaten Postbeförderer,

Figur 7,

Geschwindigkeits-/Zeitdiagramm des Frankiersystems bei korrekter Empfängeradresse,

Figur 8,

Geschwindigkeits-/Zeitdiagramm des Frankiersystems bei korrigierter Empfängeradresse.

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. 1,

Envelope with a print of a private mail carrier,

FIG. 2,

Envelope with a printed image of a private mail carrier with additional information printed on it,

FIG. 3,

Envelope with a printed image of a state and private mail carrier,

FIG. 4,

Envelope with a staggered printed image of a private mail carrier with additional information printed on it.

FIG. 5,

Block diagram of the franking system Jetmail (prior art),

FIG. 6,

Block image of the franking system Jetmail with several stations at the private mail carrier,

FIG. 7,

Speed / time diagram of the franking system with the correct recipient address,

FIG. 8,

Speed / time diagram of the franking system with corrected recipient address.

The FIG. 1 shows a letter envelope with a printed by a franking machine to a second position printed image of a private mail carrier.
The known franking and post-stamping machines have printer-controlling electronic control means and storage means for data which are printed in predetermined sections of the print image on a strip or on a mail piece. Means are provided for, under the control of the electronic control means to the left of a first position in a second position, printing a selected section 2 with special postal information 20 by the printer means, the particular postal information being a private one Mark mail carrier. The special postal information 20 includes at least a date 21, a flag 22 for the selected private mail carrier, and an identifier 23 for the mail piece 8. According to the invention, selection means are provided and connected to the control means. A first selection means for selecting the printing of a portion of the print image is actuated, whereby the control means controls the printer means as a result of the selection so that the respective selected private / regional or state / universal mail carrier characterizing section 2 or 1 to a fixed predetermined position is printed. Like in the FIG. 1 2, the respective selected private mail carrier characterizing section 2 is printed to a second position. The address field 4 is preprinted or preferably a window envelope 8 is used.

The FIG. 2 shows a letter envelope with a printed image of a private mail carrier with additional information printed on it (logo and others). Such an arrangement of printed images arises when a private mail carrier carries out the transport, a sorting and letter delivery. A second selection means is provided for selecting the printing of a logo 5 and a sorting information 6. The control means controls, as a result of the selection, the printer means so that the logo 5 and the sorting information 6 are printed at the first position in corresponding 53 mm and 21 mm long fields of the first section.
A third selection means is provided for selecting the printing of a product code or shipping method. The control means controls the printing of the aforementioned information in a third section 3 to a third position to the left of the second position. The print width for the characterizing carrier information 22 and other special postal information 20 (date 21 and identifier 23) is at least 25 mm and the length 44 mm. The identifier 23 is printed in the form of a barcode and possibly also in the form of alphanumeric characters.

The FIG. 3 shows a letter envelope 8 with printed to a first position print image of a state / universal postal carrier (here, for example, DPAG) and with a printed to a second position print image of a private / regional mail carrier. Such an arrangement of two printed images arises when both postal carriers are involved in the transport and mail delivery. The respective selected franking section 1 characterizing the state / universal mail carrier is always printed only to the first, the respective selected the private / regional postal carrier characterizing section 2 only to the second position and respective selected shipping or product code characterizing section 3 only to a third position.

The FIG. 4 shows a letter envelope with a staggered print image of a private mail carrier with printed additional information, as it already in principle on the basis of FIG. 2 was explained. The offset 7 is adjustable for large-sized Briefkuverte 8 via further selection means.

The selection means are preferably components of a user interface or of other suitable input means. For example, in connection with the screen represented by a display unit, so-called softkeys are used, wherein the keys of a keyboard are programmably assigned to one of a plurality of functions. The printer means, display unit, input means and storage means are connected to the electronic control means, as for example from the German utility model DE 92 19 183 U1 ( US 5,471,925 ) is known for franking machines. The data printed on a strip or mailpiece in predetermined portions of the print image may be printed by a single or two postage meters. Alternatively, the second portion may first be printed by a mailing machine or by a computer-controlled office printer before the mailpiece arrives at a postage meter which prints the first portion of the print image in a manner known per se. The second section 2 can then also from an office printer together with the address field 4 to be printed on an envelope. In this particular variant, the ink from the second portions of the print image and the address field 4 may be the same. However, this does not exclude another variant in which the data of the second section are printed in a different color, for example at the request of the private mail carrier. In another variant, the first section with the data of the state postal carrier is printed by the office printer right away. The computer controlling the office printer is equipped with a mail processing function. The ink from the first and second sections of the print image and the address field 4 may be the same or different according to the mailer requirements.

It is envisaged that the special postal information (20) will be printed in a color typical of the selected private mail carrier. The logo 5 and the sorting information 6 may be printed at the first position in the same color typical of the selected private mail carrier or in a different color.

But if a window envelope is used, then both sections 2 and 1 or 2, 5 and 6 can also be printed in a uniform color from a single franking machine.

In the FIG. 5 a block diagram of the well-known franking system Jetmail® is shown. The previously known franking system 10 'consists of a franking machine 15', to which a storage box 19 'is connected downstream post-stream, and an automatic feed station 11' and dynamic weighing machine 12 'are connected upstream. Via feed station 11 ', a stack of mail items standing on the edge is singled out and fed to dynamic scale 12'. The franked and deposited mail pieces are stacked. The storage box 19 'is a stack of lying mailpieces removed. To a first and second interface of the franking machine 15 'are via cable, the automatic feed 11', dynamic balance 12 'and a personal computer 16' electrically connected. The franking machine 15 'can be communicatively connected to a remote teleport data center 30' (shown in dashed lines) for the purpose of credit recharging. The franking machine 15 'is equipped with means for postage calculation. From a remote service center 31 '(dashed line), a current postage fee table can be transmitted to the franking machine 15' or to the franking system 10 '.

1. a) der langsamen, unterlagerten und tendenziellen Entwicklung sowie
2. b) dem kurzfristigen Zustand Rechnung getragen wird.

In the FIG. 6 a block diagram of the franking system Jetmail® with several stations for post processing at the private mail carrier is shown. Between a connected to an automatic feeder 11 dynamic balance 12 and a franking machine 15 two stations are arranged. The first station is a scanner module 13 which scans the address field of a mailpiece for a recipient address. The second station is a transport module 14 which can reduce the speed of a transported mailpiece.
The personal computer 16 is interfaced via a cable A on the scanner module 13 and a cable B to the transport module 14 and a cable C to the postage meter 15 electrically connected.
The franking machine 15 is also electrically connected via an interface cable D on the transport module 14. The transport module 14 is interfaced via a cable E to the scanner module 13 electrically connected. The scanner module 13 is interfaced via a cable F to the dynamic balance 12 electrically connected. The dynamic balance 12 is interfaced electrically via a cable G to the automatic feed station 11. The personal computer 16 is interfaced electrically connected via a cable H to the transport module 17. The transport module 17 is electrically connected via a cable K to a first sorting module 18. The first sorting module 18 is electrically connected via a cable L to a second sorting module 19. The franking machine 15 is also interfaced via a telephone line T at a remote teleportation data center 30 and service center 31 (dashed lines) electrically connected.
If both a recipient address and a letter content are printed by a computer-controlled office printer at the customer and then each letter is enveloped with a window envelope before the mailpiece arrives at a mailing system at the first mail carrier, the first mail carrier may service the customer for the franking service Service sorting for the second postal carrier. He benefits from a discount for sorted mail from the second mail carrier.
A stack of mailpieces abuts the automatic feed station 11 and is singulated. Each mail item is weighed with the dynamic scale 12 and scanned in the scanner module 13 for the recipient address. The scanner module 13 supplies to the personal computer 16 scanner data via the interface cable C. If the recipient address scanned in the address field of a mail piece is recognized in the personal computer 16, then the station following in the mail stream maintains the previous speed of a transported mail piece. The aforesaid station is a transport module 14 which can reduce the speed of a transported mail item until the scanned recipient address is recognized by the personal computer 16.
The transport module 14 is controlled accordingly via the interface cable B from the personal computer 16 in order to reduce the speed of a transported mail piece or, if necessary, to stop the transport, for which it is also able to operate automatically. Via the interface cable D to G a message is forwarded that the transport speed of a subsequently transported mail piece M is to be reduced or at most maintained. About the interface cable A gets the personal computer 16 from the franking system 10, the feedback on the transport speed of a currently to be transported mail piece M.
In this case, a two-level superimposed speed control depending on at least one of the parameters available computing power, computing time for address correction or scope of zu provided data. The personal computer 16 transmits the corresponding parameter to the franking system 10 via the interface cable A, for example regarding the extent of the data to be printed.
Alternatively, a decentralized control mode is provided for the first transport module 14, so that the transport speed of a mail piece M to be currently transported is at most maintained or reduced depending on the extent of the data to be printed. For this purpose, the personal computer 16 transmits the parameter concerning the amount of data to be printed via the interface cable B to the first transport module 14, which has a microprocessor control (not shown). The microprocessor control is programmed to change the transport speed for the mailpiece M currently being transported and subsequently printed.
The personal computer 16 controls the second transport module 17 via the interface cable H in such a manner that the transport speed of a mail piece M to be currently transported is increased to a predetermined value of the transport speed. Alternatively, a decentralized control mode is provided for the second transport module 17, so that the transport speed of a mail piece M to be currently transported is automatically increased to a predetermined value of the transport speed.
The personal computer 16 transmits control data or parameter data to the transport module 17 via the interface cable H, control data, which are not intended for the transport module 17, being forwarded to the sorting modules 18, 19 via cables K and L.
It is provided that the mail processing means comprise a scanner module 13, two transport modules 14 and 17 and at least one or more sorting modules 18 and 19, which are controllable by the computer 16 in dependence on its address evaluation means. In this case, up to 98 control compartments, which are arranged in the sorting modules below mail piece points, are operated for sorting purposes. It is further provided that a first transport module 14 transported on the edge mail pieces during the transported a second transport module 17 lying on the page mail pieces. The stations 13 and 14 newly added to the franking system Jetmail CONCORDE® are once again such peripheral devices of the franking machine equipped with their own intelligence. Thus, in terms of their control and construction, they are substantially similar to the structure of the other stations 11 and 12 of the Jetmail® franking system. The OCR scanner module 13 and the first transport module 14, have a transport unit (not shown), which corresponds to that of the dynamic balance 12, but does not require their load cell. The transport unit has a rear wall for guiding the mail piece and a transport device with a transport belt, on which the mail piece is transported standing on the edge. The controller (not shown) of the transport unit comprises a microprocessor which is connected to a program memory, to a nonvolatile memory and to a plurality of interfaces for input and output. The microprocessor is operatively connected to a motor of the transport unit via a driver, to a speed sensor, and to sensors for receiving speed signals and sensor signals and for sending control commands to the transport unit, not shown. The latter preferably includes a DC motor, which is fed with DC pulses, wherein due to the ratio of the pulse length to the pulse interval sets a certain speed. As a DC motor, for example, the type M42x15 Gefeg drive technology and suitable as a speed sensor encoder, which is mechanically coupled to the former. The motor can be connected via a suitable gear with a drive roller for the transport belt. A first sensor upstream serves as an inlet sensor and a second sensor downstream serves as a leakage sensor. The sensors include an evaluation circuit, which outputs digital signals to the microprocessor. A sensor may be formed, for example, as a light barrier.
Of course, differently constructed stations of another franking system can be used. Alternatively, an optional variant can be provided for stations with stationary or horizontal transport, according to the requirements of another franking system used.
In the nonvolatile memory of each of the stations are stored parameters, for example for the target speed levels, wherein a speed control to a predetermined target speed in the time interval between the time of leaving the automatic feeder 11 (AZ) and the time of leaving the postage meter 15 (FM) is made possible by the controller. New parameters can be entered via the interfaces and stored in the non-volatile memory. This makes it possible to control the transport speed below a maximum speed, which in the example given is Jetmail CONCORDE® Vmax = 0.680 m / s.
The Jetmail CONCORDE® allows the franking of a maximum of 3500 mail pieces per hour for mixed mail and a maximum of 7000 mail pieces per hour for HiSpeed operation of formats up to C5 and a maximum of 3 mm thick mailpieces. The HiSpeed operation, ie operation with the balance function switched off and format recognition, is intended for mailpieces of the same format and weight, for example Infopost or Werbepost.
The mail pieces arrive per customer collected with a customer card to the system. The customer card contains customer information, barcode and possibly further information. It is scanned for example by the scanner module 13 or plugged into a chip card reading unit and read. Thus, at least the customer information enters the system prior to the processing of mailpieces, which is stopped when the customer card is not read. The collected mail pieces do not have to be pre-sorted by size or weight, which is a decisive advantage of mixed mail processing. After the format detection in the automatic feed station and the weighing in the dynamic balance, an OCR unit reads the receiver address in the reading window of the scanner module if it is machine-readable. The reading window has the dimensions 15 mm to 145 mm from the letter top edge, with which each letter stands on the conveyor belt, up to 200 mm in the transport direction. Then the mail piece (letter) with the relevant Data Bacode information, Sotierinformation, date, carrier information, possibly customer logo, where 9 to 20 customer logos are stored in the franking system and a recharge of other or other customer logos, for example by chip card is possible.
The control of a franking system can for example be such that the franking machine 15 can print a printed image at defined speed levels, for example 0.4 m / s or 0.6 m / s depending on whether an address scanned by the scanner module is processed or rectified or immediately recognized as correct.
The required address processing takes place in the personal computer 16 (PC) connected to the franking machine 15 (FM). Specifically, for each read address, a comparison must be made with a database to determine if it is a valid address. For this purpose, for example, a plausibility check of a street name given in the address to the postal code is carried out. In cases in which the read address is immediately classified as valid, the assignment is made to the sorting data, which are then optionally printed as sorting information 6 online on the mail piece ( FIG. 2 ).
It is critical with regard to the PC processing time, if the read address can not immediately be classified as a valid address, because now intelligent error correction mechanisms come into play, in order to possibly still be able to determine a valid address. For example, corrections of street names can be made here, especially if abbreviations were used by the sender. On the one hand, the corrected result is to achieve the highest possible hit rate in order not to carry out unacceptable, that is false corrections (this problem should not be discussed at this point), on the other hand, this process requires computing time, the result must however be in good time before reaching the mail piece at the printing station, otherwise the sorting information could not be printed online.
Instead of setting the transport speed of the franking system once correspondingly slow in order to be able to intercept all these "worst cases", there is a two-stage superimposed speed control of the franking system. This has the advantage that the throughput of the franking system is not adversely affected, especially if the problem cases make up only a small proportion of the total mail volume. Such mail pieces whose addresses need to be corrected are usually rare.
Firstly, the system's two-level superimposed speed control has a lower-level cruise control, with which system speed responds to the biased "quality" (ie, share of correction addresses) of the mail traffic. Are z. If, for example, there are no "correction addresses" within a period Δt or a number n, then the system speed is raised to a maximum. As soon as a correction address appears, the speed is controlled down by one level, controlled by the personal computer 16, and the more corrective addresses appear in percent, the lower the subordinate speed.
A second, superimposed cruise control responds very quickly to every single letter. For example, it is conceivable, but not very likely, that out of 1000 letters, 999 letters have a correct address and only one of the letters has a completely wrong one. In this case, the subordinate speed control would be too slow to start a correction attempt for the address of the one letter. Therefore, the second superimposed speed control has the option of stopping the system completely and waiting for a correction result for a defined maximum time. Typically, the letter in question then also stops at a defined location, namely near the transition between the transport module 17 (TM1) and the franking machine 15 (FM). The exact location is irrelevant for the basic implementation. The disadvantage of stopping, of course, is that a restart time is required to speed up the system. Therefore, the combination of the two speed control systems is so advantageous, because for both components:

1. (a) slow, subordinate and trend development, and
2. b) the short-term condition is taken into account.

The subordinate control takes into account not only the quality of the letters but also other criteria, such as the available computer power. If, for example, in addition to the system processing on the PC and other processes are performed, such as a manual address search by a user, then the system process is not the full computer power available and the underlying speed control would respond accordingly by slowing down the transport speed. It is envisaged that other speed control criteria may also be relevant, such as the read mode: read-only mode, i. H. a predefined address window area in which the address is on the letter, which significantly speeds up the reading, worked or not or are read at all addresses or rather barcodes, etc.

The FIG. 7 shows a speed / time diagram of the franking system with correct recipient address, wherein a speed control to a first predetermined target speed V ₁ = 0.6 m / s in the time interval between the time t ₁ when leaving the automatic supply station 11 (AZ) and the time t ₅ when leaving the franking machine 15 (FM) takes place. In the transport module 17 (TM2), which is connected to the output of the franking machine 15, the transport speed is increased until the time t ₆ when leaving the transport module 17 (TM2) to a second predetermined target speed V ₂ = 1.0 m / s and during the Sorting process t ₆ , t ₇ ... t _x in the individual sorting modules 18, 19 ... xx maintained.

In the FIG. 8 a speed / time diagram of the franking system is shown with the receiver address corrected. In a variant (continuous line) is in the time interval between the times t ₃ and t ₄ , ie before leaving the transport module 14 (TM1) to a third down regulated predetermined speed V ₃ = 0.4 m / s and maintain the speed during franking.
In another variant (dotted line) is in the time interval between the times t ₃ and t ₄ , ie before leaving the transport module 14 (TM1) down to a fourth predetermined target speed V ₄ = 0 m / s and thus stopped the transport. The speed is adjusted back to the third predetermined target speed V ₃ = 0.4 m / s after the problem of address recognition has been corrected and maintained during the franking.
In a further variant (dash / dot line) is in the time interval between the times t ₃ and t ₄ , ie before leaving the transport module 14 (TM1) down to the fourth predetermined target speed V ₄ = 0 m / s and thus the transport stopped. The speed is adjusted back to the first predetermined target speed V ₁ = 0.6 m / s after the problem of address recognition has been corrected and maintained during the franking.

• Die Überprüfung der Adressinformationen auf Plausibilität ist möglich.
• Um unabhängig von den unterschiedlichen Textverarbeitungsprogrammen zu werden, ist eine Nachbearbeitung im Druckertreiber möglich. Hier liegen die vollständigen Druckinformationen in einheitlichem Format vor und es kann nachträglich durch Auswertung der Adresse der betreffende Barcode eingefügt werden.
• Die SW kann eine Nutzer / Identnummer im Barcode hinterlegen, um so die gewährte Rabattierung brief- und absendergenau zu gewährleisten.
• Es ist denkbar, auch den Namen des Adressaten oder / und auch den Absender zu codieren und so eine Sendungsverfolgung zu ermöglichen (bis hin zum Scannen der Sendung bei Zustellung).
• Anhand der Barcodeinformationen ist eine detaillierte Rechnungslegung für jeden Kunden unproblematisch möglich.
• Der Briefbeförderer kann unsortierte Post verarbeiten, ein Vorsortieren und/oder Trennung nach Kunden entfällt.
• Einschreibendokumentation ist auf seiten der Postbeförderer unproblematisch realisierbar.
• Die Software kann zwischen Inland und Auslandssendungen unterscheiden und das Feature Barcode-Generierung in Abhängigkeit davon steuern.
• Die Software ist vor Raubkopien durch einen Dongle geschützt.
• Die Software kann im Barcode vorselektierte Sendungsarten (Auftragsdaten) hinterlegen.
• Die Software kann im Barcode Prüfziffern des Briefinhalts hinterlegen und so Zertifikate erzeugen.

Based on the fact that the overwhelming majority of the consignments were generated with a PC, especially in the business sector, it is assumed that a PC software generates a barcode in the address (window) area of the document which is used in subsequent processing inexpensive barcode scanners (without OCR software) can be read safely and reliably. Not only does this significantly simplify the mailpiece processing process, it also significantly improves read reliability due to bar code redundancies.
This allows a significant simplification and thus cheapening of the subsequent mailing process in connection with the sorting of mail. The savings on the part of the postal carriers can be passed on in the form of discounts to the PC users, whereby the purchase of the PC software pays off. The latter is based on a table with the postal code, street name and house number information and encodes this information in the one already mentioned Barcode. On the basis of this basic method, various embodiments are conceivable:

• Checking the address information for plausibility is possible.
• In order to become independent of the different word processing programs, postprocessing is possible in the printer driver. Here is the complete print information in a uniform format and it can be added later by evaluating the address of the relevant barcode.
• The SW can deposit a user / ID number in the barcode in order to guarantee the granted discount letter and sender-specific.
• It is also conceivable to code the name of the addressee or / and also the sender and thus to enable a tracking of the consignment (up to the scanning of the consignment upon delivery).
• Based on the barcode information, a detailed accounting for each customer is possible without any problems.
• The mail carrier can process unsorted mail, pre-sorting and / or sorting by customer no longer applies.
• Registration documentation is unproblematic on the part of the postal carriers.
• The software can distinguish between domestic and foreign broadcasts and control the barcode generation feature depending on it.
• The software is protected against piracy by a dongle.
• The software can store preselected shipment types (order data) in the barcode.
• The software can store check digits of the letter content in the barcode and thus generate certificates.

It becomes clear that enormous potential for ratification for the currently established mail processing processes on the one hand and possibilities for new services on the other hand are shown here. Various embodiments of the inventive idea based on the above-mentioned Aspects z. B. with varying barcodes, processing in dongle, pay per click billing methods are conceivable.

The invention is not limited to the present embodiment, since obviously other other arrangements or embodiments of the invention can be developed or used, which are encompassed by the appended claims.

Claims (12)

1. An arrangement for generating a printed image for franking and post stamping machines containing electronic control means that drive printing means and storage means for data that, for at least a first postal carrier, are printed in predetermined sections of the printed image on a strip or on a postal item, characterized in

   - that at least one selection means for selecting special postal information (20) is provided and connected with the control means and that, controlled by the electronic control means, a selected section with special postal information (20) is printed by the printing means on a second position on the left beside a first position;

   - that the electronic control means of the franking machine (15) is connected with post processing means (13 and 16) that determine data that enabling a handling and sorting of postal items at the first postal carrier;

   - that the above-mentioned post processing means include a computer (16) and stations (13, 14) of a franking system (10) that are in an operating connection with one another for enabling the postal-item sorting at the first postal carrier, and that the computer (16) contains an address analysis means, said stations comprising at least a scanner module (13) and a transport module (14) that are arranged upstream in the postal-item flow of the franking machine (15), wherein the stations and the franking machine are connected with the computer (16) and are controllable depending on its means for address analysis;

   - that downstream in the postal-item flow of the franking machine (15), a second transport module (17) and at least one sorting module (18) are arranged, wherein said stations are connected with the computer (16) and are controllable depending on its means for address analysis.
2. An arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the post processing means comprise a scanner module (13), two transport modules (14 and 17) as well as sorting modules (18 and 19) that can be controlled by the computer (16) depending on its means for address analysis.
3. An arrangement according to Claim 2, characterized in that the scanner module (13) allows for an OCR scan of a pre-printed address in the address area of a postal item and the address analysis means analyze the address information in order to obtain a sorting information and that, depending on the computing time required for that purpose, the transport of postal items in the franking system is subject a superposed two-step speed control.
4. An arrangement according to Claim 3, characterized in that the superposed two-step speed control is effected depending on at least one of the following parameters

   - computing power available;

   - computing time for address correction,

   - scope of the data to be printed.
5. An arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the special postal information (20) identifies a second postal carrier, wherein said special postal information (20) includes at least a date (21), a mark (22) of a selected private/regional postal carrier and an identifier (23) for the postal item.
6. An arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that a first selection means is provided that serves to select the printing of a section of the printed image and that is connected with the control means, wherein, as a result of the selection, the control means controls the printing means in such manner that the respective section (2 or 1) identifying a private/regional or official/universal postal carrier is printed on a predetermined, firmly assigned position.
7. An arrangement according to Claim 6, characterized in that the respectively selected section (1) identifying an official or universal postal carrier is printed on a first position and the respectively selected section (2) identifying a private or regional postal carrier is printed on a second position.
8. An arrangement according to Claim 6, characterized in that the respectively selected section (2) identifying a private or regional postal carrier is printed on a second position.
9. An arrangement according to Claims 1 and 6, characterized in that a second selection means is provided that is connected with the control means for selecting the printing of a logo (5) and a sorting information (6), wherein said control means, as a result of the selection, controls the printing means in such a manner that the logo (5) and the sorting information (6) are printed on the first position.
10. An arrangement according to Claims 1 and 6, characterized in that a third selection means is provided for the selection of the printing of a product code or a type of dispatch and is connected with the control means, and that the product code or the type of dispatch is printed in a third section (3) on a third position on the left beside the second position.
11. An arrangement according to Claim 6, characterized in that the special postal information (20) is printed in a colour that is typical of the selected private or regional postal carrier.
12. An arrangement according to Claims 6 and 11, characterized in that the logo (5) and the sorting information (6) are printed on the first position in the same colour typical of the selected private or regional postal carrier or in a different colour.

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