EP1569173B1 - Franking machine with secure external printing mode - Google Patents

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates exclusively to the field of mail processing and it relates more particularly to a method and a mail franking system which authorizes the printing of a postal imprint according to two printing modes. One, conventional, from a postage meter and the other, more innovative, from a label dispenser connected to it.

Prior art

A franking machine often has an integrated label dispenser at its printing module which can thus affix a postal imprint, either directly on an envelope, or on a pre-cut label coming from this dispenser. For example, when an operator wishes to frank a packet, he weighs it upstream of the franking machine (as he would for the rest for an envelope), but it is downstream of this machine that he must fetch the stamped label and then stick it on the package.

In addition, these integrated dispensers generally use gummed labels that must be moistened or self-adhesive labels with a silicone film to be detached, the cut length of which is predetermined (the label is very often pre-cut according to two dimensions only: small or large).

The addition of an external strip label dispenser, such as that described in the patent application FR 2 829 269 on behalf of the applicant, therefore offers significant advantages over integrated distributors by overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks. However, since the postal imprint is a monetary value, it is mandatory that the impressions made at the label dispenser correspond exactly to the postage counted at the franking machine.

Object and definition of the invention

The present invention therefore relates to a method for printing a postal imprint by an external distributor of franked labels connected, by a communication link, to a franking machine for mail items, which guarantees this identity between frankings counted and the impressions made. To do this, it comprises the steps of the method of claim 1.

Thus, by this two-part secure transmission using a secret key developed from the distributor's authentication code, it is possible to guarantee postage security in a simple manner while anticipating the printing of the postal indicia, such as significantly reduce data transfer time.

Preferably, said predetermined image data includes at least standard stamp backgrounds.

Advantageously, said exchanged postal data can be compressed according to a predetermined compression algorithm.

Preferably, said step of printing successive postal indicia on said continuous strip of labels is carried out in staggered rows.

The present invention also relates to any mail franking system according to claim 5 comprising at least one franking machine connected by a communication link to an external franking label dispenser.

Preferably, the first processing means further comprise compression means for compressing the postal data transmitted to the franked label distributor, and signature means for signing the compressed postal data from said secret key.

Brief description of the drawings

• La figure 1 montre en perspective un système d'affranchissement de courrier intégrant un distributeur d'étiquettes affranchies selon l'invention,
• La figure 2 est une vue en coupe longitudinale du distributeur d'étiquettes affranchies de la figure 1,
• La figure 3 est un organigramme illustrant la phase d'initialisation précédant le cycle d'impression d'une empreinte postale selon l'invention, et
• La figure 4 est un organigramme illustrant le cycle d'impression d'une empreinte postale selon l'invention.

The invention will be better understood in view of the detailed description which follows accompanied by illustrative and non-limiting examples with regard to the following figures in which:

• The figure 1 shows in perspective a mail franking system incorporating a franked label dispenser according to the invention,
• The picture 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the franked label dispenser of the figure 1 ,
• The picture 3 is a flowchart illustrating the initialization phase preceding the printing cycle of a postal indicia according to the invention, and
• The figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the printing cycle of a postal indicia according to the invention.

Detailed description of embodiments

A mail franking system conventionally consists of at least one franking machine 10 integrating a module for printing a postage imprint and a weighing module 12 arranged upstream of this machine to which it is connected and designed to weigh mail items, envelopes or parcels, to be franked by the franking machine. The franking machine which comprises, as it is known, secure accounting means frequently incorporates a label dispenser to allow the franking of thick envelopes or parcels which cannot be processed directly by the franking machine (typically a franking machine is limited to the printing of envelopes of less than 16mm thick).

According to the invention, as illustrated in figure 1 , the franking machine itself does not have an integrated label dispenser but the mail franking system is provided with a franking label dispenser 14 arranged externally to the franking machine 10, in the immediate vicinity of the weighing module 12. This autonomous module, of the type described in the patent application FR 2 829 269 on behalf of the applicant, provides greater flexibility to the mail franking system of the invention because, by virtue of its integrated cutting device, it can deliver labels of desired (and no longer just predetermined) length cut from a continuous strip and thus avoids the operator having to go and retrieve the labels at the outlet of the franking machine when the parcel to be franked is available upstream of this machine on the weighing module.

It will be noted, however, that in the aforementioned application, the franked label dispenser is incorporated into a modular mail processing system and it is therefore provided with wireless communication means to connect this dispenser to a computer control terminal also ensuring the control of a franking machine then devoid of individual controls. In the present invention, this wireless configuration is not justified (although it remains possible) because the franking machine 10 is autonomous here (without external control terminal) and the franked label dispenser 14, whose picture 2 shows a longitudinal section, can therefore more simply be connected directly to the franking machine by a conventional wired communication link 16.

This distributor comprises a loosely mounted roller 20 on which is wound a continuous strip 22 of labels to be cut, at least one drive roller 24 for delivering this strip along a transport path 26 of this distributor from this roller to 'at a franked label outlet 28, a printing module of the thermal type 30 (or alternatively of the ink jet type) for printing a postal indicia on a debited part of this band, and a cutting module 32 placed on this transport path, advantageously at the output of the printing module. The capstan-type drive roller 24 which ensures the unwinding of the strip of labels, by acting on the printing module against a spring 34, is actuated by a control micro-motor 36 through a kinematics 38 with cogwheels. The printing module and the capstan control micro-motor which is actuated in synchronism with the printing and the cutting module, are supplied from means 40 for driving, supplying and controlling the heating elements of the thermal module (or nozzles of the inkjet module) managed from processing means 42 (advantageously microprocessor-based). These processing means incorporate the software means necessary to receive and process the printing orders for the postal imprints originating from the franking machine. Finally, an end of strip detector 46 is also provided to allow precise control of the unwinding of the continuous strip and to avoid partial printing of the last postal imprint.

The method of printing a postage indicia by the franked label dispenser 14 connected by the communication link 16 to the postage meter for mail items 10 is now illustrated opposite the figures 3 and 4 . It is basically organized in two phases taking place on the one hand during an initialization phase of the communication link of the franking system and on the other hand ( figure 4 ) during a phase of printing the postal indicia proper. During the initialization phase of the communication link ( picture 3 ), it is proceeded after powering up, in a first step 50, to the verification at the level of the franked label dispenser of various status data such as the presence of paper, the non-closing of the ejection nozzles, the control supply voltage, temperature, and cover closure. Then, in a step 52, an authentication code of the franked label distributor previously recorded during its manufacture is transmitted (via first transmission means) to the franking machine for authentication of the distributor by the stamp machine. The franking machine then generates (by first processing means), in a following step 54, from this code and from a master key developed during its manufacture, a secret key which will then be used to sign all the communications between the distributor and the franking machine. The generation algorithm is advantageously of the known triple DES type. This secret key is then sent to the distributor, in a step 56, for comparison with an internal secret key of the latter developed during its manufacture. If there is no identity between the two keys, the process is terminated, and only test prints can be made at the distributor, but in no case postal imprints. On the other hand, in case of identity, it is proceeded in a new step 58 to the secure transmission from the franking machine to the distributor of franked labels (still by the first means of transmission) of a set of data of predetermined image. These image data notably include images relating to standard stamp backgrounds, which differ according to the country concerned, but also to slogans and other information generally of a non-postal type (mini-die for example in Germany or Canada). Once this data has been transmitted, the franked label dispenser is then in a step 60 in the position awaiting a print order for the launch of a first print cycle.

The printing phase ( figure 4 ) repeats for each print cycle. It begins in a step 70 with a postage request at the franking machine which is retransmitted to the distributor, in a following step 72, this printing request being signed by means of the aforementioned secret key. In a new step 74, the franking machine then waits for a response also signed to proceed, in a step 76, to the calculation of postal data relating to the mail item to be franked (by the first processing means) and to the sending the postal data thus calculated to the distributor of franked labels (by the first transmission means), this sending being, like the previous communications, secured by the signature of the data sent by means of the secret key developed during the step initialization from the authentication code.

The postal data transmitted, advantageously in a compressed form (by means of a standard compression algorithm) differ according to the countries concerned, but they include at least a postage value, a date of postage and a contract number. In addition to these minimum data can also be communicated: a franking machine number, a postal code, a matrix authentication code, a verification code, an object category, an ascending or descending counter value, a time clock, etc.

The distributor in possession of these data can then, in a step 78, convert them into complementary image data (by second processing means), then then in a following step 80, print (by printing means), on a continuous strip of labels delivered by the franked label distributor, the postal indicia integrating the complementary image data resulting from the conversion and the image data transmitted during the initialization phase. At the end of this printing, in a step 82, he will send a signed report to the franking machine and will position himself in a step 84 of waiting for a new printing. The impressions may follow one after the other, these impressions of the successive postal imprints on the continuous strip of labels of the franked label dispenser being advantageously carried out in staggered rows to allow use of all the heating elements (or all the nozzles of ejection according to the chosen technology) of the print head of this dispenser.

Thus, the transfer of the data necessary for the printing of a postal indicia by the distributor takes place in two distinct phases, in an entirely secure manner. During an initialization phase, i.e. each time the franking system is powered up, only the secure transfer of the various stamp funds available (which are thus erased each time the power is switched off) and the data image that is the slogan or other non-postal information in the postal imprint. Then, from the printing phase launched by the operator at the franking machine, it is the turn of the actual postal data (postage value, date of postage, contract number, etc.) accompanied by the precise distribution of the various constituent parts of the type of stamp chosen for the postal indicia necessary for the generation of complementary image data by the franked label distributor.

This specific organization makes it possible to have a reduced and optimized response time between the start of the printing cycle launched by the operator at the franking machine and the actual printing at the franked label dispenser, in particular because the most of the data is transferred during the initialization phase and that certain calculation operations are carried out in masked time.

Claims (7)

1. Method for printing a postage indicia by an external franked labels dispenser connected by a communication link to a franking machine for mail items, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: during a step of initialization of the communication link, authentication of the franking labels dispenser by the franking machine by transmission of an authentication code from the franking machine to the franking labels dispenser, generation of a secret key in the franking machine from the authentication code et a master key of said franking machine, transmission of said secret key to the franked labels dispenser, and comparison of said secret key with an internal secret key of said franked labels dispenser generated during the manufacturing of said franked labels dispenser, secure transmission from the franking machine to the franking labels dispenser of a set of data of predetermined images signed with a secret key, then, for each printing cycle, calculation at the level of the franking machine of postal data relating to the mail item to be franked, secure transmission to the franked labels dispenser of the postal data thus calculated and signed with said secret key, conversion of said postal data into complementary image data, and printing the postal indicia integrating said complementary image data and said predetermined image data on a continuous strip of labels delivered by the franked labels dispenser.
2. Method of printing a postage indicia according to claim 1, characterized in that said predetermined image data includes at least standard stamp backgrounds.
3. Method of printing a postal indicia according to claim 1, characterized in that said exchanged postal data is compressed according to a predetermined compression algorithm.
4. Method of printing a postal indicia according to claim 1, characterized in that said step of printing successive postal indicia on said continuous strip of labels is carried out in staggered rows.
5. Mail franking system comprising at least one franking machine connected by a communication link to an external franked labels dispenser, characterized in that said franking machine comprises, during a step for initializing the communication link, first processing means for generating a secret key from a master key of said franking machine and an authentication code issued by the franked labels dispenser, and first transmission means for transmitting in secure manner to the franked labels dispenser a set of predetermined image data, said first processing means, at each printing cycle, calculating, at the level of the franking machine, postal data relating to the mail item to be franked, the first transmission means then transmitting in a secure manner, during each successive printing cycle, the postal data thus calculated towards the franked labels dispenser, and in that the said franked labels dispenser comprises second processing means for, during a step for initializing the communication link, comparing said secret key received from said franking machine with an internal secret key generated during the manufacturing of said franked labels dispenser, said second processing means then converting for each printing cycle said postal data into complementary image data and printing means for printing on a continuous strip of labels delivered by the franked labels dispenser a postal indicia integrating said data of complementary image and said predetermined image data.
6. Mail franking system according to Claim 5, characterized in that the said first processing means further comprise compression means for compressing the postal data transmitted to the franked labels dispenser.
7. Mail franking system according to Claim 6, characterized in that the said first processing means further comprise signature means for signing the postal data compressed from the said secret key.

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