EP1577839A2 - System and method to control the use of services provided by a mailing system for the tracking and monitoring of postal items - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves creating and storing records with signaling conditions in connection with a franking of a postal unit. Postal items transport processing information (PTI) is allocated at a location of a postal authority. The PTI is activated by a user friendly machine and saved in another location. Data of PTI is processed and send to a user who is notified through signaling of presentation of PTI related to preset conditions. An independent claim is also included for an arrangement for controlling utilization of a service that is provided by a postal system for tracing and monitoring of a postal item.

Description

The invention relates to a method for controlling the use of a Postal Service provided for tracking and monitoring of mail items according to the preamble of Patent claim 1 specified type and an arrangement for Implementation of the method according to the preamble of Claim 21 specified type. The invention is for all those Postal markets are provided in which postal companies provide information about provide the transport of letters, parcels. She is special for the use of service equipment, postage meters or Mail processing machines or computers with mail processing function (PC meter) or any other suitable device, to provide an interface to a claimant for triggering a service order for the tracking of transported mail and processing the mailpiece transport tracking information for a simplified query by the authorized party.

Since the introduction of electronic (digital) printing in franking machines can provide variable information for corresponding elements a printed image can be quickly and easily replaced (DD 233 101 B5, US 4746234).

The print image previously used for franking points to the right left a value or franking stamp followed by a date or City stamp on. The print image identifies the mail carrier in a first position on the top right of the letter (DE 199 13 066 A1).

This position may be left in an advantageous manner for large letter formats be moved. The Deutsche Post AG allowed following one about 74 mm long and about 30 mm wide area in the upper right corner a letter envelope prescribed for franking, including the Printing an advertising cliche and printing a shipping method (for example, packet, letter, printed matter or airmail).

Also, a mail is already one and the same piece of mail known by different companies / services, which are different Have been assigned to transport task parts. From the German Utility Model DE 2003 14 910 U1 is known that a Section of the print image for a print to a first position Franking zone and another section for to a second position intended to be printed special postal information is provided. Of the The aforementioned section contains a one-dimensional barcode as Identifier for the respective mail item.

It is also known that information during the mailing the mail item about whose whereabouts is generated, which can be queried by a person entitled to do so. With EP 1176560 A2 is a Postal system with means for tracking and monitoring mail known, wherein a label with a bar code attached to a mail piece which is then transported to the post office. There will be the label scanned and the information from the barcode is stored in a database stored for the purpose of tracking and monitoring. After the delivery of the mailpiece to the recipient, the label becomes removed and along with others on a separate sheet of paper placed, which is transported back to the post office and scanned there. The Information from the barcode is stored again in the database.

When shipping parcels and parcels with private couriers such as DHL, UPS, Fedex, etc., which provide their customers with certain transport tracking information about their mail via the Internet, each parcel receives a unique identification when delivering a parcel to the courier company. The courier will record certain points through a shipment in its infrastructure during the transit route and, at the end, the recipient's acknowledgment as soon as it has received the shipment. Optionally, a graphic image of the recipient's signature is also recorded.
The courier service offers its customers via the Internet a WWW-based query option, where the customer can enter the identification of the item to be tracked in a web form, and then receive the available item tracking information in a timely manner. Thus, a query option for individual consignments is usual. This pull method is impractical when sending larger quantities of mail, as is common in the operation of postage meters. It is difficult for a customer to track even just a few of the many of his mechanically franked shipments manually via a single query via the WWW (World Wide Web). For larger amounts of data results in a correspondingly high time and cost.

From EP 282357 B1 (US 4,796,196) is already a letter processing device known for a letter containing a returnable item contains. The latter has a scannable code comprising a receiver identified. A database is a receiving location because of the code and determine a location at which the item is returned can be. After scanning the code in one place, for example the receiving location, a notification is prompted.

A system and method for digital postage value usage as part of value-added services in a mailing system is known from EP 1063618 A2 (US 6,532,452 B1). The printed postal data contain value-added service data. The latter include address information to e-mail the post sender or an authorized third party electronically.
It is also known from US Pat. No. 6,208,910 B1 that information about the location reached during the mailing of the postal item is determined via GPS.

From EP 1,146,484 A1 there is an arrangement and method for providing a message when loading service data for a terminal known. One for the recharge of devices with a credit balance and other service data trained service center is with a Database and at least one message-providing internal Service equipped. A connection unit of the service center provides automatically connect to the device that is equipped a message intended for the customer during or after the event To reproduce communication. The selection of a message is aimed according to the technical equipment of the terminal to playback perform. The technical format of the communication is based on whether the message is to a PC meter, to a postage meter or is transferred to another mail processing machine. Of the Effort in the service center or for the service provider is through the Need for a database and its maintenance high. In the Database are deposited important parameters of the client.

The invention is based on the object of providing a service for tracking to allow for transported mail and a A method of processing received mail item transport tracking information to accomplish. It should be at reduced time and Expenditure of the service due to the customer stay low.

A subtask is triggering the application of a mailing ID to control by a suitable machine user friendly to the Service. Another subtask is the elaborate one Preparation of a number of the postal carriers provided Mailing transport tracking information as far as Automate the notification to be customer-friendly. This results in the sub-task at the Postabsendeort, in a franking machine or a suitable device or another predetermined location received mailing transport tracking information automatically collect, evaluate, recycle and If necessary, to show an authorized person.

The object is achieved with the features of claim 1 for a Method or for an arrangement with the features of the claim 21 solved. The invention assumes that a post customer the relevant Mailing Transport Tracking Information (PTI) for Shipments that have been mechanically cleared, via a service device or receives a suitable communication terminal. The PTI will be in prepared in a suitable way, so that the important information come quickly, clearly and promptly to the announcement. According to the invention is provided in the form of an application program Push model proposed, which compared to the known pull model is advantageous for the postal customer. While customers of courier services are used, transport data for individual shipments themselves can now query a postal customer due to the application program, i.e. without separate user request, from his franking machine or a suitable communication terminal collected PTI evaluated, processed and displayed. A postal customer still has the option of certain shipments or shipment types as higher prioritized, their PTI then during the promotion be collected and will be informed about their whereabouts, for example, by messages on the display of his franking machine, by e-mail or SMS via a mobile phone.

A) Steuerung der Auslösung eines Dienstleistungsauftrages im Ergebnis einer Benutzereingabe zur Verfolgung von transportierten Postsendungen und zur Verarbeitung von Postsendungstransportverfolgungsinformationen im Dienstleistungsgerät, wobei die Auslösung mindestens das Setzen von Alert-Flags, Signalisierungsbedingungen zugehörig zur Befördererinformation und eine Bereitstellung einer durch eine Maschine aufbringbaren Postsendungsidentifikation(SID) umfasst,

B) Erzeugen und Speichern von Datensätzen mit Signalisierungsbedingungen in Verbindung mit einem Frankieren von Poststücken und einem Aufbringen der zugehörigen Postsendungsidentifikation (SID) an einem ersten Ort,

C) Postbeförderung und Bereitstellung einer zum jeweiligen Poststück zugehörigen Postsendungstransportverfolgungsinformation (PTI) durch ein Postdatenzentrum des Postbeförderers an einem dritten Ort entfernt vom ersteren Ort des Frankierens, wobei die Bereitstellung eine Abtastung der auf den Poststücken aufgebrachtem Postsendungsidentifikation (SID), ein Erzeugen und Speichern der zum Poststück zugehörigen Postsendungstransportverfolgungsinformation (PTI) umfasst,

D) automatischer PTI-Abruf aus dem Postdatenzentrum aufgrund von Informationen eines Dienstleistungsservers des Dienstleistungsgeräteherstellers und PTI-Speicherung in einer Datenbank des Dienstleistungsservers an einem zweiten Ort entfernt vom ersteren Ort,

E) Anfordern einer Datenübermittelung im Rahmen einer zweiten Dienstleistung für ein Dienstleistungsgerät des Kunden unabhängig von der ersten Dienstleistung Postsendungstransportverfolgungsinformationen vom Dienstleistungsserver des Dienstleistungsgeräteherstellers zu liefern, wobei sich das Dienstleistungsgerät des Kunden durch Identifikationsdaten identifiziert und Übermitteln der Postsendungstransportverfolgungsinformationen (PTI) vom Dienstleistungsserver des Dienstleistungsgeräteherstellers vom zweiten Ort zum Dienstleistungsgerät am ersteren Ort des Frankierens in Verbindung mit der Nutzung der zweiten Dienstleistung oder Übermitteln der Postsendungstransportverfolgungsinformationen (PTI) an ein weiteres Dienstleistungsgerät an einen weiteren Ort,

F) Datenabgleich im Dienstleistungsgerät am ersteren Ort des Frankierens oder an dem weiteren Ort sowie Signalisierung des Vorliegens einer Nachricht an den Benutzer entsprechend der voreingestellten Signalisierungsbedindungen.

The method of controlling the use of a mailing tracking and monitoring service provided by the postal system includes the following steps:

A) controlling the initiation of a service order as a result of user input for tracking transported mail and processing mail item transport tracking information in the service device, wherein the triggering comprises at least setting alert flags, signaling conditions associated with the carrier information, and providing a machine-mountable mailing identification (SID ),

B) generating and storing data sets with signaling conditions in connection with a franking of mail items and an application of the associated mail item identification (SID) at a first location,

(C) mailing and providing mail item transport tracking information (PTI) associated with each mail item through a post office mail center at a third location remote from the former location of franking, the provision providing a scan of the mail piece identification (SID) applied to the mail pieces, generating and storing the mail item comprises mail item transport tracking information (PTI) associated with the mailpiece,

D) automatic PTI retrieval from the postal data center based on information from a service provider of the service device manufacturer and PTI storage in a database of the service server at a second location remote from the former location;

E) requesting a data transmission as part of a second service to a customer's service device independently of the first service to provide mailing transport tracking information from the service server of the service device manufacturer, the customer service device identifying by identification data and transmitting the mailing transport tracking information (PTI) from the service server of the service device manufacturer from the second Location to the service device at the former location of the franking in connection with the use of the second service or transmitting the mailing transport tracking information (PTI) to another service device to another location,

F) Data reconciliation in the service device at the former location of the franking or at the further location as well as signaling of the presence of a message to the user according to the preset signaling conditions.

The arrangement according to the invention has information processing means, a user interface with a display unit and with first operating elements for controlling the triggering of a service order for tracking transported mailpieces and second operating elements for processing mail item transport tracking information. After receiving a PTI returned by the service server during the execution of the mailing and information processing in the user's service device, the service device then notifies the user as a result of receiving or not receiving a PTI within an agreed time window, corresponding to a selected default via the notification type.
The information processing means are operatively connected to the user interface, to a communication interface, to a program memory for an application program, to a first nonvolatile memory for PTI and to a second nonvolatile memory for conditions related to the service. For mailing identification, an identifier that can be applied at the sender's location is used that does not contain any address information about the sender, nor does it contain information about the location or the time of the franking or the task of the mailpiece. For example, a randomly selected number or number is generated in a remote service server and transmitted to both the service device and the postal data center to facilitate mailing tracking.

Alternatively, identifier is generated in the service device itself, which allows a mailing identification and contains data for the identification of the service device. The latter are also stored in a database of the remote service server and are transmitted to the postal data center in order to trigger a service of the postal data center for mail tracking over at least this part of the mailing identification applied by the customers of a service server. The postal data center of the mail carrier can carry out the service of mailing tracking in a manner known per se on the basis of the mail item identification (SID) applied to the mail piece and generates a PTI.
The service server remote from the service device polls the postal data center at intervals for updating by the latest PTI. Typical examples of a PTI are a) tracking information and b) delivery confirmation.
While in above mentioned example a) tracking information is indirectly indicated that the mailing has not yet been completed, og b) confirmation of delivery indicates that it has successfully completed the process. The queried PTI are transmitted by the service server via a communication link to the receiving location. At the receiving site, a suitable service device is programmed by an application program to collect, evaluate, process and display the PTI without a separate request from the authorized party. The PTI transmission takes place automatically with each communication of the service server with that service device which should signal the receipt of a PTI or inform the authorized person automatically. This can be achieved by using communication with the manufacturer data center in conjunction with other services.

Figur 1,

Frankierabdruck nach DPAG-Anforderungen,

Figur 2,

Grundsystem mit einer Frankiermaschine zum Frankieren eines Briefkuvertes mit einem Druckbild eines Postbeförderers mit aufgedruckten zusätzlichen Informationen,

Figur 3,

Flußdiagramm des Grundsystems nach Fig.2,

Figur 4,

Flussdiagramm beim Setzen des Alert-Flags,

Figur 5,

Grundsystem mit Online Feedback,

Figur 6,

Grundsystem mit Integration in ein Auftragsmanagement,

Figur 7,

Steuerelemente eines Dienstleistungsgerätes.

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,

Franking imprint according to DPAG requirements,

FIG. 2,

Basic system with a franking machine for franking a letter envelope with a printed image of a mail carrier with additional information printed on it,

FIG. 3,

Flowchart of the basic system according to FIG.

FIG. 4,

Flow chart when setting the alert flag,

FIG. 5,

Basic system with online feedback,

FIG. 6,

Basic system with integration into order management,

FIG. 7,

Controls of a service device.

FIG. 1 shows a franking imprint according to the Frankit requirements the Deutsche Post AG. The franking imprint shows a one-dimensional left Barcode (1D barcode) 15 for an identity code, which will be explained below. In addition, the Franking imprint in the value impression a two-dimensional bar code (2D barcode) 17 for verification of proper payment the mailpiece transport fee.

a1) Separater linearer oder 2D-Barcode, in dem nur die sendungsspezifische Kennung enthalten ist.

a2) Integration der Kennung in einen linearen oder 2D-Barcode, der ohnehin für die Frankierung verwendet wird, d.h. Vorsehen eines separaten Datenfeldes in einem ansonsten für andere Zwecke genutzten Barcode.

Die Steuerung der Frankiermaschine bzw. eines äquivalenten Gerätes zur Erzeugung von aufbringbaren Postsendungsidentifikationsdaten erfolgt gemäß einem Anwendungsprogramm.
Die Frankiermaschinen bringen SID's maschinenlesbar als Barcode, OCR, o.ä. auf Postsendungen auf, so dass das Postal Tracking System diese fehlerfrei lesen kann und nach Einlieferung der Sendungen bis zu ihrer Zustellung PTI erstellen und über die Verbindung 250 an das Hersteller-Datenzentrum 210 liefern kann.FIG. 2 shows a basic system with a franking machine for franking a letter envelope with a printed image of a mail carrier with additional information printed on it. The basic system consists of a franking machine 110 on the customer side or at the customer location 100, which is communicatively connected via a modem connection 140 to a data center 210 of the postage meter manufacturer at a remote second location 200. The manufacturer's data center 210, in turn, communicates via a data link 250 with a postal tracking system 310 of a mail carrier located at a third location 300 remote from the former two locations. The data connection 250 is preferably implemented as an online connection, for example by Internet or Frame Relay.
The Postal Tracking System 310 provides PTI (Mail Transport Tracking Information) on the progress of transportation for each shipment of all supported shipment types upon request. Supported shipment types are typically registered mail, parcels or parcels. For this, each shipment is stamped with an ID, which we will call in the following shipment ID (SID). The preferred realization of the identification of items is preferably via a barcode that can be safely read and evaluated by machine. This should not exclude alternative options, such as:

a1) Separate linear or 2D barcode containing only the broadcast specific identifier.

a2) integration of the identifier into a linear or 2D barcode, which is used anyway for the franking, ie providing a separate data field in a barcode otherwise used for other purposes.

The control of the postage meter machine or of an equivalent device for generating attachable mailing identification data takes place in accordance with an application program.
The franking machines bring SID's machine readable as barcode, OCR, etc. on postal items, so that the Postal Tracking System can read them without errors and after delivery of the items until their delivery PTI can create and deliver over the connection 250 to the manufacturer's data center 210.

In an alternative variant - not shown - is the franking machine replaced by another mailing machine, such as one so-called PC meter. One with a corresponding application program and PC equipped with a modem commercially available printer connected.

In an alternative variant - not shown - is the franking machine a first service device and a second service device communicatively connected, the latter for communication with destined for a remote service server.

The franking machine 110 or the PC meter or the service device is advantageously equipped with an application program and by information processing means to form the mailing transport delivery information (PTI) automatically, i. without to collect and evaluate a separate request from the claimant prepare and display. Component is for example one Display in idle state (if otherwise, for example, the time displayed) shows the relevant parts of the current PTI. Furthermore can be indicated by a flashing identifier in the display or an additional colored LED (Light-Emitting Diode) or additionally by others existing signal means (beeper) on a newly received or still to be alerted to unsolicited information. alternative an unsolicited notification, such as e-mail, voice-mail, SMS. The order of information evaluation and delivery is determined by the application program.

a) Im Dauerbetrieb setzt eine Frankiermaschine 110 grundsätzlich immer ein Alert Flag für alle Sendungsarten, für welche die PTI vom Postal Tracking System bereitgestellt werden können.

b) Im Stapelbetrieb bereitet der Benutzer einen Stapel Sendungen vor, die alle von einer Sendungsart sind, für die das Postal Tracking System PTI bereitstellen kann. Anschließend setzt der Benutzer ein Alert Flag für den ganzen Stapel, woraufhin die Frankiermaschine 110 automatisch ein Alert Flag für jede Sendung des Stapels setzt.

c) Im interaktiven Betrieb wird über die Benutzerschnittstelle abgefragt, ob eine Dienstleistung zur Sendungsverfolgung gewünscht wird. Diese Abfrage erscheint nur, wenn der Benutzer eine Sendungsart gewählt hat, für die das Postal Tracking System 310 eine PTI bereitstellen kann. Es wird geprüft. Ob der Benuzter diese Abfrage mit einem Tastendruck bestätigt oder abgelehnt hat. Bestätigt er die Abfrage, so wird für die betreffende Sendung ein Alert Flag gesetzt.

d) Im spontanen Betrieb steht an der Benutzerschnittstelle eine Taste oder ein Menübefehl zur Verfügung (TRACE), der im regulären Frankierbetrieb jederzeit gedrückt werden kann. Der Benutzer kann für eine Sendung die Verfolgung auslösen, indem er die Taste TRACE in einem definierten Zeitintervall vor Auslösen der Freimachung gedrückt hält. Daraufhin wird die betreffende Sendung mit einem Alert Flag versehen. Auf das Zeitintervall vor jeder Freimachung kann durch eine optische Anzeige hingewiesen werden. Das Auslösen der TRACE Taste außerhalb eines möglichen Zeitfensters oder für eine Sendungsart, für die keine Sendungsverfolgungsinformation abrufbar ist, kann automatisch von der Frankiermaschine 110 erkannt und ignoriert werden. Das erfolgreiche Triggern der TRACE Taste kann dem Benutzer durch optische oder akustische Signalisierung bestätigt werden.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the basic system. The flowchart is characterized by the steps A to F. In the first step A, the application program via the user interface provides the user of the machine with at least one input option for setting an alert flag for current mailpieces and at least one option for a desired notification mode on the status achieved during the execution of the mailing order by a mail carrier. The user of a postage meter 110 selects at the user interface certain shipments before or during the franking as to be tracked shipments by setting an alert flag for these shipments. This can be done in one or more of the following modes:

a) In continuous operation , a franking machine 110 basically always sets an alert flag for all types of shipment for which the PTI can be provided by the Postal Tracking System.

b) In batch mode , the user prepares a batch of shipments, all of which are of a shipment type for which the Postal Tracking System can provide PTI. The user then sets an alert flag for the entire stack, whereupon the meter 110 automatically sets an alert flag for each shipment of the stack.

c) In interactive mode , the user interface queries whether a service for tracking is desired. This query appears only if the user has selected a shipment type for which the Postal Tracking System 310 can provide a PTI. It is checked. Whether the user has confirmed or rejected this query with a keystroke. If he confirms the query, an alert flag is set for the relevant program.

d) In spontaneous operation , a key or a menu command is available on the user interface (TRACE), which can be pressed at any time in regular franking operation. The user can initiate tracking for a shipment by holding down the TRACE key within a defined time interval before triggering the clearance. The shipment in question will then be given an alert flag. The time interval before each franking can be indicated by a visual indication. The triggering of the TRACE key outside of a possible time window or for a program type for which no item tracking information can be retrieved can be automatically recognized by the franking machine 110 and ignored. The successful triggering of the TRACE key can be confirmed to the user by optical or acoustic signaling.

1a) von der Frankiermaschine 110 erzeugt werden oder

1b) vom Hersteller Datenzentrum 210 erzeugt und von der Frankiermaschine 110 empfangen worden sein.

The postage meter 110 imprints a shipment ID (SID for short) for each shipment for which an alert flag has been set. Shipment IDs are unique at least within a time window to be defined by the postal authority and are therefore used in the relevant postal market (via all postage meter manufacturers and all franking machines) during this time window for at most one single shipment. The SID may be part of the postage indicium or printed separately and is preferably machine-readable. The SID can

1a) are produced by the franking machine 110 or

1b) produced by the manufacturer of data center 210 and received by the franking machine 110.

In both cases, uniqueness can be guaranteed. In the first case by including a unique franking machine identification, im second case by central reconciliation in the manufacturer data center 210. In both cases, the manufacturer data center 210 can allocate for each SID can be clearly determined from which franking machine 110 this has been printed. In case 1a) by checking which Postage meter identification is included in the SID. In case 1b) by the manufacturer data center 210 in a database of a Service server stores the information, which franking machine 110 which SIDs have been allocated.

• sobald Empfangsbestätigung für diese SID eintrifft.
• falls innerhalb von x Tagen keine Empfangsbestätigung eintrifft. Dabei kann die Anzahl x vom Benutzer voreingestellt werden.

In a postage meter 110, an alert condition may optionally be stored in a memory for each mail item to which the information processing means respond and define the conditions for a warning or signaling. This is done, for example:

• as soon as acknowledgment of receipt for this SID arrives.
• if no confirmation of receipt arrives within x days. The number x can be preset by the user.

For each alert condition, default values may be set via the User interface offered so that the user of a number can offer selected signaling conditions.

In the second step B, a franking and generating of data sets takes place. The franking machine 110 registers and stores for each tracking the selected SID the franking date, the Franking time and the type of shipment (registered mail, parcel, etc.), the Alert flag and the signaling condition (alert condition).

In the third step C is a known mail transport and PSI sampling and PTI storage by one at a third location located post data center.

a) Tracking Info zum letzten Durchgangsort (solange eine Sendung ihren Empfänger noch nicht erreicht hat),

b) Zustellungsbestätigung,

c) Empfängersignatur,

d) Annahmeverweigerungsbestätigung,

e) Nichtzustellbarkeitsbestätigung,

f) Bestätigung einer Nachsendung, da Empfänger verzogen.

A fourth step D is provided for PTI retrieval from the postal data center based on information from the service server and for transmission of the PTI to the service server in the manufacturer data center 210. The manufacturer data center 210 periodically requests the latest PTI to store it in a database of the server at the second location via the electronic interface 250 in the postal tracking system of the postal data center 300. Typical examples of PTI are:

a) Tracking information on the last transit point (as long as a consignment has not yet reached its consignee),

b) delivery confirmation,

c) receiver signature,

d) acceptance refusal confirmation,

e) non-delivery confirmation,

f) Confirmation of a forwarding, as receivers warped.

4a) für Blöcke von allen SIDs, in denen die Frankiermaschinen-IDs vorkommen, die vom betreffenden Hersteller Datenzentrum (210) unterstützt werden (korrespondiert zu Fall 1 a des Schritts A) oder

4b) individuell für jede SID abfragen, die vom Hersteller Datenzentrum (210) zugeteilt worden ist (korrespondiert zu Fall 1 b des Schritts A).

The query can be made one or more times per day, but need not be more frequent than the mail carrier's update cycle for the Postal Tracking System 300. The manufacturer data center 210 can query the PTI in the Postal Tracking System as follows:

4a) for blocks of all SIDs in which the postage meter IDs that are supported by the respective manufacturer data center (210) (corresponds to case 1a of step A) or

4b) individually for each SID allocated by the manufacturer data center (210) (corresponding to case 1b of step A).

5a) die Frankiermaschine 110 bei Abruf eines entfernten Dienstes wie z.B. PVD (Postage Value Download), oder

5b) durch die Frankiermaschine 110 bei explizitem Abruf der PTI (Postsendungs-Transportverfolgungs-Informationen),

5c) durch die Frankiermaschine 110 implizit jedesmal, wenn ein neuer Block von SIDs vom Hersteller-Datenzentrum 210 abgerufen wird (korrespondiert nur zu Fall 1 b von Schritt 1),

5c) durch das Hersteller Datenzentrum 210 zeitnah, wenn jeweils eine aktuelle PTI vorhanden ist. Diese Option setzt voraus, dass die Frankiermaschine 110 über eine eigene Telefonnummer angerufen werden kann.

In the fifth step E, the PTI is transmitted from the service server to the user's service device. The manufacturer data center 210 sorts and stores the PTI by meter ID, and each time a meter 110 communicates with the manufacturer data center 210 loads the corresponding PTI into the respective meter 110 (value-added). Communication with a postage meter 110 may be triggered by

5a), the franking machine 110 upon retrieval of a remote service such as PVD (Postage Value Download), or

5b) through the franking machine 110 upon explicit retrieval of the PTI (Mail Transport Tracking Information),

5c) by the postage meter 110 implicitly each time a new block of SIDs is retrieved from the manufacturer data center 210 (corresponding only to case 1b of step 1),

5c) by the manufacturer of data center 210 in a timely manner, if there is a current PTI in each case. This option requires that the franking machine 110 can be called via its own telephone number.

In any case, there is a modem connection between manufacturer data center 210 and franking machine 110, about the news in one manufacturer-specific or standardized protocol (eg SMS) can be transmitted to then in the franking machine 110th or a connected peripheral device (e.g., a scale) for To be brought.

6a) Open Items Liste: Die Daten werden so aufbereitet, dass dauernd oder auf Abfrage diejenigen SIDs am Display zu sehen sind, zu denen noch keine Empfangsbestätigung vorliegt und wie viele Tage/Stunden seit Frankierung jeweils vergangen sind.

6b) Sendungshisforie: Zu den letzten n SIDs wird ein grober Status angezeigt:

Gelb: Sendung ist noch nicht beim Empfänger angekommen,

Grün: Empfangsbestätigung liegt vor,

Rot: Empfangsbestätigung ist überfällig (liegt nach erwarteter Transportdauer noch nicht vor), oder Zustellung war nicht möglich, oder Annahme wurde verweigert.

6c) Defailinformation: Der Benutzer kann zu individuellen SIDs die vorhandene detaillierte Sendungsverfolgungsinformation abfragen.

6d) Filter. Der Benutzer kann Gruppen von SID ausfiltern und für diese die Sendungsverfolgungsinformationen abfragen. Beispiele für Filter: Alle Sendungen, die innerhalb der letzten 7 Tage frankiert worden sind. Alle Einschreiben, die in den letzten 30 Tagen frankiert worden sind, etc. Automatisch werden außerdem alle Alert Conditions überprüft, deren Alert Flags noch gesetzt sind, und werden gemäß der jeweiligen Alert Condition zur Anzeige gebracht.

In the sixth step F, data synchronization and signaling by a user's service device are provided. In the franking machine 110, the sending data (SIDs, franking date, franking time, mailing type) stored in the second step B are now associated with the PTI loaded in the fifth step E. The edited data can be given to the user in various ways.

6a) Open Items List: The data is prepared in such a way that the SIDs on the display, which are not yet acknowledged and how many days / hours have passed since the franking process, are permanently or interrogated.

6b) Shipment History: A rough status is displayed for the last n SIDs:

Yellow: shipment has not yet arrived at the receiver,

Green: Receipt is present

Red: Acknowledgment of receipt is overdue (is not yet available after expected transportation time), or delivery was not possible, or acceptance was denied.

6c) Defail Information: The user can query the individual detailed SIDs for the present detailed shipment tracking information.

6d) filter. The user can filter out groups of SIDs and query the shipment tracking information for them. Examples of filters: All shipments that have been franked within the last 7 days. All registered mail that has been franked in the last 30 days, etc. In addition, all alert conditions whose alert flags are still set are automatically checked and displayed according to the respective alert condition.

In an alternative version is a postage meter with an additional Administration PC connected. Especially for the customer input in step A) or subsequent corrections as well as the time time necessary administration of customer settings (e.g., manual Reset Alert Flags) can optionally use a personal computer Communication interface are used for franking machine, if this by more comfortable and efficient input and display options offers simplified handling and more overview.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart when setting the alert flag. The Flowchart is characterized by steps A1 to A7. In the first Step A1 sets the application program via the user interface Users of the machine an input option for setting an alert flag available for current mailings.

The arrangement for controlling and utilizing a service provided by the postal system for tracking and monitoring mailpieces is preferably realized in a postage meter machine. The evaluation of the input is carried out by information processing means, such as by a control unit of the franking machine.
In step A2, the control unit of the franking machine registers an alert flag entry for the current shipment, advantageously in a defined time interval before the franking. The control unit of the franking machine then generates a SID for the current shipment according to a step A3 and, according to a step A4, initiates the printing of the SID on the surface of the current consignment together or in the same work step with the franking. In step A5, the control unit of the franking machine generates a record with the SID, with date and franking time. In the optional step A6, the control unit of the postage meter automatically adds the default / alert condition and / or the alert method to the data record according to an input. In step A7, the control unit of the postage meter writes a new record into a non-volatile memory.
Advantageously, in the embodiment described above, the existing hardware and software means of a franking machine on the one hand and the possibilities of the data center at the franking machine manufacturer on the other hand, as well as the possibilities of the postal data center of the mail carrier used. The costly and time-consuming PTI query at the postal data center is automated and left to a server of the data center at the franking machine manufacturer who sorts the PTI by postage meter serial numbers and waits to download the data into the postage meter upon occasional communication with the users, ie without thereby harassing the users. The routine contained in the application program runs completely in the background.

In the embodiment variant described below is by the Use of additional funds a greater attention of the user scored for critical or critical mail.

• Organizer 111.
• Pager 112,
• Telefon mit Anrufbeantworter / Sprachbox 113,
• PC mit e-mail Funktion 114,
• Mobiltelefon 115,
• Frankiermaschine 110.

A basic system with online feedback will be explained with reference to FIG. Greater user attention is achieved by the mailing identification applying machine being a postage meter and the service device being a separate communication terminal. In addition, an online interface 150 exists to the manufacturer data center 210 so that the user can be notified by the manufacturer data center 210 using a terminal of their choice. The interface 150 can be realized via one or more of the following communication networks: Internet, Frame Relay, fixed network (analog, ISDN, DSL), mobile radio network.
Following is a list of possible communication terminals by which the user can be notified at the interface (150):

• Organizer 111.
• Pager 112,
• Telephone with answering machine / voice box 113,
• PC with e-mail function 114,
• Mobile phone 115,
• Franking machine 110.

Schritt A: Der erste Schritt A des Grundverfahrens wird um zwei Subschritte erweitert:

Aa) Eingabe einer Information über ein ausgewähltes Signalisierungsverfahren (Alert Method) zur Spezifizierung, auf welchem Weg bzw. Art und Weise die gewünschte PTI zum Benutzer übermittelt werden soll.

Ab) Übermittlung einer Information über die Eingabe von Alert-Flag, der Alert-Conditions sowie der ausgewählten Alert-Method von dem Dienstleistungsgerät 110 an das Hersteller-Datenzentrum 210.

In Verbindung mit dem Subschritten A1), A6) bzw. separat Aa) besteht in vorteilhafter Weise nun die Auswahlmöglichkeit, dass der Kunde zusätzlich zum Alert-Flag und der Alert-Condition auch eine Alert-Method angibt, welche die Benachrichtigung bezüglich des gewünschten Kommunikationsendgerätes spezifiziert. Beispiele für Alert-Methods sind: e-mail, voice mail auf Anrufbeantworter/ Sprachbox des Kunden sowie Kurztextmitteilungen eines Short Message Services (SMS).
Dabei ist vorgesehen, dass der Schritt Ab) zur Übermittlung einer Information über die Eingabe von dem Dienstleistungsgerät 110 an das Hersteller-Datenzentrum 210 in regelmäßigen Zeitabständen wiederholt wird. Beispielsweise werden Alert-Flag, Alert-Conditions, sowie die gewünschte Alert-Method am Ende jedes Tages, von dem Dienstleistungsgerät über die Kommunikationsschnittstelle 150 an das Hersteller-Datenzentrum 210 gemeldet. Das Dienstleistungsgerät ist beispielsweise die Frankiermaschine 110. Alternativ ist das Dienstleistungsgerät beispielsweise ein Personalcomputer (PC).

Schritt B: Zusätzlich zur Speicherung der sendungsbezogenen Daten übermittelt das Dienstleistungsgerät 110 diese sendungbezogenen Daten an das Hersteller-Datenzentrum 210, wo sie in einer Datenbank des Daten-Bank-Management-Systems (DBMS) 240 gespeichert werden.

Schritt C: bleibt unverändert gegenüber dem Grundverfahren nach Fig.3.

Schritt D: Die Funktion des Dienstleistungsservers 220 im vierten Schritt D wird um eine sendungsbezogene Auswertung je Dienstleistungsgerät erweitert. Die sendungsbezogene Auswertung zum Beispiel je Absender bzw. Frankiermaschine erfolgt im Grundverfahren nach Fig.3 erst im sechsten Schritt F am Ort 100 des Frankierens im Dienstleistungsgerät bzw. in der Frankiermaschine 110. Demgegenüber geschieht dies, nun bereits im vierten Schritt D auch im Hersteller-Datenzentrum 210.

Schritt E: In Ergänzung des Schrittes E des Grundverfahrens werden die aktuellen PTI vom Hersteller-Datenzentrum 210 an ein Kommunikationsendgerät des Benutzers geschickt, wobei das Endgerät und das entsprechende Übertragungsprotokoll gemäß der für eine Sendung spezifizierten Alert-Method gewählt werden. Die Auswahl des Endgeräts erfolgte im Schritt Aa) via Benutzerschnittstelle, was in Figur 5 durch einen logischen Schalter 119 abstrakt verdeutlicht wird und dessen Auswirkung auf das Benachrichtigungs- bzw. Signalisierungsverfahren (Alert Method) nachfolgend erläutert wird. Die Funktion des Dienstleistungsservers 220 wird im fünften Schritt E um eine zeitnahe Herstellung einer Kommunikationsverbindung vom Hersteller-Datenzentrum zum Kommunikationsendgerät des Benutzers erweitert, welche automatisch erfolgt, sobald neue PTI für frankierte und versandte Postsendungen bereitstehen. Dafür sind die folgenden Optionen vorgesehen:

One or more of these or other terminals may be connected directly to the physical interface 150 or via a gateway (not shown) unless the particular terminal supports the communication protocols of the interface 150. The representation of a switch 119 abstracts from these differences in system architecture and, of course, does not exist in practice at the location shown. Rather, switch 119 describes a technical capability of the user interface to make a selection so that manufacturer can selectively address data center 210 to one of the terminals selected by the FM user.
The vendor data center 210 is equipped with at least one server 220, which has a WAN connection 150 (for example Internet, Frame Relay, etc.) on the one hand with the customers and on the other hand via a WAN connection 250 with the distributed server system (Postal Tracking System) 310 a postal authority 300 is connected. For example, the vendor data center 210 is equipped with a server cluster and further includes a modem server 230 or similar communication device to be accessible to the modems of the postage meters over the telephone network 140, and a database management system (DBMS) ) 240 in order to collect PTI transmitted by the Postal Tracking System, process it and, if requested, pass it on to the relevant customer.
Compared with the basic method explained with reference to FIG. 3, some steps in the basic method with online feedback according to FIG. 5 are changed as follows:

Step A : The first step A of the basic process is extended by two sub-steps:

Aa) inputting information via a selected signaling method (Alert Method) for specifying in which way or manner the desired PTI is to be transmitted to the user.

Ab) transmission of information about the input of alert flag, the alert conditions and the selected alert method from the service device 110 to the manufacturer data center 210th

In connection with the sub-steps A1), A6) or separately Aa) there is now advantageously the option of the customer, in addition to the alert flag and the alert condition, also indicating an alert method, which indicates the notification regarding the desired communication terminal specified. Examples of alert methods are: e-mail, voice mail on the answering machine / voicebox of the customer as well as short text messages of a short message service (SMS).
It is provided that the step Ab) for transmitting information about the input from the service device 110 to the manufacturer's data center 210 is repeated at regular intervals. For example, the alert flag, alert conditions, and the desired alert method at the end of each day are reported by the service device to the manufacturer data center 210 via the communication interface 150. The service device is, for example, the franking machine 110. Alternatively, the service device is, for example, a personal computer (PC).

Step B: In addition to storing the shipment-related data, the service device 110 transmits this shipment-related data to the manufacturer data center 210 where it is stored in a database of the data bank management system (DBMS) 240.

Step C: remains unchanged from the basic method according to FIG.

Step D: The function of the service server 220 in the fourth step D is extended by a delivery-related evaluation per service device. In the basic method according to FIG. 3, the delivery-related evaluation, for example per sender or franking machine, takes place only in the sixth step F at the location 100 of the franking in the service device or in the franking machine 110. In contrast, this is already done in the fourth step D in the manufacturer's Data Center 210.

Step E: In addition to step E of the basic method, the current PTI is sent from the manufacturer data center 210 to a user's communication terminal, the terminal and the corresponding transmission protocol being selected according to the alert method specified for a transmission. The selection of the terminal took place in step Aa) via the user interface, which is illustrated abstractly in FIG. 5 by a logical switch 119 and its effect on the notification or signaling method (Alert Method) is explained below. The function of the service server 220 is extended in the fifth step E by a timely establishment of a communication link from the manufacturer's data center to the communication terminal of the user, which takes place automatically as soon as new PTI are available for franked and despatched mailpieces. The following options are provided for this:

Organizer

The manufacturer data center 210 addresses one of the user in the second step B specified organizer 111. The organizer can over a local radio network 150 (e.g., Bluetooth, Airport, etc.) at the user be addressed, creating an online notification of the User can be reached. The organizer can also be accessed via a PC 114 load its current news, and thereby in regular Time intervals or if needed by the user with the manufacturer data center 210 sync.

pager

The manufacturer data center 210 addresses one of the user in the second step B specified pager 112 based on the user notified telephone number. The vendor data center is preparing the PTI in pager format. Once the pager 112 receives the message It optionally outputs an acoustic signal or a vibration signal to the To alert users to the receipt of a new message. In this case, the interface 150 is through a telephone landline realized.

Telephone with answering machine / voicebox

The manufacturer data center 210 addresses one of the user in the second Step B specified telephone 113 or mobile phone 115 based on the from User notified phone number. The selection of the communication terminal via user interface is again by a logical Switch 119 symbolizes. The PTI is manufactured by the manufacturer data center 210 using a voice synthesizer in an acoustic Signal prepared on an answering machine or a voicebox of the user can be recorded. In this case, the Interface 150 realized by a telephone landline or mobile network.

PC with e-mail function

The manufacturer data center 210 addresses an e-mail account specified by the user in the second step B on the basis of the e-mail address communicated by the user. The PTI is prepared by the manufacturer data center 210 into an e-mail text or attachment that the user can query, read, and / or print via a separate printer (not shown) using a personal computer 114.
In this case, the interface 150 is realized by the Internet. The selection symbolized by the switch 119 concerns an option for an e-mail client protocol eg POP, S / MIME, MS-OUTLOOK, etc.

PC with file transfer function

The manufacturer data center 210 sets for each postage meter Directory ready to be accessed by using a file transfer protocol (file Transfer Protocol) can be accessed via the Internet. there the directories can each be named after the franking machines whose PTI they should later contain. Every franking machine is Identifiable via a serial number. The PTI is from the manufacturer data center 210 edited into a text / graphics file and in the filed directory and made available for download. The user loads at regular intervals or as needed the available files from the manufacturer data center to his PC 114 with which the files are read and / or printed can be.

franking machine

Does the postage meter machine provide a serial or parallel interface 118 to a PC 114, then a PC 114 with e-mail or file transfer Function used. After receiving current PTI in the PC 114 transmits this the PTI via a communication interface 118 to the relevant franking machine 110 to bring them there for display. Alternatively, it is provided that the function of the communication terminal 111, 112, 113, 114, 115 integrated into the service device 110 which is itself already network connection and internet capability offers. Thus, a postage meter machine itself already provides network connection and internet capability, so they already e-mail themselves or File Transfer function is equipped via Internet, so can the PC 114 - as outlined above - omitted. This option is selectable in what symbolized by the switch 119 and by the direct Connection 117 between franking machine and interface 150 is described, the latter being realized by the Internet. On new In addition, the franking machine can receive messages that have arrived to alert you to an acoustic message.

Step F: remains unchanged from the basic method.

A basic system with integration into order management will be explained with reference to FIG. The basic system can be integrated into a job management of the user. This is desirable if the user generates shipments for individual orders of his customers whose delivery is an essential step of the order and should be tracked and tracked accordingly. Typical examples of such users are banks that send credit cards, debit cards, cash cards, etc. to their customers on request, or associations, foundations, authorities, companies, cooperatives, etc. that send membership cards to their clients upon request.
In these cases, the user typically has an order management system in which he also wants to track the shipments belonging to a job. In this case, the basic method in the order management system (eg SAP) can be integrated with the user by an online communication interface to the manufacturer data center 210 is used analogous to the manner already described.
The franking machine 110 is connected via a communication interface 116 to a postage meter support personal computer 120, which in turn has an on-line communication interface 150 to the manufacturer data center 210. Postage meter support PC 120, in its function, has nothing to do with the administration PC proposed above in the previous embodiment (FIG. 2) as an optional configuration aid, but has a communication interface 125 to the user's order management system 130 , If both functions are desired, it is provided that the postage meter support and administration functions are implemented on the same physical personal computer.

Step A: In this step, the trigger for setting alert flags for certain shipments is initiated by the job management system 130. In large mail processing systems, the compilation of mailings, such as cover letter with form and credit card, in envelopes and their delivery to the postage meter 110 can be centrally controlled by a computer, so that an integration into an order management of the customer is obvious. If such a mail processing system is not available, then a franking machine can be integrated into an order management system as follows. In step A, the postage meter 110 operates in batch mode so that an alert flag is set for each shipment of a batch prepared by the user. To link an order number with the associated shipment ID used by the franking machine 110, we consider in step B two equipment variants of the franking machine: With or without a built-in scanner that can read suitably coded information from an envelope.

Step B: In addition to storing the shipment-related data, the postage meter 110 transmits this shipment-related data to the FM support PC, which forwards them to the order management system. There they are linked with the corresponding order data.

Franking machine without scanner (conventional equipment)

With this feature, the user prepares a batch of shipments, whose shipping he wants to track. He chooses the shipment type and as Alert Method for all shipments of the batch the notification of the FM support PC, e.g. by e-mail. Now the user sorts the shipments according to the list of related orders in the order Management System 130. After clearing all shipments of the Batch becomes the sorted list of generated records from each SID, Franking date, franking time, type of shipment (registered mail, parcel, etc.), Alert Flag and Alert Method, which are processed for the shipments Stacks were generated by the franking machine 110, from the Franking machine 110 via the interface 116 to the FM support PC 120 transmitted. The FM support PC transmits the list of received data records to the order management system, where they place the corresponding orders according to their order be assigned.

Postage meter machine with scanner (advanced equipment)

With this feature, the user also prepares a batch of shipments whose shipping he wants to track. During the production of the consignments, the order number of the respective consignment is noted on each envelope or in the address window of each envelope in machine-readable form, for example as a barcode. A sorting of the shipments in a stack is not required.
The user selects the shipment type and as Alert Method for all shipments of the batch the notification of the FM support PC, eg by e-mail. Now the user sends the stack through the franking in the franking machine. During the batch processing, the order number of each envelope supplied is read by scanner, a SID is selected, printed and then the data set of order number, SID, franking date, franking time, type of shipment (registered letter, parcel, etc.), Alert Flag and Alert Method in the franking machine 110 stored. The data records are transmitted via the interface 116 to the FM support PC 120 and forwarded from there via the interface 125 to the order management system 130. The transmission can take place for each data record immediately or in collected form, with several data records being collected in the franking machine 110 and / or in the FM support PC and subsequently being transmitted in packages to the order management system.

Step C: remains unchanged from the basic method.

Step D: remains unchanged.

Step E: In a modification of the basic method, not the franking machine 110 receives the PTI here, but the FM support PC, as specified by the Alert Method. Technically, this may be through push services such as e-mail or www services triggered by manufacturer data center 210, or pull services, where manufacturer data center 210 provides the up-to-date information, and the FM support PC that information interrogated and picked up at regular intervals (ftp).

Step F: The FM support PC forwards the received PTI to the job management system, where they are linked to the corresponding jobs. For example, the SID can be used as the key to the database of orders. Depending on the PTI for each order, the respective progress in shipping is noted and, where appropriate, further appropriate measures are initiated.

An arrangement for carrying out the method has at least Information processing means and a user interface and is in a preferred variant of a service device, which is programmed after receiving one from the service server returned during the execution of the mailing PTI a notification of the user as a result of the Receiving or not receiving a PTI according to one control the selected preset via the notification type. The For example, service equipment is programmed to not receive a PTI within an agreed time window and a notification of the user regarding the delayed Mail transport takes place.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the service device 110 is a franking machine and that the information processing means include a control unit of the postage meter. The franking machine has a first selection means, which for Selection of printing a section of the printed image that serves the Contains mailing identification. The first selection means is with the Control unit is connected, the latter controls the printer means so, that the selected section is assigned to a pre-assigned predetermined one Position is printed. This ensures that the respective selected a postal carrier characterizing section 17 to a first and the respectively selected one mailing identification characterizing section 15 is printed to a second position.

In an alternative embodiment, it is provided that the Machine for applying the mailing identification a franking machine and that the service device is a separate communication terminal is.

In a further alternative embodiment, it is provided that the service device is a personal computer and that the Information processing means a control unit of the personal computer lock in. The personal computer 120 is on the one hand via a first interface 116 with a franking machine 110 and on the other hand via a second interface 125 with a job management system 130 communicatively connected, the personal computer 120 has a postage meter support function. That should not be excluded also the variant that Postage meter support and administration functions the same physical personal computer.

• Separate physische Taste integriert in das Tastenfeld der Frankiermaschine,
• Separate virtuelle Taste integriert in einen Touchscreen,
• Kurzwahltaste,
• Separates Touchpad oder physische Taste in räumlicher Nähe zum Brieftransportweg,
• Mobiles Mikrofon, das am Körper des Benutzers getragen werden kann mit nachgeschalteter akustischer Auswertung, so dass der Benutzer durch ein vereinbartes klar gesprochenes Kommando wie z.B. ,Alert' ein Alert-Flag setzen kann.
• Auslösen eines elektrischen oder optischen Kontakts (Lichtschranke) durch Berühren der gewünschten Sendung oder Zeigen darauf, während sich das Poststück noch im Brieftransport vor dem Aufdruck befindet.

In the figure 7 controls of a service device have been shown, the volatile memory 50, control unit 60 and program memory 70, the aforementioned information processing means 2 and its display 10 and input or operating unit 40 form the aforementioned user interface 4. A communication interface 30 and a nonvolatile memory 20 are operatively connected to the information processing means 2 and the user interface 4. As already mentioned, for example, a franking machine with such an arrangement is equipped with control elements whose user interface consists of the components display 10 and the input 40. At least one operating element 41 controls the triggering of the service order and the entry of alert flags, alert conditions and alert methods. Alert flags may be promptly inputted to the current printing of a mail piece by printing a single key, or an optical or audible signal. To enter an alert flag, a control element that can be operated quickly is provided so that a user can set an alert flag even for batch processing for individual mailpieces. In the following some embodiments are given:

• Separate physical key integrated in the keypad of the franking machine,
• Separate virtual button integrated into a touch screen,
• Speed dial button
• Separate touchpad or physical button in close proximity to the mail transport route,
• Mobile microphone that can be carried on the user's body with downstream acoustic evaluation, so that the user can set an alert flag by means of an agreed, clearly spoken command such as 'Alert'.
• Triggering of an electrical or optical contact (light barrier) by touching the desired shipment or pointing it while the mail piece is still in the letter transport before the imprint.

In nonvolatile memory 20, the list of SID's held with the associated data. Each record of the list consists of (SID, Alert Condition, Alert Method, Result). For every Shipment for which an alert flag is set will create a new record in the list was added. The SID becomes unique for each record awarded, for example by ascending numbering in one sufficiently large number interval. The alert condition and alert Method are by reference to each alert condition or alert Method within a small supply of possible alert conditions or Alert Methods stored efficiently. Once a delivery result (SID, result), this is done with the corresponding record in the list linked (linking done via SID) and the result in the relevant Record (field: Result) saved. The memory management of List can be set so that a record after a preset Time is deleted from the list, or as soon as a user of it Deletion explicitly initiated on the user interface. For processing Mailing transport tracking information (PTI) are second controls 42 provided. By such and others - not mentioned - controls can also be a selector 119 for Franking machines 110 are realized, the symbolic in Figure 5 only has been shown. The volatile memory is used for temporary data processing during the letter processing or PTI evaluation. The Information processing means 2 are provided with a signal element 80, for example a beeper, connected. In addition, the franking machine has a communication interface 30, with which they connect to the Manufacturer Data Center 210 can build or connect to an FM support PC 120. The mentioned components display, Input or operating unit, memory and communication interface are coordinated by the control unit 60.

In addition to the explained with reference to Figures 2, 5 and 6 embodiments are other arrangements or embodiments of the invention for Signaling the feedback to the end customer conceivable:

In a variant of the type Y1) with call forwarding is the Franking machine informed by the data center, as soon as the franking machine has established a modem connection to the data center. The Postage meter is (i) via a serial cable or a local network connected to one or more PC's and signals the feedback information about this PC (s). The postage meter routes the call via its modem interface online or delayed further on other terminal of the customer's choice, via a telephone connection features. This variant is technically closer to the Embodiment variants of Figure 2, because also here the connection between Data Center and the franking machine FM is initiated by the user.

In another variant of the type Y2) is a Switching software in the data center: In the data center are the Addresses (typically telephone numbers or e-mail addresses) of one or more terminals (terminals connected via telephone connection or Internet connection) deposited, over which the customer the Wishes to receive feedback information.

In another variant of the type Y3) is a Switching software in the personal computer. In the data center, the (i) e-mail address or (ii) modem telephone number of the customer specified personal computer PC deposited. The PTI or feedback Information will be sent from the data center to this e-mail address (i) or Telephone number (ii). The PC provides the PTI or feedback Either inform yourself, and / or forward them to you by the customer preselected terminal on. For example: franking machine or organizer that uses a serial cable or local area network, other terminals are connected with telephone connection and that of the Modem of the PC can be addressed.

The invention is not limited to the present embodiments, obviously there are other other arrangements or designs The invention can be developed or used, the - of the same basic idea of the invention, starting from the adjacent Claims are covered.

Claims (31)

A method of controlling the use of a post office tracking and tracking service comprising the steps of: A) controlling the initiation of a service order as a result of a user input for tracking transported mailpieces and for processing mail item transport tracking information (PTI) in the service device (110) and presetting the signaling conditions, B) generating and storing data sets with signaling conditions in connection with a franking of mailpieces and an application of the associated mailing identification (SID) at a first location (100), C) Postal and PTI provision at a third location (300), D) automatic PTI retrieval from the third location (300) and storage at a second location (200), E) PTI data processing at the second location (200) and data transmission back to the user as well F) Notifying the user by signaling the presence of the PTI according to the preset signaling conditions. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step A) the triggering comprises at least the setting of alert flags and signaling conditions associated with the carrier information and a provision of a machine-mountable mailing identification (SID),
in that step C) comprises scanning the mail piece identification (SID) applied to the mailpieces, generating and storing the mailpiece transport tracking information (PTI) associated with the mail piece through a postal data center of the mail carrier at the third location (300) remote from the former location of franking step D) comprises PTI retrieval from the postal data center based on information from a service provider (220) of the service device manufacturer and PTI storage in a database of the service server (220) at the second location (200) remote from the former location of franking,
the step E) comprises requesting a data transmission as part of a second service for a customer service device independent of mail item transport tracking information (PTI) from the service server of the service device manufacturer, the customer service device identifying by identification data and transmitting the mail item transport tracking information (PTI) from the service server (220) the service device manufacturer from the second location to the service device at the former location of the franking in connection with the use of the second service, or transmitting the mail item transport tracking information (PTI) to another service device at another location;
that step F) includes data matching in the service device at the former location of the franking or at the further location. Process according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that step A) comprises the following sub-steps: A1) Providing an input possibility for setting an alert flag for current mail items via user interface, A2) registering the alert flag input for the current transmission by a control unit, A3) generation of a SID for the current shipment by the control unit, A4) Cause of printing the SID on the surface of the current shipment together or in the same step with the franking and A5) Generation of a data record with the SID, with date and franking time by the control unit. Method according to Claim 3, characterized in that the step A) comprises the following further sub-steps: A6) automatically adding the default / alert condition and / or the alert method to the record by the control unit in accordance with an input or alert flag entry for the current shipment in a defined time interval prior to franking, A7) Registering a new data record in a non-volatile memory by the control unit. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the PTI retrieval from the post data center after step D) comprises: a transmission of information from the service server to the postal data center for at least a part of the mailing identification (SID) applied by the customers of the service server, transmitting the mailing transport tracking information (PTI) from the mail carrier's postal data center to the service server and storing the mailing transport tracking information (PTI) in a second location database of the service server (220), the storing being associated with identification data identifying the customer's service device. Method according to Claim 5, characterized in that the at least one part of the mailing identification (SID) applied by the customers of a service server identifies a customer's service device. Method according to claims 5 to 6, characterized in that an identifier is generated in the service device itself, which permits a mailing identification (SID) and contains data for identification of the service device. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the aforementioned data are stored for identification in the service device of the customer and in a database of the remote service server and transmitted to the PTI call to the postal data center. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the provision of the machine-mountable mailing identification, after step A), comprises generating an identifier in a remote service server which does not contain address information about the sender or information about the location or time contains the franking or posting of the mailpiece and that the identifier is transmitted to both the service device and the postal data center to enable the mailing tracking. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that the provision of the machine-mountable mailing identification, after step A), comprises generating a randomly selected number or a consecutively increasing or decreasing number in a remote service server and both to the service device is also transmitted to the postal data center to enable the mailing tracking. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the PTI retrieval from the postal data center after step D) comprises the service server remote from the service device automatically polling the postal data center at intervals for updating by the most recent PTI. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the queried PTI are transmitted by the service server via a communication link to the service device at a receiving location, the service device is programmed by a suitable application program to collect the PTI without separate request from the claimant, evaluate, prepare and indicating receipt of a PTI and notifying the creditor in a predetermined manner. Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the step A) comprises the following further sub-steps: Aa) inputting information about a selected signaling method for specifying in which way or manner the desired PTI is to be transmitted to the user. Ab) transmission of information about the input of alert flag, the signaling conditions and the selected signaling method from the service device (110) to the manufacturer data center (210). A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the step Ab) is repeated for the transmission of information about the input from the service device (110) to the manufacturer's data center (210) at regular time intervals. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the step Ab) for transmitting information about the input from the service device (110) to the manufacturer data center (210) at the end of each day via the communication interface (150). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a step B1) storage of the broadcast-related data and then a step B2) transmission of the broadcast-related data from the service device (110) to the manufacturer data center (210), before storing in a database of the DBMS (240). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the function of the service server (220) is expanded in the fourth step D to a broadcast-related evaluation per service device. Method according to claims 1, 2 and 13 to 17, characterized in that the function of the service server (220) in the fifth step E to a timely establishment of a communication connection from the manufacturer data center (210) to the communication terminal (111, 112, 113, 114 , 115) of the user, which takes place automatically as soon as new PTI are available for franked and despatched mailpieces or Method according to claims 1, 2 and 13 to 18, characterized in that the communication terminal (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) transmits the received current PTI via a communication interface (118) to the service device (110) to be there to bring to the display. Method according to claims 1 and 13 to 17, characterized in that the function of the communication terminal (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) is integrated in the service device (110) which itself already provides network connection and internet capability. Arrangement for carrying out the method according to claim 1, comprising information processing means (2) and a user interface (4) with a display unit (10) and an operating unit (40), characterized in that the operating unit (40) has first operating elements (41) for controlling the Triggering a service order for tracking transported mailpieces and second operating elements (42) for processing mail item transport tracking information (PTI), the information processing means (2) having a volatile memory (50), a control unit (60) and a program memory (70 ) for an application program and operatively connected to the user interface (4), to a first communication interface (30) and to a nonvolatile memory (20) for PTI and to signaling conditions related to the service for tracking. Arrangement according to claim 21, characterized in that the arrangement (1) is part of a service device which is programmed to receive information processing and notification after receiving a PTI returned by the service server (220) during the execution of the mailing via the communication interface (30) the user as a result of receiving or not receiving a PTI according to a selected default via the notification type to control. Arrangement according to claim 22, characterized in that the service device comprises a signal element (80) which is connected to the information processing means (2) by which the service device is programmed to notify the user of a delayed mailpiece transport if within a stipulated time window a non-receipt a PTI is detected. Arrangement according to claim 22, characterized in that the service device is a franking machine (110) whose control unit includes the information processing means (2) and which is connected to printer means. Arrangement according to claim 24, characterized in that a first selection means is provided, which serves to select the printing of a portion of the print image containing the mailing identification and that the first selection means is connected to the control unit which controls the printer means so that the selected Section is printed to a fixed predetermined position. Arrangement according to Claim 25, characterized in that the respective selected section (17) characterizing a mail carrier is printed on a first and the respectively selected section identifying a mailing identification (15) to a second position. Arrangement according to claim 21, characterized in that the machine for applying the mailing identification is a franking machine and that the service device is a separate communication terminal. Arrangement according to claim 22, characterized in that the service device is a personal computer (120) and that the information processing means are part of a control unit of the personal computer. Arrangement according to claim 28, characterized in that the personal computer (120) on the one hand via a first interface (116) with a postage meter (110) and on the other hand via a second interface (125) with a job management system (130) communicatively connected wherein the personal computer (120) has a postage meter support function. Arrangement according to claim 28, characterized in that postage meter support and administration functions are implemented on the same physical personal computer. Arrangement according to claim 21, characterized in that the machine for applying the mailing identification is a franking machine and that the service device is a personal computer, that the postage meter transmits a received current PTI via a communication interface (118) to the personal computer having a screen to it and that administration functions are implemented on the same personal computer.

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