EP1615174B1 - Franking machine with communication unit - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a franking machine having a communication unit which is arranged in the postage meter machine according to the preamble of claim 1. It is suitable for devices with a security housing which have a security area and a non-security area inside, wherein the communication unit is arranged in the non-security area , In this case, an analog or digital modem, an ISDN unit, wireless LAN unit, UMTS unit, Blue Tooth unit or another pluggable communication unit can be used. In unclaimed devices, booking or mail processing devices or data processing devices are also used.

In franking machines with security module already an analog modem is used. Either the modem is located directly on the motherboard or is located elsewhere in the interior of the device.

In the mymail® franking machine of the Applicant, both the modem and the security module can only be plugged in from the inside when the housing shells are open and can not be plugged from the outside and connected to the main control board (motherboard) of the franking machine. If the postage meter machine is to be opened for the purposes of modifying or repairing, tear-off screws and / or plastic parts of the safety housing must be destroyed. In franking machines and other post-processing devices with a security housing seals can also be used as further access protection to the microprocessor control and to the drive lines of the print head. After a repair that requires the safety housing to be opened, the safety housing tear-off screws, seals or damaged plastic parts must be replaced by a service technician.

There are already known subjects in device housings, which are closed with a lid or door and may be opened by customers. The lid or door remains intact.

Applicant's T1000 thermal transfer postage meter has a thermal transfer printhead fixedly disposed in the housing for printing a franking imprint and a compartment externally mounted on the housing for receiving a replaceable ribbon cassette, the compartment defining a non-security area. While access to the security area of the printing device is prevented by a security housing, a door leading to the compartment can be opened at any time ( US 4,767,228 ).

The mymail® meter has an externally accessible battery compartment so that the power supply of the security module can be maintained for an extended period of time by an additional external battery ( DE 200 20 635 U1 ).

From the German utility model DE 20211108 U1 an arrangement of a security module in a franking machine is known, wherein the security module and the franking machine are manufactured separately from one another and are only combined at the end of the assembly in the franking machine. The security module is arranged in the non-security area of the postage meter machine and protected against unauthorized access by means of a non-destructively detachable flap. The assembly causes only low production costs.

At present, there is a constant increase in the transmission rate requirements of a MODEM used in postage meters. A modem is a special telephone network data transmission device. Usually, only a predetermined MODEM type coupled to a particular interface of the device is used. In the case of repair or changes, for example, to increase the data transfer speed required, it usually requires an intervention in the franking machine to access the located inside the security housing motherboard with the modem. Some postage meter variants are prepared by the manufacturer to be connected to a data center via a predetermined other MODEM type in the future. From the EP 773 517 A2 For example, a method and apparatus for automatic modem type detection and adaptation is known. It can be ordered as an additional part of the franking machine manufacturer, an external modem that fits the postage meter and the country-specific telephone system. The internal modem is indeed deactivated but usually not expanded, but remains in place. Only one external modem is connected and used. Under certain circumstances, however, its susceptibility to interference and repair due to environmental influences is greater in comparison with an internal modem, which is protected by the built-in and, in addition to low acquisition costs, always guarantees the functionality without any problems.

In the future, communication units with even higher data transmission rates will be available, which allow larger amounts of data to be transmitted inexpensively. Retrofitting with any external communication unit would require on the one hand a country-specific adaptation and initialization at the customer. On the other hand, customers can not be required to manually make all the necessary adjustments that would be required in connection with retrofitting a postage meter with any external communication unit after it has been paired with the existing interface.

For the customer, it would not be acceptable if it later turns out that the communication unit is not easily replaceable, but a technician service must be called just because the case can not be opened nondestructively. The aim of the invention is therefore to use various types of communication devices in terms of transmission speed, digital or analog operation, and the like. Parameters in a device and the simple replacement of the communication unit, without the opening of the safety housing by a service technician is required or access to the inner security area is created.

The invention has for its object to develop a protected arrangement of a communication unit in a postage meter with ease of assembly. A sub-task is to realize a simple contact and reliable grounding.

The object is achieved with the features of the arrangement according to claim 1.

It is envisaged that a franking machine non-safety area with a compartmentalized cavity is accessible under a cover which is non-destructively detachable from the safety housing, wherein the compartment-shaped cavity in shape and size of the pluggable communication unit is adapted. The communication unit has a first connection element and can be connected to a plug-in movement with a main control board arranged in the safety area of the device. The latter can have a second connection element for this purpose. Alternatively, the printed conductors, for example, at the edge of the main control board, contacted directly when plugging, ie, when the communication unit is guided into the cavity. It is further provided that the cavity has at least one further connecting element which is electrically conductively and mechanically connected to a metal chassi part, wherein the at least one further connecting element protrudes into the cavity and can be connected to the communication unit.

For franking machines, the communication unit is a modem, which is arranged in the non-security area of the franking machine housing. Within the franking machine housing is at least one - not visible - security area and at least one - visible at an open flap - non-safety area with a compartment-shaped cavity, the non-safety area is accessible through at least one opening in the housing. In the plug-in direction, the communication unit has a first connection element for the connection to the main control board (mainboard). A commercial communication module is mounted on a carrier board, which is formed by means of connecting elements within the franking machine housing but outside the inner security area of the postage meter machine inserted into a compartment-like cavity. The communication unit is adapted to the communication module and structurally designed so that the communication unit at any time by the customer himself through an opening in the postage meter housing inserted into the compartment and connected with a plug movement with a arranged in the security area of the postage meter main control board (mainboard) can.
On one of the rear wall of the device side facing and orthogonal to the insertion direction, the communication unit has a power connector socket for connection to a communication network. The communication unit is designed in accordance with the form-like cavity in shape and size. The communication unit has a carrier printed circuit board, which adapts the communication module to the first connection element and enables easy contacting via the first connection element and grounding without cable via at least one screw or nut and a bolt which is electrically conductive with a metal chassis part (not visible) mechanically connected, wherein the bolt has an internal or external thread.

Figur 1,

perspektivische Teilansicht einer Unterschale einer Frankiermaschine von unten mit der Rückseite, rechten Seite und Boden mit dem durch eine Klappe verschlossenem Fach,

Figur 2,

perspektivische Teilansicht einer Unterschale einer Frankiermaschine von unten mit der Rückseite, rechten Seite und Boden mit einem offenem Fach ohne Kommunikationseinheit,

Figur 3,

Ansicht einer Frankiermaschine von unten,

Figur 4,

perspektivische Ansicht der Rückseite, linken Seite und Oberseite einer Frankiermaschine,

Figur 5,

perspektivische Teilansicht einer Unterschale einer Frankiermaschine von unten mit der Rückseite, rechten Seite und Boden mit einer in das offene Fach gesteckten Kommunikationseinheit.

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,

Perspective partial view of a lower shell of a franking machine from below with the back, right side and bottom with the compartment closed by a flap,

FIG. 2,

partial perspective view of a lower shell of a franking machine from below with the back, right side and bottom with an open compartment without communication unit,

FIG. 3,

View of a franking machine from below,

FIG. 4,

perspective view of the back, left side and top of a franking machine,

FIG. 5,

partial perspective view of a lower shell of a postage meter machine from below with the back, right side and bottom with a plugged into the open compartment communication unit.

The FIG. 1 shows a partial perspective view of a lower shell of a franking machine 1 from below with the back 5, right side 3 and bottom 2 with the non-destructive detachable flap 25th locked compartment. The incorporated in the bottom plate 2 compartment with the releasable flap 25 has on one of the rear wall side facing an opening for a power connector socket 16. The latter is orthogonal to the insertion direction of the communication unit.

The FIG. 2 shows a partial perspective view of a lower shell of a postage meter machine from below with the back, right side and bottom with an open compartment without communication unit. The lower shell of the franking machine 1 has a flat bottom 2 with at least one molded-in cavity, wherein a molded in the bottom of the lower shell first compartment 20 for a communication unit at the back 5 and right side 3 of the flat bottom 2 and another formed in the bottom of the lower shell open compartment 30 near the front and right side 3 of the bottom plate 2 of the lower shell is shown. The lower shell of the franking machine 1 stands on feet 21 to 24. At the bottom of the further compartment 30, a first foot 21 near the front and the right side 3 is formed. A second foot 22 near the back 5 and the right side 3 is formed directly on the flat bottom 2. There is at least one other - not shown - foot 23, 24 provided near a left side 4. The open first compartment 20 has an opening 26 which is formed on the back of the lower shell and adapted to receive a power connector socket of the communication unit.
The open first compartment 20 has inside connecting elements for contacting the communication unit. The latter has at least a first connecting element 11. The open first compartment 20 has inside and second connecting elements 12, 31, 32, 33. For example, three spacer bolts are used as third connecting elements 31, 32 and 33 and a connector strip as a second connecting element 12. The spacer bolts are advantageously made of metal and mounted on a - not visible from the outside - chassis. They cause a mounting and electrical grounding of the communication unit with the chassis. The power strip causes an electrical connection of the communication unit with the mainboard.
A safety cover 9 closes another cavity in the floor, which is provided for a safety module. Another safety cover 29 is provided for the cover of the housing closure. The safety cover 9 and 29 are such access protection plastic parts that release access only by their destruction.

The FIG. 3 shows a view of a franking machine 1 from below. The bottom 2 has four feet 21, 22, 23 and 24 and has at the back 5, near the right side wall a non-destructible detachable flap 25 for a first compartment. Another closed by another non-destructible detachable flap or battery cover 8 compartment is a known per se adjacent battery compartment. The battery compartment is disposed between the left side 3 and the further open compartment 30 formed in the bottom of the lower shell near the front and right sides 3 of the flat bottom 2. The cover 8 and 25 and the housing shell, in which the cavities are formed, are made of plastic.
The easy mountability by plugging the communication unit allows the customer to assemble, for example, a modem, ISDN card or the like at a later time. This makes it possible to react more flexibly to local conditions and technical progress. The same flap 25 can be re-attached by the customer after mounting the modem.
A microprocessor on the mainboard is programmed so that a (modem) type identification and adaptation to the respective communication network with dial-in access is automatic and that the modem or the ISDN card or another communication unit is initialized. The country-specific telephone systems usually have special technical features, which must be observed before the realization of a data transmission. The franking machine manufacturer has stored or preinstalled corresponding routines in the program memory of the device so that the installation can run semi-automatically or fully automatically. The franking machine manufacturer provides appropriate written instructions together with the communication unit. All further required changes and adjustments may possibly take place via the user interface of the franking machine.

In the FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the back 5, left side 4 and top 6 of a franking machine 1 is shown. The opening 26 on the back 5 provides access to the connection of a communication unit. It is envisaged that the associated cavity is arranged in the lower housing shell of the safety housing. Alternatively, the associated cavity - in a manner not shown - be arranged in any of the two housing shells of the safety housing. A letter feeding takes place on the front side 7 of the franking machine 1 from the left side 4 to the right side.

The FIG. 5 shows a partial perspective view of a lower shell of a postage meter from below with the back, right side and bottom with a plugged into the open compartment communication unit. The open compartment forms a cavity in the lower housing shell of the security housing of the franking machine 1. It is therefore advantageous if the lower shell with the sides 3, 5 and with the feet 21, 22 at the bottom 2, the cover holder 27, 28 formed therein and more - Not shown - parts of the safety housing are made of plastic. In contrast, the screws 131, 132, 133 are made of a highly conductive material, preferably of metal. For the screws corresponding holes 171, 172, 173 are incorporated for centering, mounting and contacting in the carrier circuit board 17, wherein the holes 171, 172, 173 are metallized or have a nearby metal conductor layer in the edge region. About the screws 131, 132, 133 or similar other contacting and fastening elements is a fastening and grounding of the carrier circuit board 17 by pressing the metal conductor layer against the spacer bolts or comparable other a third connecting elements. Such earthing is already made possible by means of at least one contacting and fastening element via at least one third connecting element, which is electrically conductively and mechanically connected to a metal chassi part. A commercially available communication module 18 is mountable (plugged or soldered) formed and mounted on the non-visible side of the carrier circuit board 17 and with the contacted printed conductors, which adapt the block to the first connecting element (socket strip) 11 and contact and possibly connect to the power connector socket 16 of the communication unit 10. For the latter, the compartment-shaped cavity on the rear side 5 of the lower housing shell has an opening 26. The first connection element 11 of the pluggable communication unit 10 is designed to be connectable to a second connection element 12 of a main control board (not visible) arranged in the security area of the postage meter machine. The communication module which can be mounted on the carrier circuit board 17 can be selected from a number of communication modules. Such a communication module is available in various designs and at different speeds. Depending on the local conditions, a suitable block can be used as a communication block. In principle, an analog or digital modem, an ISDN unit, wireless LAN unit, UMTS unit, blue tooth unit or another pluggable communication unit can be manufactured and used. If, for example, a modem is plugged into the cavity of the lower housing shell, this connects directly to the mainboard during insertion. It is centered and fastened to three bolts which simultaneously provide grounding to a base of the postage meter chassis.

It is a variety of alternative arrangement within the scope of the claims conceivable, which are designed differently. Thus, obviously other other embodiments of the invention can be developed or used, starting from the same basic idea of the invention, which are encompassed by the appended claims.

List of reference numbers used:

• 1 = franking machine
• 2 = bottom of the lower shell of the safety housing
• 3, 4 = right or left side of the lower shell of the security housing
• 5 = Rear side of the lower shell of the safety housing
• 6 = upper side of the upper shell of the safety housing
• 7 = front side of the lower shell of the security housing
• 8 = battery cover
• 9 = safety cover for safety module
• 10 = communication unit
• 11 = first connection element (socket strip)
• 12 = second connecting element (plug connector)
• 131, 132, 133 contacting and fastening elements
• 16 = mains connection socket
• 17 = carrier circuit board
• 171, 172, 173 = Holes for centering, fastening, contacting
• 18 = communication module
• 20 = compartmental cavity for a communication unit
• 21, 22, 23, 24 = feet at the bottom of the lower shell
• 25 = cover
• 26 = opening for mains connection socket
• 27, 28 = cover holder
• 29 = safety cover for housing closure
• 30 = open cavity
• 31, 32, 33 = third connecting elements (metal bolts)

Claims (5)

1. A franking machine with a communication unit arranged in the franking machine, the franking machine comprising a non-destructively inaccessible security area in a security housing (2-9), wherein said communication unit (10) has a first connection element (11) and can be connected by a plug-in movement to a main control board arranged in the security area of the franking machine (1), wherein the communication unit (10) has a carrier circuit board (17) which adapts a communication component selectable from a number of communication components to the first connection element (11) and effects its contacting by a second connection element (12) of the main control board arranged in the security area of the franking machine (1), characterized in that a non-security area of the franking machine with a compartment-shaped cavity (20) is accessible under a cover (25) that can be non-destructively removed from the security housing, wherein form and size of the compartment-shaped cavity (20) are adapted to the pluggable communication unit (10) and wherein the compartment-shaped cavity (20) is arranged in a housing shell of the security housing (2-9), and that the cavity (20) contains at least the second connection element (12) and at least one third connection element (31, 32, 33), wherein the second (12) and the at least one third connection element (31, 32, 33) project into the cavity (20), are connected with a metal chassis part of the franking machine (1) in an electrically conducting and mechanical manner, and are connectible to the communication unit (10), wherein an earthing of the carrier circuit board (17) of the communication unit (10) is allowed by means of at least one contacting and fixing element (131, 132, 133) via the at least one third connection element (31, 32, 33), wherein respective drill holes (171, 172, 173) for the at least one contacting and fixing element (131, 132, 133) are worked into the carrier circuit board (17) of the communication unit (10) for centring, fixing and earthing, said drill holes being metallized or having a close metal conductor layer in the edge region.
2. A franking machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that the housing shell is a lower housing shell of the security housing of the franking machine.
3. A franking machine according to Claim 1, characterized i n that there is provided at least one drill hole (171, 172, 173) of the carrier circuit board (17) in order to allow earthing via at least one screw and one bolt that is connected with a metal chassis part in an electrically conducting and mechanical manner, said bolt having an internal thread.
4. A franking machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that there is provided at least one drill hole (171, 172, 173) of the carrier circuit board (17) in order to allow earthing via at least one nut and one bolt that is connected with a metal chassis part in an electrically conducting and mechanical manner, said bolt having an external thread.
5. A franking machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that the cover (25) and the housing shell into which the cavity (20) is formed are made of plastic.

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