FR2580844A1 - POSTAGE AND ADDRESS INFORMATION APPLICATION SYSTEM ON A MAIL ARTICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

THIS SYSTEM INCLUDES A CONTROL UNIT 12, AN ACCOUNTING ASSEMBLY 14, COMMUNICATING TOGETHER THROUGH A TELEPHONE 16, A MODEM 18 ENSURING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE TELEPHONE 16 AND THE CONTROL MODULE 20, A CODING MODULE 22, A CLOCK 21 AND A ACCOUNTING MODULE 24, THE ASSEMBLY BEING LINKED TO A USER'S PERSONAL COMPUTER 28, ITSELF LINKED TO A PRINTER 30.

Description

The present invention relates to a pro-

  assigned and to a device for automatic authentication

  tick of a postal mail item.

  Since US-A-1,530,852 of March 24, 1925, the

  franking machines have undergone constant evolution

  you. We mass produce machines

  to print a defined unit of value for the

  tribution by state or private parcel organizations

  and folds. The terms "postage meter"

  other similar devices which provide

  the impression of a unit of value, such as

  tax stamp printing machines. The machi-

  franking includes counting devices

  tabilisation which record a post value

  change, this value being stored in the ma-

  China. This accounting system recognizes

  both recharging the machine with a va-

  their additional postage and the impression of postage by the printing mechanism of

  the machine. No independent accounting system

  is not available to record postage

  printed by the machine. As a result, the ma-

  franking must have high reliability in order to avoid the loss of state funds

or the user.

  Over the years, two types have been used

  general franking machines: some that use

  read a rotary printing drum and are called "rotary franking machines", and the others that use a stationary printing head and a

  reciprocating plate and are called "machi-

  franking beds with flat bed ". It happened more

  recently a passage from a purely mechanical device

  than to machines to which are incorporated

  extensive lesson in electronic components. Although there have been a number of changes, there are certain elements that remain constant. For example, the need for security is absolute. In previous franking machines, this security is applied both to the printer part of the

  machine and its accounting part. The reason

  His point of the need for absolute security is that a postage meter prints a value and, unless security measures are taken, fraudulent postage could be printed, thereby defrauding the national postal service. The

  IO most security measures are of a ma-

  but it has been suggested recently that

  coding to ensure that a postage stamp

  printed change is valid. However, this coding

  simply added to the hardware security systems

  that have been used and suggested in the art

  anterior. In addition, previous systems of co-

  dage attest to the validity of a printed stamp but

  provide no way to determine whether the tim-

  printed bre is simply a copy of a stamp printed

  award winning valid. In addition, previous systems were based on post office accounting for postage by controlling the number and value of mail sent by the user

of a particular machine.

  Another factor common to business systems

  earlier crossing is the inclusion of a tim-

  postage stamp printed, normally placed

  in the upper right corner of a surface of a

  veloppe or package. This printed stamp has taken a particular form. The postage amount is contained within a rectangular limit and the date of postage printing appears within a circular limit. This form has evolved from the initial appearance of a canceled stamp, in which the stamp has a rectangular configuration.

  and the cancellation mark included the date

  inside a circle. The franking machine number

  tank is also included in this stamp printed as well

  if the city and state where the mail was posted.

  Although postage meters have worked satisfactorily in the past and

  also continue to operate satisfactorily

  doing with advances in electronics, there exist

  you need a franking system that -

  are less costly and more flexible while ensuring

  always satisfactory operation and safety

  t required. In addition, it would be desirable to have a franking system which is

  more compatible with current milking systems

mail.

  Coding is used to prevent fraudulent franking. A coded message is derived from postage information and / or recipient address information, and

  is applied to a mail item, Including

  of the recipient's address information in

  the plump message, there is a relationship between the-

  thentification and the fold which is unique for each

  mail item. According to one aspect of the invention

  tion, postage and coding information

  ge are placed in the address area of the mail item with the address information. With coding in the address area, authentication

  can be performed on the fly by an automatic machine

  than analyzing and sorting mail, in a way

fast and effective.

  Other features and benefits of

  the invention will appear during the description

  which will follow made with reference to the drawings an-

  attached, given only by way of example and in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system which uses the invention;

  Fig. 2 is a plan view of a fold comprising

  both postage information printed in the address area, in accordance with the invention; Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2, but with a barcode instead of an alphanumeric code in part of the address area,

  Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a machine

  no mail analysis and sorting that can be applied in the present invention;

  Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the asso-

  ciation between two components shown in FIG. 2;

  Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a varian-

te of the invention.

  Referring first to FIG. 1,

  a postage information application system

  address and address is designated as a whole by

  reference 10 and includes a central 12

  command and a set of 14 accounting which

  fit together through a device

  communication such as a telephone 16, a teleco

pieur, telex or the like.

  A modem or converter 18 is arranged in the accounting assembly 14 and ensures communication between the telephone 16 and a control module 20 for the accounting assembly, this control module 20 possibly being a central unit

  processing (CPU) such as for example a micro-

  Intel 8085 processor provided by the US firm

  United Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, California (USA).

  The control module 20 comprises a memory 19 and a clock 21 which is either incorporated or connected to the latter. The memory 19 stores the number of the

  transaction, i.e. a number assigned to the

  seems to accounting to clarify the post-

  change to system 10, customer number and

  very. A coding module 22 and an accounting module 24 communicate with the module 20

2580844

  control. The coding module 22 can be one

  any of the easily available coding devices

  which can code for example according to the

  NBS data coding standard according to a co-

  preset. An example of an appropriate coding module

  required 22 could be an Intel 8294 encoder.

  the 24 can be a RAM memory assisted by a

  the, to which are incorporated registers

  progressive and decreasing tage. As is known from previous postage meters, the register at

  progressive counting is the one that records the

  as much of the postage that is provided or printed during each transaction and the declining-down register is one that records the value or amount of postage that can be provided and that deducts from an initial sum or charged as much postage printed on it. Another

  modem 26 in the accounting accounting set 14

  re the communication between the control module 20 and a computer 28 of the user. The user's computer can be of any type having input, logic and output, for example a

  personal computer such as IBM AT provided by the firm-

  IBM Corp. A printer 30 of the user is connected to computer 28. Although the printer of

  the user can be of any type for

  before printing individual alphanumeric characters

  els, a dot matrix printer is preferred since such a printer can print all

  configurations, including bar codes.

  In the block diagram of FIG. 1, the control unit 12 can be a post office which serves as a source of postage values. There are known systems by which a postage meter can be loaded remotely when a user provides for example his personal number

  customer at the post office, as described for example-

  ple in US-A-4,097,923. In turn, the post office

  provides the postage value which is automatically

  only entered the customer's postage meter,

  in this case the accounting set 14. The va-

  their postage is received in the declining counting register of the accounting module 24 to increase the value up to a figure which is the sum of this loaded value and of the unused amount coming from a previous loading. In the

  system of FIG. 1, the security part of the ma-

  China. to be franked is replaced by the accounting assembly 14 which is a security assembly so that fraudulent manipulation by means

  material, electronic or magnetic is prevented.

  Safety features such as bou-

  clamps, break screws and the like are well known

  and the means to ensure the safety of the child

  seems 14 will not be described further. In one

  preferred embodiment, the assembly 14 is devoid of

  seen from display and is accessible only by computer

  User nator 28 following reception

  an assigned code word received by the control module

  of 20 of this set 14, from the user's computer. It is understood that the printer 30 is not a security or protected printer, any more than the links between the computer 28 and the assembly

  14 and the user's computer and printer.

  The postage information to be printed

  led by printer 30 include a co-

  dage which is generated by module 22. The coding can be based on any recognized code such as DES, supra, the cipher of the National Security agency, or the cipher Rivest, Shamir and Adleman (RSA). When appropriate information is provided to all 14

  from the user's computer 28, the mo-

  coding dule 22 generates a coding number which

  is then communicated by the computer 28 and is im-

7 2580844

  awarded by the printer 30. This information provided may include the customer number, the value

  postage and the like. In a mode of re-

  particular embodiment of the invention, the name of the street, the postal code and others of the recipient are

  included in coding for authentication.

  As used in this description, the

  the term "authentication" should be understood as

  ending the authenticity of the postage im-

awarded on a mail article.

  Referring now to FIG. 2, we

  represented a model for applying information

  postage and address in the area

  address of a mail item such as a envelope 34.

  By "postage information" is meant the amount of postage, the date of dispatch, the number of the machine or customer, the number of

  the transaction, the category of mail and others.

  "Address information" means the number

  house, name, city, state, postcode

  tal and others of the recipient of the mail. In this-

  you particular configuration, we have represented a

  fold 34 with a label 36 fixed in the area of a-

  draws up the envelope. As used in this

  description and claims, the terms "area

  address "have the meaning defined by the

  postal service regulations. We can find a

  such definition for example in the service booklet

  US postal vice 'guide to business mail prDperties "page 20, September 1984. Although

  this embodiment is described with the combination

  sound of a label 36 with an envelope 34, we re-

  will mark that characters can be printed

  directly on the envelope or on a related piece

  tee that would be placed in a window type envelope. It is understood that this label 36 replaces and eliminates the need for the normal printed stamp which

8 2580844

  is applied in the upper right corner of an article

  mail key. One of the characteristics of the invention

  tion is that a classic printed stamp is no longer

  necessary because the safety features

  rity ensured by such a classic printed stamp are

  replaced by security provided by coding.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the

  first line 38 of the label carries information

  concerning the amount of postage and the customer number. The second line 40 contains the

  date of dispatch, time of postage

  has been printed and the mail category. The

  third line 42 contains a coded message consisting of

  killed by numbers and letters, which can be derived from information from the first two

  lines as well as information from the address

  of the recipient of the following mail item

  wind this third line. As shown, the li-

  printed genes are parallel to each other to facilitate automatic reading. Note that we can use instead of parallel lines other conventional configurations that can be read

by a machine.

  The amount of postage, number

  ro of the customer, the date and the category of the mail are entered by means of the keyboard of the computer 28 of the user in the control module 20. The

  coding module 22 then generates a co-

  message or message and following the image command

  pressure given by the computer user,

  the time is determined and a plump message is received

  bare. This coded message 42 is then printed by the im-

  primante 30 on line 3 of label 36. With this information, a representative of the

  posts can enter the coded message in a computer

  appropriate mailer and determine whether postage

  is authentic in decoding information.

9 2580844

  Although the system has been shown in-

  using alphanumeric characters in the address field, note that we can use a

  barcode for printing the first three books

  genes, as shown in FIG. 3. This barcode

  can have any shape including configuration

  half-bar ration currently used by postal services. Bar codes can be

  combined in a stamp printed for aesthetic

  that and placed in the address area as shown

  in this Fig. or in the upper right corner of the

  veloppe 34. Although the code has been represented

  bars extending parallel to alpha characters

  numerical, it will be noted that this code may not extend parallel to these. The bar code can also appear in the lower corner of the envelope as shown in 44 (Fig. 2) so that it can be read by an existing postal service device. The advantage of the system shown and described

  is that you can remove the printed stamp from af-

  classic crossing that has been used for decades while still providing the associated security. In addition, with all the information in

  address area, authentication can be obtained

  held quickly from the information that appears

  health on the envelope. Due to the presence of the recipient's postal code, the coded message 42 which appears on the label 36 is unique for this piece of mail. More specifically, there is a link between the mail piece and the coded message. In previous systems, there was no connection between the code and the part of

  mail, but rather a line number or similar

  gue was used in conjunction with information

  sender information such as the postal code of the sender

  editor, machine number and others. The ma-

  high-speed automatic analysis and sorting china include optical scanners

  able to read information in the address area

  se of an envelope 34 and sort it according to

  these informations. An example of such an op-

  analysis and sorting tick is the Pitney machine

  Bowes Optical Character Reader described in the publication

  cation 150 of the USA postal service, entitled "Automatic Mechanization for Mail Processing Systems", page 14, May 1985. A decoding module can be added to such a machine, by means of which the coded line 42 can be read as well as the line address by the optical drive. This coding module determines the authenticity of postage, not only based on visual tests, postage, date, machine numbers and the like, but

  also based on the recipient's address.

  In this way, not only is a verification made of the authenticity of the postage, but also of the fact that the coded line belongs to this particular item of mail and only

  to it because of the recipient's address.

  In a more particular way, what we want

  is a combination of two-way coding in the-

  which the decoder has a "key" to determine the authenticity on the basis of the information carried by the envelope 34. This is contrary to a combination

  two-way house in which numbers are available

* sés are used and a coding is carried out two

times and compared.

  Referring now to FIG. 4, we

  represented such an automatic analysis machine

  se and sorting with decryption capabilities.

  The machine comprises a mechanical assembly 48 of trans-

  port which isolates batches of mail in a stream of mail items, which are transported with a predetermined interval in front of the various posts

  of the machine comprising an analyzer 50, a finder

  line choir 54, a fractionation block 56, a normalization device 58, a similarity measurement device 60 and a context analysis block 62. Each envelope 34 is transported in front

  the analyzer 50 which produces digital binary images

  address area risks consisting of elements

  black and white picture elements. Line finder 54 searches for lines to be read in the address area. The splitting module 56 separates the lines into characters. The normalization block 58 transforms the segmented characters into a predetermined dimension. Standard character images

  are then transferred to the block 60 for measuring the dimi-

  the scale in which they are compared to models of known characters stored in order to obtain recognition of characters. The results of these comparisons are sent to the context analysis unit 62 in which the final decision is made for the address portion of the information while the coded portion is leztraverse. A representation of the ASCIL code of recognized characters is then sent

  both to a buffer memory 64 which stores simply

  address information and a decipher-

  Freur 66 who decodes the coded line 42. Information

  from buffer 64 and deco-

  Deur 66 are then sent to a computer 68 o the information from each is compared. The

  comparison results are applied to a dis-

  positive 70 control in which the authenticity of the postage on the fold is determined. If this

  postage is found authentic, the envelope

  pe 34 is directed to a stack sorting module 72,

  but if it seems fraudulent, this envelope has a

  ceptacle 74 of releases. The authenticity of the postage

  sation on a fold can thus be determined in flight. Obviously, this process is reinforced by the fact

  that the information printed on the envelope 34 is ap-

  folded in parallel, thus facilitating rapid automatic processing. If authentication is done, the coded message can be printed as a bar code at the bottom edge of the envelope 34 as is now done with the address information by a 76 bar code printer. an automatic mail sorter. We understand that this impression of bars of the coded message on the edge

  alternatively can be performed by the im-

  primante 30 of the user if programmed

to do it.

  There is shown in FIG. 5, an organizational chart

  me in which cooperation between the whole appears

  ble 14 of accounting and computer 28 of the u

  user. The system is initialized in 76 and a

  request is made in 78 by set 14 to

  complete if the user is appropriately identified

  own. If the user is identified, a request for address information and postage is

  made by the assembly 14 in 80 in order to generate the mes-

  wise coded. The information is received in 82 and a

  credit check is requested in 84. We de-

  ends in 86 if the funds are available and if they are sufficient, the information being combined in 88 with the internal time, the date, the counting registers and the other information in example 14. The coded message is generated at 90 and the plain text and the coded text are sent at 92 to the user's computer 28. When the text

  in clear and the coded text are sent, the transaction

  tion is counted in 94 and the system is brought back to its starting point. Furthermore, if-the account

  is not in credit in 86, a message is then

  seen at user's computer 28 indicating

that the funds are insufficient.

  The user's computer 28 receives ini-

  especially the request from module 14 for information

  address and postage. With this demanded.

  user enters appropriate 102 information

  address and postage and these are

  seen in 104 at set 14. After the routing of

  address and postage information, the question

  The question arises as to whether sufficient funds are received in 106. If sufficient funds are received, the clear text and the coded text are received in 108 from the accounting unit 14 and the order is

  given in 110 to print the information on a piece

this 34 mail.

  The invention has thus been described with reference to an accounting assembly 14 which communicates with a central control unit 12 via

  a telephone 16 and a computer 28 of the user

  tor. A variant of the invention includes the use of

  tion of a removable or portable data device

instead of a set 14.

  We will now refer to FIG. 6 in which a system is described in which data

  can be entered into the computer 28 of the utility

  sator without coming into contact with the central station 12 or the accounting unit 14. In this system, the user's computer includes an input 78 adapted to receive and provide communication with a removable data device 80. The device 80 can consist of a credit card or a

  larger incorporated structure such as a cassette

  te, or other, which, for the purposes of this descrip-

  tion and the appended claims, will be designated

  generally - by the term "card". Map 80, which is shown enlarged in FIG. 6 for a purpose

  clarity provides material support and protection

  tion for a microcomputer 82 which is connected by a

  bus 84 specific to a series of internal components.

  The microcomputer 82 is connected by the bus 84 to a ROM memory 86 which contains the processing program for the microcomputer 82. The program present in

  ROM memory 86 not only controls the operation

  microcomputer 82 but also provides operating instructions by which the microcomputer 82 communicates with the user's computer 28. The microcomputer 82 is also connected by the bus 84 to a RAM memory 88, or other memory

  actuation, to ensure dynamic storage

  that data in operation. A remem-

  nente (NVM) 90 such as programmable ROM

  electrically erasable ensures memorization

  handles coded data. The non-volatile memory 80 can include the value of the declining register, the value of the progressive register, the value of the count of

  parts, and others as well as address information

  se. All accounting or other data, desi-

  rees to be retained during a power failure, such as during maintenance, can be

  also stored in non-volatile memory 90.

  This memory 90 can also contain a user identification number, as well as various configuration data so that the computer 28 can operate in different countries with different requirements and in different systems.

  having different configurations. The micro-

  nator 82 is connected by bus 84 to a module 92 of

  coding which performs the same functions as those

  written with regard to the coding module 22.

  Unlike private bus 94, which is not accessible by any user or by a device external to the card 80, a bus

  accessible 94 is intended to communicate with the computer

  nator 28 and card 80. It will be noted that other peripheral devices of computer 28 can be connected to bus 94 such as printers

  additional screens,

  munication and others. Bus 94 is a general bus

  adapted to allow communications between the

  computer 28 and the components inside the card 80 and between the latter and the central station 14 when the card is inserted into its orifice

entry 78.

  Note that the computer 28 of the utility

  The reader is powered by an external energy source

  not shown and provides during operation-

  normal energy to power the micro-computer

  82 and the various components of the

  te 80 including ROM memory 86, RAM memory 88, non-volatile memory 90 and module 92 for coding by

  via bus 94. A circuit for detecting

  energy, not shown, as described in US-A-4.

  285.050 can detect the presence of a power drop

  and force the microcomputer 82 to call an energy drop subroutine stored in the ROM memory 86 to complete the operations being processed and the accounting data in

non-volatile memory 90.

  In summary, following its introduction into entry 78, card 80 replaces assembly 14

  to perform the same functions as neces-

  saires. The postage value can be provided

  denies & a non-volatile memory 90 of the card by communication

  cation with the central control unit 12. This communication

  cation takes place via the bus 94. Under the control of the microprocessor 52, the information can be supplied by the user's computer 28 by

  through the screen and the keyboard.

  With the card 80 introduced in the input 78, all the functions of the assembly 14 are performed by

card 80.

  Address information, postage amount, identification number of

  user, date and category of cour-

  They are entered into the microcomputer 82 by the computer keyboard 28. The coding module 90

  generates a coding number or a basic message

  on this input and on the stored coded subroutines and following the print command given by the computer operator, a coded message is transmitted to the computer 28. This coded message 42 is then printed by printer 30 on the line

  3 of label 36. With this information a representation

  postal service can enter the message co-

  die by an appropriate computer and determine if the af-

  crossing is authentic by deciphering the in-

training as described above.

Claims (47)

  1. Mail item containing more or less parallel printed lines, at least one of said lines containing postage information, at least one of said lines   containing destination address information   re, and at least one of said lines containing   coded information from at least one of the   say lines containing the posting information   address and address of the recipient.   2. Mail item according to the claim   cation 1, wherein said information line   encoded is in the form of barcode.   3. Mail item according to the claim   cation 1, in which the coded information line   appears on the edges of the mail item.   4. Mail item following the claim   cation 1, in which said lines appear   in the address area of the mail item.   5. Mail item comprising several lines that can be read by a machine, at least one of said lines containing postage information, at least one of said lines containing recipient address information   and at least one of said lines containing in- coded training.   6. Mail item according to the claim   cation 5, in which at least said information line   coded mations consists of a bar code.   7. Mail item according to the claim   cation 5, in which said lines appear   in the address area of the envelope.   8. Method for applying postage and addressing information to an item of   mail, including a phase consisting of: applying   quer on a mail item at least one line   containing postage information, from   fold at least one line on the mail item containing recipient address information   in parallel with said line containing information   franking mations; to apply on the arti-   mail key at least one line containing a message   wise coded and which is parallel to said lines   holding postage and address information of the recipient.   9. The method of claim 8, wherein said lines are. applied in the area address of the mail item.   10. The method of claim 8, comprising the steps of: transporting   the envelope through an automatic sorting machine   age containing an optical reader module and a   decode dule, to read the lines in the area   address of the mail item, to decode the   coded training and to authenticate postage applied to the mail item.   11. Method according to claim 8,   including the phase of printing a representation   feeling of the coded message in the form of a bar code-   res along an edge of the mail item.   12. Method for applying a co-   dice on a mail item, comprising the steps of: providing address information   from the recipient to an encoder, to communicate information   postage to the coder, to obtain a coded message based on the information communicated   recipient address and business information   crossing, and to place the coded message on the mail.   13. The method of claim 12,   including the phase of communicating to the co-   the postal code of the recipient's address.   14. The method of claim 13, comprising communicating to the encoder a number   identification of a sender of the mail.   15. The method of claim 12, comprising printing a coded message on a   label and attaching the label to an item mail key.   16. System for achieving self-authen-   tification of a mail item, comprising; encoding means (22) for providing an encoded message based on postage information   and address, means for communicating information   address of the recipient to said means of   coding (22), means for communicating information   franking mations to said coding means,   and means for applying to a courier article   to laugh at a coded message generated by said coding means. 17. The system of claim 16, comprising means for authenticating an article   of mail, comprising: means <66) for   der said coded message, and means (68) for com-   counter decoding with said display information;   and said address information in order to   determine the authenticity of said mail item.   18. The system as claimed in claim 17,   wherein said address information includes   the postal code of the recipient of the mail item. 19. The system of claim 1V, wherein said postage information includes a unique identification number of the sender. 20. System according to claim 17,   wherein said addressing information comprises   take the recipient's house number from the mail article.   21. System for obtaining auto-authen-   A mail item, comprising: coding means (22) for providing a coded message based on address information, means for communicating recipient address information to said coding means, and means for apply on a mail item   a coded message derived from said a- information   drawn up by said coding means.   22. The system of claim 21   comprising means for authenticating an item   mail key comprising: means (66) for decoding said coded message, and means (68) for comparing decoding with said address information to determine the authenticity of said mail item.   23. System according to claim 22,   wherein said address information includes   the postal code of the recipient of the mail item. 24. System according to claim 23,   wherein said address information includes   the street address of the recipient of the article of mail.   25. Method for applying a co-   die on a mail item, including the phases   consisting in: communicating address information   to an encoder, to obtain a coded message based on said communicated address information, and to   apply the coded message to the mail item.   26. The method of claim 25,   including the communication of the postal code of the a- postal address to the coder.   27. The method of claim 26, comprising communicating an address to the encoder. street address of the recipient.   28. The method of claim 25,   including printing the coded message on a label   quette and attaching the label to an item of mail.   29. Mail item carrying information   postage, address information   recipient's postal code and coded information   riveted said postage information and said address information of the mail recipient.   30. Mail item as claimed   cation 29, wherein said coded information is in the form of a barcode.   31. Mail item according to the claim   cation 30, in which the coded information appears fall on the edge of said article.   32. Mail item according to the claim   cation 29, wherein said information appears   appear in the address field of the said article.   33. Mail item according to the claim   cation 29, wherein said information appears   appear in alpha-numeric form.   34. Mail article carrying information   address of the recipient of the mail and coded information from said information   address of the recipient of the mail.   35. Verification system for milking   mail, including a card (80) comprising   both a processor, a coding module (22) and a memory, a computer comprising means for outputting information, a communication link between said card and said computer, a first printer communicating with said computer,   means for distributing mail items to the   said first printer, a second printer in   connection with said computer and means for   assign a sheet to said second printer.   36. The system of claim 35, wherein said memory comprises a register with   declining counting to memorize the display value   22 'chissement. 37. The system of claim 36, wherein said memory is non-volatile memory   and contains an identification number.   38. System according to claim 35,   wherein said means for distributing an article   mail key consist of a device   insert acting to place related parts   tees in broker items and carry   these items to said first printer.   39. System according to claim 35,   wherein said first printer is a printer   primante with dot matrix and comprising means for distributing labels to said first printer.   40. System comprising a computer for performing self-authentication of a mail item, comprising: a card (80), means for ensuring communication between said card and the computer, coding means carried by said card and acting to provide a coded message based on address information, means for   provide destination address information   be silent with said coding means, and means for applying to a mail item a coded message derived from said address information by said coding means.   41. System according to claim 40,   comprising means for authenticating an item   mail key comprising: means (66) for   encoding said encoded message and means for comparing the decoding with said address information   in order to determine the authenticity of said article.   42. System according to claim 41,   wherein said address information includes   the postal code of the recipient of the article.   43. System according to claim 42,   wherein said address information includes   the street address of the recipient of the item.   44. Method for applying a coded message to a mail item, comprising the steps   consisting in: inserting a card (80) into an or-   computer, to communicate address information to an encoder carried by the card, to obtain a message   coded based on the address information communicated   and apply the coded message on the article.   45. The method of claim 44, comprising communicating to the postcode encoder the postal address of the courier.   46. The method of claim 44, comprising communicating an address to the encoder. street address of the recipient.   47. The method of claim 44, including printing the encoded message in form   of a dot matrix on a label and the fi   attaching the label to a mail item.