GB2232379A - External accounting of postage meter usage - Google Patents

Abstract

An accounting terminal for use with a franking machine is disclosed. The terminal comprises a microprocessor and memory for carrying out accounting functions and for maintaining accounts relating to different departments of an organisation. The terminal receives postage value input from a device attached to the franking meter which senses the setting of value setting levers or wheels of the franking machine. The terminal is provided with a sensor which may be activated by the sound of operation or rotation of the print drum of the franking machine to trip the terminal to carry out an accounting in respect of a franking applied to a mail item.

Description

ACCOUNTING TERMINAL This invention relates to accounting terminals to carry out accounting functions relating to a plurality of users of a machine and in particular relating to the use of franking machines.

Franking machines are known for franking mail items in which a user is able to select a value of postage charge and to operate the franking machine to print a franking impression incorporating the selected postage charge on a mail item fed through the machine. Such franking machines are provided with electronic accounting means to carry out accounting functions relating to usage of the machine in franking of mail items. The accounting means usually includes memories to maintain a record of an accumulated value of postage charge used in franking mail items, a record of the number of mail items franked and, when the franking meter is required to be credited with a value for use in franking, a record of credit currently available for franking. The accounting means is provided to enable correct payment to be made to a postal authority for the value of postage franked on mail items.

It is common in many organisations for mail items from a number of different departments to be franked by the same franking machine or machines. While the accounting means of the franking machine, such as those comprising mechanical postage meters, provides accounting data for the total usage of the machine, the machine is not able to provide accounting data relating to the use of the machine by specific individuals or departments of an organisation.

According to one aspect of the invention an accounting terminal for use with a postal franking machine comprises first sensing means connectable in operative relation with a franking machine to respond to selection of a postal value and to provide signals representing said selected postage value; second sensing means connectable in operative relation with a franking machine to respond to the carrying out of a franking cycle by the franking machine to provide a trip signal; accounting means operable in response to said trip signal and to said signals representing selected postage value to carry out accounting functions relating to usage of the franking machine for franking operations.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference by way of example to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of the circuit elements of an accounting terminal, Figure 2 illustrates an attachment for mounting on a franking machine to sense setting of value setting levers, Figure 3 illustrates an attachment for mounting on a franking machine to sensing setting of value setting thumb wheels, Figure 4a illustrates a typical audio signal generated by a franking machine and characteristic parameters thereof, Figure 4b illustrates a sensor for detection of a franking cycle by detection of the audio signals of figure 4a, Figure 5 illustrates a sensor for detection of a franking cycle of a franking machine with drum printer, Figure 6 illustrates a sensor for detection of a franking cycle of a franking machine with a print mechanism having linear movement, and Figure 7 is a flow chart of the operation of the terminal.

Referring first to Figure 1, the accounting terminal comprises a micro-processor 10, a keyboard 11, display device 12 and memories 13, 14 and 15. The keyboard 11 is scanned by a scanning circuit 16 to provide input signals to the micro-processor via connecting bus 17. A scanning circuit 18 receives signals from the micro-processor via the connecting bus 17 and scans the display elements of the display device 12 to display data corresponding to the signals received from the micro-processor. The accounting terminal is powered by a power supply unit 19 energisable from a mains power supply. The memory 13 is a read only memory, for example an E-prom device, for storing nonvariable data including sequences of program steps for controlling operation of the accounting terminal.The memory 14 is a non-volatile memory operative to store accounting data and, when the mains supply to the accounting terminal is turned off or fails, the memory 14 is powered by a battery (not shown) to maintain the memory in an operative state to retain data stored thereby. The accounting terminal also includes an input/output circuit 20 to enable signals from external devices to be input to the micro-processor 10 and to enable signals from the micro-processor to be output to external devices.

In order to enable operation of the accounting terminal in conjunction with a franking machine, the terminal is provided with means to sense values of postage charge input to the franking machine and to sense the occurrence of a franking cycle by the franking machine.

One known construction of franking meter has a bank of pivotally mounted levers operable to select a postage value to be franked and simultaneously to set print wheels in a print drum to print a franking of the selected postage value. Generally each lever is settable to one of ten positions and corresponds to a different decimal significance whereby with a bank of four levers values up to 99.99 may be selected. Figure 2 illustrates a value sensing attachment 21 for this type of franking meter.

The attachment 21 comprises a housing 22 shaped to fit to the curved cover 23 of a franking machine. A bank of, for example, four value setting levers 24 of the franking machine are pivotally mounted at 25 on a common axis and extend through respective slots in the cover 23. Similar slots are provided in the housing 22 to accommodate the levers 24. The value positions to which the levers 24 are set is sensed electro-optically by means of a curved segments 26 each carrying two reflective areas 27 and secured to and moving with the respective levers. Secured to the housing are four sets of five electro-optic sensors 28 co-operating with respective segments secured to the levers. In Figure 2 only one lever 24, one segment 26 and one set of electro-optic sensors 28 is shown. It is to be understood that the arrangement is repeated for each of the other levers of the bank.The electro-optic sensors 28 of a set are located at spaced positions on an arc such that, in movement of the corresponding lever through a series of value positions, the electro-optic sensors 28 lie adjacent the path of the reflective areas. The electro-optic sensors each comprise a radiation emitting device and a radiation sensitive device located adjacent one another in a unitary sensor module. When a reflective area 27 is positioned in confronting relationship to the sensor module radiation from the emitter is reflected back to the sensitive device whereas when there is no reflective area in confronting relationship to the sensor module substantially zero radiation is received by the sensitive device. The sensitive device generates a signal of a first amplitude when it receives reflected radiation and of a second different amplitude when it receives substantially zero reflected radiation. The relative spacing of the reflective areas 27 and of the electrooptic sensors 28 is such that for each different value position of the lever 24 a different unique combination of output signals from the sensors 28 is obtained. The combination of signals is input via a connecting cable to the input/output circuit 20 and thence via the bus 17 to the micro-processor 10.

Another known construction of franking meter has a bank of thumb wheels 29, see Figure 3, in place of the levers 24 for selecting and setting values of franking to be printed. Such thumb wheels 29 each have a gear wheel 30 integral therewith engaging toothed racks 31 which are mechanically connected to print wheels such that rotation of the thumb wheels to a selected postage value set the respective print wheels to positions to cause printing of the selected postage value in the franking impression. A value sensing attachment 32 comprises a housing 33 arranged to be mounted to the front cover 34 of the franking machine. The attachment is provided with a bank of secondary thumb wheels 35 corresponding to the thumb wheels 29 of the franking machine and arranged to mesh with the gear wheels 30 of the corresponding thumb wheels 29.Thus manual rotation of the secondary thumb wheels 35 is effective to rotate the gear wheels 30 and thereby set the print wheels to print a required value of franking.

The secondary thumb wheels 35 each carry on one circular face thereof two angularly spaced reflective areas 36.

Mounted in the housing 33 are sets of five electro-optic sensors 37, one set being provided for each thumb wheel 35 respectively. The electro-optic sensors 37 are mounted on an arc such that rotation of the thumb wheel 35 causes the reflective areas to move along a similar arcuate path.

The sensors and reflective areas co-operate in the same manner as described hereinbefore in relation to the construction of attachment shown in Figure 2 and generate different unique combinations of output signals for different value settings of the thumb wheels 35.

Similarly these output signals are input to the accounting terminal via a connecting cable to the input/output circuit 20.

When the franking machine with which the accounting terminal is to be used has an input/output circuit for the input and output of data signals, signals representing the selected postage value entered into the franking machine may be output from the franking machine input/output circuit and input via a connecting cable to the input/output circuit 20 of the terminal. Similarly when the franking machine has a weighscale connected thereto, signals from the weighscale representing a postage charge appropriate to the weight of a mail item on the weighscale may also be input via the input/output circuit 20 to the accounting terminal by means of suitable connecting cables.

In addition to the input of data indicating the postage value to be franked by the franking machine, the accounting terminal needs to be tripped, or activated, by receipt of an indication from the franking meter each time a franking cycle is carried out by the franking machine.

One method of tripping the accounting terminal is effected by audio signals generated in the normal operation of the franking machine in a franking cycle. During normal operation of a franking machine, mechanical elements are operated in a specific sequence and operation of these mechanical elements generates a sequence of noise signals such as shown in Figure 4a which tend to be unique to a particular model of franking machine. Referring to Figure 4b, a microphone 38 is attached to the cover or housing of the franking machine in a suitable position to respond to noises generated internally of the housing by operation of the franking machine in carrying out a franking cycle.

Electrical signals from the microphone are amplified by amplifier 39 and input to a digitiser 40. Digital signals output from the digitiser 40 are input to the microprocessor 10 of the accounting terminal. During operation of the franking machine to print a franking impression in a franking cycle, the noises generated by the franking machine are received by the microphone, amplified and digitised and then input to the micro-processor. The micro-processor is programmed to extract characteristic parameters of the noise signal from the digital signals.

A reference voltage source 41 is connected to the digitiser to enable a determination of whether the input signals are above or below the voltage reference level.

These parameters for example comprise data relating to signal amplitude at a plurality of times in the course of a franking cycle and may include the times t2, t3 and amplitudes of peaks V1, V2 in the signal, the durations t5, t6 that the signal is in excess of the reference voltage level from the source 41. The accounting terminal is provided with a non-volatile memory 42 to store characteristic parameters corresponding to the noise sequence generated by the specific franking machine with which the accounting terminal is to be used. The memory 42 may be a replaceable plug-in unit so that a memory appropriate to any one of a number of franking machines may be used in the terminal, alternatively a conditioning sequence may be carried out as a part of the installation of the terminal.The micro-processor then carries out a comparison between the characteristic parameters of the signal output from the digitiser with corresponding characteristic parameters stored in the memory 42. If the comparison is successful, an indication is generated to indicate that a franking cycle has been carried out by the franking machine. The stored characteristic parameters may be adjustable in order to take account of differences in the parameters arising due to wear of mechanical components of the franking machine. The microphone may be provided with any convenient means to enable the attachment thereof to the housing of the franking machine.

When the accounting terminal is to be used with a franking machine having a rotating drum printer, a magnet 43 (see Figure 5) may be mounted on the drum 44 and a hall effect sensor 45 is mounted on a stationery part 46 of the franking machine adjacent the drum such that when the drum 44 is in its normal rest position the magnet 43 is in proximity to the hall effect sensor 45. Upon initiation of a franking printing cycle the drum is rotated and the magnet moves away from the sensor and then upon completion of the cycle the drum returns to its rest position with the magnet in proximity to the sensor. The return of the magnet into proximity with the sensor by return of the drum to its rest position causes the sensor to generate a signal which is used to act as a trip signal to the accounting terminal.Similarly, as shown in Figure 6, when the franking machine has a linearly moved printing device, instead of a rotating drum, a magnet 47 is mounted on a linearly movable platen 48 and a hall effect sensor 49 is mounted on the body 50 of the franking machine. In the rest position of the platen the magnet is in proximity to the sensor. During a printing operation the magnet is moved away from the sensor and is returned to its position in proximity to the sensor upon completion of the printing cycle.

If desired, instead of generating a trip signal by sensing characteristic sounds generated by the franking machine in carrying out a franking cycle or by detecting operation of a print element such as rotation of a drum or movement of a printing element moved linearly as described hereinbefore, the trip signal may be generated by sensing of the carrying out of a franking cycle by the franking machine by any other suitable means.

It will be appreciated that the accounting terminal is constructed as a self contained module with the means for sensing postage value and the means for sensing that the franking machine has effected a franking cycle connected to the module by cables. However, if desired the accounting terminal may be constructed in such a manner that it is integral with one or other of the sensing means.

Operation of the accounting terminal in conjunction with a franking machine will now be described with reference to the flow chart of Figure 8. The function of the accounting terminal is to maintain separate records of usage of the franking machine by individual users or departments of an organisation. The non-volatile memory 14 is partitioned to provide a plurality of sets of registers, one set of registers being allocated to each user or department respectively.The registers of a set may comprise an ascending register for maintaining a record of accumulated value of postage used in franking, an items count register to store a count of the number of mail items franked and, if desired, a descending register to store a value of credit initially entered by the user via keyboard 11 for usage in franking, the stored value being decremented by postage values used in franking and hence being the value of credit currently available for use. Prior to initiating a franking of one or more mail items, a user enters an appropriate account number on the keyboard 11 of the terminal. The user then sets the postage value to be franked by the franking machine by means of the value input means, such as the levers, thumb wheels or keyboard of the franking machine, or by means of signals input on the input/output connection if available.

The accounting terminal senses the postage value selected as hereinbefore described and the micro-processor selects that set of registers allocated to the account number entered by the user. The program steps stored in the read only memory 13 then cause the micro-processor to carry out a sequence of accounting functions in response to the sensing of each franking cycle effected by the franking machine. Sensing of completion of a franking cycle, as hereinbefore described, causes the accumulated value in the ascending register to be incremented by the amount of the selected postage value, the items count to be incremented by #1 #and the descending register to be decremented by the amount of the selected postage value.

The program sequence then checks the registered value of credit against a preset low credit value to determine whether the registered credit value is below the low credit value. If the registered credit is below the low credit value, a low credit warning is displayed on the display device 12. The program sequence then returns to the start of the sequence.

The user may be required to enter an account number for each mail item or alternatively the account number remains set franking operations on a sequence of mail items until the sequence is finished and the accounting operation is terminated.

The accounting terminal is not intended to provide accounting functions relating to payment to the postal authority for postage value used but is intended for providing accounting to individual users of a franking machine. Accordingly it is not envisaged that the accounting terminal would be constructed in a secure manner as is required for franking machines. However to prevent unauthorised access to and resetting of the registers a key operated lock may be provided to control switch means operable to switch the terminal into a state in which registers may be reset.

The accounting terminal may include means to permit the printing out of the values registered by the registers.

This facility may be provided by means of a sequence of program steps stored in the read only memory 13 and selected by operation of a key on the keyboard 11 to output print signals via the input/output circuit 20 to an external printer. Alternatively a standard parallel printer interface may be provided for connection to the printer.

If desired the accounting terminal may be used with more than one franking machine by providing value sensing means and trip signal generating means for each franking machine. These are connected to the terminal by means of cable connections and are switched selectively into operational connection to the terminal. If the audio signal sensing is used to generate the trip signal and the franking machines have different characteristic parameters, different stored characteristic parameters may be selected by switching in dependence upon the franking machine in current use.

Claims (10)

1. An accounting terminal for use with a postal franking machine comprising first sensing means connectable in operative relation with a franking machine to respond to selection of a postal value and to provide signals representing said selected postage value; second sensing means connectable in operative relation with a franking machine to respond to the carrying out of a franking cycle by the franking machine to provide a trip signal; accounting means operable in response to said trip signal and to said signals representing selected postage value to carry out accounting functions relating to usage of the franking machine for franking operations.

2. An accounting terminal as claimed in claim 1 including registers for storing a record of usage of the franking machine.

3. An accounting terminal as claimed in claim 2 including a plurality of sets of registers and means operable to select one of said sets of registers to store data relating to usage of the franking machine.

4. An accounting terminal as claimed in any preceding claim for use with a franking machine having mechanical elements settable manually to selected positions to select a postage value, said terminal including sensing means responsive to the position to which the elements are set to provide the signals representing postage value.

5. An accounting terminal as claimed in claim 4 including electro-optic sensors comprising reflective areas carried by and moving with the mechanical elements along a path and a plurality of electro-optic sensors positioned at spaced locations and responsive to said reflective areas to provide different unique signals for each different value setting of the mechanical elements.

6. An accounting terminal as claimed in any preceding claim in which the second sensing means is responsive to operation a printing device of the franking machine.

7. An accounting terminal as claimed in claim 6 wherein the second sensing means comprises a magnet mounted on an element of the printing device which has a cyclic movement during a franking cycle; and a sensing device responsive to the proximity of the magnet during a part of said cyclic movement to generate the trip signal.

8. An accounting terminal as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 in which the second sensing means is responsive to ejection of a franked mail item from the franking machine.

9. An accounting terminal as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 in which the terminal includes means responsive to audio signals generated in a franking cycle by the franking machine; means storing characteristic parameters representing audio signals generated by a specific model of franking machine; and means operative to compare characteristic parameters of the audio signals generated in a franking cycle with the stored parameters and to generate the trip signal in response to a successful comparison.

10. An accounting terminal constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbef ore described with reference to Figure 1 and 7 and Figures 2, 3 or 4 and 5, 6 or 7.