JPH11299631A - Mail box - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mail box with a means for processing every kind of communication mails, by which address and a stamp stuck to a posted letter by a user according to weighing can be confirmed. SOLUTION: A mail box is provided with a means for processing every kind of communication mails, which is formed by a combination of an optical means, an electric motor, and a microprocessor. The mail box includes a card reader for examining the balance existing on a card introduced into a suitable posting port 2 by a user, a first alphabet numeral keyboard 3 for forming a suitable zip code number, a second alphabet numeral keyboard 4 for entering the type of a letter to be sent, a means for weighing the letter posted in the suitable posting port, calculating the rate by a microprocessor and displaying the rate on a display device 6, and a push button which is pressed by a user after the respective means are operated to start a second series of operations.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mail box provided with means for processing various types of communication mail. The invention belongs to the field of the processing of correspondence mail in a mailbox and, more particularly, to European Patent Application No. 95110857.
No. 02303 relates to the improvement of the mailbox.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The mailbox described above includes a microprocessor so that it can be seen whether or not the letter has been correctly posted as far as its position in the mailbox is concerned, and when the mailing is done. An optical means a) capable of starting an electric motor for driving the means for transporting the letter to a device for stamping the date and time of posting on a postage stamp affixed to the posted letter; You can see if the stamp affixed to the letter is of the correct face value, and when this is correct restart the motor and allow the letter to fall to the bottom of the mailbox. On the other hand, in the opposite case, another optical means b) capable of restarting the motor as indicated by the letter at the mail port;
And furthermore, confirm that the pile of letters at the bottom of this mailbox does not exceed a predetermined height, and when it does, any further posted letters are immediately replaced by a motor stop and an acoustic The signal and the third optical means c) which can be rejected are controlled.

[0003]

The above-mentioned postal box does not allow the user to write on it or to weigh each posted letter to identify the stamp that would have been affixed by the user. It is limited by saying that it will only receive normal letters with stamps already affixed, and will not receive registered mail, insured mail or express mail.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention removes such limitations and allows the user to read the postage on a display device for the amount required to deliver the letter and read the amount by magnetic card, or As will be evident from the description, including payment by cash, this mailbox is particularly suitable for installation in a post office.

This includes the parts described in the above-mentioned patent application, and is all combined with and controlled by the microprocessor, as set forth in the characterizing part of the claims. The following, i.e .: a) a card reader that allows the user to check the balance present on the card inserted into the appropriate mailing port; b) a suitable zip code number (first and second for the post office data processing center). A first alphanumeric keyboard to constitute a binary coding system that excludes the second phase) c) fill in the type of letter to be sent (eg pre-stamped normal mail, registered mail A) a second alphanumeric keyboard for insured mail, express mail, etc.) d) weigh the letters posted to the appropriate Means for the microprocessor to calculate the amount of charge and display it on the display device; e) a push button for starting after the user has operated each of the above means to start the second series of operations. Wherein the second series of operations comprises: f) a first printing device driven by the motor for applying a bar code corresponding to the previously entered zip code; g) using A second printing device to produce a receipt (the receipt is valid for all postal and legal purposes) delivered to the person through an appropriate opening, and h) post details (post location and (Time, type of delivery and its fee).

At this point, the rollers operated by the motor drop the letter to the bottom of the mailbox and the microprocessor collects the appropriate price from the magnetic tape.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The first keyboard can also cancel its zip code whenever the user mistypes. Alternatively, when the posted letter is a normal one with a pre-applied postage stamp, examining the postage stamp on the face supporting those letters at the appropriate post level. Optical means capable of verifying that the stamps correspond to the correct postage for the weight of the posted letter and for the typed zip code, And if the fee is paid in cash, the user, after reading the requested price on the display, inserts the currency or bill into the appropriate slot, in which case the currency or bill is Confirmed by the respective reader associated with the microprocessor.

[0008] The display device may also be programmed to carry a public or advertising message produced by the post office so that it is visible to users and passers-by whenever the mailbox is not actually in use. Have been. Furthermore,
Third to access coded magnetic card reader
A keyboard is provided that activates the motor to open the mailbox and collect letters after the postman has correctly typed his identification code with this third keyboard. It is provided in. In addition, properly protected and supplied electrical resistors of appropriate current are mounted at appropriate locations inside the mailbox and controlled by a constant temperature device to maintain a constant temperature around the mailbox. To be kept in place.

[0009]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. The appearance of a mailbox 1 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1, where the other reference numbers used respectively represent: 2: Letter port, 3:
First alphabetic numeric keyboard, 4: Second alphabetic numeric keyboard, 5: Third alphabetic numeric keyboard, 6: Display device, 7: Opening for magnetic card reader, 8: Opening for bills, 9: Opening for money, 10: Receipt An opening that corresponds to the device that prints and issues the letter.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a required portion.
In this figure, 3 is a first alphabetic numeric keyboard, B1 is a microprocessor, 6 is a display device, F1 is a printing device, F2 is a stamping device, L1 is a weighing device, and 7 Is a magnetic card reader. The functions of these parts will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows the relationship of the blocks for coding and printing to the motor control card and other parts. Although this figure is self-evident, the main parts are listed below.

1/60 keyboard, 4 columns, 4 rows (first keyboard) B1 PIC 16C54 Microprocessor 6 Sharp 40 × 2 Alphanumeric display 7 Magnetic reader L1 Letter weighing device F1 Matrix printing device F2 Stamping device G1 Motor control Card K1 Dift 12V 10 Ampere Buffer Battery R1 1000 ohm resistor R2 1000 ohm resistor R3 1M ohm resistor R4 400 ohm resistor R5 10,000 ohm resistor R6 100000 ohm resistor R7, R8 1000 ohm resistor R9 100 ohm resistor C1, C2, C3 1 microfarad capacitor U1 Integrated flip-flop circuit 4013 U2 Monostable integrated circuit 74C221 Q1, Q2, Q3 BC547 transistor FT1 Photodiode TU Phototransistor D1 1N4001 Diode D2 2N4001 Diode D3 1N4002 Diode RL1 12 Volt Relay, 1 Point P1 Positive P2 connected to each electrical member that forms part of the mailbox described in the prior patent application (+12 volts) P2 Printer Test Pin P3 Negative electrode of this system (earth)

The function of the mailbox described in the above-mentioned patent application is changed by adding a binary coding device, which is mainly because the system inputs the zip code, the type of letter to be sent and the payment for it. Is required. Diode type photodetector (FT1-T
A photocell consisting of U) detects the passage of the letter before it reaches the stamp area, and the letter is forwarded after being confirmed by the optical means for viewing the stamp, and Intercepting the infrared beam, thereby causing a negative pulse at the input of the monostable integrated circuit U2 (74C221), which is used to extend the time of the pulse so that misread errors do not occur. The output pulse of U2 constitutes the setting input of U2 (integrated flip-flop 4013), which activates relay RL1 via transistor Q2 so as to cut off the current supply to the motor.

This shutting off of the motor ensures that the letter stops before reaching the stamp point. This shutoff is used to activate the sequence of operations for binary coding and stamping. When the motor stops, the microprocessor tells the user via a display to type in the zip code or the number of the area where the letter should be sent. Here, what is shown on the display can also be of the type of a menu, i.e. all operations which the user has to perform can be guided by instructions appearing on the display. Should be added. As an example, consider the case where the display device instructs the user to type the destination name and location after the motor has stopped at that bi-directional stamping position. The user would then type, for example, a MILAM, and the zip code 20100 would appear on the display, followed by any words or sentences that the microprocessor designer selected when programming it. .

Thereafter, the microprocessor program always quickly activates a printer operated by the microprocessor, and then prints the zip code with the binary code used by the postal organization. As soon as this binary code has been printed, the microprocessor will execute its integrated flip-flop circuit U
Send a reset pulse to one, which in turn sends out the new outlet through one of the transistors for de-energizing the relay. Following the stop outlet, the motor is restarted and initiates normal operation of the mailbox mechanical, whereby the letter is stamped and then sent to the receptacle.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a mail box of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main part of the mail box of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a functional unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mail box 2 Mailing port 3 1st alphanumeric keyboard 4 2nd alphanumeric keyboard 5 3rd alphanumeric keyboard 6 Display device 7 Magnetic card reader opening 8 Banknote opening 9 Currency opening 10 Receipt printing, issuing device Corresponding opening

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A mail box (1) provided with means for processing correspondence mail, wherein a microprocessor is combined so that the letter can be accurately posted as far as its position in the mailbox is concerned. Drive of means for transferring the letter to a device (F2) for stamping the date and posting time on a postage stamp affixed to the posted letter when there is a posting. Optical means capable of starting the electric motor for the vehicle, and whether the stamp affixed to the letter is of the correct face value, and restarting the motor when this is correct Allow the leverage letter to fall to the bottom of the mailbox, while in the reverse case, restart the motor so that the letter is sent back to the post (2). Another optical means capable of ensuring that the pile of letters at the bottom of the mailbox does not exceed a predetermined height is controlled. In the mailbox, this can also be combined with its microprocessor and controlled by: a) checking the balance present on the card that the user has inserted in the appropriate mail slot (2); A card reader, b) a first alphanumeric keyboard (3) for constructing the appropriate zip code number, c) a second alphanumeric keyboard (4) for entering the type of letter to be sent, d. A means (L1) for weighing the letters posted to the appropriate mailing port, calculating the charge amount by the microprocessor thereof, and displaying this on the display (6); e) It also includes a push button for starting the second series of operations by pressing after the user has operated each of the above means, wherein the second series of operations is described below, ie A first printing device (F1) driven by the motor for applying a bar code corresponding to the zip code obtained, a second print for preparing a receipt delivered to the user through a suitable opening Device (10) and a stamping device (F for stamping details of posting)
2), and at this point the motor operated rollers drop the letter to the bottom of the mailbox and the microprocessor (B1) collects the appropriate price from the magnetic tape. And
The above mail box. 2. The mailbox according to claim 1, wherein the first keyboard is configured to cancel the zip code whenever a user mistypes. 3. When a posted letter is a normal one having a stamp attached in advance, the stamp attached to the surface supporting the letter at the level of the appropriate entry port (2). Optical means capable of examining the microprocessor (B
1) can verify that the stamps correspond to the correct postage for the weight of the posted letter and the typed zip code, and if the fee is paid in cash, the user must The display device (6)
After reading the requested price on the bill, the money or bill is inserted into the appropriate slot (9, 10), with the currency or bill being read by the respective reader associated with the microprocessor. Claim 1 or 2 to be confirmed
Mailbox according to. 4. A third keyboard (5) for accessing a coded magnetic card reader is provided.
This is equipped to activate the motor, open the mailbox, and collect the letters after the postman correctly types their identification code with this third keyboard, claim Mailbox according to any of range 1-3. 5. The display device (6) displays a public or public message produced by the post office when viewed by users and passers whenever the mailbox is not actually in use. A mail box according to any of claims 1 to 4, programmed to be loaded. 6. A suitably protected and supplied electrical resistor of a suitable current is mounted at a suitable location inside the mailbox and controlled by a constant temperature device around the mailbox. A mailbox according to any of the preceding claims, which ensures that the is kept at a constant temperature.