SE466341B - FRANKING MACHINE - Google Patents

Description

466 341 z 10 15 20 25 30 35 These registers are very secure against cheating or alteration, using various methods.

Historically, franking machines have been mechanical devices, where the franking values were set, printed and booked using mechanical methods and units. The various accounting functions were maintained with mechanical registers, where a number of different mechanical interconnections were used. which are protected against the printing of postage from the machine without changing the values in the registers, thus ensuring the share of accounting functions.

The actual printing of the postage value on an envelope, ribbon or label, hereinafter referred to as a envelope for simplicity. was made through a printing cylinder, which rotated as the envelope passed through the printing step of the apparatus. The printing cylinder used is in the form of a stamp, which in itself is a very complicated engraving, which is extremely difficult and time-consuming to copy, so that it is strongly resistant to forgery. The cylinder engraving enables identification of the particular franking machine where the cylinder was used and identification of the post office. by which the mail from the device is to be processed. By identifying the cylinder as part of the franking pressure, the apparatus where the cylinder is located can be identified, and thus the tenant or the person renting the device can be identified. By identifying the post office through which the mail from the device is to be processed. this limits the use of the device to a specific postal area and in fact makes a certain franking machine mobile within the boundaries of the area served by the identified post office. The cylinder also expresses the date and amount of the signed franking. These are variable data, which are set by the users of the franking machine.

The important thing about the mechanical franking machines was the tenderness, reliability and safety, at the same time as they could be repaired quickly and relatively easily when they did not work properly, so that the downtime could be reduced. 10 15 20 25 30 35 3 J 466 3411 Recently, electronic franking machines have been introduced. An example of an electronic franking machine is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,874. The more modern electronic franking machine utilizes electronic memory banks or components to maintain the accounting functions previously provided by mechanical registers. The electronic unit is computerized, using a central processing unit such as a micro-w processor or other form of computer, which provides the arithmetic functions for calculations and program accuracy.

One of the problems with the electronic franking machines is that the device itself is not entirely electronic, since the electronic franking machines use a mechanical printing apparatus for the franking. Because the franking machine is essentially electronic. operating at very high speeds and performing calculations and storing data, while the printer used is a mechanical device, operating at significantly or lower speeds and at significantly different voltage levels, a boundary layer was used to ensure compatibility between the electronic control system and the mechanical pressure equipment. The slower operating speed of the mechanical printer reduces the speed of the electronic franking machine. i.e. the surgical cycle becomes slower. A fully electronic franking machine system is described in U.S. Patent 4,637,051 to inventor John I Clark and assigned to the present assignee. in this patent object, however, a mark is printed with a dot matrix printer, and security is achieved by eliminating or shifting elements in the mark as a function of the printed information.

Most dot matrix printers, whether or not needle printers 466 341 4 10 15 20 25 30 35 printers or inkjet printers. can be easily obtained as a stock item and is easily programmable to print any desired text, and the program itself can be very easily and simply changed and very easily copied. The simplicity of programming and the ease with which the program itself can be changed and / or copied entails a security gap. which the postal authorities seek to avoid.

.,. The present invention provides a fully integrated electronic franking machine which includes a computer controlled calculation and control system and electronic memory banks for maintaining the required accounting functions and a high tech, fast matrix typewriter. In a first form of the invention, a matrix type typewriter is used, which is used as the writing component of an electronic franking machine for printing frank characters on an envelope, wherein the writing elements used to form a character or a figure in accordance with a programmed matrix character pattern itself has a predetermined or pre-formed 1 shape at the point of impact or the end of the writing element. Such a preformed shape may have something predetermined. non-dot-shaped geometric pattern or a shape such as a square or other rectangle. triangle or star, letter. number or other form, which differs from the standard type of dot matrix printer on the market. This shape, which is not standardized for the writing point of the writing element, will hereinafter be referred to as "non-dot geometric shape".

By such a change in the shape or the physical configuration of the writing element at the point of impact of the writing element, the safety of the printing function of the franking machine is improved due to that a potential forger would face the difficulty of physically modifying each writing element in a dot matrix printer to generate the correct characters. The security of the printing function of a franking machine having such altered writing elements is not impaired, since each writing element is individually activated and produces a discrete printing image which is part of a pattern which forms a characters that are unique in relation to the printouts of standardized matrix typewriters. Through a fairly close inspection, the unique character or print form can be easily and quickly observed and counterfeit franking marks that do not have such a print form can be detected quickly.

By such a change in the pressure element configuration at the stop end of the pressure element, the safety of the writing function of the franking machine is improved, due to that certain predetermined geometric patterns may be restricted from being used to print franking signs for use in specific postal districts or post offices. This further limits and reduces the problems of printing, since they relate to security and limit the field of application of a franking machine with such a construction of the writing elements.

According to a second form of the invention, the matrix printhead, which is usually rectangular in shape and holds and carries a plurality or a series of writing elements used to physically express the ink on any recording medium such as paper, may form the printed character image. curved so that when a character or letter or other character is to be printed, a suitable set or pattern of writing elements, arranged in a curved manner, is activated against a colored medium, so as to obtain a distinctive contour of the print left on paper.

This new structured printhead, used in a printer in a franking machine, provides a printed franking mark with a clear, curvilinear pattern integrated in the printed characters, and which is immediately recognized.

High speed dot matrix printers, such as dot matrix dot matrix printers, are well known. Such printers usually have printheads which support a plurality of writing elements, sometimes referred to as threads or pins, arranged in a single row or column, or in a plurality of rows or columns. The print elements are separate and selectively activatable in combinations, in a manner well known, for printing characters as the printhead and paper move relative to each other. The individual writing elements, when activated against a color medium, such as an ink ribbon, will form discrete prints on paper or other record carrier. The prints, which retain their identity during careful examination, combine with others to form the desired character.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,800,386 discloses a construction of a printhead or registration head which holds a plurality of rows of writing elements in place. U.S. Patent No. 4,457,636 discloses another form of writing element having a drive element. U.S. Patent 4,167,342 relates to increasing the print speed of a dot matrix printer, while U.S. Patents 4,246,948 and 4,268,180 each relate to breakage of writing elements and show writing elements of different construction. U.S. Patent No. 4,508,463 relates to the print quality of dot matrix printers.

By constructing the recording heads or printheads so that at least two parallel insides of the head are parallel and curvilinear, the printheads held in such a printhead will be in a curvilinear relationship to each other. When a single column of print elements is held in a printhead. the gap of elements will form the crooked line of the parallel insides. When multiple columns of print elements are held in one printhead. the writing elements will be held at a hook-linear relationship 1 in one direction, i.e. on straight lines in one direction and on crooked in the other direction. When several columns of print elements are held in one print head, opposite insides can each be in a curvilinear parallel relationship.

This structure retains several columns of writing elements in a bi-directional curvilinear relationship. With print elements mounted in the printheads in such a relationship, the prints made or left on paper or other recording medium during the writing process will form characters. showing 10 15 20 25 30 35 7 '466 541 »distinctive curved lines, as opposed to straight lines formed by straight lines.

The curved construction of the recording or writing head, which keeps the writing elements in such a curvilinear relationship, becomes difficult and time consuming to copy and acts as a deterrent to a possible forger.

Essentially, the present invention relates to a new, fully integrated electronic franking machine system which assumes a dot matrix printer which prints franking characters using a non-standard matrix. Such non-standard matrices can be defined as matrices comprising discrete printing units, which have a non-point-shaped geometric shape or a curvilinear matrix.

Brief description of the figures Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an electronic franking machine system, in which the present invention can be included.

Fig. 2 shows a part of an envelope, on which a franking stamp has been applied.

Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of an electronic franking machine system which uses a dot matrix printer.

Fig. 4 shows a form of writing element. indicating that the impact head has been modified to a non-point geometric shape.

Fig. 4a shows several examples of geometric shapes which are not point-shaped, and to which the abutment head can be forged or shaped.

Fig. 5 shows a shape of a printhead, with the ends curvilinear and parallel and the sides straight and parallel.

Figs. Ga and 6b show, in expanded form, two characters, printed with modified writing elements. arranged in a rectilinear hook-line relationship, and Figs. 7a and 7b show the same two characters, made using normal, dotted elements, mounted in a bi-directional hook-line relationship. Referring to Fig. 1, electronic franking systems, such as those shown in the figure, may be in the form of a double housing unit, received in a common unit. A controller 10 can be used to house the computer electronics, which includes a central processing unit and memory banks for performing franking calculations and for storing critical accounting data. The unit 10 may also contain programmable devices and interface layer connections for transmitting and receiving data.

Internal interlock couplings can also be provided to ensure reliability and safety.

The machine unit 11 may comprise a printer 12, for example a matrix printer, fixedly mounted in the housing and under the control of the control unit 10. The connections between the control unit and the franking unit pass through the foundation 14, which supports and protects these interconnecting circuits. An envelope 13 is displayed in the writing step, and when the envelope is driven through the writing slot, the upper front corner of the envelope will be printed with franking marks, which indicate in printed form franking value, date, machine registration number, post office designation and other acceptable signs.

The control unit 10 and the franking unit 11 are fixedly mounted on a foundation 14, which supports and protects the interconnecting circuits (not shown) between the control unit and the franking unit from unauthorized access and / or cheating. Locking mechanisms and interlocks can be provided to prevent cheating with or removal of the control unit 10 and / or the franking unit 11 from the foundation 14, which improves the safety of the machine and / or its components. In an alternative structure, both the control unit and the franking unit, including a dot matrix printer, can be mounted and attached in a single housing, which is protected against unauthorized access, disassembly and / or cheating.

If the control unit 10 and the franking unit 11 are placed as separate units but are not mounted on a foundation, which also serves as a safe supply for the interconnecting circuits, the interconnecting circuits can be sealed and reinforced 10 15 20 25 30 35 9 '466 s41 « to resist cheating. In addition, it may be desired to secure the writing mechanism electronically. This can be done by using non-standard electronic interlocks, security codes and / or other protocols, integrated in the drive device drive, so that the disassembled, matrix printer itself as individual units can only function using such non-standard electronic interlocks, security codes and / or other protocols, as required to operate this particular printer.

The control unit 10 comprises a keyboard 15 for entering data, which may include setting the franking value to be printed and, for example, the date. Other data that can be entered via the keyboard includes prepaid postage value and questions to the computer, such as, for example, regarding how much postage amount has been used by the prepaid. and how much postage value is left of the prepaid. as well as questions regarding other functions that the device can deliver. At the top of the keyboard is a locking device 16, which can be of digital form.

Fig. 2 shows a form of franking stamp printed on the upper right corner of an envelope 20. The markings comprise the postage amount 21, which is stamped on the envelope. In practice, the postage amount endorsed on the envelope corresponds to the exact amount deducted from the prepaid postage value in the device that printed the postage. The franking machine, which printed the franking. identified by the device number 23, which is also included. In addition, the post office that processes the mail from this particular device is also specified, at 24, while the date is printed at 25. The post office's postcode designation is also included. In addition to the data printed in the franking stamp, the representation of an eagle and several stars is included, to make what is stamped more complex.

Through proper programming, the franking character can be printed through a dot matrix printer. A dot matrix printer can be located in the unit ll in Fig. 1. When the franking amount is set or entered in the machine via the keyboard, and the date is also entered, both variables for the franking are determined, and a franking endorsement can be made. take place on an envelope or label, when the envelope or label passes through the writing loop in unit ll.

According to a program, as is well known to those skilled in the art, writing elements are activated individually in a pattern, so that the desired character and / or written information is formed by applying a plurality of prints on the envelope or label.

Since the writing elements are activated separately, the pressure made by each individual activation becomes discrete and can be identified.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an electronic franking machine including a beating matrix printer 11.

The control unit 10 comprises a power supply 31, a keyboard 15 and a display 16. The keyboard is connected via 32 to the computer function, designated CPU, 33. The CPU unit may be a central processing unit in the form of a microprocessor or other computer. This performs the calculation functions and generally monitors the function of the electronics. The CPU receives and responds to instructions from the keyboard and sets the display to provide information. The non-volatile memory stores the bookkeeping functions, such as the prepaid postage value, the uplink account, the downlink account and any other registration functions included in the system. The read only memory (ROH) 35 is permanently programmed with the system functions. The memory (RAM) 36 is a temporary memory, which can be changed through the keyboard and provides the code for the postage amount to be printed and the date. The memory RAM also provides a rejection control. which ensures that a franking value is printed only in accordance with the value set in the RAM. The write logic 37 feeds or makes sure to feed the particular write element drivers to a particular pattern to activate the write elements 40 in the write head 39 to write according to a pattern which results in the desired characters. The writing station driver causes the relative movement between the writing head and the envelope, to finally expel the envelope from the writing station.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is included as a writing element. for example 40 in Fig. 4. a head 41 which strikes a color band, and which does not have a dot shape. shown here as a modified heart rate. When the writing element 40 is activated or driven towards the ink ribbon (not shown) by the writing element drives, in accordance with the arrow 38, and admits the ink ribbon, so that pressure is applied to the envelope, a discrete print, formed together with other discrete prints combined to form a character or image, in ink. The writing element can be mounted in the holder 42 and activated by driving the element through the carrier from the activating head 43.

Fig. 4a shows in a - k different geometric shapes, different from point shape. which can be used for the heads that turn on the ribbon. Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list of all the forms that the writing element can take. The shape of the ribbon-striking head can be formed by extrusion, casting, forging or otherwise. The writing element 40 may be formed along its entire length or, as indicated in Fig. 4 by dashed lines, the abutment head 41 is formed together with only a part of the length. at the end, and the activation head with another shape to increase the strength of the writing element.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a recording head 50 for receiving a set of writing element holders 53.

The printhead is defined by a frame having rectilinear sides 56 and 57 and curved ends 51 and 52. This form of printhead comprises several holes defined by the sides and the ends, each receiving and holding together a plurality of writing element holders 53, which are inserted into the holes 54 in the holders. Although the writing element holders in Fig. 5 are generally rectangular in shape, the writing element holders may be cylindrical, as shown in Fig. 4 at 42. Although the recording head 50 is shown as curved in one direction (sideways) and straight at it second direction (in length), it will be appreciated that even the longitudinal sides of the holes may be curved, so that the writing elements in the same set will be aligned on crooked lines in two directions.

Although Fig. 5 shows a recording head or writing head 50 holding a set of writing element holders in a plurality of columns, it is also envisaged that a recording head or writing head may be used which has only one column or a row of writing elements. in a striking dot matrix printer. In the single-column head, the longitudinal parallel insides of the head may be parallel and curved, keeping the column of writing elements in a curved configuration.

It is also anticipated that the writing elements. whether they are in a rectilinear rectangular set or column, or in a one-way curved set or column or in a two-way curved set may have preformed abutment heads of any geometric shape that is not a point. Of course, mixed forms can be used if desired, since the printouts of the writing elements are discrete.

Fig. 6a shows in large magnification the number 2. printed by a striking dot matrix printer which has a set of writing elements with triangularly shaped abutment heads, where the writing elements are held in a unidirectional curvilinear relationship. The triangular prints 60 form the character, while the background lines 62 show the pattern according to which the writing elements are arranged.

Fig. 6b shows. also greatly enlarged, the shape of the letter W, which can be obtained when triangular-shaped writing element heads are used in the same type of unidirectional curvilinear set as in Fig. 6, but without showing the background line pattern.

Fig. 7a shows in greatly enlarged form the number 2, printed by a striking dot matrix printer using a set of writing elements, where these are held along two directions Åse 341 13 10 15 20 curved lines in a recording head. In this picture, the individual prints are point-shaped, as shown at 70.

Fig. 7b shows the letter W, printed by a set arranged in two directions in a curvilinear manner, which gives a clear pattern of the letter structure.

It can also be mentioned that through correct programming, a set of straight writing elements arranged in a rectangular configuration can be made to print characters, which gives the impression that the set is placed in a curvilinear configuration. It is therefore assumed that although a recording head, which holds a set of writing elements in any crooked relationship, offers an acceptable degree of certainty when printing characters for franking purposes, the use of pre-formed geometric shapes of a non-point character or with odd motifs on the writing element impact heads seems to be able to achieve a degree of security that has not previously been achieved with the use of striking dot matrix writing systems.

The preferred form of the invention has been described, and several alternative forms have been described and suggested. Other modifications and alterations may be made, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (7)

466 341 14 A claim ring is formed of a plurality of discrete prints, and comprising a franking machine: a) control means for the machine, comprising activatable means for processing and storing postage accounting information; b) a dot matrix printer arranged to be controlled from said control means, comprising a programmable writing element drive control unit 1, writing element driving units, a writing head and a plurality of writing elements, the plurality of writing elements being arranged in at least one column in the writing head, and writing elements cooperating with each writing element drive , and the programmable writing element driver includes permanent programming means for providing feed to selected writing element drives for activating writing elements and performing a pattern of discrete prints on an envelope or label to form predetermined franking designations, called a matrix. with writing elements having an imprint shape different from round points and / or the writing elements in matrices are arranged in a curvilinear manner, said programmable writing element driver comprising temporary programming means, which are set by activating said activating means, to allow selection then writing element drives are fed and cause said writing element to make a different pattern of discrete imprints on the envelope or label so that it appears in a form representative of franking value and date and the non-standard matrix. A franking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that each writing element comprises a stop head for producing an imprint on the envelope or label, at least some stop heads in the writing element being characterized by a non-point-shaped geometric shape. 466 341 15 A franking machine according to claim 2, characterized in that each writing element comprises a stop head for arranging an imprint on the envelope or label, each stop head in the writing elements being characterized by a non-point-shaped geometric shape. A franking machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the abutment heads in the writing elements are characterized by a non-point-shaped geometric shape, where certain shapes are separated from others. A franking machine according to claim 2, characterized in that at least some of the abutment heads in some writing elements are characterized by a non-point-shaped geometric shape, where some shapes are different from others. A franking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one slot of writing element is hook line shaped. A franking machine according to claim 1, characterized by color carrier arranged between the envelope or label and the writing elements, and the dot matrix printer is a percussion matrix printer.