WO2002007990A1

WO2002007990A1 - Centrally controlled device and method for mail printing and preparation

Info

Publication number: WO2002007990A1
Application number: PCT/FR2001/002321
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philippe Bergoend; Gilles Nauche
Original assignee: Secap
Priority date: 2000-07-26
Filing date: 2001-07-17
Publication date: 2002-01-31
Also published as: EP1309459A1; FR2812237A1; DE60106062D1; DE60106062T2; CA2412588C; CA2412588A1; EP1309459B1; FR2812237B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a device (1) for printing and preparation of mail wherein printing data and configuration data concerning mail preparation are routed on a common communication channel (10) which feeds respectively a printer (2) and a mail preparation apparatus (4). The device comprises: communication control means (34), upstream of the common communication channel (10), which selectively transmit thereon switching commands with the flow of printing and configuration data; and switching means (11, 12) which selectively route the printing and configuration data downstream of the common communication channel towards the printer (2) or the mail preparation apparatus (4) on the basis of said switching commands. The link between the control means, the printer and the mail preparation apparatus can comply with the IEEE 1284.3 standard.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CENTRALIZED CONTROL OF MAIL PRINTING AND PACKAGING

The present invention relates to a device and a method for centralized control of printing and packaging of mail, the packaging comprising, for example, folding and / or enveloping operations for mail.

Conventionally, in an automated processing system for mail to be sent, separate machines are used on the one hand for printing documents and on the other hand for enveloping these documents, possibly after folding. It is then necessary to control independently a printer and a mail packaging device.

More recently, integrated devices have appeared which make it possible to carry out the printing and packaging operations of the mail under the command of a common user interface. These devices are controlled by a computer of the personal computer (PC) type, through which the configuration data are entered by the user using a menu on the monitor screen. The printer, mail conditioner, and computer can be physically combined or separated. Among the various packaging parameters offered, we find in particular: the number of printed sheets to be inserted in the envelope, a choice of folding, of envelope (from a tray), etc. These various selected parameters are transmitted to the packaging device in the form of configuration data, for example by means of an internal link. With such devices, the problem arises of the selective processing and transmission of configuration data and print data from the computer. At the monitor screen, the print and configuration commands are managed by a common software interface, often with the choices relating to printing (number of pages, presentation of copies, tray selection, etc.) and to the configuration of the packaging device presented on the same screen page. However, the print and configuration data must be specifically formatted and ^• transmitted to their respective peripherals - (printer or packaging device). One solution would be to compartmentalize data relating to printing and configuration from the software interface until it arrives at the device concerned. However, this would require providing a specific link to the computer for each peripheral (printer and mail conditioning device), and therefore managing two output ports. This approach, relatively heavy in terms of hardware and use of computer resources, is all the less justifiable since the configuration data flow is very low. Indeed, the packaging device, which can store its configuration data locally, need not receive data from the computer until each configuration modification. However, in normal operation, the configuration changes are spaced over time.

In a variant of this solution, French patent application FR-A-2 775 932 proposes a controller of a combined printing and mail conditioning device in which the data of configuration are inserted into the stream of print data from a central computer. The combined data therefore leaves a common port on the computer. However, a downstream controller must be provided on arrival, which systematically analyzes the characteristics of all the data so as to recognize the presence of configuration data when they appear. This data is then sent to the packaging machine, and the remaining print data is sent to the printer.

This approach has the disadvantage of requiring a downstream controller which analyzes the content of all the data flow coming from the computer, to determine the device for which it is intended. In this case, the downstream controller is used 100%, in terms of resource, to sort types of information that only change very rarely, because the data is mostly intended for the printer.

In fact, the downstream controller is implemented as if the configuration data appeared unexpectedly in the stream of print data, whereas these are produced within the central management system.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides a device for printing control and packaging of mail in which print data and configuration data relating to packaging of mail are directed on a common communication channel which supplies respectively a printer and a mail packaging device, the device being characterized in that it comprises: - communication control means, in upstream ^'of the common communication channel, which selectively transmit thereon switching commands with the flow of printing and configuration data; and - routing means which route, the print data and the configuration data downstream of the common communication channel selectively to the printer or to the mail conditioning apparatus as a function of these routing commands . It is noted that the referral means do not have a role of analyzing the content of the data intended for the peripherals, on the contrary of the controller downstream of the request FR-A-2 775 932, but simply of switch with electronic control which connects a previously designated device to the common channel in response to the selection data. The selection will be established downstream of this common channel in an appropriate manner according to the chosen transmission protocol.

In fact, the referral according to the invention is controlled during the preparation of the configuration data, and therefore on the basis of a priori knowledge of the types of data transmitted on the common communication channel. No analysis of the data intended for the peripherals (print data or configuration data per se) is therefore necessary downstream to ensure their proper routing from the common channel.

Preferably, the mail conditioning apparatus comprises a link module having a first port connected to the common communication channel and a second port ^'to which the printer is connected, the link module providing said routing by the selective connection of the first port either with the second port or with an internal link (16) connected to enveloping means. The routing means are advantageously positioned by default for routing the data from the common communication channel to the printer, the routing commands having the function of diverting the data flow by the routing means towards the device mail packaging.

Means can then be provided for positioning the referral means again in the default position at the end of a configuration command or of a group of configuration commands.

The routing commands can take the form of a selection command added to the configuration data, for example upstream of the latter. Preferably, the common communication channel establishes a link according to the IEEE 1284.3 standard. The packaging device and the printer can then be connected to the common communication channel by concatenation, according to the "daisy chain" mode of the IEEE 1284.3 standard. Advantageously, the printer is connected at the end of the chain in said “daisy chain” connection.

By way of example, the configuration data makes it possible to select an operating mode of the mail packaging apparatus, in particular to establish: the number of sheets to be inserted in an envelope and a type of folding to be carried out.

In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises means for establishing configuration data of the mail conditioning apparatus, making it possible to select said commands by a man-machine interface.

The communication control means may include means for diverting or collecting print data from their source and for controlling the retransmission of these to the printer. They may further comprise means for controlling the storage and re-reading of the print data.

The communication control means can also include a buffer memory making it possible to accommodate a temporary difference in the rate of transmission of print data and the rate of entry thereof.

It is also possible to provide scanning means to control the operating state of the printer and / or the mail conditioning apparatus and to send data relating to this control to a central computer by the common channel. Communication . The scanning means can be located downstream of a common communication channel.

Preferably, these means are functionally integrated into a link module located in the mail packaging apparatus and providing the switch.

The scanning means can send, and / or retransmit from the common communication channel, selectively additional commands to the printer or to the mail conditioning apparatus, these related commands concerning in particular interrupt commands, cycles of maintenance or other operational aspects.

At least some of the ancillary commands can come from means upstream of the common communication channel and are selectively directed to the printer or the mail conditioning apparatus by the communication control means and the switching means.

The device may further comprise means for detecting address data in the data. printing, developing, from this printing data, an envelope printing file, and inserting this file into the stream of printing data transmitted on the common communication channel .

Depending on the implementation cases envisaged, the device can also ensure the control of a postal franking device connected to the common communication channel, the communication control means transmitting to this device commands associated with data of '' specific referrals.

The communication control means can be functionally integrated into a computer which controls the printer and the mail conditioning apparatus.

The mail conditioner can be housed in a housing that is physically separate from the computer. Alternatively, the mail conditioning apparatus and the computer are housed in a common housing.

A subject of the invention is also a method of printing control and packaging of mail in which printing data and configuration data relating to the packaging of mail are directed on a common communication channel which supplies respectively a printer and a mail conditioning device, the device being characterized in that: - selectively transmitted on the common communication channel, and upstream thereof, routing commands with the flow of printing and configuration data ; and

- the print data and the configuration data are sent downstream of the common channel of communication selectively to the printer or to the conditioning apparatus of mail function ^'of these switching commands.

The optional aspects presented more within the framework of the device apply mutatis mutandis to this process.

In the following, a preferred embodiment will be summarized by way of example only.

The device uses a controller placed for example physically in a link module, located downstream of the. communication channel, which allows data to be sent to the printer or to. enveloping (mail packaging machine). This controller also makes it possible to scrutinize the link module itself, the printer, and the mail conditioning apparatus, and to send the status or error information as quickly as possible to a user and / or to communicate them to the two modules (printer and mail conditioner) which must be notified.

The controller is divided into two distinct parts: electronics and software.

The electronic part allows a selection of the communication port of the peripheral to be addressed (printer, mail conditioner or link module). In this embodiment, the selection and communication protocol meets the IEEE 1284.3 specifications and therefore operates on a parallel port, which is the conventional port for printers. This avoids a controller which operates full time and which discriminates the information to be sent to the components concerned (unlike the command ^' according to request FR-A-2 775 932). In addition, we remain completely compatible with the state of the art in the world of printers. We can also manage a two-way communication and thus report statuses and errors.

The software part in this embodiment is divided into two parts: a configurator and a scanner. This software part is generally located on the control computer of such an assembly.

The configurator has a printer driver type user interface in a Windows type microcomputer environment (Windows is a registered trademark), for example, and thus offers the user the possibility of defining his configuration (type of envelope, type etc.). The configurator interrupts the data sent to the printer and, according to the user's choices, inserts other data into the stream (in addition to the PCL page description printer data, for example). It sends the modified flow back to the controller with the order to transmit sometimes to the printer (address data, for example), sometimes to the mail packaging machine, sometimes to the link module.

The scrutineer analyzes at regular intervals, and according to an ad hoc logic, the different machines (ie printer, mail packaging device or module), and requests their status. The communication protocol is standard of the PJL command type, for example. Depending on the status of the different machines, it simultaneously warns the user on his control computer, and the two other machines which must be notified, for example to interrupt their operation, resume it, reprint a fold, or any other suitable action. In addition, the scrutineer sends the data (PCL files and configuration) if necessary.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of the preferred embodiments, given purely by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram showing the general architecture of a mail printing and packaging device in accordance with the present invention; and

- Figure 2 is a more detailed block diagram of the device of Figure 1 in a single station implementation. FIG. 1 shows, in the form of functional blocks, the main elements of a device 1 for printing and packaging mail with centralized control in accordance with the invention. There are two peripherals, namely a printer 2 and a mail conditioning device 4, connected to a PC type computer (personal computer) 6. The latter constitutes the source of printing and configuration data respectively for the printer 2 and the mail packaging device 4. The printing and configuration data are transmitted according to the IEEE 1284.3 protocol from the parallel port PP1 of the computer 6, conventionally used for connecting a printer. This specification offers the possibility of connecting several peripherals from a common parallel port of a PC by concatenation of these peripherals. This connection method is better known by the Anglo-Saxon term "daisy chain". In general, the peripherals thus connected in "daisy chain" mode form the links of a chain in the connection with the computer. The data passing over the link includes an indication of the device for which it is intended. A device upstream of the device receiving this data then only serves as a transmission relay to its device downstream in the chain.

The IEEE 1284.3 specification also establishes a protocol for bidirectional data transmission, which allows a device to transmit data to another device or to the computer.

The embodiment which will be described exploits these two characteristics of the IEEE 1284.3 specification, namely the connection of several peripherals _. in daisy chain mode and two-way communication.

The methods for establishing a connection between a PC and peripherals according to the IEEE 1284.3 specification are known in the field of data processing and will therefore not be described here in detail for the sake of brevity. It should only be noted that there are several sources of detailed information on the IEEE 1284.3 specification useful in this regard, for example the website of the IEEE institute: - http://www.IEEE.com whose contents are considered to be incorporated into this application by reference.

An interface 7 with the IEEE 1284.3 specification is integrated into the computer 6 and the mail conditioning device 4, this being used as a relay device for the printer 2. To this end, the IEEE 1284.3 interface of the mail conditioning apparatus 4 comprises a first parallel port PP2 which connects the parallel port PP1 of the computer via a common communication channel 10, and a second parallel port PP3 to which is connected the printer 2 by a bidirectional link 8. It will be understood that all the data between the computer 6 and the printer or between the computer and the mail conditioning apparatus 4 pass through this common link 10, which will be thus designated "common channel of communication" in what follows.

In accordance with the recommendations of the IEEE 1284.3 standard, the printer 2 is located at the end of the line and therefore does not have to serve as a relay; therefore, it does not need to be equipped with an IEEE 1284.3 interface. However, such an interface can be provided for the printer according to the applications, for example if it was not located at the end of the line.

The mail conditioning device 4 is broken down into two functional blocks: a connection module 12 which incorporates the IEEE 1284.3 interface and an envelope-filling unit 14. The latter performs the functions of folding sheets and inserting envelope as a function of commands retransmitted by the link module 12 via an internal bidirectional bus 16.

As will appear below, the connection module 12 performs two functions:

the routing of the data received by the common communication channel 10 either to the printer 2 or to the enveloping unit 14, and the scanning of the state of each of the peripherals 2, 4 and the internal management of the entire IEEE 1284.3 link, with sending, if applicable, interrupt signals and device status.

The referral function is indicated in FIG. 1 by a switch 11 which makes it possible to selectively connect the port PP1 of the computer 6 or to the specific organs of the packaging apparatus for mail via the port PP2 and the internal bus 16, ie to the printer 2. In the latter case, the switch 11 directly connects the port PP2 to the port PP3, the internal bus 16- then being disconnected. The switch 11 is controlled by a line 13 coming from the connection module 12.

The entire device 1 will now be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2. The computer 6 is of a conventional architecture which brings together all the basic functionalities: motherboard, storage elements, interface cards ( audio, video, ...), etc. in a designated block 19.

In the example, computer 6 uses word processing software (for example Word) in a Windows environment (95, 98, NT, or other), but other software platforms can be used. (Word and Windows are registered trademarks).

In accordance with the Windows protocol, the computer 6 comprises a conventional printing chain which consists of a graphic display interface 18 (known by the English term "GDI" for "graphies display interface), a print driver 20 and a print file generator 22. The GDI 18 interface is a Windows layer which provides a fairly simple printing protocol and which above all makes it possible to liaise between developers application and hardware driver developers. This layer is therefore used to harmonize interfaces for data exchange according to Windows. Applications use this GDI layer and the latter uses the driver for everything related to dependent hardware. .

Next, the print file generator 22 creates files in print language (for example example in PCL language). These files are intercepted (collected) by the data transmission of motor 34 and are recorded under control ^'of the latter, in a memory medium of the computer, for example on a hard disk. These files can then be read from this medium at any time by the data transmission engine.

As regards the command specific to the application 24, GDI 18, print driver 20 and file generator 22 assembly, the interception of the print files by the data transmission engine is carried out in a transparent manner . In other words, the aforementioned assembly can be configured and controlled as if the print files normally left the file generator 22 towards the printer 2. In the example, the interception of the print files by the engine data transmission is symbolically represented by a link 35. It will be understood that various techniques for intercepting files are possible depending on the architectures envisaged.

The computer 6 uses an assembly 26 comprising a keyboard 28 which integrates a pointer on screen 28a, and a monitor screen 30 by which configuration data can be entered and checked for the mail packaging apparatus 4. It will however be understood that this data can be entered by any other means: media player, server link, etc. According to the invention, there is also provided a tool 32 for configuring the mail packaging apparatus, hereinafter designated configuration tool 32. The configuration tool prepares the configuration data intended for the packaging apparatus of mail 4 in response to commands entered by the user. To this end, the configuration tool 32 integrates a man-machine interface based on software which makes it possible to control screen pages on the monitor interactively. These pages contain menus presented in alphanumeric and / or graphic form (icons) allowing the user to select choices (type of folding, envelope used, selection and number of documents to be inserted, etc.) via his keyboard 28 and device on screen 28a. The configuration data produced by the tool 32 in response to the commands thus entered by the user can be in the form of files according to a protocol recognized by the mail processing device 4.

Thus, there are two sources of data intended for the peripherals: the print data, in the form of print files created by the generator 22 and stored under the control of the engine 34 which are thus formatted so as to be able to be used by the 'printer 2, and

the configuration data originating from the configuration tool 32, which are formatted so that they can be used by the mail conditioning apparatus 4.

The transmission of this data is managed by a data transmission engine 34. This engine has the function of collecting and structuring the printing or configuration data so that it can be routed to the peripheral for which it is intended, and then send them to the common communication channel 10 according to the terms of the IEE 1284.3 standard. Thus, when the device 1 is in mode simple printing, that is to say without using the inserting unit 14, or at least without modifying an ^' initial configuration thereof, it functions as a computer connected to a printer in accordance to the IEEE 1284.3 specification. The configuration tool 32 is then inactive.

In this case, the data transmission engine 34 loads the print files into an internal buffer memory (not shown). It performs this operation either by reading the print files from their storage medium, or by receiving them directly from the print file generator 22. In this case, the transmission engine also includes the ^' queue ^' function ^. print wait, also known by the English term "spooler".

Several possibilities can be envisaged to ensure that the print data reaches the printer 2 expressly. We can for example connect the printer according to the daisy chain so that it is at the end of the line ( see figure 1), i.e. no other device is connected to the computer via a connection to the printer. In this case, the print data can be transmitted as is, without having to specify a destination address. In fact, in accordance with the IEEE 1284.3 standard, when no device is specified in an address message which precedes data, this automatically reaches the device at the end of the line. In other words, the switch 11 in FIG. 1 is positioned by default to connect the port PP2 to the PP3.

Note in this case that the data transmission engine 34 implicitly controls the routing of the print data to the printer. 2, this being selected as the default destination device. In other words, the absence of an explicit referral command to another device must be interpreted as a referral command to the printer 2.

Thus, under control of the application 24 via the GDI interface 18, the PCL files intended for printing reach the printer 2 according to the protocol of the IEEE 1284.3 specification. It is noted that the assembly 1 is then configured as for a conventional communication between a PC and a peripheral in accordance with this standard, and that no controller is interposed between the buffer memory 22 and the printer to analyze the data of impression. We will now consider the case of a command for configuring the mail conditioning apparatus 4. This command originates from a selection transmitted for example by means of the keyboard 28 and its pointing device 28a on screen 30 under command of the specific human-machine interface of the configuration tool 32.

At the level of the monitor 30, the command is entered from the menu screen which presents, possibly in a combined manner, the choices relating to the printing and mail processing parameters.

The transformation of these configuration commands chosen by the man-machine interface into commands executable by the mail conditioning apparatus 4 is carried out by the configuration tool 32.

The data transmission motor 34 is connected to the configuration tool 32 so as to: receive these executable configuration commands; and - associate with these commands an order of selection enabling the switch 11 to be activated so that the common communication channel 10 is connected to the enveloping unit 14 by the internal bus 16 (FIG. 1). The selection command is thus an example of a switch command. Generally, the selection commands are presented to the head of a frame which includes executable commands ^• configuration. A selection command may include an address field which makes it possible to designate the peripheral concerned, in this case the mail conditioning apparatus 4, in the chaining of peripherals. A selection command is used in particular to control the switch 11 within the IEEE 1284.3 interface of the link module 12, so that it connects the port PP2, and therefore the common communication channel 10, on the internal bus 16 which connects the enveloping unit 14. Of course, if other peripherals were to be located upstream of the mail conditioning apparatus, they would be deselected by the selection command in accordance with the established protocol. In this case, switches within their IEEE 1284.3 interface (s), similar to the aforementioned switch 11, would be controlled to connect their parallel ports at a and downstream.

Once the order has been prepared, it can either be transmitted directly, or stored in the storage medium such as the hard disk, or even stored in a buffer memory of the data transmission engine 34.

When it is necessary to configure the mail conditioning apparatus 4, the data transmission motor 34 suspends the stream of print data during transmission. The data transmission engine 34 can cause the interruption of intelligently so that printer operation is minimized.

The executable command frame (s) of configuration with their selection command are then transmitted on the common communication channel 10. The link module 12 detects the selection command causes the switchover in response of the switch 11, so that the common communication channel 10 is connected to the internal bus 16. The executable configuration commands are thus received by the enveloping unit 14, where they are executed in accordance with a pre-established protocol, for example to select a folding mode, the number of sheets to be inserted, envelope per envelope, the choice of envelope, etc.

At the end of the transmission of the executable configuration commands, the data transmission motor 34 controls the switching of the switch 11 in its normal state, so that the common communication channel 10 is again connected to the printer 2.

In parallel, the data transmission engine 34 resumes transmission of the previously interrupted print data stream. In this way, the executable configuration commands are interleaved with the print data, without it being necessary to analyze the nature of the data used by the peripherals. This is due to the fact that an indication of the destination of the data was given upstream, before the transmission of the latter.

Several approaches can be envisaged to signal the end of the executable configuration commands and therefore the start or the resumption of the flow of print data on the common path of communication 10. For example, it can be expected that:

- the aforementioned selection command also comprises a field which indicates the number of bits or bytes that - comprises all of the executable configuration commands which follow. The link module 12 then records the bits or bytes which follow the selection command and controls the switch 11 to re-establish the connection (on line 8) between the printer 2 and the data flow on the common communication channel 10 as soon as that the corresponding number of bits or bytes has been transmitted to the enveloping unit 14; or

the executable configuration commands are structured to include a predetermined fixed number of bits or bytes known at the level of the link module 12. Thus, the latter controls the switch 11 as in the previous case, but with reference to this number (stored internally) rather than a number extracted from a specific field; or - the configuration tool 32 also introduces data indicating the end of the executable configuration commands. This indication of the end of the executable configuration commands can be in the form of a frame which follows the last configuration data item. When this end of configuration frame is detected, the link module 12 controls the switch 11 to re-establish the connection (on line 8) between the printer 2 and the data flow on the common communication channel 10. In the For example, the configuration tool 32 has an additional function for managing the printing of envelopes. When this function is called - in particular for processing mail with envelopes without windows - it makes it possible to locate in a mail printing file the part which is the recipient's address. This part is then recorded and inserted into the stream of print data in association with specific commands for printing on envelopes in a chosen format.

To this end, the configuration tool 32 receives the print files from the data transmission engine 34. These data are analyzed in order to identify in the stream those which correspond to the recipient's address field. In the example, the address is identified by a selection of the text block in this file containing the address. The selection is made manually by the user using the conventional text selection functions using the keyboard 28 and / or the pointing device 28a. This location can also be done automatically either by identifying the start and end of recipient addresses entered by the application, or by locating the format and / or the position of the address in the layout. For example, consider a ^' text block as corresponding to an address if it is located on the upper right of the first page of the mail. When a recipient address is thus identified, the data transmission engine 34 establishes an envelope printing file by compiling the printing data relating to the address with commands specific to the formatting of this address on an envelope: positioning on the ^' face of the envelope according to its format, types of characters to be used, etc.

The envelope printing file thus prepared by the configuration tool 32 is then introduced into the data stream transmitted on the common channel of communication 10. The envelope printing file is thus inserted in the PCL printing file which comes from the flow intercepted by the ^' ' data transmission engine 34. The positioning of this envelope printing file will be chosen to ensure optimum continuity in the tasks carried out jointly by the printer 2 and the enveloping unit 14.

The aforementioned lines 8, 16 and 10 which connect the peripherals to the computer in accordance with the IEEE 1284.3 standard being bidirectional, the link module 12 also makes it possible to provide a scanner function, where it provides a data transmission from a peripherals either towards the other, or towards the computer 6. In the latter case, the data goes up via the common communication channel 10 to the port monitor 41 and, from there, transit on an internal bus 44. This bus is linked in particular to the configuration engine 32 and to the print driver 20. The link module 12 can also communicate directly with the computer using the protocol of the IEEE 1284.3 standard. This dialogue is bidirectional and takes place via the common communication channel 10, the port monitor 41 and the internal bus 44. In its function as a scanner, the link module 12 constantly or periodically monitors the operating state of the devices 2 and 14 by controlling parameters such as: idle / active state, tasks in progress (letter or envelope printing, folding, etc.), incoming data flow, identification of messages sent by the device (jamming paper, no more media or print product, data corruption, and other incidents), quantification of work performed etc. This data acquired from the devices is then lifts to the computer 6, optionally after shaping, in order to enable the latter ^'respond accordingly.

The link module 12 can also manage certain aspects of the operation of the peripherals locally, for example to control interruptions in the event of overload or to do. execute internal management routines.

The computer 6 can also command the link module 12 to execute, or to cause the peripherals to execute, certain specific tasks in addition to the current printing and mail processing tasks, for example: reprogramming software or internal parameters, send back specific data, trigger a reset, a maintenance cycle (head cleaning, calibration, etc.).

The embodiment just described allows many variants and modifications while remaining within the scope of the claimed invention. For example, the device may further comprise a postage metering module that _t is also managed by the computer using a link according to the IEEE 1284.3 specification. In this case, means are provided for inserting configuration data from the franking module (rates, printing, etc.) into the data stream on the common communication channel 10 and addressed to the latter, like of the configuration engine 32.

The various constituent elements of the device 1 can be physically located in a single box, forming an integrated and autonomous system, or separated. In the latter case, the computer 6 can constitute a separate physical unit and the mail conditioning apparatus can either be integrated into the printer, or be in a separate box. We carry out such a configuration, in particular when the device is intended to operate on a network. In this case, a printer and / or a ^'mail preparation apparatus are shared among several computer workstations.

Whatever the architectures envisaged, it is clear that the different functional blocks described with reference to the figures can be organized differently, in particular as regards their location in the different units. For example, the link module 12 can be a hardware or software module integrated into the computer 6, and connected to the switch 11 either by ^• the common communication channel, or by another link. Furthermore, it is conceivable to use a data link other than that based on the IEEE 1284.3 standard, for example a data address bus according to different specifications.

Claims

1. Device (1) for printing control and packaging of mail in which printing data and configuration data relating to packaging of mail are directed on a common communication channel (10) which supplies respectively a printer ( 2) and a mail packaging device (4), the device being characterized in that it comprises:

- communication control means (34), upstream of the common communication channel (10), which selectively transmit thereon routing commands with the flow of printing and configuration data; and

- routing means (11,12) which route the print data and the configuration data downstream of the common communication channel selectively to the printer (2) or to the mail packaging apparatus (4 ) based on these referral commands.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the mail conditioning apparatus (4) comprises a connection module (12) having a first port (PP2) connected to the common communication channel (10) and a second port (PP3) to which the printer (2) is connected, the link module providing said referral by the selective connection of the first port either with the second port, or with an internal link (16) connected to enveloping means (14).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the switching means (11, 12) are positioned by default to route the data from the common communication channel (10) to the printer (2), switch commands with the function of divert the flow of data by the referral means to the mail conditioning apparatus ().

4. Device according to claim 3, 5 characterized in that it comprises means (12, 34) for again positioning the switching means (11, 12) in said default position at the end of a command for configuration or a group of configuration commands. . 10.

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the routing controls are positioned upstream of the configuration data.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the common communication channel (10) establishes a link according to the IEEE 1284.3 standard.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the .conditioning apparatus (4)

20 and the printer are connected to ^'the common communication channel (10) by concatenation, according to the mode "daisy chain" of IEEE 1284.3.

8. Device. according to claim 7, characterized in that the printer (2) is connected in

25 end of chain in said "daisy chain" connection.

9. Device according to any ^one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the configuration data used to select an operating mode of the packaging apparatus of the

30 mail (4), in particular to establish: the number of sheets to be inserted in an envelope and a type of folding to be carried out.

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises

35 means (26, 32) for establishing data of configuration of the mail conditioning apparatus (4), making it possible to select said orders by a man-machine interface (32).

11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the communication control means (34) comprise means for diverting or collecting print data from their source (22) and for controlling the retransmission from these to the printer (2).

12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the communication control means (34) comprise means for controlling the storage and re-reading of the print data.

13. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the communication control means (34) comprise a buffer memory making it possible to accommodate a temporary difference in the rate of transmission of print data and entry rate of these.

14. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it further comprises scanning means (12) for controlling the operating state of the printer (2) and / or the mail conditioning apparatus (4) and for sending data relating to this control to a central computer (6) via the common communication channel (10).

15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the scanning means (12) are located downstream of the common communication channel (10).

16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the scanning means (12) are functionally integrated into a connection module located in the mail packaging device (4) and providing said switch.

17. Device according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the scanning means (12) transmit, and / or retransmit from the common communication channel (10), commands selectively annexed to the printer ( 2) or to the mail conditioning device (4), these ancillary commands relating in particular to interrupt commands, maintenance cycles or other operating aspects.

18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that at least some of said ancillary commands come from means (6) upstream of the common communication channel (10) and are selectively directed to the printer (2) or the device mail conditioning (4) by said communication control means (34) and the switching means (11, 12).

19. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that it comprises means (32) for detecting address data in the printing data, for processing, from this data d printing, of an envelope printing file, and insertion of this file into the stream of printing data transmitted on the common communication channel.

20. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that it also controls a postal franking device connected to the common communication channel (10), the communication control means (34) transmitting to this device commands associated with specific routing data.

21. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the communication control means (34) are functionally integrated into a computer (6) which controls the printer (2) and the mail packaging apparatus (4).

22. Device according to claim 21, characterized in that the mail conditioning apparatus (4) is housed in a housing physically separate from the computer (6).

23. Device according to claim 21, characterized in that the mail conditioning apparatus (4) and the computer are housed in a common housing.

24. A printing control and mail conditioning method in which printing data and configuration data relating to mail conditioning are directed on a common communication channel (10) which supplies respectively a printer (2) and a mail packaging device (4), the device being characterized in that:

- Is transmitted (34) selectively on the common communication channel (10), and upstream thereof, routing commands with the flow of print and configuration data; and

- the printing data and the configuration data are routed (11,12) downstream from the common communication channel selectively to the printer (2) or to the mail conditioning apparatus (4) as a function of these switch commands. .

25. The method of claim 24, characterized in that the data is routed by default on the common communication channel (10) to the printer (2), the routing commands having the function of diverting the flow data to the mail conditioner (4).

26. The method of claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the routing controls are positioned upstream of the configuration data.

27. Method according to any one of claims 24 to 26, characterized in that the common communication channel (10) establishes a link according to the IEEE 1284.3 standard.

28. The method of claim 27, characterized in that the packaging apparatus (4) and the printer are connected to the common communication channel (10) by concatenation, according to the "daisy chain" mode of the IEEE 1284.3 standard. .

29. Method according to claim 28, characterized in that the printer (2) is connected at the end of the chain in said "daisy chain" connection.

30. ^' Method according to any one of ^' claims 24 to. 29, characterized in that the configuration commands make it possible to select an operating mode of the mail conditioning apparatus (4), in particular to establish: the number of sheets to be inserted in an envelope and a type of folding to be carried out .

31. Method according to any one of claims 24 to 30, characterized in that ^' the configuration data of the mail conditioning apparatus (4) are selected by a man-machine interface.

32. Method according to any one of claims 24 to 31, characterized in that the print data are collected from a storage medium for these (19), for example a hard disk.

33. Method according to. any one of claims 24 to 32, characterized in that it further comprises scanning steps (12) for checking the operating state of the printer (2) and / or of the mail conditioning apparatus (4) and for sending data relating to this check to a central computer (6) via the common communication channel (10).

34. Method according to claim 33, characterized in that the scanning (12) is carried out downstream of the common communication channel (10).

35. Method according to any one of claims 33 or 34, characterized in that, during the polling (12) is transmitted, e / or retransmitted from the common communication channel (10), commands selectively annexed to the 'printer (2) or to the mail packaging device (4), these ancillary commands relating in particular to interrupt commands, maintenance cycles or other operating aspects.

36. Method according to claim 35, characterized in that at least some of the said additional commands come from means (6) upstream of the common communication channel (10) and are selectively directed to the printer (2) or the device. mail conditioning (4) by said communication control means (34) and the switching means (11, 12).

37. Method according to any one of claims 24 to 36, characterized in that it further comprises steps of detecting address data in the printing data, of processing, from this data of printing, of an envelope printing file, and insertion of this file in the stream of printing data transmitted on the common communication channel.

38. Method according to any one of Claims 24 to 37, characterized in that it also controls a postal franking device connected to the common communication channel (10), by transmission of specific routing data.