CA2054124C - Process for franking mail and a system for carrying out this process - Google Patents
Process for franking mail and a system for carrying out this processInfo
- Publication number
- CA2054124C CA2054124C CA002054124A CA2054124A CA2054124C CA 2054124 C CA2054124 C CA 2054124C CA 002054124 A CA002054124 A CA 002054124A CA 2054124 A CA2054124 A CA 2054124A CA 2054124 C CA2054124 C CA 2054124C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- franking
- postage
- data processing
- processing center
- data
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
- G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
- G07B17/00314—Communication within apparatus, personal computer [PC] system, or server, e.g. between printhead and central unit in a franking machine
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
- G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
- G07B2017/00088—Communication details outside or between apparatus via landlines
- G07B2017/00096—Communication details outside or between apparatus via landlines via phone lines
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
- G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
- G07B2017/00153—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information
- G07B2017/00161—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information from a central, non-user location, e.g. for updating rates or software, or for refilling funds
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
- G07B17/00314—Communication within apparatus, personal computer [PC] system, or server, e.g. between printhead and central unit in a franking machine
- G07B2017/00322—Communication between components/modules/parts, e.g. printer, printhead, keyboard, conveyor or central unit
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
- G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
- G07B2017/00612—Attaching item on mailpiece
- G07B2017/0062—Label
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00733—Cryptography or similar special procedures in a franking system
- G07B2017/00959—Cryptographic modules, e.g. a PC encryption board
- G07B2017/00967—PSD [Postal Security Device] as defined by the USPS [US Postal Service]
Abstract
The present invention describes a process for using available communications terminal devices for franking mail. To this end, it is proposed that the technical possibilities for data processing of the franking values and available printing systems of the communications terminal device be used for printing the franking by means of a franking unit, by coupling a terminal device.
Description
2 0 ~ 2 '~
The present inventlon relate~ to a proae~s for franking mall and ~ system for carrying out thls prOCQg8, ln whlch a user 18 equipment th~t incorporates franklng ~unct$ons ls conneated to a remot~, central data processing system in order to account ~or po~tage fees, thi6 being done via telecommunicatlon6 8y~tem8.
The interaction of franking machines with data procQ~sing ~ystem~
for centralized accounting of postage fQes by u~ing available communic~tions nQtworks is already known ~DE-28 20 658 Al, DE-31 26 785 Al; DE-31 26 7B6 Al). The~e ~y~tem~ are u~ed to re~ue~t credits to load a franking machine. When thi~ i8 done, both the idontity of the franking machine and authorization~ are chscked via a computation mode and verlflcation comblnation~.
As far as procurement and maintenance are concerned, ~ranking machines are numbered amongst hlgh-value lndustrlal good~ and conseguently are beyond the means of bu~inesses that incur only moderate or small postage costs.
For thl6 reason, lt ls the ta~k o~ th~ pre~ent invention to develop a process and a system for carrying out this process, whlch provide a fr~nklng pos~ibility for low ~nd medlum po~tag~
costs by using the user' B equipment and central accountlng ~or po~tage costs~ without lt being necessary for the user to install additional installationfi ~or remote input.
The process ls based on the use of telecommunlcatlons systems wlth dlfferent termlnal devlces, these belng connected to a central data processlng system for enterlng postage fees. Remote coplers for the telefax servlce and ISDN [Integrated Servlces Data Network~ termlnals are used as termlnal devlces.
Accordlng to one aspect, the lnventlon provldes a method for franklng postal matter wlth an apparatus of a postage user havlng franklng functlons and belng coupled through telecommunlcatlon devlces wlth a remote data processlng center for recordlng and releaslng postage, whlch comprlses: storlng permanent lmage portlons of a franklng lmage ln a non-volatlle memory assoclated wlth a remote copler for telefax servlce lnstalled at a locatlon of a user;
coupllng the remote copler through a telecommunlcatlon system wlth a data processlng center assoclated wlth a postage servlce for settlement of postage through telecommunlcatlons connectlons; transmlttlng data to the data processlng center ln one dlrectlon for requestlng a central recordatlon of postage and for generatlng franklng data; transmlttlng at least essentlal portlons of a franklng lmage correspondlng to the requested franklng ln another dlrectlon; and completlng the franklng lmage ln the termlnal devlce wlth stored lmage portlons.
Accordlng to another aspect, the lnventlon provldes a devlce for franklng postal matter, comprlslng a remote copler for telefax servlce of a postage user havlng: means for performlng franklng functlons; means for storlng permanent , ',~, lmage portlons of a franklng lmage; a two-way telecommunlcatlon lnput devlce for coupllng sald termlnal devlce wlth a remote data processlng center for recordlng and releaslng postage; a prlnter; a codlng devlce for securlng the two-way communlcatlon wlth cryptographlc encodlng; means for comblnlng lnformatlon recelved from the remote data processlng center wlth the stored permanent lmage portlons to form a flnal franklng lmage; and safety means for preventlng counterfeltlng of a franklng lmprlnt.
Accordlng to yet another aspect, the lnventlon provldes a devlce for franklng postal matterl comprlslng a multl-functlonal lntegrated servlce data network of a postage user havlng; means for performlng franklng functlons; means for storlng permanent lmage portlons of a franklng lmage; a two-way telecommunlcatlon lnput devlce for coupllng sald termlnal devlce wlth a remote data processlng center for recordlng and releaslng postage; a prlnter; a codlng devlce for securlng the two-way communlcatlon wlth cryptographlc encodlng; means for comblning information recelved from the remote data processlng center wlth the stored permanent lmage portlons to form a flnal franklng lmage; and safety means for preventlng counterfelting of a franking imprlnt.
The present inventlon wlll be descrlbed ln greater detall below on the basls of four drawings that show a comblnation of a remote copler and a franklng unlt. These drawlngs show the following Flgure 1: a perspectlve vlew of a remote copler;
Flgure 2: the block-clrcult dlagram;
- 4a -A
2054 i 24 Flgure 3: an lnformatlon-flow dlagram;
Flgure 4: the flow chart of a franklng unlt of the remote copler shown ln Flgure 1.
The remote copler 1 shown ln Flgure 1 lncorporates a franklng unlt 6. The keyboard 7 of thls unlt ls used to lnput the franklng values. The partlcular mode ln whlch the franking machlne ls belng used ls lndlcated by the dlsplay 8.
In addltlon, the dlsplay 8 can also be used to show franklng values and other franklng-related data, such as, for example, settlement - 4b -2 ~ 4 of account~. A colour-ribbon aontrol unlt 5 that i~ controlled by the franking unit 6 controls or monitor~ a ~pocial colour ribbon 4. A roll 3 of bl~nk franklng etrlpe le ao~pled to the paper input of the remote copier. The finished franking ~trips 2 are re~oved from the usual output o~ the remote copiHr. I~ a remotQ copier for the telefax ~ervice ie u~ed a~ a terminal deviceas a franking-printing deviae, the lnput dovice, in the form of a keyboard 7, and the dl~play 8 are As~oclatQd wlth it, in ordQr to conduct the dlalogue with the c~ntrAl d~t~ procQ~ing system. Control of the flow of data between the franking unlt 6 on the onQ hand, and the oper~tlng ~urface ~nd the prlnter on the other i8 effected by the telecopier control unit 12. A codlng dovice i~ al~o provid~d rOr cryptographlc encodln~ and a~ ~ meanY
o~ preventing falsification of the rranking lmpre~lon.
In particular, an additional colour ribbon 4, the colour of whlch i5 distinct from the other colours printed by the remoto copier also serves as a 6ecurity device. Thi~ colour ribbon i8 only releaSQd for printing, for example, after accounting ~or the postage fee of the impression has been carrie~ out by mean~ of the po~tal chargQ unit 16.
A termlnal device available to the u~er, ~uch as the telecopler dlficussed ln the above example, i9 connected thro~gh ~
telecommunication~ link 9, 17, to a centr~l d~ta procee~ing system that 1~ connected to thle eervic~, th~ being done by 2 ~
means o~ a modem lO, ~igure 2, a microproces~or 14 lnitiatlng and monitoring control of the franking unlt 6 and the switching of the remote copier contr~l unit 12. The user 1 8 request for central entry of postage fees and for the generation of ~ranklng data are tran~mltted to the central data proce~lng sy~tem through thls connection. The franking image and/or es6ential part~ thereof, which corr~pond to the franking that ha~ boon r~quested ar~ sent ln the opposlte directlon from the c~ntral data proce~ing ~ystsm to the terminal deviae, or ar~ rel~aced, ln order that the terminal device can print the complete franklng im~lg~ .
For reason~ of security, it 18 advantagqous to ~tore a part o~
the franking image ln the t~rminal device and send the other part from the central data procQssing ~y~tem to the termlnal device.
Within the terminal device, both parts are combined to ~orm the final franklng lmage. It is advAntagQou~ 1~ th~ constant or permanent part~ of the franking image, (such a8 an advertising field and, i~ nece~sary, the frame or border ~or the printed value together wlth location, postal code, and date),are ~tored ln a graphics memory 15 within the user's terminal device . A
non-volatlle memory is usQd as the ~torage means for this constant permanent data of the franking lmage.
communication between the terminal device as a ~ranking-printing device Qnd the central data processlng ~y~t~m 1~ se~ured by 2~54 ~ ~
cryptographic encoding, e.g., according to the familiar RSA data coding ~ystem.
A secure postage feQ unit 16 is ~sociated with the term~nal devlce to provid~ accounting ~or po~tage ~oe~ ~or tho lndividu~l franking operation~; each tlme the u~er reque~t6 credit, the postage fee unit 16 i3 interrogated by the central data processing unit and chocked. Only after sp~cific, pre~cribed requirements have been met is the credit sent to or loaded in the po8tage fee unit 16 and the monitored ~eatlon o~ the fr~nking image relea~ed by the oen~rsl data proco~ing ~ystHm.
Ao a further ~ecurity ~easure, a security code i~ generated and printed together with the franking data. This 6ecurity code i~
generated from data that ldenti~ie~ the terminal device.
Figure 3 ~how~ the flow of information for the ~ranking unit 6, accordlng to the block clrcuit diagram a~ ~hown in figure 2.
A typical flow chart for ~uch a remote copier with a franking cap~blllty 1~ ~hown ln ~igur~ 4.
The postage fee or franking printing is effected on the labels 2 by control o~ the prlnter 18 through the converslon Or the remote copier function 12 onto the labels 2. The~e strip~ 2, for example, self-a~hesly~ label6, are in6tall~d unsop~r~t~d ~or ~5~ 2A
printing on the printer platen 3 o~ the remoto copier. A~
further variation, a strip dlspensQr can be provlded, and thi~
then ~eeds the ~trlp~ 2 individu~lly to the prlnter platQn by mean~ of a feed sy~tem.
If a multi-functtonal ISDN terminal devlce i8 u~ed with a printer, a communic~tion~ ~orvic~ that i~ implomented ln the terminal device i8 u~d. The securlty mea~ure~ corre~pond to the above-d~cribed moasures for a remote oopier.
The present inventlon relate~ to a proae~s for franking mall and ~ system for carrying out thls prOCQg8, ln whlch a user 18 equipment th~t incorporates franklng ~unct$ons ls conneated to a remot~, central data processing system in order to account ~or po~tage fees, thi6 being done via telecommunicatlon6 8y~tem8.
The interaction of franking machines with data procQ~sing ~ystem~
for centralized accounting of postage fQes by u~ing available communic~tions nQtworks is already known ~DE-28 20 658 Al, DE-31 26 785 Al; DE-31 26 7B6 Al). The~e ~y~tem~ are u~ed to re~ue~t credits to load a franking machine. When thi~ i8 done, both the idontity of the franking machine and authorization~ are chscked via a computation mode and verlflcation comblnation~.
As far as procurement and maintenance are concerned, ~ranking machines are numbered amongst hlgh-value lndustrlal good~ and conseguently are beyond the means of bu~inesses that incur only moderate or small postage costs.
For thl6 reason, lt ls the ta~k o~ th~ pre~ent invention to develop a process and a system for carrying out this process, whlch provide a fr~nklng pos~ibility for low ~nd medlum po~tag~
costs by using the user' B equipment and central accountlng ~or po~tage costs~ without lt being necessary for the user to install additional installationfi ~or remote input.
The process ls based on the use of telecommunlcatlons systems wlth dlfferent termlnal devlces, these belng connected to a central data processlng system for enterlng postage fees. Remote coplers for the telefax servlce and ISDN [Integrated Servlces Data Network~ termlnals are used as termlnal devlces.
Accordlng to one aspect, the lnventlon provldes a method for franklng postal matter wlth an apparatus of a postage user havlng franklng functlons and belng coupled through telecommunlcatlon devlces wlth a remote data processlng center for recordlng and releaslng postage, whlch comprlses: storlng permanent lmage portlons of a franklng lmage ln a non-volatlle memory assoclated wlth a remote copler for telefax servlce lnstalled at a locatlon of a user;
coupllng the remote copler through a telecommunlcatlon system wlth a data processlng center assoclated wlth a postage servlce for settlement of postage through telecommunlcatlons connectlons; transmlttlng data to the data processlng center ln one dlrectlon for requestlng a central recordatlon of postage and for generatlng franklng data; transmlttlng at least essentlal portlons of a franklng lmage correspondlng to the requested franklng ln another dlrectlon; and completlng the franklng lmage ln the termlnal devlce wlth stored lmage portlons.
Accordlng to another aspect, the lnventlon provldes a devlce for franklng postal matter, comprlslng a remote copler for telefax servlce of a postage user havlng: means for performlng franklng functlons; means for storlng permanent , ',~, lmage portlons of a franklng lmage; a two-way telecommunlcatlon lnput devlce for coupllng sald termlnal devlce wlth a remote data processlng center for recordlng and releaslng postage; a prlnter; a codlng devlce for securlng the two-way communlcatlon wlth cryptographlc encodlng; means for comblnlng lnformatlon recelved from the remote data processlng center wlth the stored permanent lmage portlons to form a flnal franklng lmage; and safety means for preventlng counterfeltlng of a franklng lmprlnt.
Accordlng to yet another aspect, the lnventlon provldes a devlce for franklng postal matterl comprlslng a multl-functlonal lntegrated servlce data network of a postage user havlng; means for performlng franklng functlons; means for storlng permanent lmage portlons of a franklng lmage; a two-way telecommunlcatlon lnput devlce for coupllng sald termlnal devlce wlth a remote data processlng center for recordlng and releaslng postage; a prlnter; a codlng devlce for securlng the two-way communlcatlon wlth cryptographlc encodlng; means for comblning information recelved from the remote data processlng center wlth the stored permanent lmage portlons to form a flnal franklng lmage; and safety means for preventlng counterfelting of a franking imprlnt.
The present inventlon wlll be descrlbed ln greater detall below on the basls of four drawings that show a comblnation of a remote copler and a franklng unlt. These drawlngs show the following Flgure 1: a perspectlve vlew of a remote copler;
Flgure 2: the block-clrcult dlagram;
- 4a -A
2054 i 24 Flgure 3: an lnformatlon-flow dlagram;
Flgure 4: the flow chart of a franklng unlt of the remote copler shown ln Flgure 1.
The remote copler 1 shown ln Flgure 1 lncorporates a franklng unlt 6. The keyboard 7 of thls unlt ls used to lnput the franklng values. The partlcular mode ln whlch the franking machlne ls belng used ls lndlcated by the dlsplay 8.
In addltlon, the dlsplay 8 can also be used to show franklng values and other franklng-related data, such as, for example, settlement - 4b -2 ~ 4 of account~. A colour-ribbon aontrol unlt 5 that i~ controlled by the franking unit 6 controls or monitor~ a ~pocial colour ribbon 4. A roll 3 of bl~nk franklng etrlpe le ao~pled to the paper input of the remote copier. The finished franking ~trips 2 are re~oved from the usual output o~ the remote copiHr. I~ a remotQ copier for the telefax ~ervice ie u~ed a~ a terminal deviceas a franking-printing deviae, the lnput dovice, in the form of a keyboard 7, and the dl~play 8 are As~oclatQd wlth it, in ordQr to conduct the dlalogue with the c~ntrAl d~t~ procQ~ing system. Control of the flow of data between the franking unlt 6 on the onQ hand, and the oper~tlng ~urface ~nd the prlnter on the other i8 effected by the telecopier control unit 12. A codlng dovice i~ al~o provid~d rOr cryptographlc encodln~ and a~ ~ meanY
o~ preventing falsification of the rranking lmpre~lon.
In particular, an additional colour ribbon 4, the colour of whlch i5 distinct from the other colours printed by the remoto copier also serves as a 6ecurity device. Thi~ colour ribbon i8 only releaSQd for printing, for example, after accounting ~or the postage fee of the impression has been carrie~ out by mean~ of the po~tal chargQ unit 16.
A termlnal device available to the u~er, ~uch as the telecopler dlficussed ln the above example, i9 connected thro~gh ~
telecommunication~ link 9, 17, to a centr~l d~ta procee~ing system that 1~ connected to thle eervic~, th~ being done by 2 ~
means o~ a modem lO, ~igure 2, a microproces~or 14 lnitiatlng and monitoring control of the franking unlt 6 and the switching of the remote copier contr~l unit 12. The user 1 8 request for central entry of postage fees and for the generation of ~ranklng data are tran~mltted to the central data proce~lng sy~tem through thls connection. The franking image and/or es6ential part~ thereof, which corr~pond to the franking that ha~ boon r~quested ar~ sent ln the opposlte directlon from the c~ntral data proce~ing ~ystsm to the terminal deviae, or ar~ rel~aced, ln order that the terminal device can print the complete franklng im~lg~ .
For reason~ of security, it 18 advantagqous to ~tore a part o~
the franking image ln the t~rminal device and send the other part from the central data procQssing ~y~tem to the termlnal device.
Within the terminal device, both parts are combined to ~orm the final franklng lmage. It is advAntagQou~ 1~ th~ constant or permanent part~ of the franking image, (such a8 an advertising field and, i~ nece~sary, the frame or border ~or the printed value together wlth location, postal code, and date),are ~tored ln a graphics memory 15 within the user's terminal device . A
non-volatlle memory is usQd as the ~torage means for this constant permanent data of the franking lmage.
communication between the terminal device as a ~ranking-printing device Qnd the central data processlng ~y~t~m 1~ se~ured by 2~54 ~ ~
cryptographic encoding, e.g., according to the familiar RSA data coding ~ystem.
A secure postage feQ unit 16 is ~sociated with the term~nal devlce to provid~ accounting ~or po~tage ~oe~ ~or tho lndividu~l franking operation~; each tlme the u~er reque~t6 credit, the postage fee unit 16 i3 interrogated by the central data processing unit and chocked. Only after sp~cific, pre~cribed requirements have been met is the credit sent to or loaded in the po8tage fee unit 16 and the monitored ~eatlon o~ the fr~nking image relea~ed by the oen~rsl data proco~ing ~ystHm.
Ao a further ~ecurity ~easure, a security code i~ generated and printed together with the franking data. This 6ecurity code i~
generated from data that ldenti~ie~ the terminal device.
Figure 3 ~how~ the flow of information for the ~ranking unit 6, accordlng to the block clrcuit diagram a~ ~hown in figure 2.
A typical flow chart for ~uch a remote copier with a franking cap~blllty 1~ ~hown ln ~igur~ 4.
The postage fee or franking printing is effected on the labels 2 by control o~ the prlnter 18 through the converslon Or the remote copier function 12 onto the labels 2. The~e strip~ 2, for example, self-a~hesly~ label6, are in6tall~d unsop~r~t~d ~or ~5~ 2A
printing on the printer platen 3 o~ the remoto copier. A~
further variation, a strip dlspensQr can be provlded, and thi~
then ~eeds the ~trlp~ 2 individu~lly to the prlnter platQn by mean~ of a feed sy~tem.
If a multi-functtonal ISDN terminal devlce i8 u~ed with a printer, a communic~tion~ ~orvic~ that i~ implomented ln the terminal device i8 u~d. The securlty mea~ure~ corre~pond to the above-d~cribed moasures for a remote oopier.
Claims (15)
1. A method for franking postal matter with an apparatus of a postage user having franking functions and being coupled through telecommunication devices with a remote data processing center for recording and releasing postage, which comprises: storing permanent image portions of a franking image in a non-volatile memory associated with a remote copier for telefax service installed at a location of a user; coupling the remote copier through a telecommunication system with a data processing center associated with a postage service for settlement of postage through telecommunications connections; transmitting data to the data processing center in one direction for requesting a central recordation of postage and for generating franking data; transmitting at least essential portions of a franking image corresponding to the requested franking in another direction; and completing the franking image in the terminal device with stored image portions.
2. The method according to claim 1, which comprises safe-guarding the data transmission between the terminal device and the data processing center with cryptographic encoding.
3. The method according to claim 1, which comprises settling postage of individual frankings in a secure postage box of the terminal device and communicating between the data processing center and the postage box for settling the postage and replenishing an account.
4. A device for franking postal matter, comprising a remote copier for telefax service of a postage user having:
means for performing franking functions; means for storing permanent image portions of a franking image; a two-way telecommunication input device for coupling said terminal device with a remote data processing center for recording and releasing postage; a printer; a coding device for securing the two-way communication with cryptographic encoding; means for combining information received from the remote data processing center with the stored permanent image portions to form a final franking image; and safety means for preventing counterfeiting of a franking imprint.
means for performing franking functions; means for storing permanent image portions of a franking image; a two-way telecommunication input device for coupling said terminal device with a remote data processing center for recording and releasing postage; a printer; a coding device for securing the two-way communication with cryptographic encoding; means for combining information received from the remote data processing center with the stored permanent image portions to form a final franking image; and safety means for preventing counterfeiting of a franking imprint.
5. The device according to claim 4, wherein said safety means include a special ribbon used exclusively for the franking imprint, and a postage box for releasing said special ribbon only after settlement of printed postage.
6. The device according to claim 5, including means associated with said coding device for generating a security code from data identifying said terminal device to be printed out by said printer together with the franking data.
7. The device according to claim 4, including means for supplying said printer with strips for printing the postage.
8. The device according to claim 7, wherein said strips are unseparated, self-sticking labels.
9. The device according to claim 7, including a strip dispenser and feed device for separately supplying said strips to said printer.
10. A device for franking postal matter, comprising a multi-functional integrated service data network of a postage user having; means for performing franking functions; means for storing permanent image portions of a franking image; a two-way telecommunication input device for coupling said terminal device with a remote data processing center for recording and releasing postage; a printer; a coding device for securing the two-way communication with cryptographic encoding; means for combining information received from the remote data processing center with the stored permanent image portions to form a final franking image; and safety means for preventing counterfeiting of a franking imprint.
11. The device according to claim 10, wherein said safety means include a special ribbon used exclusively for the franking imprint, and a postage box for releasing said special ribbon only after settlement of printed postage.
12. The device according to claim 11, including means associated with said coding device for generating a security code from data identifying said terminal device to be printed out by said printer together with the franking data.
13. The device according to claim 10, including means for supplying said printer with strips for printing the postage.
14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said strips are unseparated, self-sticking labels.
15. The device according to claim 13, including a strip dispenser and a feed device for separately supplying said strips to said printer.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE4034292A DE4034292A1 (en) | 1990-10-25 | 1990-10-25 | METHOD FOR MAILING POSTAGE AND ARRANGEMENT FOR CARRYING IT OUT |
| DEP4034292.1 | 1990-10-25 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2054124A1 CA2054124A1 (en) | 1992-04-26 |
| CA2054124C true CA2054124C (en) | 1995-12-26 |
Family
ID=6417207
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002054124A Expired - Fee Related CA2054124C (en) | 1990-10-25 | 1991-10-24 | Process for franking mail and a system for carrying out this process |
Country Status (9)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5233657A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0482317B1 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR920008643A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2054124C (en) |
| CS (1) | CS321991A3 (en) |
| DE (2) | DE4034292A1 (en) |
| HU (1) | HUT60049A (en) |
| PL (1) | PL292041A1 (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA918536B (en) |
Families Citing this family (57)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE4312894A1 (en) * | 1993-04-16 | 1994-10-20 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Method for inputting data into a franking machine |
| DE4221270A1 (en) * | 1992-06-26 | 1994-01-05 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Arrangement and method for changing the cliché text part for franking machines |
| DE4224955C2 (en) * | 1992-07-24 | 1998-11-26 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Arrangement and procedure for internal cost center printing |
| GB9226811D0 (en) * | 1992-12-23 | 1993-02-17 | Neopost Ltd | Franking machine |
| GB9226812D0 (en) * | 1992-12-23 | 1993-02-17 | Neopost Ltd | Franking machine |
| US5490077A (en) * | 1993-01-20 | 1996-02-06 | Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh | Method for data input into a postage meter machine, arrangement for franking postal matter and for producing an advert mark respectively allocated to a cost allocation account |
| US5608636A (en) * | 1993-06-21 | 1997-03-04 | Francotyp-Postalia Ag & Co. | Method for controlling the column-by-column printing of a franking image in a postage meter machine |
| US5454038A (en) * | 1993-12-06 | 1995-09-26 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Electronic data interchange postage evidencing system |
| DE4344471A1 (en) * | 1993-12-21 | 1995-08-17 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Method and device for generating and checking a security impression |
| US5513563A (en) * | 1994-11-14 | 1996-05-07 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Indicia security via variable dot size |
| US5715164A (en) * | 1994-12-14 | 1998-02-03 | Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems Ag | System and method for communications with postage meters |
| US5602921A (en) | 1994-12-15 | 1997-02-11 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Postage accounting system including means for transmitting ASCII encoded variable information for driving an external printer |
| US5606613A (en) * | 1994-12-22 | 1997-02-25 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Method for identifying a metering accounting vault to digital printer |
| DE4447404C2 (en) * | 1994-12-23 | 1998-08-20 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Method for entering data into a balance and arrangement for carrying out the method |
| US5771289A (en) * | 1995-06-06 | 1998-06-23 | Intel Corporation | Method and apparatus for transmitting electronic data using attached electronic credits to pay for the transmission |
| US5822738A (en) * | 1995-11-22 | 1998-10-13 | F.M.E. Corporation | Method and apparatus for a modular postage accounting system |
| US6157919A (en) * | 1995-12-19 | 2000-12-05 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | PC-based open metering system and method |
| DE19549305A1 (en) | 1995-12-22 | 1997-07-03 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Method and arrangement for entering data into a franking machine |
| DE19617557A1 (en) * | 1996-05-02 | 1997-11-06 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Method for determining the cheapest carrier and mail processing system with personal computer and with a method for data processing |
| WO1998013790A1 (en) * | 1996-09-24 | 1998-04-02 | Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems Inc. | Proof of postage digital franking |
| AU727477B2 (en) * | 1996-10-02 | 2000-12-14 | Stamps.Com Inc. | System and method for retrieving postage credit over a network |
| US5822739A (en) * | 1996-10-02 | 1998-10-13 | E-Stamp Corporation | System and method for remote postage metering |
| US6889214B1 (en) | 1996-10-02 | 2005-05-03 | Stamps.Com Inc. | Virtual security device |
| US5953426A (en) * | 1997-02-11 | 1999-09-14 | Francotyp-Postalia Ag & Co. | Method and arrangement for generating and checking a security imprint |
| WO1998057304A1 (en) * | 1997-06-12 | 1998-12-17 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Virtual postage meter with secure digital signature device |
| US7203666B1 (en) | 1997-06-13 | 2007-04-10 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Virtual postage metering system |
| DE19733605A1 (en) * | 1997-07-29 | 1999-02-04 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Procedure for billing shipping services |
| US6064993A (en) * | 1997-12-18 | 2000-05-16 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Closed system virtual postage meter |
| WO1999039278A1 (en) * | 1998-01-30 | 1999-08-05 | Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for web television franking |
| US6233565B1 (en) | 1998-02-13 | 2001-05-15 | Saranac Software, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for internet based financial transactions with evidence of payment |
| DE19812903A1 (en) | 1998-03-18 | 1999-09-23 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Franking device and a method for generating valid data for franking imprints |
| DE19913067A1 (en) | 1999-03-17 | 2000-09-21 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Method for the automatic installation of franking devices and arrangement for carrying out the method |
| CA2391414A1 (en) * | 1999-11-15 | 2001-05-25 | Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems, Inc. | Telephone/fax franking system |
| WO2001054071A2 (en) * | 2000-01-24 | 2001-07-26 | Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems, Inc. | Proof of postage digital franking |
| DE10019085A1 (en) * | 2000-04-10 | 2001-12-06 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Arrangement and method for providing a message when loading service data for a terminal |
| WO2001086411A1 (en) * | 2000-05-05 | 2001-11-15 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | System and method for instant online postage metering |
| US6839691B2 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2005-01-04 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Method for acquiring a customer for online postage metering |
| DE10037631A1 (en) * | 2000-08-02 | 2002-02-14 | Deutsche Telekom Ag | Cashless payment of goods using online tickets, involves preparing tickets as diagram in external database and completing transfer of picture data to printer according to prepared diagram of tickets |
| FR2814840B1 (en) * | 2000-09-29 | 2002-12-27 | Neopost Ind | HIGH THROUGHPUT POSTAGE MACHINE |
| US6871232B2 (en) * | 2001-03-06 | 2005-03-22 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and system for third party resource provisioning management |
| US11037151B1 (en) | 2003-08-19 | 2021-06-15 | Stamps.Com Inc. | System and method for dynamically partitioning a postage evidencing system |
| DE102004014427A1 (en) * | 2004-03-19 | 2005-10-27 | Francotyp-Postalia Ag & Co. Kg | A method for server-managed security management of deliverable services and arrangement for providing data after a security management for a franking system |
| DE102004039547A1 (en) * | 2004-08-13 | 2006-02-23 | Deutsche Post Ag | Method and device for franking mailpieces |
| US7483175B2 (en) * | 2005-09-16 | 2009-01-27 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Method and system for printing secure value documents and non-secure documents utilizing the same printing device |
| US8612361B1 (en) | 2006-12-27 | 2013-12-17 | Stamps.Com Inc. | System and method for handling payment errors with respect to delivery services |
| US8775331B1 (en) | 2006-12-27 | 2014-07-08 | Stamps.Com Inc | Postage metering with accumulated postage |
| US10373398B1 (en) | 2008-02-13 | 2019-08-06 | Stamps.Com Inc. | Systems and methods for distributed activation of postage |
| US9978185B1 (en) | 2008-04-15 | 2018-05-22 | Stamps.Com Inc. | Systems and methods for activation of postage indicia at point of sale |
| US9911246B1 (en) | 2008-12-24 | 2018-03-06 | Stamps.Com Inc. | Systems and methods utilizing gravity feed for postage metering |
| US9842308B1 (en) | 2010-02-25 | 2017-12-12 | Stamps.Com Inc. | Systems and methods for rules based shipping |
| US10089797B1 (en) | 2010-02-25 | 2018-10-02 | Stamps.Com Inc. | Systems and methods for providing localized functionality in browser based postage transactions |
| US10713634B1 (en) | 2011-05-18 | 2020-07-14 | Stamps.Com Inc. | Systems and methods using mobile communication handsets for providing postage |
| US10846650B1 (en) | 2011-11-01 | 2020-11-24 | Stamps.Com Inc. | Perpetual value bearing shipping labels |
| US10922641B1 (en) | 2012-01-24 | 2021-02-16 | Stamps.Com Inc. | Systems and methods providing known shipper information for shipping indicia |
| US9721225B1 (en) | 2013-10-16 | 2017-08-01 | Stamps.Com Inc. | Systems and methods facilitating shipping services rate resale |
| US10417728B1 (en) | 2014-04-17 | 2019-09-17 | Stamps.Com Inc. | Single secure environment session generating multiple indicia |
| US10521754B2 (en) | 2016-03-08 | 2019-12-31 | Auctane, LLC | Concatenated shipping documentation processing spawning intelligent generation subprocesses |
Family Cites Families (18)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4253158A (en) * | 1979-03-28 | 1981-02-24 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | System for securing postage printing transactions |
| GB2097330A (en) * | 1981-04-27 | 1982-11-03 | Pitney Bowes Ltd | A franking machine for domestic and office use and system for using same |
| DE3337491C2 (en) * | 1983-10-13 | 1986-05-22 | Francotyp - Postalia GmbH, 1000 Berlin | Arrangement for franking mail |
| DE3405448A1 (en) * | 1984-02-13 | 1985-08-14 | Deutsche Telephonwerke Und Kabelindustrie Ag, 1000 Berlin | Method for a telephone terminal with a device for cashless payment traffic |
| JPS61190431A (en) * | 1985-02-13 | 1986-08-25 | 株式会社 サト− | Table type thermal printer |
| GB2173741B (en) * | 1985-04-17 | 1989-07-05 | Pitney Bowes Inc | Unsecured postage applying system and method |
| US4775246A (en) * | 1985-04-17 | 1988-10-04 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | System for detecting unaccounted for printing in a value printing system |
| IT1196567B (en) * | 1985-08-06 | 1988-11-16 | Pitney Bowes Inc | POSTAL POSTAGE LOCKING DEVICE |
| US4999481A (en) * | 1985-12-26 | 1991-03-12 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Method and apparatus for sequentially numbering mail pieces |
| US4821195A (en) * | 1985-12-26 | 1989-04-11 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Method and apparatus for sequentially numbering mail pieces |
| DE3607728A1 (en) * | 1986-01-25 | 1987-07-30 | Telefonbau & Normalzeit Gmbh | TERMINAL OF A TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM |
| US4831554A (en) * | 1986-04-10 | 1989-05-16 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Postage meter message printing system |
| US4858138A (en) * | 1986-09-02 | 1989-08-15 | Pitney Bowes, Inc. | Secure vault having electronic indicia for a value printing system |
| FR2610403B1 (en) * | 1987-01-30 | 1991-06-14 | Jet Services | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WEIGHING AN OBJECT, WITH AUTOMATIC EDITING OF A LABEL |
| US4933849A (en) * | 1987-07-16 | 1990-06-12 | Pitney Bowes | Security system for use with an indicia printing authorization device |
| GB2209137A (en) * | 1987-08-27 | 1989-05-04 | Alcatel Business Systems | Printing of franking on mail items |
| JPH01187760A (en) * | 1988-01-20 | 1989-07-27 | Sanyo Electric Co Ltd | Cylindrical alkaline zinc storage battery |
| US5025386A (en) * | 1988-08-01 | 1991-06-18 | Pavo Pusic | Automated mail collecting and telecommunication machine II |
-
1990
- 1990-10-25 DE DE4034292A patent/DE4034292A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1991
- 1991-08-29 DE DE59107648T patent/DE59107648D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-08-29 EP EP91114505A patent/EP0482317B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-09-10 HU HU912919A patent/HUT60049A/en unknown
- 1991-10-05 KR KR1019910017467A patent/KR920008643A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1991-10-15 PL PL29204191A patent/PL292041A1/en unknown
- 1991-10-23 CS CS913219A patent/CS321991A3/en unknown
- 1991-10-24 CA CA002054124A patent/CA2054124C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-10-25 ZA ZA918536A patent/ZA918536B/en unknown
- 1991-10-25 US US07/782,566 patent/US5233657A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE4034292A1 (en) | 1992-04-30 |
| EP0482317A2 (en) | 1992-04-29 |
| CS321991A3 (en) | 1992-10-14 |
| EP0482317B1 (en) | 1996-04-03 |
| HUT60049A (en) | 1992-07-28 |
| ZA918536B (en) | 1992-08-26 |
| KR920008643A (en) | 1992-05-28 |
| US5233657A (en) | 1993-08-03 |
| PL292041A1 (en) | 1992-05-04 |
| HU912919D0 (en) | 1992-01-28 |
| CA2054124A1 (en) | 1992-04-26 |
| EP0482317A3 (en) | 1992-09-23 |
| DE59107648D1 (en) | 1996-05-09 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA2054124C (en) | Process for franking mail and a system for carrying out this process | |
| US4831554A (en) | Postage meter message printing system | |
| US8600910B2 (en) | System and method for remote postage metering | |
| EP0400917B1 (en) | Mail item processing system | |
| US4811234A (en) | Postage meter recharging system | |
| US4864506A (en) | Postage meter recharging system | |
| US5884292A (en) | System for smart card funds refill | |
| US6889214B1 (en) | Virtual security device | |
| CA1267221A (en) | Unsecured postage applying system | |
| US5712916A (en) | Method and arrangement for generating and checking a security imprint | |
| EP1252609B1 (en) | Techniques for dispensing postage using a communication network | |
| CA2224672C (en) | System and method for providing an additional cryptography layer for postage meter refills | |
| US6227445B1 (en) | Secure smart card access to pre-paid metering funds in meter | |
| GB2234709A (en) | Locking out postage dispensing meters after loss of power. | |
| EP0928462A1 (en) | Proof of postage digital franking | |
| CA2256671C (en) | Postage metering system and method for a single vault dispensing postage to a plurality of printers | |
| CA2266517A1 (en) | System and method for retrieving postage credit over a network | |
| EP1420369B1 (en) | Method and system for transferring funds and secure information between secure devices | |
| WO1999039278A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for web television franking | |
| EP0493949A2 (en) | Postage meter | |
| EP0718798A2 (en) | Franking machine and franking machine system | |
| WO2001054071A9 (en) | Proof of postage digital franking | |
| EP1240624A2 (en) | Proof of postage digital franking | |
| CA2391414A1 (en) | Telephone/fax franking system | |
| WO2011073527A1 (en) | System, method and service for adding funds into a pre-paid service |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |