EP0805421A2 - Method and arrangement for processing data in a mail processing system with a franking machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The data processing method has a first processing step in which each mail item is detected and scanned during its transport to a franking machine and a second step in which a processing routine is effected while the mail item is at the franking machine, for automatic insertion of a number of documents or inserts. A total value of the individual stored weights for the latter is used for selection of the most cost-effective carrier, with corresponding franking of the item. The documents or inserts can be provided by a number of personal computers (PCa,PCb,PCc) with associated printers (Da,Db,Dc), the individual document or insert weight multiplied by the number of documents or inserts received.

Description

The invention relates to a method for data processing in a mail processing system with a franking machine according to the type specified in the preamble of claims 1, 21, 27, 30 and 33 and an arrangement for data processing according to the type specified in the preamble of claim 39.

Letters are created in modern offices on the personal computer. The printed letters are enveloped by hand in the office or automatically inserted using an inserting system. The field of application of the invention is the automatic determination of postage fees in a franking machine for letters which are created before inserting with a word processing program.

A franking machine is used for franking mail in a post office and can be equipped with a control unit, a storage means, an input means, a MODEM or other data receiving means, an input / output control means, a display means and a printer. For example, prints a fixed print head columns the franking imprint with simultaneous letter transport. A print width of approximately 1 inch is achieved.

In addition to the manual entry of a postage amount into the franking machine, the postage is now often calculated automatically on the basis of stored postage fee tables. All sizes determining the postage, such as weight, format and type of dispatch, must be made available to the postage calculation module. The weight is determined by a postage scale, while the format and shipping method are entered manually.

High-performance franking systems have a dynamic scale. This measures the weight of the letter, the transport movement of the letter from a feed point (separating machine) to the franking machine not being interrupted. The determined weight value is converted into a postage value and leads to the appropriate setting of the postage printing device in the franking machine. These systems no longer have the disadvantage of additional processing time, but are very expensive to buy and require intensive maintenance. In addition, changes to the type of dispatch must still be entered manually, which interrupts the automatic process each time.

If the postage meter contains a postage calculator, weight information is entered by the scale. According to EP 566 225 A2, a method for data entry into a franking machine is already known for such a system, which uses chip cards or a cellular communication network to enter tariff changes. Such chip cards, which have a plurality of non-volatile memories or separately accessible memory areas and a microprocessor, are successively converted into a single read / write unit inserted in order to serially transmit data representing different information into the franking machine. This data stored in the franking machine can then be accessed during its operation.

The franking machine checks whether the stored tariff table data of the carrier is still valid and automatically decides whether reloading or updating is necessary. The update is preferably carried out using a chip card after each switch-on, depending on conditions. Such are present if, for example, data of a clock / date module called up at the beginning but changed due to the passage of time are determined by the microprocessor to be relevant for a reloading requirement. However, reloading or updating is only carried out for one postal carrier and there is no choice between competing postal carriers.

Such a franking machine is a stand-alone franking machine and is also not intended to be integrated into a mail processing system with a large number of devices. The mail piece must first be placed on the scales before it is fed to the franking machine. A lot of manual work is still required in the post office. When it is operated, a clear and therefore expensive user interface (keyboard and screen) in the franking machine is required to display the print image clearly.

If the postage calculation module is located in the balance, the determined postage amount is either displayed and manually entered into the franking machine or entered electronically into the franking machine as a data record.

These different variants of the automatic Postage determination together is the need for a postage scale. The postage scale represents an additional investment for the user, and handling it takes additional time.

In the European patent EP 498 955 B1, a method and an arrangement for sending electronically stored letter contents have been proposed, wherein the scale can be omitted because the postal matter contains only one insert with the same weight at all times. The mail items contain chip cards, which are inserted together with addressed envelopes. A franking strip is printed in the franking machine or the addressed envelope franked before inserting. However, there is now no possibility of feeding the mail pieces with several or different inserts to the franking machine in a disordered manner without having to use a scale again for determining the weight. A personal computer serves as an input means for the shipping data in the franking machine that makes the booking.

For a franking machine, a coupling to a personal computer has already been proposed in EP 493 948 A2 in order to use this as an input means. The postage fees are stored in different registers, which are assigned to different authorities. However, it cannot be inferred from this document whether and how these authorities are selected by the customer or how an assignment is made. This special solution for a franking machine stores the accounting data for various services. A disadvantage is the effort involved as a means of input due to a separate interface between the franking machine and the workstation. A separate printer is connected to the separate interface for printing accounting reports.

All of the aforementioned individual solutions for franking machines also require an expensive own user interface or but a coupling with a personal computer in order to use its user interface (keyboard and screen). However, the latter is only cheaper if the personal computer is also used for other tasks anyway.

In DE 39 03 718 A1, a coupling with a personal computer has also been proposed in order to print out department-related accounting data using a separate printer. A disadvantage is the required control unit, which has to be connected as a separate device between the individual devices such as scales, franking machine and personal computer. When using manually inserted chip cards to enter accounting reports into the personal computer, however, there is only additional effort. The required transport and correspondingly additional required chip card read / write devices are a hindrance for automating the preparation of billing reports.

A mail processing machine with a barcode user interface is already known from EP 600 749 A2. Commands are entered via a barcode reader to control the mail processing machine. However, this requires a catalog with the list of barcode commands and their manual scanning. Manual positioning of a pen and scanning for command input on the one hand reduces the security of input and on the other hand presupposes a sense of responsibility on the part of the operator, ie one trusts that he would not manipulate with the intention of forgery. It is trusted that there are no such commands in the list that can be misused with the intention of forgery. It is not possible to prevent the entry of unlisted commands that cause counterfeiting, ie the correspondingly generated barcode. It is not ensured that the order of the barcode entries only corresponds to the Row of the mail items fed can take place.

It has already been proposed in DE 40 18 166 C2 to carry out franking and / or address printing with a franking module integrated in a personal computer. For this purpose, the franking module is arranged in a slot of a drive insert of a personal computer. On the one hand, such a solution limits the universal use of the personal computer by occupying the slot of the drive slot and, on the other hand, has no further mail transport device for other envelope formats and is therefore mainly suitable for standard mail in offices with little mail volume. A large number of personal computers equipped in this way would have to be used in the office for a higher volume of mail. However, the integration of the franking module in the personal computer is more expensive than a solution in which a commercially available personal computer and a commercially available franking machine are coupled to one another via a data line. A franking program would be called up relatively rarely if each personal computer is assigned its franking machine. An office is usually not equipped with the same equipment as a post office. Otherwise, qualified employees would also be required.

A mail processing system with a large number of devices which work with the aid of a PC and which already have connected franking machines is described in US Pat. No. 4,800,506. The individual facilities perform functions for the new compilation of the letters in the order of the postcodes of their addresses. The aforementioned functions include opening a letter, scanning certain locations, possibly printing out the letter again or of notes, folding, inserting, postage calculation and orderly filing or bundling. Discounts are granted by some public postal carriers for mail items pre-sorted in this way. This procedure is so far time-consuming, as it may be necessary to print the letter again. A powerful computer must be installed in the post office. The latter must be operated by appropriately trained staff.

DE OS 38 08 178 describes a mail handling system with a first computer that creates the documents on fanfold paper and that is in communication with a second computer that controls devices in the post office. Communication is achieved on the one hand by means of markings printed on the document and on the other hand by a communication link. The enveloping, addressing and franking of the mail can be controlled indirectly by means of a printed coding which characterizes the respective mail item. In a database, these identification codes are assigned parameter values which are used to control the inserting, addressing and franking of the mail. The database is connected to the second computer, to which the respective coding of the item of mail is transmitted via a coupled scanning device. Address printing in the post office is highlighted as an advantage, with regard to the easy subsequent change, among other things. the addressing of filled envelopes and thus the avoidance of an invoice-like appearance of the envelopes, which adheres to window envelopes.

Such window envelopes are said not to be opened because bills are suspected. In addition to the fact that it would be nonsensical not to open window envelopes with invoices, as such reminders would be sent to such companies or persons, a prejudice comes to light here. This prejudice against addressing when creating letters and against the use of window envelopes leads to the aforementioned equipment of the post office complicated technology. If settings have to be made in the post office in order to use cheap services from another private carrier, however, the aforementioned equipment of the post office with complicated technology is still inadequate, because now more highly qualified employees are required. Before mail items are dispatched, the weight and postage amount are determined. In connection with the increasing occurrence of private carriers, which are in competition with each other, cheaper special tariffs for transport and related services are increasingly being offered. To meet the requirements for using such special tariffs, it is often sufficient to reduce the weight by reducing the number of times the envelope is used. In direct marketing in particular, there is a lot of redundancy and scope for structuring information. For example, the format, number of lines, font height, etc. could be optimized in the interest of costs. So the number of pages could be reduced when creating letters. However, the employees of the post office are hardly able to make such entries or changes in the database. The employees of the post office would now have to notify the employees who are creating the letter contents or to make such changes. However, such a procedure would only lead to unnecessary delays in mail processing.

The invention has for its object to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a method and an arrangement with a franking machine, by means of which an automatic postage fee determination with changing data determining the postage and by means of which a drastic reduction in the expenditure of equipment for a mail processing system becomes possible. In particular, is a more flexible mailing system to develop with a franking machine in a post office that can be expanded without prejudice to future services of various private mail carriers.

In addition, the post office should be able to dispense with more highly qualified operators and, in the case of largely automatic post processing, the equipment expenditure in the post office should be minimized. A low-noise, maintenance-free and reliable mode of operation should also be achieved.

The occurrence of manual errors when entering into the postage meter franking machine is to be reduced by input on the personal computer and automatic entry into the franking machine. A method is therefore to be developed which, when a letter is created before the letter is printed, provides essential data for a subsequent accounting of the postage fee in a franking machine.

For data processing in the franking machine, an automatic system for setting essential data and for billing postage fees is to be created according to cost centers, so that no manual franking machine input is required during operation.

Despite a large number of mail carriers, billing should be clear and understandable in the interest of the customer. An additional task is to enable the display of accounts on the one hand by cost center and on the other hand by public and private mail carriers by displaying and printing.

These objects are achieved with the features of claims 1, 21, 27, 30, and 33 and 39, respectively.

While a secure settlement of the monetary value is not yet easily possible in the personal computer, this has already been achieved for franking machines. The possibilities of the personal computer consist in the more convenient input and simulation with the display of a large number of parameters on the screen for mail items still to be created and can be used advantageously when entering shipping data. Based on the thought, the benefits of both, i.e. to connect the franking machine and the personal computer, there is no need for a scale, with each of the two, i.e. Franking machine and personal computer, should now take over partial functions to replace the weighing function. In the franking machine, the stored average sheet weight and the number of sheets supplied by the personal computer are multiplied in order to determine the letter weight.

The invention can also avoid restrictions on the execution of mail processing. Window envelopes, standard envelopes, as well as other forms of envelope, such as are sometimes preferred by private carriers, can be used, whereby an envelope must be carried out in the office. In addition, the postal items are already addressed in the office. An optimization program runs on the personal computer, which makes suggestions for low mail transport costs. This has the advantage that changes in the letter content, in the number of pages or in the addressing can be made and monitored directly by the responsible person.

Only franking continues as before in the post office by means of a franking machine, for which the possibility has now been created to make automatic entries on the basis of a marking or address scan and to generate any desired imprints in the desired manner when franking, such as these are required by private carriers.

A mail carrier selected using the user interface of the personal computer, the number of sheets of the letter created and further shipping information, such as the type of shipping, and the cost center are at least displayed and, in a first solution variant, are additionally printed out with the letter content as shipping and cost center information.

A letter created on the personal computer has a specific format with an area for a specific printed address. The aforementioned shipping information is based on the recipient's address. In a first solution variant, at least the shipping information supplemented with cost center information is printed out together with the letter content.

Sub-variants of the first solution variant are based on the possibility of modern office printers to print a letter recipient's address as well as at least the number of sheets, cost center and / or carrier information on an envelope or adhesive tape. The printing can advantageously also take the form of a marking, for example in the form of a bar code.

The invention is further based on the consideration of scanning this information from the letter or envelope in the remote post office using a commercially available scanner (scanner) and automatically entering it into the franking machine. At least one scanner is arranged in the mail feed stream so that different envelope formats are also scanned.

The franking machine automatically checks whether the selected services are available and otherwise starts communication with a remote data center, with special request data being sent and the required data is received from the data center and loads the required data into its memory.

A solution is advantageously created in order for a mail carrier (USPS, UPS, Deutsche Post AG or others) to be able to call up at least the tariff table applicable to the location of the respective carrier in the system and load it if necessary.

The usual spatial separation of the post office from the modern office is assumed, with the letter contents and shipping information being created and department-related in the office, i.e. broken down by cost center number, managed. This is particularly advantageous if a large number of small companies work in one office, which operate a common post office, but have to invoice for the services of the carriers separately and independently of the other small companies. A separate cost center number is then assigned to each small company. In the post office, cost center or departmental billing takes place in the franking machine. And it is planned to create separate accounting reports for small companies or departments and for public or private mail carriers.

The operations performed in the personal computer in the office include text creation and processing, entry of the address and assignment of a cost center number for cost center-related billing, as well as menu-driven selection of carriers and other shipping information.

The operations carried out in the post office include at least the scanning of the address field or a note with cost center and / or shipping information. After the aforementioned information from the letter or from the envelope has been scanned, the further processing takes place fully automatically Information in the franking machine up to the franking of the mail pieces.

• a) Durchführen eines ersten Schrittes, umfassend
  • ai) Poststückdetektierung im Transportweg zur Druckeinrichtung der Frankiermaschine,
  • aii) Abtasten einer Markierung oder der Empfängeradresse im Adreßfeld zugeführter Poststücke, wobei im Ergebnis eine Information betreff Blattanzahl sowie Beförderer und/oder Kostenstelle automatisch in die Frankiermaschine eingegeben wird und wobei für eine automatische Druckdateneingabe in die Frankiermaschine mindestens ein Aufrufen von nichtflüchtig gespeicherten Einstelldaten erfolgt, und
• b) Durchführen einer Routine in einem zweiten Schritt, zur automatischen Änderung nichtflüchtig gespeicherter Einstelldaten, zur Ermittlung des Briefgewichtes aufgrund der übermittelten Blattanzahl und zur Ermittlung des Briefportos aufgrund des Briefgewichtes und der übermittelten Versanddaten, zur automatischen Druckdateneingabe und -Prüfung sowie zur Anzeige bei der automatischen Eingabe sowie
• c) Verarbeiten der Daten im Frankiermodus mit einer Beförderer- und/oder Kostenstellen bezogenen Abrechnung vor dem Frankieren.

The method for data processing in a mailing system with steps for printing out a letter including the address field, for scanning the address field in a post office and for processing the data and for franking with a franking machine is characterized in accordance with the first solution variant by the following steps:

• a) performing a first step comprising
  • ai) detection of mail pieces in the transport path to the printing device of the franking machine,
  • aii) scanning a marking or the recipient's address in the address field of mail pieces supplied, the information relating to the number of sheets and the carrier and / or cost center being automatically entered into the franking machine and at least calling up non-volatile stored setting data for automatic printing data entry into the franking machine, and
• b) Carrying out a routine in a second step, for the automatic change of non-volatile stored setting data, for the determination of the letter weight based on the number of sheets transmitted and for the determination of the letter postage based on the letter weight and the transmitted shipping data, for automatic print data input and checking and for display in the automatic Input as well
• c) Processing the data in franking mode with a carrier and / or cost center-related settlement before franking.

The routine in the second step, for the automatic change of non-volatile setting data, includes the formation of request data for the reloading of current carrier data and / or carrier tariffs. After submitting the cost center and Shipping information from the personal computer to the franking machine automatically checks whether the selected carrier is available in its memory or whether the tariff table data of the selected carrier is up to date. Otherwise, communication with the remote data center is started. In the process, special request data are sent and the required data is received from the data center and is loaded into the memories of the franking machine. Prior to step c) processing the data in the franking mode, communication is then carried out in a third step with a remote data center, with carrier-specific files, including at least carrier-identifying current tariff files, being transmitted from the data center to the franking machine on the basis of the aforementioned request data. Furthermore, carrier data identifying image data can be transmitted.

According to the invention, files are provided in the personal computer which are assigned to each mail item or letter.

A franking machine with automatic data processing according to a second solution variant only scans the address and then searches for the assigned files in the personal computers. The files are also referred to as letter files below. These letter files with the stored letter contents, addresses and shipping data are stored in order according to the current creation date. The storage means, for example hard disks, of all personal computers connected to the franking machine via a communication means are part of a distributed database. The advantage here can be seen particularly in the fact that no separate database is required from which data is transmitted to the franking machine.

According to the invention, at least the one printed out together with the letter content and in the Window of a window envelope scanned visible recipient address. The plain text recognition (OCR) takes place in the scanner itself or in the franking machine, which then transmits the recipient address thus converted into electronic data as search request data electronically via a communication means to a personal computer in the office. The personal computer searches all currently created files (letter files), to which a letter content is assigned, for the recipient address and transmits the assigned cost center and shipping information to the franking machine electronically via the communication means.

A mail carrier selected by means of the user interface of the personal computer is assigned to the letter recipient address as mail carrier information in each letter creation, but is not printed out with the letter content. The assigned carrier information can thus later be determined again via the recipient address as a search request and can be transmitted electronically from the personal computer via the communication means to the franking machine. The number of sheets for the letter content is automatically determined and transferred.

Another sub-variant of the second solution variant is based on the option of modern office printers to print a recipient's address and a sender's address on an envelope. A letter created for this purpose on the personal computer has a format with an area for a specific printed sender address and recipient address if, alternatively, a window envelope is used. In the sub-variant according to the invention, the relevant information for automatic data entry into the franking machine can now be derived from the sender address and the recipient address.

Some mail carriers require a barcode to be printed in addition to the plain text address in order to make machine-readability of the addresses easier. With the invention there is now a possibility to frank such envelopes. This requires the addresses of the letter or envelope to be scanned in the remote post office with a commercially available scanner (scanner) and automatically entered into the franking machine. At least one scanner is arranged in the mail feed stream in such a way that different formats are also scanned. After the plain text recognition (OCR) or barcode recognition, search request data is formed in the postage meter machine and is transmitted electronically to the personal computer via a communication means. The assigned carrier information can be determined again via the recipient address as a search request and can be transmitted electronically from the personal computer via the communication means to the franking machine.

The second solution variant has the advantage over the first solution variant that no additional information has to be printed in the address field of the letter. However, it is possible to further shorten the search in the distributed database with a single additional information. This is used to particular advantage in the case of a large number of personal computers in the offices, which all send mail pieces or letters to a franking machine.

The additional information is advantageously the date and time when the letter is stored. The required shipping information is saved on a hard disk of the personal computer according to the date and time on which the letter text was written. Another additional piece of information is a code for identifying the personal computer.

If the personal computers were queried individually for a letter file currently stored at the address, this can, under certain circumstances, lead to confusion if different letters were created on the same addressee on different personal computers on the same day. By including time data in addition to the date printed on the letter anyway, confusion with a higher probability is now excluded. Confusion that could otherwise arise when different letters to the same addressee on the same day are created on the same personal computer can be excluded in another sub-variant by using an identification code. Such an identification code contains at least one character, for example a letter for identifying the personal computer or such text files with the same addressee. This code can be generated automatically by an extended text program.

The advantage of both solution variants, including the aforementioned sub-variants, is that a mail processing system has been created in which the order of the envelope letters supplied can be exchanged between the personal computer and the franking machine during further processing. The delivery of the printed and enveloped letters to this post office in a manner that is disordered in terms of time and location does not allow a predetermined sequence for the processing of the letters. The manipulation-proof way of working, even when the order of the mail pieces is exchanged, is of crucial importance if letter texts created are printed on several personal computers, but franked in only one post office.

Another advantage of the second solution variant is that the mode of dispatch is redefined between the time the letter text is created and franked in the post office could. For example, an express standard delivery can still be made from an original standard letter, or a return receipt may also appear to be necessary for registered mail. The franking machine reports the completion of the franking to the corresponding personal computer and triggers an "ok" note in the corresponding text file. This enables the letter writer to always check on his personal computer whether his letter has already been processed in-house.

The determined postage fee can also be transmitted from the franking machine to the personal computer in question and stored cumulatively in the personal computer. This makes it possible to check at any time how much postage has been caused by letter post created on this personal computer. This makes particular sense if the personal computer represents a personal computer cost center, i.e. if exactly one cost center is assigned to each personal computer.

The invention also makes it possible to produce a correlation of department-related billing in the personal computer for department-related billing of postage fees according to cost centers in the franking machine with little effort.

A sub-variant is possible which assumes that a number of personal computers in the office belong to a common cost center and send mail to the same franking machine. When calling up non-volatile setting data for the input of print data into the franking machine, the same cost center number is then called up and, as a result, the same advertising cliché is printed out when franking. The mail recipient addresses and the letter files created at different times are different. Selected ones can now be added to these Carrier assigned to be stored as a carrier identification number (CIN). The query of the letter files by the franking machine using the scanned address enables the changes in a carrier commissioned to transport the mail piece to be taken into account automatically. A variable carrier-related logo can therefore be printed out when franking.

Another possible sub-variant assumes that the personal computers in the office do not belong to a common cost center, but always choose the same carrier. When calling up non-volatile setting data for the input of print data into the franking machine, the same carrier number or CIN is then called up. Querying the letter files created at different times by means of the scanned address by the franking machine enables the different cost centers to be taken into account automatically. The routine in the second step, for the automatic change of non-volatile setting data, advantageously contains a subroutine for assigning a cost center number to a plate number for automatically entering the plate number when the cost center number is entered. It is therefore possible that the variable specific advertising cliché for each cost center (department or small company) is automatically set using the cliché number assigned in this way and printed out when franking.

The combination of the aforementioned sub-variants enables the franking machine to automatically take into account the different cost center and carrier selection in connection with the scanned address in connection with the number of sheets transmitted for postage calculation in the franking machine. At the same time as the carrier selection, types of printing or shipping (e.g. airmail, return receipt, etc.) or other settings can be made by the franking machine be queried.

It is provided that the transmission of the required setting information to the remote franking machine is initiated via a data line on request of the franking machine, whereupon the franking machine is loaded with data by the aforementioned personal computer.

The operations carried out in the personal computer in the office include text creation and processing, including determining the number of sheets, entering the address and assigning a cost center number for cost center-related billing, menu-driven selection of the shipping methods, forms of shipping or other or other information to the cheapest carrier to determine, the formation of a carrier information and the assignment of all information to the aforementioned address and the storage of the assignment. If required, or periodically, billing reports can be printed out via a commonly connected printer, which are correlated with the cost center-related billing in the franking machine.

The improvements of the franking machine according to the invention lie on the one hand in a largely automatic processing of the letter when using different tariff structures of different carriers and on the other hand in the creation of flexibility in terms of billing for different carriers. If the postal monopoly for mailing ceases to exist, an increase in postal delivery by regional, national or international private carriers is to be expected. It is already known from parcel shipping systems to provide invoices for different carriers. The billing for different carriers takes place when using parcel shipping systems usually with a direct debit. However, with such billing, the customer has no automatic processing, postage calculation and security control available, as is the case, for example, with postal authorities for a franking machine into which a credit has been loaded. According to the invention, billing to various private carriers is now also provided in the postage meter module in a postage fee module on the basis of prepaid or credited credit.

The postage calculator contains the stored postage table belonging to the carrier. If a carrier or service has been newly selected and the postage table for the selected service or carrier is not available or is not one of the permanently stored postage tables due to limited storage space, the franking machine FM automatically selects a data center operated, for example, by the franking machine manufacturer and the required postage table loaded into the memory of the franking machine FM. Each postage table can be assigned a date of entry into force and or the minimum period of validity. The franking machine FM contains a real-time clock with the date of which the minimum validity period of the corresponding postage table is compared in order to request a new table via the data center, if necessary. To identify the related postage table, a corresponding identifier can also be printed in the franking field.

The special postage is calculated based on existing data such as format and type of dispatch as well as on the number of sheets and the average sheet weight.

The user's debit with the special postage amount will be charged to the carrier's postage account, which is also automatically set.

This is possible both in the direct debit procedure and in the default procedure. With the direct debit procedure, a debit account is read, the saved value being increased by the postage to be franked. In the default procedure, a prepaid amount is kept as electronic credit in the credit account of the franking machine. Another billing variant is now billing on a special chip card (similar to a telephone card or prepaid card) brought into contact with the franking machine FM, which each carrier has edited. Due to the selection of the carrier already made, a universal carrier card can also be used instead of a prepaid card, in which a storage area is reserved for each carrier, in which the accounting data are stored.

When using a MODEM, billing data can be electronically transmitted to the remote data center at intervals, which carries out the billing with the carrier on behalf of the customer. Alternatively, the data center can grant the customer a credit and transmit a credit after a query to the customer bank regarding the creditworthiness. In connection with the selected carrier, there is information about the applicable billing type and the respective logo, which indicates the use of the current carrier tariff. The aforementioned information and its assignment are stored in the franking machine for each carrier that can be selected. If necessary, a document of the reloading that has been carried out can be printed out for each mail carrier after each reloading from the print head of the franking machine. This is made possible by switching the franking machine to internal pressure. It is also provided that a listing of individual financial reloading data within a period and other register or service data as a document from Print head of the franking machine can be printed out if this is desired.

Figur 1a,

Blockschaltbild für ein Postverarbeitungssystem mit einer Frankiermaschine, nach einer ersten Variante,

Figur 1b,

Blockschaltbild für ein Postverarbeitungssystem mit einer Frankiermaschine, nach einer zweiten Variante,

Figur 2a,

Blockschaltbild für eine Frankiermaschine mit automatischer Dateneingabe, nach einer ersten Variante,

Figur 2b,

Blockschaltbild für eine Frankiermaschine mit automatischer Dateneingabe, nach einer zweiten Variante,

Figur 3a,

Gesamtablaufplan für eine Frankiermaschine mit integrierter Portoberechnung und mit automatischer Dateneingabe, nach der ersten Variante,

Figur 3b,

Gesamtablaufplan für eine Frankiermaschine mit integrierter Portoberechnung und mit automatischer Dateneingabe, nach der zweiten Variante,

Figur 4a,

Computer-Routine zur Bestimmung der Blattanzahl im Ergebnis einer Brieferstellung für eine Berechnung des Briefgewichtes in der Frankiermaschine,

Figur 4b,

Flußdiagramm mit einer Verarbeitungsroutine für in der Frankiermaschine gespeicherte Daten jeweils zur Berechnung des Gewichtswertes und des Portowertes,

Figur 5a bis 5c,

Auswertung einer Dateneingabe für die Frankiermaschine im Rahmen einer Eingabe/ Anzeigeroutine, gemäß der ersten Variante,

Figur 6a und 6b,

Teilablaufpläne für eine automatische Dateneingabe aufgrund der abgetasteten Briefempfängeradresse,

Figur 7a,

Ablaufplan für den Frankiermodus mit einer beförderer- und kostenstellenbezogenen Verarbeitung von Abrechnungsdaten,

Figur 7b,

Teilablaufplan für die Abrechnungs- und Druckroutine im Frankiermodus mit Beförderer- und Kostenstellen-bezogener Abrechnung,

Figur 7c,

Befördererbezogene Abrechnung in den Postregistern,

Figur 7d,

zweidimensionale Kostenstellen/Beförderer-Matrix,

Figur 8,

Flußdiagramm zur Bildung von Anforderungsdaten für eine Datenübertragung von einer Datenzentrale,

Figur 9,

Kommunikationsmodus für die Frankiermaschine, um eine Datenübertragung durchzuführen,

Figur 10,

Routine zum Empfang und Behandeln übermittelter Dienstleistungsdaten in der Frankiermaschine,

Figur 11,

Verfahren nach der ersten Variante des Postverarbeitungssystems mit Abtastung des Vermerks bzw. des Empfängeradressenfeldes,

Figur 12,

Verfahren nach der zweiten Variante des Postverarbeitungssystems mit Abtastung des Vermerks bzw. der Empfängeradresse,

Figur 13,

Verfahren nach der dritten Variante des Postverarbeitungssystems mit Absenderadressen- und mit Empfängeradressenabtastung,

Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims or are shown in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures. Show it:

Figure 1a,

Block diagram for a mail processing system with a franking machine, according to a first variant,

Figure 1b,

Block diagram for a mail processing system with a franking machine, according to a second variant,

Figure 2a,

Block diagram for a franking machine with automatic data entry, according to a first variant,

Figure 2b,

Block diagram for a franking machine with automatic data entry, according to a second variant,

Figure 3a,

Overall flow chart for a franking machine with integrated postage calculation and with automatic data entry, according to the first variant,

Figure 3b,

Overall schedule for a franking machine with integrated postage calculation and with automatic data entry, according to the second variant,

Figure 4a,

Computer routine for determining the number of sheets in the result of a letter creation for a calculation of the letter weight in the franking machine,

Figure 4b,

Flow chart with a processing routine for data stored in the franking machine in each case for calculating the weight value and the postage value,

5a to 5c,

Evaluation of a data input for the franking machine as part of an input / display routine, according to the first variant,

6a and 6b,

Partial flowcharts for automatic data entry based on the scanned letter recipient address,

Figure 7a,

Flowchart for franking mode with carrier and cost center-related processing of accounting data,

Figure 7b,

Partial flow chart for the accounting and printing routine in franking mode with carrier and cost center-related accounting,

Figure 7c,

Carrier-related billing in the postal registers,

Figure 7d,

two-dimensional cost center / carrier matrix,

Figure 8,

Flow chart for the formation of request data for a data transmission from a data center,

Figure 9,

Communication mode for the franking machine to carry out data transmission

Figure 10,

Routine for receiving and handling transmitted service data in the franking machine,

Figure 11,

Method according to the first variant of the mail processing system with scanning the note or the recipient address field,

Figure 12,

Method according to the second variant of the mail processing system with scanning of the note or the recipient address,

Figure 13,

Method according to the third variant of the mail processing system with sender address and recipient address scanning,

The block diagram shown in FIG. 1a for a mail processing system, which has a franking machine FM with data processing according to a first variant, shows the flow of mail from a modern office 21 to a post office. In at least one such office 21, letters or inserts for mail items are created on a multiplicity of personal computers PCa, PCb, PCc, ... with associated printers Da, Db, Dc, ... and possibly other peripheral devices.

A mail carrier is selected and at least displayed by means of a user interface of the personal computer. It is provided that the selected mail carrier information is stored in a special section of the letter file that is not to be printed with the letter content.

A window envelope or a pre-addressed envelope is used for inserting.

The printer can in particular be a commercially available printer equipped for printing envelopes, which is connected to the personal computer. Address printing can also be carried out on self-adhesive labels which are glued to the envelope will.

In the post office, at least one of the scanners scans the information printed on the number of sheets and carrier or cost center, which is printed in the address field or can be scanned through a window of a window envelope or stuck onto the envelope as a self-adhesive label. At least one letter sensor 16 and one scanner 26 are electrically connected to the franking machine via a register unit 19 and a data line 18, as shown in FIG. 2a. The scanners are preferably arranged in a scanning and feeding station AZ to the franking machine FM. If required, a means 17 establishes a communication connection to the remote data center DZ.

The block diagram shown in FIG. 1b for a mail processing system with a franking machine, according to a second variant, additionally has a communication link 24 between the franking machine and at least one personal computer in the office 21.

In the post office, at least one of the scanners scans the letter recipient's address, which is printed in the address field or can be scanned through a window of a window envelope or stuck onto the envelope as a self-adhesive label. The scanner is electrically connected to the franking machine via a data line 18. It is provided that the printed information includes the number of sheets that are transmitted to the franking machine in order to determine at least the weight data of the letter in the franking machine. The franking machine FM can establish communication with a data center DZ via a suitable communication means 17 if required.

From those scanned using a scanner in the post office The mailing machine can form address data for the mail recipient in order to request additional data in the office 21, which are transmitted directly from the respective personal computer PCa, PCb or PCc via a data line 24 to the franking machine. The scanners can again advantageously be part of an automatic scanning and feeding station which is arranged in the post office at the beginning of the letter transport route in front of the franking machine.

The arrangement of the scanner 26 are positioned in the mail path in front of the franking machine at a suitable location. The latter position results from uniform postal regulations for the position of the address. Corresponding programs for the position of the addresses exist in memories of the respective personal computers PCa, PCb or PCc in the office 21, which together control a printer or separate printer correspondingly for the aforementioned areas to be printed. In the area to be printed, an additional barcode line can be provided on the envelope or in the address field of the envelope. For different formats for envelopes, a correspondingly different positioning, if appropriate, of a further scanner 26.1 results. The scanner, together with a first mail item sensor 16, is connected to a register unit 19, which temporarily stores data and carries out a parallel / series conversion. The register unit 19 is connected electronically to an input / output control means 4 of the postage meter machine for serial data transmission via the data line 18, as shown in FIG. 2b.

The solution according to the invention is based on a relationship between the address of the printed letter and an associated information in the letter files in one of a large number of personal computers, whereby after scanning the address, formation and transmission of Search request data and research in the memories of the personal computers, as a result of which additional information required for automatic data entry to the aforementioned address is transmitted electronically, for example via a data line, to the franking machine. The assignment of the information to the address is stored in the personal computer, for example in order of time, in order to enable access to the most current file with the same address. The information is assigned in the personal computer to the addresses which are printed out with the letter content. It is thus provided that after a first preparatory step for creating a letter file as part of a letter creation program, further preparatory steps take place and an assignment of the printed letter to the aforementioned address and the assignment of the aforementioned transferable additional information to the address, sublimed according to time data, are stored in the personal computer and can be called up and stored . According to the invention, this additional information includes the number of sheets of the letter created.

When the sender address is scanned, the corresponding cost center or department can be ascertained using an analogous method to that found for the carrier information. The personal computers in the office are queried by the franking machine in the post office for a cost center number assigned to the sender address. Such a method for data processing in a mailing system comprises known steps for printing out a document including address field and note, scanning the note in a post office and for processing the data and franking with a franking machine, the result of the implementation of a first step including the Scanning the sender address and / or the note on the sender address and querying the personal computer for a for the aforementioned sender address stored assignment according to the invention the cost center number is automatically entered into the franking machine, combined with an automatic entry of the cliché number based on the input of the cost center number for automatic printing data entry in a second step and for cost center-related billing before franking.

An advantageous variant enables scanning of the sender address as well as the letter recipient address and / or the corresponding note when detecting mail pieces of mail pieces fed in the transport path to the print head of the franking machine. The franking machine then asks again a personal computer for assigned stored information. An advantage of this variant is the determination of the personal computer responsible for storing the letter file on the basis of the sender address. This significantly shortens the search process for the relevant letter file for a large number of personal computers in the office.

If the addresses are now scanned by a window envelope using a scanner, the associated information relating to the cost center and the number of sheets stored in the personal computer in the office as well as further shipping data including the carrier identification number (CIN) can be called up electronically from the device in the post office. The aforementioned associated information stored in the office is used for the automatic setting of the franking machine, which essentially makes manual operation superfluous.

Of course, such a preset carrier can of course still be changed manually in the post office if, for example, the entry was not made in the office or another carrier is cheaper. Is sending a large number of same day provided letters to the same zip code is usually assumed that it is cheaper if no different private carriers are used, but only the same carrier is used. Complete automation can be achieved if the cheapest carrier is determined in the office 21, which is proposed in a parallel German application entitled: Post processing system with personal computer and method for determining the cheapest carrier. A franking machine that can be operated for a large number of carriers is also used.

The block diagram shown in FIG. 2a for a franking machine has a programmable processor system which is connected to at least one scanner 26 and a modem 23, a prepaid card reader / writer 20 and / or other corresponding receiving means or input means. The scanner is positioned at a suitable point in the post office in front of the franking machine at the beginning of the secure postal route. The latter position results from uniform postal regulations for the position of the address. Corresponding programs for the position of the address and the other information exist in memories of the respective personal computers PCa, PCb or PCc in the office 21, which together control a printer or separate printer correspondingly for the aforementioned areas to be printed. An additional line on the envelope or in the address field of the envelope is provided as the area to be printed. For different formats for envelopes, a correspondingly different positioning, if appropriate, of a further scanner 26.1 results. The scanner, together with a first mail item sensor 16, is connected to a register unit 19, which temporarily stores data and carries out a parallel / series conversion. The register unit 19 is electronic for serial data transmission via the data line 18 with an input / output control means 4 connected to the franking machine.

In the franking machine housing there are input and output means 2, 3, 20 to 23 via the input / output control means 4, with a processor system 5 to 11, 14, 50, 80, 81 having a post-technical security area 50 directly or - in a manner not shown - connected via a BUS. The processor system consists of at least one memory means 5, a clock / date module 8 and a processing unit (CPU) as control means 6 and possibly a special circuit 80 and / or 81 for automating the loading of data from a data center via modem or chip card or another suitable means of transmission. The special circuit and / or program means 80, 81 are preferably part of a battery-supported non-volatile memory (CMOS-NV-RAM) in the clock / date module. Further supporting programs can be stored inside a program memory PSP 11 and / or a non-volatile memory EEPROM in the memory means 5b. A pressure controller (DS) 14 is designed, for example, as an ASIC and is adapted to the respective preferably digital printing method.

In another variant, it is provided that an input / output control means 4 including a pressure control 14 is connected to the control means 6 of the franking machine via a bus and is designed, for example, as an ASIC. The print head 1 is connected to the print controller 14.

The storage means usually consist of several permanent and temporary non-volatile memories. Part of the memory, together with the CPU 6, forms a postage computer in a known manner and another part forms a protected postal area within the processor system. For billing, the non-volatile memories of the other part of the memory mentioned above are used. In particular, it is provided that to protect the protected postal area 50 with a special accounting unit, which works in a completely forgery-proof manner and relieves the CPU 6 of this task. The protected postal area 50 of the processor system of the postage meter machine can advantageously be designed as a hardware-controlled billing unit in the form of a special circuit module or, for example, as an ASIC, so that the billing process cannot be manipulated without authorization, as already described under the postage meter machine in the German patent application 196 03 467.1 was proposed.

In addition, an area organized according to the carrier and cost centers can be provided in a special cost center memory 9 in order to carry out cost center-related operations. In this way, additional cost centers can be set up or deleted without reducing the security against manipulation. The protected postal area 50 within the processor system can only be read, but not overwritten. During the franking machine service life, data such as the number of items and the amount of consumption total are only increased, but never reduced, in accordance with the franking with a postage value. In particular, the postage computer can be formed from the CPU 6 and memory areas of the EEPROM 5b and / or other non-volatile memories. A part of the memory areas of the EEPROM 5b are intended to hold tariff tables of the individual carriers.

In contrast, in the cost center memory KSP 9, individual cost center data (number of pieces, amount of consumption total) can be reduced by a predetermined amount or set to zero at the beginning of a billing period. The correspondingly actuated keys on the keyboard 2 and / or other input means establish the connection to external memories in order to carry out cost center-related operations.

A permanent memory PSP 11 of the storage means of the franking machine has programs for communication via interfaces in the input / output control means 4 with the scanner 26 and with the input means 20 to 23. Further peripheral input / output means can also be connected to the processor system of the franking machine - not shown in FIG. 2a. In the input / output control means 4, at least one parallel interface to the display unit 3 and in connection with the print controller 14 at least one serial interface for print data control and data transmission to the control electronics arranged on the print head can be provided. Another serial interface can be connected to a plurality of scanners or sensors via the aforementioned register unit 19. At least one scanner 26 is a pixel sensor with a higher resolution. Its data bits which are output in parallel are converted into data bits which can be called up in series by means of an associated sensor shift register of the register unit 19 which is controlled by the input / output control means 4. The input / output control means 4 is preferably designed such that a plurality of sensors or actuators with connected sensor or actuator shift registers can be connected to a single common shift register in an actuator / sensor controller via a common serial interface data line 18, as was explained in more detail in the German patent application entitled: Interface franking machine internal interface (official file number P 44 45 053.2).

The - not shown in more detail - the base of the franking machine consists of a print head 1 and a power electronics / sensor / actuator module 12, which contains a power supply and control for the drives (paper transport, printer, tape, strip dispenser) or including the required drive motor. These aforementioned means 1, 12 and an encoder 13 for detecting the mail piece transport speed are located in the base and are direct with the processor system 5, 8, 11, 14, 50, 80 and 81 and, if appropriate, other peripheral I / O means are in the Post office or office 21 coupled via the input / output control means 4.

The franking machine has a receiving means or an external MODEM 23 and associated MODEM interface in the franking machine for the external MODEM or an internal MODEM. Communication with a remote data center is made possible via MODEM. Not only can electronically stored credit be replenished in the franking machine, but current tariff table data and other data can also be transmitted.

In another variant, a telecommunication network is provided which contains an external memory with the data and / or flags that can be called up for reloading additional functions and information into the franking machine. The external memory is supplied with update data by the public postal authority and / or private carriers, preferably via the aforementioned data center.

Alternatively, an external memory with required update data can also be provided in a mobile radio communication network and addressed by a corresponding communication connection and communication means. Assuming intermediate storage in the transmission means, data packets are then transmitted under the control of the franking machine and, if necessary, automatic acceptance of the current tariff by the franking machine is thereby ensured. The tariffs are subsumed according to different public mail carriers or private carriers in separate ones Storage areas of the aforementioned postage computer.

Special entries can be made with an alternative input means, in particular a chip card. This is brought into contact with the chip card read / write unit 20 serving as input means 20. The interface board of the chip card read / write unit is connected to a serial interface of the franking machine. The contacting device has at least 6 contacts and the data exchange between the unprotected and / or the protected card memory area and a non-volatile memory of the program storage means of the franking machine is carried out automatically as part of a communication protocol as soon as the chip card has been inserted into the insertion slot.

Such a special post office chip card for the employees in the post office can be used advantageously for location entry. After approval of the new location or change of location, an appropriately programmed chip card is sent to the user. Before the machines of the post office are transported to a new location, they must be switched off. A location-specific initialization of the franking machine takes place automatically each time it is switched on. A standby mode is provided so that the franking machine does not often have to be switched on or off at the same location.

With the same chip card sent to the user, in addition to the setting, a corresponding postmark cliché text part for the changed place name and, if applicable, for the changed postal code is loaded into the franking machine in order to be able to modify the already stored print image data in accordance with the change of location, as already described in EP 566 225 A2 was proposed.

Each assignment of semi-variable print image data (window data) that fill a special window in the print image (frame data) is stored in special memory areas, for example the EEPROM 5b and / or another non-volatile memory of the franking machine.

It is envisaged that in the franking mode, before the franking image is printed out, the automatically or manually set postage value is billed according to the cost center, which is explained in more detail in FIGS. 7a to 7d. It is further provided that a printout can be created for the cost center-dependent billing by the franking machine, as has already been described in the German laid-open specification DE 42 24 955. In the mail processing system according to the invention, when a sheet of paper is introduced into the printing area, a printing requirement is recognized by a customary second mail item sensor 16.1 and in response to a previous manual input action, including input of the cost center number in connection with a function key, a printout is then made by the franking machine. The used postage values are listed individually and cumulatively related to different carriers. The cost center printout is sent to the relevant department in the office 21 regularly or in response to a need report.

The block diagram shown in FIG. 2b for a franking machine has a programmable processor system which is connected to at least one scanner 26 and a modem 23, a prepaid card reader / writer 20 and / or other corresponding receiving means or communication means for communicating with the office 21 . The scanner for the address is also positioned at the beginning of the secure postal route in the post office. Of course, a variety of personal computers PCa, PCb, ... PCn to PCm in the office 21 communicate with a single franking machine if, for example, they are asked to search their files stored under time data for a relevant letter recipient address and assigned cost center and / or shipping information. Files with the same recipient address in the address data area are not relevant if they were not saved on the same day. For example, the requested carrier and / or cost center information is then transmitted electronically to the franking machine via a data line.

Similar to FIG. 2a, in the block diagram according to FIG. 2b, input and output means 2, 3, 20 to 23 are via the input / output control means 4, with a processor system 5 to 11, 14, 50 having a post-technical security area 50, 80, 81 connected. A permanent memory PSP 11 of the storage means of the franking machine has programs for communication via interfaces in the input / output control means 4 with the scanner 26, with the input means 20 to 23 and via a data line 24 with at least one personal computer in the office 21. A personal computer (PC) including monitor and associated keyboard can be regarded as a peripheral input / output means for searching and entering data. In addition, a connection to an existing computer network can be made possible by means of a separate device 29 via the data line 24. Other peripheral input / output means (not shown) can also be connected to the processor system of the franking machine. Billing information is transmitted to the relevant department in the office 21 regularly or in response to a need message via the aforementioned data line 24. In the post office as well, receipts for subsequent reloads with credit, tariff, image and other data are printed out by post using the print head of the franking machine. If necessary, for For each post carrier, proof of the subsequent reloading must be created separately after each reloading, if the franking machine is switched to internal printing. Then a self-adhesive franking strip is preferably printed. It is also provided that a listing of individual financial reloading data within a period of time and other register or service data can be printed out as proof from the print head of the franking machine, if this is desired. On the other hand, the documents can now also be printed in the office 21 after electronic transmission. If necessary, data is also created for a carrier for whom the postage values of all the cost centers he serves are compiled. This makes sense if the departments are economically independent units, ie if there is a small company behind the cost center number, which an office 21 and the post office use together, but have to invoice the carriers separately.

In a further variant of the clear billing in the interest of the customer, for the mail processing system according to the invention, in response to a request by personal computer in the office 21, the cost center number is automatically entered into the franking machine via the data line 24 and stored in connection with a special one in the program memory PSP 11 Program performed a data transfer to the personal computer in the office 21 relating to the listing of the cost center-related billing. The cost center can now be printed out by the department in question in the office 21 itself using a printer connected to the personal computer.

In the personal computer of the office 21, the transmitted listing can also be compared with an internally stored listing. Be from the post office Changes made to the attitude of the carrier, for example to take advantage of cheap offers or discounts from other carriers, can be checked by such a comparison.

The overall flow chart for the franking machine of a system according to the first variant shown in FIG. 3a shows a start and initialization routine, the latter including a sub-step 1011. After switching on, a communication requirement is formed in the aforementioned sub-step 1011 in order to initiate automatic communication, for example via modem 23, with the data center and to carry out a corresponding data transmission in which the place name is changed in accordance with the current location in the date stamp.

The location-specific provision of data takes place optionally or in accordance with the type of franking machine present using a card-shaped transmission means or by means of appropriate receiving means from an external memory via a communication network (modem, mobile radio).

If a location is entered by means of a chip card via a chip card reading unit 20, approval must be obtained beforehand. Although this is more time-consuming, it also allows location registration for the respective mail handling system in the data center.

In another variant, instead of using remote data transmission or a chip card, the location is also entered, for example using a keyboard, when the franking machine is switched on by a new user, for example after a change of location. Such an input possibility exists after switching on in a sub-step 1011 to step 101 of initialization, by entering the postcode ZIP code in the franking machine.

During the initialization routine 101, in addition to entering the location, there is also the option of changing the previous carrier constellation by defining a new set of postal carriers, for example by entering a carrier identification number (CIN) corresponding to the name of the postal carrier and loading the associated data in sub-step 1012 of step 101.

If, according to the invention, one of the carriers from the aforementioned set of postal carriers was then selected when entering the number of sheets for a letter or when entering the number of deposits for a mail item, only the carrier identification number (CIN) need be automatically transmitted to the franking machine. It is now possible to use the data stored in non-volatile form in sub-step 1012 under the carrier identification number (CIN), which include carrier-specific tariffs, routines for the postage calculation and / or billing modes as well as for print image generation and carrier-specific print image data.

After the initialization routine, a branch is made to a first step 201 in order to call up non-volatile settings at least in sub-step 2040 of the first step 201 even if no mail item is detected in the mail feed path. In the subsequent second step 209 there is the possibility of changing the aforementioned setting by manual input. One of the above settings also affects the average deposits or sheet weight, which can be changed if necessary.

Until all the necessary entries have been made in the second step 209, a mail piece that may have been fed in the meantime remains in a waiting position, preferably at the beginning of the feed path. After going through further steps of the overall schedule franking mode 400 is reached. There it is recognized that all the input are completed by comparing the loop runs after the last input with a predetermined number of loop runs or a time period with a predetermined time period after the last input. It is now switched to the standby mode before returning to the system routine 200.

According to the invention, while the franking machine is in the operating or standby state, a scanner 26 positioned in the mail feed path to the franking machine can input data into the franking machine if a mail item is detected by a first postal item sensor 16 and is transported to the print head. A first flag is set. Even if the first mail item sensor 16 is actuated, a second flag is set. If, however, the second mail item sensor 16.1 is actuated only on its own or in front of the first mail item sensor 16, this can be determined in the query step 211, which then leads again to the error evaluation mode 213. If, for example, the franking machine is in the standby state and only the second postal item sensor 16.1 is activated, this does not result in franking. However, internal cost center printing or printing of service data or an advertising slogan can still be carried out.

The interfaces in the input / output control means 4 are selected in order to recognize the connected peripheral means and to switch the franking machine, if necessary, into a required preprogrammed operating mode which enables cooperation and communication with the aforementioned peripheral means. For example, detection of the scanned data can trigger a transport of the mail piece in the direction of the print head. The interface to the scanner 26 is selected in order to have at least one cost center and / or to detect shipping information in steps 2010 to 2017 in order to read valid data into the memory areas of the non-volatile memory of the postage meter machine provided for this purpose, so that the tamper-proof automatic setting which can thus be achieved is retained even in the event of an operating voltage failure. If necessary, an interface to the prepaid card reader / writer 20 is also selected in steps 2030 to 2035, a mode switchover taking place if one is connected for inputting cash values. The franking machine is then in the slave state in order to receive data from the peripheral means scanner 26 and prepaid card read / write unit. The new setting for the automatically entered available monetary value is also saved in a non-volatile manner, the old setting data being overwritten.

In at least one subordinate step 202, a query is made as to whether the scanned data provide useful information or whether at least one limit value has been exceeded, i.e. whether a criterion has been met which, in a subsequent step, leads to a warning, for example to a display which alerts the user or indicates the error. After a large number of inquiries in further steps 202, 209, 301, 211, 212 and 214 have been run according to the program, in the franking mode 400 the postage determined in the previous step 209 for a mail piece with an entered number of inserts or for a letter with an entered number of sheets is corresponding to the Hiring booked or billed. Print data is now provided for printing from the pixel memory RAM 7.

In addition, the initialization routine 101 automatically generates print data with saved data in preparation for printing, as is described in US application 08 / 525,923 (Method for improving the security of postage meter machines). In the at least one step 202, further security criteria can be queried and displayed in the associated step 203 or prepared for signaling. Even if no further entries are made, a stamp print can be generated and printed with the stored data in a tamper-proof manner. The subsequent second step 209 according to the invention relates to a special input and display routine. In the aforesaid second step 209, the input data of the franking machine can be used to overwrite or change the data stored so far in a non-volatile manner or to make and display other inputs manually. In addition, print data input for corresponding partial images (window pixel data) is provided. The transport of the mail piece in the direction of the print head may then be interrupted so that the entry can be completed. However, if there is no manual intervention, mail processing and franking are fully automated.

After the second step 209, the point u, ie the start of a communication mode 300, is reached and a third step 301 asks whether there is a transaction request. This is the case when request data has been created or an entry has been made for the purpose of reloading the credit. If this is not the case, communication mode 300 is exited and point v, ie the actual operating mode 290 of the franking machine, is reached. If relevant data were transmitted in communication mode, branch to step 213 for data evaluation. In step 213, a statistical and error evaluation is carried out in order to obtain further current data which, after branching to the system routine 200, can also be called up in the sub-step 2040 to the first step 201. Or otherwise, if in step 211 following the communication mode in the third step 300 If no transmission of data is found, branching to the next request in step 212. In step 212, a check is carried out to determine whether corresponding entries have been made in order to go to test mode 216 when a test is requested, or to go to display mode 215 when register status check 214 is intended. If this is not the case, point g, ie franking mode 400, is reached automatically. A number of security queries were provided in the franking mode and the cost center-related billing takes place only shortly before the franking image begins to be printed out, using memory address data which, due to the change in the cost center number, were formed beforehand after the input thereof. With the aforementioned series of queries, a higher security against manipulation is achieved. Thus, the program routine of the franking machine branches from franking mode 400 to point u when a number credit S has been used up. Communication with the data center is automatically started in order to continue franking. From the franking mode 400, there is a repeated branching to the point t in order to enable data input in the second step 209 using the franking machine keyboard. Such manual entries are carried out in a practical manner if no signal for the printout request has yet been generated which is derived from a corresponding postal goods sensor signal. However, if a piece of mail has been recognized and the print output request has been generated after a predetermined time delay, cost center-dependent billing and franking of a piece of mail have been carried out according to the program, the process branches back to point s.

The overall flowchart for the franking machine of a system according to the second variant, shown in FIG. 3b, shows such a start and initialization routine, the latter comprising sub-step 1011 for updating the location data and sub-step 1012 for updating the carrier constellation includes. The stored carrier constellation can be coordinated with one another via the data line 24 to the personal computers.

After the franking machine is switched on, a communication requirement is formed in the aforementioned sub-steps 1011 and 1012 in order to initiate automatic communication, for example via modem 23, with the data center and to carry out a corresponding data transmission for updating the data stock as required.

After the initialization routine, a branch is made to a first step 201 in order to call at least non-volatile settings for the franking machine in sub-step 2040 if no mail item is detected in the mail feed path. One of the above settings again affects the average leaf weight. The setting of the sheet weight for letters or the deposit weight for other mail items can be saved and assigned to the cost center and changed again if the cost center wants to send other deposits in the future.

Until all manually required entries have been made in the second step 209, a piece of mail that may have been fed in in the meantime remains again in a waiting position, preferably at the beginning of the feed path. After the last entry, the system switches to the standby mode before returning to the system routine 200.

The interfaces in the input / output control means 4 are selected in order to recognize the connected peripheral means and to switch the franking machine, if necessary, into a required preprogrammed operating mode which enables cooperation and communication with the aforementioned peripheral means. For example, detection of the scanned Data trigger a transport of the mail piece in the direction of the print head. The interface to the scanner 26 is selected in order to detect at least one piece of address information in steps 2010 to 2016, in order to read valid data as a result into the memory areas of the non-volatile memory of the franking machine provided for this purpose, so that the tamper-proof automatic setting which can thus be achieved can also be achieved in the event of an operating voltage failure preserved. In the following sub-steps 2018 to 2029, communication is carried out with one of the remote personal computers, which has already been explained in connection with the data line 24 in FIGS. 1b and 2b. This communication includes at least the transmission of request data to the personal computer in the office 21 and the retrieval of cost center and carrier data stored in the personal computer in the office 21.

If necessary, the interface to the prepaid card read / write unit 20 is also selected in steps 2030 to 2035. The new setting for the automatically entered available monetary value is again stored non-volatile, the old setting data being overwritten. The further queries take place in the same way as has already been described for FIG. 3a.

The overall flowchart shown in FIG. 3b for a franking machine with integrated postage calculation thus has, in a first step 201, several sub-steps for automatic data processing according to the second variant of the mail processing system. The first step 201 comprises the sub-steps 2010 to 2017 for a scanner communication mode, as it is described in more detail in FIG. 6a, several sub-steps 2018 to 2029 for an office computer communication mode, as it is described in more detail in FIG. 6b, and optionally several sub-steps 2030 until 2035 for a prepaid card communication mode, as described in more detail in FIG. 6a, and sub-step 2040 for automatic data entry.

A personal computer transmits the number of sheets via the data line 24 to the franking machine, which first calculates the weight value required for postage calculation in a second step 209, as is explained in more detail in connection with FIGS. 4b and 5a.

The computer routine shown in FIG. 4a for determining the number of sheets as a result of the creation of a letter precedes a calculation of the letter weight in the franking machine.

The data determining the postage, such as format, number of sheets and, if applicable, the type of dispatch, are determined when the letter is created. For this purpose, the word processing program with which the letter is created in a step 507 by default on a personal computer, e.g. WORD under WINDOWS, supplemented by a special sheet counting program as part of step 507, which calculates the number of sheets as letter-specific data.

In the word processing program modified in accordance with the invention, after the letter text has been created or the mailpiece inlays have been processed, a number of further sub-steps in preparation and determination of the number of sheets are inserted in a sub-step 5070 to the aforementioned step 507 and before printing in step 508. A first sub-step 5071 is carried out for formatting the text, then in the second sub-step 5072 the last page or last processed insert is activated and in a third sub-step 5073 the number of pages or inserts is displayed. In a fourth sub-step 5074 the possibility is given for a manual entry in order to make changes and continue the text editing or insert editing. A fifth sub-step 5075 checks whether the processing has ended in order to branch to a sixth sub-step 5076. Otherwise, a branch is made back to the beginning of the routine for creating the letter text or editing the mail piece inlays in a sub-step 5070. In the sixth sub-step 5076, the number of pages is stored on the basis of the number of pages that can be displayed on the last page, or the number of inserts in that particular section of the letter file that is not to be printed with the letter content, in which the selected mail carrier information is also stored.

When printing in step 508, the number of sheets or number of inserts is automatically inserted into the print image of the letter such that it is visible in the clear window of the envelope after inserting it. The number of pages or deposits shown in the third sub-step 5073 can additionally be supplemented by the display of the type of deposits. The additional shipping information for the type of deposit is printed out, assigned to the number of deposits, in order to transmit this information to the franking machine for controlling the weight calculation.

A simplified embodiment (not shown in FIG. 4a) does not require a sheet counting program. To do this, the information determining the postage must be entered manually. The number of sheets is visible in the text after formatting and can be entered manually by the author of the letter in the address field that should appear under the transparent window. In the alternative, an additional input mask is automatically called up to support manual input. The program will only trigger the print command after this entry.

The imprint of the above sheet number information in the The address field of the letter can either be in plain text or in the form of one- or two-dimensional codes. The latter have the advantage of better machine readability. After the manual or automatic entry of the number of sheets, the conversion into a barcode is preferably carried out by a special subroutine 5081 of the personal computer in step 508 for printing out the letter.

The franking machine is equipped or connected to an optical recognition device which detects the number of sheets of information printed in the address field. The content is determined using an OCR method. In the case of barcodes, standard software with recognition rates of almost 100% can be used. The recognized postage information is forwarded to the computing unit of the franking machine. According to the invention, this carries out the weight determination without a scale and then carries out the poro calculation in a known manner and takes a corresponding franking imprint on the upper right corner of the envelope.

The weight of a letter, for example, is calculated by the franking machine on the basis of the standard weight of a letter page, which is stored in the franking machine. The letter weight is determined by the weight of a sheet and the number of sheets. When speaking of a letter and a sheet weight or a number of sheets, solution variants for parcels should also be included. Mail items can also have CD-ROM or chip card inserts. Such insoles also have a typical insole weight. If several such inserts are dispatched, their number is required to determine the weight of the insole. In the case of mixed deposits, such as paper and plastic, the type and number of deposits must be clearly determinable.

With correspondingly connected additional devices, processing of chip cards, CD-ROMs and other card-shaped or disk-shaped information carriers for sending them is also possible with a personal computer. Such information carriers made of plastic and / or information carriers made of paper and packaging inserts form inserts, the number of which is automatically determined and transmitted to the franking machine in accordance with the two basic solution variants. In the case of a sub-variant, the type of deposits is also automatically determined in addition to their number and transmitted to the franking machine in accordance with the two basic solution variants. Advantageous compared to the European patent EP 498 955 B1, entitled: Method and arrangement for sending electronically stored letter contents, it is now possible to feed the mail items with a large number of different inserts to the franking machine without having to use a scale again to determine the weight to have to.

The inlays taken into account in the franking machine for weight calculation are preferably sheets of the same type in a letter or document or disks or cards of an electronic information carrier. In the case of a combination of different deposits, in addition to the number, the type of deposits is also transmitted and identified in the franking machine. The weight is calculated from the sum of all stack weights of the insert types and the weight of the packaging (envelope). Each stack weight results from the number of deposits multiplied by the average deposit weight separately for each type of deposit.

Under normal circumstances, the respective department (cost center) always uses the same type of paper for printing the letter, so that the sheet weight is only determined and entered once.

The sheet weight can be easily determined by dividing the total weight of a complete stack of paper by the number of sheets. Both information can generally be found on the packaging. Otherwise the sheet weight must also be requested from the manufacturer. Only in cases where the paper type is changed may the sheet weight have to be re-entered into the franking machine. In the first sub-step 209-1 of the second step 209, a selective entry regarding the change in the automatically entered cost center and / or shipping information, including the average deposit weights, can be made.

The weight of a window envelope is also taken into account like an insert weight. The weight of a window envelope is practically independent of the make and only needs to be entered once in the franking machine. Type and copy variations can be neglected.

FIG. 4b shows a flow chart for the sequence in the franking machine with a processing routine for stored data, each for the calculation of the weight value and the postage value. The stored data for the calculation include the number of sheets (or number and type of deposits), the average sheet weight (or deposit weight) and other shipping information, such as shipping method (letter, parcel, printed matter, etc.), such as shipping method (registered mail, express) , Airmail, etc.), such as the destination (Germany, Europe, abroad) and the selected carrier. The stored data for the calculation are called in sub-step 2040 of the first step 201 before reaching the second step 209, in which it is checked in a sub-step 209-23 whether relevant data for the proto-calculation have changed before the weight calculation in one Sub-step 209-24a and then the Postage calculation is carried out in a sub-step 209-24b.

The aforementioned sub-step 209-23 for checking includes a plurality of partial queries regarding a change in each of the aforementioned stored data for the calculation. The previous data is compared with the following stored data for the calculation. If the comparison also reveals only a change in a single parameter relevant for the calculation, a branch is made to sub-step 209-24a and / or to sub-step 209-24b for the calculation. In the sub-variant shown in FIG. 5a, both calculation sub-steps 209-24a and 209-24b are carried out sequentially each time.

In a preferred sub-variant - shown in FIG. 4b - groups with respect to the partial queries are formed to shorten the calculation. A first group (sub-step 209-23a) only includes queries regarding a change in each of the aforementioned stored data for the calculation of the weight. But a second group (sub-step 209-23b) only includes queries regarding a change in each of the aforementioned stored data for the calculation of the postage value based on a specific weight. If the parameters for the calculation of the weight remain unchanged, the sub-step 209-24a for calculating the weight is not carried out, but the sub-step 209-24b for calculating the postage value is carried out. In this case, the weight value is used, which was determined in the last franking and is stored non-volatilely stored in the sub-step 2040 of the first step 201 under the stored data.

The second solution variant differs from the first solution variant in that the number of sheets and, if applicable, the type of deposit and the shipping method are no longer printed in the address field of the letter will. This information is stored in the personal computer assigned to the letter file or its address, sublimed and sublimed according to time data.

In the first step 201, however, the address field of the letter is scanned in a station of the post office. The address is determined as plain text or code. The address determined in this way is transmitted from the franking machine to the personal computer connected to it. The personal computer program determines the stored postage-relevant information at the specified address and transmits it to the franking machine. The latter determines the postage associated with the letter in question in a second step 209 on the basis of the information transmitted and the postage tables stored in the franking machine.

• daß die Frankiermaschine ein Ein/Ausgabemittel 4 aufweist, eine Registereinheit 19 zur automatischen Eingabe von Daten und zur Steuerung angeschlossener Peripheriegeräte sowie Mittel 20, 23 zur Kommunikation mit einer entfernten Datenzentrale und Kommunikationsmittel 24 zu einem Personalcomputer (PC) im Büro 21 angeschlossen sind,
• daß ein Prozessorsystem einen Mikroprozessor 6 enthält, der mit einer Routine zur Auswertung der abgetasteten Daten programmiert ist, und der mit einer Routine programmiert ist, um die Daten einer Datei des Personalcomputers (PC) im Büro 21 aus der Vielzahl abgefragten, jeweils einem Briefinhalt zugeordneten Datein aufzufinden, wobei im Ergebnis die Blattanzahl, die Postbeförderernummer (CIN) und weitere Versand-informationen sowie die Kostenstellen-Nummer in die Frankiermaschine automatisch eingegeben und verarbeitet wird sowie
• daß der Mikroprozessor (6) mit einer Routine zur Gewichts- und Portoberechnung aufgrund der abgetasteten Daten programmiert ist.

The arrangement for data processing in a franking machine comprises input and output means which are connected to a processor system. According to the invention,

• that the franking machine has an input / output means 4, a register unit 19 for the automatic input of data and for controlling connected peripheral devices, and means 20, 23 for communication with a remote data center and communication means 24 to a personal computer (PC) in the office 21,
• that a processor system contains a microprocessor 6, which is programmed with a routine for evaluating the scanned data, and which is programmed with a routine to retrieve the data from a file of the personal computer (PC) in the office 21 from the large number of polled, each assigned to a letter content Find files, the result of which is the number of sheets, the mail carrier number (CIN) and other shipping information as well as the cost center number is automatically entered and processed in the franking machine and
• that the microprocessor (6) is programmed with a routine for weight and postage calculation based on the sampled data.

At least one scanner 26 is connected to the register unit 19. It is provided that at least one scanner is arranged in the mail feed stream in such a way that different formats are also scanned. Corresponding scanners 26.1, 26.2 for address scanning are arranged in the mail feed path of the franking machine FM for other envelope formats, which was only not shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b for the sake of clarity.

Programs corresponding to the postal regulations exist for the position of the address and the other information in memories of the respective personal computers PCa, PCb or PCc. A processing device for the scanned information is preferably integrated in the franking machine FM in order to determine address data.

It is further provided that the scanner is connected together with a letter sensor 16 to a register unit 19 which temporarily stores data and carries out a parallel / series conversion, the register unit 19 for serial data transmission via the data line 18 being electronically connected to the input / output Control means 4 of the franking machine is connected.

The location of the optical recognition device is not necessarily linked to the franking machine. For example, it is also conceivable to integrate such a device into an automatic feeder or an automatic separating device. The latter separates the mail pieces for automatic feeding.

The idea of the invention is not limited to this embodiment, because of course others can be peripheral Input / output means can be switched to a common serial interface via the register unit 19 and the data line 18.

It is provided that the scanner 26 have an electronic circuit for image evaluation. A marker reading device with subsequent image evaluation can be implemented as described, for example, in German Offenlegungsschrift DE 43 44 471 A1 under the title: Method and arrangement for generating and checking a security imprint.

On the one hand, it is provided that the scanner 26 have an electronic circuit for image evaluation.

On the other hand, a variant is also provided that the electronic circuit in the scanner only supports an image evaluation carried out in the franking machine. Using the determined addresses, it is possible to determine the carrier or / or the cost center in the personal computer.

As a result, a carrier information is automatically entered into the franking machine, which is required for a carrier-specific logo print data input. The processor system of the franking machine contains a microprocessor 6, which is programmed with a routine stored in a memory area 81 of the clock / date module, in order to load the data of the automatically set new mail carrier accordingly in automatic routines if required.

In addition, the microprocessor 6 is programmed with a further routine in order to initialize the franking machine in a location-specific manner after switching on and to load further data into the franking machine if necessary. This also includes essential franking image data specified or required by the carrier, analogous to the national emblem of the national state mail carrier, as has already been described in detail in the 195 49 305.2 German application.

This type of reloading is particularly intended for digital printing processes which allow programmable embedding of variable or semi-variable window pixel field data in constant frame pixel field data. Such a method for controlling the column-wise printing of a postage stamp image in a franking machine is described for example in EP 578 042 A2.

The arrangement for data entry into a franking machine has input and output means which are connected to a processor system. It is provided that the input means 2 have first actuating means in order to set the franking machine to another mail carrier. It is further provided that the input means 2 have second actuating means for the specific setting of a new mail carrier, and that the processor system contains a microprocessor 6, which is programmed with a routine in order to match the data of the set new mail carrier in automatic routines 1000 of the communication mode 300 to load and to generate a change in the print image, the change data generated being assigned non-volatile under a number and the respective mail carrier or stored non-volatile associated with a carrier identification number (CIN) corresponding to the respectively selected mail carrier.

It is furthermore provided that the transmitted partial image files assigned to a carrier identification number (CIN) corresponding to the respectively selected mail carrier are stored in a non-volatile manner in the franking machine in order to be able to select a predetermined mail carrier number or CIN generate specific print images, and that the transmitted partial image files, pixel image files and the change data generated by automatic or manual input are stored in non-volatile memory areas of read / write memory means 5 and / or 8.

In FIG. 5a, according to the invention, in the ninth sub-step 209-9, a query criterion for a carrier change is met if the mail has been scanned appropriately as part of the input routine (first step 201 in FIGS. 3a, 3b) and then by the office 21 Carrier type is transmitted on the basis of a request (first step 201 in FIG. 3b), and thus changed carrier information has been automatically entered into the franking machine for billing purposes.

A corresponding automatic input in the first step 201 (FIGS. 3a and b) or, if appropriate, manual input in the first sub-step 209-1, is then branched to an associated sub-step 209-10 when the sub-step for checking for carrier input (209-9) is reached , to check the availability of the carrier-related data in the franking machine. With the latter check, a lack of concordance with regard to the data records stored in the personal computers PCa, PCb,... PCm in the office 21 for the individual carriers can be determined. The data of the missing or new carrier can be stored in the franking machine after it has been transmitted.

Correspondingly, a branch is made from sub-step (209-7) to check for cliché input or from sub-step (209-11) to check for print input on an associated sub-step 209-8 or 209-12, to check the availability of the data in the Franking machine. As part of an automatic entry in the first step 201 (FIGS. 3a, 3b) of a cost center number, an advertising slogan assigned to the cost center can also be selected automatically. It is also possible to change the election printout if these change data are transmitted to the postage meter machine, for example according to the second solution variant, via a data line 24.

If data is available, a branch is made from sub-steps 209-8, 209-10 and 209-12 for cliché, carrier or optional print input verification to assigned security verification steps 209-16, 209-17, 209-18, an automatic one being valid Print data entry is made. A data check using an encrypted check sum (MAC) prevents manipulation with the intention of forgery, as has already been described in detail in the German application entitled: Procedure for securing data and program code of an electronic franking machine (No. 195 34 530.4).

Otherwise, if the data are not available in the postage meter machine, a branch is made to a point k to a nineteenth sub-step 209-19 in order to form request data. Actuating means for the new entry of a carrier and the associated routine are optionally provided. If actuating means for a new entry of a carrier were actuated during the input routine (first sub-step 209-1), this is determined in a query step (thirteenth sub-step 209-13) and also branches to point k of the nineteenth sub-step 209-19 in order to form request data. The aforementioned nineteenth sub-step 209-19 is explained in more detail below in connection with FIG. 8.

A plurality of query steps, not shown, may lie between the thirteenth query step 209-13 and a point h for inputs such as further evaluate services, modes of dispatch, forms of dispatch or mail classes or another type of deposits for the mail item. If it is now determined in a twenty-third query step 209-23 that the data required for postage calculation have been changed, a branch is made to a twenty-fourth sub-step 209-24. The latter is divided into a sub-step 209-24a for calculating the weight value and in a sub-step 209-24b for calculating the postage value based on the weight according to the tariff of the selected carrier for the selected services and other relevant entries relating to the shipping. The branch is then branched back to point t via the twentieth sub-step 209-20. The postage value changed due to the postage calculation is again determined in the fifth sub-step 209-5 and then branches to a sixth sub-step 209-6 for the purpose of generating an encrypted checksum (MAC) via the changed postage value. This postage value secured in this way can now be stored in a tamper-proof manner together with the MAC and can be used for billing in the course of the franking mode 400 which runs later in time (FIG. 7b).

User-specific or department-specific billing requires so-called cost center information in order to allocate billing data to this. The cost center information scanned from the item of mail or also transmitted in the aforementioned manner by the personal computer can be used on the one hand for the automatic allocation of the accounting data depending on the cost center and on the other hand for the automatic setting of an advertising cliché in the franking image shown in FIG. 5b. This advantageously eliminates the otherwise required user-relevant settings of the cost center and the advertising slogan via the keyboard of the franking machine. Prerequisite is one Possibility of non-volatile storage of a large number of advertising clichés in the franking machine. On the one hand, a fixed number of advertising clichés can already be stored non-volatilely in an internal user memory ASP 10 (EEPROM) by the manufacturer. For this purpose, the franking machine is equipped with a non-volatile memory for a number of advertising clichés, with each advertising cliché being assigned to the cost center of the respective department. On the other hand, a number of advertising clichés can be loaded later. A chip card read / write unit enables a frequent change of cards for a large number of entries. An advertising slogan can thus advantageously be reloaded into the franking machine. Another option is a password-protected function of deleting previous data for parts of the print image or assigning it to the cost center. The franking machine is therefore equipped with a corresponding program such as input and display means. In further circuit or program means, which are present in the program memory PSP 11 and in the non-volatile memory areas of the clock / date module 8 and / or the memory means 5, a corresponding sequence for loading data or for updating is stored in order to Areas of the memory for deleted predecessor data now load successor data and to redefine their assignment to the cost center, as is shown in more detail below in connection with FIG. 5b.

In FIG. 5b, according to the invention, in the twenty-fifth sub-step 209-25, a query criterion for a change in the cost center number is met if the mail has been scanned accordingly as part of the input routine in order to directly (first step 201 in FIG. 3a) or indirectly ( first step 201 in FIG. 3b) automatically includes cost center information for billing purposes enter the franking machine. As a result of the query in the twenty-fifth sub-step 209-25, if the cost center was changed, a twenty-sixth sub-step 209-26 is reached. The availability of the cost center number is checked here. It is possible that a cost center number has been deleted. Then, in a twenty-seventh sub-step 209-27, there is a corresponding error message and then a branch back to the point t via the twentieth sub-step 209-20. Otherwise, the system branches from the twenty-sixth sub-step 209-26 to a twenty-eighth sub-step 209-28 if the cost center number is available. In the twenty-eighth sub-step 209-28, an advertising slogan assigned to the cost center number is automatically set.

In a thirtieth sub-step 209-30 a query is made for a desired change in the assignment between the cliché and the cost center number. If this is the case, a branch is made to a thirty-first sub-step 209-31 to display the currently entered cost center number and, after confirmation, to a thirty-second query step 209-32. If no confirmation has been made beforehand, then after the time has elapsed, a branch is automatically made back to point t via the twentieth sub-step 209-20. Then, in the seventh sub-step 209-7, it is possible to select a different cliché by entering a cliché number before the aforementioned query steps are repeated until the query in the thirtieth sub-step 209-30. When confirming, for example, with a special acknowledgment key for the cost center number, a branch is made from query step 209-32 to the thirty-third sub-step 209-33. In the thirty-third sub-step 209-33 the previously assigned plate number is displayed, which is the name of the semi-variable window data for a frame data dependent on the carrier advertising slogan to be embedded. After confirmation, a thirty-fifth sub-step 209-35 is reached, unless it is not previously determined in the thirty-fourth query step 209-34 that a change has not been confirmed, which then automatically leads back to the branch via the twentieth sub-step 209-20 to point t . This again enables a different cliché to be selected in a seventh sub-step 209-7 (FIG. 5a). After passing through the sub-steps 209-8, 209-16, 209-20, 209-1 to 209-23, which lead to the point h or h 'in FIG. 5b and after going through the twenty-fifth sub-step 209-25 with the query criterion a change in the cost center number, which is of course not fulfilled, the thirtieth sub-step 209-30 is again reached for querying for a desired change in the assignment between the cliché and the cost center number. After passing through the sub-steps 209-31, 209-32, 209-33 and 209-34, a thirty-fifth sub-step 209-35 comprising a password input routine is reached if the cliché setting in the thirty-third sub-step 209-33 has been confirmed after the cliché number has been displayed.

If an incorrect password was entered in the aforementioned thirty-fifth sub-step 209-35, then this is determined in the thirty-sixth query step 209-36 and, after an error message, a branch is returned to point t in a thirty-eighth query step 209-38. However, if it is determined in the thirty-sixth query step 209-36 that the password entry was correct, then a thirty-seventh sub-step 209-37 is reached, in order to then save the new assignment and then again for the cliché number display in the thirty-third sub-step 209-33 or for the cliché number display in a separate one - not shown - branch to sub-step 209-39, in order to then return to point t via the twentieth sub-step 209-20 to reset the loop counter branch. The new assignment to the cost center number has thus been entered in the franking machine and is now still available.

Between the query steps 209-25 and 209-30 - shown in FIG. 5b - there are a large number of further query steps which are run through before the point u is reached, but for reasons of space in FIG. 5b only as a sub-step 209-29 were shown. A structure is provided in an area of the special cost center memory KSP 9, on the basis of which cost center-related operations can be carried out. In addition to a basic cost center assigned to the respective carrier with the number zero, additional cost centers can also be set up or deleted under numbers other than zero. Values and quantities of individual cost centers other than the one with the number zero can be edited or deleted without affecting the security against manipulation. The carrier-related basic cost center with the number zero contains a sum over the values of cost centers.

Between the point h "of the query step 209-30 - shown in FIG. 5b - and the point u, a large number of further query steps are arranged, which are run through, but are shown in FIG. 5c as sub-steps 209-40 to 209-51 for reasons of space were.

For easier entry, numbers are assigned to the names of cost centers or carriers, which can also be seen in the legend in FIG. 7c. According to the invention, the name of the cost center that is common between the departments of the office 21 can be changed if this should be necessary. If a corresponding entry is made, this is recognized in the fortieth query step 209-40 and, after the assigned currently set number has been displayed, then becomes Input routine of the new name switched (forty-first sub-step 209-41). The carrier name used between the carriers can also be changed if necessary. If a corresponding entry is made, this is recognized in the forty-second query step 209-42 and, after the assigned currently set number has been displayed, the system switches to the input routine of the new name (forty-third sub-step 209-43). The advantage is particularly noticeable when there are a large number of cost center and / or carrier names.

In the aforementioned twenty-ninth sub-step 209-29, inputs relating to operations related to cost centers can be queried in a manner not shown in FIG. 5b. If a selective entry regarding cost center-related shipping information, including the average deposit weights, is made in the first sub-step 209-1 of the second step 209, a routine for querying and storing the change in the average deposit weights is provided in the twenty-ninth sub-step 209-29 in accordance with the selective entry made.

An entry regarding the cost center-related register operations can also be requested. After selection of registers, the stored values or quantities are displayed in display mode 215 (FIGS. 3a and 3b).

Furthermore, the display of all consumption totals for a single cost center can be useful to keep an overview of a large number of private carriers. In order to prepare the display in display mode 215, the listing is prepared. The list is based on a corresponding entry. For a postage meter internal printout, it is stored in the pixel memory RAM 7. The Printout also takes place on the basis of a corresponding other input, which, however, will not be explained in more detail here.

A representation or display of all carrier-related consumption totals for the set cost center number is preceded by an appropriate entry. If a corresponding entry is made, this is recognized in the forty-fourth query step 209-44 and, after the assigned currently set cost center number has been displayed, the system switches to the listing routine for the selected register (forty-fifth sub-step 209-45).

A representation or display of all carrier-related quantities for the set cost center number is preceded by another corresponding entry. If a corresponding entry is made, this is recognized in the forty-sixth query step 209-46 and after the assigned currently set cost center number has been displayed, the system switches to the listing routine for the selected register (forty-seventh sub-step 209-47).

Likewise, for all available cost center numbers, a display or display of all carrier-related consumption sums when a forty-eighth query step 209-48 and forty-ninth sub-step 209-49 is carried out, or a display or display of all carrier-related quantities if a fiftieth query step 209-50 and going through fifty-first sub-steps 209-51.

If a query criterion is met, further processing steps and the aforementioned sub-step 209-20 branch back to point t at the input of the second step 209. Subsequently in the second sub-step 209-2 there is a display with an input option in the first sub-step 209-1, whereby a user interface can advantageously be used to enable a large number of different inputs. Such a suitable user interface is described in the aforementioned European application entitled: User Interface for a Postage Meter (No. 94 120 314.3).

FIGS. 6a and 6b show partial flowcharts for automatic data entry based on the scanned letter recipient address. The first step 201 of the franking machine system routine 200 can be divided into a multiplicity of communication modes. This can also include a chip card communication mode, shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b, the chip card being used, for example, as a prepaid card. According to the variant of the mail processing system shown in FIGS. 2b and 3b, there is a communication connection to the personal computer PC. In the first step 201, substeps 2010 to 2016 for a scanner communication mode, substeps 2019 to 2029 for an office computer communication mode and substeps 2031 to 2035 for a prepaid card communication mode are carried out.

First of all, a routine takes place in sub-step 2010, which stores the cost center and / or shipping data, including sheet number and carrier data, non-volatile as previous data, so that they are available as comparison data when it is necessary to decide whether an automatic change of individual data is necessary Data has been entered. This involves deleting the old data mentioned above in the working memory of the franking machine.
In the subsequent sub-step 2011, a serial interface is selected, in order to then receive data xl from at least one of the scanners (mail item sensor 16) in the following sub-step 2012, before branching to a query step 2013. In the query step In 2013, when data transmission has taken place, a branch is made to a sub-step 2014 in order to send a handshake signal to the aforementioned register unit 19, to which the aforementioned scanner is connected together with other sensors. From the query step 2013, a branch is made via the sub-step 2009 to the sub-step 2040 if no scanner data has been received. After sending the handshake signal to the above-mentioned scanner, a mail piece detection takes place in sub-step 2015. If the sensor 16 works according to a mechanical principle of operation, in the simplest case only the relevant bit needs to be stored. If the sensor 16 works according to the optical principle of action, this can be done by a relatively simple image evaluation. When a mail item present in the feed path has been identified, a branch is made from the query step 2016 to a sub-step 2017 for evaluating the other scanned data. With a marking in the form of a barcode, it may be necessary to move the mail piece forward before an evaluation is successful. In particular in the case of a variant with a complete or partial image evaluation (bar code) in the franking machine, the completeness of the scanning data must be ensured before an evaluation. In such a case, if the data required for detection, that is to say for finding and evaluating, is incomplete, then this is ascertained in a query step 2008 and, in response, branches back to step 2012 for further data transmission from the scanners via register unit 19 and data line 18 to be seen. Otherwise, the system branches directly to the next query step 2018.

In a preferred variant, the evaluation that takes place in sub-step 2017 includes the detection of the mail recipient address.

From the query step 2016, one is not successful Detection, that is, if there is no mail item in the feed path to sub-step 2040 for the purpose of calling up stored current data. Neither a prepaid card communication mode nor an office computer communication mode is then run through. In addition, a sub-step 2009 is run through in order to control motors (not shown) in the feed device in such a way that they may switch off if a mail item to be transported is not found in the feed path when the system routine 200 is run through again. Only the input / display routine with print data input is then active and now enables manual input or presetting of the franking machine. It is furthermore provided that at the beginning of the first step 201 of the system routine 200 a plurality of sub-steps 2001 to 2007 - not shown - are provided, so that the peripheral devices in the post office and devices in the associated transport device (base) of the franking machine can be operated can run controlled by the franking machine.

According to the invention, an office computer communication mode (sub-steps 2019 to 2027) is run through. A corresponding query step 2018 precedes the aforementioned office computer communication mode.

In all of the aforementioned variants, sub-steps 2031 to 2035 for a prepaid card communication mode are run through if prepaid card coupling is determined in the preliminary query step 2030.

A serial interface is selected in sub-step 2031, in order to then carry out a data transmission y1 from the postage meter machine to the prepaid card read / write unit 20 in the following sub-step 2031a. In the following sub-step 2031b, when done Data transmission received a handshake signal y2 sent by the prepaid card read / write unit 20 and then branched to sub-step 2031c in order to issue an error message in the following sub-step 2031d and to branch back to sub-step 2031a if no handshake signal from the prepaid card read / write unit 20 was received. Otherwise, in the following sub-step 2032, a data transfer a is waited for by the prepaid card read / write unit 20 before branching to a query step 2033. This data transfer includes at least the credit in the prepaid card.

When the data has been transferred, the query step 2033 branches to a sub-step 2034 in order to send a handshake signal to the aforementioned prepaid card read / write unit 20. Without the handshake signal, the prepaid card read / write unit 20 automatically repeats the data transmission. From the query step 2033, the process branches back to the sub-step 2032 to wait for the new data transmission. After the handshake signal has been sent to the aforementioned prepaid card read / write unit 20, the prepaid card data is evaluated in sub-step 2035.

The mail processing system, which contains a franking machine which is in communication with at least one personal computer PCa, PCb, ..., PCn, PCm in the office 21, performs the automatic data entry relating to the cost center and / or carrier information online via the aforementioned in the first step 201 Communication connection through if corresponding request data are previously formed on the basis of the scanned letter recipient address. The flow chart shown in FIG. 6b for automatic data entry in step 201 illustrates the office computer communication mode. The sub-step 2018 leads to a sub-step 2019 to a serial interface to select the personal computer. Subsequently, a data transmission to the personal computer takes place in sub-step 2020. In sub-step 2021, a handshake signal from the personal computer in the office 21 is waited for and the process branches to query step 2022. If a handshake signal was not received by the personal computer in office 21, a branch is made to query step 2030. Such a case can occur when the personal computer is switched off. On the other hand, a branch is made to sub-step 2023 to await data transmission from the personal computer in the office 21. If the latter has taken place (sub-step 2024), a handshake signal is sent to the personal computer in the office 21 (sub-step 2025). On the other hand, branching back to sub-step 2023. If the handshake signal was sent to the personal computer (sub-step 2025), the data is evaluated in sub-step 2026. If the data transmission was not completed or possibly incomplete, sub-step 2020a may result in an error message in sub-step 2020 for data transfer of request data to the personal computer branched back. The query is made in sub-step 2027.

The sub-steps 2019 to 2027 for an office computer communication mode can be expanded by further sub-steps 2028 and 2029, which carry out the answering of an electronic demand report after a listing for department-related billing. In sub-step 2028, a check is carried out to determine whether a corresponding request in the form of an electronic request message was made by the personal computer in the office 21 when evaluating the data in sub-step 2026 before the request was processed in sub-step 2029. The system then branches back to sub-step 2020 in order to carry out a new communication until the request message has been processed accordingly.

In Figure 7a is a flow chart for the Franking mode shown with a carrier and cost center-related processing of accounting data. If no keyboard actuation or other input request is ascertained in sub-step 401, a loop counter is incremented in sub-step 402 and a query step 404 is reached. If a predetermined limit number G is reached by the loop feeder, a standby flag is set.

The standby mode is reached when there is no input or print request for a predetermined time. The latter is the case if a letter sensor known per se - not shown in detail - does not determine the next envelope to be franked. The step 404 in the franking mode 400, shown in FIG. 7a, therefore includes a further query for a time lapse, which ultimately leads back to the point t and thus to the input routine according to step 209 if the time is exceeded. If the query criterion is met, a standby flag is set as in step 408 and branched back to point t without the billing and printing routine being carried out in step 406. The standby flag is queried later in step 211 (see, for example, FIG. 4d) and is reset in step 213 after the checksum check if no attempted manipulation is detected. The query criterion in step 211 is expanded to include the question of whether the standby flag is set, i.e. whether the standby mode is reached. In this case, step 213 is also branched to. The advantage of this method is that every attempt at manipulation is statistically recorded in step 213 before branching back to the system routine (point s).

This ensures that the last input values are retained even when the franking machine is switched off, so that the postage value is automatically applied after switching on in the value print corresponding to the last entry before the franking machine was switched off and the date in the day stamp is specified in accordance with the current date.

If a weight value was calculated the previous time, the previous weight value is taken, for example, from a memory area D of the EEPROM 5b. In step 401 it is checked whether there is an input. If a new input request is made in step 401, the process branches back to step 209.

Otherwise, steps 402 and 404 to increase a loop counter and to check the number of passes to steps 405a and 405 in order to query the print output request, which is detected when a sheet of paper is inserted into the printing area, a printing requirement by a conventional mail item sensor 16.1. This mail item sensor 16.1, for example, is connected to the register unit 19 in the same way as the sensor 16, but is mechanically arranged in the vicinity of the printing area and is also queried later in the order of the method steps than the sensor 16. The above-mentioned mail item sensor 16.1 provides the letter to be franked detected and a print request triggered after the time has elapsed. It is thus possible to branch to the accounting and printing routine in step 406. If there is no print output request (step 405), the steps that are carried out at the beginning of the system routine, i.e. between the point s and the point t, branched back to the step 209 lying after the point t.

Before step 301 is reached, a communication request can be made at any time or another input can be made in accordance with the steps for data change 209, test request 212, register check 214 and input request 401. It will go through steps 401 to 404 again, as shown in the variant according to FIG. 7a. In the case of a predetermined number of runs, a branch is made from step 404 to step 408. The alternative query criterion can be queried in step 404 in order to set a standby flag in step 408 if there is still no print output request after a predetermined time. As already explained above, the standby flag can be queried in step 211 following communication mode 300. This does not branch to franking mode 400 until the checksum check has shown that all or at least selected programs are complete.

If a print output request is recognized in step 405, further queries are made in subsequent steps 407 to 420 and in step 406. For example, in step 409 the presence of authentic register values, in step 410 the achievement of a further quantity criterion and in step 406 the register data collected in the known manner for billing are queried. In addition, as already explained with reference to FIG. 5a, selected registers in the NVRAM of the franking machine are protected by MAC formation. If the number of items predetermined for franking had been used up in the previous franking, ie number of items equal to zero, step 410 automatically branches to point u in order to enter communication mode 300 so that a new predetermined number of items S is again credited by the data center. However, if the predetermined number of pieces had not yet been used, the process branches from step 410 to the billing and printing routine in step 406. A special sleeping mode counter is prompted in step 406, that is to say during the accounting routine which takes place immediately before printing, to continue counting. Likewise, the number of letters printed, and the current values in the Postal registers are registered in the non-volatile memories 5a, 5b of the franking machine in the accounting routine 406 in accordance with the entered cost center and are available for later evaluation.

If necessary, the register values can be queried in display mode 215. It is also provided that the register values or other service data are printed out with the print head of the franking machine for billing or control purposes. This can be done, for example, in the same way as the normal printing of the franking image, but another frame is initially selected for fixed image data, into which the variable data are inserted in accordance with the register values stored in the non-volatile memory NVM 5 or in the cost center memory, similar to that in FIG columns 1 to 2 or in claim 9, in the German patent application DE 42 24 955, for the formation and display in three multi-line information groups or for a required switchover to a corresponding mode is carried out in principle. If a rotated representation is required, contrary to the special explanations in German laid-open specification DE 42 24 955 A1, the data can be stored directly rotated in the volatile memory as it is required for printing. The time-consuming routine of rotating the print data is carried out only once for an additional pixel file when programming the EPROM at the manufacturer, which only requires more storage space but does not tie up any increased computing power in the franking machine.

In the franking mode 400 - shown in FIG. 7a - the carrier and cost center information are to be used for billing. If a print output request is recognized in step 405, the carrier-specific memory area is selected (Step 416) and then step 417 is reached to form subaddresses for the memory areas of firstly a cost center number zero and secondly the selected cost center number which has been set different from zero for the departmental billing. The cost center number zero is used for billing without splitting into individual cost centers or departments for the sum of all cost centers for the selected individual carrier m (with m = 1 to 1).

Step 417, forming subaddresses, is required to control the memory areas during the billing. For each billing, a MAC security is placed over all the postal registers to be updated, which is required in order to decide in the query step 409, which is carried out further below, whether the register values are authentic. Since such a check is very time-consuming, in particular if the DES algorithm is used to encrypt the checksum, this check is only carried out for postal registers which must be updated for billing. This check is therefore carried out in the aforementioned query step 409, upstream steps comprising the step 420 for a debit register check, the step 422 for a credit register check or the step 407 for a credit register check. Such a credit register check has been described in the German application (No. 1995 34 530.4-53) under the title: Process for securing data and program code of an electronic franking machine. A further step (not shown) for checking the prepaid card register may also be included in the above-mentioned parallel steps.

When billing on a special chip card brought into contact with the franking machine FM (similar Telephone card or prepaid card), which are edited by a number of carriers, is another billing variant. Here, a prepaid amount is kept as electronic credit in the credit card's credit account and, in the case of intended franking, reduced by the postage to be franked. At the same time, the debited postage value is transferred to the accounting unit of the franking machine. Such a prepaid card, which functions as an electronic wallet, can be used until the electronic wallet is empty. The prepaid card is refilled up to a predetermined amount in special bank terminals in a remote bank. If the refilled value card is brought into plug contact with the read / write unit of the franking machine, communication takes place with a special program module of the franking machine. Both program module and prepaid card generate key codes which are exchanged. The key codes are transmitted from the franking machine via modem to a data center of the franking machine manufacturer. At the end of the day, preferably at night, both of the above-mentioned key codes and the data records for each individual booking are transmitted to an evidence center of the remote bank for checking.

Subsequent to the aforementioned step 417, the billing mode is checked in a step 418. If there is a settlement based on a debit credit, the query step 419 branches to a step 420 for checking the debit register. If there is a settlement based on a credit balance, the query step 421 branches to a step 422 for checking the credit register. However, if there is a customary settlement based on a prepaid credit, the query step 423 branches to step 407 for checking the credit register.

Alternatively, if there is a settlement on the basis of a prepaid credit in a prepaid card, then a corresponding query step 425 branches to a corresponding step 426 for checking the credit register in a prepaid card. A check is preferably carried out using the MAC stored with. Query step 409 is then reached and, if necessary, branched to error evaluation 413. Tampering can only be ruled out if the register data is authentic. Then step 406 is reached via step 410 with the billing and printing routine.

FIG. 7b shows the partial flowchart for the billing and printing routine in franking mode with carrier and cost center-related billing. A MAC-secured postage value can be checked in franking mode 400 at the beginning of the billing routine using the associated MAC (FIG. 7a). For this purpose, a checksum is formed about the postage value and its encryption. If the result is now equal to the MAC value, the validity of the postage value can be assumed and the actual billing process can thus be started. A register R2 is increased by the postage value and a different register R1 is decreased by the postage value in sub-step 4060 by a non-manipulable accounting unit. A comparable billing takes place with the quantity data. After billing, the MAC security is added in sub-step 4061. Then, in sub-step 4062, the data is saved under the selected carrier number and cost center number zero. The storage under the department-related selected cost center number n (with n = 1 to k) takes place in the sub-step 4063 additionally in the cost center memory KSP 9. Then the printing routine with the sub-steps 4064 and 4065 is reached.

FIG. 7c shows the result of the carrier-related billing carried out in the tamper-proof billing module in the postal registers. In the memory area there is a list of postal register values Ri (with i = 1 to h) for each carrier m (with m = 1 to 1). If, for example, the franking machine operator has chosen a billing variant with a prepaid card, the amount from the prepaid card is first transferred to register R80 and the number of bookings in registers R81 is counted from zero. Regardless of a selected cost center number, in addition to the prepaid card registers, a booking in registers R80 and R81 is then made for the carrier, whereby the amount from the prepaid card is reduced accordingly. However, if the usual debiting of the credit loaded via the data center, for example by modem, is selected, then regardless of a selected cost center number, billing in registers R1 to R8 is accordingly accumulated and related to the selected carrier.

The carriers have a name to which a number is assigned so that they can be called up or set more easily at the push of a button. On the other hand, the carriers also have a reference to a carrier identification number (CIN), which has multiple digits for the precise automatic identification of the carriers, in particular during communication with a data center of the franking machine manufacturer. With this CIN it is possible to load a set of carrier data into the franking machine. Furthermore, a number is also provided for each cost center so that it can be called up or set independently of its name by pressing a key.

FIG. 7d shows a two-dimensional cost center / carrier matrix for the respective amount of consumption (postage consumption p) assigned to each cost center in the Ascending Register R2 and for the shown in the piece number register R4, each of the respective used piece numbers z allocated to cost centers. Periodically or in freely chosen periods of time, after settlement and output of a list for a cost center, a reset to zero takes place both for postage consumption p and for the number of items. Such a list can be output, for example, as a cost center printout or as a carrier-related printout by the franking machine on a strip.

The routine 209-19 - shown in FIG. 5a - for checking stored data and for forming request data for data transmission of tariff table and additional data from a data center to the franking machine will now be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 8. In sub-step 1262 of FIG. 8, a comparison of predetermined data areas for checking data is carried out on the basis of corresponding predetermined comparison data stored in a non-volatile manner in order to be able to determine changes that have occurred or have been entered. In the following sub-steps 2092-19, 2093-19 and 2094-19 specific queries take place in order to form specific request data in the associated sub-steps 2095-13 to 2097-13. If the location has been changed and the country, region and / or location has been re-entered, branching from sub-step 2092-13 to sub-step 2095-13 in order to form and save request data together with the current date and carrier. In sub-step 2093-19, the exceeding of the validity date, which is assigned to each carrier-specific table, is checked in order to then form and save request data together with the current location and carrier. In sub-step 2094-19, a new entry of a field name is evaluated, with which tables and information are specifically identified, before branching to sub-step 2097-19 in order to form and store request data specifically. Only if none If changes in queries 2092-19 to 2094-19 are detected, the system branches directly to point 1.

Such request data can be generated automatically in a step 209, which is continuously carried out before the point t, and are evaluated in step 301 according to FIGS. 3 or 4b as a communication request in order to enter a communication mode.

FIG. 9 shows the communication mode for the postage meter machine, which is required to carry out a data transmission which largely runs automatically via MODEM. A recognized transaction request in the sub-step 301 of the step 300 leads to the display of the data and the status in the sub-step 332, and then after an initialization of the modem and dialing of the data center (telephone number) in the sub-step 333 to a sub-step 334 for establishing the connection to the data center . If the modem cannot be successfully initialized and dialed in sub-step 333, a branch is made back to sub-step 301 to display the status via a sub-step 310. The system also branches back to sub-step 301 if it is determined in a sub-step 335 located after sub-step 334 that the connection is not being established properly and it is determined in sub-step 337 that the connection cannot be established even after the nth redial.

However, if the connection has been established properly and it is determined in sub-step 336 that one of the transactions has not yet ended, automatic reloading begins with data in sub-step 338. Reloading is now carried out in accordance with the change in the CIN, which is stored in the franking machine. If the CIN has not been changed, but the minimum validity period for the tariffs stored in the franking machine has been exceeded or another set of mail carriers has been defined, the data center is also automatically selected and updated.

In sub-step 338 it is determined whether an error condition has occurred which can be remedied by re-establishing a connection to the data center in order to branch back to sub-step 334 via q. In sub-step 338, it is further determined whether an error condition has occurred that cannot be remedied, in order to branch back to sub-step 310 via w for the purpose of displaying the status. If a transaction has been carried out, further transactions can be carried out, branching back to sub-step 335 via r. If the connection is still intact, it is checked in sub-step 336 whether all transactions have been carried out or the last transaction has ended, in order then to branch back to sub-step 301 via sub-step 310. The flag for a transaction request is reset in sub-step 338 when the last transaction has ended. It branches from sub-step 301 to step 211 in order to now store and evaluate the selected data transmitted to the franking machine. During the evaluation, the value of the transmitted CIN can be automatically classified in a predetermined manner (according to frequency or priority). The type of classification can be set. At least one actuating means is provided to set the type of classification. The automatic reloading with data in sub-step 338 includes at least one treatment routine, which is explained in more detail in connection with FIG. 10.

The routine 1000 shown in FIG. 10 for handling transmitted table data in the franking machine has a sub-step 1009 for sending request data to the data center. Sub-step 1010 is then carried out in order to select a non-volatile memory area in the postage meter machine, in which the requested data can be buffered later. After sub-step 1010, a branch is made via sub-step 1011 to receive and decode the data packet transmitted by the data center to a sub-step 1012, in which a start processing status for data processing is set. The first processing of the data then takes place in sub-step 1013. The temporary storage of the data is advantageous if data is transmitted in several transactions or if a transaction has to be repeated. After leaving communication mode 300, it is determined in query step 211 - shown in FIGS. 3 and 4b - that data has been transmitted and then branches to statistics and error evaluation mode 213. If the transmitted data is free of errors and valid, the non-volatile storage takes place in the franking machine in the aforementioned evaluation mode. After intermediate storage and, if necessary, subsequent decompression in the case of packed data in sub-step 1013 and completion of further sub-steps 1014, 1015 and 1020, the data record is stored which belongs to a complete postage fee set by a mail carrier. Such a data record comprises a header, version information, partial table data and a data record end identifier (DEK).

In sub-step 1014 to check for complete receipt of the transmitted data packet, a branch is made to a sub-step 1015 when it is complete in order to set an end identifier as the processing status. Such identifiers are required in order to continue the program at this point after voltage recovery even if the program is terminated, for example as a result of an operating voltage interruption. In the following sub-step 1020, the next transaction or action is called and thus branched out for further execution of the sequence shown in FIG Step 213 to store the cached update data in a non-volatile manner.

If the course is not correct, which is determined in sub-step 1014, point q is reached. By pointing to sub-step 334 according to FIG. 9, a further attempt can be started in order to transfer the required subtable data. Sub-steps 335 to 336 are run through and point p according to FIG. 10 is then reached.

The automatic reloading with data in sub-step 338 includes special treatment routines which go beyond those explained in more detail in connection with FIG. 10. The further procedure explained in the German application with the official file number 195 49 305.2 provides on the one hand a location-specific provision of window data for the postmark or additional functions for the franking machine and on the other hand current information for permanent and / or temporary configuration of the franking machine through a communication network, which contains a memory with the retrievable data blocks for reloading additional functions and information into the franking machine as well as update data.

Schritt 501,

Anlegen eines Brieffiles im Rahmen eines Brieferstellungsprogramms,

Schritt 502,

erste Eingabemaske aufrufen,

Schritt 503,

Eingabe und Abspeichern der Empfängeradresse und des Datums,

Schritt 504,

Kostenstellen-Nummer eingeben und abspeichern (optional),

Schritt 505,

zweite Eingabemaske aufrufen,

Schritt 506,

Befördererauswahl als Nummer abspeichern,

Schritt 507,

Erstellen und Abspeichern der Blattanzahl in Verbindung mit dem Briefinhalt,

Schritt 508,

Ausdrucken des Briefes mindestens mit Teilen der Versandinformationen, einschließend die Blattanzahl, Beförderer- und/oder Kostenstellen-Nummer sowie die Briefempfängeradresse auf dem Kuvert,

Schritt 509,

Markierung des Briefes oder Kuverts mit einem Versandinformationen einschließenden Vermerk (optional),

Schritt 510,

Kuvertieren des Briefes.

FIG. 11 shows a method according to the first variant of the mail processing system. The method for entering data in a mailing system comprises a number of steps which are carried out on the personal computer in the office 21 in preparation for printing a letter, including the address field and note:

Step 501,

Creating a letter file as part of a letter creation program,

Step 502,

call up the first input mask,

Step 503,

Entry and storage of the recipient address and the date,

Step 504,

Enter and save the cost center number (optional),

Step 505,

call up the second input mask,

Step 506,

Save carrier selection as number,

Step 507,

Creation and storage of the number of sheets in connection with the letter content,

Step 508,

Print out the letter with at least part of the shipping information, including the number of sheets, carrier and / or cost center number and the letter recipient's address on the envelope,

Step 509,

Marking of the letter or envelope with a note including shipping information (optional),

Step 510,

Insert the letter.

It is provided in a sub-variant that between steps 503 and 505 an optional step 504 with a program routine for the automatic input and storage of the cost center number runs in connection with the first input mask. In another sub variant, step 504 is completely omitted. Then only the carrier selection is saved as a number and applied as a mark on the document, label, letter or envelope. All of the aforementioned sub-variants have in common the printing of the determined number of sheets.

After or as an alternative to printing out the letter recipient address on the envelope in step 508, a subsequent optional step 509 for marking the letter or envelope with a note including shipping information takes place. The addressing takes place either on the letter when the letter is printed out in step 508 or in the subsequent optional step 509. The marking in optional step 509 comprises the calling of programs for the position of the address and / or the other shipping information in accordance with the postal regulations for the Location of the address and / or other shipping information.

Corresponding programs for carrying out steps 508 and 509 are loaded in the memories of the respective personal computers PCa, PCb or PCc, which are located in the office 21. In steps 508 and 509, a printer or separate printers are jointly controlled accordingly for the aforementioned areas to be printed.

In a sub-variant, it is provided that alternative preparation steps are carried out in order to enable the use of stickers or pre-printed envelopes.

A) Schritt 511,

Abtasten der Markierung,

B0) Schritt 512a,

Blattanzahl identifizieren und

B1) Schritt 512,

Beförderer-Nummer identifizieren und/ oder

B2) Schritt 513,

Kostenstellen-Nummer identifizieren,

C1) Schritt 515,

automatische Dateneingabe zur Verarbeitung in der Frankiermaschine umfassend Kostenstellen-und/oder Befördererinfor-mation sowie die Einlagenanzahl,

C2) Schritt 516a,

Gewichtsberechnung aus Einlagenanzahl multipliziert mit dem durchschnittlichen Einlagengewicht und addiert zum konstanten Verpackungsgewichtsanteil,

C3) Schritt 516,

Portogebührentabelle des selektierten Beförderers zur Berechnung des Portowertes verwenden,

D) Schritt 517,

erste Abrechnung nach einem selektierten Beförderer m aus einer Vielzahl an Beförderern unter der Kostenstellennummer Null und/oder abteilungsweise Abrechnung geordnet nach selektierter Kostenstellennummer n.

When scanning the note in a post office and when processing the data and franking with a franking machine, the following steps are carried out:

A) step 511,

Scanning the marking,

B0) step 512a,

Identify number of sheets and

B1) step 512,

Identify carrier number and / or

B2) step 513,

Identify cost center number,

C1) step 515,

automatic data entry for processing in the franking machine including cost center and / or carrier information as well as the number of deposits,

C2) step 516a,

Weight calculation from the number of inserts multiplied by the average insert weight and added to the constant packaging weight percentage,

C3) step 516,

Use the postage fee table of the selected carrier to calculate the postage value,

D) step 517,

first billing according to a selected carrier m from a plurality of carriers under the cost center number zero and / or departmental billing according to the selected cost center number n.

The marking optionally contains only part of the shipping information, while another part is permanently set in the franking machine. Alternatively, step 512a to identify the deposit number, step 512 to identify the carrier number, or step 513 to identify the account number are then performed. As an alternative, the automatic data entry takes place accordingly in step 515.

The inserts used for weight calculation in step 516a are preferably sheets of the same type in a letter or disks or cards of an electronic information carrier. In the case of a combination of different deposits, in addition to the number, the type of deposits is also transmitted and identified in step 512a. In step 516a, the weight is calculated from the number of inserts multiplied by the average insole weight separately for each type of insert, in order to first determine a stack weight and then to form a sum over all stack weights of the insert types and over the weight of the packaging (envelope),

Optionally, step 518 is provided to send accounting data to office 21 in response to a request.

Schritt 501,

Anlegen eines Brieffiles im Rahmen eines Brieferstellungsprogramms,

Schritt 502,

erste Eingabemaske aufrufen,

Schritt 503,

Eingabe und Abspeichern der Empfängeradresse und des Datums,

Schritt 504,

Kostenstellen-Nummer eingeben und abspeichern (optional),

Schritt 505,

zweite Eingabemaske aufrufen,

Schritt 506,

Befördererauswahl als Nummer abspeichern,

Schritt 507,

Erstellen und Abspeichern der Blattanzahl in Verbindung mit dem Briefinhalt,

Schritt 508,

Ausdrucken des Briefes und ggf. der Briefempfängeradresse auf dem Kuvert,

Schritt 510,

Kuvertieren des Briefes.

FIG. 12 shows a method with internal postage calculation according to the second solution variant. The method for entering data in a mailing system comprises a number of steps which are carried out on the personal computer in the office 21 in preparation for printing out a letter, including the address field and note, including a step for creating and storing a letter content before printing out the letter:

Step 501,

Creating a letter file as part of a Letter making program,

Step 502,

call up the first input mask,

Step 503,

Entry and storage of the recipient address and the date,

Step 504,

Enter and save cost center number (optional),

Step 505,

call up the second input mask,

Step 506,

Save carrier selection as number,

Step 507,

Creation and storage of the number of sheets in connection with the letter content,

Step 508,

Print out the letter and, if applicable, the recipient's address on the envelope,

Step 510,

Insert the letter.

An optional step 504 is arranged in the automatic sequence or an operator prompt, preferably after step 503 for entering and storing the recipient address and the date and before step 505 for calling up the second input mask, in order to enter and save the cost center number. It is provided in a sub-variant that in connection with the first input mask in optional step 504 a program routine for the automatic input of the cost center number runs.

Addressing takes place either on the letter when the letter is printed out in step 508 or alternatively in the form of a note or marking in the subsequent optional step 509 before inserting (in step 510). The marking in optional step 509 includes the calling of programs for the position of the address and / or the other shipping information in accordance with the postal regulations for the position of the address and / or the other shipping information. The postal regulation can, for example, prescribe a marking with a barcode for the address or the associated postcode, which must be attached to the mail piece (or letter or envelope) in the form of a separate note.

Corresponding programs are loaded in the memories of the respective personal computers PCa, PCb or PCc, which are located in the office 21. In steps 508 and 509, a printer or separate printers are jointly controlled accordingly for the aforementioned areas to be printed.

The aforementioned steps 503, 504 and 506 according to the second variant of the solution run according to the invention in such a way that when the data is stored, the data is automatically assigned to the recipient address and the date by a program routine in conjunction with the first and second input mask. In contrast to the first solution variant, no selected cost center number, no number of deposits and no selected carrier information have to be printed on the letter or on the envelope. The note on the letter or envelope to be evaluated in the post office only contains the recipient address. In optional step 504, a program routine can continue to run in connection with the first input mask for the automatic input of the cost center number if it is ensured that the personal computer in the office is only used by the same department.

A) Schritt 511,

Abtasten der Markierung,

B3) Schritt 514,

Empfängeradresse identifizieren und Datum auswerten sowie Zugriff auf den Speicher des Personalcomputers, um das Brieffile zu identifizieren und um die Kostenstellen-und/oder die Beförderer-information sowie die Einlagenanzahl abzurufen,

C1) Schritt 515,

automatische Dateneingabe zur Verarbeitung in der Frankiermaschine, umfassend Kostenstellen-und/oder Beförderer-information sowie die Einlagenanzahl,

C2) Schritt 516a,

Gewichtsberechnung aus Einlagenanzahl multipliziert mit dem durchschnittlichen Einlagengewicht und addiert zum konstanten Verpackungsgewichtsanteil,

C3) Schritt 516,

Portogebührentabelle des selektierten Beförderers zur Berechnung des Portowertes verwenden,

D) Schritt 517,

erste Abrechnung nach einem selektierten Beförderer m aus einer Vielzahl an Beförderern unter der Kostenstellennummer Null und/oder abteilungsweise Abrechnung geordnet nach selektierter Kostenstellennummer n.

When scanning the note in a post office and when processing the data and franking with a franking machine, the following steps are carried out:

A) step 511,

Scanning the marking,

B3) step 514,

Identify recipient address and evaluate date as well as access to the memory of the personal computer in order to identify the letter file and to call up the cost center and / or the carrier information as well as the number of deposits.

C1) step 515,

automatic data entry for processing in the franking machine, including cost center and / or carrier information and the number of deposits,

C2) step 516a,

Weight calculation from the number of inserts multiplied by the average insert weight and added to the constant packaging weight percentage,

C3) step 516,

Use the postage fee table of the selected carrier to calculate the postage value,

D) step 517,

first billing according to a selected carrier m from a plurality of carriers under the cost center number zero and / or departmental billing arranged according to the selected cost center number n.

For a variant with different deposits, it is provided that in addition to the number of deposits, the type of deposits is also called up in step 514 to identify the address and to call up data from the letter file of the personal computer, and in step 516a the weight is calculated from the number of deposits multiplied by the average insert weight separately for each insert type in order to first determine a stack weight and then to form a sum over all stack weights of the insert types and over the weight of the packaging (envelope).

Step 514 is modified in a sub-variant in order to identify the recipient address and evaluate the date and to provide access to the memory of the personal computer, to identify the letter file and to query at least part of the shipping information, while another part is fixed in the franking machine is set. Alternatively, the automatic data entry then takes place accordingly in step 515.

Optionally, after step 517 for two-dimensional billing according to the carrier and cost centers, a step 518 is again provided in order to send billing data to the office 21 in response to a request.

Schritt 519,

Summatives Abspeichern der Gesamtgebühren und aufgelistet nach Beförderern für eine selektierte Kostenstelle,

Schritt 520,

Kummulatives Abspeichern der kostenstellenbezogenen Abrechnungsdaten für einen selektierten Beförderer.

The method for data processing in a mailing system further comprises a number of optional steps which are carried out on the personal computer in the office 21 at the end of a period or, if necessary, after franking a letter:

Step 519,

Summative storage of the total fees and listed by carrier for a selected cost center,

Step 520,

Cumulative storage of the cost center-related accounting data for a selected carrier.

The communication takes place via the communication means, preferably the data line 24, via which the memory of the personal computer is also accessed in step 514 in order to identify the letter file. Of course, wireless communication is also considered as an alternative when there is talk of a means of communication. In a further variant, the relevant personal computer with the relevant letter file is determined via the communication means, which abbreviates the search in the database for letter files distributed over a large number of hard disks of the respective personal computer.

A third solution variant includes a combination with scanning the sender address and the recipient address in the context of the second solution variant. It is provided that in a preparation step 504 a program routine for automatically entering the cost center number runs in conjunction with a first input mask, which is automatically called in step 502, which is a subordinate to the first preparation step 501. A PC number for identification of a personal computer can advantageously be stored assigned to a separate sender address or cost center number. Then the relevant personal computer with the relevant letter file can be determined via the sender address or with the PC number.

When the note on the sender address is scanned when mail items are detected in the transport path to the print head of the franking machine, the relevant personal computer in office 21 can be determined indirectly via the department or company name of the sender.

A fourth solution variant includes a combination of the first and second solution variants. The relevant personal computer with the relevant letter file is determined directly, the marking in the note now including an identifier (PC number) for the personal computer in the office 21 which contains the relevant letter file in its memories.

• Durchführen eines ersten Schrittes 201 mit Poststückdetektierung im Transportweg zum Druckkopf der Frankiermaschine, mit Abtasten der Absenderadresse als auch der Briefempfängeradresse und/oder des entsprechenden Vermerks zur Absenderadresse im Schritt 511 und mit Abfragen der Personalcomputer im Büro über ein Kommunikationsmittel durch die Frankiermaschine nach der Absenderadresse und/oder Ermittlung des für die Speicherung des Brieffile zuständigen Personalcomputers anhand der Absenderadresse im Schritt 513 sowie mit Abfragen des Brieffiles im ermittelten Personalcomputer über ein Kommunikationsmittel durch die Frankiermaschine nach einer zur vorgenannten Briefempfängeradresse gespeicherten Zuordnung von Daten zum Postversand oder zur Abrechnung mit Auswertung der abgefragten Daten im Schritt 514, wobei im Schritt 515 im Ergebnis der Abfrage eine Versandinformation einschließlich mindestens der Einlagenzahl und/oder die Kostenstelle automatisch in die Frankiermaschine eingegeben wird und wobei für eine automatische Druckdateneingabe in die Frankiermaschine mindestens ein Aufrufen von nichtflüchtig gespeicherten Einstelldaten erfolgt,
• Durchführen einer Verarbeitungsroutine in der Frankiermaschine im zweiten Schritt 209, einschließlich mindestens einer Routine zur automatischen Änderung nichtflüchtig gespeicherter Einstelldaten, zur internen Berechnung in der Frankiermaschine einerseits des Gewichtswertes in einem Schritt 516a und andererseits des Portowertes, in einem Schritt 516 unter Verwendung der aktuellen Portotabelle des selektierten Beförderers und eine Routine zum Erzeugen befördererspezifischer Druckbilder sowie
• Verarbeiten der Daten im Frankiermodus vor dem Frankieren.

Alternatively, the following steps are provided for a variant - shown in FIG. 13 - with internal weight and postage calculation for a method for data processing in a mailing system according to the second solution variant:

• Carrying out a first step 201 with mail piece detection in the transport path to the print head of the franking machine, with scanning of the sender address as well as the letter recipient address and / or the corresponding note to the sender address in step 511 and with querying of the personal computers in the office via a means of communication by the franking machine for the sender address and / or determining the personal computer responsible for storing the letter file using the sender address in step 513 and querying the letter file in the determined personal computer via a means of communication by the franking machine after an assignment of data for mailing or billing with evaluation of the queried data to the aforementioned letter recipient address, wherein in step 515, as a result of the query, shipping information including at least the number of deposits and / or the cost center is automatically entered into the franking machine and wherein For automatic print data input into the franking machine, at least one call of non-volatile stored setting data takes place,
• Executing a processing routine in the franking machine in second step 209, including at least one routine for automatically changing non-volatile stored setting data, for internal calculation in the franking machine on the one hand of the weight value in a step 516a and on the other hand of the postage value, in a step 516 using the current postage table of the selected carrier and a routine for generating carrier-specific print images as well
• Processing of data in franking mode before franking.

Furthermore, there is a routine for forming request data for the reloading of selected carrier data and / or current carrier tariffs of the selected carrier, as a result of the selection of a predetermined postal carrier number (CIN), for automatic printing data input and checking and for display, for automatic or manual input, optionally containing a subroutine for assigning a cost center number to a cliché number for automatically entering the cliché number as a result of the input of the cost center number. The processing of the data in franking mode is preferably carried out with cost center and carrier-related billing before franking.

A prerequisite is a method in which the marking on the letter in the address field or on the envelope in the note is generated in preparatory steps by means of a personal computer, after a first preparatory step 501 for creating a letter file as part of a letter creation program, further preparatory steps 502 to 507 and one Assignment of the data required for the marking of the printable letter to the aforementioned address is stored in the personal computer so that it can be called up.

The scanning of the sender address as well as the letter recipient address and / or the corresponding note on the sender address is carried out with a single or with separate scanners 26, 26.1, 26.2 or 27, 27.1, 27.2, which are connected to the register unit 19 together with a letter sensor 16 . It is provided that at least one scanner 27, 27.1, 27.2 is arranged in the mail feed stream in such a way that notes on different mailpiece formats are scanned.

Sub-variants are conceivable for both the first and the second solution variant, with only part of the information, i.e. Cost center or shipping information is transmitted to the franking machine and another part of the information is permanently set in the franking machine or is stored in a non-volatile manner. Combinations are also possible, a cost center number, a number of deposits or a selected carrier information not being printed on the letter or on the envelope, but can be queried from the distributed database via a data line 24.

The invention is not limited to the present embodiment, since it is evident that further other arrangements or implementations of the method can be developed or used by the starting from the same basic idea of the invention, are encompassed by the appended claims.

Claims (45)

Process for data processing in a mailing system with steps for pretreatment, printing out a document including address field and note, scanning the note in a post office and for processing the data as well as franking with a franking machine, characterized by the steps: Performing a first step (201) with mail piece detection and with scanning in the transport path to the franking machine, - Carrying out a processing routine in a second step (209) in the franking machine, with automatic input of the transmitted number of deposits and / or documents, with input of the respectively stored average deposit or document weight, with calculation of the weight, the average deposit weight is multiplied by the number of deposits supplied by the personal computer and with automatic carrier-specific postage value calculation and - Processing the data in franking mode before franking. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that when the first step (201) is carried out, the mail recipient address and / or the note to the mail recipient address is scanned when mail items are fed in the transport path to the print head of the franking machine, with the formation and transmission of search request data and research in the memories of at least one personal computer, as well as with queries of a file assigned to each letter in the personal computer via a means of communication by the franking machine according to an assignment of data to the aforementioned mail recipient address for mailing or billing with evaluation of the queried data, the result being one Shipping information and information relating to the cost center is automatically entered into the franking machine, and at least one further call is not required for automatic printing data input into the franking machine frequently stored setting data and that the processing routine in the second step (209) includes at least one routine for automatically changing non-volatile stored setting data, for automatic printing data input and checking and for display, for automatic or manual input, possibly including a routine in the twenty-ninth sub-step ( 209-29) for querying and storing the change in the average deposit weights in accordance with the selective entry made in the first sub-step 209-1. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that in the processing routine in the second step (209) the franking machine is provided with an input of the average deposit weight stored in relation to the respective cost center, and in that Processing of the data in franking mode, a carrier and cost center-related billing takes place in a two-dimensional billing matrix before franking. Method according to claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the automatically entered shipping information includes a mail carrier number (CIN) for a selected carrier and that in the second step (209) a routine for generating carrier-specific print images when a predetermined mail carrier number is selected (CIN) and for automatic print data entry. Method according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the first step (201) for automatic printing data input into the franking machine, at least one call of further non-volatile stored setting data takes place in a sub-step (2040), in which the average deposit weight is included. Method according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that non-volatile settings are called up in the sub-step (2040) of the first step (201) even if no mail item is detected in the mail delivery path, that in the second step (209) there is a possibility of There is a change in the settings by manual input in order to change one of the aforementioned settings if necessary, and that a scanner (26) positioned in the mail feed path automatically enters scanned data into the franking machine when a mail item is detected by a letter sensor and is transported to the print head becomes. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in the first step (201) substeps (2010 to 2017) for a scanner communication mode, substeps (2019 to 2027) for an office computer communication mode and / or substeps (2031 to 2035) for a prepaid card communication mode. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that preparatory steps are carried out in the personal computer for generating the document or memorandum, wherein an automatic assignment of one of the aforementioned transferable additional information items to the letter to be printed out to the address, sublimed according to time data, can be called up and stored in the personal computer is that the communication means include a data line (24) and that the transmission of the required data via the data line (24) is initiated at the request of the franking machine, whereupon the franking machine is acted upon by the aforementioned personal computer with the corresponding requested data. Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that - in addition to input, formation of request data, automatic printing data input and display, the routine in the second step (209) relates to a first sub-step (209-1) for making selective inputs the change in the automatically entered cost center and / or shipping information, the availability of data being checked in query steps (209-8, 209-10, 209-12), with branching to further sub-steps (209-16, 209-17, 209-18) for checking the print data using an encrypted checksum, if the aforementioned print data is available and branching to a nineteenth sub-step (209-19) to form request data relating to current or further mail carrier data if the aforementioned print data are not available, and - That a communication is carried out in a third step (300) with a remote data center, whereby carrier-specific partial image files and tariff and / or other current files (step 1000) are transmitted to the franking machine on the basis of transmitted aforementioned request data from the data center. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the request data in the communication mode also result in the reloading of image files which are either embedded in the frame data as window pixel data or which modify the frame data of the franking image itself in a carrier-specific manner. Method according to claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the change in the setting with regard to the cliché, with regard to the mail carrier and their services or election printing is carried out by entering an assigned number, the respective functions being performed by the actuating means of the input means (2) called in the first sub-step (209-1) and determined in query steps (209-7, 209-9, 209-11), and that the formation of request data with the aforementioned change in the setting of the mail carrier and / or associated with those in the first step (201) called but changed by time of the clock / date module (8), the change can be determined by the microprocessor (6) in the third sub-step (209-3). Method according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the routine in the second step (209), in addition to input, formation of request data, automatic print data input and display, additionally a subroutine in the twenty-fifth sub-step (209-25) to the twenty-eighth sub-step (209 -28) for assigning a cost center number to a cliché number for automatically entering the cliché number when entering the cost center number, whereby the assignment can be changed. Method according to one of Claims 9 to 10, characterized in that the transmitted partial image files assigned to a carrier identification number (CIN) corresponding to the respectively selected mail carrier are stored in a non-volatile manner in the franking machine in order to be able to select a predetermined mail carrier number or CIN generate specific print images, and that the transmitted partial image files, pixel image files and the change data generated by automatic or manual input are stored in non-volatile memory areas of read / write memory means (5 and / or 8). Method according to one of Claims 9 to 10, characterized in that an assignment of numbers to the corresponding names of cost centers or carriers is stored for simple entry, the names of cost centers in sub-steps (209-40 and 209-41) and the names of carriers can be changed in sub-steps (209-42 and 209-43). Method according to one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that a representation or display of all carrier-related consumption totals for the set cost center number is provided upon a corresponding entry, which is recognized in the forty-fourth query step (209-44) and then after display to switch the assigned currently set cost center number to the list routine (forty-fifth sub-step 209-45) for the selected register. Method according to one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that a representation or display of all carrier-related numbers of items for the set cost center number is provided upon a corresponding entry, which is recognized in the forty-sixth query step (209-46) and then after display to switch the assigned currently set cost center number to the listing routine (forty-seventh sub-steps 209-47) for the selected register. Method according to one of Claims 9 to 10, characterized in that a representation or display of all carrier-related consumption totals is provided for all available cost center numbers, a forty-eighth query step (209-48) and forty-ninth sub-step (209-49) being carried out . Method according to one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that a representation or display of all carrier-related quantities is provided for all available cost center numbers, a fiftieth query step (209-50) and going through the fifty-first sub-step (209-51). Method according to claims 17 or 18, characterized in that the two-dimensional cost center / carrier matrix is stored in a cost center memory KSP (9), comprising at least the respective amount of consumption (postage consumption p) assigned to the respective cost centers stored in the ascending register R2 and comprehensive the respective number of consumed items stored in the item number register R4 and assigned to respective cost centers, e.g. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that periodically or in freely selected periods after a settlement and output of a list for a cost center, a reset to zero takes place both for postage consumption p and for the number of items z, the output of such a list being Cost center printout or as a carrier-related printout is carried out by the franking machine on a strip or, after being called up via the data line (24), by a personal computer in the office (21) on a connected printer. Method for data processing in a mailing system comprising a number of steps which are carried out on a personal computer in the office in preparation for printing out a letter, including the address field and note, including a step for creating and storing a letter content before printing out the letter, characterized by the steps : a) step 501, creating a letter file as part of a letter creation program, b) step 502, call up the first input mask, c) step 503, input and storage of the recipient address and the date, d) step 505, call up the second input mask, e) step 506, save carrier selection number, f) step 507, creating and storing the number of sheets in connection with the letter content, g) step 508, printing out the letter with at least part of the shipping information, including the number of sheets, carrier and / or cost center number and the letter recipient's address on the envelope, i) Step 510, insert the letter. Method according to claim 21, characterized in that after or alternatively for printing out the letter recipient address on the envelope in step (508), a subsequent step (509) for marking the letter or envelope with a note including shipping information takes place, and that addressing either occurs the letter is printed when the letter is printed in step (508) or in the subsequent step (509) for marking the letter or envelope with the note including the shipping information, the latter step (509) calling programs for the position of the address and / or the includes other shipping information according to the postal regulations for the position of the address and / or the other information and corresponding programs are loaded in the memories of the respective personal computers PCa, PCb or PCc, which are located in the office (21). Method according to claim 21, characterized in that in the aforementioned steps (508) for printing and (509) for marking the letter and / or the envelope together a printer or separate printer is controlled accordingly for the above-mentioned areas to be printed. Method according to claim 21, characterized in that between the steps (503) and (505) a step (504) with a program routine for the automatic input and storage of the cost center number runs in connection with the first input mask. A method according to claim 21, characterized in that in addition to the carrier selection number, further shipping information relating to the type of dispatch and the form of dispatch is stored in step 506, and that in step 507, in addition to the creation and storage of the number of sheets in connection with the letter content, the type of deposits is also recorded and saved as additional shipping information. Method according to claim 21, characterized in that the inlays used are preferably sheets of the same type in a letter or disks or cards of an electronic information carrier, and in that the additional shipping information associated with the type of inlays is printed out in relation to the number of inlays for this information to the franking machine to control the weight calculation. Method for entering data into a mailing system comprising steps which take place when the printed note on a piece of mail is scanned in a post office and when the recorded data are processed and before franking in a franking machine, characterized by the steps: A) step 511, scanning the mark, B0) Step 512a, identify number of sheets and B1) Step 512, identify carrier number and / or B2) step 513, identify cost center number, C1) step 515, automatic data entry for processing in the franking machine comprising cost center and / or carrier information and the number of deposits, C2) step 516a, weight calculation from the number of inserts multiplied by the average insert weight and added to the constant packaging weight fraction, C3) step 516, use the postage fee table of the selected carrier to calculate the postage value, D) Step 517, first billing for a selected carrier m from a plurality of carriers under the cost center number zero and / or departmental billing according to the selected cost center number n. Method according to claim 27, characterized in that similar inserts are used for weight calculation in step 516a, the inserts representing identical sheets of a letter or document or disks or cards of an electronic information carrier. Method according to claim 27, characterized in that in step 512a for a combination of different deposits, in addition to the transmitted number, the transmitted type of deposits is additionally identified and in step 516a the weight is calculated from the number of deposits multiplied by the average deposit weight separately for each type of insert, in order to first determine a stack weight and then to form a sum over all stack weights of the insert types and over the weight of the packaging (envelope). Method for entering data into a mailing system comprising steps which take place when the printed note on a piece of mail is scanned in a post office and when the recorded data are processed and before franking in a franking machine, characterized by the steps: A) step 511, scanning the mark, B3) step 514, identify recipient address and evaluate date and access to the memory of the personal computer in order to identify the letter file and to call up the cost center and / or the carrier information and the number of deposits, C1) step 515, automatic data entry for processing in the franking machine, including cost center and / or carrier information and the number of deposits, C2) step 516a, weight calculation from the number of inserts multiplied by the average insert weight and added to the constant packaging weight fraction, C3) step 516, use the postage fee table of the selected carrier to calculate the postage value, D) Step 517, first billing for a selected carrier m from a plurality of carriers under the cost center number zero and / or departmental billing according to the selected cost center number n. Method according to claim 30, characterized in that similar inserts are used for weight calculation in step 516a, the inserts representing identical sheets of a letter or document or disks or cards of an electronic information carrier. A method according to claim 30, characterized in that in step 514 for a combination of different deposits, in addition to the number of deposits, the type of deposits is also retrieved from the corresponding letter file of the personal computer and in step 516a the weight is calculated from the number of deposits multiplied by the number Average insert weight separately for each insert type in order to first determine a stack weight and then to form a sum over all stack weights of the insert types and over the weight of the packaging (envelope). Process for data processing in a mailing system, comprising preparatory steps which are carried out on a personal computer in the office for preparing and printing out a letter, including the address field and endorsements, and comprising steps which are involved in scanning the endorsement in a post office and in processing the data and franking with a franking machine, characterized by the steps: - Carrying out a first step (201) with mail piece detection in the transport path to the print head of the franking machine, with scanning of the sender address as well as the letter recipient address and / or the corresponding note to the sender address in step (511) and with queries of the personal computers in the office via a means of communication by the Postage meter according to the sender address and / or determination of the personal computer responsible for storing the letter file on the basis of the sender address in step (513) and with querying the letter file in the determined personal computer via a means of communication by the franking machine according to an assignment of data for mailing or billing with the aforementioned letter recipient address or for billing with evaluation of the queried data in step (514), in step (515) as a result of the query, shipping information including at least the number of deposits and / or the cost center is automatically entered into the franking machine and at least one call of non-volatile stored setting data takes place for automatic printing data input into the franking machine, - Carrying out a processing routine in the franking machine in the second step (209), including at least one routine for automatically changing non-volatile setting data, for internal calculation in the franking machine on the one hand of the weight value in a step (516a) and on the other hand of the postage value, in a step (516 ) using the current postage table of the selected carrier and a routine for generating carrier-specific print images as well - Processing the data in franking mode before franking. A method according to claim 33, characterized in that a routine for the formation of request data for the loading of selected carrier data and / or current carrier tariffs of the selected carrier, as a result of the selection of a predetermined postal carrier number (CIN), for automatic printing data entry and checking as well as for display, for automatic or manual input, optionally containing a subroutine for assigning a cost center number to a cliché number for automatically entering the cliché number as a result of the input of the cost center number in the second step (209) is provided and that the processing of the data in franking mode is preferably carried out with cost center and carrier-related billing before franking. Method according to one of Claims 30 or 33, characterized in that an optional step (518) is provided in order to send accounting data to a personal computer in the office (21) in response to a request, the step then (519 ) a summative storage of the total fees and listed according to carriers for a selected cost center and / or in a step (520) a cumulative storage of the cost center-related accounting data for a selected carrier. Method according to one of claims 27 to 34, characterized in that the marking on the letter in the address field or on the envelope in the note is generated in preparatory steps by means of a personal computer, after a first preparatory step (501) for creating a letter file as part of a letter creation program , further preparatory steps (502 to 507) take place and an assignment of the data required for the marking of the printable letter to the aforementioned address is stored in a retrievable manner in the personal computer. Method according to one of Claims 27 to 36, characterized in that in a preparation step (504) a program routine for automatically entering the cost center number runs in conjunction with a first input mask, which is followed by step (502) after the first preparation step (501) is called automatically. Method according to one of claims 1 to 36, characterized in that due to the automatic entry of the carrier information in the first step (201), in the subsequent second step (209), a postage calculation is carried out in a postage calculator for the automatic change of non-volatile stored setting data, whereby the stored previous weight value is used if the data for the calculation of the weight have not been changed for a newly delivered item of mail. Arrangement for data processing in a franking machine, with input means and output means which are connected to a processor system, characterized in that - That the franking machine has an input / output means (4), on which at least one register unit (19) for the automatic input of data and for controlling connected peripheral devices as well as means (20, 23) for communication with a remote data center and communication means (24) a personal computer (PC) in the office (21) is connected, - That a processor system contains a microprocessor (6), which is programmed with a routine for evaluating the scanned data, and which is programmed with a routine to the data of a file of the personal computer (PC) in the office (21) from the variety of find the requested files, each assigned to a letter content, with the result that shipping information including the number of deposits, the mail carrier number (CIN) or the cost center number is automatically entered and processed in the franking machine and - That the microprocessor (6) is programmed with a routine for weight and postage calculation based on the scanned data. Arrangement according to claim 39, characterized in that at least one scanner (26) is connected to the register unit (19). Arrangement according to claim 40, characterized in that a processing device for scanned information is integrated in the franking machine in order to determine the address data. Arrangement according to claim 40, characterized in that at least one scanner is arranged in the mail feed stream in such a way that different formats are also scanned, the programs corresponding to the postal regulations for the position of the address and the other information in memories of the respective personal computers PCa, PCb or PCc exist. Arrangement according to claim 42, characterized in that at least one scanner (27, 27.1, 27.2) is arranged in the mail feed stream in such a way that notes on different mail piece formats are scanned. Arrangement according to claim 40, characterized in that the scanner (26, 27) has an electronic circuit for address evaluation or image evaluation. Arrangement according to claim 39, characterized in that scanners (26, 26.1, 26.2, 27, 27.1, 27.2) together with a letter sensor (16) are connected to a register unit (19), which data and stores a parallel / series conversion, the register unit (19) for serial data transmission via the data line (18) being electronically connected to an input / output control means (4) of the franking machine.

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