EP1037169A2 - Method and device for inputting an indicia to a franking machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The print stamp data input method uses input of data supplied from a manufacturer's databank containing data for a range of different print stamp images, entered in a read-only memory of the franking machine by the manufacturer, with subsequent configuration dependent on the location at which the franking machine is installed, using data received from an input interface, e.g. by insertion of a chip card (49) in a chip card reader. An Independent claim for print stamp input device for a mail franking machine is also included.

Description

The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for Stamp entry in a franking machine according to the in the preamble of claims 1 and 7 specified type. The franking machine is with a chip card reader and associated control, the country-specific or carrier-specific conversion of the franking machine to simplify.

Modern franking machines, such as the thermal transfer franking machine known from US 4,746,234, use electronic digital printing devices. In principle, this makes it possible to generate any franking stamp imprints. The latter usually have a customer-specific advertising slogan stamp image, a machine- and location-specific city stamp image and a mail carrier-specific value stamp image. For a customer-specific advertising slogan stamp image, private logos are already being created and installed in the franking machine, for example of the T1000 type, using a plug-in EPROM. The latter is built in different country versions, which differ from each other in terms of hardware due to the very different approval regulations by the national postal authorities. For franking machines, it is necessary, depending on the country, to permanently install the printing stamps with the postal symbol (value stamp) or, for those with electronic printers, to electronically save the shape of the stamp. In the manufacture of the T1000, the franking machines are made country-specific or machine-specific, for example, by another EPROM plug. initialized.
It has also already been proposed (EP 88 429 B1, EP 99 110 B1) to store the machine-specific machine serial number in a non-volatile memory (EEPROM). Such adjustment is carried out in known systems, also during manufacture. A lock bit prevents a re-entry into such a configuration program.

One known from EP 111 316 B1 in the program memory of the franking machine stored program contains firmware branch points. The data bits stored in an external memory (NVM) allow the program to permanently due to a conditional jump to reconfigure. In a variant known from EP 111 317 B1 contains one stored in the program memory of the franking machine Program firmware variables. The in an external memory (NVM) saved data bits allow the program to be reconfigured. To this EEPROM handling then usually takes place Seal the franking machine so that the EEPROM is not so easy can be exchanged.

Programming was already described in US 4,424,573 as an alternative solution the serial number suggested by a data center. In EP 131 967 A2 is used to configure the franking machine a keyboard that can be connected externally to the franking machine. The Configuration process is only possible once. The disadvantage is that configuration effort.

If the postage meter contains a postage calculator, then Weight information entered by the scale and the franking machine calculates the postage value for the value stamp. For such a thing System is already a method according to EP 566 225 A2 (US 5,490,077) known for entering data in a franking machine, which chip cards or a cellular communication network used to change tariffs to enter. These include special configuration chip cards, which however, are intended for the user. Such smart cards, the several non-volatile memory or separately accessible memory areas and have a microprocessor, but are relatively expensive. you will be by the user one after the other in a single chip card reading unit inserted to represent different information Transfer data to the franking machine serially. On this in the franking machine stored data can then during their Operation can be used. The need for everyone is eliminated Store data in the franking machine from the very beginning, at least some of the data can be subsequently transferred if necessary can. However, all data must be pre-processed by the data center which are requested by one of the franking machines could, regardless of whether they are used or transmitted later become. The disadvantage is the high effort, especially when it comes to Image processing in preparation of the service arises when franking images have to be created for many different mail carriers. The either leads to delays, which occur when communicating via Modem can lead to high telephone costs for the customer. Or otherwise the data processing capacity of the data center would have to be be greatly expanded. Such an effort is on the part of the data center then not justified if only a few users on such Access services and thus the profitability is not secured. Already for The printed image of the squirrel in the stamp is for example today Different graphic designs from Deutsche Post AG approved and in use. The multitude of data to be saved then also requires an expensive chip card and associated expensive chip card reading unit. Even the subsequent installation of a modem would then require expensive hardware and software changes. For some geographical areas, for example for countries of the European Community, will be the different in the future Currencies are eliminated and replaced by the EURO. Franking machines, like the T1000-EURO® and JetMail® from the applicant Francotyp-Postalia AG & Co. can both in the transition phase as can also be used after the changeover to EURO. There are none Money values lost in the franking machine. Part of the stamp could thus be standardized in the future and result in it only differences in the graphic design due to the different mail carrier companies. Are interesting in the future Universal franking devices that are also for private carriers (UPS, Blow Express, etc.) are suitable.

The invention has for its object an arrangement Creating stamp setting for franking machines that the Avoids disadvantages of the prior art and is inexpensive is feasible. Another task is to create a technical process for a carrier and / or country specific provision of To find postmarks, which are independent of the respective logistics is suitable for different sales areas.

The object is with the features of claim 1 for a method or solved for an arrangement with the features of claim 7.

According to the invention, permanently programmed postmark data are provided in a non-exchangeable memory of the franking machine, which has additional memory areas in order to load further specifying data, so that their combination with the stored postmark data allows a carrier- and country-specific postmark to be formed. This is particularly advantageous if the franking machine is to be configured for a national government postal service. If the franking machine is to be configured for a private international postal company, at least the specific postmark data of this postal company is loaded. It is possible that the arrangement and shape of the graphic design remains the same for some countries. Of course, the postmark can have country-specific differences, which are typical for the sending country, such as the language or currency. However, for countries with the same currency, for example the EURO in Europe and the same graphic design, it may make sense to choose an internationally recognized language, for example English. In such a case, it is possible that the same postal stamp of the postal company is valid for several countries. According to the invention, the further specific data are different carrier-specific data and / or the local data for the location where the franking machine is to be used. It is envisaged that the further specifying data will finally be loaded, the loading being carried out remotely from the place of use.
It is advantageous that the further specifying data, which are required for a complete print image, can now be loaded at the end of production at the manufacturer or at least remotely from the later place of use via interface, in the course of production or at an authorized location or to create a carrier-specific machine from the country-specific machine at the very end, and vice versa, which is set to a special mail carrier according to demand. The interface is, for example, a chip card reading unit, advantageously in an inexpensive version, for which at least one special chip card is provided and which is inserted into the reading unit before the franking machine is delivered to the place of use.
Alternatively, a set of permanently programmed, non-erasable carrier and / or country-specific postmark data is provided in a non-exchangeable memory of the franking machine for controlling an electronic, digitally controllable printer, parts of the set in combination resulting in a stamp image. The sections are image files of a control file, which a microprocessor of the franking machine processes together with pixel files in order to generate at least one stamp image. Additional partial image files can be assigned to the image files, for example for the postage value, etc. The files are made available and stored in a first step when the franking machine is manufactured. More files are made available than would be required for a stamp image. The serial number is entered in a separate font. In addition, an interface, for example a chip card reading unit, is installed in all franking machine types. The postmark can now be selected using a special chip card.

Figur 1,

Perspektivische Ansicht der Frankiermaschine von hinten,

Figur 2,

Blockschaltbild zur Einstellung der Funktion der Frankiermaschine und zur Ansteuerung der Druckeinrichtung,

Figur 3,

Frankierstempelabdruck.

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 1,

Perspective view of the franking machine from behind,

Figure 2,

Block diagram for setting the function of the franking machine and for controlling the printing device,

Figure 3,

Franking stamp imprint.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the franking machine from FIG shown at the back. The franking machine consists of a meter 1 and a base 2. The base is equipped with a chip card reading unit, which are arranged behind the guide plate 20 and from the Upper housing edge 22 is accessible. After switching on the franking machine by means of the switch 71, a chip card 49 is turned upwards inserted into the slot 72 below. A fed on the edge standing letter 3, with its surface to be printed on the The guide plate is in contact with the input data printed with a franking stamp, the latter a value stamp 31st includes. The letter feed opening is through a transparent plate 21 and the guide plate 20 laterally limited.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a postage meter machine that uses a chip card reading unit 70 for reloading change data via Chip card and with a printing device 2, which by a Control device 1 is controlled, is equipped. The control device 1 has a memory 92 with a microprocessor 91, 93, 94, 95 equipped motherboard 9.

The program memory 92 contains an operating program for at least Print and at least security-relevant parts of the program for a predetermined format change of part of the User data.

The RAM 93 is used for volatile temporary storage of intermediate results. The NVM 94 non-volatile memory is used for non-volatile caching of data, for example of at least the franking machine serial number, carrier and / or country-specific configuration data and possibly other configuration data as well as value stamp image data. The calendar / clock module 95 contains also addressable but non-volatile memory areas for known program parts (for example for the DES algorithm). It it is provided that the control device 1 with the chip card reading unit 70 is connected, the microprocessor 91 of the Control device 1 is programmed, for example, the user data N from the memory area of a chip card 49 for use in to load corresponding memory areas of the franking machine. One in a slot 72 of the chip card reader 70 inserted first Chip card 49 allows a data record to be reloaded into the Postage meter for a configuration. The chip card 49 contains for example, a postal carrier’s license to use the Franking machine to generate a stamp image and according to the stamp the desired items on the desired mail carrier.

The chip card reading unit 70 consists of an associated one mechanical support for the microprocessor card and contact unit 74. The latter allows a secure mechanical mounting of the chip card in reading position and clear signaling of reaching the Reading position of the chip card in the contacting unit. The microprocessor card with the microprocessor 75 has a programmed Readability only for certain types of memory cards or chip cards. The interface to the franking machine is a serial interface according to RS232 standard. The data transfer rate is min. 1.2 K. Baud. The power supply is switched on by means of a Motherboard connected switch 71. After turning on the Power supply is a self-test function with readiness message. The requirements for processor performance are so low that for the Installation of the chip card reading unit 70, a type with a reduced Processor power can be used but is inexpensive. The data volume to be stored in a configuration chip card is particularly low if only a selection from a number of Data records must be taken, which are in the non-volatile Memory function of the franking machine has already been stored are. The number of records is determined by the diversity the relevant currencies, languages, mail carriers and countries.

The control device 1 forms the actual meter with the means 91 to 95 of the aforementioned main board 9 and also includes a keyboard 88, a display unit 89 and an application-specific circuit ASIC 90 and interface 8 for the postal security module PSM 100. The safety module PSM 100 is connected to the aforementioned ASIC 90 and the microprocessor 91 and via the parallel µC bus with at least the means 91 to 95 of the main board 9 and connected to display unit 89. The control bus carries cables for the signals CE, RD and WR between the safety module PSM 100 and the aforementioned ASIC 90. The microprocessor 91 points preferably a pin for one from the PSM 100 security module issued interrupt signal i, further connections for the keyboard 88, a serial interface Sl-1 for the connection of the chip card reading unit 70 and a serial interface Sl-2 for the optional connection of a MODEM. Using the MODEM, for example, the non-volatile memory of the postal security agent PSM 100 stored credit will be increased.

The postal security device PSM 100 is secured by a Enclosed housing. Before each franking imprint is made in the postal Security module PSM 100 performed a hardware accounting. Billing takes place independently of cost centers. The postal Safety equipment PSM 100 can be designed internally as in the European application EP 789 333 A3 has been described in more detail.

The ASIC 90 is intended to be a serial interface circuit 98 to a device upstream in the post stream, a serial Interface circuit 96 to the sensors and actuators of the Printing device 2, a serial interface circuit 97 for Print control electronics 16 for the print head 4 and a serial Interface circuit 99 to one of the printing device 20 in the mail stream downstream device. DE 197 11 997 is one Design variant for the peripheral interface can be removed, which is suitable for several peripheral devices (stations). It is entitled: Arrangement for communication between a base station and others Stations of a mail processing machine and for its emergency shutdown.

Interface circuit 96 coupled to that in the machine base located interface circuit 14 provides at least one connection to the sensors 6, 7, 17 and to the actuators, for example to Drive motor 15 for the roller 11 and a cleaning and Sealing station RDS 40 for the inkjet print head 4, as well as for Labeler 50 in the machine base. The basic arrangement and the interaction between inkjet printhead 4 and the RDS 40 can be found in DE 197 26 642 C2, with the title: arrangement for Positioning an inkjet printhead and cleaning and Sealing device.

One of the sensors 7, 17 arranged in the guide plate 20 is the Sensor 17 and is used to prepare the print release when transporting letters. The sensor 7 is used to detect the start of a letter for the purpose of triggering pressure when transporting letters. The transport device consists of a conveyor belt 10 and two rollers 11, 11 '. One of the reels is that equipped with a motor 15 drive roller 11, another is idler roller 11 '. Preferably, the drive roller 11 is as Toothed roller executed, the conveyor belt 10 is accordingly as Toothed belt executed, which ensures the clear power transmission. On Encoder 5, 6 is coupled to one of the rollers 11, 11 '. Preferably the drive roller 11 with an incremental encoder 5 sits firmly on one Axis. The incremental encoder 5 is, for example, a slotted disc executed, which interacts with a light barrier 6, and passes the line 19 from an encoder signal to the main board 9.

It is contemplated that the individual print elements of the print head are connected to printhead electronics within its housing and that the print head can be controlled for purely electronic printing is. The pressure control is based on the path control, the selected stamp offset is taken into account, which is via the keyboard 88 or if necessary entered via chip card and in the NVM 94 memory is stored non-volatile. A planned imprint therefore results from Stamp offset (without printing), the franking print image and if necessary additional print images for advertising slogan, shipping information (election prints) and additional editable messages. The non-volatile Memory NVM 94 has a large number of memory areas. Underneath are those that store the franking machine serial number in a non-volatile manner can.

The manufacturing process of the franking machine is divided into a variety Scriptures broken down, with one of the final steps being the country and / or carrier-specific provision of the postmark and an award the machine serial number. Under manufacturing process all manufacturing and configuration steps understood, which to a functioning franking device. The configuration of the Country and / or carrier-specific data can be saved in Manufacturing plant also in a subsidiary or at a authorized dealer by the manufacturer removed from the place of use respectively. The advantage of the method according to the invention is that all franking devices are physically created in an identical manner and fragmentation is only necessary at the end of the manufacturing process. The last steps necessary for this can be temporally and spatially be separated from the physical manufacturing steps. It can it to foreign subsidiaries and commercial agencies be left to how they are country and / or carrier specific Organize configuration. The respective logistics differ for different sales areas. For example, the method is suitable for parts of the European market where the graphic design of the Postmark, the writing (for example, Latin) and, if applicable the currency unit (for example EURO) largely uniform shape. The existing interface is for a special chip card 49 used to enter data into the franking machine, the latter to configure finally by at least the reference to the country in question in the respective language and the carrier logo stored in a defined manner. Although the variety of combinations is great, of course only interested in the permissible (usable) combinations.

FIG. 3 shows a franking stamp imprint in a form as it is presents itself in Germany after the currency changeover to EURO. Printing begins from the right to the left with the value stamp 31, the City stamp 32 and possibly an advertising cliché 33, wherein the latter is freely definable or selectable by the customer. The logo of the Deutsche Post AG is a post croissant in the upper right corner a rectangular stamp frame. The name EURO CENT the currency unit is above the window with the value 0000. An identifier (company and machine number) is printed underneath.

On the one hand, there are country variants with a uniform font in Europe and currency, which are then still in accordance with the language and the further distinguish the selected carrier. Takes over in future the umbrella organization of the national European postal services Responsibility for transportation, the differentiation could follow national mail carriers are also eliminated.

With regard to language, a bilingualism, such as in Belgium or South Africa can be documented in the stamp. The graphic design of the postmark frame and the city stamp frame differs, for example in South Africa and Holland, from that in the in most countries.

Other parts of the European market are more specific, for example with Greek script and language as well as with a specific country logo for a specific carrier logo, which is why using the chip card also the special Greek writing is reloaded.

In general, the font and currency are country-specific. So there is a special country variant for the country Belarus Cyrillic script, the currency ruble, but no particular one Carrier logo, because in some countries there is no carrier selection, i.e. Logo, font and currency are fixed.

An opposite example is provided by the USA, where in addition to the state Postal authority USPS operate numerous private postal companies.

For the practical execution of the procedure it is assumed In the first font, those that take into account the similarities in the sales area Data and in the second step such differences in Install data that takes sales territory into account. Surrender there are basically two variants:

First, in a first configuration step, such carriers and / or country-specific data that have a unified basic stamp image correspond, non-volatile in the memory of the franking machine saved. The franking machine serial number is in one of them entered separate step. In a manufacturer's database the postmark print image data for a selection at least according to Postal carriers and / or countries are classified and can be one Serial number can be assigned. A franking machine applies a first step as preconfigured when a defined selection of data in the aforementioned database of a franking machine serial number is assigned. If necessary, this franking machine finally configured in a second font.

In the first variant, the print image data from a chip card in transfer the graphics memory of the franking machine to at least the Generation of the carrier and / or country-specific logo (e.g. Post symbol). After loading and the The chip card is saved from the chip card reading unit 70 pulled out. The configuration with the same chip card can only during the first insertion. A lock bit is after removing the chip card automatically in a memory cell of non-volatile memory 94 is set to re-unauthorized To prevent configuration. Any further future insertion of one another chip card 49 'can change such a configuration, an authorization procedure from the other chip card 49 ' is processed. This is special with rented franking machines advantageous. Such will be given to the dealer at the end of their rental period returned to the same sales area can be returned to the dealer using a suitable chip card 49 'can be reconfigured. From a chip card transferred to the graphics memory of the franking machine Print image data are, for example, on a specific carrier and related to a specific country. Some private mail carriers are the saved carrier-specific data is country-independent pure Graphic data (logos) and the country-specific data (language) are pure word data or refer to the national currency.

A sub-variant of the first variant results from a combination of transmitted country-specific with those in the previous step stored carrier-specific data and vice versa. Is this Sales area is limited to one country (e.g. India) all country-specific data is saved in the first step and after Selection of the desired carrier is carried out carrier-specific data. In the North America sales area (i.e.USA and Canada) can be reversed if necessary by first the machines are adjusted to a carrier and finally first to the desired country. Here under the term country understood entire state territory. Producing in advance of machines preconfigured on a carrier is especially then makes sense for the franking machine manufacturer if the carrier provides one has a relatively large market share.

Another sub variant of the first variant uses more than two Configuration steps, preferably with several chip cards. Each Chip card carries a label indicating which combination is yours for example for a sales area within the EU. Then the currency could already be defined in the first configuration step. Another chip card could then be used in a second one Configure the remaining specification data, such as the logo of the national mail carrier will be loaded. In one The city or the future can be configured in a third step Post office to be loaded. These three steps can be followed different locations. So the determination on the sales area and the country at the manufacturer. The so Pre-configured franking machine is sent to the national subsidiary of the specified country. There is the third Configuration step a determination to that of the dealer or wholesaler desired post office. This graded process has the advantage that for the pre-conversion still no final customer information is required, or none Customer order must be produced, but what the lowers logistical manufacturing costs. Another advantage is that all possible data records are not stored in one place have to. As an alternative to the chip card, another interface, For example, V24 can be used to create records in a Workstation or stored in the PC to transfer.

In the second variant, the chip card is inserted by only one Selection between those saved in the franking machine and over to hit the display 89 displayable post symbols. The postmark printing image data are already for a selection carrier and / or country-specific in the previous script in the non-volatile Memory of the franking machine has been saved. The print image data an identification number is assigned, for example CIN (Carrier Identification Number), SIN (State Identification Number) etc., where using the chip card then only the respective identification numbers in a particular memory area of the non-volatile memory 94 of FIG Postage meter machine must be loaded to make a defined assignment to generate, to generate the desired franking image. In a sub-variant, the unselected stored post symbols then automatically from the franking machine control or by pulling the chip card out of the chip card reading unit 70 deleted.

The invention is not limited to the present embodiment, since obviously other arrangements or designs of the Invention can be developed or used, the - of the same Basic ideas of the invention starting from the adjacent Claims are included.

Claims (7)

Method for inputting stamps into a franking machine during its manufacture, in which, to control an electronic digitally controllable printer, permanently programmed carrier-specific postmark data and a serial number are provided in a non-removable memory of the franking machine, and an interface for data transmission is installed,
characterized by a: Providing a set of different country and / or carrier-specific postmark data in a non-removable memory of the franking machine, so that they are permanently programmed in a first step at the manufacturer of the franking machine, and Configuration away from the place of use for a carrier and / or for a place where the franking machine is to be used, by transmitting data using the built-in interface. Method according to claim 1, characterized by providing at least one special chip card (49) for the interface, which one Chip card reading unit (70), in which the special chip card (49) in front Delivery of the franking machine can be plugged into the place of use. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the The first step for the manufacturer of the franking machine is a sentence different carrier-specific postmark data in the not removable memory of the franking machine is provided, so that they are permanently programmed and cannot be deleted, and that in one Another step is a selection from the multitude of different ones carrier-specific postmark data is made by Transferring data from a into the chip card reading unit (70) inserted special country-specific chip card (49) and that a Lock bit automatically after pulling out the chip card (49) in one Memory cell of non-volatile memory (94) is set to one Prevent unauthorized reconfiguration. Process according to claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the set includes carrier and country specific postmark data and that by means of the chip card (49) a carrier and country-specific Selection is made. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the Configuration at the manufacturer for a country where the franking machine should be used by transferring data from one to the Chip card reading unit (70) inserted special country-specific Chip card and by combining the transmitted country-specific with the carrier-specific data saved in the previous step or vice versa. Method according to claims 1 and 5, characterized in that that the print image data from a chip card in the graphics memory Postage meter to be transferred to at least the generation of the carrier or country-specific post symbol to allow that a Lock bit automatically after pulling out the chip card (49) in one Memory cell of non-volatile memory (94) is set to one Prevent unauthorized reconfiguration. Arrangement for inputting stamps in a franking machine, the franking machine being equipped with a chip card reading unit (70) and associated control device (1), characterized in that that a microprocessor (85, 91) of the control device (1) is connected to the chip card reading unit (70) and to a non-volatile memory (94, 95), the latter having additional memory areas in order to subsequently load specific data, which allows it to print a specific print stamp with the franking machine and that the microprocessor (85, 91) is programmed for reloading data by means of chip cards, a lock bit being set after the loading, which prevents further configuration.

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