EP1326214A2 - Guarantee system for the printing of a postal indicium - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves displaying an indication of an offer of extension of guarantee at the level of a mail pieces franking system if the remaining volume of ink is above a minimum volume. The franking system is linked with the server of a franking system distributor if the offer is accepted with a user. The extension of guarantee is recorded in the distributor's server. An Independent claim is also included for a guarantee extension recording system.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of treatment of mail and it relates more particularly to a system to guarantee the print quality of machine-printed postal impressions to be franked.

Prior art

Conventionally, a postal imprint being a monetary value, the quality of its printing on mail items is essential in order to to avoid any fraud or any financial loss for the user in the event of rejection of postage by the postal administration.

It therefore appears important to be able to guarantee users of franking machines, or more generally of all systems postage, that the printed postal imprint conforms to technical specifications of the postal administration.

Currently, specific postal ink cartridges are sold with a guarantee corresponding to a period of use limited, for example 12 months, or to a limited number of postage, for example 20000. In the case of users such as routers making a very large number of daily postage is of course this second prevailing limit, the number of postage being reached well before the limit on the duration of use provided for the cartridge. However, at the end of the warranty period, it is frequent (especially if the postal imprint is lightly "loaded") that the ink cartridge is not completely empty and can therefore still allow a number of postage. However, if the user decides to continue postage, he does so at his own risk and perils without any guarantee and therefore also without any recourse against the dealer of its franking system, supplier of ink cartridge, in case of subsequent rejection of its mail items by postal administration.

Definition and object of the invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome this drawback and avoid any risk of rejection by the postal administration by proposing a system to guarantee the print quality of a postal imprint. An object of the invention is also to enable this guarantee to be obtained whatever the type of franking system used, electromechanical or IT.

• affichage d'une indication de « fin de garantie initiale » au niveau du système d'affranchissement,
• comparaison d'un volume d'encre restant avec un volume d'encre minimal en deçà duquel l'impression des articles de courrier est interdite,
• si le volume d'encre restant le permet, affichage d'une indication « d'offre d'extension de garantie » au niveau du système d'affranchissement,
• si cette offre est acceptée par l'utilisateur du système d'affranchissement, liaison avec un serveur informatique du concessionnaire du système d'affranchissement, et
• enregistrement de l'extension de garantie dans le serveur informatique du concessionnaire.

These aims are achieved by a method of registering an extension of a printing guarantee for a franking system for mail items, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

• display of an indication of “end of initial guarantee” at the level of the franking system,
• comparison of an ink volume remaining with a minimum ink volume below which the printing of mail items is prohibited,
• if the remaining ink volume allows, display of an indication of “warranty extension offer” at the franking system,
• if this offer is accepted by the user of the franking system, link with a computer server of the franking system dealer, and
• recording of the warranty extension in the dealer's computer server.

Thus, with the present invention, the user optimizes the use of his postal ink cartridges because he can print practically up to the extreme minimum threshold for the use of these cartridges and this with the guarantee that these prints will not be rejected by the postal administration.

The indication of the end of the initial warranty corresponds to the franking of a predetermined number of mail items, by example 20000.

The link with the dealer's computer server is performed either automatically by the franking system at through a specialized communication link either by means of a computer terminal independent of the franking system and connected to the Internet.

Preferably, the registration of the warranty extension in the dealer computer server is followed by communication by the concessionaire's computer server with a warranty certificate either to the franking system or to the computer terminal. This warranty certificate has a number of postage additional allowed, e.g. 10,000.

According to a particular embodiment, the comparison of the volume remaining ink with minimum ink volume is performed at the from the dealer's computer server and not at the system level postage.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique d'un système d'affranchissement mettant en oeuvre un système de garantie de la qualité d'impression d'une empreinte postale selon l'invention, et
• la figure 2 est un organigramme explicitant le fonctionnement du système de garantie de la figure 1.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the following description, given by way of non-limiting illustration, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a franking system implementing a system for guaranteeing the quality of printing of a postal imprint according to the invention, and
• FIG. 2 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the guarantee system of FIG. 1.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a system postage which can be connected or not to a server of the dealer of this system.

This franking system is for example a franking mail items 10 of connected electromechanical type, by via a dedicated line 12, to a computer server 14 of the dealer of this machine. When this system is not connected directly to the server, the user to benefit from the guarantee of system of the invention must at least have a computer assembly, for example a personal computer 16 connected through a network of communication 18, preferably the Internet, to server 14 of dealer.

By mail item should be understood a envelope (in any format) that a label then intended for be stuck on a thick envelope or package.

This mailing machine is designed completely classic and does not require any particular description. note only, for the understanding of the invention, that it comprises means for printing a postal imprint 20, means supplying these printing means with postal ink, consisting of conventionally by a postal ink cartridge 22, means 24 known for detecting a minimum ink level of this cartridge in below which no more print can be made (exceeding of this threshold blocking the franking machine), means 26 also known command and control (more particularly with memory and microprocessor) for the management of the franking machine, and means 28 of user interface with screen and keyboard for example. Of optionally, this machine can also include means (not shown) interface (modem type) with dedicated line 12 when such a communication link is possible.

The concessionaire server 14 is a computer server conventional with specific but conventional software means allowing control of postage operations and possible reloading of a postal credit. In the context of the invention, it further comprises additional software means 30 allowing the management of the guarantee granted to the user according to the principle of operation described further.

Similarly, the computer assembly 16 is a traditional computer however comprising software means (essentially a browser) allowing it access to the Internet and therefore consultation of the postage meter dealer website.

The principle of the system of guarantee granted to the user by the dealer is illustrated by the functional flowchart in Figure 2.

During the initial warranty period, the user realizes according to his own needs a first printing cycle (step 100) then cycles following until the number of guaranteed impressions (e.g. 20000) is reached (answer yes to the test in step 102). So he is proceed, in a next step 104, to a display at the level of the franking machine with an indication specifying the end of the initial warranty printing.

If the franking machine is a connected machine, i.e. if it has a communication link (via a modem) with a dealer server, it is done automatically, in a next step 106, by the franking machine at a connection to it server and a coded exchange of information between the franking machine and the server in which it is notably transmitted, in a step 108, the level of ink remaining in the postal ink cartridge (among other things transmitted information, we will note: the machine number, the type of cartridge used).

If the server finds the remaining ink level insufficient for the allocation of a new guarantee (answer no to the stage test 110), it will display on the franking machine screen, in one step 112, an invitation to order a new ink cartridge postal that the user can accept or not, in a step immediately following 114, entering his answer on the keyboard of the stamp machine. Depending on the option taken by the user, the server will simply, in a step 116, disconnect the link with the machine postage (no user order) or acknowledge receipt of command (step 118) and then break the link (next step 120), the sending of the cartridge ordered and its invoicing being made offline by the dealer in a later step 122.

On the contrary, if the server considers that the remaining ink level is sufficient for the allocation of a new guarantee (answer yes to the test of step 110), it will display on the screen of the franking machine, in a step 124, a choice for the user between ordering a new cartridge or purchase of an extended warranty. According to the answer of the user made in a following step 126, the server will be able as previously disconnect the link (return to step 116) or accept the command and break the link (return to steps 118 and 120) or else again, if the user chooses to accept the warranty extension, display on the screen of the franking machine, in a step 128, a certificate of warranty recalling the conditions of its warranty (number guaranteed additional postage, for example 10,000, and corresponding warranty number) and then break the link (step 130), the invoicing of the guarantee being addressed to the user later offline by the dealer in a final step 132.

Of course, these different purchases, ordering cartridges or warranty extensions, are only carried out to the extent that the account of the user is supplied by the dealer or is the subject a service contract relating to consumables allowing it to purchases. In principle, these are privileged users whose customer profile is monitored very regularly by the concessionaire. We will note the variant particularly interesting next in which the comparison of remaining ink volume with minimum volume is done directly at the franking system level, which comparison will condition the display of the choice or not between the order of a new cartridge or extended warranty. Indeed, in this case, the connection to the computer server is then only carried out if the user of the franking system decides to extend its warranty and has therefore need this link to communicate the characteristics of its franking system and obtaining its warranty certificate.

When the franking machine is not communicating, it is say is not connectable to a server through a dedicated line, this extended warranty can nevertheless be taken out if the user can link to the dealer's website. Indeed, in this case of figure, the end of warranty display on the machine screen franking is accompanied by a display of the ink volume remaining in the postal ink cartridge (absolute display, in percentage or by coded). So when the user goes to connect to the website of the dealer through a computer system any connected to the Internet (for example a personal computer or a PDA phone) and access their personal account at this dealer (after entering a user name and password), it will communicate to the dealer server the value provided by its franking machine and, depending on this value, will be offered by a display on the screen of your computer system, as before, between ordering a new cartridge or an extended warranty. Depending on the option chosen, he may continue the printing of postal prints with its current cartridge under the dealer warranty or change this cartridge for a new one which will be sent to it and invoiced by the dealer. Of course, if the cartridge has not reached its minimum threshold below which the machine is blocked, and the user does not change or buy it the warranty extension, it can still print but then without no warranty from the dealer on the print quality of postal prints thus marked. Also note in this configuration of an unconnected machine, particularly the variant interesting in which the comparison of ink volumes is performed at the franking system level making exchange of the value representative of the volume of ink remaining useless. It is therefore not only if the user wishes to benefit from the extension of his guarantee that he will connect to the dealer's computer server to get its warranty certificate.

Thus, with the invention, the user can best optimize the use of its ink cartridges without risking rejection of its mail items by the postal administration, the print quality of its prints always guaranteed by the dealer of his machine overcome.

Claims (11)

Method for registering an extension of a printing guarantee for a franking system for mail items, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: display of an indication of “end of initial warranty” at the franking system (10), comparison of an ink volume remaining with a minimum ink volume below which the printing of mail items is prohibited, if the remaining ink volume allows it, display of an indication of “warranty extension offer” at the franking system (10), if this offer is accepted by the user of the franking system, connection with a computer server (14) of the franking system dealer, and recording of the warranty extension in the dealer's computer server (14). Recording method according to claim 1, characterized in that the indication of end of initial guarantee corresponds to the franking of a predetermined number of mail items, for example 15000. Recording method according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection with the dealer's computer server is carried out automatically by the franking system through a dedicated communication link (12). Recording method according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection with the concessionaire's computer server is carried out by means of a computer terminal (16) independent of the franking system and connected to the Internet network (18). Registration method according to claim 3, characterized in that the registration of the warranty extension in the dealer computer server (14) is followed by communication to the franking system (10) by the dealer computer server , a warranty certificate. Registration method according to claim 4, characterized in that the registration of the warranty extension in the dealer computer server (14) is followed by communication to the computer terminal (16) by the dealer computer server, d '' a warranty certificate. Registration method according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that the guarantee certificate includes a number of additional authorized postage, for example 10000. Recording method according to claim 1, characterized in that the comparison of the remaining ink volume with a minimum ink volume is carried out at the computer server of the dealer (14). System for recording an extension of a printing guarantee for a franking system for mailpieces, characterized in that it comprises means (28) for displaying an indication of “end of initial guarantee” at the franking system (10), means (26) for comparing an ink volume remaining with a minimum ink volume below which the printing of mail items is prohibited, means (28) for displaying an indication of “guarantee extension offer” at the franking system (10), if the remaining ink volume allows it, means for ensuring a link with a computer server (14) of the franking system dealer, if this offer is accepted by the user of the franking system (10), and means (30) for registering the warranty extension in the dealer's computer server (14). Recording system according to claim 9, characterized in that the connection means comprise a dedicated communication link (12) directly connected to the franking system (10). Recording system according to claim 9, characterized in that the connection means comprise a computer terminal (16) independent of the franking system (10) and connected to an Internet network (18).

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