EP0560717A2 - Postage meter - Google Patents

Postage meter Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0560717A2
EP0560717A2 EP93810147A EP93810147A EP0560717A2 EP 0560717 A2 EP0560717 A2 EP 0560717A2 EP 93810147 A EP93810147 A EP 93810147A EP 93810147 A EP93810147 A EP 93810147A EP 0560717 A2 EP0560717 A2 EP 0560717A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
memory
franking
franking machine
weight
postage meter
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP93810147A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0560717A3 (en
Inventor
Werner Haug
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Frama AG
Original Assignee
Frama AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Frama AG filed Critical Frama AG
Publication of EP0560717A2 publication Critical patent/EP0560717A2/en
Publication of EP0560717A3 publication Critical patent/EP0560717A3/de
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G07B2017/00153—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information
    • G07B2017/00177—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information from a portable device, e.g. a card or a PCMCIA
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00701—Measuring the weight of mailpieces

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a franking machine with an electronic control unit for controlling a device for setting franking values on its print head and an input keyboard for entering weight values or weight ranges, the control unit having a computer and a memory (PROM) for postal tariffs, so that the Weight entries into franking values for the automatic adjustment of the print head can be converted by the computer.
  • PROM a memory
  • a franking machine of this type is described in EP-A-0 387 202.
  • the electronic device enclosed in the sealed housing is equipped with a memory containing the postal tariff. It is therefore not necessary to enter the franking values via the keyboard in such a franking machine, instead it is sufficient to enter only the weight or a weight level (up to 20 g, up to 50g, up to 100g etc.) via the keyboard or by connecting an external one electronic scales.
  • the object of the invention is to simplify the equipping of the franking machine with a memory containing the current postal tariff and to avoid an authorized technician for this purpose.
  • the solution to this problem is that the outside of the franking machine has an interface socket for connecting an electronic device for reading new postage rates into the memory of the franking machine.
  • a charging plug for reading postal tariffs via an interface into the memory of the franking machine is proposed for this purpose, which has a programmable and erasable memory (EPROM) enclosed in a housing for receiving the current postal tariff, with plug pins for the coupling on the housing with the interface socket of the franking machine.
  • EPROM programmable and erasable memory
  • the solution according to the invention thus has the advantage that the new postage rate can be provided in a simple manner by the user himself in the franking machine by having it sent to him by the post office or the manufacturer with the device mentioned. After loading, he can then send the charging plug back in so that it can be sent to other franking machine users to load the new postal tariff.
  • the franking machine 1 has a housing 2 which encloses its mechanical and electronic devices in such a way that they are not accessible from the outside. It is only possible to open this housing 2 after loosening a seal (not shown), so that an authorized mechanic of the post office or the manufacturer would have to be commissioned for this.
  • the area of the housing 2 of the franking machine 1 shown shows a socket 3 for the connection to the electrical power network, an electrical fuse 4, a multi-pole connection socket 5 for the optional connection of an electronic balance and an interface socket 7 having numerous pin receptacles 6 for the connection the plug part 8 of the charging plug 9 for loading a memory of the electronic control device of the franking machine 1 with a changed postal tariff.
  • the housing 10 of the charging plug 9 includes a programmable and erasable memory 11 (EPROM) as well as an associated unit 12 for the address control, protective circuits 13, 14 for the input and output and a voltage regulator 15.
  • EPROM programmable and erasable memory
  • the charging plug 9 is inserted into the interface socket 7.
  • the franking machine then receives two commands from the user via its input control panel (keyboard), which trigger the loading process.
  • a first command is given by an insertable, color-coded command key and the second command by an enter key which switches the franking machine to the weight entry mode during normal operation.
  • CH-A-663 848 US-A-4 520 725)
  • CH-A-678 366 US 07 / 490,040.
  • a written instruction for loading the new postal tariff is attached to the top of the charging plug 9.

Abstract

To change the content of a tariff memory of a postage meter (1) with weight input, which contains the relation between weight and postage value, a loading connector (9) provided which is connected for this purpose into an interface connecting socket (7) of the postage meter. The content of a memory enclosed in the loading connector (9) can be loaded into the tariff memory of the postage meter (1) by operating command input means of the postage meter. When the tariff is changed, the loading connector (9) is sent to the user so that the user himself can update the content of the tariff memory of the postage meter without the sealed housing of the postage meter (1) having to be opened by an authorised person. <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Frankiermaschine mit einer elektronischen Steuereinheit für die Steuerung einer Einrichtung zur Einstellung von Frankierwerten an ihrem Druckkopf und einer Eingabetastatur für die Eingabe von Gewichtswerten oder Gewichtsbereichen, wobei die Steuereinheit einen Rechner sowie einen Speicher (PROM) für Posttarife aufweist, so dass die Gewichtseingaben in Frankierwerte für die automatische Einstellung des Druckkopfes durch den Rechner umrechenbar sind.The invention relates to a franking machine with an electronic control unit for controlling a device for setting franking values on its print head and an input keyboard for entering weight values or weight ranges, the control unit having a computer and a memory (PROM) for postal tariffs, so that the Weight entries into franking values for the automatic adjustment of the print head can be converted by the computer.

Eine Frankiermaschine dieser Art ist in der EP-A-0 387 202 beschrieben. Für die Frankierwerteinstellung aufgrund einer Gewichtseingabe ist die in dem versiegelten Gehäuse eingeschlossene elektronische Einrichtung mit einem den Posttarif beinhaltenden Speicher ausgerüstet. Somit ist es nicht erforderlich in eine solche Frankiermaschine die Frankierwerte über die Tastatur einzugeben, sondern es reicht aus, stattdessen nur das Gewicht oder eine Gewichtsstufe (bis 20 g, bis 50g, bis 100g u.s.w.) über die Tastatur einzugeben oder durch den Anschluss einer externen elektronischen Waage.A franking machine of this type is described in EP-A-0 387 202. For the franking value setting based on a weight input, the electronic device enclosed in the sealed housing is equipped with a memory containing the postal tariff. It is therefore not necessary to enter the franking values via the keyboard in such a franking machine, instead it is sufficient to enter only the weight or a weight level (up to 20 g, up to 50g, up to 100g etc.) via the keyboard or by connecting an external one electronic scales.

Bei Aenderung des Posttarifs, d.h. bei geänderter Relation zwischen Gewicht und Frankierwert muss ein autorisierter Monteur beauftragt werden, durch Oeffnen des plombierten Gehäuses den Speicher für die Posttarife gegen einen neuen auszutauschen.When changing the postal tariff, i.e. If the relationship between weight and franking value changes, an authorized mechanic must be commissioned to replace the storage for the postal tariffs with a new one by opening the sealed housing.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, das Ausrüsten der Frankiermaschine mit einem den aktuellen Posttarif beinhaltenden Speicher zu vereinfachen und hierzu einen autorisierten Monteur zu vermeiden. Die Lösung dieser Aufgabe besteht darin, dass die Aussenseite der Frankiermaschine eine Interface-Steckbuchse für den Anschluss einer elektronischen Einrichtung zum Einlesen neuer Posttarife in den Speicher der Frankiermaschine aufweist. Weiterhin wird hierfür ein Ladestecker zum Einlesen von Posttarifen über ein Interface in den Speicher der Frankiermaschine vorgeschlagen, der einen in einem Gehäuse eingeschlossenen, programmierbaren und löschbaren Speicher (EPROM) für die Aufnahme des jeweils aktuellen Posttarifs aufweist, wobei an dem Gehäuse Steckstifte für die Kopplung mit der Interface-Steckbuchse der Frankiermaschine vorhanden sind.The object of the invention is to simplify the equipping of the franking machine with a memory containing the current postal tariff and to avoid an authorized technician for this purpose. The solution to this problem is that the outside of the franking machine has an interface socket for connecting an electronic device for reading new postage rates into the memory of the franking machine. Furthermore, a charging plug for reading postal tariffs via an interface into the memory of the franking machine is proposed for this purpose, which has a programmable and erasable memory (EPROM) enclosed in a housing for receiving the current postal tariff, with plug pins for the coupling on the housing with the interface socket of the franking machine.

Die erfindungsgemässe Lösung hat somit den Vorteil, dass der neue Posttarif in der Frankiermaschine durch den Benutzer selbst auf einfache Weise vorgesehen werden kann, indem er sich diesen vom Postamt oder der Herstellerfirma mit der genannten Einrichtung zusenden lässt. Nach dem Laden kann er dann den Ladesteckerzurücksenden, so dass er noch anderen Benutzern von Frankiermaschinen zum Laden des neuen Posttarifs zugesandt werden kann.The solution according to the invention thus has the advantage that the new postage rate can be provided in a simple manner by the user himself in the franking machine by having it sent to him by the post office or the manufacturer with the device mentioned. After loading, he can then send the charging plug back in so that it can be sent to other franking machine users to load the new postal tariff.

Im folgenden wird die Erfindung anhand der Zeichnungen weiter erläutert. Es zeigt:

  • Fig.1 eine Seitenansicht eines Bereichs des Gehäuses einer Frankiermaschine,
  • Fig.2 eine Aufsicht auf einen Ladestecker mit angrenzend dargestelltem Gehäuseteil der Frankiermaschine und
  • Fig.3 eine schematische Darstellung der im Ladestecker eingeschlossenen elektronischen Einrichtungen.
The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. It shows:
  • 1 shows a side view of an area of the housing of a franking machine,
  • 2 shows a top view of a charging plug with the housing part of the franking machine and shown adjacently
  • 3 shows a schematic representation of the electronic devices enclosed in the charging plug.

Die Frankiermaschine 1 hat ein Gehäuse 2, das ihre mechanischen und elektronischen Einrichtungen so einschliesst, dass sie von aussen nicht zugänglich sind. Ein Oeffnen dieses Gehäuses 2 ist nur nach Lösen einer nichtdargestellten Plombe möglich, so dass hierzu ein autorisierter Monteur des Postamtes oder der Herstellerfirma zu beauftragen wäre.The franking machine 1 has a housing 2 which encloses its mechanical and electronic devices in such a way that they are not accessible from the outside. It is only possible to open this housing 2 after loosening a seal (not shown), so that an authorized mechanic of the post office or the manufacturer would have to be commissioned for this.

Der dargestellte Bereich des Gehäuses 2 der Frankiermaschine 1 zeigt eine Steckbuchse 3 für die Verbindung mit dem elektrischen Stromnetz, eine elektrischen Sicherung 4, eine mehrpolige Anschlussbuchse 5 für den fakultativen Anschluss einer elektronischen Waage und eine zahlreiche Stiftaufnahmen 6 aufweisende Interface-Buchse 7 für den Anschluss des Steckerteils 8 des Ladesteckers 9 für das Laden eines Speichers der elektronischen Steuereinrichtung der Frankiermaschine 1 mit einem geänderten Posttarif.The area of the housing 2 of the franking machine 1 shown shows a socket 3 for the connection to the electrical power network, an electrical fuse 4, a multi-pole connection socket 5 for the optional connection of an electronic balance and an interface socket 7 having numerous pin receptacles 6 for the connection the plug part 8 of the charging plug 9 for loading a memory of the electronic control device of the franking machine 1 with a changed postal tariff.

Das Gehäuse 10 des Ladesteckers 9 schliesst einen programmierbaren und löschbaren Speicher 11 (EPROM) sowie eine zugehörige Einheit 12 fürdie Adresssteuerung, Schutzschaltungen 13,14 für den Eingang und Ausgang und einen Spannungsregler 15.The housing 10 of the charging plug 9 includes a programmable and erasable memory 11 (EPROM) as well as an associated unit 12 for the address control, protective circuits 13, 14 for the input and output and a voltage regulator 15.

Zum Laden des neuen Posttarifs wird der Ladestecker 9 in die Interface-Buchse 7 gesteckt. Anschliessend erhält die Frankiermaschine über ihre Eingabeschalttafel (keyboard) vom den Benutzer zwei Befehle, durch die der Ladevorgang ausgelöst wird. Ein erster Befehl wird durch einen einsteckbaren, farblich gekennzeichneten Befehlsschlüssel gegeben und der zweite Befehl durch eine Eingabetaste, die beim Normalbetrieb der Frankiermaschine diese auf den Gewichtseingabemodus umschaltet. Eine nähere, für die Erfindung unwesentliche Beschreibung einer betreffenden Frankiermaschine ist in der CH-A-663 848 (US-A-4 520 725) und der CH-A-678 366 (US 07/490,040) enthalten.To charge the new postal tariff, the charging plug 9 is inserted into the interface socket 7. The franking machine then receives two commands from the user via its input control panel (keyboard), which trigger the loading process. A first command is given by an insertable, color-coded command key and the second command by an enter key which switches the franking machine to the weight entry mode during normal operation. A more detailed description of a franking machine in question, which is not essential to the invention, is contained in CH-A-663 848 (US-A-4 520 725) and CH-A-678 366 (US 07 / 490,040).

Eine schriftliche Anleitung für das Laden des neuen Posttarifs ist auf der Oberseite des Ladesteckers 9 angebracht.A written instruction for loading the new postal tariff is attached to the top of the charging plug 9.

Claims (2)

1. Frankiermaschine mit einer elektronischen Steuereinheit für die Steuerung einer Einrichtung zur Einstellung von Frankierwerten an ihrem Druckkopf und einer Eingabetastatur für die Eingabe von Gewichtswerten oder Gewichtsbereichen, wobei die Steuereinheit einen Rechner sowie einen Speicher (PROM) für Posttarife aufweist, so dass die Gewichtseingaben in Frankierwerte für die automatische Einstellung des Druckkopfes durch den Rechner umrechenbar sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Aussenseite der Frankiermaschine eine Interface-Steckbuchse für den Anschluss einer elektronischen Einrichtung zum Einlesen neuer Posttarife in den Speicher der Frankiermaschine aufweist.1. franking machine with an electronic control unit for controlling a device for setting franking values on its printhead and an input keyboard for entering weight values or weight ranges, the control unit having a computer and a memory (PROM) for postal tariffs, so that the weight inputs in Franking values for the automatic setting of the print head can be converted by the computer, characterized in that the outside of the franking machine has an interface socket for connecting an electronic device for reading in new postage rates into the memory of the franking machine. 2. Ladestecker zum Einlesen von Posttarifen über ein Interface in den Speicher einer Frankiermaschine nach Anspruch 1 oder einer Vorrichtung zum Berechnen von Frankierwerten aufgrund einer Gewichtseingabe, gekennzeichnet durch einen in einem Steckergehäuse eingeschlossenen, programmierbaren und löschbaren Speicher (EPROM) für die Aufnahme des jeweils aktuellen Posttarifs, wobei an dem Gehäuse Steckstifte für die Kopplung mit der Interface-Steckbuchse der Frankiermaschine vorhanden sind.2. Charging plug for reading in postal tariffs via an interface in the memory of a franking machine according to claim 1 or a device for calculating franking values based on a weight input, characterized by a programmable and erasable memory (EPROM) enclosed in a plug housing for receiving the current one Post tariffs, with pins on the housing for coupling to the interface socket of the franking machine.
EP93810147A 1992-03-10 1993-03-01 Postage meter Ceased EP0560717A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH756/92 1992-03-10
CH756/92A CH683726A5 (en) 1992-03-10 1992-03-10 Franking machine.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0560717A2 true EP0560717A2 (en) 1993-09-15
EP0560717A3 EP0560717A3 (en) 1995-04-19

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93810147A Ceased EP0560717A2 (en) 1992-03-10 1993-03-01 Postage meter

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US (1) US5406036A (en)
EP (1) EP0560717A2 (en)
CH (1) CH683726A5 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2283344A (en) * 1993-10-26 1995-05-03 Nicholas Kantaris Erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) and like memory with built in programmer
FR2722595A1 (en) * 1994-07-18 1996-01-19 Neopost Ind ELECTRONIC POSTAL POSTAGE SYSTEM HAVING A RECHARGEABLE IN SITU OPERATING PROGRAM

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0731425B1 (en) * 1995-03-07 2004-12-22 Frama Ag Postage determination device
US5910179A (en) * 1996-10-25 1999-06-08 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and system for transmitting data within a tree structure and receiving a confirmation or status therefor
DE19925381A1 (en) * 1999-06-02 2000-12-07 Francotyp Postalia Gmbh Arrangement for tariff table loading
US6960730B2 (en) * 2003-02-28 2005-11-01 Pelstar, L.L.C. Downloadable digital rate calculating scale
US20100051353A1 (en) * 2008-09-03 2010-03-04 Graco Children's Products Inc. Child Growth Monitoring
WO2012009570A2 (en) * 2010-07-16 2012-01-19 Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc. Pressure scanner assemblies having replaceable sensor plates

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0018116A1 (en) * 1979-04-13 1980-10-29 Pitney Bowes, Inc. Postal data memory
GB2173738A (en) * 1985-04-19 1986-10-22 Roneo Alcatel Ltd Secure transport of information between electronic stations
US4718506A (en) * 1987-03-31 1988-01-12 Pitney Bowes Inc. Prom card arrangement for postal/shipping scale
US4802218A (en) * 1986-11-26 1989-01-31 Wright Technologies, L.P. Automated transaction system

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4084242A (en) * 1976-11-10 1978-04-11 Pitney-Bowes, Inc. Electronic postage weighing scale
US4138735A (en) * 1977-01-31 1979-02-06 Pitney-Bowes, Inc. System for remotely resetting postage rate memories

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0018116A1 (en) * 1979-04-13 1980-10-29 Pitney Bowes, Inc. Postal data memory
GB2173738A (en) * 1985-04-19 1986-10-22 Roneo Alcatel Ltd Secure transport of information between electronic stations
US4802218A (en) * 1986-11-26 1989-01-31 Wright Technologies, L.P. Automated transaction system
US4718506A (en) * 1987-03-31 1988-01-12 Pitney Bowes Inc. Prom card arrangement for postal/shipping scale

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2283344A (en) * 1993-10-26 1995-05-03 Nicholas Kantaris Erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) and like memory with built in programmer
FR2722595A1 (en) * 1994-07-18 1996-01-19 Neopost Ind ELECTRONIC POSTAL POSTAGE SYSTEM HAVING A RECHARGEABLE IN SITU OPERATING PROGRAM
EP0694886A1 (en) * 1994-07-18 1996-01-31 Neopost Industrie Electronic franking system with a rechargeable operating programm in situ

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US5406036A (en) 1995-04-11
CH683726A5 (en) 1994-04-29
EP0560717A3 (en) 1995-04-19

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