Method for determining the most economic dispatcher

The invention relates to a method for determining the cheapest carrier, according to the type specified in the preamble of claim 1 and a corresponding mail processing system with a personal computer that can be operated for a variety of carriers, according to the type specified in the preamble of claim 12, with an associated method for data processing, according to the kind specified in the preamble of claims 18 and 20.

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. From a medium to high number of letters or other mail items to be sent, franking machines are used in the usual way for franking the mail items.

When there is a high volume of mail, a computerized mail processing system with franking machines and other devices for franking mail is also used in a post office. Such 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, further folding, inserting, postage calculation and orderly filing or bundling. Discounts are granted by some mail carriers for mail items pre-sorted in this way. This process is expensive in that it may require the letter to be printed 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 element. 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 of, 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. Apart from 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 equipping of the post office with 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 have them make such changes. However, due to the time pressure, these employees are also unable to make extensive considerations on reducing the postage. Such a procedure would only lead to unnecessary delays in poster creation and handling.

One of the remaining improvements to franking systems is the creation of flexibility in terms of billing to different carriers. With the disappearance of the postal monopoly for mailing in Germany and in other countries, an increase in postal delivery by regional, national or international private carriers can be expected. It is known only for parcel shipping systems to provide bills for different carriers. However, this does not involve automatic postage calculation and acknowledgment using a franking imprint. In order to process the letter largely automatically, an inexpensive service should be selected from different tariff structures of different carriers.

The problem with this project is to ensure that the carrier-related data is up to date. Automatic postage determination is known on the basis of a stored postage fee table in a franking machine based on a weight value of letters provided for this purpose by a postage scale, which letters are created on a personal computer in the office before inserting with a word processing program. A franking machine is equipped with a control unit, storage means, an input means, a MODEM or other data receiving means, an input / output control means, a display means and a printer, a prepaid credit value being stored non-volatile in the storage means. After deducting the determined postage value from the aforementioned credit value, a fixed printhead prints the franking imprint column by column with simultaneous letter transport. A print width of approximately 1 inch is achieved. So-called PC frankers are also known, in which the credit memories are implemented in specially secured additional hardware of the PC, while the franking imprint is carried out by a connected office printer. To ensure accounting security, the franking imprint contains cryptographically encrypted characters.

The postage fee tables are updated from time to time. As a rule, the tariffs for certain transport services are increased. However, fundamentally new tariff structures can also be defined. This applies to national postal agencies as well as to private carriers.

As long as franking systems are only intended for billing with a carrier (previously the national postal agency), the expiration of the old postage fee tables and the need to reload a new table is a process that can still be overseen by the manufacturer and the customer. Then a data center can also initiate the transmission of a current table (DE 28 03 982). However, if the franking system is set up for billing a large number of different carriers, a special solution must be created so that the postage fee table valid for the selected carrier is always available.

In the simplest case, this could be done by establishing a remote connection to a data center operated by the franking system manufacturer or by the respective carrier after the carrier has been selected and transmitting the current postage fee table to the franking systems and storing it there. If a postage fee table of this carrier was already saved, the demand can be limited to whether there is a new one in the meantime. The disadvantage of this method is that there are costs for each connection, which may reach the order of the postage.

An improved method consists in this connection being established only at certain times, for example after the franking systems have been switched on for the first time on this day, as has already been proposed in principle in DE 42 13 278 A1. However, if the franking system is not switched off every day and is operated in standby mode when there is no franking, the connection cannot be established for updating.

Another solution is that the respective carrier specifies the provisional period of validity of his postage fee table in advance and this information is transferred together with the table itself to the franking systems. The expiry date set by the carrier himself is then saved there and, after it has occurred, the connection to the transfer of the new postage fee table is automatically initiated, as is the case in the unpublished German application P 195 49 305.2-53 with the title: Procedure and arrangement for Data entry into a franking machine has been proposed. In the event of unscheduled short-term changes to the tariffs, however, a changeover of every machine in use would have to be carried out by a service technician.

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. It is also not clear how the data can be kept up to date for a large number of carriers. A disadvantage is the additional effort involved, due to a separate interface between the franking machine and the workstation, which functions as an input means. A separate printer is connected to the separate interface for printing accounting reports.

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 must 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 billing reports into the personal computer, however, there is only additional effort. The required transport and corresponding 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 input security 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. An entry of unlisted, counterfeit commands, ie the correspondingly generated barcode cannot be prevented. It is not ensured that the order of the barcode entries can only be made in accordance with the order of the mail items supplied. The mail processing machine has an integrated dynamic weighing platform and a connection option for an external 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 was proposed, whereby a scale can in principle be omitted because the postal matter contains only one insert with the same weight at all times. The mail pieces 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 items 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 into the franking machine which makes the booking.

The invention has for its object to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a mail processing system for determining the cheapest carrier. In particular, a more flexible mailing system needs to be developed, which can be extended to future services of various private mail carriers without prejudice and which calculates the postage value according to current tariffs.

In addition, the occurrence of manual errors when entering data determining the postage into the franking system is to be reduced.

For data processing in the franking system, an automatic system for setting the cheapest carrier and other essential data and for billing postage fees should be created,

Despite the large number of mail carriers, billing should be clear and understandable in the customer's interest. 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 tasks are solved with the features of claims 1 and 12 as well as 18 and 20.

With the increasing liberalization of mail delivery, mail processing systems are becoming interesting for customers, with which they are able to choose the one that is optimal for them from the offers of different competing carriers. This presupposes that the mail processing system can provide the customer with information for this selection, and can also calculate the fees for the desired transport service. For billing, the franking system must be equipped with the postage fee tables of the respective carrier.

On the one hand, when the mail processing system is initialized, a group of carriers is preselected, from which the desired carrier can then be selected. A routine according to the invention in the personal computer automatically ensures that there is a correspondence with current carrier-related data which are stored in the postage module.

On the other hand, according to the invention, an automatic carrier selection takes place in the personal computer according to the criteria set for the dispatch, with the following steps:<ul id="ul0001" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>Processing of inputs relating to the service requests made to the carrier and automatic selection of those carriers from the aforementioned group of carriers who meet the service requests made,</li><li>Calculation of the postage fee based on the weight of the mail or letter and on the basis of current tariffs for selected services and</li><li>Carrying out comparisons of the postage fee for cost optimization with the closer automatic selection of the cheapest carrier.</li></ul>

According to the invention, 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.

The automatic carrier selection according to the respective criteria set for shipping has the advantage over a manual selection that the cheapest carrier is now also selected according to objective criteria without error. However, the manual selection of the cheapest carrier for the intended transport of a package would also mean a time-consuming comparison of the transportation and tariff conditions of the carriers in question for the franking system user. Because the system does this comparison for him, real time and cost advantages are possible for the individual shipper.

The possibilities of the personal computer consist in the more comfortable 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 further shipping data.

A by means of keyboard / display unit (user interface) of the personal computer or automatically selected mail carrier, the postage value of the letter created and further shipping information, such as shipping method, as well as the cost center are at least displayed and saved. For storage, files are created in the personal computer that are assigned to each item of mail or letter.

In a first solution variant, shipping and / or cost center information is applied as a marking in the address field or printed out in addition to the letter content.

The invention can avoid restrictions in the execution of the mail processing. Window envelopes, standard envelopes, as well as other forms of envelope, as are sometimes preferred by private carriers, can be used, and an envelope can be inserted in the office by creating the letter. In addition, the postal items are already addressed in the office.

The 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 field scanning and to generate any desired imprints in the desired manner when franking, such as that of private carriers be required.

The invention is based on the idea of ​​additionally printing the shipping information and / or the cost center information with the letter content and then scanning it through a window of a window envelope in the post office.

This variant is based on the spatial separation of the post office from the modern office, with the letter contents and shipping information being created and managed in the office, department-related, i.e. broken down by cost center numbers. 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 carrier 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 department-related 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.

Additional special hardware, a so-called security module, is required to ensure that the monetary value is reliably billed using a personal computer. With franking machines, security is achieved through their special design. Based on the thought, the benefits of both, ie to connect the franking machine and the personal computer, the letter weight can also be determined in the personal computer, which is now also to take on partial functions in order to replace the weighing function. For this purpose, the average sheet weight stored in relation to the respective cost center and the number of sheets supplied by the personal computer are multiplied in order to determine the letter weight. The postage value is then determined.

The operations carried out in the personal computer also include text creation and processing, entry of the address and assignment of a cost center number for cost center-related billing, and menu-driven entry of the other shipping information for selecting the cheapest carrier.

A mail carrier is selected and at least displayed using a display unit and keyboard 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, that is to say a file which is assigned to the letter.

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.

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

This variant of 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 in such a way that different envelope formats are also scanned.

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, this information is processed fully automatically in the franking machine until the mail pieces are franked.

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 office computers. The files are also referred to below as letter files. 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.

A third application variant of the invention results when using the letter-producing personal computer also for determining the cheapest carrier, postage billing, as well as controlling an office printer for the carrier-specific franking imprint. In a sub-variant, the letters are created on different personal computers, of which only a subset is designed as a franking system. in this case, the personal computers are networked with one another in order to exchange post-relevant data.

Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims or are shown below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures. Show it:<dl id="dl0001"><dt>Figure 1a,</dt><dd>Block diagram for a mail processing system with a franking machine according to a first variant,</dd><dt>Figure 1b,</dt><dd>Block diagram for a mail processing system with a franking machine according to a second variant,</dd><dt>Figure 1c,</dt><dd>Table of comparable carrier services,</dd><dt>Figure 1d,</dt><dd>Procedural steps to determine the cheapest carrier,</dd><dt>Figure 2a,</dt><dd>Block diagram for a franking system with automatic data entry, according to a first variant,</dd><dt>Figure 2b,</dt><dd>Block diagram for a franking system with automatic data entry, according to a second variant,</dd><dt>Figure 3a,</dt><dd>Overall schedule for a franking system with automatic data entry according to the first variant,</dd><dt>Figure 3b,</dt><dd>Overall schedule for a franking system with automatic data entry according to the second variant,</dd><dt>Figure 4,</dt><dd>Computer routine for determining the cheapest carrier,</dd><dt>5a, b, c,</dt><dd>Evaluation of a data input for the franking system as part of an input / display routine, according to the first variant,</dd><dt>6a and 6b,</dt><dd>Partial flowcharts for automatic data entry based on the scanned letter recipient address,</dd><dt>Figure 7a,</dt><dd>Flowchart for franking mode with carrier and cost center-related processing of accounting data,</dd><dt>Figure 7b,</dt><dd>Partial flow chart for the accounting and printing routine in franking mode with carrier and cost center related accounting,</dd><dt>Figure 7c,</dt><dd>Carrier-related billing in the postal registers,</dd><dt>Figure 7d,</dt><dd>two-dimensional cost center / carrier matrix,</dd><dt>Figure 8,</dt><dd>Flow chart for the formation of request data for a data transmission from a data center,</dd><dt>Figure 9,</dt><dd>Communication mode for a franking system to carry out data transmission</dd><dt>Figure 10,</dt><dd>Routine for receiving and handling transmitted service data in the franking system</dd><dt>Figure 11,</dt><dd>Method according to the first variant of the mail processing system with scanning of the note or of the recipient address field,</dd><dt>Figure 12,</dt><dd>Method according to the second variant of the mail processing system with scanning of the note or the recipient address,</dd><dt>Figure 13,</dt><dd>Method according to a sub-variant of the mail processing system with sender addresses and with recipient address scanning,</dd></dl>

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 solution 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. For example, previously printed or otherwise labeled or unprinted envelopes (envelopes) 30 can be fed to an inserter Ka in a station a. A comparable peripheral device is also possible, which packs inserts for mail pieces or alternatively a hand packaging or hand envelope.

In the post office, at least one of the scanners scans the information printed on postage and carrier and / or cost center, which can be scanned through a window of a window envelope or alternatively printed on the envelope in the address field 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 mail processing system consists of a personal computer which is equipped with routines for pretreatment, printing out a document including address field and note, printer and a franking machine which is equipped with routines for scanning the address field or note in a post office and for processing the data. It is provided for the personal computer that the routines for pretreatment include a routine for processing mail pieces and creating a document about them or for creating a letter, and a routine for determining the cheapest carrier. The franking machine is equipped with a programmable processor system, which is programmed to:<ul id="ul0002" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>a) performing a first step comprising<ul id="ul0003" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>ai) detection of mail pieces in the transport route to the franking machine,</li><li>aii) scanning of a marking or the recipient address in the address field of mail pieces supplied, the result being that information relating to postage value and carrier and / or cost center is 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</li></ul></li><li>b) Execution of a routine in a second step, for the automatic change of non-volatile stored setting data, for the automatic printing data entry and checking as well as for the display during the automatic entry and</li><li>c) Processing the data in franking mode with a carrier and / or cost center-related settlement before franking.</li></ul>

The programmable processor system is programmed in the franking machine: to call up further non-volatile stored setting data in a sub-step 2040 of the first step 201 for automatic printing data entry into the franking machine and automatic entry of shipping information in the first step 201, which includes a postal carrier number (CIN) for the selected carrier and for calling up a routine for generating carrier-specific print images when a predetermined postal carrier number (CIN) is selected and for automatic printing data input in second step 209.

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 the cost center and shipping information has been transmitted from the personal computer to the franking machine, it 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. Special request data are sent and the required data is received from the data center, which are loaded into the memories of the franking machine. Before step c) processing of the data in the franking mode, communication is then carried out in a third step with a remote data center, with carrier-specific files comprising at least carrier-identifying image and current tariff files being transmitted from the data center to the franking machine on the basis of the aforementioned request data.

The postage meter machine therefore automatically checks whether the selected services are current and available and otherwise starts communication with a remote data center, with special request data being sent and the required data being received from the data center, and loading the necessary data into its memories.

Subsequently, this update data can also be adopted by the other personal computers if a correspondingly suitable communication connection 47 is switched from the data center DC to the personal computer PCa. At least one of the personal computers PCa, PCb and PCc, for example the personal computer PCa, is equipped with a communication means 40 or connected to it via a data line 41. The personal computers PCa, PCb and PCc are networked with one another by means of a local area network (LAN) 34 and are equipped with an update routine which automatically ensures a match with current carrier-related data which are stored in the franking machine. If the request for updating is transmitted to the data center by a postage meter machine, the data center sends update data records first to the postage meter machine and then to the aforementioned communication means 40. For example, there is another telephone connection with its own telephone number for the communication means 40. The update routine in the personal computer PCa monitors the communication means 40 with regard to the calls from the data center.

According to the invention, a check routine ensures that the postage values ​​are calculated according to the current tariffs. These current tariffs are made available to all carriers in the group in non-volatile memories of the franking system. The PC of the franking system can call up the aforementioned tariffs via communication means in order to make corresponding calculations for determining the cheapest carrier.

The postage fee tables stored non-volatile in the franking system are updated when a connection to a data center is established after certain deadlines. A typical period for the validity of a postage fee table is one year. The typical validity periods of the postage fee tables of the individual carriers are stored in non-volatile memories of the franking system, as is the date of the last change in fees. The probable point in time for the expiry of a postage fee table of a particular carrier can then be determined from this. This time is monitored using the internal clock of the franking system for each of the carriers selected after the first day of a month. If it has occurred, a connection to the corresponding data center is established and the new postage fee table is loaded.

Another solution is to check the validity of his carrier-specific data, including the postage fee table, each time the franking system is loaded with a credit for the currently set carrier in order to update the carrier-specific data if necessary.

Some carriers only have a carrier-specific print image, but do not transmit prepaid credit to the franking system. In order to ensure the up-to-dateness of such data, including the carrier-specific logo, the validity of the carrier-specific data is checked in a further solution depending on the number of pieces of mail processed.

The combination of the aforementioned solutions results in a time-, quantity-based and event-oriented monitoring of the up-to-dateness of the carrier-specific data for the appropriately selected carrier from a group that was preselected from a large number of public and private carriers.

Alternatively, in variants 1 and 2, the communication means 40 of the personal computer PCa can communicate with a communication means 23 of the franking machine. The franking machine then preferably establishes the connection to the personal computer PCa in order to transmit update data records. In addition to MODEM 23, other alternative means of communication are also possible, for example chip card read / write unit or mobile radio receiver / transmitter unit.

A solution is advantageously created so that for a postal carrier (USPS, UPS, Deutsche Post AG or others) at least the tariff table applicable for the location of the respective carrier can be called up in the system and loaded if necessary.

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

A window envelope or a pre-addressed envelope is used for inserting. If window envelopes are used, the mail can also be inserted in the post office if the required information can be found in the window field by scanning.

The block diagram shown in FIG. 1b for a mail processing system with a franking system, 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 in 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.

The franking machine can form request data from the address data of the mail recipient scanned in the post office by means of a scanner, in order to additionally request 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 is 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 of a further scanner 26.1 may result. The scanner is connected together with a first mail item sensor 16 to a register unit 19, which temporarily stores data and carries out a parallel / series conversion. The register unit 19 is electronically connected to an input / output control means 4 of the franking machine for serial data transmission via the data line 18, as shown in FIG. 2b.

The solution of this variant 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, with the result after scanning the address, formation and transmission of search request data and research in the memories of the personal computer any additional information required for automatic data entry to the aforementioned address electronically, for example via a data line, is transmitted 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 preparation step for creating a letter file as part of a letter creation program, further preparation 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 are sublimed and stored in the personal computer so that they can be retrieved . According to the invention, this additional information includes the number of sheets of the letter created.

When the sender's address is scanned, the corresponding cost center or department can be determined 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 that is assigned to the sender address. Such a method for data processing in a mailing system comprises known steps for printing out a document including the address field and note, scanning the note in a post office and for processing the data and for franking with a franking machine, the cost center number is then automatically entered into the franking machine as a result of the implementation of a first step including scanning the sender address and / or the note on the sender address and querying the personal computers for an assignment stored to the aforementioned sender address, combined with an automatic entry of the cliché number based on the entry of the cost center number for automatic print 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 in the case of mail piece detection 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. The advantage of this variant is the determination of the personal computer responsible for storing the letter file on the basis of the sender address. The search process for the relevant letter file for a large number of personal computers in the office is considerably shortened.

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 assigned 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 still be changed manually in the post office if, for example, the entry was not made in the office or another carrier is cheaper. If it is intended to send a large number of letters created on the same day to the same postal code, it can usually be assumed that it will be 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 explained below with reference to FIGS. 1c and 1d.

A franking machine with automatic data processing according to a second solution variant only scans the address and then searches for assigned files in the office computers. The files with the stored letter contents, addresses and shipping data are stored as text files according to the current creation date. The hard disks of all personal computers connected to the franking machine via a communication means are part of a distributed database.

According to the invention, at least the recipient address printed out together with the letter content and visible in the window of a window envelope is scanned in the post office. The plain text recognition (OCR) takes place in the scanner itself or in the franking machine, which then electronically transmits the recipient address thus converted into electronic data as search request data 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 using 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 associated carrier information can thus be determined again for a subsequent franking via the recipient address as a search request. After the second solution variant, this information will be transmitted electronically from the personal computer via the communication means to the franking machine. In the third solution variant, this information is transmitted to the corresponding security module. This carries out postage billing and generates the print image appropriate for the selected carrier and the selected transport service and sends it to the connected printer.

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 of franking such envelopes. This requires scanning the addresses of the letter or envelope in the remote post office using a standard scanner (scanner) and automatically entering them in 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 franking machine, which are 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 to the franking machine via the communication means.

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, all of which 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 drive of the office computer according to the date and time on which the letter text was written. Another additional information is a code for identifying the personal computer.

If the personal computers were queried individually for a letter file currently stored under the address, this can, under certain circumstances, lead to confusion if different letters were created on the same addressee on different personal computers. By including time data in addition to the date printed on the letter anyway, confusion with a higher probability is now excluded. Confusion that might otherwise arise when different letters to the same addressee on the same day are created on the same personal computer can be excluded with 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 the first and second 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. In the third variant of the solution, the problem is circumvented in that the franking is first carried out with the PC franking device immediately after the letter has been created, and a corresponding franking impression is made on the unfilled envelope. Only then is the letter inserted, which is generally done manually for small volumes of mail.

Another advantage of the second solution variant is that the mode of dispatch could be redefined between the time the letter text was created and franked in the post office. 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 billed 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, for example how much postage was caused by letter post that was created on this personal computer. This makes particular sense if the personal computer represents a personal computer cost center, ie if exactly one cost center is assigned to each personal computer.

The invention also makes it possible to produce a correlation of the departmental billing in the office computer for departmental 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 system. When calling up non-volatile setting data for the input of print data into the franking system, the same cost center number is then called up and, as a result, the same advertising cliché is printed out when franking. However, the recipient addresses and the letter files created at different times are different. According to the first and second variants, selected different carriers can now be stored assigned to them as a carrier identification number (CIN). The query of the letter files by the franking machine by means of the scanned address enables the changes of 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 stored setting data for printing data input into the franking system, 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 system enables the different cost centers to be taken into account automatically. The routine in the second step, for automatically changing non-volatile stored setting data, advantageously contains a subroutine for assigning a cost center number to a cliché number for automatically entering the cliché number when the cost center number is entered. It is thus 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.

In the case of the scanned address by the franking machine, the combination of the aforementioned sub-variants enables the different cost center and carrier selection to be automatically taken into account in connection with the postage value transmitted to the franking machine. At the same time as the carrier selection, the franking machine can also query selected printing types or shipping methods (e.g. air mail, return receipt, etc.) or other settings.

It is provided that the transmission of the required setting information to the remote franking machine is initiated via a data line at the 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, the menu-driven selection of the shipping methods, shipping methods or Further or other information to determine the cheapest carrier, the formation of 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 connected according to variant 1 or 2.

The improvements of the franking system 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 to different carriers. If the postal monopoly for mailing ceases to apply, an increase in postal delivery by regional, national or international private carriers can be expected. It is already known from parcel shipping systems to provide invoices for different carriers. The billing for different carriers is usually carried out by direct debit when using parcel shipping systems. However, with such billing, the customer has no automatic processing, postage calculation and security control available, as is prescribed, for example, by postal authorities for letter processing, with credit to be managed in the franking system. Secured billing against various private carriers is now also available in a franking system for letter processing, which is equipped with the educational features.

If a carrier or service has been newly selected and the selected service or carrier is not available, or is not one of the permanently stored due to limited storage space, the franking system automatically selects a data center operated, for example, by the franking system manufacturer and the required update data in the corresponding Franking system memory loaded. Each postage table can be assigned a date of entry into force and or the minimum period of validity. The franking system 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 carrier data, a corresponding identifier can also be printed in the franking field.

The postage calculator module of each personal computer requires the same postage table stored for the carrier. The correspondence is established by means of an update routine in the personal computer. 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, whereby the stored value is 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 system. Another billing variant is now billing on a special chip card (similar to a telephone card or prepaid card) that has been brought into contact with the franking system and is edited by a number of carriers. 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 is 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 system for each selectable carrier. If necessary, a proof of the subsequent reloading can be printed out for each postal carrier after each reloading has been carried out. For the first and second variant, this requires switching the franking machine to internal pressure. 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 evidence, if this is desired.

Figure lc shows a table of comparable carrier services as an example of a possible embodiment of the stored data.

The user of the mailing system first determines which service requirements are to be made of the carrier. To do this, he enters the data about the delivery district and the desired special services such as express delivery or return receipt using the keyboard of his personal computer. He also has to enter the amount of individual pieces of mail the stack will have in batch mail. In a first selection step, a mask is used to determine which carriers offer the requested service profile at all. If, for example, a delivery is made to delivery area B and a return receipt is requested, only carriers 3 and 5 are selected according to the above table in FIG. 1c.

In a second selection step, cost optimization is carried out taking into account the basic tariffs B, the special services such as return slip S and the discount scale R:<maths id="math0001" num=""><math display="block"><mrow><mtext>B3 + S3 - R3 = P3</mtext></mrow></math><img file="EP0805422A2_D0001.tif" /></maths><maths id="math0002" num=""><math display="block"><mrow><mtext>B5 + S5 - R5 = P5</mtext></mrow></math><img file="EP0805422A2_D0002.tif" /></maths>

The sum of the individual fees results in the postage fees P3 and P5 for both carriers 3 and 5 that were further selected.

In a third step, the postage fees P3 and P5 are compared and the cheapest carrier P (min) is suggested to the franking machine customer as the cheapest carrier. For a letter quantity of 200 letters, the example above shows:<maths id="math0003" num=""><math display="block"><mrow><mtext>P3 = 3.70 DM</mtext></mrow></math><img file="EP0805422A2_D0003.tif" /></maths><maths id="math0004" num=""><math display="block"><mrow><mtext>P5 = 4.55 DM</mtext></mrow></math><img file="EP0805422A2_D0004.tif" /></maths> This results in the optimal carrier:<maths id="math0005" num=""><math display="block"><mrow><mtext>P3 = P (min)</mtext></mrow></math><img file="EP0805422A2_D0005.tif" /></maths>

In a special convenience variant, the user of the mailing system is also presented with the result of the second best carrier or others. The user of the mailing system can then overrule the optimization proposal for non-rational reasons (for example familiarity with a particular carrier).

An exemplary embodiment, which is shown in FIG. 1d, relates to the method for determining the cheapest carrier.

When commissioning the franking system, it must be initialized with regard to its location and a selected number from a number of mail carriers. A comparable initialization step 500 is also provided for each personal computer connected to the mail processing system, to which corresponding sub-steps are assigned. Each of the personal computers can thus be initialized for a group of carriers in a sub-step 5000, in which case the same group is then preselected in the correspondingly initialized franking system.

According to the customer's request, a selection of the carriers intended for mailing will be made during the initialization by the dealer. This can be done according to criteria such as<ul id="ul0004" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>local presence,</li><li>Speed ​​of delivery,</li><li>Reliability or</li><li>cheap tariffs.</li></ul>

For this purpose, the data of the marketable carriers can already be stored in the franking system by the manufacturer and can be confirmed by the user or dealer. Additional carriers that are only active locally, for example, can be reloaded using a corresponding query routine using the keyboard. As a result of the preselection, carrier-related data of a group of carriers exist in the storage of the franking system. The data in the non-volatile memories of the franking system are continuously monitored according to carrier-specific criteria.

The preselection of a group of carriers for the franking system and the storage of the carrier-related tariffs for the services offered are carried out, for example, by means of floppy disks via the floppy disk drive or CD-ROM or other transmission means. From the aforementioned group of carriers, the desired carrier can then be selected by the customer or automatically according to the criteria entered by the customer. The up-to-dateness of the stored data is ensured by a corresponding routine, which is also loaded using one of the aforementioned transmission means. In a sub-step 5000, the pre-selection leads to the presetting of the group of carriers, for example 10 locally operating carriers. A sub-step 5063 within a program sequence for personal computers allows automatic carrier selection based on the selected services and / or other criteria. In the example shown in FIG. 1d, the carriers are identified with the numbers 1, 2, 4 and m, which offer the desired service or meet the desired criteria. In a subsequent sub-step 5064, the respective postage value P1, P2, P4 and Pm for the aforementioned selected carriers is calculated, which results from the current tariff. A comparison and evaluation is then carried out according to the cheapest postage. For example, the postage value P4 was determined as the cheapest postage value, which is why the fourth carrier is assigned the ranking I. In the following places II to IV are the first, the second and an m-th carrier. The result is displayed and saved.

The second variant of the solution has a data line 24 between the franking machine and the personal computer as part of a communication means.

According to the invention, a check routine of the franking system ensures that the postage values ​​are calculated according to the current tariffs. These current tariffs are stored in a non-volatile manner for all carriers in the group after being made available by the manufacturer in the memories of the franking system or after data transmission from a data center and subsequent storage in the memories of the franking system. An event-based monitoring of the up-to-dateness of the carrier-specific data based on time data and / or quantity data is carried out in accordance with the carriers from a group which has been preselected from a large number of public and private carriers.

The franking system automatically checks whether the selected services are available and otherwise starts communication with a remote data center, sending special request data and receiving the required data from the data center and loading the necessary data into its memory.

After the presetting in sub-step 5000, in the franking system, in a sub-step 5063, according to the invention, an automatic carrier selection takes place at each letter creation with processing of inputs relating to places of service requests to the carrier, as a result of which a number of those carriers from the aforementioned group of carriers is selected, which one can basically meet the service requirements.

In a further sub-step 5064, the calculation according to the carrier tariff for the aforementioned series of selected carriers is carried out again in the routine of the franking system.

The franking system also takes on partial functions to replace the weighing function. The calculation of the weight of the mail or letter precedes a calculation of the postage fee based on current tariffs for selected services. For this purpose, the average sheet weight or deposit weight and the number of sheets or number of deposits stored in relation to the respective cost center are multiplied in order to determine the letter weight or mail item weight.

In addition to the services, the franking system also stores the tariffs of the carriers in a comparable form. With this and based on the determined weight, the postage values ​​are calculated in accordance with the current tariffs in the franking system.

Calculating the postage fee P_m for the m-th carrier from a group of carriers 1 ≤ m ≤ 1, sub-step 5064 is based on current tariffs for selected service requests according to the general formula (1):<maths id="math0006" num="(1)"><math display="block"><mrow><msub><mrow><mtext>(D</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1m</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext> * ... D</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>rm</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>) (B</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>m</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext> + C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1m</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext> + ... C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>Hm</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>) + E</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1m</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>+ ... E</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>gm</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext> = P</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>m</mtext></mrow></msub></mrow></math><img file="EP0805422A2_D0006.tif" /></maths> with the basic tariff B_m for a service of the mth carrier, with tariffs C₁ to C_H in the range of -∞ to 0 for 1 to k services of the carrier (for example regarding the type of dispatch and mode of dispatch) or in the range of -∞ to 0 for 1 to h services of the mail carrier (for example pre-sorting, bundling), with discounts for services D₁ to D_r in the range from 0 to ∞ for certain mail volumes as well with tariffs E₁ to E_G in the range from 0 to ∞ for 1 to n special services of the carrier, such as insurance and the like, or in the range from -∞ to 0 for 1 to n special services of the postal service provider (for example regarding the type of delivery and mode of delivery) or one-time discounts by the carrier.

If another carrier fulfills the specified service requirements, the postage fee Pq for the qth carrier from a group of carriers 1 ≤ q ≤ 1 is also calculated based on current tariffs for selected service requirements according to the aforementioned general formula (1). The postage fees P are then compared_q ≤ P_m ?, P_m &lt;P_q ? to optimize costs for the closer automatic selection of the cheapest carrier or to create a list sorted by the costs for the postage fee.

A carrier identification number (CIN) is assigned to each carrier. The determination of the cheapest carrier in sub-step 5065 is preceded by a postage determination in sub-step 5064 in accordance with the shipping information entered in second selection step 5063. As a result of the postage determination in sub-step 5064, the postage value is stored and then the carrier identification number is incremented. Subsequently, the postage is determined again for the following carrier in accordance with the shipping information entered, the postage value being stored and the carrier identification number then being incremented again. This process is only completed when the determination for the last of the group of eligible carriers and a comparison of the determined postage values ​​has been carried out among all carriers of the group of eligible carriers.

The described method for calculating the cheapest carrier is implemented in a solution variant on the personal computer. Another solution variant results from implementation of the method in the processor system of the franking machine. in this case, the keyboard of the franking machine is used for the input of the postage-determining data, while the determined cheapest carrier is shown on the display of the franking machine.

The block diagram shown in FIG. 2a for the first variant of the franking system 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 computer PC_a, PC_b or PC_c in the office 21, which together control a printer or separate printers accordingly 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 of a further scanner 26.1 may result. The scanner is connected together with a first mail item sensor 16 to a register unit 19, which temporarily stores data and carries out a parallel / series conversion. The register unit 19 is electronically connected to an input / output control means 4 of the franking machine for serial data transmission via the data line 18.

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 storage 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 other suitable transmission means. 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 in the form of an ASIC, for example. 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 protected postal area within the processor system in a known manner. For billing, the above-mentioned part of the memory is used with the non-volatile memories. In particular, it is provided to equip 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 life of the franking machine, 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. A part of the memory areas of the EEPROM 5b are intended for receiving update data of the individual carriers.

In contrast, in the cost center memory KSP 9, individual cost center data (number of pieces, amount of consumption) can be reduced by a predetermined amount or set to zero at the beginning of a billing period. The correspondingly actuated keys of 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. 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 in the input / output control means 4. 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 large number of sensors or actuators with connected sensor or Actuator shift registers can be connected via a common serial interface data line 18 to a single common shift register in an actuator / sensor control, as has already been explained in more detail in the German patent application entitled: Postage meter internal interface circuit (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) and 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 in the 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 an electronically stored credit balance be added to the franking machine, but current tariff table data and other data can also be transmitted.

In another variant, a telecommunications 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 system and, if necessary, automatic acceptance of the current tariff by the franking system is thereby ensured. The tariffs are stored subsumed according to various public mail carriers or private carriers in separate storage areas of the aforementioned store.

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 system. The contacting device has at least 6 contacts and the data exchange between the unprotected and / or the protected card storage area and a non-volatile memory of the program storage means of the franking system 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 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. Switch off before moving to a new location. A location-specific initialization of the franking system takes place automatically every time it is switched on. A standby mode is provided so that the franking system 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 postcode is loaded into the franking system in order to be able to modify the already stored print image data in accordance with the change of location, as already 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 system.

It is envisaged that in franking mode, before the franking image is printed out, the automatically or manually set postage value is billed, which is explained in more detail in FIGS. 7a to 7d. It is also provided that a printout can be created for the cost center-dependent billing by the franking system, as has already been described in the German patent application DE 42 24 955. In the franking 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 postal item sensor 16.1 and a printout is then produced by the franking system in response to a previous manual input action, including input of the cost center number in connection with a keyboard input. 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 further variant of the franking system has a programmable processor system which is equipped with 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 is connected. 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 can PC_a, PC_b, ... PC_n to PC_m Communicate in the office 21 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, a document can be created for each mail carrier that reloading has been carried out after each reloading, if the franking machine is switched over to internal printing. Then a self-adhesive franking strip is preferably printed. It is further 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 are 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 settle separately with the carrier.

In a further variant of the clear billing in the interest of the customer, for the franking system according to the invention, in response to a request from the personal computer in the office 21, the cost center number is automatically entered into the franking system via the data line 24 and stored in connection with a special one in the program memory PSP 11 Program a data transfer to the personal computer in the list of cost center-related billing Office 21. 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. If the post office changes the attitude of the carrier, for example to take advantage of cheap offers or discounts from other carriers, this can be checked by means of such a comparison.

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,<ul id="ul0005" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>that the franking machine has an input / output means 4, a register unit 19 for automatically entering 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 ,</li><li>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 associated with a letter content Find files, resulting in the postage value, 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</li><li>that the microprocessor (6) is programmed with a routine for billing based on the sampled data.</li></ul>

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 shown in the figures 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 PC_a, PC_b or PC_c. 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 a separating machine. The latter separates the mail pieces for automatic feeding.

The idea of ​​the invention is not limited to this embodiment, because of course other peripheral input / output means can be connected 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 addresses found, 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 postal 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 input 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 furthermore 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 correspond to the data of the set new mail carrier in automatic routines 1000 of the communication mode 300 to load and to create a change in the printed image, wherein the change data generated is non-volatilely assigned to a number and the respective mail carrier, or is stored non-volatilely assigned to a carrier identification number (CIN) corresponding to the respectively selected mail carrier.

It is also 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 to 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.

The overall flow chart for the franking 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 using appropriate receiving means from an external memory via a communication network (modem, mobile radio).

When entering a location 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 franking system in the data center.

In another variant, the location is entered instead of remote data transmission or chip card, for example using a keyboard, if the franking system 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 possibility 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 as a result of the determination of the postage value for a letter or for a mail item, only the carrier identification number (CIN) needs to be activated. 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 and for print image generation and carrier-specific print image data, can be used.

After the initialization routine, a branch is made to a first step 201 in order to call up non-volatile stored 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.

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 flowchart, the franking mode 400 is reached. It is recognized there that all the entries have been completed by comparing the loop runs after the last entry with a predetermined number of loop runs or a period of time with a predetermined period of time after the last entry is made. It is now switched to the standby mode before returning to the system routine 200.

In the first and second variants 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 enter data scanned into the franking machine if a mail item is detected by a first postal item sensor 16 and transported to the print head becomes. 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 of an advertising cliché.

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 the 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 detect at least one cost center and / or shipping information in steps 2010 to 2017, in order to read valid data 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 also in the In the event of an operating voltage failure is retained. 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, that is to say 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 queries in steps 202, 209, 301, 211, 212 and 214 have been run according to the program, in franking mode 400 the transmitted postage fee for a piece of mail or for a letter is booked or billed according to the setting. Print data is now provided for printing from the pixel memory RAM 7.

In addition, the initialization routine 101 automatically generates print data with secured data for preparing for printing, as has been described in more detail 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 aforementioned second step 209, the data stored so far in a non-volatile manner can be overwritten or changed using the input means of the franking system, or other inputs can be made and displayed 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, that is to say 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, that is to say the actual operating mode 290 of the franking system, 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 the failure to transmit data is determined in step 211 following the communication mode in the third step 300, the next request in step 212 must be branched to. In step 212, it is checked whether corresponding entries have been made in order to go to test mode 216 when a test is requested, or else 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. In the franking mode, a series of security queries were provided, 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. A higher security against manipulation is achieved with the aforementioned series of queries. For example, the program routine 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 using the keyboard in the second step 209. In variants 1 and 2, such manual entries are made if no signal for the print output request has 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, billing and franking of a piece of mail depending on the program is carried out according to the program and then branched back to point s.

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

After the franking system 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 system in sub-step 2040. Until all manually required entries have been made in the second step 209, a mail item that may have been supplied in the meantime remains in a waiting position. After the last input, 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 the 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 detect at least one piece of address information in steps 2010 to 2016, in order to read valid data 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 even 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 again in the same way as has already been described for FIG. 3a.

The overall flow chart for a franking system shown in FIG. 3b thus has, in a first step 201, several sub-steps for automatic data processing according to the second variant of the franking 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, a plurality of sub-steps 2018 to 2029 for an office computer communication mode, as it is shown in the FIG. 6b is described in more detail, and optionally a plurality of sub-steps 2030 to 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 postage value via the data line 24 to the franking machine, which was calculated in the personal computer for the cheapest or selected mail carrier, as is explained in more detail in connection with FIG. 4.

The computer routine shown in FIG. 4 comprises a step 506 for storing the carrier selection and a step 507 for entering and storing the letter content and the shipping data (or shipping information). Step 506 includes a query step 5060 for querying whether a carrier number should be entered manually, and a first sub-step 5061 for manually entering a carrier number.

Step 507 includes sub-steps 5070 to 5073 for determining the number of inserts or sheets as a result of the creation of a letter, which precedes an input of the shipping type, form and destination in sub-step 5075 and a calculation of the weight of the letter or mail piece in sub-step 5079. The number of deposits or number of sheets multiplied by the average deposit or sheet weight forms a first variable weight component G._v1. Other deposits or sheet numbers for other types of deposits or sheets form a second variable weight component G._v2. The weight calculation is based on the variable weight components G._v and a constant weight fraction G_k. The latter results from the weight of the packaging or the envelope. After the weight calculation, a third sub-step 5063 of step 506 for automatic selection of the mail carriers fulfilling the shipping requirements is reached. After postage value calculation in the fourth sub-step 5064 and one determination, display and storage of the cheapest mail carrier in the fifth sub-step 5065, the query step 5060 for querying whether a carrier number should be entered manually is finally reached. If this is negated, the first sub-step 5061 for manual entry of a carrier number is not carried out, but the automatically determined carrier number for the cheapest postal carrier is automatically entered.

The data determining the postage, such as format, number of sheets and shipping type, form and destination 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, for example WORD under WINDOWS, is supplemented by a special sheet number counting program as part of step 507, which calculates the number of sheets as letter-specific data.

In the word processing program modified according to the invention, after the letter text has been created or the mailpiece inlays have been processed in a sub-step 5070 to the aforementioned step 507 and before printing in step 508, a number of further sub-steps are added in preparation and determination of the number of sheets.

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 with regard to the shipping type, form and destination. The system then branches to a corresponding input routine in fifth sub-step 5075. Otherwise, a branch is made to a sixth sub-step 5076. In the sixth sub-step 5076 the possibility is given for a manual input in order to make changes to the content of the mail piece and to continue the text processing or insert processing. A seventh sub-step 5077 checks whether the processing has ended in order to branch to an eighth sub-step 5078. Otherwise, a branch is made back to the beginning of the routine for creating the letter text or processing the mail piece inlays in a sub-step 5070. In the ninth sub-step 5079 following the fifth sub-step 5075, the number of pages on the basis of the number of pages that can be displayed on the last page or the number of inserts is used for the weight calculation. The associated postage value for a number of carriers can thus be determined in sub-step 5064 of step 506. In another embodiment variant (not shown in FIG. 4), the weight is additionally calculated in sub-step 5064 and sub-step 5079 in step 507 can be omitted.

In the eighth sub-step 5078, the determined shipping information, including the carrier number and the determined postage value, are stored in a special section of the letter file that is not to be printed with the letter content.

When printing in the following step 508, the postage value is now 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 deposit type is assigned to the number of deposits, so that this information can be called up if necessary.

A simplified further embodiment variant - not shown in FIG. 4 - 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 is to 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 above shipping information can be printed in the address field of the letter or in the note either in plain text or in the form of a or. two-dimensional codes. The latter have the advantage of better machine readability. After the manual or automatic entry of the postage value, the conversion into a barcode is preferably carried out by a special subroutine 5081 in step 508 for printing out the letter.

According to variant one and two, the franking machine is equipped with an optical recognition device or is connected to one which detects the shipping 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. This takes a corresponding franking imprint on the top right corner of the envelope.

The weight of a letter, for example, is calculated by the personal computer on the basis of the standard weight of a letter page, which is stored in the personal computer. The letter weight is determined from 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. When sending several such deposits, their number is required to determine the weight of the deposits. In the case of mixed deposits, such as paper and plastic, the type of deposits and their number 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 in order to calculate the postage value which is transmitted to the franking machine according to the first two solution variants. Advantageous compared to the European patent EP 498 955 B1, entitled: Method and arrangement for sending electronically stored letter contents, there is now the possibility of feeding the mail pieces to the franking machine on the one hand with a large number of different inserts and on the other hand now also without a scale to use for weight determination.

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 is 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 personal computer. 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 personal computer. Type and copy variations can be neglected. 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 shipping destination (Germany, Europe, abroad) and the selected carrier.

The steps according to the invention explained with reference to FIG. 4 run for the second solution variant of data processing in the mail processing system in exactly the same way as has already been described. The second solution variant differs from the first solution variant in that additional shipping information is no longer printed in the address field of the letter. This information is stored in the personal computer, assigned to the letter file or its address, sublimed and sublimed according to time data. After printing in the office 21, the address field of the letter is scanned in the post office, that is to say in a first step 201 of the overall schedule for franking machines. The address is determined as plain text or code. The address thus determined is transmitted from the franking machine to the personal computer connected to it. The personal computer program determines the stored relevant information at the specified address and transmits it to the franking machine. The latter carries out a settlement before franking.

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 a changed carrier information has been automatically entered into the franking machine for billing purposes.

A corresponding automatic entry in the first step 201 (FIGS. 3a and b) or, if appropriate, manual entry 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 system. With the latter check, there may be a lack of concordance with respect to that in the personal computers PC_a, PC_b, ... PC_m data records stored in the office 21 for the individual carriers are determined. The data of the missing or new carrier can be saved in the franking system after it has been transmitted.

Correspondingly, a branch is made from sub-step (209-7) for checking for cliché input or from sub-step (209-11) for checking for print input to an associated sub-step 209-8 or 209-12, for checking the availability of the data in the franking system. In the context of an automatic input of a cost center number in the first step 201 (FIGS. 3a, 3b), 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 franking machine, for example, via a data line 24 according to the second solution variant.

In the case of available data, a branch is made from the sub-steps 209-8, 209-10 and 209-12 for the cliché, carrier or election print input check to the assigned security check steps 209-16, 209-17, 209-18, an automatic one being valid Print data entry is made. A data check based on 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 is not available in the franking system, 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 actuation 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, can lie between the thirteenth query step 209-13 and a point h in order to further evaluate inputs, such as, for example, relating to services, shipping methods, shipping methods, etc., with regard to the change in the printed image.

A changed postage value 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 manipulation-proof manner together with the MAC and can be used for billing within the scope 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 mailpiece or generated in some other way by the franking system 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 advertising clichés via the keyboard. Prerequisite is a possibility for the non-volatile storage of a large number of advertising slogans in the franking system. On the one hand, a fixed number of advertising clichés can already be stored non-volatile in an internal user memory ASP 10 (EEPROM) by the manufacturer. For this purpose, the franking system 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 frequent card changes for a large number of entries. An advertising slogan can thus advantageously be loaded into the franking system. Another possibility is a password-protected function of deleting previous data for parts of the printed image or their assignment to the cost center. The franking system is therefore equipped with a corresponding program and with 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, have a corresponding sequence for data loading or for updating, in order to go into the areas of the memory for deleted previous data 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) to automatically enter cost center information for billing purposes into the franking system. 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 for displaying 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 confirmation 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 cliché number is displayed, which identifies the semivariable window data for an advertising cliché to be embedded in carrier-dependent framework data. 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 after the time has elapsed . This again enables a different cliché to be selected in a seventh sub-step 209-7 (FIG. 5a). After passing through sub-steps 209-8, 209-16, 209-20, 209-1 to 209-23, which lead to points h and h in FIG. 5b, and after going through the twenty-fifth sub-step 209-25 with the query criterion for one Cost center number change, which of course is not fulfilled, the thirtieth sub-step 209-30 for querying for a desired change in the assignment between cliché and cost center number is reached again. 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, 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 to branch - sub-step 209-39, and then to branch back to point t via the twentieth sub-step 209-20 to reset the loop counter. The new assignment to the cost center number has thus been entered in the franking system 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 this way, additional cost centers can be set up or deleted under numbers other than zero for a basic cost center assigned to the respective carrier with the number zero. Values ​​and quantities of individual cost centers other than those 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 total of values ​​from 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 for reasons of space in FIG. 5c as sub-steps 209-40 to 209-51 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 common between the departments 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 is displayed, the system switches to the input routine of the new name (forty-first sub-step 209-41). The carrier name used between the carriers can also be changed if this should be 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 is 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, in the first sub-step 209-1 of the second step 209, there is a selective input relating to cost center-related shipping information, including the average deposit weights, 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 input made.

An entry regarding the cost center-related register operations can also be requested. After registers have been selected, 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. To prepare the display in display mode 215, the listing is prepared. The list is based on a corresponding entry. For a printout, they are stored in the pixel memory RAM 7. The printout also takes place on the basis of a corresponding other input, which, however, is not to be explained in more detail here.

A corresponding entry is preceded by a representation or display of all carrier-related consumption totals for the set cost center number. 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 is 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 displaying the assigned currently set cost center number, 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 fifty-first Sub-step 209-51 is made possible.

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, wherein 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 is carried out in sub-step 2010, which stores the cost center and / or shipping data, including postage value and carrier data, non-volatilely as previous data, so that they are available as comparison data when it is necessary to decide whether an automatic change of individual data 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 x1 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 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. If a mail item present in the feed path has been recognized, 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, i.e. 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 Wait for data line 18. 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.

If there is no recognition, that is to say if there is no mail piece in the feed path, the query step 2016 branches to sub-step 2040 for calling up stored current data. Neither a prepaid card communication mode nor a personal 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 large number of sub-steps 2001 to 2007 (not shown) are provided, so that the operation of the peripheral devices in the post office and of devices in the associated transport device (base) of the franking machine can run controlled by the franking machine.

According to the invention, a personal computer communication mode (sub-steps 2019 to 2027) is run through. A corresponding query step 2018 precedes the aforementioned personal 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 franking system to the value card read / write unit 20 in the following sub-step 2031a. In the following sub-step 2031b a handshake signal y2 sent by the prepaid card read / write unit 20 is received and then branched to the sub-step 2031c in order to emit an error message in the following sub-step 2031d and to branch back to the 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 from the prepaid card read / write unit 20 is awaited 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 franking system according to variants one and two, which one with at least one personal computer PCa, PC_b, ..., PC_n, PC_m franking machine in communication 21 in the office 21 carries out, in the first step 201, the automatic data entry relating to the cost center and / or carrier information on-line via the aforementioned communication link if corresponding request data are previously formed on the basis of the scanned letter recipient address. The flowchart for automatic data entry in step 201 shown in FIG. 6b illustrates the office computer communication mode. The sub-step 2018 leads to a sub-step 2019 to select a serial interface to the office computer. Subsequently, a data transmission to the computer in the office 21 takes place in sub-step 2020. In sub-step 2021, a handshake signal from the computer in the office 21 is waited for and then branched to the query step 2022. If a handshake signal was not received by the 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 computer in the office 21. If this has taken place (sub-step 2024), a handshake signal is sent to the 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 computer in the office 21 (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 transmission of request data branched back to the computer in office 21. The query is done in sub-step 2027.

The sub-steps 2019 to 2027 for an office computer communication mode can be extended 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 when evaluating the data in sub-step 2026, before the request was processed in sub-step 2029. The process then branches back to sub-step 2020 in order to continue communication until the request message has been processed accordingly.

FIG. 7a shows a flowchart for the franking mode with a processing of accounting data related to the carrier and cost center.

If no keyboard operation 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 step 404 in the franking mode 400, shown in FIG. 7a, therefore includes a further query for a timeout, which ultimately comes to the point again when the time is exceeded t and thus leads to the input routine according to step 209. 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. For this purpose, the query criterion in step 211 is expanded to include the question whether the standby flag is set, ie whether the standby mode is reached. In this case, a branch is also made to step 213. The advantage of this method is that each 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 system is switched off, so that after switching on the postage value in the value print corresponding to the last entry before switching off the franking system and the date in the day stamp according to the current date is automatically specified.

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 increment a loop counter and to check the number of passes to steps 405a and 405 in order to query the print output request which, when a sheet of paper is introduced into the printing area, a printer requirement is detected by a conventional postal 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 sequence of the process steps than the sensor 16. The aforementioned mail item sensor 16.1 is used to post 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 process branches back to step 209 after point t via the steps that lie at the beginning of the system routine, that is, between point s and 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. Steps 401 to 404 are carried out 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 known manner for billing are queried. In addition, as already explained with reference to FIG. 5a, selected registers in the NVRAM of the franking system are protected by MAC formation. If the number of pieces predetermined for franking was used up in the previous franking, that is to say the number of pieces was zero, step 410 automatically branches to point u in order to enter communication mode 300, so that a new predetermined number of pieces 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 caused in step 406, that is to say during the accounting routine which takes place immediately before printing, to count further. Likewise, the number of printed letters and the current values ​​in the postal registers are registered in the non-volatile memories 5a, 5b of the franking system 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 for billing or control purposes. This can be done, for example, in the same way as normal printing of the franking image, but initially another frame for fixed image data is selected, into which the variable data corresponds to that in the non-volatile memory NVM 5 or register values ​​stored in the cost center memory can be inserted.

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 detected 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 other than zero for departmental billing has been set. 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 l).

Step 417, forming subaddresses, is necessary to control the memory areas during the accounting. 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 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 is 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.

Billing on a special chip card (similar to a telephone card or prepaid card) brought into contact with the franking system and edited by each carrier 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 billing unit of the franking system. 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 distant bank. If the refilled value card is brought into plug contact with the read / write unit of the franking system, communication takes place with a special program module of the franking system. Both program module and prepaid card generate key code, which are exchanged. These key codes are transmitted from the franking system by modem to a data center of the franking system 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 credit institution 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 on the basis of 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. If, alternatively, 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. Manipulation with the intention of forgery can only be ruled out with authentic register data. Then step 406 is reached via step 410 with the billing and printing routine.

FIG. 7b shows the partial flow chart 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 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 the settlement, the MAC protection 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 l). For example, if the customer has selected a billing variant with a prepaid card, the amount from the prepaid card is transferred to register R80 and the number of items for bookings in registers R81 is counted from zero. Regardless of a selected cost center number, a booking in registers R80 and R81 is then made in relation to the carrier in addition to the prepaid card registers, the amount from the prepaid card being 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 system manufacturer. With this CIN it is possible to load a set of carrier data into the franking system. Furthermore, a number is also provided for each cost center so that it can be called up or set independently of its name at the touch of a button.

FIG. 7d shows a two-dimensional cost center / carrier matrix for the respective amount of consumption (postage consumption p) assigned to the cost centers in the ascending register R2 and for the respective number of items z assigned to the cost register R4. Periodically or in freely chosen periods of time, after billing 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.

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 system 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 subsequent 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 place 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 no changes are detected in queries 2092-19 to 2094-19 will the process branch directly to point l.

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

FIG. 9 shows the communication mode for the franking system, which is required in order to carry out a data transmission, which largely takes place 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 initialization of the modem and dialing in sub-step 333 cannot be carried out successfully, a branch is made back to sub-step 301 to display the status via a sub-step 310. The process 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 system. If the CIN has not been changed, but the minimum validity period for the tariffs stored in the franking system has been exceeded or another set of carriers has been defined, the data center is also automatically selected and an update is carried out.

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 system. 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 has a sub-step 1009 for sending request data to the data center. A sub-step 1010 is then carried out in order to select a non-volatile memory area of ​​the franking system 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, query step 211 - shown in FIGS. 3 and 4b - determines that data has been transmitted and then branches to statistics and error evaluation mode 213. If the transmitted data is correct and valid, the franking system stores non-volatile data 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 carrier. Such a data record comprises a header, version information, subtable 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 interrupted, for example as a result of an operating voltage interruption. In the following sub-step 1020, the next transaction or Called action and thus branched to the further execution of the sequence shown in FIG. 9 in order to save the temporarily stored update data in a non-volatile manner in a step 213 which follows later.

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 of additional functions for the franking system and on the other hand current information for permanent and / or temporary configuration of the franking system through a communication network, which contains a memory with the retrievable data blocks for reloading additional functions and information into the franking system as well as update data.

FIG. 11 shows a method according to the first variant of the franking system. The method for entering data into a franking 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:<dl id="dl0002" compact="compact"><dt>Step 501,</dt><dd>Creating a letter file as part of a letter creation program,</dd><dt>Step 502,</dt><dd>call up the first input mask,</dd><dt>Step 503,</dt><dd>Entry and storage of the recipient address and the date,</dd><dt>Step 505,</dt><dd>call up the second input mask,</dd><dt>Step 506,</dt><dd>Save carrier selection as number,</dd><dt>Step 507,</dt><dd>Entering and saving the shipping data in connection with the letter content,</dd><dt>Step 508,</dt><dd>Print out the letter at least with parts of the shipping information, including the postage value, carrier and / or cost center number and the letter recipient address on the envelope, and / or</dd><dt>Step 509,</dt><dd>Marking of the letter or envelope with a note including shipping information (optional).</dd></dl>

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 postage value.

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. 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 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.

Finally, a step 510 can be provided for inserting the letter. The letter can alternatively also be replaced by mail pieces or documents requiring similar processing steps.

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 of pre-printed envelopes.

According to the first solution variant, the following steps are carried out when scanning the memo in a post office and when processing the data and when franking with a franking machine:<dl id="dl0003" compact="compact"><dt>A) step 511,</dt><dd>Scanning the marking,</dd><dt>B0) step 512a,</dt><dd>Identify postage value,</dd><dt>B1) step 512,</dt><dd>Identify carrier number or</dd><dt>B2) step 513,</dt><dd>Identify cost center number,</dd><dt>C1) step 515,</dt><dd>automatic data entry for processing in the franking machine including cost center and / or carrier information and the postage value,</dd><dt>D) step 517,</dt><dd>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.</dd></dl>

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 postage value, step 512 to identify the carrier number, or step 513 to identify the cost center number are then performed. As an alternative, the automatic data entry takes place accordingly in step 515.

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

FIG. 12 shows a method according to the second variant of the solution. The method for entering data into 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, including a step for creating and storing a letter content before printing the letter:<dl id="dl0004" compact="compact"><dt>Step 501,</dt><dd>Creating a letter file as part of a letter creation program,</dd><dt>Step 502,</dt><dd>call up the first input mask,</dd><dt>Step 503,</dt><dd>Entry and storage of the recipient address and the date,</dd><dt>Step 505,</dt><dd>call up the second input mask,</dd><dt>Step 506,</dt><dd>Save carrier selection as number,</dd><dt>Step 507,</dt><dd>Entering and saving the shipping data in connection with the letter content,</dd><dt>Step 508,</dt><dd>Print out the letter and, if applicable, the letter recipient's address on the envelope, and / or</dd><dt>Step 509,</dt><dd>Marking of the letter or envelope with a note (optional)</dd></dl>

An optional step 504 is arranged in the automatic sequence or an operator prompt, preferably after step 503 for entering and saving 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 a program routine for automatically entering the cost center number runs in connection with the first input mask in optional step 504.

Finally, a step 510 can again be provided for inserting the letter.

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 postal code, which must be attached to the mail piece (or letter or envelope) in the form of a separate note.

Corresponding programs are in the memories of the respective personal computers PC_a, PC_b or PC_c loaded, which are located in 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 are carried out according to the invention in such a way that when the data is saved, 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 and that no selected cost center number, no number of deposits and no selected carrier information are 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's address. In optional step 504, a program routine can also 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.

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:<dl id="dl0005" compact="compact"><dt>A) step 511,</dt><dd>Scanning the recipient address or the marking,</dd><dt>B3) step 514,</dt><dd>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 carrier information and the postage value,</dd><dt>C1) step 515,</dt><dd>automatic data entry for processing in the franking machine, including cost center and / or carrier information and the postage value,</dd><dt>D) step 517,</dt><dd>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.</dd></dl>

Step 514 is modified in a sub-variant in order to identify the recipient address and to 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.

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:<dl id="dl0006" compact="compact"><dt>Step 519,</dt><dd>Summative storage of the total fees and listed by carrier for a selected cost center,</dd><dt>Step 520,</dt><dd>Cumulative storage of the cost center-related accounting data for a selected carrier.</dd></dl>

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 appropriate 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 or similar storage means of the respective personal computer.

Another 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 step after the first preparation step 501. A PC number for identifying a personal computer can advantageously be stored assigned to a separate sender address or cost center number. Then the appropriate 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 the office 21 can be determined indirectly via the department or company name of the sender.

Another 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.

Alternatively, the following steps are provided in a variant for a method for data processing in a mail processing system, shown in FIG. 13, according to the second solution variant:<ul id="ul0006" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>Performing a first step 201 with mail piece detection in the transport path to the print head of the franking machine, by scanning the sender address as well as the letter recipient address and / or the corresponding note on the sender address in step 511 and by querying the personal computer 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 on the basis of the sender address in step 513 and by querying the letter file in the determined personal computer via a communication means the franking machine according to an assignment of data for mail delivery or billing with evaluation of the queried data to the aforementioned letter recipient address, in step 514, wherein in step 515, as a result of the query, shipping information, including at least the postage value 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,</li><li>Execution of a processing routine in the franking machine in the second step 209, including at least one routine for automatically changing non-volatile stored setting data and a routine for generating carrier-specific print images as well</li><li>Processing the data in franking mode before printing the franking stamp (franking).</li></ul>

Furthermore, there is a routine for the formation of 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 entry and checking as well as for display, for automatic or manual entry, 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.

After a first preparation step 501 for creating a letter file as part of a letter creation program, further preparation 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 and can be called up in the personal computer.

The scanning of the sender address as well as the letter recipient address and / or the corresponding note to 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 endorsements on different mailpiece formats are scanned.

Sub-variants are conceivable both for the first and for the second solution variant, with only part of the information, that is to say cost center or shipping information, being transmitted to the franking machine and another part of the information being permanently set in the franking machine or being stored non-volatile. 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 embodiments, since it is evident that further other arrangements or implementations of the method can be developed or used, which, starting from the same basic idea of ​​the invention, are encompassed by the appended claims.