Interchangeable postage computer module and method for data transmission

The invention relates to an exchangeable postage calculator module according to the features specified in claim 1 type and method for data transmission between the postage calculator module and base unit, according to the type specified in the preamble of claim 10.

Application of such a postage calculator module are especially postage scales and franking machines or similar or discounting base units.

Several methods have been known to make postage calculation tables replaceable or rechargeable in postage-scales. Thus in US is 4,506,330 describes a stored in a PROM on a removable circuit board Porto table with switches for addressing change.

In US 3,635,297 a similar one in ROM's stored, interchangeable Porto memory table is described. This table is located on a parallel bus to enable fast access of a processor to these.

The EP 0,099,666 B1 also describes a system that operates with a fixed processor and replaceable fee table Saving.

Such solutions with conventional Porto structure are flexible with respect to the table size. In the case of tariff extensions or alterations will be replaced with one having more storage simply the only memory of the postage rate table. A disadvantage, however, is that such exchangeable only memory are evaluated by the Prozesser in the base unit for a program permanently stored. For such solutions are limited to conventional Porto structural elements of the program and to new Porto structural elements inflexible. A further disadvantage when accessing the read only memory with an extensive postage rate table is that an adequate speed when accessing requires the use of an expensive interface, which must have a large number of PINs.

From a medium to high number of be sent letters or other postal goods postage meters are used to meter the mail pieces in the usual way. A franking machine is equipped with a control unit, storage means, input means, a MODEM or other data receiving means, an input / output control means, a display means and a printer, in the memory means non-volatile present stored a prepaid credit value. Typically, the control unit CPU is also responsible for the management of monetary data and the franking machine is provided with suitable safety means. After deduction of the determined postage value from the aforementioned credit value prints a fixed printhead columns the franking letter with simultaneous transport. Here, a printing width of about 1 inch is achieved.

The US 4,802,218 describes methods for primary smartcard-based billing of a franking system, but also includes the proposal of another chip card, on which the current postage rate table is gepeichert. This postal rate table used by the franking system for determining the postage value program. As bottleneck for data transfer Also here the serial port turns to the chip card with the postage rate table.

To avoid this disadvantage methods are suitable which do not only have immediate access during the postage calculation of the external read-only memory, but advance copy or download the current postage rate table in an internal memory area. A charging plug for such a process has been known for a franking machine from EP 0560717 A2, which includes an internal postage calculator. The built-in internal postage calculator collective memory can be subsequently updated by the user, by the outside a charging plug is infected with the new postage table whose contents are copied after pressing command input means in the computer internal memory. The user must take care of the loading, ie for the timeliness of the internally stored table data itself. A flexibility towards future changes is given only to the extent relating to the table size extent of internal memory has been scheduled for before.

The postage fee tables are updated from time to time by mail carriers. As a rule, the tariffs for certain transport services are increased. to consider all potential future changes through a charging plug or exchange of read-only memories, will in future be increasingly difficult, because there is no flexibility in terms of new postage calculation structures.

As long as postage meters (previously the national post office) are provided only for billing with a carrier, the decline of old postage fee tables and the need of reloading a new table is for the producer and the client nor to looking process, remain particularly when obtained the Porto structures here , Then, also a data center cause the transmission of a current table, as known from DE 28 03 982 is known. But the postage calculation devices of all customers must be equipped with a modem or a comparable transfer agent and are kept constantly ready to receive the transmission of the update data. Structural changes in the calculation can not be considered. Such a process can not load individually for each customer a specific set of suitable carriers in his postage calculation device also.

Another method has been described in detail for a franking machine in the US 5,490,077, which automatically ensures the timeliness of the internally stored table data every time the franking machine by loading them from an external memory into a transfer agent. Here each transmission means requires specific receipt or input means. In a mobile version mobile reception / transmission means in an ISDN variant a modem and a smart card variant a smart card reader is required.

In all these load or copy process although no speed data access while charging more is necessary, but such solutions are still too inflexible with respect to a change in tariff, which has a substantially increased rate table result and do not allow adaptation to a new postage calculation structure.

One of the remaining improvements of franking machines is to provide flexibility with regard to the settlement of accounts with different carriers. Here, a low-cost service from current valid tariff structures of different carriers is to be selected. But if the meter set for settlement to a variety of different carriers, also a special solution must be created so that there is always valid for the selected carrier postage fee table available. This requires the scheduling of sufficient space for the various carrier-related tariffs. Now it is conceivable that emerging market regionally, nationally or internationally operating private carriers have completely different from the previous Porto structures, which can not be so represented in the tables that the unchanged old interpretation program could therefrom determine the postage value. Basically new postage calculating structures of tariffs could define national postal agencies as well as private carriers. When updating including the interpretation program would have to be replaced, but what specifically meets with franking on security concerns because an executed from Frankiermaschinenrechner program code must always be designed for specific safety criteria with respect to the data manipulation security of data stored in the meter monetary data. The supplied parts of the program may not in the sense of reducing the data tampering. From the perspective of the carrier is any possibility of the user from outside a program code into the postage meter recharging an unacceptable security risk, because it can not be excluded that targeted software is introduced for the purpose of manipulating the monetary data with fraudulent intent in this way. Even if, however, the abovementioned process notwithstanding, a service technician to install the new parts program (installer), arising out of the costs also fundamental difficulties of such an installation procedure. The required for imaging future postage calculation structures storage space in the internal memory area is in fact difficult to plan ahead, whereby the above installation procedure may may also fail.

The invention is based, to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art and to determine the postage fee using an interface as well as with a small amount of data to be transmitted, in one arrangement, the task.

The solution is to allow easy modification to the beförderer- and / or country-specific Porto structure, without opening the basic machine or hire a service technician must. Especially when that may occur later novel postage calculation structures should be easily changeable or extendable the Portoberechnungsart.

In addition, a more flexible method for transmitting data for processing for postage calculation is to so further develop that equipment, such as postage scales and franking machines, optionally extendable to future services to various private mail carrier in conjunction with scales so that the postage value calculated according to currently valid tariffs can be.

These objects are solved with the features of claims 1 and 10 respectively.

A common cause of the above-mentioned drawbacks is that the problem of possible subsequent postal rate changes has been achieved by the exchange or recharging a fee table. The actual fees calculated by the existing program of in the corresponding base unit (franking machine or postage scale) integrated postage computer by evaluating the reloaded or externally infected postage table. Since the evaluating program and the computer from the outside can not be changed, only a predetermined class of postage rate changes reloadable. If the structure is fundamentally changing in an unpredictable way, the exchange of the fixed interpretation program may be required so that a technician with all installed systems is required. Under certain circumstances, extensive changes are needed because the reloadability the postage tables is limited by the hardware of the existing computer for all time, in particular with regard to the space for receiving the fee schedule or the addressability and the computational speed. It would be easy conceivable that future postage tables can not be adequately addressed due to their complexity these reasons from the old computer. This applies to a heightened extent when future tariffs more entering the market carrier to be taken into account when calculating postage. A dimensioning of the hardware of a franking machine or a postage scale at a sufficiently forward-safe level, however, would be a compromise, which already costs at the time of equipment production money, but may never be needed by only a few users or.

The invention is based on the idea to make not only postage tables by the customer replaceable, but losing sight exchange also the postage calculator by the customer with the same.

The formation of the Portogebühren- and calculation module is inventively as a slip-on a standard interface and can be inserted into the inside of a base unit to a customer accessible location exchangeable means for calculating postage, which is hereinafter referred to as exchangeable postage calculator module. This exchangeable postage calculator module contains essential parts of a complete postage calculator, in particular a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory for Porto information and a housing.

It is expedient to accommodate the postage calculator module in a housing in the manner of a dongle.

The interface is designed as a standardized serial interface. It is intended to supply the postage calculator module via the interface connector with at least one operating voltage.

In case of a postage calculation structural change, such a postage calculator module, like a dongle, to be replaced as a whole by the user. The base unit is meter or Portoaage suitable.

The postage calculator module provides data of at least one carrier to show the change in the base unit due to entries concerning asked service requests to a carrier and to process the data supplied in the base unit.

The postage calculator module receives from the computer of the franking machine and / or the postal scale via the interface information on weight and additional disclosures of the user for shipping, especially on key presses. From this information, the exchangeable postage calculator calculates the postage value and sends it in conjunction with other data via an interface to the requesting computer in the base unit back.

The exchangeable postage calculator module can be designed as EinchipRechner or as a processing unit CPU with separate memory elements.

It is advantageous that the program to Porto determination may be based on postage tables of the conventional type, but is not limited to when the program located in Porto computing module is also with customer replaceable. This is Porto structural elements, which are difficult to be imaged in Porto tables, calculated in a simple manner by the program functions, which results in advantages with respect to the memory requirements and processing speed. This is particularly advantageous when a new carrier offering services for which fees according to a different or another way be found. Furthermore, this is in the case of complex postage calculation changes the traditional postal carrier advantageous. Benefits also arise in the production of country versions. The operating program in the basic machine must not be touched when a different country-specific calculation structure is desired.

The protocol is expediently agreed that the use of the interchangeable postage calculator described is equally possible as an accessory to a scale as well as an additional device to a postage meter. This a whole family of devices can be optionally equipped with the postage calculation function.

It is envisaged that some of the received values ​​to be transmitted back. These values ​​can be changed in each case by the postage calculator module to signal to the requesting device and thus to the user that the originally selected dispatching form for reasons of tariff structure is prohibited or impractical. It is possible both to signal the user with a convenient form of possible dispatch.

It is planned to arrange some other commands in the protocol to transmit, for example, to query the version number of the exchangeable postage calculator module or to the exchangeable postage calculator module information on the requesting system, so different programs can be controlled, if the exchangeable postage calculator module is to be operated on different systems ,

There is provided a variant in which the housing of the postage computer module is equipped with two interfaces, to add the computer to the serial cable connection between the meter and a weight scale can be determined. Here, various embodiments for the signal flow are possible: The signal can be made on the second coupled with the scale interface so that the postage calculator module the balance information is used directly for Porto determination. With the first interface with which the postage calculator module is connected to the meter, the calculated postage value is only transferred. On the other hand it is also conceivable that the balance information is first passed through the interfaces of the postage computer module to the franking machine, and from there with the information about the user inputs to the postage calculation is at a different time than block back to the postage calculator module. Thirdly, it is conceivable that the postage calculator by an additional hardware that otherwise continuous connection between meter and scale interrupts when it detects from the data stream that the current information block is intended for him, or interrupts, if even on by the postage computer information the franking machine to be sent.

It is conceivable that the postage calculator to the read at one interface information flow of the scale converted and only then sent out to the franking machine. This has the special advantage, subsequently balances with other protocol to connect to existing systems without having to interfere with the meter to exchange approximately the scales communication program.

It is expedient that the meter automatically the presence of the exchangeable postage calculator recognizes to offer the customers according the calculation function, or query the desired postage value from customers.

It is provided via the serial interface to program the exchangeable postage calculator module optionally or load data.

Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims and described in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to FIGS. Show it:<dl id="dl0001"><dt>Figure 1,</dt><dd>View of the pluggable postage calculating module,</dd><dt>Figure 2,</dt><dd>Interior view of the pluggable postage calculator module according to a first variant,</dd><dt>Figure 3,</dt><dd>Interior view of the pluggable postage calculator module according to a second variant,</dd><dt>Figure 4,</dt><dd>pluggable postage calculating module for a postage scale,</dd><dt>Figure 5,</dt><dd>pluggable postage calculating module for a franking machine, according to a first Interface Multiplexer circuit variant,</dd><dt>Figure 6,</dt><dd>pluggable postage calculating module for a franking machine, according to a second Interface Multiplexer circuit variant,</dd><dt>Figure 7a,</dt><dd>Flowchart for the data exchange of a pluggable postage calculating module for determining the postage value for a postal scale or postage meter, </dd><dt>Figure 7b,</dt><dd>Flow chart for the data exchange of a pluggable postage calculator module according to a subvariant,</dd><dt>Figure 8,</dt><dd>Record for the flow of information from the meter to the exchangeable postage calculator module</dd><dt>Figure 9,</dt><dd>Record for the flow of information from the external postage calculator module to the franking machine,</dd><dt>Figure 10,</dt><dd>additional data for the flow of information from the meter to the exchangeable postage calculator module</dd><dt>Figure 11,</dt><dd>additional data for the flow of information from the exchangeable postage calculator module to the franking machine.</dd></dl>

1 shows a view of the pluggable Portogebühren- and calculation module 50 is shown with a safety housing 51, which has a serial interface, such as a V24 interface 52nd

The Interior shown in Figure 2, gives an impression of a cost-effective structure with a single-chip computer 53 on a circuit board 56. In addition, the single-chip computer 53 may be connected to the clock generation with an additional module 55th

To prevent unauthorized reproduction, the postage calculator of the exchangeable postage calculator module as OTP processor (one time programmable) can be formed. Such OTP processor has an internal volatile working memory iRAM and internal non-volatile memory IROM or iEPROM, the latter is programmed during manufacture or subsequently to the customer accordingly.

All critical parts of the program stored in the internal program memory Irom. After programming the OTP, the program including the interface program, no longer be read.

As OTP can be used for example with a 16 KB on-chip EPROM as an internal program memory, a 8051 processor.

Another OTP type has an additional writable internal nonvolatile memory E²PROM, in the via interface befördererspezifische data (eg tariff tables) can be loaded.

In contrast, the interior view shown in Figure 3 shows a somewhat in manufacturing complex variant with processing unit (CPU) 54, nonvolatile memory 57 and an auxiliary module 55. The latter may include a clock generator module and optionally include other components, for the operation of the serial interface ( V24 interface) are required.

As non-volatile memory 57, a PROM, EPROM, E²PROM, FLASH MEMORY or battery-backed CMOS RAM are used.

The internal processing unit CPU of the exchangeable postage calculator module is programmed by a program stored in non-volatile memory calculation program:<ul><li>Supplying data of at least one carrier from the exchangeable postage calculator module to show change in the base unit due to user input concerning asked service requests to a carrier and to process the data supplied in the base unit,</li><li>Receiving weight data and shipping data for a piece of mail,</li><li>Postage value calculation based on the postage rate table data and calculation structure of the desired carrier in the exchangeable postage calculator module and</li><li>Providing the postage value enclosing data of at least one carrier from the exchangeable postage calculator module for carrier-processing of the data provided in the base unit.</li></ul>

4 shows a sectional Multiplexer circuit with pluggable Portogebühren- and calculation module for a postage scale, which is connected to its serial interface 61 with a serial port 41 of the postage meter 40th A known intelligent postage scale 60i is already provided for calculating postage for a single public mail carrier (postal authority). Under the title: Method for data input into a scale, an extension is in a non-prepublished European application 95250313.4 already been proposed on a set of carriers, the desired carrier may be selected from the preceding sentence. Each carrier is assigned as an identifier a Carrier Identification Number (CIN). The calculated postage and CIN are received from the postage scale to the franking machine. The postal scale includes an electrically programmable non-volatile memory for the rate schedule data. Franking and postal scale to initialize for the same location and the same set of carriers. From the postage scale verification data for franking machine are received, for review in the franking machine if the tariff tables are up to date. Otherwise, an automatic update is performed.

An inventively enhanced postal scale 60i is equipped with two serial interfaces 61 and 62 and with an internal processor, which is programmed to transmit the weight data enclosing data to the exchangeable postage calculator module 50 for postage calculation. Such data is especially the input from the keyboard of the smart postage scale 60i of shipment, such as letters, parcels, printed matter, consignment, Büchersendung and other and / or the entered type of shipment, such as express, registered mail, return receipt requested, air mail and other and / or data for determining zone, domestic, foreign, zip code, ZIP tO zONE and optionally mailpiece thickness mailpiece format and choice prints, such as registered mail and other data. Such intelligent postage scale 60i also has a corresponding display. For example, delivered mark or texts can also be displayed from the exchangeable postage calculator module 50th The stated on the serial port 62 of the postal scale 60i with its serial interface 52 exchangeable postage calculator module 50 may make it possible to choose between other shipping data at the only public mail carrier (postal authority) are not provided. The processor of the postal scale 60i is programmed, the exchangeable postage calculator module according to such - interrogate further shipping data to bring this upon actuation of a suitable actuation means for displaying, for example, via the keyboard of the postage scale a selection - as will be explained with reference to Figure 10 enable. The calculated postage value is then transmitted via the postal scale 60i for franking 40th Such a variant with intelligent postage scale 60i serves to preferably to extend the postage calculation on at least one new mail carrier or to adapt to a new calculation of the structure by means of exchangeable postage calculator module 50th

After an Interface Multiplexer circuit according to Figure 5, a plug Portogebühren- and calculation module can be plugged to a free port 42 a franking machine. In this first variant, a scale 60 is placed on a second interface of the franking machine 40, to transmit weight data. The advantage lies in a cheaper scale 60 opposite a postal scale 60i, because this scale 60 need not internally for calculating postage and against appropriate not to enter and display of (all) shipping data designed to be.

Alternatively, it is also in a - not shown - variant with a mechanical scale and - in contrast to the circuit of Figure 5 - provided without interfacing connection of the scale to the franking machine that weight and shipping information of one and the same device, namely the meter are transmitted to the interchangeable postage calculator module 50th The read of the mechanical scale weight values ​​must be entered manually into the franking machine on the Frankiermaschinentastatur.

6 shows a how a dongle plugged trained, postage calculator module for a franking machine, according to a second variant, the meter does not have enough free ports. This second variant of the Interface Multiplexer circuit for a franking machine and for at least one provided with dual interface 52 and 58 postage calculator module 50, is the interface expansion advantageous if, for example, the meter 40 is equipped with only a single serial port 42nd It is envisaged that the exchangeable postage calculator module 50 is plugged with its serial interface 52 to the serial port 42 of the postage meter 40th The exchangeable postage calculator module 50 comprises according to the invention here a second interface 58 preferably for the postal scale 60i and a corresponding adapter function with protocol conversion on.

The display of the shipping data possibilities is realized either via the display unit of the scale or the franking machine.

In the event that the postal scale 60i forms the base unit (Figure 4) the transit data options on the display unit of the postal scale 60i are displayed. To adapt to new postage calculating structures or other carrier a the type of balance associated modified manual and a new associated scale keyboard sheet supplied by the manufacturer. Instead of the scale keyboard foil individual stickers for special function keys on the scale are provided depending on the type of balance. Scale keyboard sheet or label may be omitted if the keys on the scale keyboard are neutral, wherein the indicia are listed and explained in the manual. The adaptation of the display can be done in different ways depending on the display type.

An adaptation of the user interface is realized expenditure-basically, by:<ul><li>a) displaying listed or individual instruction code in conjunction with explanatory plain texts in the owner's manual, or</li><li>b) displaying messages that are delivered from the exchangeable postage calculator module 50 (data in Fig. 11).</li></ul>

The variant a) allows for simple display units, such as a ten-digit seven-segment display, a communication with the user. The characters displayed on the ten-digit seven-segment display can be identified as a command code using the aforementioned modified operating instructions from the user and can be changed or acknowledged by key operation.

But if the meter the base unit, the display of the shipping data possibilities can be realized on the display unit of the franking machine as in the aforementioned manner.

An improvement in the user interface is achieved with an apparatus suitable for text display alphanumeric display unit or with a graphics-capable display. can be represented Following up on an existing menu structure, a special delivered by interchangeable postage calculator module 50 dinner portion, records are exchanged via the communication link between the exchangeable postage calculator module and the franking machine, which are described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 The processor 40 of the franking machine is programmed to make such further shipping data for display to allow through the keyboard of the franking machine 40 a choice.

The range of delivery data is transmitted to the interchangeable postage calculator module 50th The calculated postage value is then transmitted from the exchangeable postage calculator module 50 for franking 40th The scale 60 only supplies taking into account measured on mailpiece weight data.

If the postal scale 60i or scale 60 is removed in Figures 4 to 6, there are further alternative embodiments. In such - in Figures 4 to 6 is not shown - variant is also provided that the weight and shipping data is transmitted from one and the same device to the exchangeable postage calculator module 50th For example, weight data entered manually or under certain circumstances in a device such as personal computer 70 or 40 meter, calculated what it is the postal scale 60i or scale 60 is unnecessary. For entering the weight data but may also be provided to another peripheral device.

Advantageously, an automatically operating franking machine to be connected to a personal computer that is used for all the inputs. To enter the weight data by the personal computer 70, the weight data are calculated from the deposit number, the average deposit weight, type of packaging and the packaging material weight. A suitable system, but without the exchangeable postage calculator module according to the invention, under the title: Method for determining the best carrier and mail processing system with personal computers and with a method for processing data, in the unpublished German application has been explained in detail 196 17 557.7.

In another advantageous variant of the franking machine with a comfortable user interface (user interface) is equipped for all inputs and displays. A suitable system, but without the exchangeable postage calculator module according to the invention, under the title: Method and apparatus for data processing in a mail processing system with a postage meter has been explained in detail in the unpublished German application 196 17 476.7. In the latter case is based on application of the invention, ie with the exchangeable postage calculator module according to the invention an Interface Multiplexer circuit, as has been shown in principle in the Interface Multiplexer circuit according to Figure 5, but without the postage scale. Instead of the scale, a remote personal computer 70 is connected to the serial port.

In the figure 7a is a flow chart for data exchange of a pluggable Portogebühren- and calculation module to further devices, preferably represented to determine the postage value for a postage scale or postage meter. There are several interrelated effect relationship devices such as meter 40, weighing 60 or personal computer 70 conceivable that perform the following steps:<ul><li>Step 600, selecting the serial interface for exchangeable postage calculator module 50,</li><li>Step 610, transmitting weight data enclosing data to the exchangeable postage calculator module 50, which contains a Portogebühren- and calculation module and is connected to any of the aforementioned devices or between two of the aforementioned devices,</li><li>Step 620, delivery of shipping data to the exchangeable postage calculator module 50, the shipping data includes the shipping and the shipping form and may include additional information</li><li>Step 630, postage calculation in the exchangeable postage calculator module 50 according to the current tariff and</li><li>Step 640, sending postage value, shipping data and additional data to the meter 40th</li></ul>

The connection of the various devices 40, 60 and / or 70 to the exchangeable postage calculator module 50 is generally based on one of the variant shown in Figures 4, 5 or. 6 It is carried out in a variant that weight and shipping data are received from different devices 40, 60 and / or 70 to the exchangeable postage calculator module 50th For the second step 620, the above steps, then appropriate Subverfahrensschritte for transmission of dispatch data from different devices to the exchangeable postage calculator module are provided 50th

The explained with reference to FIG 7a flowchart one hand forms a solution for the - in the Figure 4 and 5 - variants and on the other hand this flow chart for an exchangeable postage calculator module also includes a first solution - shown in the figure 6 - second variant for a franking machine with pluggable Portogebühren- and Billing module to a serial interface. So it is possible that the scale 60 is only transmitted the weight value and takes place in exchangeable postage calculator module calculating postage. The other selected dispatch data and the identifier CIN for the selected mail carrier are received by the postage meter for exchangeable postage calculator module.

In the figure 7b, a subvariant of a flow chart for data exchange of a pluggable Portogebühren- and calculation module is illustrated. This is especially true on the subvariant Interface Multiplexer circuit according to the variant shown in FIG. 6 It is a step 600 is provided for selecting the interface, but not shown again.

In the first sub-step 611 the scale 60i delivers the actual weight of the exchangeable postage calculator module 50, similar to the above-mentioned step 610 to transmit the weight data to the exchangeable postage calculator module 50. According to this first sub-step 611 with a signal flow of the scale 60 for exchangeable postage calculator module 50 is converted if necessary the weight information and then transmitted to the franking machine in the second sub-step 612th After this transmission of the weight data to the franking machine in the third sub-step 613 is carried out a collection of data in the franking machine. The meter stores the weight data initially between until the user of shipment, form, inter alia, data such as CIN entered. The meter provides a - shown in the figure 8 - record together with the addition of shipping data and other data. The second step 620 is specified such to sub-step 621 that is transmitted from the meter 40 to the exchangeable postage calculator module 50, the aforementioned record. In the third step 630, the postage calculation is done again by the Portogebühren- and calculation module located in the exchangeable postage calculator module. Then, step 640 is performed, wherein the exchangeable postage calculator module 50, a record is transmitted to the franking machine 40, which is illustrated by the figure. 9

In the figure 8, a record for the flow of information from the meter is shown for the interchangeable postage calculator, how it is transmitted, for example, in step 621st According to the invention an identifier CIN is transmitted for the selected mail carrier in the record. The data set includes at least the mail piece weight and selected shipping parameters. The number of shipping parameters is variable. To tell this number, will be sent in advance, information on the length of the parameter list of the record. Optionally, additional data such as communication such as dimensions of the mailpiece. For the success of the transmission contribute additional data set components. The record opens with a start sequence and finished with an end sequence. Purpose data security, the data also includes a checksum (checksum) of significant data of the data set.

In Figure 9, a record for the flow of information from the interchangeable postage calculator for franking machine is shown. According to the invention an identifier CIN is transmitted for the selected mail carrier and an identifier for the type of list or type of Portogebühren- and calculation module in the record. The data set includes at least the determined postage value, and optionally the position for the decimal point. The record opens with a start sequence and finished with an end sequence. Purpose data security the data again includes a checksum (checksum) of significant data in the record and information on the length of the parameter list of the record. The record contains as an additional record constituent information about the error status. Here may mean a mistake by sending modified form, for example, a "0" no error, but "1". The error "2" is displayed when a calculation is not possible. A selected by an incorrectly transmitted CIN unknown carrier is notified by error "10", etc.

In the figure 10, an additional data set for the flow of information from the franking machine is shown to the exchangeable postage calculator, which elapses for the preparation of a selection of the CIN, of dispatch data and other data. According to a COMMAND "KLARTEXT DISTRIBUTION FORM" command and a parameter CODE VOLUMINOUS and an identifier CIN for the carrier "CARRIER" is transmitted. The code VOLUMINOUS allows the anforderndem base unit (postage scale, postage meter) to transmit a display means adapted his record (character or text). In an auxiliary mode detailed explanations can be found. According to the invention, an automatic adjustment to a different user interface hardware for different base units is provided.

11 shows an additional record for the flow of information from the interchangeable postage calculator to the franking machine. According to texts are received in order to enable adjustment or display of shipping parameters and / or other transport-specific data. Besides the already mentioned record constituents and the identifier of the list type and the identification of the carrier, the information shall:<ul><li>Number of texts,</li><li>Length of the text with the number 1 </li><li>ASCII characters for the text to number 1 - Text end identifier,</li><li>Length of the text with the number 2</li><li>ASCII characters for the text to point 2</li><li>Text end identifier, etc.</li></ul>

Thus, on the display unit of the base unit, for example, the meter also be a representation that in the right way belongs to the menu, a selection also allows between additional adjustment or additional parameters. Prerequisite is an adaptable tree structure of the menu branches of a flexible user interface, which, for example, under the title: it was proposed method and arrangement for data input into a postage meter, in the unpublished German application 195 49 305.2.

Communication with such records shown in Figures 10 and 11 in principle, can take place several times in succession and is always advantageous when the base unit via a convenient user interface features with a suitable for text display multiple lines or crystal display.

In an advantageous embodiment it can be provided that modified befördererspezifische print image parts in the memory of the exchangeable postage calculator module to store non-volatile and load as needed into the franking machine. To manipulate an encrypted security check sum of the data of the print image befördererspezifischen parts is provided. On franking or print image can be detected in a Postverteilstelle then, for example, with which carrier the mailpiece is to be transported. For such an embodiment, of course, a non-mechanical printing processes for any programmable imprints is particularly suitable.

In a further embodiment, a postage meter, which has a serial interface and a suitable interface communication program, be retrofitted for automatic postage calculation for one or more carriers. Even a basic machine, which in the non-volatile memory by default the country-specific carrier, in particular the public mail carrier, such as the German Post AG has loaded, can be upgraded. Additional carriers can now also be selected when using the invention attachable and exchangeable exchangeable postage calculator module to be carrying the mail piece according to the invention optionally with another carrier if this is more beneficial.

As important advantage the absence of any limitation on the postage calculation while retrofitting must be considered by the customer. The postage calculation can be carried out so even if it is carried out by completely new or different points of view, which defines the carrier in the future.

With the increasing liberalization of mail delivery are for the customer mail processing systems interesting, with which it is possible for him to select the best for him between the offers of different competing carrier. This assumes that the data center or service unit of the postage meter machine manufacturer or the carrier may take the customer for information for this selection. To settle the meter with the same set of features to desired carriers, as the exchangeable postage calculator module.

On one hand, during the initialization of the base unit or the meter is carried out a pre-selection of a group of carriers, as this is loaded in the interchangeable postage calculating module and from which the desired carrier may then be selected. Each carrier is assigned a unique identifier CIN. An inventive routine in the meter provides the other hand automatically for a match with another current carrier-related data which is stored, assigned to the base engine, such as the meter for CIN. Such additional data for example, generate a befördererspezifi-cal print image and enable a country-specific accounting in the franking machine. Any mismatch is displayed as an error message.

In development of the invention, an automatic update routine for stored tariff table data is performed in the meter, corresponding means are provided so that the meter may occur in communication as necessary with a data center. Optionally, rate schedule data to be reloaded and then transmitted to the postage fee module exchangeable postage calculator module 50th The exchangeable postage calculator module 50 only need to change in this embodiment, if at least one can be from the set of carriers now calculate future postage value for another calculation basic structure.

A site-specific initialization of the franking machine is carried out after every switch automatically or manually. The latter possibility is input after turning in a sub-step for initialization, by entering the zip code ZIP in the meter.

The ability to determine a postage value for a particular carrier is basically determined by the purpose of a postage meter, to make Versendungsgut or items of mail for this one selected carrier free. If the appropriate tariff or the desired service in the postage computer module 50 is not available for some of the carrier shall not be an automatic postage calculation. If the appropriate tariff or the desired service in the postage computer module 50 is not available, the responses to the postage computer module 50 with an error message.

Soft reversed the desired on the part of the postage calculator module 50 possible services from the provision of the basic unit from or the meter for certain types of franking or the pressure is not suitable on a mail piece, this can also be detected and displayed or signaled, in particular in response to an appropriate input by an input means of the user interface hardware (keyboard).

The invention is not limited to the present embodiment, since obviously more other arrangements or embodiments of the method can be developed or used, which are covered by the same principles of the invention starting from the appended claims.