CA1274311A - Postage meter recharging system - Google Patents
Postage meter recharging systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1274311A CA1274311A CA000534194A CA534194A CA1274311A CA 1274311 A CA1274311 A CA 1274311A CA 000534194 A CA000534194 A CA 000534194A CA 534194 A CA534194 A CA 534194A CA 1274311 A CA1274311 A CA 1274311A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- communication
- meter
- value
- postage
- accounting
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
- G07B17/00362—Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
- G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
- G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
- G07B2017/00153—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information
- G07B2017/00161—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information from a central, non-user location, e.g. for updating rates or software, or for refilling funds
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
- G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
- G07B2017/00266—Man-machine interface on the apparatus
- G07B2017/00274—Mechanical, e.g. keyboard
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
- G07B17/00362—Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value
- G07B2017/00427—Special accounting procedures, e.g. storing special information
Abstract
POSTAGE METER RECHARGING SYSTEM
Abstract of the Disclosure A recharging system for a postage meter includes auto-matic telephone communication with a remote accounting center which utilizes touch-tone (DTMF) signals on the postage meter users telephone line to enable automatic recrediting of the descending register of the postage meter whenever the amount remaining in the register reaches a predetermined threshold. The meter further includes a clock which may be synchronized with a clock at the remote accounting center to enable the meter to answer at a pre-determined time a call initiated by the remote accounting center. The postage meter user's funding account may be maintained at a bank instead of the remote accounting center but the funds transfer accounting takes place at the remote accounting center.
Abstract of the Disclosure A recharging system for a postage meter includes auto-matic telephone communication with a remote accounting center which utilizes touch-tone (DTMF) signals on the postage meter users telephone line to enable automatic recrediting of the descending register of the postage meter whenever the amount remaining in the register reaches a predetermined threshold. The meter further includes a clock which may be synchronized with a clock at the remote accounting center to enable the meter to answer at a pre-determined time a call initiated by the remote accounting center. The postage meter user's funding account may be maintained at a bank instead of the remote accounting center but the funds transfer accounting takes place at the remote accounting center.
Description
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POSTAGE METER REC~ARGING SYSTEM
FIELD OF_THE APPLICATION
The present invention relates to a postage meter re charging system and to a postage meter adapted for such re-charging.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Postage meter devices have found wide application in many businesses. The device prints a s~andard unit of value for governmental or private carrier delivery of parcels and mail. It is understood that the term "postage meter" also includes other like devices which provide a unit value metering capability.
One of the chief disadvantages of the postage meter devices as they axe utilized today is the problem of re-charging the postage meter with ~unds to be metered. At present, postal regulations require that the funds be pre-paid before metering commences. This requirement xesults in a postage meter either being physically taken to a post office facility for recrediting or there being means for obtaining a remote recrediting of the meter device.
Various schemes have been devised and implemen~ed to obtain the desired remote recrediting based on information from a remote accounting station. Typical configurations are shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,792,446 to McFiggans, et.
al. entitled l'REMOTE POSTAGE METER RESETTING METHOD" and in U.S. Patent No. 4,097,~23 to Eckert, Jr., e~. al.
entitled "REMOTE POSTAGE METER CHARGING S~STEM USING ~N
ADVANCE~ MICROCOMPUTERIZED POSTAGE METER." These patents teach a data center which is e~uipped with a progr~mmed di~ital computer and a voice answer-back unit to process telephone calls from users of postage meters equipped either with a combination lock such that the lock prohi-bits recharging of the associated meter until it is unlocked or in the case of U.S. Pa~ent No. 4,097,923 of a working memory which contains a seed number for generating postags funding combinations ~o unlock the meter. The remote system of the latter patent includes the capability of adding variable amounts of postage to the postage meter. The teaching of U.S. Patent No. 3,7g2,446 rela -, -. ~ .- . - . .
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only to the addition of a fixed increment to the meter.
U.S. Pat nt No. 3,255,439 to Simjian discloses a system in which the meter communicates directly to a cen-tral accounting station for accounting for each and all of the metering operations either on a real time basis or in batches. Similar systems are disclosed for instance in West German Patent Application No. DE 2636852 published February 23, 1978 in which a data transmittin~ unit is employed to recharge the postage meter by way of telephone or telegraph lines. U.K. Application 2,147,853 published May 22, 1985 further discloses a telephone integrated with a mail ranking device which will operate as either a tele-phone or a postage meter. The telephone key pad may be used to set postal values and it is disclosed that the accounting may be done either in the device or in a cen-tral accounting~unit.
Each of the devices is limited in that there are requixed a number of complex operations in order for the user of the postage meter to assure that there are funds in his meter to be dispensed. That is in every case in the known postage meters, where the meter ~unds are required to be updated, it is up to the user to realize that the ~unds in the meter are low and that he should initiate a telephone call or take the meter to the Post Office in order to recredit the meter~ In many cases, a low funds event may occur as the user is in the midst of a mailing xun. Because the prior art devices typically have a lock-out ~eature to preven~ meter operation when the funds get too low, the user is unable to continue wi~h his postage metering operations. In such cas~s, the user experiences dissatisfaction because one of the reasons for utilizing t~e remote recharging features of the postag~
meter is to eliminate his problems in hav~n~ to go to the post office and to be able to ob~ain his postage as needed it.
In accordance with the invention, a postage meter moni-tors the funds remaining in i~s ~escending register and whenever the value reaches a predetermined level, an auto-matic dialing device establishes communication ~o initia~e -. , .' ' ~ ' ~ , :. . , - ~ . .
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a funds transfer. An account corresponding to the postage meter is maintained at a remote ac~ounting center or at a bank. Once communication to the remote accounting center is Pstablished, the account of the postage meter user is vexified to assure that sufficient funds are available for transfer to the postage meter. In the event that the account is verified as proper, a signal, preferably recre-diting data encrypted to prevent fraud, is transmitted to the postage meter to update the credit registe~. Prefer-ably, the predetermined threshold is selectable by the user to match his expected use of postage. For best results, the meter stores the signal indicating the neces-sity for recrediting of the register and communicates during an offpeak period such as nighttime when the cost of telephone communication are lower and when the data center can be expected to encounter much less demand on its facilities. The calls from various postage meters may be staggered in order to avoid overlo ding the system.
Preferably, the communications are establish~d through a telephone exchange utilizing dual tone multifrequency generators and receivers for decoding the data communi-cated between the meter and remote accounting center. It will be understood that conventional communication thrsugh M~DEM connections are also contemplated. For best results, the d ta is encrypted in both directions in order to block fraudulent attempts to recredit the registers.
In a further feature in accordance with the invention, means may be ~pecifically provided in order ~o enable synchroniza~ion be~ween ~he clock of the remote accounting center and the postage meter to enable the remote account-ing center to ini~iate communications with postage metex.
The meter will answ~r a ring signal only at predetermined ~imes se~ and synchronized between the rompu~er a~ the remote accounting center nd the postage meter. If the telephone connection can not be made because the meter telephone line is busy, ~he computer can attemp~ to estab-lish communication at a predetermined time thereafter at which time ~he meter will also answer the ring signal.
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- 3a - ~ 2743~1 Other aspects o~ this i nvention are as Pollows:
A postage mster ~omprising:
(a) setting means for setting a postal value to be metered;
(b) printing means for printing the set postal value and control means for controlling and accounting for the printing of æaid set postal value:
(c) a descending register operatively connected to said control means for storing a value representative of funds remaining for metering and printing after accounting for the printing of postal value;
(d) a communication port;
(e) means for determining that the value in the descending register has reached a predetermined threshold value;
(f) communication-control means for automatically applying dialing si~nals and coded signals to said communication port whenever the determining means determines that the value Gtored in said descending register has reached said predete~mined threshold value;
and (g) means responsive to the receipt of predetermined coded si~nals at said communication port for recrediting the descending register.
In a postage meter apparatus of the type having a printer and accounting means for accounting for postal value printed by the meter, said accounting means including a descending register for storing a value repres~ntative of funds remaining for metering, the improvement comprising:
~ a) communication means for communication of information between a remote accounting means and said control means;
(b) means for determining that the value in the descending register has reached a predetermined threshold value;
(c) communication-initiating means for automatically establishing communication between said . :
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_ 3b - ~ 2 ~ 4 ~ ~ 1 control means and said remote accounting means whenever the determininy means determines that the value stored in said descending register has reached said predetermined thre~hold value; and (d) means for automatically racrediting the descending register upon commun.ication of recrediting information from the r~mote accounting means.
A postage met0r recharging systam comprising:
(a) a po~tage meteri~lg apparatus including printing means for printing a postal value and control means for controlling and accounting for the printing of such postal value;
(b) said postage metering apparatus further including a descending regist~r operatively connected to said control means for storing a value representative of ~- funds remaining for dispensing and printing after accounting for the printing of postal value;
(c) a remote accounting means, said remote accounting means having an account maintained therea~ of funds available ~or recrediti~lg ~he descending register of said postage metering apparatus;
(d) communication means for communication o~
information between said remote accounting means and ~: said postage metering apparatus;
:~ (e) said postage m~tering apparatus further comprising:
(i) means for determining that the value in the descending register has reached a ~- predetermined threshold value;
.~ (ii) communication-initiating means for : automatically establishing communication - between said control means and said remote : accounting mean~ whenever the value stored in : said descending register reaches said pr~determined thresh~ld value: and (iii) mean~ for automatically recredi~ing the : descending register upon communication of :: :
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recrediting information from the remote accounting maans; and (f) said remote accounting mean~ being operative upon the establishment of communication to verify the availability of ~unds for said postage metering apparatus and to communicate recrediting information for recr~diting value to the de~cending register o~ said postage metering apparatus.
A method for adding funds to a postage meter of the type having at least a descending register for accounting ~or the postage which remains available for metering comprisin~ the steps of:
(a) comparing the value stored in the descending register to a predetermined threshold v~lue;
(b) automatically initiating a communication to a remote accounting means whenever the value of the descending register becomes less than or equal to said predetermined threshold value;
(c) determining if sufficient funds are available for crediting to said descending register ~rom ~aid remote accounting means; and (d) communicating register rechar~ing information to said descending register when ~u~ficient.
An electronic postage me~er comprising a clock for enabliny determination of calendar dates and the time of the day, a communication port, and means responsive to determined signals at said port for setting said clock in accordance with ~aid signals.
A method ~or setting a clock in an electronic postage meter comprising deriving signals corresponding to current date and time at a remote accounting center, applying said signals to a communication path, receiving said signals at said meter, and setting said clock in accordance with said received signals.
It is therefore an object o~ an aspect of the invention to pro~ide a postage meter recharging system that is transparent to the postage mete user.
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I-t is an object of c~n aspect of -the invention -to provi~e a pos-tage meter recharging system which will provide communication with the remote accounting center at a lower cost to ~he postage meter user a~d at a predetermined level of funds in the meter, preferably selectable by the user.
It is an object of an as~ect of the invention bo provide a post.age meter recharging system in which the funds may be maintained in a~ interest bearing account prior to transfer to the remote accountin~ cen er and crediting to the postage meter user.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DR~WING
In order that the inven~ion will be more clearly under-stood, it will now be disclosed in greAter detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Fig. l ig a block diagram of a postaga me~er recharg-ing system in accordance with the invention;
- Fig. 2 is a block dia~ram of a po~tage meter in accor-: dance with the invention;
Fig. 3 is a flow chart of the operation of the postage meter;
Fig. 4 is a flow ~hart of a communication routine for es~abli~hing communication between the postage meter and the remote accountin~ center;
Fig. S is a flow chart o~ the operation of ~he equip-ment at the remote accountin~ station; and Fig. 6 is a 10w chart of an alternate method o opexa~
tion.
"' DESCRIPTION 0~ THE PRXF R~ED EMBODIMENT
.~ Referring now to Fi~. lo a schematic block dia~ram of :: the remote meter funding system of ~his invention is shown. A plurality of blocXs 10 represent po~tage meter `~ stations capable of com~unicating with a data center or remote accountin4 sta~ion repres~n~ed by block 12~ The postage me~er stations communica~e with remote accounting : center 12 via telephone exchange equipment generally illu-strated by block 14. The transmitter~receiver 16 at each sta~ion 10 is preferably a DTMF ~en~rator-receiver co~bina-tion such as ~or example, ~otorola ~C 14410 DTMF Generator and GTE ~8870A DTMF Receiver.
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Remote accountin~ center 12 include~ a similar generator-receiver shown at 18. This generator-receiver 18 will receive frequency encoded data input from the transmitter-receiver combination 16 at any of the stations and transform this input into a suitable machine lan~uage for a programmed or special purpose digital computeTM 20. ~he ~omputer 20 may be, for example, a Data General "Nova". The computer in turn communicates back to the particular postage meter s~ation 10 via ~he communica-tion line established by th~ telephon~ exchange equipment. It wi}l be appre~iated that ~ommunication between each posta~e meter station and th~ remote account-ing center could, alternatively, b~ by way of a MODEM as is well known in the art o~ computer CQmmUnicati~n.
The da~a cent~r 12 i~ shown in conjunction with a cust-omer service facility 22 for providing h~man communica-tion, if requir~d, to the user of th~ postage meter station 10 in order to provide help or information. In one embodiment of the chargin~ system in accordance with the invention~ the data center 12 may be in communication wi~h a remote banking ~acility 24 to provide a ~unds transfer between an accoun~ maintained at the banX~ng fa~ility 24 and the remote accountins cen~er 12~ Typi-cally, ~he postal meter statio~ 10 will b~ used in con-junckion with a convon~ion~l telephone hand~et 26 coupled thereto..
Ref~rring now to Fi~o 2, the general func~ional arrangement of th~ ~omputerized ~osta~e m~t@r station 10 of the presen~ inven~ion is illus~xa~ed.
Electronic pos~ag~ meters are known and are descxibed, for instance, ~n UOSO Ratent No. 3,978,457 for MICRO-COMPUTERIZED ELECTRONIC POSTAGE METER SYST~M and in U.S.
Patent No. 4,301,507 for EL~CTRONIC POSTAOE METER HAVING
PLURAL COMPUTING SYSTEMS.
The heart of the systQm is the CPU or microprocessor 28 and it performs the basic fu~ctions o~ per ormance of calcula~ions based on inpu~ da~a an~ controllin~ the flow of da~a between various memory uni~s in addition ~o con-trolling ths printing operations.
Three ba~ic memory uni~s ar~ employed with th~ CPU 28.
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, , - 6 ~ 7~3~l The first is the ROM ox permanent memory 30 which as is well known is a non-alterable memory storing the specific sequence of operations for performing postal data calcula-tions in accordance with certain predetermined inputs as well as performing other routines for operating the system. The second memory unit is a temporary memory, RAM
32 which interacts with the CPU 28 for forming a temporary storage, holding and forwarding working data in accordance with the calculations being pPrformed by the CPU 28~ An additional memory component, NVM 34 which may be a battexy backed RAM or other memory capable of long term storage o~
data is also coupled to the CPU 28. It will be understood that the data calculation may be performed and stored in battery backed RAM or an appropriate NVM of other known types. The NVM 34 is a non-volatile memory which acts to store certain critical information employed in the postal system. Information stored in the temporary memory 32 which represents crucial accounting ~unctions such as descending balances in a descending register or ascending credits in an ascending register and the like are stored in the nonvolatile memory 34 wherein they may be held while the machine is de-energized and then recalled upon a subsequent start-up. In this manner, the computer system may continually act upon these balances in the temporary memor~ 32 without fear or loss of this information upon shut-down. Further, the information may be recalled on reactivation by start-up by retrievin~ it from the nonvol~tile memory 34. The nonvolatile memory is shown as coupled to the CPU and deriving an output ~herefrom in accordance with the transfer of in~ormation from the temporary storage 32 under the control of the permanent memory 30 throu~h the CPU 28~ The nonvolatile memory 34 is also shown as providing an output line coupled back in~o the CPU 28 for ~ransferring the data back into and through the CPU 2B and into the temporary memory 32 in accordan~e with the start-up routine under the control of the permane~t memory 30.
The system operates in accordance with data applied from an appropriate input means 36. It will be appre-ciated that the input means may include mechanical print value setting device~ and switches in place of or in addi~
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tlon to a keypad. Thls data is fed into the CPU 28 under control of the program in the permanent memory 30. At any time during the operation of the system, the contents of the temporary memory 32 storing the appropriate credit, debit, balances, or other accumulations in accordance with the various featur~s of the system could be made available by an appropriate instruction provided by the input means 36 or communicated to the meter which causes the CPU 28 to access the desired location temporary memory 32 storing the information requested~ The information may also be provided through the CPU 28 into the output displa~ unit 38.
Further in accordance with the invention, there is shown a clock 40 connected to the CPU for the purpose of providing ~ime and date information to the CPU. Such clocks are well known and may comprise for instance an ~SI
logic circuit in combination with a ~uartz-crys~al con-trolled oscilla~or. The dater whe~ls indicated at 42, which are typically positioned manually, have encoders 44 coupled thereto which provide date wheel posi~Loning infor-mation to the CPU. A suitable arrangeme~t is shown for example in U.S. Paten~ 4,060,720 to Check.
As previously des~ribed with r~spect to Fig. 1, a DTME
Trans~it~er and Receiv~r combina~ion 16 is coupled ~o ~he CPU and- to an ou~put port 46 for es~ablishing communica-ti~ and ~or communicatlsn~ be~ween ~e remo~e accounting center and the CPU under the control of the CPU or ~he remote accoun~in~ cent~r.
Fig. 3 illustratos in a flow chart the operation of a pos~age meter in ac~ordance with the inv~ntion. Once the postage meter station 10 is ins~all~d, the me~er program proceeds through its initializi~g routine~ shown a~ bloc~
100. ~hereaft~r as described more fully below the meter will eon~inuously loop through its routin~s to check meter parameters and inpu~ condi~ions and ~o print pos~age as desired by the user.
As shown in block lI0 the me~er program proc eds ~hrough housekeeping routin~s such as those described ~or instanc~ in U.S. 4,301,~07 for m~nitoring various meter conditions. The , , ~ -, ,, :, - ~
routine then proceeds to decision block 120 to check whether the funds in the decre~sing register have been decremented to a predetermined threshold level. Prefer-ably this threshold level is set in accordance with the user's desires. This may be accomplished either through preset values in the program stored in ROM or through communication between the installed meter and the remote accounting center wherein the information may be stored in the NVM 34 of the meter.
If the threshold value has been reached the meter further checks in decision block 130 to determine if a predetermined time has been reached. If the time is appropriate, the communica~ion routine shown as block 3~0 and described in conjunction with Fis. 4 is called and communication is established at port 46 through the tele-phone exchange to the remote accoun ing center 12. It will be appreciated that it is preferable that the calls which may be made to the remote accounting center be s~ag-gered in order that the center be able to accommodate the various postage meter stations. Accordingly the predeter-min~d intervals may be preset in the permanent program memory or may be downloaded to the postage meter station at the initial communication between the postage meter and the remote accounting center.
If however the threshold value has not been reached or the threshold was reached and funds have been recredited to the meter, the program proceeds to block 140 which is a routine to set print wheel ~alue (in conjunc~ion with block 48, Fig. 1). T~pically the print wheels will remain set at the previously selected value since the majority of letters will probably reguire only the minimum postage.
Known electronic postage meters conventionally use step-ping motors for the purpose of setting the print wheels ~o a value commanded from a keyboard. The block 140 will also be understood to encompass the manual selection of printwheel positions through mechanical coupling between the setting means and t~e print wheels and the verifica~ion of each print wheel position.
At decision block 150 the value stored in the descend-ing register is compared to a meter lockout value to deter-mine for instance whether there are funds available ~or .
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.- . :- '~. , metering even though the predetermined recr~di~ing thres-hold has been reached~ If the meter lockout point has been reached the program branches to block 400 to display a message to the user, for example, "CALL CUSTOMER
ASSISTANCE" or the like. When funds remain the program checks in decision block 16G to see if a postage printing has been commanded. If no printing has been initiated, the program loops back~ If a print cycle has been requested, the descending register is decremented and the ascending register i5 incremented as illustrated in blocks 170 and 180. The program moves to bloc~ 190 where the printer prints the selected postal value and the program returns to block 110.
Fig. 4 is a flow chart of a communication routine called by the postage meter program in the eYent that funds in the descending register have been decremented to the previou ly set threshold value. The routine 310 signals the DTMF transmitter-receiver 16 to dial the pre-selected telephone number of the remote accounting center 12 and establishes communication between the postage meter and the remo~e accounting center. It will be understood that various "handshaking" procedures are well known and may be utilized for establishing valid communica~ion.
Suitable protocols are described in U~S. 4,253,158 and in previously cited U.S. 4,091,923. As shown in block 320 the program ~alls to a tran~mit meter data information routine. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that all of th~ requi~ed meter data can be tran~mitted to the remote accounting center in a group o~ tone signals or the information may be transmitt~d piecemeal in response to queries from the computer in the remote accounting center.
The proyram then remains in an idle loop until tXe register recredi~ing data is received at block 340. For best results the recrediting information transmitt~d by the remote accounting center to the postage meter must be encrypted to prevent fraudulen regi~ter update~ being sent to the meter by un~crupulous parties. Accordin~ly, the block 340 also includ~s a routine for decrypting data that has been encrypted by ~he computer in the remote "~, .~ .
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accountin~ center for transmission to the particular individual posta~e meter. A suitable encryption scheme is described for example in ~.S. 3,792,446.
Upon assuring that the meter has received proper and authentic register recreditiny information from the remote accounting center, the program performs the update of the descending register at block 360 and returns to the main program illustrated in Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the se~uence of opera~ions carried on at the remote accounting center upon communication being established between the postage meter and the accounting center. The instant routine is initi-ated by a telephone connection being established between the postage meter and. the remote accounting center. As describe~ previously in connection with Fig. 4, the coun-terpart "handshake'~ is achieved in block 400. Once the communication is established, the program falls to ~lock 410 to request the meter to transmit metex data to the computer. The data to he transmitted includes at least the meter I.D. number and the values in the descending and ascending registers in the meter.
The computer then proce~ds to vexi~y tha~ the account is valid and that sufficient funds are available in decl~
sion block 440. The remote accounting computer may ~uit-ably check, for example, ~he sum of the ascending and descending registers ~the control sum~ in order to ascer-tain that there has been no ~ampering with ~he cont~nts of the registers during the pexiod following the preceding communication. If funds are no~ available the program bxanches to block 450 to alert cus~er ~sxvice that there are no funds for transfer to this particular meter. Ass~m-ing that ther~ are sufficient funds, register update infor-mation, preferably en~rypted as descxibed above, is transmitted to ~he meter via the t~lephone cohnection, block 460. The user'~ accsunt is debited, block 470, and if the funds available have reached a predetermined thres-hold level, decision block 480, customer billing is notified.
It will be appre~ia~ed that the communication between the meter and the remote accounting cent~r is not limited , . ~
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to the transfer of funds from the remote accounting center to the meter. For instance, the meter printer may be inoperative and the meter must be replaced or perhaps the usex is moving the meter to a new location. If the meter has funds remaining in the descending register and if the meter electronics are otherwise operative, communication may be established as described in conjunction with Figs.
4 and 5. The funds remaining in the descending register are communicated to the remote accounting center for recre-diting the user's account and data is co~municated to the -meter to set the descending register of the meter to zero. This effectively takes the meter out of service.
The meter can then be mailed to a service center for repair or be replaced by a new meter by mail~ If the meter is simply being moved, it may be simply reini-tialized at the new location.
-Fig. 6 shows an alternative method fox maintaining the user's account. In accordance with this method the user's funds are maintained in a fund in a bank. Whenever the postage meter is to be recredited, the user's account is verified and the postage meter recrediting inform~tion i5 transmitted. The funds to cover the recrediting are trans-ferred from the bank to the remote accounting center, block 520. The advantage of this arrangement is that the user's funds can be maintained in an interest bearing account instead of being tied up in the account for ~irect-ly fundiny the meter.
In a further feature in accordance with the invention, means may be specifically provided in order to enable synchronization b~tween the clock of the remote accounting center and the postage meter so that the postage meter may be progr~mmed to accept a call from the remote accountlng center at a determined time of day.
For this purpose, in accordance with the inven~ion, the internal clock of the postage meter may be set or reset in synchronism with a clock at the remote accounting center as an ancillary proces~ during normal communication between the postage meter and remote accounting center~
fox example for a recharging cycle as discussed above.
Alternatively, or in addition thereto, provision may be made for establishing communication between the postage -: , - .
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meter and remote accounting center specifically for the purpose of ensuring the correct setting of the clock in the postage meter.
As an example, as illustrated in Fig. 9, the postage meter may also receive clock synchronization data, for synchronizing the postage meter clock, at the same time that it receives the valid funds transfer sign~ls, at block 340. It is of course apparent that this reception may alternatively occur at and other desired time during the operatisn of the program of the postage meter. Simi-larly, referring to Fig. 5, the remote accounting center may transmit clock synchronization data to the meter during the process of communicating funds transfer data thereto, as indicated at block 450. Alternatively, of course, the clock synchroniza~ion data may be transferred at any other desired time during the operation of the remote accoun~ing center operating program.
While the above described example illustrates the synchronization of the postage meter clock with that of the remote accounting center during a postage meter recharging cycle, it is also apparent that the programs of the postage meter and the remote accounting center may include provision for establishing the clock synchroniza-tion during any other communication therebetween.
In any event, under cer~ain circumstances, it may be desirable for the remot~ accounting center to initiate contact with the postage meter. For example, the remote accoun~ing center may include a routine for transferring postage table data to the postage meter, or for periodi-cally establishing communica~ion with the postaye meter for the purpose of receiving register data or ensuring the continued location of the postage meter at a determined telephone number. In accordance wi~h this aspect of the invention, the routines of the postage meter and the remote accounting center will include a specific time~
interval during which the postage meter will answer a ring siynal ~n the telephone line. It will be appreciated that this interval may be made very short if the clocks axe synchronized as previously described. This short înterval is extremely important where ~he meter i~ sharing the tele-phone line used ~or normal telephone communication by the .
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postage meter user. The routines of the accountiny center and the postage meter may include provision for periodic repetition of a call and acceptance thereof at predeter-mined offsets of time in the event that communication is not established.
As further discussed above, the synchronization of the clocks of the postage meter and remote accounting center may comprise a separate routine. For example, the remote accounting center may include a routine for periodically establishing communication with the postage meter for the primary purpose of enabling s~nchronization between the clocks of the postage meter and the remote accounting center~ such calls preferably again ~eing effected during the night and being subject to repetition in the event of failure of communication. In addition, or alternatively, the postage meter or postaye meter system may be provided with means for initiating a call to the remote accounting center for instituting a syn~hronization procedure for the clock of the postage meter. Thus, the user may orally request synchronization, or deined switches for this pur-pose may be provided on the postage meter itself. The synchronization procedure itself may be comprised solely of the transmission of correct clock data to the postage meter, or it may include variations thereof such as~ for example only, the verification by the remote accounting center of the correct clock settirlg of the postage meter.
This application incorporates certain material common to certain other app~ications. The subject mat~er of all of these application, including the present case, are iden-tified as follows by docket number and title C-205 POSTAGE METER RRCH~RGING SYSTEM, C-207 POST~GE METER
COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, C-208 POSTAGE METER RECHARGIN~
SYSTEM, C-209 POSTAGE METER MESSAGE PRINTING SYSTEM and C-210 POSTAGE M~TER ~ECH~RGING SYSTEM all filed concur-rently herewith.
Other variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
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POSTAGE METER REC~ARGING SYSTEM
FIELD OF_THE APPLICATION
The present invention relates to a postage meter re charging system and to a postage meter adapted for such re-charging.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Postage meter devices have found wide application in many businesses. The device prints a s~andard unit of value for governmental or private carrier delivery of parcels and mail. It is understood that the term "postage meter" also includes other like devices which provide a unit value metering capability.
One of the chief disadvantages of the postage meter devices as they axe utilized today is the problem of re-charging the postage meter with ~unds to be metered. At present, postal regulations require that the funds be pre-paid before metering commences. This requirement xesults in a postage meter either being physically taken to a post office facility for recrediting or there being means for obtaining a remote recrediting of the meter device.
Various schemes have been devised and implemen~ed to obtain the desired remote recrediting based on information from a remote accounting station. Typical configurations are shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,792,446 to McFiggans, et.
al. entitled l'REMOTE POSTAGE METER RESETTING METHOD" and in U.S. Patent No. 4,097,~23 to Eckert, Jr., e~. al.
entitled "REMOTE POSTAGE METER CHARGING S~STEM USING ~N
ADVANCE~ MICROCOMPUTERIZED POSTAGE METER." These patents teach a data center which is e~uipped with a progr~mmed di~ital computer and a voice answer-back unit to process telephone calls from users of postage meters equipped either with a combination lock such that the lock prohi-bits recharging of the associated meter until it is unlocked or in the case of U.S. Pa~ent No. 4,097,923 of a working memory which contains a seed number for generating postags funding combinations ~o unlock the meter. The remote system of the latter patent includes the capability of adding variable amounts of postage to the postage meter. The teaching of U.S. Patent No. 3,7g2,446 rela -, -. ~ .- . - . .
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only to the addition of a fixed increment to the meter.
U.S. Pat nt No. 3,255,439 to Simjian discloses a system in which the meter communicates directly to a cen-tral accounting station for accounting for each and all of the metering operations either on a real time basis or in batches. Similar systems are disclosed for instance in West German Patent Application No. DE 2636852 published February 23, 1978 in which a data transmittin~ unit is employed to recharge the postage meter by way of telephone or telegraph lines. U.K. Application 2,147,853 published May 22, 1985 further discloses a telephone integrated with a mail ranking device which will operate as either a tele-phone or a postage meter. The telephone key pad may be used to set postal values and it is disclosed that the accounting may be done either in the device or in a cen-tral accounting~unit.
Each of the devices is limited in that there are requixed a number of complex operations in order for the user of the postage meter to assure that there are funds in his meter to be dispensed. That is in every case in the known postage meters, where the meter ~unds are required to be updated, it is up to the user to realize that the ~unds in the meter are low and that he should initiate a telephone call or take the meter to the Post Office in order to recredit the meter~ In many cases, a low funds event may occur as the user is in the midst of a mailing xun. Because the prior art devices typically have a lock-out ~eature to preven~ meter operation when the funds get too low, the user is unable to continue wi~h his postage metering operations. In such cas~s, the user experiences dissatisfaction because one of the reasons for utilizing t~e remote recharging features of the postag~
meter is to eliminate his problems in hav~n~ to go to the post office and to be able to ob~ain his postage as needed it.
In accordance with the invention, a postage meter moni-tors the funds remaining in i~s ~escending register and whenever the value reaches a predetermined level, an auto-matic dialing device establishes communication ~o initia~e -. , .' ' ~ ' ~ , :. . , - ~ . .
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a funds transfer. An account corresponding to the postage meter is maintained at a remote ac~ounting center or at a bank. Once communication to the remote accounting center is Pstablished, the account of the postage meter user is vexified to assure that sufficient funds are available for transfer to the postage meter. In the event that the account is verified as proper, a signal, preferably recre-diting data encrypted to prevent fraud, is transmitted to the postage meter to update the credit registe~. Prefer-ably, the predetermined threshold is selectable by the user to match his expected use of postage. For best results, the meter stores the signal indicating the neces-sity for recrediting of the register and communicates during an offpeak period such as nighttime when the cost of telephone communication are lower and when the data center can be expected to encounter much less demand on its facilities. The calls from various postage meters may be staggered in order to avoid overlo ding the system.
Preferably, the communications are establish~d through a telephone exchange utilizing dual tone multifrequency generators and receivers for decoding the data communi-cated between the meter and remote accounting center. It will be understood that conventional communication thrsugh M~DEM connections are also contemplated. For best results, the d ta is encrypted in both directions in order to block fraudulent attempts to recredit the registers.
In a further feature in accordance with the invention, means may be ~pecifically provided in order ~o enable synchroniza~ion be~ween ~he clock of the remote accounting center and the postage meter to enable the remote account-ing center to ini~iate communications with postage metex.
The meter will answ~r a ring signal only at predetermined ~imes se~ and synchronized between the rompu~er a~ the remote accounting center nd the postage meter. If the telephone connection can not be made because the meter telephone line is busy, ~he computer can attemp~ to estab-lish communication at a predetermined time thereafter at which time ~he meter will also answer the ring signal.
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- 3a - ~ 2743~1 Other aspects o~ this i nvention are as Pollows:
A postage mster ~omprising:
(a) setting means for setting a postal value to be metered;
(b) printing means for printing the set postal value and control means for controlling and accounting for the printing of æaid set postal value:
(c) a descending register operatively connected to said control means for storing a value representative of funds remaining for metering and printing after accounting for the printing of postal value;
(d) a communication port;
(e) means for determining that the value in the descending register has reached a predetermined threshold value;
(f) communication-control means for automatically applying dialing si~nals and coded signals to said communication port whenever the determining means determines that the value Gtored in said descending register has reached said predete~mined threshold value;
and (g) means responsive to the receipt of predetermined coded si~nals at said communication port for recrediting the descending register.
In a postage meter apparatus of the type having a printer and accounting means for accounting for postal value printed by the meter, said accounting means including a descending register for storing a value repres~ntative of funds remaining for metering, the improvement comprising:
~ a) communication means for communication of information between a remote accounting means and said control means;
(b) means for determining that the value in the descending register has reached a predetermined threshold value;
(c) communication-initiating means for automatically establishing communication between said . :
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_ 3b - ~ 2 ~ 4 ~ ~ 1 control means and said remote accounting means whenever the determininy means determines that the value stored in said descending register has reached said predetermined thre~hold value; and (d) means for automatically racrediting the descending register upon commun.ication of recrediting information from the r~mote accounting means.
A postage met0r recharging systam comprising:
(a) a po~tage meteri~lg apparatus including printing means for printing a postal value and control means for controlling and accounting for the printing of such postal value;
(b) said postage metering apparatus further including a descending regist~r operatively connected to said control means for storing a value representative of ~- funds remaining for dispensing and printing after accounting for the printing of postal value;
(c) a remote accounting means, said remote accounting means having an account maintained therea~ of funds available ~or recrediti~lg ~he descending register of said postage metering apparatus;
(d) communication means for communication o~
information between said remote accounting means and ~: said postage metering apparatus;
:~ (e) said postage m~tering apparatus further comprising:
(i) means for determining that the value in the descending register has reached a ~- predetermined threshold value;
.~ (ii) communication-initiating means for : automatically establishing communication - between said control means and said remote : accounting mean~ whenever the value stored in : said descending register reaches said pr~determined thresh~ld value: and (iii) mean~ for automatically recredi~ing the : descending register upon communication of :: :
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recrediting information from the remote accounting maans; and (f) said remote accounting mean~ being operative upon the establishment of communication to verify the availability of ~unds for said postage metering apparatus and to communicate recrediting information for recr~diting value to the de~cending register o~ said postage metering apparatus.
A method for adding funds to a postage meter of the type having at least a descending register for accounting ~or the postage which remains available for metering comprisin~ the steps of:
(a) comparing the value stored in the descending register to a predetermined threshold v~lue;
(b) automatically initiating a communication to a remote accounting means whenever the value of the descending register becomes less than or equal to said predetermined threshold value;
(c) determining if sufficient funds are available for crediting to said descending register ~rom ~aid remote accounting means; and (d) communicating register rechar~ing information to said descending register when ~u~ficient.
An electronic postage me~er comprising a clock for enabliny determination of calendar dates and the time of the day, a communication port, and means responsive to determined signals at said port for setting said clock in accordance with ~aid signals.
A method ~or setting a clock in an electronic postage meter comprising deriving signals corresponding to current date and time at a remote accounting center, applying said signals to a communication path, receiving said signals at said meter, and setting said clock in accordance with said received signals.
It is therefore an object o~ an aspect of the invention to pro~ide a postage meter recharging system that is transparent to the postage mete user.
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I-t is an object of c~n aspect of -the invention -to provi~e a pos-tage meter recharging system which will provide communication with the remote accounting center at a lower cost to ~he postage meter user a~d at a predetermined level of funds in the meter, preferably selectable by the user.
It is an object of an as~ect of the invention bo provide a post.age meter recharging system in which the funds may be maintained in a~ interest bearing account prior to transfer to the remote accountin~ cen er and crediting to the postage meter user.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DR~WING
In order that the inven~ion will be more clearly under-stood, it will now be disclosed in greAter detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Fig. l ig a block diagram of a postaga me~er recharg-ing system in accordance with the invention;
- Fig. 2 is a block dia~ram of a po~tage meter in accor-: dance with the invention;
Fig. 3 is a flow chart of the operation of the postage meter;
Fig. 4 is a flow ~hart of a communication routine for es~abli~hing communication between the postage meter and the remote accountin~ center;
Fig. S is a flow chart o~ the operation of ~he equip-ment at the remote accountin~ station; and Fig. 6 is a 10w chart of an alternate method o opexa~
tion.
"' DESCRIPTION 0~ THE PRXF R~ED EMBODIMENT
.~ Referring now to Fi~. lo a schematic block dia~ram of :: the remote meter funding system of ~his invention is shown. A plurality of blocXs 10 represent po~tage meter `~ stations capable of com~unicating with a data center or remote accountin4 sta~ion repres~n~ed by block 12~ The postage me~er stations communica~e with remote accounting : center 12 via telephone exchange equipment generally illu-strated by block 14. The transmitter~receiver 16 at each sta~ion 10 is preferably a DTMF ~en~rator-receiver co~bina-tion such as ~or example, ~otorola ~C 14410 DTMF Generator and GTE ~8870A DTMF Receiver.
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Remote accountin~ center 12 include~ a similar generator-receiver shown at 18. This generator-receiver 18 will receive frequency encoded data input from the transmitter-receiver combination 16 at any of the stations and transform this input into a suitable machine lan~uage for a programmed or special purpose digital computeTM 20. ~he ~omputer 20 may be, for example, a Data General "Nova". The computer in turn communicates back to the particular postage meter s~ation 10 via ~he communica-tion line established by th~ telephon~ exchange equipment. It wi}l be appre~iated that ~ommunication between each posta~e meter station and th~ remote account-ing center could, alternatively, b~ by way of a MODEM as is well known in the art o~ computer CQmmUnicati~n.
The da~a cent~r 12 i~ shown in conjunction with a cust-omer service facility 22 for providing h~man communica-tion, if requir~d, to the user of th~ postage meter station 10 in order to provide help or information. In one embodiment of the chargin~ system in accordance with the invention~ the data center 12 may be in communication wi~h a remote banking ~acility 24 to provide a ~unds transfer between an accoun~ maintained at the banX~ng fa~ility 24 and the remote accountins cen~er 12~ Typi-cally, ~he postal meter statio~ 10 will b~ used in con-junckion with a convon~ion~l telephone hand~et 26 coupled thereto..
Ref~rring now to Fi~o 2, the general func~ional arrangement of th~ ~omputerized ~osta~e m~t@r station 10 of the presen~ inven~ion is illus~xa~ed.
Electronic pos~ag~ meters are known and are descxibed, for instance, ~n UOSO Ratent No. 3,978,457 for MICRO-COMPUTERIZED ELECTRONIC POSTAGE METER SYST~M and in U.S.
Patent No. 4,301,507 for EL~CTRONIC POSTAOE METER HAVING
PLURAL COMPUTING SYSTEMS.
The heart of the systQm is the CPU or microprocessor 28 and it performs the basic fu~ctions o~ per ormance of calcula~ions based on inpu~ da~a an~ controllin~ the flow of da~a between various memory uni~s in addition ~o con-trolling ths printing operations.
Three ba~ic memory uni~s ar~ employed with th~ CPU 28.
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, , - 6 ~ 7~3~l The first is the ROM ox permanent memory 30 which as is well known is a non-alterable memory storing the specific sequence of operations for performing postal data calcula-tions in accordance with certain predetermined inputs as well as performing other routines for operating the system. The second memory unit is a temporary memory, RAM
32 which interacts with the CPU 28 for forming a temporary storage, holding and forwarding working data in accordance with the calculations being pPrformed by the CPU 28~ An additional memory component, NVM 34 which may be a battexy backed RAM or other memory capable of long term storage o~
data is also coupled to the CPU 28. It will be understood that the data calculation may be performed and stored in battery backed RAM or an appropriate NVM of other known types. The NVM 34 is a non-volatile memory which acts to store certain critical information employed in the postal system. Information stored in the temporary memory 32 which represents crucial accounting ~unctions such as descending balances in a descending register or ascending credits in an ascending register and the like are stored in the nonvolatile memory 34 wherein they may be held while the machine is de-energized and then recalled upon a subsequent start-up. In this manner, the computer system may continually act upon these balances in the temporary memor~ 32 without fear or loss of this information upon shut-down. Further, the information may be recalled on reactivation by start-up by retrievin~ it from the nonvol~tile memory 34. The nonvolatile memory is shown as coupled to the CPU and deriving an output ~herefrom in accordance with the transfer of in~ormation from the temporary storage 32 under the control of the permanent memory 30 throu~h the CPU 28~ The nonvolatile memory 34 is also shown as providing an output line coupled back in~o the CPU 28 for ~ransferring the data back into and through the CPU 2B and into the temporary memory 32 in accordan~e with the start-up routine under the control of the permane~t memory 30.
The system operates in accordance with data applied from an appropriate input means 36. It will be appre-ciated that the input means may include mechanical print value setting device~ and switches in place of or in addi~
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tlon to a keypad. Thls data is fed into the CPU 28 under control of the program in the permanent memory 30. At any time during the operation of the system, the contents of the temporary memory 32 storing the appropriate credit, debit, balances, or other accumulations in accordance with the various featur~s of the system could be made available by an appropriate instruction provided by the input means 36 or communicated to the meter which causes the CPU 28 to access the desired location temporary memory 32 storing the information requested~ The information may also be provided through the CPU 28 into the output displa~ unit 38.
Further in accordance with the invention, there is shown a clock 40 connected to the CPU for the purpose of providing ~ime and date information to the CPU. Such clocks are well known and may comprise for instance an ~SI
logic circuit in combination with a ~uartz-crys~al con-trolled oscilla~or. The dater whe~ls indicated at 42, which are typically positioned manually, have encoders 44 coupled thereto which provide date wheel posi~Loning infor-mation to the CPU. A suitable arrangeme~t is shown for example in U.S. Paten~ 4,060,720 to Check.
As previously des~ribed with r~spect to Fig. 1, a DTME
Trans~it~er and Receiv~r combina~ion 16 is coupled ~o ~he CPU and- to an ou~put port 46 for es~ablishing communica-ti~ and ~or communicatlsn~ be~ween ~e remo~e accounting center and the CPU under the control of the CPU or ~he remote accoun~in~ cent~r.
Fig. 3 illustratos in a flow chart the operation of a pos~age meter in ac~ordance with the inv~ntion. Once the postage meter station 10 is ins~all~d, the me~er program proceeds through its initializi~g routine~ shown a~ bloc~
100. ~hereaft~r as described more fully below the meter will eon~inuously loop through its routin~s to check meter parameters and inpu~ condi~ions and ~o print pos~age as desired by the user.
As shown in block lI0 the me~er program proc eds ~hrough housekeeping routin~s such as those described ~or instanc~ in U.S. 4,301,~07 for m~nitoring various meter conditions. The , , ~ -, ,, :, - ~
routine then proceeds to decision block 120 to check whether the funds in the decre~sing register have been decremented to a predetermined threshold level. Prefer-ably this threshold level is set in accordance with the user's desires. This may be accomplished either through preset values in the program stored in ROM or through communication between the installed meter and the remote accounting center wherein the information may be stored in the NVM 34 of the meter.
If the threshold value has been reached the meter further checks in decision block 130 to determine if a predetermined time has been reached. If the time is appropriate, the communica~ion routine shown as block 3~0 and described in conjunction with Fis. 4 is called and communication is established at port 46 through the tele-phone exchange to the remote accoun ing center 12. It will be appreciated that it is preferable that the calls which may be made to the remote accounting center be s~ag-gered in order that the center be able to accommodate the various postage meter stations. Accordingly the predeter-min~d intervals may be preset in the permanent program memory or may be downloaded to the postage meter station at the initial communication between the postage meter and the remote accounting center.
If however the threshold value has not been reached or the threshold was reached and funds have been recredited to the meter, the program proceeds to block 140 which is a routine to set print wheel ~alue (in conjunc~ion with block 48, Fig. 1). T~pically the print wheels will remain set at the previously selected value since the majority of letters will probably reguire only the minimum postage.
Known electronic postage meters conventionally use step-ping motors for the purpose of setting the print wheels ~o a value commanded from a keyboard. The block 140 will also be understood to encompass the manual selection of printwheel positions through mechanical coupling between the setting means and t~e print wheels and the verifica~ion of each print wheel position.
At decision block 150 the value stored in the descend-ing register is compared to a meter lockout value to deter-mine for instance whether there are funds available ~or .
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.- . :- '~. , metering even though the predetermined recr~di~ing thres-hold has been reached~ If the meter lockout point has been reached the program branches to block 400 to display a message to the user, for example, "CALL CUSTOMER
ASSISTANCE" or the like. When funds remain the program checks in decision block 16G to see if a postage printing has been commanded. If no printing has been initiated, the program loops back~ If a print cycle has been requested, the descending register is decremented and the ascending register i5 incremented as illustrated in blocks 170 and 180. The program moves to bloc~ 190 where the printer prints the selected postal value and the program returns to block 110.
Fig. 4 is a flow chart of a communication routine called by the postage meter program in the eYent that funds in the descending register have been decremented to the previou ly set threshold value. The routine 310 signals the DTMF transmitter-receiver 16 to dial the pre-selected telephone number of the remote accounting center 12 and establishes communication between the postage meter and the remo~e accounting center. It will be understood that various "handshaking" procedures are well known and may be utilized for establishing valid communica~ion.
Suitable protocols are described in U~S. 4,253,158 and in previously cited U.S. 4,091,923. As shown in block 320 the program ~alls to a tran~mit meter data information routine. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that all of th~ requi~ed meter data can be tran~mitted to the remote accounting center in a group o~ tone signals or the information may be transmitt~d piecemeal in response to queries from the computer in the remote accounting center.
The proyram then remains in an idle loop until tXe register recredi~ing data is received at block 340. For best results the recrediting information transmitt~d by the remote accounting center to the postage meter must be encrypted to prevent fraudulen regi~ter update~ being sent to the meter by un~crupulous parties. Accordin~ly, the block 340 also includ~s a routine for decrypting data that has been encrypted by ~he computer in the remote "~, .~ .
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accountin~ center for transmission to the particular individual posta~e meter. A suitable encryption scheme is described for example in ~.S. 3,792,446.
Upon assuring that the meter has received proper and authentic register recreditiny information from the remote accounting center, the program performs the update of the descending register at block 360 and returns to the main program illustrated in Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the se~uence of opera~ions carried on at the remote accounting center upon communication being established between the postage meter and the accounting center. The instant routine is initi-ated by a telephone connection being established between the postage meter and. the remote accounting center. As describe~ previously in connection with Fig. 4, the coun-terpart "handshake'~ is achieved in block 400. Once the communication is established, the program falls to ~lock 410 to request the meter to transmit metex data to the computer. The data to he transmitted includes at least the meter I.D. number and the values in the descending and ascending registers in the meter.
The computer then proce~ds to vexi~y tha~ the account is valid and that sufficient funds are available in decl~
sion block 440. The remote accounting computer may ~uit-ably check, for example, ~he sum of the ascending and descending registers ~the control sum~ in order to ascer-tain that there has been no ~ampering with ~he cont~nts of the registers during the pexiod following the preceding communication. If funds are no~ available the program bxanches to block 450 to alert cus~er ~sxvice that there are no funds for transfer to this particular meter. Ass~m-ing that ther~ are sufficient funds, register update infor-mation, preferably en~rypted as descxibed above, is transmitted to ~he meter via the t~lephone cohnection, block 460. The user'~ accsunt is debited, block 470, and if the funds available have reached a predetermined thres-hold level, decision block 480, customer billing is notified.
It will be appre~ia~ed that the communication between the meter and the remote accounting cent~r is not limited , . ~
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to the transfer of funds from the remote accounting center to the meter. For instance, the meter printer may be inoperative and the meter must be replaced or perhaps the usex is moving the meter to a new location. If the meter has funds remaining in the descending register and if the meter electronics are otherwise operative, communication may be established as described in conjunction with Figs.
4 and 5. The funds remaining in the descending register are communicated to the remote accounting center for recre-diting the user's account and data is co~municated to the -meter to set the descending register of the meter to zero. This effectively takes the meter out of service.
The meter can then be mailed to a service center for repair or be replaced by a new meter by mail~ If the meter is simply being moved, it may be simply reini-tialized at the new location.
-Fig. 6 shows an alternative method fox maintaining the user's account. In accordance with this method the user's funds are maintained in a fund in a bank. Whenever the postage meter is to be recredited, the user's account is verified and the postage meter recrediting inform~tion i5 transmitted. The funds to cover the recrediting are trans-ferred from the bank to the remote accounting center, block 520. The advantage of this arrangement is that the user's funds can be maintained in an interest bearing account instead of being tied up in the account for ~irect-ly fundiny the meter.
In a further feature in accordance with the invention, means may be specifically provided in order to enable synchronization b~tween the clock of the remote accounting center and the postage meter so that the postage meter may be progr~mmed to accept a call from the remote accountlng center at a determined time of day.
For this purpose, in accordance with the inven~ion, the internal clock of the postage meter may be set or reset in synchronism with a clock at the remote accounting center as an ancillary proces~ during normal communication between the postage meter and remote accounting center~
fox example for a recharging cycle as discussed above.
Alternatively, or in addition thereto, provision may be made for establishing communication between the postage -: , - .
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meter and remote accounting center specifically for the purpose of ensuring the correct setting of the clock in the postage meter.
As an example, as illustrated in Fig. 9, the postage meter may also receive clock synchronization data, for synchronizing the postage meter clock, at the same time that it receives the valid funds transfer sign~ls, at block 340. It is of course apparent that this reception may alternatively occur at and other desired time during the operatisn of the program of the postage meter. Simi-larly, referring to Fig. 5, the remote accounting center may transmit clock synchronization data to the meter during the process of communicating funds transfer data thereto, as indicated at block 450. Alternatively, of course, the clock synchroniza~ion data may be transferred at any other desired time during the operation of the remote accoun~ing center operating program.
While the above described example illustrates the synchronization of the postage meter clock with that of the remote accounting center during a postage meter recharging cycle, it is also apparent that the programs of the postage meter and the remote accounting center may include provision for establishing the clock synchroniza-tion during any other communication therebetween.
In any event, under cer~ain circumstances, it may be desirable for the remot~ accounting center to initiate contact with the postage meter. For example, the remote accoun~ing center may include a routine for transferring postage table data to the postage meter, or for periodi-cally establishing communica~ion with the postaye meter for the purpose of receiving register data or ensuring the continued location of the postage meter at a determined telephone number. In accordance wi~h this aspect of the invention, the routines of the postage meter and the remote accounting center will include a specific time~
interval during which the postage meter will answer a ring siynal ~n the telephone line. It will be appreciated that this interval may be made very short if the clocks axe synchronized as previously described. This short înterval is extremely important where ~he meter i~ sharing the tele-phone line used ~or normal telephone communication by the .
. ~ :
. . : .
.
. . .
- 13 ~ 31~
postage meter user. The routines of the accountiny center and the postage meter may include provision for periodic repetition of a call and acceptance thereof at predeter-mined offsets of time in the event that communication is not established.
As further discussed above, the synchronization of the clocks of the postage meter and remote accounting center may comprise a separate routine. For example, the remote accounting center may include a routine for periodically establishing communication with the postage meter for the primary purpose of enabling s~nchronization between the clocks of the postage meter and the remote accounting center~ such calls preferably again ~eing effected during the night and being subject to repetition in the event of failure of communication. In addition, or alternatively, the postage meter or postaye meter system may be provided with means for initiating a call to the remote accounting center for instituting a syn~hronization procedure for the clock of the postage meter. Thus, the user may orally request synchronization, or deined switches for this pur-pose may be provided on the postage meter itself. The synchronization procedure itself may be comprised solely of the transmission of correct clock data to the postage meter, or it may include variations thereof such as~ for example only, the verification by the remote accounting center of the correct clock settirlg of the postage meter.
This application incorporates certain material common to certain other app~ications. The subject mat~er of all of these application, including the present case, are iden-tified as follows by docket number and title C-205 POSTAGE METER RRCH~RGING SYSTEM, C-207 POST~GE METER
COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, C-208 POSTAGE METER RECHARGIN~
SYSTEM, C-209 POSTAGE METER MESSAGE PRINTING SYSTEM and C-210 POSTAGE M~TER ~ECH~RGING SYSTEM all filed concur-rently herewith.
Other variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
~', v .
Claims (20)
1. A postage meter comprising:
(a) setting means for setting a postal value to be metered;
(b) printing means for printing the set postal value and control means for controlling and accounting for the printing of said set postal value;
(c) a descending register operatively connected to said control means for storing a value representative of funds remaining for metering and printing after accounting for the printing of postal value;
(d) a communication port;
(e) means for determining that the value in the descending register has reached a predetermined threshold value;
(f) communication-control means for automatically applying dialing signals and-coded signals to said communi-cation port whenever the determining means determines that the value stored in said descending register has reached said predetermined threshold value; and (g) means responsive to the receipt of predetermined coded signals at said communication port for recrediting the descending register.
(a) setting means for setting a postal value to be metered;
(b) printing means for printing the set postal value and control means for controlling and accounting for the printing of said set postal value;
(c) a descending register operatively connected to said control means for storing a value representative of funds remaining for metering and printing after accounting for the printing of postal value;
(d) a communication port;
(e) means for determining that the value in the descending register has reached a predetermined threshold value;
(f) communication-control means for automatically applying dialing signals and-coded signals to said communi-cation port whenever the determining means determines that the value stored in said descending register has reached said predetermined threshold value; and (g) means responsive to the receipt of predetermined coded signals at said communication port for recrediting the descending register.
2. The meter of claim 1 wherein the descending register is recredited only with a fixed increment of value.
3. The meter of claim 1 wherein said predetermined thres-hold value is a selectable value.
4. The meter of claim 3 wherein the threshold value is selectable by the user of the meter.
5. The meter of claim 1 further comprising clock means, said clock means being settable in response to coded signals at said communication port.
6. The meter of claim 5 wherein said communication control means is operative to accept a communicated signal at said communication port at a time determined by said clock means.
7. The meter of claim 1 wherein the communication control means comprises a DTMF transmitter and receiver.
8. In a postage meter apparatus of the type having a printer and accounting means for accounting for postal value printed by the meter, said accounting means including a descending register for storing a value representative of funds remaining for metering, the improvement comprising:
(a) communication means for communication of informa-tion between a remote accounting means and said control means;
(b) means for determining that the value in the descending register has reached a predetermined threshold value;
(c) communication-initiating means for automatically establishing communication between said control means and said remote accounting means whenever the determining means determines that the value stored in said descending register has reached said predetermined threshold value;
and (d) means for automatically recrediting the descending register upon communication of recrediting information from the remote accounting means.
(a) communication means for communication of informa-tion between a remote accounting means and said control means;
(b) means for determining that the value in the descending register has reached a predetermined threshold value;
(c) communication-initiating means for automatically establishing communication between said control means and said remote accounting means whenever the determining means determines that the value stored in said descending register has reached said predetermined threshold value;
and (d) means for automatically recrediting the descending register upon communication of recrediting information from the remote accounting means.
9. The postage meter of claim 8 wherein said communication means comprises a DTMF transmitter and receiver.
10. The postage meter of claim 8 further comprising clock means for providing time signals for establishing communi-cation at determined times.
11. A postage meter recharging system comprising:
(a) a postage metering apparatus including printing means for printing a postal value and control means for controlling and accounting for the printing of such postal value;
(b) said postage metering apparatus further including a descending register operatively connected to said control means for storing a value representative of funds remaining for dispensing and printing after accounting for the printing of postal value;
(c) a remote accounting means, said remote accounting means having an account maintained thereat of funds avail-able for recrediting the descending register of said postage metering apparatus;
(d) communication means for communication of informa-tion between said remote accounting means and said postage metering apparatus;
(e) said postage metering apparatus further compris-ing:
(i) means for determining that the value in the descending register has reached a predetermined threshold value;
(ii) communication-initiating means for auto-matically establishing communication between said control means and said remote accounting means whenever the value stored in said descending register reaches said predetermined threshold value; and (iii) means for automatically recrediting the descending register upon communication of recrediting information from the remote accounting means; and (f) said remote accounting means being operative upon the establishment of communication to verify the availabi-lity of funds for said postage metering apparatus and to communicate recrediting information for recrediting value to the descending register of said postage metering appara-tus.
(a) a postage metering apparatus including printing means for printing a postal value and control means for controlling and accounting for the printing of such postal value;
(b) said postage metering apparatus further including a descending register operatively connected to said control means for storing a value representative of funds remaining for dispensing and printing after accounting for the printing of postal value;
(c) a remote accounting means, said remote accounting means having an account maintained thereat of funds avail-able for recrediting the descending register of said postage metering apparatus;
(d) communication means for communication of informa-tion between said remote accounting means and said postage metering apparatus;
(e) said postage metering apparatus further compris-ing:
(i) means for determining that the value in the descending register has reached a predetermined threshold value;
(ii) communication-initiating means for auto-matically establishing communication between said control means and said remote accounting means whenever the value stored in said descending register reaches said predetermined threshold value; and (iii) means for automatically recrediting the descending register upon communication of recrediting information from the remote accounting means; and (f) said remote accounting means being operative upon the establishment of communication to verify the availabi-lity of funds for said postage metering apparatus and to communicate recrediting information for recrediting value to the descending register of said postage metering appara-tus.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein the descending register is recredited only with a fixed predetermined increment of value.
13. The system of claim 11 wherein the account at said remote accounting means has sufficient funds to allow a plurality of said fixed increments of value to be recre-dited.
14. The system of claim 11 wherein said remote accounting means is further operative to debit said account upon the communication of said recrediting information.
15. The system of claim 11 wherein said communication means comprises a telephone communication means which includes automatic dialing means initiated whenever the value in the descending register reaches the predetermined threshold value.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein the telephone communica-tion means includes voice transmission and receiving means for communication between a user of said postage metering apparatus and a customer service installation connected with said remote accounting means.
17. A method for adding funds to a postage meter of the type having at least a descending register for accounting for the postage which remains available for metering com-prising the steps of:
(a) comparing the value stored in the descending register to a predetermined threshold value;
(b) automatically initiating a communication to a remote accounting means whenever the value of the descend-ing register becomes less than or equal to said predeter-mined threshold value;
(c) determining if sufficient funds are available for crediting to said descending register from said remote accounting means; and (d) communicating register recharging information to said descending register when sufficient.
(a) comparing the value stored in the descending register to a predetermined threshold value;
(b) automatically initiating a communication to a remote accounting means whenever the value of the descend-ing register becomes less than or equal to said predeter-mined threshold value;
(c) determining if sufficient funds are available for crediting to said descending register from said remote accounting means; and (d) communicating register recharging information to said descending register when sufficient.
18. The method of claim 17 where the command to initiate a communication is stored until a time period where communication rates are discounted at which time the communication is initiated.
19. An electronic postage meter comprising a clock for enabling determination of calendar dates and the time of the day, a communication port, and means responsive to determined signals at said port for setting said clock in accordance with said signals.
20. A method for setting a clock in an electronic postage meter comprising deriving signals corresponding to current date and time at a remote accounting center, applying said signals to a communication path, receiving said signals at said meter, and setting said clock in accordance with said received signals.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US06/850,479 US4864506A (en) | 1986-04-10 | 1986-04-10 | Postage meter recharging system |
| US850,479 | 1986-04-10 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1274311A true CA1274311A (en) | 1990-09-18 |
Family
ID=25308234
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000534194A Expired - Lifetime CA1274311A (en) | 1986-04-10 | 1987-04-08 | Postage meter recharging system |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4864506A (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2548185B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1274311A (en) |
| CH (2) | CH677980A5 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3712092A1 (en) |
| FR (2) | FR2597230B1 (en) |
| GB (2) | GB2188875B (en) |
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-
1986
- 1986-04-10 US US06/850,479 patent/US4864506A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1987
- 1987-04-08 CA CA000534194A patent/CA1274311A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-04-09 FR FR878705011A patent/FR2597230B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-04-10 CH CH1387/87A patent/CH677980A5/fr not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1987-04-10 DE DE19873712092 patent/DE3712092A1/en not_active Ceased
- 1987-04-10 GB GB8708631A patent/GB2188875B/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-04-10 CH CH2985/89A patent/CH680633B5/fr not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1987-04-10 JP JP8858087A patent/JP2548185B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-08-24 FR FR878711855A patent/FR2607292B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1990
- 1990-05-01 GB GB9009731A patent/GB2232928B/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE3712092A1 (en) | 1987-10-15 |
| FR2607292B1 (en) | 1992-05-15 |
| GB2232928A (en) | 1991-01-02 |
| JP2548185B2 (en) | 1996-10-30 |
| GB2188875B (en) | 1991-04-17 |
| GB2188875A (en) | 1987-10-14 |
| GB9009731D0 (en) | 1990-06-20 |
| GB2232928B (en) | 1991-06-05 |
| FR2597230A1 (en) | 1987-10-16 |
| FR2597230B1 (en) | 1992-05-22 |
| JPS62284491A (en) | 1987-12-10 |
| CH677980A5 (en) | 1991-07-15 |
| CH680633B5 (en) | 1993-04-15 |
| FR2607292A1 (en) | 1988-05-27 |
| GB8708631D0 (en) | 1987-05-13 |
| US4864506A (en) | 1989-09-05 |
| CH680633GA3 (en) | 1992-10-15 |
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| MKEX | Expiry |