EP1939815A1 - Method for preparing postage rate tables via a data centre for their transmission to a service device and system for carrying out the method - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves supplying postage tables and a data center, which is selected from a database (23). The data center contains a communication connection for a dial-up after a service device. An automatic supply of multiple updated and corrected postage tables in the database and for mechanical selection of postage tables from the database. The automatic supply of multiple updated postage tables is carried out correcting its version data in a database in the output for an input (101) in a module (22). An independent claim is also included for an arrangement for the execution of the method.

Description

The invention relates to a method for providing postage fee tables by a data center for their transmission to a service device according to the features of claims 1 to 14 and an arrangement for carrying out the method according to claim 1 according to the features of claims 15 to 19.

The abovementioned postage fee tables are required for calculating the postage value in service devices, in particular in a franking machine, postage calculating scales or in a mail processing system. Postage fee tables provide data structures that link various information for the pricing or postage calculation of a shipping operation. Postage fee tables include allocations between franking products such as letter products (maxi-letter, normal letter, etc.), shipping methods (registered mail) and their Prices. The fees for additional letter services and discounts of certain types of contract, for example between the customer and the postal authority, are provided for the calculation, as well as zone tables showing geographical postage regions and their prices. At least one postage fee table is loaded into a service device that communicates with the data center.

Either a postage meter with a static scale or a postage-calculating scale is used to calculate the postage amount for sending a mailpiece. Also, a mail processing system with a dynamic scale and with a postage meter is already known, which communicates with a data center.

According to the patent US 41 22 532 (= DE 28 03 982 C2 ), a new rate table is simultaneously remotely transmitted to several franking machines by a central data station. However, updating with the new tariff requires that the postage meters be turned on and responsive at those times.

One from the US 41 38 735 (= DE 28 03 919 C2 ) known service device has a rate PROM, which can be equipped via radio or telephone with a current postage fee table. A single addressing of each service unit results in a non-simultaneous transmission of a postage fee table to all service devices. The current postage fee table contains an incrementable change number of the revision data section. The service provider's microprocessor verifies that a data block transmitted by a transmission station contains the corresponding incremented revision number of the revision data section. Although a sequence of tables is backed up by a change number, incrementing of the change number occurs in the service device, ie in the postage meter itself. The process is time consuming and fails if the data center's intended connection is unsuccessful.

Already from the EP 911767 B1 The idea is to plan the early establishment of postage fee schedules by intending to change the tariff rates so that they are made available to all postal customers well in advance of their entry into force. It is important to equip the majority of the participants in good time, as before, with a current postage fee table. In storage areas, therefore, further future postage charge date tables from a further update date are stored for further, preferably for each of the national postal authorities. If the user requires postage fee tables, the service device, for example a postage meter machine, initializes on-demand downloading. For each of the tables is to be compared by the control means of the service device each to be entered date of appearing on the mail date stamp with the date of the entry into force of the table.

From the US 4,802,218 is an automatic transmission system with multiple slots for smart cards known. As a result, the service unit but too big and too expensive. In addition to a chip card for a postage fee table, with the aid of which - but without a previous downloading - this aforementioned postage fee value is determined, at the same time another chip card for the credit recharge and billing is used.

From the EP 986028 A2 A method for data entry into a service device and arrangement for carrying out the method is known. Initial loading of a valid postage fee table occurs upon initialization of the service device. Reloading a valid table is necessary if an invalid table exists. Before a further postage fee table is loaded, a status message is transmitted from the service device to the data center. Here are each the Version number and revision number for the differentiation of postage fee tables of importance. It remains unclear how and where the required order is organized and produced when multiple postage fee tables are to be handled. Although a new postage fee table can be provided by loading via modem, internet or via smart card, there is a time delay in franking with a new rate table if the loading and updating of the new rate table and franking follow each other in time.

in the EP 991025 B1 Therefore, a store has been suggested prior to updating new rate table data of one of the mail carriers, wherein the loading is done automatically at a user-defined first time and updating at a conveyor-defined second time in the service device.

From the CA 2264622 C (= WO 98/57305 , = EP 920679 A4 ), a delivery and storage of a first currently valid postage fee table and second future valid postage fee table is known. A fee calculation is carried out either with the help of a second future valid postage fee table before a so-called pre-franking of mail or with the help of a first current postage fee table before franking of mail. It is disadvantageous if the transmission of the currently valid and the next-coming postage rate table can not be carried out automatically without further input into a service device.

From the German patent application DE 10 2004 014 427 A1 , entitled "Method for Server-Controlled Security Management of Deliverable Services and Arrangement for Providing Data for Security Management for a Mailing System", discloses a data center consisting of at least one database, a control unit and a communication unit for communicating with external metering systems.

The invention has for its object to provide a method for providing postage fee tables by a data center for their transmission to a service device and an arrangement for carrying out the method. At any point in time, a machine selection of postage tables from a database and transmission of the currently valid and the next postage fee table from the data center to the service device is to be made possible in dependence on the postage fee table already existing in the service device.

The object is achieved with the features of the method according to claim 1 with the features of the arrangement according to claim 15.

The method is characterized by data processing with automatic provision of multiple updated and corrected postage fee tables in a database, and by automated selection of postage fee tables from the database of a data center depending on the versions of postage charges present in the service device. When the service device establishes a communications link to the data center, automatic selection and timely transmission of tables is made possible to update multiple tables in the service device. The method ensures the correct selection from a variety of postage fee tables stored in the data center and works with a central control of reloading based on machine parameters of the service devices (machine type, model, variant, version / revision of the hardware or operating software) or individually for individual Machines as well as from a respective postage account balance reported by the service device, which is reported, for example, during the reloading of a monetary credit. This has improved a well-known first service of a data center server to provide multiple updated postage fee tables in the database.

In addition, a subsequent reorganization of the postage fee tables in the data center is possible, for example in the case of errors in the database, so that the next dialing of the service device causes an update of the table inventory. An automatic revision of the postage fee table inventory in the server of a data center guarantees an up-to-date status of the database of postage fee tables in the database of the server during the reloading of the service device.

It is envisaged that an automatic provision of at least one updated postage fee table corrected in terms of its version data in a database as a result of entering a new postage fee table in a first module for version data processing, with subsequent data processing of at least one entered new postage fee table of a mail carrier in the data center with conversion of the entered postage fee table into a machine-readable form and with storage of the new postage fee table in a database of the data center and with a first query as to whether only one postage fee table is stored in the database of the data center and allocation of a first version number if only one postage fee table is stored , The storage of the first version number occurs at the port fee table prior to release of the newly entered postage fee table for download to a remote service device, if according to the first query no further of the further postage charge tables stored in the database is to be taken into account or if further inquiries are made as a result of the first query, further postage fee tables stored in the database have yet to be taken into account, whereby for each query there exists in each case a predetermined allocation scheme for the version number of the postage fee tables.

It is further contemplated that the version data comprises a number consisting of a main section number and subsection number stored in the database of the data center respectively associated with a postage fee table, wherein a new postage fee table has a main section number after a first postage fee table Allocation scheme is formed by the previous maximum main section number is incremented by a value 'one', if the following criteria are met, that further in the database stored postage fee tables are still to be considered, with a postage fee table exists with a maximum validity start date, as determined in the first query step and that the validity start date of the new postage fee table is greater than or equal to the maximum validity start date, which is determined in the second query step.

It is further contemplated that a new postage fee table is assigned a main section number and subsection number according to a second allocation scheme, the main section number associated with the new postage fee table being equal to the previous maximum main section number, and the subsection number being set to the value 'one', if following Criteria are met that, firstly, further postage fee tables stored in the database are still to be considered, which a postage fee table with a minimum validity start date exists and, second, the validity start date of the new postage fee table is greater than the minimum validity start date, which is the third Thirdly, starting from the postage fee table with a maximum validity start date progressively selected a next postage fee table lt is checked by means of which the validity start date of the new postage fee table is greater than or equal to the validity start date of the selected postage fee table, which is determined in the fourth query step of a subroutine.

It is further provided that, according to the second allocation scheme for the version numbers of the remaining postage fee tables, a change of the subsection number is made, wherein in the database, a selection of a next table after their date of validity start in sequence, wherein the index of the next table and the Subsektionnummer be incremented by a value 'one'.

It is further provided that, after the change of the version number of the at least one new postage fee table, which is present in the database, a storage of the version number to the postage fee tables and their release of the postage fee table corrected in terms of their version data and completion of data processing takes place.

A server includes a first module for version data processing and a second module for automatic postage table selection, wherein the version data processing of the first module enables automatic provision of a plurality of updated postage fee tables corrected in their version data in the database.

The server of the data center is programmed to correct the at least one postage fee table of the service device and controls a dynamic correction first in the data center. If the service device needs a corrected postage table, such as for errors, then a correction is achieved by deleting data and loading tables that are subsequently provided with a new version number. Each time a further postage fee table is set in the database, it is checked whether further postage fee tables need to be renamed.

The service of the server has been improved to provide several updated postage fee tables in the database. The postage fee table selection is made according to the version number or its sequence and the beginning of the validity. In addition to the aforementioned criteria, the selection of the postage fee table may also take into account an optional end of validity in order to prevent their delivery in the case of a late-loading request, ie after the end of the validity of a postage fee table. An exchange of faulty postage tables is possible. The correction process in the data center then backs up the updating of the version numbers of postage fee tables in the database of the server.

In addition to the automated provisioning of data through the data center, the server of the data center performs the selection on a customer-specific basis.

• Enthält beispielsweise das Dienstgerät keine Portogebührentabelle (erster Zustand), dann überträgt das Datenzentrum diejenige Tabelle mit der gültigen Versionsnummer in das Dienstgerät.
• Wenn das Dienstgerät nur eine gültige Portogebührentabelle enthält (zweiter Zustand), dann überträgt das Dienstgerät diejenige Tabelle mit der nächst höheren Versionsnummer. Damit soll nicht ausgeschlossen werden, dass ggf. eine zukünftig gültige Tabelle mit einer entsprechend nachfolgend höheren Versionsnummer ebenfalls übertragen wird.
• Ein dritter Zustand ergibt sich, wenn das Dienstgerät keine gültige Portogebührentabelle enthält. Dann überträgt das Dienstgerät die gültige Portogebührentabelle mit der entsprechend zugehörigen Versionsnummer.
• Ein weiterer vierter Zustand ergibt sich, wenn eine zukünftig gültige Portogebührentabelle bereits im Dienstgerät vorhanden ist, d.h. dass keine Tabelle benötigt und deshalb auch nicht geladen wird.

The server of the data center is programmed to case differentiation according to the machine state of the service device and controls the reloading of at least one postage fee table in a service device according to predetermined conditions:

• If, for example, the service device does not contain a postage fee table (first state), then the data center transfers the table with the valid version number into the service device.
• If the service device only contains a valid postage fee table (second state), then the service device transmits that table with the next higher version number. This is not to exclude that, if applicable, a future valid table with a correspondingly higher version number will also be transferred.
• A third state results if the service device does not contain a valid postage fee table. Then the service unit transmits the valid postage fee table with the corresponding associated version number.
• A further fourth state results when a future valid postage fee table already exists in the service device, ie that no table is needed and therefore not loaded.

Either the control unit of the data center is designed as a postage table default server, or the entire data center can be configured as a server. A transfer of postage tables in a service device from a data center is possible by means of modem or other conventional device for remote data transmission.

Fig. 1,

Blockschaltbild eines Systems mit einem Server und einem Dienstgerät,

Fig. 2,

Blockschaltbild eines Systems mit einem Datenzentrum und einem Dienstgerät,

Fig. 3,

Flußplan des Verfahrens zur automatischen Bereitstellung von Portogebührentabellen mit Versionsdaten,

Fig. 4,

Flußplan des Verfahrens zur maschinellen Auswahl einer Portogebührentabelle,

Fig. 5a,

Tabellenauswahl im Normalfall,

Fig. 5b,

Tabellenauswahl im Fehlerfall,

Fig. 6,

Subroutine mit einem Vergabeschema für Versionsnummern von korrigierten Portogebührentabellen.

Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims or are presented in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to FIGS. Show it:

Fig. 1,

Block diagram of a system with a server and a service device,

2,

Block diagram of a system with a data center and a service device,

3,

Flowchart of the method for automatically providing postage fee tables with version data,

4,

Flowchart of the procedure for the automatic selection of a postage fee table,

Fig. 5a,

Table selection normally,

5b,

Table selection in case of error,

6,

Subroutine with an allocation scheme for version numbers of corrected postage fee tables.

The Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a system with a server 20 and a service device 10. An entire data center is realized as a server. The server 20 has an input unit 21 operatively connected to a database 23 via a first version data processing module 22, the database 23 being operatively connected to an execution unit 24 via a second postage machine selection module 27. The execution unit 24 is operatively connected on the one hand to a display unit 25 for status message and on the other hand to a communication unit 26. The execution unit 24 has the second module 27 for machine postage table selection, access to database 23 of the data center. The service device 10 has a read-only memory 11 for storing the operating software, a non-volatile memory means 12 for storing the automatically selected and transmitted postage fee tables, a communication unit 13 and an execution unit 14. The operating software is a program package that defines or determines the function of the service device. It contains, for example, the program functionality of the services offered and commands for their execution. The operating software accesses the postage table of the products and prices to calculate the postage value for a free stamping operation.

The Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of a system with a data center and a service device. The data center 30 represents the provider or supplier of remote services for at least one service device 10. The service device 10 is also constructed, as already based on the embodiment according to Fig.1 was explained.

For communication with such service devices as postage meters or indicia devices, the data center operates such devices as computer systems having network connections or modem banks, terminal servers, databases, etc. A distributed task data center 30 includes, for example, a communications server 36 and a database server 33, both of which are operatively connected to a postage rate table default server 39. The communication server 36 has a communication unit 26 and the database server 33 has a database 23. The postage charge table default server 39 has an input unit 21 operatively connected to a first version data processing module 22. The postage rate table default server 39 further includes a second postage meter selection module 27 which provides access to the database 23 and accesses the database of the data center for automatic selection of postage fee tables. The second postage machine selection machine module 27 is operatively connected to an execution unit 24 and a display unit 25.

Based on Fig. 2 the process should be explained in the data center. From the input unit 21, the parameters of the new or corrected postage fee table will be made available to the first module 22 for version data processing or correction processing. The first module 22 accesses the inventory of postage fee tables in the database and reorganizes the inventory by assigning changed versioning information.

1. 1. Die automatische Erzeugung und Zuordnung von neuen Versionsnummern erfolgt erst bei einem telefonischen Anruf des Dienstgerätes und für dieses spezifisch/unterschiedlich zu denen der anderen Dienstgeräte. Vorzugsweise erfolgt der Korrekturvorgang der Versionsnummer während der Einwahl des Dienstgerätes in das Datenzentrum.
2. 2. Die automatische Erzeugung und Zuordnung von neuen Versionsnummern erfolgt schon vor einem Anruf des Dienstgerätes beim Datenzentrum und für das Dienstgerät unspezifisch/gleich zu denen der anderen Dienstgeräte. Vorzugsweise erfolgt im Ergebnis einer Eingabe 101 von Portogebührentabellen in einen ersten Modul 22 zur Versionsdatenverarbeitung der Korrekturvorgang der Versionsnummern.

After input and processing of the postage fee tables provided by the carrier, they are stored in the database, the processing including correction processing of the table and automatic generation and assignment of new version numbers. The generation and assignment of new version numbers of postage fee tables takes place in the database of a server. Regardless of how an automatic change of the version is actually carried out, two solution variants are proposed for the method:

1. 1. The automatic generation and assignment of new version numbers takes place only when a telephone call the service device and for this specific / different to those of other service devices. Preferably, the correction process of the version number takes place during the dial-in of the service device in the data center.
2. 2. The automatic generation and assignment of new version numbers takes place before a call of the service unit at the data center and for the service unit unspecific / equal to those of the other service equipment. Preferably, as a result of an input 101 of postage fee tables in a first module 22 for version data processing, the correction operation of the version numbers is performed.

The method for providing a plurality of updated and corrected postage fee tables in a database includes automatic correction of postage fee tables in the database. The automatic correction procedure allows the maintenance of the data in the data center after changes in postage tables already provided for service devices have become necessary FIG. 3 explained in more detail.

The Fig. 3 shows a flowchart of the method for automatically providing postage fee tables with version data. To provide multiple updated and corrected postage fee tables in a database, an additionally stored version number is used. As a result of an input 101, the method of automatically providing 100 of a plurality of updated postage fee tables corrected in their version data is performed in a database by means of the first version data processing module 22. The method includes data processing of each of the entered postage fee tables of a mail carrier at the data center with conversion 102 of each of the entered postage fee tables into a machine readable form and a storage 104 in a database 23 of the data center. After a first query step 105, a first version number 106 is assigned and a 112 and release of a newly entered first postage fee table for download to a remote service device 10 "if only a single postage fee table is stored in the database 23 or no further postage fee tables are to be considered ,
Otherwise, if other postage due tables are stored in the database 23, this includes a third step 103 for determining postage table parameters of those postage fee tables that have been previously stored. The aforementioned third step 103 is located between the second step 102 for conversion and the fourth step 104 for storage.

A first postage table parameter is the maximum validity start date GBEGIN max , which indicates the effective date of the port table which is furthest in the future.

A second postage table parameter is the maximum validity end date GENDE max , which indicates the date of expiration of the port table which is furthest in the future.

A third postage table parameter is the minimum validity start date G _{BEGIN min} , which indicates the date of entry into effect of the port table which is furthest in the past.

If, according to the query in the first query step 105, further postage fee tables A ₁ A _i. An stored in the database 23 are to be taken into account, wherein their number m is of course not equal to one, a selection is made in the second query step 107, which makes it possible to Assign version numbers that differ from the others only in the main section of the version number. This is the case if the criterion is satisfied that a maximum validity end date GENDE max of the previous postage fee table Ai is followed by the validity start date GBEGINx of the new postage fee table Ax.

After assigning a version number in a subsequent step 108, the new postage fee table is stored and released in step 112 for the purpose of downloading the new postage fee table from the database 23 to a remote service device 10.

In the case of correction, the table version number is changed, whereby the aforementioned criterion no longer applies that a maximum validity end date GENDE max of the previous postage fee table Ai is followed by the validity start date GBEGINx of the new postage fee table Ax, ie if x = i +1.

However, the criterion should now apply that a minimum validity start date GBEGIN min of a first postage fee table A ₁ the Validity _{start date} G _{BEGINx of} the new postage _{fee table} Ax _follows or is the same, ie at x ≥ 1.

The above condition is retrieved in a third query step 109 following the second interrogation step 107. Then, it branches to subroutine 110 to individually call and rename the postage charge tables to be renamed. Subroutine 110 will be described with reference to FIG FIG. 6 explained in more detail below.

A selection of a next table A _{i -1} from the database after its validity start date is made possible in order, starting from the maximum validity start date G _{BEGIN max of} that postage fee table A i with i = max which is furthest in the future. If the validity start date GBEGIN _i of the postage fee table A _i used for comparison is neither less than or equal to the validity start date GBEGIN _{x of} the new postage fee table, then a loop L1 is run through and the next postage table A i - _{1 is} selected after its validity start date. For this purpose, the index number i is decremented by the value 'one' in a first loop L1. However, if the comparison criterion GBEGIN x ≥ GBEGIN i is met, then the version number of the new or remaining postage fee tables is renamed, which as main section number H is the previous maximum value and as subsection number a 'one' or a number incremented by the value 'one' receive. For incrementing, a second loop L2 is traversed, if there are still other postage fee tables in the database, which is queried in query step 111, then branches back to subroutine 110. To select a next postage fee table, the order of the postage fee tables is again determined after the date of validity start, but this time the index i is incremented.

After changing the version number of the at least one new postage fee table during the running time of the subroutine 110 and the query in the retrieval step 111, a storage and release (in step 112) of the at least one new postage fee table corrected for its version data is performed and the completion of the data processing is in step 113 reached.

The correction of the postage table inventory is an independent process with regard to the dial-in of the service device and the reloading protocol. It changes the stock of postage tables in the database, especially with regard to their versioning information.

The service device establishes a connection to reload postage fee tables, for example by means of a modem, an ISDN or network card, to the data center. The communication is linked to a connection protocol of the two parties. The service device reports its status during the reload log by transferring the highest version number of the held postage tables to the data center. In the data center, the transmitted highest version number of the service device is transmitted by the execution unit 24 from the communication unit 26 into the postage table selection and processing module 27. The postage fee table selection and processing module 27, in the automatic postage fee table selection, compares the displayed version number of the service device with the stock of the postage table in the database and determines by the method in the flow chart for automatically selecting the postage fee table ( Fig. 4 ), and if so, which postage fee table is being transferred to the service device for updating. The automatic selection procedure is independent of whether the stock of postage fee tables corresponds to the original versioning / revisioning or has been corrected by later access. The following cases may occur:

a) The service unit does not contain a postage fee table

If the service device does not contain a postage fee table at the time of reloading, the table valid at the time of reloading is loaded from the data center stock.

b) The service unit contains a postage fee table

• b1) The service unit already contains an invalid postage fee table at the time of reloading, a table valid at the time of reloading is loaded.
• b2) The service device already contains a valid postage fee table at the time of reloading, so a next, future valid table is transmitted.

c) The service device does not need an updated postage fee table

If the service unit reports the version number of the next, future valid table during the loading process, then no postage fee table is transmitted.

d) The service unit requires a corrected postage fee table

• d1) Der Bestand wird durch Löschen von fehlerhaften bzw. Einfügen von neuen Tabellen bereinigt und danach mit neuen Versionsnummern versehen (s. u.).
• d2) Das Nachladen wird mit dem oben beschriebenen Verfahren fortgesetzt.

If a correction or insertion is required in the stock of postage tables in the data center, proceed as follows:

• d1) The stock is cleared by deleting incorrect tables or inserting new tables and then adding new version numbers (see below).
• d2) Reloading is continued with the procedure described above.

The selection of postage tables is a process that is performed when a service device is dialed. The service of the service is to provide several updated postage fee tables in the database.

The Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of the method for the automatic selection of a postage fee table. The automated selection 200 of postage fee tables from the database of a data center is dependent upon the versions of postage fees present in the service device, including reporting 201 the version data V of a postage fee table stored in the service device as part of the transmission of the postage due to the service center to the data center, determining 202 the currently valid postage fee table and checking 203 its version data A for compliance with the reported version data V of the service device 10 in a second module 27 of the data center. The automated selection 200 of postage fee tables from the database of a data center includes determining 204 the next version A + 1 of a future applicable postage fee table before loading it 205 into the service device 10 if in the second module 27 of the data center a match of the version data A of the currently valid postage fee table with the reported version data V current postage fee table of the service device 10 is detected.

The automated selection 200 of postage fee tables from the database of a data center includes determining 204 the currently current version A of a valid postage fee table before loading it 208 into the service device 10 if in the second module 27 of the data center a mismatch of the version data A of the current postage fee table the reported version data V current postage fee table of the service device 10 is determined and if the currently valid postage fee table has the higher rank.

The currently valid postage fee table has the higher rank if the version data A is higher than the version data V of the current postage fee table of the service device 10. For example, it is provided that the version data A in terms of their alphanumeric value are greater than the alphanumeric value of the version data V. A correction process carried out in the data center either beforehand or during dialing ensures the updating of the Data on postage fee tables in the database of the server.

Correction processing is an automated administration or maintenance process of the data stock. Both operations are coupled in that the correction processing must comply with renaming / filing, etc. conforming to the later selection of a naming convention, versioning / revisioning, or filing in the database.

In the Fig. 5a the table selection is normally shown as an exemplary embodiment. The validity of a first postage fee table starts at B1 at a first time t1 and ends at E1 at time t2. The service device receives the first postage fee table PT1 and associated versioning information 1.0 early, at the latest at the initialization of the service device. At a second time t2, a second postage fee table PT2 and associated versioning information 2.0 becomes valid. Additional postage charge tables with a higher version number may be stored in a database of the data center, which will take effect in the future. At the end of E _{i -1 of} the previous postage fee table A _{i -1} is usually the beginning B i of the next postage fee table A i . The previous postage fee table A i -1 is in the Fig. 5a For example, the third postage fee table PT3 and there is still no postage fee table whose validity start date Bm would be greater, ie at time t3 Bm is maximum. This also applies to the validity end date Em. The validity start date Bx of a new postage fee table PT4 begins at time t4 when the validity end date Em of the previously valid postage fee table PT 3 coincides with the validity start date Bx of the new postage fee table PT4. The currently valid postage table is the second postage fee table PT2 in version 2.0 at reload time tj.

Even in an exceptional case (not shown) in which the postage fee tables in the database have not been consecutively timed and in which the reload time tj falls exactly in the gap, a currently valid postage table is transmitted, namely the previously valid one, ignoring its expiration date ,

In the normal case shown, the service device communicates with the data center at the time tj. The postage fee table PT1 and corresponding versioning information 1.0 stored in the service device from the first time t1 can be overwritten because the previously valid postage fee table is already invalid at time tj of reloading and a currently valid postage fee table exists and is loaded in the database at time tj of reloading can. The current version of the second postage fee table PT2 is 2.0.

In another case, the service device already contains a currently valid postage fee table at the time of reloading, so a next table PT3 of version 3.0 valid in the future from a third point in time t3 is transmitted. Although a fourth postage fee table PT4 valid from a fourth point in time t4 and associated versioning information 4.0 can already be stored in the database, it is not yet transmitted to the service device. Before the fourth postage fee table PT4 is stored, the valid third postage fee table PT3 is the maximum version and has a maximum validity start date GBEGIN max and a maximum validity end date GENDE max . The first postage fee table PT1 has a minimum validity start date GBEGIN min . These aforementioned three postage table parameters are used to generate the versioning information. This is particularly advantageous when postage due tables have to be subsequently corrected at the start of their validity date, or when the postage due tables overlap in time, with the corrected postage fee table commencing before the validity end date of the previously valid postage fee table has been reached.

In the Fig. 5b the table selection in case of error is shown as an exemplary embodiment. The error case is clarified by a crossed out (old) version number. For a renaming, for example, there is a Vergabeschema, as shown by the Fig. 3 and 6 was presented. It will be in the Fig. 5b crossed out (old) replaced by a corrected version number. The versioning information associated with the second postage fee table PT2 to be replaced is originally 2.0. At the beginning of its validity B ₂ , the error was not yet known. At the beginning of validity B _{4 of} the corrected postage fee table, ie in the time range between the time t2 and the reloading at the time tj, a correction was made to the previous second postage fee table PT2 in the data center. Their corrected version has the version 4.1 and thus begins to be valid at a later time than the end of the validity of the first postage fee table PT1, which makes the version number change necessary to distinguish it from the now valid second postage fee table PT2 version 2.0. This version number change also extends to other postage fee tables, which will be valid at a later date, ie the previous third Postage Fee Table PT3 version 3.0 receives the version 4.2 in the data center and the previous fourth Postage Fee Table PT4 version 4.0 receives the version 4.3 in the data center.

In the Fig. 6 For example, a subroutine 110 is shown with an allocation scheme for version numbers of corrected postage fee tables. Starting from selection step 109 for correcting the version number of postage fee tables, subroutine 110 is reached. In a first step 110.1, an index i is set to the maximum value corresponding to the number of postage fee tables stored in the database, and in the second step 110.2, the corresponding postage fee table corresponding to the maximum index i and having a validity start _date G _{BEGIN i} is selected.

In the subsequent fourth query step 110.4, the criterion is queried as to whether the validity start date of a new postage fee table supplied for storage in the database is greater than or equal to the validity start date of the selected postage fee table, ie, if GBEGIN x ≥ GBEGIN i . If this is not the case, then in the third step 110.3 the index i is decremented by the value 'one' and the third step 110.3 is used to branch back to the start of the second step 110.2 via a first loop L1.

Otherwise, the criterion is satisfied and a fifth step 110.5 is reached in which the version number H.S is set for the new postage fee table Ax, with its main section H: = Hmax and subsection S. = 1.

In the subsequent sixth step 110.6, the postage fee table A i selected by the decrementing in the first loop L1 is replaced by the more recent version of the new postage fee table Ax.

In the following seventh step 110.7, a previously valid postage fee table A i -1 is deleted from the database if the latter is currently no longer valid.

The query step 111 is then reached and a query is made as to whether further postage fee tables are present in the database.

If this is not the case, then the twelfth step 112 in the sequence after Fig. 3 branches to store the updated version numbers to the postage fee tables in the database.

Otherwise, this is the case, then in the eighth step 110.8 the index i is incremented by the value 'one' and via a ninth step 110.9 is branched back to the beginning of the query step 111 via a second loop L2. In the ninth step 110.9, the version number of the selected postage fee table A i is replaced by the hitherto maximum main section number Kmax and the previous subsection number by a subsection number S: = S + 1 incremented by the value 'one'.

The invention is not limited to the present embodiments. Thus, obviously other other embodiments of the invention can be developed or used, starting from the same basic idea of the invention, which are encompassed by the appended claims.

Claims (19)

A method for providing postage fee tables by a data center for transmission to a service device, storing a plurality of postage fee tables in a database and selecting from the data center database a communication link to the service device after the dial-in of a service device, characterized by the steps of: - Carry out an automatic update and correction of postage fee tables in the database if required, Accepting a communication connection with the data center started by the service device and - Machine selection of at least one postage table from the database of the data center for transmission to the service device. Method according to claim 1, characterized by t an automatic provision (100) of at least one updated postage fee table corrected in terms of its version data in a database as a result of an input (101) of a new postage fee table into a first module (22) for version data processing, - a data processing of the at least one entered new postage fee table of a mail carrier in the data center with conversion (102) of the entered postage fee table in a machine-readable form and a storage (104) of the new postage fee table in a database (23) of the data center, Querying (105) whether only one postage fee table is stored in the database (23) of the data center and allocating a first version number if only one postage fee table is stored, - storage of the version number to the share fee table and release (112) of the newly entered postage fee table for downloading to a remote service device (10), if according to the first query (105) no further of the further postage fee tables stored in the database (23) is to be considered or - more queries (107), (109), if the result of the first query (105) further in the database (23) stored postage fee tables A _0, A ₁ .. A _i .. to be considered to have, at which each query depending on a specific allocation scheme for the version number of the postage fee tables exists. A method according to claim 1, characterized by automatically selecting (200) postage fee tables from the database of a data center in dependence on the versions of postage rates present in the service device, including notifying (201) the version data V stored in the service device of a postage fee table in the frame transmitting (202) the currently valid postage fee table and checking (203) its version data A for compliance with the reported version data V of the service device (10) in a second module (27 ) of the data center, wherein the order for selecting a next table is determined in step (204) after the validity date of the postage fee table at which the latter enters into force. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the service device (10) before the machine selection (200) makes a dial-up to the data center and that during the dial-up a correction process is performed in the data center, the updating of the database of postage fee tables in the Database (23) of the data center. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the automatic generation and assignment of new version numbers even before a call of the service device at the data center as a result of inputting (101) postage fee tables into a first module (22) for version data processing. Method according to Claim 5, characterized in that the version data processing is non-specific or identical to those of the other service devices. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the automatic selection (200) of postage fee tables from the database of a data center comprises determining (204) the next version A + 1 of a future applicable postage fee table before loading it (205) into the service device (10). includes when in the second module (27) of the data center, a match of the version data A of the currently valid postage fee table with the reported version data V current postage fee table of the service device (10) is determined. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the automated selection (200) of postage fee tables from the database of a data center comprises determining (204) the currently current version A of a valid postage fee table before loading it (208) into the service device (10) if in the second module (27) of the data center a mismatch of the version data A of the currently valid postage fee table with the reported version data V current postage fee table of the service device (10) is determined if the currently valid postage fee table has the higher rank. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the currently valid postage fee table has the higher rank, if the version data A is higher than the version data V of the current postage fee table of the service device (10). Method according to Claim 6, characterized in that the version data A are greater in terms of their alphanumeric value than the alphanumeric value of the version data V. The method of claim 1, characterized in that the version data comprises a number consisting of a main section number H and Subsektionsnummer S, which is stored in the database of the data center in each case assigned to a postage fee table, wherein a new postage fee table Ax a main section number H for a first allocation scheme is formed by the previous maximum main section number Hmax is incremented by a value 'one', if the following criteria are met, that further in the database (23) stored postage fee tables A ₀ , A ₁ .. A _i .. An still too in which a postage fee table with a maximum validity start date GBEGIN max exists, which is determined in the first query step (105) and the validity start date GBEGIN x of the new postage fee table Ax is greater than the maximum validity start date GBEGIN max , as determined in the second query step (107) becomes. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the version data comprises a number consisting of a main section number H and subsection number S stored in the database of the data center respectively associated with a postage fee table, wherein a new postage fee table Ax has a main section number H and subsection number S is assigned according to a second allocation scheme, wherein the main section number H assigned to the new postage fee table Ax is equal to the previous maximum main section number Hmax, and wherein the subsection number S is set to the value 'one', if the following criteria are fulfilled, firstly more in the database (23) stored postage fee tables A ₀ , A ₁ .. A _i .. Still to be considered, which is determined in the first query step (105), wherein a postage fee table with a minimum validity start date GBEGIN min exists and secondly, the validity start date GBEGIN x the new postage fee table Ax greater than the minimum validity start date GBEGIN min is what is determined in the third query step (109) and thirdly starting from the postage fee table An with a maximum validity start date GBEGIN max a next postage fee table Ai is selected by means of is which checks whether the validity start date GBEGIN x of the new postage rate table Ax greater than a validity start date GBEGIN i of the selected postage fee table Ai is what in the fourth interrogation step (110.4) is determined to a subroutine (110). A method according to claims 1 and 12, characterized in that according to the second allocation scheme for the version numbers of the remaining postage fee tables, a change of the subsection number S is made, wherein in the database (23) a selection of a next table A _{i + 1} after their date of the beginning of validity, the index i of the next table and the subsection number S are incremented by a value 'one'. Method according to claims 11, 12 and 13, characterized in that after the change of the version number of the at least one new postage fee table present in the database (23) in step (108) or in the subroutine (110) Storage of the version number to the postage fee tables and their release (112) of the postage due table corrected in terms of their version data and completion (113) of the data processing takes place. Arrangement for carrying out the method, having at least one server of a data center with a communication unit (26) and a database (23), which are operatively connected to each other, the communication unit (26) after dialing a service device receives a communication connection to the service device and the database for Storing a plurality of postage fee tables, characterized in that the server includes a first module (22) for version data processing and a second postage box selection module (27), the version data processing of the first module (22) providing automatic updating of a plurality of their version data corrected postage fee tables in the database (23) allows. Arrangement according to Claim 15, characterized in that the data center is designed as a server (20), the server having an input unit (21) which is operatively connected to the database (23) via the first module (22) for version data processing, wherein the database (23) is operatively connected to an execution unit (24) via a second postage-cell selection module (27) operatively connected to a status message display unit (25) and to the communication unit (26) on the one hand. Arrangement, according to claims 15 to 16, characterized in that a system of a server (20) and at least one service device (10) is formed, which are communicatively connected to each other, after a dial-up by the service device (10) has taken place. Arrangement according to Claim 15, characterized in that the server of a data center (30) is designed as a postage table default server (34). Arrangement according to claims 15 and 18, characterized in that the data center comprises a communication server (36) and a database server (33), both of which are operatively connected to the postage rate table default server (34), the Communication server (36) a communication unit (26) and the database server (33) includes a database (23), wherein the postage rate table default server (34) has an input unit (21) with a first module (22 ) is operatively connected to the version data processing, that the postage charge table default server (34) comprises a second postage meter selection machine (27) that allows access to the database (23) and accesses the database of the data center for automatic selection of postage fee tables, and that the second postage table selection module (27) operatively connects to an execution unit (24) and a display unit (25) that is.

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