EP0675463B1 - Franking machine with additional displays - Google Patents

Franking machine with additional displays Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0675463B1
EP0675463B1 EP19940400706 EP94400706A EP0675463B1 EP 0675463 B1 EP0675463 B1 EP 0675463B1 EP 19940400706 EP19940400706 EP 19940400706 EP 94400706 A EP94400706 A EP 94400706A EP 0675463 B1 EP0675463 B1 EP 0675463B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
display
data
postal
box
machine
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.)
Revoked
Application number
EP19940400706
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0675463A1 (en
Inventor
Claude Martin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SECAP Groupe Pitney Bowes SAS
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Secap SA
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Application filed by Secap SA filed Critical Secap SA
Priority to DE1994634037 priority Critical patent/DE69434037T2/en
Priority to EP19940400706 priority patent/EP0675463B1/en
Publication of EP0675463A1 publication Critical patent/EP0675463A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0675463B1 publication Critical patent/EP0675463B1/en
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    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • G07B2017/00298—Visual, e.g. screens and their layouts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a machine electronic franking comprising printing means, means for entering postal values, printing means and postal accounting, all of these means being enclosed in a security box, and first display means, for displaying data of postal accounting known as "regulatory", these first display means being arranged in said housing, such so that the data displayed there is visible from outside the case.
  • Known electronic franking machines are built so that the accounting data postal, which represent sums of money and which are there stored, be safe from all kinds of fraud; for this purpose they include a closed safety box by a lock, plumb or any other suitable device, which contains the printing means, the management circuits printing, and postal accounting circuits; such a machine has been described for example in the document FR-A-2360136.
  • postal administrations require at least the display of so-called postal data "regulatory", these consisting of the content of some sensitive machine registers in which are stored, for example, the postal balance or the cumulative postage.
  • postal data regulatory
  • users want ability to access management functions and to this needs to see other data such as that: statistics, number of mail franked with a rate given etc ...
  • the data format to be displayed may vary.
  • Document EP-A-0 125 526 discloses a postage in two parts of which the first is a counter counting postal data and the second serves as mechanical support and electrical supply to the meter.
  • the second part has a display to display the data recorded in the first part.
  • the present invention proposes to solve all the problems mentioned here and related to the display.
  • a postage meter electronic of the kind comprising input means for postal values, printing means and means of order and postal accounting, all of these means being enclosed in a security box, and the first display means for displaying accounting data so-called "regulatory" postal services, these first means display being arranged in the housing, so as to allow reading of said data from outside the housing, machine characterized in that it comprises a serial transmission link transmitting permanently to outside the security box, data to display including at least some of the data displayed by first means of display.
  • the present invention also relates to a machine for electronic postage of the kind comprising means input of postal values, printing means and means of ordering and postal accounting, all of these means being enclosed in a security box, and first display means to display data from postal accounting called "regulatory", these first display means being arranged in the housing, so as to allow reading of said data from outside the housing, said machine comprising a device external to the safety box, machine characterized in that it further includes a serial transmission link, transmitting permanently, outside the security box, data to display including at least some of the data displayed by the first display means, the device comprising second display means, and a link reception series capable of cooperating with said serial link to display all or part of the data transmitted.
  • the present invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks.
  • the second display means, or additional display means allow you to display the desired data by the user. All data transmitted by the serial link need not be displayed, and it can be made a selection from among these.
  • the machine is characterized in that the external device is agency to be adaptable to said security box, so as to hide the display of data achievable by said first means of display.
  • This advantageous arrangement makes it possible to prevent the user is bothered by the continuous display of data on the first display. On a practical level, at the level of the user, everything happens as if the first means had been replaced by the latter.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram of a franking machine according to the present invention.
  • the franking machine comprises input means 11 of postal values, connected to a control and postal accounting circuit 12, this the latter being connected to electromechanical means printing 13.
  • a power supply is also provided regulated 16, supplying the whole machine.
  • Control and accounting circuits include various memory and microprocessor registers, intended to control electromechanical printing means 13.
  • Control and accounting circuits shown diagrammatically under reference 12 also include sensitive memories for storing postal data such as postal balances or cumulative postage. This and other data can be viewed on a first display 15a, 15b. All the means 11, 13, 16 as well as the display control circuit 17 15a, 15b are locked in a tamper-resistant security box, and possibly sealed, only the window for reading the display 15a, 15b being arranged so that it is visible from the outside of the case.
  • FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the security box 14, where the display is located 15, which will be called hereinafter description "first means of display”. These means include two display lines 15a, 15b.
  • the displays 15a, 15b are arranged on inclined support walls 18a, 18b.
  • contacts 21 are arranged on the outer casing 14.
  • these contacts are arranged on the support 18a, and are in the form of oblong areas suitable for cooperate with spring contacts carried by the structure second display means.
  • control and accounting means 12 are adapted to transmit data, including postal data regulatory, towards a serial link.
  • the serial link is constituted by a set of two emitting diodes 22, 22 ', conventionally arranged and connected to the control circuit and accounting 12, the latter having been adapted for transmit binary signals to the diodes 22, 22 'representing postal data required by post (data "regulatory") and a set of data including the position of all counters such as up counters, descendants, fold counters, statistical information, machine status information (incidents, maintenance information).
  • the diodes 22, 22 ' are here of SIEMENS type, reference SFH 487.
  • Figure 3 shows an external device comprising a second display, arranged on the machine postage illustrated in Figure 2.
  • the external device 30 comprises a housing lower 31 and an upper housing articulated on a hinge 33, so that it is orientable.
  • the box lower 31 has a lower part 32 of a shape suitable for conforming to the external shape of the safety box 14, at the support walls 16a, 16b of the lines display 15a, 15b.
  • the lower case 31 has two fasteners mobile 34, 34 ', arranged laterally and adapted to cooperate with the lateral tabs 35, 35 'arranged on the housing 14, to fix the external device there 30.
  • the lower case 31, which comes into contact with the safety box, has two spring contacts, arranged to bear on the contact pads 21, 21 'and thereby allowing the supply of the external device 30.
  • the spring contacts have been shown diagrammatically under the references 43, 43 '.
  • the external device includes a serial reception link capable of cooperating with the serial transmission link.
  • the serial reception link 41 includes two photo-transistors 42, 42 '.
  • the photo-transistors 42, 42 ' are arranged on the lower case 31 to be opposite the emitting diodes 22, 22 ', when the housing 31 is fixed to the housing security 14, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
  • the photo-transistors used in this embodiment are of the type SIEMENS, reference SFH 309.
  • the map electronics essentially includes a circuit 46 of control of the display 40 (here an integrated circuit sold by PHILIPS under the reference PCF 8576), as well as link circuits to display 40 and serial link reception 41, constituted in this case by photo-transistors 42, 42 '.
  • This circuit also includes supply conductors 44 (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4) connected to the spring contacts 43, 43 ', and supplying power to the display 40 and the integrated circuit 46.
  • the circuit diagram 46 of the display liquid crystal is available in the PHILIPS catalog and is classic in the state of the art. It will therefore not described in more detail here. Note that it is suitable for receive binary data such as those transmitted by the photo-transistors 42, 42 ', and to execute the entire processing to deliver to the displays liquid crystal, the appropriate control signals, so as to display said data.
  • FIG. 5 it is possible to interpose between the control circuit 46, and the serial link of reception 41, a selection circuit 50 comprising a decoder of the data received from the serial link 41, and a series of doors allowing some to pass, selected, data, to the driving circuit 46.
  • This arrangement allows you to select the data to be pin up.
  • the selection circuit 50 is arranged outside of the security box 14, and that it has not to be subject to the same strict security rules that the devices arranged inside the box 14. In this way, it is possible to plan by a selection circuit adapted to each type of clientele, without having to question the approval of the whole machine.
  • the external device or the additive display means which have just been described are designed to be fixed on the machine above the displays integrated into the machine, which is therefore protected. In this way, the user benefits from the improved performance of the additional display device, but postal services can always check postal balances on the first display means 15a, 15b which are protected.
  • serial link has been described. optical type. Such a serial link can be replaced by a galvanic type serial link.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne une machine affranchir électronique comportant des moyens d'impression, des moyens d'entrée de valeurs postales, des moyens d'impression et des moyens de comptabilité postale, l'ensemble de ces moyens étant renfermé dans un boítier de sécurité, et des premiers moyens d'affichage, pour afficher des données de comptabilité postale dites "règlementaires", ces premiers moyens d'affichage étant agencés dans ledit boítier, de telle sorte que les données qui y sont affichées sont visibles depuis l'extérieur du boítier.The present invention relates to a machine electronic franking comprising printing means, means for entering postal values, printing means and postal accounting, all of these means being enclosed in a security box, and first display means, for displaying data of postal accounting known as "regulatory", these first display means being arranged in said housing, such so that the data displayed there is visible from outside the case.

Les machines à affranchir électroniques connues sont construites pour que les données de comptabilité postale, qui représentent des sommes d'argent et qui y sont mémorisées, soient à l'abri de toutes sortes de fraudes ; elles comprennent à cet effet un boítier de sécurité, fermé par une serrure, un plomb ou tout autre dispositif approprié, qui renferme les moyens d'impression, les circuits de gestion de l'impression, et les circuits de comptabilité postale ; une telle machine a été décrite par exemple dans le document FR-A-2.360.136.Known electronic franking machines are built so that the accounting data postal, which represent sums of money and which are there stored, be safe from all kinds of fraud; for this purpose they include a closed safety box by a lock, plumb or any other suitable device, which contains the printing means, the management circuits printing, and postal accounting circuits; such a machine has been described for example in the document FR-A-2360136.

D'une manière générale, pour que ces machines remplissent parfaitement leur rôle, il faut que leur conception et leur construction respectent des règles de sécurité strictes. A ce titre, ces machines sont étudiées et mises en service sous le contrôle des services des postes des divers pays. Il s'ensuit qu'il est relativement difficile de faire évoluer ces machines, car toutes modifications d'une machine existante doit donner lieu à une procédure d'agrément. Par ailleurs, les services des postes n'aiment pas voir de trop nombreux types de machines à affranchir en service car cela complique la tâche des services chargés du contrôle.Generally speaking, in order for these machines fulfill their role perfectly, their design must and their construction respect safety rules strict. As such, these machines are studied and implemented service under the control of various postal services country. It follows that it is relatively difficult to do evolve these machines, because all modifications of a machine existing must give rise to an approval procedure. Through elsewhere, the postal services do not like to see too much many types of franking machines in service because this complicates the task of the control services.

Par ailleurs, le besoin se fait sentir d'une machine à affranchir présentant non seulement les fonctions postales de base, mais également susceptible de proposer à l'utilisateur d'autres fonctions notamment dans le domaine de la gestion. Dans un autre ordre d'idées, le besoin se fait de plus en plus sentir d'une machine susceptible de pouvoir être adaptée aux exigences de divers types de clientèle, sans pour autant que l'adaptation de nouvelles fonctions pour satisfaire ces exigences, remette en cause l'agrément PTT.In addition, the need arises for a franking machine with not only functions basic postal services, but also likely to offer the user of other functions, particularly in the field of management. On another note, the need arises to more and more feel of a machine likely to be able to be adapted to the requirements of various types of customers, without as much as adapting new functions to satisfy these requirements, calls into question the PTT approval.

L'une des extensions fonctionnelles souhaitée à trait à l'affichage. En effet, les administrations postales requièrent au minimum l'affichage de données postales dites "règlementaires", celles-ci consistant dans le contenu de certains registres sensibles de la machine dans lesquels sont mémorisés par exemples le solde postal ou le cumul des affranchissements. D'un autre côté, les utilisateurs souhaitent pouvoir avoir accès à des fonctions de gestion et pour cela ont besoin de voir s'afficher d'autres données telles que : statistiques, nombre de plis affranchis avec un taux donné etc ... En outre, d'un type de clientèle à l'autre, ou d'un pays à l'autre, le format des données devant être affichées peut avoir à varier.One of the desired functional extensions to relates to display. Indeed, postal administrations require at least the display of so-called postal data "regulatory", these consisting of the content of some sensitive machine registers in which are stored, for example, the postal balance or the cumulative postage. On the other hand, users want ability to access management functions and to this needs to see other data such as that: statistics, number of mail franked with a rate given etc ... In addition, from one type of clientele to another, or from one country to another, the data format to be displayed may vary.

Il a été proposé dans le document FR-A-2.407.536, une machine à affranchir qui ne comporte pas d'afficheur dans le boítier de sécurité, mais qui est dotée d'une ligne de transmission pour déporter l'afficheur dans un boítier externe. Une telle machine présente pour inconvénient que des fraudeurs pourraient "manipuler" les données devant être affichées, de telle sorte que, par exemple lors du relevé du solde postal opéré par les services de la poste, le cumul des affranchissements affichés pourrait ne pas correspondre au cumul des affranchissements effectivement réalisés. C'est pourquoi la solution qui consiste à déporter l'afficheur en dehors du boítier n'est pas satisfaisante.It was proposed in document FR-A-2.407.536, a franking machine that does not have a display in the security box, but which has a line of transmission to deport the display in a box external. The disadvantage of such a machine is that fraudsters could "manipulate" the data to be displayed, so that, for example when reading the postal balance operated by the postal services, the accumulation of postage displayed may not match cumulative postage actually made. It is why the solution which consists in deporting the display in outside the housing is not satisfactory.

Il est connu du document EP-A-0 125 526 une machine à affranchir en deux parties dont la première est un compteur comptabilisant les données postales et la seconde sert de support mécanique et d'alimentation électrique au compteur. La seconde partie comporte un afficheur pour afficher les données postales enregistrées dans la première partie.Document EP-A-0 125 526 discloses a postage in two parts of which the first is a counter counting postal data and the second serves as mechanical support and electrical supply to the meter. The second part has a display to display the data recorded in the first part.

La présente invention se propose de résoudre l'ensemble des problèmes mentionnés ici et liés à l'afficheur.The present invention proposes to solve all the problems mentioned here and related to the display.

Dans ce but, elle vise une machine à affranchir électronique du genre comportant des moyens d'entrée de valeurs postales, des moyens d'impression et des moyens de commande et de comptabilité postale, l'ensemble de ces moyens étant renfermés dans un boítier de sécurité, et des premiers moyens d'affichage pour afficher des données de comptabilité postales dites "réglementaires", ces premiers moyens d'affichage étant agencés dans le boítier, de manière à permettre la lecture desdites données depuis l'extérieur du boítier, machine caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte une liaison série d'émission transmettant en permanence, à l'extérieur du boítier de sécurité, des données à afficher incluant certaines au moins des données affichées par les premiers moyens d'affichage.To this end, it targets a postage meter electronic of the kind comprising input means for postal values, printing means and means of order and postal accounting, all of these means being enclosed in a security box, and the first display means for displaying accounting data so-called "regulatory" postal services, these first means display being arranged in the housing, so as to allow reading of said data from outside the housing, machine characterized in that it comprises a serial transmission link transmitting permanently to outside the security box, data to display including at least some of the data displayed by first means of display.

La présente invention vise également une machine à affranchir électronique du genre comportant des moyens d'entrée de valeurs postales, des moyens d'impression et des moyens de commande et de comptabilité postale, l'ensemble de ces moyens étant renfermés dans un boítier de sécurité, et des premiers moyens d'affichage pour afficher des données de comptabilité postale dites "réglementaires", ces premiers moyens d'affichage étant agencés dans le boítier, de manière à permettre la lecture desdites données depuis l'extérieur du boítier, ladite machine comportant un dispositif externe au boítier de sécurité, machine caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte en outre une liaison série d'émission, transmettant en permanence, à l'extérieur du boítier de sécurité, des données à afficher incluant certaines au moins des données affichées par les premiers moyens d'affichage, le dispositif comportant des seconds moyens d'affichage, et une liaison série de réception apte à coopérer avec ladite liaison série d'émission pour afficher tout ou partie des données transmises.The present invention also relates to a machine for electronic postage of the kind comprising means input of postal values, printing means and means of ordering and postal accounting, all of these means being enclosed in a security box, and first display means to display data from postal accounting called "regulatory", these first display means being arranged in the housing, so as to allow reading of said data from outside the housing, said machine comprising a device external to the safety box, machine characterized in that it further includes a serial transmission link, transmitting permanently, outside the security box, data to display including at least some of the data displayed by the first display means, the device comprising second display means, and a link reception series capable of cooperating with said serial link to display all or part of the data transmitted.

Grâce à ces dispositions, la présente invention pallie les inconvénients précités. En effet, les seconds moyens d'affichage, ou les moyens d'affichage additionnels, permettent de procéder à l'affichage des données souhaitées par l'utilisateur. Toutes les données transmises par la liaison série n'ont pas besoin d'être affichées, et il peut être fait une sélection parmi celles-ci.Thanks to these provisions, the present invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks. Indeed, the second display means, or additional display means, allow you to display the desired data by the user. All data transmitted by the serial link need not be displayed, and it can be made a selection from among these.

On observera que les premiers moyens d'affichage restent solidaires du boítier de sécurité et protégés par ce dernier, la poste pouvant y avoir accès pour opérer ces contrôles habituels.We will observe that the first display means remain attached to the security box and protected by it last, the post can have access to operate these usual checks.

Dans un mode préféré de réalisation, la machine est caractérisée en ce que le dispositif externe est agence pour être adaptable audit boítier de sécurité, de manière à masquer l'affichage des données réalisables par lesdits premiers moyens d'affichage.In a preferred embodiment, the machine is characterized in that the external device is agency to be adaptable to said security box, so as to hide the display of data achievable by said first means of display.

Cette disposition avantageuse permet d'éviter que l'utilisateur soit géné par l'affichage continuel de données sur le premier afficheur. Sur le plan pratique, au niveau de l'utilisateur, tout se passe comme si les premiers moyens d'affichage avaient été remplacés par les seconds.This advantageous arrangement makes it possible to prevent the user is bothered by the continuous display of data on the first display. On a practical level, at the level of the user, everything happens as if the first means had been replaced by the latter.

Les caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention ressortiront d'ailleurs de la description qui suit en regard des dessins annexés sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est un schéma fonctionnel d'une machine à affranchir,
  • la figure 2 est une vue partielle simplifiée de la machine à affranchir illustrée en figure 1,
  • la figure 3 est une vue correspondant à la figure 2, la machine à affranchir ayant été munie des seconds moyens d'affichage,
  • la figure 4 est un schéma fonctionnel du dispositif comportant les seconds moyens d'affichage illustrés en figure 3, et
  • la figure 5 est une vue correspondant à la figure 4, illustrant une variante de réalisation.
The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will moreover emerge from the description which follows with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of a franking machine,
  • FIG. 2 is a simplified partial view of the franking machine illustrated in FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2, the franking machine having been provided with second display means,
  • FIG. 4 is a functional diagram of the device comprising the second display means illustrated in FIG. 3, and
  • Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 4, illustrating an alternative embodiment.

La figure 1 est un schéma fonctionnel d'une machine à affranchir conforme à la présente invention.Figure 1 is a block diagram of a franking machine according to the present invention.

De façon classique, la machine à affranchir comporte des moyens d'entrée 11 de valeurs postales, raccordés à un circuit de commande et de comptabilité postale 12, ce dernier étant raccordé à des moyens électromécaniques d'impression 13. Il est également prévu une alimentation régulée 16, alimentant l'ensemble de la machine.In a conventional way, the franking machine comprises input means 11 of postal values, connected to a control and postal accounting circuit 12, this the latter being connected to electromechanical means printing 13. A power supply is also provided regulated 16, supplying the whole machine.

La structure des moyens 11, 13, 16 est bien connue de l'homme de l'art. Les moyens d'entrée peuvent par exemple consister en un clavier ou en une entrée de données binaires en provenance d'un organe de commande externe à la machine à affranchir. Les circuits de commande et de comptabilisation comportent divers registres de mémoire et microprocesseur, destinés à commander les moyens électromécaniques d'impression 13. Les circuits de commande et de comptabilisation schématisés sous la référence 12 comportent également des mémoires sensibles destinées à mémoriser des données postales telles que le solde postal ou le cumul des affranchissements. Ces données, ainsi que d'autres, peuvent être affichées sur un premier afficheur 15a, 15b. L'ensemble des moyens 11, 13, 16 ainsi que le circuit 17 de commande de l'afficheur 15a, 15b sont enfermés dans un boítier de sécurité inviolable, et éventuellement plombé, seule la fenêtre de lecture de l'afficheur 15a, 15b étant agencée de telle sorte qu'elle est visible depuis l'extérieur du boítier.The structure of the means 11, 13, 16 is well known from one skilled in the art. The means of entry can for example consist of a keyboard or binary data entry from a control device external to the machine overcome. Control and accounting circuits include various memory and microprocessor registers, intended to control electromechanical printing means 13. Control and accounting circuits shown diagrammatically under reference 12 also include sensitive memories for storing postal data such as postal balances or cumulative postage. This and other data can be viewed on a first display 15a, 15b. All the means 11, 13, 16 as well as the display control circuit 17 15a, 15b are locked in a tamper-resistant security box, and possibly sealed, only the window for reading the display 15a, 15b being arranged so that it is visible from the outside of the case.

L'ensemble de ces dispositions est extrêmement classique dans le domaine des machines à affranchir. On pourra utilement se reporter au document FR-A-2.360.136, dont le contenu est intégré ici et qui décrit une machine à affranchir mettant en oeuvre de tels moyens. En outre, la machine à affranchir utilisée dans ce mode de réalisation, est celle fabriquée et commercialisée par la demanderesse sous la référence "MINIPOST" depuis 1990, hormis les moyens décrits et représentés sur les figures et qui portent sur celles-ci un numéro de référence supérieur ou égal à 20. La machine "MINIPOST" met en oeuvre des moyens identiques aux moyens 11 à 17, le boítier 14, le circuit 12 et l'alimentation 16 ayant été sensiblement modifiés comme expliqué ci-après. Les caractéristiques déjà connues des moyens 11 à 17, et non modifiées par la présente invention, ne seront par conséquent pas décrites plus en détail ici.All of these provisions are extremely classic in the field of franking machines. We will be able to usefully refer to document FR-A-2.360.136, the content is embedded here and that describes a postage meter using such means. In addition, the machine postage used in this embodiment, is that manufactured and marketed by the applicant under the reference "MINIPOST" since 1990, except for the means described and represented in the figures and which bear on them a reference number greater than or equal to 20. The machine "MINIPOST" implements means identical to means 11 to 17, the housing 14, the circuit 12 and the power supply 16 having have been significantly modified as explained below. The characteristics already known of means 11 to 17, and not modified by the present invention, will not be therefore not described in more detail here.

La figure 2 illustre de façon schématique le boítier de sécurité 14, à l'endroit où est disposé l'afficheur 15, que l'on appellera dans la suite de la présente description "premier moyen d'affichage". Ces moyens comportent deux lignes d'affichage 15a, 15b. Les afficheurs 15a, 15b sont agencés sur des parois inclinées de support 18a, 18b.Figure 2 schematically illustrates the security box 14, where the display is located 15, which will be called hereinafter description "first means of display". These means include two display lines 15a, 15b. The displays 15a, 15b are arranged on inclined support walls 18a, 18b.

Conformément à un aspect de l'invention, des contacts 21 sont agencés sur le boítier extérieur 14. Dans ce mode de réalisation, ces contacts sont agencés sur le support 18a, et se présentent sous forme de plages oblongues aptes à coopérer avec des contacts à ressort portés par la structure des seconds moyens d'affichage.In accordance with one aspect of the invention, contacts 21 are arranged on the outer casing 14. In this embodiment, these contacts are arranged on the support 18a, and are in the form of oblong areas suitable for cooperate with spring contacts carried by the structure second display means.

Conformément à un autre aspect de l'invention, les moyens de commande et de comptabilité 12 sont adaptés à transmettre des données, incluant les données postales règlementaires, vers une liaison série. Dans le mode de réalisation choisi et représenté, la liaison série est constituée par un ensemble de deux diodes émissives 22, 22', agencées de façon classique et reliées au circuit de commande et de comptabilisation 12, ce dernier ayant été adapté pour transmettre des signaux binaires aux diodes 22, 22' représentant les données postales requises par la poste (données "règlementaires") ainsi qu'un ensemble de données comprenant la position de tous les compteurs tels que compteurs ascendants, descendants, compteurs de plis, informations statistiques, informations sur l'état de la machine (incidents, informations pour la maintenance). Les diodes 22, 22' sont ici de type SIEMENS, référence SFH 487.In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the control and accounting means 12 are adapted to transmit data, including postal data regulatory, towards a serial link. In the mode of realization chosen and shown, the serial link is constituted by a set of two emitting diodes 22, 22 ', conventionally arranged and connected to the control circuit and accounting 12, the latter having been adapted for transmit binary signals to the diodes 22, 22 'representing postal data required by post (data "regulatory") and a set of data including the position of all counters such as up counters, descendants, fold counters, statistical information, machine status information (incidents, maintenance information). The diodes 22, 22 'are here of SIEMENS type, reference SFH 487.

La figure 3 montre un dispositif extérieur comportant un second afficheur, agencé sur la machine à affranchir illustrée en figure 2. Figure 3 shows an external device comprising a second display, arranged on the machine postage illustrated in Figure 2.

Le dispositif extérieur 30 comporte un boítier inférieur 31 et un boítier supérieur articulé sur une charnière 33, de telle sorte qu'il est orientable. Le boítier inférieur 31 comporte une partie inférieure 32 d'une forme propre à épouser la forme extérieure du boítier de sécurité 14, au niveau des parois de support 16a, 16b des lignes d'affichage 15a, 15b.The external device 30 comprises a housing lower 31 and an upper housing articulated on a hinge 33, so that it is orientable. The box lower 31 has a lower part 32 of a shape suitable for conforming to the external shape of the safety box 14, at the support walls 16a, 16b of the lines display 15a, 15b.

Le boítier inférieur 31 comporte deux attaches mobiles 34, 34', agencées latéralement et adaptées à coopérer avec les pattes latérales 35, 35' agencées sur le boítier 14, pour y fixer le dispositif extérieur 30.The lower case 31 has two fasteners mobile 34, 34 ', arranged laterally and adapted to cooperate with the lateral tabs 35, 35 'arranged on the housing 14, to fix the external device there 30.

Le boítier inférieur 31, qui vient au contact du boítier de sécurité, est muni de deux contacts à ressort, agencés pour porter sur les plages de contact 21, 21' et permettre de ce fait l'alimentation du dispositif extérieur 30. Sur la figure 4, les contacts à ressort ont été schématisés sous les références 43, 43'.The lower case 31, which comes into contact with the safety box, has two spring contacts, arranged to bear on the contact pads 21, 21 'and thereby allowing the supply of the external device 30. In FIG. 4, the spring contacts have been shown diagrammatically under the references 43, 43 '.

Conformément à l'invention, le dispositif externe comporte une liaison série de réception apte à coopérer avec la liaison série d'émission. Dans ce mode de réalisation, la liaison série de réception 41 comporte deux photo-transistors 42, 42'. Les photo-transistors 42, 42' sont agencés sur le boítier inférieur 31 pour être en regard des diodes émissives 22, 22', lorsque le boítier 31 est fixé sur le boítier de sécurité 14, comme illustré en figure 3. Les photo-transistors utilisés dans ce mode de réalisation sont de type SIEMENS, référence SFH 309.According to the invention, the external device includes a serial reception link capable of cooperating with the serial transmission link. In this embodiment, the serial reception link 41 includes two photo-transistors 42, 42 '. The photo-transistors 42, 42 'are arranged on the lower case 31 to be opposite the emitting diodes 22, 22 ', when the housing 31 is fixed to the housing security 14, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The photo-transistors used in this embodiment are of the type SIEMENS, reference SFH 309.

A l'intérieur du boítier supérieur 32, se trouve positionné, en face d'une fenêtre de lecture 37, un afficheur à deux lignes 40a, 40b de seize caractères à cristaux liquides de marque OCULAR (746 Lingco Drive à RICHARDSON TX 75081, cette Société réalisant sur mesure des afficheurs à cristaux liquides), ainsi qu'une carte électronique. La carte électronique comporte essentiellement un circuit 46 de pilotage de l'afficheur 40 (ici un circuit intégré commercialisé par PHILIPS sous la référence PCF 8576), ainsi que les circuits de liaison vers l'afficheur 40 et la liaison série de réception 41, constitués en l'espèce par les photo-transistors 42, 42'. Ce circuit comporte également des conducteurs d'alimentation 44 (schématisés en traits interrompus sur la figure 4) reliés aux contacts à ressort 43, 43', et assurant l'alimentation de l'afficheur 40 et du circuit intégré 46.Inside the upper case 32, is located positioned, opposite a reading window 37, a display two lines 40a, 40b of sixteen crystal characters OCULAR brand liquids (746 Lingco Drive in RICHARDSON TX 75081, this Company realizing custom displays liquid crystals), as well as an electronic card. The map electronics essentially includes a circuit 46 of control of the display 40 (here an integrated circuit sold by PHILIPS under the reference PCF 8576), as well as link circuits to display 40 and serial link reception 41, constituted in this case by photo-transistors 42, 42 '. This circuit also includes supply conductors 44 (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4) connected to the spring contacts 43, 43 ', and supplying power to the display 40 and the integrated circuit 46.

Le schéma du circuit de pilotage 46 de l'afficheur à cristaux liquides est disponible au catalogue PHILIPS et est classique dans l'état de la technique. Il ne sera donc pas décrit plus en détail ici. On notera qu'il est apte à recevoir sur ses entrées des données binaires telles que celles transmises par les photo-transistors 42, 42', et à exécuter la totalité du traitement pour délivrer aux afficheurs à cristaux liquides, les signaux de commande appropriés, de manière à afficher lesdites données.The circuit diagram 46 of the display liquid crystal is available in the PHILIPS catalog and is classic in the state of the art. It will therefore not described in more detail here. Note that it is suitable for receive binary data such as those transmitted by the photo-transistors 42, 42 ', and to execute the entire processing to deliver to the displays liquid crystal, the appropriate control signals, so as to display said data.

En variante, figure 5, il est possible d' interposer entre le circuit de pilotage 46, et la liaison série de réception 41, un circuit de sélection 50 comportant un décodeur des données reçues de la liaison série 41, et une série de portes permettant de laisser passer certaines, sélectionnées, des données, vers le circuit de pilotage 46. Cette disposition permet de sélectionner les données à afficher. On observera que le circuit de sélection 50 est agencé à l'extérieur du boítier de sécurité 14, et qu'il n'a pas à être soumis aux mêmes règles strictes de sécurité postale que les dispositifs agencés à l'intérieur du boítier de sécurité 14. De la sorte, il est possible de prévoir par un circuit de sélection adapté à chaque type de clientèle, sans avoir à remettre en cause l'agrément de l'ensemble de la machine.As a variant, in FIG. 5, it is possible to interpose between the control circuit 46, and the serial link of reception 41, a selection circuit 50 comprising a decoder of the data received from the serial link 41, and a series of doors allowing some to pass, selected, data, to the driving circuit 46. This arrangement allows you to select the data to be pin up. It will be observed that the selection circuit 50 is arranged outside of the security box 14, and that it has not to be subject to the same strict security rules that the devices arranged inside the box 14. In this way, it is possible to plan by a selection circuit adapted to each type of clientele, without having to question the approval of the whole machine.

Dans l'une et l'autre variantes de réalisation, le dispositif extérieur ou les moyens d'affichage addictionnels qui viennent d'être décrits, sont conçus pour se fixer sur la machine au-dessus des afficheurs intégrés à la machine, qui se trouve de ce fait protégée. De cette façon, l'utilisateur bénéfice des performances améliorées du dispositif additionnel d'affichage, mais les services postaux peuvent toujours vérifier les soldes postaux sur les premiers moyens d'affichage 15a, 15b qui sont protégés.In both variant embodiments, the external device or the additive display means which have just been described, are designed to be fixed on the machine above the displays integrated into the machine, which is therefore protected. In this way, the user benefits from the improved performance of the additional display device, but postal services can always check postal balances on the first display means 15a, 15b which are protected.

Bien entendu la présente invention ne se limite nullement aux modes de réalisation décrits et représentés, mais englobe toutes variantes à la portée de l'homme de l'art.Of course the present invention is not limited in no way to the embodiments described and shown, but encompasses all variants within the reach of man's art.

En particulier, il a été décrit une liaison série de type optique. Une telle liaison série peut être remplacée par une liaison série de type galvanique.In particular, a serial link has been described. optical type. Such a serial link can be replaced by a galvanic type serial link.

Claims (4)

  1. Electronic franking machine of the type comprising means (11) for entering postal values, printing means (13) and postal control and accounting means (12), all these means being enclosed within a secure box (14), and first display means (15a, 15b) to display so-called "regulation" postal accounting data, these first display means being arranged in the box in such a way that the said data can be read from outside the box, the machine being characterised in that it comprises a series transmission link (22,22') continually transmitting data for display, including at least some of the data displayed by the first display means (15a, 15b), outside the secure box (14).
  2. Electronic franking machine of the type comprising means (11) for entering postal values, printing means (13) and control and postal accounting means (12), all these means being enclosed within a secure box (14), and first display means (15a, 15b) to display so-called "regulation" postal accounting data, these first display means being arranged within the box in such a way that the said data can be read from the exterior of the box, the said machine comprising a device (30) outside the secure box, the machine being characterised in that it also comprises a series transmission link (22, 22') continuously transmitting data for display, including at least some of the data displayed by the first display means (15a, 15b), outside the secure box (14), the device (30) comprising second display means (40a, 40b) and a series receiving link (42, 42') capable of acting together with the said transmission series link (22, 22') to display all or part of the data transmitted.
  3. Franking machine according to claim 2, characterised in that the external device (30) is arranged so that it can be fitted to the said secure box in such a way as to mask display of the data performed by the said first display means.
  4. Franking machine according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the said series links are provided in optical form.
EP19940400706 1994-03-31 1994-03-31 Franking machine with additional displays Revoked EP0675463B1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE1994634037 DE69434037T2 (en) 1994-03-31 1994-03-31 Postage meter with additional indications
EP19940400706 EP0675463B1 (en) 1994-03-31 1994-03-31 Franking machine with additional displays

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19940400706 EP0675463B1 (en) 1994-03-31 1994-03-31 Franking machine with additional displays

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EP0675463A1 EP0675463A1 (en) 1995-10-04
EP0675463B1 true EP0675463B1 (en) 2004-09-29

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EP19940400706 Revoked EP0675463B1 (en) 1994-03-31 1994-03-31 Franking machine with additional displays

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102005038151B3 (en) 2005-08-12 2007-02-08 Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh Test system for a user terminal and test automation method

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2066734B (en) * 1977-10-28 1982-12-01 Pitney Bowes Inc Electronic postal meter
US4528644A (en) * 1983-07-18 1985-07-09 Pitney Bowes Inc. Customizing the firmware after assembly of an electronic postage meter
JPS60101788U (en) * 1983-12-16 1985-07-11 北川工業株式会社 Fixtures for electronic display boards
FR2610403B1 (en) * 1987-01-30 1991-06-14 Jet Services SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WEIGHING AN OBJECT, WITH AUTOMATIC EDITING OF A LABEL

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EP0675463A1 (en) 1995-10-04
DE69434037T2 (en) 2005-10-06
DE69434037D1 (en) 2004-11-04

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