EP1762987A1 - Method for the delivery of a franking service over a communication network - Google Patents

Method for the delivery of a franking service over a communication network Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1762987A1
EP1762987A1 EP06120220A EP06120220A EP1762987A1 EP 1762987 A1 EP1762987 A1 EP 1762987A1 EP 06120220 A EP06120220 A EP 06120220A EP 06120220 A EP06120220 A EP 06120220A EP 1762987 A1 EP1762987 A1 EP 1762987A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
service
franking
user
communication device
server system
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06120220A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Fabien Chatte
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.)
Quadient Technologies France SA
Original Assignee
Neopost Technologies SA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Neopost Technologies SA filed Critical Neopost Technologies SA
Publication of EP1762987A1 publication Critical patent/EP1762987A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/00024—Physical or organizational aspects of franking systems
    • G07B2017/00048—Software architecture
    • G07B2017/00056—Client-server
    • G07B2017/00064—Virtual meter, online stamp; PSD functions or indicia creation not at user's location
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G07B2017/00112—Wireless
    • G07B2017/0012—Wireless in a mobile phone system

Definitions

  • the present invention relates exclusively to the field of mail processing and more particularly relates to a method for providing the delivery of a franking service through a telecommunications network.
  • TPE very small company
  • An alternative that does not apply to packages may be to purchase pre-stamped envelopes.
  • this limited solution only concerns standard mail, without value-added services such as mail tracking, insured mail, or registered letter for example, which services most often require the passage through the reception offices of the administration for registration.
  • the use of a mobile phone allows the obtaining and automatic payment of any franking service at any time and therefore regardless of the opening hours of post offices.
  • connection to the server system may comprise either the sending by a portable communication device of a call to a voice server associated with the mailing service provider's server system or the display by the communication device of a homepage of the franking services dealer.
  • the operation of inputting said unique identification number may comprise either a manual entry on the keyboard of the communication device of a string of alphanumeric characters printed on the mail item and forming this number.
  • unique identification is a digital capture by the communication device of a bar code printed on the mail piece, said bar code being preferably a two-dimensional code selected from the following codes: Aztec code, Codablock, Code one, Code 16K, Code 49, Data Matrix, PDF 417, QR Code, Supercode; or a reading / interrogation by the communication device of an RFID indicator carried by the mail article or its content.
  • the operation of communicating postal information relating to the selected service includes at least the communication of the geographical area of destination of the mail article and the weight class of the mail article.
  • the payment operation of the franking service chosen by the user may comprise either a verification of the credit of the user's account with the mailing service provider's server system or a verification of the user's account.
  • user's telephone credit with a server system of the user's telephone operator is still a secure payment by credit card.
  • the invention also relates to a communication device for carrying out the method of delivering a postage service advantageously constituted by one of the following devices: a desktop computer, a laptop, a mobile phone or laptop, a personal digital assistant communicating, a communicating laptop.
  • the invention also relates to a computer program comprising code instructions for carrying out the steps of the method of issuing a franking service when it is executed on the communication device.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network architecture necessary for carrying out the franking service delivery method according to the invention. It is based on the use of a communication device 10, 12, which may be portable or not and which is used to obtain and pay a franking service relating to a mail item 14 which is desired ensure the shipment via any postal box 16 of the postal administration.
  • article of mail we mean not only an envelope but also a label to be stuck on any type of package to be shipped.
  • this mail item is previously provided with a unique identification number 14A, preferably sequential or non-removable random type, which was printed during the creation process of the invention.
  • article of mail which guarantees the quality of printing, and whose uniqueness ensures that two items of mail can not in any case bear the same number.
  • this identification number may be stored in a contactless chip, or RFID tag, carried by the mailpiece or its contents. It is important to note that unlike a stamp or postage stamp of a postage meter, this number does not represent any postage amount and therefore does not contain any monetary value.
  • this unique identification number is advantageously in the form of a high-capacity coding code for numeric or alphanumeric data and error corrections, such as two-dimensional bar codes, the most known are: Aztec code, Codablock, Code one, Code 16K, Code 49, data matrix, PDF 417, QR Code or Supercode.
  • the high coding capacity of this type of code (up to 4296 characters for the most efficient) allows it to include not only the identification number but also other information related to the article.
  • mail as a format reference when it concerns an envelope or a manufacturer's number and a country code, as recommended by the EPC standard (electronic Product Code) developed by the eponymous standardization organization.
  • the communication device is connected to a franking service delivery server system 18 to perform the input of various parameters relating to the requested service, which server can itself be connected to a server system of the postal administration 20 for receiving the various data relating to this service to check the validity and possibly with a server system of a telephone operator 22 to ensure the debit of the amount of the transaction corresponding postage directly on the telephone account which the user of the service may hold.
  • the portable communication device 10 is any data processing device enabling long-distance wireless communication over a terrestrial or satellite wireless telecommunications network (such as GSM, UMTS, WiMax, etc. networks) such as a telephone. mobile or portable, a personal digital assistant communicating or a laptop communicating. According to the embodiment envisaged, it may comprise a digital capture device 10A, such as a digital camera or a two-dimensional bar code reader, or a module 10B for reading / interrogating non-contact chips to then cooperate with a transponder ( RFID indicator) carried by the article of mail or its contents when they are provided.
  • a digital capture device 10A such as a digital camera or a two-dimensional bar code reader
  • a module 10B for reading / interrogating non-contact chips to then cooperate with a transponder ( RFID indicator) carried by the article of mail or its contents when they are provided.
  • a transponder RFID indicator
  • the communication device 12 is any data processing device allowing communication via a wired communication network (such as the switched telephone network or the ISDN digital networks for example) as a data communication computer.
  • a wired communication network such as the switched telephone network or the ISDN digital networks for example
  • desktop or a laptop Depending on the embodiment envisaged, it may comprise a device for digital capture 12A, such as a webcam or a two-dimensional barcode reader, or a module 12B for reading / interrogating contactless chips to cooperate then with a transponder (RFID indicator) carried by the mail item or its contents when those they are provided with it.
  • RFID indicator transponder
  • the server system 18 disposed on a site of the franchisee of the franking service integrates one or more computer central units comprising one or more databases and its control and management are conventionally provided by one or more computer terminals (not shown).
  • the server system 20 of the postal administration has a similar structure with one or more databases, including a database of identification numbers.
  • the server system 22 of the telephone operator has a similar structure with one or more databases, including a customer database integrating accounting data.
  • FIGS. 2A to 2H show examples of screen pages displayed successively on the communication device 10, 12 and illustrating the various steps of the method for the delivery of a franking service requested by a user.
  • FIG. 2A shows a schematic example of a home page that may appear at the start of the communication device.
  • the "desktop" space of the operating system of the device with its various applications, for example a navigation bar, a word processor, a spreadsheet, a database and a specific application for the delivery of services. postage.
  • the operating system of such a device is known per se and, depending on the type of device used, can be for example Windows®, Linux®, Mac OS®, Windows Ce®, embedded Linux®, etc. It is the same for the device's web browser which can be for example Internet explorer®, Firefox® or Opera®.
  • a first step of implementing the method the user wishing to ship a mail item 14 which he has acquired prerequisite will click 100 on the postage application icon.
  • This validation will cause an automatic communication of the user with the server system 18 of this service and cause the appearance of the screen shown in Figure 2B which is a screen for entering the unique identification number worn on the screen. article of mail to be sent.
  • This screen brings up a viewing window corresponding to the digital capture device 10A, 12A and in which will be centered (after possible magnification) the 2D barcode affixed to the article of mail, the action on a shooting button (not shown) validating the capture of the image and resulting in the display of the screen of Figure 3C.
  • this viewing window will be completed by the identification number automatically extracted from this indicator by the read / interrogation module 10B, 12B.
  • the next step of the method then consists in choosing, by a single click 102, the desired franking service among the various services offered by the application, for example: standard shipping, express, mail tracking, recommended with AR or not etc. and then entering (action 104 illustrated in FIG. 2D) the various parameters required for the requested franking service, such as determining the geographical area of destination of the mail and the weight class of the article dispatched (the user having at his disposal a weighing module or being able to determine the weight of this article).
  • the amount to be paid for the requested franking service will be displayed on one of the screens shown in Figures 2E and 2F depending on the method of payment chosen by the user. If the user has an account with the franchisee or with a telephone operator in relation to the dealer, the posting of the amount to be paid will be followed by the account number and the name of the customer.
  • the verification of the rights of use of the user prior to the display of his account number can be done simply by checking the telephone number of the portable communication device (classically obtained on the basis of IMSI numbers or IMEI of the device at the origin of the communication) which will eventually be transmitted back to the server system of the telephone operator 20 responsible for verifying, by access to its customer database, whether the user's account has sufficient telephone credit to pay the amount of the service requested.
  • the user does not accept the debit of his account (by refusal of the previous validation), if his credit is insufficient or if he does not have a telephone account (for example in the case of a user a pre-paid card), it will display the screen of Figure 2F proposing a secure payment by credit card, the choice of the type of card by an action 108 causing the display of the Figure 2G screen at which it can securely proceed to enter its bank details (action 110).
  • the screen of FIG. 2H illustrates the transaction report which is then displayed on the screen of the user's communication device and which terminates the transaction. Note that at any time the user can interrupt the transaction by closing the application or return to its previous choices.
  • any user can proceed very simply to the dispatch of any article of mail, envelope or parcel, to all destinations without having to go to an office of the postal administration to obtain a postage of his mail.
  • the unique identification number (which replaces the stamp or the postage stamp of a franking machine of which it plays the role although having no monetary value) on each item of mail allows the postal administration, when delivering the article of mail in one of its reception desks, to carry out a control of this article, by verification of the postal data (service requested, destination, weight, etc.) associated with this number in the dealer's databases or on its own bases, and distribute it or not to the consignee depending on whether the appropriate payment for the requested service has been recorded.
  • this number is a simple alphanumeric code formed a string of one or more tens of machine-readable alphanumeric characters by means of an OCR reader or simply directly entered by the user at the keyboard of his communication device after having contacted the dealer's server system , this linking may take the form of a call to a voice server associated with the server system which will then offer the user all the choices mentioned above.

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

Abstract

The method involves connecting a user`s communication device (10, 12), with a server system (18). A unique identification number (14A), in the form of code e.g. Aztec code, carried by a mail item (14) to be sent is entered via the device. A franking service is selected from various franking services offered by the system, and postal information is entered with respect to the selected service. The cost of the service is determined based on the information and the cost is communicated to a user. A payment for the service is made, and the item is deposited in a post box (16). An independent claim is also included for a computer program comprising instructions for performing the franking service delivering method.

Description

Domaine techniqueTechnical area

La présente invention se rapporte exclusivement au domaine du traitement de courrier et elle concerne plus particulièrement un procédé pour assurer la délivrance d'un service d'affranchissement au travers d'un réseau de télécommunication.The present invention relates exclusively to the field of mail processing and more particularly relates to a method for providing the delivery of a franking service through a telecommunications network.

Etat de la techniqueState of the art

Aujourd'hui, lorsqu'un particulier ou une très petite entreprise (TPE) qui ne possède pas de machine à affranchir souhaite procéder à l'affranchissement de son courrier, il est nécessaire, éventuellement après pesée, de coller un timbre sur chaque enveloppe ou colis à expédier. Une alternative qui ne s'applique pas aux colis peut consister à acheter des enveloppes pré-affranchies. Toutefois, cette solution limitée ne concerne que des courriers standards, sans services à valeur ajoutée comme le courrier suivi, le courrier assuré, ou la lettre recommandée par exemple, lesquels services nécessitent le plus souvent le passage par les bureaux de réception de l'administration postale pour enregistrement.Today, when an individual or a very small company (TPE) that does not have a franking machine wants to postpone its mail, it is necessary, possibly after weighing, to stick a stamp on each envelope or parcels to be shipped. An alternative that does not apply to packages may be to purchase pre-stamped envelopes. However, this limited solution only concerns standard mail, without value-added services such as mail tracking, insured mail, or registered letter for example, which services most often require the passage through the reception offices of the administration for registration.

Or, il existe un besoin, aujourd'hui non satisfait, pour un procédé de délivrance de services d'affranchissement plus universel, concernant aussi bien les enveloppes que les paquets et qui évite les inconvénients précités, notamment qui puisse être accessible par quiconque 24h sur 24h, 365 jours par an et dont la mise en oeuvre s'avère particulièrement simple.However, there is a need, which is not yet satisfied, for a more universal method of delivering postage services, concerning both the envelopes and the packages and which avoids the aforementioned drawbacks, in particular which can be accessible by anyone 24h on 24h, 365 days a year and whose implementation is particularly simple.

Divulgation de l'inventionDisclosure of the invention

La présente invention a donc pour objet un nouveau procédé de délivrance d'un service d'affranchissement, comportant les opérations suivantes :

  • connexion au travers d'un réseau de communication d'un dispositif de communication portatif d'un utilisateur avec un système serveur d'un concessionnaire de services d'affranchissement,
  • saisie sur le dispositif de communication d'un numéro d'identification unique porté par un article de courrier à expédier,
  • choix par l'utilisateur d'un service d'affranchissement parmi les différents services d'affranchissement offerts par le système serveur et renseignement d'informations postales en rapport avec le service choisi,
  • détermination par le système serveur sur la base de ces informations du montant du service d'affranchissement choisi et communication de ce montant à l'utilisateur,
  • paiement par l'utilisateur du service d'affranchissement choisi, et
  • dépôt de l'article de courrier dans une boite postale.
The present invention therefore relates to a new method of issuing a franking service, comprising the following operations:
  • connection through a communication network of a portable communication device of a user with a server system of a franking services dealer,
  • entering on the communication device a unique identification number carried by an article of mail to be sent,
  • choice by the user of a franking service among the various franking services offered by the server system and information of postal information related to the selected service,
  • determination by the server system on the basis of this information of the amount of the selected franking service and communication of this amount to the user,
  • payment by the user of the selected franking service, and
  • deposit of the article of mail in a postal box.

Ainsi, l'utilisation d'un téléphone portable permet l'obtention et le paiement automatique de tout service d'affranchissement à tout moment et donc indépendamment des horaires d'ouverture des bureaux de postes.Thus, the use of a mobile phone allows the obtaining and automatic payment of any franking service at any time and therefore regardless of the opening hours of post offices.

Selon le mode de réalisation envisagé, l'opération de connexion au système serveur peut comporter soit l'envoi par un dispositif de communication portatif d'un appel vers un serveur vocal associé au système serveur du concessionnaire de services d'affranchissement soit l'affichage par le dispositif de communication d'une page d'accueil du concessionnaire des services d'affranchissement.According to the embodiment envisaged, the operation of connection to the server system may comprise either the sending by a portable communication device of a call to a voice server associated with the mailing service provider's server system or the display by the communication device of a homepage of the franking services dealer.

Selon le mode de réalisation envisagé, l'opération de saisie dudit numéro d'identification unique peut comporter soit une saisie manuelle au clavier du dispositif de communication d'une chaîne de caractères alphanumériques imprimés sur l'article de courrier et formant ce numéro d'identification unique soit une capture numérique par le dispositif de communication d'un code à barres imprimé sur l'article de courrier, ledit code à barres étant de préférence un code bidimensionnel choisi parmi les codes suivants : Aztec code, Codablock, Code one, Code 16K, Code 49, data matrix, PDF 417, QR Code, Supercode; soit une lecture/interrogation par le dispositif de communication d'un indicateur RFID porté par l'article de courrier ou son contenu.According to the embodiment envisaged, the operation of inputting said unique identification number may comprise either a manual entry on the keyboard of the communication device of a string of alphanumeric characters printed on the mail item and forming this number. unique identification is a digital capture by the communication device of a bar code printed on the mail piece, said bar code being preferably a two-dimensional code selected from the following codes: Aztec code, Codablock, Code one, Code 16K, Code 49, Data Matrix, PDF 417, QR Code, Supercode; or a reading / interrogation by the communication device of an RFID indicator carried by the mail article or its content.

L'opération de communication d'informations postales en rapport avec le service choisi comprend au moins la communication de la zone géographique de destination de l'article de courrier et de la classe de poids de l'article de courrier.The operation of communicating postal information relating to the selected service includes at least the communication of the geographical area of destination of the mail article and the weight class of the mail article.

Selon le mode de réalisation envisagé, l'opération de paiement du service d'affranchissement choisi par l'utilisateur peut comporter soit une vérification du crédit du compte de l'utilisateur auprès du système serveur du concessionnaire des services d'affranchissement soit une vérification du crédit téléphonique de l'utilisateur auprès d'un système serveur de l'opérateur téléphonique de l'utilisateur soit encore un règlement sécurisé par carte de paiement.According to the embodiment envisaged, the payment operation of the franking service chosen by the user may comprise either a verification of the credit of the user's account with the mailing service provider's server system or a verification of the user's account. user's telephone credit with a server system of the user's telephone operator is still a secure payment by credit card.

L'invention se rapporte aussi à un dispositif de communication destiné à la mise en oeuvre du procédé de délivrance d'un service d'affranchissement constitué avantageusement par l'un des dispositifs suivants : un ordinateur de bureau, un ordinateur portable, un téléphone mobile ou portable, un assistant numérique personnel communiquant, un ordinateur portable communiquant.The invention also relates to a communication device for carrying out the method of delivering a postage service advantageously constituted by one of the following devices: a desktop computer, a laptop, a mobile phone or laptop, a personal digital assistant communicating, a communicating laptop.

L'invention concerne également un programme informatique comportant des instructions de code pour la réalisation des étapes du procédé de délivrance d'un service d'affranchissement lorsqu'il est exécuté sur le dispositif de communication.The invention also relates to a computer program comprising code instructions for carrying out the steps of the method of issuing a franking service when it is executed on the communication device.

Brève description des dessinsBrief description of the drawings

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention ressortiront mieux de la description suivante, faite à titre indicatif et non limitatif, en regard des dessins annexés, sur lesquels:

  • la figure 1 montre un exemple d'une de réseau permettant la mise en du procédé de délivrance d'un service d'affranchissement selon l'invention, et
  • les figures 2A à 2H sont des exemples de pages affichées sur un écran de visualisation d'un dispositif de communication constituant un élément essentiel de l'architecture de réseau de la figure 1.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the following description, given by way of non-limiting indication, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
  • FIG. 1 shows an example of a network enabling the implementation of the delivery method of a franking service according to the invention, and
  • FIGS. 2A to 2H are examples of pages displayed on a display screen of a communication device constituting an essential element of the network architecture of FIG. 1.

Mode(s) de réalisation de l'inventionMode (s) of realization of the invention

La figure 1 illustre un exemple d'architecture de réseau nécessaire à la mise en oeuvre du procédé de délivrance de services d'affranchissement selon l'invention. Elle repose sur le recours à un dispositif de communication 10, 12, qui peut être portatif ou non et qui est utilisé pour procéder à l'obtention et le paiement d'un service d'affranchissement relatif à un article de courrier 14 dont on souhaite assurer l'expédition via une boite postale quelconque 16 de l'administration postale. Par article de courrier, on entend non seulement une enveloppe mais aussi une étiquette destinée à être collée sur tout type de paquet à expédier.FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network architecture necessary for carrying out the franking service delivery method according to the invention. It is based on the use of a communication device 10, 12, which may be portable or not and which is used to obtain and pay a franking service relating to a mail item 14 which is desired ensure the shipment via any postal box 16 of the postal administration. By article of mail, we mean not only an envelope but also a label to be stuck on any type of package to be shipped.

Pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé de l'invention, cet article de courrier est préalablement muni d'un numéro d'identification unique 14A, de préférence séquentiel ou de type aléatoire non retirable, qui a été imprimé lors du processus de création de l'article de courrier, ce qui en garanti la qualité d'impression, et dont l'unicité assure que deux articles de courrier ne peuvent en aucun cas porter le même numéro. Dans un mode de réalisation alternatif, ce numéro d'identification peut être stocké dans une puce sans contact, ou indicateur RFID, porté par l'article de courrier ou son contenu. Il est important de noter que contrairement à un timbre ou une empreinte postale d'une machine à affranchir, ce numéro ne représente aucun montant d'affranchissement et ne contient donc aucune valeur monétaire.For the implementation of the method of the invention, this mail item is previously provided with a unique identification number 14A, preferably sequential or non-removable random type, which was printed during the creation process of the invention. article of mail, which guarantees the quality of printing, and whose uniqueness ensures that two items of mail can not in any case bear the same number. In an alternative embodiment, this identification number may be stored in a contactless chip, or RFID tag, carried by the mailpiece or its contents. It is important to note that unlike a stamp or postage stamp of a postage meter, this number does not represent any postage amount and therefore does not contain any monetary value.

Lorsqu'il est imprimé, ce numéro d'identification unique se présente avantageusement sous la forme d'un code à haute capacité de codage de données numériques ou alphanumériques et de corrections d'erreurs, comme les codes à barres à deux dimensions dont les plus connus sont : l'Aztec code, le Codablock, le Code one, le Code 16K, le Code 49, le data matrix, le PDF 417, le QR Code ou encore le Supercode. La haute capacité de codage de ce type de code (comportant jusqu'à 4296 caractères pour le plus performant) permet ainsi à celui-ci de comporter non seulement le numéro d'identification mais aussi d'autres informations relatives à l'article de courrier, comme une référence de format lorsqu'il s'agit d'une enveloppe ou encore un numéro de fabricant et un code pays, comme le préconise le standard EPC (electronic Product Code) élaboré par l'organisme de standardisation éponyme.When printed, this unique identification number is advantageously in the form of a high-capacity coding code for numeric or alphanumeric data and error corrections, such as two-dimensional bar codes, the most known are: Aztec code, Codablock, Code one, Code 16K, Code 49, data matrix, PDF 417, QR Code or Supercode. The high coding capacity of this type of code (up to 4296 characters for the most efficient) allows it to include not only the identification number but also other information related to the article. mail, as a format reference when it concerns an envelope or a manufacturer's number and a country code, as recommended by the EPC standard (electronic Product Code) developed by the eponymous standardization organization.

Lors du processus de délivrance du service d'affranchissement demandé, le dispositif de communication est mis en relation avec un système serveur de délivrance de services d'affranchissement 18 pour effectuer la saisie de différents paramètres relatifs au service demandé, ce serveur pouvant lui-même être mis en relation avec un système serveur de l'administration postale 20 destiné à recevoir les différentes données relatives à ce service pour en vérifier la validité et éventuellement avec un système serveur d'un opérateur téléphonique 22 pour assurer le débit du montant de la transaction d'affranchissement correspondante directement sur le compte téléphonique dont peut être titulaire l'utilisateur du service.During the process of issuing the requested franking service, the communication device is connected to a franking service delivery server system 18 to perform the input of various parameters relating to the requested service, which server can itself be connected to a server system of the postal administration 20 for receiving the various data relating to this service to check the validity and possibly with a server system of a telephone operator 22 to ensure the debit of the amount of the transaction corresponding postage directly on the telephone account which the user of the service may hold.

Le dispositif de communication portatif 10 est tout dispositif de traitement de données permettant une communication sans fil longue distance au travers d'un réseau de télécommunication sans fil terrestre ou satellitaire (tel que les réseaux GSM, UMTS, WiMax, etc.) comme un téléphone mobile ou portable, un assistant numérique personnel communiquant ou encore un ordinateur portable communiquant. Selon le mode de réalisation envisagé, il peut comporter un dispositif de capture numérique 10A, tel un appareil photo numérique ou un lecteur de code à barres bidimensionnel, ou un module 10B de lecture/interrogation de puces sans contact pour coopérer alors avec un transpondeur (indicateur RFID) porté par l'article de courrier ou son contenu lorsque ceux-ci en sont pourvus.The portable communication device 10 is any data processing device enabling long-distance wireless communication over a terrestrial or satellite wireless telecommunications network (such as GSM, UMTS, WiMax, etc. networks) such as a telephone. mobile or portable, a personal digital assistant communicating or a laptop communicating. According to the embodiment envisaged, it may comprise a digital capture device 10A, such as a digital camera or a two-dimensional bar code reader, or a module 10B for reading / interrogating non-contact chips to then cooperate with a transponder ( RFID indicator) carried by the article of mail or its contents when they are provided.

Dans un mode de réalisation alternatif, Le dispositif de communication 12 est tout dispositif de traitement de données permettant une communication au travers d'un réseau de communication filaire (tel que le réseau téléphonique commuté ou les réseaux numériques RNIS par exemple) comme un ordinateur de bureau ou un ordinateur portable, Selon le mode de réalisation envisagé, il peut comporter un dispositif de capture numérique 12A, tel une Webcam ou un lecteur de code à barres bidimensionnel, ou un module 12B de lecture/interrogation de puces sans contact pour coopérer alors avec un transpondeur (indicateur RFID) porté par l'article de courrier ou son contenu lorsque ceux-ci en sont pourvus.In an alternative embodiment, the communication device 12 is any data processing device allowing communication via a wired communication network (such as the switched telephone network or the ISDN digital networks for example) as a data communication computer. desktop or a laptop, Depending on the embodiment envisaged, it may comprise a device for digital capture 12A, such as a webcam or a two-dimensional barcode reader, or a module 12B for reading / interrogating contactless chips to cooperate then with a transponder (RFID indicator) carried by the mail item or its contents when those they are provided with it.

Le système serveur 18 disposé sur un site du concessionnaire du service d'affranchissement intègre une ou plusieurs unités centrales informatiques comprenant une ou plusieurs bases de données et son contrôle et sa gestion sont assurés classiquement par un ou plusieurs terminaux informatiques (non représentés). Le système serveur 20 de l'administration postale comporte une structure semblable avec une ou plusieurs bases de données, notamment une base de données des numéros d'identification. De même, le système serveur 22 de l'opérateur téléphonique comporte une structure semblable avec une ou plusieurs bases de données, notamment une base de données client intégrant des données comptables.The server system 18 disposed on a site of the franchisee of the franking service integrates one or more computer central units comprising one or more databases and its control and management are conventionally provided by one or more computer terminals (not shown). The server system 20 of the postal administration has a similar structure with one or more databases, including a database of identification numbers. Similarly, the server system 22 of the telephone operator has a similar structure with one or more databases, including a customer database integrating accounting data.

Les figures 2A à 2H montrent des exemples de pages écran affichées successivement sur le dispositif de communication 10, 12 et illustrant les différentes étapes du procédé permettant la délivrance d'un service d'affranchissement demandé par un utilisateur.FIGS. 2A to 2H show examples of screen pages displayed successively on the communication device 10, 12 and illustrating the various steps of the method for the delivery of a franking service requested by a user.

La figure 2A montre un exemple schématique de page d'accueil pouvant apparaître à la mise en route du dispositif de communication. Sur cette page figure l'espace « bureau » du système d'exploitation du dispositif avec ses différentes applications, par exemple une barre de navigation, un traitement de texte, un tableur, une base de données et une application spécifique à la délivrance de services d'affranchissement. Le système d'exploitation d'un tel dispositif est connu en soi et, selon le type de dispositif utilisé, peut être par exemple Windows®, Linux®, Mac OS®, Windows Ce®, embedded Linux®, etc. Il en est de même du navigateur Web du dispositif qui peut être par exemple Internet explorer®, Firefox® ou Opéra®.FIG. 2A shows a schematic example of a home page that may appear at the start of the communication device. On this page is the "desktop" space of the operating system of the device with its various applications, for example a navigation bar, a word processor, a spreadsheet, a database and a specific application for the delivery of services. postage. The operating system of such a device is known per se and, depending on the type of device used, can be for example Windows®, Linux®, Mac OS®, Windows Ce®, embedded Linux®, etc. It is the same for the device's web browser which can be for example Internet explorer®, Firefox® or Opera®.

Dans une première étape de mise en oeuvre du procédé, l'utilisateur désirant expédier un article de courrier 14 dont il aura fait l'acquisition préalable va cliquer 100 sur l'icône de l'application d'affranchissement. Cette validation va provoquer une mise en communication automatique de l'utilisateur avec le système serveur 18 de ce service et provoquer l'apparition de l'écran illustré à la figure 2B qui est un écran de saisie du numéro d'identification unique porté sur l'article de courrier à expédier. Cet écran fait apparaître une fenêtre de visualisation correspondant au dispositif de capture numérique 10A, 12A et dans laquelle sera centré (après grossissement éventuel) le code à barres 2D apposé sur l'article de courrier, l'action sur un bouton de prise de vue (non représenté) validant la saisie de l'image et entraînant l'affichage de l'écran de la figure 3C.In a first step of implementing the method, the user wishing to ship a mail item 14 which he has acquired prerequisite will click 100 on the postage application icon. This validation will cause an automatic communication of the user with the server system 18 of this service and cause the appearance of the screen shown in Figure 2B which is a screen for entering the unique identification number worn on the screen. article of mail to be sent. This screen brings up a viewing window corresponding to the digital capture device 10A, 12A and in which will be centered (after possible magnification) the 2D barcode affixed to the article of mail, the action on a shooting button (not shown) validating the capture of the image and resulting in the display of the screen of Figure 3C.

On notera que lorsque l'article de courrier (voire son contenu) est muni d'un indicateur RFID, cette fenêtre de visualisation sera complétée par le numéro d'identification extrait automatiquement de cet indicateur par le module de lecture/interrogation 10B, 12B.Note that when the mail piece (or its content) is equipped with an RFID indicator, this viewing window will be completed by the identification number automatically extracted from this indicator by the read / interrogation module 10B, 12B.

L'étape suivante du procédé consiste alors au choix, par un simple clic 102, du service d'affranchissement souhaité parmi les différents services proposés par l'application, par exemple : envoi standard, en express, courrier suivi, recommandé avec AR ou non, etc. puis à la saisie (action 104 illustrée à la figure 2D) des différents paramètres nécessaires au service d'affranchissement demandé, comme la détermination de la zone géographique de destination du courrier et de la classe de poids de l'article expédié (l'utilisateur ayant à sa disposition un module de pesée ou étant à même de déterminer le poids de cet article).The next step of the method then consists in choosing, by a single click 102, the desired franking service among the various services offered by the application, for example: standard shipping, express, mail tracking, recommended with AR or not etc. and then entering (action 104 illustrated in FIG. 2D) the various parameters required for the requested franking service, such as determining the geographical area of destination of the mail and the weight class of the article dispatched (the user having at his disposal a weighing module or being able to determine the weight of this article).

Une fois la dernière opération de saisie effectuée, le montant à payer pour le service d'affranchissement demandé va être affiché sur l'un des écrans illustrés aux figures 2E et 2F selon le mode de paiement choisi par l'utilisateur. En effet, si cet utilisateur comporte un compte auprès du concessionnaire du service d'affranchissement ou auprès d'un opérateur téléphonique en relation avec ce concessionnaire, l'affichage du montant à payer sera suivi de la mention du numéro de compte et du nom du titulaire du compte à débiter, une action de validation de sa part (flèche 106) achevant alors la transaction, Dans le cas de recours à un dispositif de communication portatif, la vérification des droits d'utilisation de l'utilisateur préalable à l'affichage de son numéro de compte peut se faire simplement par la vérification du numéro de téléphone du dispositif de communication portatif (obtenu classiquement sur la base des numéros IMSI ou IMEI du dispositif à l'origine de la communication) qui éventuellement sera retransmis au système serveur de l'opérateur téléphonique 20 chargé de vérifier, par accès à sa base de données client, si le compte de l'utilisateur présente un crédit téléphonique suffisant pour payer le montant du service demandé.Once the last input operation performed, the amount to be paid for the requested franking service will be displayed on one of the screens shown in Figures 2E and 2F depending on the method of payment chosen by the user. If the user has an account with the franchisee or with a telephone operator in relation to the dealer, the posting of the amount to be paid will be followed by the account number and the name of the customer. account holder to debit, a validation action on his part (arrow 106) then completing the transaction, In the case of resorting to a device of portable communication, the verification of the rights of use of the user prior to the display of his account number can be done simply by checking the telephone number of the portable communication device (classically obtained on the basis of IMSI numbers or IMEI of the device at the origin of the communication) which will eventually be transmitted back to the server system of the telephone operator 20 responsible for verifying, by access to its customer database, whether the user's account has sufficient telephone credit to pay the amount of the service requested.

Si au contraire, l'utilisateur n'accepte pas le débit de son compte (par refus de la validation précédente), si son crédit est insuffisant ou s'il ne possède pas de compte téléphonique (par exemple dans le cas d'un utilisateur d'une carte pré-payée), il sera procédé à l'affichage de l'écran de la figure 2F lui proposant un paiement sécurisé par carte de paiement, le choix du type de carte par une action 108 entraînant l'affichage de l'écran de la figure 2G au niveau duquel il pourra, de façon sécurisée, procéder à la saisie de ses coordonnées bancaires (action 110). L'écran de la figure 2H illustre le compte rendu de la transaction qui est ensuite affiché à l'écran du dispositif de communication de l'utilisateur et qui termine la transaction. On notera qu'à tout moment l'utilisateur peut interrompre la transaction en fermant l'application ou revenir sur ses choix précédents.If on the contrary, the user does not accept the debit of his account (by refusal of the previous validation), if his credit is insufficient or if he does not have a telephone account (for example in the case of a user a pre-paid card), it will display the screen of Figure 2F proposing a secure payment by credit card, the choice of the type of card by an action 108 causing the display of the Figure 2G screen at which it can securely proceed to enter its bank details (action 110). The screen of FIG. 2H illustrates the transaction report which is then displayed on the screen of the user's communication device and which terminates the transaction. Note that at any time the user can interrupt the transaction by closing the application or return to its previous choices.

Ainsi, avec la présente invention, tout utilisateur peut procéder très simplement à l'expédition d'un article de courrier quelconque, enveloppe ou colis, vers toutes destinations sans avoir à se rendre dans un bureau de l'administration postale pour obtenir un affranchissement de son courrier. Le numéro d'identification unique (qui remplace le timbre ou l'empreinte postale d'une machine d'affranchissement dont il joue le rôle bien que n'ayant aucune valeur monétaire) porté sur chaque article de courrier permet à l'administration postale, lors de la remise de l'article de courrier dans un de ses bureaux de réception, de procéder à un contrôle de cet article, par vérification des données postales (service demandé, destination, poids, etc.) associées à ce numéro dans les bases de données du concessionnaire ou dans ses propres bases, et de le distribuer ou non à son destinataire selon que le paiement approprié au service demandé a bien été enregistré.Thus, with the present invention, any user can proceed very simply to the dispatch of any article of mail, envelope or parcel, to all destinations without having to go to an office of the postal administration to obtain a postage of his mail. The unique identification number (which replaces the stamp or the postage stamp of a franking machine of which it plays the role although having no monetary value) on each item of mail allows the postal administration, when delivering the article of mail in one of its reception desks, to carry out a control of this article, by verification of the postal data (service requested, destination, weight, etc.) associated with this number in the dealer's databases or on its own bases, and distribute it or not to the consignee depending on whether the appropriate payment for the requested service has been recorded.

On notera que si la présente invention a été décrite essentiellement en rapport avec un article de courrier muni d'un numéro d'identification du type code à barres 2D, on peut envisager dans une version plus simplifiée que ce numéro soit un simple code alphanumérique formé d'une chaîne d'une ou plusieurs dizaines de caractères alphanumériques lisibles par machine au moyen d'un lecteur OCR voire tout simplement saisi directement par l'utilisateur au clavier de son dispositif de communication après être entré en relation avec le système serveur du concessionnaire, cette mise en relation pouvant prendre la forme d'un appel à un serveur vocal associé au système serveur qui proposera alors à l'utilisateur tous les choix évoqués précédemment.Note that if the present invention has been described essentially in connection with a mail piece provided with a 2D barcode type identification number, we can consider in a more simplified version that this number is a simple alphanumeric code formed a string of one or more tens of machine-readable alphanumeric characters by means of an OCR reader or simply directly entered by the user at the keyboard of his communication device after having contacted the dealer's server system , this linking may take the form of a call to a voice server associated with the server system which will then offer the user all the choices mentioned above.

Claims (14)

Procédé de délivrance d'un service d'affranchissement, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte les opérations suivantes : - connexion au travers d'un réseau de communication d'un dispositif de communication (10, 12) d'un utilisateur avec un système serveur (18) d'un concessionnaire de services d'affranchissement, - saisie sur le dispositif de communication d'un numéro d'identification unique porté par un article de courrier (14) à expédier, - choix par l'utilisateur d'un service d'affranchissement parmi les différents services d'affranchissement offerts par le système serveur et renseignement d'informations postales en rapport avec le service choisi, - détermination par le système serveur sur la base de ces informations du montant du service d'affranchissement choisi et communication de ce montant à l'utilisateur, - paiement par l'utilisateur du service d'affranchissement choisi, et - dépôt de l'article de courrier dans une boite postale (16). Method of issuing a franking service, characterized in that it comprises the following operations: - connection through a communication network of a communication device (10, 12) of a user with a server system (18) of a franking services dealer, - Entering on the communication device a unique identification number carried by a mail item (14) to be sent, - User choice of a franking service among the various franking services offered by the server system and information of postal information related to the chosen service, determination by the server system on the basis of this information of the amount of the franking service chosen and communication of this amount to the user, - payment by the user of the selected franking service, and - deposit of the mail item in a mail box (16). Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'opération de connexion au système serveur comporte l'envoi par un dispositif de communication portatif (10) d'un appel vers un serveur vocal associé au système serveur du concessionnaire de services d'affranchissement.A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the server system connection operation comprises sending a portable communication device (10) a call to a voice server associated with the franking service provider's server system. . Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'opération de connexion au système serveur comporte l'affichage par le dispositif de communication d'une page d'accueil du concessionnaire des services d'affranchissement.A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the server system connection operation comprises displaying by the communication device a franking agent's homepage. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'opération de saisie dudit numéro d'identification unique comporte une saisie manuelle au clavier du dispositif de communication d'une chaîne de caractères alphanumériques imprimés sur l'article de courrier et formant ce numéro d'identification unique.A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the operation of entering said unique identification number comprises a manual key entry of the communication device of a string of alphanumeric characters printed on the mail item and forming that number of unique identification. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'opération de saisie dudit numéro d'identification unique comporte une capture numérique (10A, 12A) par le dispositif de communication d'un code à barres imprimé sur l'article de courrier.A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the operation of inputting said unique identification number comprises a digital capture (10A, 12A) by the communication device of a bar code printed on the mail piece. Procédé selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que ledit code à barres est un code bidimensionnel choisi parmi les codes suivants : Aztec code, Codablock, Code one, Code 16K, Code 49, data matrix, PDF 417, QR Code, Supercode.A method according to claim 5, characterized in that said bar code is a two-dimensional code selected from the following codes: Aztec code, Codablock, Code one, Code 16K, Code 49, Data matrix, PDF 417, QR Code, Supercode. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'opération de saisie dudit numéro d'identification unique comporte une lecture/interrogation (10B, 12B) par le dispositif de communication d'un indicateur RFID collé sur l'article de courrier.A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the operation of inputting said unique identification number comprises a read / interrogation (10B, 12B) by the communication device of an RFID indicator stuck on the mail piece. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'opération de renseignement d'informations postales en rapport avec le service choisi comprend au moins la communication de la zone géographique de destination de l'article de courrier et de la classe de poids de l'article de courrier.Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the postal information information operation in connection with the chosen service comprises at least the communication of the geographical area of destination of the mail item and the weight class of the mail item. mail article. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'opération de paiement du service d'affranchissement choisi par l'utilisateur comporte une vérification du crédit du compte de l'utilisateur auprès du système serveur du concessionnaire des services d'affranchissement.Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the payment operation of the user selected postage service comprises a verification of the credit of the user's account with the postage service provider's server system. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'opération de paiement du service d'affranchissement choisi par l'utilisateur comporte une vérification du crédit téléphonique de l'utilisateur auprès d'un système serveur (22) de l'opérateur téléphonique de l'utilisateur via le système serveur du concessionnaire de services d'affranchissement.Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the payment operation of the franking service chosen by the user comprises a verification of the user's credit line with a server system (22) of the telephone operator of the user through the franking service dealer's server system. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'opération de paiement du service d'affranchissement choisi par l'utilisateur comporte un règlement sécurisé par carte de paiement.A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the payment operation of the franking service selected by the user comprises a secure payment by credit card. Dispositif de communication (10, 12) destiné à la mise en oeuvre du procédé de délivrance d'un service d'affranchissement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11.Communication device (10, 12) for carrying out the franking service delivery method according to one of claims 1 to 11. Dispositif selon la revendication 12, caractérisé en ce qu'il est constitué par l'un des dispositifs suivants : un ordinateur de bureau, un ordinateur portable, un téléphone mobile ou portable, un assistant numérique personnel communiquant, un ordinateur portable communiquant.Device according to claim 12, characterized in that it is constituted by one of the following devices: a desktop computer, a laptop, a mobile or portable telephone, a personal digital assistant communicating, a communicating laptop. Programme informatique comportant des instructions de code pour la réalisation des étapes du procédé de délivrance d'un service d'affranchissement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11 lorsqu'il est exécuté sur le dispositif de communication.A computer program comprising code instructions for performing the steps of the method of issuing a postage service according to any one of claims 1 to 11 when executed on the communication device.
EP06120220A 2005-09-09 2006-09-06 Method for the delivery of a franking service over a communication network Withdrawn EP1762987A1 (en)

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