Method and arrangement for data processing in a mail shipping system having a postage meter machine wherein a carrier-identifying mark is scanned and processed

Abstract

In an arrangement and method for data processing in a mail shipping system, a document is supplied to the mail shipping system having information printed thereon identifying a carrier to be used for shipping the document and/or cost center information identifying a cost center which produced the document. The printed information is scanned at the mail shipping system and the scanned information is stored and is used for calculating a fee for shipping the document and for selecting an appropriate print format, respectively allocated to the carrier and/or the cost center identified in the scanned information, and a franking imprint is printed on the document embodying the appropriate fee and print format. Each carrier which is available for use for shipping the document, and each cost center among a number of cost centers which share usage of the mail shipping system, respectively has a carrier identification number or a cost center number allocated thereto. Changes in the print format, or other data changes, can be made by entering the cost center number or the carrier number into a postage meter machine in the shipping system. Accounting information can be generated and supplied, upon request, to a personal computer at any of the cost centers.

Claims

We claim as our invention:

1. A method for data processing in a mail shipping system having a postage meter device with a transport path leading thereto, comprising the steps of:

printing out a document having an address field and a mark thereon identifying a carrier to be used for shipping of said document;

causing said document to enter into said transport path of said postage meter device and detecting a presence of said document in said transport path;

upon detection of said document in said transport path, scanning said address field and said mark and automatically entering information corresponding to the carrier identified in said address field and mark into said postage meter device;

entering and non-volatilely storing setting data into said postage meter device for generating a plurality of carrier-specific print formats respectively for said plurality of carriers, and automatically calling a stored print format for the carrier identified in said address field and mark of said document;

allocating a predetermined carrier identifier uniquely to each carrier and, for inspection or modification of a print format, entering a carrier identifier into said postage meter device;

conducting an accounting in said postage meter device by modifying an account, accessible by said postage meter device, uniquely related to the carrier identified in said address field and mark by an amount corresponding to a cost of shipping said document using the carrier identified from said mark; and

producing a franking imprint on said document after conducting said accounting using said carrier-specific print format for the carrier identified from said mark.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising the additional steps of:

calling one of said settings for one of said carriers when no document is detected in said transport path, said setting for said one of said carriers comprising old data;

identifying said address and mark on said document by scanning said document in said transport path and overwriting said old data with new data comprising the print format for the carrier identified by said scanning; and

displaying the print format with the new data for the carrier allocated to the entered carrier identifier.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mail processing system includes a scanner, a chip card reader and a scale, each of which can communicate with said postage device, and said method comprising the steps of executing a scanner communication routine, a chip card communication routine and a scale communication routine in said postage meter device to determine which of said scanner, said chip card reader and said scale will interface with said postage meter device.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of printing out a document having said address field and said mark thereon comprises printing said address field and said mark, using a personal computer remote from said postage meter machine, on a label and adhesively attaching said label to said document.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of printing out a document having said address field and said mark thereon comprises printing said address field and said mark, using a personal computer remote from said postage meter machine, on a letter envelope comprising said document.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising the additional steps of:

dependent on the carrier identified in said address field and mark, calculating a postage fee for shipping said document using said carrier identified in said address field and said mark; and

if necessary, modifying the setting data for said carrier identified in said address field and mark for producing said print format.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mail shipping system is used by a plurality of independent cost centers, and said method comprising the additional steps of:

storing data identifying each cost center in said postage meter device;

identifying a cost center which produced said document;

in said accounting, debiting an account of said cost center, accessible by said postage meter device, which produced said document by said cost of mailing; and

allowing for modification of said cost center data in said postage meter device upon a change relating to one of said cost centers.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising the additional step of checking data in said print format for said carrier identified in said address field and mark with an encoded check sum when said setting data for print format for the carrier identified in said address filed and mark are called in said postage meter device.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mail shipping system is used with a data center remote from said mail shipping system, and said method comprising the additional steps of:

if sufficient data are not available in said postage meter device for generating said print format for said carrier identified in said address field and mark, forming a data request to said remote data center for data needed to complete generation of said print format;

establishing a communication between said postage meter device and said remote data center and transmitting said data request from said postage meter device to said remote data center; and

transmitting said data needed to complete said print format from said remote data center to said postage meter device, and generating said print format using said data needed to complete said print format in said postage meter device.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein said print format includes frame data and pixel data, and wherein the step of generating said print format using said data transmitted from said remote data center to complete said print format comprises modifying at least one of said frame data and said pixel data.

11. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mail shipping system is used by a plurality of independent cost centers, said method comprising the additional steps of:

respectively allocating a cliche number to each cost center;

respectively allocating a cost center number to each cost center;

providing an input unit in communication with said postage meter device by which a cost center number can be entered into said postage meter machine; and

entering a cost center number into said postage meter device via said input unit and automatically, in said postage meter device, entering the cliche number associated with the entered cost center number.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein each cost center has a name associated therewith, and said method comprising the additional step of allowing, via said input unit, for modification of a name of a cost center allocated to a cost center number.

13. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said carriers has a name associated therewith, and said method comprising the additional steps of:

providing an input unit in communication with said postage meter device; and

allowing for modification of a name of a carrier via said input unit.

14. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising the additional steps of:

respectively allocating a carrier identification number to each carrier;

non-volatilely storing each carrier identification number in said postage meter device;

providing an input unit in communication with said postage meter device via which a selected carrier identification number can be entered;

entering a selected carrier identification number via said input unit into said postage meter device and thereby causing, in said postage meter device, selection of the print format associated with the carrier corresponding to the entered carrier identification number; and

allowing for modification of said carrier identification number and the carrier-specific print format corresponding to the carrier to which said carrier identification number is respectively allocated.

15. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mail shipping system is used by a plurality of independent cost centers, and said method comprising the additional steps of:

respectively allocating a cost center number to each cost center;

providing an input unit in communication with said postage meter device via which a selected cost center number can be entered into said postage meter device; and

upon entry of a cost center number into said postage meter device via said input unit, displaying at said postage meter device all shipping costs respectively associated with each carrier used by said cost center.

16. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mail shipping system is used by a plurality of independent cost centers, said method comprising the additional step of:

storing a matrix in said postage meter machine identifying, for each cost center, a running total of the shipping costs incurred by the cost center for each carrier, and a running total of a number of documents shipped by the cost center using each carrier.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16 comprising the additional steps of:

printing out said matrix after said accounting for each cost center; and

after printing out said matrix, resetting each of the running total of the shipping costs and the running total of the number of shipped documents, for the cost center which the accounting was conducted, to zero.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17 further comprising periodically conducting an accounting for a cost center and printing out said matrix.

19. A method as claimed in claim 17 comprising conducting an accounting for a cost center and printing said matrix at a freely selectable time.

20. A method as claimed in claim 17 comprising the additional steps of:

for each cost center, storing any financial reloading data; and

printing out said financial reloading data for a cost center together with the matrix for that cost center.

21. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein each cost center has a personal computer and a connected computer printer associated therewith, and comprising the additional step of producing, at the personal computer for a cost center, a request for a printout of said matrix for the cost center associated with the personal computer, and wherein the step of printing out said matrix comprises printing out said matrix at the computer printer associated with the personal computer which produced said request.

22. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein the step of printing out said matrix comprises printing out said matrix at a printhead of said postage meter device.

23. A method for data processing in a mail shipping system having a postage meter device with a transport path leading thereto, comprising the steps of:

printing out a document having an address field and a mark thereon identifying a carrier to be used for shipping of said document;

causing said document to enter into said transport path of said postage meter device and detecting a presence of said document in said transport path;

upon detection of said document in said transport path, scanning said address field and said mark and automatically entering information corresponding to the carrier identified in said address field and mark into said postage meter device;

entering and non-volatilely storing setting data into said postage meter device for generating a plurality of carrier-specific print formats respectively for said plurality of carriers;

allocating a predetermined carrier identifier uniquely to each carrier and, for inspection or modification of a print format, entering a carrier identifier into said postage meter device;

conducting an accounting in said postage meter device by modifying an account, accessible by said postage meter device, uniquely related to the carrier identified in said address field and mark, by an amount corresponding to a cost of shipping said document using the carrier identified from said mark; and

producing a franking imprint on said document after conducting said accounting using the carrier-specific print format for the carrier identified from said mark.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23 comprising the additional steps of:

calling one of said settings for one of said cost centers when no document is detected in said transport path, said setting for said one of said cost centers comprising old data;

identifying said address and mark on said document by scanning said document in said transport path and overwriting said old data with new data comprising the print format for the cost center identified by said scanning; and

displaying the print format with the new data for the cost center allocated to the entered cost center identifier.

25. A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein said mail shipping system includes a scanner, a chip card reader and a scale, each of which can communicate with said postage meter device, and said method comprising the steps of executing a scanner communication routine, a chip card communication routine and a scale communication routine in said postage meter device to determine which of said scanner, said chip card reader and said scale will interface with said postage meter device.

26. A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein the step of printing out a document having said address field and said mark thereon comprises printing said address field and said mark on a label using a personal computer at the cost center identified in the address field and mark remote from said postage meter device, and adhesively attaching said label to said document.

27. A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein the step of printing a document having said address field and said mark thereon comprises printing said address field and said mark on a letter envelope comprising said document using a personal computer at the cost center identified in the address field and mark remote from said postage meter device.

28. A method as claimed in claim 23 comprising the additional steps of:

also including in said address field and mark an identification of one of a plurality of available carriers for shipping said document;

dependent on the carrier identified in said address field and mark, calculating a postage fee for shipping said document using said carrier identified in said address field and said mark; and

if necessary, modifying the setting data for said carrier identified in said address field and mark for producing said print format.

29. A method as claimed in claim 23 comprising the additional step of:

in said accounting, debiting an account of said cost center, accessible by said postage meter device, which produced said document by said cost of shipping said document.

30. A method as claimed in claim 23 comprising the additional step of checking print data in said print data format for the cost center identified in said address field and mark with an encoded check sum when said setting data for the cost center identified in said address field and mark print format data are called in said postage meter device.

31. A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein said mail shipping system is used with a data center remote from said mail shipping system, and said method comprising the additional steps of:

if sufficient data are not available in said postage meter device for generating said print format for said cost center identified in said address field and mark, forming a data request to said remote data center for data needed to complete generation of said print format;

establishing a communication between said postage meter device and said remote data center and transmitting said data request from said postage meter device to said remote data center; and

transmitting said data needed to complete said print format from said remote data center to said postage meter device, and generating said print format using said data needed to complete said print format in said postage meter device.

32. A method as claimed in claim 31 wherein said print format includes frame data and pixel data, and wherein the step of generating said print format using said data transmitted from said remote data center to complete said print format comprises modifying at least one of said frame data and said pixel data.

33. A method as claimed in claim 23 comprising the additional steps of:

respectively allocating a cliche number to each cost center; providing an input unit in communication with said postage meter device by which a cost center number can be entered into said postage meter device; and

entering a cost center number into said postage meter device via said input unit and automatically, in said postage meter device, entering the cliche number associated with the entered cost center number.

34. A method as claimed in claim 33 wherein each cost center has a name associated therewith, and said method comprising the additional step of allowing, via said input unit, for modification of a name of a cost center allocated to a cost center number.

35. A method as claimed in claim 33 wherein each of said carriers has a name associated therewith, and said method comprising the additional step of:

providing an input unit in communication with said postage meter device; and

allowing for modification of a name of a carrier via said input unit.

36. A method as claimed in claim 23 for shipping via a selected one of a plurality of carriers, and comprising the additional steps of:

respectively allocating a carrier identification number to each carrier;

non-volatilely storing each carrier identification number in said postage meter device;

providing an input unit in communication with said postage meter device via which a selected carrier identification number can be entered;

entering a selected carrier identification number via said input unit into said postage meter device and thereby causing, in said postage meter device, selection of the print format associated with the carrier corresponding to the entered carrier identification number; and

allowing for modification of said carrier identification number and the carrier-specific print format corresponding to the carrier to which said carrier identification number is respectively allocated.

37. A method as claimed in claim 23 comprising the additional steps of:

providing an input unit in communication with said postage meter device via which a selected cost center number can be entered into said postage meter device; and

upon entry of a cost center number into said postage meter device via said input unit, displaying at said postage meter device all shipping costs respectively associated with each carrier used by said cost center.

38. A method for data processing in a mail shipping system used by a plurality of independent cost centers for respectively shipping documents using a selected one of a plurality of carriers, said mail shipping system having a postage meter device with a transport path leading thereto, comprising the steps of:

printing out a document having an address field and at least one mark thereon identifying a carrier to be used for shipping said document and a cost center which produced said document;

causing said document to enter into said transport path of said postage meter device and detecting a presence of said document in said transport path;

upon detection of said document in said transport path, scanning said address field and said mark and automatically entering information corresponding to the carrier and the cost center identified in said address field and mark into said postage meter device;

entering and non-volatilely storing setting data into said postage meter device for each of said carriers and cost centers and automatically calling setting data for the carrier and cost center identified in said address field and mark of said document and generating a print format for the carrier and cost center identified in said address field and mark from said setting data;

allocating a predetermined cost center identifier uniquely to each cost center and for inspection or modification of said print format, entering a cost center identifier into said postage meter device;

conducting an accounting in said postage meter device by modifying an account, accessible by said postage meter device, uniquely related to the cost center identified in said address field and mark by an amount corresponding to a cost of shipping said document using said carrier identified in said address field and mark; and

producing a franking imprint on said document after conducting said accounting using said print format for the carrier and cost center identified in said address field and mark.

39. A method as claimed in claim 38 comprising the additional steps of:

calling one of said settings when no document is detected in said transport path, said one of said settings comprising old data;

identifying said address and mark on said document by scanning said document in said transport path and overwriting said old data with new data comprising the print format for the carrier and cost center identified by said scanning; and

displaying the print format with the new data for the cost center allocated to the entered cost center identifier.

40. A method as claimed in claim 38 wherein said mail processing system includes a scanner, a chip card reader and a scale, each of which can communicate with said postage meter device, and said method comprising the steps of executing a scanner communication routine, a chip card communication routine and a scale communication routine in said postage meter device to determine which of said scanner, said chip card reader and said scale will interface with said postage meter machine.

41. A method as claimed in claim 38 wherein the step of printing out a document having said address field and said mark thereon comprises printing said address field and said mark on a label using a personal computer at the cost center identified in the address field and mark remote from said postage meter device, and adhesively attaching said label to said document.

42. A method as claimed in claim 38 wherein the step of printing out a document having said address field and said mark thereon comprises printing said address field and said mark on a letter envelope comprising said document using a personal computer at the cost center identified in the address field and mark remote from said postage meter device.

43. A method as claimed in claim 38 comprising the additional steps of:

dependent on the carrier identified in said address field and mark, calculating a postage fee for shipping said document using said carrier identified in said address field and said mark; and

if necessary, modifying the setting data for said carrier identified in said address field and mark for producing said print format.

44. A method as claimed in claim 38 comprising the additional step of:

in said accounting, debiting an account of said cost center, accessible by said postage meter device, which produced said document by said cost of mailing.

45. A method as claimed in claim 38 comprising the additional step of checking print data in said print format for said carrier and cost center identified in said address field and mark with an encoded check sum when said setting data for said print format data are called in said postage meter device.

46. A method as claimed in claim 38 wherein said mail processing system is used with a data center remote from said mail processing system, and said method comprising the additional steps of:

if sufficient data are not available in said postage meter device for generating said print format for said carrier and cost center identified in said address field and mark, forming a data request to said remote data center for data needed to complete generation of said print format;

establishing a communication between said postage meter device and said remote data center and transmitting said data request from said postage meter device to said remote data center; and

transmitting said data needed to complete said print format from said remote data center to said postage meter device, and generating said print format using said data needed to complete said print format in said postage meter device.

47. A method as claimed in claim 38 wherein said postage meter device includes a clock/date module which emits signals identifying a current time and date, and wherein said method includes the step of including said current time and date in said print format supplied by said clock/date module.

48. A method as claimed in claim 38 comprising the additional steps of:

respectively allocating a cliche number to each cost center;

providing an input unit in communication with said postage meter device by which a cost center number can be entered into said postage meter device; and

entering a cost center number into said postage meter machine via said input unit and automatically, in said postage meter device, entering the cliche number associated with the entered cost center number.

49. A method as claimed in claim 48 wherein each cost center has a name associated therewith, and said method comprising the additional step of allowing, via said input unit, for modification of a name of a cost center allocated to a cost center number.

50. A method as claimed in claim 48 wherein each of said carriers has a name associated therewith, and said method comprising the additional steps of:

providing an input unit in communication with said postage meter device; and

allowing for modification of a name of a carrier via said input unit.

51. A method as claimed in claim 38 comprising the additional steps of:

respectively allocating a carrier identification number to each carrier; non-volatilely storing each carrier identification number in said postage meter device;

providing an input unit in communication with said postage meter device via which a selected carrier identification number can be entered;

entering a selected carrier identification number via said input unit into said postage meter device and thereby causing, in said postage meter device, selection of the print format associated with the carrier corresponding to the entered carrier identification number; and

allowing for modification of said carrier identification number and the carrier-specific print format corresponding to the carrier to which said carrier identification number is respectively allocated.

52. A method as claimed in claim 38 comprising the additional steps of:

providing an input unit in communication with said postage meter device via which a selected cost center number can be entered into said postage meter device; and

upon entry of a cost center number into said postage meter device via said input unit, displaying at said postage meter device all shipping costs respectively associated with each carrier used by said cost center.

53. A method for data processing in a mail shipping system used by a plurality of independent cost centers for respectively shipping documents using a selected one of a plurality of carriers, said mail shipping system having a postage meter device with a transport path leading thereto, comprising the steps of:

printing out a document having an address field and at least one mark thereon identifying a carrier to be used for shipping said document and a cost center which produced said document;

causing said document to enter into said transport path of said postage meter device and detecting a presence of said document in said transport path;

upon detection of said document in said transport path, scanning said address field and said mark and automatically entering information corresponding to the carrier and the cost center identified in said address field and mark into said postage meter device;

entering and non-volatilely storing setting data into said postage meter device for each of said carriers and cost centers and automatically calling setting data for the carrier and cost center identified in said address field and mark of said document and generating a print format for the carrier and cost center identified in said address field and mark from said setting data;

allocating a predetermined carrier identifier uniquely to each carrier and entering said carrier identifier into said postage meter device;

conducting an accounting in said postage meter device by modifying an account, accessible by said postage meter device, uniquely related to the cost center identified in said address field and mark by an amount corresponding to a cost of shipping said document using said carrier identified in said address field and mark; and

producing a franking imprint on said document after conducting said accounting using said print format for the carrier and cost center identified in said address field and mark.

54. A method as claimed in claim 53 comprising the additional steps of:

calling one of said settings when no document is detected in said transport path, said one of settings comprising old data;

identifying said address and mark on said document by scanning said document in said transport path and overwriting said old data with new data comprising the print format for the carrier and cost center identified by said scanning; and

displaying the print format with the new data for the carrier allocated to the entered carrier identifier.

55. A method as claimed in claim 53 wherein said mail shipping system includes a scanner, a chip card reader and a scale, each of which can communicate with said postage meter device, and said method comprising the steps of executing a scanner communication routine, a chip card communication routine and a scale communication routine in said postage meter device to determine which of said scanner, said chip card reader and said scale will interface with said postage meter device.

56. A method as claimed in claim 53 wherein the step of printing out a document having said address field and said mark thereon comprises printing said address field and said mark on a label using a personal computer at the cost center identified in the address field and mark remote from said postage meter device, and adhesively attaching said label to said document.

57. A method as claimed in claim 53 wherein the step of printing out a document having said address field and said mark thereon comprises printing said address field and said mark on a letter envelope comprising said document using a personal computer at the cost center identified in the address field and mark remote from said postage meter device.

58. A method as claimed in claim 53 comprising the additional steps of:

dependent on the carrier identified in said address field and mark, calculating a postage fee for mailing said document using said carrier identified in said address field and said mark; and

if necessary, modifying the setting data for said carrier identified in said address field and mark for producing said print format.

59. A method as claimed in claim 53 comprising the additional step of:

in said accounting, debiting an account of said cost center, accessible by said postage meter machine, which produced said document by said cost of shipping.

60. A method as claimed in claim 53 comprising the additional step of checking data in said print format for said carrier and cost center identified in said address field and mark with an encoded check sum when said setting data for said print format are called in said postage meter device.

61. A method as claimed in claim 53 wherein said mail shipping system is used with a data center remote from said mail shipping system, and said method comprising the additional steps of:

if sufficient data are not available in said postage meter device for generating said print format for said carrier identified in said address field and mark, forming a data request to said remote data center for data needed to complete generation of said print format;

establishing a communication between said postage meter device and said remote data center and transmitting said data request from said postage meter device to said remote data center; and

transmitting said data needed to complete said print format from said remote data center to said postage meter device, and generating said print format using said data needed to complete said print format in said postage meter device.

62. A method as claimed in claim 61 wherein said print format includes frame data and pixel data, and wherein the step of generating said print format using said data transmitted from said remote data center to complete said print format comprises modifying at least one of said frame data and said pixel data.

63. A method as claimed in claim 53 comprising the additional steps of:

respectively allocating a cliche number to each cost center;

respectively allocating a cost center number to each cost center;

providing an input unit in communication with said postage meter device by which a cost center number can be entered into said postage meter machine; and

entering a cost center number into said postage meter machine via said input unit and automatically, in said postage meter device, entering the cliche number associated with the entered cost center number.

64. A method as claimed in claim 63 wherein each cost center has a name associated therewith, and said method comprising the additional step of allowing, via said input unit, for modification of a name of a cost center allocated to a cost center number.

65. A method as claimed in claim 63 wherein each of said carriers has a name associated therewith, and said method comprising the additional steps of:

providing an input unit in communication with said postage meter device; and

allowing for modification of a name of a carrier via said input unit.

66. A method as claimed in claim 53 comprising the additional steps of:

non-volatilely storing each carrier identification number in said postage meter device;

providing an input unit in communication with said postage meter device via which a selected carrier identification number can be entered;

entering a selected carrier identification number via said input unit into said postage meter device and thereby causing, in said postage meter device, selection of the print format associated with the carrier corresponding to the entered carrier identification number; and

allowing for modification of said carrier identification number and the carrier-specific print format corresponding to the carrier to which said carrier identification number is respectively allocated.

67. A method as claimed in claim 53 comprising the additional steps of:

respectively allocating a cost center number to each cost center;

providing an input unit in communication with said postage meter device via which a selected cost center number can be entered into said postage meter device; and

upon entry of a cost center number into said postage meter device via said input unit, displaying at said postage meter device all shipping costs respectively associated with each carrier used by said cost center.

68. A method for processing data in a mail shipping system comprising the steps of:

(a) creating a document file in a document producing program in a personal computer;

(b) calling a first input mask in said personal computer;

(c) entering and storing in said personal computer an address of a recipient of said document and a date of said document using said first input mask;

(d) calling said second input mask in said personal computer;

(e) selecting from said second input mask a carrier for shipping said document and storing said carrier as a number in said personal computer;

(f) producing and storing contents of said document in said personal computer;

(g) printing out said document and providing said document with an envelope and printing said address of said recipient of said document on at least one of said document and said envelope;

(h) printing a mark on at least one of said document and said envelope, said mark identifying said carrier, and

(i) inserting said document into said envelope.

69. A method as claimed in claim 68 wherein said mail shipping system is used by a plurality of independent cost centers, said personal computer and said printer being located at one of said cost centers, and said method comprising the additional steps of:

respectively allocating said cost center numbers to said cost centers; and

automatically entering and storing a cost center number allocated to the cost center at which said personal computer and said printer are located into said personal computer using said first input mask, after step (b).

70. A method as claimed in claim 68 wherein mailing of said document is regulated by a postal authority, and said method comprising the additional steps of:

loading a program into said personal computer for automatically positioning said address and said mark on at least one of said letter and said envelope in accordance with regulations established by said postal authority; and

automatically printing said address of said recipient on at least one of said letter and said envelope and printing said mark on at least one of said letter and said envelope in accordance with said postal regulations in said personal computer.

71. A method as claimed in claim 68 wherein step (h) comprises printing said mark on at least one of said document and said envelope using said printer at said personal computer.

72. A method as claimed in claim 68 wherein step (h) comprises printing said mark on at least one of said document and said envelope using a further printer, connected to said personal computer, separate from said printer used in step (g) for printing said document.

73. A method as claimed in claim 68 wherein said envelope comprises a window envelope, wherein step (g) comprises printing said address of said recipient only on said document, wherein step (h) comprises printing said mark only on said document, and wherein step (i) comprises inserting said document into said window envelope with said address of said recipient and said mark visible through said window envelope.

74. A method for data processing in a mail shipping system used by a plurality of independent cost centers, comprising the steps of:

respectively allocating a cost center number to said cost centers;

respectively allocating a carrier number to carriers available to said cost centers for shipping mail;

preparing a document at a personal computer located at one of said cost centers;

printing out an address field for a recipient of said document on a label including an identification of a carrier for shipping said document and said one of said cost centers at which said document was produced;

supplying said document in an envelope to a postage meter device with said label on one of said document and said envelope and scanning said label at said postage meter device;

from said scanning identifying the cost center number allocated to said one of said cost centers at which said document was produced;

from said scanning, identifying the carrier number of said carrier for shipping said document;

measuring a weight of said document in said envelope and making a fee table available to said postage meter machine for each of said carriers;

automatically calculating in said postage meter device a fee for shipping said document using the fee table for the carrier having the identified carrier number, and printing a franking imprint on said envelope corresponding to the calculated fee; and

conducting an accounting for said fee in said postage meter device both for said carrier for shipping said document and for the cost center which produced said document.

75. A method as claimed in claim 74 comprising the additional steps of:

establishing a communication between said postage meter device and said personal computer;

transmitting said fee from said postage meter device to said personal computer; and

maintaining a running total of all fees for all carriers in said personal computer for documents produced using said personal computer.

76. A method as claimed in claim 75 wherein the step of maintaining a running total comprises maintaining a running total, separated by respective carriers, for fees for all documents produced at said personal computer.

77. A method as claimed in claim 74 comprising the additional steps of:

maintaining a running total in said postage meter device for all fees incurred by each cost center separated by carrier; and

upon a request from a requesting cost center, making the running total for the requesting cost center available to the requesting cost center.

78. A method as claimed in claim 74 wherein the step of preparing a document at a personal computer comprises preparing said document at said personal computer using a document production program, wherein the step of printing out said address field and said mark comprises printing out said address field and said mark at a printer connected to said personal computer, and allocating contents of said document to said address field and said mark using said document production program.

79. A method as claimed in claim 74 wherein the step of preparing a document comprises preparing said document using a document production program at said personal computer and calling an input mask in said document production program for automatically entering said cost center number for the cost center at which said personal computer is located, for printing out said cost center number with said document.

80. A method for data processing in a mail shipping system used by a plurality of independent cost centers, comprising the steps of:

respectively allocating a cost center number to said cost centers; respectively allocating a carrier number to carriers available to said cost centers for shipping mail;

preparing a document at a personal computer located at one of said cost centers;

printing out an address field for a recipient of said document and an identifier identifying a carrier for shipping said document and said one of said cost centers at which the document was prepared;

scanning said mark;

supplying said document in an envelope to a postage meter device;

from said scanning identifying the cost center number allocated to said one of said cost centers at which said document was produced;

from said scanning, identifying the carrier number of said carrier for shipping said document external of said postage meter device;

measuring a weight of said envelope including the document external of said postage meter device;

automatically calculating external of said postage meter device a fee for shipping said document using the identified carrier number and said weight, and printing a franking imprint on said envelope corresponding to the calculated fee; and

conducting an accounting for said fee in said postage meter device both for said carrier for shipping said document and for the cost center which produced said document.

81. A method as claimed in claim 80 comprising the additional steps of:

establishing a communication between said postage meter device and said personal computer;

transmitting said fee from said postage meter device to said personal computer; and

maintaining a running total of all fees for all carriers in said personal computer for documents produced using said personal computer.

82. A method as claimed in claim 81 wherein the step of maintaining a running total comprises maintaining a running total, separated by respective carriers, for fees for all documents produced at said personal computer.

83. A method as claimed in claim 80 comprising the additional steps of:

maintaining a running total in said postage meter device for all fees incurred by each cost center separated by carrier; and

upon a request from a requesting cost center, making the running total for the requesting cost center available to the requesting cost center.

84. A method as claimed in claim 80 wherein the step of preparing a document at a personal computer comprises preparing said document at said personal computer using a document production program, wherein the step of printing out said address field and said mark comprises printing out said address field and said mark at a printer connected to said personal computer, and allocating contents of said document to said address field and said mark using said document production program.

85. A method as claimed in claim 80 wherein the step of preparing a document comprises preparing said document using a document production program at said personal computer and calling an input mask in said document production program for automatically entering said cost center number for the cost center at which said personal computer is located, for printing out said cost center number with said document.

86. A method for data processing in a mail shipping system comprising the steps of:

respectively allocating a carrier number to carriers available to a plurality of cost centers for shipping mail;

preparing a document at a personal computer located at one of said cost centers;

printing out an address field for a recipient of said document and a mark identifying a carrier for shipping said document on a medium selected from the group consisting of said document, an envelope to contain said document, and a label affixable to one of said document or said envelope;

supplying said document in said envelope to a postage meter device and scanning said mark at said postage meter device;

identifying the carrier number of said carrier for shipping said document;

measuring a weight of said document in said envelope and making a fee table available to said postage meter device for each of said carriers;

automatically calculating in said postage meter device a fee for shipping said document using said weight and the fee table for the carrier having the identified carrier number, and printing a franking imprint on said envelope corresponding to the calculated fee; and

conducting an accounting for said fee in said postage meter device for all carriers used by said cost center at which said personal computer is located, listed respectively by carrier.

87. A method as claimed in claim 86 comprising the additional steps of:

establishing a communication between the personal computer at which said document was prepared and said postage meter device;

transmitting the fee to said personal computer from said postage meter device for shipping each document prepared at said personal computer, upon a request from said personal computer to said postage meter machine; and

maintaining a running total in said personal computer of all fees, separated according to respective carriers, for shipping documents produced at said personal computer.

88. A method for data processing in a mail shipping system comprising the steps of:

respectively allocating a carrier number to carriers available for shipping mail;

preparing a document at a personal computer;

printing out an address field for a recipient of said document and a mark identifying a carrier for shipping said document;

scanning said mark at a scanner;

from said scanning, identifying the carrier number of said carrier for shipping said document;

supplying said document in an envelope to a postage meter device, remote from said scanner;

automatically calculating a fee for shipping said document at a location remote from said postage meter device, using the identified carrier number and supplying the calculated fee to said postage meter device;

printing a franking imprint on said envelope corresponding to the calculated fee; and

conducting an accounting for said fee in said postage meter device for said carrier for shipping said document.

89. A method as claimed in claim 88 comprising the additional steps of:

establishing a communication between the personal computer at which said document was prepared and said postage meter device;

transmitting the fee to said personal computer from said postage meter device for shipping each document prepared at said personal computer, upon a request from said personal computer to said postage meter device; and

maintaining a running total in said personal computer of all fees, separated according to respective carriers, for shipping documents produced at said personal computer.

90. A data processing arrangement in a mail shipping system comprising:

scale means for weighing a document to be shipped and for emitting a weight signal identifying a weight of said document to be shipped;

a postage meter device containing printing means for printing a franking imprint on said document;

first actuation means for entering setting data for each of a plurality of different shipping carriers, said setting data comprising, for each shipping carrier, data for producing a print format unique to that shipping carrier and a carrier identifiction number unique to that shipping carrier;

memory means in said postage meter device and connected to said first actuation means for storing the respective setting data for each of said shipping carriers allocated by the carrier identification numbers respectively for said shipping carriers;

second actuation means for identifying one of said shipping carriers by the carrier identification number, for shipping said document;

a microprocessor in said postage meter device;

calculator means in communication with said second actuation means, said microprocessor and said scale means for, upon receiving said carrier identification number, calculating a shipping fee for shipping said document by said selected shipping carrier using said weight signal, and emitting a signal representing said shipping fee; and

said microprocessor being supplied with said signal from said calculator means and retrieving said print format for the selected shipping carrier from said memory means, and causing said printing means to generate a franking imprint on said document embodying said shipping fee and said print format.

91. An arrangement as claimed in claim 90 wherein said scale means contains said calculation means and wherein said document has printed thereon cost center information designating one cost center among a plurality of cost centers, which produced said document, and carrier information designating one carrier, among a plurality of carriers to be used for shipping said document, and said arrangement further comprising:

said second actuation means comprising a first scanner of said scale means which reads said carrier information and supplies a signal identifying said one carrier to said calculator means in said scale means;

a second scanner which reads said cost center information and supplies a signal identifying said one cost center to said postage meter machine; and

accounting means in said postage meter device for receiving said signal identifying said one cost center for conducting an accounting for said one cost center for said fee.

92. An arrangement for data processing in a mail shipping system comprising:

scale means for weighing a document to be shipped and for emitting a weight signal identifying a weight of said document, said document having carrier information printed thereon identifying a carrier, among a plurality of available carriers, to be used for shipping said document;

scanner means for scanning said document for identifying the carrier to be used for shipping said document and for emitting a signal representing said carrier to be used for shipping said document;

calculator means, supplied with said signal emitted by said scanner means, for calculating a fee required for shipping said document by said carrier to be used for shipping said document dependent on the weight of said document, said calculator means emitting a fee signal identifying said fee; and

means, supplied with said fee signal emitted by said calculator means, for producing a franking imprint on said document embodying said fee and a print format uniquely associated with the carrier to be used for shipping said document.

93. An arrangement as claimed in claim 92 further comprising a postage meter device containing said means for producing a franking imprint, and wherein said scale means is disposed remote from said postage meter device and wherein said scale means contains said calculator means.

94. An arrangement as claimed in claim 92 wherein said scanner means comprises means for recognizing different formats of said carrier information.

95. An arrangement as claimed in claim 94 wherein at least one of said formats comprises a format regulated by a postal authority which specifies a position for information within said at least one of said formats, and said arrangement further comprising a personal computer comprising memory means for storing said position for information in said at least one of said formats for printing information on said document according to said at least one of said formats.

96. An arrangement as claimed in claim 92 further comprising a postage meter device containing said means for producing a franking imprint and means contained in said postage meter machine for processing information scanned by said scanner means.

97. An arrangement as claimed in claim 92 further comprising register means, supplied with a signal from said scanner means, for intermediately storing information scanned by said scanner means and for conducting a parallel-to-serial conversion of said information, said register means being connected to said means for producing a franking imprint.

98. An arrangement as claimed in claim 92 wherein said document has cost center information printed thereon identifying a cost center which produced said document, and further comprising means for identifying said cost information and for storing said cost center information.

99. An arrangement as claimed in claim 98 further comprising a postage meter device containing said means for producing a franking imprint, and wherein said scale means comprises a scale external to and remote from said postage meter device, and wherein said scanner means for said carrier information and said scanner means for said cost center information are coupled to said external scale.

100. An arrangement as claimed in claim 98 wherein each of said scanner means for identifying carrier information and said scanner means for identifying cost center information comprise an electronic image interpretation circuit.

101. A method for data processing in a mail shipping system having a postage meter device and a transport path leading to a printhead for printing postage, comprising the steps of:

printing a mark on a mailpiece, said mark including information identifying a carrier to be used for shipping said mailpiece;

causing said mailpiece to enter into said transport path to said printhead and detecting a presence of said mailpiece in said transport path;

upon detection of said mailpiece in said transport path, scanning said mark and automatically entering said information into said postage meter device;

automatically calling a stored print format for the carrier identified in said mark;

conducting an accounting in said postage meter device by modifying an account, accessible by said postage meter device, uniquely related to the carrier identified in said mark by an amount corresponding to a cost of shipping said mailpiece using the carrier identified from said mark; and

producing a franking imprint on said mailpiece after conducting said accounting using said carrier-specific print format for the carrier identified from said mark.

102. A method as claimed in claim 101 wherein the step of printing at least one mark on a mailpiece comprises printing said mark on a label and adhesively attaching said label to said mailpiece, and wherein the step of scanning said mark comprises providing a dynamic scale in said transport path and scanning said mark at said dynamic scale.

103. A method as claimed in claim 101 wherein the step of printing at least one mark on a mailpiece comprises printing at least one mark in an address field on a mailpiece, and wherein the step of scanning said mark comprises scanning said address field, including scanning said mark in said address field.

104. A method as claimed in claim 101 wherein the step of printing at least one mark on a mailpiece comprises printing an address field on said mailpiece and printing said at least one mark on said mailpiece externally from said address field.

105. A method for data processing in a mail shipping system used by a plurality of independent cost centers, said shipping system having a postage meter device and a transport path leading to a printhead for printing postage, comprising the steps of:

printing a mark on a mailpiece, said mark including information identifying a cost center which produced said mailpiece;

causing said mailpiece to enter into said transport path to said printhead and detecting a presence of said mailpiece in said transport path;

upon detection of said mailpiece in said transport path, scanning said mark and automatically entering said information into said postage meter device;

conducting an accounting in said postage meter device by modifying an account, accessible by said postage meter device, uniquely related to the cost center identified in said mark by an amount corresponding to a cost of shipping said mailpiece; and

producing a franking imprint on said mailpiece after conducting said accounting.

106. A method as claimed in claim 105 wherein the step of printing at least one mark on a mailpiece comprises printing said mark on a label and adhesively attaching said label to said mailpiece, and wherein the step of scanning said mark comprises providing a dynamic scale in said transport path and scanning said mark at said dynamic scale.

107. A method as claimed in claim 105 wherein the step of printing at least one mark on a mailpiece comprises printing at least one mark in an address field on a mailpiece, and wherein the step of scanning said mark comprises scanning said address field, including scanning said mark in said address field.

108. A method as claimed in claim 105 wherein the step of printing at least one mark on a mailpiece comprises printing an address field on said mailpiece and printing said at least one mark on said mailpiece externally from said address field.

109. A method for data processing in a mail shipping system used by a plurality of independent cost centers for respectively shipping documents using a selected one of a plurality of carriers, said mail shipping system having a postage meter device and a transport path leading to a printhead for printing postage, comprising the steps of:

printing at least one mark on a mailpiece, said mark including information identifying a carrier to be used for shipping said mailpiece and a cost center which produced said mailpiece;

causing said mailpiece to enter into said transport path to said printhead and detecting a presence of said mailpiece in said transport path;

upon detection of said mailpiece in said transport path, scanning said mark and automatically entering said information corresponding to the carrier and the cost center identified in said mark into said postage meter device;

automatically calling setting data for the carrier and cost center identified in said mark of said mailpiece;

conducting an accounting in said postage meter device by modifying an account, accessible by said postage meter device, uniquely related to the cost center identified in said mark by an amount corresponding to a cost of shipping said mailpiece using said carrier identified in said mark; and

producing a franking imprint on said mailpiece, using said setting data, after conducting said accounting.

110. A method as claimed in claim 109 wherein the step of printing at least one mark on a mailpiece comprises printing said mark on a label and adhesively attaching said label to said mailpiece, and wherein the step of scanning said mark comprises providing a dynamic scale in said transport path and scanning said mark at said dynamic scale.

111. A method as claimed in claim 109 wherein the step of printing at least one mark on a mailpiece comprises printing at least one mark in an address field on a mailpiece, and wherein the step of scanning said mark comprises scanning said address field, including scanning said mark in said address field.

112. A method as claimed in claim 109 wherein the step of printing at least one mark on a mailpiece comprises printing an address field on said mailpiece and printing said at least one mark on said mailpiece externally from said address field.

113. A method for data processing in a mail shipping system used by a plurality of independent cost centers for respectively shipping documents using a selected one of a plurality of carriers, said mail shipping system having a postage meter device and a transport path leading to a printhead for printing postage, comprising the steps of:

printing at least one mark on a mailpiece, said mark including information identifying a carrier to be used for shipping said mail and a cost center which produced said mail;

causing said mailpiece to enter into said transport path to said printhead and detecting a presence of said mailpiece in said transport path;

upon detection of said mailpiece in said transport path, scanning said mark and automatically entering said information;

non-volatilely storing setting data in said postage meter device for each of said carriers and cost centers and automatically calling setting data for the carrier and cost center identified in said mark of said mailpiece and generating a print format for the carrier identified in said mark from said setting data;

allocating a predetermined carrier identifier uniquely to each carrier entering a carrier identifier into said postage meter device;

conducting an accounting in said postage meter device by modifying an account, accessible by said postage meter device, uniquely related to the cost center identified in said mark by an amount corresponding to a cost of shipping said mailpiece using said carrier identified in said mark; and

producing a franking imprint on said mailpiece after conducting said accounting using said print format for the carrier identified in said mark.

114. A method as claimed in claim 113 wherein the step of printing at least one mark on a mailpiece comprises printing said mark on a label and adhesively attaching said label to said mailpiece, and wherein the step of scanning said mark comprises providing a dynamic scale in said transport path and scanning said mark at said dynamic scale.

115. A method as claimed in claim 113 wherein the step of printing at least one mark on a mailpiece comprises printing at least one mark in an address field on a mailpiece, and wherein the step of scanning said mark comprises scanning said address field, including scanning said mark in said address field.

116. A method as claimed in claim 113 wherein the step of printing at least one mark on a mailpiece comprises printing an address field on said mailpiece and printing said at least one mark on said mailpiece externally from said address field.

117. A method for data processing in a mail shipping system having a postage meter device and a transport path leading to a printhead for printing postage, comprising the steps of:

printing a mark on a mailpiece, said mark including information identifying a carrier to be used for shipping said mailpiece;

causing said mailpiece to enter into said transport path to said printhead and detecting a presence of said mailpiece in said transport path;

upon detection of said mailpiece in said transport path, scanning said mark and automatically entering said information into said postage meter device;

automatically calling a stored print format for the carrier identified in said mark;

conducting an accounting in a chipcard by modifying an account, accessible by said postage meter device, uniquely related to the carrier identified in said mark by an amount corresponding to a cost of shipping said mailpiece using the carrier identified from said mark; and

producing a franking imprint on said mailpiece after conducting said accounting using said carrier-specific print format for the carrier identified from said mark.

118. A method as claimed in claim 117 wherein said postage meter device contains an accounting unit, and wherein the step of conducting an accounting in a chipcard by modifying an account comprises transferring a debited postage value from said chipcard into said accounting unit.

119. A method as claimed in claim 117 wherein the step of printing at least one mark on a mailpiece comprises printing said mark on a label and adhesively attaching said label to said mailpiece, and wherein the step of scanning said mark comprises providing a dynamic scale in said transport path and scanning said mark at said dynamic scale.

120. A method as claimed in claim 117 wherein the step of printing at least one mark on a mailpiece comprises printing at least one mark in an address field on a mailpiece, and wherein the step of scanning said mark comprises scanning said address field, including scanning said mark in said address field.

121. A method as claimed in claim 117 wherein the step of printing at least one mark on a mailpiece comprises printing an address field on said mailpiece and printing said at least one mark on said mailpiece externally from said address field.

122. A data processing arrangement in a mail shipping system, comprising:

a postage meter device having a transport path for postal items, a printhead for printing postage in a franking imprint on an item in said transport path, and a microprocessor which controls said printhead;

a scanner for scanning a mark on said item identifying a carrier for said item. said scanner being coupled to said microprocessor;

said postage meter device having a write/read unit for conducting a communication with a refilled value chipcard and said microprocessor, when a chipcard having a most recent value stored therein engages said write/read unit;

said microprocessor conducting an accounting in said value chipcard by modifying an account, by entering a carrier number into an accounting unit in a postage meter device, with a prepaid amount being maintained as an electronic balance in a balance account in said value chipcard and said microprocessor reducing said electronic balance in said value chipcard by a postage value to be printed in said franking imprint on said item; and

a memory, accessible by said microprocessor having a print format stored therein, and said microprocessor automatically calling said print format, dependent at least on said carrier number, for controlling said printhead to print said franking imprint.

123. A data processing arrangement as claimed in claim 122 wherein said postage meter device has a modem and that wherein said processor communicates a data set for each entry together with cryptographic codes for allowing inspection of said accounting from a remote location via said modem.

124. A method for data processing in a mail shipping system having a postage meter device with a transport path leading thereto, comprising the steps of:

printing out a document having a mark thereon identifying a carrier to be used for shipping of said document;

causing said document to enter into said transport path of said postage meter device and detecting a presence of said document in said transport path;

upon detection of said document in said transport path, scanning said mark and automatically entering information corresponding to the carrier identified in said mark into said postage meter device;

entering and non-volatilely storing setting data into said postage meter device for generating a plurality of carrier-specific print formats respectively for said plurality of carriers;

conducting an accounting in said postage meterdevice by modifying an account, accessible by said postage meter device, uniquely related to the carrier identified in said mark by an amount corresponding to a cost of shipping said document using the carrier identified from said mark; and

producing a franking imprint on said document after conducting said accounting using said carrier-specific print format for the carrier identified from said mark.

125. A method for data processing in a mail shipping system used by a plurality of independent cost centers, said shipping system having a postage meter device with a transport path leading thereto, comprising the steps of:

printing out a document having a mark thereon identifying a cost center which produced said document;

causing said document to enter into said transport path to said postage meter device and detecting a presence of said document in said transport path;

upon detection of said document in said transport path, scanning said mark and automatically entering information corresponding to the cost center identified in said mark into said postage meter device;

entering and non-volatilely storing setting data into said postage meter device for generating a plurality of specific print formats;

conducting an accounting in said postage meter device by modifying an account, accessible by said postage meter device, uniquely related to the cost center identified in said mark by an amount corresponding to a cost of shipping said document; and

producing a franking imprint on said document after said accounting.

126. A method for processing data in a mail shipping system comprising the steps of:

(a) creating a document file in a document producing program in a personal computer;

(b) calling an input mask in said personal computer;

(c) entering and storing in said personal computer an address of a recipient of said document and a date of said document;

(d) selecting a carrier for shipping said document and storing said carrier in said personal computer;

(e) producing and storing contents of said document in said personal computer;

(f) printing out said document and providing said document with an envelope and printing said address of said recipient of said document on at least one of said document and said envelope;

(g) printing a mark on at least one of said document and said envelope, said mark identifying said carrier; and

(h) inserting said document into said envelope.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a method for data processing in a mail-shipping system with a postage meter machine as well as to an arrangement for implementing the method.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In modern offices, producing documents such as letters ensues at the personal computer. The printed documents are manually placed in envelopes or are automatically stuffed in envelopes in a mail station with an envelope-stuffing system. Such mail stations also have postage meter machines available for use.

A postage meter machine is used for franking postal matter and can be equipped with a control unit, a memory arrangement, an input stage, a modem or other data reception means, an inputoutput control stage, a display and a printer. For example, a stationary print head prints the franking impression column-by-column with simultaneous conveying of the letter past (beneath) the print head. A printing width of approximately 1" is thereby achieved.

If the post meter machine contains a postage calculator, weight information can be entered via a connected scale. In European application 566 225, a method for data input into a postage meter machine disclosed for such a system that employs chip cards, a cellular communication network in order to enter fee schedule changes. Such chip cards, which contain a number of non-volatile memories or, separately accessible memory areas and a microprocessor, are successively plugged into a single write/read unit of the postage meter machine in order to serially transmit data representing different information into the postage meter machine. These data stored in the postage meter machine can then be accessed during the operation thereof. Such a postage meter machine constitutes a stand-alone postage meter machine and is not adapted for integration into a mail-processing system with a number of other devices.

If the scale contains a postage calculator, the postage values determined in the scale are communicated from the scale to the postage meter machine German application (Serial No. P 44 47 404.0-53) discloses a method and an arrangement for data entry into a scale, whereby fee schedule table data of the carrier are communicated to the scale via the postage meter machine so that the postage values can be calculated according to a current fee schedule. The postage meter machine checks whether the fee schedule table data of the carrier stored in the scale are still valid and automatically decides whether a reloading or an updating is required. A switch to normal operation is only made after initialization when the fee schedule table data in the scale are current. The updating ensues after activation, preferably with a chip card, and is dependent on conditions such as, for example, when data of a clock/date module called at the beginning but modified due to the passage of time, are considered to be appropriate by the microprocessor for triggering a reloading requirement. As a result, a communication is conducted with a data control in which fee schedule table data, and possibly further data files, are transmitted to the postage meter machine from the data central as a result of the communicated request. The postage meter machine is equipped with a routine for display and automatic print data input. The modification is displayed as a clear text presentation of the print format. This, however, requires a relatively expensive user interface (keyboard and picture screen) at least in the postage meter machine.

All of the aforementioned, individual solutions for postage meter machines thus require an expensive, separate user interface, or a coupling to a personal computer in order to employ the user interface (keyboard and picture screen) thereof.

European Application 493 948 discloses a coupling to a personal computer in order to use this as an input means. The postage fees are stored in various registers that are allocated to various authorities, however, this publication does not describe whether and how these authorities are selected by the customer or how an allocation ensues. This specific solution for a postage meter machine stores the debiting data for various services. A disadvantage of this known system is the outlay arising due to the need for a separate interface between the postage meter machine and a work station used as the input means. A separate printer is connected to the separate interface in order to print out debiting (accounting) reports.

German OS 39 03 718 also discloses a coupling to a personal computer in order to print out department-related accounting data via a separate printer. A disadvantage is that a control unit must be connected as a separate device between the individual devices such as the scale, the postage meter machine and the personal computer. The employment of manually plugged chip cards in order to enter accounting reports into the personal computer, moreover, represents an impediment for automation of the production of accounting reports.

European Application 600 749 discloses a mail processing machine with a bar code user interface. Commands for controlling the mail processing machine are entered via a bar code reader pen (wand). This, however, requires a catalog having a list of bar code commands, and manual sampling thereof. A manual positioning of a reader pen and sampling for entering commands reduces the input dependability as well as an assumption of responsibility on the part of the user, i.e., one must assume that the user would not undertake any manipulation with fraudulent intent. As a guard against misuse, no commands that could be misused with fraudulent intent can be found in the list. An entry of unlisted commands effecting a falsification, i.e., a correspondingly generated bar code, however, cannot be prevented. Most steps have been taken to insure that the sequence of the bar code inputs can only ensue according to the sequence of pieces of mail supplied.

German OS 40 18 166 discloses that frankings and/or an address printing be undertaken with a franking module integrated in a personal computer. To that end, the franking module is arranged in a slot of a drive insert of a personal computer. Such a solution, however, limits the universal utilization of the personal computer as a result of the occupation of the slot of the drive insert and, moreover does not accommodate other postal matter conveyor means for other envelope formats and is therefore mainly suitable for standard mail in offices with low to moderate mail volume. A number of personal computers equipped in this way would have to be utilized in an office having a higher mail volume. The integration of the franking module in the personal computer, however, is more expensive than a solution in which a commercially available personal computer and a commercially available postage meter machine are coupled to one another via a data line.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,800,506 discloses a mail processing system with a number of devices that operate in a PC-supported manner and already have connected postage meter machines available. The individual devices carry out functions for recompilation of the letters, namely in the sequence of the postal area codes of their addresses. The aforementioned functions includes opening letters, sensing specific locations, possibly reprinting the letter or comments, folding, envelope-stuffing, postage calculation and sorted deposit or, bundling. Some public mail carriers offer discounts for postal matter pre-sorted in this way. This method is complicated insofar as it may require another printout of the letter. Installation of a high-performance computer is required in the mail station, which must be operated by appropriately trained personnel.

German OS 38 08 178 discloses a mail processing system with a first computer that produces the documents on fan-fold paper and that is in communication with a second computer that controls devices in the mail station. The communication is achieved by markings printed on the document and, by a communication element. The envelope stuffing, addressing and franking of the mail can be indirectly controlled by a printed coding identifying the respective piece of mail. Parameter values that are employed for controlling the envelope stuffing, addressing and franking of the mail are allocated to these identification codings in a data bank. The data bank is connected to the second computer to which the respective identification coding of the piece of mail is communicated via a connected sensor means. The address printing in the mail station is emphasized in this document as an advantage in view of the easy, subsequent modification of, among other things, the addressing of stuffed envelopes, and thus avoiding a bill-like appearance of the envelopes that is associated with window envelopes.

Such window envelopes are allegedly not opened, by some recipients because they may contain bills. Apart from the fact that it would be senseless not to open window envelopes because they may contain bills since cost-increasing reminders would be delivered anyway to such companies or persons, window envelopes nonetheless are not favored by many mailers. This disfavor against printing an address when preparing the letter at a location which will be visible through an envelope window, and against employing window envelops per se, leads to the aforementioned equipping of the mail station with complicated technology. When settings must be undertaken in the mail station in order to utilize beneficial services of a different private carrier, however, even the aforementioned equipping of the mail station with complicated technology still proves inadequate because correspondingly more highly qualified employees are then required. The weight and the postage amount are identified before resending postal matter. In conjunction with the increasing proliferation of private carriers competing with one another, beneficial special fee schedules for transport services and service performances related thereto are also being increasingly offered. A reduction of the weight by reducing the number of inserts for the envelope often suffices for meeting the prerequisites for making use of such special fee schedules. A great deal of redundancy and design latitude in the informational offering exists in direct marketing. For example, the format, the number of lines, letter height, etc., could be optimized for cost reasons. The number of pages could also be reduced when preparing the letter. The employees in the mail station, however, are not in a position to undertake such entries or modifications in the data bank. The employees of the mail station would then have to instruct the other employees whose produce the letter contents, or these mail station employees would have to make such changes themselves. Such a procedure, however, would only lead to unnecessary delays in the mail processing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to overcome the above-discussed disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a more flexible mail processing system with a postage meter machine that, without favoring or disfavoring any type of format of the postal matter, can be expanded to future services of various private mail carriers and also assures a reliable and largely automatic mail processing.

The occurrence of manual input errors into the postage meter machine of the mail station also should be reduced. A further object is thus to provide a mail processing method which upon production of a letter, supplies significant data for subsequent debiting of the postage fee in a postage meter machine before the printout of the letter.

The conducting data processing in a postage meter machine allows an automatic means for setting critical data to be employed as well as an automatic means for the debiting of postage fees ordered according to cost centers, so that it is unnecessary to undertake manual postage meter machine inputs.

Despite a multitude of mail carriers, an accounting should ensue surveyably and reduplicatably in the interest of the customer. An additional object is thus to enable the presentation of accounting statements according to cost centers, as well as according to public and private mail carriers on the basis of displays and print outs.

The invention avoids limitations in the financing and implementation of the mail processing insofar as possible. Window envelopes, standard envelopes, as well as other envelope shapes such as are preferred by private carriers, can be employed in order to implement an envelope stuffing in the office. Moreover, an addressing of the mailings is already implemented in the office. Only the franking ensues as before in the mail station with a postage meter machine, for which the possibility has now been created of generating arbitrary imprints in the way required by private carriers.

A mail carrier selected by user interface of the personal computer is at least displayed, or additionally printed out, as mail carrier information together with a contents of the letter.

A letter produced at a personal computer has a format with an area for a specific, imprinted address. This information about the recipient address is additionally supplemented by cost center information and printed out together with the content of the letter in one embodiment of the invention.

Further versions of this embodiment allow the possibility of using modem office printers to print letter recipient address as well as the cost center and/or carrier information on an envelope.

The invention also encompasses scanning the aforementioned information from the letter or envelope in the mail center (which is remote from the location (desk) at which the document and/or envelope is prepared) with a commercially obtainable scanner and automatically entering this information into the postage meter machine. At least one further scanner is arranged in the mail delivery stream so that different formats can also be scanned.

The postage meter machine automatically checks whether the selected services are available and otherwise undertakes a communication to a remote data center, whereby specific requests data are sent and the required data are received from the data central and the required data are loaded into its memories.

The invention allows loading at least the fee schedule tables of the respective carrier which are valid for the location in the system as needed, and calling them for a particular mail carrier (USPS, UPS, DEUTCHE POST AG or others).

The invention based on the standard, spacial separation of the mail station (mail room) from the remainder of a modern office, whereby the letter contents and mailing information are produced in the office and are administered in department-related manner, i.e., encoded according to cost center numbers. This is particularly advantageous when a number of small companies work in one shared office space or building, these companies operating a shared mail station but having to debit separately according to services of the carriers and independently of the other small companies. A separate cost center number is then allocated to each small company. Debiting related to cost center, or a department-related debiting, ensues automatically in the postage meter machine in the mail station, correspondingly separate accounting reports being produced for the small companies or departments and for the public or private mail carriers.

The operations implemented in the personal computer in the office include the text production and processing, entering the address and allocation of a cost center number for a debiting related to the document producing cost center, as well as menuguided selection of the various carriers which are available.

The operations implemented in the mail station include at least scanning the address field or a mark with cost center and/or carrier information. After the scanning of this information from the letter or from the envelope, the processing of this information ensues in the scale or postage meter machine, as does the franking of mailings.

Of course, a carrier preset in this way can nonetheless be manually changed in the mail station when, for example, the entry was not actuated in the office or some other carrier is more beneficial. By providing the capability of determining when the transmittal of a number of letters produced on the same day to the same postal area code occurs, costs can be saved because it is generally assumed that it is more economical not to use different private carriers but only a single carrier for all such letters.

The method for data processing in a mail shipping system includes steps for the printout of a document together with address field and mark, for scanning the mark in a mail center and for processing the data, as well as for franking with a postage meter machine.

As used herein, "document" means label printings, letters on paper or other print carriers. The mark is a bar code or some other form of marking. The inventive method includes the following steps.

In a first step, a detection of a piece of mail in the transport path to the postage meter machine occurs and a scanning of the address field and/or of the mark in the mailing detection of supplied pieces of mail in the transport path to the print head of the postage meter machine takes place. As a result, information with respect to the carrier or mailing type or category and/or cost center is automatically entered into the postage meter machine, and at least one retrieval of non-volatilely stored setting data ensues for an automatic entry of print data into the postage meter machine;

In a processing routine in a second step, at least one routine for automatic modification of the non-volatilely stored setting data is conducted, for generating carrier-specific print formats upon selection of a predetermined mail carrier number (CIN), for automatic print data entry and checking, as well as for display, and for automatic or manual entries. This processing routine may contain a sub-routine for allocating a cost center number to an imprint number for automatic entry of the input number upon entry of the cost center number.

Lastly, the data are processed in franking mode with a debiting allocated to cost center and/or carrier before the franking.

In the second step with the routine for automatic modification of the non-volatilely stored setting data, a routine can be provided for forming request data for reloading selected carrier data and/or current carrier fee schedules of the selected carrier. In the absence of selected data, or given non-current data, the implementation of a communication with a remote data center is occurs in a third step (before the franking mode step), whereby data files including at least carrier-identifying image data files and current fee schedule data files are transmitted to the postage meter machine from the data center on the basis of the communicated, aforementioned request data.

The improvements achieved in a postage meter machine operating according to the inventive method include a largely automatic processing of the letter while making use of different fee schedule structures of various carriers, and creating flexibility with respect to debiting vis-a-vis different carriers. Given the elimination of the mail monopoly for sending letters, one can expect an increase in mail delivery by regionally, nationally or internationally acting private carriers. It is in fact already known from package shipping systems to prepare accounting statements for various carriers. The accounting statements for various carriers given utilization of packet shipping systems generally ensues with a debit note method, however, such an accounting does not make any automatic processing, postage calculation or security monitoring available to the customer as is prescribed, for example, by postal authorities in the case of a postage meter machine into which a credit was loaded. An accounting vis-a-vis various private carriers is inventively established in the postage meter machine disclosed herein in a postage fee module on the basis of a prepaid or credited amount.

The following method steps describe the inventive solution to the above problem.

First a letter is produced with a text processing system on a personal computer in a known, conventional manner.

The most suitable carrier for sending this letter is then selected. For example, this can be a regional courier service for local, rapid delivery but can also be a national (governmental) postal agency for standard mail. A mark identifying the selected carrier is entered in the address field of the letterhead. This mark can be taken from a data file in which the user, menu-prompted, selects from an offering of carriers; the carrier can also be directly entered via the keyboard. Further, a machine-readable code, for example a bar code and/or a graphic symbol can also be stored for each carrier.

The letter together with address field and a mark is then printed out, thus allowing the information with respect to carrier and/or cost center to be automatically input into the postage meter machine.

The letter then is stuffed manually or by machine into a window envelope. Alternatively to the printout of the carrier mark in the letterhead, a corresponding adhesive-backed sticker that contains this information in pre-printed form can be stuck onto the envelope.

The address field together with the carrier mark then are scanned with a suitable scanner means. This scanner means is either separate from or as is preferable is arranged in the postage meter machine, for example in an automatic delivery means in the mail transport path.

Next, the scanned pixel image is transmitted into a processing means. The carrier mark is decoded therein. This processing means is integrated in the postage meter machine, in a scale or in some other, additional peripheral device, for example in an automatic delivery means.

The carrier information then is transmitted to a postage calculator.

The postage calculator contains the stored postage table associated with the selected carrier. If a carrier or service was newly selected and a postage table for the selected service or carrier thus is not available or does not belong to the permanently stored postage tables due to limited memory capacity, the postage meter machine automatically telephonically dials a data center operated, for example, by the postage meter machine manufacturer and the required postage table is loaded into the memories of the postage meter machine. Each postage table can have a date allocated to it indicating when it takes effect and/or identifying its minimum validity duration. The postage meter machine contains a real-time clock to whose date the minimum validity duration of the corresponding postage table is compared in order to request a new table via the data center, if necessary. A corresponding identifier can be printed in the franking field for identifying the postage table employed.

The specific postage then is calculated on the basis of the data already present such as format and type of mailing as well as on the basis of the weight. Alternatively, it would be possible at any time to modify the postage value with a manual input. To that end, a specific postage table would have to be visually display for the user via a display, with the user subsequently selecting the postage amount, as was disclosed by German OS 42 17 478. If this alternative is employed, however, no strict linking to the fee schedule, and thus no accounting dependability would be achieved.

Lastly, the charge to the user with the specific postage amount is debited on the postage account of the carrier that is likewise automatically set. This is possible in a debit note method as well as in a pre-paid method. In the debit note method, a debit account is read, whereby the stored value is incremented by the postage value to be franked. In the pre-paid method, a pre-paid amount is maintained in the credit account of the postage meter machine as an electronic credit. Another accounting version is to undertake the accounting on a specific chip card (similar to a telephone card or credit card) brought into contact with the postage meter machine that each carrier has edited or produced. Because the selection of the carrier that has already been undertaken, however, a universal carrier card can be employed instead of a credit card issued by a single carrier, such as a universal card having therein a memory area for each carrier, in which the accounting data for that carrier only are stored.

By employing of a modem, an electronic communication of accounting data to the remote data center can ensue at time intervals, the remote data center implementing the accounting with the carrier on commission from the customer. Alternatively, the data center, after an inquiry at the customer's bank to confirm the solvency of the customer, can grant the customer a credit and communicate a credit. Data about the appertaining type of accounting and the respective logo that identifies the employment of a current carrier fee schedule are related to the selected carrier. The aforementioned data and their allocation are stored in the postage meter machine for each selectable carrier.

As needed, a document showing the successful recrediting (i.e., a receipt) can be printed out with the print head of the postage meter machine for each mail carrier after a recrediting procedure has been executed. The becomes possible by switching the postage meter machine to an internal printing mode. It is also provided that a listing regarding the totality and/or individual financial recrediting data within a time span and other register or service data are printed out as a document by the print head of the postage meter machine when this is desired.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram of a mail processing system with a postage meter machine constructed and operating in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram of a postage meter machine constructed and operating in accordance with the principles of the present invention with automatic data processing, in a first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an overall flowchart of a postage meter machine with integrated postage calculation and with automatic data processing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4a is a block circuit diagram of a postage meter machine constructed and operating in accordance with the principles of the present invention with external scale for a postage calculation and with automatic data processing according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4b is an overall flowchart for a postage meter machine with external scale for a postage calculation and with automatic data processing according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 4c is a block circuit diagram of a postage meter machine constructed and operating in accordance with the principles of the present invention according to a third embodiment with cost center/carrier scanner connected to the external scale for a postage calculation.

FIG. 4d is an overall flowchart for a postage meter machine according to the third embodiment.

FIGS. 5a-5c together for a flowchart of evaluation of a data entry for the postage meter machine constructed and operating in accordance with the principles of the present invention in the framework of an input/display routine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for an automatic data entry in accordance with the invention on the basis of the scanned cost center and/or carrier information.

FIG. 7a is a flowchart for the franking mode with a carrier and cost-center-related processing of accounting data in a postage meter machine constructed and operating in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 7b is a flowchart for the accounting and printing routine in franking mode with carrier and cost-center-related accounting in a postage meter machine constructed and operating in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 7c illustrates a format for carrier-related accounting data in the postal registers in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 7d illustrates a format for a two-dimensional cost center/carrier matrix in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for forming request data for a data transmission from a data center in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for the communication mode for a postage meter machine constructed and operating in accordance with the principles of the present invention in order to implement a data transmission.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for a routine for receiving and handling communicated service performance data in a postage meter machine constructed and operating in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for a method for operating a mail processing system employing the first embodiment of the inventive postage meter machine.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for a method for operating a mail processing system employing the second embodiment of the inventive postage meter machine.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for a method for operating a mail processing system employing the third embodiment of the inventive postage meter machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The block circuit diagram shown in FIG. 1 for a mail processing system with a postage meter machine shows the transport flow of mail from a modem office 21 to a mail center. In at least one such office 21, letters are produced on a number of personal computers PC.sub.a, PC.sub.b, PC.sub.c, . . . , with associated printers D.sub.a, D.sub.b, D.sub.c, . . . , and, possibly other periphery devices.

A mail carrier can be selected and at least displayed with a user interface at each of the personal computers PC.sub.a, PC.sub.b, Pc.sub.c . . . . In the preferred version, the selected mail carrier information is additionally printed out in the address area with the letter contents and a window envelope is employed for stuffing which takes place at respective automated or manual stuffing locations K.sub.a, K.sub.b, K.sub.c . . . . As warranted, the information about the selected mail carrier can be pasted on the envelope in the form of a sticker within the framework of this manual envelope stuffing. A version is also possible wherein pre-printed or prepared envelopes are employed for the identification of a private carrier. The printer, in particular, can be a commercially available printer equipped for printing envelopes that is connected to the personal computer. In the mail station, at least one scanner scans the carrier and/or cost center information that is at least printed on in the address field that can be scanned through a window of a window envelope. The scanner is electrically connected to the postage meter machine via a data line 18. Moreover, an additional scale can be arranged in the transport path to the postage meter machine in order to determine at least the weight data of the letter. Such a scanner 26, for example, can be arranged in the delivery path to a scale 22. The scanner 26 and possibly the scale 22 as well can be components of an automatic delivery station that is arranged in front of the postage meter machine FM in the mail center at the start of the letter transport path. The postage meter machine FM can communicate as needed with a remote data center DC via a suitable communication path 17.

The block circuit diagram of a postage meter machine shown in FIG. 2 has a programmable processor system that is connected to at least one scanner 26 and a modem 23, a scale 22, a chip card write/read unit 20 and/or other, corresponding reception means or input means. The scanner 26 is positioned at the start of the secure wheel gap in the mail center. When the postage meter machine is equipped with an internal, dynamic scale 22 and when the internal mail path cannot be influenced from the outside, then the scanner 26 can also be arranged at a suitable location in the mail path preceding the postage meter machine. This latter requirement is necessary as a result of uniform mail regulations for the position of the address. Cost finding programs for the position of the address and of the other information exist in memories of the respective personal computers PCa, PCb or PCc in the office 21 that drive a printer in common, or separate printers, according to the aforementioned areas to be printed. An additional line is provided on the cover or in the address field of the cover as an area to be printed. A correspondingly different positioning of, if necessary, a further scanner 26.1 results for different formats of the envelope. The scanners are connected together to a first mail sensor 16 with a register unit 19 that intermediately stores data and implements a parallel-to-serial conversion. For serial data transmission, the register unit 19 is electronically connected via the data line 18 to an inputoutput control unit 4 of the postage meter machine.

In the postage meter machine housing, input and output units such as a keyboard 2, a display 3, a chip card write/read unit 20, a scale 22 and a modem 23 are connected via the inputoutput control unit 4 to a processor system having a postal-oriented security region 50, by a direct connection or via a bus (not shown). The processor system is composed of at least one memory means having a non-volatile memory (NVM) 5a, with carrier specific memory areas C.sub.i, C.sub.m, and an EEPROM 56, a clock/date module 8 and a processing unit (CPU) functioning as a control unit 6 and, possibly a specific circuit or program source 80 and/or 81 for automating the loading of data from a data central via modem or chip card, or some other suitable transmission means. The special circuit and/or program source 80 and 81 are preferably a component part of a battery-supported, non-volatile memory (CMOS-NV-RAM) in the clock/date module 8. Further supporting programs can be present in the program memory 11 and/or in a non-volatile EEPROM stored in the memory 5b. A print controller 14 is fashioned, for example, as an ASIC and is matched to the respective, preferably digital, printing process, and operates with a print register 15.

The input/output control unit 4 may include the print controller 14 and be connected in to the control unit 6 of the postage meter machine via a bus and, for example, can be fashioned as an ASIC. A print head 1 is connected to the print controller 14.

The various memories are usually composed of a number of permanent and temporary, non-volatile memories. Together with the control unit 6, one part of the memories forms a postage calculator in a known way an another part forms a protected postal region within the processor system. Work is carried out with the non-volatile memories of the aforementioned, other part of the memories for accounting. It is particularly provided that the protected postal region 50 be equipped with a specific accounting unit that works in a completely counterfeit-proof way and relieves the control unit 6 of this task job. The protected postal region 50 of the processor system of the postage meter machine can be fashioned as a hardware-controlled accounting unit in the form of a special circuit module or, for example, as an ASIC, so that the executive sequence during accounting cannot be manipulated in an unauthorized way, as disclosed in German patent application 196 03 467.1, corresponding to co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/788,188, filed Jan. 24, 1997 entitled "Postage Meter Machine."

In addition, an area organized according to carrier and cost centers can be provided in a special cost center memory 9 in order to execute operations related to the cost center or cost centers. Additional cost centers can thus being established or deleted without the reliability against manipulation be diminished. The protected postal region 50 within the processor system can only be read, but not overwritten. During the service life of the postage meter machine, data such as the number of pieces franked and total amount used for franking with a postage value can always only be incremented but never decremented. In particular, the postage calculator can be formed of the control unit 6 and memory areas of the EEPROM 5b and/or other non-volatile memories. Some of the memory areas of the EEPROM 5b are intended for the acceptance of fee schedule tables of the individual carriers.

Differing therefrom, individual costs and their data (number of pieces, total amount used) in the cost center memory 9 can be reduced by a predetermined amount, or can be set to zero at the start of an accounting period. The correspondingly actuated keys of the keyboard 2 and/or other input means produce a connection to external memories in order to execute operations related to cost centers.

The program memory 11 of the memory means of the postage meter machine contains programs for initiating and conducting a communication via interfaces in the inputoutput control unit 4 with the scanner 26 and with input units 20 through 23. Other peripheral inputoutput means (not shown in detail) can be connected to the processor system of the postage meter machine. At least one parallel interface to the display unit 3 and, in conjunction with the print controller 14, at least one serial interface for print data control and data transmission to the drive electronics arranged on the print head 1, can be provided in the input/output control unit 4. A further serial interface can be connected via the aforementioned register unit 19 to a number of scanners or sensors. At least one scanner 26 is a pixel sensor with a high resolution. Its data bits are output in parallel and are converted into serially fetchable data bits with a sensor shift register in the register unit 19 driven by the input/output control unit 4. The input/output control unit 4 is preferably fashioned such that a number of sensors or actuators with one or more connected sensors or actuator shift registers can be connected via a shared serial interface data line 18 to a single shared shift register in an actuator/sensor controller in the input/output control unit 4, as disclosed in greater detail in the German application No. P 44 45 053.2, corresponding to co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/568,019 ("internal Postage Meter Machine Interface Circuit" Rieckhoff et al) filed Dec. 6, 1995 and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

The base (not shown in detail) of the postage meter machine is composed of the print head 1 and a power electronic/sensorlactuator module 12 that contains an energy supply and control for the drives (paper transport, printer, tape, tape dispenser) and the required drive motor. The print head and the module 12 and an encoder 13 for acquiring the transport speed of the piece of mail lie in the base and are coupled to the processor system directly and/or to the scale 22 and, possibly to other peripheral input/output means in the mail station or in the office 21 via the input/output control unit 4 via appropriate interfaces.

The postage meter machine has a reception means such as an external modem 23 and a modem interface in the postage meter machine for the external modem 23 or for an internal modem. A communication with the remote data center DC is enabled via modem. An electronically stored credit thus can not only be replenished in the postage meter machine, but also current fee schedule table data and other data can be communicated.

In another version, a telecommunication network is provided that externally contains a memory with the fetchable data and/or flags for reloading of auxiliary functions and information into the postage meter machine. The external memory is supplied with updating data from the public postal authority and/or private carriers, preferably via the aforementioned data center DC.

Alternatively, an external memory with required updating data can be provided in a mobile radiotelephone communication network and can be addressed by a corresponding communication connection and communication means. An intermediate storage in the transmission means ensues, and data packets are then transmitted under the control of the postage meter machine and an automatic transfer of the current fee schedule by the postage meter machine is thereby potentially assured. The storing the fee schedules ensues according to various public mail carriers or private carriers in separate memory areas of the aforementioned postage calculator.

Specific inputs can be undertaken with an alternative input means, particularly a chip card. This is brought into contact with the chip card write/read unit 20 serving as an input means. The interface board of the chip card write/read unit 20 is connected to a serial interface of the postage meter machine. The contacting means in the write/read unit 20 comprises at least six contacts and the data exchange between the unprotected and/or the protected card memory area and a non-volatile memory of the program memory 11 of the postage meter machine is automatically serially undertaken in the framework of a communication protocol as soon as the chip card has been plugged into the plug-in slot of the write/read unit 20.

Such a special mail station chip card for the employees in the mail station can be advantageously utilized for entering location data. A correspondingly programmed chip card is delivered to the user after authorization of a new location or a change in location. Before the machines of the mail station are transported to a new location, it is necessary to turn them off. A location-specific initalization of the postage meter machine automatically ensues after turn-on. So that the postage meter machine need not be switched on or off often at the same location, a standby mode is provided.

With the same chip card delivered to the user, a corresponding postmark imprint text part for t he modified name of the municipality and, if needed, for the modified postal zip code is loaded into the postage meter machine in addition to the setting in order to be able to modify the print image data already stored in conformity with the change in location, as is disclosed by European Application 566 225.

Every allocation of semi-variable print image data (window data) that fill up a specific window in the print format (frame data) is stored in specific memory areas of, for example, the EPPROM 5b and/or of another non-volatile memory of the postage meter machine FM.

In the franking mode a cost-center-dependent accounting of the automatically or manually set postage value ensues before the printout of the franking format, this being explained in greater detail in connection with FIGS. 7a through 7d. It is also provided that a printout can be produced for the cost-center-dependent accounting by the postage meter machine, as was already disclosed in German OS 42 24 955. In the inventive mail processing system, a print requirement upon introduction of a sheet of paper into the printing region is recognized by a standard, second mail sensor 16.1 and, as a reaction to a preceding, manual input including entry of the cost center number in conjunction with a function key, the postage meter machine then produces a printout. The postage values that have been used are listed individually and cumulatively related to various carriers. The cost center printout is regularly sent to the appertaining department in the office 21 or in response to a specific request.

As needed, data for a carrier are also produced, for whom the postage values of all cost centers serviced by this carrier are compiled. This is meaningful when the departments are fiscally independent units, i.e., when a number of small companies use an office 21 and the mail station in common but must carry out separate accounting at the carriers.

The communicated listing can also be compared in a personal computer of the office 21 to an internally stored listing. Only modifications of the setting of the carrier are undertaken by the mail center in order, for example, to use favorable offers to obtain rebates from carriers, so that this can be checked by such a comparison.

The overall flowchart for the postage meter machine of FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 3. After a start 100, a start and initialization routine 101 is executed which includes a sub-step 1011. After turn-on, a communication requirement is formed in the sub-step 1011 in order to initiate an automatic communication with the data center, for example, via modem 23, and in order to implement a corresponding data transmission wherein the municipality name in the date stamp is modified corresponding to the current location.

The location-specific offering of data ensues optionally or corresponding to the existing postage meter machine type with a card-like transmission means or with corresponding reception means, ensuing from an external memory via a communication network (modem, mobile radiotelephone).

Given a location input with a chip card via a chip card readerwrite unit 20, authorization must be obtained in advance. This is in fact more time-consuming but allows a location registration for the respective mail processing system in the data center DC.

In another version, an entry of the location is undertaken, for example, by the keyboard 2 instead of with a remote data transmission or instead of chip card when the postage meter machine is turned on, for example, by a new user after a change in location. After the turn-on, such an input possibility is afforded in sub-step 1011 of step 101 of the initialization, namely by entering the postal zip code into the postage meter machine.

During the initialization routine 101, there is also the possibility in addition to the input of the location to change the previous carrier constellation by definition of a new set of mail carriers, for example with an input of a carrier identification number (CIN) corresponding to the name of the mail carrier in sub-step 1012, as disclosed in European application No. 95 250 313.4, corresponding to U.S. application Ser. No. 08/579,059 filed Dec. 26, 1995 entitled "Method for Entering Data Into A Scale." When one of the carriers has been selected from the afore-mentioned set of mail carriers at a later time, only the carrier identification number (CIN) need be automatically communicated to the postage meter machine and the data stored in non-volatile fashion under the carrier identification number (CIN) in step 1012 need be accessed.

After the initialization routine 101, the program branches to a first step 201 a system routine 200 in order to at least call non-volatilely stored settings for the postage meter machine in sub-step 2040 when no piece of mail is detected in the mail delivery path.

A piece of mail possibly supplied in the meantime remains in a waiting period, preferably at the start of the delivery path, or possibly in the delivery path on the scale 22 until all manually required inputs have been actuated in the second step 209. The franking mode 400 is reached after further steps of the overall flowchart have been executed. It is recognized therein that the manual input has been terminated by a comparison of the loop traversals after the last input to a predetermined plurality of loop traversals, or a time duration is compared to a predetermined time duration after the last input. A switch is then first made into the standby mode before returning to the system routine 200 at S.

Inventively, data scanned the scanner 26 positioned in the mail delivery path to the postage meter machine FM can be entered into the postage meter machine during the activated operating or standby condition of the postage meter machine when a first postal matter sensor 16 has detected a piece of mail that is being transported to the print head 1. A first flag is thereby set. A second flag is also set when the first postal matter sensor 16 is actuated. When, however, only the second postal matter sensor 16.1 by itself is actuated, or is actuated before the first postal matter sensor 16, this can be determined in an interrogation step 211 which then in turn leads to a branch into the error interpretation mode 213. When, for example, the postage meter machine is in the standby condition and only the second postal matter sensor 16.1 is activated, this does not lead to a franking however, an internal cost center printout or a printing of service data or of an advertising slogan can still be undertaken.

The interfaces in the input/output control unit 4 are selected in order to recognize the connected peripheral means and in order to switch the postage meter machine as warranted into a required, pre-programmed operating mode that enables the collaboration and communication with the aforementioned peripheral means. For example, a detection of the scanned data can trigger a conveying of the piece of mail in the direction of the print head 1. The interface to the scanner 26 is selected in order to detect at least one cost center and/or carrier identifier in sub-steps 2010 through 2017 (explained in connection with FIG. 6) in order to read valid data into the memory areas of the non-volatile memory of the postage meter machine provided for that purpose, so that a manipulation-proof, automatic setting can be achieved, which is also preserved in case of an outage of the operating voltage. In sub-steps 2020 through 2035 (also shown in FIG. 6), the interface to the scale 22 is then selected, whereby a mode switching ensues if a scale 20 is connected for weight input. The postage meter machine FM is then in a slave condition in order to receive data from the peripheral means, i.e. the scanner 26 and the scale 22. The new setting for the automatically entered weight value is likewise non-volatilely stored, with the old setting data being overwritten.

In at least one following step 202, an interrogation is carried out to determine whether the scanned data yield meaningful information to determine at least one limit value is exceeded, i.e., whether a criterion was met that leads to a warning in a following step, for example a display that warns the user or displays an error. After a number of interrogations in further steps 202, 209, 301, 211, 212 and 214 have been executed in the program, the postage fee determined in the step 209 for a weighted piece of mail, or according to the setting, is accounted for or debited in the franking mode 400. Print data for printing are now offered from the pixel memory 7c in the RAM 7.

Moreover, an automatic print data generation with protected data also already ensues in the initialization routine 101 for preparing for a printout, as disclosed in greater detail in co-pending U.S. application 08/525,923 ("Method For Improving The Security Of Postage Meter Machines," Windel et al filed Sep. 8, 1995 and assigned to the present application ). Further security criteria can be interrogated at least in step 202 and can be displayed in the step 203 or can be edited for signaling. Even when no further inputs are undertaken, a stamp imprint can be generated and printed from the stored data protected against manipulation. The following, inventive, second step 209 is directed to a specific input and display routine. In the aforementioned step 209, the previously non-volatilely stored data can be overwritten or modified with the input means of the postage meter machine or other inputs can be manually actuated and displayed. A print data input is also provided for corresponding sub-images (window pixel data). The transport of the postal matter in the direction of the print head 1 may then be interrupted so that the input can be completed. When, however, no manual intervention ensues, the mail processing and franking is executed fully automatically.

After the second step 209, the point u, i.e., the beginning of a communication mode 300, is reached and an interrogation is made in a third step 301 to determine whether a transaction request is present. This is the case when request data were formed or when an input was undertaken for the purpose of reloading credit. When this is not the case, the communication mode 300 is exited and point v, i.e., the actual operating mode 290 of the postage meter machine, is reached. When relevant data were communicated in the communication mode, then a branch is made to the step 213 for data interpretation. A statistics and error evaluation is implemented in step 213 in order to acquire further current data that, after branching to the system routine 200, can likewise be called in the