EP0871146B1 - Une boíte aux lettres avec des moyens pour le traitement de correspondance - Google Patents

Une boíte aux lettres avec des moyens pour le traitement de correspondance Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0871146B1
EP0871146B1 EP98105997A EP98105997A EP0871146B1 EP 0871146 B1 EP0871146 B1 EP 0871146B1 EP 98105997 A EP98105997 A EP 98105997A EP 98105997 A EP98105997 A EP 98105997A EP 0871146 B1 EP0871146 B1 EP 0871146B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
letter
mailbox
microprocessor
user
posted
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP98105997A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0871146A2 (fr
EP0871146A3 (fr
Inventor
Michele Carriero
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
NEW POSTAL SYSTEM SA
Original Assignee
New Postal System SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by New Postal System SA filed Critical New Postal System SA
Publication of EP0871146A2 publication Critical patent/EP0871146A2/fr
Publication of EP0871146A3 publication Critical patent/EP0871146A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0871146B1 publication Critical patent/EP0871146B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00362—Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00209—Mailbox, i.e. container for outgoing mail
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00362—Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value
    • G07B2017/0037—Calculation of postage value
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00701—Measuring the weight of mailpieces

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a mailbox provided with means for processing correspondence.
  • the invention falls within the field of correspondence processing in mailboxes and, more particularly, concerns improvements to the mailbox described in the document EP-A-0 692 212.
  • the said mailbox comprises a microprocessor that controls: a) a first optical means capable seeing whether a letter has been posted correctly as far as its positioning within the slot of the mailbox is concerned; b) if this is the case, an electric motor of a means that transports the posted letter to a device that stamps the postage stamps affixed to letter with the date and the time at which the letter is posted; c) a second optical means that sees whether the postage stamps affixed to the letter are of the correct amount and, if so, causes the said motor to restart in such a way as to let the letter drop to the bottom of the box, whereas in the contrary case it restarts the motor in such a way as to represent the letter at the slot of the mailbox; c) a third optical means that checks that the heap of letters at the bottom of the box does not exceed a predetermined value and, as soon as this is the case, any further letters posted will be refused by means of an acoustic signal and the stopping of the motor.
  • the limitations of the said mailbox derive from the fact that it is not capable of either writing the address or weighing each posted letter to check the stamps that may have been applied by the user, and accepts only letters to which stamps have already been applied and does not accept registered letters, insured letters or express mail.
  • DE 24 30 413 A discloses an automatic mailbox capable of controlling the posting of different types of letters by a microprocessor which is associated with and controls a magnetic card reader capable of cheking the credit present on a card that a user introduces into an appropriate slot; a first alphanumerical keyboard suitable for composing the pertinent zip code number; a second alphanumerical keyboard for indicating the type of letter it is desired to send; a device for weighing the letter posted in an appropriate slot, so that the microprocessor may calculate the price to be paid and show it on a dispay; a pushbuttonsuitable to be pressed by a user after havinbg operated the aforesaid means
  • This mailbox also comprises a device which prints a receipt for the user as well as a roller operated by a motor for making the letter drop to the bottom of the mailbox, the microprocessor collecting the appropriate price
  • Document EP-A-0 338 108 discloses a mailbox capable of writing the address on a posted letter by means of an alphanumerical keyboard suitable for composing the pertinent zip code number, a printing device for affixing the previously composed zip code and a stamping device for impressing the posting details.
  • the present invention overcomes limitations of the prior art and solves further problems that will become evident in the course of the description, including that of making it possible for the user to read on a display the amount of postage due for the forvvarding of the letter, this mailbox is particularly suitable for being installed inside a post office.
  • Figure 1 shows the external appearance of the mailbox 1, while the other reference numbers are assigned as follows: 2 indicates the slot for posting the letters, 3 the first alphanumerical keyboard, 4 the second alpha-numerical keyboard, 5 the third alphanumerical keyboard, 6 the display unit, 7 the slot for the magnetic card reader, 8 the slot for bank notes, 9 the slot for coins, and 10 the slot corresponding to a device for printing and delivering a receipt.
  • Figure 2 is the block diagramme of the principal parts; its reference numbers have the following meanings: 3 is the first alphanumerical keyboard, B1 is the microprocessor, 6 is the display, F1 is the printing device, F2 is the stamping device, L1 is the weighing device and 7 stands for the magnetic reader.
  • Figure 3 shows the association of the codification and printing block with the motor control card and the other parts.
  • the figure is self-explanatory, but we shall nevertheless list its principal parts below, namely:
  • a first optical means in the form of a photocell made up of the diodic light detectors (FT1 - TU) detects the passage of a letter before it reaches the stamping zone and the letter, after having been recognized by a second optical means that sees the stamp, moves forward and thus interrupts the infrared light beam of the optical means, thereby causes a negative pulse at the input of the monostable integrated circuit U2 (74C221), which serves to lengthen the time of the pulse in such a way as not to have false reading errors.
  • the U2 output pulse constitutes the setting input of U2 (an integrated flip/flop 4013), which in its turn activates the relay RL1 via the transistor Q2, so that the relay cuts the current supply to the motor.
  • the shutdown of the motor ensure that the letter will come to a halt before arriving at the stamping point. This interruption serves to activate the sequence for the binary coding and the stamping.
  • the microprocessor asks the user via the display unit to type the zip code or the name of the locality to which the letter is to be sent.
  • the display asks the user to type the name of the place of destination.
  • the user will then type MILAN, for example, and on the display there will appear the zip code 20100 followed by any other words or phrase that the designer may choose when programming the microprocessor.
  • the microprocessor program will quickly activate the printer, which always acting via the microprocessor - will then print the zip code in the binary code used by the mail services.
  • the microprocessor sends a resetting pulse to the integrated flip/flop circuit U1, which via one of the transistors will then give its new consent for the closure of the relay.
  • the motor will start up again and activate the normal procedure of the mechanical device of the mailbox, thus causing the letter to be stamped and then inserted in the storage space where a third optical means control the level of the letter heap.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mathematical Physics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
  • Data Exchanges In Wide-Area Networks (AREA)
  • Supports Or Holders For Household Use (AREA)
  • Cash Registers Or Receiving Machines (AREA)
  • Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)

Claims (4)

  1. Boíte aux lettres (1) dotée de moyens permettant de traiter la correspondance, dans laquelle un microprocesseur (B1), associé à un premier moyen optique (FT1-TU) et contrôlant celui-ci, est capable de voir si une lettre a été postée correctement dans la mesure où sa position dans la fente de la boite aux lettres est concernée et, si c'est le cas, met en marche un moteur électrique qui entraíne un moyen, lequel transporte la lettre postée jusqu'à un dispositif (F2) qui affranchit la lettre en y apposant des timbres-poste avec la date et le moment où celle-ci à été postée, un deuxième moyen optique capable de voir si les timbres-poste apposés sur la lettre sont d'un montant correct et, si c'est le cas, provoque la remise en marche du moteur, pour que la lettre puisse tomber au fond de la boíte aux lettres, tandis que dans le cas contraire, il remettra le moteur en marche de manière à ce qu'il retourne la lettre à la fente d'entrée (2), et un troisième moyen optique encore, capable de vérifier que l'amas de lettres au fond de la boíte aux lettres ne dépasse pas une hauteur prédéterminée, et de nouveau il comprend, associés au microprocesseur et commandés par celui-ci :
    a) un lecteur de carte magnétique (7) capable de vérifier le crédit figurant sur une carte qu'un utilisateur introduit dans une fente appropriée (2).
    b) un premier clavier alphanumérique (3) permettant de composer le numéro de code postal approprié,
    c) un deuxième clavier alphanumérique (4) permettant d'écrire le type de lettre que l'on souhaite envoyer,
    d) un dispositif (L1) permettant de peser la lettre postée dans une fente appropriée, pour que le microprocesseur (B1) calcule le prix à payer et l'affiche sur l'écran de visualisation (6),
    e) un bouton de commande adapté pour être pressé par un utilisateur une fois qu'il a actionné les moyens précités pour entreprendre une seconde série d'opérations effectuées par un premier dispositif d'impression (F1) permettant d'apposer un code à barres correspondant au premier code postal préalablement saisi, ledit dispositif étant entraíné par le moteur,
    un second dispositif d'impression (10) permettant de compiler un reçu qui est remis à l'utilisateur à travers une fente appropriée,
    un dispositif de timbrage (F2) permettant d'imprimer les détails d'expédition, endroit auquel un rouleau actionné par le moteur amène la lettre à tomber au fond de la boite aux lettres et le microprocesseur (B1) recueille le prix approprié depuis la carte magnétique ; le premier clavier (3) étant également habilité à annuler le code postal chaque fois qu'il s'avère que l'utilisateur a effectué une erreur de frappe, la boíte aux lettres étant en outre définie en ce que :
    lorsque la lettre postée présente des timbres-poste préalablement appliqués, le plan supportant les lettres au niveau de la fente appropriée (2) est associé au deuxième moyen optique capable de voir les timbres-poste appliqués, pour que le microprocesseur puisse établir s'ils correspondent au tarif postal à payer ou non par rapport au poids de la lettre postée et au code postal saisi ;
    lorsque le paiement est effectué en liquide, l'utilisateur, une fois qu'il a lu le prix demandé sur l'écran de visualisation (6), insère des pièces ou des billets de banque dans les fentes appropriées (9, 10, les pièces et les billets de banque étant vérifiés par les différents lecteurs associés au microprocesseur.
  2. Boíte aux lettres selon la revendication. 1,
    caractérisée en ce qu'
    un troisième clavier alphanumérique (5) permettant d'accéder à un lecteur de carte magnétique codifiée est prévu pour permettre au personnel du bureau de poste, une fois qu'il a dûment saisi son code d'identification sur ledit troisième clavier, de mettre le moteur en marche pour ouvrir la boíte aux lettres et recueillir le courrier.
  3. Boíte aux lettres selon les revendications 1 et 2,
    caractérisée en ce que
    l'écran de visualisation (6) est programmé de façon à ce qu'il affiche, chaque fois que la boite aux lettres n'est pas vraiment utilisée, des messages d'utilité publique ou des messages publicitaires préparés par le personnel du bureau de poste à l'intention des usagers et des passants.
  4. Boíte aux lettres selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
    caractérisée en ce que
    la résistance électrique, correctement protégée et alimentée en courant, est installée dans une position appropriée à l'intérieur de la boite aux lettres et, commandée par un thermostat, garantit que l'environnement de la boite aux lettres sera maintenu à une température constante.
EP98105997A 1997-04-10 1998-04-02 Une boíte aux lettres avec des moyens pour le traitement de correspondance Expired - Lifetime EP0871146B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT97MI000823A IT1291532B1 (it) 1997-04-10 1997-04-10 Miglioramenti in una cassetta postale dotata di dispositivo per trattare la corrispondenza
ITMI970823 1997-04-10

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0871146A2 EP0871146A2 (fr) 1998-10-14
EP0871146A3 EP0871146A3 (fr) 1999-09-15
EP0871146B1 true EP0871146B1 (fr) 2005-10-19

Family

ID=11376828

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98105997A Expired - Lifetime EP0871146B1 (fr) 1997-04-10 1998-04-02 Une boíte aux lettres avec des moyens pour le traitement de correspondance

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0871146B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE307366T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69831892D1 (fr)
IT (1) IT1291532B1 (fr)
TW (1) TW385398B (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE521332C2 (sv) * 2002-04-16 2003-10-21 Styrbjoern Gaerde Automat och förfarande för hantering av försändelser
WO2009004658A1 (fr) 2007-07-03 2009-01-08 Michele Carriero Boîte aux lettres comportant un récepteur radio pour détecter des timbres, un détecteur pour détecter des lettres avec un contenu dangereux et une caméra vidéo
RU2361275C2 (ru) * 2007-07-16 2009-07-10 Валерий Викторович Павлов Почтовый ящик с оплатой услуг
FR2922345A1 (fr) * 2007-10-12 2009-04-17 Neopost Technologies Sa Systeme d'affranchissement a point de distribution controle
CN113409477A (zh) * 2021-06-15 2021-09-17 张家港塑金机电制造有限公司 一种具有智能识别信息功能的铁质信箱

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2430413A1 (de) * 1974-06-25 1976-01-15 Roby Rushing Automat zum freimachen von postsendungen
AU599336B2 (en) * 1986-10-17 1990-07-19 Wu Sheng-Jung Microcomputerized automatic post counter
EP0338108A1 (fr) * 1988-04-20 1989-10-25 Jack Jen Boîte à courrier intelligente
US4923022B1 (en) * 1989-04-25 1994-04-12 Hsieh Tzu Yen Automatic mailing apparatus
US5369258A (en) * 1993-07-29 1994-11-29 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postage applying kiosk
DK0692212T3 (da) * 1994-07-14 1999-06-14 Michele Carriero Postkasse i tilknytning til en indretning til behandling af afsendt korrespondance

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE307366T1 (de) 2005-11-15
EP0871146A2 (fr) 1998-10-14
TW385398B (en) 2000-03-21
IT1291532B1 (it) 1999-01-11
ITMI970823A1 (it) 1998-10-10
DE69831892D1 (de) 2006-03-02
EP0871146A3 (fr) 1999-09-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4900905A (en) Automated mail collecting and telecommunication machine
CA2000682C (fr) Machine automatique de telecommunication et d'affranchissement de courrier
US5812991A (en) System and method for retrieving postage credit contained within a portable memory over a computer network
US5065000A (en) Automated electronic postage meter having a direct acess bar code printer
US6112193A (en) Reading encrypted data on a mail piece to cancel the mail piece
US4908768A (en) Inserter based mail manifesting system
AU727477B2 (en) System and method for retrieving postage credit over a network
US8548921B2 (en) Generic value bearing item labels
RU2146390C1 (ru) Запоминание, поиск и автоматическое нанесение на корреспонденцию стоимости почтового отправления
US4998204A (en) Mailing system and method for low volume mailers printing postage information upon inserts
US4780835A (en) System for detecting tampering with a postage value accounting unit
US6226626B1 (en) Method and arrangement for data processing in a mail-processing system with a postage meter machine
US20030089765A1 (en) Method for the recovery of unusable printed postage
USRE40443E1 (en) System and method for accounting for postage for mail
US6006211A (en) Metering incoming deliverable mail to identify delivery delays
EP1062638B1 (fr) Systeme et procede de gestion de correspondence
US20070181662A1 (en) Mail box
EP0871146A2 (fr) Une boíte aux lettres avec des moyens pour le traitement de correspondance
US20030084007A1 (en) Postage stamps authenticating the sender of a mail piece, and methods for use therewith
US20080021849A1 (en) System and method for printing multiple postage indicia
EP0609092A2 (fr) Appareil de traitement de courrier
EP1178440A1 (fr) Dispositif et méthode d'acceptance automatique de courrier
WO2009004658A1 (fr) Boîte aux lettres comportant un récepteur radio pour détecter des timbres, un détecteur pour détecter des lettres avec un contenu dangereux et une caméra vidéo
JPH11299631A (ja) 郵便箱

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Free format text: 6G 07B 17/02 A, 6G 07F 17/26 B

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20000315

AKX Designation fees paid

Free format text: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20030123

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: NEW POSTAL SYSTEM SA

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: CARRIERO, MICHELE

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20051019

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20051019

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20051019

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20051019

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20051019

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20051019

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20051019

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060119

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060119

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060119

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060120

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060130

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69831892

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20060302

Kind code of ref document: P

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060320

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060402

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060403

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060430

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20060720

EN Fr: translation not filed
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20061208

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20060402

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060402

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20051019

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20051019