EP0986029B1 - Verbrauchskontrollverfahren für Frankiermaschinen - Google Patents

Verbrauchskontrollverfahren für Frankiermaschinen Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0986029B1
EP0986029B1 EP99402145A EP99402145A EP0986029B1 EP 0986029 B1 EP0986029 B1 EP 0986029B1 EP 99402145 A EP99402145 A EP 99402145A EP 99402145 A EP99402145 A EP 99402145A EP 0986029 B1 EP0986029 B1 EP 0986029B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
franking
process according
protocol
server
machines
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
EP99402145A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0986029A1 (de
Inventor
Thierry Deslandes
Marc Lecarpentier
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Quadient Technologies France SA
Original Assignee
Neopost Technologies SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Neopost Technologies SA filed Critical Neopost Technologies SA
Publication of EP0986029A1 publication Critical patent/EP0986029A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0986029B1 publication Critical patent/EP0986029B1/de
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
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G07B2017/00088—Communication details outside or between apparatus via landlines
    • G07B2017/00096—Communication details outside or between apparatus via landlines via phone lines
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G07B2017/00145—Communication details outside or between apparatus via the Internet
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G07B2017/00153—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information
    • G07B2017/00169—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information from a franking apparatus, e.g. for verifying accounting
    • 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
    • G07B2017/00201—Open franking system, i.e. the printer is not dedicated to franking only, e.g. PC (Personal Computer)

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of treatment of mail and more particularly it relates to a process for controlling consumption of franking machines.
  • connection to a server does not allow the user to have a global or even local overview of the management of its fleet and in particular it is not possible for him to know, at a given instant, the state indexes of the different machines without reading these at the level of each machine as the state of the corresponding statistics.
  • external connection to a remote server is only possible with machines electronic postage meter. Out, it exists today on the only French territory over 100,000 electromechanical franking machines which do not have this possibility of connection to a remote computer server. It is known from the application EP O 475 780 to interpose a microcomputer between the telephone network and the franking machines. However, such an installation requires a software modification of all connected franking machines.
  • the essential object of the present invention is a method of control of the consumption of franking machines in particular suitable for the management of a motley fleet of machines and which does not require direct link with a computer server.
  • An object of the invention is to propose a process for controlling the consumption of a fleet of machines franking that is both flexible and easy to use while allowing consistent management for the user client.
  • Another object of the invention is secure the exchange of information with postal administration.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to allow to the Postal Administration more precise monitoring and control of operations postage made by the user client.
  • a consumption control process a plurality of franking machines connected directly to a network communication audience itself connected to a remote management server, minus an autonomous franking machine not being connected to this network, characterized in that first of all, by means of at least one terminal supervision directly connected to the communication network regardless of any other connection to the at least one machine autonomous franking or to the so-called connected franking machines, we establishes a connection with the management server through the public network remote according to a determined communication protocol, and then we performs a data exchange between the terminal and the server during from which the user enters a current index of billing relating to the at least one self-contained franking machine and receives in return a postage authorization code to validate the subsequent postage from the at least one postage meter autonomous.
  • the communication protocol used to establish a connection with the remote server is either a Videotex protocol, for example the teletel protocol, ie a TCP / IP type protocol.
  • the data exchange step includes a data entry step the user of an identifier including at least one password or personal identification number and a display step, at the terminal supervision, on the one hand, of a list of printheads associated with said plurality of user franking machines, and on the other hand, for each print head, a last billing index validated by the server.
  • the postage authorization code contains information relating to a maximum amount of credit or consumption and a postage period authorized. It is further obtained by calculation notably from said current billing index and / or the serial number of a printhead, which provides control easy and automatic index entered by the user, making unnecessary the travel of a representative from the postal administration to the site control.
  • FIG. 1 An example of configuration of a franking machine fleet of a user is shown in figure 1.
  • This park is located for example on two different production sites.
  • a first site S1 is available a single electronic franking machine 10 connected by a modem 12 to a public communications network, for example the network dial-up telephone or digital network (PSTN / ISDN 40).
  • PSTN / ISDN 40 the network dial-up telephone or digital network
  • a second S2 site separate from the first, five machines are available postage, three electronic type and two traditional machines electromechanical.
  • the electronic machines 20, 22, 24 are for example connected to an internal network 26 which has common access to the network public 40 by a modem 28 while the two traditional machines 30, 32, on the contrary, are isolated from this network and operate autonomous.
  • the user's different franking machines are under the monitoring of a computer server responsible for managing the fleet of franking machines and located remotely from these production sites in the premises A of the Postal Administration or at the dealer of machines.
  • This server 50 is conventionally connected by a means of communication to a network (of the PSTN / ISDN / X25 type), for example by a modem 52 to the public network 40.
  • At least one supervision terminal 60 is provided. connected to the public network by a modem 62 (which is preferably integrated into the terminal) and providing the user with input and visualization of information necessary for the management of its fleet of overcome.
  • This terminal is advantageously located on a site of production near traditional machines without connection to public network. Of course, several terminals having access to the same information can be arranged on the same site or on sites different according to the needs of the user.
  • the terminal is connected with the server by means of a videotex protocol (for example the protocol known as “Teletel”) or a so-called TCP / IP protocol through an Internet browser using a specific process which will now be explained with reference to FIG. 2 and which shows the different stages of connecting terminal 60 to the park user franking machines with server 50 of the Postal Administration (or dealer of these machines).
  • a home page appears on the terminal screen.
  • the user is prompted to enter their terminal identifier on the terminal keyboard, which may consist of a customer name and password or personal identification number (PINE). If these references are correct, the server displays at the terminal, in a next step 110, the complete list of printheads (electronic and traditional) in possession of the user (on all of these sites or possibly on a given site if the user made the request) with for each of them at the same time the last index of billing previously validated by the server and the current index (entry previous) with its corresponding entry date.
  • PINE personal identification number
  • Step 110 can also optionally include a display step at the terminal supervision, a selectable plurality of tables and / or statistical graphical representations related to this top list printing.
  • a step 120 the user selects a first head traditional print which he wishes to update the index and enters terminal keyboard the new current index.
  • the server checks that this index is greater than the last validated index, i.e. the last index taken into account account to establish billing by the postal administration (failing this a error message is issued) and then displays, in a new step 130, the new current index with its modification date and time as well as a first postage authorization number associated with the head selected printout.
  • This authorization number is obtained conventionally by a calculation from data known as by example, without this data being limiting, the serial number of the print head and the current billing index.
  • the number postage authorization can still be obtained by calculation from in particular from the current date and / or from information in particular relating to a maximum amount of credit or consumption authorized and / or to an authorized postage period.
  • the user can then, in a step 140, renew the previous operations for a second selected print head, the server sending a second postage authorization code for this second head in a final step 150.
  • the exchange is complete and the user can then stop the link.
  • the different postage authorization codes can then be entered manually by the user at the level of the franking provided with the corresponding printing heads.
  • the connection with the server does not have to be daily but only according to a periodicity defined in prior with the Postal administration.
  • a service contract between the administration (or the franking machines) and the user on the management of his fleet at means of supervision terminals it is attached to this user both a predetermined financial limit (for example between 1,000 and 50,000 Frs) variable according to its foreseeable or possibly known solvency or his seriousness for example in the payment of his previous invoices and a time limit (selected for example from the periods following: fifteen days, one month, three months and six months) variable in depending in particular on the total postage envisaged and at the end of which the user must have connected to the server at least once.
  • a predetermined financial limit for example between 1,000 and 50,000 Frs
  • a time limit selected for example from the periods following: fifteen days, one month, three months and six months
  • the postage authorization code which they may constitute by example the last three characters (two characters can correspond at the maximum authorized postage amount, from 1 to 99, one character being associated with the authorized postage period) and thus be in able to be communicated to the postage meter.
  • FIG. 3 The structure of the franking machine allowing the implementation of the process according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3. It also comprises conventional devices not shown relating to entry, transport and positioning of mail items for printing the postal imprint, a print head 70 responsible for ensuring this printing under the control of a central processing unit 72 conventionally comprising means for memorizing programs and of data.
  • a non-volatile memory 74 is further provided for receiving postal data and in particular the content of the bottom-up counters and descendant which are preferably stored according to data from dates (and times) provided by a 76 calendar clock.
  • An interface user 78 provided with a keyboard and a display, for example with crystals liquids, is also available at the franking machine for allow the entry of various data necessary for postage (by example nature of carrier or category of shipment and possibly weight of the mail item in the absence of automatic weighing) and display of multiple information for the user (verification of entered for example) and in particular the billing index.
  • each franking machine there is added to each franking machine a specific module 80, which can be software and then integrated into memory of processing unit programs, intended to calculate the code postage authorization according to a calculation process similar to the one followed by the server and blocking the franking machine when, on the one hand, this calculated code is different from that provided by the server and then communicated manually by the user to the machine to frank (through its user interface) and, on the other hand, when the user has not respected certain operating conditions imposed by the Postal Administration and in particular when it has exceeded authorizations granted by this administration as to the amount or the authorized postage period (note that the period control can be provided very simply using the clock-calendar).
  • a specific module 80 which can be software and then integrated into memory of processing unit programs, intended to calculate the code postage authorization according to a calculation process similar to the one followed by the server and blocking the franking machine when, on the one hand, this calculated code is different from that provided by the server and then communicated manually by the user to the machine to frank (through its user
  • the franking machine fleet only includes machines connected to the network, entering the identifier including at least one word of password or personal identification number will appear on the screen display of the supervision terminal used, a menu allowing the user, to enter new billing indexes relating to all of these machines, or consult the status of all machines in the fleet with the latest respective indexes validated by the server as the status of the various configurable statistical data defining this park, locally or global, in the form of tables and graphical representations in particular.
  • the invention thus covers a method of controlling consumption a plurality of franking machines through a public network of communication, in which first of all, by means of at least one terminal independent supervision of this plurality of machines, through the public network, a link with a management server according to a communication protocol determined and then we proceed to an exchange data between the terminal and the server during which the user enters at the supervision terminal, an identifier including at least one password pass or personal identification number, and receives in return the possibility to choose in a display menu of said terminal, the entry of new index or display of the latest indexes validated by the server as statistical data relating to said plurality of postage meters.
  • a variant of the method according to the invention consists in connecting to the server via a telephone with integrated display and a Text-to-speech telephone communication line.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
  • Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
  • Data Exchanges In Wide-Area Networks (AREA)
  • Computer And Data Communications (AREA)

Claims (11)

  1. Verfahren zur Kontrolle des Portoverbrauchs einer Mehrzahl von Frankiermaschinen, die unmittelbar an ein öffentliches Kommunikationsnetz (40) angeschlossen sind, welches seinerseits mit einem entfernten Verwaltungsserver (50) verbunden ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß zuerst mithilfe mindestens eines Überwachungsterminals (60), das unmittelbar an das öffentliche Kommunikationsnetz unabhängig von jeder weiteren direkten Verbindung mit dieser Mehrzahl von Frankiermaschinen angeschlossen ist, über das öffentliche Kommunikationsnetz eine Verbindung mit dem entfernten Verwaltungsserver (50) gemäß einem bestimmten Kommunikationsprotokoll hergestellt wird und dann ein Austausch von Daten zwischen dem Überwachungsterminal und dem entfernten Verwaltungsserver erfolgt, bei dem der Benutzer am Überwachungsterminal ein Kennwort eingibt, das mindestens ein Paßwort oder eine persönliche Identifikationsnummer enthält, worauf er als Antwort eine Liste der der Mehrheit von Frankiermaschinen des Benutzers zugeordneten Druckköpfe empfängt, mit der Möglichkeit, in einem Anzeigemenü des Terminals bestimmte statistische Daten zu wählen, die sich auf die Mehrzahl von Frankiermaschinen beziehen.
  2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß mindestens eine autonome Frankiermaschine (30, 32) nicht mit dem öffentlichen Kommunikationsnetz verbunden ist und daß während des Austauschs von Daten zwischen dem Terminal und dem Server der Benutzer am Überwachungsterminal einen laufenden Abrechnungsindex bezüglich der mindestens einen autonomen Frankiermaschine eingibt und als Antwort einen Frankier-Freigabekode empfängt, um die weiteren Frankiervorgange bei der mindestens einen autonomen Frankiermaschine freizugeben.
  3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Schritt des Austauschs von Daten einen Schritt enthält, in dem am Überwachungsterminal für jeden Druckkopf der Mehrzahl von Frankiermaschinen, ob an das öffentliche Kommunikationsnetz angeschlossen oder nicht, ein letzter vom Server bestätigter Abrechnungsindex angezeigt wird.
  4. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 und 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Kommunikationsprotokoll, das für die Verbindung mit dem entfernten Server verwendet wird, ein Videotex-Protokoll ist, beispielsweise das Protokoll TELETEL.
  5. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 und 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Kommunikationsprotokoll, das für die Verbindung mit dem entfernten Server verwendet wird, ein Protokoll des Typs TCP/IP ist.
  6. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 und 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Schritt der Anzeige von statistischen Daten einen Schritt enthält, in dem am Überwachungsterminal eine wählbare Mehrzahl von Tabellen und/oder graphischen statistischen Darstellungen angezeigt wird, die sich auf die Liste der Druckköpfe beziehen.
  7. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 und 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Frankier-Freigabekode Informationen bezüglich einer genehmigten Kreditgrenze oder Verbrauchsgrenze und einer genehmigten Frankierperiode enthält.
  8. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 und 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Frankier-Freigabekode durch Berechnung insbesondere aus dem laufenden Abrechnungsindex und/oder der Seriennummer eines Druckkopfs erhalten wird.
  9. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 und 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Frankier-Freigabekode durch Berechnung ausgehend insbesondere vom laufenden Datum erhalten wird.
  10. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 und 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Frankier-Freigabekode durch Berechnung ausgehend insbesondere von den Informationen bezüglich eines genehmigten Kreditgrenze oder Verbrauchsgrenze und/oder einer genehmigten Frankierperiode erhalten wird.
  11. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 und 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Kommunikationsprotokoll, das für die Verbindung mit dem entfernten Server verwendet wird, ein Kommunikationsprotokoll für Telefonsysteme vom Sprachsynthesetyp ist.
EP99402145A 1998-09-11 1999-08-30 Verbrauchskontrollverfahren für Frankiermaschinen Expired - Lifetime EP0986029B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9811373 1998-09-11
FR9811373A FR2783337B1 (fr) 1998-09-11 1998-09-11 Procede de controle des consommations de machines a affranchir

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0986029A1 EP0986029A1 (de) 2000-03-15
EP0986029B1 true EP0986029B1 (de) 2003-10-15

Family

ID=9530346

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99402145A Expired - Lifetime EP0986029B1 (de) 1998-09-11 1999-08-30 Verbrauchskontrollverfahren für Frankiermaschinen

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (2) US6868443B1 (de)
EP (1) EP0986029B1 (de)
DE (1) DE69912054T2 (de)
FR (1) FR2783337B1 (de)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7315887B1 (en) * 2001-04-11 2008-01-01 Alcatel Lucent Facilitating integration of communications network equipment inventory management
US20030088518A1 (en) * 2001-11-05 2003-05-08 Pitney Bowes Incorporated Method and system for secure printing of indicia via a web based browser
US20030097337A1 (en) * 2001-11-16 2003-05-22 George Brookner Secure data capture apparatus and method
FR2911803B1 (fr) * 2007-01-26 2009-05-08 Neopost Technologies Sa Systeme de traitement d'adresses a tres haute cadence
US8903790B2 (en) * 2009-12-15 2014-12-02 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Feed for expecting entities for address books
EP3151503B1 (de) 2015-09-29 2019-12-11 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Verfahren und system zur authentifizierung einer umgebenden web-anwendung durch eine einzubettende web-anwendung

Family Cites Families (84)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3792446A (en) * 1972-12-04 1974-02-12 Pitney Bowes Inc Remote postage meter resetting method
US4097923A (en) * 1975-04-16 1978-06-27 Pitney-Bowes, Inc. Remote postage meter charging system using an advanced microcomputerized postage meter
US4138735A (en) * 1977-01-31 1979-02-06 Pitney-Bowes, Inc. System for remotely resetting postage rate memories
US4122532A (en) * 1977-01-31 1978-10-24 Pitney-Bowes, Inc. System for updating postal rate information utilized by remote mail processing apparatus
US4831555A (en) * 1985-08-06 1989-05-16 Pitney Bowes Inc. Unsecured postage applying system
FR2584557B1 (fr) 1985-07-02 1989-07-28 Smh Alcatel Systeme de telecontrole pour machines a affranchir
US4812965A (en) * 1985-08-06 1989-03-14 Pitney Bowes Inc. Remote postage meter insepction system
US4812994A (en) * 1985-08-06 1989-03-14 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postage meter locking system
US4760532A (en) * 1985-12-26 1988-07-26 Pitney Bowes Inc. Mailing system with postage value transfer and accounting capability
US4837701A (en) * 1985-12-26 1989-06-06 Pitney Bowes Inc. Mail processing system with multiple work stations
US4853864A (en) * 1985-12-26 1989-08-01 Pitney Bowes Inc. Mailing systems having postal funds management
US4783745A (en) * 1986-01-30 1988-11-08 Pitney Bowes Inc. Nonvolatile memory unlock for an electronic postage meter
US4787045A (en) * 1986-04-10 1988-11-22 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postage meter recharging system
US4908770A (en) * 1987-06-30 1990-03-13 Pitney Bowes, Inc. Mail management system account validation and fallback operation
US5323323A (en) * 1987-07-09 1994-06-21 Neopost Limited Franking machine system
US5485370A (en) * 1988-05-05 1996-01-16 Transaction Technology, Inc. Home services delivery system with intelligent terminal emulator
GB8830423D0 (en) * 1988-12-30 1989-03-01 Alcatel Business Systems Franking system
US5107455A (en) * 1989-03-23 1992-04-21 F.M.E. Corporation Remote meter i/o configuration
US5340965A (en) * 1989-04-05 1994-08-23 Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems, Inc. Mechanical postage meter resetting device and method
US5138549A (en) * 1989-04-28 1992-08-11 Dabco Computer Services, Inc. Automated tax deposit processing system
GB2232121B (en) * 1989-05-30 1993-11-10 Alcatel Business Systems Mail item processing system
US5237506A (en) * 1990-02-16 1993-08-17 Ascom Autelca Ag Remote resetting postage meter
CA2051155C (en) * 1990-09-13 1997-11-18 Hyung-Kun Paul Kim System for recharging a plurality of postage meters
US5224046A (en) * 1990-09-13 1993-06-29 Pitney Bowes Inc. System for recharging a plurality of postage meters
GB9127477D0 (en) * 1991-12-30 1992-02-19 Alcatel Business Systems Franking meter system
US5384708A (en) * 1992-10-26 1995-01-24 Pitney Bowes Inc. Mail processing system having a meter activity log
US5884292A (en) * 1993-05-06 1999-03-16 Pitney Bowes Inc. System for smart card funds refill
US6249818B1 (en) * 1993-06-30 2001-06-19 Compaq Computer Corporation Network transport driver interfacing
IT1261584B (it) * 1993-09-09 1996-05-23 Olivetti & Co Spa Sistema elettronico di affrancatura per oggetti postali
DE4344471A1 (de) * 1993-12-21 1995-08-17 Francotyp Postalia Gmbh Verfahren und Anordnung zur Erzeugung und Überprüfung eines Sicherheitsabdruckes
GB9401789D0 (en) * 1994-01-31 1994-03-23 Neopost Ltd Franking machine
US5680615A (en) * 1994-11-04 1997-10-21 International Business Machines Corporation Desktop management of host applications
US5778377A (en) * 1994-11-04 1998-07-07 International Business Machines Corporation Table driven graphical user interface
US5715164A (en) * 1994-12-14 1998-02-03 Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems Ag System and method for communications with postage meters
GB9500074D0 (en) * 1995-01-04 1995-03-01 Neopost Ltd Franking machine system
US5717596A (en) * 1995-02-15 1998-02-10 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and system for franking, accounting, and billing of mail services
US5812666A (en) * 1995-03-31 1998-09-22 Pitney Bowes Inc. Cryptographic key management and validation system
US5701250A (en) * 1995-04-07 1997-12-23 Pitney Bowes Inc. Setting by phone for counter resettable postage meters
US5742762A (en) * 1995-05-19 1998-04-21 Telogy Networks, Inc. Network management gateway
US6671813B2 (en) * 1995-06-07 2003-12-30 Stamps.Com, Inc. Secure on-line PC postage metering system
US5712787A (en) * 1995-07-10 1998-01-27 Canada Post Corporation Electronic postal counter
US5822738A (en) * 1995-11-22 1998-10-13 F.M.E. Corporation Method and apparatus for a modular postage accounting system
US5802146A (en) * 1995-11-22 1998-09-01 Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. Maintenance operations console for an advanced intelligent network
US6151590A (en) * 1995-12-19 2000-11-21 Pitney Bowes Inc. Network open metering system
US5781438A (en) * 1995-12-19 1998-07-14 Pitney Bowes Inc. Token generation process in an open metering system
US5956391A (en) * 1996-02-09 1999-09-21 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson Billing in the internet
US5878138A (en) * 1996-02-12 1999-03-02 Microsoft Corporation System and method for detecting fraudulent expenditure of electronic assets
US5661653A (en) * 1996-03-04 1997-08-26 Pitney Bowes Inc. Custom class selection in automated mail processing
JP2000514961A (ja) * 1996-04-23 2000-11-07 アスコム ハスラー メイリング システムズ，インコーポレイテッド 早期警告割り込み郵便装置の置き換えを提供するシステム
US6227445B1 (en) * 1996-04-23 2001-05-08 Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems, Inc. Secure smart card access to pre-paid metering funds in meter
DE19617473A1 (de) * 1996-05-02 1997-11-06 Francotyp Postalia Gmbh Verfahren und Anordnung zur Datenverarbeitung in einem Postverarbeitungssystem mit einer Frankiermaschine
US5796633A (en) * 1996-07-12 1998-08-18 Electronic Data Systems Corporation Method and system for performance monitoring in computer networks
US5909373A (en) * 1996-09-03 1999-06-01 Pitney Bowes Inc. System for discounting postage for a postage kiosk containing a franking machine
DE69735672T2 (de) * 1996-09-24 2007-03-29 Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems, Inc., Shelton Frankierung mit digitalem postgebührennachweis
US5822739A (en) * 1996-10-02 1998-10-13 E-Stamp Corporation System and method for remote postage metering
FI113224B (fi) * 1996-11-11 2004-03-15 Nokia Corp Laskutuksen toteuttaminen tietoliikennejärjestelmässä
US5937396A (en) * 1996-12-04 1999-08-10 Konya; Arpad System for ATM/ATM transfers
EP0917327B1 (de) * 1996-12-13 2002-07-24 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ERICSSON (publ) Verfahren und System zur Durchführung von elektronischen Geldtransaktionen
US5970150A (en) * 1996-12-19 1999-10-19 Pitney Bowes Inc. System for producing verifiable kiosk receipts and records
US5841117A (en) * 1996-12-24 1998-11-24 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method for the detection of meter relocation using return address
US5982896A (en) * 1996-12-23 1999-11-09 Pitney Bowes Inc. System and method of verifying cryptographic postage evidencing using a fixed key set
US5918220A (en) * 1996-12-24 1999-06-29 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and system for worldwide media selection, production, and delivery
US6000417A (en) * 1997-01-02 1999-12-14 Jacobs; Richard R. Bi-directional magnetically-operated check valve for high-purity applications
US5991746A (en) * 1997-02-05 1999-11-23 General Datacomm, Inc. Billing system utilizing a modified file transfer protocol for collecting non-file MIB tables for billing in an ATM network
US6005945A (en) * 1997-03-20 1999-12-21 Psi Systems, Inc. System and method for dispensing postage based on telephonic or web milli-transactions
US6466921B1 (en) * 1997-06-13 2002-10-15 Pitney Bowes Inc. Virtual postage meter with secure digital signature device
US6012100A (en) * 1997-07-14 2000-01-04 Freegate Corporation System and method of configuring a remotely managed secure network interface
DE19731304B4 (de) * 1997-07-14 2005-02-24 Francotyp-Postalia Ag & Co. Kg Verfahren zur Statistikmodusnachladung und zur statistischen Erfassung nach Statistikklassen bei der Speicherung eines Datensatzes
US6026385A (en) * 1997-07-21 2000-02-15 Pitney Bowes Inc. Encrypted postage indicia printing for mailer inserting systems
US6010069A (en) * 1997-07-31 2000-01-04 Pitney Bowes Inc. Remote postage meter resetting system having alternate funding sources
US6038553A (en) * 1997-09-19 2000-03-14 Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. Self service method of and system for cashing checks
SG118132A1 (en) * 1997-11-13 2006-01-27 Hyperspace Communications Inc File transfer system
US5918217A (en) * 1997-12-10 1999-06-29 Financial Engines, Inc. User interface for a financial advisory system
US6085181A (en) * 1997-12-18 2000-07-04 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postage metering system and method for a stand-alone meter operating as a meter server on a network
US6151591A (en) * 1997-12-18 2000-11-21 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postage metering network system with virtual meter mode
US6061670A (en) * 1997-12-18 2000-05-09 Pitney Bowes Inc. Multiple registered postage meters
US6081795A (en) * 1997-12-18 2000-06-27 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postage metering system and method for a closed system network
US6098058A (en) * 1997-12-18 2000-08-01 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postage metering system and method for automatic detection of remote postage security devices on a network
US6019281A (en) * 1997-12-22 2000-02-01 Micro General Corp. Postal security device with display
US6359881B1 (en) * 1997-12-31 2002-03-19 At&T Corp. Hybrid fiber twisted pair local loop network service architecture
US6049775A (en) * 1998-01-30 2000-04-11 Bell & Howell Mail And Messaging Technologies Company Systems, methods and computer program products for monitoring and controlling mail processing devices
US6657990B1 (en) * 1998-03-31 2003-12-02 Aspect Communications Corporation Method and apparatus for providing network-based interaction
US6618709B1 (en) * 1998-04-03 2003-09-09 Enerwise Global Technologies, Inc. Computer assisted and/or implemented process and architecture for web-based monitoring of energy related usage, and client accessibility therefor
US6047273A (en) * 1998-08-04 2000-04-04 Vaghi Family Intellectual Properties, Llc System and method for remotely providing mailing/shipping services to customers

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20010042120A1 (en) 2001-11-15
US6868443B1 (en) 2005-03-15
DE69912054T2 (de) 2004-06-17
FR2783337A1 (fr) 2000-03-17
DE69912054D1 (de) 2003-11-20
EP0986029A1 (de) 2000-03-15
US20030131103A1 (en) 2003-07-10
US8626885B2 (en) 2014-01-07
FR2783337B1 (fr) 2000-12-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
FR2597233A1 (fr) Dispositif d'affranchissement avec systeme d'impression de messages, et procede de modification des messages
EP0704081B1 (de) Druckersteuerverfahren und kartusche zum erstellen von postfrankierungen
CH679087A5 (de)
FR2607292A1 (fr) Dispositif electronique d'affranchissement avec horloge et procede de reglage de cette horloge
FR2580845A1 (fr) Systeme pour detecter une impression non comptabilisee dans un systeme d'impression de valeurs
EP1390920A1 (de) Verfahren und vorrichtung zur parkplatzreservierung
CH674590A5 (de)
CH676159A5 (de)
FR2597231A1 (fr) Dispositif d'affranchissement avec systeme de communication, et son procede de mise en oeuvre
EP0775986B1 (de) Verfahren und Apparat für redundante Postgebührenabrechnungsdateien
FR2626995A1 (fr) Dispositif de comptabilisation de charges postales
EP1762985A1 (de) Verfahren zum Erlangen eines Postguthabens über ein Telekommunikationsnetzwerk
EP0986029B1 (de) Verbrauchskontrollverfahren für Frankiermaschinen
FR2842382A1 (fr) Procede pour utiliser un terminal radiotelephonique comme telecommande de dispositifs automatiques fournissant des services payants
EP1331608A1 (de) System zum Frankieren von Poststücken mit zugehöriger Datei
EP1300808A1 (de) System zur Vorbereitung von Poststücken
WO2000068895A1 (fr) Machine a affranchir et son procede de fonctionnement
EP1261948B1 (de) Zahlungsendgerät in einem lokalen netzwerk
FR2890770A1 (fr) Procede de delivrance d'un service d'affranchissement au travers d'un reseau de communication
FR2514592A1 (fr) Procede et dispositif de consultation de fichiers de donnees et/ou de transactions bancaires, preserves des fraudes grace a un procede de communication code par variable aleatoire
FR2850776A1 (fr) Dispositif de peremption pour systeme d'affranchissement
FR2858441A1 (fr) Systeme et procede de paiement electronique
EP1313067A1 (de) System zum statistischen Verfolgen von Poststücken
WO2001064358A2 (fr) Procede permettant d'optimiser la gestion d'envois postaux et installation pour sa mise en oeuvre
FR2667422A1 (fr) Procede et dispositif d'affranchissement automatique pour l'acquittement de taxes.

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: A1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB

AX Request for extension of the european patent

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

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20000824

AKX Designation fees paid

Free format text: DE FR GB

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20011127

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: LECARPENTIER, MARC

Inventor name: DESLANDES, THIERRY

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69912054

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20031120

Kind code of ref document: P

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 20040202

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: 20040716

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20100901

Year of fee payment: 12

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20100823

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20100819

Year of fee payment: 12

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 69912054

Country of ref document: DE

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

Effective date: 20110830

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20120430

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 69912054

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20120301

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: 20110830

Ref country code: FR

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

Effective date: 20110831

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 NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120301