1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to mail processing systems and in particular to a multi-use wireless display/control panel for a mail processing system.
2. Brief Description of Related Developments
Mail handling systems for printing postal indicia on mail items are known. Franking machines can include a printing device for printing a franking impression including postal indicia on a mail piece as well as accounting and control unit functions.
Postage meters are generally stand-alone devices that print postage indicia on mail items such as for example envelopes or labels. The meters are typically at a single user location and provide metering for that location. Postage meters and franking machines can include control panels and displays that allow a user to access the functions of each device and the system.
A postage metering system can also include other functionalities for the processing of mail items, including inbound, outbound mail, parcel and information flow.
A secure cryptographic vault device, also known as a postal security device (PSD), is used for securely storing data, such as amounts of postage. The cryptographic vault device can securely store data so that the data cannot be tampered with without destroying the data. The data stored in a cryptographic vault is secured against physical attacks on the hardware of the cryptographic vault device and against software intrusions.
The cryptographic vault device is integrated in turnkey postage dispensing systems, such as postage meters. Other devices integrated with the cryptographic vault device can include, for example, a printer, a scale, and an envelope feeder mechanism. The turnkey system can also include a personal computer, server or workstation directly coupled to the cryptographic vault device. Direct access to the cryptographic vault device is only from some of the integrated components of the postage dispensing system. Therefore, the use of the cryptographic vault device is limited to the functions built into the integrated postage dispensing system. In order to provide customized access to the cryptographic vault device, a user would have to acquire a turnkey system, which includes predefined devices and software, and then customize the turnkey system to meet business requirements.
Value metering devices are devices which in their most basic form meter value. These devices take various forms such as, for example, postage meters (i.e. franking machines), various kinds of vending machines (i.e. lottery vending machines), tax stamp machines, various kinds of ticket dispensing machines, etc. Of these various devices, postage meters are one form of a value metering device that dispense value in the form of postage, e.g. postage indicia, basically either as a stand-alone type postage meter or as part of a mailing system. The stand-alone type postage meter is basically a postage meter having both its entire accounting system and security system positioned in a single secure housing, the accounting system being mechanically coupled to the printing mechanism which prints the postage related indicia.
In addition to the stand-alone type systems as described above there are mailing systems which are basically formed of a mailing machine (i.e. a machine that can perform different mailing related functions (e.g. feeding, stacking, separating, sealing of envelopes, etc.) on which a postage meter is securely mounted. The postage meter is typically located in a securely sealed housing, which contains the accounting and printing mechanisms. In the past few years both ink jet printing technology and smart card technology (i.e. smart cards used for securely housing the accounting circuitry of the postage meter) have been employed in these postage meters. The mailing machine systems including an electronic postage meter have enabled the users of such equipment to customize the exact type of mailing system they require by designing the overall mailing system in a modular fashion. One is able to set up a mailing system that will include individually removably mounted modules that can be added to or removed from the mailing system. For example, if one had a modular mailing system without an envelope stacker, one could add such a module to their system, and thereby have a mailing system that is able to stack envelopes once the postage has been placed on envelopes that are fed into the system. If the stacker module required repair, the stacker could easily be removed for repair since it is but one module within a modular system. Features such as inserters, feeders/separators, sealers, scales, moisteners, addressers, stackers, etc. can be added for use with a postage meter to form different types of mailing systems.
The present invention is directed to a mail processing system. In one embodiment the system comprises a franking machine and at least one removable user interactive display coupled to the franking machine. The removable display includes a wireless connection for wireless communication between the removable display and the franking machine when the removable display is disconnected from the franking machine.
The foregoing aspects and other features of the present invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring to
In one embodiment, the wireless display 106 connects to the PC or directly to the franking machine 102 via a hardwire connection. The wireless display 106 could also be coupled to the franking machine 102 via a wireless connection, such as for example radio frequency (“RF”), infrared (“IF”) or ultrasound. Once the wireless display 106 is connected to the franking machine 102, the wireless display 106 allows a user to access the information, applications and services located but not limited to the computer 108, franking machine 102, internet, intranet or PDA, for example. In one embodiment the wireless display 106 can communicate with a network 110, such as for example the internet, and send and retrieve data and other information for the mail processing functions.
The docking station 104 provides a physical connection to the computer 108 or the franking machine 102, and can recharge a battery of the wireless display 106. In one embodiment, the docking station can be located in the physical proximity of the franking machine 102 to provide the most ergonomic access for the mailroom operator.
The wireless display 106 of
Referring to
Referring to
Each peripheral device shown in
Network functionality is achieved by having a network controller that physically attaches a franking machine to the network and protocol stack software that handles the lower layers of the required network communications protocols. On top of these protocols, there are several application protocols.
A franking machine or system incorporating features of the present invention generally includes a network controller and protocol stack software that allows the machine to communicate to any other system connected to a LAN or to any system connected to the internet if the LAN provides a gateway to the internet. The communication protocol to the peer system can be any protocol on top of the network protocol stack, including the protocol utilized in conjunction with a web browser in case the franking machine contains an optional web browser.
Independent of the existence of a web browser in the franking system, the system can include one or several URLs identifying one or several servers that are contacted for various purposes.
In one embodiment the wireless display/controller 106 of
Referring for example to
The present invention generally allows for multitasking in a mailroom. When the wireless display/controller 306 of
In one embodiment the wireless display/controller 306 can be used in conjunction with mail delivery to obtain a mail recipient's signature on a screen 304 of the display while also being used to scan the barcode of the item or package being delivered. In this embodiment the wireless display/controller 306 is adapted to be disconnected or removed from the franking machine 302 or controller 306 and used as a stand-alone device in connection with mail delivery. This could occur away from the mail-processing site, at for example, the actual delivery location. The data in connection with the delivery, such as for example the parcel number, address information and a signature of the recipient could be acquired by the controller 306 and stored within the controller 306. The data and information could be stored and downloaded to the franking machine 302 or mail processing system 300 when the controller 306 is re-connected with the franking machine 302. In one embodiment, the acquired data and information could be transferred to the franking machine 302 via a modem, an RF link or other form of remote communication. In one embodiment the controller 306 is adapted to connect to the internet, even when it is remote from the franking machine 302, and transfer the information via an Internet Service Provider (“ISP”) or a Virtual Private Network (“VPN”) or other such internet related gateway or communication pathway.
In one embodiment the wireless display/controller 306 can be connected to a network or other computer to download or upload information, such as for example rate data, mailing or shipping data, or to reset postage value or replenish postage to the franking machine 302 or computer 314. Any suitable connection means can be used including, for example, a telephone jack or modem, a network connection (TCP/IP, LAN) or a wireless connection.
In one embodiment, the wireless display/controller 306 could be uncoupled from the franking machine 302 and used to obtain or replenish funds needed to print potage indicia. For example, the controller 306 could be used to connect, via a telemeter setting (“TMS”) process with the postal indicia provider. After an exchange of information and data over a cryptographically secure communication link, the controller 306 can be updated with a new value of funds for postal indicia. When the controller 306 is re-coupled to the franking machine 302, the funds data and information can be transferred to the franking machine 302. In this manner, the franking machine can continue to process and mark mail pieces with-postal indicia in a relatively continuous and seamless manner while the accounting and funds information is updated.
The present invention may also include software and computer programs incorporating the process steps and instructions described above that are executed in different computers. In the preferred embodiment, the computers are connected to the Internet.
Computer systems 400 and 402 may also include a microprocessor for executing stored programs. Computer 400 may include a data storage device 406 on its program storage device for the storage of information and data. The computer program or software incorporating the processes and method steps incorporating features of the present invention may be stored in one or more computers 400 and 402 on an otherwise conventional program storage device. In one embodiment, computers 400 and 402 may include a user interface 407, and a display interface 408 from which features of the present invention can be accessed. The user interface 407 and the display interface 408 can be adapted to allow the input of queries and commands to the system, as well as present the results of the commands and queries.
The disclosed embodiments provide a wireless display/control panel that allows full mobility as well as multitasking in the mailroom, and becomes an extension of the mail management system by processing inbound and outbound mail, parcel and information flow, and other mail processing activities. The wireless display/control panel allows-an operator to run mail on the postage machine while another operator uses the wireless display to perform other tasks and operate other mail processing devices.
It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/469,978, filed May 13, 2003.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60469978 | May 2003 | US |