DE10220484A1 - Method and apparatus for printing token sets - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for printing token sets, the device having a user interface with a means for collecting information from users of the device. DOLLAR A The invention is characterized in that the device for printing tokens has a means for assigning the users to user groups and that the device is provided with a system control which provides access to functions of the device depending on the membership of the user Controls user groups.

Description

The invention relates to a device for printing Tokens, the device being a user interface with a means of collecting information from Has users of the printing device.

The invention further relates to a method for operating a device with a user interface for printing Tokens.

Known devices such as stamp machines for printing and for issuing token sets, in particular from Stamp sets typically provide that the Users between individual tokens of different values or predefined token sets with different Select composition and remove it after payment or can print it out. Often the user needs however, different to the tokens offered, so that in particular generic postage stamp machines are known are where the value of a brand is free by the user is selectable, this value to a predetermined uniform Image printed and the token is issued.

A generic device is from the German Laid-open publication 35 32 143, in which a Postage stamp machine for postage stamps consisting of several juxtaposed, individually removable rollers, is described, who also inserted a coin, coin changer and has a residual money return. The machine includes also an appropriately labeled input keyboard for the desired type and quantity of stamps.

The well-known token machines, which the user about a user interface a selection of brand values allow, but are not suitable for operation within of a postal company because they are only for the Field of application of the sale of tokens outside of Postal facilities are designed.

When using a device for printing tokens against it within the operation of a postal company at the request of a customer, larger quantities of tokens are printed out, whereby the printing processes for billing and control processes must be monitored. Since the Operation of a postal company in groups of people with different knowledge and powers, the Use of a device for printing betting stamps be adapted to this structure.

The invention is therefore based on the object Device with a user interface for printing To create tokens that are used as flexibly as possible can be.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a method for Operation of a device for the most flexible printing possible of creating tokens.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that a Device with a user interface for printing Stamps is designed so that the device Means for assigning users to user groups has and that the device with a system control is provided, the access to functions of the Device for printing tokens depending on the affiliation of the users to the user groups controls.

In particular, the invention provides a device with User interface for printing tokens with to equip different function modules, one Calling up the individual function modules only for certain ones Enable users.

To be as flexible as possible in handling the Device with a high security against abusive Combine access to protected functions and add one special flexibility in handling different users to ensure, handling is carried out separately different user groups.

A user group represents a group of people with the same access profile to the device, that is, with same activities on the device for printing Tokens. For example, people with administrative function and operator with executive Count function.

The collection of the user group to which a user of the Heard device can be done in different ways.

For example, it is possible that the means for Assignment of users in user groups to the assignment on the basis of data transmitted over a data line Information.

An expedient embodiment of the device and Process for their operation is characterized by that the means of assigning users to User groups like this with the user interface is connected to it by the user interface recorded information for the assignment of users to To be available.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the device and the process for their operation implies that the Assignment to the user groups by entering a User identification information and a comparison of the User identification information with the content of a database he follows.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the Invention, the device consists of at least one Computing unit with system control and database and display and input means which the user interface represent. In this embodiment, the Computing unit furthermore with at least one token printer and connected to a receipt printer. On the Receipt printers can not only send receipts executed print jobs are created, but he also allows you to print, for example statistical data covering the entire device and Billing transactions.

The individual user groups are identified in this particularly preferred embodiment of the Enter a password. So defining Modify and delete token sets via one Administrator password for certain administrative persons be allowed while selecting and printing against via a user password to the operators of the device can be allowed.

Further advantages, special features and expedient developments of the invention result from the subclaims and the following illustration of a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment on the basis of the description and a drawing in FIG. 1.

In a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, the device for printing token comprises a computing unit 10 which has at least one system control and a database. This computing unit is expediently a computer. The term "computer" is in no way to be understood as limiting. This can be any unit suitable for carrying out calculations, for example a workstation, a personal computer, a microcomputer or a circuit suitable for carrying out calculations and / or comparisons.

The computing unit 10 also has integrated or connected display means 20 and input means 30 , which represent the user interface of the device. The display means are preferably a monitor, while the input means can be, for example, a keyboard. However, other suitable display and input means can also be provided.

The computing unit is connected to at least one token printer 40 and one receipt printer 50 . The number of connected printers depends on the connection capacities of the computing unit and is suitable for the respective application. The device for printing token sets expediently includes a selection, a control and a monitoring function of the printers to be used. By selecting several printers and the possibility of controlling and monitoring the individual printing processes, the device is well equipped for operation within a postal company, so that larger quantities of tokens can be printed, monitored and billed to the customer.

The user interface device for printing Tokens is available with various function modules equipped, a call to the individual function modules is only possible for certain user groups.

The collection of the user group to which a user of the Heard device can be done in different ways. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the user group is entered via the input a password in the input means. However, there are also other types of identification like cards or chips that be introduced into reading materials, possible.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the device and the process for their operation implies that the Assignment to the user groups by entering a User identification information and a comparison of the User identification information with a content of a Database is done. The database is preferably located within the arithmetic unit.

The process of printing token sets is like this that the user on the computing unit the desired Selected token sets and the print job to one or sends several of the printers. The receipt printer is used for Print receipts for printed token sets or for printing statistical data covering the entire Affect device operations.

The program of the computing unit includes at least the following Function modules:

Define / save / edit token set

With this program item a new token set can be created created, changed or deleted. On the Display means is, for example, a mask for a certain number of tokens are displayed. Must be in the mask expediently at least one token by the user be entered. To make the process as variable as possible To be able to adapt to the user requirements, it turned out to be proven to be advantageous when entering the tokens you can choose between different currencies. For example, you can choose Euro or DM for the values become. The set of tokens defined in this way can now be found under an enterable name can be saved.

For this function it can be advantageous that it only a group of people with administrative powers is accessible. You can therefore, for example, by a Administrator password can be protected.

Edit / delete token sets

An existing token set can be created with this program item be changed or deleted. For this all are defined Blocks are displayed, and the block to be edited can to be selected. The selected sentence is on the Screen displayed where he edited and after is saved or deleted.

This function can also be done by a Administrator password.

Load and print token sets

• - Zustand des Wertmarkendruckers (READY, Papierende usw.)
• - Name des Wertmarkensatzes
• - Anzahl der noch zu druckenden Sätze
• - Auswahl, ob zwischen jedem Druck ein Stop erfolgen soll, oder ob alle Sätze ohne Pause gedruckt werden sollen.
• - Auswahl, ob zu jedem Satz eine Quittung gedruckt werden soll.
• - Datum (Vorgabe ist das im Computer gespeicherte Datum, das vom Benutzer überschrieben werden kann)
• - Der Quittungswert, der vom Programm errechnet und angezeigt wird
• - Druckausgabe aktivieren

With this program item a set can be loaded for each token printer and the printing functions can be started. When the program item is selected, a mask is preferably displayed on the display means for each printer. This mask can consist of at least the following fields:

• - State of the token printer (READY, paper end, etc.)
• - Name of the token set
• - Number of records still to be printed
• - Selection of whether there should be a stop between each print or whether all records should be printed without a pause.
• - Selection whether a receipt should be printed for each sentence.
• - Date (default is the date stored in the computer that can be overwritten by the user)
• - The receipt value, which is calculated and displayed by the program
• - Activate printout

All contents of the print masks are preferably saved so that when the system is switched on the old print masks appear.

This function can be used, for example, with a Administrator password and a user password be performed when the module has two user groups should be accessible.

Printing receipts

• - Anzeige des Zustands des/der Quittungsdrucker (READY, Fehler usw.)
• - Eingabe einer Variablenzeile (Automatennummer, usw.)
• - Eingabe einer Quittungsnummer (Wird mit jeder Quittung hochgezählt.)
• - Eingabe des Produktionsdatum, wobei das aktuelle Datum vorgeschlagen und bei Bedarf überschrieben werden kann
• - Eingabe des Quittungswerts
• - Eingabe der Quittungsanzahl
• - Druckausgabe aller aktivierten Drucker starten.

With this program item, receipts can be printed on a receipt printer regardless of the token printer. When the program item is selected, an input mask for the receipt is preferably displayed. For example, the mask can contain at least the following menu items:

• - Display of the status of the receipt printer (s) (READY, error, etc.)
• - Enter a variable line (machine number, etc.)
• - Enter a receipt number (is counted up with each receipt.)
• - Enter the production date, whereby the current date can be suggested and overwritten if necessary
• - Enter the receipt value
• - Enter the number of receipts
• - Start printing all activated printers.

It has also proven advantageous here, all content save the print mask so that after switching on the System and selection of the program the old print mask appears.

This function can also be used with a Administrator password and a user password be performed.

Display / print / modify statistical data

• - Gedruckte Wertmarkenmarken pro Drucker pro Tag
• - Gedruckte Wertmarkenmarken pro Benutzer pro Tag
• - Wert der gedruckten Wertmarken in DM bzw. EURO pro Tag
• - Wert und Anzahl der gedruckten Wertmarken als auflaufende Summe

The following statistical data can be displayed in this program item, for example:

• - Printed token stamps per printer per day
• - Printed token stamps per user per day
• - Value of the printed tokens in DM or EURO per day
• - Value and number of printed tokens as accumulated total

The statistical data can also be printed on the receipt printer printed out and modified via the input means or to be deleted.

For example, this function can only be used with one Administrator password to be performed while it can be advantageous that restricted functions such as Daily data or order data from a user User password can be retrievable.

user management

With this program item you can use the input means Administrator password and user passwords changed so that the entries in the database of Change arithmetic unit.

The invention is not limited to the program items shown, and the other representations are only to be seen as examples. Legend: 10 Butterfly
20 display means
30 input means
40 token printers
50 receipt printers

Claims (14)

1. Device for printing token sets, the device having a user interface with a means for capturing information from users of the device, characterized in that the device for printing token has a means for assigning users to user groups and that the device with a system control is provided that controls access to functions of the device depending on the membership of the user to the user groups. 2. Device for printing tokens according to claim 1, characterized in that the agent to assign users to user groups like this connected to the user interface that him those captured by the user interface Information for the assignment of users to To be available. 3. Device for printing tokens after one or both of claims 1 or 2, characterized characterized that the means of assignment the user in user groups based on the assignment of information transmitted via a data line performs. 4. Device for printing tokens after one or several of the preceding claims, characterized characterized that the assignment to the User groups by entering a User identification information and a comparison of the User identification information with a content of a Database is done. 5. Device for printing tokens after one or several of the preceding claims, characterized characterized that individual functions of the Device only for individual user groups are accessible. 6. Device for printing tokens according to claim 5, characterized in that the Assignment of functions to user groups is changeable. 7. The device for printing tokens according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device has at least one computing unit ( 10 ), the computing unit comprising at least one system control, a database, display means ( 20 ) and input means ( 30 ). 8. Method of operating an apparatus for printing of tokens, with information provided by users of the Device are detected, thereby characterized that due to the captured User information about a user group is assigned, and that the device for printing is controlled by tokens so that the Possibilities of access to functions of the device depending on the affiliation of users assigned to the user groups. 9. The method according to claim 8, characterized characterized that capturing the Information from users of the device about a Password entry on the user interface. 10. The method according to one or both of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the Control of the access options takes place in such a way that after assigning a user to at least one User group activated a function of the device becomes. 11. The method according to claim 10, characterized marked that the user groups various menu-driven functions are available stand. 12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the functions are from the following group: - Define, modify and delete token sets - Printing of token sets - Print receipts for printed token sets - Displaying and printing statistical data 13. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that sets of token selected by the user are printed out via at least one token printer ( 40 ). 14. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that data selected by the user are printed out on a receipt printer ( 50 ).