EP0281861A1 - Electronic postage meter comprising postage-limiting values - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention applies to an electronic franking machine using a first set of messages for normal franking operations and a second set of messages for special operations. According to the invention, the first set of messages comprises a "ceiling value exceeded" message, any franking at a value higher than the ceiling value requiring action by the operator (validation), and a "limit value exceeded" message preventing any franking at a higher value; the second set of messages comprises a "change of ceiling value" message and a "change of limit value" message, these two messages enabling the operator to fix the ceiling and limit values separately and, if he desires, to change them by means of the keypad of the machine. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to the operation of a franking machine.

A franking machine is equipped with a data input means generally constituted by a keyboard and a display means commonly called display. Using the keyboard, the user composes the postage value of the stamp to be produced, and the numbers struck appear successively on the display so that the user can control his typing. In addition to its typing control function, the display performs two other functions which are:
- An alarm function, signaling faults consisting, for example, in indicating to the user the exhaustion of his credit (case of machines used in prepayment) or the blocking of the machine following an observation default. Generally, these functions are performed using indicator lights.
- A machine counter display function which accumulates the total value of postage paid since the machine was put into service. In normal operation, the display of the state of this counter is permanent so that simple consumption checks can be carried out. In particular in the so-called post-payment mode, the state of this counter is reported daily on the monthly deposit sheet.

To make the display, most electronic postage meters are equipped with a system enabling characters to be displayed using 7 segments. This well-known technique makes it possible to correctly visualize all the figures as well as a certain number of letters or signs which are more or less well represented.

To help the user to better manage his postage expenses, for example to distribute said expenses between several budget items, it is important to equip the postage meter with auxiliary counters. These counters, made available to the user, make it possible to accumulate in a given period of time the number or the total value of postage made. To manage the auxiliary meters, the user must be able to, for each meter taken individually, name it, turn it on, off, at zero, and view it. These new possibilities are accessible thanks to a extension of the possibilities of the keyboard, obtained by equipping it with additional keys or by authorizing the simultaneous action on 2 or 3 of the existence keys. For example, for a machine with 2 auxiliary counters, a "Subtotal" counter and a "Number of plies" counter, access to these counters is achieved by 2 additional keys. Pressing one of these keys shows the status of the selected counter on the display. To reset one of the selected auxiliary counters, a third key is required. Sometimes, in order not to add additional keys, the selection and resetting of the auxiliary counters is obtained by acting simultaneously on 2 keys, for example "1" and "Star" select the counter "Subtotal", then "0" and "Star" pressed simultaneously cause the previously selected "Subtotal" to be reset to zero.

 If instead of 2 auxiliary counters, we want to offer the user several auxiliary counters, then either we must multiply the number of keys, or generalize the technique of double or triple support but, in this case, a lexicon accompanying the machine becomes necessary. The user must then constantly refer to the lexicon contained in the machine operating instructions to select, at a given time, one of the many auxiliary counters. On the other hand, it is necessary to provide for an increase in the display capacities, for example, an additional indicator which lights up if the state of an auxiliary counter is displayed, plus, at least, 2 digits specifying the number of the counter.

In addition, the above drawbacks are reinforced if additional functions are added such as for example: display of the date and time, of a credit overrun, of a large number of auxiliary counters, around twenty for example , stop or zero or start an auxiliary counter. These additional functions lead to the use of additional keys, so that the keyboard becomes heavy, inconvenient, confusing for the operator and requiring the operator some training time.

These drawbacks are eliminated in a franking machine having a keyboard comprising 16 keys, making it possible to carry out normal franking operations, and particular operations accessible by a menu key on the keyboard. The operations, whether normal or particular, each consist of a message itself consisting of one or more screens which are successively displayed on the display; a screen is a set of for example two lines of 16 or 20 characters each, the display being of the alphanumeric type or of the graphic type.

This machine makes it possible to make frankings whose value remains below a certain fixed value, any franking to a higher value being impossible. This value is fixed when the machine is put into service; it is obtained by mechanical or electrical means and cannot be changed by the operator.

The impossibility of franking at a value greater than said fixed value is a security for the operator who could inadvertently dial a value that is much too high, but also an annoyance each time a franking requires a value greater than the fixed value , especially if when using the machine this fixed value turns out to be too low.

The invention aims to allow an operator using the machine to set a limit value himself, and if he wishes to change it.

Another object of the invention is to allow the operator to set a ceiling value, and if he wishes to change it, said ceiling value allowing postage to usual values, any postage to a higher value requiring intervention of the operator, this ceiling value constituting additional security for the operator, without however constituting a discomfort.

The subject of the invention is a franking machine comprising a keyboard, a display, a calendar clock, a microprocessor, a program memory, a text memory, and a working memory connected to a bus, a first set of messages for normal franking operations and a second set of messages for particular operations being stored in the text memory, the program memory containing programs relating to each message of the first and second sets, the second set of messages being accessible by a menu key on the keyboard, pressing said menu key causing a first message to appear at the start of the menu comprising options each identified by a different number corresponding to a numeric key on the keyboard, characterized by the fact that said first message at the start of the menu includes an option for setting a postage limit value, prohibiting any postage at a higher value, said option being marked with a number, that the second set of messages includes a message change of the limit value appearing following the choice of the option to set a limit value, for composition of a limit value using the keyboard, and that the first set of messages includes a message exceeding the postage limit appearing following a validation of a postage value significantly higher than the limit value contained in the working memory, said message prohibiting any postage.

The invention also relates to a franking machine characterized in that the first message includes an option for setting a ceiling postage value said option being identified by a number, that the second set of messages includes a message changing the ceiling value, appearing after the choice of said option to set a ceiling value, for composition of a ceiling value using the keyboard, and that the first set of messages includes a message exceeding the safety ceiling appearing when a value postage is higher than the ceiling value and prohibiting postage.

The invention applies to an electronic franking machine equipped with a calendar clock and a printing means which can be mechanical, inkjet, thermal transfer, or any other known printing means. , the machine for making impressions on envelopes or labels.

In accordance with the invention, the machine is equipped with 20 double counters each comprising a franc counter and a ply counter, which are made available to the operator; it is also equipped with a keyboard comprising 16 keys, including 10 numeric keys, which allows the operator of the franking machine to carry out either normal franking operations, or particular operations accessible by a particular key of the keyboard. The machine is also equipped with a display allowing to visualize a text made up of a number limited lines each line having a limited number of characters; by character is meant a number, a letter, a sign, or even a space, the display being of the alphanumeric type or of the graphic type. The normal franking operations and the particular operations consist of messages divided into screens, each screen comprising as many characters as the maximum capacity of the display which is equal to the product of the number of lines by the number of characters of a line. The screens of a message are displayed successively, until the operator chooses, using the keyboard, a proposal from those delivered by the message, the action on the keyboard showing another message, and so immediately until the desired result is obtained by the operator.

• - la figure 1 est une schéma synoptique d'une partie du circuit électroni­que d'une machine à affranchir de l'invention,
• - la figure 2 représente un afficheur et un clavier de la figure 1,
• - la figure 3 représente une partie du contenu d'une mémoire de texte de la machine à affranchir de la figure 1,
• - la figure 4 représente une partie du contenu d'une mémoire de travail de la machine à affranchir de la figure 1,
• - les figures 5, 6, 7, 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 9C sont des organigrammes relatifs à des messages,
• - la figure 5 est un organigramme d'un programme d'un message MN1 véri­fication de la date,
• - la figure 6 est un organigramme d'un sous-programme SPMPO d'un message MPO, début du menu,
• - la figure 7 est un organigramme du programme du message MPO,
• - la figures 8A et 8B sont des organigrammes montrant l'enchaînement des messages d'un premier ensemble de messages,
• - les figures 9A, 9B, 9C, sont des organigrammes montrant l'enchaînement des messages d'un second ensemble de messages.

The invention will be better understood from the description which follows of an exemplary embodiment illustrated by the appended figures in which:

• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of part of the electronic circuit of a franking machine of the invention,
• FIG. 2 represents a display and a keyboard from FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 represents part of the content of a text memory of the franking machine of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 4 represents part of the content of a working memory of the franking machine of FIG. 1,
• FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 9C are flow charts relating to messages,
• FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a program of a message MN1 checking the date,
• FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a SPMPO subroutine of an MPO message, start of the menu,
• FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of the program of the MPO message,
• FIGS. 8A and 8B are flowcharts showing the sequence of messages of a first set of messages,
• - Figures 9A, 9B, 9C are flowcharts showing the sequence of messages of a second set of messages.

FIG. 1 represents a block diagram of part of the electronic circuit of a franking machine of the invention, which comprises a keyboard 1, a display 2, a calendar clock 3, a microprocessor 4 with its program memory 5, and a bidirectional bus B, connected to these various devices. A franking machine of the invention also comprises a text memory 6, which is a ROM type ROM, and a working memory 7 of the RAM type, said text and working memories being connected to bus B. In the franking machine of the invention, the keyboard is equipped with sixteen keys, the display is, for example, of the alphanumeric type and the warning lights are replaced by alert messages appearing on the display, possibly accompanied by an audible alarm 8 connected to bus B.

FIG. 2 represents a display-keyboard assembly equipping the machine; keyboard 1 has 16 keys and display 2 provides an alphanumeric display.

The alphanumeric displays currently available make it possible to display one or more lines of 16, 20, 40 alphanumeric characters each, such alphanumeric displays are marketed for example by the companies EPSON or DENSITRON CORPORATION, and make it possible to display all the characters appearing in the ASCII code (CCITT code No. 5). The franking machine clearly shows messages on this display; the operator, using the keyboard keys, executes the proposals of the displayed message. Thanks to the messages the operator is constantly guided.

In the description which follows, by way of example the display makes it possible to display at a given instant for example two lines of 16 alphanumeric characters, and is used to transmit messages to the operator. A message is usually in the form of text. When the message to be viewed requires more than 32 characters, it is divided into as many 32-character screens as necessary. In other words, a message can be composed of one or more screens, each screen corresponding to a text using the full capacity of the display, ie 32 characters in the example chosen. All messages are stored in text memory 6, Figure 1.

Each screen appears on the display for a certain time, then it is replaced by the following screen so that the rest of the screens reconstructs the entire message to be displayed. At the end of the display time of the last screen of a message, the first screen of the same message appears. The text is therefore completed and it is repeated indefinitely until the operator intervenes. The scrolling of the successive screens is therefore automatic; it can be suspended by using the keyboard. The display time of each screen is a parameter specific to each screen in the same way as the text to be displayed. For example, a screen may appear 2 seconds, the next 1 second and the third 3 seconds. The time of appearance of the text of a screen depends on the qualitative importance of this text; this time is fixed by a program relating to each message.

• 1) de composer une valeur, par exemple la valeur du timbre à réaliser,
• 2) de choisir, parmi les propositions numérotées fournies par le menu de la machine, la proposition à réaliser.

- une touche "ANNUL" permettant d'annuler l'action en cours. Un ou plu­sieurs appuis sur cette touche ramère la machine dans son état initial, c'est-à-dire l'état permettant la composition de la valeur à affranchir.
- une touche "VALID" pour valider un choix ou une valeur préalablement composée par l'opérateur à l'aide des touches numériques.
- une touche étoile "*" qui utilisée simultanément avec la touche "VALID" sert à valider un ordre changeant le fonctionnement de la machine.
- un de touche menu M donne accès aux premières propositions du menu, qui correspondent à des opérations particulières,
- deux touches de défilement, repérées par flèche en haut et flèche en bas servent à suspendre le défilement automatique des écrans ou à faire défiler les écrans au rythme voulu par l'opérateur, les écrans se succé­dant dans l'ordre naturel de lecture du texte, ou dans l'ordre inverse. Si l'une des touches de défilement est enfoncée le défilement automati­que des écrans est arrêté et l'écran en cours de visualisation reste affiché pendant tout le temps d'enfoncement de la touche de défilement ; lorsque l'opérateur cesse d'appuyer sur la touche de défilement flèche en bas, cela provoque l'apparition de l'écran suivant ; si au contraire l'opérateur cesse d'appuyer sur la touche de défilement flèche en haut, cela provoque l'apparition de l'écran précédent. Dans les deux cas le défilement automatique des écrans reprend cinq secondes après relâchement de la touche. Une action simultanée sur les deux touches de défilement maintient sur l'afficheur l'écran en cours de visualisation ; au relâchement des deux touches le défilement automatique reprend après cinq secondes.The keyboard consists of 16 keys. We distinguish :
- the 10 numeric keys marked 0, 1 ... 9, allowing the operator:

• 1) to compose a value, for example the value of the stamp to be produced,
• 2) to choose, from the numbered proposals provided by the machine menu, the proposal to be made.

- a "CANCEL" button to cancel the current action. One or more presses of this key return the machine to its initial state, that is to say the state allowing the composition of the value to be franked.
- a "VALID" key to validate a choice or a value previously composed by the operator using the numeric keys.
- a star key "*" which used simultaneously with the "VALID" key is used to validate an order changing the operation of the machine.
- a menu key M gives access to the first menu suggestions, which correspond to specific operations,
- two scrolling keys, identified by arrow at the top and arrow at the bottom are used to suspend the automatic scrolling of the screens or to scroll the screens at the pace desired by the operator, the screens succeeding one another in the natural order of reading the text , or in reverse order. If one of the scroll keys is pressed, the automatic scrolling of the screens is stopped and the screen currently being viewed remains displayed for the entire time the scroll key is pressed; when the operator stops pressing the scroll down arrow key, this causes the following screen to appear; if, on the contrary, the operator stops pressing the up arrow scroll key, this causes the previous screen to appear. In both cases, the automatic scrolling of the screens resumes five seconds after releasing the key. Simultaneous action on the two scroll keys keeps the screen currently displayed on the display; when the two keys are released, automatic scrolling resumes after five seconds.

At any time, for a given message being viewed, only the useful keys of the keyboard are active, these useful keys being those which correspond, in the message, to propositions; for example, if a message contains five propositions numbered from 1 to 5, only the keys 1 to 5 are active and an action on the other keys remains without action. However, the cancel key remains constantly active.

The messages, whether they relate to the normal franking operations or the particular operations accessible by the menu key on the keyboard, are controlled by the microprocessor 4, which runs for each message a program relating to said message, the program memory 5 containing all the message related programs.

The program memory also contains five specific programs which are: a keyboard acquisition program, a display program, a date and time acquisition program, a screen timeout program, and a control program for the audible alarm if the machine is equipped with such an alarm, each specific program taking place cyclically automatically.

The keyboard acquisition program consists in creating in the working memory 7 an electronic image of the 16 keys of the keyboard. In the working memory, each key is represented by a bit whose state 1 corresponds to the idle key and state 0 corresponds to the key pressed. The set of 16 keys therefore requires 16 bits, or 2 bytes. The image of the keyboard in the working memory therefore occupies a memory space of 2 bytes; the content of this memory space is called "keyboard image".

To perform this function, the microprocessor, controlled by the keyboard acquisition program, takes the state of the first eight keys and stores it in the working memory, then it operates in the same way with the last eight keys. However, to remove the parasitic states originating from the mechanical rebounds appearing at the opening and at the closing of the contact of each key, the acquisition program effectively refreshes the keyboard image only after ensuring that the state of the keys is perfectly stable. To do this, the microprocessor creates a temporary image of the keyboard in the working memory and then, each time the keyboard contacts are removed, compares the state of these contacts with the temporary image.

If the state of the contacts is different from the state of the contacts of the temporary image, the microprocessor then loads the new state of the contacts into the temporary image; if the state of the contacts is identical to the state of the contacts of the temporary image, and if this identity has taken place for at least 50 milliseconds, the microprocessor then transfers the temporary image to the keyboard image.

The keyboard acquisition program runs automatically every 20 milliseconds. The storage of the state of the keys in the working memory is shown in FIG. 4, the temporary image ITC and the keyboard image IC each occupying 2 bytes of the working memory.

The display program takes place cyclically every 100 milliseconds. The display shows the character it receives at a position given by its cursor, whether it is visible or invisible, then the cursor moves from one position to the right. To display a full text of 2 lines of 16 characters, spaces included, on the display:
- position the cursor on the first character of the first line,
- send the first character, then the second, and so on until the sixteenth character,
- position the cursor on the first character of the second line,
- send the sixteen successive characters of this second line.

The cursor operating commands are part of the display program stored in the program memory of the franking machine while the 2 x 16 characters to be displayed are stored in a manner in the working memory where they occupy a space of 32 bytes. This space is reserved for the screens to be displayed, as will be explained below, and constitutes an electronic image of the display.

The display program therefore consists of taking from work memory each byte of the display image and sending it to the display by interposing the cursor positioning commands. To be visible, the characters contained in the display image must be represented in ASCII code. The space reserved in the working memory for the display image IA is shown in FIG. 4.

The date and time acquisition program runs automatically every 100 milliseconds. The calendar clock of the franking machine has a series of six counters respectively incremented at the rate of the second, the minute, the hour, the day, the month and the year. The date and time acquisition program consists, for the microprocessor, of taking the content of each of the six counters and writing them in the working memory in a space of six consecutive bytes, ie one byte per counter ; this space constitutes the image of the calendar clock, said image being refreshed every 100 miles seconds by the date and time acquisition program. The space reserved in the working memory for the IHC calendar clock image is shown in FIG. 4.

The audible alarm control program runs automatically every 20 milliseconds. Franking machines generally include alarms which consist of LEDs; among the operations that the operator has the possibility of carrying out certain operations may, under certain conditions, be prohibited: for example, impossibility of franking if the value of the stamp requested is greater than a certain value, or even if the credit is exhausted.

Generally there is a different indicator for each of the conditions, hence the multiplication of indicators. In the franking machine of the invention the LEDs are deleted and replaced by alert messages appearing on the display, possibly accompanied by an audible alarm to attract the attention of the operator. The audible alarm, which is constituted for example by a piezoelectric vibrator, is modulated according to the events which trigger it; the audible alarm may consist of a simple beep, or a series of beeps whose rhythm is more or less rapid.

• le premier octet contient le nombre de bips sonores que l'on désire émettre,
• le deuxième octet contient le temps d'émission d'un bip sonore,
• le troisième octet contient le temps du silence séparant deux bips sonores.

To control the buzzer, in working memory, figure 4, there is an audible alarm control box, CAS, comprising three bytes:

• the first byte contains the number of beeps that you want to emit,
• the second byte contains the time it takes to emit a beep,
• the third byte contains the silence time between two beeps.

The second and third bytes do not contain a time expressed in seconds, but a number, the corresponding time being equal to this number multiplied by 20 milliseconds. If the content of the first byte is zero, there is no beep sound; on the other hand, the value FF, in hexadecimal code, corresponds to a permanent transmission.

• Action 1 : si le contenu du premier octet est zéro, le programme de l'alarme sonore est terminé ; sinon passer à l'action 2 ;
• Action 2 : le vibreur est activé pendant le temps spécifié dans le deuxième octet ; à la fin de ce temps passer à l'action 3 ;
• Action 3 : le vibreur est désactivé pendant le temps spécifié dans le troisième octet ; à la fin de ce temps passer à l'action 4 ;
• Action 4 : si le contenu du premier octet est égal à FF, recommencer l'action 1, sinon faire -1 dans le contenu du premier octet puis retourner à l'action 1.

The audible alarm control program consists of performing the following actions:

• Action 1: if the content of the first byte is zero, the audible alarm program is ended; otherwise go to action 2;
• Action 2: the vibrator is activated for the time specified in the second byte; at the end of this time go to action 3;
• Action 3: the vibrator is deactivated for the time specified in the third byte; at the end of this time go to action 4;
• Action 4: if the content of the first byte is equal to FF, repeat action 1, otherwise do -1 in the content of the first byte then return to action 1.

The timer program is used to display each screen of a message for a certain time, which can vary from one screen to another. This timer, called screen time, is stored in a TE0 byte of the working memory shown in Figure 4. The timer program runs automatically every 20 milliseconds. To use a time delay, simply initialize it by loading the time delay byte with a number, the time delay being equal to this number multiplied by 20 milliseconds; for a time delay of 1 second, load the number 50 into the time delay byte, which gives a screen time of 1 second. The timer program consists of doing -1 in the timer byte, if the content of this byte is not zero; the screen time has elapsed when the content of the timer byte is zero.

The five specific programs mentioned above allow a simplification of the programs relating to messages and their execution.

The texts displayed on the display have a fixed part, the source of which is the text memory, and a variable part such as: date, type of operation, value of the stamp, the ceiling, the limit, the credit, etc. The fixed texts of the messages contained in the text memory take account of the subsequent introduction of the variable texts in the display image IA of the working memory.

FIG. 3 represents part of the content of the text memory, and in particular a message M1 divided into two screens E1 and E2 of two lines of 16 characters each, in the case of a display unit making it possible to display two lines of 16 characters each. Message M1 occupies 64 bytes of text memory numbered 0 to 63; for screen E1 the first line E1L1 occupies bytes 0 to 15 and the second line E1L2 occupies bytes 16 to 31. For screen E2 the first line E2L1 occupies bytes 32 to 47 and the second line E2L2 occupies bytes 48 to 63. Of course the text memory also contains all the other messages, each message itself being divided into a certain number of screens. Each message must be formatted according to the display capacity of the display.

FIG. 4 represents part of the content of the working memory, this part comprising:
- 2 bytes ITC0 and ITC1 for the temporary image of the ITC keyboard,
- 2 bytes IC0 and IC1 for the keyboard image IC.

In these four bytes, the numbers, letters and signs are those of the 16 keys on the keyboard, M denoting the menu, V confirming and Canceling, each key corresponding to one bit of the bytes.
- 32 bytes IA0 to IA31 for the display image IA, bytes IA0 to IA15 being reserved for the first line EiL1 of a screen Ei, the bytes IA16 to IA31 being reserved for the second line EiL2 of the screen Ei; each byte is relative to a character. This memory space of 32 bytes corresponds to a display of two lines of sixteen characters. In general, the memory space constituting the display image is a function of the capacity of the display used. In the case of a display of L lines of N characters, the memory space required for the display image uses NL bytes, numbered from IA0 to IA (NL-1).
- 6 bytes IHC0 to IHC5 for the image of the IHC calendar clock; the IHC0 byte is reserved for the year, from 0 to 99; the IHC1 byte is reserved for the month, from 1 to 12; the IHC2 byte is reserved for the day, from 1 to 31; the IHC3 byte is reserved for the hour, from 0 to 23; the IHC4 byte is reserved per minute, from 0 to 59; the IHC5 byte is reserved for the second, from 0 to 59.
- 3 bytes CAS0 to CAS2 for the audible alarm control CAS, the byte CAS0 being reserved for the number of beeps to be emitted, the byte CAS1 being reserved for the time of emission of a beep, and the byte CAS2 being reserved for the time of silence (between 2 beeps).
- 1 byte TE0 for the TE screen delay.
- The temporary keyboard image ITC and the keyboard image IC were defined previously and are refreshed by the keyboard acquisition program described above.
- The display image IA, is a memory space reserved for the text of a screen which is transferred from the text memory into the working memory, where it is possibly supplemented by a variable text, to be viewed on the display; this memory space is read by the display program.
- The IHC calendar clock image is reserved for indication of the date and time from the six calendar clock counters; this calendar clock image is refreshed every 100 milliseconds by the time date acquisition program described above.
- The memory space of the 3 bytes of the CAS audible alarm control is read by the audible alarm control program described above.
- The TE0 byte of the screen timeout is read by the timer program described above. This working memory additionally contains information which will be detailed later and which must be maintained when the machine is switched off; it is therefore saved by a battery, as is well known.

These five specific programs, which run automatically, are used with the programs relating to the different messages to display the screens of each message, as will be explained below in two examples of the running of two programs relating to two messages.

The messages available to the operator allow either normal franking operations or specific operations accessible by the menu key on the keyboard, as indicated above.

The description of the messages which follows relates to a prepayment franking machine; in the case of a post-payment machine, the texts of certain messages will be modified.

The messages relating to normal franking operations constitute a first set of messages designated below by MN1, MN2, ...

• Message MN1 Vérification de la date,
• Message MN2 Affranchissement ou menu
• Message MN3 Composition de la valeur d'affranchissement,
• Message MN4 Valeur du timbre validée, en mode coup par coup ou rafale,
• Message MN5 Valeur du timbre validée, en mode rafale limitée,
• Message MN6 Dépassement de crédit,
• Message MN7 Dépassement de la limite d'affranchissement,
• Message MN8 Dépassement du plafond de sécurité.

The flowcharts in FIGS. 8A and 8B represent the sequence of these messages.

• Message MN1 Checking the date,
• Message MN2 Postage or menu
• Message MN3 Composition of the postage value,
• Message MN4 Validated stamp value, in single-shot or burst mode,
• Message MN5 Validated stamp value, in limited burst mode,
• Message MN6 Credit overrun,
• Message MN7 Postage limit exceeded,
• Message MN8 Exceeding the safety ceiling.

The messages MN1, MN6, MN7 and MN8 are alert messages possibly accompanied by an audible alarm.

These different messages are described below.

Message MN1 Check the date.

In the case of machines fitted with an automatic date setting this message does not exist and the message MN2 appears as soon as the machine is switched on.

If the setting of the date of obliteration of the imprint is obtained by thumbwheels which the operator must position manually, this message appears only at the first power-up of the day, of the franking machine. This message consists of the following two screens which appear successively on the display:

Screen 1 is displayed for 1 second, and screen 2 for 2 seconds; the alarm consists of 2 beeps.

The day, DD, the month, MM, and the year, AA, are provided by the calendar clock of the postage meter. This message prompts the operator to set the "date" dials to today's date. This action being completed, the operator presses the validation key. Following this validation, the machine notes that the "date change" operation is carried out, and, for the rest of the day, each time power is restored, the message MN1 no longer appears, it is replaced by the message MN2.

When the message MN1 is present, only the validation key is active. Following validation by the operator, the message MN2 appears.

Message MN2 Postage or Menu

Following validation of the message MN1, or after switching on without changing the date, or again following a cancellation, the message MN2 appears.

Les écrans 1, 2, 3 sont affichés pendant 2, 1, 1 secondes respectivement.This message consists of the following 3 screens which appear successively:

Screens 1, 2, 3 are displayed for 2, 1, 1 seconds respectively.

When the message MN2 is present, only the numeric, validation and Menu keys are active.

The numeric keys allow the operator to compose the value of the stamp, and the MENU key gives access to the specific operations by showing a message with different options, as will be explained below. As soon as a number key is hit, the Menu key becomes inactive.

The message MN2 represents the initial state of normal franking operations, since the first message MN1 does not appear until the first power-up of the day. In screen 1 of message MN2, the stamp value is set to zero for security, and the remaining credit appears in clear.

The operator must not dial a stamp value greater than the remaining credit. As soon as the operator presses a numeric key to compose a stamp value, the message MN3 appears.

Message MN3 Composition of the postage value

Les écrans 1 et 2 sont affichés pendant 3 et 1 secondes, respectivement.This message consists of the following two screens:

Screens 1 and 2 are displayed for 3 and 1 seconds, respectively.

The first zero to the right of the stamp value is replaced by the first digit hit on the keyboard; a second press on a numeric key shifts the preceding digit on screen 1 by one position on the left and the second struck digit occupies the position on the right. A third and fourth digit can be entered by the operator; they appear on the right of screen 1 after a shift to the left of the value of the stamp. Each keystroke automatically returns screen 1 to the display, so that if the time between two keystrokes is less than 3 seconds, only screen 1 appears; screen 2 does not appear until 3 seconds after entering the last digit.

In the MN3 message, only the numeric validation and cancellation keys are active. In case of error on the value of the stamp and to change the value struck, the operator hits the cancel key, which brings up the message MN2 and allows him to strike the new value of the stamp. If the value of the composed stamp is good, the operator presses the validation key, even if screen 2 is not displayed.

Known franking machines generally have only one mode of operation allowing the franking of an unlimited number of folds as soon as the operator has composed and validated a stamp value, as long as the credit is not exhausted . The invention allows three operating modes, the choice of operating mode being made by the operator. These operating modes are:
- single shot mode: after each franking, the stamp value is brought back to zero. In this case, you must recompose the stamp value of the next postage. This operating mode is an additional security which prohibits the realization of successive frankings whose value is not rigorously controlled,
- burst mode: after each franking, the stamp value is not reset to zero as in the previous mode. The realization of an unlimited series of postage at the same value is then possible, within the limit of the credit, of course.
- limited burst mode: identical to the previous operating mode, but limited to a certain number N of frankings previously loaded by the operator. When the number N of postage requested is achieved, the machine automatically returns to "blow by blow"mode; if the credit is used up before the N postings, it is no longer possible to post.

The choice of operating mode is made by the operator, as described below. If the "blow by blow" or "burst" mode has been selected by the operator, the machine remains in the chosen mode even after stopping and restarting the machine. On the contrary, for the "limited burst" mode, a power cut of the machine places it automatically in "blow by blow" mode at the next power up.

If the franking machine is not equipped to change operation, it operates in burst mode.

When the operator validates the value of the stamp and that it does not exceed a previously fixed limit value, the message MN4 appears, in single-shot mode, or in burst mode; if the machine is in limited burst mode, the message MN5 appears.

Message MN4 Value of the stamp validated, in single-shot or burst mode.

Les écrans 1 et 2 sont affichés pendant 3 et 1 secondes, respectivement. Les valeurs du timbre et du crédit apparaissent en clair.This message consists of the following two screens which appear successively:

Screens 1 and 2 are displayed for 3 and 1 seconds, respectively. Stamp and credit values appear in clear.

Message MN5 Value of the stamp validated in limited burst mode.

This message consists of the following two screens which appear successively:

Screens 1 and 2 are displayed for 3 and 1 seconds, respectively. The value of the stamp and the number of folds in limited burst appear in clear.

In these two messages MN4 and MN5, only the cancel key is active.

In single-shot mode, after an envelope has passed through the machine, the message MN4 is replaced by the message MN2. In burst mode the credit in screen 1 of message MN4 is decremented by the value of the stamp after each franking and screen 1 remains displayed if the franking rate is less than 3 seconds, screen 2 then being displayed only 3 seconds after the last envelope has passed.

In limited burst mode, in screen 1 of the message MN5 the number NNN which corresponds to the number N of envelopes to be franked and appears in clear, is decremented by one after each franking, and if the franking rate is lower at 3 seconds screen 1 remains displayed; after passing the last envelope the number NNN becomes zero and the message MN2 is displayed.

In burst mode, or in limited burst mode, if the credit is used up during franking, the machine stops and the message MN6 appears on the display.

Message MN6 Overflow of credit.

This message only exists for prepayment franking machines. This message consists of the following two screens which appear successively.

If in the message MN3 the value of the compound stamp exceeds the amount of the remaining credit and if the operator validates this value, the message MN6 appears.

If the postage value is limited, during commissioning, by mechanical or electrical means, to a so-called limit value, postage to a higher value is impossible and the machine freezes; this limit value cannot be changed by the operator. The invention also provides for allowing the operator to fix a limit value and a ceiling value, to change them if desired, and to make a postage of value greater than the ceiling value.

For this when the operator validates, in the message MN3, a postage value higher than the ceiling value, the validation does not allow the postage and a message MN8 appears; postage is only possible by validation of the message MN8 as will be specified during the presentation of this message. The validation in the message MN3, of a value greater than the limit value brings up the message MN7.

Message MN7 Postage limit exceeded.

An imprint, the value of which exceeds the postage limit, is impossible and the machine alerts the operator by a series of beeps and by the display of the message MN7. In this state the machine prohibits the start of the franking procedure if the operator presents an envelope, or the presentation of an envelope and the start of the franking procedure if the machine is automatic.

To make a stamp whose value exceeds the franking limit, the operator must change this limit using a message accessible by the menu key and which will be described later. If this limit is zero the machine is blocked; on the other hand, if this limit is equal to the maximum capacity of the machine, for example 9999 for a four-digit machine, the postage limit no longer exists.

The MN7 message consists of the following three screens which appear successively:

Screens 1, 2, 3 are displayed for 3, 2, 1 seconds, respectively; four alarm beeps are emitted during the display time of screen 1. The values of the timbre and of the limit appear clear. Cancellation returns to message MN2.

Message MN8 Exceeding the safety ceiling.

The validation in the message MN3 of a postage value greater than said safety ceiling brings up the message MN8, and the operator can then either cancel or validate the postage value.

The operator is the master of the safety ceiling and the way to load and change the safety ceiling will be explained later when describing the messages accessible by the menu key.

The use of a ceiling is an additional security which makes it possible to alert the operator when the value of the composite stamp becomes excessive compared to the usual use of the machine.

The message MN8 consists of the following three screens which appear successively.

Screens 1, 2 and 3 are displayed for 2, 2 and 1 seconds, respectively; moreover, alarm beeps are emitted during the display of screen 1. The values of the timbre and the ceiling appear in clear.

A cancellation displays the message MN2, but if the operator confirms the value of the stamp by pressing the validation key, the value of the stamp is accepted despite exceeding the ceiling. In this case the messages MN4 or MN5 appear, depending on the operating mode of the franking machine.

If the safety ceiling, loaded by the operator, is equal to the maximum capacity of the machine, for example 9999 for a four-digit machine, the safety ceiling no longer exists; on the other hand if the operator has loaded the value 0000, then the composition of the value of each stamp requires a double validation, one for the message MN3 and one for message MN8.

The postage limit will generally be higher than the security ceiling, since it prohibits all postage, but of course the operator remains free to choose, as well as the security ceiling and postage limit values.

• Message MP0 Début du menu.
• Message MP1 Les états machine.
• Message MP2 Les compteurs auxiliaires.
• Message MP3 Sélection d'un compteur auxiliaire.
• Message MP4 Confirmation de l'état sélectionné (pour un compteur).
• Message MP5 Sélection du mode de fonctionnement de la machine (coup par coup, rafale, rafale limitée).
• Message MP6 Confirmation du mode de fonctionnement sélectionné.
• Message MP7 Choix du nombre de plis (affranchissements) en mode rafale limitée.
• Message MP8 Changement du plafond de sécurité.
• Message MP9 Changement de la limite d'affranchissement.

The messages relating to the specific operations accessible by the menu key constitute a second set of messages and are designated below by MP0, MP1, ...

• Message MP0 Start of menu.
• Message MP1 Machine states.
• Message MP2 The auxiliary counters.
• MP3 message Selection of an auxiliary counter.
• Message MP4 Confirmation of the selected state (for a counter).
• Message MP5 Selection of the operating mode of the machine (blow by blow, burst, limited burst).
• Message MP6 Confirmation of the selected operating mode.
• Message MP7 Choice of the number of folds (frankings) in limited burst mode.
• Message MP8 Changing the safety ceiling.
• Message MP9 Change of postage limit.

If the machine has only one operating mode, the message MP5, selection of the operating mode does not exist; if in addition a fixed limit value is imposed on the commissioning of the machine, the message MP9 change of the franking limit does not exist, but the machine can however be or not equipped with a safety ceiling, lower at the limit value, and the message MP8 change of the safety ceiling exists or not.

The different messages MP0 to MP8 are described below, FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C representing the sequence of these messages.

Message MP0 Start of menu.

Les écrans 4, 5, 6 existent si la machine est équipée des options correspondantes.This message consists of the following seven screens

Screens 4, 5, 6 exist if the machine is equipped with the corresponding options.

Screens 1 and 7 are displayed for 1 second, screens 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 being displayed for 2 seconds each.

If the operator presses the cancel key, there is a return to message MN2.

The figure at the beginning of screens 2 to 6 corresponds to a numeric key on the keyboard and allows the operator to choose from the options available.

Message MP1 Machine states

Chaque écran est affiché pendant 2 secondes.This message consists of the following seven screens:

Each screen is displayed for 2 seconds.

This message informs the operator about the states of the machine.

In screens 1, 2 and 3 the values of the credit, the index counter and the cycle counter are indicated in clear. In screen 4 the date, the hour, and the minutes are indicated in clear; if screen 4 is permanently displayed, by pressing one or both scroll keys, the point separating the hour, HH, and the minutes, MM, flashes at the rate of the second.

The second line of screen 5 consists of one of the following three texts: blow by blow, burst, burst of XXX, the number of folds (postage) being indicated in clear.

The value of the safety ceiling, screen 7, is also indicated in clear, as for the postage limit, screen 6.

This message MP1 has no choice. Pressing the cancel key, or the menu key, returns to the message MP0, start of the menu.

Message MP2 The auxiliary counters. MP3 message Selection of an auxiliary counter. Message MP4 Confirmation of the selected state (for a counter).

The franking machine is equipped with a number of auxiliary counters, for example 20, numbered from 1 to 20, each auxiliary counter being assigned to a budgetary item; each auxiliary counter includes a franc counter which totals the values of the postage made and a fold counter which counts the number of folds (postage), that is to say the number of envelopes or labels franked.

The operator can set the franc counter and the ply counter of an auxiliary counter to zero, either on or off, independently of the other auxiliary counters. The MP2 message is used with the MP3 and MP4 messages, as shown below, following the presentation of the MP2, MP3 and MP4 messages.

Les écrans 1 à 7 sont affichés pendant 2, 3, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2 secondes respectivement.
Dans l'écran 1 le numéro du compteur (de 1 à 20) apparaît et le texte de la deuxième ligne est complété par : "à l'arrêt" ou "en marche". Dans l'écran 2 le nombre de francs et le nombre de plis apparaîssent, et dans l'écran 3, la date et l'heure de la dernière remise à zéro sont visualisées.
Lorsque le message MP2 apparaît, suite à une action sur la touche 2 pendant le défilement du message MP0, le compteur auxiliaire visualisé est le premier (numéro 1).
Les chiffres 1 à 6 figurant dans les écrans 4 à 7 du message MP2 permet­tent à l'opérateur de faire un choix parmi les différentes options propo­sées, à l'aide des touches du clavier correspondant aux chiffres.
Si l'opérateur agit sur la touche 2, l'écran 1 du message MP2 apparaît avec le numéro du compteur suivant ou avec le compteur N°1 si avant cette action le compteur N°20 était visualisé.
Si l'opérateur agit sur la touche 3 le compteur précédent est sélectionné, ou le compteur N°20 si le compteur N°1 était visualisé avant cette action.
Pour choisir un compteur quelconque l'opérateur a la possibilité d'utiliser la touche 1 dont l'action fait apparaître le message de sélection MP3.
Pour changer l'état d'un compteur auxiliaire préalablement sélectionné l'opérateur dispose des touches 4, 5 et 6. Une action sur l'une de ces touches fait apparaître le message MP4 dont la validation ramène au message MP2 avec l'état choisi mentionné en deuxiéme ligne de l'écran 1, si l'état choisi est arrêt ou démarrage, et avec dans l'écran 3 la date et l'heure de la dernière remise à zéro ; si l'opérateur a choisi la remise à zéro, la date et l'heure sont celles du jour et de l'heure où cette remise à zéro est demandée. L'opérateur peut alors sélectionner un autre compteur à l'aide de l'une des touches 1, 2 ou 3 comme indiqué dans les écrans 4 et 5, ou annuler, ce qui ramène au message MP0, début du menu.
Le message MP3, sélection d'un compteur auxiliaire, est constitué par les 2 écrans suivants :

Tant que l'opérateur n'a pas tapé un numéro de 1 à 20, l'indication XX clignote. Les écrans 1 et 2 sont affichés pendant 2 et 1 secondes respec­tivement. Une annulation ramène le message MP2. Lorsque l'opérateur a composé un numéro de compteur auxiliaire la validation ramène le message MP2 avec exécution de l'ordre, c'est-à-dire que dans l'écran 1 du message MP2 le numéro du compteur est celui qui vient d'être composé. Le message MP4, confirmation de l'état sélectionné, est constitué par les trois écrans suivants :

The MP2 message, the auxiliary counters, consists of the following seven screens:

Screens 1 to 7 are displayed for 2, 3, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2 seconds respectively.
In screen 1 the counter number (from 1 to 20) appears and the text of the second line is completed by: "stopped" or "running". In screen 2 the number of francs and the number of folds appear, and in screen 3, the date and time of the last reset are displayed.
When the message MP2 appears, following an action on the key 2 during the scrolling of the message MP0, the auxiliary counter displayed is the first (number 1).
The numbers 1 to 6 appearing in screens 4 to 7 of the message MP2 allow the operator to choose from the various options offered, using the keys on the keyboard corresponding to the numbers.
If the operator acts on key 2, screen 1 of the message MP2 appears with the number of the next counter or with counter N ° 1 if before this action counter N ° 20 was displayed.
If the operator acts on key 3, the previous counter is selected, or counter N ° 20 if counter N ° 1 was displayed before this action.
To choose any counter the operator has the possibility of using the key 1 whose action brings up the MP3 selection message.
To change the state of an auxiliary counter previously selected, the operator has keys 4, 5 and 6. Pressing one of these keys brings up the message MP4, the validation of which returns to message MP2 with the selected state. mentioned in the second line of screen 1, if the selected state is stop or start, and with in screen 3 the date and time of the last reset; if the operator has chosen reset, the date and time are those of the day and time when this reset is requested. The operator can then select another counter using one of the keys 1, 2 or 3 as indicated in screens 4 and 5, or cancel, which brings back to the message MP0, start of the menu.
The MP3 message, selection of an auxiliary counter, consists of the following 2 screens:

As long as the operator has not entered a number from 1 to 20, the XX indication flashes. Screens 1 and 2 are displayed for 2 and 1 seconds respectively. A cancellation brings back the message MP2. When the operator has dialed an auxiliary counter number, validation brings back the message MP2 with execution of the order, that is to say that in screen 1 of the message MP2 the number of the counter is the one which has just to be composed of. The MP4 message, confirmation of the selected state, consists of the following three screens:

Screens 1, 2, 3 are displayed for 2, 2, 1 seconds, respectively. The text of the second line of screen 1 is, depending on whether the operator presses the 4 or 5 or 6 key when viewing the MP2 message:
a reset (key 4)
a stop (key 5)
starting (key 6)
In screen 2, the counter number is indicated.

Validation is obtained by pressing the validation and star keys simultaneously, and returns to the MP2 message with execution of the order. The cancellation returns to the MP2 message without execution of the order.

Message MP5 Selection of the operating mode of the machine. Message MP6 Confirmation of the selected operating mode. Message MP7 Choice of number of folds in limited burst mode

The franking machine can operate according to one of the following three modes: Stroke, burst, burst limited to XX postage, which can be selected using the messages MP5, MP6 and MP7.

Les écrans 1 et 5 sont affichés pendant 1 seconde, et les écrans 2, 3, 4 pendant 2 secondes chacun.The message MP5 is displayed when in the message MP0 the operator presses the key 3 of the keyboard. It is made up of the following five screens:

Screens 1 and 5 are displayed for 1 second, and screens 2, 3, 4 for 2 seconds each.

Les écrans 1, 2, 3 sont affichés pendant 1, 2, 1 secondes, respecti­vement.The MP6 message consists of the following screens:

Screens 1, 2, 3 are displayed for 1, 2, 1 seconds, respectively.

Les écrans 1 et 2 sont affichés pendant 1 et 2 secondes respectivement.The MP7 message consists of the following screens:

Screens 1 and 2 are displayed for 1 and 2 seconds respectively.

When the message MP5 is displayed, the first line of screen 2 is constituted by: step by step, burst, burst of XXX, the number of folds XXX being given in clear, to indicate the current operating mode of the machine. If the operator does not wish to change the mode, he presses the validation key, which brings back the message MP0. If he wishes to change the mode, he selects this mode using one of the keys 1, 2, 3 on the keyboard, as indicated in screens 3 and 4 of the message MP5. As soon as he has made his choice, the message MP6 appears, and screen 2 comprises, on the first line, the indication of the mode: blow by blow, burst, limited burst. The validation, using the V and star keys, returns the message MP5, in single-shot mode and in burst mode, the first line of screen 2 of MP5 indicating the validated operating mode; on the other hand, validation brings up the message MP7 if the operator has validated the limited burst mode. The operator must then indicate the number of folds, then validate, which brings back the message MP5 with the burst indication of XXX on the first line of screen 2, the number of folds XXX being that composed.

Whatever mode is selected, validation brings back the MP5 message which allows the operator to verify that the machine is operating properly according to the desired mode; validation of the MP5 message then brings the message MP0.

Message MP8 Changing the safety ceiling.

In the presence of the message MP0, an action on key 4 of the keyboard brings up the message MP8 which allows the operator to change the ceiling. It will be noted that the operator had the possibility of obtaining beforehand the value of the ceiling of the machine by the message MP1, the states of the machine.

Les écrans 1, 2, 3 sont affichés pendant 1, 2, 1 secondes respecti­vement.The MP8 message consists of the following 3 screens:

Screens 1, 2, 3 are displayed for 1, 2, 1 seconds respectively.

In the presence of this message, the operator hits the new ceiling, which is displayed in plain text in screen 2; validation, obtained by pressing the validation and star keys simultaneously, displays the message MP1 with indication of the new ceiling in screen 7.

Message MP9 Change of postage limit.

This message appears when in the MP0 message the operator presses the key 5, and consists of the following three screens.

As the new postage limit is composed, it appears in screen 2. Validation is obtained by pressing the validation and star keys simultaneously, which brings back to the message MP1.

FIG. 4 shows part of the content of the working memory, the part described being used by the specific programs. The working memory also contains the machine states, the - auxiliary counters, the ceiling, the franking limit, the credit in reserved spaces.

We will now describe, using two examples, the operation of the machine. The first example is the message MN1, checking the date, and the second example is the message MP0, start of the menu. These messages, like all messages, use the five specific programs described above which run automatically as soon as the machine is running.

Message MN1 Check the date.

Figure 5 shows the flowchart of this message.

This message appears at the first power-up of the day, the two screens making up this message being recalled below:

The fixed texts "check the state of the dials" and "date = DD / MM / YY then confirm" are contained in the text memory; each text on a screen occupying 32 bytes, the message MN1 therefore occupies 64 bytes in the text memory, as indicated in FIG. 3.

Each message corresponds to a specific program in the program memory; there is therefore a date verification program which allows the successive execution of the following actions:

Action 1 - Initialization of the program.

- Load the duration of a beep sound, for example the number 15, in the byte CAS1 of the command of the audible alarm of the working memory, this number corresponding to a duration of 0.3 seconds of a beep sound.
- Load the duration of the silence between beeps, for example the number 25 for a duration of 0.5 seconds, in the CAS2 byte.
- Load the number of beeps, 2 in the case of screen 1, in the byte CAS0.
- Transfer the text from screen 1 "check the state of the wheels" in the text memory in bytes IA0 to IA31 of the working memory, each letter and space occupying one byte.
- Load the number 50 in the TE0 timer byte, this number corresponding to a display time of 1 second on screen 1.
- Take action 2.

Action 2 -

- If the validation key is pressed, bit 5 of byte IC1 of the keyboard image in the working memory (Figure 4) then has the value 0, go to message MN2; the date verification program is finished.
- If the time delay of 1 second has elapsed, the content of the TE0 byte being zero, then go to action 3, otherwise repeat action 2.

Action 3 -

- Transfer the text from screen 2 "Date = DD / MM / YY then validate" from the text memory in bytes IA0 to IA31 of the working memory.
- Take the content of byte IHC0 (year) from the calendar clock image in working memory, convert it to decimal, change to ASCII code and store the result in byte IA13 (most significant of the years ) and in byte IA14 (least significant of the years).
- Take the content of the byte IHC1 (month), process it as indicated for the byte IHC0, and store the result in byte IA10 (most significant month) and byte IA11 (least significant month).
- Take the content of byte IHC2 (day), process it as before, and store the result in byte IA7 (most significant of the days) and byte IA8 (least significant of the days).
- Load the number 100 in the TE0 timer byte, this number corresponding to a display time of 2 seconds on screen 2.
Take action 4:

Action 4 -

- If the validation key is pressed, bit 5 of byte IC1 of the keyboard image at "0", end of the date verification program; go to message MN2.
- If the content of the time delay byte TE0 is equal to zero, go to action 1 (looping of message MN1), otherwise repeat action 4.

Message MP0 - Start of the menu.

Pour simplifier la réalisation du programme, début du menu, on utilise un sous-programme SPMP0 dont l'organigramme est représenté figure 6. Ce sous-programme réalise les fonctions suivantes :
    - Si la touche 1 du clavier est enfoncée, le bit 1 de l'octet IC0 de l'image clavier a la valeur "0" : fin de programme, passer au mes­sage MP1.
    - Si la touche 2 est enfoncée, le bit 2 de l'octet IC0 a la valeur "0" : fin de programme, passer au message MP2.
    - Si la touche 3 est enfoncée, le bit 3 de l'octet IC0 a la valeur "0" : fin de programme, passer au message MP5.
    - Si la touche 4 est enfoncée, le bit 4 de l'octet IC0 a la valeur "0" : fin de programme, passer au message MP8
    - Si la touche 5 est enfoncée, le bit 5 de l'octet IC0 a la valeur "0" : fin de programme, passer au message MP9.
    - Si la touche annulation est enfoncée, le bit 7 de l'octet ITC1 = 0, retour au message MN2.
    - Si le contenu de l'octet TE0 de temporisation, dans la mémoire de travail est nul, passer à l'action suivante du programme début du menu, sinon recommencer le sous programme.The seven screens constituting this message are recalled below:

To simplify the implementation of the program, at the start of the menu, a SPMP0 sub-program is used, the flow diagram of which is shown in FIG. 6. This sub-program performs the following functions:
- If key 1 of the keyboard is pressed, bit 1 of byte IC0 of the keyboard image has the value "0": end of program, go to message MP1.
- If key 2 is pressed, bit 2 of byte IC0 has the value "0": end of program, go to message MP2.
- If key 3 is pressed, bit 3 of byte IC0 has the value "0": end of program, go to message MP5.
- If key 4 is pressed, bit 4 of byte IC0 has the value "0": end of program, go to message MP8
- If key 5 is pressed, bit 5 of byte IC0 has the value "0": end of program, go to message MP9.
- If the cancel key is pressed, bit 7 of the byte ITC1 = 0, return to message MN2.
- If the content of the TE0 time delay byte, in the working memory is zero, go to the next action of the program at the start of the menu, otherwise restart the subroutine.

The start of menu program represented by the flowchart in FIG. 7 requires the following actions:

Action 1 -

- Transfer the text from screen 1 of the text memory into the display image IA of the working memory.
- Load the number 50 in the TE0 byte of the working memory time delay to have a display time of 1 second for screen 1.
- Execute the SPMP0 subroutine.

Action 2 -

- Transfer the text from screen 2 of the text memory into the display image IA of the working memory.
- Load the number 100 in the TE0 byte to have a display time of 2 seconds for screen 2.
- Execute the SPMP0 subroutine.

Action 3 -

- Transfer the text from screen 3 of the text memory into the display image IA.
- Load the number 100 in the TE0 time delay byte.
- Execute the SPMP0 subroutine.

Action 4 -

- Transfer the text from screen 4 of the text memory into the display image IA.
- Load the number 100 in the TE0 time delay byte.
- Execute the SPMP0 subroutine.

Action 5 -

- Transfer the text from screen 5 of the text memory into the display image IA.
- Load the number in the TE0 time delay byte.
- Execute the SPMP0 subroutine.

Action 6 -

- Transfer the text from screen 6 of the text memory into the display image IA.
- Load the number 100 in the TE0 time delay byte.
- Execute the SPMP0 subroutine.

Action 7 -

- Transfer the text from screen 7 of the text memory into the display image IA.
- Load the number 50 in the TE0 time delay byte.
- Execute the SPMP0 subroutine

Action 8 -

- Repeat action 1 (loopback).

Of course, each message MN2, MN3, ... and MP1, MP2, ..., corresponds to a particular program, the two programs described above being given as an example for the messages MN1 and MP0.

In these two examples, the machine operates by scrolling the screen, one screen replacing another screen.

It is possible to obtain line by line scrolling, by cutting each message by a larger number of screens, the program corresponding to said message being modified to take account of the number of screens.

We will describe how to obtain such scrolling line by line using an example concerning the message MN1.

The message MN1 is not modified in the text memory, but the program relating to this message is modified so as to constitute 3 screens instead of 2; these 3 screens are:

Compared to the screen-by-screen scrolling solution, it can be seen that line-by-line scrolling requires the creation of an additional screen between two successive screens, here screen 1bis, the first line contains the text of the last line of the previous screen, and the second line of which takes the text of the first line of the next screen. In the example of the message MN1 with 3 screens, the corresponding program takes actions 1, 3 and 4 from the program described above, without modification, and action 2 whose only end is modified, and it includes two additional actions 2bis and 2ter.

The end of action 2 is modified as follows:
- If the time delay of 1 second has elapsed, the content of the time delay TE0 byte is zero, then go to action 2bis, otherwise repeat action 2.

Actions 2bis and 2ter are:

Action 2bis -

- Transfer 32 bytes from the text memory to the display image IA of the working memory. The transfer begins in the text memory at byte 16 of the message MN1 up to and including byte 47; these bytes correspond to the lines E1L2 and E2L1 of the screens E1 and E2 as indicated in FIG. 3, these two lines constituting the screen E1bis.
- Take the content of the byte IHC0 (year) in the working memory, go to decimal then to ASCII code and store the result in the bytes IA29 and IA30 of the display image, in the working memory.
- Take the content of the byte IHC1 (month) go to decimal then to ASCII code and store the result in bytes IA26 and IA27 of the display image.
- Take the content of the IHC2 byte (day), switch to decimal then to ASCII code and store the result in bytes IA23 and IA24 of the display image.
- Load the number 50 in the TE0 time delay byte.
- Take action 2ter.

Action 2ter.

- If the validation key is pressed: end of program, go to message MN2.
- If the content of the timer TE0 byte is zero, then pass to action 3, if not repeat action 2ter.

Figures 5, 6, 7, 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 9C are flow charts as indicated above.

In these figures, the numbers 1, 2 ..., the letters V, A, M and the sign * which appear in the diamonds designate the numeric keys; validation (V), cancellation (A), the menu key (M) and the star key (*) on the keyboard. At the output of the diamonds the number 1 means yes, and the number 0 means no.

In Figures 5, 6, 7, the reference DEB means start.

In Figures 5 and 7, the references AI, AII, AIII ... designate the actions, described above during the presentation of the operation of the machine using two examples: the message MN1, the flow diagram of which is shown in FIG. 5, and the message MP0, the flow diagram of which is shown in FIG. 7.

In FIG. 8A, the reference MST in the upper rectangle means "power up", the reference CC in the rectangle following the message MN3 means "load the number", the indication T> L in the rhombus means "value of the composite stamp above the limit (L) ".

In FIG. 8B, the indications T> P and T> C in the diamonds mean value of the stamp greater than the ceiling (P), and value of the stamp greater than the credit (C); the letter E signifies the presence of an envelope. The references R and RL in the diamonds refer to "burst (R)" and "limited burst (RL)". In the rectangles, the mention "Prog AFF" means "franking program".

In FIGS. 9A and 9B the reference CC, appearing in a rectangle, means "load the figure".

The various programs relating to the messages are in the program memory, and it is possible to have all these programs provided for scrolling screen by screen, or for scrolling line by line, or even to have certain message programs for scrolling screen by screen and other message programs for line-by-line scrolling. Whatever the type of scrolling, the texts of the messages in the text memory are the same, the creation of the additional screens for a scrolling line by line being made by the program relating to the message, said program being provided for such scrolling. In line by line scrolling, the first line of each screen, from the second, takes up the second line of the previous screen, in the case of two line screens.

In the case of L-line screens, each screen from the second takes the last L-1 lines from the previous screen; the program is then provided for screens of L lines and scrolling line by line, the program controlling the picking of the first L lines of the message, then picking of L lines by shifting each picking by one line compared to the previous picking. The last screen includes the L last lines of the message.

In the embodiment described with reference to the appended figures, it has been assumed that the display was of the alphanumeric type. If a graphic type display is used, this not only allows scrolling by screens or line by line scrolling as indicated above, but it also allows continuous, slow scrolling in the vertical direction, in which the line of text at the top of the display gradually disappears while a new line of text gradually appears at the bottom of the display. Such a graphic display also makes it possible to modulate the dimensions of the characters displayed.

In the description of the messages, the screen display times are given as examples, these times being fixed when the programs are loaded into the program memory; it is the same with regard to the different times relating to the audible beeps; the screens for which an audible alarm is provided may also be more numerous than those mentioned in the description.

The invention applies to any franking machine, including automatic franking machines in which the envelopes are not presented one by one by the operator, but presented automatically to the machine.

Claims (9)

1 / Franking machine comprising a keyboard (1), a display (2), a calendar clock (3), a microprocessor (4), a program memory (5), a text memory (6), and a memory of work (7) connected to a bus (B), a first set of messages for normal franking operations and a second set of messages for particular operations being stored in the text memory, the program memory containing programs relating to each message of the first and second sets, the second set of messages being accessible by a menu key on the keyboard, pressing said menu key showing a first message (MP0) at the start of the menu comprising options each identified by a different number corresponding to a numeric key on the keyboard, characterized by the fact that said the first message (MP0) at the start of the menu includes an option for setting a postage limit value, prohibiting any postage to a post r higher, said option being identified by a number, that the second set of messages includes a message (MP9) change of the limit value appearing following the choice of the option to set a limit value, for composition of a limit value to using the keyboard, and that the first set of messages includes a message exceeding the postage limit (MN8) appearing following a validation of a postage value greater than the limit value contained in the working memory ( 7), said message MN8) prohibiting any postage. 2 / franking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that in the presence of the message change of the limit value, a limit value composed using the keyboard is displayed, and that following a validation said compound limit value is stored in an area of the working memory at an indication of the limit value. 3 / franking machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the validation of the franking limit value requires simultaneous pressing of a validation key and a star key on the keyboard. 4 / franking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that in the presence of the message exceeding the franking limit only a cancel key on the keyboard is active, an action on said key showing a franking message or menu of the first set of messages, said franking message or menu authorizing normal franking operations or giving access, by a menu key on the keyboard to the first message at the start of the menu, of the second set of messages. 5 / franking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the first message (MP0) has an option for setting a postage ceiling value said option being identified by a number, that the second set of messages includes a message change of the ceiling value (MP8), appearing after the choice of said option to set a ceiling value, for composition of a ceiling value using the keyboard, and that the first set of messages includes a message exceeding the safety ceiling ( MP7) appearing when a postage value is higher than the ceiling value and prohibiting postage. 6 / franking machine according to claim 5, characterized in that a validation of the message exceeding the security ceiling allows postage at a value greater than the ceiling value. 7 / franking machine according to claim 5, characterized in that in the presence of the message change of the ceiling value, a ceiling value composed using the keyboard is displayed, and that following a validation said composite ceiling value is stored in an area of the working memory reserved for an indication of the ceiling value. 8 / franking machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the validation of the composite ceiling value requires simultaneous pressing of a validation key and a star key on the keyboard. 9 / franking machine according to claim 5, characterized in that a machine status message (MP1) of the second set of messages includes an indication of the ceiling value and an indication of the limit value.

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