초록 ▼

In a method and an arrangement for entering data into a scale via a serial interface from the postage meter machine in order to load updating data into the scale via a connecting cable, a reception unit (modem) or a chip card read/write unit of the postage meter machine can be accessed in order to c

In a method and an arrangement for entering data into a scale via a serial interface from the postage meter machine in order to load updating data into the scale via a connecting cable, a reception unit (modem) or a chip card read/write unit of the postage meter machine can be accessed in order to call data from external memory means. Automatic checking of the most recent status of data contents stored in the scale is undertaken on the basis of check data in the postage meter machine using previously stored information about the modification to be made in the future and about the associated validity effective date. Updating in then undertaken, whereby updating data are transmitted via the postage meter machine to the scale after the activation thereof or after a modification takes effect, the data being communicated from an external memory or a chip card or via a communication network from a remote data center.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim as our invention:] [1.] A method for entering data into a scale of a mail processing system, said mail processing system also containing a postage meter machine, said method comprising the steps of:providing a postage meter machine;providing a modemless scale having means for manually ent

[ We claim as our invention:] [1.] A method for entering data into a scale of a mail processing system, said mail processing system also containing a postage meter machine, said method comprising the steps of:providing a postage meter machine;providing a modemless scale having means for manually entering data into said scale;connecting said scale and said postage meter machine via a cable and respective interfaces, and allowing data entry into said scale exclusively by using said cable and said means for manually entering data;initializing said postage meter machine and said scale for permitting said scale to execute routines for calculating postage, for communicating a postage amount to said postage meter machine via said cable in a normal mode, for communicating check data to the postage meter machine via said cable, and for mode switching;automatically checking a most recent status of data content stored in said scale after activation of said scale and said postage meter machine by communication, via said cable, of said check data from said scale to said postage meter machine containing information regarding a data modification which is to become effective at a future validity date, and including transmitting said validity date;compiling location-specific data at least for said scale from an external memory; andlocation-specific initializing said scale and data internally stored therein after a mode switching, and transmitting updated data via said cable from said postage meter machine to said scale from said external memory within a predetermined time window after activation of said scale.