Method for entering data into a scale

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.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for entering 
data into a scale, and more specifically to a method and apparatus for 
entering data into a postal scale connected to a postage meter machine. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
It is known to connect a scale to a postage meter machine via a serial 
interface in order to enter weight information or postage values into the 
postage meter machine. The postage meter machine is utilized for franking 
postal matter and can be equipped with a control unit, memory means, input 
means, a modem and with a chip card write/read unit or other reception 
means, input/output control means, display means and a printer. 
German OS 32 04 906 discloses a scale containing a postage calculator. The 
postage values calculated in the scale are entered into the postage meter 
machine via a separate, external periphery device interface. It is 
standard given changes in postage rates to have a service technician 
instal the new postage fee values at the customer site in the form of a 
non-volatile memory module. In addition to substantial service cost, this 
known approach means that when new postage rates or other charges are to 
take effect as of a specified date, a postage rate table cannot be 
installed ahead of time, thereby risking the presence of out-of-date 
postal information in the scale unless servicing on the effective date can 
be ensured (which is not always able to be accomplished). 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,506,330 discloses a removal of a printed circuit board with 
DIP switches at the address input of a PROM for the selective addressing 
of a memory sector. Postage differences within specific service classes 
can be economically calculated by calculating on the basis of postal zip 
code conversion tables, which have a reduced memory requirement compared 
to geographical information. Although the memory requirement for the 
customer data storing of postal zone tables is thereby substantially 
reduced, the DIP switches must be manually set. 
A similar replaceable memory is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,635,297 for a 
mail processing device having automatic calculation of fee values. This 
memory is accessed via a parallel bus interface and contains a postage fee 
table from which the postage amount is calculated upon entry of the weight 
of a mailing, or further dispatch particulars. A disadvantage of this 
approach is the outlay that arises when the fee values in the table of the 
memory must be modified when a new rate scale takes effect. It is not 
assured that the user of the device will have the replacement of the 
memory undertaken in time for updating. 
German OS 28 03 982 discloses the use of a remote crediting for updating 
the postage fee tables stored in the mail handling machines required when 
a new rate schedule takes effect. Remotely actuated from a central data 
station, the new rate schedule is simultaneously transmitted to a number 
of mail processing machines. Each mail processing machine contains a 
reception means with a modem and a memory drive circuit with which the 
corresponding memory locations-similar to the usual case given a system 
data processor--are addressed by a transmitted address word and are 
overwritten by a transmitted, allocated data word. Initiation of such a 
modification proceeds from the data center when the postal authorities 
modify the postal rate schedules, designations of the destination zones or 
the classification of postal fees. The overriding is monitored by the data 
center with a signal return line. An updating with the new rate schedule, 
however, assumes that the postage meter machines are activated at these 
points in time or can be constantly addressed by the data center. 
An automatic postage scale disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,138,735 has a rate 
PROM that can be equipped with a current postage fee table by radio or 
telephone. Such updating, however, occurs non-simultaneously due to the 
necessity of discretely addressing each postage meter machine with a 
recognition address. This approach requires monitoring the sequence of the 
individual messages in order to exercise control over the respective 
updating status that has been achieved. In addition to the recognition 
address and the revised informational segment containing the postage fee 
table, a revision date section must therefore also be sent. The latter 
serves as an ordering number for the version of the information segment 
just transmitted. Given coincidence of the stored and the transmitted 
revision data segment, the data content of the stored, corresponding 
revision data segment in the automatic postage scale is incremented. A 
disadvantage is that it requires high outlay to avoid having the memory of 
the postage meter machine being filled or overfilled with many unnecessary 
data. Moreover, it is complicated to assure that the call setup on the 
part of the data center is successful. Franking according to valid postage 
fee schedules with portable postage meter machines would require their 
constant readiness to receive, among other things, fee changes. 
When the postage meter machine contains a postage calculator, weight 
information are entered by the scale. A method for data entry into a 
postage meter machine for such a system is disclosed in European 
Application 566 225, employing chip cards or a cellular communication 
network. Known chip cards that have a number of non-volatile memories or 
separately accessible memory areas are successively plugged into a 
write/read unit connected to a microprocessor in order to serially 
transmit data representing different information into the postage meter 
machine. These data stored in the postage meter machine can then be 
accessed during operation thereof. 
The problem of non-simultaneous transmission of tabular data (which is not 
limited only to postal rate data) is solved in the apparatus of European 
Application 566 255 by providing the postage meter machine with first 
means for loading at least one table from a transmission means via 
reception means into a predetermined memory space of a memory means of the 
postage meter machine. Tabular data or information stored in tables in the 
transmission means, particularly in at least one chip card, and can be 
called contingent on certain conditions. At the time the postage meter 
machine is initialized, the aforementioned first means load those tabular 
data from the aforementioned transmission means that meet the conditions 
entered into the postage meter machine (at least two conditions must be 
specified, such as dispatching country and date, name and dispatching 
country or name and date) into the predetermined memory space of a memory 
in the postage meter machine. The postage meter machine also has second 
means in the control module for selecting the current table in force 
and/or information that are available for the functioning of the postage 
meter machine on the basis of further conditions (time of day, password 
and/or other identifiers), whereby the further conditions can be entered 
via third means. These aforementioned third means includes at least a 
memory, display and input means as well as a clock module. 
Among the advantages of this solution is that the postage meter machine 
uses its first means to compare the conditions present in the postage 
meter machine to conditions present in the chip card or in the memory of 
the mobile radio telephone network after activation, or during the 
initialization, of the postage meter machine in order to load allocated 
tables. There is thus no possibility of old data erroneously being used 
because a postage meter machine was not capable of receiving the new data 
from the central because it was turned off at the point in time of the 
transmission or because the transmission was disturbed. A further 
advantage is the completely automatically sequencing, decentrally 
initiated reloading that relieve the user and the data center of the 
burden of initiating and conducting reloading. 
This known postage meter machine is thus not addressed from any central 
location for revising the table; rather, the central transfers the data to 
a decentralized memory of the transmission means. From there, the data are 
called by each postage meter machine at various points in time but still 
before the official change of the fee schedule. The postage meter machine 
therefore has a second means in its control module for selecting from the 
central offering corresponding to the aforementioned conditions. 
The advantage of this solution is thus the elimination of the calling a 
postage meter machine and the addressing thereof by the data center or by 
a transmitter. The call setup thus ensues decentrally, proceeding from 
each postage meter machine to the memory in the aforementioned 
transmission means. Of course, it can be assumed for the data center that 
the data prescribed by the central memory are not falsified. Each table is 
thus fundamentally available for each postage meter machine. Storage of an 
address of each postage meter machine is therefore not required in the 
transmission means. 
Third means form selection means for the table in this known postage meter 
machine, the clock/date module and the input means for date and 
dispatching country being included. These are located in the postage meter 
machine and generate the conditions in conjunction with the use thereof. 
When the postage meter machine is then switched on and when at least the 
aforementioned, two conditions (dispatching country and date, name and 
date or dispatching country and name) are present, a transmission of the 
tabular data ensues after the standard initialization. Advantageously, the 
transmission of further tabular data is also enabled by additionally 
entered, further conditions such as the time of day and/or an identifier 
(name or password). 
It is also advantageous that the way in which this known postage meter 
machine is used has no influence on what data fill its memory. The tabular 
data which are present in stored form in the machine are thus defined by 
the use of the postage meter machine. Time is, in fact, needed at the 
beginning to transmit the tabular data. The necessity to store all data in 
the postage meter machine from the very outset, however, is eliminated 
since at least a part of the data can be subsequently transmitted. 
A disadvantage of this known approach is that it cannot simply be 
transferred to a system in which the postage meter machine does not 
contain a postage calculator but wherein the scale contains a postage 
calculator and the calculated postage values are entered into the postage 
meter machine by the scale. To this end, the mail processing system would 
have to be equipped with a further reception means or chip card write/read 
unit, so that the memory content of the scale can be correspondingly 
updated. For data entry by differently authorized users and for avoiding 
the difficulties due to the limited memory space on a chip card, it has 
been proposed to employ a plurality of chip cards simultaneously plugged 
into respective write/read units. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,218 discloses an automatic transmission system having a 
plurality of slots for chip cards. In addition to a chip card for 
reloading credit and accounting purposes, whereby the postage fee value to 
be printed is subtracted from the credit, a further chip card (a rate chip 
card) is also employed for a postage fee table. The aforementioned postage 
fee value is identified with the assistance of this rate chip card. The 
rate chip card, however, must be constantly accessed: calculating time is 
thus used for the communication with the write/read units and, conditioned 
by the serial interface, the data flow is lower than, for example, given a 
parallel interface. The device also becomes too large and too expensive 
due to the presence of a plurality of write/read units. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus 
for undertaking data entry into a scale in uncomplicated fashion for a 
plurality of users. 
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for 
entering current data into a scale that is based on a broad use of the 
chip cards or of some other communication means and that can be 
economically implemented. A further object is to satisfy the demand for 
updating the postage rate table stored in the scale at the right time. 
It is a further object to create a mail processing system that includes a 
scale and a postage meter machine which can be optionally or alternatively 
supplied with updating data from a data center via a communication 
connection, whereby the call setup for the purpose of communication ensues 
decentrally proceeding from the mail processing system. 
The above objects are achieved in a method and apparatus in accordance with 
the principles of the present invention wherein the existing, serial 
interface to the postage meter machine is used for updating the postage 
rate table, even in mailing systems having a scale without a modem 
connection or reception means for a mobile or telephone network. 
In a preferred version, a corresponding set of chip cards carrying 
respectively different data can be made available to the user and can be 
used for a sequential data input, whereby updating data are transmitted 
via a write/read unit of the postage meter machine and via a serial 
interface to the scale and are stored in non-volatile fashion in a memory 
of the scale. It is sufficient to make use of the sole chip card 
write/read unit already present in the postage meter machine when updating 
data must be loaded, or for the loading of a new table with updating data, 
particularly new postage rate table. Alternatively, it is possible to load 
updating data into the mail processing system by means of remote data 
transmission, preferably via modem, whereby the initiative again proceeds 
decentrally from the aforementioned mailing system at the customer site. 
The invention also permits planning an early preparation of postage rate 
tables which contain a scheduled modification of the postage rate values, 
so that these can be made accessible to all postal customers before the 
change officially takes effect. It is important to equip the majority of 
users with a current postage rate table ahead of the official effective 
date instead of attempting to do so simultaneously, as was heretofore 
tried. Each user of the mail processing system receives a message from the 
data center regarding what portion of the relevant data contents shall be 
initially modified and is thus in the position to implement the 
corresponding data updating when the updating data have become valid. 
A first data transmission initially ensues from the scale to the postage 
meter machine in order to transmit the check data from the postage rate 
table stored in the connected scale to the postage meter machine, and a 
validity check of the scale data or of the postage rate table is 
undertaken in the postage meter machine on the basis of the check data, 
this validity check being monitored by the data center at time intervals. 
In the internal validity check of the postage meter machine, the date or 
the time the data take effect is taken into consideration for check data 
of the data stored in the scale as well as for the information relating to 
future, current scale data. Preferably, the corresponding conditions for 
the selection of the tabular data to be loaded are essentially the name of 
the table segment to be modified in future and the date the aforementioned 
table segment takes effect. Since not all parts of the conversion table 
are required when the mail processing system remains at the same location, 
a further limitation of the selection can be undertaken dependent on 
location. Likewise, a part of the aforementioned name can include a 
location-dependent reference in order to facilitate the selection. 
When the validity check shows that a loading of a new table or new parts of 
a table, is required for updating the data stored in the memory of the 
scale, a second data transmission ensues from the memory of the 
transmission means to the postage meter machine in which a tabular data 
packet, or parts thereof, are initially intermediately stored and are then 
transmitted to the scale. 
It is unavoidable that not as much data as may perhaps be desirable can be 
currently stored in a single chip card. Given increased data processing 
outlay, however, it would be possible to store only such data reduced to 
the necessary data set in compressed form in a chip card. 
Under the control of the postage meter machine, the tabular data packets 
are first completely transmitted from the transmission means to the 
postage meter machine in a first version and are stored therein, and are 
only then communicated to the scale. In a second version, each tabular 
data packet is immediately transmitted into the corresponding memory of 
the scale and is stored therein. 
Only control data for the transmission to the scale are stored in the 
postage meter machine in the aforementioned second version. At the end of 
the transmission, a corresponding signal is generated by the postage meter 
machine and communicated to the scale which switches to normal operation 
after sending a corresponding handshake signal (ACK signal) and after a 
decompression of the data for storage or when the transmission has been 
ended. The scale includes a postage calculator for supplying the postage 
meter machine with corresponding postage values, and that the postage 
meter machine has a printer, preferably for digital printing. After the 
receipt of the ACK message transmitted by the scale in the postage meter 
machine, and when no further data are to be read from the transmission 
means, the postage meter machine is likewise switched into normal 
operation, or into the standby mode when no postal matter is to be franked 
with a postage value. 
The invention also makes use of the method and apparatus of European 
Application 566 255 by virtue of the operating system of the postage meter 
machine--in conjunction with a communication and operating system of the 
card--accessing the memory of the chip card and reading its contents when 
one of the users of the postage meter machine plugs his or her personal 
chip card into the chip card write/read unit. 
Proceeding on the basis of the fact that the user can employ a plurality of 
specific chip cards for the intended scale or postage meter machine 
function, in accordance with the method of the invention, the chip card 
need not remain in the machine for the implementation of operations. 
The invention additionally permits the use of a chip card sent to the user 
for a location input and location-dependent modification of the place name 
in the postmark or advertising slogan. The loading of the aforementioned, 
location-dependent modification is preceded by a change in location with 
corresponding log-off and log-on of the location and the transmission of 
an authorization, or the sending of a corresponding chip card to the 
postage meter machine. The corresponding data are non-volatily stored in a 
memory of the postage meter machine in a manner comparable to the other 
communicated, setting data. 
In the case of a portable, moveable mail processing system, as is required 
if the user who leases such a system moves frequently, there is a possible 
need to be able to initialize the scale for locally different, current 
tariffs, even for newly added mail carriers. According to the on-demand 
principle, updating data are reloaded into the scale of the mail 
processing system in order to assure a postage calculation according to 
current rate schedules. When the loading of a new postage rate table is 
required, a modem of the postage meter machine can be advantageously used 
for remote data transmission, other updating data also being capable of 
being loaded into the mail processing system therewith. 
In the normal mode, the scale is operated as master and a postage meter 
machine is operated as slave, whereby the postage meter machine receives 
the calculated postage fee. Inventively, an automatic check of the data 
contents stored in the scale by the postage meter machine ensues in order 
to undertake a mode switching as required. After the mode switching, the 
scale is operated as slave in order to reload updating data. 
A scale to be activated waits for a duration limited interval for a message 
from the postage meter machine for mode switching, whereby the scale is 
switched into the slave condition when the postage meter machine 
recognizes an updating requirement. After an uneventful elapse of the 
aforementioned interval, the scale remains in the master condition (normal 
mode). 
Beginning with the recognition of an updating requirement, the postage 
meter machine operates as master until the updating has been concluded. 
Otherwise, i.e. without an updating requirement, the postage meter machine 
remains in the slave condition (normal mode). 
A location-specific offering of data for the scale from an external memory 
via a communication network is preceded by an input of the postal zip code 
into the scale. In one version, wherein only an input of the location can 
be undertaken, for example with a scale keyboard instead of by remote data 
transmission, an input can be made after the turn-on in the initialization 
of the scale which, for example, is activated by a new user after a change 
in location. A further step of the aforementioned initialization allows a 
set of selected mail carriers to be defined, for example with the scale 
keyboard. The aforementioned set includes at least one mail carrier 
possible for the location, and for whom the postage rate table 
corresponding to the current schedule is loaded as soon as the postage 
meter machine has recognized an updating requirement. The data center 
supplies a list of mail carriers--to whom a code is assigned--regularly or 
at predetermined points in time. Upon input of the allocation code in the 
aforementioned step for defining a set of mail carriers following the step 
for location input and after transmission of the check data, the check 
again ensues in the postage meter machine that identifies an updating 
requirement and controls the updating. Image component data are thereby 
loaded into the postage meter machine in order to modify at least the 
place name and the postal zip code in the postmark corresponding to the 
change in location. The data center has a data bank in which 
aforementioned postal zip codes (zip to zone) are stored allocated to 
critical parts of the franking format. A standard logo of the mail carrier 
can thus be correspondingly modified (for example, according to the method 
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,657). 
An automatic input can be made in a version of the invention with remote 
data transmission, for example with a modem, and communication of the 
location from the local exchange. After the activation in the 
initialization of the scale, a communication requirement is formed which 
is communicated to the postage meter machine. Controlled by the postage 
meter machine, an editing of data for the scale and for the postage meter 
machine automatically ensues after turn-on. 
The location-specific offering of data ensues with a card-shaped 
transmission means or with an external memory on the basis of a 
communication network (modem, mobile radio telephone). Modern telephone 
and mobile radio telephone services allow a definition of location to be 
undertaken on short notice by the data center. 
The call number of the calling terminal is transmitted to the called data 
center and is evaluated therein. The data center has a data bank in which 
the aforementioned call number parts (place identifiers) are stored 
allocated to critical parts of the franking format. The data bank of the 
data center registers an allocation of machine number, location and loaded 
handler constellation for each postage meter machine, and there is the 
possibility to change the prior location name or the prior handler 
constellation by entering the location or by defining a new set of mail 
carriers. If the minimum validity duration for the schedules stored in the 
scale is exceeded and a different set of mail carriers was defined, the 
data center is automatically dialed. 
The inventive solution thus allows a change in location to be 
unproblematically undertaken without requiring the sending of a module for 
new postage rate table memories or without making it necessary for a 
service technician to arrive on site. Considerable costs of re-equipping, 
particularly of leased systems, are thus advantageously saved. 
Advantageously, the input means (chip card, telephone connection) which are 
present in the postage meter machine are also utilized for the scale. An 
advantage of the inventive solution is in the mobility for an entire mail 
processing system including a postage-calculating scale, whereby the 
change in location can be registered in the data center. 
The portable postage meter machine/scale arrangement recognizes the 
changing conditions and enters into a communication connection with an 
external memory either on its own initiative or after a corresponding 
input and automatic recognition of an updating requirement. The postage 
meter machine then controls the data transmission to the scale. For 
further mail carriers (such as Trans-O-Flex, UPS and/or other carriers) in 
addition the Deutsche Post AG in Germany or for the USPS in the USA, a 
solution is advantageously created of loading the location, a 
corresponding logo for the respective carrier, and the valid rate schedule 
of the respective carrier into the system without having to intervene in 
the system either mechanically or with a service technician.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The mail processing system shown in FIG. 1 comprises a serial interface 
connecting cable 24 from a postage meter machine 1 to a scale 2. The 
postage meter machine 1 is equipped with a modem terminal or with a 
telephone connection given an internal modem, with a chip card write/read 
unit and with a serial interface RS-232, preferably on the rear of the 
housing. 
The basic structure of the postage meter machine 1 and of the scale 2 that 
allow the inventive method to be implemented are explained in FIG. 2 on 
the basis of a block circuit diagram. 
In the housing of the postage meter machine 1, and input and output 
interfaces 4 (a display), 8 (a keyboard), 20 (a card write/read unit), 22 
and 23 are connected via an input/output control unit 6 to a processor 
system a either directly or via a bus. The display 4 is connected to this 
bus via an interface 61. The processor system includes a processing and/or 
memory region which is security-protected in a manner designed to 
frustrate unauthorized flankings and is composed of at least one memory 3, 
a clock/date module 9, a control unit 5 containing a print controller 14 
and a processing unit (CPU) 5a, and special circuits (not shown, and 
described in more detail below) which are preferably a component of a 
battery-supported (non-volatile) memory (CMOS-NV-RAM) in the clock/date 
module 9 and/or a component of a non-volatile memory (EEPROM) in the 
memory 3. 
The memory 3 is composed of a plurality of permanent and temporary, 
non-volatile memories in a known manner. Together with the CPU 5, a part 
of the memory 3 forms a protected postal area within the processor system. 
A permanent memory of the memory 3 of the postage meter machine 1 contains 
programs for a communication via interfaces 20, 22, 23 with the external 
input sources. These external input sources can be a chip card 10, the 
scale 2, and a telephone line connection to a remote data center DZ. 
(Various types of chip cards are discussed below; the chip card 10 is 
representative of each of these types.) 
The base of the postage meter machine is composed of a printer module 7 and 
a power electronics/actuator/sensor module 11 that contains an energy 
supply and control for the drives (paper transport, printer, ribbon, tape 
generator). Further peripheral input/output means (not shown) can also be 
connected to the processor system, coupled directly or indirectly to any 
component of the processor system and/or via the input/output control unit 
6. 
The mail processor system also has a reception stage 33 or containing a 
modem unit 23 which may be an internal modem in the postage meter machine 
1 or alternatively a modem interface for an external modem. The system 
also has an RS-232 interface 22 in the postage meter machine 1 and an 
RS-232 interface 25 in the scale 2. Communication with a remote data 
center DZ is enabled via modem and a communication within the mail 
processing system between the postage meter machine and the scale 2 is 
enabled via the aforementioned RS-232 interfaces 22 and 25 and a 
connecting cable 24 therebetween. 
The communication of information comprising name and validity date (of 
certain data) to the postage meter machine 1 ensues from the data center 
DZ, for example in a communication mode during recrediting. Alternatively, 
some other form of notification can be selected. For example, a chip card 
10 can be sent to the customer site at which the postage meter machine 1 
is located, which contains the aforementioned information in addition to 
the further updating data, or a postage rate table in a separate memory 
area which is immediately interrogated by the user, or whose information 
is immediately loaded into the postage meter machine. The actual 
transmission of the new schedule only ensues later as needed. Portable 
mail processing systems that are not activated in the meantime, or are not 
ready to operate, also receive such updating data ahead of the effective 
time immediately upon being turned on. This is especially assured by the 
monitoring of the check data communicated from the scale and monitoring 
the information loaded in the aforementioned way with the collaboration of 
the clock/date module 9 powered by a separate energy source. A decision is 
made on the basis of the date set for the postmark whether the data in the 
scale 2 identified by the check data are still current or whether 
information is already present necessitating that these data must be 
updated. When, the conditions for "official" updating are present, or have 
matured to require that updating data be loaded, a specific chip card (of 
which chip card 10 is representative) identified by an identification 
number must be plugged into the slot of the write/read interface 20 of the 
postage meter machine 1 in order to load a corresponding table section 
into the scale 2. 
Alternatively, an external memory with updating data can also be provided 
in a communication network and can be addressed by a corresponding 
communication connection. Assuming an intermediate storage in a 
transmission means and an automatic acceptance of the current schedule by 
the postage meter machine 1, tabular data packets are then transmitted 
into the scale 2 under the control of the postage meter machine 1. 
As noted above, the mail processing system has a modem unit 23, which may 
be a modem or a modem interface for the connection of an external modem, 
in order to load data into the postage meter machine 1 or the scale 2. In 
a first embodiment a communication network that contains a memory with the 
callable data and/or a flag for reloading auxiliary functions and 
information into the postage meter machine is utilized as a first 
transmission means. 
Alternatively, the transmission means can be the chip card 10 that is 
brought into contact with the chip card write/read interface unit 20 
serving as an input means. 
The interface motherboard of the chip card write/read unit 20 is connected 
to a serial interface of the postage meter machine. At least six contacts 
are provided and the data exchange between the unprotected and/or the 
protected card memory area and a non-volatile memory of the program memory 
of the postage meter machine 1 is automatically serially undertaken in the 
framework of a communication protocol as soon as the chip card 10 has been 
plugged into the contact receptacle in the card-receiving slot. 
In addition to being used for entering location, a personal chip card of 
the user also can be used as a second transmission means for setting an 
advertising slogan dependent on the cost center, as disclosed by European 
Application 566 225. The user-related settings for the cost center and for 
the advertising slogan via the keyboard 8 of the postage meter machine 1 
that are otherwise acquired are thus eliminated. Additionally, a 
corresponding postmark or slogan text is communicated for setting in order 
to be able to modify the existing print image data already stored in 
conformity with the change in location. 
German OS 40 33 164 discloses accessing a chip card that contains new 
advertising slogan data in one of its two memory areas during printing. 
Differing therefrom, however, the advertising slogan in the present 
apparatus and method need be only partially reloaded and these parts are 
reloaded only once after a change in location. 
An arrangement and a method for modifying advertising text parts for 
postage meter machines is disclosed in German OS 42 21 270 corresponding 
to U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,925 and, of course, can also be utilized for the 
allocation of semi-variable window data, which are related to the place 
name in the postmark, to the other data. Differing from this known 
approach, however, the text part is not edited with the input means of the 
postage meter machine 1 of the invention. On the contrary, the authorized 
text part is merely reloaded. 
This type of reloading is especially provided for digital printing methods 
which allow variable or semi-variable window pixel field data to be 
embedded into constant frame pixel field data. Such a method for 
controlling column-by-column printing of a postage stamp format in a 
postage meter machine is disclosed, for example, in European Application 
578 042. 
The postage meter machine 1 is equipped with a non-volatile memory for a 
plurality of advertising slogans respectively allocated to the cost center 
of the user and with a chip card write/read unit 20 and thus enables a 
more frequent change of cards for a plurality of users. 
A procedure for loading or updating data is stored in the aforementioned 
special circuits that are present in the non-volatile memory areas of the 
clock/date module 9 and/or of the memory 3. The protected postal area of 
the processor system of the postage meter machine can, for example, be 
fashioned as an ASIC--in a way not shown here--, so that the executive 
sequence cannot be manipulated in unauthorized fashion. 
An input/output port 26 that is in communication with the internal bus 43 
of the processor 27 of the scale 2 is connected to the RS-232 interface 25 
of the scale 2. Such a bus includes data, address and control lines. 
The scale 2 is a modemless scale and has input and output units 42 (a 
keyboard) and 41 (a display) connected to the processor 27 via an I/O port 
40 and also has a memory 28 connected to the processor 27 via the internal 
bus 43 for storing the operating software of the scale, a memory 29 for 
storing application data (for example, selected dialing numbers) and a 
memory 30 for storing updating data (for example, the postage tables). 
Other than the cable 24 and the input unit (keyboard) 42, the scale 2 has 
no other means for entering data therein ("data" meaning electronic data 
since the scale 2, of course, obtains weight data when an item is placed 
on its weighing pan). For calculating the weight, a weighing cell 50 is 
connected via an A/D converter 51 to the processor 27 and direct 
connections also serve the purpose of resetting (reset) or taring (tara) 
the weighing cell 50 by the processor 27. 
When, in normal mode, the scale 2 is connected to the postage meter machine 
1, the two collaborate in master/slave operation, whereby the scale 2 
commands have priority. The scale 2 is master and the postage meter 
machine 1 is slave. When, for example, a selective printing number is 
entered via the keyboard 42 of the scale 2 and is communicated to the 
postage meter machine 1, the selected print appears next to the franking 
at the left during printing (valuation, postmark, advertising slogan). 
Selected printings are combinations of type of mailing (for example, 
letter) and form of mailing (for example, registered), and can be 
programmed into the scale 2 according to the imprint configuration of the 
postage meter machine. 
All necessary inputs are undertaken via the keyboard 42. Important 
information such as, for example, the weight of the postal matter and the 
postage calculated on the basis of the postage rate table are shown on the 
display 41. 
Updating data can be loaded when the scale 2 is switched into the updating 
mode. The updating data relate to various application data and, in 
particular, to the postage rate table that is to be entirely or partially 
modified. In the updating mode, the postage meter machine 1 is master and 
the scale 2 is slave. 
As a memory medium for the updating data, the scale 2 has a flash-EEPROM 
30. Before loading the new postage rate table or corresponding updating 
data, the memory areas in the flash-EEPROM 30 that contain the old postage 
rate table or the data to be modified must be erased. 
If the memory for updating data flash-EEPROM 30 has a sufficiently large 
memory capacity, the memory area can be advantageously divided into zones. 
A lower memory area is employed for the postage table, a second memory 
area can be employed for other settings of the scale, for example for 
sorting the zip-to-zone conversion tables for the USA. When postage values 
are to be calculated in the USA, then the destination point (destination 
zip code) becomes necessary for the postage calculation beginning at a 
specific weight. 
A separate conversion table exists for every location. When the scale 2 is 
initialized for its location, then the corresponding zip-to-zone 
conversion table is read from the memory for updating data in the 
flash-EEPROM 30, and the table is compressed and is stored in the memory 
EEPROM 29 for application data of the scale 2. An initialization for the 
respective location is thus always included in the updating of the postage 
rate table. When, for example, the location is to be moved to a different 
city, changes must be entered into the postage meter machine 1 (place name 
and the postmark) and into the scale 2. The postage meter machine 1 can 
monitor the current nature of the input or setting to the location. 
In the updating mode of the scale 2, compressed data are read into the 
internal RAM 34 of the processor 27 in one embodiment and are decompressed 
with the assistance of the operating software stored in the EPROM 28. In 
another embodiment, compressed data are read in the internal RAM 34 of the 
processor 27 in the updating mode of the scale 2, and only specific data 
blocks are decompressed with the operating software stored in the EPROM 
28. All conversion tables can be stored compressed in the memory for 
updating data in the flash-EEPROM 30 but all postage rate tables can also 
be stored decompressed therein. 
For reading the zip-to-zone conversion table into the memory for 
application data, EEPROM 29, the corresponding chip select line CS3 from 
the processor 27 is directly or indirectly activated via a connected 
switch 32. Only the conversion table of the location that is read out of 
the application data EEPROM 29 is required when calculating postage. 
In a first embodiment of the flash-EEPROM 30, which operates with 
simplified, or without, special protocol and which is shown in FIG. 2, 
upon request an addressable auxiliary circuit 31 applies a 12 volt 
programming voltage to the flash-EEPROM 30 when, for example, postage 
tables are to be stored. 
A programming voltage of 5 volts is required for another embodiment (not 
shown) of the flash-EEPROM 30. Moreover, a specific protocol must be 
processed in order to erase and program the module. 
To protect against unintended or unauthorized erasing, it is advantageous 
for the aforementioned auxiliary circuit 31 is to be expanded to form a 
programmable security means. This security means formed by the circuit 31 
can be integrated in the memory 30. It is therefore inventively provided 
that the scale 2 has first means that include memories 28, 29, 30, display 
and input unit 41 and 42, as well as the circuit 31 forming programmable 
security means, to prevent unauthorized erasure of data blocks in the 
memory 30 for updating data. 
The arrangement for data entry into the scale 2 of the mail processing 
system requires control by the postage meter machine 1 that for loading at 
least one table from transmission means via reception means into a 
predetermined memory area of a memory of the postage meter machine 1. It 
is inventively provided that, after initialization of the postage meter 
machine 1 in conformity with the conditions entered into the postage meter 
machine 1, (at least two conditions: name and date), the updating data or 
information (stored as data blocks in the transmission means such as the 
chip card 10 and which can be called linked to these conditions) are 
loaded into the predetermined memory space of the memory 3 and/or the 
clock/date module 9 of the postage meter machine 1. The postage meter 
machine 1 has means in the control unit 5 for checking the check data for 
the currently valid table data of the scale 2 communicated from the scale 
and/or for checking information available in the postage meter machine 1 
in order to, if necessary, undertake a mode switch when a reloading 
requirement is found on the basis of the aforementioned conditions (name 
and valid date or date setting). This can ensue, for example, by means of 
hardware and software of the clock/date module 9. 
At least one postage rate table is present in callable fashion in the 
transmission means such as the card 10 and, the control unit 5, upon 
initialization of the postage meter machine 1, controls the reception 
stage 33 (including the modem 2) and/or the write/read unit 20 for loading 
of at least one postage rate table for the scale 2 from the chip card 10 
(or other transmission means) into a predetermined memory space of the 
memory 3 and/or the clock/date module 9. The control unit 5, on the basis 
of the dispatching country or location and the date entered via the card 
10 or other transmission means, selects the currently valid postage rate 
table with which the postage fee is calculated. The control unit 5 also 
implements a reloading routing to update the data content in the memory 30 
for the updating data of the scale 2 with new updating data. For the 
updating data of the scale 2, the memory 30 has at least memory areas for 
the postage rate tables, conversion tables and for the authorized 
location. Control data for the transmission to the scale 2 are stored in 
the memory 3 and/or the clock/date module 9 of the postage meter machine 
1. 
Moreover, the control unit 5 generates an appropriate signal at the end of 
the transmission and communicates this to the scale 2. The CPU 27 and the 
transmission monitor 44 of the scale 2 switch the scale 2 into the normal 
mode after checking and sending a corresponding handshake signal (ACK 
signal) and after a decompression of the data for storage, or when the 
transmission is ended and after an initialization. 
The invention has the advantage that the usual replacement of the postage 
EEPROM of the scale 2 is eliminated. Instead, a new postage rate table is 
entirely or at least partially loaded from the transmission means into the 
scale 2 via the postage meter machine 1. The corresponding updating data 
are stored in the memory of a chip card or a communication network or in 
the data center. In order to be able to load the updating data, the 
content of the chip card is read out and is then supplied first to the 
postage meter machine 1 via the serial interface and then to the scale 2. 
FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a data input procedure for the scale 2. After 
the activation of the scale 2 in step 220, the execution for the scale 2 
starts, after initialization in step 221, according to the required mode 
selection for the mail processing system (scale=master, postage meter 
machine=slave). The serial interface of the postage meter machine 1 is 
selected in the following step 222 so that a data transmission can ensue 
in step 223 to the postage meter machine 1. Check data are a constituent 
of a first message from the scale 2 to the postage meter machine 1. In the 
next step 224, the scale 2 waits for a corresponding handshake signal 
(ACK). If no such signal arrives or if an NACK signal (non-acknowledge) is 
communicated, a branch is made following check step 255 via the step 228 
for error reporting beck onto the step 224. Otherwise, given an ACK 
signal, the scale 2 waits in step 226 for a message from the postage meter 
machine 1 that the mode is to be switched in order to proceed into the 
updating mode of the scale 2 and in order to modify at least the content 
of one data block. In step 226, the reception data register in the I/O 
port 26 of the scale 2 is monitored. If no such message arrives within a 
defined time interval, the scale 2 (master) remains in the normal mode and 
can then be correspondingly operated in step 240 in order to calculate 
postage values and transmit them to the postage meter machine 1 (slave). 
If, however, a message for mode switching arrives during the time interval, 
a corresponding handshake signal is sent to the postage meter machine 1 in 
step 229 and a branch is then made to step 230 in order to select the 
flash-EEPROM 30 and to correspondingly set the start address derived from 
the name of the at least one data block. 
The address in order to erase the flash-EEPROM 30 by sectors is applied in 
step 231. A check is carried out in step 232 to determine whether the last 
address has been reached. When this is the case, a branch is made to step 
233 in order to apply the start address to the flash-EEPROM 30 and in 
order to wait for the data transmission from the postage meter machine 1. 
Otherwise, a branch is made back to step 231 in order to erase the next 
sector. 
A data transmission can now ensue from the postage meter machine 1, the 
data coming from internal memories (such as the memory 3 and/or the 
clock/date module 9) of the postage meter machine 1 and/or from external 
sources, for example from the chip card 10. 
In step 234, the reception data register in the I/O port 26 of the scale 2 
is monitored and the received data block is mad out (235) and stored in 
the internal RAM 34 of the processor 27 of the scale 2. The transmission 
monitor 44 in the I/O port 26 monitors a time value or other relevant 
values in order to identify an end or an interruption of the data 
transmission and in order to generate an ACK or an NACK signal as 
warranted. In step 236, a corresponding handshake signal is then 
communicated to the postage meter machine 1. In the following step 237, 
the processor 27 determines whether the transmission is at an end in order 
to then branch back to the initialization step 221 of the scale 2 or, if 
the transmission has not yet been ended, to branch to the step 238. In 
this step 238, the flash-EEPROM 30 is now selected in order to write in 
the data blocks. Subsequently, in step 239 the flash-EEPROM 30 address is 
incremented or advanced in order to be able to write in a further data 
block. To that end, a branch is again made back to steps 234 and 235. When 
the monitoring has been ended, an automatic editing of application data 
can ensue in the initialization in step 221. As dictated by a data block 
identifying the location, which is likewise identified with name and valid 
date, the corresponding zip-to-zone conversion table is then written 
decompressed in the memory means for application data, EEPROM 29. In step 
222, the serial interface of the postage meter machine 1 is then again 
selected. In step 223, check data are read out from the EEPROM 29 and are 
communicated to the postage meter machine 1. 
Such check data relate to the names of relevant data blocks that can be 
updated and to the associated valid date. At least one bit sequence for 
such changes that become valid beginning with a certain date or which are 
to be undertaken immediately is present in every data block. 
FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a data input procedure for the postage meter 
machine 1 that, at the points referenced a-f, is correlated with the 
corresponding flowchart of the scale shown in FIG. 3. 
After the start (step 120), in an initialization of the postage meter 
machine 1 ensues in step 121, a determination is made to determine whether 
the scale key has been pressed and a switch is thus made into the 
corresponding mail processing system mode. The postage meter machine 1 now 
operates as slave and the scale 2 operates as master. In step 122, the 
serial interface of the scale 2 is selected. Subsequently, in step 123, 
the postage meter machine 1 waits for a data transmission from the scale 2 
wherein check data are communicated. When the data transmission has ensued 
(step 124), a branch is made to step 125 in order to communicate a 
corresponding handshake signal to the scale 2. Otherwise, a branch is made 
back to step 123. In step 126, the postage meter machine 1 enables an 
evaluation of the communicated check data on the basis of the main and 
valid date of each relevant data block. In step 127, a decision can now be 
made as to whether the loading of new updating data is required. If not, 
the normal mode 136 is reached. 
Corresponding to the evaluation in step 126, i.e. when new updating data 
must be loaded (step 127), a communication about the mode switch to be 
undertaken ensues in step 128. 
The postage meter machine 1 now operates as master and the scale 2 operates 
as slave. As was already set forth in conjunction with FIG. 3, the scale 
software is consequently likewise brought into a corresponding routine 
which enables a modification of the data in the corresponding memory 
areas. 
In step 129, the postage meter machine 1 waits for a corresponding 
handshake signal from the scale 2 with an error message (not shown in FIG. 
4) being generated if no handshake signal or when an NACA signal is 
communicated. If an ACK signal is communicated, a branch is made to step 
130. Dependent on how the postage meter machine 1 has been configured, a 
reloading of updating data now ensues from an external source via modem 23 
(steps 131-135) or via the chip card write/read unit 20 (step 140). 
Subsequently, a branch is made back to the initialization step 121. The 
postage meter machine 1 now operates again as slave. 
In the aforementioned steps 131-135, a flag for a communication is set in 
step 131, and in step 132 a display routine is executed to display the 
reload data before a communication is conducted in step 133. Data 
transmission in this communication takes place in step 134, and in step 
135 a check is made to determine whether the updating was successful. If 
the communication was not successful, steps 132, 133 and 134 are repeated. 
If the communication was successful then, as noted above, a branch is made 
back to the initialization step 121. 
After the check steps 122-127, the mail processing system continues to 
operate in the normal mode for because no loading of further updating data 
is required. A branch is therefore made to the system routine in which 
input and other criteria are interrogated. An automatic check according to 
step 126 can thereby also be undertaken when the date setting is modified 
in order to frank mail in the future. The interrogation step 127 is then 
reached again in order to prevent mail to be sent in the future from being 
franked with the superseded schedules. 
In the updating mode for the scale 2, further chip cards can also be read, 
as was described in European Application 566 225 in order to load data 
into the postage meter machine 1. First transmission means are employed 
for a location-specific editing of window data for the postmark or 
auxiliary functions for the postage meter machine 1 and current 
information for a permanent and/or temporary configuration of at least one 
scale 2, and second transmission means are employed for user-associated 
setting of the postage meter machine. 
The first transmission means can be the integrated chip card 10 and a 
second chip card (not shown) can be employed as the second transmission 
means, each of these respectively have a memory with the fetchable data 
blocks for reloading updating data into the scale 2 and/or information and 
auxiliary functions into the postage meter machine 1 as well as updating 
data into the scale 2. 
FIG. 5 shows a detailed flowchart for reading data from the chip card 10 
according to step 140 shown in FIG. 4. Following point I, the card 
identifier of that chip card 10 that must be plugged into the slot of the 
postage meter machine 1 first for updating is displayed in step 141. In 
step 142, a check is then made to determine whether the corresponding chip 
card 10 has been plugged in. If no card has been plugged in, a branch is 
made via step 143 back to point I, this sub-routine being repeated 
executed until, for example, a time window for plugging in a card has 
expired. Otherwise, a branch is made via step 144 for error reporting to 
the step 154, and a display is informed that the end of the time window 
for plugging in has been reached before the point m, and thus before the 
next step or according to FIG. 4, the point i is reached. This leads to 
the repetition of the executive sequence that has already been set forth 
until the current nature of the data was capable of being produced. If the 
card 10 is plugged during the time window, the protocol with the 
write/read unit 20 of the postage meter machine 1 is begun in step 145, as 
described in FIG. 5 of European Application 566 225. Only the content of 
the data blocks to be read from the chip card 10 differs and is intended 
to be loaded into the scale 2. 
With these data blocks, the postage meter machine has begun in step 146 to 
read tabular data from the chip card 10. This aforementioned step 146 
includes sub-steps 1461-1464 for the routine for reading the tabular data 
out of the chip card that are described in greater detail in FIG. 6. 
After this, the serial interface to the scale 2 selected in step 147 before 
step 148 with the reloading routine for tabular data is reached. 
The reloading routine called in in step 148 for the postage meter machine 1 
in order to implement a data transmission to the scale 2 is set forth in 
greater detail in FIG. 7. 
In the following step 149--shown in FIG. 5--, the identifier of the chip 
card 10 is interpreted in order to identify the next required chip card 10 
that is to be plugged into the slot. In step 150, the control units of the 
postage meter machine 1 can now decide whether further chip cards must be 
read in order to load further updating data or whether the end of the 
routine, and thus point m, has been reached with step 154. Otherwise, a 
display is made in display step 152 that the chip card having the 
displayed number should be removed and a check is made in the check step 
153 whether the chip card having that number was removed. When this has 
ensued, a branch is made back to point I in order to request the plug-in 
of the next chip card in the display step 141. Otherwise, a branch is made 
back to the display step 152. 
According to FIG. 6, the routine for tabular data read-out from the chip 
card 10 includes the sub-step 1461 for reading the tabular data packet 
out, the sub-step 1462 for selecting the NV-RAM 3 and/or the clock/date 
module 9 in the postage meter machine 1 into which tabular data are to be 
entered and intermediately stored in the following sub-step 1463. It is 
thereby possible to intermediately store a portion of the complete data in 
order to transfer this portion into the scale 2 immediately in step 148. 
If adequate memory capacity is present, however, all or most of the data 
to be transmitted can be initially intermediately stored at first in the 
postage meter machine 1, then being forwarded only when the scale 2 is 
connected. In the latter instance, an inquiry is made in sub-step 1464 to 
see whether all required data have been read from the chip card 10 in 
order to otherwise branch back to the sub-step 1461 in point s. In the 
former instance, an inquiry is made (not shown in FIG. 5) in sub-step 1464 
following the step 148 preceding the point t to determine whether all 
updating data required at the time have been read from the chip card 10 in 
order to otherwise branch back to the sub-step 1461 in point s. 
When updating data have been read out and when the serial interface to the 
scale 2 was selected in step 147, the reloading routine 148 (shown in FIG. 
7) for the postage meter machine 1 has been reached. In order to implement 
a data transmission to the scale, a sub-step 1481 is first implemented in 
order to wait for a handshake signal from the scale 2 in sub-step 1482. In 
sub-step 1483, the next address is then generated, preferably by 
incrementation, and a check is carried out in sub-step 1484 to determine 
whether the last address has been reached. A branch can then be made to 
point t. Otherwise, a branch is made back to sub-step 1481. The routine is 
provided for the aforementioned, latter instance but can also be adapted 
to the former instance in which fewer addresses have to be interrogated. 
FIG. 8 shows a data block stored in the external memory means. In addition 
to the actual updating data, such a data block contains the name of this 
data block and the associated valid date of when the modification takes 
effect. The name of such an aforementioned data block includes the name of 
that mail carrier, or its carrier identification number CIN, who has 
supplied the postage rate table. The updating data include a validity 
timespan, or an earliest validity date, particularly with respect to a 
postage rate table. 
As noted above, the scale 2 is connected to the postage meter machine 1 via 
interfaces 22 and 25. An automatic modification of the most recent status 
of stored data contents in a postage meter machine 1 for the setting 
thereof ensues within a time window after activation when the data 
effecting the modification and/or flags are loaded from an external memory 
into a memory area of the non-volatile memory 3 and/or the non-volatile 
memory of the clock/date module 9. In conjunction with, in particular, a 
loading by modem, the method for data input into the scale 2 of the mail 
processing system includes the further, following steps: 
I) Initialization of the postage meter machine 1 and of the scale 2 that 
are connected to one another via interfaces and via a connecting cable 24, 
for postage calculation, for communicating the amount of postage in the 
normal mode, for data communication of check data to the postage meter 
machine, and for mode switching; 
II) Automatic checking of the most recent status of data contents stored in 
the scale 2 after the mail processing system has been switched on, with 
reference to check data communicated to the postage meter machine 1 and on 
the basis of information about the modification to be undertaken in future 
and about the relevant valid date that were previously stored in the 
postage meter machine 1; 
III) Location-specific editing of data for at least the scale 2 from an 
external source via a communication network, for reloading at least the 
updating data into the scale 2; 
IV) Updating the internally stored data after mode switching, whereby 
updating data are transmitted via the postage meter machine 1 to the scale 
2 in a step 134. 
The implementation of steps I-IV assumes a postage meter machine 1 
connected to the scale 2, this postage meter machine comprising a 
correspondingly programmed processor system as described above. A 
permanent memory, which is a component of the memory 3 of the postage 
meter machine 1, contains programs for communication from an external 
source via modem 23 or reception stage 33 or read/write unit 20 or for a 
communication with externally connected devices via interfaces 21 and 22 
(FIG. 2). 
The reception means formed by one of the reception stage 33, the modem 23 
or the read/write unit 20 are in a communicative connection with the CPU 
5a of the postage meter machine 1. The CPU 5a is programmed to load the 
updating data and/or information from the external source into the memory 
3 and/or the clock/date module 9 after initialization or after the postage 
meter machine 1 is turned on in conformity with the at least two 
conditions (name and date) that have been input and are stored in the 
postage meter machine 1. 
The CPU 5a is in an operative communication with an (aforementioned) 
circuit programmed to: 
(i) check the check data communicated by the CPU 27 and I/O unit 26 of the 
scale 2 to the postage meter machine 1 for the tabular data of the scale 2 
currently in effect and/or checking the information that are available in 
the postage meter machine 1 in order to potentially undertake a mode 
switching when a reloading requirement has been found; and 
(ii) store control data for the transmission of updating data to the scale 
2 in the write/read memory 3 and/or in the clock/date module 9 of the 
postage meter machine 1. 
Via the I/O port 26, the processor 27 of the scale 2 is connected to the 
auxiliary circuit 31 operating as security means to prevent unauthorized 
erasure of data blocks in the memory 30 for updating data, and is also 
connected to memories 29 and 30 for updating the contents thereof with the 
aforementioned updating data. Under control of the operating software 
stored in the memory 28, the processor 27 of the scale 2 is programmed: 
for location-specific initialization of the scale; 
for communicating a calculated postage fee; 
for data communication of check data to the postage meter machine 1; 
for mode switching and for updating the corresponding data stored in 
memories 29 and 30. 
For location-specific initialization of the scale 2 in conjunction with 
modem and mobile radio telephone services that allow a location 
determination to be undertaken by the data center DZ in a short time, data 
are formed in the scale 2 in a step 221 (FIG. 3) and are transmitted to 
the postage meter machine (in step 223, FIG. 3), the data being 
interpreted therein as a reloading requirement (in step 126, FIG. 4). For 
example, the data for such a reloading requirement can be formed by 
overwriting with a predetermined data value or by erasing the names for 
country, region (in Germany, sate in the USA) or place in a sub-step of 
step 221. 
The data that relate to a change of location and that are to be previously 
authorized by the data center DZ can, of course, only reach the recipient 
when the recipient's telephone number agrees on site. In one embodiment, 
the postage meter machine 1 is programmed to communicate the telephone 
number of its connection to the data center DZ. In another embodiment, the 
determination of location is supplied by the customer's telecommunication 
service provider. 
Telephone and mobile radio telephone services allow a location 
determination to be undertaken in a short time by the data center during a 
single call when the postage meter machine 1 calls the data center DZ and 
data that unambiguously identify the calling party are inserted between 
the selection signals by the locally responsible exchange. An analog modem 
utilized in the data center DZ is corresponding programmed to filter out 
such local identification data out. To that end, it is necessary that the 
selection signals are communicated to the data center DZ using dual tone 
multi-frequency signalling (DTMF). 
If a digital modem is used, particularly an ISDN modem, the ISDN system 
feature "identify the calling terminal" can be advantageously utilized 
from the telephone terminal equipment to which the postage meter machine 
is connected. That part of the telephone number that unambiguously 
identifies the terminal equipment is generated by the telephone exchange 
to which the terminal is allocated. 
If a location entry is to be made via a chip card 10, an authorization must 
be previously obtained. This is time-consuming but allows a registration 
of the location for the respective mail processing system in the data 
center DZ. The location-specific editing of data optionally ensues with a 
card-shaped transmission means or with external memories on the basis of a 
communication network (modem, mobile radio telephone), corresponding to 
the existing type of postage meter machine 1. 
In another embodiment, an input of the location is undertaken, for example, 
with the scale keyboard 42 instead of by remote data transmission or chip 
card. The scale 2, for example, is turned on by a new user after having 
been moved from one place to another. Such an input possibility is 
available present after the activation in a sub-step of step 221 of the 
initialization of the scale 2 by entering the postal zip code PLZ into the 
scale 2. After entry of the last numeral (the PLZ in Germany has five 
places and that part of the zip code to be entered in the USA has three 
places), the input is automatically accepted. Independently thereof, an 
updating can be implemented after such an initialization under the control 
of the postage meter machine 1 via a communication network or transmission 
means, whereby a location-specific editing of data for the scale 2 and the 
postage meter machine 1 ensues in an external memory. 
The scale can be initialized before the storing of application data for the 
respective location otherwise an authorized text part for the location in 
the postmark must be loaded into the postage meter machine 1 when a change 
in location has been undertaken. This requires a data communication of 
check data to the postage meter machine 1 so that a determination 
regarding the presence of an updating or reloading requirement can be made 
therein. 
The CPU 5a of the postage meter machine 1 determines a reloading 
requirement on the basis of the conditions offered in the write/read 
memory 3 and/or by conditions predetermined by a clock/date module 9 of 
the postage meter machine 1 (name and valid date or, respectively, date 
setting). The updating data or information for the postage meter machine 1 
and for the scale 2 can be available as data blocks stored in the 
transmission means such as the chip card 10 or in a memory arranged 
externally of the postage meter machine 1 and being fetchable therefrom 
when predetermined conditions are present. 
The aforementioned flowchart of a data input procedure for the postage 
meter machine 1 shown in FIG. 4 is explained in greater detail for a 
loading by modem. When a corresponding handshake signal (ACK signal) 
reaches the postage meter machine 1 in step 129, a branch is made to step 
130. For example, the postage meter machine 1 has been configured at the 
factory such that a reloading of updating data from an external memory 
ensues by modem 23 (steps 131-135). 
A reloading requirement found by the postage meter machine in step 126 
(FIG. 4) is evaluated as a transaction request in step 127 and for 
communication in step 133. The aforementioned, predetermined conditions 
(name and valid date or date setting) are previously communicated by the 
aforementioned reception means in the postage meter machine 1 in 
conjunction with the CPU 5a and the aforementioned special circuit and by 
the keyboard 8. These conditions may alternatively have been supplied from 
the scale 2 by means of the keyboard 42 and the CPU 27 and I/O unit 26 via 
interfaces 22 and 25. The conditions are stored in the write/read memory 
3. 
FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a subroutine that is executed in the postage 
meter machine 1 for the purpose of an automatic communication by modem in 
the step 133, after step 132 (displaying) and before step 134 (data 
transmission) for updating. A recognized transaction request in sub-step 
1331 of the step 133 leads to the display of the data and the status in 
sub-step 1332 in order to subsequently branch--after an initialization of 
the modem and dialing of the data center DZ (telephone number) in sub-step 
1333--to a sub-step 1334 for setting up the connection to the data center 
DZ. If an initialization of the modem and dialing cannot be successfully 
implemented in sub-step 1333, a branch is made via sub-step 1330 for 
display of the status back to sub-step 1331. A branch is likewise made 
back to sub-step 1331 if it is found in a sub-step 1335 placed following 
sub-step 1334 that the call setup is not properly ensuing and if it is 
found in sub-step 1337 that the connection cannot be setup even after n 
redialings. As long as the minimum number of redialing attempts is less 
than n, a loop is executed from sub-step 1337 to sub-step 1334, wherein 
another attempt to set up a communication is made, which is checked in 
sub-step 1335. 
When, however, the call setup has ensued properly and it is found in 
sub-step 1336 that one of the transactions has not yet ended, an automatic 
reloading with data ensues in sub-step 1338. 
A determination is made in sub-step 1338 as to whether an error status has 
occurred that can be overcome by a renewed call setup to the data center 
in order to branch via q back to sub-step 1334. A further finding is made 
in sub-step 1338 as to whether an error status has occurred that cannot be 
eliminated in order to branch back to the sub-step 1330 via w for the 
purpose of status display. When a transaction has been implemented, 
further transactions can be implemented, whereby a branch is made back to 
sub-step 1335 via r. When the connection is still intact, a check is 
carried out in sub-step 1336 to determine whether all transactions have 
been implemented or whether the last transaction has been concluded in 
order then to branch back to sub-step 1331 via the sub-step 1330. The flag 
for a transaction request is reset in sub-step 1338 with the end of the 
last transaction. A branch is thus made from sub-step 1331 to step 134 in 
order to transmit selected data communicated to the postage meter machine 
1 to the scale 2. 
The automatic reloading with data in sub-step 1338 includes specific 
handling routines that are explained in greater detail in conjunction with 
FIGS. 10 and 11. The method offers a location-specific editing of window 
data for the postmark or of auxiliary functions for the postage meter 
machine, and also supplies current information for a permanent and/or 
temporary configuration of at least the scale 2 by a communication network 
that contains a memory with fetchable data blocks for loading auxiliary 
functions and information into the postage meter machine 1 and updating 
data into the scale 2. 
FIG. 10 shows a routine for combining communicated image component data 
with other (basic) image data, the basic image data being stored in the 
postage meter machine 1. The routine enables a location-specific editing 
of window data for the postmark for the purpose of imprinting on a piece 
of mail with the postage meter machine 1. 
FIG. 11 shows a routine for handling communicated tabular data in the 
postage meter machine 1 that are subsequently transmitted to the scale 2 
(in step 134). 
The routine 900 of FIG. 10 and the routine 1000 of FIG. 11 respectively 
comprise a sub-step 909 or 1009 for sending request data to the data 
center DZ. 
The request data were already formed in step 126 (FIG. 4) when an updating 
requirement is present. Following sub-step 1336, the point p is reached 
for the sub-step 1338 (FIG. 9) when one of the transactions has not yet 
been ended. The routine 900 for combining communicated image component 
data into other image data according to FIG. 10 implements a sub-step 
910--following the sub-step 909--for sending request data to the data 
center DZ in order to select a non-volatile memory area in the postage 
meter machine 1 into which the requested data are later intermediately 
stored. Following sub-step 910, a branch is made via the sub-step 911 for 
receiving and decoding the data packet communicated from the data center 
DZ to a sub-step 912 in which a first processing of the data ensues. 
Particularly given high transmission rates as allowed, for example, by 
ISDN modems, an intermediate storing and, if necessary, a subsequent 
decompression given packeted data ensue. A split (separate) storage of 
data parts can now ensue, these relating to: processing status, data set 
(header, version information), modified data for a control data file and 
for information, as well as image component data that are required for 
generating a complete pixel image. After this, a sub-step 913 of the start 
is reached in order to set an identifier for the operating status. This is 
required in order, even given a program abort due, for instance, to an 
interruption in the operating voltage, to conserve the current program 
status that has been achieved in non-volatile fashion in order to continue 
the program from this point after the return of the voltage. In the 
following sub-step 914, the data are then interpreted in a modification of 
the control data file in order subsequently to implement the required 
changes in sub-step 915 and insert the allocated image component data. The 
modification data of the control data file and the image component data 
are entered and stored in non-volatile fashion. A check is made in the 
following inquiry step 916 to determine whether the modification has ended 
or whether further modifications of the control data file must still be 
undertaken. If the modification has ended, a branch is made to sub-step 
917 in order to enter the data set. Otherwise, a branch is made back from 
step 916 to sub-step 914 in order to implement further modifications. 
When the data set was entered in sub-step 917, a check of the sub-image 
data for integrity can ensue in sub-step 918. An unmodified image part 
remains initially preserved in a part of the memory area available for 
access as warranted if the integrity of the data is not established or if 
a voltage failure occurs. A status identifier dependent on the processing 
status that has been achieved is thereby interpreted, as was described, 
for example, in European Application 572 019. In order to assure the 
validity of the image component data, an encrypted checksum 
security-protected such as, for example, by a message authentification 
code (MAC), can be applied, as in detail in co-pending U.S. application 
entitled "Method for Improving the Security of Postage Meter Machines," 
(Ser. No. 08/525,923 filed Sep. 8, 1995 and assigned to the same assignee, 
Francotyp-Postalia GmbH, as the present application) for slogan image 
data. 
From the inquiry step 919, given the data integrity, a branch is made to 
sub-step 920 or, when integrity of the data is not present, a branch is to 
be made to sub-step 921. The processing is canceled in sub-step 921, 
whereby the unmodified image component data are accessed and a branch is 
made to point w after an error message is generated in sub-step 922. Given 
a proper execution and integrity of the data, a non-volatile storage of 
the updating data is undertaken in sub-step 920, whereby the memory areas 
containing unmodified image component data are overwritten. The next 
action or transaction is then called and a branch is made to step r, 
whereby a branch is made to point p of step 1000 via the inquiry steps 
1335 and 1336 according to FIG. 9. Otherwise, if no next action or 
transaction is required, a branch is made to point r and the status 
display in sub-step 1330 according to FIG. 9 is reached via the inquiry 
steps 1335 and 1336. 
The routine 1000 for handling communicated tabular data in the postage 
meter machine 1 shown in FIG. 11 includes a sub-step 1009 for sending a 
data request to the data center DZ. A sub-step 1010 is then implemented in 
order to select a non-volatile memory area in the postage meter machine 1 
in which the requested data can be intermediately stored later. Following 
the sub-step 1010, a branch is made via the sub-step 1011 for receiving 
and decoding the data packet communicated from the data center DZ to a 
sub-step 1012 wherein a start processing status for a data processing is 
set. The first processing of the data then ensues in sub-step 1013. After 
intermediate storage and, if necessary, following a subsequent 
decompression given packeted data, storage of the data set that belongs to 
a complete postage rate schedule of a mail carrier then ensues. Such a 
data set has a header, version information, sub-table data and a data set 
and identifier (DEK). After this, a sub-step 1014 is reached for checking 
for complete reception of the communicated data packet. Given 
completeness, a branch is made to a sub-step 1015 in order to set an end 
identifier as the processing status. Such an identifier is required so 
that, given a program abort due, for example, to an interruption in 
operating voltage, the program can be continued at this point after the 
return of the voltage. In the following sub-step 1020, the next 
transaction or action is called and thus a branch is made for the further 
implementation of the executive sequence shown in FIG. 9 in order to 
transmit the intermediately stored updating data to the scale 2 in a later 
step 134. 
If an improper executive sequence is found in sub-step 1014, the point q is 
reached. By branching to sub-step 1334 according to FIG. 9, a further 
attempt can be started in order to transmit the required sub-table data. 
The sub-steps 1335-1336 are thereby executed and the point p according to 
FIG. 11 is then reached. 
After a first data transmission to the postage meter machine 1 in step 223 
(FIG. 3) via the connection a, a handshake signal is sent (step 125) after 
the reception of the data (step 123 in FIG. 4) given a successful data 
transmission (step 124) before step 126 (FIG. 4) is reached for the 
interpretation of the data and for forming the data request. The reception 
of the handshake signal leads to a mode switch in the scale 2 in step 227. 
For preparing for the updating, the processor 27 also interrogates the 
stored, most recent carrier setting in order to identify the start address 
in the flash EEPROM 30 of the scale 2 (step 230, FIG. 3). 
The routine 126 for evaluating communicated check data and for forming a 
data request in the postage meter machine 1 is described in greater detail 
with reference to FIG. 12. 
If a finding is made in sub-step 1261 that check data have been 
communicated from the scale 2 to the postage meter machine 1, a branch to 
sub-step 1262 is made. Otherwise, given non-communication thereof, a 
branch is made back to the start via a sub-step 1260 for error reporting. 
A comparison of predetermined data areas of the check data to non-volatily 
stored, corresponding, predetermined comparison data areas ensues in 
sub-step 1262 so as to be able to identify changes that have occurred or 
that have been entered. Specific inquiries ensue in the following 
sub-steps 1263-1265 in order to form specific request data in the 
appertaining sub-steps 1266-1268. If the machine location has changed, 
whereby the country, the region and/or the place was newly entered, a 
branch is made from sub-step 1263 to the sub-step 1266 in order to form 
request data together with the current date and carrier and to store them. 
The transgression of the validity date is checked in sub-step 1264, this 
validity date being allocated to each carrier-specific table, in order 
then to form and store request data together with the current location and 
carrier in step 1267. A new input of a field name is evaluated in sub-step 
1265, tables and information being specifically identified therewith 
before branch is made to sub-step 1268 in order to form and store request 
data. A branch is made directly to the next step 127 only if no 
modifications are detected in the inquiries 1263-1265. 
The CPU 5a of the postage meter machine 1 is programmed by control data 
stored in the memory 3 and/or in the clock/date module 9 of the postage 
meter machine 1 and by the aforementioned, special circuit to: 
determine the conversion or postage rate table currently in force on the 
basis of the request data relating to dispatching country or place and 
relating to the date stored in the clock/date module 9 the postage meter 
machine 1, the request data having been previously loaded from an external 
source or via a chip card 10 and/or the keyboard 8 of the postage meter 
machine 1 or the keyboard 42 of the scale 2 and having been intermediately 
stored in the memory 3; 
automatically check the most recent status of data contents stored in the 
scale 2 on the basis of check data communicated to the postage meter 
machine 1, with previously stored information about the modification of 
the validity date to be undertaken in future; 
switch modes in the case of a reloading requirement; 
transmit stored data sets to the postage mater machine 1 from an external 
source or the chip card 10 corresponding to the dispatching country or 
location and the date that have been entered; 
transmit data sets intermediately stored in the memory 3 and/or the 
clock/date module 9 of the postage meter machine 1 to the scale 2 via the 
interfaces 22 and 25 in order to update the data content in the memory 30 
for the updating data in the scale 2 with a reloading routine with new 
updating data, whereby the memory means 30 for the updating data of the 
scale at least has memory areas for the postage rate table, for conversion 
tables and for the authorized location, and whereby the updating ensues 
within a time window after activation; 
store new control data for the transmission of updating data to the scale 2 
in the write/read memory 3 of the postage meter machine 1. 
FIG. 13 shows an overall flowchart for the postage meter machine with 
updating mode and with normal mode. Steps 120-135 are executed in the 
updating mode, as was already explained in conjunction with FIG. 4. In 
step 126 for evaluating check data, the sub-steps 1260-1268 previously 
explained with reference to FIG. 2 are executed before a branch is made to 
the inquiry step 127. If request data were formed in step 126, then new 
updating data are to be loaded and a branch is made from the inquiry step 
127 (if the result of the inquiry is affirmative) to steps 128-133 in 
order to undertake a mode switch to operate the postage meter machine 1 as 
master and to load the required updating data into the postage meter 
machine 1 in conformity with the request data. A transmission of those 
updating data that are required by the scale 2 to the scale 2 ensues in 
the following step 134. A successful updating of the data stored in the 
scale 2 is determined in step 135 and a branch is then made back to the 
initialization routine, whereby the mode switching is in turn canceled. 
The postage mater machine 1 is again in the slave status in steps 122-127. 
The scale input data that were transmitted to the postage meter machine 1 
in step 123 are now called in step 201. The communicated scale input data 
relate to selective imprint, carrier identification number CIN, possibly 
to the minimum validity duration of the postage rate belonging to the CIN 
and to the calculated postage fee for a weighed piece of mail, as well as 
potentially to the measured value of the weight. If the minimum validity 
duration of the postage rate table pertaining to the CIN is present in the 
postage meter machine 1 allocated to the CIN, the minimum validity 
duration need not be communicated from the scale. After a communication of 
the selected CIN from the scale 2 to the postage meter machine 1, an 
updatable allocation table in the memory 3 or in the clock/date module 9 
is called in order to determine the minimum validity duration or the 
validity timespan, this being interpreted in step 126 by comparison to the 
date that is currently set, or that is stored in non-volatile fashion in 
the clock/date module 9. 
After conducting the inquiry in step 127, and if the result of the inquiry 
is negative, meaning that no updating date are to be loaded, the normal 
mode 135 is reached and the postage meter machine is again in the slave 
status. The data can be overwritten or modified in step 209 with the input 
means of the postage meter machine 1 or other inputs can be actuated and 
displayed. An automatic print data input with protected data also ensues 
for preparing for the print-out, as was disclosed in greater detail in the 
aforementioned co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/525,923. Following 
step 209, the point e is reached, i.e. the beginning of a communication 
mode 300, and an inquiry is made in step 301 to determine whether a 
transaction request is present. In a sub-step 310 the state of the 
communication mode 300 is displayed, including sub-steps to establish 
communication with the data center DZ, to conduct a transaction, to reload 
a balance due and other data, if a transaction request is present, by 
virtue of an affirmative answer to the inquiry in step 301. When this is 
not the case, the communication mode 300 is exited and the point f is 
reached, i.e. the operating mode 290. If relevant data were communicated 
in the communication mode, then a branch is made to the step 213 for data 
interpretation. A statistics and error evaluation is implemented in step 
213 in order to acquire further current data that, after branching to the 
system routine 200, can likewise be called in step 201. If 
non-communication was bund in step 211, a branch is to be made to step 
212. 
A check is now made to determine whether corresponding inputs have been 
actuated in order to proceed (if the check is affirmative) into the test 
mode 216 given a test request 212, or into a display mode 215 given the 
desire for a register status check 214. If this is not the case, the point 
d, i.e., the franking mode 400, is automatically reached. A branch is then 
made from the franking mode 400 to point e when the piece count credit has 
been used and a communication with the data center DZ must be activated in 
order to be able to continue franking. A branch is made from the flanking 
mode 400 to the point f in order to enable a data entry with the postage 
meter machine keyboard in step 209 as long as a signal for a print output 
request was not yet generated. If, however, a piece of mail was 
recognized, the print output request was generated and a franking was 
implemented, then a branch is made back to point u. 
As a result of the aforementioned branch-back, the check data communicated 
from the scab 2 to the postage meter machine 1 in step 123 can be 
evaluated before each and every franking in step 126 to determine whether 
an updating of the data stored in the scale 2 or in the postage meter 
machine 1 is required. 
The normal mode 240 of the scale 2 is reached according to FIG. 3 when no 
mode switching on the part of the postage meter machine 1 has been 
signaled in the predetermined time interval. After an uneventful, 
duration-limited waiting of the scale 2 for a corresponding message in 
step 226, the end of the time interval is found in the inquiry step 227 
and a branch is made to the normal mode 240 of the scale 2. 
FIG. 14 shows a flowchart for the scale 2 in the normal mode 240 in more 
detailed form. The normal mode 240 has sub-steps 243-246 for an inquiry of 
a key actuation that was undertaken in sub-step 241. A finding is made in 
sub-step 242 as to whether a key input was actuated before a branch is 
made to step 243. Inventively, the interrogation of a predetermined key to 
which a specific postal carrier was allocated in step 221 during the 
initialization of the scale 2 ensues in sub-step 243, 244, 245 or 246. A 
corresponding allocation of a start address ensues in sub-steps 247-250 
dependent on the actuation of a predetermined key. A selection possibility 
between four locally available postal carriers was created in the 
exemplary embodiment, however, an embodiment with only one locally 
available postal carrier can also be realized. In the latter instance, 
when them is no selection possibility, the inquiry steps 243-246 for the 
postal carriers allocated to the keys are eliminated. The scale 2 then 
operates according to the schedule of that postal carrier for whom the 
initialization ensues (allocation of a set to carriers). In sub-step 246, 
for example, a fourth carrier is found for whom the start address of the 
memory EEPROM is set in sub-step 250. Subsequently, a CIN is identified in 
sub-step 251 corresponding to a stored allocation to an actuated key 
before a branch is made back to sub-step 241 for the purpose of further 
inputs. On the other hand, if a carrier was not found in sub-steps 243-245 
nor was a fourth carrier found in sub-step 246, a branch is made to 
sub-step 252 for the interpretation of further inquiries. The 
interpretation thereby ensues in view of the mailing parameters of type, 
form and destination. In the determination of the postage, the selective 
imprint to be transmitted is selected from the EEPROM on the basis of a 
key combination that has been set. If no suitable selected imprint is 
stored for the key combination that has been set, a selective imprint 
having the value 0 is transmitted in order to make it clear that no 
selective imprint is available. 
Subsequently, an inquiry for table entries is implemented in sub-step 253. 
When a table entry corresponding to the combination that has been set is 
found, a branch is made to sub-step 259 to identify the weight class. The 
actual postage calculation ensues in the following sub-step 260, whereby 
the processor 27 is programmed as control means for calculating and, 
later, data transmission of the postage and/or for data communication of 
check data to the postage meter machine 1 as well as for mode switching by 
the memory 28. In accord with the postage calculation, the value in the 
postage accumulator of the CPU 27 is then updated in sub-step 261. 
Subsequently, a search for further data entries is made in sub-step 262 
and a branch is made back to sub-step 252. Otherwise, when no further 
table entry corresponding to the combination that has been set is found, a 
branch is made to sub-step 254 in order to emit the intermediately stored 
value in the postage accumulator of the CPU 27. A corresponding status 
variable is emitted in the following sub-step 255. The status that has 
been reached is interrogated in the inquiry step 256 and is thereby 
interpreted such that a branch to the error output in sub-step 257 is made 
when the status is unequal to 0. In this case, no data transmission to the 
postage mater machine 1 ensues; rather, a branch is made back to the input 
routine in sub-step 241. Otherwise, given a status equal to 0, a branch is 
made to the sub-step 258 in order to compile a data set that is to be 
communicated to the postage meter machine 1. To this end, a branch is made 
back to point v in FIG. 3 in order to subsequently select the serial 
interface of the postage meter machine 1 in step 222 and to then start the 
data transmission to the postage meter machine 1 in step 223. 
As noted above, the scale 2 has an I/O unit 26 connected to the processor 
27 as well as an interface 25 connected to the I/O port 26 which is 
coupled via a connecting cable 24 to the interface means 22 of the postage 
meter machine 1. 
In the method for data entry into the scale 2 of the mail processing 
system, whereby the scale 2 is connected to the postage meter machine 1 
via interfaces 22 and 25, the following steps are executed: 
Initialization (step 221) of the scale 2 after activation (step 226) of the 
scale 2; 
Initialization (step 121) of the postage meter machine 1 after the 
activation (step 120) of the postage meter machine 1; 
Mode selection for the mail processing system; 
Selection (step 122 and step 222) of the respective interface of the 
postage meter machine 1 and of the scale 2 for preparing a data 
transmission; 
Data transmission to the postage meter machine 1 and acknowledge of the 
ensued data transmission; 
Switching the mode (steps 127 and 227) for the postage meter machine 1 and 
for the scale 2 into the updating mode when an updating requirement is 
identified; and 
Switching back (steps 127 and 227) into the normal operating mode (steps 
136 and 240) when an updating requirement is no longer present. 
The method is further characterized by a location-specific compiling of a 
list on the part of the data center DZ in order to undertake entry of the 
postal zip code into scale 2 in a first sub-step of the step 221 for 
initialization and by location-specific compiling of data for the scale 2 
from an external source via a communication network. In one embodiment the 
scale 2 is activated by a user after a change in location and that the 
input of the postal zip code is undertaken with the scale keyboard 42 
after the activation in the aforemention sub-step of the step 221 for the 
initialization of the scale 2. 
In another embodiment, following a change in location, the scale 2 is 
activated by a user and the input of the postal zip code into the scale is 
automatically undertaken with a chip card 10 or with a mobile radio 
telephone or communication network after the activation via the postage 
meter machine 1 following a mode switch and a branch is then made back to 
step 221 of the initialization of the scale 2 in order to complete the 
initialization for the new location. 
The scale 2 is correspondingly programmed that a communication requirement 
is formed and communicated to the postage meter machine 1 after the 
activation in a sub-step of the step initialization of the scale. A 
communication of the location can ensue from the local exchange within the 
framework of a service during a teletransmission of data. Corresponding 
location information is communicated into the scale 2 by the postage meter 
machine 1 during the step 134. Controlled by the postage meter machine 1, 
data for the scale 2 and for the postage meter machine 1 are automatically 
stored. 
The arrangement for data input into a mail processing system that contains 
a scale 2 and a postage meter machine 1 is based on a processor system of 
the postage meter machine 1 in order to load at least one table from a 
transmission means into a predetermined write/reed memory of the postage 
meter machine 1 via reception means. It is also inventively provided that 
the aforementioned means of the postage meter machine 1 store control data 
for the transmission to the scale 2 in the memory means of the postage 
meter machine 1, and that the control unit 5 is programmed to the switch 
the postage meter machine 1 into the normal mode after receipt of an ACK 
message sent by the scale 2 to the postage meter machine 1 and when no 
further data are to be read from the transmission means, or to switch the 
postage meter machine 1 into the standby mode when no mail is to be 
franked with a postage value. 
Although modifications and changes may be suggested by those skilled in the 
art, it is the intention of the inventors to embody within the patent 
warranted hereon all changes and modifications as reasonably and properly 
come within the scope of their contribution to the art.