Configuration enablement of franking system

• US 20020133471A1
• Filed: 02/21/2002
• Published: 09/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Stutz, Peter, Eskandari, Fetneh
• Application Number:
  US10/081,316
• Publication Number:
  US 20020133471A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/401
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16547 the wipers and caps or spittoons being on the same movable support
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1752 Mounting within the printer
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 1/08 with means for advancing the articles to present the articles to the separating device B65H1/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2220/01 indicating an entity as a function of which control, adjustment or change is performed, i.e. input
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2220/02 indicating an entity which is controlled, adjusted or changed by a control process, i.e. output
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2220/11 indicating that the input or output entities exclusively relate to machine elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/321 Standing on edge
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/4214 of articles on edge
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2405/35 Means for moving support
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2511/13 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2511/51 Presence
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2513/40 Movement
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2555/13 magnetic, e.g. induction motors
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2601/321 Access
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/1916 Envelopes and articles of mail
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 29/18 and introducing into a pile
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 3/04 Endless-belt separators
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 31/06 the articles being piled on edge
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 5/00 Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines B65H9/00 takes precedence; identical mechanisms or parts for delivering or advancing articles from machines B65H29/00; recirculating articles B65H85/00 , G03B27/6257
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/102 using ink jet print heads
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00024 : Physical or organizational aspects of franking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00193 : Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00467 : Transporting mailpieces postal sorting B07C
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00048 : Software architecture
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00056 : Client-server
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00137 : In a LAN
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00145 : via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00177 : from a portable device, e.g. a card or a PCMCIA
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00241 : Modular design
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00258 : Electronic hardware aspects, e.g. type of circuits used
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00282 : Touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/0029 : Soft buttons; buttons that can change function
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00322 : Communication between components/modules/parts, e.g. printer, printhead, keyboard, conveyor or central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00427 : Special accounting procedures, e.g. storing special information
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00491 : Mail/envelope/insert handling system
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00516 : Details of printing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00677 : Keeping track of mailpieces inside apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00935 : Passwords

Abstract

A method and system for customizing a computerized system having a plurality of operating features, including selecting at least one independent parameter from a predefined list of parameters for selecting at least one of the operating features of the customized computerized system, and storing the independent parameter in a parameter set. The at least one of the selected operating features is enabled by selecting at least one secondary parameter from a predefined list of secondary parameters, wherein the secondary parameter are associated with the at least one independent parameter, and at least one secondary parameter is stored in the parameter set. At least one dependent parameter is determined for configuring the computerized system, wherein the dependent parameter is generated from a predefined list of dependent parameters in accordance with the parameter set, and the dependent parameter is added to the parameter set. A compilation of parameters is installed in the customized computerized system, where the compilation of parameters is generated from the parameter set, wherein the compilation of parameters enables the selected operating features of the customized computerized system.

Claims

1. A method for customizing a computerized system having a plurality of operating features, including the steps of:

selecting at least one independent parameter from a predefined list of independent parameters for selecting at least one of the operating features of the customized computerized system, and storing the selected independent parameter in a parameter set;

selecting at least one secondary parameter from a predefined list of secondary parameters for enabling the at least one of the selected operating features, wherein the secondary parameters are associated with the at least one independent parameter, and storing the at least one selected secondary parameter in the parameter set;

determining at least one dependent parameter for configuring the computerized system, wherein the dependent parameter is generated from a predefined list of dependent parameters in accordance with the parameter set, and adding the dependent parameter to the parameter set;

installing a compilation of parameters in the customized computerized system, the compilation of parameters generated from the parameter set, wherein the compilation of parameters enable the selected operating features of the customized computerized system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of installing the compilation of parameters in the customized computerized system includes the step of storing the compilation of parameters in a chip card for installing in the customized computerized system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of installing the compilation of parameters in the customized computerized system includes the steps of:

transmitting the parameter set to a third party;

receiving the compilation of parameters from the third party, wherein the compilation of parameters is an authorization code; and

entering the authorization code in the computerized system to enable the selected operating features.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of transmitting the parameter set to the third party includes

the step of transmitting the parameter set via the internet, and wherein

the step of receiving an authorization code from the third party includes receiving the authorization code via the internet.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of selecting at least one secondary parameter, further includes the steps of:

selecting carrier parameters for defining at least one carrier operating feature; and

selecting default parameters for defining the independent parameters which are required for enabling operating features of the customized computerized system and have not been selected.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of selecting at least one dependent parameter includes the steps of:

determining a unique serial number for the at least one of the selected operating features of the customized computerized system, and

adding the unique serial number to the parameter set.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the customized computerized system is a franking system.

8. A method for customizing a franking system, comprising the steps of:

providing a franking system having a plurality of disabled operating features;

selecting at least one of the plurality of disabled operating features from the plurality of disabled operating features for enabling for use in the franking system;

storing the at least one of the selected disabled operating features in a parameter set;

generating an authorization code based on the parameter set for enabling the selected disabled operating features of the franking system; and

entering the authorization code into the franking system wherein each of the selected disabled operating features are enabled.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein in the step of providing the franking system having at least one of a plurality of disabled operating features, operating features can include a dynamic scale or a static scale.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein in the step of providing the franking system having a plurality of disabled operating features, one of the operating features is a type of accounting system.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of generating an authorization code based on the parameter set for enabling the selected operating features of the franking system includes the steps of:

transmitting the parameter set to a third party; and

receiving the authorization code from the third party.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein in the step of transmitting the parameter set to a third party, the third party is a franking system manufacturer.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of generating the authorization code includes the steps of:

providing the parameter set to a third party via an internet system; and

receiving the authorization code from the third party via the internet system.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein for each of the selected disabled operating features in the parameter set, determining if an additional operating feature is necessary for operation of the selected operating features, and if so, including the additional operating feature in the parameter set.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of determining if an additional operating feature is necessary for operation of the selected operating features includes determining a postal carrier for which the franking system will be used.

16. The method of claim 8, further including the step of determining a unique serial number for the at least one of the selected disabled operating features and the additional operating feature for each of the selected disabled operating features, and adding the unique serial number to the parameter set.

17. The method of claim 8, wherein in the step of entering the authorization code into the franking system, the entry of the authorization code determines the enabling and disabling of a unique group of operating features, which are not the same as the operating features which are enabled and disabled by the entry of another authorization code.

18. The method of claim 8, wherein in the step of entering the authorization code into the franking system, the authorization code is received from a data carrier into the franking system.

19. The method of claim 8, wherein in the step of entering the authorization code into the franking system, the authorization code is entered into the franking system from a franking system input device.

20. The method of claim 8, wherein in the step of providing the franking system having a plurality of disabled operating features, one of the operating features is a letter flow speed.

21. The method of claim 8, wherein in the step of providing the franking system having a plurality of disabled operating features, one of the operating features is a rate package.

22. The method of claim 8, wherein in the step of providing the franking system having a plurality of disabled operating features, one of the operating features static weighing for a dynamic scale.

23. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of entering an authorization code into the franking system disables the operation of unauthorized operating features and unauthorized devices connected to the franking system.

25. The production system of claim 24, wherein the secondary parameters include carrier parameters for defining at least one carrier operating feature, current component parameters for defining a group of components for assembling the customized computerized system, and default parameters for defining independent parameters which are required and have not been selected.

26. The production system of claim 25, wherein the input device is at least one of a keyboard, an audio input device, a video input device, a CD-ROM reader, a chip card reader, or a computer network.

27. The production system of claim 24, wherein the compilation of parameters is an authorization code.

28. The production system of claim 24, wherein the customized computerized system is a franking system.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the primary computerized system is a franking system and the secondary computerized system is another franking system.

24. A production system for generating a customized computerized system having a plurality of flexible operating features, comprising:

a customer sheet system for recording the selection of an operating feature from a list of predefined operating features, and for generating at least one independent parameter;

a parameter set for storing the at least one independent parameter;

a manufacturer parameter system for providing at least one secondary parameter associated with the at least one independent parameter for implementing the selected operating feature, and for storing the at least one secondary parameter in the parameter set;

a configuration parameter system for generating at least one dependent parameter based on the independent parameter and the secondary parameter for configuring the customized computerized system, and for adding the at least one dependent parameter to the parameter set; and

an input device for entering a compilation of parameters in the customized computerized system for configuring the customized computerized system, the compilation of parameters generated from the parameter set by the configuration parameter system.

29. A method of exchanging a primary computerized system having enabled and disabled operating features for a secondary computerized system having identical enabled and disabled operating features, comprising the steps of:

accessing customization parameters of the primary computerized system which define the enabled and the disabled operating features of the primary computerized system;

storing the customization parameters for preserving the enabled and disabled operating features of the primary computerized system; and

installing the customization parameters in a secondary computerized system for duplicating the enabled and disabled operating features of the primary computerized system in the secondary computerized system by loading the stored customization parameters into the secondary computerized system.

31. A method for enabling an additional operating feature of a franking system, comprising the steps of:

providing a franking system having at least one disabled operating feature, and at least one operating feature which is enabled and available for use;

selecting the new operating feature for adding to the franking system from the at least one disabled operating feature;

generating an authorization code associated with the enabled operating features and the selected disabled operating feature for enabling the selected disabled operating feature and the enabled operating features; and

entering the authorization code into the franking system for enabling the selected disabled operating feature and the enabled operating features.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of generating an authorization code includes the step of generating a revenue request for the selected disabled operating feature.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of generating an authorization code includes the steps of:

transmitting the enabled operating features and the selected disabled operating feature to a third party; and

receiving the authorization code from the third party.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein in the step of transmitting the enabled operating features and the selected disabled operating feature to the third party, the third party is a franking system manufacturer.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the step of transmitting the enabled operating features and the selected disabled operating feature to the third party includes the step of transmitting via the internet to the third party.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the step of receiving the authorization code from the third party includes the step of receiving the authorization code via an internet.

37. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of entering the authorization code in to the franking system further includes the steps of:

creating an update chip card including the authorization code for enabling the disabled operating feature for use; and

inserting the update chip card into the franking system and loading the authorization code from the chip card into the franking system.

38. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of entering the authorization code into the franking system disables the operation of unauthorized operating features and devices connected to the franking system.