EP0779601A2 - Method for paying the resetting of an electronic franking machine and arrangement for operating a data host - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves data entry and switching of the machine (40) into a communication or credit interrogation mode. A link is established to a data centre (50) where the entry is checked for plausibility and the interrogation begins when a credit card number is input. The status of the card is verified from a card processing centre (60) before downloading is commenced or the data entry repeated or the machine switched into a communication mode. Listed information of successful interrogations is sent to the processing centre, which then receives payment from the client bank (10) and notifies the postal authority's bank (30).

Description

The invention relates to a method for paying the post-accreditation of an electronic franking machine according to the type specified in the preamble of claim 1 or 4, 6 or 18 and an arrangement for operating a data center according to the type specified in the preamble of claim 10 for the provision and provision of special Services according to a customer order. This procedure improves the payment of post-accreditation for users of franking machines by involving a credit card institute.

A franking machine generally creates an imprint in a form agreed with the post right-aligned, parallel to the upper edge of the mail item, starting with the content of the postage in the postmark, the date in the day stamp and stamp imprints for the advertising slogan and, if applicable, the type of shipment in the election print stamp. The post value, the date and the type of shipment form the variable information to be entered according to the item.

The postage value is usually the transport fee paid in advance by the sender, which is taken from a refillable credit register and used to clear the mail item.

For the aforementioned replenishment, postal register values are read by a postal inspector for billing and the value specification is then carried out. In contrast to this, with the current account procedure, a register is only counted up depending on the frankings made with the postage value and is read at regular intervals by a postal inspector.

In principle, every franking made must be accounted for and any manipulation which leads to franking that has not been invoiced must be prevented. Manipulation security must also be ensured in the event that a remote value specification is carried out from a remote data center in order to reload the franking machine.

According to US Pat. No. 3,255,439, a reloading or crediting of a franking machine has already been associated with an automatic signal transmission from the franking machine to the data center whenever a predetermined sum of funds that has been franked or the number of processed mail pieces or a predetermined time period has been reached. Alternatively, a signal corresponding to the sum of funds, number of pieces or time period can be transmitted. Communication takes place by means of binary signals via converters connected to one another via a telephone line. The machine receives an equally secured reload in accordance with the credit balance and blocks if no credit is replenished.

From US 4,811,234 it is known to carry out the transactions in encrypted form, to query the register data of the franking machine and to transmit it to the data center by MODEM. Encryption offers the necessary security against manipulation of the register status, such as the stored right of disposal (descending register). The franking machine identifies itself at the data center with an identity number and transmits its encrypted register content when a preset threshold value has been reached. As soon as the connection to the data center is established, the franking machine user's account, which is held internally in the data center, is checked with regard to the validity of the account and with regard to the availability of the credit desired for reloading the franking machine. If there is sufficient credit available, reloading is carried out using the aforementioned transaction. Otherwise, the customer support service warned if the credit is not available. It is intended to display a time reference in the data center for the reduction in the amount of the authorized amount stored in the register. If necessary, the data center modifies the desired franking amount up to which franking can be carried out by means of corresponding authorization signals. It is also envisaged to carry out the transactions outside of peak load times, preferably at night, when the aforementioned presettable threshold value has been reached in the course of the previous period. However, use cases are quite conceivable where the amount of mail to be franked fluctuates (seasonal operation) and cannot be estimated in advance. If a credit that is too high is debited from the bank account and transferred to the franking machine as credit, no interest would be earned, so that the user is more interested in smaller credit. In these cases, the franking machine would disadvantageously block unnecessarily often if the desired credit is not available, or the user would have to communicate with the data center unnecessarily often even during peak load times due to insufficient reload amounts. It has indeed been proposed to alternatively maintain a user account for a credit in a bank, which can therefore earn interest. In accordance with the data transmitted from the franking machine to the data center, the data center requests the bank. In addition to account and credit data, funds are also transferred from the bank to the data center in order to top up the account managed in the data center with a credit, ie in order to make the means available which are necessary for reloading the franking machine. The disadvantage of this alternative method, however, is that the customer must continue to plan the next remote value specification and accordingly have to make money available in a special user account at the bank for the postage meter reloading, which not only means separate account management costs but also processing times and costs for the transfer of funds account managed in the data center. In addition, an effort would have to be made so that this transfer of funds to the data center is carried out securely against manipulation.

When paying via payment cards, identification cards such as credit cards (pay later) and such as debit cards (pay now) or prepaid cards (pre-paid) are used worldwide. However, it is expensive to make such a method available for standard franking machines which do not yet have a corresponding card read / write unit are equipped. This would require a costly retrofit that would not be necessary if the existing payment system was maintained.

A service issuing system known from DE 36 28 253 A1 has a prepaid card read / write unit which is a component of an electronic storage and control device. Anonymous prepaid cards are suitable for the payment of small amounts of money (telephone card), but are not yet approved by the banks for the payment of larger amounts until the necessary counterfeit security can not be proven.

When paying by credit card, e.g. American Express, identification using a credit card and direct debit (pay later) through the involvement of a commissioned credit card institute are preferred. Such payment systems have already been proposed for mail processing machines (US 5,025,386) and require an additional magnetic card or IC card read / write unit. This high level of effort is justified only in the case of vending machines that are open to the public.

The task was to solve the disadvantages of the prior art and to create the technical prerequisites for a further payment option with regard to the reloading of franking machines without increasing the hardware expenditure on the franking machine side.

Another object is to arrange means in the data center in order to carry out a franking machine-specific credit card method also for standard franking machines.

The object is achieved with the features of claims 1 and 4, 6 and 18 for a method and with features of claim 10 for an arrangement for operating a data center for the provision and provision of special services according to a customer order.

The franking machine can be switched to a corresponding mode for the purpose of reloading. The franking machine communicates with a data center, data being entered into the franking machine and the franking machine being switchable to either a communication mode or a credit request mode.

The connection is established from the franking machine to the data center and then the data center carries out a plausibility check of the franking machine data and franking machine register values entered. The lending process is started by the data center if the credit card number has been entered in the franking machine. The data center establishes a connection to the credit card institute in order to have the credit card institute check the customer's credit card status and, when authorized by the credit card institute, then send an approval message to the data center. The data center then carries out the reloading process in the franking machine with a credited credit amount. The credit card institute also authorizes a money transfer from the customer's bank directly to the postal carrier's or the postal authority's bank or indirectly via an intermediary bank that has an electronic communication link to the data center. If the data line to the credit card institute is busy, the data center re-establishes the connection, with a limited number of attempts being permitted to establish the connection. After an unsuccessful repetition, it can be canceled. The franking machine can then alternatively be reloaded via the data center with a prepaid credit if the aforementioned intermediary bank, which has an electronic communication link to the data center, delivers corresponding customer account information about the prepaid credit to the data center.

To carry out the method, an arrangement for operating a data center has a database with register entries for the provision and provision of special services in accordance with a customer order.

The data center provides storage space in the database for sub-registers which are assigned to two special accounts of the franking machine user. It is provided that a credit from a first bank (customer bank) or from the franking machine user is transferred directly to an associated first bank account at a specially commissioned second bank or financial institution that is communicatively coupled to the data center, and a credit in the special first sub-register of the in accordance with the prepaid amount Data center is managed and that, according to the invention, a special second sub-register is kept in the data center for the use of credit. The data center will commissioned by the customer to provide a corresponding service for the reloading or re-accreditation of his franking machine, if necessary to transfer the money in a predetermined manner to the account with a third bank specially commissioned by the postal carrier or to the account with the bank of the regional post office to pay for the service of the postal carrier.

When franking with a standard franking machine, the franking amount is debited from the credit stored electronically in the postal register (descending register) (remaining amount). The proper booking and reloading or crediting will be checked by a data center as soon as a communication connection to the data center is established. To call up the post-accreditation routine, the user enters an identification number (PIN) into the franking machine via a keyboard, which identifies the franking machine at the data center.

It is assumed that a commissioned credit card institute CPC (Credit Card Processing Center) and a data center work together to facilitate the reloading of franking machines with credit for the user by means of the special second sub-register, which is kept in the data center. The prerequisite for the use of such a further payment option is, of course, the transmission of appropriate information to the data center and the provision of a corresponding data processing and storage capacity in the data center in order to process the aforementioned information. Based on a temporary communication connection between the commissioned credit card institute CPC (Credit Card Processing Center) and the data center and based on an associated transmission device and the management of another customer account for payment with the aforementioned special second sub-register at the credit card institute, the data center provides the service for which it was commissioned by the customer.

The advantage of the new method is that the customer does not have to plan the next remote value specification in advance and does not necessarily have to provide money on the special first account accordingly. Since, in contrast to a money transfer, no period of several hours to a few days has to pass because no money from Customer account of the credit card institute is transferred to a special account in the data center, but because the loan is immediately available, there is another advantage in the time gain. Another associated advantage is the financial gain, since there is no loss of interest if only the currently required credit needs to be provided as a loan. This profit is only reduced by possible additional costs through an increased service fee with which this service is paid. In principle, the debit of the bank account at the customer bank by the credit card institute and transfer of the credit to the account of the mail carrier can take place according to the remote value specification, ie after the franking machine has been reloaded.

Also to be emphasized is the minimization of the administrative effort when using the special second sub-register in the data center, both for the customer and for the data center, especially since no funds but only information are transmitted. This advantage compensates for the disadvantage that the contact between the data center and the credit card institute CPC (Credit Card Processing Center) extends the remote value specification process for reloading credit.

Starting from a franking machine that has a microprocessor and a suitable program and that works according to a method for improving the security of franking machines that includes encryption of the transaction data, user-specific information transmitted to the data center already forms a secure basis for storing the stored credit consumption data. or check credit reload data for their plausibility and to trigger appropriate data processing processes in the data center. This user-specific information comprises at least the identification number (PIN) and the values in the postal registers, for example about the credit consumption and the remaining amount of the franking machine.

In a first variant according to the invention, the user-specific information can additionally include information about the type of payment, which is entered directly after the identification number (PIN) on the keyboard of the franking machine. The information about the payment type includes, for example, the credit card number and the expiry date of the credit card and, if applicable, the information about the name of the commissioned credit card institute if the data center works with several credit card institutes.

According to the invention, the franking machine automatically establishes the communication link to the data center after the user input has been completed in order to transmit the user-specific information. The data center then automatically transmits information to the credit card institute if a credit card number has been entered and waits for approval if the credit card institute is currently unavailable or retry communication with the credit card institute if the connection is interrupted and the unsuccessful Communication attempts, whereby the credit request is deleted in the specific register VGW of the data center if the connection is not established after a predetermined number of attempts.

• Durchführung einer separaten ersten Kommunikation A, wobei die übermittelte nutzerspezifische Information zusätzlich eine Information über die Bezahlungsart einschließt, welche im Verlaufe der Kommunikation mit der Datenzentrale übermittelt und in eine spezielle Maske eingetragen wird und
• Durchführung einer separaten zweiten Kommunikation B, wobei die elektronische Frankiermaschine in einen Nachlademodus umgeschaltet wird und von der Datenzentrale der Nachlade-Vorgang und dessen Buchung entsprechend der Eintragung in die vorgenannte spezielle Maske ausgeführt wird.

In a second variant according to the invention, the user-specific information can additionally include information about the type of payment which is transmitted in the course of communication with the data center, ie which is not communicated to the data center immediately after the PIN has been entered. The second variant according to the invention comprises the following steps:

• Carrying out a separate first communication A, the transmitted user-specific information additionally including information about the type of payment, which is transmitted in the course of communication with the data center and is entered in a special mask and
• Carrying out a separate second communication B, the electronic franking machine being switched over to a reloading mode and the reloading process and its booking being carried out by the data center in accordance with the entry in the aforementioned special mask.

It is provided that the user-specific information transmitted by the franking machine only includes the identification number (PIN) and the values in the postal registers, and that the information about the type of payment, which was transmitted in a previous separate communication together with the default request to the data center, as an order in the form of an order code associated with the identification number (PIN) or customer name in the database of the data center until a different order is placed.

In a third variant according to the invention, the user-specific information likewise only includes the identification number (PIN) and the values in the postal registers. Information about the type of payment is transmitted to the data center in a separate communication beforehand.

Such information about the type of payment, which is transmitted when entering or in the course of communication with the data center or separately therefrom, switches the necessary data processing and storage capacity accordingly in the data center in order to process the aforementioned information.

• Figur 1, Dienstleistungs- und Datenverarbeitungssystem der Datenzentrale zur Nachladung einer Frankiermaschine und zur Bezahlung des Postbeförderers,
• Figur 2, erweitertes Dienstleistungs- und Datenverarbeitungssystem der Datenzentrale zur Nachladung einer Frankiermaschine und zur Bezahlung des Postbeförderers,
• Figur 3, Ablaufplan für die Kreditanfrage nach Variante 1,
• Figur 4, Ablaufplan für die Kreditanfrage nach Variante 2,
• Figur 5, Ablaufplan für die Kreditanfrage nach Variante 3,
• Figur 6, Anordnung für die Kreditanfrage in der Datenzentrale,
• Figur 7, Anordnung und Zuordnung der Subregister bzw. Register im Speicherbereich der Datenbank.

Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims or are shown in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures. Show it:

• FIG. 1, service and data processing system of the data center for reloading a franking machine and for paying the mail carrier,
• FIG. 2, expanded service and data processing system of the data center for reloading a franking machine and for paying the mail carrier,
• FIG. 3, schedule for the credit request according to variant 1,
• FIG. 4, schedule for the credit request according to variant 2,
• FIG. 5, schedule for the credit request according to variant 3,
• FIG. 6, arrangement for the credit request in the data center,
• Figure 7, arrangement and assignment of the sub-registers or registers in the memory area of the database.

FIG. 1 shows a preferred service and data processing system of the data center 50 for reloading a franking machine 40 and for paying for the mail carrier, which is included in the delivery a franking machine 40 is in communication connection. The funds required for reloading are deposited by the first bank 10 (customer bank) commissioned by the user of the franking machine or by the user of the franking machine directly into an account in a commissioned second bank 20 (for example the USPS-Lockbox Bank in the USA or Postbank in Germany or the bank of the private mail carrier or corresponding banks in other countries) and when the credit is called up by the data center from the commissioned second bank 20 to the third bank 30 (for example in the USA the Federal Reserve Bank or bank of the private mail carrier or a corresponding bank in another country), which maintains the account of the mail carrier. The cash balance is called up periodically in the form of a collective transfer to the account of the mail carrier in the third bank 30 if there is customer billing information transmitted from the data center 50 to the second bank 20. Such customer billing information is created regularly when a reloading requirement for reloading a customer's franking machine has been met by the data center 50.

• R1 (absteigendes Register) vorrätige Restbetrag in der Frankiermaschine,
• R2 (aufsteigendes Register) Verbrauchssummenbetrag in der Frankiermaschine,
• R3 (Gesamtladung) die bisherige Gesamtvorgabesumme aller Fernwertvorgaben,
• R4 (Stückzahl Σ für Drucke mit einem Wert ≠0) Anzahl gültiger Drucke,
• R8 (R4 + Stückzahl Σ für Drucke mit dem Wert =0) Anzahl aller Drucke

Die Datenzentrale speichert die übermittelten Registerdaten zugehörig zu jeder Frankiermaschine, die jeweilig durch ihre PIN indentifizierbar sind. Zugehörig zur PIN wurden bei einer vorausgegangenen Kommunikation bzw. Transaktion bereits der gewünschte Vorgabewunsch für eine zukünftige Nachladung registriert. Der gespeicherte Vorgabewunsch VGW kann entsprechend der Eingabe des Frankiermaschinenbenutzers während einer vorausgehenden Transaktion geändert werden, um bei einem später nachfolgenden Nachladevorgang einen dem Vorgabewunsch entsprechenden Nachladewert NLW in die Frankiermaschine zu laden.A suitable franking machine has been described, for example, in connection with a method for improving the security of franking machines under US application number 08/346 909 (EP 660 269 A2). The franking machine is equipped with a printer module for a fully electronically generated franking image, with at least one input means - having several actuating elements -, a display unit, a MODEM establishing communication with a data center, further input means or a scale, which is connected via an input / output control module to a Control device are coupled and with non-volatile memories for data or programs, which include data for the variable or the constant parts of the franking image. The user switches the franking machine to a communication mode for reloading. The user-specific information transmitted to the data center comprises the identification number (PIN) and the values in the postal registers. The franking machine can, for example, transmit the following postal register values to the data center before reloading the credit:

• R1 (descending register) remaining amount in the franking machine,
• R2 (ascending register) amount of consumption in the franking machine,
• R3 (total load) the previous total specification of all remote value specifications,
• R4 (number of pieces Σ for prints with a value ≠ 0) number of valid prints,
• R8 (R4 + number of pieces Σ for prints with the value = 0) Number of all prints

The data center stores the transmitted register data belonging to each franking machine, which can be identified in each case by their PIN. In connection with the PIN, the desired request for future reloading has already been registered in a previous communication or transaction. The stored default request VGW can be changed in accordance with the input of the postage meter machine user during a previous transaction, in order to load a post-load value NLW corresponding to the default request into the postage meter machine in a subsequent subsequent reloading process.

You can also check in the data center whether the following equation is fulfilled: $$\text{R3 = R2 + R1}$$

Before each remote value specification of a reload credit for the descending register, the remaining amount R1 can be queried and statistically evaluated in the data center.

In accordance with the first variant according to the invention, such a franking machine is equipped with a specially expanded program which enables the user of the franking machine to enter the required user-specific information about the type of payment in addition to the identification number (PIN).

FIG. 2 shows a service and data processing system of the data center which has been expanded in accordance with the invention for reloading a franking machine and for paying the mail carrier, the data processing system of the data center being in communication connection on the one hand with at least one franking machine and on the other hand in communication connection with a bank or a credit card institute (electronic bank connection) .

This service and data processing system of the data center 50, which is in communication with a franking machine 40, uses the services of a credit card institute 60 to reload a franking machine 40. Such a credit card institute 60 is, for example, a credit card processing center (CPC), which is operated by the Users of the first bank 10 (customer bank) commissioned with the franking machine make a debit from the customer account in accordance with the credit used to reload the franking machine with the necessary funds. Such a debit from the customer account can be done, for example, by direct debit. A credit card processing center (CPC) at Citybank, Eurocard or American Express can be equipped with the necessary data processing and communication technology for electronic connection to the data center. The assignment of the essential steps 1 to 8 to specific communication connections can be seen in FIG. 2.

Of course, the payment option - already explained in FIG. 1 - is also retained. In the latter, the funds required for reloading are deposited by the first bank 10 (customer bank) commissioned by the user of the franking machine or by the user of the franking machine directly into an account in a commissioned second bank 20 (for example in the USA the USPS lockbox bank or a corresponding one Bank in another country) and transferred when the credit is retrieved by the data center from the commissioned second bank 20 to the third bank 30 (for example in the United States Federal Reserve Bank or a corresponding bank in another country) which maintains the account of the mail carrier . The credit is called up by customer billing information transmitted from the data center 50 to the second bank 20 if a reloading requirement is met.

• 1. Dateneingabe und Umschalten der Frankiermaschine (40) in einen Kommunikationsmodus oder Kreditanfrage-Modus,
• 2. Errichtung der Kommunikationsverbindung zu einer Datenzentrale (50), Plausibilitätsprüfung der eingegebenen Daten und übermittelten Registerwerte in der Datenzentrale und Start eines Kreditanfrageprozesses, wenn eine Kreditkartennummer eingegeben wurde oder Start eines Nachlade-Prozesses mit einem vorausbezahlten Guthaben, wobei ein Guthaben von einer ersten Bank (10) des Kunden bzw. vom Frankiermaschinenbenutzer direkt in ein zugehöriges erstes Bankkonto bei einer mit der Datenzentrale (50) kommunikativ gekoppelten speziell beauftragten zweiten Bank (20) überwiesen und entsprechend dem vorausbezahlten Betrag ein Guthaben im speziellen ersten Subregister der Datenzentrale (50) geführt wird und wobei ein spezielles zweites Subregister in der Datenzentrale (50) für die Inanspruchnahme von Krediten geführt wird sowie wobei die Datenzentrale (50) durch den Kunden zur Erbringung einer entsprechenden Dienstleistung für die Nachladung bzw. Nachkreditierung seiner Frankiermaschine beauftragt wird, um erforderlichenfalls auf das Konto bei einer dritten vom Postbeförderer speziell beauftragten Bank (30) das Geld in vorbestimmter Weise überweisen zu lassen, um die Dienstleistung des Postbeförderers zu bezahlen,
• 3. Kontaktaufnahme und Senden von Informationen zum Kreditkarteninstitut CPC zur Verifikation des Kreditkartenstatus, wenn eine Kreditkartennummer eingegeben wurde,
• 4. Empfangen der Genehmigung des ordnungsgemäßen Kreditkartenstatus in der Datenzentrale oder Fehleranzeige,
• 5. Bearbeiten des Nachladevorganges oder Rückkehr zum Schritt 1 zur Wiederholung der Eingabe für den Kreditanfrage-Modus oder zum Umschalten der Frankiermaschine (40) in einen Kommunikationsmodus, wobei die Frankiermaschine alternativ zum Kreditanfrage-Modus über die Datenzentrale (50) mit einem vorausbezahlten Guthaben nachladbar ist, wenn die zwischengeschaltete beauftragte zweite Bank (20), welche über elektronische Kommunikationsverbindung zur Datenzentrale (50) verfügt, eine entsprechende Kunden-Konto-lnformation über das vorausbezahlte Guthaben an die Datenzentrale liefert,
• 6. Übermittlung von gelisteten Informationen über erfolgreiche Kreditanfragen an das Kreditkarteninstitut (60) bzw. über die Nachladung mit einem vorausbezahlten Guthaben an die dritte Bank (30),
• 7. Geldtransfer zwischen Kundenbank (10) und dem Kreditkarteninstitut (60) sowie
• 8. Durchführung von Überweisungen an die dritte Bank (30) des Postbeförderes.

The following steps are provided for a method for payment of the subsequent accreditation and subsequent loading with prepaid credit for an electronic franking machine that enables switching to one of the subsequent modes of payment, which enables both types of payment:

• 1. Data entry and switching of the franking machine (40) into a communication mode or credit request mode,
• 2. Establishment of the communication link to a data center (50), plausibility check of the entered data and transmitted register values in the data center and start of a credit inquiry process if a credit card number has been entered or start of a reloading process with a prepaid credit, a credit from a first bank (10) of the customer or from the franking machine user directly into an associated first bank account with one with the Data center (50) communicatively coupled second bank (20) transferred and a credit is kept in the special first sub-register of the data center (50) according to the prepaid amount and a special second sub-register in the data center (50) for the use of credit and where the data center (50) is commissioned by the customer to provide a corresponding service for the reloading or subsequent accreditation of his franking machine, in order to transfer the money in a predetermined manner to the account at a third bank (30) specially commissioned by the mail carrier, if necessary leave to pay for the service of the postal carrier,
• 3. Contacting and sending information to the credit card institute CPC to verify the credit card status when a credit card number has been entered,
• 4. receiving approval of proper credit card status in the data center or error notification,
• 5. Edit the reloading process or return to step 1 to repeat the entry for the credit request mode or to switch the franking machine (40) into a communication mode, the franking machine being able to be reloaded with a prepaid credit via the data center (50) as an alternative to the credit request mode is when the intermediary commissioned second bank (20), which has an electronic communication link to the data center (50), delivers corresponding customer account information about the prepaid credit to the data center,
• 6. Transmission of listed information about successful credit inquiries to the credit card institute (60) or about the reloading with a prepaid credit to the third bank (30),
• 7. Money transfer between customer bank (10) and the credit card institute (60) as well
• 8. Execution of transfers to the third bank (30) of the mail carrier.

• 1. Daten-Eingabe und Umschalten der Frankiermaschine in einen Kommunikations- oder Kreditanfrage-Modus. Die Frankiermaschine schaltet in einen Kreditanfrage-Modus um, wenn der Frankiermaschinenbenutzer bzw. Kunde die Kreditanfrage mittels Daten-Eingabe über die Tastatur der Frankiermaschine mit folgenden Schritten startet, welche jeweils durch Betätigen eines speziellen Betätigungsmittels (Taste) bestätigt werden:
  • a) Eingabe der Personen-ldentifikations-Nummer PIN (8-digits),
  • b) Eingabe der Kreditkartennummer Credit Card # (16-digits),
  • c) Eingabe der Gültigkeitsdauer Expiration Date (4-digits, z.B. 0797),
  • d) Eingabe/Bestätigung des Guthabenwertes Reset Credit Value (z.B. $ 500),

A flowchart for the credit request according to the first variant is shown for the first six steps in FIG. 3, which are in the data center service area. The method according to the first variant is based on a service provided by the data center the specific credit card procedure implemented in franking machines. The complete method comprises steps 1 to 8, which can take place without the hardware expenditure on the franking machine side having to be increased. Rather, only a program modification is required there. However, a data center that has an electronic communication link to the credit card institute 60 is a prerequisite. The above steps 1 to 8 will be explained below:

• 1. Data entry and switching of the franking machine into a communication or credit request mode. The franking machine switches to a credit inquiry mode when the franking machine user or customer starts the credit inquiry by entering data on the keyboard of the franking machine with the following steps, which are each confirmed by actuating a special actuating means (key):
  • a) Entering the personal identification number PIN (8 digits),
  • b) entering the credit card number Credit Card # (16-digits),
  • c) Enter the expiration date (4 digits, e.g. 0797),
  • d) Entering / confirming the reset credit value (e.g. $ 500),

If, on the other hand, only sub-steps a) and d) are carried out, but sub-steps b) and c) of step 1 are not carried out, the franking machine comes into a - in connection with a method for improving the security of franking machines under the US application - Number 08/346 909 (EP 660 269 A2) - communication mode to reload the franking machine with a credit according to the service variant shown in FIG. 1. A prerequisite is, however, a data center that has an electronic communication link to bank 20, which manages the customers' accounts for mail transport, collects the transferred amounts of money and periodically transfers these collected amounts of money for a number of customers to the third bank 30, which is an account of the Postal authority or the mail carrier leads. Customer account information is transmitted from bank 20 via the electronic communication link to data center 50 at a suitable time (preferably in the morning). Through this electronic bank connection, the data center 50 receives up-to-date information on the amount in the account for all customers involved available prepaid amount of money up to which a maximum credit can be reloaded into the franking machine 40 by remote value specification.

• 2. Errichtung einer Kommunikationsverbindung zu einer Datenzentrale, Plausibilitätsprüfung der eingegebenen Daten und übermittelten Registerwerte in der Datenzentrale und Start des Kreditanfrage- oder Start des Nachlade-Prozesses mit einem vorausbezahlten Guthaben. Der Start der Kommunikation mit der Datenzentrale beispielsweise über eine MODEM-Verbindung und damit des Kreditanfrage-Prozesses, wird nach einer Eingabe bzw. Betätigung einer vorbestimmten Taste bzw. Tastenkombination von der Frankiermaschine automatisch ausgelöst. Die nutzerspezifische Information, einschließlich der Information über die Bezahlungsart wird also per MODEM an die Datenzentrale gesendet und dort in einem Datenverarbeitungssystem weiter verarbeitet. Nach einer Plausibilitätsprüfung (z.B. PIN, Zulassung der Frankiermaschine auf den Kundennamen, Plausibilität der Registerwerte, Korrektheit der Kreditkartennummer credit card # und anderer Daten, etc.) nimmt die Datenzentrale zwecks Kreditanfrage entweder anschließend Kontakt mit dem Kreditkarteninstitut 60 - beispielsweise in den USA das Credit Card Processing Center (CPC) - auf (Verzweigungspfad y), oder die Kreditanfrage wird zurückgewiesen und der Vorgang mit einer entsprechenden Fehlermeldung der Frankiermaschine dem Benutzer bzw. Kunden angezeigt, wenn die Dienstleistung nicht erbracht werden kann (Verzweigungspfad e), oder entsprechend der Eingabe wird eine andere Dienstleistung (Verzweigungspfad x) erbracht.
  Die Kreditkartennummer credit card # wird weder in der Frankiermaschine hinterlegt noch dort geprüft, sondern lediglich im Übertragungs-protokoll während des Kommunikationsmoduses mit berücksichtigt. Die eingegebene Kreditkartennummer credit card # wird zur Datenzentrale übermittelt und mit der dort gespeicherten Kreditkartennummer verglichen. Wurde eine gültige Kreditkartennummer übermittelt, wird nach y auf den Schritt 3 verzweigt. Anderenfalls, wenn keine Kreditkartennummer übermittelt wurde aber sowohl die übermittelte PIN als auch die Registerwerte plausibel sind, wird nach x zum Schritt 5 verzweigt, um den Reset-Vorgang auf der Basis des in der Figur 1 gezeigten Systems abzuarbeiten. Bei Erhalt einer neuen Kreditkarte oder bei einer ungültig gewordenen alten Kreditkarte muß der Kunde nur die Datenzentrale vor der Kreditanfrage während einer separaten Kommunikation informieren. Die Datenzentrale nimmt dann eine entsprechende Abspeicherung der Änderung in ihrer Datenbank vor. Bei einer fehlerhaften Eingabe der Kreditkartennummer credit card # wird die Kreditanfrage mit einer Fehlermeldung aus der Datenzentrale abgebrochen (Verzweigungspfad e).
• 3. Kontaktaufnahme und Senden von Informationen zum Kreditkarteninstitut CPC zur Verifikation des Kreditkartenstatus. Die Datenzentrale nimmt zwecks Kreditanfrage den Kontakt zum Kreditkarteninstitut auf (Subschritt 3.1). Bevor die Frankiermaschine mit dem Nachladeguthabenwert (reset credit value) neu beladen werden kann, werden über eine separate Kommunikationsverbindung zwischen der Datenzentrale und dem Kreditkarteninstitut CPC folgende Informationen ausgetauscht (Subschritt 3.2):
  • f) Kreditkartennummer Credit Card #
  • g) Gültigkeitsdauer Expiration Date
  • h) Guthabenwert Reset Credit Value
  • i) Kundenname customer name
    Mit diesen Information soll auf der Seite des Kreditkarteninstituts CPC der Kontostatus des Kreditkartenbenutzers abgefragt werden, um somit als ein weiteres Sicherheitsmerkmal zu dienen. Der Kundenname customer name wird nur in der Datenzentrale einer entsprechenden PIN zugeordnet gespeichert. Der Kundenname ist nicht in der Frankiermaschine gespeichert.
  • 4. Empfangen der Genehmigung des ordnungsgemäßen Kreditkartenstatus in der Datenzentrale oder Fehleranzeige. Das Kreditkarteninstitut CPC prüft mittels entsprechenden, intern verfügbaren Prüfroutinen den Kontostatus des Kreditkartenbesitzers und antwortet der Datenzentrale entweder:
    • j) Kreditkartenstatus okay,
    • n) Kreditkartenstatus nicht okay,
    • m)CPC momentan nicht verfügbar,
    • k) Verbindung wurde unterbrochen,

A credit card company will be involved if a prepaid amount of money is not to be used or is not available. The franking machine is switched over in accordance with the aforementioned input. The entry of the very long credit card number credit card # is entered using the " left - scrolling " method. The franking machine is programmed so that after the 10 available display fields have been written in, the display shifts one position to the left so that the next digit can be entered. After all the data has been entered, ie credit card number, credit card validity date and credit value have been successively entered and confirmed, the credit inquiry process is started automatically.

• 2. Establishment of a communication link to a data center, plausibility check of the entered data and transmitted register values in the data center and start of the credit inquiry or start of the reloading process with a prepaid credit. The franking machine automatically starts the communication with the data center, for example via a MODEM connection and thus the credit inquiry process, after an input or actuation of a predetermined key or key combination. The user-specific information, including information about the type of payment, is therefore sent to the data center via MODEM and further processed there in a data processing system. After a plausibility check (e.g. PIN, approval of the franking machine on the customer name, plausibility of the register values, correctness of the credit card number credit card # and other data, etc.), the data center either subsequently contacts the credit card institute 60 - for example, the credit in the USA in the USA Card Processing Center (CPC) - on (branch path y), or the credit request is rejected and the process is displayed to the user or customer with a corresponding error message from the franking machine if the service cannot be rendered (branch path e), or according to the input another service (branch path x) is provided.
  The credit card number credit card # is neither stored in the franking machine nor checked there, but is only taken into account in the transmission protocol during the communication mode. The entered credit card number credit card # is transmitted to the data center and compared with the credit card number stored there. If a valid credit card number has been transmitted, you branch to step 3 after y. Otherwise, if no credit card number has been transmitted but both the transmitted PIN and the register values are plausible, the process branches to step 5 in order to process the reset process on the basis of the system shown in FIG. 1. When receiving a new credit card or an old credit card that has become invalid, the customer only has to inform the data center before the credit request during a separate communication. The data center then saves the change accordingly in its database. If the credit card number credit card # is entered incorrectly, the credit request is aborted with an error message from the data center (branching path e).
• 3. Contacting and sending information to the credit card institute CPC to verify the credit card status. The data center contacts the credit card institute in order to request a loan (sub-step 3.1). Before the postage meter machine can be reloaded with the reset credit value , the following information is exchanged via a separate communication link between the data center and the credit card institute CPC (sub-step 3.2):
  • f) Credit Card Number Credit Card #
  • g) Expiration Date period of validity
  • h) Reset Credit Value
  • i) Customer name
    With this information, the account status of the credit card user is to be queried on the side of the credit card institute CPC in order to serve as a further security feature. The customer name customer name is only stored in the data center assigned to a corresponding PIN. The customer name is not stored in the franking machine.
  • 4. Receive approval of proper credit card status in the data center or error report. The credit card institute CPC checks the account status of the credit card owner using corresponding, internally available check routines and answers the data center either:
    • j) credit card status okay,
    • n) credit card status not okay,
    • m) CPC not currently available,
    • k) connection was interrupted,

The response to the data center usually takes 30-60 seconds. No account is maintained in the data center and no transfer of funds from the credit card institute CPC to the account managed in the data center is caused. Rather, depending on the response, either the request of the service customer, the requested new credit request in a special second sub-register in the data center continues to be temporarily stored or accumulated, or deleted:

j) / n) credit card status okay not okay

If the credit card status is okay, the currently saved credit statement data is increased by the credit request in the TDC. The lending process is being processed. Otherwise an error message is issued ("No credit").

If the credit card institute CPC could not be reached, the branch path m) is followed, the requested credit request is deleted in the special second sub-register in the data center 50 and an error is displayed:

m) CPC not currently available

If the redial counter reaches a limit, the procedure responds with an error message ("CPC not available").

If the connection has only been interrupted, a branching path k) is first followed and branched back to step 3:

k) Connection was interrupted

If the connection is lost, the lending process is repeated.

If the redial counter reaches a limit, the process responds with an error message ("no connection").

• 5. Bearbeiten des Nachladevorganges. Die Datenzentrale verarbeitet die Rückantwort des Kreditkarteninstitut CPC entsprechend. Es erfolgt ein automatisches Bearbeiten des Nachladevorganges in der Datenzentrale, wobei bei ordnungsgemäßen Kreditkartenstatus (Verzweigungspfad j) ein Eintragen des Kreditwertes im spezifischen zweiten Subregister R1b der Datenzentrale vorgenommen wird. Anderenfalls (Verzweigungspfad x) erfolgt ein automatisches Eintragen des Nachladewertes NLW in das spezifische erste Subregister R1a seitens der Datenzentrale. Dann wird entsprechend des Vorgabewunsches VGW der Nachladewert NLW (Reset Debit Value) oder Kreditwert (Reset Credit Value) zum vorhandenen Guthaben-Restbetrag in der Frankiermaschine addiert und ebenfalls in der Datenzentrale addiert und dann die Kreditanfrage beendet.
  Anderenfalls falls ein Fehler angezeigt wurde (Verzweigungspfad n) oder wenn das Kreditkarteninstitut CPC nicht erreicht werden konnte oder wenn die Verbindung unterbrochen wurde und zunächst ein Verzweigungspfad k) beschritten werden und wenn dann das Kreditkarteninstitut CPC doch nicht erreicht werden konnte, wird zwar der angeforderte Kreditwunsch in dem speziellen zweiten Subregister in der Datenzentrale 50 gelöscht und ein Fehler angezeigt. Dann hat aber der Frankiermaschinenbenutzer immer noch die Möglichkeit einer normalen Nachladung aus dem speziellen ersten Subregister, indem er - wie unter Schritt 1 erläutert - den Kommunikationsmodus einstellt.
• 6. Übermittlung von gelisteten Informationen über erfolgreiche Kreditanfragen, die zur Nachladung geführt haben. Nach Ablauf einer bestimmten Zeitperiode (täglich, wöchentlich, monatlich) wird von der Datenzentrale eine Liste sämtlicher erfolgreicher Kreditanfragen erstellt und dem Kreditkarteninstitut CPC mittels entsprechenden Datenträger und / oder per Kommunikationsverbindung, beispielsweise MODEM oder ISDN mitgeteilt. Es ist vorgesehen, daß die Datenzentrale 50, die zur Verifizierung des Geldtransfers eine Liste über gültige Kreditanfragen an das Kreditkarteninstitut 60 übermittelt hat auf eine entsprechende Bestätigung der Übermittlung der Liste durch das Kreditkarteninstitut 60 wartet.
• 7. Geldtransfer zwischen Kundenbank 10 und dem Kreditkarteninstitut 60. Zwischen der ersten Bank 10 (Kundenbank) und dem Kreditkarteninstitut CPC 60 muß der Geldtransfer durchgeführt, damit dann (im nächsten Schritt 8) der Geldtransfer zwischen Kreditkarteninstitut CPC 60 und der dritten Bank 30 mit den Konten der Landespostbehörde bzw. privaten Postbeförderer oder damit der Gerdtransfer zwischen Kreditkarteninstitut CPC 60 und der zweiten Bank 20 mit den Kundenkonten für die Postbeförderung in geeigneter Weise organisiert werden kann.
• 8. Durchführung von Überweisungen an die Bank des Postbeförderes. Mit vorgenannter Kreditanfrage-Liste wird das Kreditkarteninstitut CPC 60, bzw. die Kundenbank 10 aufgefordert, den bereitgestellten Kreditgesamtbetrag entweder direkt an die Bank 30 mit den Konten der Landespostbehörde (z.B. in den USA die Federal Reserve Bank) bzw. der privaten Postbeförderer oder an die beauftragte zweite Bank 20 (z.B. in den USA die USPS Lockbox Bank) zu überweisen.

A branching path m) is also followed, the requested credit request in the special second subregister in the data center 50 is deleted and an error is displayed if the connection has been interrupted again and again after a predetermined number of repetitions or attempts, ie if the credit card institute CPC could not be reached. The credit card institute 60 is informed of the deletion of the credit request by data center 50, whereupon the credit card institute 60 cancels the loan order. In the event of transaction errors, there is therefore no effect on the credit card institute 60 and data center 50.

• 5. Editing the reload process. The data center processes the response from the credit card institute CPC accordingly. There is an automatic processing of the reloading process in the data center, with the credit value being entered in the specific second sub-register R1b of the data center when the credit card status is correct (branching path j). Otherwise (branch path x), the reload value NLW is automatically entered into the specific first sub-register R1a by the data center. Then the reload value NLW (reset debit value) or credit value (reset credit value) is added to the existing credit balance in the franking machine and also added in the data center and then the credit request is ended in accordance with the default request VGW.
  Otherwise, if an error was displayed (branching path n) or if the credit card institute CPC could not be reached or if the connection was interrupted and a branching path k) was initially followed and if the credit card institute CPC could not be reached after all, the requested credit request will be made deleted in the special second sub-register in the data center 50 and an error is displayed. Then, however, the franking machine user still has the possibility of normal reloading from the special first sub-register by setting the communication mode, as explained in step 1.
• 6. Submission of listed information about successful credit inquiries that have led to reloading. After a certain period of time (daily, weekly, monthly), the data center creates a list of all successful credit inquiries and communicated to the credit card institute CPC by means of appropriate data carriers and / or by means of a communication connection, for example MODEM or ISDN. It is provided that the data center 50, which has sent a list of valid credit inquiries to the credit card institute 60 for verification of the money transfer, is waiting for a corresponding confirmation of the transmission of the list by the credit card institute 60.
• 7. Money transfer between customer bank 10 and the credit card institute 60. Between the first bank 10 (customer bank) and the credit card institute CPC 60, the money transfer must be carried out, so that (in the next step 8) the money transfer between the credit card institute CPC 60 and the third bank 30 with the Accounts of the state post office or private mail carrier or so that the transfer of funds between the credit card institute CPC 60 and the second bank 20 can be organized in a suitable manner with the customer accounts for the mail transport.
• 8. Execution of transfers to the bank of the postal carrier. With the aforementioned credit request list, the credit card institute CPC 60, or the customer bank 10, is requested to either send the total loan amount provided directly to bank 30 with the accounts of the state postal authority (e.g. the Federal Reserve Bank in the USA) or the private mail carrier or to commissioned to transfer the second bank 20 (e.g. the USPS Lockbox Bank in the USA).

FIG. 6 shows an arrangement for the credit request in the data center. At least one host computer 51 is arranged in the data center 50 and has a stored database 52 and a program 53 for the credit request, which has a coupling to at least one programmable input / output device for carrying out communication via a communication link with the franking machines and for carrying out communication via a communication link with the banks or money / credit institutions to pay for the reloading of franking machines with a credit which can optionally be prepaid or postpaid. According to the invention, it is provided that the storage units 52 and 53 are formed in a hard disk or that a first hard disk is provided as the storage unit 52 and a second hard disk as the storage unit 53.

The arrangement for carrying out the method and for operating a data center has storage space in the abovementioned database for register entries for the provision and provision of special services in accordance with a customer order, to which a franking machine or a customer service representative (hereinafter referred to as TDC operator) accesses for entering the customer order .

The database 52, which is preferably stored on a hard disk, and a program 53 for the credit request, which is also stored on a hard disk, form, together with the programmable input / output device 54, a first service unit which, on the one hand, via communication connections 59 with the franking machines and, on the other hand, with at least an operator terminal 55 is connected.

A second service unit consists of a second programmable input / output device 56, which on the one hand via a transmission device 501, 502 with the host search 51 and on the other hand via a transmission device 503, 57, 504 with a bank terminal (not shown) or the bank personal computer in the credit bank or credit institution is coupled.

It is contemplated that the second programmable I / O device will have access to the database 52 to contact and send information to the credit card institute CPC to verify the billing status and receive approval of the proper credit card status (steps 3 and 4) and if necessary Submit listed information about successful credit requests (step 6). Alternatively, a printer can be coupled to the host computer 51 in order to print out the lists. In addition, with corresponding - not shown - recording devices of the host computer 51, alternative data carriers CD-ROM, floppy disks, etc. can be written with the aforementioned data in order to store them.

The data center provides in the database 52 storage space for two special sub-registers assigned to the accounts of the franking machine user in order to make a corresponding booking. It is provided that a credit from a first bank (customer bank) or from the franking machine user directly into one the corresponding first bank account is transferred to a specially commissioned second bank or financial institution that is communicatively coupled to the data center and a credit is kept in the special first sub-register of the data center in accordance with the prepaid amount, and according to the invention a special second sub-register is kept in the data center for booking the use of credits becomes.

It is also provided that the first programmable input / output device has access to the database 52 so that the data center can be commissioned by the customer to provide an appropriate service for the reloading or subsequent accreditation of his franking machine, if necessary, to the account at to have the money transferred in a predetermined manner to a third bank specially commissioned by the postal carrier or to the account with the bank of the regional postal authority in order to pay for the service of the postal carrier.

FIG. 7 shows the memory areas required, which must be made available in the database 52 in order to enable the register or bookkeeping to be revised for the service provided. Associated with the PIN, VGW is registered together with an order date and the desired specification request for future reloading with the reload value NLW or the desired credit value for future reloading. A reload value is only entered when the reload or reset process is carried out (step 5). A register value R1 is then updated by taking the sum of the sub-ester values R1a (prepaid value) and R1b (credit). The data center stores the transmitted register data R2 for the amount used for franking, R4 and R8 for the number of frankings belonging to each franking machine, each of which can be identified by its PIN and forms a new checksum R3 = R1 + R2.

In a further second and third variant according to the invention, further memory areas (not shown in FIG. 7) are made available in the database 52 in order to enable the register or accounting to be revised about the service provided. Associated with the PIN, the name of the franking machine user, an order code together with an order date and the desired default value for future reloading, the desired default value for future reloading is registered.

A second variant, shown in FIG. 4, of a schedule for the credit inquiry is based on a cost-effective implementation by using a Quick Pro system standardized for electronic bank details with an external TDC-CPC computer. The coupling to the database 52 in the host computer 51 is established via an operator terminal of the first or the second programmable input / output device.

This method is also independent of the type of franking machine, i.e. no new software version is necessary for the franking machine. This method is analogous to the method described in a third variant, but a customer can only have the remote value specification based on credit cards carried out depending on the TDC operator. The disadvantage that a TDC operator is involved in this remote reloading process and thus there are "human" sources of error is offset by a more cost-effective implementation and pleasant human-to-human communication.

• A1.Ein Kunde ruft in der Datenzentrale TDC an und äußert seinen Wunsch beim TDC-Operator, seine Frankiermaschine über Kreditkarte zu beladen.
• A2.Der TDC-Operator nimmt den Wunsch und die Bekanntgabe der PIN, der Kreditkartennummer sowie des Nachlade-Betrages entgegen.
• A3.Der TDC-Operator führt eine Plausibilitätsprüfung durch.
• A4.Der TDC-Operator nimmt Verbindung mit einem separaten CPC-Rechner im Kreditkarteninstitut auf. Über den separaten CPC-Rechner im Kreditkarteninstitut wird die Liquidität der Kreditkarte geprüft, in dem über Modemverbindung eine OK bzw. NOT OK Meldung von der Datenzentrale empfangen wird (Dauer ca. 20 sec).
• A5.Bei einer positiven Bestätigung trägt der TDC-Operator den angeforderten Betrag in eine unter dem TDC-Programm laufende spezielle Maske Credit Card Payment ein, unter Angabe der PIN, der Kreditkartennummer und des Kreditbetrages. Der Betrag wird in das spezielle zweite Subregister des Kunden in der Datenzentrale eingeschrieben.

• B1 Bearbeiten des Nachladevorganges oder Rückkehr zum Schritt Al zur Wiederholung der Eingabe für den Kreditanfrage-Modus oder zum Umschalten der Frankiermaschine in einen Kommunikationsmodus. Der Kunde kann nun mit seiner Frankiermaschine den gewünschten Betrag laden. Während des Ladevorgangs findet folgende Überprüfung statt: Wenn der Fernwertvorgabebetrag im normalen Konto verfügbar ist, dann erfolgt eine reguläre Fernwertvorgabe mit dem gewünschten Betrag. Sonst ist zu prüfen, ob der Nutzer ein Kreditkartennutzer ist. Ist das der Fall und er ist ein Kreditkartennutzer, dann ist zu prüfen, ob Deckung vorhanden ist. Sonst erfolgt eine Fehlermeldung ("Kein Kredit").
• B2.Übermittlung von gelisteten Informationen über erfolgreiche Kreditanfragen. Wenn eine Fernwertvorgabe über das spezielle zweite Konto, dem sog. Kreditkartenkonto des Kunden, abgewickelt wurde, muß die Postbehörde in einem separaten Report informiert werden. Außerdem wird täglich, wöchentlich oder monatlich ein Datenträger für das Kreditkarteninstitut erstellt, damit die geladenen Fernwertvorgabebeträge an die Postbehörde überwiesen werden können. Die Übermittlung von gelisteten Informationen über erfolgreiche Kreditanfragen erfolgt an das Kreditkarteninstitut vor einem Geldtransfer zwischen der Kundenbank und dem Kreditkarteninstitut und einer Durchführung von Überweisungen an die Bank des Postbeförderes.

All additional information relating to credit card users is stored in the TDC database 52 so that it can be updated. A hard disk can preferably hold the aforementioned TDC database. In a separate first communication A to the data center 50, the data of the franking machine and information about the type of payment are transmitted. The actual remote value specification is carried out in a separate second communication B to the data center 50, as has already been described in connection with a method for improving the security of franking machines under US application number 08/346 909 (EP 660 269 A2). The following steps take place:

• A1.A customer calls the TDC data center and expresses his wish to the TDC operator to load his franking machine using a credit card.
• A2.The TDC operator accepts the request and the disclosure of the PIN, the credit card number and the reload amount.
• A3.The TDC operator carries out a plausibility check.
• A4.The TDC operator connects to a separate CPC calculator in the credit card company. The liquidity of the credit card is checked via the separate CPC computer in the credit card institute by receiving an OK or NOT OK message from the data center via modem connection (duration approx. 20 sec).
• A5.If the confirmation is positive, the TDC operator enters the requested amount in a special Credit Card Payment mask running under the TDC program, specifying the PIN, the credit card number and the loan amount. The amount is written into the customer's special second sub-register in the data center.

• B1 Editing the reloading process or returning to step A1 to repeat the entry for the credit inquiry mode or to switch the franking machine into a communication mode. The customer can now load the desired amount with his franking machine. The following check takes place during the loading process: If the remote value specification amount is available in the normal account, then a regular remote value specification takes place with the desired amount. Otherwise it must be checked whether the user is a credit card user. If this is the case and he is a credit card user, then check whether there is cover. Otherwise there will be an error message ("No credit").
• B2.Transmission of listed information about successful loan requests. If a remote value specification has been processed via the customer's special second account, the so-called credit card account, the postal authority must be informed in a separate report. In addition, a data carrier is created for the credit card institute daily, weekly or monthly so that the loaded remote value default amounts can be transferred to the postal authority. Listed information about successful credit inquiries is transmitted to the credit card institute before a money transfer between the customer bank and the credit card institute and before transfers are made to the bank of the postal carrier.

• A1.. Der Dienstleistungs-Kunde ruft per Telefon in der Datenzentrale (TDC) an und äußert seinen Wunsch beim TDC-Operator.
     Ein Dienstleistungsauftrag kann beispielsweise darin bestehen, die Frankiermaschine des Kunden zukünftig nur noch mittels Kreditkarte zu beladen. Ein anderer Dienstleistungsauftrag kann beispielsweise darin bestehen, die Frankiermaschine des Kunden über Kreditkarte nur dann zu beladen, wenn ein erstens Kundenkonto, das sogenannte Nachladekonto erschöpft ist.
• A2. Der TDC-Operator nimmt den Wunsch des Kunden entgegen und bestätigt den Auftrag. Der TDC-Operator tätigt entsprechende Eingaben in eine unter dem TDC-Programm laufende spezielle Maske, damit wird eine Zuordnung von Auftragscode zur PIN des Auftragsgeber erreicht.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart for the credit request according to a third variant. This third variant relates to a corresponding fully automatic CPC online connection with an external CPC computer ongoing credit card process. Corresponding hardware and software means are arranged or used in the data center in order to carry out a franking machine-specific credit card method also for standard franking machines. This method is also independent of the franking machine type, ie no software adaptation measures are necessary in the franking machine. Additional information regarding credit card users is stored in a database of the data center in a database stored on a hard disk. The following steps are carried out in advance in a separate process:

• A1 .. The service customer calls the data center (TDC) by telephone and expresses his wish to the TDC operator.
  A service order can, for example, consist of loading the customer's franking machine in future only with a credit card. Another service order can consist, for example, of loading the customer's franking machine by credit card only if a first customer account, the so-called reload account, has been exhausted.
• A2. The TDC operator accepts the customer's request and confirms the order. The TDC operator makes the appropriate entries in a special mask running under the TDC program, so that the assignment of the order code to the PIN of the client is achieved.

• B1. Eingabe zum Umschalten der Frankiermaschine in einen Kommunikationsmodus. Der Frankiermaschinenbenutzer bzw. der Dienstleitungs-Kunde überführt die Frankiermaschine in den Kommunikationsmodus. Er beginnt im Schritt 1 mit der Eingabe der PIN sowie mit der Eingabe des Nachlade-Betrages.

• a) Eingabe der Personen-ldentifikations-Nummer PIN (8-digits),
• b) Eingabe/Bestätigung des Guthabenwertes Reset Credit Value (z.B. $ 500),

• B2. Start der Kommunikationsroutine und Plausibilitätsprüfung in der Datenzentrale. Die Frankiermaschine startet durch Errichtung der Kommunikationsverbindung automatisch eine Routine wie bei einer ganz normalen Fernwertvorgabe für den gewünschten Nachladebetrag in der Datenzentrale.

In contrast to step 1 according to the first variant, when establishing a subsequent communication B there is no input for switching the franking machine into a credit request mode, but rather only such an entry for switching the franking machine into a communication mode as is done under the US application -Number 08/346 909 (EP 660 269 A2) has been described. All services of the data center can thus also be made available for standard machines without a conversion action, since information about the type of payment is transmitted to the data center 50 in the previously carried out separate communication A, which remains validly stored until a separate communication A to the data center is carried out again. The following steps take place in the case of communication B to the data center 50:

• B1. Input for switching the franking machine into a communication mode. The franking machine user or the service customer transfers the franking machine into the communication mode. He begins in step 1 by entering the PIN and entering the reload amount.

• a) Entering the personal identification number PIN (8 digits),
• b) Entering / confirming the reset credit value (e.g. $ 500),

• B2. Start of the communication routine and plausibility check in the data center. By setting up the communication link, the franking machine automatically starts a routine as with a normal remote value specification for the desired reload amount in the data center.

A plausibility check is carried out, whereby the transmitted PIN and also the transmitted register values are checked in the data center. The system determines the customer name, for example, and also determines from the entry in the special first sub-register that there is no or insufficient credit on the special first credit account and then checks whether the current customer is a credit card user . If the customer also has a credit account in addition to the credit account, the order will continue. Otherwise the communication is interrupted with an error message from the data center.

• B3.Kontaktaufnahme und Senden von Informationen zum Kreditkarteninstitut CPC zur Verifikation des Abrechnungsstatus. Im Subschritt B3.1 wird eine separate Kommunikationsverbindung zwischen der Datenzentrale und dem Kreditkarteninstitut CPC aufgebaut. Im Subschritt B3.2 werden über eine separate Online-Verbindung zwischen der Datenzentrale TDC und dem Kreditkarteninstitut CPC folgende Informationen ausgetauscht:
  • f) Kreditkartennummer Credit Card #
  • g) Gültigkeitsdauer Expiration Date
  • h) Kreditwert Reset Credit Value
  • i) Kundenname customer name
    Das Kreditkarteninstitut CPC prüft, ob die Kreditkartennummer gültig ist, die in der Datenzentrale TDC abgespeichert wurde.
  • B4.Empfangen der Genehmigung des ordnungsgemäßen Kreditkartenstatus in der Datenzentrale. Im Schritt B4 liefert das Kreditkarteninstitut CPC ein OK an die Datenzentrale 50, wenn die Liquidität des Kunden, d.h. die Gültigkeit der Kreditkarte festgestellt wurde (Dauer ca. 20 sec). Das Kreditkarteninstitut CPC liefert anderenfalls ein NOT_OK zurück, falls die Anfrage negativ beantwortet worden ist. Der Empfang der Mitteilung in der Datenzentrale ist mit einer entsprechenden Auswertung verbunden, wie sie unter Schritt 4 gemäß der ersten Variante bereits näher dargelegt wurde. Im Schritt B4 wird der angeforderte Kreditbetrag bei einer positiven Bestätigung entsprechend dem TDC-Programm automatisch in eine spezielle Maske für Credit Card Payment unter Angabe der PAN, der Kreditkartennummer und des Kreditbetrages eingetragen und gespeichert.
  • B5.Bearbeiten des Nachladevorganges oder Rückkehr zum Schritt 1 zur Wiederholung der Eingabe. Falls die Anfrage positiv beantwortet worden ist, wird anschließend die reguläre Fernwertvorgabe mit dem gewünschten Nachladebetrag fortgeführt, wobei die Abrechnung in der Datenzentrale und die Bezahlung entsprechend dem vom TDC-Operator bereits im Verlauf der Kommunikation A entgegen genommenen und gespeicherten Wunsch geregelt wird. Im Schritt B5 kann nun die Frankiermaschine den gewünschten Betrag laden. Während des Ladevorgangs findet folgende Überprüfung statt:
       Wenn der Fernwertvorgabebetrag im normalen Konto verfügbar ist, dann erfolgt eine reguläre Fernwertvorgabe mit dem gewünschten Betrag.
       Sonst prüfen, ob der Nutzer ein Kreditkartennutzer ist. Ist das der Fall und er ist ein Kreditkartennutzer, dann prüfen ob Deckung vorhanden ist. Sonst erfolgt eine Fehlermeldung ("Kein Kredit").
    Der Kreditbetrag wird entsprechend dem Kredit im sogenannten Kreditkartenkonto, im speziellen zweiten Subregister der Datenzentrale, d.h. in einem Zwischenspeicher kumulativ mindestens solange gespeichert, bis die Abrechnung zwischen dem Kreditkarteninstitut CPC und der Datenzentrale analog dem unter Schritt 6 beschriebenen Verfahren durchgeführt worden ist. Zu diesem Zweck wird in der Datenbank 52 neben einem ersten Descending-Register R1 auch ein spezielles erstes Subregister R1a entsprechend dem speziellen ersten Konto des Kunden sowie ein spezielles zweites Subregister R1b als ein zweiter Teil des Descending-Registers entsprechend dem speziellen zweiten Konto des Kunden geführt. Die Summe der Subregister ist gleich dem noch in der Frankiermaschine verfügbaren Restbetrag und es gilt die Gleichung: $$\text{R1 = R1a + R1b}$$
    
    Der Descending-Register-Wert in R1 der Datenzentrale entspricht damit dem Descending-Register-Wert in R1, der in der Frankiermaschine bis zum Übergang in einen Kommunikations- bzw. Fern-Nachlademodus gespeichert worden ist. Wenn im unter dem speziellen zweiten Subregister R1b der Wert kumuliert wird, handelt es sich um genehmigte Kredite. Ein Guthaben, welches entsprechend der - in der Figur 1 gezeigten - Weise in das spezielle erste Konto des Kunden überführt wird, um den Restbetrag auf herkömmliche Weise aufzustocken, wird also zunächst im speziellen ersten Subregister R1 a zwischengespeichert. Anschließend wird ein Zeitpunkt erreicht, zu dem sowohl der spezielle erste Subregister-Wert in R1a als auch der Descending-Register-Wert in R1 um denjenigen Wert aufgestockt wird, der im speziellen zweiten Subregister R1b gespeichert ist. Der aufgestockte Wert wird im speziellen zweiten Subregister R1b subtrahiert und der neue Wert im speziellen zweiten Subregister R1b ist dann Null und der Wert in R1a entspricht dann dem Descending-Register-Wert in R1, der auch in der Frankiermaschine gespeichert ist.
  • B6.Übermittlung von gelisteten Informationen über erfolgreiche Kreditanfragen. Wenn eine Fernwertvorgabe über das dem Kreditkartenkonto des Kunden zugeordnete spezielle zweite Subregister R1b abgewickelt wurde, muß in einem separaten Bericht die Postbehörde informiert werden (Schritt B6). Außerdem wird tagtäglich, wöchentlich oder monatlich ein Datenträger für das Kreditkarteninstitut erstellt, damit die geladenen Fernwertvorgabebeträge an die Postbehörde überwiesen werden können. Die Übermittlung von gelisteten Informationen über erfolgreiche Kreditanfragen erfolgt an das Kreditkarteninstitut, vor einem Geldtransfer zwischen der Kundenbank und dem Kreditkarteninstitut und einer Durchführung von Überweisungen an die Bank des Postbeförderes.

The reload request is processed in accordance with the specific service order in the data center. In a membership (not shown in FIG. 7) of further registers for the PIN, in addition to the desired request for future reloading, an order code together with an order date and the customer name are now also registered in a previous communication or transaction. If, for example, the service order consists in loading the customer's franking machine only by credit card in the future, but the special first account still has insufficient credit to fulfill the reload request, the special first account will be used again for the last time and the special second sub-register R1b in the database 52 of the data center 50 stores the missing difference, which was used as a credit at the credit card institute CPC, in order to deliver the missing difference. With later The special second sub-register R1b in the database 52 of the data center 50 supplies the full amount in accordance with the respective reload request. The same procedure is followed if another service order consists of loading the customer's franking machine by credit card only when the first customer account, the so-called reload account, has been exhausted. In this case, only a special first account is constantly used to fulfill the reload request and, if necessary, the missing difference, which was used as a credit at the credit card institute CPC, is noted in the special second sub-register R1b for billing purposes.

• B3.Contacting and sending information to the credit card institute CPC for verification of the billing status. In sub-step B3.1, a separate communication connection is established between the data center and the credit card institute CPC. In sub-step B3.2, the following information is exchanged via a separate online connection between the data center TDC and the credit card institute CPC:
  • f) Credit Card Number Credit Card #
  • g) Expiration Date period of validity
  • h) Credit Value Reset Credit Value
  • i) Customer name
    The credit card institute CPC checks whether the credit card number that was stored in the data center TDC is valid.
  • B4.Receiving approval of proper credit card status in the data center. In step B4, the credit card institute CPC delivers an OK to the data center 50 when the liquidity of the customer, ie the validity of the credit card, has been determined (duration approx. 20 seconds). Otherwise, the credit card institute CPC returns a NOT_OK if the request has been answered negatively. The receipt of the message in the data center is associated with a corresponding evaluation, as was already explained in step 4 according to the first variant. In step B4, the requested loan amount is automatically entered and stored in a special mask for credit card payment, specifying the PAN, the credit card number and the loan amount, in accordance with the TDC program.
  • B5. Edit the reload process or return to step 1 to repeat the entry. If the question has been answered in the affirmative, the regular remote value specification is then continued with the desired reload amount, the billing in the data center and the payment being regulated in accordance with the request already received and saved by the TDC operator in the course of communication A. In step B5, the franking machine can now load the desired amount. The following check takes place during the loading process:
    If the remote value default amount is available in the normal account, then a regular remote value default is made with the desired amount.
    Otherwise check whether the user is a credit card user. If this is the case and he is a credit card user, check whether there is cover. Otherwise there will be an error message ("No credit").
    The credit amount is stored in the so-called credit card account, in the special second sub-register of the data center, ie in a buffer, cumulatively at least until the billing between the credit card institute CPC and the data center has been carried out analogously to the method described in step 6. For this purpose, in addition to a first descending register R1, a special first sub-register R1a corresponding to the customer's special first account and a special second sub-register R1b as a second part of the descending register corresponding to the customer's special second account are also stored in database 52 . The sum of the sub-registers is equal to the remaining amount still available in the franking machine and the following equation applies: $$\text{R1 = R1a + R1b}$$
    
    The descending register value in R1 of the data center thus corresponds to the descending register value in R1 that has been stored in the franking machine until the transition to a communication or remote reloading mode. If the value is accumulated in the special second sub-register R1b, the loans are approved. A credit, which is transferred to the customer's special first account in accordance with the manner shown in FIG. 1 in order to top up the remaining amount in a conventional manner, is therefore first temporarily stored in the special first sub-register R1a. A time is then reached at which both the special first sub-register value in R1a and the descending register value in R1 are increased by the value which is stored in the special second sub-register R1b. The increased value is subtracted in the special second sub-register R1b and the new value in the special second sub-register R1b is then zero and the value in R1a then corresponds to the descending register value in R1, which is also stored in the franking machine.
  • B6. Submission of listed information on successful loan requests. If a remote value specification has been processed via the special second sub-register R1b assigned to the customer's credit card account, the postal authority must be informed in a separate report (step B6). In addition, a data carrier is created for the credit card institute on a daily, weekly or monthly basis so that the loaded remote value default amounts can be transferred to the postal authority. Listed information about successful credit inquiries is transmitted to the credit card institute, before a money transfer between the customer bank and the credit card institute and before transfers are made to the bank of the postal carrier.

The advantages result from the rapid availability of such a system, because standard products can be used and therefore no adaptation measures are required on the franking machine side. This means that if necessary, this service can be used for everyone. all products already in the field are provided.

The invention is not limited to the present embodiments. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable which make use of the solution shown, even in the case of fundamentally different types.

Claims (18)

Method for paying for the subsequent accreditation of an electronic franking machine that can be switched to a reloading mode, characterized by the steps: 1. Data entry and switching of the franking machine (40) into a communication mode or credit request mode, 2. Establishment of the communication link to a data center (50), plausibility check of the entered data and transmitted register values in the data center (50) and start of a credit inquiry process when a credit card number has been entered or start of a reloading process with a prepaid credit, 3. contacting and sending information to the credit card institute CPC (60) to verify the credit card status when a credit card number has been entered, 4. receiving approval of the proper credit card status in the data center (50) or error notification, 5. Editing the reloading process or returning to step 1 to repeat the entry for the credit inquiry mode or to switch the franking machine into a communication mode, 6. Transmission of listed information about successful credit inquiries to the credit card institute, 7. Money transfer between the customer bank (10) and the credit card institution (60) and 8. Execution of transfers to the bank (30) of the mail carrier. A method according to claim 1, characterized by automatically transmitting information to the credit card company when a credit card number has been entered and by waiting for approval if the credit card company is currently unavailable, and by repeating communication with the credit card company when the connection is interrupted was, with the number of unsuccessful communication attempts, the deletion of the credit request in the specific register VGW of the data center (50) taking place if the connection is not established after a predetermined number of attempts. Method according to claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the data center (50) for verifying the money transfer transmits a list of valid credit inquiries to the credit card institute (60) and waits for a corresponding confirmation by the credit card institute (60). Method for paying for the subsequent accreditation of an electronic franking machine that can be switched to a reloading mode, characterized by the steps: Data entry of user-specific information, which additionally includes information about the type of payment and which is entered immediately after the identification number (PIN) via the keyboard of the franking machine and switching the franking machine into a communication mode or credit inquiry mode, - automatic contact by the data center and sending information to the credit card institute CPC to verify the credit card status, - receiving approval of the proper credit card status in the data center or error display, and - Automatic processing of the reloading process in the data center, the credit value being entered in the specific second sub-register R1b of the data center when the credit card status is correct. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the information on the type of payment includes the credit card number and the expiry date of the credit card and possibly the information on the name of the credit card institute commissioned if the data center cooperates with several credit card institutes. Method for paying for the subsequent accreditation of an electronic franking machine that can be switched to a reloading mode, characterized by the steps: - Execution of a separate first communication A, the transmitted user-specific information additionally providing information about the Includes payment type, which is transmitted in the course of communication with the data center and entered in a special mask and - Execution of a separate second communication B, the electronic franking machine being switched to a reload mode and the data center carrying out the reset process and its booking in accordance with the entry in the aforementioned special mask. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the user-specific information transmitted by the franking machine only comprises the identification number (PIN) and the values in the postal registers and in that the information about the type of payment which was transmitted in a previous separate communication A to the data center, as an order in the form of an order code belonging to the identification number (PIN) or to the customer name in the database of the data center until another order is placed, and that depending on the aforementioned information about the payment method, which in the course of communication A the data center is transmitted separately, in the data center the required data processing and storage capacity is switched accordingly to process the aforementioned information. Method according to claims 6 to 7, characterized by the steps: A1. A customer calls the TDC data center and expresses his wish to the TDC operator to load his franking machine using a credit card, A2. The TDC operator accepts the request and the disclosure of the PIN, the credit card number and the reload amount, A3.The TDC operator carries out a plausibility check A4.The TDC operator establishes a connection with a separate CPC computer in the credit card institute and the liquidity of the credit card is checked via the separate CPC computer in the credit card institute by receiving an OK or NOT OK message from the data center via the communication link. A5.If the confirmation is positive, the TDC operator enters the requested amount in a special Credit Card Payment mask running under the TDC program, specifying the PIN, the credit card number and the loan amount, which is then written into the customer's special second sub-register in the data center, B1 Editing the reloading process or returning to step A1 to repeat the entry for the credit inquiry mode or to switch the franking machine into a communication mode. B2.Transmission of listed information about successful credit inquiries to the credit card institute, before a money transfer between the customer bank and the credit card institute and a transfer to the bank of the postal carrier. Method according to claims 6 to 7, characterized by the steps: A1.The service customer calls the data center (TDC) by telephone and expresses his wish, including a service order, to the TDC operator, A2. The TDC operator accepts the customer's request and confirms the order and makes the appropriate entries in a special mask running under the TDC program so that an assignment of the order code to the client's PIN is achieved. B1.Entering to switch the franking machine into a communication mode by entering the PIN and entering the reload amount: a) Entering the personal identification number PIN (8 digits), b) Entry / confirmation of the reset credit value, B2.Starting the communication routine and plausibility check in the data center after establishing the communication link and automatically performing a routine of the normal remote value specification for the desired reload amount in the data center including a plausibility check, whereby the transmitted PIN and also the transmitted register values are checked in the data center, whereby the The system determines, for example, the customer name and uses the entry in the special first sub-register to determine that there is no or insufficient credit on the special first credit account and then checks whether the current customer is a credit card user, according to the order to proceed B3. Establishing contact and sending information to the credit card institute CPC for verifying the billing status, with a separate communication connection between the data center in sub-step 83.1 and the credit card institute CPC is established and in sub-step B3.2 via a separate online connection between the data center TDC and the credit card institute CPC, information regarding f) credit card number, g) period of validity, h) credit value and i) customer name and where the credit card institute CPC is exchanged checks whether the credit card number stored in the TDC data center is valid, B4.Receiving the approval of the correct credit card status in the data center when the liquidity of the customer or the validity of the credit card has been determined and carrying out a corresponding evaluation, the requested credit amount being automatically confirmed in a special mask for a positive confirmation in accordance with the TDC program Credit Card Payment is entered and saved stating the PAN, the credit card number and the loan amount, B5. Editing the reloading process or returning to step B1 to repeat the entry, B6. Transmission of listed information about successful credit inquiries to the credit card institute, before a money transfer between the customer bank and the credit card institute and a transfer to the bank of the postal carrier. Arrangement for the operation of a data center for the provision and provision of special services in accordance with a type of customer order, characterized in that - in the data center (50) at least one host computer (51) is arranged, which has a stored database (52) and a program (53) for the credit request, which has a coupling to at least one programmable input / output device for carrying out communication via a communication link with the franking machines and for carrying out communication over a communication link with the banks or money / credit institutions for payment the reloading of franking machines with a credit which can optionally be prepaid or postpaid and - that the data center in the database (52) in each case provides storage space for two special sub-registers which are assigned to the accounts of the franking machine user in order to have an en make appropriate booking, whereby if a credit from a first bank (10) of the customer or from the franking machine user directly into a the corresponding first bank account is transferred to a specially commissioned second bank (20) communicatively coupled to the data center (50), a credit is kept in the special first sub-register of the data center (50) in accordance with the prepaid amount, and a special second sub-register in the data center ( 50) is carried out for the booking of the drawdown of credits. Arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that the storage units (52 and 53) are formed in a hard disk or in that a first hard disk is provided as a storage unit (52) and a second hard disk as a storage unit (53). Arrangement according to claims 10 to 11, characterized in that a storage unit for a database (52) and a storage unit for a program (53) together with a programmable input / output device (54) forms a first service unit which, on the one hand, via Communication connections (59) with the franking machines and which on the other hand is connected to at least one operator terminal (55) and that in the aforementioned database storage space for register entries for the provision and provision of special services is reserved according to a customer order on which a franking machine or a TDC operator accesses the entry of the customer order. Arrangement according to claims 10 to 12, characterized in that a second service unit consisting of a second programmable input / output device (56) which on the one hand via a transmission device (501, 502) with the host search (51) and on the other is coupled to a bank terminal or the bank personal computer in the credit bank or credit institution via a transmission device (503, 57, 504) and has access to the database (52) in order to contact and send information to the credit card institute CPC ( 60) to verify billing status and receive approval of proper credit card status. Arrangement according to claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the aforementioned second service unit allows , if necessary, the transmission of listed information about successful credit inquiries. Arrangement according to claims 10 to 13, characterized by the fact that a printer is coupled to the host computer (51) in order to print out the lists for the aforementioned necessary transmission of listed information about successful credit inquiries. Arrangement according to claims 10 to 13, characterized in that, with corresponding recording devices of the host computer (51), alternative data carriers CD-ROM, floppy disks etc. are written with the aforementioned data in order to store them. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 16, characterized in that a database with register entries for the provision and provision of special services is provided in accordance with a customer order. Method for paying for the subsequent accreditation and reloading with prepaid credit for an electronic franking machine that can be switched over to one of the reloading modes, characterized by the steps: 1. Data entry and switching of the franking machine (40) into a communication mode or credit request mode, 2. Establishment of the communication link to a data center (50), plausibility check of the entered data and transmitted register values in the data center and start of a credit inquiry process if a credit card number has been entered or start of a reloading process with a prepaid credit, a credit from a first bank (10) of the customer or from the franking machine user is transferred directly to an associated first bank account at a specially commissioned second bank (20) which is communicatively coupled to the data center (50) and correspondingly prepaid amount a credit is kept in the special first sub-register of the data center (50) and a special second sub-register is kept in the data center (50) for the use of credit and the data center (50) is provided by the customer to provide a corresponding service for the post-loading or re-accreditation of his franking machine is ordered in order to have the money transferred to the account at a third bank (30) specially commissioned by the mail carrier, if necessary, in order to pay for the service of the mail carrier, 3. Contacting and sending information to the credit card institute CPC to verify the credit card status when a credit card number has been entered, 4. receiving approval of proper credit card status in the data center or error notification, 5. Edit the reloading process or return to step 1 to repeat the entry for the credit request mode or to switch the franking machine (40) into a communication mode, the franking machine being able to be reloaded with a prepaid credit via the data center (50) as an alternative to the credit request mode is when the intermediary commissioned second bank (20), which has an electronic communication link to the data center (50), delivers corresponding customer account information about the prepaid credit to the data center, 6. Transmission of listed information about successful credit inquiries to the credit card institute (60) or about the reloading with a prepaid credit to the third bank (30), 7. Money transfer between customer bank (10) and the credit card institute (60) as well 8. Execution of transfers to the third bank (30) of the mail carrier.

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