| 摘要 |
1492704 Postage meters PITNEY-BOWES Inc 13 Oct 1975 [23 Dec 1974] 41851/75 Heading B6D A postage meter incorporates a microcomputer set. Input to the microcomputer processing unit is by keyboard 34, but remote input stations may also be used. The input may be multiplexed to display 35. The microcomputer set includes a central processing unit, read only memories containing the postage meter programme, random access memories for computation and a non-volatile memory, e.g. battery powered, to which data is transferred when the system is shut down to prevent loss. The microcomputer set has outputs to set the postage value of a postage metre printing cylinder 103, and also controls the indexing of an ascending and a descending register amount. The microcomputer may also include a register amount corresponding to the total of these two, and a comparison between this register amount and the sum of the amounts in the ascending and descending registers may be made to check for faults. The unit may also display these amounts. The unit also controls various indicator lamps, e.g. "check date", "call for service", lamps indicating what is displayed in the display, and the system may prevent printing of an amount greater than a set amount unless a button is pressed in the keyboard, there being an indicator lamp to show that this button needs to be pressed. Further credit may be added to or subtracted from the system by using the keyboard in conjunction with switches 122, 123 normally concealed behind panel 125 retained by seal 121. Alternatively, the credit may be amended form a remote source. The printing operation may be actuated by button 108 when a "meter enabled" indicator lamp is illuminated by the system, or actuation may be effected by detection of a piece of mail 104 inserted. |
