Electronic postal meter system
First Claim
1. In an electronic postal meter having an electronic accounting system connected to control a postage printing device, wherein means are provided for applying data and control signals to said electronic accounting system;
- the improvements wherein said electronic accounting system incorporates a computer, said computer having a first routine for initializing said meter, a second routine for detecting the occurrence of errors of a first type and instituting said first routine in response thereto for clearing only errors of said first type, and a third routine for detecting errors of a second type and inhibiting operation of said meter in response to errors of said second type.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic postal meter system is separated into a meter unit and an input/output control unit. The two units are linked by a communications link which preferably uses light transmitting fibers to transmit data and instructions. The meter unit is used to process and store only that data which pertains to the critical accounting functions of the meter or to the control of the printer driven by the electronics control within the meter unit. Less critical functions, such as zip-to-zone conversions, are restricted to the less secure control unit. By restricting the meter unit to highly critical data and by enclosing only the meter unit in a secure housing, the overall security of the meter system is enhanced. Novel failure detect circuitry for a printer setting detector array and a novel event-indicating signal generator circuit are disclosed. The significant routines employed in the operation of the meter system are described.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. In an electronic postal meter having an electronic accounting system connected to control a postage printing device, wherein means are provided for applying data and control signals to said electronic accounting system;
- the improvements wherein said electronic accounting system incorporates a computer, said computer having a first routine for initializing said meter, a second routine for detecting the occurrence of errors of a first type and instituting said first routine in response thereto for clearing only errors of said first type, and a third routine for detecting errors of a second type and inhibiting operation of said meter in response to errors of said second type.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. In an electronic postal meter having an electronic accounting system connected to control a postage printing device, said accounting system comprising a computer having a plurality of routines for controlling the operation of said meter, and wherein said meter further comprises means for applying data and control signals to said electronic accounting system;
- the improvement wherein said computer has a first routine responsive to error conditions of a first type for reinitializing said meter, said computer having a second routine responsive to errors of a second type for inhibiting further operation of said meter independently of any reinitialization procedures.
- View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
Specification