Customizing the firmware after assembly of an electronic postage meter
First Claim
1. A method for customizing the firmware of an electronic postage meter after assembly, comprising the steps of:
- storing a configuration program within the electronic postage meter which is capable of configuring the meter operation in response to configuration input messages entered therein;
storing operating programs within the electronic postage meter;
inputting input configuration messages into the electronic postage meter to select desired meter functions and provide input data for use with the operating programs stored in the meter; and
storing the input configuration data in the assembled meter under control of the configuration program for subsequent interaction with the operating programs of the meter to customize the meter operation to provide predetermined meter functions.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and associated apparatus for customizing the firmware of an electronic postage meter after assembly, comprising the steps of storing a configuration program within the electronic postage meter which program is capable of configuring the meter in response to configuration input messages, inputting configuration messages into the electronic postage meter to select desired meter functions and provide input data for use with operating programs stored in the meter, storing the configuration input data in the assembled meter under control of the meter configuration program for subsequent interaction with the operating programs of the meter to provide predetermined meter functions, and denying further access to the configuration program prior to placing the meter in service.
28 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method for customizing the firmware of an electronic postage meter after assembly, comprising the steps of:
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storing a configuration program within the electronic postage meter which is capable of configuring the meter operation in response to configuration input messages entered therein; storing operating programs within the electronic postage meter; inputting input configuration messages into the electronic postage meter to select desired meter functions and provide input data for use with the operating programs stored in the meter; and storing the input configuration data in the assembled meter under control of the configuration program for subsequent interaction with the operating programs of the meter to customize the meter operation to provide predetermined meter functions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21)
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19. A method for customizing the firmware of an electronic postage meter after assembly, comprising the steps of:
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storing a configuration code in a ROM in the meter to configure the meter in response to input configuration messages entered therein; storing operating programs in the ROM of the electronic postage meter; inputting configuration messages into the meter for use with the operating programs stored in the meter; storing the input configuration messages in a non-volatile memory under control of the configuration code for interaction with the operating programs of the meter to customize the meter to provide predetermined meter functions during meter operation; and inputting a lock out message into the meter after all the input configuration messages have been entered into the non-volatile memory to prevent further access to the configuration code. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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22. Apparatus for customizing the firmware of an electronic postage meter after assembly, comprising:
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means for storing operating programs for the meter and a meter configuration program; non-volatile memory means capable of storing input configuration messages therein under control of the meter configuration program; means for inputting input configuration messages in the meter; means operating under control of the meter configuration program for storing the input configuration messages in predetermined addresses of said non-volatile memory; and said stored input configuration messages in said non-volatile memory means interacting with the operating programs of the meter to customize the meter to provide predetermined meter functions during meter operation. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. Apparatus for customizing the firmware of an electronic postage meter after assembly, comprising:
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ROM means for storing an operating code for the meter and a meter configuration code; non-volatile memory means capable of storing input configuration messages therein in accordance with the meter configuration code; means for inputting input configuration messages into the meter; means operating under control of the meter configuration code for storing the input configuration messages in predetermined addresses of said non-volatile memory means; said stored input configuration messages in said non-volatile memory means interacting with the operating code of the meter to customize the meter to provide predetermined meter functions during meter operation; and means for inputting a lock out code into the meter after all the input configuration messages have been entered into said non-volatile memory means and prior to placing the meter in service to prevent further access to the meter configuration code and therefore any further entry of input configuration messages in said non-volatile memory means. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41)
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Specification