Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1~ti5677
The present invention relates to electronic franking
machines.
In the field of postal franking, most previously-used
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machines have employed mechanical or electro-mechanical
systems for selection of digits representing values to be
franked (on an envelope, for example), for metering individual
franking operations (recording and collating amounts franked,
for example) and for storage of information concerning, for
example, total value franked to date. Setting of a value to
be franked is carried out mechanically by selecting an angular
position for a numbered wheel, which position is retained
once set, such a mechanical machine is described, for example,
in United States Patent Specification No. 3,451,519. In-
cidentally, an electrically adjustable printing device is
disclosed in United States Patent Specification No. 3,869,986,
but even this does not suggest any departure from the conven-
- tional use of cumbersome electromechanical meter memories.
; Although such previously used systems are well proven
` it is desirable to provide franking-value selection and
registration means such as can enable a reduction in size
and weight to be achieved, without significant loss of
efficiency and reliability as compared with prior franking
machines.
- According to the present invention there is provided a
franking machine, comprising: -
franking value selection means, operable selectively
- to provide an electrical input representative of a franking
value selected for a desired next franking operation of the
machine, for setting the selected franking value into the
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machine;
a digital electronic inpu-t register, having an input
connected to said franking value selection means, for re-
ceiving and holding said selected franking value;
an electrically adjustable printing device, settable
electrically to any selected one of a plurality of different
conditions enabling the device to be actuated respec-tively to
print a plurality of different franking values;
setting control circuitry, connected with said input
register and said printing device, operable in dependence
upon said electrical input to bring about setting of said
printing device to the condition in which it is actuable to
print said selected franking value;
a digital electronic total register, for holding an
accumulated value representative of the sum of the respective
franking values used in preceding franking operations of the
machine; and
totalling circuitry, connected between said input
register and said total register, for effecting addition of -
said selected franking value held in the input register to
said accumulated value; whereby a new accumulated value is
provided, to be held in said total register, after printing
of said selected franking value, in place of said accumulated
value previously held there, wherein said franking value
selection means, said input register, said total register and
said totalling circuitry are together housed in an electronics
unit of the machine, and the said electrically adjustable
printing device is housed in a printing unit of the machine,
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said electronics and printing units being separable one
from the other and having complementary coupling means for
setting up operative electrical connections therebetween
when the electronics unit is engaged with the printing unit.
For present-day purposes the electronics unit will
generally include key-board-operated input means connected
to the input register and operable to feed respective selected
franking values into that register for successive franking
operations of the machine.
An electronic postal franking machine designed to
have overall advantages as compared with some previously
used electro-mechanical machines; for example, lower cost,
better reliability and consequent reduced maintenance re-
quirements, reduced bulk and weight, and in particular the
normal requirement for the registers of such a machine to be
checked and reset by the postal authorities can be greatly
facilitated by the removable nature of the electronics unit
which can have the form of a pocket calculator and house such
registers in a readily transportable item.
In an electronic franking machine intended for use as
a postal franking machine in the United Kingdom, there is
provided additionally a credit register, i.e. a memory for
storing credit information. Initially a maximum credit value
is set in this register, by the Post Office, and the franking
value is subtracted automatically from the value remaining in
the credit register, whenever a franking operation is carriec~
out with the machine. For such use in the U.K. it is necessary
that existing credit and total expenditure values can be
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retained, in the registers of the machine, for an extended
period of non-use.
It is also necessary that such a machine should be
reasonably secure, so that information stored cannot be
modified by unauthorised persons (at least without leaving :-
evidence thereof). In particular the total register should
be relatively highly secure, whilst the credit register
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should be alterable by Post Office personnel, for example,
(but not others) relatively easily. Credit and total
registers should preferably not be alterable during
normal servicing of the machine. One way of providing
security of l'tote" information in the total register
may be to provide that this "tote" register is
replaceable, so that a new register is introduced
~- each time a credit limit is reached, the old l'tote"
register being retained by the Post Office. Alternatively
the tote register may be resettable using secure procedures.
Reference will now be made, by way o~ example,
to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
: Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram
of a machine embodying the present invention,
Figures 2 to 4 are diagrammatic block circuit
diagrams of parts of respective embodiments of the
present invention,
Figure 5 shows a schemetic external view
of a part of an embodiment of the present invention,
Figures 6A and 6B are together a more detailed
block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention,
Figures 7A and 7B and 7C are synoptic diagrams
of respective parts of an operational algorithm of an
- embodiment of the present invention,
Figures 8A and 8B and 8C are synoptic
diagrams of respective parts of an operational algorithm
` of another embodiment of the present invention,
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Figure 9 is a block diagram of an
embodiment of the present invention, and
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the
exterior of a franking machine embodying the present
invention.
Figure 1 shows operational components
of a postal franking machine that has a non-volatile
backing store, or register, 1 (discussed in more detail
hereinafter) in addition to working registers 2
(in a so-called working register stack).
The working registers 2 include an input or
value register, for storing a selected value to be
franked in the next franking operation, which value is
entered by way of a keyboard 3, and also include
a credit register and a tote register. The current
credit and tote values stored may be displayed
on a display 4 by actuation of appropriate keys
of the keyboard 3. When a value to be franked is set
in the input register, a printer 5 is set to a condition
for printing the selected franking value. Thereafter
upon actuation of a "frank" key on the keyboard 3,
a printing head of the machine is caused to operate
and the value thus franked is added to the
accumulated value stored in the tote register to provide a
new accumulated value therein, and subtracted from
the credit value stored in the credit register to
provide a new credit value therein, by means of an
. . .
arithmetic unit 6 which provides both addition and
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subtraction means. In practice this function of such
a manually operated "frank" key will be performed by an
electromechanical or optical internal switch which is
automatically tripped, to cause the printing head to
operate, upon insertion into the machine of an item
to be franked. The manual key FK can be adapted to be
used just for the printing of labels to be attached to
- packages too large to be inserted into the machine.
The non~volatile backing register 1 is provided
for storing the values last present in the tote and credit
registers, to provide for retention of up-to-date information,
in the event of loss of power supplied to the working
registers.
It will be appreciated that for use in some
countries the presence of a credit register is not
required and that a machine embodying the presen-t invention
could be built without such a register.
A control unit 7 governs operation of the
- other components of the machine. In the illustrated
embodiment of the invention the unit 7 includes a Post Office
controller which enables credit and tote information to be
modified. In Figure 1, broken lines indicate control links
between unit 7 and other parts of the apparatus.
The Post Office controller can be considered
as comprising a secure section and a highly secure section. `~
The secure section may have a sealed input, which can only
be used by breaking of a Post Office seal, by means of which
a value stored in the credit register can be altered.
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The highly secure section may also have a seal which must be
broken if access is to be gained, but will comprise in
addition a device such as a combination lock, intended
to deny access to all but authorised users. This
highly secure section of the Post Office controller provides
for alteration of a value stored in the tote register.
As an alternative to such a combination
lock, or in addition, it may be provided that a preselected
code word known only to authorised personnel must be
entered into the machine via a keyboard in order that
modification of tote information (and possibly credit
information) be permitted. It will be appreciated that for
some uses such security of tote and credit registers might
- not be required. For example only the presence of a seal
might be sufficient.
Such a franking machine embodying the present
inventlon, for use in the U.K., stores credit
and tote information in its registers in binary coded
form.
The embodiment of the present invention
illustrated in Figure 1 comprises also mail counters
- 8. These counters can enable a daily record of the
amount of mail franked to be compiled, the information
being retrievable by actuation of an appropriate key
on the key-board 3.
There are several different types of
store, for digital information storage, presently available.
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Such stores may be classified into two groups:
- volatile and non-volatile stores.
Non-volatile stores are devices which retain
their information even after removal of power supplies
- thereto, e.g. magnetic storage systems. Magnetic
storage systems tend to be large in both physical
size and memory capacity, and they may also be expensive,
and in the franking machine embodiment illustrated in
Figure 1 these are not employed.
Volatile stores are devices which may loose
their information when power supply is removed, e.g.
generally available Bipolar/MOS Registers. However, by providing
a standby battery supply to a volatile store an effectively
non-volatile store may be obtained.
Thus, as shown in ~igure 2, a standby battery 16
may be provided, in a franking machine embodying the present
invention, as auxiliary supply means, to take over power supply
to a volatile store 11 (which may be used as a total
register, for example) in the event of failure of mains
power supply. In the embodiment of ~igure 2, the battery
will also supply power to logic circuitry 10 so as to
enable tote information, for example, to be modified in the
absence of mains supply; however, in the illustrated embodiment
the battery does not supply electromechanicaï components
(e.g. a printer), since this might result in too great a
power drain on the battery; accordingly, franking cannot take
place when the "standby" battery 16 is supplying power.
Thus, in a comparison of the embodiments of
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- the present invention of Figures 1 and 2, in the embodiment
of Figure 2 the function of the backing store of Figure 1
is fulfilled by the volatile store 11 (of Figure 2)
- in combination with battery 16, volatile store 11 also
constituting working registers 2 ~or at le~st part
thereof) of Figure 1.
However, as shown in Figure 1, it is possible
to provide a franking machine embodying the present
: invention in which working registers are of a volatile
. 10 type, there being a separate non-volatile "dump" or
"backing" register 1 constituting back-up storage means
: provided for use in the ab~ence of mains supply,
information from the working registers being automatically
. stored in the "backing" register upon loss of supply,
.- but being automatically retrievable when supply
is returned.
. As shown in Figure 3, in a franking machine
embodying the present invention in which such a non-volatile
"dump" or "backing" register 18 is provided as a
20 non-volatile back-up store in addition to a volatile
store 11, a battery 16 may also be provided to ensure
that, in the event of loss of mains power, logic circuitry
10 can be operated together with the volatile store 11 to .
ensure that information is properly transferred to the
- backing register 18. In this case the electronic
sections of the machine may also remain operable in the
absence of mains supply but, as in the embodiment
-~ of Figure 2, electromechanical components cannot be
~ operated when mains supply is absent.
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1~65677
When a volatile store with a back-up battery is employed
in an embodiment of the present invention to provide an
effectively non-volatile register, the battery used m~st be
highly reliable.
Two possible types of battery or cell are at present
considered as probably providing the most desirable choices:-
(i) a new Lithium cell, developed by Saft ~td.
This can be manufactured to a smaller size than a Standard U2
- cell and each individual cell has a terminal voltage
of around 3.2 volts. Such cells are of a non-rechargeable
type, but have a shelf life of approximately ten years.
When the battery is employed merely as a standby, current
drain might be approximately eighty nanoamps (80 x 10 9)
to store twenty digits (10 per memory) in the stores
-, being supplied. Thus, retention over a number of years is
possible. In use in an embodiment of the present invention,
it can be arranged that such a battery is automatically
cut out of circuit when the mains is applied, and vice versa.
In embodiments of the invention such as are shown in Figures 2
and 3, for example, a mains power supply, of franking
machine, and a battery can be connected to a tote
or credit register (the volatile store ll) through
respective diodes 13 and 14. The battery provides lower
voltage than the mains power supply. The capacitor
prevents the power supply to the store 11 dropping below a
preselected operating voltage when overcoming reverse bias
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-- on diode 13 or 14 during change-over from battery
to mains power supply, or vice versa, respectively.
- ~ii) Rechargeable Nickel/Cadmium cells. These are
usually of a similar size to the previously mentioned
batteries. It can be arranged that automatic
recharging takes place when the machine in which they
are employed is in use and is receiving mains supply.
However, in an embodiment employing such a cell
it is to be noted that if the machine i$ left in an
unused condition for more than four months it is possible
-~ that the inf~rmation registered may change or be lost.
In an embodiment in which this is a possibility, it can be
: arranged that any change in information in the store will
-- always be down in value so that the liability will not be
that of the Post Office.
Solid state circuitry in the embodiment of Figure 1
incorporates the functions of the control unit 7,
arithmetic unit 6, and Working Registers 2. Although
discrete I.C.'s can be used as the basis of this
circuitry, it is possible to implement the whole logic
- on a single chip in the form of an LSI device.
The two major classes of digital I.C.
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technology at present are the Bipolar and MOS
classes. The Bipolar class can itself be divided into
several classes, viz: Standard Bipolar, Isoplanar,
Collector Diffusion Isolation and (I L) integrated
injection logic. MOS devices can also be divided into five
different classes, viz: P-Channel, N-Channel
Complementary MOS ~CMOS), VMOS and DMOS. Each of these -
classes is again sub-dividable into different classes
according to the fabrication and structure of their gate
region.
A brief survey of the various available
functional logic blocks (only available for a limited
number of the above-mentioned classes of I.C. technology)
suggests that for a franking machine embodying the
present invention, those belonging to the CMOS class might
provide the best cost/performance trade-offs at present.
Compared with other medium-speed (50 NS propagation delay)
logic blocks, CMOS blocks have relatively low-power
dessipation, for example 10 NW per gate. For TTL
(transistor transistor logic) blocks the equivalent
value would be of the order of 1 mW. Further, CMOS blocks
can tolerate a relatively wide range of power supply
voltages, for example from 3V to 15V, thus reducing any
need for regulation of the supplies, and have a
good immunity to noise, typically up to 45% of the supply
voltage, so that they can be employed in an electrically
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1065677
noisy environment with little need for complex
filtering or shielding arrangements.
CMOS blocks may be slightly inferior
to TTL blocks in terms of speed, and lower in gate
density per unit silicon area than N-Channel MOS
blocks, but these disadvantages appear to be only
of secondary importance for present purposes.
The TTL and CMOS blocks at present readily
available are not exactly equivalent (CMOS blocks have
additional functions), but for comparison purposes it can
be said that CMOS blocks are generally more expensive
for both small and large quantities of particular
devices. However, overall system costs using CMOS
blocks could be less, owing to cheaper power supply
requirements. Where large quantities are involved, i.e.
in excess of 25,000 per annum, special integrated
circuites using either TTL or CMOS technology,
e.g. custom built chips or Microprocesser units,
become economically viable, and their use can result
in savings in both component and assembly costs.
As discussed above, with reference to
Figures 1 and 3, in one embodiment of the present
invention providing a postal franking machine there are
two types of memory arrangement, viz: Working registers
and a backing register (a non-volatile storel.
In addition to the working registers there may
be a programme store in the control unit 7 of Figure 1.
Thus a programmeable store in the form of an ROM (Read Only
Memory) or a -PROM (Programmeable Read Only Memory)
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may be needed to store machine instructions (which may be
in micro-code). CMOS technology can again be used, to
conserve power.
As mentioned above, an intrinsically non-volatile
back-up memory can be used in the above-described embodiment of
Figures 1 and 3 for preserving credit and tote information
even in the absenGe of mains power to the machine.
In this case, the operating system can be such that
the non-volatile backing register is kept idle during the
course of normal operation of the machine, and when
the machine has reached a quiescent or static state,
and has remained in that state for a defined time (say
tens seconds has elapsed since completion of a last
preceding franking operation), idle-state monitoring
means provide a control signal which automatically
causes the non-volatile backing register to be updated
with the latest contents of the credit and tote
registers.
In computer systems, intrinsically
non-volatile backing stores are usually magnetic
in nature. Owing to their size/weight and power
consumption (during operation) presently available
magnetic stores are not entirely suited for use as
backing registers in franking machines embodylng
the present invention. However, a practically non-volatile
semiconductor store, known as an MNOS (Metal-Nitride-Oxide-
Semiconductor) device has been identified which seems likely
to satisfy the requirements for use as such a backing
register. Storage time for such a device depends on the
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amplitude and duration of writing pulses employed
therewith. Plessey and NCR market such devices
- in 64-bit (e.g. Plessey NOM 4 01C 8 X 8 MNOS array)
and 1024-bit arrays. Such devices can be made with
rated minimum storage times of 1 day, 1 year~ and
100 years, respectively for write times ~per word)
of 1 microsecond, 100 micro-seconds, and 10
milliseconds.
The power consumption of these devices
during dynamic states is very close to that typical
of CMOS devices. However, they require special interfacing
circuitry and need a relatively high negative supply
voltage, in the region of -30V, during write/erase
operations.
- In an embodiment of the present invention such
a 64-bit Plessey MNOS store can be used, write pulses
having a pulse height of -35V and a duration of 100 sec,
giving a storage time in the range from 5 to 10 years.
It is also possible that MNOS devices could be
used as working tote and credit registers in an embodiment
of the present invention, and thereby obviate any
necessity for the additional provision of a "dump"
or backing register.
An embodiment of the present invention
employing such a non-volatile store (providing a tote
and/or a credit register) is illustrated in Figure 4.
- The non-volatile store is indicated at 19 and is
provided with a capacitor 20, which is maintained in a
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charged condition when mains power supply is present,
which when mains power is cut-off provides a temporary
power supply so that inform~tion can continue to be safely
~` entered into the store to complete an already commenced
storage cycle, when mains supply is unexpectedly
lost. Thereafter, as opposed to the situation in the
embodiments of Figures 2 and 3, the electronic
logic circuitry 10 is inoperable, as are the
electromechanical components 12, ~ntil mains supply power
is restored.
Three shift registers, for example, can be used,
in an embodiment of the present invention, as working
registers to store franking value (current value to be
franked), credit and tote data. The input register in an
-'- embodiment of the present invention can be a 4 X 4
bit (4 decimal digits) register and the credit and tote
- registers can be 10 X 4 bit (10 decimal digits, or 9 -
decimal digits plus a half) registers.
A wide range of seven-segment display
urits are available which can be considered for use in
embodiments of the present invention. These include
Eilamentary, Gas Discharge, V.L.E.D. (Visible Light
- Emitting Diode), Liquid Crystal and Phosphor-Diode
~- devices. Bearing in mind such factors as cost, -~
appearance and portability, for a franking machine
embodying the present invention the type of display
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- 106567~
unit that at present seems to be most viable commercially
is the V.L.E.D. unit.
Reliability and degradation seem to be the
main problems with liquid crysta:L display units. The
operational life of such a display unit may be as short as
200 hours. In comparison to this, V.L.E.D. units are
showing m.t.b.f. (mean time between failures) values
of greater than 200,000 hours when operating under quite
severe environmental conditions.
In terms of current drain from a supply
(which is one of the most important factors to consider
in the design of an off-line battery-operated
electronic franking machine) liquid crystal devices have an
undisputed advantage. However, to counter this, V.L.E.D.
devices have aaditional speed that can enable power
consumption to be reduced through the use of multiplexing
techniques.
A possible configuration for display means is shown
at 50 in Figure 5. The display illustrated comprises two
portions, a diagnostic fault code (explained in more detail
hereinafter) display portion 51 and a numerical display
portion 52 for displaying credit tote and franking values
for example.
For entering information to the franking machine
of Figure 2, and for serving other functions, e.g. providing
for display of credit, tote and selected franking values on
demand, a keyboard is provided, for example such as is
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provided for a pocket calculator. A possible
- key-board arrangement can be as shown at 3 in Figure 5. In
Figure 5, keys of the keyboard are designated 53, and an
on/off switch provided thereon is designated 54.
The following is a Table of symbols used on the keyboard
- of Figure 5, explanation of various terms used will be
g-iven hereinafter.
Table 1
Key Board Legend:- operation indicated
1. 0 - 9 - Value selection.
2. L.B. - Label select. -
3. C.L. - Clear value.
4. T.D. - Tote register display.
5. H.V. - Set high value.
6. F.K. - Operate machine.
7. C.D. - Credit register display.
Operable Only By Post Office:-
8. P.C. - Programme clear.
9. C.R. - Modify credit register.
10. T.~. - Modify tote register.
11. + - Add value register to credit or
; tote registers.
12. - - Subtract value register form credit
or tote registers.
13. CA:CB:CC:CD: - Security code butto~s. ~-
- A possible alternative key-board can afford
a set of key functions, for use with an embodiment of the
present invention such as is shown in Figure 3 or 4 for -
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example, as listed in the table below, in ~hich "V.R."
stands for "Value Register" and denotes the register
alternatively referred to herein as the input register.
The number of keys could probàb:Ly be reduced by the
- use of multiplexing techniques.
Table 2
Keys Nc. Type Function Notes
0-9 10 Single shot Decimal Number
Entry
2 1 " 0.5 Entry
'- 10
TD 1 " TR Display
CD 1 " CR Display
FCD 1 " F.C.C. Display~
~ May be
- SCD 1 " S.C.C. Display ¦ included
in the
LCD 1 " L.C. Displaykeyboard
- TCD 1 " T.C. Display
HV 1 " Set ~igh Value
FK 1 " Operate Franking
CL 1 " Clear Value or
Input Register
and Diagnostic
Codes
PC 1 " Programme Clear
CR 1 " Modify C.R.
TR 1 '' Modify T.R. perable
nly by
+ 1 " Add V.R. to C.R. æost
- - or T.R. ¦Office
- - - 1 " Subract V.R. from
C.R. or T.R.
POS; - 1 Single-Pole Post office security)
pos Double Throw switch
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Table 2 (contd.)
Keys No. Type Function Notes
LC 1 Single Shot Lockout clear ~
Operable only
SCS* 4 " Secret Code i~ by Post Office ;
Switch .!'
LS L Single Pole Label Selection
Single Throw Switch
*SCS could be increased from 4 to 12 in number for production
machines.
CD and TD (credit and tote register display switches)
are arranged in "exclusive or" form, i.e. only one
of them could be effective at a time.
To modify amounts stored in Tote and Credit
registers, the data keys (number keys 0 to 9 and 2)
must be used in conjunction with the "C R", "T R", "~"
(add) and "-" (subtract) keys. In a machine such as that
of Figure 1, the latter four keys are under the control
of the Post Office Controller. Change of the Tote register
(operation of "T R" and either "~" or "-" can be made
possible only by operating "POS" and entering a special
identity code through lSCS" (or by operation of code
buttons CAI CB/ Cc, AN~ CD on the keyboard of Figure 5).
If the right code is not provided at the first attempt,
the system will "lockout", i e. no credit/tote modification
will b~ possible. Normality can then only be restored
by operating the "LC" switch. This switch wlll be
housed in the "high security" section of the machine
which is only accessible to Post Office personnel.
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Alternatively, for example in a machine having a keyboard
as shown in Figure 5, to detect a wrong code entxy,
a lockout device in the form of a self rupturing transistor
; could be used. After operation of this device, the
system could only be brought back into operation by
replacement of the ruptured device. Thus means can
be provided whereby any unsuccessful attempt to operate
keys controlled by the Post Office controller will leave
some indication that the attempt has taken place.
The keys available on a keyboard in accordance
with Table 2 in general have the same designations of
functions as are explained in Table 1, however the keyboard
of Table 2 can have additional keys FCD, SCD, LCD and
TCD which relate respectively to First Class Display,
Second Class Display, Label Counter Display and Total
Counter Display. These keys would be provided
on a machine having facilities for storing separately
the number of items of mail franked which are franked
respectively with first class postage value and second
class postage value, the number of labels (as opposed
to letters, the labels being for use on large packages
or parcels for example) franked and also the total
number of items of mail franked, for example on a
day to day basis. The machine of Figure 1 has such
facilities as indicated by the mail counters. It is
also possible to provide, in a franking machine
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1065677
embodying the present invention, a number of registers
(for example non-volatile) for recording respectively
the amounts of mail franked by different departments
within a firm. Each register would, for example,
be actuated by operation of an appropriate key provided
on the keyboard. This would provide the user with
an indication of departmental postal costs for example.
A franking machine embodying the present
invention may employ a printing module, for franking
selected values entered in the value register, of
construction generally similar to that of a known
printing module made available by English Numbering
Machines Ltd. under the Trade Mark "UNIDEC".
- Such a module has printing wheels which can be
! indexed round by pulses supplied to a twenty-four
volt coil situated within the module. As the angular
position changes, so also does a coded readout signal
at output pins of the module. This enables a comparison
to be made with an input key signal, so checking for correct L
location of a required digit. With an operating speed of
40 digits/sec, the maximum time needed for selection of a
,
particular value can be kept to about 250msec.
More specifically, the printing wheels are set to
a selected franking value (entered via the keyboard
to the value register V.R.), and to ensure identity
of the value entry ~contents of V.R.) with the value set
up on the printing wheels, the module generates a coded
-23-
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- ~065677
BCD signal which corresponds to the values to which the
printing wheels are set at any giuen time. This code is
compared with the contents of the V.R. Only when identity
is achieved will the machine be allowed to proceed
to its next logical operation. This comparator
operation is allowed to continue for a finite
time only (typically 5 secs) after which time
if identity is not achieved the print wheel
mechanism will be locked off andr for example a
10 diagnostic fault code "P" (as explained hereinbelow)
will be displayed. This monitoring procedure
may save unnecessary print-wheel rotation, thereby
prolonging the operational lifetime of the printing
module, due to possible malfunctions of the code
identifying means in the module. It seems likely
at present that such a printing module might have
three, extendible to four, Delrin printing wheels,
each having ten printing dispositions. The printing
dispositions of the wheel at the most-significant
20 digi~ location are respectively for printing the figures
1 to 9 and a blank, those of the wheel in the least-
- significant-digit location are alternately for printing
the value 2 and a blank, and those of the or each wheel
at an intermediate-digit location are respectively
for printing the ~igures 0 to 9 inclusive. Peak power
- consumption of the module during printing is likely to
be of the order of 4.25 Watts. Such a module may have a
-24-
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~36S677
"dead-stroke" driving arrangement, employing two 24 Vd.c.
solenoids, with noise damping, instead of a rotary driving
motor. The module can also be provided in known manner with means
for providing mecahnically a visual display of the value to
which the printing wheels are set.
Figures 6A and 6B show operational components,
of a franking machine in general accordance with Figure 2,
including a selection of keys present in a key-board of the
machine, e.g. numercial keys 601 for keying in the
digits to 9, a high-value (HV) key 602, a Reset key 606,
and various other keys, for example a clear key 603, -
a credit key 604, and a tote key 605. This embodiment has a
10-digit L.E.D. display 622 and a three-digit and one-half
- print head (printing module) 621.
Selection of a value to be franked is carried out
by depressing the appropriate numerical keys 601 in order from
the most significant digit to the least significant digit.
` In Figures 6A and 6B, 611 to 618 are respéctive
trigger devices T, for generating, in response to
pulses from an appropriate key, 601 to 608, pulses
of an improved shape.
If a high value is required to be franked the HV
key 602 must be depressed. Actuation of key 602
operates a lock as shown in the Figures. The lock is
an inhibit circuit such that the machine will not operate
;- when a high-franking value is selected unless the High Value
key 602 is depressed. This key resets itself
: after each operation, requiring a fresh operation of
HV for the next franking operation, so as to prevent
- 30 inadvertent repetition of a high-value franking.
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1065677
As can be seen in the Fiyure a selected value,
input through key 601 is delivered from trigger 611
to an input of a 2 X 4 bit compaxator 638 which
has another input connected to receive the value stored in
credit register 619, and thus the value selected is compared
digit by digit with the value stored in the credit register
619, which in the illustrated example is a ~8 bit,
4 line register, and if (but only if) sufficient credit
to cover the selected value is available, franking operation
is enabled by delivery of a pulse from an output of
- comparator 638 to AND gate 624. If only lp
is left in credit, this may be used, but then the machine
will lock off (franking is disenabled, and a display
indication of this may be given by means of a diagnostic
fault code as explained hereinbelow)~ Alternatively the machine
. could be designed to lock off when the credit value falls to
some predetermined non-zero value.
Only one display is incorporated; this normally
shows the selected franking value. If the Credit or Tote
~- 20 value is required to be displayed, this can be effected by
- depressing the appropriate key "CREDIT" 6Q4 or "TOTE"
605. This function is carried out by dlsplay
selector 637, which has respective inputs for receiving
signals indicative of the contents of the credit and
tote registers, the content of the input register, the result
of the comparison carried out at comparator 638, and control
inputs connected to keys 604 and 605 which are used for
indicating that display of credit or tote values is desired.
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An output of the display selector is connected to a decoder
633 for providing a display of a selected item on the display
622.
The required value having been selected, the
information will have been transferred to the input register
620 (V.R.), in this case a 16 bit, 4 line register, via
AND gate 624. The print head 621 is ariven by a
power driver 631 and provides an output indicative
of the instantaneous franking value set therein to a
comparator 630 which also receives the value signal
entered by means of the keys 601. When the
comparator indicates identity of the instantaneously
set franking value of the print head and the franking
value entered by keys 601 the power driver is
switched off. If the print head fails to set to the
entered franking value with a preselected time then it is disen-
abled. If a letter or label is then placed in a throat
of the machine, a trip switch 607 -~:TRIP) will
operate and by way of AND gate 627 a pulse is
del~vered to power driver 641, and franking will thereupon
be effected.
A sensing switch is provided
adjacent to the further limit of printing movement
of the print head 621, to ensure that no arithmetic
functions are performed until franking is actually
occurring. When the sensing switch is actuatea, the
value in the input register 620 is added to that in
a tote register 623, in this case a 48-bit, 4-line
register, and subtracted from that in the credit register 619.
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Thus the value set on the machi~e is not transferred
to the'tote or credit register until, or just before,
franking (printing) is actually effected. This can be
- ensured, for instance, by having a micro-switch or a photo-
electric sensor arranged to be actuated just before, or upon,
contact of the print head with the item being franked.
This can ensure 'that if there is a mains failure it is
very unlikely that a value will be transferred to the
tote or credit register without franking having taken
place.
This stage complete, the input register 620
will be emptied if "high value" has been selected, but
will remain ready for further franking operations if the
value therein is a "low" value (less than'1-oo for a
U.K. franking machine). If a change of value is required the
CLEAR key 603 is depressed, and a different value can
then be entered. Actuation of the clear key causes a
signal to be derived from AND gate 625 (in dependence ;
upon the conditon of the high-value lock) which allows
' 20 a signal from l-shot generator 636 to clear the
register 620. For rewriting the contents of
the input, credit and tote registers, respective
rewrite connections are provided to AND gates 626, 629
and 628 respectively. The respective outputs
of these AND gates are connected to inputs of the
- input, credit and tote registers, respectively, for rewriting
' thereof.
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3L065677
There may also be provided a maximum tote value
protection arrangement, whereby overflow of the tote
register, due to the addition of too high a value thereto,
- and possible resultant resetting thereof to an incorrect
- value is prevented.
When the machine is plugged into the mains, the
display 622 may be on continuously; alternatively it can be
arranged that the display operates intermittently, thereby
attracting the operator's attention. The display is
driven from a 40kHz clock 640 via a x12
counter 635 and a 4-line in, 16-line out demultiplexer 634. The
- clock 640 also provides, via a sync. signal generator
639, synchronisation signals for the input
register 620. For example, intermittent display
may be provided only when a high value has been
entered for franking, thereby calling this to the
operator's attention. However, when the machine is
on standby battery supply the display will preferably
operate for a short period (5 seconds) only, when a
value is keyed into the input register, and will
then require resetting to obtain a further 5-seconds display.
This safeguard is necessary to ensure reasonable
battery life, since the display is a high current
drain part of the circuitry.
The reset key 606, which is intended to be
.
- operated by au`thorised personnel only operates
a blanking circuit 632 for blanking the display 622.
Operation of this resetting key providing such further 5-
second displays.
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365677
A power switch 609 and an add-to-credit key 610
are also provided. sefore these keys can be operated a
post office seal must be broken, for example.
In dependence upon an output of the input register
620, the triggering of a print detect sensor 60g and of
the add-to-credit switch 610 a high value display control
circuit 642, a compliment~r 643 and an adder 644 are operated.
In addition to the keyboard input, the machine might
also be provided with automatic input means comprising a
weighing device, for example electronic or electro-mechanical,
for providing an input signal in accordance with the weight
of say an envelope or package to be franked, whereby the
franking machine automatically selects an appropriate postal
value and franks the envelope or package (or a label therefor~.
An electronic franking machine embodying the present
invention can also be provided which can be linked to an
automatic paper handling system. For example ERTMA 750-558
- performs bundle separation and bundle control activities by
automatically reading codes typed on documents. These codes,
which given an indication of weight, can be used for automatic
selection and franking of envelopes for the bundles for
- example.
- An electro-mechanical back-up tote register could be
provided in addition to the electronic register.
- A machine embodying the present invention is composed
of two mutually separable main parts, one of which comprises
the printing unit, or module (PRINT ~EAD), and the other being
an electronics unit, or module, of approximately the size of
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5677
a pocket calculator, which houses the registers and
logic circuitry and includes the display and the keyboard.
The electronics unit and printin~ module have complementary
coupling means (for example, conventional plug and socket
arrangements) for setting up operative electrical connections
between the circuitry and the printing device when they are
engaged. The exterior appearance of such a machine is
illustrated in Figure 10 in which 100 is the detacheable
electronics unit and 101 is the printing module. The
relatively light electronics unit, which, as shown, is
generally in the form of an electronic calculator, can then
be disengaged from the rest of the machine, and taken
separately to a Post Office, for recordal of the tote value
and entry of further credit. In this event credit and tote
~ values would, if necessary, be transferred to a non volatile
backing store. For the printing module there should preferably
be provided interlock means whereby, when the electronics
unit is detached therefrom, operation of the printing module
is prevented, thereby removing the possibility of unauthorised
and unrecorded use. The electronics unit has an aperture,
normally closed by a cover bearing a Post Office seal,
providing for access to means for re-writing
'~ .
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65677
the credit and tote values. The mechanical arrangement
of these means and the said cover is such that
the latter cannot be securely closed unless the
- rewriting means are deactuated. The rewriting means
may comprise a single key operable to cause an
amount keyed on the normal keyboard of the machine to
be fed into the credit register. The unit has interlock
means such that when a new credit value has been set
into the input register, it will not enter the
credit register if too large an amount is already
present there. This will prevent overloading. ~
- -As a mains power supply may not be available -
- at a Post Office counter to which the machine or
separate unit is taken for recordal, the machine may
~ - have a switch or key for causing the display means
- (which normally would consume a relatively large amount
of energy) to be powered from a battery. This switch -
- or key may be lockable and/or sealable in an "off"
condition, the arrangement being such that the switch
20 or key cannot be locked in the "on" condition (causing the
battery to power the display means). Alternatively,
or in addition, the machine may incorporate time
delay means to disconnect the battery from the
display means after a short period, say five seconds.
It is possible that, at the Post Office,
the detachable unit could be powered from mains supply
by means of a plug in power adaptor such that when the
adaptor is plugged in the battery will be automatically
switched off.
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~L065~77
The machine part having the printing module
may include a feed for feeding items to be franked,
such as envelopes or labels, which feed preferably
uses only solenoid actuators to transport such items.
Also, there may be provided in the machine
part having the printing module a further register for
storing tote information over the whole lifetime of
the machine. This register could be electromechanical
or mechanical.
As mentioned above, with reference to Figure
- 5, it is possible to provide, in an embodiment of the
present invention, means whereby upon occurrence of a
fault, or upon attempt of a non-permissible operation,
an indication is given, on a display, of the nature
of the fault which has occurred or the reason for
an operation being impermissible. For example,
as indicated in Figure 5, single letter diagnostic
- fault codes are displayed in a portion of a display.
By way of example the following code letters, indicative
20 of faults, as set out in table 3 hereinbelow may be
given.
Table 3
- Code Letter Fault indicated
'
L credit register value
- less than selected franking
value
P printer error
F mains fault
E battery/supply too low
H total register value too high
- (most significant digit=9?
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1065677
It will be appreciated that, in any given
embodiment of the present invention only the appropriate
error codes will be provided. For example, in a machine
having a non-volatile store as shown in Figure 4, error
code E need not be present.
Error code L indicates that a value selected
to be franked is less than credit remaining in the
machine, in which case franking is prevented. The machine
may then lock off entirely or alternatively the franking
of an appropriate lower value may be permitted. Of course,
if no credit register is provided this code is not
necessary.
Code letter H indicates that a present
maximum value for the tote register will be exceeded
if the selected desired value is franked. The machine may
lock off completely or permit franking of a lower value.
Figure 9 illustrates schematically an embodiment
of the present invention which employs non-volatile
working registers, or effectively non-volatile working
registers employing a volatile store ~ith a back-up
battery. As is indicated in Figure 9 the working
registers may be modularly replaceable so that either
a true non-volatile store or an effectively non-volatile
store are alternatively employable in one machine.
The machine of Figure 9 also includes mail
counter 998 which comprises registers for storing
. . . ..
information relating to different classes of mail franked
as mentioned hereinbefore with reference to the keyboard of Table
-- 2. The mail counter 998 thus comprises a first class mail
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1(~65677
counter 981, a second class mail counter 982, a label
counter 983, and a counter 984 for the total number of items
of mail franked.
The contents of any one of counters 981 to 984
may be displayed on display 994 by actuation of appropriate
keys on keyboard 993. The embodiment of Figure 9 further
includes a printer 995, a control 997 and arithmetic unit 996
which may be of similar construction to the corresponaing
items in Figure l. In Figure 9, control links
between control 997 and other items are indicated by
broken lines. In the embodiment of Figure 9 working
registers comprise an input register 992 and credit
and tote registers 991 or 990, which latter may be modularly
interchangeable. The non-volatile credit/tote meter 991
may comprise an MNOS memory as mentioned above, whilst
the unit 990 may comprise a CMOS memory, backed by a battery.
If an MNOS unit is employed then either mains
supply via a power adaptor is required to drive the unit,
or a high voltage battery supply (e.g. -30V) is
necessary.
The machine schematically illustrated in Figure 9
-is structurally divided into two separable units
as shown in Figure 10.
Figures 7A, 7B and 7C illustrate an operational
algorithm for a machine as described with reference to
Figures l ana 3 for example.
Figures 8A, 8B and 8C illustrate an operational
algorithm, somewhat simplified as compared with that
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~065677
of Figures 7, for a machine as described with reference to
Figure 9. The algorithm corresponds generally to the
- use of a configuration as shown in Figure 4 in an
embodiment of the present invention.
The following table provides a key for
assistance in understanding the algorithms of Figures 7
and 8.
Table 3
---- Automatic operation
____ Manual operation
I.R. Value or Input Register
C.R. Credit Register
T.R. Tote Register
N A Programmeable Number
F.C.C. First Class Counter
- S.C.C. Second Class Counter
L.C. Label Counter
T.C. Total Item Counter ,,
P.O.S. Post Office Security Switch
H.V. High Value
F.K. Frank
Diagnostic code:
L C.R. Too Low
H T.R. Too High
P Printer Setting Error
E Battery Voltage Too Low
Note: *At any one time the following items are displayable
via Key Board: F.C.C., S.C.C., L,C., T.C., C.R., and T.R.
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The algorithm of Figures 8A, 8s and 8C will
now be described in detail.
In the algorithm of Figures 8 ~and in that of
Figures 7) solid-linea symbols indicate operational
processes or decisions carried out or made automatically,
whilst broken-lined symbols indicate manually actuated
or effected processes or decisions.
It will be recalled that the algorithm of
Figure 8 applies to an embodiment of the present invention
in which non-volatile working registers are used (and
hence no backing register is employed), which embodiment
has, in addition to input and total registers, a credit
register and also facilities for counting different classes of
mail.
! In the algorithm rectanguIar blocks indicate
- operational processes carried out, whilst diamond-shaped
blocks indicate decision making.
Assuming that the machine has been started and
that power supply thereto is on (blocks 81 and 82), the display
of the machine is actuated as indicated at block 83.
The display would normally indicate IR, that is, the current
- content of the input register fed in as a value to be
- franked, which at this stage of operation is zero since novalue has yet been input. However, by appropriate operation
` of keys on the keyboard of the machine any of the following
items may be displayed; FCC, the current count of first class
items of mail; SCC, the current count of second class items
of mail; LC, the current count of labels; TC, the total
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-- 106S677
count of items of mail; CR, the conten-t of the credit
register, and TR, the content of the total reyister.
Next, as indicated at 84, a value to be
franked is selected manually on the keyboard and is
entered into the input register, and displayed.
Then, at step 85 a decision is made as to whether or not
a Post Office security switch of the machine is on.
Assuming for the time being that this switch is on,
in the next step a decision is made, block 86, as to
io whether or not a first class postage value (812p say)
has been selected as a franking value. If this is found
- to be the case the first class mail cour.ter of the machine
is enabled for operation (block 87). If it is found that
a first class postage value has not been selected a
decision is then made as to whether or not a second class
postage value (62-p say) has been selected as a franking
value (block 88). If a second class value has
been selected the second class mail counter of the machine
is enabled for operation (block 89). After enabling of
either the first or second class mail counters, or if it
is found that neither a first nor a second class value has
been selected, it is determined whether franking of a label
has been selected (as opposed to franking of an envelope
directly), for example by manual actuation of a label
selecting switch on the keyboard, at block 90. It label
- franking is selected a labeI counter of the machine is
enabled for operation (block 91). Subsequently, either
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65677
.
after label counter enabling or after block 91 has been
bypassed (label franking not selected) it is determined
whether or not a high value has been selected for franking
(block 92~. If it is found that a high value has been
selected the display of the selected franking value is caused
to operate intermittently (block 93), thereby to attract
the machine users attention, a:nd a high value key of the
machine is then, to enable further machine operation, set,
as indicated at block 94.
Thereafter, or, if it is found that high value
- is not selected, directly after such non-selection is indicated,
a franking key of the machine can be manually (or possibly
automatically) actuated (block 95). The franking key is
then disenabled, so that inadvertent repeat franking cannot
take place (block 96).
It is then determined whether or not the credit
: register holds a value which is at least equal
to the value held in the input register (block 97).
If this is not the case a fault code letter "L" is displayed
--: 20 on the display of the machine (block 98). If the credit
register is found to hold a sufficiently large value at step
.; 97 the printer of the machine is operated in order to set it
in accordance with the content of the input register (block 99).
It is then checked that the printer is correctly set by
means of printing device monitoring means; if this is found
not be the case then until a period of five seconds
-has elapsed from the start of operation of the printer
the printer continues to be driven and further checks
made. If,-at the end of the said five
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6S677
seconds it is found that the printer is still n~t set to
the required value (blocks 180 and 181) the printer device is
disenabled and a fault code letter "P" is displayed as
indicated at steps 182 and 183.
Assuming r however, that at step 180
- it is found that the printer is correctly set then the content
of the input register is added to the content of the total
register and subtracted from the content of the credit
register (blocks 184 and 185).
It is then determined whether the content of
the total register has exceeded a predetermined value.
~ If this is found to be the case a fault code letter H
- is displayed and the content of the input register is
~ deducted fro~ the content of the total register and aaded
- to the content of the credit register (blocks 187 and 188).
Thereafter operations may, for example, be recommenced
. for example using a lower franking value such as will -.
not cause overflow of the total register.
.- Assuming, however, that overflow of the total
register is not caused, it is then determined which,
if either, of the first and second class mail counters
. has been enabled and that counter which has been enabled,
if either, has its content counted up by one.(blocks
189 to 192). It is then determined whether or not the
labeI counter has been enabled, at step 193. If the label
counter is found to have been enabled it has its
- content counted up by one tblock 194). Thereafter, whet~er
or not such counting up of the label counter takes
. .
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:1065~77
place the total counter has its content counted up by one
in step 195, whereafter printing or franking is effected
on the item to be franked, which is thereafter ejected
(blocks 196 and 197).
Franking of one item now being complete it is again
determined whether or not a high franking ~alue was
selected (block 198). If it is found that a high
value was selected the high value key is reset for
further use as shown at step 199. Thereafter the franking
key is re-enabled so that further franking operations
may be carried out (block 280). The user then decides
whether or not it is required to frank further items at the
previously set franking value (i.e. whether or not a multiple
: run at that franking value is required~, as shown at
step 281. If a multiple run is required then as indicated by @~
a further franking opera~ion is undertaken from step 92
~- of the algorithm.
- If a multiple run is not required then the user
indicates whether or not further franking at a new franking
value is currently required (block 282). If no further
franking is required currently machine operations are stopped
by the user actuating an "off" key for example (block 283).
- If a further franking operation is required, the input
register is cleared and FCC or SCC and/or LC are disabled
(block 284) whereafter operation may be re-commenced from step 83
of the algorithm as indicated by ~3.
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- ~65677
Now, returning to step 85 of the algorithm, if it is
- found that the Post Office security switch is off the
following operations are effected.
When the Post Office security switch is off
normal operations of the machine are suspended and the machine is
in a condition for modification or value adjustment of values
stored in its credit and total registers, by authorised
Post Office personnel for example.
To this end the authorised Post Office employee must ;
key in, via the keyboard, a secret code by which the
machine recognises that person's authorisation by means of
value adjustment enabling means provided in the machine,
as indicated at step 285. It may also be necessary as
mentioned hereinbefore to break a seal and open a combination
lock prior to such entry of the secret code.
The secret code entered, it is determined whether
or not it is in fact correct (block 286). If the code is
found to be incorrect modification of credit and tote
.
registers is disenabled.
Assuming, however, that the entered code is correct
modification is then enabled (block 288) by the value
adjustment enabling means. Thereafter, for example
by operation of keys on the keyboard, modification values
for the credit and/or tote registers are fed in
and these values accordingly employed for such modification
(step 289). If further modifica-tion is required then
this can also be effected (step 290).
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After completion of modification the user switches
on the Post Office security switch (block 291) and
thereafter the secret code is reset (step 292)
whereafter if further modification is required the secret
code must be keyed in once more. Now, if franking
operations are then required, machine operation can be
re-commenced from step 83 of the algorithm but if no
franking is currently required the machine can be switched to
an off state.
It will be seen that the algorithm of Figures 7
is in many ways similar to that of Figures 8. However, the
embodiment of the present invention to which the algorithm of
Figures 7 refers has features as shown in Figure 3,
for example. That is to say, whereas the machine referred to in
Figures 8 has non-volatile working registers (or effectively
non-volatile working registers) the machine of Figures 7 has volatile
- working registers and a non-volatile backing store. The
machine also has, as hereinbefore described, a battery for
ensuring correct transfer of information to the backing
registers in theevent of mains failure, or for powering the
detacheable electronics unit of the machine (c.f. Figure 10)
when it is, for example, removed from the printer unit of
the machine for delivery to the Post Office for modification
of credit and tote values therein.
It will be seen also that the algorithm of Figure 7
- explicitly takes into account the detachability of the
electronics unit, whereas the algorithm of Figures 8 does not.
However, it should
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be appreciated that a machine embodying the present invention
and operating on the basis of the algorithm of Figures 8 does
in fact have mutually separable electronics and printing units
as hereinbefore described.
, ~
The machine described with reference to Figures 7
has facilities for providing counts of first and second class :.
. mail and of label franking and a total mail count, as does
- the machine of Figures 8.
The main differences between the algorithms of
- 10 Figures 7 and 8 can be described as follows.
In Figure 7B it will be seen that after it is
determined whether the content of the credit register is at
least equal to the content of the input register (or value
register), corresponding to step 97 of Figures 8, and prior
to driving of the printer (set printer, step 99 in Figures 8)
the content of the input register IR is added to the content
of the tote register and then it is determined whether or
not the result will cause an overflow in the tote register -;~:
(as in Figure 8, step 186).
20 However, it is also determined whether or not the. ::
result is greater than or equal to a pre-programmed number
N. If either overflow is found or the result is at least -~.
equal to N, fault code letter H is displayed and the machine .
locks off.
Thus, whereas in the machine of Figures 8 the maximum
permitted value for the content of the tote register is
: simply the maximum possible value it can hold, in the machine
of Figures 7 a lower maximum permitted value (N) can be set.
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Following these steps, in Figure 7, operation
similar to that of Figure 8 is resumed (except of course -
steps 186 to 188 of Figure 8 have already been effected).
It will be seen also in Figure 7 that if it is
found,,at a step corresponding to step 282 of Figure 8,
that no further franking is currently required, idle-state
` monitoring means in the machine operate to bring about transferof the contents of CR and TR automatically to the non-volatile
backing store upon elapsed of a predetermined period of time
since completion of the last preceding franking operation.
It will also be noted that in the algorithm
of Figure 7 (c.f. Figure 7A) if it is determined,
in a step corresponding to step 82 of Figure 8, that
mains is off it is subsequently determined whether or
- not the detacheable electronics unit is detached from the
printer unit. If the electronics unit is found to be
detached it is then determined whether or not the battery
voltage is sufficiently high. If not, an error code letter
E is displayed intermittently, but if the ~oltage is found
- 20 to be sufficiently high the display, for the content of the
' input register for example, is actuated.
~- Operations in relation to the Post Office security
switch are also somewhat different in the algorithm of Figures
7, in that -the normal operation step 85 of Figures 8
- does not occur. A step equivalent ~o'85 of Figures 8
, occurs in Figures 7 only if the electronics unit is
found to be'detached (for example ,for taking to the post
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office for modification of credit and tote values) and
the battery voltage is found to be sufficiently high.
It will be seen that succeeding steps in Figures 7 are
similar to steps 285 to 292 of Figures 8, but before normal
franking can be resumed the detacheable head must be replaced
of course.
Further, different, operational algorithms are also
possible of course in different embodiments of the present
invention. ,
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