Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
}239~
BACKGROI~N~ OF THE INVENTION
.
Field of the Invention
~_ .
The present invention relates to a micro computerized,
~inia-ture postage meter which may be held in and operated hy
hand, which is completely portable, and which may be stored in
any one of a number of small spaces such as a pocket, purse,-or
briefcase.
Postage meters are now widely used by commerical and
industrial businesses to selectiv~ly print postage indicia on
documents such as envelopes, labels, and the like. Managers of
these businesses, which frequently generate medium to large volumes
of mail, have found that meters are capable of handling postage
far more rapidly, economically, and convéniently~ than manual
operators who individually moisten and position previously
printed postage ~.tamp$ on mailing documents. ~urthermore,
printed postage .is attractive as well as impressive to the
recipient of the mail on which it appears.
However, individuals who use postal services relatively
infrequently compared to business enterprises have been unable
to avail themselves of the advantages of postage me~exs for a
: number of reasons. Primarily, use of presently known meters is
: only economically feasible when relatively large volumes of
postage are printed. Further, since these meters are ordinarily
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large and cumbersome, they are usually mounted for operation at
a fixed location. Therefore, they are inconvenient ~or use by
a person who is accustomed to carrying postage, in the form of
previously printed stamps, within him.
Description of the Prior Art
Postage meters which are now generally available are
specifically designed for institutional use by entities having
need for large volumes of postage. Thus, as noted~ these meters
are usually large and are mounted at a fixed location. Typically,
they employ a complex mechanical printing device comprised of
either a rotatably mounted printing die plate, operated to rotate
in synchronism with linearly moving documents, or a fixed printing
die plate against which documents are mechanically pressed, to
imprint the documents with the desired postage indicia.
A postage meter construction has been proposed in U.S.
Patent No. 3,869,986 (~ubbard), assigned to the assignee of the
present invention, which employs a rotatably mounted die plate to
print fixed postage information, such as the postage meter
registration number, and an ink jet printing device to print
variable postage information such as the date and postage amount.
Still more sophisticated postage meters1 which
nevertheless include mechanical postage printing apparatus, but
which employ a micro computer set to perform control and data
processing
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functions, are disclosed in applicant's U.S. Patents Nos.
3,978,~57 and 4,097~923, issued ~ugust 31, 1976 and
June 20, 1978, respectively. However, none of these
postage meters may be conveniently used by an individual
who generates relatively low volumes of mail yet who
requires immediate access to postage regardless of the
time or place.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a microcomputerized,
miniature postage meter for printing postage indicia on
a document such as an envelope, label, or the like~ the
postage meter comprising: printing means including an
ink jet printing device adapted to project ink droplets
onto the document in a postage indicia forming pattern;
and microcomputer means operatlvely connected to the
printing means~ and programmed to actuate the ink je~
printing device to project ink droplets onto the document
in the postage indicia forming pattern; wherein the
microcomputer means comprises: microprocessor logic means
programmed to actuate the ink je-t printing device; and
a postage memory register, for storing a purchased amount
of postage, addressable by the logic means to reduce the
amount of postage stored therein by the amount printéd
during each meter use.
In its method aspect, the invention relates to a
method of distributing and dispensing postage comprising
the steps of: entering a predetermined amount of postage
in a microcomputer memory register in a hand-held postage
meter at a central computer postage distribution statlon;
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distrlbuting the postage meter with the predetermined
amount of postage entered therein to be dispensed;
dispensing postage as needed from the memory register
by moving the postage meter over documents to be printed
wi~h postage unti]. the amount of postage entered therein
is depleted to a predetermined minimum amount preset
in the memory register and until the postage meter is
; disabled to prevent further dispensing of postage when
the postage entered in the memory register is depleted
to the minimum amount preset therein; electrically
connecting the memory register to a central postage
distribution station; and again entering a predetermined
amount of postage in the memory register for redistribution
of the postage meter.
In its preferred embodiments, the microcomputerized,
miniature postage meter of the present invention is
designed to be held in and operated by hand and may be
approximately the same size as a disposable butane-type
cigarette lighter. This postage meter may be stored in an
extremely small space such as a pocket, handbag, or brief-
case and is, consequently, completely portable. ThereEore, .:
: i-t may be transported and used as convenient].y as previously
printed postage stamps.
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The compactness of the microcomputerized, miniature
postage meter oE the present invention and, hence, its
extremely convenient operation are achieved by eliminating
the ordinarily cumbersome document handling apparatus and
printing apparatus which prior meters include. Instead
of mechanically transporting or positioning a document
relative to postage printing apparatus as do p~esently
known meters9 this miniature postage meter performs no
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document handling function. Compactness is further achieved by
use of a micro computer which performs the control and data
processing functions of the meter.
~ n its preferred embodiraents, the micro computerized,
miniature postage meter comprises printing apparatus in the
form of an ink jet printing device which is mounted to be moved
in close proximity relative to a document and is adapted to
project ink drople-ts onto the document when so moved. An optical
monitor, mountedwith the printing device, observes the rate of
relative document-printing device movement. The micro computer
includes a logic circuit programmed to sequentially actuate the
ink jet printing device to pxoject ink droplets onto the document
in a pattern that forms the desired postage indicia. The micro
computer further includes a clock circuit, connected-to the
optical monitor, which computes the instantaneous rate of
relative movement of the printing device and document from the
observed rate. A feedback signal is then generated from the
clock circuit to the logic circuit to coordinate the instantaneous
rate of actuation of the printing device with the computed
instantaneous rate of relative document-printing device movement
in order to propexly form the postage indicia without distortion.
Purchased postage is stored in a postage memory register,
also incorporated in the micro computer, which is addressable
by the logic circuit to reduce the stored postage amount by the
amount of postage printed during each meter use. A lock-out
circuit, connected to the memory register, disables the postage
meter when the s'cored postage is depleted to a predetermined
minimum amount. Accordingly, the meter becomes inoperable when
the postage stored in it has been essentially exhausted.
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In other embodiments, the postage meter of the
invention may be incorporated with a hand-held, mathematical
calculator and may include a display for indicating, in simple
fashion, when a predetermined minimum amount of postage remains
in the memory registor or, in more complex fashion, the exact
amoun-t of postage which remains in the memory register.
The micro computerized, miniature postage meter of
the present invention may be used in conjunction with a novel
method of distributing and dispensing postage. The meter is
constructed so that it may be conveniently connected to a central
postage distribution station. That is, the postage memory
register of the micro computer may be directly connected through
an easily accessible jack to a pos-taye dispensing computer so
that an amount of purchased postage may be entered in the meter.
The meter may then be distributed by mail or at rental centers
to individuals for their use. When the postage stored in the
memory register is exhausted, the meter is returned to the central
postagè distribution station for entry of additïonal purchased
postage. Alternatively, the meter may be purchased by its user,
and brought to the central station when postage entry or re-
entry is needed.
In addition to the advantages of miniature postage meter
use accruing to the ultimate user, the United States Government
should save substantial amounts in printing costs since the use
of stamps may be descreased~
Accordinyly, it is an object of the present invention
to provide a micro computerized, miniature postage meter which
may be used by individuals as conveniently as previously printed
postage stamps are now used. Further, this invention con-templates
a method of distributing and dispensing postage that employs the
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miniature postage meter to decrease the need for previously
printed postage and, herlce, governmental printing costs and
further to enh~nce the individual consumer's ease of using
postage.
Other objects, aspects, and advantages of the present
invention will be pointed out in, or will be understood from,
the following detailed description provided below in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DR~WINGS
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of
the computerized, miniature postage meter of the present
inven-tion positioned relative to a document, in the form of an
envelope, immediately after printing postage indicia thereon
FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken~
through plane 2-2 in FIGURE 1 illustrating the internal components
of this miniature postage meter.
FIGURE 3 is a second vertical cross-sectional view
taken through plane 3-3 in FIGURE 1 at a right angle to plane
2-2 also illustrating internal components of the meter~
-20 particularly the ink jet printing device, in detail. - -~
FIGURE 4 is a bottom plan view of the postage meter
showing the array of outlets from the ink jet printing device.
FIGURB 5 is a top plan view of this postage meter
FIGURE 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken
through plane 6-6 in E'IGURE 2 illustrating an input jack for
entering postage in the miniature postage meter.
FIGURE 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken
through plane 7-7 in FIGURE 3.
- FIGURE 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken
through plane 8-8 in FIGURE 3 illustrating a portion of the ink
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jet printing device.
FIGURE 9 is a functional block diagram o~ the postage
meter and of a central postage dis-tributing station to which it
is connected Eor reentry of postage, for power supply recharging,
and for reEill with ink.
FIGURE 10 is an enlarged view of the upper right hand
corner of the envelope showing, in detail, the postage indicia
prin-ted by the miniature postage meter oE the present invention.
FIGURE 11 is a vertical cxoss-sectional view taken
through plane 11-11 in FIGURE 13 of a second embodiment of the
miniature postage meter of the present invention having a display
for indicating the amount of stored postage rema1ning in the
meter
FIGURE 12 is a second vertical cross-sectional view
taken through plane 12-12 in FIGURE 13 oE this second embodiment.
FIGURE 13 is a top plan view of this embodiment~
FIGURE 1~ is a functional block diagram of the micro
computer and display used in this second embodiment.
FIGURE 15 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view
.
taken through plane 15-15 in FIGURE 18 of a third embodiment of
the postage meter of the present invention incorporated with a
hand-held mathematicaL calculator.
FIGURE 16 is a back elevational view of the postage
meter-calculator apparatus.
FIGURE 17 is a front elevational view oE this apparatus
; partly broken away to show detail.
FIGURE 18 is a top plan view of this apparatus also
partly broken away to show detail.
EIGURE 19 is a perspective view of the third embodiment
; 30 shown while a document is being imprinted with postage indicia
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FIGURE 20 is a functional block diagram o~ this
combined postage meter calculator apparatus~
DET~ILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGURE 1 illustrates one embodiment of the micro
computerized~ miniature postage meter of the present invention,
generally indicated at 10, in position immediately after prin-ting
predetermined postage indicia 12 on the upper right hand corner -~
of a document in the form of an envelope 14. Of course/ postage
indicia may be as easily printed on other forms of documents,
such as labels, that are affixed to packages or directly on the :
packages.
: The illustra-ted envelope 14 is of conventional let-ter
si~e, namely 9.5 inches (2~.lcm) wide and 4.0 (10.2cm) inches
high. It can be readily appreciated, then, that the miniature
postage meter 1~ is extremely small (proposed dimensions are
approximately 3.75 inches (9.5cm) in height and 1.5 inches
; (3.8cm) in diameter) when compared with other presently known
postage meters used in business and industry. The postage meter
is comparable in size to many articles which people frequently
carry with them, such as butane-type cigarette lighters, key
carrying cases, and cosmetic compacts. Since the meter is
completely self-contained, and, when activated in a manner ~.
described below in detail, ready to print postage that has been
stored in it at any time or place, it is as convenient to use
aspreviously printed postage stamps Furthermore, large amounts
afpostage can be stored in this meter more easi.ly than similar
amounts, in the form of small denomination stamps, can be stored,
. ~s will be e~plained in greater detail below, the
compact size of the postage meter 10 is achieved by the use of a
sinyle chip micro computer which performs the meter control and
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da-ta proc~ssing functions, by the elimination of all mechanical
document handling apparatus, and by the elimination of usually
large and cumbersome mechan1cal prin-ting apparatus. Specifically,
the meter is clesigned to be moved relative to the document by
the operator while an electronic printing device, controlled by
the micro computer, prints the desired postage indicia.
In this preferred embodimen-t, postage meter 10 is
programmed to print postage indicia 12 having only ~ixed
information. For example~ as shown in ~IGURE 1 and in detail in
FIGURE 10, the postage lndicia information may include a meter
registration number 16, the postage amount 18, and the state and
number 20 of the central postage distributing station from which
the meter was issued. The information may also include prearranged
code markings 22 intended to discourage counterfeit postage
printing. The meter may be programmed to print additional ~ixed
information or variable information such as the date. Through
more complex refinements described below, the meter may also be
adapted to print variable postage amounts.
Referring now to FIGURES 2 through 8, the micro
computerized miniature postage meter 10 includes a main cyclindrical
body 24 which houses operating components or the meter. At its
lower end, body 24 terminates in two partially cylindrical,
diametrically opposed skirts 26 and 28 (FIGURES 2, 3, and 4), Two
guide rollers 30 and 32, which are mounted to span the distance
between opposed, axially extending edges 34 and 36 of the opposing
skirts, facilitate movement o~ the meter 10 over the envelope 14
or other document.
The meter components are concealed and protected in
the cylindrical body 2~ ~rom both the bottom and top. The bottom
; 30 o~ body 24 is enclosed by a base support plate 37. The top o~ the
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body is enclosed by a cap 38, having a cylindrical side wall ~0
telescopically received for limited movemen-t thereon. The side
wall 40 is provided with an inwardly directed annular rabbet 42
at its lower mar~in that engages an ou-twardly directed annular
rabhet 4~ formed on body 24 to retain the cap on the body.
However, a res.ilient wave washer 48, interposed between the cap
bottom 50 and the body top 52, urges the cap axially outwardly
from the body as far as permitted by the in-terengaging rabbets.
~lrtherr as shown in FIGURE 6, the interior of cap side wall 40
and the exterior of the upper portion of body 24 are formed with
interengaginy splines ~6 which prevent relative body-cap rotation
about their common axis A. As explained below, the meter is
activated to print postage indicia by deprasslng the cap down
onto the body.
As can be seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, the operating
components of the meter include a printing apparatus in the form
of an ink jet printing device, generally indicated at 54, mounted
on base plate 37. This printing device is designed to project
ink droplets onto the document i.n a pattern forming postage indicia
12 when mo~ed i~-close proximity relative thereto as depicted in
FIGUR~ 1. The device 54 comprises eleven precisely aligned,
closely spaced, ink-conducting capillaries or channels 56 (FIGURE
3), the outlet ends 58 of which are arranged in a linear array ~ ;
which extends in a direction parallel to the axes of guide rollers
30 and 32 (FIGURE ~). Further, these outlet ends 58 are positioned
in close relation to the document when the meter is supported
thereon. Accordi.ngly/ the linear capillary outlet end array
extends perpen~icularly to the direction in which the miniature
postage meter 10 i5 designed to be moved relative to the envelope
1~. ~t their ends opposite the outlet ends 58, capillaries 56
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all communicate with an arcuate manifold 57 supplied through a
central conduit 59.
As shown in FIGURE 3 and in greater detail in FIGURE
8, an electrical-to-mechanical transducer 60 is located in
communication with each of the ink capillaries 56. Each transducex
ineludes a single disk of piezoelectric eeramic 62 bonded to an
electrically inactive substrate 65. When the ceramic is energized,
a slight physical deflection or "dishing" is produced which is
sufficient to cause ejection of a tiny ink droplet through the
outlet end 58 of the assoeiated capillary 56 Accordingly, when
the transdueers are energized in proper sequence as the meter 10
is moved aeross the envelope 1~, the postage indieia 12 are formed
of a pattern of tiny projeeted ink droplets.
- Ink jet printing device similar to that deseribed above
are presently produced and sold by Gould, Inc., Chieago, Illinois,
and electrical-to-mechanical transducers such as those described,
commonly called "unimorphs", are manufactured by, for example,
Vernitron Piezoelectric Division, Bedford, Ohio.
The printing deviee 54 supports an ink reservoir 64
whieh supplies ink to central conduit 59j mani~old 57 and, hence
eapillaries 56. More particuarly, the reservoir is formed with
a bottom coupling 66 whieh engages main conduit 59 Opposing
flanges 68 and 70 (FIGURES 2 and 3) formed on -the bottom of
reservoir 64 embrace the upper portion of printer 5~ and guide
the coupling 66 to conduit 59. A eapped filler tube 67 shown
in phantom lines in FIGURES 2 and 3, is in fluid eommunication
with and is used to fill -the reservoir.
As the meter is moved-across the doeument on guide
rollers 30 and 32, the ink jet printing device 5~ is se~uentially
actuated by a single chip micro eomputer 72 to project ink
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droplets on-to the document surface in a postage indicia printing
pattern. In order to accomplish this control function, the micro
computer 72 is elec-trically connected to the individual
transducers 60 of printing device 54 in a manner that may be
described with reference to EIGURES 2, 3, 7 and 8. The micxo
computer is mounted on and electrically connected to a first
printed circuit board 74 which has printed conductive paths 76
thereon. A second printed circuit board 78, also having
conductive paths 80 thereon, is electricalIy connected to the
first and, hence, to micro computer 72, by conductors 81 (FIGURE
7). Both boards are mounted in vertical, mutually parallel
relation in the cylindrlcal body 24 and are supported at their
upper ends by suitable struts 84 mounted from the inner cylinder
wall (FIGURE 3). Each board is further supported at its lower
end by two opposing, upwardly projecting flanges 86 and 88 formed
on the top of ink reservoir 64 (FIGURES 2 and 3). The connections
continue through conductive paths 90 formed on the ink reservoir. In
particular, the reservoir is encased in silicone rubber into which-the
conductive paths are molded in a m~nner developed by Chomeric$, Inc., Woburn,
; 20 Massachusetts. As shown in FIGUR~ 2, conductive paths 76 and 80
which carry control slgnals to transducers 60 terminate at
locations between flanges 86 and 88, Similarly, paths 90
terminate in flanges 86 and 88 which accordingly form sockets 7
for the bottoms of circuit boards 74 and-78. The connections
are completed through flanges 68 and 70 which embrace printing
device 54. As shown in FIGURE 8, conductive paths 92 are printed
on the face of device 54, are contacted by paths 90 in flanges
68 and 70, and are connected to the transducer ceramic 62 through
a mass 94 of conductive rubber. (Note that paths 92 properly
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appear to overlie capillaries 56 in FIGURE 3).
The micro computer also automatically coordinates the
ra-te at which it sequentially actuates the ink printing device
with the rate of movement of the meter and, hence, the printing
device relative to the document. In order to do so, the micro
computer is supplied by an optical monitor with signals indicative
of the actual rate of relative document-meter movement. This
optical monitor, generally indicated at 96 and shown in detail
in EIGURES 2 and 4, includes a phototransistor 98 to which light
is conducted by a fiber optic probe lO0, The probe is fixed in
a mounting block 102 -to focus on the area of the envelope 14
where ink droplets are projected from the lowermost capillary
outlet 58a. The optical monitor 96 further includes a source
of light in the form oE a light emitting diode (LED) 10~ also
positioned in mounting block 102 to focus on the area of the
envelope at which ink droplets,from outlet 58a are projected.
' In this as well as other embodiments of the meter lO~
micro computer 72 is programmed so that an ink dxoplet is
projected from outlet 58a each time printing device 54 is actuated~
to yield a control pattern in the form of a line 106 underscoring
other information in the postage indicia as shown in FIGURE lO.
Accordingly, the optical monitor 96 observes this control pattern
since the photo-transistor can sense changes in the magnitude of
light emitted by the LED 104 and reflected from the control line
ink droplets and from the blank document areas between the control
line ink droplets. A pulsating signal having frequency determined
by the rate of movement of the monitor over the line is, therefore,
generated and conducted to the,micro computer 72.
The functional interrelat,ionship of the micro computer
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72, ink jet printing device 54, and optical monitor 96 and
further details of micro computer operation may be most easily
described with reference to FIGURE 9 As shown there, the micro
computer 72 includes a logic curren-t 108 which controls
ac-tuation of the ink jet pxinting device 54 and i5 connected
thereto in the manner described above.
The micro computer 72 also has a clock circuit 110,
connected to phototransistor 98 through line 112, which computes
the instantaneous rate of relative movement of the printing device
and the document from the phototransistor input signal The
clock circuit then generates a feedback signal on line 114 to
the logic circuit 108 which coordinates the instantaneous rate
of actuation of the printing device-document movement. In this
manner, the postage indicia is properly formed regardless of the
rate at which the meter is moved across the envelope.
A postage memory registor 116, also part of mlcro
computer 72, stores purchased amounts of postage and is
addressable by the logic circult 108 on line 115 to reduce the
stored amount of postage by that printed during each meter use. ~;
That is, at the completion of printing of one postage indicator ~ ~;
or mark, the logic addresses the memory registor to reduce the
stored amount of postage by the amount printed.
Finally, the micro computer 72 includes a disabling
lock-out 118 which is addressable by the memory register I16 on
line 119 to render the meter inoperative when the stored amount
of postage is depleted to a predetermined minimum amount. For
example, the disabling lock-out 118 may be set to lock out the
meter when one imprint remains in the memory reyister. In the
preferred embodiment o~ the meter, the logic circuit is disabled
by the lock-out. Further, the meter may be provided with a low
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postaye indicator in the form of an light emitting diode 120~
mounted in cap 38, (FIGURES 3 and 5) addressable b~ the memory
register to light when some amount of post~ge higher than the
minimum amount remains in the memory~ .Fo~ example~ the memory
might be set -to turn LED 120 on when ten imprints remain to he
used. In this way, the meter warns the user that more po$tage
must be purchased.
As shown in FIGURES 2~3,6 and 9, the micro computer 72
and associated components t and the LED 104 are energized by a
power supply 107 in the form of a .rechar~eable~ nickel cadmium
battery which is connected to activate the meter throu~h a
microswitch 10.9 This microswitch is mounted with.circuit board
74 in operative proximity -to a protective leaf sprlng 111 mounted
: on cap 38 When the cap is depressëd~ the switch is ciosed to
activate the meter for one print cycle.. ~Note that the disabling
~ lock-out 118 ma~ also be arranged to disconnect power supply
107 thxough.switch 109 at the same time as the logic circuit is
; disabled.~
The micro computerized miniature po$tsgs meter o~ ths
present invention is usPd as follows When one wish.es to imprint
a document with postaye indicia, the cap is pressed downwardly to
close micros~itch lO9.which enables the power supply lQ7 to
activate the micro computer 72. The meter is placed on the uppex
right hand corner of the envelope 14 with.the indicati.ng arrow
printed on the cap 38 pointing from ri.ght to left along the top
of the envelope~ The meter is then moved from right to left on
rollers 30 and 32 at any des.irsa rate. (Right-to-left movement
is chosen to insure that the postage indicia is printed entirely
on the documen-t.~ The optical monitor 96 observes the rate at
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which the me-ter is moved relative to the document and the micro
computer clock circuit 110 automatically calculates the
instantaneous relative rate from this observed rate, The clock
circuit in turn signals the logic circuit 108 to actuate the
ink jet printing device 54 at a rate when which properly forms
the postage indicia without distortion. After the indicia has
been completely printed, the logic circuit addresses the memory
register 116 to reduce the amount o postaye stored therein by
the amount of postage just printed~
After repeated uses when the postage stored in the
memory register has been depleted to the predetermined minimum
amount, ~he disabling lock-out 118 au'c~matically~disconnects
the power supply from the micro computer and disables the logic.
Accordingly, even by tampering with the meter to reconnect the
power supply, a user cannot enable it to print more postage
until reprogrammed. ~;
The miniature postage meter of the present invention
is designed for repeated reuse in conjunction with a central
postage distributing station 122 diagrammatically illustrated
in FIGURE 9. As shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 6~ the meter-includes
a number of input connections all accessible when cap 38 is
removed. These input connections comprise two jack plugs 124
which are connected to the micro computer. Further, two jack
plugs 126 are positioned at the top of the power supply for
connection with a recharging source. Finally, inlet iller tube
66 to the ink reservoir 64 has a cover 128 which is removed and
replaced with cap 38. When the meter 10 is returned to the
central postage distributing station 122, the cap 38 is removed
by an authorized person. ~he meter is thenplugged into the
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91
central s-tation 122 which has a main input plug 130 that is
connected to a power supply recharyer 132, a ink supply 134,
and a postage dispensing computer 136 adapted to enter purchased
postage in the micro compu-ter memory register. Main input
plug is arranged to simultaneously connect micro computer 72
with dispensing computer 136, the power supply 107 with the
power supply recharger 132 and the ink reservoir 62 with the ink
supply 134. Thus, the power supply may be recharged, additional
purchased postage may be reentered in the memory register, and
the ink reservoir may be refilled in one step.
~ he micro computerized miniature postage meter of the
present invention may be adapted in more sophisticated embodiments
~ for expanded capability. For example, FIGURES 11 through 14
: illustrate a s.econd embodiment, which.. has.a display . :
for indicating the exact amount of postage that remains stored
in the meter a~ter each use. The second embodiment of the postage
meter of the invention, generally indicated at 210, includes a
rectangular body 212 which is closed at the top and open at
the bottom, and which .is approximately the same size as a key
~0 carrying case. A self-contained start print button 215 is
mounted in the top of the body. A base support plate 214
encloses the bottom of the body and supports the meter components
which include an ink jet printing device 216 supplied with ink
by an ink reservoir 218 in the same fashion as described with
reference to the first embodiment. The ink jet print.ing device
is actuated by a micro computer 220 having three integrated
circuit chips 222 each mounted on ~ separate-.. printed circuit
board 224. The circuit boards are mounted in vertical, mutually
parallel relation above a power supply 226 in the form of a
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nickel cadmium battery supported on base platé 214, The circuit
boards ~2~ and, hence, chips 222, are interconnected and are
further connected with other meter components such as skart
print button 215, power supply 226 and printing device 216 by
a multiconductor ribbon-type cable 227.
As with the meter of the first embodiment, the meter
210 of the second is adapted to be moved in operative proximity
relative to a document, during which time the micro computer 220
: actuates the printing device 216 to properly form desired postage
l~ indicia without distortion. In order to do so, micro computer
220 is connected through cable 227 to an optical monitor 223
identical tO the monitor previously described, which observes
the rate of relative movement and provides a rate indic.ating
signal to the micro computer. -~
As shown in simplified form in FIGURE 14, micro ~.
computer 220 includes loglc 230 and clock 232 circuits which then
coordinate the rate of printing device actuation with the rate . :~
of relative meter-document movement in the same way as micro
computer 72. Micro computer 220 also incorporates a postage .
memory register 234, for storing purchased amounts o~ postage,
which has added capability not ~ound in memory register 116. In
particular, in this second meter embodiment, the memory register
234 is adapted to signal a display 236 to indicate the amount of ~:
postage which remains stored in the meter after each use. This
display, which may be a light emitting diode or liquid crystal
display, accordingly becomes a visible descending postage register.
In the preferred form, the micro computer 220 is programmed to
activate the display 236 approximately five seconds after postage
indicia has been printed and for a period of five seconds. Thus,
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-the meter user is remlnded, after each me-ter use, of how much
postage remains stored therein, and of when more postage should
be entered in the memory register.
The micro compu-ter finally includes a disabling lock-out
circuit 238 for disabling the meter when postage store~ in
memory register 23~ has been depleted to a predetermined
minimum amount.
The meter 210 constructed in accordance with the second
embodiment may be replenished with ink and postage by removing
the entire body 212 from the meter components, thus exposing
micro computer input jacks 240 and an ink reservoir filler tube
242. Cable 227 is provided with a loop ~44 to permit
disengagement of the body from the components. Power supply 226
can be recharged through an exposed input jack 246.
A third embodiment, which functions as both a postage
meter and a ma-thema-tical calculator is illustrated ln FIGURES 15
through 20. The apparatus 310 of this embodiment ls housed in a
body 312 having size approximately the same as currently -
available handheld calculators, and includes a micro computer 314
2~ comprised of five integrated circuit c~ips 316. Each chip is
again mounted on a printed circuit board 318.
Micro computer 314 includes a programmable postage logic
circuit 320 (FIGURE 20) which actua-tes a printing device in the
form of six s-taggered, eleven-jet ink jet printers 322 (FIGS. 17,
18 ~ 19) arranged to print postage indicia from the resulting
sixty-six ink droplet array. Each single printer is identical
to those described with reference to the first two embodiments
of the present invention. However, by arranging a collection of
six printers as shown in FIGURES 15 and 18, printing capacity is
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greatly increased.
As can be seen in FIGURE 15, body 312 is ~ormed with
a support portion 324 and an elevated portion 326 on its bottom.
The ink jet printers are mounted above the elevated portion under
which a document may be easily drawn as depicted in FIGS. 18 & 19
to receive prin-ted indicia.
It will be appreciated from FIGURE 20 that apparatus
310 also includes an optical monitor 328 and that micro computer
314 also includes a clock circuit 330, a memory register 332,
and a disabling lock-out circuit 334~ all of which function in the
same way as do corresponding components described with reference
to the first two embodiments. However, postage logic circuit 320
is more versatile than the logic circuits in either of those ;~
embodiments since it may be programmed to actuate ~he printing
device to print varying amounts of postage. An input key board
336 (also shown in FIGS. 15 & 17 through 19) mounted on top of
body 312 is provided for entering information and programming
instructions in the micro computer postage logic for this purpose~
Moreover, micro computer 314 also includes a
mathematical logic circuit 338 which is programmed to perform
mathematical calculations. Information and programming
instructions may also be entered in mathematical logic circuit
through key board 336. A mode control switch 339 is provided so
that the apparatus 310 may be selectively operated through key
board 336 in either the postage meter or calcula-tor mode.
The ink jet printing device may be actuated by the
mathematical logic circuit 338 to print results of mathematical
; calculations. However, a display 340, in the form, ~or example,
of a light emitting diode or liquid crystal display, is mounted
bm :a'~
in the upper portion of body 312 for visually showing these
results.
Display 340 may also be connected to the memorv
reals-ter to show the amount of postage stored therein, in the
same manner as display 236 o~ the second embodiment when the
apparatus is operated in the postage meter mode.
Power supply and micro computer input jacks 342 and
3~4 respectively are accessible from the rear oE body 312
(FIG. 16) for recharging a power supply 3~6 and reentering
10 , postage in memory register 332.
The miniature postage meters of the present invention
and a central postage distributing station may be used in several
novel ways to distribute and dispense postage. In each way, the
micro computer postage memory register of any miniature postage
meter is first electrically connected to the central station 122,
i.e. the postage dispensing computer 136 and a predetermined
' purchased amount of postage is entered therein. The meter may
then be distributed to the ultimate postage user by any number of
different methods. For example,- the postage user may obtain a
meter at a post of~ice or store by paying a cash secur,ity deposit
in addition to purchasing the amount of postage stored in it.
~e then uses the postage in the meter as necessary in the manner
described above. Once the memory register has been depleted of
purchased postage, the meter is disabled,to prevent further
dispensing of postage. It is then returned to the place of
purchase from which it is returned to the central postage
distributing sta-tion. rrhe micro computer of the meter is again
electrically connected to the postage distributing computer and
a predetermined amount of postage is entered in the memory
register. I'he cycle of distribution and use is then repeated.
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When the meter is returned to the place of purchase
by the ultimate postage user, his security deposit is refunded
or alternatively, he is given a me-ter in which postage has
been entered in exchange for purcha~e of the amount of postage.
Return may be accomplished by maîling or hand carrying the
meter for exchange to the central postage distributing station.
Alternatiyely, the meter may be sold directly to
the ultimate postage user. When he desires to purchase more
postage, he merely has to return the meter to a central postage
lQ distribution station where an additional amount of purchased
postage is entered in its memory register. Reprogramming station
consols may also be set up at locations remote from the central
distribution station. In each of these alternative methods, ~ -
the ink reservoir is refil1~ed and the power supply is recharged
when the meter is connected to the central postage distribution
station.
The advantages of such a system of postage dist~ribution `
to both the consumer and to the government can be readily
appxeciated. The postage consumer is affarded a means of using
postage ~ar more conven~ent than those presently known.
Goyern~ent printing costs for postage would also be greatly
reduced. -
Although specific embodiment of the micro
computerized, miniature postage meter of the present invention
and methods for distributing and dispensing postage usin~ this
meter have been described above in detail, it is to be
understood that this disclosure is for purposes of illustration.
Modifications may be made to the described structures and to the
described methods by those skilled in the art in order to adapt
these structures and methods to particular applications
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