Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CROSS REFERENCE ~O RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application is related to copending
application Serial No. 442,643, filed on even date herewith
in the name of Danilo Buan, entitled STAND-ALONE ELECTRONIC
MAILING MACHINE, which describes a postage meter within
which the present invention may be utilized.
Further, copending patent application Serial No.
442,65~, filed on even ~ate herewith in the names of John
H. Soderberg and Edward C. Duwel, entitled, CONTROLLING
FIRMWARE BRANCH POINTS IN AN ELECTRONIC POSTAGE METER,
discloses the use of external data to select a branch of
the program.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electronic postage
meters, and, more particularly, to electronic postage
meters operating under control of a program and including
non-volatile memories (NVMs), such as the type disclosed
in the aforementioned related patent application.
Known electronic postage meters employing firmware
such as disclosed in United States Letters Patent 4,301,507,
issued on ~ovember 17, 1981, and assigned to Pitney
Bowes, Inc. of Stamford, Connecticut are programmed via
ROMs to undergo a certain sequence of operations. Such
arrangement is adequate for use with a particular postal
system such as that presently employed in the United
States. However, for an electronic postage meter to be
capable of international usage; where the requirements of
the postal systems of the various countries vary widely,
the number of individual programs or software packages
required to accommodate such variations would increase
the programming costs significantly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention
to provide a programmed electronic pos~age meter in which
35 a variable in the program is modified to satisfy the
requirements of a variety of different postal systems.
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It is an object of an aspect of the present invention
to provide an electronic postage meter having the same
firmware for use with different postal systems.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention
to provide a general program in which the actions of the
Eirmware may be changed for a particular application based
on information stored in the meter.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention
to provide a firmware controlled electronic postage meter
for various postal systems in which programming costs are
minimized.
Briefly, in accordance with an aspect of the present
invention, a method and associated apparatus for modifying
a firmware variable in an electronic postage meter is
provided comprising the steps of storing a program for
operation of the electronic postage meter, storing data
external to the stored program which data is capable of
modifying a variable in the program to change the action of
the program, and accessing such external stored data during
operation of the electronic postage meter to change the
action of the program in accordance with the presence of
the external data.
Various aspects of this invention are as follows:
A method for modifying a firmware variable in an electronic
postage meter, comprising the steps of:
storing a program for operation of the electronlc
postage meter;
storing data external to the stored program which data
is capable of modifying a variable in the program to change
the action of the program; and
accessing such external stored data during operation of
the electronic postage meter to change the action of the
program in accordance with -the presence of the external
data.
A method for modifying a firmware variable in an electronic
postage meter, comprising the steps of:
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storing a program for operation of the electronic
postage meter in at least one ROM;
storing data external to the stored program; and
modifying a variable in the firmware in accordance with
the stored external data.
Apparatus for modiying a firmware variable in an
electronic postage meter, comprising:
ROM means for storing a program for the electronic
postage meter;
non-volatile memory means; said non-volatile memory
having data stored therein for changing the actions of a
firmware variable; and
means interconnecting said ROM means and said non-volatile
memory means for providing communication therebetween to
access said data and change the actions of the firmware in
accordance with the presence o said data in said non-volatile
memory means.
Apparatus for modifying a firmware variable in an
electronic postage meter, comprising:
ROM means for storing a program for the electronic
postage meter;
a non-volatile memory; said non-volatile memory having
data stored therein for changing the actions of the firmware;
interconnecting means including a microprocessor and a
system bus for interconnecting said ROM means and said
non-volatile memory for providing communication therebetween
to access said data stored in said non-volatile memory and
the firmware to change the actions of the firmware in
accordance with the presence of said data in said non-volatile
memory, the presence of said data in said non-volatile
memory resulting in the setting of phantom zeros.
Other objects, aspects and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent from the detailed description
considered in conjunction with the preferred embodiment of
the invention illustrated in the drawings, as follows:
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is a block diagram of ~he generalized electronic
circuitry o~ an electronic postage meter;
FIGURE 2 is a detailed block diagram of the electronic
circuitry of the electronic postage meter;
FIGURE 3A is a flowchart for Inbound Message Conversion
illustrating the present invention; and
FIGURE 3B is a flowchart for Outbond Message Conversion
illustrating the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to Figure l, the electronlc postage meter includes
an 8-bit microprocessor lO (CPU), such as an Intel Model 8085A
microprocessor which is connected to various components through
a system bus 12. ~OM 14 is connected to the microproce5sor 10
through the system bus 12. The ROM 14 stores the programs for
controlling the postage meter. It should be understood that the
term ROM as used herein includes permanently programmed and
reprogrammable devices. An integrated circuit 16, which may be
Intel Model 8155, is connected to the system bus 12 and includes
~AM, input and output lines and a timer. The RAM portion of the
intergrated circuit 16 has memory space allocated for transient
storage of the da~a for the ascending regis~er and descending
register. An external data communication port 18 is connected to
the microprocessor lO through optical isolator 20. The external
data Communication port 18 allows connection with devices ~uch as
an electronic scale, an external computer, servicing equipment
and the like. Also electrically connected to the microproces50r
10 through the system bus 12 is the keyboard 22 of the postage
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meter and a non-volatile memory (NVM) 24. Stepper motors 26, 28
ara also i.n electrical connection with the microprocessor 10
via motor drivers 30 and the integrated circuit 16. A
reset and power control 32 is electrically connected between the
integrated cixcuit 16, the NVM 24 and the microprocessor 10. A
relay 34 connects the AC printer motor 36 to the integrated
circùit 16. A display 38 is also electrically connected to the
integrated circuit 16. Trip pho~osensor 40 is connected to the
microprocessor 10 through integrated circuit 16 to indicate the
pxesence of an envelope to be stamped, as described more ully in
the aforementioned patent application entitled, STAND-ALONE ELEC~
TRONIC M~ILING MACHINE.
~ he e~ronic postage meter is controlled by the micropro-
~cessor 10 operating under control of the programs stored in the
ROM 14. The microprocessor 10 acce~ts information entered via the
keyboard 22 or via the external communication port 18 from external
message generators. Critical accounting data and other important
information is stored in the non-volatile memory 24. The non-
volatile mem0ry 24 may be an MNOS semiconductor type memory, a
battery augmented CMOS memory, core memory, or other suitable non-
volatile memory component. The non-volatile memory 24 stores
critical postage meter data during periods when power is not applied
to the postage meter. This data includes in addition to the serial
number of the mailing machine or postage meter information as to
the value in the descending register (the amount of postage avail-
able for printing), the value in the ascending register (the total
amount of postage prin~ed ~y the meter), and the value in the piece
count register (thP total number of cyc-les the meter has per~ormed),
as well as other ~ypes of da~a, ~uch a~ trip status, ini~ialization
and service information, Which are desired to be retained in the
memory even though no power is applied to the metex.
When an on/o~ power switch 42 is turned ~n Cc~osed~ q
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the microprocessor 10 and the balance of the electronic compon-
ents. The information stored in the non-volatile memory 24 is
transferred via the microprocessor 10 to the RAM of the integrated
circuit 16. After power up the RAM contains an image or copy of
the information stored in the non-volatile memory 24 prior to
energization. During operation of the postage meter, certain
of the data in the RAM is modified. Accordingly, when postage is
printed, the descending register will be reduced by the value of
the printed postage, the ascending register increased by the value
of the printed postage and the piece counter register incremented.
When the power swi~ch 42 is turned off (opened), the updated data
in the RAM is transferred via the microprocessor 10 back into a
suitably prepared area of the non-volatile memory 24. A like
transfer of information between the non-volatile memory 24 and the
RAM takes place during power failure.
Referring to Figure 2, a more detailed block diagram of the
arrangement of the electrical components for the postage meter is
illustrated generally as 48. Power is supplied to the postage
meter from the AC line voltage, typically 115 volts. This line
voltage is applied to the meter through a hot switch 50 which cuts
off power to the postage meter to protect the electrical components
thereof if ~he temperature rises above a preset limit, nominally
70C. The hot switch 50 is connected to the AC drive motor 36A
through an RF filter 52 and an opto-triac 54 which provides isolation
between the line voltage and the control logic for the meter. The hot
swi~ch 50 is also connec~ed to a ~ransformer 55 protected by a fuse 58.
The output of the transformer 56 is coupled to a pre-regulator 59
through a cold switch 60. The cold switch 60 cut~ off power to the
pre-regulator 59 if the temperat~re ~rops below a preset limit,
nominally 0C. The pre-regulator 59 provides an output voltage of
a predetermined range to a switcher 62 which generates the output
voltage +5V; and the voltages for generating -12V and -30V.
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display 38A. ~he ~5V from the switcher 62 is also applied to a
~SV filter 6~ which provides ~5V for logic circui-ts.
Speciflcally, the ~5V is applie~ to the keyboard 22A, the display
38A, and bank, digit and trip sensor logic 68 and to the integrated
circuits. The -12V is appl.ied to a -12V regulator 70 and then to
the non-volatile memory 24A.
The -30V output from the switcher 62 is also applied to a
-30V regulator 74 and then to a -30V switch 76 which switches its
output voltage on and off in response to the requirements of
wxiting in NVM as dictated by ~he program. The output of the
-30V switch is applied to the non-volatile memory 24A. The -30V
supply is connected to the power on reset 7~ of the microprocessor
lOA.
+5V from the switcher 62 is also supplied to one input of the
powe.r on reset 72i the other input receives -30V from the regulator
74 as previously described. A low voltage sensor 88 also recei~es
one input of +5V from the switcher 62 and its other input rom the
pre-regulator 59; its output is applied to the microproces50r lOA.
The low voltage sensor 8B detects power failure and communicates
this to the microprocessor lOA which in turn addresses the RAM
through system bus 12A to transfer all security data present in
the RAM to the non-vola~ile memory 24A.
Another output from the pre-regulator 59 in the form of ~24V
is applied to the digit and bank motor drive 30A for the bank
motor 26A and digit motor 28A, whieh selects the particular print-
ing wheel (bank~ which is to ~e activated and the particular digit
of the selected printing wheel which is to be set.
An outpu~ strobe from ~he integrated circuit 16A is buffered
through buffer driver 68 and applied to digit sensor (encoder) 78,
bank sensor (encoder) 80, and trip sensor 4~A. The opto strobe
applies power to the digit sensor 7B, bank senssr 80 and trip
sensor 40A when needed. The output ~rom the trip sensor 40A is
applied to the input/output lines 8~ which are coupled to the inte-
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digit sensor 78 and bank sensor 80 and cycle switch 84are applied to a storage buffer 86
During power up, the key switch 42, see Fig. 1, is
closed, and the AC line voltage energizes the electrical
components previously described and an Initialization
process will occur. Such initialization may include a
hard and/or soft initializatlon process as disclosed in
the aforementioned Uni-ted States Letters Patent 4,301,507.
~referably the Initialization process is that described
in copending application Serial No. 442,623, filed on
even date herewith in the name of Easwaran C. N. Nambudiri
entitled, INITIALIZING THE PRINT WHEELS IN AN ELECTRONIC
POSTAGE METER, and assigned to the same assignee as the
present invention.
In operation, the microprocessor lOA under control
of the ROM 14A and possibly the auxillary ROM 100 communi-
cates over the address bus 94 and control bus 98 with the
device select 98. The output of the device select 98
communicates with the particular module to be addressed
over select lines 99. The modules to be addressed are
the RAM, the ROM 14A, an auxiliary ROM 100, a demultiplexer
102, NVM logic 104 and the buffer 86. The RAM of integrated
circuit 16A provides the working memory for the postage
meter and the microprocessor lOA. The ROM 14A stores the
program; the auxiliary ROM 100 may be used to provide
additional program storage space. The non-volatile
memory 24A provides storage of all ~ecurity information
for the meter and retains such information during power
down or power failure. The demultiplexer 102 latches the
lower eight (8) bits of address information that defines
a particular location which is used immediately thereafter.
The NVM logic 104 controls the mode of operation of the
NVM 24A and also provides ready wait and NVM ready signals
to the microprocessor lOA to indicate the presence of the
slow speed device (NVM) as active on the bus 12A.
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As previously mentioned, the digital sensor 78 (optical
encoder) and bank sensor 80, (optical encoder) and cycle switch
84 whose current state is read, i.e., "Home" or "In Cycle",
apply input signals to the buffer 86 which sends output signals
over data bus 108 to the microprocessor lOA for storage in the
proper RAM location~
The RAM is also elec~ically coupled to I/O lines to transmit or receive
data from the trip sensor 40A, the display 38A, keyboard 22A, and
privilege access switch 110, if present. The privilege access
switch llO may be used in applications which require manual resetting
of meter postage via a switch which is kept under seal.
The flow charts discussed below indicate how o~e or mQre external
data bits preferably stored in non-volatile memory can be used to
change a firmware variable so that the actions of the firmware
change. It should be understood that the term firmware as used
herein includes softwareO
Phantom zeros are necessary in a postage meter because of the
variations in monetary systems and the range thereof around the
world. Phantom zeros occur mechanically fixed and thus will appear
on each imprint of the meter. The postage value will display the value
to be printed, including the phantom zeros. The setting of phantom
zeros in the display is accomplished by modifying a firmware variable
based on data stored in non-volatile memory.
Specifically, referring to the flow chart illustrated as llO
in Fig. 3A for an Inbound Message Conversion, i.e., entering postage
from the keyboard, the format of the digits is set equal to the format
of the digits minus those phantom zeros set in non-~olatile memory.
When entering postage from the keyboard, the use of the decimal point
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describes the se~ting exactly. If the ~ormat of the
decimal is equal to F (HEX), i.e., no decimal entry being
made, the meter will default to the decimal position
specified in the characteristic code stored in the NVM
and the message will be conver-ted internally for display.
Control is then returned to the superordinate process.
However, if the decimal is not equal to F (HEX), i.e., a
decimal point has been set, the NVM is addressed to set
the format of the decimal equal to the decimal format
minus the phantom zeros stored in NVM. There~ore, the
~nessage i9 converted internally for display and control
is returned to the superordinate process.
Referring to the flow chart illustrated as 120 in
Fig. 3B, for an Outbound Message Conversion, i.e., display-
ing the entered postage on the display, the internal
units are converted to a data format or message. NVM is
then accessed to set the format of the digits in the
message equal to the format of the digits plus the phantom
zeros stored in the NVM. If the format of the decimal is
equal to F (HEX) i.e., no decimal entry being made,
control is returned to the superordinate process. However,
if the format of the decimal is not equal to F (HEX), NVM
is accessed to set the format of the decimal equal to the
decimal format plus the phantom zeros stored in NVM.
Control is then returned to the superordinate process.
Preferably, as disclosed in the copending patent applicat-
ion Serial No. 422,884, filed on March 4, 1983, in the
names of Edward C. Duwel and John H. Soderberg, entitled,
NON-VOLATILE MEMORY SERIAL NUMBER LOCK FOR ELECTRONIC
POSTAGE METER, and U.S. Patent No. 4,525,786, issued June
25, 1985, Raymond R. Crowley and John H. Soderberg,
entitled, ELECTRONIC POSTAGE METER HAVING A ONE TIME
ACTUABLE OPERATING PROGRAM TO ENABLE SETTING OF CRITICAL
ACCOUNTING REGISTERS TO PREDETERMINED VALUES, after the
serial number is set in the meter a "one time" program
locks up the meter to preclude further changes therein.
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It is known and understood for the purpose of the present
application that the term postage meter refers to the general class
of device for the imprinting of a defined unit value for govern- _
mental or pr.ivate carrier delivery of parcels, envelopes or other
like application for unit value printing. Thus, although the term u
postage meter is utilized, i~ is both known and employed in the
trade as a general term fox devices utilized in conjunction with
services other than those exclusively employed by governmental
postage and tax services. For example, private, parcel and freight
ser~ices purchase and employ such meters as a means to provide unit
value printing and accounting for individual parcels.
It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications may be made in the present invention without depart-
ing from the spirit and scope thereof as described in the specifica-
tion and defined in the appended claims.
