Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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I!BACKGROU~JD OF T~IE INVENTIt:)N
1,
Field of the Invention
IlThe present invention relates to a micro computerized,
! miniature postage meter which may be held in and operated by
I 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 commercial and indus-
trial businesses to selectively print postage indicia on documents
such as envelopes, labels, and the li~e. 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 conveniently, than manual
l operators who individually moisten and position previously
1 printed postage stamps on mailing documents. Furthermore,
! printed postage is attractive as well as impressi~e to the
recipient of the mail on which it appears.
! However, individuals who use postal services relatively
iinfrequently compared to business enterprises have been una~le
'Ito avail themselves of the a~.vantages of postage meters for a
~number of reasons. Primarily, use of presently kno~m meters is
¦lonly economically feasible when relatjvely large volumes of
l,postage are printed. Further, since these meters are ordinarily
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¦ large and cumbersome, they are usually mounted for operation at
I a fixed location. Therefore, they are inconvenient for use by
¦ a person who is accustomed to carrying postage, in the form of
previously printed stamps, with him.
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Description of the Prior Art
Postage meters which are now generally available are speci-
fically 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 pxinting device comprised of
either a rotatably mounted printing die plate, operated to rotate
in synchronism with linearly moving documents, or a fixed print- 7
ing 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 (Hu~bard), assigned to the assignee of the present
¦ invention, which employs a rotatably mounted die plate to print
ixed postage information~ such as the postage meter registration
l¦number, an~ an ink jct printing device to print variable postage
20 1l information such as the date and postage amount.
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j~ Still more sophisticate~ postage meters, which nevertheless
include mechanical postage printing apparatus, but ~hich 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.
3,978,457 and 4,097,923, issued August 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 of place.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a microcomputerized
apparatus for printing postage indicia on a document such
as an envelope, label, or the like, and for performing
mathematical calculations. The apparatus comprises
printing means including an ink jet printing device
adapted to project ink droplets onto a document, a
microcomputer including: microprocessor logic means
programmed to actuate the printing means to project ink
droplets onto a document in a postage indicia forming
pattern, the microprocessor further including logic means
for performing mathematical calculations; a keyboard for
entering information and programming instructions in the
microcomputer microprocessor logic means.
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 p~rtable. Therefore,
it may be transported and used as conveniently as
previously printed postage stamps.
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The compactness of the microcomputerized, miniature
postage meter of 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 presently
known meters, this miniature postage meter performs no
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document handling function. Compactness isi further achieved by
use of a micro computer which ~erforms the control and data
processing functions of the meter.
In its preferred embodiments, the micro computerizedr
S 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 droplets onto the document when so moved. An opticai ,
monitor, mounted with 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 project ink droplets onto the document
in a pattern that forms the desired postage indicia. The micro
l computer further includes a clock circuit, connected to the
lS j optical monitor, which computes the instantaneous rate of
relative movement of the printing device and docurnent from the
jlobserved rate. A feedback signal is then generate~ from the
iclock circuit to the logic circuit to coordinate the instantaneous
~Irate of actuation of the printing device with the computed
11 instantaneous rate of relative document-printiny device movement
,1 in order to properly form the postage indicia ~Jithout distortion.
,j Purchased posta~e is stored in a postage memory register,
1~ also incorporated in the micro corn?uter, which is addressa~lc
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¦¦ 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 stored postage is depleted to a predetermined
¦ minimum amount. Accordingly, the meter becomes inoperable when
¦ the postage stored in it has been essentially exhausted.
In other embodiments, the postage meter o~ 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
register or, in more complex fashion, the exact amount of postage
which remains in the memory register.
The micro computerized, miniature postage meter of the pre-
sent 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
i distribution station. That is, the postage memory register of
the micro computer may be directly connected through an easily
j accessible jack to a postage dispensing computer so that an
20 1l amount of purchased postage may be entered in the meter. The
~meter may then be distributed by mail or at rental centers to
l; individuals for their use. When the postage stored in the memory j
¦ register is e~hausted, the meter is returned to the central
''postage distribution station for entry of additional purchased
postage. Alternatively, the meter may be purchased by its user,
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and brought to the central station when postage entry or re-
I entry is needed. ~-
I In addition to the advantages of miniature postage meter
Il use accruing to the ultimate user, the United States Government
¦, should save substantial amounts in printing costs since the use
Il of stamps may be decreased.
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I¦ Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
¦¦provide a micro computerized, miniature postage meter which may
¦jbe used by individuals as conveniently as previously printed
I¦postage stamps are now used. Further, this invention contemplates
a method of distributing and dispensing postage that employs the
!iminiaturè postage meter to decrease the need for previously
¦Iprinted postage and, hence, governmental printing costs and
I!further to enhance the individual consu~er's ease of using postage~
!' Other objects, aspects, and advantages of the present
iinvention will be pointed out in, or will be understood from,
l,the following detailed description provided below in conjunction
¦!vith the accompanying drawings.
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1~ BRIFF DESCRIPTIO~ OF THF DRAWINGS
1 FIGURE 1 is a perspcctive view of one embodiment of the compu!l
¦¦terized, miniature postage meter of the present invention positioned
~relative to a document, in the form of an envelope, immediately
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I¦ after printing postage indicia thereon.
FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken through
plane 2-~ in FIGURE 1 illustrating the internal components of
this miniature postage meter.
S 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, 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.
FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of this postage meter.
FIGURE 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken through
plane 6-6 in FIGURE 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.
FIGU~E 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken through
~ plane 8-8 in FIGURE 3 illustrating a portion of the ink jet
¦l ~rinting device.
Ij ~IGURE 9 is a functional block diagram of the postage meter
l`, and of a central postage distributing station to which it is
!' connecte~ for reentry of postage, for power supply recharging,
Ij and for refill with in~.
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FIGURE 10 is an enlarged view of the upper right hand corner
, of the envelop~ showing, in detail, the postage indicia printed
by the miniature postage meter of the present invention. '
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,; FIGURE 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken through
s '~ 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 remaining in the meter.
j~ FIGURE 12 is a second vertical cross-sectional view taken
~I through plane 12-12 in FIGURE 13 of this second embodiment.
~ FIGURE 13 is a top plan view of this embodiment.
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! FIGVRE 14 is a functional block diagram of the micro computer
' and display used in this second embodiment.
FIGURE 15 is a partial vertica~ cross-sectional view taken throug~
plane 15-15 in FIGURE 18 of a third embodiment of the postage
meter o 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 of this apparatus
partly broken a~ay to show detail.
FIGU~ 18 is a top plan view of this apparatus also partly
broken away to show detail.
FIGU~E 19 is a perspective view of the third embodi-
ment shown while a document is being iMprinted with posta~e
indicia.
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FIGU~E ~o is a functional block diagrarn o~ this combined
postage rneter calculator apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGURE 1 illustrates one embodiment of the micro computerized ,
miniature postage meter of the present invention, generally indi-
cated at 10, in position immediately after printing 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 illustrated envelope 14 is of conventional letter size,
namely 9.5 inches (24.lcm) wide and 4.0 (10.2cm) inches high.
It can be readily appreciated, then, that the miniature postage
meter 10 is extremely small (proposed dimensions are approximately
1 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 industrv. The postage meter is comparable in size
to many articles which people frequently carry with them, such
l as butane-type cigarette lighters, key carrying cases, and
1l cosmetic compacts. Since the meter is completely sel~-contained,
,¦ an~, when activated in a manner described below in detail, ready
¦¦ to print postage that has been stored in it at any tîme or place,
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jl it is as convenient to use as previously printed postage stamps.
¦I Furthermore, large amounts of postage can be stored in this meter !
more easily than similar amounts, in the form of small denomi-
I nation stamps, can be stored.
I As will be explained in greater detail below, the compact
size of the postage meter 10 is achieved by the use of a single
chip micro computer which performs the meter control and data
processing functions, by the elimination of all mechanical docu-
ment handling apparatus, and by the elimination of usually large
and cumbersome mechanical printing apparatus. Specifically, the
meter is designed to be moved relative to the document ~y the
operator while an electronic printing device, controlled by the
icro computer, prints the desired postage indicia.
l In this preferred embodiment, postage meter 10 is programmed
15 j to print postage indicia 12 having only fixed information. For
example, as shown in FIGURE 1 and in detail in FIGURE 10, the
postage indicia information may include a meter registration
I number 16, the postage amount 18, and the state and number 20 of
¦Ithe central postage distributing station from which the metex
20 1¦ was issued. The infor~ation may also include prearranged code
! markings 22 intended to discourage counterfeit postage printing.
The meter may be programmed to print additional fixed 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.
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Referring now to FIGU~ES 2 through 8, the micro computerized
miniaturc postage meter lO includes a main cylindrical body 24 -
wnich houses operating components of the meter. At its lower
l end, body 24 terminates in two partially cylindrical, diametricall ?
S I opposed s~irts 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 of the meter 10 over the enYelope 14 or other
Idocument.
O The meter co~ponents are concealed and protected in the
cylindrical body 24 from both the botto~ and top. The bottom of
body 24 is enclosed by a base support plate 37. The top of the
body is enclosed by a cap 38, having a cylindrical side wall 40
telescopically received for limited movement thereon. The side
wall 40 is provided with an inwardly directed annular rabbet 42
iat its lower margin that engages an outwardly directed annular
Irabbet 44 formed on body 24 to retain the cap on the body.
¦However, a resilient wave washer 48, interposed between the cap
~bottom 50 and the body top 52, urges the cap axially outwardly
~0 l¦from the body as far as permitted by the interengaging rabbets.
¦IFurther, as shown in ~IGURE 6, the interior of cap side wall 40
jland the exterior of the upper portion of body 24 are formed with
~¦interengaging splincs ~6 which prevent relative body-cap rotation
,ahout thcir common axis ~. ~s explained below, the meter is
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activated to print postage indicia be depressing 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 in a pattern forming postage indicia
12 when moved in close proximity relative thereto as depicted in
FIGURE 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 4). Further, these outlet ends 58 are positioned
in close relation to the document when the meter is supported
thereon. Accordingly, the linear capillary outlet end array
extends perpendicularly to the direction in which the miniature
postage meter 10 is designed to be moved relative to the envelope
14. At their ends opposite the outlet ends 58, capillaries 56
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 he ink capillaries 56. Each transducer includes a
single disk or piezoelectric ceramic 62 bonded to an electrically
inactive substrate 65. When the ceramic is energized, a slight
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¦i physical deflection or "dishing" is produced which is s~lfficient
¦ to cause ejection of a tiny ink droplet through the outlet end
¦ 58 of the associated capillary 56. Accordingly, when the trans-
I ducers are energized in proper sequence as the meter 10 is moved
across the envelope 14, the postage indicia 12 are formed of a
pattern of tiny projected ink droplets.
Ink iet printing devices similar to that described above
are presently produced and sold by Gould, Inc., Chicago, 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 device 54 supports an ink reservoir 64 which
supplies ink to central conduit 59, manifold 57 and, hence
¦capillaries 56. More particularly, the reservoir is formed with
~a bottom coupling 66 which 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 54 and guide
~the coupling 66 to conduit 59. A capped filler tube 67 shown
~in phantom lines in FIGURES 2 and 3, is in fluid communication
Z0 ~with and is used to fill the reservoir~
I! As the meter is movea across the document on guide rollers
! 30 and 32, the ink ~et printing device 54 is sequentially actuated
¦jby a single chip micro computer 72 to project ink droplets onto
i,the document surface in a postage indicia printing pattern.
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In order to accomplish this control function, the micro computer
72 is electrically connected to the individual transducers 60 of .
printing device 54 in a manner that may be described with
reference to FIGURES 2, 3, 7 and 8. The micro 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 electrically connected to the first and, hence, to micro
computer 72, by conducters 81 (FIGURE 7). Both boards are
mounted in vertical, mutually parallel relation in the cylindrical ~v~
body 24 and are supported at their upper ends by suitable struts 8
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
1 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
jpaths are molded in a manner developed by Chomerics, Inc., Woburn,
IIMassachusetts. As shown in EIGURE 2, conductive paths 76 and 80
~which carry control signals to transducers 60 terminate at
locations between flanges 86 and 88. Similarly, paths 90
Iterminate in flanges 86 and 88 which accordingly form sockets
¦Ifor the bottoms of circuit boards 74 and 78. The connections
llare complcted through flanges 68 and 70 which embrace printing
2S I device 54. ~s shown in EI~URE 8, conductive paths 92 are printed
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¦l on the face of device 54, are contacted by paths 90 in flange~
¦1 68 and 70, and are connected to the transducer ceramic 62
¦~ through a mass 94 of conductive rubber. (Note that paths 92 ~,.
I properly appear to overlie capillaries 56 in FIGURE 3.)
1 The micro computer also automatically coordinates the rate
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
actuat rate of relative document-meter movement. ~his optical
monitor, generally indicated at 96 and shown in detail in
FIGURES 2 and 4, includes a phototransistor 98 to which light is
conducted by a fiber optic probe 100. The probe is fixed in a
¦ mounting block 102 to focus on the area of the envelope 14
!5 ! where ink droplets are projected from the lowermost capillary
¦ outlet 58a. The optical monitor 96 further includes a source
of light in the form of a light emitting diode ~LED) 104 also
positioned in mounting block 102 to focus on the area of the
Il envelope at which ink droplets from outlet 58a are projected.
I! In this as well as other embodiments of the meter 10 micro c ~m-
puter 72 is programmed so that an ink droplet is projected from oult-
jl let 58a each time printing device 54 is actuated, to yield a contrjol
!, pattern in the form of a line 106 underscoring other information
in thc postage indicia as shown in FIG~P~ 10. Accordingly, the
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¦¦ 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 interrelationship of the micro computer 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 circuit 108 which controls actuation of the
ink jet printing device 54 and is 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 mo~ement of the printing device and
the document from the phototransistor input signal. The clock
l circuit then generates a feedback signal on line 114 to the logic
20 ¦1 circuit 108 which coordinates the instantaneous rate of actuation
! lof 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.
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, A postage memory register 116, also part of micro computer
72, stores purchased amounts of postage and is addressable by the
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loqic circuit 108 on line 115 to reduce the stored amount o~
postage by that printed during each meter use. That is, at the
co~pletion of printing of one postage indicator or mark, the ; ~-
1, logic addresse5 the memory register to reduce the stored amount
5- ij of postage by the amount printed.
¦¦ Finally, the micro computer 72 includes a disabling lock-out
~¦ 118 which is addressable by the memory register 116 on line 119 t
!, render the meter inoperative when the stored amount of postage is
¦¦ depleted to a predetermined minimum amount. For example, the
~1l disabling lock-out 118 may be set to lock out the meter when one
¦l imprint remains in the memory register. In the preferred embodi- ~o~
Iment of the meter, the logic circuit is disabled by the lock-out.
¦ Further, the meter may be provided with a low postage indicator in
Ithe form of an light emitting diode 120, mounted in cap 38, (FIGU~ 3S
13 and 5) addressable by the memory register to light when some
!~ amount of postage higher than the minimum amount remains in the
i! memory. For example, the memory might be set to turn LED 120 on w len
ten imprints remain to be used. In this way, the meter warns the
user that more postage must be purchased.
~i As shown in FIGURES 2,3,6 and 9, the micro computer 72 and
'lassociated components, and the LED 104 are energized by a power
,supply 107 in the form of a rechargeable, nickel cadmium battery
which is connected to activate the meter through a micros~titch lO9j
'This microswitch is mounted with circuit board 74 in operative proxi-
~5 mity to a protcctive leaf spring 111 mounted on cap 38. When the cap
is depressed, the s~itch is closed to activatc the metcr for onc
print cycle. (Note that the disabling lock-out 118 may also be
arranged to disconnect powcr supply 107 through switch 109 at the
': same tima as the l~>gic circuit is disabled. ~ ¦
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¦ The micro computerized miniature postage meter of the present
invention i5 used as follows. when one wishes to imprint a
document with postage indicia, the cap is pressed down-.~ardly to
! close microswitch 109 which enables the power supply 107 to
S activate the micro computer 72. The meter is placed on the upper
right hand corner of the envelope 14 with the indicating arrow
printed on the cap 38 pointing from right to left along the top
of the envelope. The meter is then moved from right to left on .
rollers 30 and 32 at any desired rate. (Right-to-left movement
is chosen to insure that the postage indicia is printed entirely
on the document.) The optical monitor 96 observes the rate at whi h
the meter is moved relative to the document and the micro computer
clocX circuit 110 automatically calculates the instantaneous rela-
tive rate from this observed rate. The clock circuit in turn
signals the logic circuit 108 to actuate the ink jet printing de-
! vice 54 at a rate which properly forms the postage indicia without
!~ distortion. After the indicia has been completely printed, the
I logic circuit addresses the memory register 116 to reduce the amou It
¦of postage stored therein by the amount of postage just printed.
20 ll After repeated uses when the postage stored in the memory I ;
I register has been depleted to the predetermined minimum amount, th
!! disabling lock-out 118 automatically disconnects the power supply
llfrom the micro computer an~ disables the logic. Accordingly, even¦
¦ by tampering with the mcter to reconncct thc power supply, a user ¦
Icannot cnable it to print more postaqe until reprogrammed.
1, The miniature postage metcr of the present invention is
¦Idesiyned for repeated reuse in conjunction with a central postage
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distributing station 122 diagrammatically illustrated in FIGURE
I 9. ~s shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 6, the meter includes a number
¦1 of input connections all accessible when cap 38 is removed. These
J input connections comprise two jack plugs 124 which are connected
¦ to the micro computer. Further, two jack nlugs 126 are positioned
I at the top of the power supply for connection with a recharging
¦ source. Finally, inlet filler tube 66 to the in~ reservoir 64
¦ has a cover 128 which is removed and replaced with cap 38. When
¦ thc meter 10 is returned to the central postage distributing
¦i station 122, the cap 38 is removed by an authorized person. The
¦¦ meter is then plugged into the central station 122 which has a
~ !i main input plug 130 that is connected to a power supply recharger
132, a ink supply 134, and a postage dispensing computer 136
Il adapted to enter purchased postage in the micro computer memory
¦I register. Main input plug is arranged to simultaneously connect
micro computer 72 with dispensing computer 136, the power supply
1107 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
jlregister, and the ink reservoir may be refilled in one step.
The micro computerized miniature postage meter of the present
invention may be adapted in snore sophisticated ernbodiments for
~expanded capability. For example, FI~URES 11 through 14 illustrate
l~a second cmbodiment, which has a display for indicating the exact
''amount of postage that remains storcd in the meter after each use. !
,'The second embodiment of the postage meter of the invention, I
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,j generally indicated at 210, includes a rectangular body 212 which
is closed at the top and open at the bottom, and which is approxi-i
~! mately ~he same size as a key carrying case. A self-contained
1l start print button 215 is mounted in the top of the body. A
2, base support plate 214 encloses the bottom of the body and
,I supports the meter components which include an ink jet printing
device 216 supplied with in~ by an ink reservoir 218 in the same
' fashion as described with reference to the first embodiment. ~he
! ink jet printing device is actuated by a micro computer 220 having
o !I three integrated circuit chips 222 each mounted on a separate
prlnted circuit board 224. The circuit boards are mounted in verti-
cal, mutually parallel relation above a power supply 226 in the
? form of a nickel cadmium battery supported on base plate 214. The;
¦! circuit boards 224 and, hence, chips 222, are interconnected
l and are further connected with other meter components such as
start 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 operativc pro~imity relati~e
" to a document, during which time the micro computer 220 actuates
the printing device 216 to properly form desired postage indicia
without distortion. In order to do so, micro computcr 220 is
connected through cable 227 to an optical monitor 228 identical
to the monitor previously described, l~hich observes the rate of
relative movem^nt and provides a rate indicating signal to the
micro computer.
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As shown in simplified form in FIGVRE 14, micro computer 220
; includes logic 230 and clock 232 circuits which then coordinate
the rate of printing device actuation with the rate of relative
~ meter-docum2nt movement in the same way as micro computer 72.
1~ Micro computer 220 also incorporates a postage memory register
! 234, for storing purchased amounts of postage, which has added
capability not found 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, according-
ly becomes a visible descending postage register. In the pre- `
~i ferred form, the micro computer 220 is progranmed to activate the
j, display 236 approximately five seconds after postage indicia has
!' been printed and ~or a period of five seconds. Thus, the meter
user is reminded, after each meter use, of how much postage
remains stored therein, and of when more postage should be entered
;, in the memory register.
The micro computer finally includes a disabling lock-out
~ circuit 238 for disabling the meter when postage stored in memory
register 234 has been depleted to a predetermined minimu~ 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
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Ii micro computer input jacks 240 and an ink reservoir filler tube
~¦ 242. Cable 227 is provided with a loop 244 to permit disengage- ,.
Ij ment 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 mathematical calculator is illustrated in FIGURES 15 through
20. The apparatus 310 of this embodiment is housed in a body 312
having size approximately the same as currently available hand-
held calculators, and includes a micro computer 314 comprised of
five integrated circuit chips 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 actuates a printing device in the J
fonn of six staggered, eleven-~et ink jet printers 322 (FIG5. 17, 18 6 19~ arranc ed
¦ 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.
!llIowever, by arranging a collection of six printers as shown in
!¦ FIGURES 15 and 18, printin~ capacity is greatly increased.
11 I
;~ As can be seen in FIGURE 15, body 312 is formed with a
,I support portion 324 and an elevated portion 326 on its bottom.
!' The ink jet printers are mounted above the elevated portioll under
¦ which a document may be easily drawn as depicted in FIGS. 18 & 19
, to receive printcd indicia.
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,' ' - I ,,
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It will be appreciated ~rom FIGURE 20 that apparatus 310 ' '
also includes an optical monitor 328 and that micro co~puter 314
also includes a clock circuit 330, a memory register 332, and a
, disabling lock-out circuit 334, all of which function in the
S same way as do corresponding components described with reference
~i to the first two embodiments. However, postage logic circuit 320 ,
, is more versatile than the logic circuits in either of those
i, embodiments since it may be progranNned to actuate the printing
! device to print varying ~mounts of postage. An input key board 336~
1! ~also showl~ in FIG5. lc ~ 17 throllgh 19) ~ounted on top of body 312 is provided !
I for entering infor-
; mation and programming instructions in the micro computer postage i
logic for this purpose.
Moreover, micro computer 314 also includes a mathematical
1 logic circuit 338 which is programmed to perform mathematical
~ji 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 calculatorf mode.
The ink jet printing device Jnay be actuated by the mathemati-
-cal logic circuit 338 to print results of mathematical calculations.
Hot~ever, a display 340, in the form, for example, of a light
emitting diode or liquid crystal display, is mounted in the uppcr
portion of body 312 for visually sho~ing these results.
.
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¦I Display 340 may also be connected to the memory register to
I¦ show the amount of postage stored therein, in the same manner as
,¦ display 236 of the second embodiment when the apparatus is
operated in the postage meter mode. I
S Power supply and micro computer input jacks 342 ~nd 344
¦ respectively are accessible from the rear of body 312 (F~G. 16) for re-
charging a power supply 346 and reentering 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
lS ¦purchased amount of postage is entered therein. The meter may
¦then be distributed to the ultimate postage user by any number of
lldifferent methods. For example, the postage user may obtain a
¦! meter at a post office or store by paying a cash security deposit ¦
l in addition to purchasing the amount of postage stored in it. He
j then uses the postage in the meter as necessary in the manner
l described above. Once the memory register has been de~leted of
¦Ipurchased posta~e, the meter is ~isabled to prevent further dis-
pen~ing of postage. It is then returned to the place of purchase
' from which it is returned to the central postage distributing
listation. The micro computer of the meter is a~ain elcctrically
! connected to the postage distributing computer and a predetermined
;amount of postage is entered in the memory re~ister. The cycle
of distribution an~ 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 alter-
! natively, he is given a meter in which postage has been entered
i in exchange for purchase of the amount of postage. Return may be i
S 1, accomplished by mailing or hand carrying the meter for exchange
to the central postage distributing station. t
~' Alternatively, the meter may be sold directly to the ultimate
jl postage user. When he desires to purchase more postage, he.:merely
, has to return the meter to a central postage distribution station .
~ 10 1I where an additional amount of purchased postage is entered in its I
ji memory register. Reprogramming station consols may also be set
ii up at locations remote from the central distribution station. In
!, each of these alternative methods, the ink reservoir is refilled
!: and the power supply is recharged when the meter is connected to
lS j the central postage distribution station. I
., ;
The advantages of such a system of postage distribution to
, both the consumer and to the gov~rnment can be readily appreciated
i The postage consumer is afforded a means of using postage far
; more convenient than those presently known. Government 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 using this meter have been
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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 . I ~
, and methods to particular applications. j ~A
W~IAT IS CLAIMED IS: ~ -
.'~ ,
''''',
! ~
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