Pitney Bowes Inc.

Other

Munson Electronics, Inc.

Edward P Daniels

Daniel F Dlugos

Joseph D Mallozzi

Flavio M Manduley

Karl H Schumacher

Earl B Holtz

Neale C Hutcheson

John G Rahrig

Paul H Mitchell

John F Kwant

John L Lorenzo

Clare E Woodman

Vincent G Coppola

Risto Aadolf Rinne, Jr

Gerald L Munson

Edwin G Grisgraber

Raymond R Crowley

Michelle S Breault

Flavio M Manduely

John R Mamone

David E Dinan

Chikou Cheng

Raymond J Kerney

Steven J Churchill

A method of customizing application software in an inserting system includes the steps of providing a system baseline program for operating the inserting system in a standard baseline mode, and providing a dynamic link library (DLL) including a table of features to be included in the inserting system and an application routine corresponding to each of the features. A call table in the system baseline program is linked with an address for each feature corresponding to the location of the application program for the feature. The DLL is customized based on information received from the baseline program. Each of the features is called when indicated in the system baseline program and information is provided to each DLL application program corresponding to the feature. The information is modified to make the system baseline program execute a different set of logic corresponding the customization of the machine. A sub-dynamic link library (sub-DLL) is provided for further customization. The sub-DLL includes a table of sub-features to be included in the inserting system and an application sub-routine corresponding to each of the sub-features. The sub-DLL is similarly integrated with the DLL and called by the DLL routines.

Method of customizing application software in inserter systems

A software architecture system is provided for real-time control of an inserting system having a central processor coupled to a plurality of distributed processors that are associated with physical modules of the inserting system, wherein the central processor is coupled to the distributed processors by at least one type of physical I/O channel. The system includes real-time control routines resident in the central processor, a plurality of virtual stations resident in the central processor, wherein each of the software stations corresponding to one of the physical modules of the inserting system. The system further includes at least one virtual I/O channel corresponding to each type of the physical I/O channel, the virtual I/O channel being resident in the central processor and operatively coupled to the physical I/O channel, and a message dispatcher resident in the central processor for dispatching messages from the virtual stations to the corresponding physical modules through the virtual I/O channel. The virtual I/O channel includes a multi-layered communication interface between the physical and the virtual stations, which includes an application interface layer that is independent of the type of physical I/O channel and a physical layer that is changes according to the type of physical I/O channel.

Software architecture system having a virtual I/O channel including

A method of teaching a student and using a computer game teaching system, a computer game and educational information contained in one or more tutorial modules. A plurality of questions contained in the tutorial module are presented to the student at pause points in the game, the scoring algorithm for the game is modified as a result of positive responses to the questions to permit higher probability of scoring in the game. The student's responses to the questions are stored in a scores database which is transmitted for analysis, at a central location which analyzes the responses from many students and prepares a report for transmittal to a parent or teacher to guide the student's further education.

Computer game teaching method and system

A system for accounting for postage expended by a postage meter. The system includes a keyboard and display for entry of commands and postal information, a printer, a memory for storing account records and program data, the memory further including a non-volatile memory for storing account records and other data, an interface to an electronic postage meter, and a processor including a CPU. The processor controls an electronic postage meter through the interface in accordance with the program data and entered postal information to set the meter and then responds to signals from the meter to update account records. The processor may also edit selected account records in accordance with entered information. In one disclosed embodiment the system responds to an operator request to print the account data base by repetitively scanning the account data base and sequentially printing accounts. In another disclosed embodiment the system stores images of accounts to be edited in selected regions of non-volatile memory before beginning to edit the account. These embodiments increase the security of the data in the accounts by avoiding exposure to data loss due to power failures or transients while accounts are being processed. In another disclosed embodiment a record of edited accounts is maintained by the system to allow a service technician to detect unauthorized editing of accounts. In still another disclosed embodiment the system tracks the contents of the postage meter ascending register to detect off-line meter usage.

System for accounting for postage expended by a postage meter having

A system for accounting for postage expended by a postage meter. The system includes a keyboard and display for entry of commands and postal information, a printer, a memory for storing account records and program data, the memory further including a non-volatile memory for storing account records and other data, an interface to an electronic postage meter, and a processor including a CPU. The processor controls an electronic postage meter through the interface in accordance with the program data and entered postal information to set the meter and then responds to signals from the meter to update account records. The processor may also edit selected account records in accordance with entered information. In one disclosed embodiment the system responds to an operator request to print the account data base by repetitively scanning the account data base and sequentially printing accounts. In another disclosed embodiment the system stores images of account to be edited in selected regions of non-volatile memory before beginning to edit the account. These embodiments increase the security of the data in the accounts by avoiding exposure to data loss due to power failures or transients while accounts are being processed. In another disclosed embodiment a record of edited accounts is maintained by the system to allow a service technician to detect unauthorized editing of accounts. In still another disclosed embodiment the system tracks the contents of the postage meter ascending register to detect off-line meter usage.

A postage value determining scale includes a system processor, a weighing device which generates weight indicative signals, a display and a keyboard for operator entry of information relating to the determination of postage and one or more memories which store postage data. The keyboard includes a plurality of nonilluminated multifunction keys with specific keys being assigned for the entry of special services such as certified mail, c.o.d., special delivery and the like. Upon detecting a keyboard entry assigned for such purpose, the processor recalls and sequentially displays indicia of special services previously selected by the operator and optionally the fee amount of each selected service. After displaying indicia of all the special services selected, the processor thereafter re-enters the previously displayed indicia in the display.

Postage value determining scale with recall and display of special fee

An interface is connected between an OCIA type port and a mailing system peripheral, such as a weighing cell. The interface comprises an input data circuit, operatively connected to a serial data input line and to an associated input clock line, for receiving serial data input words comprising 8 serial data bits and an end-of-message (EOM) bit. The input circuit converts the serial input words into parallel form and transfers them to a programmable interface controller. The interface also includes an output circuit for transforming parallel output words from the interface controller into serial format. The output circuit is operatively connected to a serial data output line and an output data clock line from the OCIA type port. When an output data word is loaded into the output circuit the output line is forced to a predetermined logical level signalling the port the data is available. The port then provides a series of clock pulses to shift the data word out from the output circuit. When the data word is shifted out from the output circuit the circuit returns the output line to the initial state removing the data available signal. The programmable interface controller is responsive to a series of input words as messages from the OCIA type port. The interface controller is operatively connected to a weighing cell for providing weight and status information, and in response to a particular message, returns a message to the OCIA type port providing weight information and status information. In response to other messages, the programmable interface controller enters certain error routines, clears the interface to initial conditions, or resets the weighing cell to zero. The messages are provided in a predetermined format having header words descriptive of the meassage contents and ending in an error check word. The EOM bit of the error check word is of an opposite logical level from the EOM bit of the other words in a message and so indicates the end of the message.

Interface for mailing system peripheral devices

A postage value determining scale includes a scale for determining the weight of an item to be mailed, a system processor for determining the applicable postage value and a display for displaying a breakdown of such postage value, all inter-connected by a common data bus. Another embodiment of the disclosed invention further includes a keyboard having a keyset limited to numeric keys and function keys for entering additional information such as class of service, destination, etc. into the system processor to be used by the system processor in determining the applicable postage value; the system processor transmitting such information to the display. Preferably, the display includes a display processor, a display device operatively connected to the display processor for displaying alphanumeric information and a memory operatively connected to the display processor. The memory stores data defining display routines and formats and alphanumeric data codes corresponding to the various components of the postage values. The display processor uses these codes to display the components of the determined postage value in a predetermined format in alphanumeric form.

Postage metering system with display

A watchdog circuit for improving the possibility of recovery from failures, such as those caused by static discharge or RF interference, in a data processing system. A data processing system includes a main, multi-chip processor for handling the main computational burden and a single-chip processor for handling I/O functions. Additionally, the main processor periodically sends status to the single-chip processor. If the single-chip processor does not receive status within a predetermined period it generates a reset signal to the main processor. In response to the reset signal the main processor interrogates the single-chip processor to determine if the reset was caused by a failure or a power-on condition. Because of its self contained construction the single-chip processor is less susceptible to static induced failures and will improve the recovery capabilities of the system when used to monitor the main processor.

Watchdog circuit

An interface between a system processor of an automated mailing system and selected peripheral devices carries peripheral support hardware and software for communication with the peripherals. The interface includes a board having a memory wherein programs for formatting communications with the peripherals are stored. A working memory for the temporary storage of commands and data for communication to the peripherals and a peripheral controller for establishing a communications link with a selected peripheral are also carried on the interface board. A replaceable PROM is carried on the interface for accessing the output enable pins of the program and working memories. The PROM is replaced in the field when a different program or working memory is to be substituted.

Mailing system peripheral interface with replaceable prom for accessing

In a mailing system including a postage value determining system processor which communicates along parallel channels and peripheral subsystem processors adapted to communicate with a system processor along a serial data bus, an interface is provided between the system processor and the serial bus. The interface includes a first and a second communications processor. The first processor is programmed to communicate with the system processor and with the second communications processor. The second communications processor is programmed to communicate with the first processor and with peripheral subsystem processors through the serial bus. Data and control signals are transmitted between the communications processors through an interprocessor channel. The interprocessor channel includes lines connected to reference voltage levels for providing appropriate signal levels for recognition by the communications processors which operate on different voltage signal levels.

Mailing system interface interprocessor communications channel

A postage calculator system and method comprising means for introducing postal information to the system; a means for obtaining weight information of the article to be mailed; a memory means for storing information indicative of special feed categories; and means for generating a postage value for the article from the postal information, the weight information and the special fee information. The system selects postal information indicative of the carrier type, class and destination of an article to be mailed, obtains weight information for the article, selects special fee information indicative of at least one of the following special fee categories for use with the article: registered mail, special delivery, return receipt, certified mail, insurance and C.O.D. The system then generates a postage value, adjusted in accordance with the special fees, if any, determined, for the article. For certain special fees which are determined according to an entered dollar value for the article to be mailed the system provides a capability for handling dollar values in excess of the normal maximum dollar value which can be entered.

Apparatus and method for determining special postage fees

Mailing system interface between a scale system processor and a serial

An automated mailing system includes a scale having a weighing device, a keyboard for entering postage value determining data and an electronic postage meter selection code, a postage value determining processor and a programmable read only memory containing postal rate and zip to zone conversion data. A peripheral controller interface provides communication capability between the scale processor and a plurality of peripheral mailing devices including a series of electronic postage meters each of which is adapted to provide postage value denominations for mail originating from different postal zone distribution points. A data steering interface, which may be included within the peripheral controller interface, provides interconnection between the communications lines received from the scale system processor and the communication lines of the respective electronic postage meters. A code, entered through the keyboard, is transmitted serially to the peripheral controller interface and, in turn, to a selector latch decoder which provides selection signals to the data steering interface for directing the interface to establish communication links between the scale processor through the peripheral interface controller and a desired one of the electronic postage meters.

Meter selection for drop shipment mailing system

A parcel mailing system includes a postage value determining scale and peripheral mailing system devices such as a postage meter/mailing machine. The scale includes a main processor, a memory which stores postage rate data, a weighing device which generates weight indicative signals, a display, and a keyboard. A voice recognition subsystem is coupled to the system processor for hands free operator entry of information relating to postage value determinations. The voice recognition subsystem is trained to recognize various operator words and generate appropriate signals for postage value determination, e.g. zone information, zip code information, and rate classifications, as well as command signals. The system processor receives such signals from either the voice recognition subsystem or the keyboard.

Growing community of inventors

Bridgeport, CT, United States of America

Edward P Daniels