Pitney Bowes Inc.

Vincent G Coppola

John L Lorenzo

Flavio M Manduley

Edwin G Grisgraber

Daniel F Dlugos

Gerald C Freeman

Edward P Daniels

Louis T Canevari

An automated mailing system includes a scale having a weighing device, a keyboard for entering postage value determining data, 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 selector switch 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.

Drop shipment mailing system

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

An encoder is provided for a postage meter having a lever which is movable between postage value selecting positions. The encoder monitors movement of the meter setting lever by providing an electrical signal which varies in response to movement of the meter setting lever from one of the positions to another of the positions. Calibration can be performed so that the electrical signal indicative of the meter setting lever positions is truly representative of the positions.

Interface circuit for a meter reading device

A bipolar driver controls the operation of a reversible polarity load such as a motor. The driver links one terminal of the motor with either a positive or a negative potential power supply in response to processor command signals comprising a combination of logic levels appearing at a pair of driver input lines. The input lines are monitored to detect the presence of an illegal code combination which would otherwise function to simultaneously interconnect the load terminal with both positive and negative power supplies. The load terminal is linked to the power supplies by a separate power transistor for each power supply. Each power transistor is biased into conduction through a drive transistor. Upon detection of an illegal code, monitoring logic generates a signal which interrupts the emitter circuit of each of the drive transistors to inhibit both power transistors.

Bipolar driver with illegal code detector

A regulated power supply circuit includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding electromagnetically coupled by an iron core. A source of AC operating voltage is coupled to the primary winding of the transformer via an actuable switch means. A load circuit coupled to the secondary winding circuit is adapted to be energized by a voltage developed in the secondary winding circuit. Means are provided for sensing the polarity of each half cycle of said source of AC operating voltage. Memory means are coupled to the transformer for providing information representative of the polarity of each half cycle of the source of operating voltage applied to the primary winding of the transformer. The memory means are operable to maintain the information for a period of time when the switch is actuated to be opened. Means are also provided for sensing a parameter in the secondary winding circuit related to the energy available in the secondary winding circuit. Means couple the memory means, the AC operating voltage sensing means and the parameter sensing means to the actuable switch means.

Energy efficient regulated power supply system

A system for accurately stopping a motor operated positioning device permits satisfactory motor tolerance limits for economical production by incorporation of a processor controlled motor plugging routine. The plugging routine includes an initial reverse polarity pulse to the motor of a duration sufficient to brake an ideal motor operating in the device. To accommodate motor characteristics within tolerance limits, a plurality of alternating bursts of positive and reverse polarity are applied to the motor following the initial pulse. Each of the alternating bursts is for a duration less than the system response time.

Motor control system

There is disclosed a volatile electronic counter wherein the count is retained over power off periods. This is accomplished by the use of a non-volatile memory with means for rapidly writing therein the contents of the volatile memory upon sensing a power down condition. Upon later sensing a power up condition, the contents of the non-volatile memory are returned to the volatile memory.

Electronic counter with non-volatile memory

A circuit for detecting the failure of a system to respond in a planned manner to a binary control signal includes a circuit for generating a check signal which normally changes in phase with the control signal. The failure detect circuit includes inverters for generating inverted control and check signals. AND gates compare each signal with the inverted form of the other. A NOR gate produces a failure-indicating signal when an equality is sensed.

Detection circuit for monitoring the failure of a system to respond in a

A postage meter setting device is described which includes electromechanical apparatus for positioning the various digit selector arms of a postage meter in accordance with the corresponding required postage. Stepper motors drive various digit selector arms through a mechanical linkage, which provides a one to one rotational relationship between the meter selector arms and the linkage. Use of stepper motors results in reduced wear and cost of operation.

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Branford, CT, United States of America

Vincent G Coppola