The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 09, 1988
Filed:
Feb. 18, 1987
Michael E Field, Brookfield, CT (US);
Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
A microprocessor based mailing system, wherein postal rate charts are provided on portable media such as floppy disks, having the capability to update such postal rate charts. The mailing system includes a microcomputer system made up of a microprocessor, a CRT display, a keyboard, dual disk drives and printer; a scale for determining the weight of items to be mailed, and an optional postal meter. The microprocessor determines the appropriate postage for items to be mailed in accordance with the item's weight, postal information input by an operator and postal rate charts stored on a first disk in one of the disk drives. To update the postal rate charts a second disk may be substituted for the first while the first disk is shifted to the other drive. The second disk contains updating information and an updating program to update the rate charts. Upon initialization of the system the updating program is loaded and executed. After updating the first disk the information on the second disk is destroyed, preferably by copying the updated first disk onto it.