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:
Dec. 31, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 21, 1995
Edward J. Naclerio, Madison, CT (US);
Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
An improved postage meter mailing system utilizes a meter vault operated under the control of a microcontroller mounted in a secure housing. The microcontroller of the meter vault has a communication device for receiving and transmitting data messages and non-volatile memory for storing program data and other data. A printer is utilized for printing a postage indicia. The printer operates under the control of a microcontroller mounted in a secure housing. The microcontroller of the printer has a communication device for receiving and transmitting data messages and non-volatile memory for storing program data and other data. An interface provides a communication path between the meter vault and the printer. The non-volatile memory of the meter vault has stored therein a program version number for identifying the control program version. The non-volatile memory of the printer has store therein a software update number for identifying associated meter vault programs which utilize the update software. Upon system start-up, the print head microcontroller requests the meter vault microcontroller to transmit the control program version and number and determines whether the control program require the update software and if so transmits the update software.