GB1508623A - Franking machines - Google Patents

Abstract

1508623 Postage meters VICKERS Ltd 6 Dec 1976 [5 Sept 1975] 36756/75 Heading B6C Circuitry for a postage meter includes a digital electronic input register, a digital electronic total register, setting means for setting a printing device to the value in the input register, and totalling means for adding the value in the input register to that in the total register and placing the new total in the total register. Input may be manual, from a remote source, or from a weighing machine. Registers may also be provided for first and second class franking numbers, the number of labels as distinct from envelopes printed, the total number of frankings, and a credit register stepped down by each franking effective to prevent operation when no credit is left. The credit register may be protected by seals, combination locks and/or code keyings from access other than by authorized personnel. Alterna. tively, credit may be added using a single-use credit card with coded credit data which the machine reads and then charges the card to prevent reuse. The circuitry and keyboard may be in a removable module mounted on the printing device, the circuitry module being removed to a post office for replenishment of the credit register. The registers are preferably prevented from loss when power is disconnected by use of non-volatile memories, or volatile memories protected by battery power. The circuitry disclosed incorporates a number of fault-sensing procedures, e.g. if the setting of the printing machine takes more than a predetermined time, a printer fault is indicated and the machine locked; if the total register overflows or is about to overflow, or if the credit proposed to be added to the credit register is such as to produce an overflow, this is indicated; condition of the backup batteries may be tested; if a franking operation of more than a set value is required, this may only be achieved by a further keying operation; and this may be indicated by intermittently flashing the display. The circuitry may also enable any of the values in the registers to be displayed, and the display may include a fault-indicating position displaying codes representing the fault.