JPS6144353B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

The present invention relates to a postage meter, and more particularly to an electronic postage calculation device having a function of converting a postal code into a postal area. The types of postage meters currently widely available on the market are:
A mechanical or electromechanical device that calculates the postage rate as a function of the weight of the mailpiece and the destination postal zone. Currently, the postal service uses a zone system to calculate the cost of mail sent from one part of the country to another, but many people are unaware of which zone each destination falls into. is the majority.
However, these people generally know the postal code of the destination. To allow users to convert a destination postal code to a destination postal area, the Postal Service calculates the destination postal address as a function of the first three digits of the postal code, or prefix, for each city of origin. A chart indicating the area is issued. The Postal Service also publishes other charts that tabulate postage rates as a function of a number of different weight-area combinations. The user looks at the chart to find the correct area, then after weighing the mail to be mailed, looks at the other charts mentioned above to find the correct rate. The user manually sets the resulting postage input into a conventional postage meter and prints the postage on tape that is affixed to the mail piece. U.S. Pat. No. 3,636,297 - Assignee Salava discloses a computerized postage calculator that uses a look-up table in which areas are stored as a function of postal code prefixes to
This converts the destination postal code prefix into area information. The table is scanned in ascending numerical order until the destination postal code prefix entered by the user matches one of the addresses stored in the table. Signals representing mail weight, destination area, and handling class are added together seemingly algebraically. The results do not always appear to be accurate. The computing device will clearly calculate the postage for a 2 pound parcel sent to Zone 4 at the parcel post rate to be the same as the postage for a 4 pound parcel sent to Zone 2 at the same rate. but,
The Postal Service establishes different postage rates for these two conditions. Additionally, the memory or data storage capacity required for such devices is large and costly. The present invention relates to an improved postage calculation system that automates the task of calculating the postage of mail sent by any mailing class selected from the available classes. The function of this device is to incorporate a postage printer into the postage meter. The apparatus includes an input device for generating a signal representing the weight and an input device for providing a signal representing the postal code to which the mail item is to be sent. The apparatus further includes a device for determining the destination postal area as a function of the destination postal code, and a device for calculating the correct postage rate as a function of the weight indicator signal and the destination postal area. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a meter setting device for converting postage display signals into settings for a postage printer. The postage calculating device includes means for selecting a sequence of minimum postage amounts and incremental postage amounts. As the weight display signal gradually decreases,
The postage display signal is synchronously incremented by the minimum postage amount and increment. This increment/decrement operation stops when the decremented weight indicator signal becomes less than or equal to the predetermined number. The incremented postage signal is printed on the postage printer. FIG. 1 shows the general functional layout of a computerized postage meter embodying the invention. The apparatus is equipped with a central processing unit CPU30 which operates on input data to control the flow of data between the various memory devices. A first type of memory device, ROM 32, is employed along with the central processing unit 30;
ROM 32 stores the specific sequence of operations performed in calculating postage and for other routines employed in the apparatus. There is also a second type of memory device, namely a read/write random access memory device 3.
4 is used for holding and transmitting the working data required by and generated within the central processing unit 30. Another memory element coupled to central processing unit 30 is persistent random access memory 36, which operates on and stores certain critical information used by the mailing machine. This critical information includes working data representing important accounting functions such as the contents of descending and ascending registers. 1
In one embodiment, the non-volatile memory 36
is equipped with a battery backup device that retains stored data when the power supply to the device is interrupted.
CMOS random access memory can be used. Data and instructions may be entered into central processing unit 30 via input keyboard 38. The data includes directly input fee values, destination postal area values, and destination postal code prefixes. The command is sent to the storage device 3 via the CPU 30.
4 or output the contents of the storage device 36 to the display device 4
Contains a display command to transfer to 0. The input/output signals are sent to the central processing unit 30 and the input/output elements 38.
and 40, the multiplexer 42 is inserted between
can be multiplexed by Central processing unit 3
0 is still connected to a scale interface circuit 27 which provides a binary weight indication signal to the apparatus.
When appropriate postal data and commands are entered into the central processing unit 30 via the keyboard 38 and a weight indication signal is received from the scale interface circuit 27, the CPU 30 executes the system under the control of a program stored in the ROM 32. It then generates a postage display signal that is printed on the postage printer 44 of the postage meter. When the rate meter is set to the appropriate value, a print command generated by user-controlled input to the central processing unit 30 causes the postage to be printed directly on the tape or envelope that is affixed to the envelope or parcel. . An example of a device incorporating the present invention is the pending
United States Application No. Dated December 23, 1974
Seen in No. 536248 ``Microcomputerized electronic postage meter device.'' This application is assigned to the assignee of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows an example of a housing for a device incorporated into the invention. An input keyboard 38 and output display 40 are attached to a top panel 46 of the housing 48. A postage printer is included in the front section 50 of the meter and is capable of printing postage on envelopes, such as envelope 52, or on tape (not shown) that is applied to parcels. Since the present invention relates to the calculation of postage charges for mail items, the description of the operation of the rate meter will be limited to the calculation of postage charges. The meter has a scale mechanism 54 on which the mail to be mailed is placed. The scale 54 measures the displacement of the scale plate in the housing 4.
A suitable converter mechanism is provided for converting the encoded binary signal to a scale interface circuit 27 within the scale interface circuit 8. This signal may or may not be simultaneously displayed on the output display device 40. The postal area to which the mail is to be sent, if known, can be entered directly into the device by means of pushbuttons 56 with numbers 0-9. If the destination postal area is not known, the destination postal code prefix (first three digits) can be entered using pushbutton 56.
is input to this device by ZIP-ZONE key 5
8 begins converting the destination postal code prefix to the destination postal area value. The mail handling class (regular mail rate, book mail rate, library mail rate) is selected by pushbuttons 60, 62, and 64, respectively. Once the destination postal area, mail weight and handling class are entered into the system, the correct amount of postage is automatically calculated and displayed on the output display 40. The set button 66 must be pressed before setting the postage printer. Once the charge meter is set, the print button 68 is pressed to start the actual printing operation. Although the illustrated embodiment of the present invention is capable of calculating postage rates for three specific mailing classes, the present invention is applicable to priority mail, UPS, etc.
The application can be easily extended to perform calculations of other grades such as services. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of panel 46 showing output display 40 and keyboard 38 in greater detail. The keyboard 38 includes numeric pushbuttons 5 used to enter the required postage amount (if known), destination postal area or destination postal code prefix into the device.
It has 6. Push buttons 70, 72, 74, 7
6, 78, and 80 control the display of the contents of the batch count, batch mount, piece count, control sum, ascending order register, and descending order register. When one of these buttons is pressed, the numeric display section 82 of the output display 40 is cleared. The contents of the appropriate registers are loaded and displayed in the numeric display section 82 while the appropriate indicator lamps in the backlit symbol display area 84 are illuminated. The functions of the various registers are briefly described below. The batch count and batch mount registers store the total number of mail pieces processed during one run and the total amount of postage spent on that mail piece. These registers can be reset to zero by the user to allow each of several departments in a large organization to easily record mailing activity. The piece count register displays the total number of postage prints (mail pieces) processed by the device. This piece count register differs from the batch count register in that it cannot be reset by the user. Piece count information is used to determine when the device requires service and maintenance and for mail accounting purposes. The ascending and descending registers perform standard functions. The ascending register indicates the running total of all postage printed during the life of the meter, and the descending register informs the user of the amount of postage accumulated still remaining in the postage device. The control sum register provides safety checks for the descending and ascending registers. The control sum is always equal to the reading sum of the ascending and descending registers and is the total amount of postage ever entered into the device. The + key 86 is a key by which the user can add special charges, such as express delivery or certified delivery charges, to the calculated postage charge. A clear key 88 clears the display on the numeric display section 82. When the clear key is actuated, the batch register is set to zero. The set button 66 is pressed after the required postage charges have been calculated using the numeric buttons 56 and the necessary special charges have been added. In some types of rate meters, pressing the set button sets the printing wheel on the printing drum within the rate meter to the desired postage rate. The $unlock key 90 must be pressed by the user to set postage equal to or greater than one dollar. This extra physical step is to prevent costly postage printing errors. The postage housing 48 includes a hinged safety door or plate 92 with a latch 94.
The latch 94 secures the door 92 to the housing 48 with a wire lead seal 96. Only postal authorities have the authority to cut this seal. Door 92 protects switches 98 and 100, shown in dotted lines. Switch 98 enables the computerized system to run a routine for entering postage deposits into the system. Postage reserves are entered into the device by the first keying by the amount of postage to be added by numeric pushbuttons 56. This postage amount will be displayed on the display,
Opening safety door 92 and pressing button 98 adds to the descending register and control sum register of the postage meter. This button initiates a jump to the above-described routine in the postage program. After this routine is executed, door 92 is again sealed with seal 96. A switch 100 is provided to remove the funds from the descending register and the control sum register in the event of an error in adding the funds. If it is necessary to add the reserve to the device, the insufficient postage indicator lamp 102 will issue a signal. A check date reminder is provided by display 104 each time the postage meter is turned on. The rate meter enable indicator 106 indicates (a) when the rate meter print drum is set to the correct postage; (b) when the postage to be printed is displayed on the numeric display 82;
and (c) when there are sufficient reserves to print the desired postage. Indicator light 108 signals the operator to call service. This lamp is activated when there is some type of system error, such as when the control sum is not equal to the sum of the ascending and descending registers. When such an error is detected, the meter is automatically disabled and prohibited from further use. Once this error is corrected, the service person can naturally restore the meter to normal operating mode. Indicator 110 informs the operator that the postage to be set is equal to or greater than one dollar and that the $unlock button must be pressed before the set button 66 functions. Indicator 112 is energized when the contents of the lift register are displayed on numeric display 82.
Indicator 114 is similarly energized when the contents of the descending register appear on numeric display 82. Batch mount indicator 115 and batch counter indicator 116 are activated when the contents of each register are displayed. Piece count indicator 118 is energized when piece count information is displayed. Similarly, control thumb indicator 120 is energized when the control thumb is displayed on numeric display 82. Low Postage (<$100) Indicator 123
The amount of reserves remaining in the descending register is currently 100.
Inform the operator that it is less than $1. This alerts the operator that he will need to reload the device with additional postage reserves in the near future. An embodiment of the rate meter setting mechanism is shown in detail in FIG. This meter is manufactured by Pitney Bowes, Inc., Stamford, assignee of the present invention.
It is an improved version of the Model 5300 postage meter manufactured by the United States of America (Connecticut). This improved fare meter is 5300
It has a printing drum 122 and a printing wheel drive rack 43 taken over from the postage meter. Mechanical resistors and actuator assemblies have been removed. Printing drum 122 of improved fare meter
The inner printing wheel (not shown) is a step motor 124.
and a mechanism driven by a pair of solenoids 126 and 128. The step motor 124 has racks 43a, 43b, 43c, 4
3d are driven via an upper pair of mating shafts 130a, 13b and a similar lower pair of mating shafts (not shown). Printing drum 122 has four printing wheels (not shown) for printing postage amounts up to $99.99. Each printing wheel provides an individual number for this amount and can be set from "0" to "9". Each printing wheel has four drive racks 43
Set by one of a, 43b, 43c, and 43d. These drive racks slide within the drum shaft 57 in the direction indicated by arrow 131. Upper racks 43a, 43b are driven by pinion gears 132a, 132b, respectively. Lower racks 43c and 43d are controlled by a similar set of pinion gears. pinion gear 132
a is attached to the shaft 130a. Pinion gear 132b is attached to shaft 130b. The pinion gears of the lower racks 43c, 43d are similarly mounted on the overlapping shafts of the lower pair. These shafts are spur gears (of which the upper pair 53
a, 53b are shown) in the direction indicated by the double-headed arrow 59. The master gear 51 successively engages each of the spur gears to successively set the print wheel to the "tens of dollars", "few dollars", "hundreds of cents" and "cents" of the meter. The master gear 51 is shifted laterally (in the direction indicated by the double-headed arrow 65) and comes into meshing relationship with each spur gear in the yoke 63 sliding on the spline shaft 134.
Master gear 51 is mounted in a slot 136 in yoke 63 and can be rotated in either direction by step motor 124 via motor shaft 124a and spline shaft 134. Sleeve bushing 138 separates yoke 63 from splined shaft 134. The yoke 63 and the master gear 51 are guided and supported by another smooth-faced shaft 61 which is fitted into a slot 67 in the yoke 63 and which is connected to the sleeve bushing 138. No matter how small the friction between the engaging surfaces, this yoke is prevented from rotating. A pair of upper and lower tooth profiles are formed on the adjacent surfaces of the yoke 63 to ensure alignment of the teeth of the master gear 51 and the teeth of the several spur gears. Of these, only the upper tooth profile 140 is illustrated. When the yoke 63 slides in the direction indicated by the double-headed arrow, one tooth of each spur gear is engaged in a predetermined position between the tooth profiles. Each gear can rotate freely only when the master gear meshes with that gear. This tooth profile is also designed to prevent unauthorized changes to the meter once the meter has been set and by manually repositioning the printing wheel from outside the meter.
It performs another function: assembling spur gears into position. The lateral movement of the yoke 63 is caused by the groove 1 of the yoke 63.
It is controlled by a toggle pin 71 fixed within 42. Toggle pin 71 allows pivotable link 73 to which pin 71 is attached to pivot about central axis 75 (arrow 144).
It pushes the yoke 63 at times. Movement of link 73 is controlled by two solenoids 126 and 128 acting through pivot arms 146, 148 and 77, 154, respectively. Solenoids 126 and 128 are connected to pins 81 and 152
The pivot arms 146 and 77 are pulled through pull rods 150 and 79, respectively, which are pinned to the pivot arms by the pivot arms. When the pull bar 79 pulls the arm 77, this arm pivots about the axis 83. When this rotation occurs, arm 1
54 is rotated against the biasing action of spring 156. This rotation then causes the shaft 158 to rotate to the rotation arm 7.
3 in the forward direction, ie in the direction indicated by arrow 89. This forward movement of pivot arm 73 about central axis 75 causes toggle pin 71 to move rearward, that is, in the direction indicated by arrow 91. Four coupled solenoid tension positions are provided corresponding to the four separate meshing positions between the master gear 51 and the spur gear. That is, a position in which neither solenoid is energized; a position in which both solenoids are energized; a position in which only solenoid 126 is energized; and a position in which only solenoid 128 is energized. The master gear 51 is arranged to face a different spur gear for each different coupling position of the energized solenoid. All spur gears are master gears 51
When the drum 122 is rotated to a selected position, placing the rack 43 and printing wheel (not shown) in the postage position, the drum 122 is moved toward the shaft 5 in the direction indicated by arrow 97.
7 and is ready to actually print the postage. The home position of drum 122 is monitored by slotted disc 156 mounted on shaft 57. When slot 158 on disk 156 moves into optical detector 99, the printing cycle is complete. All optical detectors in the setting mechanism include a light emitting diode (LED) and a phototransistor that receives the light emitted by the LED. The lateral position of master gear 51 within yoke 63 is monitored indirectly by monitoring the pivot positions of pivot arms 146 and 77, respectively. Pivot arm 148 has a finger 101 that pivots into and out of detector 160 when solenoid 128 is energized and deenergized. The home positions of axes 130a and 130b are monitored by slotted discs 105a and 105b, respectively. When the slot of disc 105a is in the associated optical detector, axis 130a is in the zero position. Similarly, when the slot of disc 105b is in well 107b, axis 52 is in the zero position. The lower pair of mating shafts are monitored by similar equipment (not shown). The rotation of the step motor shaft 124A is controlled by the gear 16.
2 and 163, slotted monitor wheel 109 and monitor well 166.
The step motor shaft 124a is the spline shaft 13
4 and the main gear 51 rotate, the gear 162
rotates by the same angular increment. Gear 162 meshes with gear 163 attached to slotted monitor wheel 109. This gear train has 10 wheels
9 is rotated by the same angle as the shaft 124a. The slots 111 on the monitor wheel 109 are arranged every five slots.
It is specially designed to be longer than other book addresses, and is used to check the setting mechanism. Each slot in ring 109 corresponds to a one unit change in postage value. Slotted ring 109 is optically monitored by detector 166. The detector 166 has two photosensors, one sensor is installed near the periphery of the slotted ring 109 and senses each step of the step monitor 124, and the other sensor is installed near the periphery of the slotted ring 109. The sensor is installed near the center of the sensor and senses one step every five steps. Determine whether all individual step movements were correctly sensed by counting the number of individual step movements and checking whether there is a count of 5 when slot 111 is aligned with detector 116. can be determined. Referring to FIG. 5, a block diagram of a suitable computer control is shown. This system was developed by Intel Corporation (Intel Corporation, Santa Clara,
The MCS-4 Microcomputer Component Set is made up of components that are all included in the MCS-4 Microcomputer Component Set, manufactured by California. The components of this set are the central processing unit CPU1
0, and this central processing unit 10 has a large number of
It is connected to ROMs 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 and a large number of RAMs 16, 17, 18 and 19. RMM 17 is operated as a non-volatile generation storage device using a battery backup device. As mentioned above, RAM 17 is used to store critical calculation data. A number of shift registers (S/R) 20, 21 and 22 are connected to the device via output ports 25. In commercially available devices, output port 25 is typically physically located on the same chip as RAM 16, but functions independently. As shown, each output port is provided with four binary value output lines.
ROMs 11, 12 and 13 are also coupled to input/output ports (I/O) 429, 430 and 431, respectively, each having a storage capacity of 4 bits. Although the input/output ports are physically located on the aforementioned chips, these ports are logically independent of these ROMs. Shift registers 20, 21 and 22 provide port expansion for the postage meter. Additionally, the shift register 20 includes a multiplexing capability numeric selection driver 436 for the numeric display 82 and for the keyboard and fare meter settings detector matrix 23.
I will provide a. Shift registers 21 and 22 are connected in series and provide extended length registers that control driver circuits 21a and 22a for indicator lamp 21b and solenoid 22b, respectively. solenoid 2
Reference numerals 2b are the aforementioned toll meter setting solenoids 126 and 128. The numeric display 82 is connected to the decoder/driver 4 connected to the device via the shift register 20.
46. One of the leads of output port 25 provides a blanking control signal to decoder/driver 446 to remove leading zeros on numeric display 82. Input from keyboard detector matrix 23 is provided to the device via input/output port 429. Postage billing and multiplex selection signals are sent to scale interface circuit 4 from output port 433.
32. This scale signal is applied to the device via input/output port 431. The step motor in the meter setting mechanism is controlled by a driver circuit 434 connected to the device via an output port 435. The particular type of computer system mentioned above uses a logic level voltage power supply 438. A power sense/reset circuit 439 is connected to the device to detect power failures. When a power failure or unacceptable low voltage is detected by power sense/reset circuit 439, the system updates the contents of non-volatile storage 17 as part of the sleep routine. Clock 441 properly coordinates the operation of the device according to schedule. Non-overlapping clock signals φ1 and φ2 are provided to the device by clock 441. CUP10 is from page 6 of the MCS-4 Microcomputer Set User Manual (1972 edition).
1 every 8 clock periods as shown in Figure 2.
Generates a SYNC signal. This SYNC signal indicates the start of each instruction cycle. Each ROM
and RAM devices use the SYNC, φ1 and φ2 signals to generate internal timing. The shift register is a static device and does not use these clock pulses in its operation. Referring to FIG. 6, the overall operation of the apparatus is shown in simplified flowchart form. When power is first applied to the device as shown in operation 300, a global system reset pulse starts the entire device. This system reset pulse clears the CPU registers, RAM and input/output ports and begins execution of the postage meter program. The printing wheel of the mechanism shown in FIG. 4 is now set to zero if it has not already been zeroed. When the device is started, the scanning routine begins. This routine is generally designated as operations 302, 303, and 308. This scanning routine searches for pressed keys on the keyboard 38 and multiplexes the numeric display 82. If a valid key press is detected in block 308,
The scan routine branches to the appropriate subroutine corresponding to the function requested by that particular key.
The scan routine searches storage in a "look up table" for the address of the subroutine requested by this key. The memorized address is
The data is transferred to a register within the CPU 10. A subroutine that jumps to the address stored in the register is then executed. When a particular key is pressed as indicated at 310, the scanning routine is re-entered and begins searching for new input from the keyboard 38. During the scan routine, the power status of the device is checked periodically as indicated at 303. In the event of a power failure, this postage meter device stores critical accounting data in non-volatile memory RAM 1.
It must be able to complete any current operations, including loading into 7. After the current operation is completed, the system enters a trap at block 306.
This program is a complete “power recovery”
This scan routine cannot be rerun except by starting the "up)" sequence. The apparatus described with reference to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6 utilizes a number of programs, which are printed as an appendix (omitted) to this specification along with explanatory text. The program includes a number of routines and subroutines, briefly described below. Scanning (SCAN) illustrated as part of Figure 6
The routine multiplexes the display and searches for keyboard input. This scan routine scans the CPU registers,
Entered by completion of an INITIALIZATION routine that clears RAM registers and I/O. This scan routine periodically calls the function (FCTN) subroutine when a pressed key is sensed. This FCTN subroutine services the key, ie, performs the function required by the key. A periodic check of the power status of the device is made and a DOWN routine is executed if operation needs to be terminated. This initialization procedure includes a CHCK routine, which is used to detect whether the value of the ascending register plus the descending register minus the control register is equal to zero. If not equal to zero, this CHCK routine will display a "call service" indicator 108.
and prohibit the use of the toll meter. A number of subroutines are used to control the operation of the meter setting mechanism. The HOME subroutine is used to set the meter's four printing wheels to their home or zero position. The photocell used to monitor the home position is read during execution of the ZEROB subroutine, which is called when the print wheel is being set to zero. The STPB subroutine that selects the print wheel to set is included as part of the meter's MAIN routine.
A STEP routine is also included which is used to change the settings of the selected print wheel by one unit. The solenoid that controls the lateral position of the master gear yoke is under the control of the STPB subroutine. Of course, a number of "housekeeping" subroutines are used. The CLEAR subroutine has multiple functions: (1) clears the display, (2) reproduces the contents of the additional register on the display, and (3)
Clear this additional register, and (4) clear both the batch count register and the batch mount register, if the contents of one of these registers were displayed when this subroutine was called. The ADDD subroutine is used to increment or decrement selected meter registers. The PLUS subroutine adds the contents of the display to an additional register and stores the result in both the additional register and the display register. The CLDSP subroutine writes multiple “0”s to the display,
The other CLEER subroutine writes a plurality of 0's to the storage area specified by the preset index register. The FETCH subroutine starts an index register to identify the meter register being operated. The program also has a CMPAR subroutine that compares the contents of the rate meter settings register with the contents of the descending register to determine whether sufficient reserves are available to print the desired postage. Determine. The UNLOCK subroutine sets the $UNLOCK flag and enables the printer when the required postage exceeds $1. The POST subroutine updates the contents of the rate meter register each time a postage is printed, while the ENBLE subroutine determines whether the printer is available for subsequent printing of the same amount. In the indicator subroutine, the LDLMP subroutine transfers the data in the indicator register to a shift register, which drives the selected lamp indicator. The OUTPT subroutine serially inputs the 4-bit word provided in parallel into the display register. The subroutine used to add funds to the rate meter is specified as the ADP subroutine, while the SUBP subroutine is used to withdraw funds from the rate meter. As previously discussed, the user may enter the destination postal zone of the parcel to be mailed directly via the numeric keys 56 or, alternatively, may enter the destination postal code prefix via the numeric keys 56. Once the postal code prefix is entered, the user presses the postal code to postal area key 58 to initiate the postal code to postal area conversion. Postal code - postal area conversion uses the △ZIP method. When a rate meter is set to a particular zone, a conversion table is generated by reference to the Postal Service Official Zone Chart for that zone. A portion of the official postal area chart used by mailers with postal codes 06801-06999, ie, the Stanford-Danbury area of Connecticut, is reproduced in the table below. This information was taken from Postal Area Chart Numbers 068-069 issued by the United States Postal Service in May 1969.

[Table] To establish the ΔZIP value used in this conversion process, the postal code prefixes of the official postal area chart are divided into groups of consecutively numbered postal code prefixes belonging to the same area. Referring to the table below, postal code prefixes 006-009 are sequential number prefixes belonging to postal area 7. These prefixes consist of the first group of valid postal codes. Postal code prefix 000
−005 has not yet been assigned by the government (The Postal Service). For the purposes of this invention, these prefixes are grouped together and
You have been assigned a postal zone of "F" indicating that no valid postal code exists. Postal code prefixes 010-018 are also consecutive numbers and correspond to postal area 2. If you want to change your postal area number,
These prefixes need to be grouped separately into other groups. The ΔZIP value represents the difference between the maximum postal code prefix value of one group and the maximum postal code prefix value of the preceding group, ie, the number of consecutive postal code prefixes of one group. As an example, the maximum postal code prefix for group 11 in the table is 043, and the maximum postal code prefix for its predecessor group, group 10, is 036. The difference between 043 and 036 is the ΔZIP value of 7 for group 11. The ΔZIP values and associated postal area values are stored in memory in the same order as shown in the table, and the necessary continuations of the table for other parts of the official postal area chart are stored in a similar manner. The "postal area" used in the present invention will be explained. For a given origination location, multiple postal areas may be identified, each postal area containing destinations that require the same amount of postage for mail sent from the origination location. For example, a first postal area includes a destination that requires a first predetermined postage rate (e.g., 100 yen), and a second postal area includes a destination that requires a second predetermined postage rate (e.g., 150 yen). Contains the requested destination, etc. The postal code of a destination within a postal area need not necessarily be formed from a range of consecutive five digit numbers. However, the data compression of the present invention requires that at least some of the zip codes be contiguous. The larger the number of consecutive zip code groups, the larger the number of consecutive zip codes within each group, and the greater the degree of data compression that can be performed. The number of consecutive postal codes within a group is represented by "ΔZIP" in the present invention. For example, zip code 1 for a certain origin is zip code 101-90, 101-91, 101-92, 120-01,
Contains destinations with 120-02 and 120-03. These zip codes form two groups, each group having three consecutive zip codes. Instead of storing a code indicating zip code 1 at the six addresses in memory corresponding to these zip codes, this data gives each group a group number and then stores the two addresses in memory corresponding to these groups. The address is compressed in memory by storing the ΔZIP value and the number of zip codes. In this example, △ZIP=3 for both groups.
It is. This data compression is performed for all zip codes from 000-00 to 999-99. Groups of consecutive zip codes belonging to a common zip code and groups of unassigned zip codes are given consecutive group numbers. In this way,
A lookup table is created that includes the number of zip codes and ΔZIP values stored in each address corresponding to the group number. As mentioned above, a postal area need not be an officially recognized postal territory by a post office. A postal area can simply be defined as a group of all destinations that require the same postage amount for mail sent from a given origin. This origin is the person's location using the postal code to postal area conversion method. In this way, users at different originating locations are provided with different look-up tables of postal area numbers and ΔZIP values. Using a table of compressed data, the number of postal areas can be output in response to correct identification of the group to which the input postal code belongs. This identification of the number of applicable groups is performed by successively subtracting the ΔZIP value from the input zip code until the result is less than or equal to zero. Since the number of postal codes is known for each group, the number of postal codes corresponding to the input postal code can be read from memory in response to the identification of the number of groups to which the postal code belongs. Automatic conversion of postal code to postal area information is disclosed in US Pat. No. 3,636,297 issued to Salava. However, this prior art document can achieve the same results, but requires a larger data storage capacity than the present invention. In this Salava document, a table is provided with upper limited prefixes for a group of numbers of contiguous postal codes having a common postal area, each upper limited prefix being stored in a separate memory location. . In use, the postal codes entered by the user are stored in the table to recover the postal area corresponding to the first higher limiting prefix that is greater than or equal to the number of postal codes entered by the user. It is successively compared with the higher-ranking limited prefixes. However, in the present invention, the stored table is a list of consecutive ΔZIP values, ie, the absolute number of consecutive zip codes within each group that have a common postal area. In the method of the present invention, the number of zip codes entered by the user is sequentially decremented by the magnitude of the stored ΔZIP value until a predetermined value, such as a negative value, is achieved. The postal area corresponding to the number of ΔZIP values that ultimately resulted is the desired area and is read out on the display. Although both the Salava document and the present invention seek the same result, the two methods are quite different. Furthermore,
Compared to Salava's method, the method of the present invention provides practically effective results. In the Salava literature, the upper limit prefixes for each group of contiguous postal codes are stored, and the number stored is increasing. Therefore, the complete prefixes must be stored for each group. It is clear that if a constant storage length is used in the table, this length must fit the largest number. However, the method of the present invention only requires storing a number corresponding to the number of consecutive postal codes in each group. This number is not an ever-increasing number, as in the number of postal codes stored by Salava itself, and the ΔZIP value stored by the present invention is the number stored by Salava (i.e., the upper limit prefixes). As a result, the table according to the invention is much smaller than that of Salava. for example,
Referring to the 000 to 043 zip code prefixes (e.g. Stamford-Danbury area) in the table of the present invention, there are 12 groups of zip codes.
ZIP value is 1 digit. Salava's system table for the same district requires two to three times as many digits of storage because it stores the complete prefix of the upper limit for a group of zip codes instead of the ΔZIP value. Also, in the present invention, the method of finding the correct group is completely different from Salava's.
Thus, Salava requires a sequential physical comparison of the entered postal code and the number stored in the table without modifying the number of entered postal codes. However, in the present invention, the number of input postal codes is increased until a predetermined number, e.g., a negative value, is obtained.
Continuously decremented. Although the results obtained with the method according to the invention are the same as those of Salava, it is clear that the steps to achieve this result are themselves quite different.

In FIGS. 3 and 7, the Zip-Zone routine is invoked by pressing the Zip-Zone key 58 on the keyboard 38. The first step in this routine is to determine if a valid zip code prefix was entered from the keyboard. This validity check consists of establishing that the prefix entered is less than or equal to three digits and was entered by this keyboard. If the input did not originate from the appropriate keyboard, the invention passes to an error routine 172 where an error code is applied to the display. This error routine then returns the device to the normal scanning routine. When the keyboard input is confirmed, block 1
74, this input prefix is 3
A check is made to see if it is greater than the digit. If more than three digits are entered, the system enters an error routine 172. If only three digits have been entered on the keyboard, the address of group 0 of the ΔZIP location is applied into CPU 10 in operation 176. CPU10 uses the corresponding △ZIP value, that is, group 1
, search for the number 6. The input zip code is decremented by the ΔZIP amount in operation 178, and the result is checked in operation 180 to determine whether the decremented result is less than zero. If this result is greater than or equal to zero, the group address is incremented and
This process is repeated. Operation 1
The result of 78 is repeatedly decremented by the ΔZIP value of consecutively numbered groups until operation 180 indicates that the result is less than zero. The postal zone value stored in the last used ΔZIP group address is retrieved and transferred to the display.

[Table] The table summarizes the postal code-postal area conversion that occurs when the arbitrarily selected postal code prefix 029 is entered on the keyboard. This postal code prefix is Operation 17
△ZIP associated with a group of consecutive numbers in 8
is decremented by the value. For groups 0 to 5,
The result of operation 178 is greater than zero.
However, △ stored in group 6a address
This result is a negative value when ZIP is used to further decrement the zip code value by a previous iteration. The device accommodates this negative value by retrieving the zip code area value stored in the group 6 address. The postal code to postal area conversion subroutine is used in conjunction with the postage calculation routine shown in flowchart form in FIG. This routine automatically calculates the postage required to mail a package at the regular parcel post rate. This routine requires the routine to enter either the destination postal code or destination postal zone and utilize the weight indication signal generated by scale 54. The first operation 315 of this routine is to start the registers used for working storage. The scale input is read in operation 316. In one embodiment of the invention,
The scale input is read in one pound increments. Parcel weights that fall between pound increments are read as the next higher pound increment. For example, a 5.4 pound parcel continues to read on the scale as 6 pounds. A series of error checks follows reading this scale input. Weight check 317 determines if the scale is at zero indicating an error such as a poor connection or malfunction. A weight check 318 is then performed to determine if the scale reading is greater than 70 pounds. A scale reading above 70 pounds will indicate a scale malfunction if the scale's upper limit is 70 pounds. In either case, a scale reading of more than 70 pounds indicates that the package cannot be sent at the parcel postage rate under current postal regulations. Finally, check 31
9 is performed to determine that the postal area value is less than or equal to 8. According to current postal regulations, if eight postal areas have a reading of 9 or higher, it means an error. If the weight and postal area signals are valid, operation 320 retrieves from storage the base postage "cents" and "tens of cents" digits for the selected area. Another check 321 is made to ensure that the postal area signal is less than or equal to three. The selected postal area is 4~
If it is in the range of 8, the base postage is equal to $1 plus the number searched for. If the selected postal area is in the local-3 range, the base postage is equal to only the retrieved number. This configuration will conserve data storage space in the preferred embodiment of the invention since the 8-bit register used can store two digits in binary coded decimal format. The use of special registers for storing dollar digit numbers is avoided by the above arrangement. The regular parcel postage rate for each of the eight different postal areas increases from the base postage rate for that area by a uniform increment amount or by a plurality of different increment amounts. For example, in Regions 1-2, 7 cents for each pound over 2 pounds is added to the base rate, and in Region 3, postage is 8 or 9 cents for each pound over 2 pounds. To increase. The table below shows the rate increment pattern for each of eight different zones, with zones 1-2 considered as a single zone. This pattern holds across the entire weight range. This table specifies the current base postage rate for each zone, the incremental amount A for each zone, and the alternate incremental amount B for each zone.

【table】

[Table] When the basic postage, incremental amount A, and incremental amount B of the selected postal area are retrieved, weights other than the exact pound are rounded down and the operation 322
is adjusted to the unit immediately below it, the pound.
Postal regulations provide that the minimum or base regular parcel postage rate applies to parcels weighing between 1 and 2 pounds. As will become clear later, adjusting the weight indication signal by rounding it down to the next lower unit of pounds ensures that the correct number of incremental operations are performed during the calculation. After this weight has been so adjusted, a weight check 323 is performed to determine if the weight display signal is equal to zero. If you answer yes on this point, the parcel will weigh exactly 1 pound. The retrieved base postage rate is applied to the display and control of the rate meter is returned to the main program. If weight check 323 indicates that the weight is not equal to zero, the weight display signal is decremented by one pound and another weight check 324 is performed. If this second weight check indicates that this once decremented signal is equal to 0, i.e. the weight of the parcel is between 1 and 2 pounds;
The base postage rate is applied to the display and rate meter control is returned to the main program. If the second weight check indicates that the decremented weight indicator signal is not equal to zero, then the prepaid postage is incremented in operation 325 by the amount of increment A for the area and the weight indicator signal is It is decremented again. A third weight check 326 is then performed. If the answer to this weight check 326 is yes, then the incremented postage amount is applied to the display. If the answer is no, the postage amount will be incremented by the amount of subtraction amount B for that area. Once the increment amount has been added to the postage, the weight indication signal is again decremented and a fourth weight check 327 is performed. If this fourth weight check indicates that the decremented weight is not equal to zero, the routine returns to increment operation 325. The Increment Postage/Decrement Weight process checks the weight check 32 to ensure that the weight display signal has been decremented to zero.
It repeats until one of 6 or 327 indicates. Once this instruction is made, the incremented postage is loaded into the display and control is returned to the main program. An example of the computational work performed is shown in Table 1. This table assumes that a package weighing 5.5 pounds is being mailed to Zone 6 at regular parcel postage rates.

【table】

Table Postage calculations can be performed using a postage lookup table that stores the correct postage for each parcel weight over a weight range of 1 to 70 pounds for each area. It is clear that this configuration described above requires much less storage capacity. The same reduced weight/incremental postage concept is also used to calculate postage for packages mailed at library rates. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for calculating library rate postage. The first four steps of the Library Rate Routine are identical to the corresponding steps of the Parcel Postage Rate Routine. That is, the register is started, the scale input is read, and a weight check is performed to determine if the scale reading is equal to 0 or greater than 70. When the scale input is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 70, operation 328 searches for the base charge and charge increment amount for the service class of the library rate. The current library rate is 8 cents for the first pound of the parcel, plus 4 cents for each additional pound. That is, the basic charge is 8 cents and the incremental charge is 4 cents. The weight display signal is decremented by one pound in operation 329 and weight check 330 is performed.
is executed to determine whether the weight is equal to zero. If the decremented weight display signal is equal to zero, the charge is loaded into the display and charge meter control returns to the main program. If this signal is not equal to zero, the postage is incremented and the routine is re-entered at operation 329. This process is
Weight check 330 is performed repeatedly until the weight display signal indicates that it has been decremented to zero. The book postage rate calculation routine uses the same decrement weight/increment postage structure as the routine just described. Due to differences in current postage rate structures, the details of the book postage rate calculation routines vary. Postal regulations state that the current book rate postage is 21 cents for the first pound per parcel up to 7 pounds.
It stipulates that 9 cents will be added for each additional pound. Additionally, for each pound over 7 pounds, the amount increases by 8 cents. Referring to Figure 10, which shows a flowchart of a routine for calculating book rate postage, the first four steps of this routine are identical to the corresponding steps in the Parcel Postage Calculation Routine and the Library Rate Calculation Routine. . That is,
The registers are initialized, the scale input is read, and several weight checks are performed to see if the weight display signal is equal to 0 or greater than 70. Once the weight check results are satisfied,
Additionally, a weight check 331 is performed to determine if the parcel weight is greater than or equal to 7 pounds. If the parcel weighs 7 pounds or less, a base charge of 21 cents and an incremental charge of 9 cents per pound (current rate) is retrieved. The weight display signal is decremented by one pound in operation 332 and another weight check 33 is performed.
3 is executed to check whether this decremented signal is equal to zero. If not, the base charge is incremented and the routine is re-entered into operation 332. This process continues until the weight check 333 indicates that the weight display signal has become equal to zero. If weight check 331 indicates that the parcel weighs more than 7 pounds, the scale input signal is reshaped in operation 334 by decrementing the signal by 7 pounds;
Pseudo basic charges and rates are Operation 355
is set. The pseudo-basic class is actually the postage rate required for a 7 lb. parcel, and its incremental rate is the 8 lb. postage rate required for a parcel weighing over 7 lbs.
This is the incremental amount in pounds. Thus, according to this subroutine, a 10 pound package is redefined as a 3 pound package with a base charge of 75 cents. The Decrement Weight/Increment Postage repeat routine decrements the 3-pound signal while decrementing each remaining 3-pound signal.
Each pound increases the base rate of 75 cents by 8 cents. Once the proper value has been calculated and the special charge has been added by the user via the numeric keyboard 56, the device will begin setting the charge meter by pressing the set and unlock buttons as required. In very general terms, master gear 51 is shifted through the print train one at a time by selectively energizing solenoids 126 and 128. The rotation of master gear 51 at each position of the printing train is controlled as a function of the set postage rate. Motor control signals are provided via output port 435. Although a postage calculation device embodying the invention has been described in the context of a special purpose computer system, such a calculation device may be implemented in discrete or hardwired logic circuitry. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a device of this type, which has a keyboard 500 for directly inputting postage charges, inputting the destination postal code prefix and destination postal area, and for inputting the destination postal code prefix and destination postal area. This is for selecting the handling class of mail. Grade selection lockout circuit 50
2 accepts keyboard input and provides an energization output to one of three circuits: regular mail rate data circuit 504, library rate data circuit 506, and book mail rate data circuit 508. At the same time, the grade selection lockout circuit 502
Inputs representing treatment of the other two classes are prohibited. The shipping postal code prefix entered via the keyboard 500 is applied directly to the regular mail rate data circuit 504, which determines the correct area value and provides data including the minimum postage and postage increment amount for this area. Access the storage element. The minimum postage and fee increment amounts for the selected grade handling area (regular mail grade) are input into postage calculation circuit 510. Note that this charge calculation circuit 510 also receives a weight display signal generated by the scale mechanism 512, but this is checked by a weight limit value check circuit 514 inserted between both circuits to ensure that the input weight is within an appropriate limit value. This will be carried out if it is determined that the following applies. If this weight is outside the proper limits, an error signal is generated. The grade selection lockout circuit is shown in FIG.
This lockout circuit includes a regular mail rate selection key 516, a library rate selection key 518,
and book mail rate selection keys 520, each of which generates a positive pulse when pressed. keys 516, 518 and 52
The zero output is applied to the trigger input of each of conventional JK flip-flop circuits 522, 524, and 526. The J input terminal of each flip-flop is fed by a Z-input AND gate whose inputs are connected to the outputs of the other two flip-flop circuits. The K input terminal of each flip-flop circuit is also supplied with a signal from the said AND gate of the Z input, whose inputs are supplied from the Q output terminals of the other two flip-flop circuits. As an example, AND gate 528 connected to the J input terminal of flip-flop circuit 522 receives its first input from the output terminal of flip-flop circuit 524 and its second input from the output terminal of flip-flop circuit 524.
It is received from the output terminal of 26. An AND gate 530 connected to the flip-flop circuit 522K input terminal connects one of its inputs to the flip-flop circuit 52K.
4 from the Q output terminal of flip-flop circuit 526, and the other input from the Q output terminal of flip-flop circuit 526, respectively. When the device is initialized before use, each of flip-flop circuits 522, 524, and 526 is placed in a reset state by a clear pulse applied to a clear input terminal (not shown). In such a reset state, the output of each flip-flop is at a binary "1" level and the Q output is at a binary "0" level. In this initialized state, the J input terminal of each flip-flop is
It emits a decimal "1" signal, and the K input terminal emits a binary "0" signal. keys 516, 518,
When one of the 520 keys is pressed, the flip-flop circuit connected to that key is placed in the set state, in which its Q output is in the binary "1" state and its output is in the binary "0" state. become. To illustrate, assuming that key 516 has been pressed to select the regular mail rate grade, flip-flop circuit 522 will be in a set state on the trailing edge of the pulse generated by the key depression.
The binary "0" signal at the output terminal is applied to each AND gate on the J input terminal side of the other two flip-flop circuits 524 and 526. These AND
The gate provides a binary "0" signal to the J and K input terminals of flip-flop circuits 524 and 526 when library rate select key 518 or book mail rate select key 520 is subsequently depressed. Forbidden to change state. A binary "1" signal from the Q output terminal of flip-flop 522 initializes and energizes the zip code to postal area conversion circuit shown in the block diagram of FIG. The postal code-postal area conversion circuit is the keyboard 50
It has 0. In one embodiment of the invention, 0 to 9
A 5-bit word representing the number of is input into the device in parallel. Four of the bits identify the number, and the fifth bit, a fixed binary bit, is used for signal shifting and error checking. When any numeric key on keyboard 500 is pressed, a 5-bit word is applied to OR gate 532 and delay circuit 534 in parallel columns. Each word is the 5th
Since it has at least one binary "1" in the th or control position, OR gate 532 always responds to the input regardless of its numerical value. OR gate 532 sends a pulse to pulse generation circuit 536. The pulse generation circuit 536 includes shift registers 538, 540, 542, 544 connected in series.
A suitable waveform shaping pulse is supplied to control the shifting of the parallel data through the parallel data. Delay circuit 534
shortly after the occurrence of this shift pulse, each bit word is transferred to the first register 53 of these shift registers.
Transfer to 8. As subsequent words are input, pulses generated in pulse generation circuit 536 cause these words to propagate through subsequent registers. The zip code prefix that was actually entered contains only three number digits. Therefore, if register 544 stores any fourth digit, including zero, then at least one binary digit, since the fifth bit of each word is always a binary ``1''.
A leading “1” signal is stored in register 544. OR
A binary "1" output from gate 546 is interpreted as an error signal. Shift registers 538, 540,
Each control bit position of 542 has 4 inputs.
It is connected to one input terminal of AND gate 548. The sixth input to AND gate 548 is provided by the postal code to postal area conversion key on keyboard 500. If the three necessary numbers are entered in the register when this conversion key is pressed,
All inputs to AND gate 548 are at a binary "1" level, and the output of this AND gate is at a binary "1" level.
Generates a decimal "1" signal. AND gate 548
The output of National Semiconductor Company (National
DM7094/ manufactured by Semiconductor Corporation
Control input to a high impedance logic buffer circuit 550, such as the DM8094 TRISTATE quad buffer. When a binary "1" is applied to its control input, buffer circuit 550 causes register 53 to
8,540,542 to the unassigned zip code detection circuit 552 and second logic buffer circuit 558
Transfer to the input terminal of. The fifth bit of each input word is no longer needed and is stored in the buffer circuit 55.
Since 0 and 558 consist of four input devices connected in parallel, the required number of device/buffer circuits is kept at three by simply using four number identification inputs for each word. The unassigned zip code detection circuit 552 supplies the decimal representation of the zip code prefix digits to a number of AND gates.
It consists of an evolved decimal to decimal converter. these
Each of the AND gates has a regular input and an inverted input, each input causing the AND gate output to a binary "1" level when an unassigned zip code signal pattern is detected at its input. An error signal is generated when the output of any AND gate of the unassigned postal detection circuit 552 goes to a binary "1" level, indicating that the entered postal code is not in use. Assuming the zip code prefix is valid, the output of unassigned zip code detection circuit 552 remains at a binary "0" level. This binary "0" signal is inverted by an inverter 556 to provide a signal-passing binary "1" control input to a second logic buffer circuit 558. Logic buffer circuit 558 transfers this information to OR gate circuit 560 and input register 554. OR gate circuit 560 initiates operation of counter/decoder circuit 562. This circuit 562 stores the ΔZIP values divided into several groups as described above.
Provides sequential decimal evolution output to ZIP register 564. This ΔZIP value is sequentially transferred from input register 554 to arithmetic unit 566 which receives a second input. The function of arithmetic unit 566 is to decrement the contents of register 554 by the current ΔZIP value applied to unit 566. This decremented signal is applied to output register 568, from where it is fed back to input register 554 for use in the next iteration. Output register 568 also provides an input to result check circuit 570, which operates to determine when the contents of register 568 become less than or equal to zero. If the result check circuit indicates that the decremented signal in register 568 becomes less than or equal to zero, a binary "1" signal is sent to each of the multiple Z-input AND gates in array 572. 1 input terminal. the second of each AND gate
is energized by the output of counter/decoder 562 only at specific decimal counts. array 57
When a two AND gate is activated, it shifts out the contents of the associated area value register for further use in postage calculations. The same count obtained from counter/decoder circuit 562, which transfers the last ΔZIP value to arithmetic unit 566, is used to make this area register call. Therefore, the last ΔZIP value and the area value retrieved can be considered to have the same storage address, even though they are stored in separate registers. The zip code to postal area conversion process described above also includes decrementing the zip code related signals. An alternative calculation method is to perform the same postal code-to-postal area conversion as above using an incremental process in which the iteratively integrated ΔZIP value is checked against the originally entered postal code prefix. I can do it. Referring to FIG. 14, the destination zip code prefix transmitted by logic buffer circuit 558 is transferred to digital comparison circuit 576.
is stored in register 574, which provides one input to . ΔZIP retrieved from ΔZIP register 564
The values are summed in an accumulator circuit 578 which provides another input to the digital comparison circuit 576. Digital comparison circuit 576 continuously compares the contents of prefix register 574 and accumulator circuit 578 until it is determined that the contents of circuit 578 are equal to or greater than the contents of the register. . Comparison circuit 576
provides a control input to AND gate array 572 which calls the contents of area register 573. Referring to FIG. 15, the postage calculation circuit is
Weighing mechanism 582 and ordinary mail rate selection block 5
84 and a library rate selection block 586.
and a book postal rate selection block 588. The outputs of blocks 586 and 588 are each output to grade selection blockout circuit 50 of FIG.
Flip-flop circuits 524 and 526 in 2
This is the output of The output of the weighing mechanism 582 is connected to the weight check logic gate circuits 590, 592, 594, 5.
96 and 598. To simplify the drawing, the decimal values of the binary inputs entering each of these gate circuits are shown. NOR gate 590
will generate a binary "1" signal only if the parcel weighs less than 1 pound. AND gate 594 returns a binary "1" only if the parcel weighs 70 pounds or more, specifically 72, 80, or 96 pounds.
Generates output. AND gate 598 produces a binary "1" output signal only if the parcel weighs 70+ pounds. OR gate 600 provides an error signal when either of the AND gates 594, 598 is enabled. This error signal indicates that the parcel weight is greater than 70 pounds. Assuming that the weight check circuit indicates that the parcel weight is within the range of 1 to 70 pounds, a 6-bit binary encoded weight indication signal is sent to the addressing PROM.
614, 616 and 618.
PROM 614 is also addressed by a 3-bit binary encoded postal zone signal. A binary signal representing a particular weight and a particular area is used as an address signal to select a unique storage location within PROM 614 for each area weight combination.
The postage amount corresponding to this area-weight combination is stored at the location. Using 16-bit words, postage values ranging from $00.00 to $99.99 can be stored in each storage location in binary coded decimal notation. The postage value stored at the location addressed by the weight-area signal is determined by the regular mail rate selection block 584.
If PROM614 is enabled, it will be searched. The retrieved value is provided to output register 620. The 6-bit weight indication signal is applied to PROMs 616 and 618 which are enabled when the library rate and book mailing rate are selected, respectively. In each of these memories, this weight indication signal is used to retrieve the postage amount from the location uniquely associated with this weight.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computerized postage system incorporating the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a housing of a postage meter having a scale mechanism, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the postage printer, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of various components of the postage meter device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the postal code-postal area conversion routine; FIG.
10 is a flowchart of the library rate fee calculation routine, FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the random logic implementation circuit of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the library rate fee calculation routine.
The figure shows the handling class selection and lockout circuit diagram of the device shown in Fig. 10, and Fig. 13 shows the handling class selection and lockout circuit diagram of the device shown in Fig.
14 is a block diagram of the postal code to postal area conversion circuit of the apparatus shown in FIG. 14, a variation of the conversion circuit of FIG. 13 providing an alternative mode of operation, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a calculation circuit. Explanation of symbols, 27: Scale interface circuit, 30: CPU, 32: ROM, 34: RAM, 3
6: Endurance RAM, 38: Input keyboard, 40:
Display unit, 42: Multiplexer, 44: Postage printer.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An electronic postage calculation device for determining one of a plurality of postal areas defined for a destination, the postal area being a function of the postal code corresponding to the destination. corresponds to the geographic destination of mail, and each postal area is such that the postage for mailing mail from said point of origin is the same predetermined value for all destinations within that postal area. In an electronic postage calculation device having a destination for the origin, the destination data consists of numbers, each digit being the highest postal code in a group of postal codes and the next postal code. a sequence of consecutive numbers of postal codes, each group of postal codes corresponding to a destination in a common one of the plurality of postal areas, means 32 for storing destination data in a predetermined recording sequence defined to include; means 32 for storing postal area data in a storage sequence having a known relationship for the storage sequence for said destination data; , means 38 for inputting a postal code; means 3 for successively retrieving destination data from storage locations within said predetermined storage sequence;
0. After each destination data search operation, means 30 for determining whether or not the cumulative numerical value of the previously searched destination data exceeds the numerical value of the input postal code; and an output from the determining means. means 30 for retrieving postal area data from a memory corresponding to retrieved destination data for causing the cumulative value to exceed the value of the input postal code in response to the electronic postage calculation method. Device. 2. In claim 1, the determining means selects each searched destination from a value equal to the input postal code minus the sum of all destination data searched so far. means 30 for subtracting the previous data; and means 30 for determining when the decremented magnitude becomes less than zero;
An electronic postage calculation device with 3. In claim 1, the determining means includes means 30 for adding up all the destination data retrieved so far, and determining when the sum exceeds the numerical value of the input postal code. an electronic postage calculation device, comprising means 30 for comparing the sum obtained by the addition means with the input numerical value of the number of postal codes after each search operation. 4. In claim 1: (a) data storage means 32 for storing a postal data sequence consisting of a minimum postage amount for different postal areas and a postage amount incremented by weight; (b) a postal item; one of said postal data sequences as a function of the postal area in which the destination is located;
(c) means 27 for generating a signal representative of the weight of said mail piece. 5. In claim 4, the means for generating a signal indicative of weight comprises: (a) a weighing scale 512 having means for generating an electronic signal as a function of the deflection of the scale; and (b) a device comprising: An electronic postage calculation device comprising: means 432 for transmitting the generated electronic signal. 6 In claim 5: (a) means 30 for decrementing the signal representative of said weight by a predetermined amount for each successive operation; If the minute result is larger than a predetermined number, the first format signal is
means 3 for generating a signal of a second type if the decrement result is equal to or less than a predetermined number;
0, (c) a first of said selected postal data sequence in response to a first one of said first type signals;
incrementing the minimum postage amount of said selected postal data sequence by an incremental postage amount of said selected postal data sequence; means 30 for further increasing the result of the preceding incremental operations by a postage amount; (d) in response to generation of a signal of the second type, generating a signal representative of the postage amount corresponding to the sum of the preceding incremental operations; and (e) means 40, 44 for receiving a signal representative of said postage amount. 7. In claim 6, the means for receiving and representing the postage amount comprises a laterally arranged and separately rotatable print wheel 122 for printing the postage amount and a signal representative of the postage amount. means 51, 53a, 53b for positioning each of said print wheels as a function of
An electronic postage calculation device having a postage meter having 124. 8. In claim 7, the means for positioning the print wheels comprises: (a) a plurality of laterally arranged discrete spur gears each coupled to drive one of the print wheels; Spur gears 53a, 53 that can rotate to
(b) a laterally movable main gear 51 successively meshing with each of said spur gears; (c) rotating said laterally movable main gear while also meshing with each of said spur gears; motor 12
4; and (d) means for controlling said motor as a function of a signal representative of said postage amount. 9. An electronic postage calculation device according to claim 6, wherein the means for receiving the signal representative of the postage rate includes a display 40 for producing a visible display of a numerical value corresponding to the signal representative of the postage rate. 10 An electronic postage calculation method that converts the postal code of a destination into data representing one of a plurality of postal areas defined for the place of origin, each postal area being a method for calculating mail from the place of origin. ( a) Each range is a common one of several postal areas.
(b) storing a sequence of range numbers such that the number of each range is an absolute number corresponding to the number of postal codes sequentially numbered in the numerical range; (b) the stored range numbers; (c) storing a sequence of postal area data corresponding to the sequence of range numbers to be transformed by the stored sequence of range numbers until the decremented value exceeds a predetermined threshold value (step 180); Sequentially decrementing the value of the postal code (step 17)
8), and (d) retrieving from a storage device postal area data corresponding to the range number that generated the decremented value exceeding the predetermined threshold value. Electronic postage calculation method. 11. In claim 10, the step of sequentially decrementing until a negative value is obtained,
An electronic postage calculation method comprising the step of decrementing said postal code value to be converted. 12. In the electronic postage calculation method for preparing postal items, (a) each postal area has a unique postal area number and the postage for mailing the item from the point of origin is calculated for all postal items within the postal area; the destinations associated with the origin to be the same predetermined value for the destinations, such that the postal code containing each range corresponds to a common one of the plurality of postal areas; The first one corresponds in turn to the absolute number of individual postal codes contained within the group of consecutively numbered postal codes forming the contiguous numerical range.
(b) storing a second signal sequence having postal area numbers in an order corresponding to said first signal sequence; (c) a postal address corresponding to the destination of said postal item; (d) adding the value corresponding to the selected postal code to the absolute number of the first sequence until the decrement value is less than a first predetermined threshold value (step 180); (e) decrementing the second sequence of postal area numbers corresponding to the absolute number of occurrences of said decrement value less than said first predetermined threshold value (step 178); (f) using the retrieved postal area number to calculate the postage required to mail the mail piece to the destination. An electronic postage calculation method characterized by: 13 In claim 12: (g) storing a plurality of postal data sequences, each sequence consisting of a minimum postage amount and an incremental postage amount for a corresponding one of said postal areas; h) selecting a postal data sequence corresponding to the retrieved postal area number; (i) generating a signal representative of the weight of the mail piece (step 316); (k) testing whether the decremented weight value is less than or equal to a second predetermined threshold value (step 24); (l) for each decrement operation that resulted in the decremented weight value being greater than the second predetermined threshold value, an incremental postage amount from the selected postal data sequence; adding to the minimum postage amount of the selected postal data sequence (step 325); and (m) decrementing the postage amount to be less than or equal to the second predetermined threshold value. generating a signal representative of the incremented postage amount in response to the incremented weight value. 14. Claim 13 further comprises the steps of: (n) placing postage on said mail piece corresponding to said incremented postage amount in response to receiving said signal indicative of said postage amount. Electronic postage calculation method. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein each of the first and second predetermined threshold values is equal to zero.