EP0225068A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic postage meter
Assignee: Pitney Bowes PLC
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Filing: 1986-11-05
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A microprocessor in an electronic postage meter is mounted in a hybrid circuit 10 together with various peripheral circuits, so that the complete control circuit of the postage meter is essentially within the one circuit. The hybrid circuit 10 is mounted on a mother board 16 resulting in easy replacement and also leading to a very compact arrangement.
Inventors
- 👤 Ray L. Bannister
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:06
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00185; G07B17/00193; G07B17/00314; G07B2017/00258; G07B2017/00322
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
An electronic postage meter comprising: means (28) whereby data can be fed into the meter, said data including at least numerical information relating to the value to be franked; means (41) for printing postage; microporocessor means (40) within the meter for controlling the printing of postage; accounting means (40) for keeping an account of postage printed; an electronic memory (40) for storing therein digital values corresponding to the total of postage that has been printed; a program memory (40) incorporating a postage meter program to enable the microprocessor means to control the operation of the meter; a clock circuit (48) for generating timing signals for the microprocessor means; and circuitry connecting the aforesaid parts together; characterised in that the microprocessor means, the accounting means, the program memory, the electronic memory, or a socket arrangement for retaining at least the electronic memory, the clock circuit, and at least part of the interconnecting circuitry are mounted together to form a so-called hybrid circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
An electronic postage meter comprising: means (28) whereby data can be fed into the meter, said data including at least numerical information relating to the value to be franked; means (41) for printing postage; microporocessor means (40) within the meter for controlling the printing of postage; accounting means (40) for keeping an account of postage printed; an electronic memory (40) for storing therein digital values corresponding to the total of postage that has been printed; a program memory (40) incorporating a postage meter program to enable the microprocessor means to control the operation of the meter; a clock circuit (48) for generating timing signals for the microprocessor means; and circuitry connecting the aforesaid parts together; characterised in that the microprocessor means, the accounting means, the program memory, the electronic memory, or a socket arrangement for retaining at least the electronic memory, the clock circuit, and at least part of the interconnecting circuitry are mounted together to form a so-called hybrid circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A postage meter according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor means, the accounting means and the program memory are constituted by a single integrated circuit component mounted in the hybrid curcuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A postage meter according to claim 2, wherein the integrated circuit component is a microcontroller also including the electronic memory in the form of a non-volatile memory.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A postage meter according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the hybrid circuit includes a socket for receiving the integrated circuit component.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A postage meter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the microprocessor means and other components of the hybrid circuit are mounted on ceramic plates and interconnections are made therebetween during the hybridisation process.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A postage meter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hybrid circuit is mounted on a mother board as the sole component apart from connection means for external devices.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A postage meter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein switching devices for the printing means and for other external devices are provided in the hybrid circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A postage meter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hybrid circuit is mounted on a mother board as the sole component apart from (a) connection means for external devices and (b) switching devices for controlling the printing means and other external devices.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A postage meter according to any one of the preceding claims, including, in the hybrid circuit, one or more of logic circuits, a clock circuit comprising a crystal controlled oscillator, and a voltage regulator for regulating the voltage supplied to the other components in the hybrid circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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