Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
In combination with a postal scale, and means for receiving signals, wherein said signal receiving means includes means for semi-permanently storing data in a postal rate database, and said signal receiving means is adapted for receiving signals corresponding to a weight on the scale, apparatus for updating said database comprising: a. means for reading magnetically recorded data; b. means for interrupting said signals which correspond to a weight on the scale; c. said storing means coupled to said reading means for storing data received therefrom in said database; d. a rotatable drum having an exterior circumferentially-extending surface; said drum including a plurality of protrusions extending beyond said exterior surface; e. a flexible card including postal rate data magnetically recorded on a major surface thereof, said card having a plurality of apertures formed therein, said apertures located to permit registration of apertures with said protrusions for properly mounting said card on said drum for rotation therewith; and f. said reading means including a read head disposed in reading relationship with respect to said card's major surface while said card is mounted on said drum.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
In combination with a postal scale, and means for receiving signals, wherein said signal receiving means includes means for semi-permanently storing data in a postal rate database, and said signal receiving means is adapted for receiving signals corresponding to a weight on the scale, apparatus for updating said database comprising: a. means for reading magnetically recorded data; b. means for interrupting said signals which correspond to a weight on the scale; c. said storing means coupled to said reading means for storing data received therefrom in said database; d. a rotatable drum having an exterior circumferentially-extending surface; said drum including a plurality of protrusions extending beyond said exterior surface; e. a flexible card including postal rate data magnetically recorded on a major surface thereof, said card having a plurality of apertures formed therein, said apertures located to permit registration of apertures with said protrusions for properly mounting said card on said drum for rotation therewith; and f. said reading means including a read head disposed in reading relationship with respect to said card's major surface while said card is mounted on said drum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said card has a leading edge and a trailing edge, and said trailing edge is disposed in overlapping relationship with respect to said leading edge when said card is mounted on said drum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said drum protrusions are disposed in two parallel rows, each of said rows circularly-extending around the exterior surface of said drum, and each of said protrusions in a given row of protrusions is equidistantly spaced from the next adjacent protrusions in the same row.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reading means includes means for movably mounting said read head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said read head is disposed in closer proximity to said drum surface than said protrusions extend beyond said drum surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reading means includes means for constraining movement of said read head.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said adhering means includes adhesive means affixed to at least one of said edges for removably adhering said overlapping edges to one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said card apertures are arranged in rows spaced from each other the same distance as the respective rows of drum protrusions are spaced from each other, and the number of card apertures in each row thereof is sufficient to permit location of said edges at any one of a plurality of locations on the exterior surface of said drum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said card apertures are arranged in two parallel rows spaced from each other the same distance as the respective rows of drum protrusions are spaced from each other, and the number of drum protrusions in each row thereof is sufficiently different to ensure properly mounting said card on said drum for reading purposes.