US4249071A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metering system
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1979-02-27
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Granted: 1981-02-03
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Expires: 1999-02-27
Abstract
Abstract A metering device, such as a postage meter, can be updated by a code bearing means which is provided with a first discernible code and a second obscured code, for instance, magnetic code. A computer stores a third code in association with the first code, however, the third code is correlated with the second code. Upon obtaining the third code from the computer and providing the third code on the code bearing means, the code bearing means is inserted in the metering device for causing the metering device to be conditioned for updating responsive to said second code and said third code on said code bearing means being in predetermined correlation.
Inventors
- 👤 Luther G. Simjian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:25
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00016; G07B17/0008; G07F7/12; G07B2017/00088; G07B2017/00096; G07B2017/00153; G07B2017/00161; G07B2017/00177; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00508; G07B2017/00572; G07B2017/0058; G07B17/00733; G07B2017/00935; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/70; Y10T70/7153; Y10T70/7181; Y10T70/7198; Y10T70/7237; Y10T70/726
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
The method of updating a metering device of the postage meter type or similar type comprising: providing a code bearing means having a first and a second code; transmitting the first code from said code bearing means to a computing means and said computing means being programmed for providing in response to the receipt of said first code a third code which has a predetermined correlation with said second code; entering said third code on said code bearing means, and providing cooperative relation between said code bearing means and said metering device for causing said metering device to be in condition for being updated responsive to said second code and said third code being in said predetermined correlation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
The method of updating a metering device of the postage meter type or similar type comprising: providing a code bearing means having a first and a second code; transmitting the first code from said code bearing means to a computing means and said computing means being programmed for providing in response to the receipt of said first code a third code which has a predetermined correlation with said second code; entering said third code on said code bearing means, and providing cooperative relation between said code bearing means and said metering device for causing said metering device to be in condition for being updated responsive to said second code and said third code being in said predetermined correlation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, said first code being a visible code.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, said second code being obscured.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, said first code being transmitted and said computing means providing said third code by signal transmitting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, and causing the code bearing means to be rendered entirely or partially unuseable for reuse responsive to said metering device having been updated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, said third code being entered on said code bearing means in a predetermined area thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as set forth in claim 6, said third code being entered in said predetermined area by marking predetermined spaces correlated with said third code.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as set forth in claim 6, said third code being entered in said predetermined area by perforating predetermined spaces correlated with said third code.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
85 words
The method of updating a metering device of the postage meter type or similar type comprising: providing a code bearing means having a first code and a second code; entering on said code bearing means a third code which has a predetermined relation with said second code, and providing cooperative relation between said code bearing means and said metering device for causing said metering device to be in condition for being updated responsive to said second code and said third code being in predetermined correlation.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
85 words
The method of updating a metering device of the postage meter type or similar type comprising: providing a code bearing means having a first code and a second code; entering on said code bearing means a third code which has a predetermined relation with said second code, and providing cooperative relation between said code bearing means and said metering device for causing said metering device to be in condition for being updated responsive to said second code and said third code being in predetermined correlation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of updating as set forth in claim 9, said third code and said first code also being correlated.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-02-03 | 1984-08-04 | 1985-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-03 | 1988-08-04 | 1989-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-03 | 1992-08-04 | 1993-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |