US4335434A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronically controlled franking machine
Assignee: Francotyp Postalia GmbH
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Filing: 1980-04-28
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Granted: 1982-06-15
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Expires: 2000-04-28
Abstract
Abstract Electronic control for franking machines such as postage meters and stamping machines having a printing device, a postage value printing selection device, a total postal charge storage register and a settable subtracting value counter, including a microprocessor, a volatile main memory for storing data and non-volatilesemiconductor memories for storing data and the number of writing cycles performed, the memories being connected to the microprocessor, a line voltage power supply, supply capacitors disposed in the power supply, a switch controlled by the microprocessor for connecting the non-volatile memories to the supply capacitors of the power supply exclusively in the event of an interruption of the line voltage to cause the non-volatile memories to take over data stored in the main memory, and a register connected to one of the non-volatile memories for preventing the exceeding of a predetermined number of writing cycles of the one non-volatile memory after the power supply resumes.
Inventors
- 👤 Kurt Baumann
- 👤 Peter Kusche
- 👤 Reinhard Redecker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 05:31
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00185; G07B17/00314; G07B17/00193; G07B2017/00258; G07B2017/00346; G07B17/00362; G07B2017/00395; G07B2017/00411
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
Electronic control for franking machines such as postage meters and stamping machines having a printing device, a postage value printing selection device, a total postal charge storage register and a settable subtracting value counter, comprising a microprocessor, a volatile main memory for storing data, and non-volatile semiconductor memories for storing data and the number of writing cycles performed, said memories being connected to said microprocessor, a line voltage power supply, supply capacitors disposed in said power supply, switch means controlled by said microprocessor for connecting said non-volatile memories to said supply capacitors of said power supply exclusively in the event of an interruption of the line voltage to cause said non-volatile memories to take over data stored in said main memory, and register means connected to one of said non-volatile memories for preventing the exceeding of a predetermined number of writing cycles of said one non-volatile memory after the power supply resumes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
Electronic control for franking machines such as postage meters and stamping machines having a printing device, a postage value printing selection device, a total postal charge storage register and a settable subtracting value counter, comprising a microprocessor, a volatile main memory for storing data, and non-volatile semiconductor memories for storing data and the number of writing cycles performed, said memories being connected to said microprocessor, a line voltage power supply, supply capacitors disposed in said power supply, switch means controlled by said microprocessor for connecting said non-volatile memories to said supply capacitors of said power supply exclusively in the event of an interruption of the line voltage to cause said non-volatile memories to take over data stored in said main memory, and register means connected to one of said non-volatile memories for preventing the exceeding of a predetermined number of writing cycles of said one non-volatile memory after the power supply resumes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
Electronic control for franking machines according to claim 1, including means for releasing a signal after a given number of writing cycles of said non-volatile memories has been reached.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
Electronic control for franking machines according to claim 1, including means for releasing a print inhibit signal when said predetermined number of writing cycles is at least reached.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
Electronic control for franking machines according to claim 1, including a clock signal generator disposed in said microprocessor for measuring uninterrupted data storage time, and means for triggering an automatic clearing and writing phase for refreshing the memory contents after a given interrupted storage time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Electronic control for franking machines according to claim 4, wherein said clock signal generator is restarted after each line interruption.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
Electronic control for franking machines according to claim 5, including means controlled by said clock signal generator for periodically determining total postage charges.
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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) | 1985-06-14 | 1985-12-14 | 1986-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-06-14 | 1989-12-14 | 1990-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-06-14 | 1993-12-14 | 1994-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |