Patent US4228797A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4517650A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4517650A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Feeder interface circuit for universal multi-station document inserter
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1982-07-01
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Granted: 1985-05-14
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Expires: 2002-07-01
Abstract
Abstract A method and associate apparatus for providing a universal feeder interface circuit for a multi-station document inserter having a plurality of document feeder stations or modules and a central processor which stores a supervisory program is provided. Each interface circuit has a unique address and a distributed processor which stores feeder programs containing instructions for operating a variety of different types of feeders. The interface circuit, in response to address and command signals received from the central processor provides operating instructions from the programs stored in the distributed processor to its feeder station to operate the feeders in a manner pre-selected by the user.
Inventors
- 👤 John M. Gomes
- 👤 Peter N. Piotroski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:33
CPC Classifications
B; B43; B43M; B43M3/00; B43M3/04; B07; B07C; B07C1/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
In a document inserter having a plurality of document feeder stations, a central processor for providing address and command signals to each of the feeder stations, the central processor having a supervisory program stored therein including a data table and a configuration PROM which include information on the type of feeder station and the functions to be performed thereby, a scanner means for detecting a predetermined code on a coded document, and a universal feeder interface circuit for each feeder station comprising: address means for providing each feeder station with a unique address, distributed processor means associated respectively with each feeder station for storing feeder programs containing instructions for the feeder for feeding documents, means for interconnecting the distributed processor means with the central processor and the scanner, and each said feeder station thereby feeding documents in accordance with the predetermined code on said coded document when said central processor provides the unique address and command signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a document inserter having a plurality of document feeder stations, a central processor for providing address and command signals to each of the feeder stations, the central processor having a supervisory program stored therein including a data table and a configuration PROM which include information on the type of feeder station and the functions to be performed thereby, a scanner means for detecting a predetermined code on a coded document, and a universal feeder interface circuit for each feeder station comprising: address means for providing each feeder station with a unique address, distributed processor means associated respectively with each feeder station for storing feeder programs containing instructions for the feeder for feeding documents, means for interconnecting the distributed processor means with the central processor and the scanner, and each said feeder station thereby feeding documents in accordance with the predetermined code on said coded document when said central processor provides the unique address and command signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A universal feeder interface circuit as set forth in claim 1 and further including comparator means for comparing address data received from the central processor with the unique address provided by the address means to provide an acknowledge signal when there is a coincidence therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A universal interface feeder circuit as set forth in claim 1 wherein the address means for providing the unique address includes a user operated switch for predetermining the unique address.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A universal interface circuit as set forth in claim 1 wherein the feeder circuit includes means for receiving a signal from the central processor indicating that the scanner has actuated the presence of a coded document.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A universal feeder interface circuit as set forth in claim 1 wherein the feeder circuit includes means for receiving a coded signal from the central processor indicating an end of collation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A universal feeder interface circuit as set forth in claim 1 including means for transmitting data to the data table in the central processor after each feeder station has completed its feed sequence to update the data table.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for operating a feeder station in a document inserter having a plurality of document feeder stations, a central processor for providing address and command signals to each of the feeder stations, the central processor having a supervisory program stored therein including a data table and a configuration PROM which include information on the type of feeder station and the functions to be performed thereby, and a scanner means for detecting a predetermined code on a coded document comprising the steps of: providing each feeder station with a feeder interface circuit and a unique address, storing feeder programs containing instructions for the feeder for feeding documents in a distributed processor provided in the feeder circuit, interconnecting the distributed processors for communication through the feeder interface circuit with the central processor and the scanner, detecting the predetermined code on a coded document, and feeding documents in accordance with the detected code.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for operating a feeder station in a document inserter having a plurality of document feeder stations, a central processor for providing address and command signals to each of the feeder stations, the central processor having a supervisory program stored therein including a data table and a configuration PROM which include information on the type of feeder station and the functions to be performed thereby, and a scanner means for detecting a predetermined code on a coded document comprising the steps of: providing each feeder station with a feeder interface circuit and a unique address, storing feeder programs containing instructions for the feeder for feeding documents in a distributed processor provided in the feeder circuit, interconnecting the distributed processors for communication through the feeder interface circuit with the central processor and the scanner, detecting the predetermined code on a coded document, and feeding documents in accordance with the detected code.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as set forth in claim 7 and further including comparing address data received from the central processor with the unique address provided by the address means to provide an acknowledge signal when there is a coincidence therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 including transmitting data to the data table in the central processor after each feeder station has completed its feed sequence to update the data table.
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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) | 1988-05-13 | 1988-11-12 | 1989-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-05-13 | 1992-11-12 | 1993-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-05-13 | 1996-11-12 | 1997-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |