US4644541A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Diagnostic test for programmable device in a mailing machine
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1985-01-18
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Granted: 1987-02-17
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Expires: 2005-01-18
Abstract
Abstract Diagnostic test method and apparatus for testing the contents of a programmable device in a mailing machine. Upon initiation of the test sequence, each bit of the mailing machine programmable device under test is added in an accumulator and the resulting sum is displayed on the machine's control panel display. This value can then be checked against the expected value to detect errors or failure to install the latest update.
Inventors
- 👤 William J. Linkowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:24
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00467; G07B17/00185; G07B17/00193; G07B17/00661; G07B2017/00266; G07B2017/00274; G07B2017/005; G07B2017/00669; G07B2017/00677
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of performing a diagnostic test on the contents of a programmable device in an automatic mailing machine having a control panel which includes a visual display and plurality of keys including a test key for control of the mailing machines functions, during a normal mode of operation, the method comprising the steps of: switching to a test mode in response to activating the test key on the control panel; transforming the control panel to function as a test selection panel in response to switching to the test mode; generating a password signal in response to activating a predetermined sequence of control panel keys; generating a test code signal in response to activating a predetermined sequence of control panel keys; summing the contents of the programmable device to obtain a total sum value only in response to switching to the test mode and generating the password signal and the test code signal; and, displaying the total sum value on the control panel display.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of performing a diagnostic test on the contents of a programmable device in an automatic mailing machine having a control panel which includes a visual display and plurality of keys including a test key for control of the mailing machines functions, during a normal mode of operation, the method comprising the steps of: switching to a test mode in response to activating the test key on the control panel; transforming the control panel to function as a test selection panel in response to switching to the test mode; generating a password signal in response to activating a predetermined sequence of control panel keys; generating a test code signal in response to activating a predetermined sequence of control panel keys; summing the contents of the programmable device to obtain a total sum value only in response to switching to the test mode and generating the password signal and the test code signal; and, displaying the total sum value on the control panel display.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of comparing the total sum value to a predetermined check value and gathering an error signal in response to a difference.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of maintaining the total sum value on the control panel display until activation of a stop key and clearing the display in response to activation of the stop key.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for diagnostic testing of the contents of a programmable device in an automatic mailing machine, the apparatus comprising: control panel means, having a plurality of control keys and a visual display, for controlling the mailing machine functions in a normal mode of operation; means for initiating a test mode in response to activating a selected key of the control panel means; converting means for converting the control keys of the control panel to code entry keys in response to initiating the test mode; means for summing the contents of the programmable device to obtain a total sum value responsive to initiation of the test mode; means for monitoring the code entry keys to detect activation of a predetermined password sequence; means for monitoring the code entry keys to detect activation of a predetermined test code sequence of code entry keys; and means for inhibiting summing in the absence of detection of the test code and password sequences.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for diagnostic testing of the contents of a programmable device in an automatic mailing machine, the apparatus comprising: control panel means, having a plurality of control keys and a visual display, for controlling the mailing machine functions in a normal mode of operation; means for initiating a test mode in response to activating a selected key of the control panel means; converting means for converting the control keys of the control panel to code entry keys in response to initiating the test mode; means for summing the contents of the programmable device to obtain a total sum value responsive to initiation of the test mode; means for monitoring the code entry keys to detect activation of a predetermined password sequence; means for monitoring the code entry keys to detect activation of a predetermined test code sequence of code entry keys; and means for inhibiting summing in the absence of detection of the test code and password sequences.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising means for displaying a total sum value on the visual display.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising means for storing a preselected sum value, means for comparing the total sum value to the preselected sum value, and means for displaying an error indication on the visual display in response to a difference between the total sum value and the preselected sum value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising means for returning to the normal mode of operation in response to detection of an invalid password sequence.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising means for storing a preselected sum value, means for comparing the total sum value to the preselected sum value, and means for displaying an error indication on the visual display in response to a difference between the total sum value and the preselected sum value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the programmable device is a read only memory.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
205 words
A mailing machine for use with a postage meter including a programmable device, said machine comprising: document holding means for holding a plurality of documents for processing by the mailing machine; document feeder means for feeding each document from the document holding means into the mailing machine; document transport means for transporting each document from the document feeder means to the postage meter; control panel means having a plurality of control keys and a visual display for permitting operator control of the mailing machine functions in a normal mode of operation; means for initiating a test mode in response to activating a selected key of the control panel means; converting means for converting the control keys of the control panel to code entry keys in response to initiating the test mode; means for summing the contents of the programmable device to obtain a total sum value responsive to initiation of the test mode; means for monitoring the code entry keys to detect activation of a predetermined password sequence; means for monitoring the code entry keys to detect activation of a predetermined test code sequence of code entry keys; and means for inhibiting summing in the absence of detection of the test code and password sequences.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
205 words
A mailing machine for use with a postage meter including a programmable device, said machine comprising: document holding means for holding a plurality of documents for processing by the mailing machine; document feeder means for feeding each document from the document holding means into the mailing machine; document transport means for transporting each document from the document feeder means to the postage meter; control panel means having a plurality of control keys and a visual display for permitting operator control of the mailing machine functions in a normal mode of operation; means for initiating a test mode in response to activating a selected key of the control panel means; converting means for converting the control keys of the control panel to code entry keys in response to initiating the test mode; means for summing the contents of the programmable device to obtain a total sum value responsive to initiation of the test mode; means for monitoring the code entry keys to detect activation of a predetermined password sequence; means for monitoring the code entry keys to detect activation of a predetermined test code sequence of code entry keys; and means for inhibiting summing in the absence of detection of the test code and password sequences.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mailing machine of claim 10 further comprising means for displaying the total sum value on the visual display.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The mailing machine of claim 10 further comprising means for storing a preselected sum value, means for comparing the total sum value to the preselected sum value, and means for displaying an error indication on the visual display in response to a difference between the total sum value and the preselected sum value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mailing machine of claim 17 further comprising means for returning to the normal mode of operation in response to detection of an invalid password sequence.
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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) | 1990-02-16 | 1990-08-18 | 1991-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-16 | 1994-08-18 | 1995-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-16 | 1998-08-18 | 1999-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |