US4710882A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic postage meter having a nonvolatile memory selection means
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1985-03-12
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Granted: 1987-12-01
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Expires: 2005-03-12
Abstract
Abstract An electronic postage meter having an improved memory selection circuit is disclosed. A custom memory map decoder circuit with resolution down to a single byte location is used to provide selection enabling signals to insure the selection of an appropriate device only when the addresses appropriate to that device are communicated. In accordance with the invention, at least two nonvolatile memories are provided. Writing to either of these nonvolatile memories is inhibited unless one and only one memory is selected. The circuit also prevents the selection of either of the nonvolatile memories in the event that the write strobe signal to the memories is held active.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter C. DiGiulio
- 👤 Henry Stalzer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:36
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00185; G07B17/00362; G07B17/00193; G07B2017/00258; G07B2017/00395; G07B2017/00403; G07B2017/00411
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
In a postage meter having microprocessor for controlling the printing of postage value and for accounting for the printing of such postage value and at least two nonvolatile memories for storing information, said microprocessor being operative to read information from and write information to said nonvolatile memories, said microprocessor providing a write strobe signal operative for enabling writing of information into said nonvolatile memories, nonvolatile memory selection means comprising a logic circuit for selecting one of said nonvolatile memories in accordance with information from the microprocessor, and means for blocking said write strobe signal to said nonvolatile memories when neither of said nonvolatile memories is selected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
In a postage meter having microprocessor for controlling the printing of postage value and for accounting for the printing of such postage value and at least two nonvolatile memories for storing information, said microprocessor being operative to read information from and write information to said nonvolatile memories, said microprocessor providing a write strobe signal operative for enabling writing of information into said nonvolatile memories, nonvolatile memory selection means comprising a logic circuit for selecting one of said nonvolatile memories in accordance with information from the microprocessor, and means for blocking said write strobe signal to said nonvolatile memories when neither of said nonvolatile memories is selected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electronic postage meter of claim 1 including means for blocking the write strobe signal whenever both nonvolatile memories are simultaneously selected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The electronic postage meter of claim 1 further comprising means for preventing the selection of either of said nonvolatile memories in the event that the write strobe signal communicated to said nonvolatile memories is held in an active state for enabling writing into said nonvolatile memories for longer than a predetermined period of time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electronic postage meter of claim 3 wherein said means for preventing includes latching means for continuously blocking the selection of either of said nonvolatile memories.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-11-30 | 1991-06-01 | 1991-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-30 | 1995-06-01 | 1995-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-30 | 1999-06-01 | 1999-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |