US4739486A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modifying a firmware variable in an electronic postage meter
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
•
Filing: 1985-05-01
•
Granted: 1988-04-19
•
Expires: 2005-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A method and associated apparatus for modifying a firmware variable in an electronic postage meter, comprising the steps of storing a program for operation of the electronic postage meter, a resident memory containing firmware variables, a communication means in the stored program which allows external data to be entered in the program to change the firmware variable in accordance with the external data.
Inventors
- 👤 John H. Soderberg
- 👤 Edward C. Duwel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 11:46
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00185; G07B17/00362; G07B2017/00395; G07B2017/00403; G07B17/00733; G07B2017/00935
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for modifying a firmware variable in an electronic postage meter, comprising the steps of: storing a program for operation of the electronic postage meter; providing data in non-volatile memory external to the stored program which data is capable of modifying a variable in the program to change the action of the program; and accessing such external data during operation of the electronic postage meter to change the action of the program in accordance with the presence of the external data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for modifying a firmware variable in an electronic postage meter, comprising the steps of: storing a program for operation of the electronic postage meter; providing data in non-volatile memory external to the stored program which data is capable of modifying a variable in the program to change the action of the program; and accessing such external data during operation of the electronic postage meter to change the action of the program in accordance with the presence of the external data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method recited in claim 1, wherein: the program is stored in at least one ROM.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method recited in claim 1, wherein: providing the data allows modification of the actions of the program to set decimal point position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of inputting data to non-volatile memory through a message generating means.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for modifying a firmware variable in an electronic postage meter, comprising the steps of: storing a program for operation of the electronic postage meter in at least one ROM; setting data in non-volatile-memory external to the stored program; and modifying a variable in the firmware in accordance with the external data.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for modifying a firmware variable in an electronic postage meter, comprising the steps of: storing a program for operation of the electronic postage meter in at least one ROM; setting data in non-volatile-memory external to the stored program; and modifying a variable in the firmware in accordance with the external data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for modifying a firmware variable in an electronic postage meter, comprising: ROM means for storing a program for the electronic postage meter; non-volatile memory means; data for changing the actions of a firmware variable stored in said non-volatile memory means; and means interconnecting said ROM means and said non-volatile memory means for providing communication there between to access said data and change the actions of the firmware in accordance with the presence of said data in said non-volatile memory means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for modifying a firmware variable in an electronic postage meter, comprising: ROM means for storing a program for the electronic postage meter; non-volatile memory means; data for changing the actions of a firmware variable stored in said non-volatile memory means; and means interconnecting said ROM means and said non-volatile memory means for providing communication there between to access said data and change the actions of the firmware in accordance with the presence of said data in said non-volatile memory means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus recited in claim 6, wherein: said interconnecting means includes a system bus and a microprocessor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus recited in claim 6, wherein: the presence of said data in said non-volatile memory means provides for the setting of decimal point position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for modifying a firmware variable in an electronic postage meter, comprising: ROM means for storing a program for the electronic postage meter; a non-volatile memory; said non-volatile memory having stored therein data for changing the actions of the firmware; interconnecting means including a microprocessor and a system bus for interconnecting said ROM means and said non-volatile memory for providing communication therebetween to access said data stored in said non-volatile memory and the firmware to change the actions of the firmware in accordance with the presence of said data in said non-volatile memory, the presence of said data in said non-volatile memory resulting in the setting of decimal point position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for modifying a firmware variable in an electronic postage meter, comprising: ROM means for storing a program for the electronic postage meter; a non-volatile memory; said non-volatile memory having stored therein data for changing the actions of the firmware; interconnecting means including a microprocessor and a system bus for interconnecting said ROM means and said non-volatile memory for providing communication therebetween to access said data stored in said non-volatile memory and the firmware to change the actions of the firmware in accordance with the presence of said data in said non-volatile memory, the presence of said data in said non-volatile memory resulting in the setting of decimal point position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus recited in claim 9 including: other data set in said non-volatile memory for modifying said data for changing the code sequence of the stored program.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising message generating means for inputting the data into non-volatile memory.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the message generating means includes a keyboard.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4254462A
Cited
US4422148A
Cited
US4400778A
Cited
US4566106A
Cited
US4535419A
Cited
US4595984A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-04-19 | 1991-10-19 | 1992-04-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-19 | 1995-10-19 | 1996-04-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-19 | 1999-10-19 | 2000-04-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |