US5905232A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic postage scale system and method
Assignee: Hasler Inc
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Filing: 1993-10-14
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Granted: 1999-05-18
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Expires: 2013-10-14
Abstract
Abstract In an improved postage scale system, soft-selection keys are used for selecting options including shipping service options provided by the system. The display on such a system is adjustable for comfortable viewing thereof. The system is capable of interfacing and communicating with other devices such as a printer, a remote computer, an optical scanner, an integrated circuit (IC) card, etc. Certain data and code for use in the system can be updated by downloading new data and code from IC cards to the system. A security measure is instituted such that, after an update of the data or code, a system user is required to enter a valid authorization number in order to enable the system. Such a measure is, in part, necessary for deterring unauthorized copying of software of the system onto another similar system.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert G. Schwartz
- 👤 Allen A. Crowe
- 👤 James S. Emmett
- 👤 Fetneh Eskandari
- 👤 Martin F. Palange
- 👤 Mark E. Simcik
- 👤 Robert Swanbery
- 👤 Robert J. Japenga
- 👤 Joseph L. Lehman
- 👤 William A. Weirsman
- 👤 George P. Rahgo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:44
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00185; G07B17/00362; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/002; G01G19/005; G01G19/40; G01G19/413; G01G19/414; G01G19/4148; G07B17/00016; G07B17/0008; G07B17/00193; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00508; G07B17/00661; G07B2017/00153; G07B2017/00161; G07B2017/00169; G07B2017/00177; G07B2017/00201; G07B2017/00258; G07B2017/00266; G07B2017/00274; G07B2017/00282; G07B2017/0029; G07B2017/00306; G07B17/00314; G07B2017/00322; G07B2017/0033; G07B2017/00379; G07B2017/00395; G07B2017/00419; G07B2017/00572; G07B2017/0058; G07B2017/00588; G07B2017/00701; G07B2017/00709; G07B2017/00717; G07B17/00733; G07B2017/00741; G07B2017/00758; G07B2017/00766; G07B2017/00822; G07B2017/0083; G07B2017/00935; G07B2017/00951; G07B2017/00959; G07B2017/00967
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
An electronic shipping scale system, comprising: a display having a screen; a weight evaluator for providing a data signal representing the weight of an item; a plurality of functions keys adjoining said screen and data entry keys; a memory for storing data including data relating to shipping rates; a processor operating under a program and responsive to said weight data signal, said data entry keys, said function keys and said shipping rate data for computing shipping cost, and for providing display data; and a display controller for processing said display data for display on said screen; said processor and said display controller being programmed to simultaneously display said display data in at least a first display window prompting an operator entry, a second display window displaying shipping data and a third display window, adjoining said function keys and designating shipping service options to be designated by activation of said function keys for use by said processor to compute said shipping cost.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
An electronic shipping scale system, comprising: a display having a screen; a weight evaluator for providing a data signal representing the weight of an item; a plurality of functions keys adjoining said screen and data entry keys; a memory for storing data including data relating to shipping rates; a processor operating under a program and responsive to said weight data signal, said data entry keys, said function keys and said shipping rate data for computing shipping cost, and for providing display data; and a display controller for processing said display data for display on said screen; said processor and said display controller being programmed to simultaneously display said display data in at least a first display window prompting an operator entry, a second display window displaying shipping data and a third display window, adjoining said function keys and designating shipping service options to be designated by activation of said function keys for use by said processor to compute said shipping cost.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electronic scale according to claim 1, wherein said third display window provides different display images designating function keys corresponding to valid options.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electronic scale according to claim 2, wherein said valid options and invalid options are displayed in accordance with a prior option selection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electronic scale according to claim 1 wherein said processor and said display controller further arrange said display to have a fourth window, said fourth window providing information for facilitating entry of data or selection of an option.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electronic scale according to claim 1 wherein said processor and said display controller further arrange said display to have a fourth window, said fourth window providing information concerning an invalid function key activation or invalid data entry.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
In an electronic shipping scale having a programmed processor, a display and a plurality of function keys, the improvement wherein said processor causes said display to have simultaneously a first display window prompting an operator entry, a second display window displaying shipping data to the operator and a third display window adjoining said function keys and designating shipping options selectable by operation of said function keys.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
In an electronic shipping scale having a programmed processor, a display and a plurality of function keys, the improvement wherein said processor causes said display to have simultaneously a first display window prompting an operator entry, a second display window displaying shipping data to the operator and a third display window adjoining said function keys and designating shipping options selectable by operation of said function keys.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
101 words
In an electronic shipping scale having a programmed processor responsive to shipping data stored in a scale memory for computing shipping charges, the improvement comprising apparatus for changing said shipping data, comprising: an IC card having an IC memory containing new shipping data and data header information; and an IC card connector coupled to said programmed processor; wherein one of said scale memory or said IC memory contains data transfer code for operating said processor to read said new shipping data from said IC card and to store said new shipping data in said scale memory according to said header information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
101 words
In an electronic shipping scale having a programmed processor responsive to shipping data stored in a scale memory for computing shipping charges, the improvement comprising apparatus for changing said shipping data, comprising: an IC card having an IC memory containing new shipping data and data header information; and an IC card connector coupled to said programmed processor; wherein one of said scale memory or said IC memory contains data transfer code for operating said processor to read said new shipping data from said IC card and to store said new shipping data in said scale memory according to said header information.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement specified in claim 7 wherein said IC card memory includes two memory portions and wherein said data transfer code is contained in one of said memory portions.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for operating an electronic shipping scale having an programmed processor, a display and a plurality of function keys adjoining said display comprising the steps of: simultaneously displaying a prompt message in a first window on said display, shipping information in a second window on said display and shipping options in a third window on said display adjacent to and identifying said function keys; and operating said processor to compute shipping charges in response to activation of said function keys and displaying said shipping charges in said second window.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for operating an electronic shipping scale having an programmed processor, a display and a plurality of function keys adjoining said display comprising the steps of: simultaneously displaying a prompt message in a first window on said display, shipping information in a second window on said display and shipping options in a third window on said display adjacent to and identifying said function keys; and operating said processor to compute shipping charges in response to activation of said function keys and displaying said shipping charges in said second window.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as specified in claim 9 further comprising displaying a succession of prompts in said first window and a succession of shipping options in said third window in response to activation of said function keys.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for updating shipping data stored in an electronic scale having shipping data stored in a scale memory and a programmed processor comprising the steps of: providing an IC card having a memory with new shipping data and header information stored therein; connecting said IC card to an IC card connector of said electronic scale; and operating said processor under programming code to read said new shipping data from said IC card and to store said new shipping data in said scale memory in accordance with said header information.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for updating shipping data stored in an electronic scale having shipping data stored in a scale memory and a programmed processor comprising the steps of: providing an IC card having a memory with new shipping data and header information stored therein; connecting said IC card to an IC card connector of said electronic scale; and operating said processor under programming code to read said new shipping data from said IC card and to store said new shipping data in said scale memory in accordance with said header information.
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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) | 2002-05-17 | 2002-11-16 | 2003-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-17 | 2006-11-16 | 2007-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-17 | 2010-11-16 | 2011-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |