Postage meter with means for preventing unauthorized postage printing
US4731728A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 10, 1985 |
| Grant date | Mar 15, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 10, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07B2017/00548
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electronic postage meter which has a computer and apparatus for printing a postage value, wherein the computer includes instrumentalities for authorizing printing the postage value, and has shutter apparatus which is operable for alternately preventing and permitting operation of the postage printing apparatus, and has interposing apparatus which is operable for alternately preventing and permitting operation of the shutter apparatus, is provided with an improvement for controlling the operation of the interposing apparatus. The improvement comprises: providing the computer with the means for generating a first control signal for normally operating the interposing apparatus to prevent operation of the shutter apparatus; providing the computer with the means for generating a second periodically pulsing control signal, when the accounting instrumentalities have authorized printing the postage value, for operating the interposing apparatus to permit operation of the shutter apparatus; and coupling the first and second control signals to the interposing apparatus for controlling its operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.