Configuration for a franking machine

US4897793A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Francotyp-Postalia GmbH · DE

Inventor

• Norbert Knoth · Berlin, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 26, 1988
• Grant date: Jan 30, 1990
• Expiry date: Jan 26, 2008

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07B2017/00346
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A configuration for a franking machine includes a central control in the form of a processor. A drive of the franking machine, a printing drum, an interface component for connection to drives of peripheral devices disposed upstream and downstream of the franking machine and a common keyboard are all connected to the processor. The common keyboard enters an amount to be printed and controls the franking machine for reducing mechanical wear and noise and for saving energy. Another control in the form of a timing member is associated with the processor. The timing member places the drive of the franking machine into a standby position by generating a switch-off signal if no material to be stamped is touching the printing drum and no value has been entered through the keyboard during a given monitoring time period preset by the timing member. The timing member also controls the drives of the peripheral devices through the interface component.