Electronic postage scale system and method

US5905232A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems Inc · US

Inventors

• Robert G. Schwartz · Branford, US
• Allen A. Crowe · Prospect, US
• James S. Emmett · Derby, US
• Fetneh Eskandari · Middletown, US
• Martin F. Palange · Monroe, US
• Mark E. Simcik · Bloomfield, US
• Robert Swanbery · Fairfield, US
• Robert J. Japenga · Simsbury, US
• Joseph L. Lehman · Canton, US
• William A. Weirsman · Orange, US
• George P. Rahgo · Milford, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 14, 1993
• Grant date: May 18, 1999
• Expiry date: Oct 14, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07B2017/00967
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

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.