Postage meter machine
US6247774A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 2, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jun 19, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 2, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07B2017/00669
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A postage meter machine has a digital printer device with a guide plate and a transport mechanism for print media controlled by a control unit that generates print control signals for a printhead in order to print the print medium surface with a corresponding print format while the print medium is being transported past the printhead. A print sensor is arranged in the guide plate before a recess for the printhead. A preparation sensor is arranged in the guide plate at a predetermined distance upstream, preceding the print sensor. The control unit includes a microprocessor to which an encoder for determining the belt travel path of the conveyor belt and the aforementioned sensors are connected. The microprocessor, together with a memory, forms a belt counter that is updated on the basis of the signals supplied by the encoder. The microprocessor is programmed to identify a letter jam, a valid letter format or an error on the basis of preparation sensor and print sensor interrogations and a determination of the belt travel path, and to exactly undertake the print control in a path-controlled manner.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.