Auto power-on, hot-pluggable user interface controller for mailing machines

US6670798B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Pitney Bowes Inc. · US

Inventors

• Michael J. Lorello · Guilford, US
• George J. Doutney · Sandy Hook, US
• Edward R. Bass · Trumbull, US
• Young W. Lee · Orange, US
• Maria P. Parkos · Southbury, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 25, 2002
• Grant date: Dec 30, 2003
• Expiry date: Sep 25, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07B2017/00258
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A mailing machine base includes a docking system for a User Interface Controller (UIC) that provides a feedback signal to the mailing machine based on the presence of the UIC. When the UIC is inserted into a docking connector of the mailing machine, the mailing machine detects the presence of the UIC. A delay circuit within the mailing machine provides a signal to a power control circuit after a predetermined time delay. The power control circuit, based on the signal from the delay circuit, will provide power to the UIC only after the UIC has been securely docked for the full predetermined time delay. When the UIC is removed from the mailing machine, the mailing machine, based on the feedback signal, will quickly remove the power provided to the docking connector. Thus, the mailing machine can remain powered during removal and replacement of the UIC.