Abstract: The apparatus detects the fact that a predetermined temperature threshold, in particular a low temperature threshold, has been crossed, and prevents any subsequent use of the appliance. The apparatus includes a reversible thermostatic switch capable of changing from a first stable state to a second stable state, and of delivering an alarm signal when it finds itself in the second state; and control means co-operating with the switch to respond to the alarm signal by delivering a disable signal for disabling the electronic appliance. According to the invention, the apparatus further includes a DC voltage source (15), an electrical or electronic component (17) capable of taking two states corresponding to said first and second stable states connected in a loop with the voltage source and the switch so that a current passing through the thermostatic switch causes a change from the first state to the second state.

Abstract: A postage meter comprising print means for printing a postage imprint including a posting date on an article of mail to be posted, an adjustment system for adjusting the posting date printed by the print means and including a processor connected to a calendar clock to receive a current date and controlling the print means to cause a postage imprint to be printed with a current posting date established on the basis of the current date. The processor is also programmed to prevent the postage imprint being printed when the current posting date for printing corresponds to a date on which the postal authorities are closed or a particular date defined by the user of the meter.

Abstract: A franking machine includes a non-volatile record memory and circuits for writing information into this memory only if at least one characteristic of a franking operation is different from that for the immediately preceding operation. For example, for a series of franking operations having the same value, the record memory contains only a block of information indicating the franking value common to each operation and the number of operations per formed. The required record memory capacity is therefore significantly smaller than if it were to store an information block respective to each franking operation.

Abstract: A connection device without electrical contact for connecting a fixed part of a franking machine to a rotary print drum containing electronic circuits includes a transformer separable into two parts respectively fastened to the fixed part and to the rotary printing drum. A first modulator chops and modulates a DC current supplied to a first winding in sympathy with a first signal to be transmitted to the rotary drum. A rectifier and filter device supplies power to the electronic circuits in the rotary drum. A first demodulator demodulates the current induced in the second winding. A second modulator modulates the current induced in the second winding at a different frequency to that used by the first modulator and in sympathy with a second signal to be transmitted to the fixed part. A second demodulator extracts the second signal from the current in the first winding.

Abstract: An angular position sensor having at least one resistive track which is circular, for example, and at least one cursor. The cursor is adapted to move while in electric contact with the track. The track is closed and continuous and has at least two electric access points. The sensor cooperates with an arrangement for applying separate predetermined electric potentials to the access points and with an arrangement for measuring the resulting electric potential at one of the access points. The cursor is therefore able to rotate through a complete turn without leaving the one resistive track. All angles can be measured and rotation through several turns is possible.

Abstract: A rotary print drum in combination with a postage meter comprises at least one print wheel rotatably mounted on the print drum, a motor and a gear train for rotating the print wheel, an electronic circuit in a form of a printed circuit being fixed to one end of the drum in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the print drum, and detecting device operatively connecting the gear train and the electronic circuit for controlling the print position of the print wheel.

Abstract: A mail franking machine which prints stamps and totals stamp values comprises a motor and drums carrying digits in relief for printing a stamp. A microprocessor controls the motor and totals the values of stamps printed. Position encoders connected to respective drums translate into binary words the values of the digits printed on the stamp and the states of manually operable switches. Interfaces essentially formed by an application specific integrated circuit include circuits for receiving and executing an instruction to start or stop the motor or a single instruction to scan and transmit the values translated by all the encoders and the states of all the switches.

Abstract: The limited write non-volatile memory is characterized in that it is constituted by a limited memory space (1)in an EEPROM which is organized as a first zone (5) for recording the more significant bits of successive data sets at fixed addresses, and a second zone (6) for recording at least the remaining less significant bits of said data sets at addresses which change around a closed loop of addresses, said less significant bits being recorded with at least one redundancy bit which is common both to the more significant bits recorded in the first zone and the less significant bits recorded in the second, said memory being under the control of a programmed circuit for processing and addressing control. Said memory space constitutes the meter memory (CA, CD, CT) of a franking machine.

Abstract: A franking machine comprising a microprocessor (5), control memories (6, 7) and a working memory (8), together with at least one first non-volatile memory (9) for recording the meters of the machine, said memory being a machine state memory, characterized in that it further includes a second non-volatile memory (10) for recording at defined time intervals successive machine state trails in a plurality of compartments, said trail memory being updated and consulted under the control of the control memories (6, 7). The machine state trail can thus be consulted and optionally printed out.

Abstract: An electronic franking machine uses a first set of messages for normal franking operations and a second set of messages for special operations. The first set of messages includes a "ceiling value exceeded" message, with franking at a value greater than the ceiling value requiring an additional operator action (confirmation), and a "limit value exceeded" message which prevents any franking at a value greater than the limit value. The second set of messages includes a "change of ceiling value" message and a "change of limit value" message, with these two messages enabling the operator to set the ceiling value and the limit value independently, and to change them if so desired, by means of the machine's keyboard.

Abstract: The machine comprises a 16-key keyboard (1), an alpha-numeric display (2), a calendar clock (3), a microprocessor (4), a program memory (5), a text memory (6), and a working memory (7), interconnected by a bus (B). A first set of messages enables normal franking operations to be performed, and a second set of messages which are accessible by means of a menu key (M) on the keyboard enable special operations to be performed. The messages are stored in the text memory, with each message being constituted by screens each of which has the same capacity as the display. Each screen is transferred from the text memory to the working memory prior to being displayed. Each message is controlled by the microprocessor which runs a program relating to each message. All of the programs are stored in the program memory.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic franking machine having a keyboard, a display, and using a first set of messages for normal franking operations and a second set of messages for special operations. In a machine in accordance with the invention, the first set of messages includes a stamp value message confirmed in one-off mode or in burst mode, and a stamp value message confirmed in limited burst mode. The second set of messages includes a beginning-of-menu message including an option for changing mode, a message for selecting operating mode including a one-off option for one-by-one franking operations, a burst option for an unlimited number of franking operations, and a limited burst option for performing a number N of franking operations, a message for confirming the selected mode, and a message for selecting the number N of pieces applicable to limited burst mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit for coupling volatile memories to a microprocessor or to a test tool having a test connector suitable for connection to a second complementary connector which is connected to the links between the memories and the microprocessor. The circuit is characterized in that the second connector (17) is mounted as a terminal connector on the links going to the memories (11, 12), and in that it further includes a third connector (18) mounted as a terminal connector on the links going to the microprocessor (13), together with a removable connection circuit (20) for providing connections between said second and third connectors. The invention is particularly suitable for a franking machine.

Abstract: A franking machine comprises a plurality of auxiliary meters designated by name and stored in alphabetical order of meter name in a Meter space of a battery backed-up working memory. Each meter comprises a service zone, a name zone, a date zone, a money meter zone, and a piece count meter zone. A meter is found by scanning through meter names. A meter is created by entering a name, and by storing a meter in the Meter space. This takes place by finding the appropriate alphabetical position for the new meter in the Meter space, and then shifting all subsequent meters in said space to make room for the new meter. A meter is closed by shifting all meters following the meter being closed down one place in the Meter space, starting with the meter immediately following the meter to be closed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a franking machine comprising a keyboard (1), a display (2), a calendar clock (3), a microprocessor (4), a program memory (5), a text memory (6), and a working memory (7), interconnected by a bus (B). Messages enabling normal franking operations and special operations are provided in the text memory, and each message has a corresponding program in the program memory. The machine includes an operator-warning alarm buzzer (8) operated by the message program whenever the message is a warning message. Alarm indications contained in the program are loaded into the working memory (7) which is read cyclically by a specific audible alarm program.

Abstract: A control system for a set of franking machines (1) under the surveillance of a control center (2) for managing them and containing, to this end, as does each of the machines, a logic circuit organized about a processor (24) and memories (26). The data to be transmitted from the control center to the machines and vice-versa are interchanged by means of "smart" cards (3) having incorporated memory (7) and microprocessors (6) which are placed alternately in read/write terminals (5 or 4) of the control center or of the machines.

Abstract: A current limiting circuit, for a serial commutator motor, that monitors the flow of current through resistances chosen to model the motor, rather than the noisy flow of current through the motor itself. Current for one of the modeling resistances is derived from a tachometer on the motor and is thus proportional to motor speed.