Abstract: Apparatus in a microcomputerized postage meter internally generates a finite set of combination of numbers having a specifiable number of digits in each combination. The combinations are used to allow for the addition and removal of postal funds within the meter. The apparatus utilizes a modification of common coding schemes to implement the generation of the combinations. The modification provides for the generation of an intermediate combination of numbers from a seed table located within the postage meter. The modification thereafter provides for the generation of the internally generated combinations from the intermediate combination. Thus, the internally generated combination is generated by using existing code. By use of this modification, less memory capacity is necessary to store combinations than with previous combination generation schemes, thereby allowing for that capacity to be used for other functions within the postage meter.

Abstract: A system is provided for locating and displaying a most recently written record in an electronic postage meter to sequentially store accounting data associated with the transactions of the electronic postage meter. The meter includes a first non-volatile memory (NVM) and a second non-volatile memory (NVM). The system includes apparatus for locating an accurate piece count within the second NVM, for utilizing the accurate piece count within the second NVM to locate a written transaction in the first NVM, and means for providing an external message generated by a keyboard or the like. Accordingly, the written transaction represents the most recently written record in the postage meter. The system also includes a means for determining whether the record is accurate. Accordingly, check values are provided as part of the record in the first NVM. If the check value and a value corresponding to the written transaction agree, the record within the first NVM will be displayed to a user.

Abstract: In a postal meter adapted to be connected to a source of supply of power for energization, and having structures for printing postage values and a selected data, for displaying a plurality of segments, and for entering data, and having a computer electrically connected to each of the aforesaid structures and programmed for processing data for controlling the operation thereof, and wherein the postal meter includes structure for selecting one of a plurality of dates; there is provided an improvement for reminding an operator of the postal meter to check the selected date. The improvement includes the computer being programmed for causing the display to start displaying at least one unique segment in response to energization of the postal meter, the data entering structure including a depressable key for entering data into the computer, and the computer being programmed for causing the display to stop displaying the at least one segment in response to the depression of the key.

Abstract: In a postage meter having structures for entering data, for displaying numerical values and other data, and for printing postage, and having a computer electrically connected to each of the aforesaid structures and programmed for processing data for controlling their operation, wherein the data entering structure includes a keyboard having a plurality of depressable numeric keys, and wherein the computer means includes means for storing data and calculating amounts pertaining to the operation of said postage meter; there is provided apparatus and a method of displaying data pertaining to the operation of the postage meter.

Abstract: A postage meter, adapted to be connected to a source of supply of power for energization, is provided. The postage meter includes improved structure for entering data. The data entering structure includes a keyboard having a plurality of numeric keys, a postage setting key, at least one special purpose key and a plurality of display keys. In addition, the postage meter includes devices for displaying numerical values and other data, for selecting one of a plurality of dates, and for printing postage values and the selected date. Further, the postage meter includes a computer which is electrically connected to each of the aforesaid entering and displaying and printing devices and is programmed for processing data for controlling the operation of the same.

Abstract: In a postage meter having structures for entering data, for displaying numerical values and other data, and for printing postage, and having a computer electrically connected to each of the aforesaid structures and programmed for processing data for controlling their operation, wherein the data entering structure includes a keyboard having a plurality of depressable numeric keys, and wherein the computer means includes means for storing data and calculating amounts pertaining to the operation of said postage meter; there is provided apparatus and a method of operation of the postage meter. The method includes the steps of providing the keyboard with a depressable special purpose key, depressing selected numeric keys for causing the display of a predetermined numerical value, depressing the special purpose key when said numerical value on display, and programming the computer for causing a particular operation of the postage meter to be performed in response to the depression of the special purpose key.

Abstract: A postage meter for use in a remote meter resetting system has data entered by a user of a selected, variable amount of postage in preparation for funding the postage meter with that amount. A unique combination is generated by the meter which varies as they function of signals generated within the postage meter and of the selected, variable postage amount entered into the postage meter. The meter also generates a unique user accessible authorization code which is employed by the user when communications are established with a remotely located data center. The unique authorization code is dependent upon the number of times the meter has been reset and on the other conditions within the meter. The data center computes and provides to the user a combination to be entered into the meter. The externally generated combination received from the data center is entered by a user into the postage meter. The meter generated combination and externally generated combinations are compared within the meter.

Abstract: An electronic postage meter has a keyboard with numeric keys for entering postage values, a display, a set key and an arithmetic key. Circuitry within the postage meter is responsive to the depression of the arithmetic key for modifying a displayed amount in accordance with the next value entered on the keyboard, and is responsive to depression of the set key for enabling the printing of postage in accordance with the displayed value. The arithmetic function key may effect the simple addition of the old value in the display and the newly keyed-in function.

Abstract: A remote postage meter charging system using a third generation electronic postage meter. Like one of its predecessors, the present postage meter of this inventive system is built around a microcomputer set. This advanced computerized meter comprises a working memory which contains seed numbers for generating postage funding combinations. The remote postage meter charging system has the capability of adding variable amounts of postage into the postage meter.

Abstract: A high volume mailing installation is disclosed in which the output of a programmable high speed electronic digital computer provides destination and postage amount information, a high speed chain printer driven by the computer prints the destination information on address labels, and an authorized postage printing meter is mounted piggy-back fashion on the chain printer and responds to the same computer for automatic printing of authorized postage impressions of the calculated amount on the same mailing labels. The meter includes a fast, rugged solenoid-actuated segmented flat bed postage printer unit and fixed-program electronic digital postal accounting circuitry, with appropriate security features to prevent or detect postal fraud.

Abstract: A high volume mailing installation is disclosed in which the output of a programmable high speed electronic digital computer provides destination and postage amount information, a high speed chain printer driven by the computer prints the destination information on address labels, and an authorized postage printing meter is mounted piggy-back fashion on the chain printer and responds to the same computer for automatic printing of authorized postage impressions of the calculated amount on the same mailing labels. The meter includes a fast, rugged solenoid-actuated segmented flat bed postage printer unit and fixed-program electronic digital postal accounting circuitry, with appropriate security features to prevent or detect postal fraud.