CA1102426A - System for remotely resetting postage rate memories - Google Patents
System for remotely resetting postage rate memoriesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1102426A CA1102426A CA295,877A CA295877A CA1102426A CA 1102426 A CA1102426 A CA 1102426A CA 295877 A CA295877 A CA 295877A CA 1102426 A CA1102426 A CA 1102426A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- rate
- signal
- data
- postage
- address signal
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/04—Billing or invoicing
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01G—WEIGHING
- G01G19/00—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups
- G01G19/002—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups for postal parcels and letters
- G01G19/005—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups for postal parcels and letters with electric or electronic computing means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01G—WEIGHING
- G01G19/00—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups
- G01G19/40—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups with provisions for indicating, recording, or computing price or other quantities dependent on the weight
- G01G19/413—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups with provisions for indicating, recording, or computing price or other quantities dependent on the weight using electromechanical or electronic computing means
- G01G19/414—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups with provisions for indicating, recording, or computing price or other quantities dependent on the weight using electromechanical or electronic computing means using electronic computing means only
- G01G19/4148—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups with provisions for indicating, recording, or computing price or other quantities dependent on the weight using electromechanical or electronic computing means using electronic computing means only for controlling postal rate in articles to be mailed
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
- G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
- G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
- G07B2017/00088—Communication details outside or between apparatus via landlines
- G07B2017/00096—Communication details outside or between apparatus via landlines via phone lines
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
- G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
- G07B2017/00112—Wireless
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
- G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
- G07B2017/00153—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information
- G07B2017/00161—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information from a central, non-user location, e.g. for updating rates or software, or for refilling funds
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
- G07B17/00362—Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value
- G07B2017/00395—Memory organization
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A system for simultaneously writing current postage rate charts into remote memories associated with a plurality of postage scale or meter microprocessors incorporates carrier wave transmis-sion of encoded rate charts to the microprocessors. A data block, which includes an encoded receiving station address, the encoded postage rate chart, an encoded incremented rate revision designa-tion and encoded error check characters, is transmitted. Each user's scale and/or meter includes a radio receiver, audio to digital conversion circuitry, serial to parallel conversion cir-cuitry, and improper signal rejection circuitry. Optional direct telephone line reception is provided.
A system for simultaneously writing current postage rate charts into remote memories associated with a plurality of postage scale or meter microprocessors incorporates carrier wave transmis-sion of encoded rate charts to the microprocessors. A data block, which includes an encoded receiving station address, the encoded postage rate chart, an encoded incremented rate revision designa-tion and encoded error check characters, is transmitted. Each user's scale and/or meter includes a radio receiver, audio to digital conversion circuitry, serial to parallel conversion cir-cuitry, and improper signal rejection circuitry. Optional direct telephone line reception is provided.
Description
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ~HE PRIOR_ART
. The postage scale has been one of the few a~ticles of busines~
~; '! equipmeZl~t which did not require servicing. Minor adjustments~ if .
- .at all necessary, were usually made without the necessity of call- :
. ~ ~
: ! ing a service technician. To date, the sole ~ariable parameter .~ 'relating to postag~ scale usage has been the postage rate chart . . . .
~- . or schedule used in conjunction with the scales to determine the .~ appropriate postage. .
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Postage rate chart5 have been subject to frequent revisions and are currently revised on an average of three to fi.ve times each year. With respect to many c~tegories of business mailings, difficulty has indeed been encountered in assuring that requisite f postaye has not only been determined accurately but also is in acc~rdallce with the latest postage schedules. .
In United States Patent No. 3,692,98~,issued to Dlugos ~t cll on September 9th, 1972 and assigned to the assignee of the present . invention,a microprocessor in conjunction with a scale and meter ; . was shown. In operation, such device calculated the appropriate -transporatïon charges for the weight of an article placed upon the scale weighing tray by reference to a transportation charge rate lsokup table stored in a ra~e memory. , ¦-~ ¦j It should be appreciated that the cost o~ rewriting revised - ''rate charts into a plurality of such mamorles situated at user's l~premises was understandably considered to be substantial. Even if . ''service technicians were to go into the field and in lieu of !l rewriting the current charts into the existing memories in situ, replace the memsries with ones having the current tables and ~e-'turn the old memories for recycling, the cost v such updating , !Iwould be si~nificantO These costs must necessarily be borne by : 1l the sca le or meter U9 er.
i 1' If the updated memories wera capable of user substitution, I ,the costs for timely t~anspora~ion of updated memories to possibly i thousands o scale and/or meter users and for .return of th~ old ~ ' ' .
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memories for recyclying were still significant. Such cos-ts, when considered in conjunc-tion wi-th the frequent revision of rate char-ts by the postal service have presented a significant drawback to widespread commercial acceptability of scales having automated postage computation capabilities. Fur-ther, there was a significant possibility that the current postage charts would be incorporated in the memories either too soon before the rate revision takes effec-t or aEter such revision efEective date.
Accordingly r with the rate revision entered -too soon, excess postage would be paid whlle a la-te en-try of the charts would result in insufficient postage being applied. Thus, coordina-tion of postage ra-te chart memory entries with rate revision efEective dates further compounded these problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
- In compendium, the invention comprises a system for simultaneously rewriting postage lookup tables into a plurality - of postage scale memories via radio transmission with each user scale including a fixed frequency radio receiver and circuitry for decording data and rejection of spurious signals.
The receiver demodulated signal is decoded at an .: .
audio to digital conversion circuit, then converted to parallel format and grouped. A comparator interrupts the microprocessor when a transmitted address ma-tches -the scale address and the microprocessor then verifies a transmitted rate revision number.
Upon acknowledgment of the appropriate rate revision nun~er, the microprocessor inputs -the new rate charts into the memory.
csm/t`~'3 :,' A fin~l ver.ifica-tion of A transmitted error check sum assures error free entry of the ra-te charts. Provision is made for optional airect -telephone line transmission in lieu of carrier wave transmission.
From the above summary it can be appreciated that it is an object of the present invention to provide a system of the general character described for resetting postage rate memories which is not subject to the disadvantages aforementioned.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system of the general character described for ;~ resettîng postage rate memories whereby a large!number of remote memories may be simultaneously reset.
Another object of the~present invention is to provide a system of the general character described for resetting postage ' rate memories which assures the coordination o~ postage rate revision effective dates and the entry of revised postage rate , tables.
-~ A further object of the present invention is to provide a system of the ge~eral character descrlbed for resetting postage rate memories which is both efficient and low in cost.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system for resetting postage rate memories of the general character described which includes the carrier wave transmission of encoded postage ra-te charts to a plurality of remote postage scale memories.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a system of the general character described for resetting csm/ ~
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postage rate memories which includes a plurality of scales having radio receivers equipped to demodulate radio transmitted ~ encoded postage rate charts.
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- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system of the general character described for ; rese-tting postaye rate memories which, from the user's stand-point, is automatic.
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A still further object of the present invention is to provide a system of the general character described for resetting postage rate memories which utilized carrier wave transmission to a plurality of remote postage scales, ye-t provides - for an optional secondary entry of current postage rates via switched telephone lines.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a system of the general character described for resetting postage rate memories which does not require the presence of a service technician at the user's premises.
Further objects of the present lnvention in part will be obvious and in part will be pointed out hereinafter.
With these ends in view~ the invention finds embodiment in certain combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and series of steps by which the objects aforementioned and certain other objects are hereinafter attained, all as fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings and the scope of which is more particularly pointed out and indicated in the appended claims.
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., Srl`ATEME~T OF TUE INVENTION
In compendium, the lnvention comprises a system for simultaneously revising postage rate data carried in a plurality of postage scale memories via radio transmission with each user scale including a fixed frequency radio receiver and circuitry for decoding data and rejeciton of spurious signals. The system includes means for supplying a data block, the data block including an encoded postage rate memory revision data signal, a remote ~- location address signal and a rate revision designation signal, 10 means for modulating a carrier wave with the data block, means for transmitting the modulated carrier wave from a first location, the memories and processors being positioned at a plurality of locations remote from the first location, carrier wave receiving means at each re~ote location, decoding means connected to each receiving means, the decoding means receiving the data block and in response thereto providing a corresponding data block signal, means disposed at each remote location receiving the data block signal and segregating the address .signal from the postage rate data signal and the rate revision designation signal, means at 20 each remote location receiving the address signal and comparing such address signal with a preset address signal and in response to the equality thereof providing a comparison signal, each ; processor receiving the comparison signal and in response thereto accepting the postage rate data signal, receiving the rate revision designation signal, said processor including means for supplying an incremented rate revision designation signal and ~or comparing the received designation signal with said incremented rate revision designation signal, and in response to the equality ` thereo~ entering the accepted postage rate data signal into each : `
; 30 memory for subsequent recall during the postal-ealculation com-putations in aeeordanee with the revised postage rate strueture.
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, BRIEF DESCRIPIION OF IHE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of the various possible exemplary embodiments of the invention:
Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system adapted to remo-tely reset several postage rate mem~ries in acco.rdance with the present invention by carrier wave transmission of encoded data;
Fig~ 2 is a schematized block diagram illu~strating typic~al circuitry of a typical data transmitting station and a typical receiving station; and Fig. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the various steps or entry o~ revised postage charts into a plurality of rem~te memories in accordance with the present invention.
DESCRIMlION OF THE PREFERRED EM3ODIMENT
Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein an exemplary ~bodiment of the present invention is illustrated, the reference numeral 10 denotes generally a system for resetting postage rate memDries comprising a signal transmitting station 12 and a plurality of remote recei.ving stations 14, each associated with a postage scale 15 and/or meter and a microprocessor 16 such as Intel CPU 8085, a M~S Technology 6503 and the like adapted t~
oompute the requisite postage or other transportation charges for an article placed upon the weighing tray of the scale. It should be understood that as used herein the term "postage" is not limited to mail but is intended to include weight and/or destination distance transportation charge rates by private carriers as well.
l'he transmitting station 12 is adapted to transmit encoded postage rate revision tables or charts simultaneously to many remote field postage scales 15 and/or meters for revision of postage rate lookup tables stored in memDries associated with the microprocessors 16 at each re oe iving station 14.
~stage rate charts may vary with respect to different csm/~7,~-' ~1~242~
-receiving stations within a transmitting station broadcast range for numerous reasons, e.g. different zip codes for relative destination zones, different categories of mailings for which the scales and/or meters at the remote receiving stations are equipped and different parcel carriers. For this reason, as well as for the rejection of spurious signals, the transmission of new postage rate charts is accompanied by a digital scale address 20 to assure tha-t only memories at appropriate receiving stations 14 will be revised. The entire transmission to the remote receiving stations 14 is grouped in a tone encoded date block 18 comprising the scale address 20, a revised postage rate chart 22, an incremented rate revision number 24, and a check sum or characters 26, the verification of which assures accurate transmission and receipt of the xevised rate chart.
he digital data block 18, generated in serial format, is first encoded into audio tones at a tone encoder 28 such as a Motorola 6860 low speed modem and recorded. Audio tone modulated carrier wave transmisslon at a radio transmitter 30 permits simultaneous timely entry of the revised postage rate charts 22 into a large number of postage scales 15 and/
or meter memories without any action being taken by the scale or meter user other than making certain that the line cord or other power supply for the scale 15 or meter is connected during the rate revision transmissioll period~ As will be described hereinafter, in the event that the data block 18 is not accurately received or processed during the data block transmission cycle which is repeated over a set time period, provision is . ~
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:~ Each recei~ing station lA may be incorpora-ted within ~: a postage scale 15 or meter cabinet and includes a receiving ~: antenna 32 ana a radio receiver 34 comprising Eixed frequency tuner 36 set to a predetermined broadcast frequency and a carrier wave demodula-tor 38.
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The demodula-ted audio tone signal is converted to a digital waveform sui-table for processing.and entry into a postacJe rate memory by an audio to digital conversion circuit 40 comprising a tone decoder 42 such as a phase locked loop~
the output signal of which is suitably defined for digital processing at an analog vol~age comparator 44 to provlde the data block 18 a~ a serial digital waveform.
The data block digital waveform i5 thereafter converted to parallel forma-t at a serial to parallel conversion - circuit 46 which, by way of example, may comprise a universal .
asynchronous receiver and tuner such as a ~eneral Instruments D AY-5-1013 UART.
- A logic aontrol circuit 48 operating in conjunction with the serial to parallel conversion circuit 46 facilita-tes the grouping and discrimination of data words from the data block 18. The logic control circuit 48 discriminates the scale .~ .
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address 20 and provides an interface to transml~ the discriminated scale address 20 to an address comparator 50 having a preset scale address.
` A single chip ~ultiprotocol circuit can be employed .; in lieu of the universal asynchronous receiver and tuner 46, the controller logic 48, and the comparator 50. A typical multipro-tocol communications circui-t is the Signetics Protocol Controller 2652 which, however, is a synchronous unit; and i~
such unit is employed, a synchronous modem such as a Mo-torola 6862 should be utilized rather than the asynchronous 6860.
Upon veriEication tha-t the transnlitted data block scale address 20 matches the preset sca:Le address s-tored in -the comparator 50, the comparator provides an interrupt signal to the microprocessor 16 whereupon the microprocessor initially verifies that -the incoming data block includes the appropriate incremented rate revision number 24. Upon rate revision number verification, the microprocessor 16 pulls the revised - postaye rate chart 22 from the serial to parallel conversion circuit 46 and rewrites such chart into a postage rate memory comprisng a PROM 52 which is addressed by the microprocessor 16 for access to postage rate lookup tables.
. After entering the revised rate chart 22 into the : PROM 52, the microprocessor performs predetermined calculations with respect to the newly entered chart -to arrive at a check sum whieh is compared with -the -transmit-ted eheek sum or characters 26 and if the sums eoincide, error free revision of the .
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PROM 15 is verified and -the acceptable ra-te revision number is ; incremented.
It should be appreciated that the data block 18 is cyclically retransmi-t-ted over a broadcast time or period such that in the even-t of signal interference, noise, improper signal receip-t and/or processing with a resultant rejection of the incoming data block lg, or ~ailure -to increment the ratP
revis.ion number, the receiving station 14 is adap-ted to seek and receive subsequent retransmission of the data block. If the current chart has been entered, re-entry of -the same chart is prevented since the retransmitted rate revision number will not be recognized.
The system of the present invention provides timely simultaneous transmission of data blocks 18 from one or more transmltting stations 12 to a multitude of receiving stations 14. Because each data block includes the scale address 20, several data blocks, each suitable for different receiving stations 14, may be tra~smitted from a single transmitting station 12 without the hazard of revising a postage rate table in a PROM 52 with rate charts not appropriate for its associated postage scale 15.
As previously mentioned, optional telephone line direct transmission of the da-ta blocks 18 is provided. Such optional transmission mode obvia-tes the necessity of requiring - a service technician to service a scale or meter solely for the purpose of revising the postage rate memory 52. If, for example, through inadvertence the power supply of a particular receiving station 1~ was not operative during the data block transmission : time or radio interference inhibited complete reception, entry ',,~' , ,~ .
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of the current rate char-t 22 would be provided through direct interconnection. In such ins-tances, -the recorded audio tone encoded data block 18 is -transmitted via a conventional telephone line 54 directly to the audio to digi-tal conversion circuit 40.
Although the audio tone frequencies remai.n the same, regardless of the transmission mode, -the data bit rates may vary be-tween carrier wave and~-telephone line transmissiolls, and the receiving station is therefore provided with a trans-mission mode selec-tor swi-tch 56 operatlvely connected -to a mode synchronization logic 58 which, by way o:E example only, may comprise a bit rate generator (~C 14411). The synchronization logic 58 receives a timing signal from a system clock 60 and provides a FREQUENCY CONTROL ou-tput signal coordina-ted with the switched data block transmission mode. The FREOUENCY
CONTROL signal is available if adjustment of the frequency range of the low pass filter in the tone decoder 42 is necessary.
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- A further output of the synchroniza-tion logic 58 is a CLOCK (SYNC) signal used as clock input to both the serial to parallel convers1on circuit 46 and the address comparator 50.
It should be appreciated that transmission of the entire data block 18 including the scale address 20 through the telephone line 54 would be preferable to provide a safeguard against inadvertent transmission of an improper rate chart to the receiving station.
- Various safeguards may be provided to assure the scale and/or me-ter user that the latest rate rev1sion tables are incorpora-ted in the microprocessor calcula-tions of trans~
~; poration charges. For example, a notice may be-mailed to all . :
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scale or meter users shortly before a scheduled rate revision.
The mailing would indicate that the tables will be revised and that the scale and/or me-ter should indicate a specified postage upon placement of a con-trol weight on the scale -tray and indication of a specified zone des-tination. I~ the scale and/or meter does not indicate such postage, the user is requested to telephone -the servicing company whereupon an interconnection through the telephone line 54 and -transmission of the data block is provided.
10Further, the microprocessor can be programmed to recognize an attempt to revise the postage rate memory and a subsequent failure to increment the rate revision number.
It should be unders-tood that the circuitry described is merely exemplary of manifold possible variations and is by way of illustration only. For example, depending upon the quantity of data bits in the various component portions of the data block 18, additonal bit capacity can be provided in the serial to parallel conversion circuit and the address comparator.
- Further, the microprocessor may accept the rate revision data ~` 20 without transposing the data stream to parallel format.
Thus, it will be seen tha-t there is provided a sys-tem for remote reset-ting of postage rate memo~ies which achieves the various ob]ects of the present invention and which is well sui-ted to meet the conditions of practical useO
: As various changes migh-t be made in the system as - above set forth r i t is to be unders-tood that all matter herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustra-tive and no-t in a limitinq sense.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ~HE PRIOR_ART
. The postage scale has been one of the few a~ticles of busines~
~; '! equipmeZl~t which did not require servicing. Minor adjustments~ if .
- .at all necessary, were usually made without the necessity of call- :
. ~ ~
: ! ing a service technician. To date, the sole ~ariable parameter .~ 'relating to postag~ scale usage has been the postage rate chart . . . .
~- . or schedule used in conjunction with the scales to determine the .~ appropriate postage. .
. ' : ' , ~
~' ' .
_ - -: , :' ' ~ '' ' :
Postage rate chart5 have been subject to frequent revisions and are currently revised on an average of three to fi.ve times each year. With respect to many c~tegories of business mailings, difficulty has indeed been encountered in assuring that requisite f postaye has not only been determined accurately but also is in acc~rdallce with the latest postage schedules. .
In United States Patent No. 3,692,98~,issued to Dlugos ~t cll on September 9th, 1972 and assigned to the assignee of the present . invention,a microprocessor in conjunction with a scale and meter ; . was shown. In operation, such device calculated the appropriate -transporatïon charges for the weight of an article placed upon the scale weighing tray by reference to a transportation charge rate lsokup table stored in a ra~e memory. , ¦-~ ¦j It should be appreciated that the cost o~ rewriting revised - ''rate charts into a plurality of such mamorles situated at user's l~premises was understandably considered to be substantial. Even if . ''service technicians were to go into the field and in lieu of !l rewriting the current charts into the existing memories in situ, replace the memsries with ones having the current tables and ~e-'turn the old memories for recycling, the cost v such updating , !Iwould be si~nificantO These costs must necessarily be borne by : 1l the sca le or meter U9 er.
i 1' If the updated memories wera capable of user substitution, I ,the costs for timely t~anspora~ion of updated memories to possibly i thousands o scale and/or meter users and for .return of th~ old ~ ' ' .
. ~ ' 1 ' .
~ ~2~
memories for recyclying were still significant. Such cos-ts, when considered in conjunc-tion wi-th the frequent revision of rate char-ts by the postal service have presented a significant drawback to widespread commercial acceptability of scales having automated postage computation capabilities. Fur-ther, there was a significant possibility that the current postage charts would be incorporated in the memories either too soon before the rate revision takes effec-t or aEter such revision efEective date.
Accordingly r with the rate revision entered -too soon, excess postage would be paid whlle a la-te en-try of the charts would result in insufficient postage being applied. Thus, coordina-tion of postage ra-te chart memory entries with rate revision efEective dates further compounded these problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
- In compendium, the invention comprises a system for simultaneously rewriting postage lookup tables into a plurality - of postage scale memories via radio transmission with each user scale including a fixed frequency radio receiver and circuitry for decording data and rejection of spurious signals.
The receiver demodulated signal is decoded at an .: .
audio to digital conversion circuit, then converted to parallel format and grouped. A comparator interrupts the microprocessor when a transmitted address ma-tches -the scale address and the microprocessor then verifies a transmitted rate revision number.
Upon acknowledgment of the appropriate rate revision nun~er, the microprocessor inputs -the new rate charts into the memory.
csm/t`~'3 :,' A fin~l ver.ifica-tion of A transmitted error check sum assures error free entry of the ra-te charts. Provision is made for optional airect -telephone line transmission in lieu of carrier wave transmission.
From the above summary it can be appreciated that it is an object of the present invention to provide a system of the general character described for resetting postage rate memories which is not subject to the disadvantages aforementioned.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system of the general character described for ;~ resettîng postage rate memories whereby a large!number of remote memories may be simultaneously reset.
Another object of the~present invention is to provide a system of the general character described for resetting postage ' rate memories which assures the coordination o~ postage rate revision effective dates and the entry of revised postage rate , tables.
-~ A further object of the present invention is to provide a system of the ge~eral character descrlbed for resetting postage rate memories which is both efficient and low in cost.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system for resetting postage rate memories of the general character described which includes the carrier wave transmission of encoded postage ra-te charts to a plurality of remote postage scale memories.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a system of the general character described for resetting csm/ ~
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postage rate memories which includes a plurality of scales having radio receivers equipped to demodulate radio transmitted ~ encoded postage rate charts.
`::
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system of the general character described for ; rese-tting postaye rate memories which, from the user's stand-point, is automatic.
. ~
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a system of the general character described for resetting postage rate memories which utilized carrier wave transmission to a plurality of remote postage scales, ye-t provides - for an optional secondary entry of current postage rates via switched telephone lines.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a system of the general character described for resetting postage rate memories which does not require the presence of a service technician at the user's premises.
Further objects of the present lnvention in part will be obvious and in part will be pointed out hereinafter.
With these ends in view~ the invention finds embodiment in certain combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and series of steps by which the objects aforementioned and certain other objects are hereinafter attained, all as fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings and the scope of which is more particularly pointed out and indicated in the appended claims.
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., Srl`ATEME~T OF TUE INVENTION
In compendium, the lnvention comprises a system for simultaneously revising postage rate data carried in a plurality of postage scale memories via radio transmission with each user scale including a fixed frequency radio receiver and circuitry for decoding data and rejeciton of spurious signals. The system includes means for supplying a data block, the data block including an encoded postage rate memory revision data signal, a remote ~- location address signal and a rate revision designation signal, 10 means for modulating a carrier wave with the data block, means for transmitting the modulated carrier wave from a first location, the memories and processors being positioned at a plurality of locations remote from the first location, carrier wave receiving means at each re~ote location, decoding means connected to each receiving means, the decoding means receiving the data block and in response thereto providing a corresponding data block signal, means disposed at each remote location receiving the data block signal and segregating the address .signal from the postage rate data signal and the rate revision designation signal, means at 20 each remote location receiving the address signal and comparing such address signal with a preset address signal and in response to the equality thereof providing a comparison signal, each ; processor receiving the comparison signal and in response thereto accepting the postage rate data signal, receiving the rate revision designation signal, said processor including means for supplying an incremented rate revision designation signal and ~or comparing the received designation signal with said incremented rate revision designation signal, and in response to the equality ` thereo~ entering the accepted postage rate data signal into each : `
; 30 memory for subsequent recall during the postal-ealculation com-putations in aeeordanee with the revised postage rate strueture.
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, BRIEF DESCRIPIION OF IHE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of the various possible exemplary embodiments of the invention:
Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system adapted to remo-tely reset several postage rate mem~ries in acco.rdance with the present invention by carrier wave transmission of encoded data;
Fig~ 2 is a schematized block diagram illu~strating typic~al circuitry of a typical data transmitting station and a typical receiving station; and Fig. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the various steps or entry o~ revised postage charts into a plurality of rem~te memories in accordance with the present invention.
DESCRIMlION OF THE PREFERRED EM3ODIMENT
Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein an exemplary ~bodiment of the present invention is illustrated, the reference numeral 10 denotes generally a system for resetting postage rate memDries comprising a signal transmitting station 12 and a plurality of remote recei.ving stations 14, each associated with a postage scale 15 and/or meter and a microprocessor 16 such as Intel CPU 8085, a M~S Technology 6503 and the like adapted t~
oompute the requisite postage or other transportation charges for an article placed upon the weighing tray of the scale. It should be understood that as used herein the term "postage" is not limited to mail but is intended to include weight and/or destination distance transportation charge rates by private carriers as well.
l'he transmitting station 12 is adapted to transmit encoded postage rate revision tables or charts simultaneously to many remote field postage scales 15 and/or meters for revision of postage rate lookup tables stored in memDries associated with the microprocessors 16 at each re oe iving station 14.
~stage rate charts may vary with respect to different csm/~7,~-' ~1~242~
-receiving stations within a transmitting station broadcast range for numerous reasons, e.g. different zip codes for relative destination zones, different categories of mailings for which the scales and/or meters at the remote receiving stations are equipped and different parcel carriers. For this reason, as well as for the rejection of spurious signals, the transmission of new postage rate charts is accompanied by a digital scale address 20 to assure tha-t only memories at appropriate receiving stations 14 will be revised. The entire transmission to the remote receiving stations 14 is grouped in a tone encoded date block 18 comprising the scale address 20, a revised postage rate chart 22, an incremented rate revision number 24, and a check sum or characters 26, the verification of which assures accurate transmission and receipt of the xevised rate chart.
he digital data block 18, generated in serial format, is first encoded into audio tones at a tone encoder 28 such as a Motorola 6860 low speed modem and recorded. Audio tone modulated carrier wave transmisslon at a radio transmitter 30 permits simultaneous timely entry of the revised postage rate charts 22 into a large number of postage scales 15 and/
or meter memories without any action being taken by the scale or meter user other than making certain that the line cord or other power supply for the scale 15 or meter is connected during the rate revision transmissioll period~ As will be described hereinafter, in the event that the data block 18 is not accurately received or processed during the data block transmission cycle which is repeated over a set time period, provision is . ~
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:~ Each recei~ing station lA may be incorpora-ted within ~: a postage scale 15 or meter cabinet and includes a receiving ~: antenna 32 ana a radio receiver 34 comprising Eixed frequency tuner 36 set to a predetermined broadcast frequency and a carrier wave demodula-tor 38.
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The demodula-ted audio tone signal is converted to a digital waveform sui-table for processing.and entry into a postacJe rate memory by an audio to digital conversion circuit 40 comprising a tone decoder 42 such as a phase locked loop~
the output signal of which is suitably defined for digital processing at an analog vol~age comparator 44 to provlde the data block 18 a~ a serial digital waveform.
The data block digital waveform i5 thereafter converted to parallel forma-t at a serial to parallel conversion - circuit 46 which, by way of example, may comprise a universal .
asynchronous receiver and tuner such as a ~eneral Instruments D AY-5-1013 UART.
- A logic aontrol circuit 48 operating in conjunction with the serial to parallel conversion circuit 46 facilita-tes the grouping and discrimination of data words from the data block 18. The logic control circuit 48 discriminates the scale .~ .
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address 20 and provides an interface to transml~ the discriminated scale address 20 to an address comparator 50 having a preset scale address.
` A single chip ~ultiprotocol circuit can be employed .; in lieu of the universal asynchronous receiver and tuner 46, the controller logic 48, and the comparator 50. A typical multipro-tocol communications circui-t is the Signetics Protocol Controller 2652 which, however, is a synchronous unit; and i~
such unit is employed, a synchronous modem such as a Mo-torola 6862 should be utilized rather than the asynchronous 6860.
Upon veriEication tha-t the transnlitted data block scale address 20 matches the preset sca:Le address s-tored in -the comparator 50, the comparator provides an interrupt signal to the microprocessor 16 whereupon the microprocessor initially verifies that -the incoming data block includes the appropriate incremented rate revision number 24. Upon rate revision number verification, the microprocessor 16 pulls the revised - postaye rate chart 22 from the serial to parallel conversion circuit 46 and rewrites such chart into a postage rate memory comprisng a PROM 52 which is addressed by the microprocessor 16 for access to postage rate lookup tables.
. After entering the revised rate chart 22 into the : PROM 52, the microprocessor performs predetermined calculations with respect to the newly entered chart -to arrive at a check sum whieh is compared with -the -transmit-ted eheek sum or characters 26 and if the sums eoincide, error free revision of the .
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PROM 15 is verified and -the acceptable ra-te revision number is ; incremented.
It should be appreciated that the data block 18 is cyclically retransmi-t-ted over a broadcast time or period such that in the even-t of signal interference, noise, improper signal receip-t and/or processing with a resultant rejection of the incoming data block lg, or ~ailure -to increment the ratP
revis.ion number, the receiving station 14 is adap-ted to seek and receive subsequent retransmission of the data block. If the current chart has been entered, re-entry of -the same chart is prevented since the retransmitted rate revision number will not be recognized.
The system of the present invention provides timely simultaneous transmission of data blocks 18 from one or more transmltting stations 12 to a multitude of receiving stations 14. Because each data block includes the scale address 20, several data blocks, each suitable for different receiving stations 14, may be tra~smitted from a single transmitting station 12 without the hazard of revising a postage rate table in a PROM 52 with rate charts not appropriate for its associated postage scale 15.
As previously mentioned, optional telephone line direct transmission of the da-ta blocks 18 is provided. Such optional transmission mode obvia-tes the necessity of requiring - a service technician to service a scale or meter solely for the purpose of revising the postage rate memory 52. If, for example, through inadvertence the power supply of a particular receiving station 1~ was not operative during the data block transmission : time or radio interference inhibited complete reception, entry ',,~' , ,~ .
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of the current rate char-t 22 would be provided through direct interconnection. In such ins-tances, -the recorded audio tone encoded data block 18 is -transmitted via a conventional telephone line 54 directly to the audio to digi-tal conversion circuit 40.
Although the audio tone frequencies remai.n the same, regardless of the transmission mode, -the data bit rates may vary be-tween carrier wave and~-telephone line transmissiolls, and the receiving station is therefore provided with a trans-mission mode selec-tor swi-tch 56 operatlvely connected -to a mode synchronization logic 58 which, by way o:E example only, may comprise a bit rate generator (~C 14411). The synchronization logic 58 receives a timing signal from a system clock 60 and provides a FREQUENCY CONTROL ou-tput signal coordina-ted with the switched data block transmission mode. The FREOUENCY
CONTROL signal is available if adjustment of the frequency range of the low pass filter in the tone decoder 42 is necessary.
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- A further output of the synchroniza-tion logic 58 is a CLOCK (SYNC) signal used as clock input to both the serial to parallel convers1on circuit 46 and the address comparator 50.
It should be appreciated that transmission of the entire data block 18 including the scale address 20 through the telephone line 54 would be preferable to provide a safeguard against inadvertent transmission of an improper rate chart to the receiving station.
- Various safeguards may be provided to assure the scale and/or me-ter user that the latest rate rev1sion tables are incorpora-ted in the microprocessor calcula-tions of trans~
~; poration charges. For example, a notice may be-mailed to all . :
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scale or meter users shortly before a scheduled rate revision.
The mailing would indicate that the tables will be revised and that the scale and/or me-ter should indicate a specified postage upon placement of a con-trol weight on the scale -tray and indication of a specified zone des-tination. I~ the scale and/or meter does not indicate such postage, the user is requested to telephone -the servicing company whereupon an interconnection through the telephone line 54 and -transmission of the data block is provided.
10Further, the microprocessor can be programmed to recognize an attempt to revise the postage rate memory and a subsequent failure to increment the rate revision number.
It should be unders-tood that the circuitry described is merely exemplary of manifold possible variations and is by way of illustration only. For example, depending upon the quantity of data bits in the various component portions of the data block 18, additonal bit capacity can be provided in the serial to parallel conversion circuit and the address comparator.
- Further, the microprocessor may accept the rate revision data ~` 20 without transposing the data stream to parallel format.
Thus, it will be seen tha-t there is provided a sys-tem for remote reset-ting of postage rate memo~ies which achieves the various ob]ects of the present invention and which is well sui-ted to meet the conditions of practical useO
: As various changes migh-t be made in the system as - above set forth r i t is to be unders-tood that all matter herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustra-tive and no-t in a limitinq sense.
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Claims (9)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A system for simultaneously revising postage rate data carried in a plurality of memories associated with a like plurality of processors adapted to calculate postage charges pursuant to a revisable postage rate structure, the system comprising means for supplying a data block, the data block including an encoded postage rate memory revision data signal, a remote location address signal and a rate revision designation signal, means for modulating a carrier wave with the data block, means for transmit-ting the modulated carrier wave from a first location, the memories and processors being positioned at a plurality of loca-tions remote from the first location, carrier wave receiving means at each remote location, decoding means connected to each receiving means, the decoding means receiving the data block and in response thereto providing a corresponding data block signal, means disposed at each remote location receiving the data block signal and segregating the address signal from the postage rate data signal and the rate revision designation signal, means at each remote location receiving the address signal and comparing such address signal with a preset address signal and in response to the equality thereof providing a comparison signal, each processor receiving the comparison signal and in response thereto accepting the postage rate data signal, receiving the rate revision designation signal, said processor including means for supplying an incremented rate revision designation signal and for comparing the received designation signal with said incremented rate revision designation signal, and in response to the equality thereof entering the accepted postage rate data signal into each memory for subsequent recall during the postal calculation com-putations in accordance with the revised postage rate structure.
2. A system constructed in accordance with claim 1 for revising data carried in a remotely located memory associated with a processor wherein the data block further includes a digital receipt check signal, each processor receiving both the postal rate data signal and the check signal, each processor being adapted to verify the accuracy of the entry of the memory revision data with reference to the receipt check signal.
3. A system constructed in accordance with claim 1 for revising data carried in a remotely located memory associated with a processor, the system further including means for trans-mitting the encoded memory revision data signal over telephone lines to the remote locations.
4. A system constructed in accordance with claim 3 for revising data carried in a remotely located memory associated with a processor, wherein the telephone line transmitted data signal is transmitted at a data bit rate different from the carrier wave transmitted signal data bit rate, the system further including synchronization means disposed at the remote location and adapted to provide a synchronization signal indicative of the data bit rate associated with each transmission mode.
5. A method for updating postal rate data in a postal calcu-lation system, the system comprising a plurality of postage meters, a like plurality of processors adapted to calculate postage charges each associated with a respective meter, and a plurality of memories each associated with a respective processor, the method comprising the steps of (a) modulating a carrier wave with revised postage rate data, a processor address signal and an incremented rate revision designation, (b) transmitting the modulated carrier wave from a first location to the plurality of processors at locations remote from the first location, (c) demodulating the carrier wave at each remote location to provide the revised postal rate data, a received address signal, and a received rate revision designation, (d) providing an independent address signal at each remote location, (e) comparing the received address signal with the inde-pendent address signal at each remote location, (f) generating a rate revision designation at each remote location, (g) comparing the received rate revision designation and the generated rate revision designation, and (h) entering the revised postal rate data in each remote memory after verifying the coincidence between the received address signal and the independent address signal, and the coincidence between the received rate revision designation and the generated rate revision designation, whereby the revised data may be utilized for postage calcu-lations and setting of the respective postal meters at each remote location.
6. A method for simultaneously updating postal rate data as set forth in claim 5, the method comprising the further steps of (i) modulating the carrier wave with a transmission check signal, (j) demodulating the carrier wave to provide a received check signal at each remote location, (k) generating a check signal at each remote location as a function of the revised postal rate data received, and (l) verifying the error free receipt of the revised postal rate data after determining the coincidence between the generated check signal and the received check signal.
7. A method for simultaneously updating postal rate date as set forth in claim 6 wherein the rate revision designation for a subsequent revision is generated after verification of the error free receipt of the revised postal rate data.
8. A method for updating postal rate data in a postal calcu-lation system, the system comprising a plurality of postage scales, a like plurality of processors adapted to calculate postage charges each associated with a respective scale, and a plurality of memories each associated with a respective processor, the method comprising the steps of (a) modulating a carrier wave with revised postage rate data, a processor address signal, and an incremented rate revision designation, (b) transmitting the modulated carrier wave from a first location to the plurality of processors at locations re-mote from the first location, (c) demodulating the carrier wave at each remote location to provide the revised postal rate data signal, a received address signal and a received rate revision designation, (d) providing an independent address signal at each remote location, (e) comparing the received address signal with the independent address signal at each remote location, (f) generating a rate revision designation at each remote location, (g) comparing the received rate revision designation and the generated rate revision designation, and (h) entering the revised postal rate data in each remote memory after verifying the coincidence between the received address signal and the independent address signal, and the coincidence between the received rate revision designation and the generated rate revision designation, whereby the revised data may be utilized for postage cal-culations.
9. A method for updating postal rate data in a postal calcu-lation system, the system comprising a plurality of processors adapted to calculate postage charges and a plurality of memories each associated with a respective processor, the method comprising the steps of (a) modulating a carrier wave with revised postage rate data, a processor address signal, and a check signal, (b) transmitting the modulated carrier wave from a first location to the plurality of processors at locations remote from the first location, (c) demodulating the carrier wave at each remote location to provide the revised postal rate data signal, a received address signal and a received check signal, (d) providing an independent address signal at each remote location, (e) comparing the received address signal with the independent address signal at each remote location, (f) entering the revised postal rate data in each remote memory after verifying the coincidence between the received address signal and the independent address signal, (g) generating a check signal at each remote location as a function of the revised postal rate data received, and (h) verifying the error free receipt of the revised postal rate data after determining the coincidence between the generated check signal and the received check signal.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US764,054 | 1977-01-31 | ||
| US05/764,054 US4138735A (en) | 1977-01-31 | 1977-01-31 | System for remotely resetting postage rate memories |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1102426A true CA1102426A (en) | 1981-06-02 |
Family
ID=25069564
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA295,877A Expired CA1102426A (en) | 1977-01-31 | 1978-01-30 | System for remotely resetting postage rate memories |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4138735A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1102426A (en) |
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| US10652743B2 (en) | 2017-12-21 | 2020-05-12 | The Chamberlain Group, Inc. | Security system for a moveable barrier operator |
| US11074773B1 (en) | 2018-06-27 | 2021-07-27 | The Chamberlain Group, Inc. | Network-based control of movable barrier operators for autonomous vehicles |
| WO2020028502A1 (en) | 2018-08-01 | 2020-02-06 | The Chamberlain Group, Inc. | Movable barrier operator and transmitter pairing over a network |
| DE102018128360A1 (en) | 2018-11-13 | 2020-05-14 | Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh | Good processing device |
| US10997810B2 (en) | 2019-05-16 | 2021-05-04 | The Chamberlain Group, Inc. | In-vehicle transmitter training |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3602891A (en) * | 1969-03-10 | 1971-08-31 | Univ Washington | Continuous transmission computer and multiple receiver system |
| US3651471A (en) * | 1970-03-02 | 1972-03-21 | Nielsen A C Co | Data storage and transmission system |
| US3635297A (en) * | 1970-08-06 | 1972-01-18 | Roger F Salava | Postage calculator |
| US3938095A (en) * | 1971-11-04 | 1976-02-10 | Pitney-Bowes, Inc. | Computer responsive postage meter |
| US3944724A (en) * | 1972-05-18 | 1976-03-16 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Paging system with selectively actuable pocket printers |
| US3792446A (en) * | 1972-12-04 | 1974-02-12 | Pitney Bowes Inc | Remote postage meter resetting method |
| US3885217A (en) * | 1973-07-11 | 1975-05-20 | Computer Specifics Corp | Data transmission system |
| US3858181A (en) * | 1973-10-17 | 1974-12-31 | Martin Marietta Corp | Monitoring system |
| US3978457A (en) * | 1974-12-23 | 1976-08-31 | Pitney-Bowes, Inc. | Microcomputerized electronic postage meter system |
-
1977
- 1977-01-31 US US05/764,054 patent/US4138735A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1978
- 1978-01-30 CA CA295,877A patent/CA1102426A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US4138735A (en) | 1979-02-06 |
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