Postal charge processing system having a count of successive weight measuring operations

#This invention relates to a postal charge processing system which is capable of counting successive weight measuring operations.

#In a prior-art postal charge processing system successive weight measuring operations are counted each time it is detected that the weight data from a weight measuring unit varies from a certain weight value to 0 g. In this prior system, however, an accurate count number cannot be ensured. This is because counting measuring operations may be brought about by various causes in addition to the proper cause; for instance, a counting action may be caused to produce erroneous count data when the measuring base is swung by a hand casually touching the base.

#An object of the invention is to provide a postal charge processing system, which can accurately and reliably count successive measuring operations.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a weight measuring unit, a postal charge calculating unit and a meter stamp issuing unit in one embodiment of the postal charge processing system according to the invention;

#FIGS. 2 and 3 are views respectively showing a keyboard and a display board in the postal charge calculating unit shown in FIG. 1;

#FIGS. 4 and 5 are views showing a keyboard and a display board in the meter stamp issuing unit shown in FIG. 1;

#FIG. 1 shows a postal charge processing system including a weight measuring unit 100, a postal charge calculating unit 200 electrically coupled to the weight measuring unit 100 via a cable 1 and a meter stamp issuing unit 300 coupled to the postal charge calculating unit 200 via a cable 2. The weight measuring unit 100 includes a measuring base 102 and a display board 104 provided thereon. The postal charge calculating unit 200 includes a display board 202 and a keyboard 204, and the meter stamp issuing unit 300 includes a display board 302, a keyboard 304, a meter stamp issuance opening 306 and a drawer 308.

#FIG. 2 shows the keyboard 204 of the postal charge calculating unit 200. The keyboard 204 has air mail and sea mail keys 204-1 and 204-2 for selecting the way of mail, a plurality of region selection keys 204-3 for selecting the region of destination, an additional charge key 204-4 which is operated when an additional charge is levied on a postal item exceeding a prescribed size, an advice-of-delivery key 204-5 operated when advice of delivery, informing the sender of the fact that the postal item is delivered to the recipient, is requested by the sender, a special delivery key 204-6 operated when special delivery of the postal item is requested, a price indication key 204-7 operated when indication of the compensation price of the content of the postal item is requested and a cancellation key 204-8 for cancelling the postal condition data put in by some of the keys 204-4 to 204-7. The keyboard 204 also has eleven numeral keys 204-9 which represent respective numerals "00", "0" to "9" and are operated to generate data on indicated price of the postal item, a clear key 204-10 operated to clear the price data coupled by the numeral keys 204-9, a zero point adjustment key 204-11 operated to make zero point adjustment of the measuring unit 100 when the zero point is deviated from the initial setting within a range, for instance, from 5 to 300 g, a meter stamp issue key 204-12 operated to transfer the data about the postal charge calculated in the charge calculating unit 200 to the meter stamp issuing unit 300 and a repetition key 204-13 operated when calculating the postal charge of a postal item where the postal transfer conditions such as the way of mail, region of destination, advice of delivery and special delivery are the same as those for the previous postal item. The keys 204-1 to 204-7 and 204-12 are each formed of a self-illumination type key including a transparent box and a lamp (not shown) which is placed in the box to be turned on when the associated box is depressed.

#FIG. 3 shows the display board 202 of the charge calculating unit 200. This display board 202 has a five-digit weight display section 202-1 and a five-digit charge display section 202-2. Each digit in these display sections 202-1 and 202-2 is constituted by a total of eight display segments, more particularly seven display elements arranged in the form of a figure eight to display numerical figures and a decimal point display element to display a decimal point. The display board 202 is also provided with an overweight display lamp 202-3, a measurement ready display lamp 202-4, an error display lamp 202-5, a price indication display lamp 202-6, a special delivery display lamp 202-7, an advice-of-delivery display lamp 202-8, a surcharge display lamp 202-9, a total amount display lamp 202-10 and an indicated price display lamp 202-11. The display board 104 of the weight measuring unit 100 has the same construction as the display board 202 of the charge calculating unit 200, so that its description is omitted.