Electronic parcel register

An electronic parcel register having a data entry and display keyboard, an accounting module, and a printing module, the register being adapted to be attached to a mailing machine and having a printing head with a first set of printing wheels that may be selectively positioned to print a value on a tape and a second set of printing wheels that are incremented for printing consecutive numbers on each successive tape, comprising:

• a microprocessor means for controlling the data entry and display of said keyboard, for controlling arithmetic operations in said accounting module, for controlling the operation of said printing module, and for transferring data and instructions among the keyboard, the accounting module and the printing module, said printing module having means for selecting the position of the first set of wheels for printing a first tape with postage value and means for instructing the incrementing of the second set of wheels upon each printing of a tape.

An electronic parcel register having a data entry and display keyboard, an accounting module, and a printing module, the register being adapted to be attached to a mailing machine and having a printing head with a set of printing wheels that may be selectively positioned to print a value of a tape, comprising:

• a first microprocessor for receiving data from said keyboard, a second microprocessor for controlling arithmetic operations in said accounting module, and a third microprocessor for controlling the operation of said printing module in accordance with instructions from said first microprocessor, said keyboard having first means for causing said printing module to select a variable value on said print wheels to be printed on a first tape and a second means for selecting a predetermined value on said printing wheels for printing on a second tape.

An electronic parcel register of the type having means for printing postage on a tape and means for accounting for postage printed by the printing means, the printing postage means having a first set of printing wheels that may be selectively positioned to print a value on the tape and a second set of printing wheels that are incrementable for printing consecutive numbers on successive tapes, the improvement comprising:

• microprocessor means for controlling the accounting means, for controlling the actuation of the printing means and for transferring data between the accounting means and the printing means, the printing means having means connected to said microprocessor means for selecting the position of the first set of wheels for the printing of a first tape with postage value, means for incrementing the second set of print wheels after each printing to obtain consecutive parcel identification numbers and means for selectively inhibiting the incrementing of the second set of wheels upon printing of a tape whereby the same parcel identification number may be presented upon successive tapes.

An electronic parcel register of the type having means for printing postage and means for accounting for postage printed by the printing means, the printing means having a first set of printing wheels that are positionable to print selected postage value and a second set of printing wheels that are incrementable for printing parcel identification numbers on each successive tape, the improvement comprising:

• microprocessor means for controlling the accounting means and for controlling the printing means, said printing means having means for selecting the position of the first set of wheels for printing postage value and means coupled to and controlled by said microprocessor means for selectively incrementing the second set of wheels.