US 4,910,686 A · Postage meter with non-dollar amount indicia

Abstract

A postage meter which imprints non-dollar amount indicia representative of postage value determining information. The meter receives postage value determining information, such as mail piece weight, associated with particular mail pieces; computes the corresponding postage; imprints the particular envelope with the postage value determining information; and accounts for the postage thus expended. Because the range of postage value determining information is small compared the possible range of postage setting information the meter to print is quicker and easier. In one embodiment the meter also prints a validating indicia which assures that the rates used to compute the postage value are valid. In another embodiment the postage value determining information includes information which characterizes a batch of mail, for example as being entitled to a pre-sort discount.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A postage meter having imprinting means for printing a postage indicia on a mailpiece, comprising:

(a) said imprinting means having at least one print wheel, said print wheel having embossed circumferentially therearound a plurality of cipher characters, and print wheel drive mean for rotatably positioning said print wheel;
(b) microprocessor means having means for storing a plurality of weight ranges respective assignable to a particular postage rate and having actuation means for causing said drive means to position said print wheel such that one of said cipher characters uniquely corresponding to a respective one of said weight ranges is positioned to a print position for printing of said cipher character on said envelope;
(c) informing means for determining the weight of said mailpiece and informing said microprocessor thereof;
(d) said microprocessor means having comparison mean for determining which of said weight ranges said weight is within and actuating said actuation means to corresponding position said print wheel;
(e) accounting means for accounting for said postage rate corresponding to said one of said cipher characters;
and,
(f) assuring means for assuring that said postage rates are valid;

4 more elements

A postage meter having imprinting means for printing a postage indicia on a mailpiece, comprising:

(a) said imprinting means having a first and second print wheel, said print wheels having respectively embossed circumferentially therearound a plurality of cipher characters, and first and second print wheel drive mean for rotatably positioning said respective print wheel;
(b) microprocessor means having means for storing a plurality of weight ranges as a function of postal mail classes respective assignable to a particular cipher character of said first print wheel and having actuation means for causing said first drive means to position said first print wheel such that a corresponding one of said cipher characters is positioned to a print position;
(c) informing means for determining the weight of said mailpiece and informing said microprocessor thereof;
(d) said microprocessor means having comparison mean for determining which of said weight ranges said weight is within as a function of postal mail class and actuating said actuation means to corresponding position said print wheel to said print position.
(e) said microprocessor having input means for selectively informing said microprocessor of the desired cipher to be printed by said second print wheel and having second drive means for correspondingly positioning said second print wheel, whereby said cipher of said second print wheel is representative of said mailpiece postal mail class;
(f) accounting means for accounting for said postage rate;
and,
(g) assuring means for assuring that said postage rates are valid.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Postage meter with non-dollar amount indicia

Life of this patent

Postage meter with non-dollar amount indicia

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6