CA1103804A - Electronic postage metering system - Google Patents

Abstract

ELECTRONIC POSTAGE METERING SYSTEM

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A system for automatically setting a postage meter as a function of package weight and destination includes a scale mechanism for generating weight-representing signals. The package postage can be established by converting the destination zip code to a destination zone. The destination zone used in retrieving a minimum postage and incremental postage amounts is applicable for that zone from data storage.
The weight-representing signal is successively decremented and the postage amounts synchronously incremented until a signal checking circuit establishes that the decremented weight-representing signal is equal to zero.

Description

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~ACKGROUND OF THE INVEN?~ON

5 The present invention relates to postage meters and .
more particularly to an electronic postage nletering system inclllding zip code-to-zone convession.
The type of postal .scale which is in widespread commercial use at present i5 a mechanical or electro-mechanical d~vice for deriving postage as a func~ion of package weight al~d destination zone.
While the Postal Service still uses zones for purposes o~ calculating postage on packayes mailed from one part of thse country to another, most people are not aware o~ which 15 ~one a particul.ar destination ~alls in. They ~re, however, generally aware of the zip code at the destination. To permit : a ~user to make a conversion from destination zip code to desti-na~i~n ~one, the Postal Service publishes charts showing desti~
na~ion zones relative to a specific city of origin as a function o~ the first thrèe digits or prefix of destination zip codes.
The Postal Service also publishes another chart tabulating postage as a function of dif~erent weight-zone combinations. i - A user consults one chart to determine the proper zone and then, a~ter weighing the package to ~e mailed, consults the ;:
, other chart to find the proper postage. The user employs the ,i re~rieved postage entry to manually set a conventional postage meter to imprint the postage on a tape which can be affixed - . t~ the package.
s U.S~ Patent 3,636,297 - Salava, discl~ses a 1 :
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; co~æuter-type postage calculator in which the prefi~

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of a destination zip code is converted to zone information through the use of a look-up table in which zones are stored as a function of zip code prefixes. The table is scanned in numerically ascending order until a corre.s-pondence is found between a user-entered destination zip code prefix and one of the addresses in the table.
Signals representing the parcel weight, destination zone and class of handling are apparently algebraically added.
The results would not appear to be consistently accurate.
The calculator apparently would establish the same postage for a two-pound package being sent to zone 4 at parcel post rates as it would for a four-pound package being sent to zone 2 at the same rates. However, the Postal Service has established different postages for these two conditions. Moreover, the required memory or data storage capacity for such a system would be large and costly.

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SUMMARY OF T~IE INV_ION
'Lhe present invention is an improved postage metering system for automating the task of computing postage for packages being sent by any class of mail selected from available classes.
The l.nvent:Lon relates to a postal conversion apparat~ls for converting a Eirst postal d~signation to a second postal designation, the second postal designation being a function of the first postal designation~ the postal conversion apparatus compris:lng: storage means containing incremental first postal designation data relating to first postal designation information and second postal designation data being stored in a predetermined storage sequence in relation to the ; incremental first postal designation data; means for entering first postal designation inEormation for accessing the incremental Eirst postal designation data of the storage means; means for retrieving the incremental first postal designation data ~rom the storage means in successive increments in response to a first postal designation information input; determination means responsive to ~
incrementally retrieved data for determining whether an :
accumulation of the incrementally retrieved data~equals or exceeds a numerical value relating to at least a portion - of the first postal designation information; and means responsive to an output from the determination means for retrieving a second postal designation from the storage means that relates to the accumulation of the first postal designation data increments.

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1 ~ 3~4 The function of the system is to set a postage printer in a postage meter. This system includes input means for generating weight-representing signals and input means for providlng signals representing the destination zip code Eor the package. The system also includes means for deter~lining the destination zone as a function of a destination zip code and means for computing the proper postage as a function of both the weight-representing signal and a destination zone signal. Finally, the system includes a meter setting means for translating the postage-representing signals to sett:ings for the postage printer.
The postage computing means includes means for selecting a sequence consisting of a minimum postage amount and incremental postage amoun~s. The weight-representing signal is then successively decremented while a postage-representing signal is synchronously incremented by the minimum and incremental postage amounts. The decrementing/incrementing operations cease when the decremented weight-representing signal is found to be less th~n or equal to a predetermined number. The incremented~
postage-representing signal is appIied to the postage printer.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE DR~WIN~S

While the specification concludes with claims particul~rly pointing out and distinctly claiming that which is regarded as the present invention, :Eurther de-tails Oe partieular embodiments of t~le invention may be morc readily ~scertained from the following detalled description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a functional block diagram of the 10 computerized postage meter system into which the present invention could be incorporated; ~-. PIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a housing for the meter, including a scale mechanism;
~ IGURE 3 is an enlarged plan view of the key-15 board display for the meter shown in FIGURE 2;
FIGURE ~ is a perspective view of a postage ~ -printer~ .
FIGURE 5 is a block diagram of components of t the postage meter system shown in functional form in 20 FIGURE l;
FIGURE 6 is a flow chart of the generaliæed - overall operation of the system shown in FIGURE l;
FIGURE 7 is a flow chart of the æip-to-æone conversion routine;

2~ FIGURE 8 is a flow chart of a routine for calculating surface parcel pcst postage;
FIGURE 9 is a flow chart for a routine for calculating library rates postage;

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FIGURE 10 is a flow chart of a routine for ealculating book rates postage;
Page 11 is a functional block diagram of a : random loqie implementation of the invention;
S ~`IGURE 12 i9 a elass-of-handling selection and loekout cireuit for the system shown in FIGURE 10;
FIGURE 13 is a block cliagram for the zip-to-zone eonversion eireuits of the system of FIGURE 10;
FIGURE 14 illustrates a modificaition to the eonverter of FIGURE 13 for providing an alternate mode of operation; and FIGURE lS is a sehematic diagram of the postage eaileulating eircuit for the system shown in F~GURE 11.

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DETAI LED DESCRI PTION

Refe~riny to FIGURE 1, th~ general functional arrangement of ~ computerized postage meter incorporating the present invention i9 shown. The system includes a central processor unit ~CPU) 30 which operates on input data ~nd controls th~ 10w of data between various memory units. One type o~ memory unit employed with the central processor unit 30 is a permanent, read only memory 32 which stores the specific sequence of operations to be performed in calculating postage and the sequence of operations fox other routines employed within the system. A second type of memory unit employed is a read/write random access memory 34 which is used to hold and forward working data needed by and generated within the central processor unit 30.
~ n additional memory component coupled to the central processor unit 30 i9 a non-volatile random access memory 36 which operates on and stores certain critical information employed in the postal system.
The critical information includes working data representing crucial accounting functions such as the contents o~ descending register and an ascending register. In one embodiment, the non-volatile memory 36 may be a CMOS random access memory with a hattery back-up unit for holding the stored data in the event of a loss o~ power to the sys~emO
Data and commands can be inputted to ~he CPU
30 through an input keyboard 3;3. Data can include _ 7 _ :
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directly entered postage values, destination zone values ~nd destin~tion zip code prefixes. Commands include a display command which transfers the contents of memory 34 or memory 36 throu~h CPU 30 to an output display de-- 5 vice 40. Input/output signals may be multiplexed by a ,' multiplexer 42 interposed between the central processor 30 a~d input/output components 3~ and 40. Central proc~ssor unit 30 is also linked to scale interface circuits 27 which provide binary weight-representing signals to the system.
When appropriate postal data and commands have been entered into the CPV 30 through keyboard 38 and weight-representing signals have been received from scale interface circuits 27, CPU 30, under control lS ~ programs stored in read-only memory 32, generates postage-representing signals which are applied to a postage printer 44 in a postage meter. When the meter has been set to the appropriate values, a print command . generated by a user-controlled input to CPU 30 causes postage to be imprinted directly on an envelope or on ~- a tape to be affixed to an envelope or package.
One example of a system into which the present invention may be incorporated can be found in co-pending ~-United States Application S.N. 536,248 filed December 23, . 25 1974, for a Uicro Computerized Electronic Postage Meter ~: .
5ystem, which application is assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
- FIGURE 2 shows one type o~ housing for a system incorporating the invention. The input keyboard ; 8 :~ .
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38 and output display 40 are mounted in panel 46 on the top surface of a housing 48. The postage printer may be contained in a forward section 50 wherein the postage may be imprinted either on envelopes, such as envelope 52 or on tapes (no~ shown) to be aPixed to packages. ~s the p~esent inv~ntion pertains to calculation oE postage for packages, the description Oe the operation of the meter is llmited to calculation of package postage.
The meter includes a scale mechanism 54 on which a package to be mailed can be deposited.
Scale 54 includes a suitable transducer mechanism for converting displacement of the scale tray to an en-coded binary signal which is supplied to the scale inter-face circuits 27 within housing 48. The signals may or may not be contemporaneously displayed on output display The destination zone of a package, if known, may be entered directly into the system through the 0-9 numerical pushbut~ons 56. If the destination zone is ;` 20 not known, the prefix (first three digits) of the `~ destination zip code is entered into the system through the pushbuttons 56. A ZIP-ZONE key 58 initiates conversion of the destination zip code prefix to a destination zone value.
The class of handling of the package (surface ;~
rates, book rates or library rates) is selected by means o~ pushbuttons 60, 62, 64, respectively.~ Once the des-:
tination zone, package weight and class of handling are introduced into the system, the proper amount o postage g_ , :
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While the illustrated embodiment of the invention permits calculation of postage ~or the three specified classes of mail, the invention could easily be extended to performing calculations for other classes such as priority mail or UPS
service.
FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view of panel 46 showing the display 40 and the keyboard 38 in more detail. The keyboard 38 includes the numerical pushbuttons 56 used for entering the amount of postage required (if known), a destination zone or a destination zip code prefix into the system. Pushbuttons 70, 72, 74, 76, 78 and 80 control the display of register contents for batch count, batch amount, piece count, control sum, ascending register and descending register, respectively. When one of these buttons is depressed, a numerical section 82 of display 40 is cleared. The content of the appropriate register are loaded into and appear at numerical display 82 while the appro-priate indicator lamp in a back-lighted legend display area 84 is energized.
The function of the various registers are described briefly below. Batch count and batch amount registers contain a running account of the total numher of pieces of mail processed during a single run and of the total postage expended for this mail. These ob/ ~ - 10 -': .

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registers can be re~e~ to zero by the user, permitting each of several departments in a large organization to easily keep records of their postal activities. A piece count re~ister indicates the total ~umber of postage s printings (pioces Oe mail) th~ machino has performed.
.' The piece count register differs from the batch count r~cJister in that the former is not resettable by the user. Th~ piece count :information is used to deter-mine when the system may require servicing and main-10 tenance and for accounting purposes. The ascending and descending registers serve standard functions.
The ascending register gives a running total o all postage printed during the life of the meter and the descending register informs the user of the amount 15 of postage funds still remaining in the postage system.
The control sum register provides a security check for the descending and ascending registers. The control sum, which must always correspond with the su~med readings of the ascending and descending registers, is the total - 20 amount of postage ever put into the machine.
A +- key 86 allows the user to add special charges to the calculated postage such as special deLivery or certificate charges and the like. A Clear key 88 clears the numeri display 82. If the contents 25 of ona of the batch registers is displayed when~the ~ Clear key is actuated, that register is set to zero.
-~ ~he Set button 66 is depressed after the required postaqe has been calculated and any special charges added through numerical pushbuttons 56. .

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For one type of meter, depressing the set button causes the print wheels in a print drum within the met~r to be set to the desired postago.
A S unlock key 90 mllst be depressed by a user in order to set postaye ~qual to, or in excess of, one dollar.
This extra physical step acts to prevent costly postage printing mistakeq.
The postage meter housing 48 includes a hinged security door or plate 92 having a latch 94. This latch secures th~ door 92 to the housing 48 by means of a wired lead seal 96. Postal authorities are the only ones em-po~ered to open the seal 96. The door 92 protects switches 98 and 100 shown in phantom. Switch 98 enables the com-puterized system to call into operation a routine which provides for the entering of postage funds into the system. Postage funds may be entered into the system by first keying in the amount of postage to be added through the numerical pushbuttons 56. This amount of postage appears on the display and is added to the descending and control sum registers of the postage meter system by ; opening security door 92 and pressing button 98. This button initiates a jump in the postage meter program to the above-mentioned routine. After the routine is executed, the door 9Z i~ again secured by a seal 96.
Switch 100 is provided for removing funds from the de:cending and control sum registers in the event a - ~ ` mistake is adding funds has occurred. The nee~ for adding funds to the system is signaled by an Insufficient Postage indicator lamp 102.

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-A Check Date reminder is provided b~ in~icator 104 each time the postage meter system is turned on.
A Meter Enabled Indicator 106 lights when it is established that ~a) the meter print drum has been set to the proper posta~e; (b~ the postage to be imprinted appears dt thQ numerical display 82; and (c) sufEicient funds are availahle to imprint the posta~e desired.
Indicator lamp 108 signals the operator to call a service man. This indicator is energized for certain types of system errors, e.g., when the control sum is not equal to the sum of the ascending and descending registers.
When such errors are detected, the meter may be automatically disabled to prevent further use. A service man would, of course, be able to restore the meter to its normal operating mode once the error is corrected.
` Indicator 110 signals the operator that the postage to be set is equal to or more than $1.00 and that $
unlock button must be depressed before the set button 66 will function.
An indicator 112 is energized when the contents of the ascending register are displayed in numerical dis- -play 82. An indicator 114 is similarly energized when the contents of the descending register appear on ` numerical display 82.
The batch amount indicator 115 and the batch , ::
counter indicator 116 are energi~ed when the contents of the respecti~e registers are belng displayed. The piece count indicator 118 is enegized when piece count information 13- ~
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is displayed. Similarly, a control sum indicator 120 isenergi~ed when the control sum is displayed on numeric~l display 82.
~ low postage ( ~ $100) indicator 123 informs S an op~rator that th~ Eunds rem~ining in the descending register are currently below ~100. 1'his should alert the operator that he will need to recharge the system with additional postage funds in the near future.
An embodiment of one meter setting mechanism is illustrated in detail in FIGURE 4. The meter is a modified Model 5300 postage meter manufactured by the assignee of ~his invention - Pitney Bowes, Inc., Stamford, Connecticut.
The modified meter includes a print drum 122 and print wheel driving rack 43 from the Model 5300 postage meter.
Mechanical registers and actuator assemblies have been removed. Print wheels (not shown) within print drum 122 of the modified meter are set by a mechanism driven by a ; stepping motor 124 and a pair of soleno.ids 126 and 123.
The stepping motor 124 drives an upper and lower set 43 20 of racks 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d through an upper pair of nested shafts 130a, 130b, and a similar, lower pair of nested shaf~s (not shown~.
The print drum 122 has four print ~heels (not ` shown) which provide a postage impression to a maximum sum of $99.99. Each print wheel provides a separate digit of this sum, a~d is settable from "0" to "S".
Each of the print wheels i~ set by means of one of the four drive racks 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d. The drive racks lide in the directions indicated by arrows ]31 within a drum shaft 57.

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The upper racks 43a, 43b are driven by pinion gears 132a, 132b respectively. The lower racks 43c and 43d are controlled by a simil~r set of pinion gears. The pinion gear 132a is mounted on shaEt 130a. The pinion 132b is mounted on shaft 130b. The pinion ge~rs for the lower racks 43c, 43d are similarly mounted on the lower set o~ nested shafts. These shafts are rotated in -the directions indicated by double-headed arrow 59 by means of spur gears, the upper pair 53a, 53b of which are shown.
A master gear 51 engages each of the spur gears in succession to sequentially set the print wheels for "tens of dollars", "dollars", "tens of cents'' and "units cents" in the meter. The master gear 51 can be shifted laterally (in the directions indicated by double-headed arrow 65) into a meshing relationship with each of the spur gears within a yoke 63 which slides on splined shaft 134. The master gear 51 is mounted in a slot 136 in yoke 63 and can be rotated in either direction by the stepping motor 124 through motor shaft 124a and splined 20 shaft 134. A sleeve bushing 138 separates yoke 63 from the splined shaft 134. The yoke 63 and master gear 51 are guided and supported by an additional smooth shaft 61 which nests within a slot 67 of yoke 63 and prevents rotation of the yoke due to any slight friction between the mating surfaces of the yoke and sleeve bushing 138.
To assure alignment of the teeth of the master gear 51 with the teeth of the several spur gears, a pair of upper and lower ~ooth profiles are formed on the - , ~ .
, ~338~ -adjacent surfaces of the yoke 63. Only the upper profile 140 is shown. As the yoke 63 slides in the direction in-dicated by the double-headed arrow 65, one tooth on each of the spur gea~s is locked into place between the tooth profiles. Each of the gears is free to turn only when the m~ster gear is meshed with it. The tooth profiles also s~rve the additional function of locking the spur gears in place once the meter is sot to prevent anyone from attempting to tamper with the meter by manually altering the print wheel positions from the exterior of the meter.
Lateral movement of the yoke 63 is controlled by a toggle pin 71 seated in a groove 142 of the yoke 63.
,~ - The toggle pin 71 pushes against the yoke 63 when a pivotable link 73 to which it is attached is made to pivot 15 (arro~s 144) about a center shaft 75. Movement of link 73 is controlled by the two solenoids 126 and 1~8 acting through pivot arms 146, 148 and 77, 154 respectively.
The solenoids 126 and 128 pull on their respective pivot arms 146 and 77 through pull rods 150 and 79 which are pinned to the pivot arms by pins 81 and lS2 respectively.
When the pull rod 79 pulls upon arm 77, the arm pivots about a shaft 83. When this occurs, arm 154is caused to be pivoted against the biasing action of a spring 156. This, in turn allo~s a shaft 158 to pull pivot arm 73 forward or in a direction indicated by arrow 89. The forward movement of pivot arm 73 about center shaft 75 causes the ~oggle pin 71 to move rearwardly or in the direction indicated by arrow 91.
, " ' ~' Thcre are four combined solenoid p~ll positions corresponding to the four s~parate mating positions betwPen the master gear 51 and the spur gears: neithcr solenoid energiz~d: both solenoids energized; solenoi~ 126 only s energized and solenoid 128 only energized. ~aster gear 51 is opposite a different one of the ~pur gears for each different combination o~ ~nergized solenoids. When all of the spur gears have been rotated to selected positions of the master gear 51, causing the racks 43 and the print wheels ~not shown) to assume postage value positions, the drum 122 is ready to be rotated ~y shaft 57 in the direc-tion indicated by arrow 97 to actually imprint the postage.
Tha home position of drum 122 is monitored by a slotted disk 156 mounted on shaft 57. When a slot 158 ` 15 on disk 156 moves into an optical detector 99, the print cycle is completed.
All optical detectors in the setting mechanism comprise a light emitting diode (LED) and a phototransistor ` for receiving light emitted by the LED. The latPral position of master gear 51 in yoke 63 is monitored in-- directly by monitoring the pivot positions of pivot arms 146 and 77 rQspectively. Pivot arm 148 has a finger 101 which pivots into and out of a detector 160 when the - solenoid 128 is energized and de-energized.
The home positions of shafts 130a and 130b are monitored by slotted~disks 105a, lOSb, respectively. When a slot in disk 105a is ~ithin an associated optical detector, ; shaft 130a is at zero. Similarly, when a slo~ in disk 105b .; i9 in well 107b, sha~t 52b is at zero. The lower pair of .

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nested shafts are monitored through similar apparatus (not shown).
Rotation of the steppinq motor shaft 124A, is monitorcd through gears 162 and 16~, slotted monitoring wlleel 109 ar)d monitoring well 166. When stepping motor shaft 124a rotates splilled shaft 134 and master ge~r 51, cJear 162 rotates through the same anyular increment.
Gear 162 intermeshes with gear 163 which is attached to the slotted monitorir~g wheel 109, This train of gears causes wheel 109 to turn through the same angles as shaft lZ4a. Every fifth slot 111 on the monitoring wheel 109 is extra long to provide a check on the setting mechanism. Each slot in wheel 109 corresponds to a change of one unit of postage value. The slotted wheel 109 is optically monitored by detector 166. Detector 166 has two photosensors. The first photosensor is located near the periphery of slotted wheel 109 and senses every step of the stepping motor 124. The other photosensor is located near the center of the slotted wheel 109 and senses every fifth step. By counting the number of single step movements and determining whether a count of five exists when slot 111 i5 aligned with detector 116, it can be determined whether all single step movements have been properly sensed.
~5 Referring now to ~IGURE 5, a block diagram of a suitable computer control is shown. The system is m~de up of components generally included in a MCS-4 microcomputer component set which is a product of Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, California. This set of j .

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components includes a central processor unit ~CPU) 10 which is connected to a number of read only memory (ROM) units 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 and to a number of random access memory ~R~M~ units 16, 17, 18 and 19. Random access memory unit 17 is made to op~rate as the non volatil~ memory unit through the use of the battery backup ~Init. As discussed earlier, uni~ 17 is used to store critical accounting data. A ~umber of shift registers (S/R) 20, 21 and 22 are connected into the system through output port 25. In one commercially available device, output port 25 would be physically located on the same chip as random access memory unit 16 but would function independently. Each output port has four binary-value output lines as shown. The read 15 only memories 11, 12 and 13 also are associated with input/output ports ~I/O) 429, 430 and 431 respectively, each of which has a four-bit capacity. Although the input/output ports are physically located on the chips, they are logically independent of the read only memories.
The shift registers 20, 21 and 22 provide port expansion for the postage meter system. In addition shift register 20 provides a multiplexing capability digit selest drivers 436 of numerical display 82 and for a keyboard and meter setting 25 detector matrix 23. Shift registers 21 and 22 are serially connected to provide an extended length register for controlling driver circuits 21a and 22a for indicator ~ lamps 21b and solenoids 22b, respectively. Solenoids : ~ -19-- .
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22b are the meter settin~ solenoids lZ6 and 128 described earlier.
The numerical display 82 is controlled by decoder/
driver 446 which is connected into the s~stem through shift i register 20. One lead of output port 25 provides a blanking control signal to the decoder/driver 946 to elimlnate leading z.eros in the numerical display 82.
Tha inputs from the keyboard detectors matrix 23 are fad to the system through input/output 429.
Postage requests and multiplexing select signals are applied to scale interface circuit 432 from output port 433. The scale signals are applied to the system through input/output port 431.
Stepping motors in the meter setting mechanism are controlled by driver circuits 434 connected to the system through output port 435.
A computer system of the particular type des-cribed employs logic level voltage power supply 438. A
power sense/reset circuit 439 is intèrconnected into the system to detect power failures, When a power failure or unacceptable low voltage is detected by power sense/
reset circuit 439, the system updates the contents of the non-volatile memory 17 as part of a shutdown routine.
A clock 441 serves to corractly phase the :~
i operations of the system. Two non-overlapping clock signals ~1 and 02 are supplied to the system by clock 441.

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- f The CP~ 10 generates a SYNC signal every eight clock periods as shown in the Users Manual for the MCS-4 microcomputer set, copyright 1972, Figure 2 on page 6 thereof. The SYNC signal marks the beginning of each instmction cycle. The ROMs and RA~s ge~erate internal timing usincJ SYNC, 0L and 02. The shiEt registers ~re statia devices and do not employ these clock pulses in their operation.
Referring to FIGURE 6, the overall operation of the system is represented in simplified flow chart form. When power is first applied to the system as ~shown in operation 300, a general reset system pulse initializes the total system. This system reset pulse causes the CPU registers, RAM memories and input/output ports to be cleared and initiates execution of a postage meter program. The print wheels of the mechanism shown in FIGURE 4 are set to zero if they are not zeroed already.
Once the system has been initialized, a scan routine begins. This routine is shown generally as operations 302, 303 and 308. The scan routine searches for a depressed key on keyboard 38 and multiplexes the numerical display 82. When a validly depressed key lS
detected at block 308, the scan routine branches to the appropriate subroutine corresponding to the function ; called for by that particular key. The scan routine retrieves an address of a subroutine called by the key rom storage in a "look up table". The stored address ~ ' ' . .
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is transferrcd to a register in the CPU 10. A subroutine is then executed to provide a ~u~p to the address stored in the register. After a particular key is serviced as indicated at 310, the scan routine is reentered to look S for new inputs erom the keyboard 38.
~ lring the co~rso o~ a scan routine, the power status of the system is periodically checked as indicated at 303 In case of a power failure, the posta~e meter system must be able to complete any current operations including the loading of critical accounting data into non-volatile random access memory unit 17. When the current operations have been completed, the system enters a trap at block 306. The program cannot reenter the scan routine except by the in.itiation of a complete "power-up" sequence.
The system described with reference to FIGURES 1, 5 and 6 utilizes a number of programs which, together with explanatory appendiums are printed as an Appendix to this specification. The programs in-clude a number of routines and subroutines which aredescribed briefly below.
A SCAN routine, described as part of FIGURE
6, multiplexes the display and searches for keyboard inputs. The SCAN routine is entered upon completion of an INITIALIZATION routine which clears the CPU registers, RA~ registers, and I/O ports. The SCAN routine periodically calls up a FCTN subroutine when a depressed key is sensed. The FCTN subroutine services the key;

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i.e., perform~ the function requested by the key. Periodic checks of the power condition of the system are made and a DOWN suhroutine entered if operations must be wound up.
Th~ initialization procedure includ~s a C~{CK routine used to detect ~hether the ascending register plus the descending register minus the control sum eq~lals zero. If not, the CHCK routine energi~es "call service" indicator 108 alld disables the meter~
A number of subroutines are used to control the operation of the meter setting mechanism. A HOME
subroutine is employed to set the four print wheels of the meter to their home or zero position. The photocells used to monitor the home position are read in the course - of a ZEROB subroutine called up when the print wheels are being set to ~ero. A STPB subroutine, which selects the print wheel to be set, is included as part of a meter MAIN
; routine. Another included subroutine is a S~EP routine used to change the setting of a selected print wheel by one unit. The solenoids which control the lateral position of the yoke for the master gear are under the control of the STP~ subroutine.
; There are, of course, a number of "housekeeping"
subroutines. The CLEAR subroutine is multifunction in that it (1) clears the display, (2) recalls the contents of ~n addition register into the display, (3~ clears the addition register of the second successive clear, and (4) clears both the batch count ar.d batch amount registexs if the contents of either are displayed when the subroutine is called. An ADDD subroutine is used to increment or .
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decrement a selected meter register. A PLUS subroutine adds the contents of the display to the addition register and stores the result in both the addition register and the display recJister. A CLDSP subroutine writes "0's" into the display while a CI,F:ER subroutine writes "0's" into an area ,' specifiecl by a preset index register. A FETC~I subroutine initializes an index register to specify the metex register being called into operation.
The programs also include a CM*AR subroutine for comparing the contents of a meter setting register against the contents of the descending register to determine if sufficient funds are available for the proposed printing of postage. An UNLOCK subroutine sets a $ UNLOCK flag to enable the printer if the - 15 requested postage exceeds one dollar. The POST subroutine updates meter registers each time postage is printed while an ENBLE subroutine determines whether the printer may be eslabled for a subsequent imprint for the same amount.
In the display routine, a LDLMP subrcutine transfers data ~n an indicator register to a shift register which drives the selected lamp display. An ~, OUTPT subroutine is employed to enter a parallel- - -presented 4 bit word into a display register in serial fashion. ~`
The su~routine employed in adding funds to the meter is identified as the ADP subroutine while SUBP sub- ^~
routine is employed for substracting funds from the meter.
As indicated earlier, a user may enter a des-tination zone for a package to be mailed directly through ' ` ' ,~v ..... . .

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numerical keys 56 or, in the alternative, may enter a destination zip code prefix throuqh keyboard S6. If the zip code pr~fix is entered, tha user depresses the Zip-%one key 58 to initiate a zip-to-zone conversion.
The zip-to-zone conversion utilizes a AZIP
approach. When a meter is installed at a specific location, conversion tables are generated with reference to the Postal Service Official Zone Chart for that location. A small portion of the Official Zone Chart for use by mailers having originating Zip Codes 06801-06999; i.e., the Stamford-Danbury area of Connectic-~t, is reproduced in Table I below. This information was taken from Zone Chart No. 068-069 issued by the U.S.
Post Office in May, 1969.

TAaLB I

Zip Code Prefixes 2One .
006 - 009...................... ..7 010 - 018.. ,................... ..2 019........ ~................... ..3 -020 - 025..,...,.,, .,...,,2 026............................ ..3 027 - 031.,.. ,...... ,....... ,.2 032 - 033......... ,.,....... ..3 034................... ...... ..2 035.......... ,.............. .~3 036.......... ,.... .,,....... ..2 037 - 043.... ................ 3 :' ~ : . : ' ` -3~

To establish the ~ZIP values employed in the conversion process, the zip code prefixes in the Official Zone Chart ~re isolated into groups of consecutively-numbered zip code pre~ixes falling within the same zone.
ReferrincJ to Table II below, the zip code prefixes 006-nos are consecutively-numbered pre~ixes which Eall within zone 7. These preEixes comprise the first group of valid codes. Zip code prefixes 000-005 are as yet, unassigned by the Postal Service. For purposes of this invention, these prefixes are grouped together and assigned a Zone "F"
to indicate no valid zip code exists. Zip code prefixes 010-018 are also consecutively-numbered but are within zone 2. The change in Zone numbers requires that these prefixes be grouped separately into another group.
The QZIP values represent the difference between the numerical value of the highest zip code prefix in one group and the highest zip code prefix in the preceding group; i.e., the number of consecutive zip code prefixes in a group. By way of example, the highest zip code prefix in group 11 of Table 11 is 043 while the highest zip code prefix for the preceding group, group 10 is Q36. The difference between 043 and 036 provides a ~ZIP value of seven for group No. 11. QZIP value and -associated zone values are stored in memory in the same sequence in which they appear in Table II and the necessary continua~ion of Table II for the remainder o~ the Official Zone Chart.

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TABLE II

Zip Code Prefixes _one Gro~ No, ~ZIP

,' 5 006 - 009 7 010 - 01~ 2 2 036 2 ` 10 037 ~ 043 3 11 7 Referring to FIGURES 3 and 7, the zip-zone conversion routine is called by depressing Zip~Zone key 5a in key-board 38. The first step in the routine is to determine whether a valid ~ip code prefix has been enetered fro~
the keyboard. The validity checks consists of deter-mining that the entered prefix has ~ 3 digits and was entered through the keyboard. I~ the entry did not originate at the keyboard, th~ system is directed to an error routine 172 in which an error sign is loaded into -the display. The error routine then returns the system to the normal scan routine, I~ a keyboard entry is confirmed, ~ -:

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a check is made at block 174 as to whether the entered prefix contained more than three digits. If more than three digits were entered, the system enters the error routine 17~.
If only t:hree digits were entered into the ,' keyboard, the address of the Group 0 of the L~ZIP locations i5 loaded into CPIJ 10 at operation 176. CPU 10 retrieves the L\ZIP valùe; i.e., a value of 6 for Group 1. The entered zip code is decremented by the ~ZIP quantity in operation 17B, and the result checked in operation 180 to determine whether the decremented result is less than zero. If the result is greater than or equal to zero, ~ the Group address is incremented and the processes iterated.
!` The result of operation 178 is iteratively decremented by 15 ~ZIP values in consecutively numbered groups until operation .
180 shows that the result is less than ~ero. The zone -value stored at the address of the las~ utilized ~ZIP Group ;~
is retrieved and transferred to the display. ;

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TABLE III is a tabular summary of a zip-to-zone conversion which occurs when a 029 2ip code prefix, selected arbitrarily, is entered into the keyboard. This zip code prefix is decremented in operation 178 by the ~ZIP values associated with consecutively-numbered groups. For Groups 0-5, the result of operation 178 is greater than zero.
When the ~ZIP stored at the Group 6 address is used to further decrement the zip value resulting from the previous iteration, however, the result is a negative value. The system responds to this negative value by ` retrieving the zone value stored at the Group 6 address.
The zip-to-zone conversion subroutine is used in conjunction with a postage calculation routine shcwn in flow chart form in ~IGURE 8. The routine automatically calculates the postage required to mail a package at sur-face parcel post rates~ The routine requires that a user enter either the destination zip code or the destination æone and utilizes weight-representing signals generated by scale 54.
~he first operation 315 in the routine is to initialize the registers used for working storage. The scale input is read in operation 316. In one embodiment of the invention, the scale input is read in one pound increments. Package weights falling between pound increments are read as the next higher pound lncrement.
For example, the scale reading for a 5.4 lb. package would be 6 lbs.
A series of error checks are made following the reading of the scale input. A weight check 317 determines ., ~ ~30-:, ., ,; .

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whether the scale reads 0, indicating an error s~lch as a disconn~cted or malfunctioning scale. Subsequcntly, a weight check 318 is made to determine whether the scale reading exceeds 70 lbs. A scale reading in excess o~
70 lbs. may indicate a scale malfunction where the scale upper measuring limit is 70 lbs. In any event, a scale reading in excess of 70 lbs. indicates that the package cannot be mailed at parcel post rates under current postal service regulations. Finally, a chec~ 319 is made as to whether the zone value is less than or equal to 8. Since there are only B ~ones in use according to current postal regulations, a zone reading of 9 or above must be an error.
If the weight signal and the zone signal are ~alid, the "cents" and "tens of cents" digits of a base postage for the selected zone are retrieved from storage in operation 320. A further check 321 is made as to whether the zone signal is less than or equal to 3. If ; the selected zone is in the 4-8 range, the base postage is eyual to $1 plus the retrieved digits. If the selected~
zone is in the Local-3 range, the base postage is equal to the retrieved digits only. This arrangement conserves data storage space in a preferred embodiment of the ; invention since the B bit registers which are used can store 2 digits in binary-coded decimal format. The use ~--of extra registers for storing the dollar digits is avoided by the described arrangement.
The surface parcel post rates for each of the ' .

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eight different zones increases from the base postage for the zone either by uniform incremental amounts or by different alternating incremental amounts~ For example, in zone 1-2, seven cents is added to the postaqe for each additional pound in weight above 2 lbs.
while in ~one 3, the postage increases either by ~ cents or by 9 cents for each additional pound over 2 lbs.
Table IV below shows the pattern of increments for each of the eight different zones, zone 1-2, being considered a single zone. The patterns continue through-out the entire weight range. The Table defines the current base postage for each of the zones, an increment A for each of the zones and an alternating increment B
for each of the zones.

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When the base postage, increment A and increment ~ for the selected zone have been retrieved, a weight which is other than an exact pound is a~justed downwardly to the next lower unit pound in operation 322. The postal service regulations provide that a minimum or base surface pa~cel post rate applies to any parcel weighincJ 1-2 lbsA
~s will b~ made clearer later, adjusting the weight-representing signal downwardly to the next lower unit ~ -pound assures that the proper number of incrementing operations are performed during a calculation. After the weight is adjusted, a weight check 323 is made to determine whether the weight-representing signal equals 0.
An affirmative answer at this point indicates the package - weighs exactly 1 lb. The retrieved base postage would be 1 15 loaded into the display and control of the meter would be returnèd to a main program.
If the weight check 323 indicates the weight is not equal to 0, the weight-representing signal is decremented by a pound and another weight check 324 performed. If the second weight check shows the once-decremented signal is equal to 0, indicating the package weighed between 1 and 2 lbs., the base postage amount is loaded into the display and ; control returned to the main program. If the seccnd weight check indicates the decremented weight signal is not equal to 0, the postage is incremented in operation 325 by the amount of increment A for the particular zone and the weight-representing signal is again decremented. A
third weiqht check 326 is then performed. An affirmative `

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answer to the weight check 326 causes the incremented postal amount to be loaded into the display. A negative answer calls for the postage amount to be incremented by the amount of increment ~ for the zone. When increment has been added to S the postage, the weight-representing signal is again decre-mented and a fourth weight check 327 is performed. If the fourth weight check indicates the decremented weight is not equal to 0, the routine loops back to incrementing operation 325.
The increment postage/decrement weight process is reiterated until one of the weight checks 326 or 327 inclicates the weight-representing signal has been decremented to 0. When this occurs, the incremented postage is loaded into the display and control returned to a main program.
An example of the calculations performed is set out in Table V wherein it is assumed that a package weighing 5.5 lbs. is to be mailed to zone 6 at surface parcel post rat~s.

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It would be possible to perform the postage calcl~lations using a postage lookup table storing the proper or postage for each package weight in the 1-70 lb. welqht range For each of the ~ones. The arrangement just described clearly requires much less memory capa-bility.
The same decrement weight/increment postage concept is used to calculate postage for parcels being mailed at library rates. FIG~RE 9 is the flow chart for the calculation of library rate postage. The first four steps for the library rate routine are identical to the corresponding steps of the parcel post rate routine.
That is, registers are initialized, the scale input is read and weight checks are performed to determine whether the lS scale reading is either equal to 0 or greater than 70.
If the scale input is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 70, the base postage and postage increments for the library rate class of handling are retrieved in operation 328. Currently, the library rates are 8 cents for the first pound of a parcel plus 4 cents Eor each additional pound.
Thus, the base postage would be 8 cents and the increment

4 cents. The weight-representing signal is decremented by 1 lb. in operation 329 and a weight check 330 performed to determine whether the weight equals 0. If the decremented weight-representing signal equals 0, the postage is loaded into the display and control of the meter return to the main program. If ~he signal is not equal to zero, the postage is incremented and the routine is re-entered at , , .: , . .
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operation 329. The process is iteratively performed until the weiyht check 330 reveals the weight-representincJ signal ha~ been decremented to 0.
The routine Eor calculating book r~te postage amounts uses the same decrement weight/increment postage conc~pt as the routines just descri~ed. The details of the book rate calculation routine differ because of the difference in current postal service rate structures.
Postal service regulations establish current book rate postage at 21 cents for the first pound of a parcel plus 9 cents for each additional pound up to 7 lbs.
The postage increases by 8 cents for each pound above 7 lbs.
Referring to FIGU~E lO for a flow cha.~t of the routine far calculating book rate postage, the first four steps of the routine are the same as the corresponding : steps for the parcel post calculation routine and the library rate calculation routine. ~hat is, registers are initialized, the scale input is read, and weight checks are performed to determine whether the weight~representing slgnal either equals 0 or is greater than 70. Assuming the weight checks are satisf~ed, a further weight check 331 is made to determine whether the weight of the parcel is `~ more than 7 lbs. If the parcel weighs 7 lbs. or less, the ~:
base amount of 21 cents and an .incremental a~nount of 9 cents per lb. ~at current rates) is retrieved. The weight-repre-senting signal is decremented by l lb. in operation 332 and another weight check 333 performed to determine whether the decremented signal equal 0. If not, the base amo~n~ is ' ' , - ;
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incremented and the routine re-entered at operation 332.
The process iterations continue until the weight che~k 333 indic~tes the weight-representin~ signal does equal 0.
If the weight check 331 indicates the package weighs more th~n 7 lbs., the scale input signal is re-defined in operation 334 by decrementing it by 7 lbs.
a psuedobase and rate is established in operation 335. The psuedo base amount is actually the amount of postage required for a 7 lh. package while the incremental rate is the 8 cent increment required for parcels weighing more than 7 lbs.
Thus, according to this subroutine, a 10 lb. parcel would be redefined as a 3 lb. parcel having a base postage of 75 cents. The decrement weight/increment postage iterative routine would decrement the 3 lb. signal while incrementing the 75 cent base postage by 8 cents for each of the remaining 3 lbs.
When the proper value has been calculated and any special charges added by the user through numerical key-board 56t depressing the set button and the unlock but~on, if necessary, causes the system to initiate setting of the meter. In very general terms, the master gear 51 is shifted a print wheel bank at a time by selec*ive energization of solenoids 126 and 128. The rotation of master gear Sl in each of the print wheel bank positions is controlled as a function of the set postage. Motor control signals are p-ovided through ou~put port 435.
While a postal calculator embodying the present invention has been described in the context of a special ... . . .

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puxpose computer system, such a calculator can be implemented in th~ ~orm of discrete or hard-wired logic circuits.
FIGURE 11 is a block diagram of such an implementation and includes a keyboard 500 for entering postage directly, for S ~ntering destination ~ip code prefixes or destination zones ,~ and for selecting the mailing class to be utilized. A
class selection lockout circuit 502 accepts the keyboard input and provides an energizing output to one of three circuits; a surface rate data circuit 504, a library rate data circuit 506 and a book rate data circuit 508. Class selection lockout circuit 502 simultaneously inhibits inputs representing the other two classes of handling. A
destination zip code prefix entered through keyboard 500 is applied directly to surface rate data circuit 504 which determines the proper zone value and accesses data storage elements containing the minimum postage and the postage increments for that zone. The minimum postage and postaqe increments for the selected class of handling and zone ~for surface rate class) are inputted to a postage calculation circuit 510 which also accepts a weight-representing signal generated in the scale mechanism 512, provided the input weight falls within the proper limits as determined by an interposed weiqht limit check circuit 154. If the weight is outside the appropriate limits, an error signal is generated.
The class seiection lockout circuit is shown in PIGURE 12. The lockout circuit includes inputs fxom the surface rate select key 516, a library rate select .

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key 518, and a book rate select key 520, each o~ which ~enerates a positive going pulse when depressed. The o~tputs of thc keys 516, 518 and 520 are applied to trigger inputs of con~entional J-K flip flops 522, 524, S26, res-pectively. ~he J input terminal for each flip flop is provided by a dual-input AND gate having its inputs connected to the Q output of the other two flip flops.
The K input terminal for each flip flop is also provided from the dual-input AND gate having its inputs provided by the Q output terminals of the other two flip flops. As an example, AND gate 528 connected to the J input terminal of flip flop 522 has its first input from the Q output terminal of flip flop 524 and its second input from the Q output ; terminal of flip flop 526. An AND gate 530 connected to the K input terminal of flip flop 522 has one input from the Q output terminal of flip flop 524 and another input from the Q output terminal of flip flop 5~6.
When the system is initialized prior to use, each o~ the flip flops 522, 524, 526 i9 driven to a rese~
state by a clear pulse applied to a clear input terminal ~; (not shown). In the reset state, the Q output for each flip flop is at a binary 1 level while the Q output is at a binary zero level. In this initializea condition, the J input terminal for each flip flop carries a binasy 1 signal and the K input terminal carries a binary 0 signal.
Whcn one o~ the keys 516, 518. 520 is depressed, the flip flop connected to that key is driven to a set state wherein its Q output rises to a binary 1 while its Q output falls to a binary zero.

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For purposes of illustration, assume key 516 has been depressed to select the surface rates class. At the trailir.g edge o~ a pulse gene~lted by depression of the k~y, Clip flop 522 is driven to the set state. A binary zero signal on the Q output terminal is applied to the AND gdtes at the J input terminals of the other two flip flops 524 and 526. The AND gates providc binary zero signals to the J and K input terminals of the flip Elops 524 and 526 to inhibit any change in state of those flip flops if either the library rate select key 518 or the book rate select key 520 is subsequently depressed. A binary 1 signal on the Q output terminal of flip flop 522 initializes and energizes a zip to zone conversion circuit shown in block diagram form in FIGURE 13.
The zip to ~OnR conversion circuit includes the Xeyboard 500. In one embodiment of the invention, a five bit word representing a 0-3 numher is entered in parallel into the system. Four of the bits identify the numeral.
The fifth bit, a fixed binary one, is used for signal shifting and error checking purposes.
When any numerical key on keyboard 500 is depressed, a five bit word is a~pplied in parallel to an OR gate 532 and to a delay circuit 534. The OR gate 532 always responds to an entry regardless of the numerical value since each word contains at least one binary 1 in the fifth or control position. OR gate 532 transmits a pulse to a pulse generator 536. Pulse genera~or circuit ' .

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f,~ , 536 provides a shaped pulse suitable for controlling the shifting ofparallel data through serially connected shift registers 538, 540, 542, 544. A delay circuit 534 trans-fers each S bit word into the first of these registers 53B shortly after the shift pulse occurs. Upon entry of subsequent words, the pulse generated by pulse generator 536 causes the words to be propagated through successi~e registers.
A validly-entered zip code prefix includes only three numerical digits. Therefore, iE register 544 contains any fourth numerical digit, including a ~ero, at least one binary 1 signal will be stored in register 544 since the fifth bit of each word is always a binary 1. A binary 1 output from OR gate 546 is construed as an error signal.
To determine whether at least three digits have been entered into the system, the control bit position in each of the shift registers 538, 540, 542 is connected to one input of a quad input AND gate 548. The fourth input to AND gate 548 is provided by a zip-~one conversion key on keyboard 500. If the necessary three digits have been entered into the registers when the zip-zone conversion key is depressed, all inputs to AND gate 548 will be at binary 1 levels, producing a binary 1 signal on the output ~ ~-of that AND gate. The output of AND gate 548 is the control input for a high impedance logic buffer circuit 550 such a a DM 7094/DM8094 T~I-STATE quad buffer available from National Semiconductor Corporation. With a binary 1 on its coptrol lnput, buffer circuit 550 transmits the contents of the .

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registers 538, 540, 542 to an unassigned ~ip code detector circuit 552 and to the inputs oE a second logic buffer circuit 558. Since the fifth bit of each input word is no longer needed ~nd since the buffer circuits 550 and 558 ~rQ made up of parallel-connected quad input devices the necessary number of devices/buffer circuit is held at three by only using the four numeral-identifying inputs of each word. Unassigned zip code detector 552 may comprise a BCD to decimal converter for applying decimal represen-tations of the digits of the zip code prefix to a numberof AND gates each having normal and inverted inputs which allow the AND gate output to rise to a binary 1 level when a signal pattern for an unassigned zip code is detected at its inputs. If the output of any ~ND gate in the unassigned zip code detector 552 goes to a binary 1 level, indicating the entered zip code is not in use, an error signal is generated.
; Assuming the zip code prefix is a valid one, the output of the unassigned zip code detector circuit 552 remains at a binary 0 level. This binary zero signal is inverted by an inverter 556 to provide a signal-passing binary 1 control input to the second logic buffer circuit ~ 558. Logic bufer 558 transmits the information to an -~ OR gate 560 and to an input register 554. The OR gate 25 560 initiates operation of a counter/decoder circuit 562 which provides sequential decimal-coded outputs to AZIP
registers 564 containing ~ZIP values isola~ed into groups, defined earlier. The ~ZIP values are transferred .~ , .

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sequentially into an arithmetic unit 566 which has the second input from the input register 554. The function of ~rithmetic unit 566 is to decrement the contents of register 554 by the ~ZIP value currently applied to the arithmetic unit 566. This decrelnented signal is applied to an output re~ister 568 from which it is fed back to the input reqister 554 for use in the next iteration.
The output register 568 also provides an input to a result check circuit 570 which operates to determine when the contents of register 568 have become less than or equal to zero.
If the result check shows ~hat the decremented signal in register 568 has become less than or equal to æero, a binary 1 signal is applied to one input of each of a number of dual input AND gates in an array 572. A
second input to each AND gate is energiz`ed by the output of counter/decoder 562 only at a particular decimal count. When an AND gate in the array 572 is energized, that AND gate causes the contents of an associated zone value register to be shifted out for further use in the postal calculations. The same count from counter/decoder circuit 562 which transfers the final ~ZIP value into the arithmetic unit 566 is used to establish access to the ~one register. Therefore, the last ~ZIP value retrieved and the zone value might be considered to have the same storage address notwithstanding they are stored in separate registers.
The zip to zone conversion process described : ' ' ''-.

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above involves decremcnti~gof a zip ocde related signal.
It is possible, as an alternative mode of computation, to provide the same ~ip to zone conversion through the use of an incrementinq process wherein iteratively S accumulated ~ZIP va.lues are checked against the originally entered zip code prefix. Referring to FIGURE 14, the destination zlp code prefix transmitted by logic buffer circuit 558 is stored in a register 574 providing one input to a digital comparator circuit 576. ~ZIP values retrieved from the ~ZIP registers 564 are totalled in an accumulator circuit 578 providing a second input to the digital comparator circuit 576. The digital comparator circuit 576 continually compares the contents of prefix register 574 and accumulator .~ .
circuit 57B until it is determined that the contents of circuit 578 are equal to or greater than the contents of ;: register 574. Comparator circuit 576 provides the control input to AND gate array 572, which accesses the contents of the zone registers 573.
~eferring to FIGURE 15, the postage calculator circuitry has inputs rom a scale mechanism 582, from the zip to zone conversion circuit as represented by surface rates select block 584, from a library rates select block 586 and from a book rates select block 588.
The outpu-ts of blocks 586 and 588 are the outputs of flip flops 524 and 526, respectively, in the class selection - loakout circuit 502 of FIGURE 11. The output of scale : mechanism 582 is applied to weight checking logic gates 590, 592, 594, 596 and 598. To simplify the drawings, ~- -46-- ' , , ~' ~ . ' ' ~ . .
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the decimal value for the binary inputs to each of these gates is shown. NOR gate 590 produces a binary 1 signal ifan~ only if the weight of the package is less than 1 lb.
AND qate 594 produces a binary 1 output if and only if the weight of the package is greater than 70 lbs;
specifically, 72, 80 or 96 lbs. AND gate 598 produces a binary 1 output signal if and only if tne weight of the packa~e is 70+ lbs. OR gate 600 provides an error signal if either of the AND gates 594, 598 is enabled.
This error signal indicates that the package weight is greater than 70 lbs.
Assuming the weight checks indicate the package weight is within the range of 1 to 70 lbs., the 6 bit binary-coded weight-representing signal is employed in addressing programmable read only memories 614, 616 and 618. Programmable read only memory 614 is also addressed by the 3 bit binary coded zone signal. The binary signals representing a particular weight and a particular zone are used as; address signals to select a unique memory location within programmable read only memory 614 for each zone-weight combination. The postage amount corresponding to the zone-weight combination is stored in that location.
Using 16 bit words allows postage values ranging from $00.00 to S99.99 to be stored in each location in binary- ,~
coded decimal format. The postage value stored in a location addressed by the weight-zone signal is retrieved, provided the surface rate select block 584 has enabled programmable read only memory 614. A retrieved value is outputed to an output register 620.

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The same 6 bit weight-represcnting signal is applied to programmable read only memories 616 and 618 which are enabled when library rates and book rates, respectively, have becn selected. In each of these memories, the weiyht siynal is used to retrieve a postaye amount from a lacation uniquely related to the weiyht.
While there have been described what are considered to be preferred embodiments of the invention, variations and modifications therein will occur to those skilled in the art once they become familiar with the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims shall be construed to include all such variations and modifications as fall within the true spiri-t and lS scope of the invention.

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Claims (4)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A postal conversion apparatus for converting a first postal designation to a second postal designation, said second postal designation being a function of said first postal designation, the postal conversion apparatus comprising:
a) storage means containing incremental first postal designation data relating to first postal designation information and second postal designation data being stored in a predetermined storage sequence in relation to said incremental first postal designation data;
b) means for entering first postal designation information for accessing said incremental first postal designation data of said storage means;
c) means for retrieving said incremental first postal designation data from said storage means in successive increments in response to a first postal designation information input;
d) determination means responsive to incrementally retrieve data for determining whether an accumulation of the incrementally retrieved data equals or exceeds a numerical value relating to at least a portion of said first postal designation information; and e) means responsive to an output from said determination means for retrieving a second postal designation from said storage means that relates to said accumulation of the first postal designation data increments.

2. The postal conversion apparatus of claim 1, wherein said retrieving means performs a decrementing function whereby successive increments of postal data are subtracted from an initial value.

3. The postal conversion apparatus of claim 2, wherein said retrieving means performs an incrementing function whereby successive increments of postal data are added to an initial value.

4. The postal conversion apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first postal designation information represents at least a portion of a zip code, said incremental first postal designation data represents .DELTA. zip values, and the second postal designation data represents a zone value.