CA1283979C - Microcomputerized automatic post counter - Google Patents
Microcomputerized automatic post counterInfo
- Publication number
- CA1283979C CA1283979C CA000520276A CA520276A CA1283979C CA 1283979 C CA1283979 C CA 1283979C CA 000520276 A CA000520276 A CA 000520276A CA 520276 A CA520276 A CA 520276A CA 1283979 C CA1283979 C CA 1283979C
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- postage
- weighing
- item
- conveying
- 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 - Lifetime
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Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE:
A computerized handling device automatically processes mail items. The device includes a housing, a coin identifying and changing device, and a microcomputer controller, and has an inlet for mail items. Also included are mechanism for causing the return of a mail item to a user, for conveying a mail item to a weighing station, to enable a user to select a desired mail classification, for calculating the appropriate postage for a mail item, for indicating to a user the weight of and postage due on a mail item, for receiving payment from a user, for verifying said payment against the postage due on a mail item, for automatic stamping a postage marking on the mail item at a postage marking station and for sorting mail items in accordance with their classification. The device is constructed so that varied weight and classifications of mail items can be processed through an interactive action with the user.
A computerized handling device automatically processes mail items. The device includes a housing, a coin identifying and changing device, and a microcomputer controller, and has an inlet for mail items. Also included are mechanism for causing the return of a mail item to a user, for conveying a mail item to a weighing station, to enable a user to select a desired mail classification, for calculating the appropriate postage for a mail item, for indicating to a user the weight of and postage due on a mail item, for receiving payment from a user, for verifying said payment against the postage due on a mail item, for automatic stamping a postage marking on the mail item at a postage marking station and for sorting mail items in accordance with their classification. The device is constructed so that varied weight and classifications of mail items can be processed through an interactive action with the user.
Description
Traditionally, for sending mail items, it is necessary either to buy postage stamps to stick on the mail items or to arrange for the mail to be weighed by service personnel in the post oEfice and then buy the exact amount of postage stamps (or postage labels) to stick on the mail items before mailing them. Both methods have disadvantages.
for example, with the first method, mail can be sent with insufficient postage, and it is necessary to purchase postage stamps and physically stick them onto mail items.
In the second case, much on the sender's time tends to be wasted.
After collecting mail items from mail boxes, mailmen are re~uired to handle sophisticated jobs such as picking out ouverweight mail items, stamp cancellation and sorting etc. These jobs are often performed manually.
A known self-service post counter accepts coins and franked mail automatically without the need to stick on postage stamps. However, existing self-service post counters are unable to calculate postage and are only suitable for regular and express mail. Recently, it has - been proposed to connect an electronic weigher and a postage marking machine having a microcomputer to a self-service post counter. Although the resulting machine provides the functions of weighing, calculating postage, and recording, it is still necessary for date-setting to be done by hand and the whole system must be operated by manual labour.
Furthermore, it is not possible to simplify the mail procedure. Thus, the disadvantages of wasted time and labour and the possibility of human error still exist.
The present inventor has carried out research and has developed a virtually automatic post counter to match the developing trend of computerization.
According to the present invention, there is provided an automatic mail item handling device comprising:
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a housing and a microcomputer controller mounted in said housing, said housing having an inlet for a mail item;
mail item weighing means operatively connected to said microcomputer controller in which weighing surface of said weighing means is completely separated from other mechanism during weighi.ng operation;
means for conveying the mail item from said inlet to the weighing means, said conveying means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller;
means for returning the mail item to a user, said returning means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller;
means to enable the user to select a desired mail classification;
means for calculating appropriate postage for the mail item in dependence upon weight and mail classification thereof, said calculating means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller;
indicating means for indicating to the user the weight of and postage due for the mail item, said indicating means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller;
means for receiving a payment token from the user;
means for verifying said payment token against the postage due for the mail item;
means for marking postage and date, said marking means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller and located adjacent to said conveying means and weighing means such that mail item exiting from said conveying means and weighing means enter said marking means to be marked with the postage and date instructed by said microcomputer controller;
means for conveying the mail item from said weighing means to said marking means;
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means for sorting mail items in accordance with said mail classifica-tion, said sorting means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller and disposed adjacent said marking means to deliver the mail items into mail containers corresponding to said mail classification.
According to the present invention, there is also provided an automatie mail handling device compri.sing a housing, said housing containing a mail inlet/outlet opening and electronic indicating means;
a microprocessor controller mounted in said housing;
an automatic mail conveying mechanism and mail weighing meehanism, said mail weighing mechanism ineluding means for isolating said mail item from said conveying meehanism when said mail item is to be weighed, operatively eonneeted to said mieroproeessor eontroller and loeated adjacent to said : opening sueh that mail inserted into said opening enters into said eonveying and weighing meehanism;
an automatie postage and date marking mechanism, operatively eonneeted to said .mieroproeessor eontroller and loeated adjaeent to said eonveying and weighing meehanism sueh that mail exiting from said eonveying and weighing meehanism enters said postage and date marking meehanism;
a mail elassifieation seleeting means enabling a user to seleet a desired mail elassifieation;
a mail sorting meehanism, operatively eonneeted to said mieroproeessor eontroller and loeated adjaeent to said : postage and date marking mechanism such that mail exiting from said postage and date marking mechanism enters said sorting mechanism;
a ealeulating means, operatively eonneeted to said mieroproeessor eontroller to ealeulate appropriate postage ~ and date aeeording to weight, elassifieation and sending : date of the mail item;
~ a plurality of mail receiving containers, adjacent to -- .
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a coin acceptance slot connected to coin counting means and a coin return means connected to a coin changing means, said counting means and said changing means operatively connected to said microprocessor controller;
a comparing means, operatively connected to said microprocessor controller to determine if the value of deposited payment is greater than or equal to the computed postage such that;
when an item of mail is inserted in said inlet/outlet, said microprocessor activates said transmission and weighing mechanism, said item of mail is weighed, postage is computed by said calculating means and said electronic indicating means is activated by said microprocessor to display the value of the postage; ..
when coins are then deposited in said coin slot the value of said coins is computed and if said comparing means determines that said value is greater than or equal to said postage computed, said transmission mechanism is activated by said microprocessor and said item of mail is transmitted to said postage and date marking mechanism, said . .
microprocessor sending postage information to said postage and date marking mechanism and activating said postage and date marking mechanism to mark, said item of mail with the postage, and date simultaneously;
said microprocessor then activating said postage and date marking mechanism to transmit said item of mail to said sorting mechanism and activating said sorting mechanism to direct the item of mail to one of said containers.
. A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which like numerals designate similar parts and in which:
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an automatic mail : - 4 -~ t~ 5 ' ': . , ,' , ' ' ' ' :' :
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items handling device according to a preferred embodiment of this invention;
Figure 2 is a right side view of the internal construction in an automa-tic mail items handling device according to a preferred embodiment of this invention;
Figure 3 is a left side view of the internal construction in an automatic mail items handling device aceording to a preferred embodiment of this invention;
F'igure 4 is a partly exploded view of conveying mechanisms of an automatic mail items handling device according to a preferred embodiment of this invention;
Figure 5 is an automatic postage marking machine of the device of Figure l;
Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the whole system of an automatic mail items handling device according to a preferred embodiment of this invention;
Figure 7 is an operation flow chart of an automatic mail items handling device according to a preferred embodiment of this invention; and Figure 8 is an operation flow chart of an automatic mail items handling deviee using a magnetie eard instead of eoins.
Referring now to Figure 1, a deviee according to the invention includes a housing containing a front door, a rear door, a right side upper door, and a right side lower door. The interior of said housing is partitioned into chambers which are available for use by post office ~- personnel and maintenance personnel. A face panel 11 is ;~ provided with a mail inlet/outlet 111, a slot 18, a refund button 181, mail classifieation select buttons 115-119, a mail return button 110, indieator lights 101-104, and signal means 112-11~ to be operated by the user.
An instruetion plate 13 is preferably loeated at - the right middle portion of the front door and a coin return , ''~ .
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~X839`-~9 slot 12 i5 preferably located at the left side on the middle part of the front door for giving change and refunds. A
mail receiving time table 15 is preferably located beneath middle portion of the front door. Four movable wheels 16 are preferably mounted at the bottom of said housing and two of them located in the front are preferably provided with a braking device for resisting movement. An automatic on/off device 17 is located at the bottom of said housing, and controls a fluorescent lamp 21, shown in Figure 2, so that said automatic mail items handling device is able to be operated all day long.
Referring to Figure 4, a conveying mechanism 24 for letters includes a driving motor 242 which is a main driver for said conveying mechanism and is arranged to cause rotation of drive rollers 243 through pulleys 2412 and belt 2413. A driven roller 2411 rotates with said drive roller 243 by friction to move letters forward or backward. Said belt 2413 can be adjusted to be tight or loose by belt tensioning arm 2414. Said drive roller 2411 can be adjusted upward or downward automatically to adapt to the thickness of mail items. Three photo sensors 241, 247, 248 are pro~ided to detect the arrival, dropping, location and weighing respectively of letters. Two solenoids 246 are provided to control the upward and the downward movements of a swing plate 249 with a four bar linkage so as to position mail items on a weighing surface 245 for obtaining their exact weight. Said weighing surface 245 is also used as a support surface for item and assists in their rapid movement. The lower part of said mechanism is provided with an electronic weighing machine 19, in which a load cell is used as a weight sensor. The weighing range for said weighing machine 19 is flexible and its accuracy is up to 0.1 gram. Appropriate circuitry is provided to produce an output from the load cell to an RS232 interface to the '~
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microcomputer controller, which is arranged to zero the scale automatically. All the mechanisms are run by instructions from the microcomputer controller. In other words, as weighing surface 245 is provided at the portion of the swing plate 249 of the weighing mechanism 24, prior to reaching the weighing region, the mail item comes in contact with first drive roller 243 and its associated driven roller 2411, and its position is to be sensed by said photo sensor 241, and the driving motor 242 of the conveying mechanism 24 is actuated to convey the mail item to a position to be weighed above the weighing surface 245 and comes in contact with second and third drive rollers 243 and their associated driven rollers 2411, whereby the mail item can be diverged onto the swing plate 245. When the mail item reaches the weighing position and is sensed by said sensor 247, 248, said solenoids 246 are thereby activated the swing plate 245 is pulled downwardly on the weighing surface 245 of the weighing machine 19 and the weighing machine 19 can weigh the mail item and display the result on the indicating means 112 and send out a signal to microcomputer. In this manner, - an acurate weight of the mail item can be readily obtained as the mail item to be weighed is completely isolated from the rest of the mechanism. Upon completion weighing operation of the mail item, said swing plate 245 is restored to its initial position.
The mail item, having been weighed, is again held between the second and third drive rollers 243 and driven rollers 2411 and then continuous to be conveyed to the position of automatic postage marking machine.
Figure 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the automatic marking machine incorporated in the device according to the invention. The marking machine includes a main driving motor 254 for said automatic postage marking machine and is used to drive rollers 255 for moving mail ~ .
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items. The operation is similar to that of the conveying mechanism 24, described above. A marking roller 251 is located at the middle part of said automatic marking machine and is provided with two sets of character wheels 252. A
first one of these four (or more) sets of character wheels 252 is used for printing postage. The second set of these four (or more) sets of character wheels is used for printing the date, year and month. All of character wheels 252 are individually rotated by their respective stepping motor 253 through its associated rack and gear wheel (see attached drawing Fig. 5) respectively. Outer surfaces on the rollers 251 can carry postage marks, date, stamp figures and advertising logos in accordance with the instruction of said microcomputer controller.
Roller 251 is rotated by a driving motor 258 to provide ink for stamping. An ink pump 256 in front of said roller 251 is provided to deliver ink to ink roller 257.
Thus, roller 251 is inked through rollers 257 while rotating. In this way, all of character wheels 252 of said roller 251 are arranged or set to a pre-determined number or positon in accordance with the postage and date instructed by the microcomputer controller at one time and are also printed out on the mail item at one time, so the operating of the marking machine is efficient and prompt.
The device also includes a printer 259 for recording and printing the date, accumulated mail quantity, postage, and machine series number, etc. A switch 22, shown in Figure 2, is used to control said printer 259. The whole operation of said automatic postage machine is controlled by ; 30 instructions from the microcomputer controller.
The device according to the invention also incorporates a mail sorting machine.
Referring now to Figure 2, a chute 27 is provided with two solenoids 271 to control two swing plates 272.
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~Z~3979 These two solenoids 271 are operated by the microcomputer controller 31. By operating swing plate 272, mail items can be directed into three different mail boxes 28, 29, 30 which are for ordinary mail, express mail, and air mail respectively.
The device illustrated also includes an automa-tic coin identifying and changing device.
Referring now to Figure 3, a coin identifying means 32 is able to distinguish coins of various values.
The upper part of said device is a coin guide rail 36 for distinguising coins inserted. The lower part of said device is provided with a small coin rail 39, medium coin rail 40, large coin rail 41 and a return coin rail 41. The device is arranged to detect the number of coins entering coin box 35 and for enabling easy calculating and recording. The inlet of coin box is designed as a "Y" type and locked to prevent coins from being stolen. The rear part of said device is provided with changing means 33 which is able to deliver change via a chute 38 to coin return opening 12 on operation of motor 331. Chute 38 is provided with a photo interrupter 45 to detect the amount of change given. Four counters 34 are also located at the rear part to indicate the total number of coins entering the coin box and the amount of change given. Said device is also operated under the control of the microcomputer.
The microprocessor employed is preferably an 8085 with an associated program in EPROM, and this is used to control the automatic mail items handling device, postage calculation and automatic change of date. An I/O card for the processor is provided with a photo-electric connection-to avoid distortion of information by interference. The iC controller is also programmed so as to enable detection of internal errors in the apparatus and to display an appropriate "our of order" signal on the face panel.
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Figures 6 and 7 illustrate an operating flow chart for the operation sequence of a device as described above.
The "power source" indicating light 101 on the face plate, see Figure 3, is connected to an alternating current socket and indicates that mail can be accepted by the automatic handling device. When a mail item is inserted into the inlet/outlet slot, the photo sensor 241 of the conveying mechanism 24, see Figures 2 and 4, immediately senses this and the "working" indicating light 102 on the face panel (Figure 1) is turned on. The stepping motor 242 (Figure 4) then rotate forward to drive the driving roller 243 so as to bring the inserted mail item to the weighing surface 245.
Photo sensor 247 senses this and stops the driving motor 242. Solenoid 246 then draws the swing plate with four bar linkage 249 down to the locating position. Photo sensor 248 senses this and causes electronic weighing machine l9to start weighing. The weight indicating means 112 on the face panel 11 (Figure 1) shows the weight of the mail item. One of the mail classification select buttons 115-119 is then depressed. If the button lights and a buzzing sound is produced, this signifies that the input signal is effective.
At this moment, the postage indicating means 113 shows the required amount of postage. Coins are then inserted into the coin slot 18, and enter the coin identification means 32 by way of the rail 36 (Figure 3). Coins enter the appropriate coin box 35 through rail 39-41 and trigger photo sensors 46-48, which senses a signal and causes the counter to total the value of the inserted coins. An indicator 114 (Figure 1) on the face panel shows the value of coins ; 30 inserted. Non-permitted coins are returned via coin return opening 12 and chute 37. Coins inserted may be returned by way of changing device 33 and chute 38 senses a signal during the changing procedure and the counter totals the amount of change given.
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~.Z~33~7~9 After sufficient coins have been received, the solenoid 246 (Figure 4) is released and -the four bar linkage swing plate moves upward to the original place. Driving motor 242 rotates forwardto bring mail into the postage marking section 25 (Figure 2). The postage marking machine is controlled by the microcomputer controller after sufficient payment has been received and the stepping motor 253 (Figure 5) rotates the postage and date number wheel 252 in the roller 251 to indicate the appropriate postage and date. When mail items are moved in by means of the stepping motor 254 rotating the driving roller 255, the roller 251 will rotate to ink the ink roller 257 and to transport the mail items.
The above operations are carried out sequentially and swiftly. The mail items move continuously into the mail sorting section 27 (Figure 2). The mail sorting section operates to sort mail entering the machine. The solenoid 271 lifts the swing plate 272 so that mail can move into different mail boxes 28-30. At this moment, the weight and postage indication on the face panel is removed and the "working" indicating light is extinguished, to indicate that the process is finished.
When insufficient coins are inserted or the sender changes his mind, the return mail button 110 (Figure 1) on the face panel can be pressed which causes the button to illuminate, and a buzzer to sound. In this case, the driving motor 242 will rotate in reverse to return the mail item and payment to the user. Otherwise, the original mail item and coins will be returned automatically after 30 seconds.
If it is desired to list the quantity and value in various postage categories, switch 22 is operated, and the printer 259 (Figure 5) prints out an appropriate list.
All the above components are mounted ina single ;;
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housing.
At least in its preferred embodiment, this invention provides a microcomputerized automatic mail item handling device which is able -to receive mail, weight mail, calculate and receive postage, change, stampmarX, sort-mail classify and count mail, memorize and record postage income, and so on. By microcomputer control, which can automatically carry out all operations in the mail items handling device within about ten seconds, advantages such as time saving and accuracy become feasible.
In the device illustrated, an electronic weighing machine is used to weight mail and to calculate the postage automatically so that problems of inadequate postage caused by overweight mail or senders' misunderstanding suitable postage may be avoided. It is also easy to revise the computer program to adapt to new postage rates.
Furthermore, postage and date stamping are completely controlled by the microcomputer so that it can be operated automatically and it is not necessary to employ postage stamps or postage marking labels by hand.
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for example, with the first method, mail can be sent with insufficient postage, and it is necessary to purchase postage stamps and physically stick them onto mail items.
In the second case, much on the sender's time tends to be wasted.
After collecting mail items from mail boxes, mailmen are re~uired to handle sophisticated jobs such as picking out ouverweight mail items, stamp cancellation and sorting etc. These jobs are often performed manually.
A known self-service post counter accepts coins and franked mail automatically without the need to stick on postage stamps. However, existing self-service post counters are unable to calculate postage and are only suitable for regular and express mail. Recently, it has - been proposed to connect an electronic weigher and a postage marking machine having a microcomputer to a self-service post counter. Although the resulting machine provides the functions of weighing, calculating postage, and recording, it is still necessary for date-setting to be done by hand and the whole system must be operated by manual labour.
Furthermore, it is not possible to simplify the mail procedure. Thus, the disadvantages of wasted time and labour and the possibility of human error still exist.
The present inventor has carried out research and has developed a virtually automatic post counter to match the developing trend of computerization.
According to the present invention, there is provided an automatic mail item handling device comprising:
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a housing and a microcomputer controller mounted in said housing, said housing having an inlet for a mail item;
mail item weighing means operatively connected to said microcomputer controller in which weighing surface of said weighing means is completely separated from other mechanism during weighi.ng operation;
means for conveying the mail item from said inlet to the weighing means, said conveying means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller;
means for returning the mail item to a user, said returning means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller;
means to enable the user to select a desired mail classification;
means for calculating appropriate postage for the mail item in dependence upon weight and mail classification thereof, said calculating means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller;
indicating means for indicating to the user the weight of and postage due for the mail item, said indicating means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller;
means for receiving a payment token from the user;
means for verifying said payment token against the postage due for the mail item;
means for marking postage and date, said marking means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller and located adjacent to said conveying means and weighing means such that mail item exiting from said conveying means and weighing means enter said marking means to be marked with the postage and date instructed by said microcomputer controller;
means for conveying the mail item from said weighing means to said marking means;
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means for sorting mail items in accordance with said mail classifica-tion, said sorting means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller and disposed adjacent said marking means to deliver the mail items into mail containers corresponding to said mail classification.
According to the present invention, there is also provided an automatie mail handling device compri.sing a housing, said housing containing a mail inlet/outlet opening and electronic indicating means;
a microprocessor controller mounted in said housing;
an automatic mail conveying mechanism and mail weighing meehanism, said mail weighing mechanism ineluding means for isolating said mail item from said conveying meehanism when said mail item is to be weighed, operatively eonneeted to said mieroproeessor eontroller and loeated adjacent to said : opening sueh that mail inserted into said opening enters into said eonveying and weighing meehanism;
an automatie postage and date marking mechanism, operatively eonneeted to said .mieroproeessor eontroller and loeated adjaeent to said eonveying and weighing meehanism sueh that mail exiting from said eonveying and weighing meehanism enters said postage and date marking meehanism;
a mail elassifieation seleeting means enabling a user to seleet a desired mail elassifieation;
a mail sorting meehanism, operatively eonneeted to said mieroproeessor eontroller and loeated adjaeent to said : postage and date marking mechanism such that mail exiting from said postage and date marking mechanism enters said sorting mechanism;
a ealeulating means, operatively eonneeted to said mieroproeessor eontroller to ealeulate appropriate postage ~ and date aeeording to weight, elassifieation and sending : date of the mail item;
~ a plurality of mail receiving containers, adjacent to -- .
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339~ 9 said sor-ting mechanism such that mail exiting from said sorti.ng mechanism enters into one of said containers;
a coin acceptance slot connected to coin counting means and a coin return means connected to a coin changing means, said counting means and said changing means operatively connected to said microprocessor controller;
a comparing means, operatively connected to said microprocessor controller to determine if the value of deposited payment is greater than or equal to the computed postage such that;
when an item of mail is inserted in said inlet/outlet, said microprocessor activates said transmission and weighing mechanism, said item of mail is weighed, postage is computed by said calculating means and said electronic indicating means is activated by said microprocessor to display the value of the postage; ..
when coins are then deposited in said coin slot the value of said coins is computed and if said comparing means determines that said value is greater than or equal to said postage computed, said transmission mechanism is activated by said microprocessor and said item of mail is transmitted to said postage and date marking mechanism, said . .
microprocessor sending postage information to said postage and date marking mechanism and activating said postage and date marking mechanism to mark, said item of mail with the postage, and date simultaneously;
said microprocessor then activating said postage and date marking mechanism to transmit said item of mail to said sorting mechanism and activating said sorting mechanism to direct the item of mail to one of said containers.
. A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which like numerals designate similar parts and in which:
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an automatic mail : - 4 -~ t~ 5 ' ': . , ,' , ' ' ' ' :' :
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items handling device according to a preferred embodiment of this invention;
Figure 2 is a right side view of the internal construction in an automa-tic mail items handling device according to a preferred embodiment of this invention;
Figure 3 is a left side view of the internal construction in an automatic mail items handling device aceording to a preferred embodiment of this invention;
F'igure 4 is a partly exploded view of conveying mechanisms of an automatic mail items handling device according to a preferred embodiment of this invention;
Figure 5 is an automatic postage marking machine of the device of Figure l;
Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the whole system of an automatic mail items handling device according to a preferred embodiment of this invention;
Figure 7 is an operation flow chart of an automatic mail items handling device according to a preferred embodiment of this invention; and Figure 8 is an operation flow chart of an automatic mail items handling deviee using a magnetie eard instead of eoins.
Referring now to Figure 1, a deviee according to the invention includes a housing containing a front door, a rear door, a right side upper door, and a right side lower door. The interior of said housing is partitioned into chambers which are available for use by post office ~- personnel and maintenance personnel. A face panel 11 is ;~ provided with a mail inlet/outlet 111, a slot 18, a refund button 181, mail classifieation select buttons 115-119, a mail return button 110, indieator lights 101-104, and signal means 112-11~ to be operated by the user.
An instruetion plate 13 is preferably loeated at - the right middle portion of the front door and a coin return , ''~ .
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~X839`-~9 slot 12 i5 preferably located at the left side on the middle part of the front door for giving change and refunds. A
mail receiving time table 15 is preferably located beneath middle portion of the front door. Four movable wheels 16 are preferably mounted at the bottom of said housing and two of them located in the front are preferably provided with a braking device for resisting movement. An automatic on/off device 17 is located at the bottom of said housing, and controls a fluorescent lamp 21, shown in Figure 2, so that said automatic mail items handling device is able to be operated all day long.
Referring to Figure 4, a conveying mechanism 24 for letters includes a driving motor 242 which is a main driver for said conveying mechanism and is arranged to cause rotation of drive rollers 243 through pulleys 2412 and belt 2413. A driven roller 2411 rotates with said drive roller 243 by friction to move letters forward or backward. Said belt 2413 can be adjusted to be tight or loose by belt tensioning arm 2414. Said drive roller 2411 can be adjusted upward or downward automatically to adapt to the thickness of mail items. Three photo sensors 241, 247, 248 are pro~ided to detect the arrival, dropping, location and weighing respectively of letters. Two solenoids 246 are provided to control the upward and the downward movements of a swing plate 249 with a four bar linkage so as to position mail items on a weighing surface 245 for obtaining their exact weight. Said weighing surface 245 is also used as a support surface for item and assists in their rapid movement. The lower part of said mechanism is provided with an electronic weighing machine 19, in which a load cell is used as a weight sensor. The weighing range for said weighing machine 19 is flexible and its accuracy is up to 0.1 gram. Appropriate circuitry is provided to produce an output from the load cell to an RS232 interface to the '~
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microcomputer controller, which is arranged to zero the scale automatically. All the mechanisms are run by instructions from the microcomputer controller. In other words, as weighing surface 245 is provided at the portion of the swing plate 249 of the weighing mechanism 24, prior to reaching the weighing region, the mail item comes in contact with first drive roller 243 and its associated driven roller 2411, and its position is to be sensed by said photo sensor 241, and the driving motor 242 of the conveying mechanism 24 is actuated to convey the mail item to a position to be weighed above the weighing surface 245 and comes in contact with second and third drive rollers 243 and their associated driven rollers 2411, whereby the mail item can be diverged onto the swing plate 245. When the mail item reaches the weighing position and is sensed by said sensor 247, 248, said solenoids 246 are thereby activated the swing plate 245 is pulled downwardly on the weighing surface 245 of the weighing machine 19 and the weighing machine 19 can weigh the mail item and display the result on the indicating means 112 and send out a signal to microcomputer. In this manner, - an acurate weight of the mail item can be readily obtained as the mail item to be weighed is completely isolated from the rest of the mechanism. Upon completion weighing operation of the mail item, said swing plate 245 is restored to its initial position.
The mail item, having been weighed, is again held between the second and third drive rollers 243 and driven rollers 2411 and then continuous to be conveyed to the position of automatic postage marking machine.
Figure 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the automatic marking machine incorporated in the device according to the invention. The marking machine includes a main driving motor 254 for said automatic postage marking machine and is used to drive rollers 255 for moving mail ~ .
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items. The operation is similar to that of the conveying mechanism 24, described above. A marking roller 251 is located at the middle part of said automatic marking machine and is provided with two sets of character wheels 252. A
first one of these four (or more) sets of character wheels 252 is used for printing postage. The second set of these four (or more) sets of character wheels is used for printing the date, year and month. All of character wheels 252 are individually rotated by their respective stepping motor 253 through its associated rack and gear wheel (see attached drawing Fig. 5) respectively. Outer surfaces on the rollers 251 can carry postage marks, date, stamp figures and advertising logos in accordance with the instruction of said microcomputer controller.
Roller 251 is rotated by a driving motor 258 to provide ink for stamping. An ink pump 256 in front of said roller 251 is provided to deliver ink to ink roller 257.
Thus, roller 251 is inked through rollers 257 while rotating. In this way, all of character wheels 252 of said roller 251 are arranged or set to a pre-determined number or positon in accordance with the postage and date instructed by the microcomputer controller at one time and are also printed out on the mail item at one time, so the operating of the marking machine is efficient and prompt.
The device also includes a printer 259 for recording and printing the date, accumulated mail quantity, postage, and machine series number, etc. A switch 22, shown in Figure 2, is used to control said printer 259. The whole operation of said automatic postage machine is controlled by ; 30 instructions from the microcomputer controller.
The device according to the invention also incorporates a mail sorting machine.
Referring now to Figure 2, a chute 27 is provided with two solenoids 271 to control two swing plates 272.
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~Z~3979 These two solenoids 271 are operated by the microcomputer controller 31. By operating swing plate 272, mail items can be directed into three different mail boxes 28, 29, 30 which are for ordinary mail, express mail, and air mail respectively.
The device illustrated also includes an automa-tic coin identifying and changing device.
Referring now to Figure 3, a coin identifying means 32 is able to distinguish coins of various values.
The upper part of said device is a coin guide rail 36 for distinguising coins inserted. The lower part of said device is provided with a small coin rail 39, medium coin rail 40, large coin rail 41 and a return coin rail 41. The device is arranged to detect the number of coins entering coin box 35 and for enabling easy calculating and recording. The inlet of coin box is designed as a "Y" type and locked to prevent coins from being stolen. The rear part of said device is provided with changing means 33 which is able to deliver change via a chute 38 to coin return opening 12 on operation of motor 331. Chute 38 is provided with a photo interrupter 45 to detect the amount of change given. Four counters 34 are also located at the rear part to indicate the total number of coins entering the coin box and the amount of change given. Said device is also operated under the control of the microcomputer.
The microprocessor employed is preferably an 8085 with an associated program in EPROM, and this is used to control the automatic mail items handling device, postage calculation and automatic change of date. An I/O card for the processor is provided with a photo-electric connection-to avoid distortion of information by interference. The iC controller is also programmed so as to enable detection of internal errors in the apparatus and to display an appropriate "our of order" signal on the face panel.
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Figures 6 and 7 illustrate an operating flow chart for the operation sequence of a device as described above.
The "power source" indicating light 101 on the face plate, see Figure 3, is connected to an alternating current socket and indicates that mail can be accepted by the automatic handling device. When a mail item is inserted into the inlet/outlet slot, the photo sensor 241 of the conveying mechanism 24, see Figures 2 and 4, immediately senses this and the "working" indicating light 102 on the face panel (Figure 1) is turned on. The stepping motor 242 (Figure 4) then rotate forward to drive the driving roller 243 so as to bring the inserted mail item to the weighing surface 245.
Photo sensor 247 senses this and stops the driving motor 242. Solenoid 246 then draws the swing plate with four bar linkage 249 down to the locating position. Photo sensor 248 senses this and causes electronic weighing machine l9to start weighing. The weight indicating means 112 on the face panel 11 (Figure 1) shows the weight of the mail item. One of the mail classification select buttons 115-119 is then depressed. If the button lights and a buzzing sound is produced, this signifies that the input signal is effective.
At this moment, the postage indicating means 113 shows the required amount of postage. Coins are then inserted into the coin slot 18, and enter the coin identification means 32 by way of the rail 36 (Figure 3). Coins enter the appropriate coin box 35 through rail 39-41 and trigger photo sensors 46-48, which senses a signal and causes the counter to total the value of the inserted coins. An indicator 114 (Figure 1) on the face panel shows the value of coins ; 30 inserted. Non-permitted coins are returned via coin return opening 12 and chute 37. Coins inserted may be returned by way of changing device 33 and chute 38 senses a signal during the changing procedure and the counter totals the amount of change given.
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~.Z~33~7~9 After sufficient coins have been received, the solenoid 246 (Figure 4) is released and -the four bar linkage swing plate moves upward to the original place. Driving motor 242 rotates forwardto bring mail into the postage marking section 25 (Figure 2). The postage marking machine is controlled by the microcomputer controller after sufficient payment has been received and the stepping motor 253 (Figure 5) rotates the postage and date number wheel 252 in the roller 251 to indicate the appropriate postage and date. When mail items are moved in by means of the stepping motor 254 rotating the driving roller 255, the roller 251 will rotate to ink the ink roller 257 and to transport the mail items.
The above operations are carried out sequentially and swiftly. The mail items move continuously into the mail sorting section 27 (Figure 2). The mail sorting section operates to sort mail entering the machine. The solenoid 271 lifts the swing plate 272 so that mail can move into different mail boxes 28-30. At this moment, the weight and postage indication on the face panel is removed and the "working" indicating light is extinguished, to indicate that the process is finished.
When insufficient coins are inserted or the sender changes his mind, the return mail button 110 (Figure 1) on the face panel can be pressed which causes the button to illuminate, and a buzzer to sound. In this case, the driving motor 242 will rotate in reverse to return the mail item and payment to the user. Otherwise, the original mail item and coins will be returned automatically after 30 seconds.
If it is desired to list the quantity and value in various postage categories, switch 22 is operated, and the printer 259 (Figure 5) prints out an appropriate list.
All the above components are mounted ina single ;;
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housing.
At least in its preferred embodiment, this invention provides a microcomputerized automatic mail item handling device which is able -to receive mail, weight mail, calculate and receive postage, change, stampmarX, sort-mail classify and count mail, memorize and record postage income, and so on. By microcomputer control, which can automatically carry out all operations in the mail items handling device within about ten seconds, advantages such as time saving and accuracy become feasible.
In the device illustrated, an electronic weighing machine is used to weight mail and to calculate the postage automatically so that problems of inadequate postage caused by overweight mail or senders' misunderstanding suitable postage may be avoided. It is also easy to revise the computer program to adapt to new postage rates.
Furthermore, postage and date stamping are completely controlled by the microcomputer so that it can be operated automatically and it is not necessary to employ postage stamps or postage marking labels by hand.
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Claims (21)
1. An automatic mail item handling device comprising:
a housing and a microcomputer controller mounted in said housing, said housing having an inlet for a mail item;
mail item weighing means operatively connected to said microcomputer controller in which weighing surface of said weighing means is completely separated from other mechanism during weighing operation;
means for conveying the mail item from said inlet to the weighing means, said conveying means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller;
means for returning the mail item to a user, said returning means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller;
means to enable the user to select a desired mail classification;
means for calculating appropriate postage for the mail item in dependence upon weight and mail classification thereof, said calculating means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller;
indicating means for indicating to the user the weight of and postage due for the mail item, said indicating means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller;
means for receiving a payment token from the user;
means for verifying said payment token against the postage due for the mail item;
means for marking postage and date, said marking means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller and located adjacent to said conveying means and weighing means such that mail item exiting from said conveying means and weighing means enter said marking means to be marked with the postage and date instructed by said microcomputer controller;
means for conveying the mail item from said weighing means to said marking means;
means for sorting mail items in accordance with said mail classification, said sorting means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller and disposed adjacent said marking means to deliver the mail items into mail containers corresponding to said mail classification.
a housing and a microcomputer controller mounted in said housing, said housing having an inlet for a mail item;
mail item weighing means operatively connected to said microcomputer controller in which weighing surface of said weighing means is completely separated from other mechanism during weighing operation;
means for conveying the mail item from said inlet to the weighing means, said conveying means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller;
means for returning the mail item to a user, said returning means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller;
means to enable the user to select a desired mail classification;
means for calculating appropriate postage for the mail item in dependence upon weight and mail classification thereof, said calculating means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller;
indicating means for indicating to the user the weight of and postage due for the mail item, said indicating means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller;
means for receiving a payment token from the user;
means for verifying said payment token against the postage due for the mail item;
means for marking postage and date, said marking means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller and located adjacent to said conveying means and weighing means such that mail item exiting from said conveying means and weighing means enter said marking means to be marked with the postage and date instructed by said microcomputer controller;
means for conveying the mail item from said weighing means to said marking means;
means for sorting mail items in accordance with said mail classification, said sorting means being operatively connected to said microcomputer controller and disposed adjacent said marking means to deliver the mail items into mail containers corresponding to said mail classification.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for receiving a payment token comprises an opening for depositing coins.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising means for receiving a magnetically coded card.
4. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein means are provided for returning change to the user.
5. A device as claimed in claim 1, including means for providing a printed postage receipt.
6. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the weighing means comprises a weighing plate, means for detecting the passage of said mail item over the weighing plate, and means for completely removing a support from the weighing plate to cause the weight of the mail item to exactly load on said weighing plate.
7. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein means are provided for enabling printing out of details of mail handled in various categories.
8. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device further comprises means for enabling output from the device of totals of numbers of items and postage amounts for each mail classification.
9. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein marking means comprises two sets of character wheels for printing postage marks and date,said marking means being controlled by said microcomputer controller to perform the postage and date printing.
10. An automatic mail handling device comprising a housing, said housing containing a mail inlet/outlet opening and electronic indicating means;
a microprocessor controller mounted in said housing;
an automatic mail conveying mechanism and mail weighing mechanism, said mail weighing mechanism including means for isolating said mail item from said conveying mechanism when said mail item is to be weighed, operatively connected to said microprocessor controller and located adjacent to said opening such that mail inserted into said opening enters into said conveying and weighing mechanism;
an automatic postage and date marking mechanism, operatively connected to said microprocessor controller and located adjacent to said conveying and weighing mechanism such that mail exiting from said conveying and weighing mechanism enters said postage and date marking mechanism;
a mail classification selecting means enabling a user to select a desired mail classification;
a mail sorting mechanism, operatively connected to said microprocessor controller and located adjacent to said postage and date marking mechanism such that mall exiting from said postage and date marking mechanism enters said sorting mechanism;
a calculating means, operatively connected to said microprocessor controller to calculate appropriate postage and date according to weight, classification and sending date of the mail item;
a plurality of mail receiving containers, adjacent to said sorting mechanism such that mail exiting from said sorting mechanism enters into one of said containers;
a coin acceptance slot connected to coin counting means and a coin return means connected to a coin changing means, said counting means and said changing means operatively connected to said microprocessor controller;
a comparing means, operatively connected to said microprocessor controller to determine if the value of deposited payment is greater than or equal to the computed postage such that;
when an item of mail is inserted in said inlet/outlet, said microprocessor activates said transmission and weighing mechanism, said item of mail is weighed, postage is computed by said calculating means and said electronic indicating means is activated by said microprocessor to display the value of the postage;
when coins are then deposited in said coin slot the value of said coins is computed and if said comparing means determines that said value is greater than or equal to said postage computed, said transmission mechanism is activated by said microprocessor and said item of mail is transmitted to said postage and date marking mechanism, said microprocessor sending postage information to said postage and date marking mechanism and activating said postage and date marking mechanism to mark, said item of mail with the postage, and date simultaneously;
said microprocessor then activating said postage and date marking mechanism to transmit said item of mail to said sorting mechanism and activating said sorting mechanism to direct the item of mail to one of said containers.
a microprocessor controller mounted in said housing;
an automatic mail conveying mechanism and mail weighing mechanism, said mail weighing mechanism including means for isolating said mail item from said conveying mechanism when said mail item is to be weighed, operatively connected to said microprocessor controller and located adjacent to said opening such that mail inserted into said opening enters into said conveying and weighing mechanism;
an automatic postage and date marking mechanism, operatively connected to said microprocessor controller and located adjacent to said conveying and weighing mechanism such that mail exiting from said conveying and weighing mechanism enters said postage and date marking mechanism;
a mail classification selecting means enabling a user to select a desired mail classification;
a mail sorting mechanism, operatively connected to said microprocessor controller and located adjacent to said postage and date marking mechanism such that mall exiting from said postage and date marking mechanism enters said sorting mechanism;
a calculating means, operatively connected to said microprocessor controller to calculate appropriate postage and date according to weight, classification and sending date of the mail item;
a plurality of mail receiving containers, adjacent to said sorting mechanism such that mail exiting from said sorting mechanism enters into one of said containers;
a coin acceptance slot connected to coin counting means and a coin return means connected to a coin changing means, said counting means and said changing means operatively connected to said microprocessor controller;
a comparing means, operatively connected to said microprocessor controller to determine if the value of deposited payment is greater than or equal to the computed postage such that;
when an item of mail is inserted in said inlet/outlet, said microprocessor activates said transmission and weighing mechanism, said item of mail is weighed, postage is computed by said calculating means and said electronic indicating means is activated by said microprocessor to display the value of the postage;
when coins are then deposited in said coin slot the value of said coins is computed and if said comparing means determines that said value is greater than or equal to said postage computed, said transmission mechanism is activated by said microprocessor and said item of mail is transmitted to said postage and date marking mechanism, said microprocessor sending postage information to said postage and date marking mechanism and activating said postage and date marking mechanism to mark, said item of mail with the postage, and date simultaneously;
said microprocessor then activating said postage and date marking mechanism to transmit said item of mail to said sorting mechanism and activating said sorting mechanism to direct the item of mail to one of said containers.
11. An automatic mail handling device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said mail classification selecting means comprises means for selecting amount a plurality of postage classes, each of said classes corresponding to one of said plurality of containers, said selecting means operatively connected to said microprocessor such that said postage computed is adjusted according to postage class selected and said sorting mechanism is activated to direct said item of mail to the container corresponding to said selected class.
12. An automatic mail handling device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said calculating means comprises accumulating counting means operatively connected to said microprocessor such that the cumulative quantity of mail inserted and cumulative value of postage used can be determined.
13. An automatic mail handling device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said mail conveying means is reversible such that if the value of coins deposited is less than the value of postage computed, said microprocessor activates said conveying means to eject said item of mail from said inlet/outlet and said microprocessor activates said coin return means.
14. An automatic mail handling device as claimed in claim 1 or 10, wherein said automatic mail conveying and weighing mechanism comprises:
means for conveying a mail item to a weighing position;
means for driving said conveying means;
means for sensing said mail item's location at said weighing position;
said conveying means including a horizontally displaceable portion response to said sensing means sensing said mail item at said weighing position for moving said mail item from a first vertical weighing position to a second lower vertical weighing position;
means for weighing said mail item in said second lower vertical weighing position;
means for removing said mail item from contact with said conveying means and exactly positioning said mail item on said weighing means.
means for conveying a mail item to a weighing position;
means for driving said conveying means;
means for sensing said mail item's location at said weighing position;
said conveying means including a horizontally displaceable portion response to said sensing means sensing said mail item at said weighing position for moving said mail item from a first vertical weighing position to a second lower vertical weighing position;
means for weighing said mail item in said second lower vertical weighing position;
means for removing said mail item from contact with said conveying means and exactly positioning said mail item on said weighing means.
15. An automatic mail handling device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said postage and date marking mechanism comprises a first stepping motor operatively connected to said microprocessor driving a drive roller for conveying said item of mail through said marking mechanism;
a marking roller, said marking roller having a printing surface being provided with a plurality of rotatable number wheels for indicating postage amount and date respectively, each of said number wheels being individually rotated by its respective second stepping motor operatively connected to said microprocessor;
an ink roller engaging the printing surface of said marking roller and supplied with ink by an ink pump.
a marking roller, said marking roller having a printing surface being provided with a plurality of rotatable number wheels for indicating postage amount and date respectively, each of said number wheels being individually rotated by its respective second stepping motor operatively connected to said microprocessor;
an ink roller engaging the printing surface of said marking roller and supplied with ink by an ink pump.
16. An automatic mail handling device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said automatic mail conveying and weighing mechanism further comprises means for automatically adjusting for the thickness of said mail item when said mail item passes between said driving means.
17. An automatic mail handling device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said removing means comprises a swing plate capable of being swing from said first vertical weighing position to said second lower vertical weighing position by means of a four bar linkage mechanism and an actuating means operatively connected to said microprocessor.
18. An automatic mail handling device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said swing plate includes an opening.
19. An automatic mail handling device as claimed in claim 18, wherein said weighing means includes a weighing plate and said swing plate, said opening is positioned in alignment with said weighing plate such that when said mail item is moved to said second vertical weighing position said weighing plate is received through said opening to support said mail item.
20. An automatic mail handling device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said removing means includes said actuating means, response to said sensing means sensing said mail item at said weighing position for moving said swing plate to cause swing plate to move from said first vertical weighing position to said second vertical weighing position making the mail item to be completely separated from any other portion which will cause inaccurate weight for the mail item.
21. An automatic mail handling device as claimed in claim 1 or 10, further comprising means for automatically adjusting for various thickness of said mail item when said mail item passes between said conveying means.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000520276A CA1283979C (en) | 1986-10-10 | 1986-10-10 | Microcomputerized automatic post counter |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000520276A CA1283979C (en) | 1986-10-10 | 1986-10-10 | Microcomputerized automatic post counter |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1283979C true CA1283979C (en) | 1991-05-07 |
Family
ID=4134135
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000520276A Expired - Lifetime CA1283979C (en) | 1986-10-10 | 1986-10-10 | Microcomputerized automatic post counter |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1283979C (en) |
-
1986
- 1986-10-10 CA CA000520276A patent/CA1283979C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |