EP0111317B1 - Procédé et dispositif pour modifier une variable firmware dans une machine à affranchir - Google Patents

Procédé et dispositif pour modifier une variable firmware dans une machine à affranchir Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0111317B1
EP0111317B1 EP19830112359 EP83112359A EP0111317B1 EP 0111317 B1 EP0111317 B1 EP 0111317B1 EP 19830112359 EP19830112359 EP 19830112359 EP 83112359 A EP83112359 A EP 83112359A EP 0111317 B1 EP0111317 B1 EP 0111317B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
data
volatile memory
program
firmware
postage meter
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
Application number
EP19830112359
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0111317A3 (en
EP0111317A2 (fr
Inventor
John H. Soderberg
Edward C. Duwel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pitney Bowes Inc
Original Assignee
Pitney Bowes Inc
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
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Application filed by Pitney Bowes Inc filed Critical Pitney Bowes Inc
Publication of EP0111317A2 publication Critical patent/EP0111317A2/fr
Publication of EP0111317A3 publication Critical patent/EP0111317A3/en
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Publication of EP0111317B1 publication Critical patent/EP0111317B1/fr
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00362—Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00362—Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value
    • G07B2017/00395—Memory organization
    • G07B2017/00403—Memory zones protected from unauthorized reading or writing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00733—Cryptography or similar special procedures in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00935—Passwords

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for modifying a firmware variable in an electronic postage meter and to electronic postage meters.
  • the present application is related to copending European application (EP-A-0 111 322) of even date corresponding to U.S. Application Serial No. 447,815 (US-A-4 579 054) in the name of Danilo Buan, entitled “Stand-Alone Electronic Mailing Machine", which describes a postage meter within which the present invention may be utilized.
  • the present invention relates generally to electronic postage meters, and is applicable to electronic postage meters operating under control of a program and including non-volatile memories (NVMs), such as the type disclosed in the aforementioned related patent application.
  • NVMs non-volatile memories
  • a method and associated apparatus for modifying a firmware variable in an electronic postaage meter comprising the steps of storing a program for operation of the electronic postage meter, providing data in non-volatile memory external to the stored program which data is capable of modifying a variable in the program to change the action of the program, and accessing such external data during operation of the electronic postage meter to change the action of the program in accordance with the presence of the external data.
  • apparatus for modifying a variable in firmware in an electronic postage meter comprising:
  • the electronic postage meter includes 8-bit microprocessor 10 (CPU), such as an Intel Model 8085A microprocessor which is connected to various components through system bus 12.
  • ROM 14 is connected to the microprocessor 10 through the system bus 12.
  • the ROM 14 stores the programs for controlling the postage meter. It should be understood that the term ROM as used herein includes permanently programmed and programmable devices.
  • An integrated circuit 16, which may be Intel Model 8155, is connected to the system bus 12 and includes RAM, input and output lines and a timer.
  • the RAM portion of the integrated circuit 16 has memory space allocated for transient storage of the data for the ascending register and descending register.
  • An external data communication port 18 allows connection with devices such as an electronic scale, an external computer, servicing equipment and the like.
  • NVM non-volatile memory
  • Stepper motoers 26, 28 are also in electrical connection with the microprocessor 10 via motor drivers 30 and the integrated circuit 16.
  • a reset and power control 32 is electrically connected between the integrated circuit 16, the NVM 24 and the microprocessor 10.
  • a relay 34 connects the AC printer motor 36 to the integrated circuit 16.
  • a display 38 is also electrically connected to the integrated circuit 16.
  • Trip photosensor 40 is connected to the microprocessor 10 through integrated circuit 16 to indicate the presence of an envelope to be stamped, as described more fully in the aforementioned patent application entitled, STAND-ALONE ELECTRONIC MAILING MACHINE.
  • the electronic postage meter is controlled by the microprocessor 10 operating under control of the programs stored in the ROM 14.
  • the microprocessor 10 accepts information entered via the keyboard 22 or via the external communication port 18 from external message generators.
  • Critical accounting data and other important information is stored in the non-volatile memory 24.
  • the non-volatile memory 24 may be an MNOS semiconductor type memory, a battery augmented CMOS memory, core memory, or other suitable non-volatile memory component.
  • the non-volatile memory 24 stores critical postage meter data during periods when power is not applied to the postage meter.
  • This data includes, in addition to the serial number of the mailing machine or postage meter, information as to the value in the descending register (the amount of postage available for printing), the value in the ascending register (the total amount of postage printed by the meter), and the value in the piece count register (the total number of cycles the meter has performed), as well as other types of data, such as trip status, initialization and service information, which are desired to be retained in the memory even though no power is applied to the meter.
  • a power supply internal to the mailing machine energizes the microprocessor 10 and the balance of the electronic components.
  • the information stored in the non-volatile memory 24 is transferred via the microprocessor 10 to the RAM of the integrated circuit 16.
  • the RAM contains an image or copy of the information stored in the non-volatile memory 24 prior to energization.
  • certain of the data in the RAM is modified. Accordingly, when postage is printed, the descending register will be reduced by the value of the printed postage, the ascending register increased by the value of the printed postage and the piece counter register incremented.
  • the updated data in the RAM is transferred via the microprocessor 10 back into a suitably prepared area of the non-volatile memory 24. A like transfer of information between the non-volatile memory 24 and the RAM takes place during power failure.
  • FIG. 48 a more detailed block diagram of the arrangement of the electrical components for the postage meter is illustrated generally as 48.
  • Power is supplied to the postage meter from the AC line voltage, typically 115 volts.
  • This line voltage is applied to the meter through a hot switch 50 which cuts off power to the postage meter to protect the electrical components thereof if the temperature rises above a preset limit, nominally 70°C.
  • the hot switch 50 is connected to the AC drive motor 36A through an RF filter 52 and an opto-triac 54 which provides isolation between the line voltage and the control logic for the meter.
  • the hot switch 50 is also connected to a transformer 56 protected by a fuse 58.
  • the output of the transformer 56 is coupled to a pre-regulator 59 through a cold switch 60.
  • the cold switch 60 cuts off power to the pre-regulator 59 if the temperature drops below a preset limit, nominally 0°C.
  • the pre-regulator 59 provides an output voltage of a predetermined range to a switcher 62 which gsnerates the output voltage +5V; and the voltages for generating -12V and -30V.
  • the +5V is applied to a +3 volt regulator 64 and then to the display 38A.
  • the +5V from the switcher 62 is also applied to a +5V filter 66 which provides +5V for logic circuits.
  • the +5V is applied to the keyboard 22A, the display 38A, and bank, digit and trip sensor logic 68 and to the integrated circuits.
  • the -12V is applied to a -12V regulator 70 and then to the non-volatile memory 24A.
  • the -30V output from the switcher 62 is also applied to a -30V regulator 74 and then to a -30V switch 76 which switches its output voltage on and off in response to the requirements of writing in NVM as dictated by the program.
  • the output of the -30V switch is applied to the non-volatile memory 24A.
  • the -30V supply is connected to the power on reset 72 of the microprocessor 10A.
  • +5V from the switcher 62 is also supplied to one input of the power on reset 72; the other input receives -30V from the regulator 74 as previously described.
  • a low voltage sensor 88 also receives one input of +5V from the switcher 62 and its other input from the pre-regulator 59; its output is applied to the microprocessor 10A. The low voltage sensor 88 detects power failure and communicates this to the microprocessor 10A which in turn addresses the RAM through system bus 12A to transfer all security data present in the RAM to the non-volatile memory 24A.
  • Another output from the pre-regulator 59 in the form of +24V is applied to the digit and bank motor drive 30A for the bank motor 26A and digit motor 28A, which selects the particular printing wheel (bank) which is to be activated and the particular digit of the selected printing wheel which is to be set.
  • An output strobe from the integrated circuit 16A is buffered through buffer driver 68 and applied to digit sensor (encoder) 78, bank sensor (encoder) 80, and trip sensor 40A.
  • the opto strobe applies power to the digit sensor 78, bank sensor 80 and trip sensor 40A when needed.
  • the output from the trip sensor 40A is applied to the input/output lines 82 which are coupled to the integrated circuit 16A.
  • the outputs from the digit sensor 78 and bank sensor 80 and cycle switch 84 are applied to a storage buffer 86.
  • Initialization may include a hard and/or soft initialization process as disclosed in the aforementioned United States Letters Patent 4,301,507.
  • the Initialization process is that described in copending European application EP-A-0111321 of even date corresponding to U.S. Application Serial No. 447,913 (US-A-4 559 443) entitled "Initializing the Print Wheels in an Electronic Postage Meter". The disclosure of this European application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
  • the microprocessor 10A under control of the ROM 14A and possibly the auxiliary ROM 100 communicates over the address bus 94 and control bus 98 with the device select 98.
  • the output of the device select 98 communicates with the particular module to be addressed over select lines 99.
  • the modules to be addressed are the RAM, the ROM 14A, an auxiliary ROM 100, a demultiplexer 102, NVM logic 104 and the buffer 86.
  • the RAM of integrated circuit 16A provides the working memory for the postage meter and the microprocessor 10A.
  • the ROM 14A stores the program; the auxiliary ROM 100 may be used to provide additional program storage space.
  • the non-volatile memory 24A provides storage of all security information for the meter and retains such information during power down or power failure.
  • the demultiplexer 102 latches the lower eight (8) bits of address information that defines a particular location which is used immediately thereafter.
  • the NVM logic 104 controls the mode of operation of the NVM 24A and also provides ready wait and NVM ready signals to the microprocessor 10A to indicate the presence of the slow speed device (NVM) as active on the bus 12A.
  • NVM slow speed device
  • the digital sensor 78 (optical encoder) and bank sensor 80, (optical encoder) and cycle switch 84 whose current state is read, i.e., "Home” or "In Cycle", apply input signals to the buffer 86 which sends output signals over data bus 108 to the microprocessor 10A for storage in the proper RAM location.
  • the RAM is also electrically coupled to I/O lines to transmit or receive data from the trip sensor 40A, the display 38A, keyboard 22A, and privilege access switch 110, if present.
  • the privilege access switch 110 may be used in applications which require manual resetting of meter postage via a switch which is kept under seal.
  • firmware includes software.
  • Phantom zeros are necessary in a postage meter because of the variations in monetary systems and the range thereof around the world. Phantom zeros occur mechanically fixed and thus will appear on each imprint of the meter.
  • the postage value will display the value to be printed, including the phantom zeros.
  • the setting of phantom zeros in the display is accomplished by modifying a firmware variable based on data stored in non-volatile memory.
  • the format of the digits is set equal to the format of the digits minus those phantom zeros set in non-volatile memory.
  • the use of the decimal point describes the setting exactly. If the format of the decimal is equal to F (HEX), i.e. no decimal entry being made, the meter will default to the decimal position specified in the characteristic code stored in the NVM and the message will be converted internally for display. Control is then returned to the superordinate process.
  • F HEX
  • the NVM is addressed to set the format of the decimal equal to the decimal format minus the phantom zeros stored in NVM. Therefore, the message is converted internally for display, and control is returned to the superordinate process.
  • F HEX
  • the internal units are converted to a data format or message.
  • NVM is then accessed to set the format of the digits in the message equal to the format of the digits plus the phantom zeros stored in the NVM. If the format of the decimal is equal to F (HEX) i.e., no decimal entry being made, control is returned to the superordinate process. However, if the format of the decimal is not equal to F (HEX), NVM is accessed to set the format of the decimal equal to the decimal format plus the phantom zeros stored in NVM.
  • F HEX
  • Control is then returned to the superordinate process.
  • a "one time" program locks up the meter to preclude further changes therein.
  • postage meter refers to the general class of device for the imprinting of a defined unit value for governmental or private carrier delivery of parcels, envelopes or other like application for unit value printing.
  • postaage meter is utilized, it is both known and employed in the trade as a general term for devices utilized in conjunction with services other than those exclusively employed by governmental postage and tax services.
  • private, parcel and freight services purchase and employ such meters as a means to provide unit value printing and accounting for individual parcels.

Claims (15)

1. Procédé pour modifier une variable de micrologiciel dans un appareil électronique d'affranchissement, comprenant les étapes consistant à:
-stocker un programme pour le fonctionnement de l'appareil électronique d'affranchissement;
-fournir une donnée dans une mémoire rémanente extérieure au programme stocké, donnée qui est capable de modifier une variable dans le programme pour changer l'action du programme; et
-accéder à une telle donnée extérieure pendant le fonctionnement de l'appareil électronique d'affranchissement pour changer l'action du programme en conformité avec la présence de la donnée extérieure.
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le programme est stocké dans au moins une mémoire morte.
3. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, comprenant l'étape consistant à fournir la donnée de manière à permettre la modification des actions du programme pour établir la position de la virgule des décimale.
4. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé par l'étape consistant à stocker la donnée dans une mémoire rémanente, par l'intermédiaire d'un moyen de génération de message.
5. Procédé pour modifier une variable dans un micrologiciel dans un appareil électronique d'affranchissement, comprenant les étapes consistant à:
-stocker un programme pour le fonctionnement de l'appareil électronique d'affranchissement dans au moins une mémoire morte;
-établir une donnée dans une mémoire rémanente extérieure au programme stocké; et
-modifier une variable dans le micrologiciel en conformité avec la donnée extérieure.
6. Procédé selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que la donnée extérieure est établie dans une mémoire rémanente, par l'intermédiaire, d'un moyen de génération de message.
7. Dispositif pour modifier une variable dans un micrologiciel dans un appareil électronique d'affranchissement, comprenant:
-un moyen de mémoire morte (14) pour stocker un programme pour l'appareil électronique d'affranchissement;
-un moyen de mémoire rémanente (24);
-une donnée stockée dans le moyen de mémoire rémanente (24) pour changer les actions du micrologiciel; et un moyen (10, 12) intercon- nectant le moyen de mémoire morte (14) et le moyen de mémoire rémanente (24) pour fournir une communication entre eux afin d'accéder à la donnée et changer les actions du micrologiciel en conformité avec la présence de la donnée dans le moyen de mémoire rémanente (24).
8. Dispositif selon la revendication 7, dans lequel le moyen d'interconnexion comprend un bus de système (12) et un microprocesseur (10).
9. Dispositif selon la revendication 7 ou 8, dans lequel la présence de la donnée dans le moyen de mémoire rémanente (24) fournit l'établissement de la position de la virgulè des décimale.
10. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 9, dans lequel le moyen d'interconnexion peut fonctionner pour effectuer la communication afin d'accéder à la donnée et au micrologiciel pour changer les actions du micrologiciel en conformité avec la présence de la donnée dans le moyen de mémoire rémanente (24), la présence de la donnée dans le moyen de mémoire rémanente (24) résultant de l'établissement de la position de la virgule des décimales.
11. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 10, comprenant une autre donnée établie dans le moyen de mémoire rémanente (24) pour modifier la donnée pour changer la séquence du code du programme stocké.
12. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 11, comprenant en outre un moyen de génération de message pour entrer une donnée dans le moyen de mémoire rémanente (24).
13. Dispositif selon la revendication 12, dans lequel le moyen de génération de message comprend un clavier.
14. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 13, dans lequel la donnée sert à changer l'action d'une variable de micrologiciel stockée dans le moyen de mémoire rémanente (24).
15. Appareil électronique d'affranchissement, caractérisé par le dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 14.
EP19830112359 1982-12-08 1983-12-08 Procédé et dispositif pour modifier une variable firmware dans une machine à affranchir Expired EP0111317B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US44791282A 1982-12-08 1982-12-08
US447912 1982-12-08

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EP0111317A2 EP0111317A2 (fr) 1984-06-20
EP0111317A3 EP0111317A3 (en) 1987-08-12
EP0111317B1 true EP0111317B1 (fr) 1990-07-18

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EP (1) EP0111317B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2608539B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA1223360A (fr)
DE (1) DE3381746D1 (fr)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2163704A (en) * 1984-07-10 1986-03-05 Canon Kk Controlling image processing apparatus
EP0187374A2 (fr) * 1984-12-24 1986-07-16 Pitney Bowes Inc. Cellules d'affichage et systèmes à mémoire permanente
EP0194662A2 (fr) * 1985-03-12 1986-09-17 Pitney Bowes Inc. Machine d'affranchissement électronique ayant un dispositif de contrôle d'état de fonctionnement
EP0241598A2 (fr) * 1985-12-26 1987-10-21 Pitney Bowes Inc. Système pour la comptabilité de taxes postales par une machine d'affranchissement avec sécurité de données pendant le tirage de comptabilisation
EP0388843A2 (fr) * 1989-03-23 1990-09-26 Neopost Industrie Configuration à distance de caractéristiques commandées par programme d'une machine reliée à une machine à affranchir électronique
GB2251211A (en) * 1990-12-31 1992-07-01 Alcatel Business Systems Franking machine for metering a plurality of postage services.
EP0657988A2 (fr) * 1993-12-09 1995-06-14 Pitney Bowes Inc. Circuit multiple à modulation de largeur d'impulsions
EP1037169A2 (fr) 1999-03-17 2000-09-20 Francotyp-Postalia Aktiengesellschaft & Co. Procédé et dispositif d'entrée d'image de marquage dans une machine à affranchir

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4528644A (en) * 1983-07-18 1985-07-09 Pitney Bowes Inc. Customizing the firmware after assembly of an electronic postage meter
KR100657740B1 (ko) 2004-12-22 2006-12-14 주식회사 엘지화학 브랜치된 술폰화 멀티 블록 공중합체 및 이를 이용한전해질막

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3978457A (en) * 1974-12-23 1976-08-31 Pitney-Bowes, Inc. Microcomputerized electronic postage meter system
JPS6052477B2 (ja) * 1977-04-28 1985-11-19 グローリー工業株式会社 貨幣両替機
JPS6014389B2 (ja) * 1977-09-20 1985-04-12 株式会社東芝 通貨両替機
US4301507A (en) * 1979-10-30 1981-11-17 Pitney Bowes Inc. Electronic postage meter having plural computing systems
US4280179A (en) * 1979-10-30 1981-07-21 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postage meter having interactive arithmetic operation capability
US4325440A (en) * 1980-05-27 1982-04-20 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and system for computing special fees in a parcel postage metering system
GB2079223B (en) * 1980-07-09 1984-03-14 Roneo Alcatel Ltd Postal franking meter
US4410961A (en) * 1981-02-17 1983-10-18 Pitney Bowes Inc. Interface between a processor system and peripheral devices used in a mailing system

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2163704B (en) * 1984-07-10 1989-06-01 Canon Kk Image processing apparatus
GB2163704A (en) * 1984-07-10 1986-03-05 Canon Kk Controlling image processing apparatus
EP0187374A2 (fr) * 1984-12-24 1986-07-16 Pitney Bowes Inc. Cellules d'affichage et systèmes à mémoire permanente
EP0187374A3 (fr) * 1984-12-24 1990-02-14 Pitney Bowes Inc. Cellules d'affichage et systèmes à mémoire permanente
EP0194662A3 (en) * 1985-03-12 1987-04-22 Pitney Bowes Inc. Electronic postage meter having a status monitor
EP0194662A2 (fr) * 1985-03-12 1986-09-17 Pitney Bowes Inc. Machine d'affranchissement électronique ayant un dispositif de contrôle d'état de fonctionnement
EP0241598A3 (en) * 1985-12-26 1988-06-29 Pitney Bowes Inc. System for accounting for postage expended by a postage meter having data security during editing of accounts
EP0241598A2 (fr) * 1985-12-26 1987-10-21 Pitney Bowes Inc. Système pour la comptabilité de taxes postales par une machine d'affranchissement avec sécurité de données pendant le tirage de comptabilisation
EP0388843A2 (fr) * 1989-03-23 1990-09-26 Neopost Industrie Configuration à distance de caractéristiques commandées par programme d'une machine reliée à une machine à affranchir électronique
EP0388843A3 (fr) * 1989-03-23 1991-07-31 Neopost Industrie Configuration à distance de caractéristiques commandées par programme d'une machine reliée à une machine à affranchir électronique
GB2251211A (en) * 1990-12-31 1992-07-01 Alcatel Business Systems Franking machine for metering a plurality of postage services.
GB2251211B (en) * 1990-12-31 1994-08-24 Alcatel Business Systems Franking machine
EP0657988A2 (fr) * 1993-12-09 1995-06-14 Pitney Bowes Inc. Circuit multiple à modulation de largeur d'impulsions
EP1037169A2 (fr) 1999-03-17 2000-09-20 Francotyp-Postalia Aktiengesellschaft & Co. Procédé et dispositif d'entrée d'image de marquage dans une machine à affranchir

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2608539B2 (ja) 1997-05-07
JPS59112381A (ja) 1984-06-28
EP0111317A3 (en) 1987-08-12
CA1223360A (fr) 1987-06-23
DE3381746D1 (de) 1990-08-23
EP0111317A2 (fr) 1984-06-20

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