EP0188382B1 - Machine de traitement de courrier - Google Patents

Machine de traitement de courrier Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0188382B1
EP0188382B1 EP19860300276 EP86300276A EP0188382B1 EP 0188382 B1 EP0188382 B1 EP 0188382B1 EP 19860300276 EP19860300276 EP 19860300276 EP 86300276 A EP86300276 A EP 86300276A EP 0188382 B1 EP0188382 B1 EP 0188382B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
test
response
control panel
mailing machine
diagnostic
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.)
Revoked
Application number
EP19860300276
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0188382A2 (fr
EP0188382A3 (en
Inventor
William J. Linkowski
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
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=27105031&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP0188382(B1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Priority claimed from US06/692,803 external-priority patent/US4639918A/en
Priority claimed from US06/692,752 external-priority patent/US4644541A/en
Application filed by Pitney Bowes Inc filed Critical Pitney Bowes Inc
Publication of EP0188382A2 publication Critical patent/EP0188382A2/fr
Publication of EP0188382A3 publication Critical patent/EP0188382A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0188382B1 publication Critical patent/EP0188382B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Revoked legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • 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
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • 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
    • G07B17/00314—Communication within apparatus, personal computer [PC] system, or server, e.g. between printhead and central unit in a franking machine
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00467—Transporting mailpieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • 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
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00266—Man-machine interface on the apparatus
    • G07B2017/00274—Mechanical, e.g. keyboard
    • 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
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00266—Man-machine interface on the apparatus
    • G07B2017/00298—Visual, e.g. screens and their layouts
    • 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
    • G07B17/00314—Communication within apparatus, personal computer [PC] system, or server, e.g. between printhead and central unit in a franking machine
    • G07B2017/00338—Error detection or handling
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00467—Transporting mailpieces
    • G07B2017/005—Measures for preventing or handling mailpieces stoppages
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00516—Details of printing apparatus
    • G07B2017/00556—Ensuring quality of print
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00669—Sensing the position of mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00677—Keeping track of mailpieces inside apparatus

Definitions

  • This invention relates to mailing machines, and particularly although not exclusively to a method and apparatus for utilizing the control keyboard to run diagnostic tests on mailing machine sub-systems without the use of special equipment.
  • the invention also relates to a method and apparatus for diagnostic testing of the contents of a programmable device in a mailing machine.
  • Mechanical mailing machines comprising automatic letter feeding apparatus and postage metering and printing apparatus are in wide use. These prior art machines utilize primarily mechanical means to control feeding of documents for printing of metered postage impressions at the proper location on the document. This requires mechanical control means for maintaining and achieving registration of the printed impression with respect to each document as well as providing for the feeding of documents of variable lengths and thicknesses. Such mechanical control mechanisms are often unreliable, require frequent maintenance, and are largely non-programmable and require periodic adjustment and parts replacement due to ageing and wear of mechanical parts.
  • US-A-4629871 discloses a method and apparatus for performing diagnostic testing in an automatic mailing machine having a plurality of subsystems and a control panel which includes a visual display and a plurality of keys for control of the mailing machine's functions during a normal mode of operation.
  • the method and apparatus allow for execution of a first step of initiating a test mode by operating a predetermined key on the control panel and a second step of performing a diagnostic test selected from a plurality of possible tests.
  • the mailing machine of US-A-4629871 automatically carries out one of a number of possible tests on completion of a certain action (e.g. the insertion of a data card).
  • a method of performing diagnostic testing in an automatic mailing machine having a plurality of subsystems and a control panel which includes a visual display and a plurality of keys for control of the mailing machine's functions during a normal mode of operation comprising a first step of initiating a test mode by operating a predetermined key on the control panel; and a second step of performing a diagnostic test selected from a plurality of possible tests, characterised in that the method includes the steps of converting the control panel to function as a test selection panel in response to initiating the test mode; generating a password signal in response to operation of a predetermined sequence of control panel keys; and generating a test mode signal appropriate to the test it is desired to carry out in response to operation of a predetermined sequence of control panel keys.
  • apparatus for diagnostic testing of the subsystems of an automatic mailing machine comprising control panel means having a plurality of control keys and a visual display, for controlling the mailing machine's functions during a normal mode of operation; means for initiating a test mode in response to operation of a predetermined key of the control panel means; and means for performing a diagnostic test selected from a plurality of diagnostic tests in response to initiation of the test mode, characterised in that the apparatus includes means for converting the control panel to function as a test selection panel in response to an initiating of the test mode; means for generating a password signal in response to operation of a predetermined sequence of control keys; and means for generating a test code signal in response to operation of a predetermined sequence of control panel keys.
  • the apparatus may include means for storing a preselected sum value, the total sum value may be displayed on a visual display, or means may be provided to compare the total sum value to a preselected check sum value and display an error indication in response to a difference between said values.
  • FIG. 1 is an illustration of a specific embodiment of a mailing machine 10 embodying the invention.
  • the mailing machine 10 comprises numerous subsystems described hereinafter including a document feeder bin 12 for holding documents for an automatic document feeder 13 which feeds to a conventional belt and roller document transport mechanism (not shown) contained within a housing 14.
  • the document feeder 13 and transport mechanism are driven in the conventional manner by an electric drive motor (not shown) also contained within the housing 10.
  • An adjustment knob 16 permits adjustment of the feeder 13 to provide for a range of envelope thicknesses.
  • the transport mechanism utilizes a transport belt (not shown) to move each document along a document deck 18 to a postage meter 20 which, when activated, prints a postage indicia on the document and seals the document envelope.
  • a control panel 22, including control keys and a visual display, provides for operator control of the mailing machine functions.
  • a meter select lever 24 permits the meter to be disabled so as to only seal envelopes without printing a postage indicia and further permits the meter to be detached from the mailing machine.
  • the postage meter is mechanical, but may also be electronic or partially electronic.
  • a photo-sensor (not shown) located within the housing is utilized to detect the flow of documents through the transport mechanism.
  • the control panel 22 includes a test mode key 102 for activating a test mode, an ink key 104 for activating an ink solenoid to provide ink to the postage meter print mechanism, a start key 106 for starting the mailing machine, a stop key 108 for stopping the machine, and a clear key 110 for clearing a display 112.
  • the display 112 is preferably a four digit light emitting diode (LED) display for displaying a piece count and diagnostic information.
  • test, ink and start keys each have an indicator light (e.g., an LED in the preferred embodiment), indicated by reference numerals 114, 116 and 118 respectively, to indicate to the operator when the associated key has been activated.
  • a jam indicator 120 indicates when documents are jammed in the machine, and a power on indicator 122 indicates when power is applied to the mailing machine.
  • a bank of switches located under the control panel permit adjustment of the location of the printing of the postage indicia printed by the postage meter.
  • the mailing machine control panel 22 performs a dual function of providing control by an operator of mailing machine functions in a normal operating mode, and in a test mode provides control of diagnostic test procedures (i.e., the control panel keys serve as code entry keys for initiating tests).
  • the test key When an operator desires to test the mailing machine, the test key is depressed thereby switching the machine into a test mode.
  • the operator enters a password sequence (e.g., depressing the ink, stop, clear and ink keys in sequence) using the keys of the control panel thereby starting the test procedure.
  • a sign-on message e.g. HELP in the preferred embodiment
  • the operator can start and monitor electrical or electromechanical devices of the mailing machine via the control panel using the LED display for output of information.
  • the stop key is depressed which shuts down the test performed and displays "EN00" on the visual display, which indicates that the system is ready to initiate another diagnostic test.
  • the test key is depressed which disables the test indicator light and switches the system back to the normal mode of operation.
  • a microcomputer 202 e.g., an Intel 8031
  • An electrically programmed read only memory (EPROM) 204 provides field programmable program memory for the microcomputer 202.
  • This programmable device (EPROM) 204 is addressed by the microcomputer 202 via an 8 bit address coupled through a bus 208 to an 8 bit latch 210 and via a 4 bit bus 206 from the upper byte of the address port of the microcomputer 202, as shown.
  • the EPROM 204 is enabled by the program store enable signal (PSEN) and the latch 210 is strobed by the address latch enable strobe (ALE).
  • PSEN program store enable signal
  • ALE address latch enable strobe
  • the addressed data from the EPROM 204 is coupled upon being strobed by the PSEN signal to a data bus 214.
  • a bi-directional bus transceiver 212 provides buffering for passing data between the bus 208 and the data bus 214, as, shown, and is controlled by the PSEN signal and a read signal (RD) from the microcomputer 202.
  • a chip enable decoder 218 is provided to generate enable signals to control several peripheral latches 228, 232 and buffer circuits 226, and is controlled by the microcomputer 202 via the RD signal, and a write strobe (WR) as well as by 4 secondary address lines coupled from the latch 210, as shown.
  • a conventional watchdog timer 220 e.g. a monostable multivibrator retriggered periodically (e.g. every 150ms in the preferred embodiment) by the microcomputer 202 via a data line 221 is provided to generate watchdog signals which are coupled to the microcomputer external interrupt zero input (INT0), as well as to several latch circuits 228, 232, as shown.
  • the watchdog timer interrupts the processor to allow a restart and inhibits the display and power latches 228, 232.
  • a letter sensor 222 (e.g., a photo-sensor) is provided for sensing the flow of documents through the mailing machine by generating an interrupt signal in response to detection of the leading edge of a document.
  • This interrupt signal is coupled through a buffer 224 to the microcomputer external interrupt one input (INT1), as shown.
  • the microcomputer 202 waits for a fixed delay time (e.g. 40ms in the preferred embodiment) during which time it reads data from a bank of data switches 216 which determines a programmable delay. This delay is added to the fixed delay and after the total delay period the microcomputer 202 energizes a letter solenoid (not shown). The letter solenoid activates the postage meter 20 causing the postage indicia to be printed.
  • the photo-sensor signal from the trailing edge of the document is used by the microcomputer 202 to prepare for the next leading edge. If no trailing edge occurs for 400ms, the processor generates a "jam" signal which activates the jam indicator 120.
  • the microcomputer 202 controls an ink solenoid which supplies ink to the postage meter for 10 seconds in response to activation of the ink key 104.
  • the signals for controlling these solenoids are coupled from the microcomputer 202 through the data bus 214 to a latch 228 and then through power buffers 230, as shown. In addition, some of the data coupled to the latch 228 is utilized to control the motor (not shown) which drives the document feeder and transport mechanism.
  • the switch bank 216 comprises a set of four switches (e.g., a DIP switch package in the preferred embodiment) which are coupled through a buffer 226 to the data bus 214, as shown, thereby providing binary coded switch data to the microcomputer 202 via the buses 214 and 208 and bus transceiver 212.
  • This data is utilized by the microcomputer 202 to determine the amount of time delay between the sensing of the leading edge of a document through the transport mechanism of the mailing machine and the printing of the postage indicia on the document.
  • these selection switches permit an operator to adjust the delay and therefore control the indicia positioning.
  • the microcomputer 202 communicates with the control panel 22 via two paths: (1) a 6 bit data bus 236 and (2) a path through the latch 232 and buffer 234, as shown.
  • the data bus 236 couples to a 3x3 keyboard matrix providing for input to the microcomputer 202 from a total of nine switches of which only five are presently used as described hereinbefore.
  • 4 bits of data are coupled from the bus 214 through the latch 232 and buffers 234 to activate the test indicator light 114, the ink indicator light 116, the start indicator light 118, and the jam flow indicator light 120.
  • the data DDATA on line 240 for display on the four digit LED display 112 is serially clocked into a set of display registers in the display by a DCLK signal on line 238.
  • FIG. 4 is an illustration of a flow diagram of a specific diagnostic test initiation sequence according to the invention.
  • the test initiation sequence begins with software operating in a normal mode as indicated at 300.
  • a test is performed to determine whether the test key has been depressed. If not, the system returns to the normal mode and continues in normal operation. If the test key has been depressed, the system waits for entry of a password and then a logic test is performed to determine whether a valid password has been entered as illustrated at 320. If a valid password has not been entered, the system will return to a normal mode of operation, as shown. If the valid password has been entered a sign-on message will be displayed on the LED display on the control panel, as indicated at block 330.
  • test selection code After which a "valid code" logic test will be performed to determine if a proper test code has been entered as illustrated at 340. If the proper test code has not been entered program control passes to block 350 to determine whether the test key has been depressed, which results in exit from the test mode and return to the normal mode. If the test key has not been depressed then the system will return to block 340 to continue to monitor for a valid test code. If a valid test code has been entered the system proceeds to perform the test according to the test code entered as indicated at block 360 and monitors the stop key to determine if the test is to be stopped as indicated at block 370 ( Figures 5A to 5F are flow diagrams of some suitable tests).
  • test control passes back to block 340 permitting exit from the test mode by depressing the test key or permitting another test to be performed by the entry of a valid test code.
  • a test of the LED display and LED indicator lights is initiated by depressing the ink key twice and then the start key (i.e., the test code for the display test in the preferred embodiment) which will initialize all segments of the LED display with a count of 0000 and turn all the LED indicators on simultaneously (see Figure 5A).
  • the test will then proceed by successively turning off each LED and incrementing all four digits of the display until each LED has been turned off and the display reads 4444.
  • the LEDs are then turned on again, the display incremented and the procedure repeated until the display reads 9999. This entire procedure continues to repeat until the stop key is depressed.
  • An optical sensor test is initiated by depressing the ink, stop, and start keys after first lifting the document transport belt to permit access to the photo-sensors (see Figure 5B). The operator may then test the sensor by alternately inserting a document to block the sensor which will cause 0000 to be displayed, and removing the document from the document deck which will cause 1111 to be displayed. The stop key is depressed to end the test.
  • FIG. 5C illustrates a flow diagram of a program for performing the check sum test. This program would be performed at block 360 of Figure 4. The program is entered at block 400 from the point following block 340 of Figure 4 in the event that a valid test code has been entered. At block 400 an accumulator labeled SUM is set to zero and the address pointer is set to zero.
  • Program flow then proceeds to block 410 where the data bit at the address of the address pointer is fetched from memory and then, as indicated at 420, this data bit is added to the value of the accumulator SUM to provide a new value of SUM. After the new SUM value has been calculated, program flow proceeds to block 430 where the address pointer is incremented and then the address pointer is tested as illustrated at 440, to determine if the most significant bit is equal to one. If the most significant bit is not equal to one, indicating that the full memory has not been summed, program flow proceeds back to block 410 where the process is repeated.
  • program flow proceeds to block 450 where the SUM value is formatted for display on the LED display 112. The sum is then displayed as a hexadecimal value on the LED display as indicated at 460 and program control then passes to block 370 as indicated in Figure 4.
  • an expected value of the SUM is stored in memory and the calculated SUM is compared to the expected value. If a difference exists an error message is displayed, and if no difference is found, a message indicating a correct SUM is displayed.
  • a motor-on test is initiated by depressing the ink, clear, and start keys to initiate a test which runs the motor until the stop key is depressed (see Figure 5D).
  • a letter solenoid on/off test is initiated by first moving the meter select lever from the operate to the seal only position (i.e., disabling the meter) and then depressing the clear, ink and start keys (see Figure 5E). The letter solenoid will be energized and deenergized every second verifying operation of the solenoid.
  • an improved system for diagnostic checking of mailing machine subsystems an improved diagnostic checking system for subsystems in a mailing machine utilizing the mailing machine's control panel keyboard and display to operate and monitor mailing machine subsystems to permit testing without external equipment; an improved system for diagnostic checking of proper function of programmable devices in a mailing machine; and an improved diagnostic checking system for a programmable device in a mailing machine which is simple to utilize and which can operate in real time without requiring special equipment.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Testing Of Devices, Machine Parts, Or Other Structures Thereof (AREA)

Claims (24)

  1. Un procédé pour effectuer des tests de diagnostic dans une machine de traitement automatique de courrier (10) comportant plusieurs sous-systèmes et un panneau de commande (22) qui comporte un visualiseur (12) et plusieurs touches (102, 104, 106, 108, 110) pour commander les fonctions de la machine de traitement de courrier pendant un mode normal de fonctionnement (300), procédé comprenant une première étape d'enclenchement d'un mode de test par actionnement d'une touche prédéterminée (102) sur le panneau de commande (22) ; et une seconde étape d'exécution d'un test de diagnostic sélectionné parmi plusieurs tests possibles, le procédé comprenant les étapes consistant à convertir le panneau de commande (22) pour fonctionner comme un panneau de sélection de test en réponse à un enclenchement du mode de test; produire un signal de mot de passe en réponse à un actionnement d'une séquence prédéterminée de touches (102, 104, 106, 108, 110 ) du panneau de commande ; et produire un signal de mode de test approprié pour le test qu'il est souhaité d'effectuer en réponse à un actionnement d'une séquence prédéterminée de touches (102, 104, 106, 108, 110 ) du panneau de commande.
  2. Le procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'un des plusieurs tests de diagnostic comprend les étapes consistant à activer un sous-système prédéterminé de la machine de traitement de courrier (19), à désactiver le sous-système en réponse à l'actionnement d'une touche d'arrêt (108), et à afficher une indication de fin de test sur le visualiseur (112) en réponse à un actionnement de la touche d'arrêt (108).
  3. Le procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce qu'un des plusieurs tests de diagnostic comprend les étapes consistant à initialiser le visualiseur (112) au moyen d'une séquence prédéterminée de caractères pour tester le visualiseur et à répéter la séquence jusqu'à l'actionnement d'une touche d'arrêt (108).
  4. Le procédé selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes, où la machine de traitement de courrier (10) comprend un photodétecteur (222), caractérisé en ce qu'un des plusieurs tests de diagnostic comprend les étapes consistant à afficher un ensemble présélectionné de caractères sur le visualiseur (112) en réponse à un blocage du photodétecteur (222), à afficher un second ensemble présélectionné de caractères sur le visualiseur (112) en réponse à une libération du photodétecteur (222), et à arrêter le test en réponse à un actionnement d'une touche d'arrêt (108).
  5. Le procédé selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes, où la machine de traitement de courrier (10) comprend un calculateur de taxes postales (20) actionné par un solenoïde sensible aux lettres, caractérisé en ce que l'un des plusieurs tests de diagnostic est un test de solenoïde sensible aux lettres, comprenant les étapes d'extension du solenoïde pendant une période de temps prédéterminée, de rétraction du solenoïde pendant une période de temps prédéterminée et de répétition des étapes d'extension et de rétraction jusqu'à ce qu'une touche d'arrêt (108) soit enfoncée.
  6. Le procédé selon la revendication 5, comprenant en outre l'étape consistant à interdire le fonctionnement du calculateur de taxes postales (20) avant l'exécution du test de solenoïde sensible aux lettres.
  7. Un procédé selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes, où la machine de traitement de courrier comprend un dispositif programmable (204), caractérisé en ce que le procédé comprend les étapes consistant à additionner les contenus du dispositif programmable (204) de façon à obtenir une valeur de sommation totale en réponse à une commutation dans le mode de test ; et à afficher la valeur de sommation totale sur le visualiseur du panneau de commande.
  8. Le procédé selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre l'étape consistant à comparer la valeur de sommation totale avec une valeur de contrôle prédéterminée et à produire un signal d'erreur en réponse à une différence entre les valeurs précitées.
  9. Le procédé selon la revendication 7 ou la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre l'étape consistant à conserver la valeur de sommation totale sur le visualiseur (112) du panneau de commande jusqu'à l'actionnement d'une touche d'arrêt (108) et à effacer le visualiseur (112) en réponse à un actionnement de la touche d'arrêt (108).
  10. Appareil pour effectuer des tests de diagnostic des sous-systèmes d'une machine de traitement automatique de courrier (10), comprenant un panneau de commande (22), comportant plusieurs touches de commande (102, 104, 106, 108, 110) et un visualiseur (112), pour commander les fonctions de la machine de traitement de courrier pendant un mode normal (300) de fonctionnement ; des moyens (200) pour enclencher un mode de test en réponse à un actionnement d'une touche prédéterminée (102) du panneau de commande (22) ; et des moyens pour effectuer un test de diagnostic choisi parmi plusieurs tests de diagnostic en réponse à un enclenchement du mode de test, caractérisé en ce que l'appareil comprend des moyens (200) pour convertir le panneau de commande pour qu'il fonctionne comme un panneau de sélection de test en réponse à un enclenchement du mode de test ; des moyens (200) pour produire un signal de mot de passe en réponse à une exécution d'une séquence prédéterminée de touches de commande ; et des moyens (200) pour produire un signal de code de test en réponse à un actionnement d'une séquence prédéterminée de touches (102, 104, 106, 108, 110) du panneau de commande.
  11. L'appareil selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre des moyens pour sélectionner l'un des plusieurs tests en réponse à un actionnement de touches du panneau de commande correspondant à une séquence de codes de test qui est unique pour le test sélectionné.
  12. L'appareil selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre des moyens (200) pour interdire un fonctionnement des moyens d'exécution d'un test de diagnostic et des moyens de sélection d'un test de diagnostic en l'absence de l'actionnement de touches (102, 104, 106, 108, 110) du panneau de commande correspondant à une séquence de mots de passe prédéterminée.
  13. L'appareil selon une quelconque des revendications 10 à 12, caractérisé en ce que les moyens d'exécution d'un test de diagnostic comprennent des moyens (200) répondant à une séquence de codes de test unique pour activer un sous-système prédéterminé de la machine de traitement de courrier et pour désactiver le sous-système en réponse à l'actionnement d'une touche d'arrêt (108).
  14. L'appareil selon une quelconque des revendications 10 à 13, caractérisé en ce que les moyens d'exécution d'un test de diagnostic comprennent des moyens (200) répondant à une séquence de codes de test unique pour initialiser le visualiseur (112) avec un ensemble prédéterminé de caractères et pour incrémenter le visualiseur au moyen d'une séquence prédéterminée de caractères.
  15. L'appareil selon une quelconque des revendications 10 à 14, où la machine de traitement de courrier comprend un photodétecteur (222), caractérisé en ce que les moyens d'exécution d'un test de diagnostic comprennent des moyens (200) répondant à une séquence de codes de test unique pour afficher un ensemble présélectionné de caractères sur le visualiseur (112) en réponse à un blocage du photodétecteur (222) et pour afficher un second ensemble présélectionné de caractères sur le visualiseur (112) en réponse à un effacement du photodétecteur (222).
  16. L'appareil selon une quelconque des revendications 10 à 15, où la machine de traitement de courrier (10) comprend un solenoïde sensible aux lettres et caractérisé en ce que les moyens d'exécution d'un test de diagnostic comprennent des moyens, répondant à une séquence de codes de test unique, pour produire une extension du solenoïde pendant une période de temps prédéterminée et une rétraction du solenoïde pendant une période de temps prédéterminée.
  17. L'appareil selon une quelconque des revendications 10 à 16, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens pour un test de diagnostic des contenus d'un dispositif programmable (204) dans une machine de traitement automatique de courrier (10), ces moyens comprenant des moyens répondant à l'enclenchement d'un mode de test pour additionner les contenus du dispositif programmable (204) afin d'obtenir une valeur de sommation totale.
  18. L'appareil selon la revendication 17, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens pour afficher la valeur de sommation totale sur le visualiseur (112).
  19. L'appareil selon une quelconque des revendications 10 à 18, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens pour convertir les touches de commande du panneau de commande (22) en touches d'entrée de codes en réponse à un enclenchement du mode de test ainsi que des moyens (200) pour contrôler les touches d'entrées de codes afin de détecter l'entrée d'une séquence de mots de passe prédéterminée et pour interdire ladite sommation, ou bien pour interdire le fonctionnement des moyens d'exécution d'un test sélectionné, suivant le cas, en l'absence de détection de la séquence de mots de passe.
  20. L'appareil selon la revendication 19, comprenant en outre des moyens (200) pour contrôler les touches d'entrée de codes afin de détecter l'actionnement de touches d'entrée de codes correspondant à une séquence de codes de test prédéterminée ainsi que des moyens pour interdire une sommation en l'absence de la séquence de codes de test.
  21. L'appareil selon une quelconque des revendications 17 à 20, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens pour mémoriser une valeur de sommation présélectionnée, des moyens pour comparer la valeur de sommation totale avec la valeur de sommation présélectionnée et des moyens pour afficher sur le visualiseur (112) une indication d'erreur en réponse à une différence entre la valeur de sommation totale et la valeur de sommation présélectionnée.
  22. L'appareil selon une quelconque des revendications 19 à 21, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens pour revenir au mode normal de fonctionnement (300) en réponse à une détection d'une séquence de mots de passe non valable.
  23. L'appareil selon une quelconque des revendications 17 à 22, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif programmable est une mémoire morte.
  24. L'appareil selon une quelconque des revendications 10 à 23, où la machine de traitement de courrier comprend un calculateur de taxes postales (20) séparable.
EP19860300276 1985-01-18 1986-01-16 Machine de traitement de courrier Revoked EP0188382B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/692,803 US4639918A (en) 1985-01-18 1985-01-18 Diagnostic control keyboard for a mailing machine
US692803 1985-01-18
US06/692,752 US4644541A (en) 1985-01-18 1985-01-18 Diagnostic test for programmable device in a mailing machine
US692752 1985-01-18

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0188382A2 EP0188382A2 (fr) 1986-07-23
EP0188382A3 EP0188382A3 (en) 1987-05-27
EP0188382B1 true EP0188382B1 (fr) 1992-04-08

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ID=27105031

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19860300276 Revoked EP0188382B1 (fr) 1985-01-18 1986-01-16 Machine de traitement de courrier

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EP (1) EP0188382B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH0612307B2 (fr)
DE (1) DE3684717D1 (fr)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2555364Y2 (ja) * 1991-08-09 1997-11-19 甲府日本電気株式会社 昇降スタンドにおける損傷防止構造

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ZA743969B (en) * 1973-10-16 1975-06-25 Pitney Bowes Inc Computer responsive postage meter
US4629871A (en) * 1979-12-28 1986-12-16 Pitney Bowes, Inc. Electronic postage meter system settable by means of a remotely generated input device
US4480329A (en) * 1981-03-31 1984-10-30 Xerox Corporation Diagnostic routine selector and display
US4477901A (en) * 1981-11-23 1984-10-16 Xerox Corporation Directive diagnostics

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH0612307B2 (ja) 1994-02-16
DE3684717D1 (de) 1992-05-14
EP0188382A2 (fr) 1986-07-23
JPS61174978A (ja) 1986-08-06
EP0188382A3 (en) 1987-05-27

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