JPH0130188B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Industrial Application The present invention is fully portable, capable of being held and operated by hand, and can be carried in one of many small spaces such as a pocket, wallet or briefcase. This invention relates to a compact postage meter equipped with a microcomputer that can be stored in a small space.

(b) Prior Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention Postage meters are widely used today in commerce and industry to selectively print postage stamps on mail items such as envelopes, stamps, etc. has been done. Managers of these jobs, which often involve medium to large sums of mail, can use pre-printed postage stamps one by one, which is much faster than the manual process of moistening, positioning, and pasting each item onto a piece of mail. Know that you can handle your postage economically and conveniently. Additionally, printed postage is both impressive and attractive to the recipient of the mail on which the postage is printed.

However, individuals who use the postal system less frequently than businesses have not been able to take advantage of the benefits of postage meters for a number of reasons. First, using currently known rate meters is only economically viable when relatively large quantities of postage are printed. Additionally, these meters are typically large, bulky, and cumbersome, and are typically installed to operate in a fixed position. These meters are therefore inconvenient to use for those accustomed to carrying postage on their person in the form of preprinted stamps.

Generally, postage meters currently on the market are specifically designed for corporate use due to the nature of their large postage requirements. As mentioned above, these meters are usually large and installed in fixed locations. They are typically rotatably mounted printing templates that are operated to rotate in synchrony with the linearly moving mail piece;
Alternatively, complex mechanical printing devices are employed consisting of fixed printing templates against which the mailpiece is mechanically pressed to place the desired postage indicia on the mailpiece.

A postage meter structure is proposed in commonly assigned US Pat. No. 3,869,986.
The postage meter includes a fixed ink jet device for printing variable postage indicia, such as the date or postage, and a fixed inkjet device, such as the postage registration number. In order to print, a mechanical printing device is used in which the template is rotated by a drum and an ink roller is used to apply ink and stamp the template. The ink jet device operates in conjunction with the printing drum to print a variable indicia, such as a date, inside the fixed postage indicia created by the rotation of the printing drum.
Such mechanical printing devices include drums and associated drum drive mechanisms, making the devices complex, expensive, and unsuitable for personal use.

Two pending U.S. patent applications assigned to the assignee of the present invention depict a highly complex postage meter that includes a mechanical postage printing device but also employs a microcomputer device that performs control and data processing functions. Published on. However, none of these postage meters are convenient for individuals who need a quick way to obtain postage for relatively small amounts of mail, regardless of time or location.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact postage system equipped with a microcomputer that is convenient to carry by omitting a complicated mechanical printing device, and allows a large amount of postage to be stored in the postage meter, making it more convenient for individuals to use. The aim is to provide a measurement system.

(C) Means for Solving the Problems The configuration of the present invention will be explained using FIG. 21.

a printing device having an ink jet device mounted to eject ink droplets in a pattern forming a postage indicia on a mail item, such as an envelope;
namely, an ink jet printing device 54, and a postage memory register 11 for storing purchased postage amounts.
6. A logic circuit 108 for controlling these is provided, and the logic circuit 108 includes a storage means 141 for storing a matrix pattern for driving the ink jet device, and a storage means 141 for reading out this matrix pattern to calculate postage. drive control means 142 for sequentially operating the ink jet device according to the matrix pattern as the postage stamp moves relative to the mail item; and a drive control means 142 for sequentially operating the ink jet device according to the matrix pattern; Calculation means 1 for reducing the postage amount
43 are provided.

(d) Function To explain the function of the present invention, variable and fixed postage stamps are automatically printed by the drive control means 142 according to a predetermined matrix pattern simply by moving the ink jet printing device 54 onto the mail piece. is formed. Furthermore, the calculation means 143 automatically subtracts the amount printed on the postage stamp from the postage amount stored in the postage memory register 116, and the currently usable amount of postage is automatically managed. can be used conveniently. A complex mechanical printing device consisting of a large, bulky and cumbersome fixed printing template provided in conventional rate meters can be omitted, and a significant reduction in size can be achieved.

(e) Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a microcomputer of the present invention, generally indicated at 10, in a position immediately after printing a scheduled postage stamp 12 on the upper right corner of a mail piece called an envelope 14. 1 shows an embodiment of a small postage meter equipped with the following. Of course, postage indicia can easily be printed on other mail items, as well as stamps that are affixed to the package or directly to the package surface.

The illustrated envelope 14 is a conventional letter size, ie, 10.2 cm high by 24.1 cm wide. It will be readily appreciated that the present miniature postage meter 10 is very small when compared to other currently known postage meters used in commerce and industry (planned dimensions are approximately height 9.5cm×
3.8cm in diameter). This postage meter is about the same size as many items that people often carry, such as butane cigarette lighters, key carrying cases, and cosmetic compacts. Since the meter is completely independent and the postage stored in the meter can be printed out anytime and anywhere, the meter is as convenient to use as a pre-printed postage stamp. Furthermore, large amounts of postage can be stored more easily in the billing system than if the same amount were stored in a variety of smaller stamps.

As will be explained in more detail below, the compact size of the postage meter 10 allows for the use of a single chip microcomputer that performs the control and data processing functions of the postage meter and that handles all mechanical postage. This was achieved by eliminating handling equipment and the usual large and bulky mechanical printing equipment.
In particular, the meter is designed to be moved relative to the mail item by an operator while an electronic printing device controlled by a microcomputer prints the desired postage indicia. .

In this embodiment, the present postage meter 10 is programmed to print a postage indicia 12 having only fixed information. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 and more specifically in FIG.
The postage stamp information includes the meter registration number 16, the amount of postage 18, and the status and number 20 of the central postage distribution office where the meter was issued. The information also includes pre-arranged code marks 22 to eliminate counterfeit postage printing. The meter is programmed to print additional fixed information or variable information such as the date. With some complex modifications described below, the meter may also be adapted to print variable postage amounts.

With reference to FIGS. 2 to 8, the micro-
The compact postage meter 10 with computer has a main cylindrical body 24 which houses the operating parts of the meter. The cylinder 24 is fastened at its lower end to two partially cylindrical, diametrically opposed skirts 26 and 28 (FIGS. 2 and 3).
(Fig. and Fig. 4). two guide rollers 30 and 32 mounted to extend or shorten the distance between opposite axially extending sides of opposite skirts;
14 on the envelope 14 or other mail item.
Make it easier for 0 to move.

The parts of the meter are hidden and protected within the cylinder 24 from both the bottom and the top. The top of the cylinder 24 is closed by a cap 38 having a cylindrical side wall 40 with limited telescoping movement on the cylinder. A side wall 40 is provided with an inward annular rabbet 42 on the lower edge of the side wall which attaches an outward annular rabbet 44 formed in the cylinder 24 to retain the cap on the cylinder. Ru.
A resilient corrugated washer 48, sandwiched between the cap bottom 50 and the top 52 of the cylinder, pushes the cap axially outwardly from the cylinder as far as is permitted by the two interlocking rabbets. . As shown in FIG. 6, the inside of the side wall 40 of the cap and the outside of the top of the cylinder 24 are provided with interlocking keyways to prevent relative cylinder-cap rotation about a common axis A. It has been. The meter is operated to print a postage indicia by pressing the cap onto the cylinder.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the operating parts of the meter include a printing device, or ink jet, which is mounted on the base plate 37 and takes the form of an ink jet device generally indicated at 54. It has a printing device. The printing device is arranged to eject droplets of ink onto the mailpiece in the manner of the figure forming the postage indicia 12 when moved closely relative to the mailpiece, as depicted in FIG. It is designed to. Device 54 has eleven precisely aligned, closely spaced ink introduction capillaries or channels 56 (FIG. 3). The outlet end 58 of this channel is arranged in a straight line extending parallel to the axes of the guide rollers 30 and 32 (FIG. 4). The exit end 58 is located proximate to the mail piece when the meter is rested on the mail piece. The straight capillary outlet end arrangement thus extends at right angles to the direction in which the miniature postage meter 10 is designed to move relative to the envelope 14.
At the end opposite the outlet end 58, the capillary 56 is connected to the arcuate manifold 5 which is fed through a central conduit 59.
Everything is connected by 7.

As shown in FIG. 3 and more particularly in FIG. 8, an electro-mechanical transducer 60 communicates with each of the ink capillaries 56. Each transducer includes a disk of piezoelectric ceramic 62 bonded to an electrically inert material 64. When the ceramic is energized, a slight physical deflection or dishing occurs which causes a minute ink droplet to be ejected through the outlet end 58 of the corresponding capillary tube 56. Thus, when the transducers are energized in the correct order so that the meter 10 moves across the envelope 14, the postage indicia 12 is formed by tiny ejected ink droplets.

The printing device 54 has a central duct 59 , a manifold 57 and an ink reservoir 64 that supplies ink to the capillary tubes 56 . More particularly, the storage container is formed with a bottom coupling 66 to which the main duct 59 is attached. Opposed flanges 68 and 70 (FIGS. 2 and 3) formed at the bottom of the storage container 64 surround the top of the printing device 54 and guide the coupling 66 into the duct 59. Second
A capped filling tube 67, shown in dotted lines in the figures and in FIG. 3, is in fluid communication with the storage container;
used to fill the storage container.

As the meter moves across the mail piece on guide rollers 30 and 32, the ink jet printing device 54 is continuously operated by a single chip microcomputer 72 to print the postage onto the surface of the mail piece. A droplet of ink is ejected onto the indicia print pattern. In order to achieve this control function, FIG.
In the manner described in connection with FIGS. 3, 7, and 8, the microcomputer 72 can
4 are electrically connected to each of the converters 60. The microcomputer is mounted on and electrically connected to a first printed circuit board having conductive tracks 76 printed on its surface. a second printed circuit board 78 also having conductive tracks 80 on its surface;
is connected by conductor 81 to the first circuit board and the micro-
It is electrically connected to a computer 72 (FIG. 7). Both circuit boards are mounted vertically parallel to each other in the cylinder 24 and are supported at their upper ends by corresponding posts 84 mounted on the walls of the cylinder (FIG. 3). Each circuit board is supported at its lower end by two opposing outwardly projecting flanges 86 and 88 formed on the top of the ink reservoir 64 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The connection is through a conductor 90 made in the ink reservoir. In particular, the storage container is housed in a silicone rubber in which conductive paths are molded in a manner developed by Komerik.
As shown in FIG. 2, conductive paths 76 and 80 carrying control signals to transducer 60 terminate at a location between flanges 86 and 88. Similarly, conductive paths 90 terminate in flanges 86 and 88 that form sockets to the bottoms of circuit boards 74 and 78. The connection is completed through flanges 68 and 70 surrounding printing device 54. As shown in FIG. 8, conductive tracks 92 are printed on the face of device 54 and flanges 68 and 7.
0 in contact with the conductive path 90, the conductive ceramic 9
4 to the transducer ceramic 62. (The conductive path 92 is the thin tube 56 in FIG.
Correctly shown above. ) The microcomputer also automatically matches the speed at which it continuously operates the ink jet device to the speed of movement of the meter and, therefore, the speed of movement of the printing device with respect to the mail piece. To do this, the microcomputer is supplied with a signal by an optical monitor indicating the actual speed of relative movement of the mailpiece and the meter. The optical monitor, shown generally at 96 in detail in FIGS. 2 and 4, includes an optical transistor 98 through which light is directed by a fiber optical probe 100. As shown in FIG. The probe is secured within the mounting block 102 and focused onto the area of the envelope 14 from which the ink droplet is ejected from the lowest capillary outlet 58a. The optical monitor 96 has a light source in the form of a light emitting diode 104, which is located within the mounting block 102 and is focused onto the area of the envelope from which the ink droplet from the outlet 58a is ejected. There is.

In this embodiment, as well as other embodiments of the meter 10, the microcomputer 72 directs the ink droplet to the outlet 5 each time the printing device 54 is operated.
8a and underlined line 106 with other information on the postage indicia, as shown in FIG.
gives a control pattern in the form of Thus, a phototransistor is able to sense changes in the magnitude of the light emitted by the light emitting diode 104 and reflected from the control line ink droplets and the blank mailing surface between the control line ink droplets. optical monitor 9
6 monitors this control pattern. This generates a pulsating signal which has a frequency determined by the speed of movement of the monitor on the line and is directed to the microcomputer 72.

The detailed functional interrelationship of microcomputer 72, inkjet printer 54, optical monitor, and microcomputer operation is readily explained with reference to FIG. As shown therein, the microcomputer 72 controls the operation of the inkjet printing device 54 and includes logic circuitry 108 connected to the device 54 in the manner previously described.

The microcomputer 72 also has a clock circuit 110 which is connected to line 11.
2 to the photoelectric transistor 98, and the input signal from the photoelectric transistor calculates the instantaneous velocity of relative movement between the printing device and the mail item. The clock circuit matched the instantaneous speed of the transfer motion of the printing device and the mail piece. A feedback signal to logic circuit 108 is generated on line 114. In this way, the postage indicia will be correctly formed regardless of the speed at which the postage moves across the envelope.

A postage memory register 116, also part of microcomputer 72, stores the amount of postage purchased and sends a message to logic circuit 108 to reduce the accumulated postage amount by the amount of postage printed during each use of the meter. Therefore, it can be addressed on line 115. That is, upon completion of printing one postage indicator or mark, the logic circuit addresses the memory register to reduce the accumulated amount of postage by the amount printed.

Finally, the microcomputer 72 includes an inhibit lockout circuit 118 that locks out the line by the memory register 116 when the accumulated amount of postage decreases below a predetermined minimum amount. 117 to return the inactive meter. For example, a disable lockout circuit 118 is installed to disable the meter when an imprint remains in the memory register. In the meter embodiment, the logic circuitry is disabled by a lockout circuit. Additionally, when a postage amount greater than the minimum amount remains in the memory, the meter is attached to the cap 38 and the address is set so as to be illuminated by the memory register (FIGS. 3 and 5). Light emitting diode 120
We will supply a low postage amount indicator in the form of. For example, the memory register is configured to turn on light emitting diode 120 when ten impressions remain for use. In this way, the meter will alert the user that postage must be purchased.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 9, the microcomputer 72 and related components and light emitting diode 104 are connected to operate the charge meter via a microswitch 109. It is energized by a power supply 107 in the form of a rechargeable nickel cadmium battery. This micro switch is cap 3
The circuit board 74 is attached to the circuit board 74 in operative proximity to a protective leaf spring 111 attached to the circuit board 8 . When the cap is pressed, the switch is closed to operate the meter for one print cycle. (Note that the disable lockout circuit 118 is arranged to disconnect the power supply 107 as soon as the logic circuit is disabled.) The miniature postage meter with the microcomputer of the present invention It is used as follows. When the user wishes to stamp a postage stamp on a piece of mail, the cap is pushed downward to close the microswitch 107;
The power supply device 107 is operated to activate the computer 72. The charge meter is placed at the top right edge of the envelope 14 so that the indicating arrow printed on the cap 38 points from right to left along the top of the envelope. The meter then moves from right to left over rollers 30 and 32 at any desired speed.
(The right-to-left movement was chosen to ensure that the postage indicia was printed entirely on the mailpiece.) Optical monitor 96 monitors the speed at which the postage indicia moves relative to the mailpiece. The microcomputer clock circuit 110 automatically calculates the instantaneous relative velocity from the monitored velocity. The clock circuit in turn sends a signal to the logic circuit 108 to operate the inkjet printer at a speed that will properly form the postage indicia without distortion. After the indicia is completely printed, the logic circuit addresses the register to reduce the accumulated postage amount in memory register 116 by the amount of postage printed.

Upon repeated use, when the accumulated postage in the memory register is reduced to a predetermined minimum amount, the disable lockout circuit 118 disconnects the power supply from the microcomputer;
The use of the logic circuit is prohibited. Therefore, even by tampering with the meter to reconnect the power supply, the user will not be able to print further postage until the meter is reprogrammed. can't work.

The miniature postage meter of the present invention is designed for repeated reuse in conjunction with the central postage distribution station 122, shown in block form in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, the meter has a number of input connections that are all accessible when the cap 38 is removed. These input connections have two jack plugs 124 connected to the microcomputer. Additionally, two jack plugs 126 are located on the top of the power supply for connection to a recharging power source. Finally, the inlet fill tube 67 to the ink reservoir 64 has a cover 128 which is attached and removed by the cap 38. When the meter 10 is returned to the central postage distribution station 122, the cap 38 is removed by an authorized person. The meter is then plugged into the central distribution station 122 which has a main input plug 130. This plug 130 is connected to a power supply recharger 132.
, to an ink supply 134, and to a postage distribution computer 136, which is mounted for recording accumulated postage in a memory register of the microcomputer. The main input plugs connect the microcomputer 72 to the distribution computer 136, the power supply to the power supply recharger 132, and the ink storage container 92.
are arranged to be connected to the ink supply device 134 at the same time. This allows the power supply to be recharged once, additional purchased postage can be re-entered into the memory register, and the ink reservoir is refilled.

The micro-computer-equipped miniature postage meter of the present invention can also be employed in complex embodiments with enlarged capacity. For example, Figures 11-14 show a second embodiment, which includes a display that indicates the exact amount of postage remaining accumulated in the meter after each use. are doing. A second embodiment of the postage meter of the present invention, indicated generally at 210, has a square body 212 which is closed at the top and open at the bottom, and which includes a key carrying case and approximately They are the same size. Built-in printing start button 21
5 is attached to the top of the body. A bottom support plate 214 surrounds the bottom of the body and is provided in the same manner as described in connection with the first embodiment.
It supports parts of the meter that include an ink jet printing device 216 supplied with ink by an ink reservoir 218. The inkjet printer includes three integrated circuit units 22, each mounted on a separate printed circuit board 224.
It is operated by a microcomputer 220 having 2. The circuit boards are mounted vertically, parallel to each other, on top of a power supply 226, which is a nickel cadmium battery supported on the bottom plate 214. The circuit board 224 and unit 222 are connected to each other and to other meter components such as the start print button 215, the power supply 226 and the printing device 216 by a conductive ribbon cable 227. has been done.

In contrast to the meter 210 of the first embodiment, the meter 210 of the second embodiment is mounted to be moved in operative proximity to the mailpiece, and during this travel time the meter 210 of the second embodiment is mounted to be moved in operative proximity to the mailpiece. - Computer 220 operates printing device 216 to correctly form the desired postage indicia without distortion. For this purpose, the microcomputer 220 is connected via a cable 227 to an optical monitor 228, identical to the one described above, which monitors the relative movement speed and provides a signal indicating speed to the microcomputer.

As shown in simplified form in FIG. 14, the microcomputer 220 includes a logic circuit 230 and a clock circuit 232, which control the printing device operating speed. in the same manner as the microcomputer 72. micro computer 2
20 also incorporates a postage memory register 23 having an increased capacity for storing postage purchases not found in memory register 116. Specifically, in this second embodiment, memory register 234 is mounted to signal a display 236 indicating the amount of postage remaining accumulated in the meter after each use. There is. This display, which may be a light emitting diode or a liquid crystal display, therefore becomes a visible falling postage register. Microcomputer 220 is programmed to activate display 236 for five seconds approximately five seconds after a postage indicia is printed. In this way, the user of the meter knows how much accumulated postage remains after each meter use and when and how much postage to fill in the memory register.

The microcomputer includes an inhibit lockout circuit 238 for isolating the meter when the accumulated postage in memory register 234 is reduced to a predetermined minimum amount.

Charge meter 210 configured according to the second embodiment
removes the entire body 212 from the charge part,
This exposes the microcomputer input jack 240 and ink reservoir fill tube 242 to be filled with ink and postage. cable 2
27 is provided by a loop 244 for detaching the body from the meter section. Power supply device 22
6 can be recharged through exposed input jack 246.

A third embodiment, which functions as both a postage meter and a mathematical calculator, is shown in FIGS. 15-20. The device 310 of this embodiment is housed in a body 312 that is approximately the same size as a hand-held calculator currently on the market, and includes a microcomputer 314 consisting of five integrated circuit units 316. ing. Each unit is further mounted on a printed circuit 318.

The microcomputer 314 includes a programmable postage logic circuit 320 (FIG. 20) that includes six staggered ink droplet arrays arranged to print postage indicia. The printing device, which is an 11-jet ink jet printing device 322, is operated.
Each single printer is identical to that described in connection with the first two embodiments of the invention. However,
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 18, 6
By arranging a set of two printers, the printing capacity is greatly increased.

As can be seen in FIG. 15, the body 312 includes a support portion 324 and a raised portion 3 above its bottom.
26. The inkjet printer is mounted on said raised section below which mail pieces can be easily produced in response to printed indicia, as depicted in FIG. Ru.

Device 310 has an optical monitor 328, and microcomputer 314 has a clock circuit 330, a memory register 332, and a disable lockout circuit 334. All of these circuits function in the same way as the corresponding parts described in connection with the first two embodiments did. However, because the postage logic 320 is programmed to operate a printer that prints changing amounts of postage, the circuit 320 is more versatile than the logic in either of these embodiments. suitable for An input keyboard 336 mounted on the top of the body 312 is provided for entering information and programming instructions into the microcomputer postage logic for this purpose.

Additionally, microcomputer 314 includes mathematical logic circuitry 338 that is programmed to perform mathematical calculations. Information and programming instructions are entered into the mathematical logic circuitry via keyboard 336. Mode control switch 339
is provided for the device 310 to be selectively operated by the keyboard 336 in either a postage meter mode or a calculator mode.

The ink jet printing device is a mathematical logic circuit 3
38 to print the results of mathematical calculations.
However, a display 340, such as a light emitting diode or a liquid crystal display, is mounted on top of the body 312 to visually display these results.

Indicator 340 is connected to the memory register;
The accumulated postage amount in the memory register is indicated in the same manner as the display 236 of the second embodiment when the device is operated in the postage meter mode.

Power supply and microcomputer input jacks 342 and 344 and body 312, respectively.
is connected from the back of the power supply 346 for recharging the power supply 346 and for re-entering the memory register 332 with postage.

(f) Effects The micro-computer-equipped miniature postage meter of the present invention has a printing device having an ink jet device mounted to eject ink droplets in a pattern forming a postage indicia on a mail piece. Because variable and fixed postage indicia can be printed using the postage meter, the mechanical printing device, including the printing drum and its drive device employed in conventional postage meters, can be omitted. Therefore, the user can store it in a very small space and make it completely portable, for example in a pocket, handbag or briefcase. Additionally, the postage meter is equipped with a postage memory register and a logic circuit, so that a large amount of postage can be stored in the meter and the stored postage can be printed out anytime and anywhere. In addition to the benefits to the user, the government can save a substantial amount of money in printing costs because the use of stamps is reduced.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a compact postage meter equipped with the computer of the present invention immediately after a postage stamp positioned with respect to a mail object called an envelope is printed on the mail object, and FIG. To show the internal elements of this small postage meter, FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view taken from side 2-2 of FIG. FIG. 4 is a second longitudinal cross-sectional view taken from plane 3--3 of FIG. 1 perpendicular to plane 2-2; FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the postage meter, and FIG. 6 shows the input jack for inputting postage into the small postage meter, 6 of FIG. 2.
- A cross-sectional view seen from the 6th side, Figure 7 is 7- of Figure 3.
8 is an enlarged sectional view of the inkjet printing device as seen from plane 8-8 of FIG. 3, and FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the postage meter. , and a block diagram of the central postage distribution station to which the meter is connected for postage re-entry, for recharging the power supply and for ink refilling, FIG. An enlarged view of the upper right corner of an envelope detailing the postage indicia printed by the miniature postage meter of the invention, FIG. 11 in FIG. 13 of the second embodiment of the charge meter.
Fig. 12 is a second longitudinal sectional view of the second embodiment as seen from the 12-12 plane of Fig. 13, and Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the second embodiment. figure,
Fig. 14 is a functional block diagram of the microcomputer and display used in the second embodiment;
14-1 of FIG. 18 shows a third embodiment of the postage meter of the present invention incorporating a hand-held mathematical calculator.
16 is a rear view of the postage meter-computer device, FIG. 17 is a front view of the device partially cut away to show details, and FIG. 18 is a partially cut away view to show details. FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram of the combined postage meter/calculator device of the present invention, and FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the postage meter of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a diagram (claim correspondence diagram) showing the configuration of the present invention. Explanation of symbols, 10...Small postage meter equipped with a microcomputer, 12...Postage stamp, 14...Envelope, 16...Postage meter registration number, 1
8... Postage amount, 22... Code mark, 54
...Ink jet printing device, 60...Electricity-
Mechanical transducer, 62...Piezoelectric ceramic, 64...
Ink storage container, 72...Microcomputer, 74, 78...Printed circuit board, 80...Conducting path, 107...Power supply device, 108...Logic circuit, 110...Clock circuit, 116...Memory Regitas, 118...Prohibited lock-out circuit, 122... Central Postage Distribution Office, 12
4,126...Jack plug, 132...Power supply device recharger, 134...Ink supply device,
136...computer, 141...storage means,
142... Drive control means, 143... Calculation means,
210... Postage meter, 215... Print start button, 216... Ink jet printing device, 21
8...Ink storage container, 220...Micro computer, 222...Integrated circuit, 224...Circuit board, 234...Memory register, 238...
Prohibited lock-out circuit, 314...Microcomputer, 318...Printed circuit board, 32
0...Logic circuit, 322...Ink jet printing device, 330...Clock circuit, 332...Memory register, 334...Use prohibited lockout circuit, 336...Input keyboard, 338...
...Mathematical logic circuit, 346...Power supply device.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A small postage meter equipped with a microcomputer that prints a postage stamp on a mail item such as an envelope, comprising: (A) a pattern for forming a postage stamp on the mail item; (B) a postage memory register for storing purchased postage amounts; and (C) logic circuitry. (C1) storage means for storing a matrix pattern; (C2) reading the matrix pattern and injecting the ink jet according to the matrix pattern when the postage meter moves relative to the mail piece; and (C3) a calculation means for reducing the postage amount stored in the postage memory register by the amount printed on the postage stamp. A small postage meter equipped with a computer.