EP0173249A2 - Non-volatile memory system with real time and power down data storage capability for an electronic postage meter - Google Patents
Non-volatile memory system with real time and power down data storage capability for an electronic postage meter Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0173249A2 EP0173249A2 EP85110530A EP85110530A EP0173249A2 EP 0173249 A2 EP0173249 A2 EP 0173249A2 EP 85110530 A EP85110530 A EP 85110530A EP 85110530 A EP85110530 A EP 85110530A EP 0173249 A2 EP0173249 A2 EP 0173249A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- volatile memory
- accounting data
- postage meter
- transactions
- postage
- 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.)
- Granted
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Classifications
-
- 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
- G07B17/00314—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
- G07B17/00185—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
- G07B17/00185—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
- G07B2017/00346—Power handling, e.g. power-down routine
-
- 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
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to electronic postage meters, and to methods and systems for increasing reliability of stored accounting data which reflects the transactions of an electronic postage meter.
- Various electronic postage meter systems have been developed, as for example, the systems disclosed in United States Patent 3,978,457 for Microcomputerized Electronic Postage Meter Systems, United States Patent 3,938,095 for Computer Responsive Postage Meter, European Patent Application 80400603.9, filed May 5, 1980, for Electronic Postage Meter Having Improved Security and Fault Tolerance Features, United States Patent 4,301,507, for Electronic Postage Meter Having Plural Computing Systems, and co- pending European Patent Application No. 83 112 364.1, filed December 8, 1983, for Stand-Alone Electronic Mailing Machine.
- Generally elecronic postage meters include some form of non-volatile memory capability to store critical postage accounting information. This information includes, for example, the amount of postage remaining in the meter for subsequent printing and the total amount of postage already printed by the meter. Other types of accounting or operating data may also be stored in the non-volatile memory, as desired.
- However, conditions can occur in electronic postage meters where information stored in non-volatile memory may be lost. A total line power failure or fluctuation in voltage conditions can cause the microprocessor associated with the meter to operate erratically and either cause erasure of data or the writing of spurious data in the non-volatile memory. The erasure of data or the writing of spurious data in the non-volatile memory may result in a loss of critical accounting information. Since the accounting data changes with the printing of postage and is not permanently stored elsewhere, there is no way to recapture or reconstruct the lost accounting information. Under such circumstances, it is possible that a user may suffer a loss of postage funds.
- To minimize the likelihood of a loss of information stored in the non-volatile memory, various approaches have been adopted to ensure the high reliability of electronic postage meters. It is known from aforementioned United States Patent 3,978,457 and aforementioned co-pending European Patent Application No. 83 112 364.1 to provide a microprocessor controlled electronic postage meter having memory architecture which includes a temporary storage memory for storing accounting data reflecting each meter transaction and a non-volatile memory to which the accounting data is transferred during the power down cycle of the meter.
- Another approach for preserving the stored accounting data has been the use of redundant non-volatile memories. One such redundant memory system is disclosed in European Patent Application No. 83 100 639.0, filed January 25, 1983.
- With such redundant memory system the two redundant non-volatile memories are interconnected with a microprocessor by way of completely separate data and address lines to eliminate error conditions. The data may be applied to the memories simultaneously or .sequentially at different times. Such a system minimizes the possibility of non-detectable and/or non-correctable errors resulting from transients.
- Another redundant memory system is disclosed in the aforementioned European Patent Application 80400603.9. In this patent application, accounting data is written into each of the two non-volatile memories, designated BAMs, twice during each postage meter transaction, once in temporary form and once in permanent form to minimize the loss of accounting data during microcomputer failure.
- The aforementioned redundant memory systems may help to eliminate certain errors in the accounting data due to microcomputer failure or the presence of trans- cients. However, since writing into these memories occurs during each transaction or trip cycle of the meter, critical accounting data is written into the non-volatile memories during the noisiest cycle of meter operation when the presence of transients or spurious signals is probably greatest.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a non-volatile memory system for an electronic positive meter which minimizes errors in the stored accounting data.
- It is a further object of the present invention to provide a non-volatile memory system for an electronic postage meter in which accounting data is written into different NVMs during two different cycles of postage meter operation.
- It is a further object of the present invention to provide a non-volatile memory system with real time and power down data storage capability for an electronic postage meter to minimize the possibility of errors in the stored accounting data.
- Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, a method and associated apparatus is provided for increasing the reliability of the stored accounting data which reflects the transactions of an electronic postage meter, including the steps of and associated apparatus for providing a first non-volatile memory capable of storing accounting data which represents the postage meter transactions; updating the first non-volatile memory in real time for each postage transaction to provide a current record of the accounting data for each postage transaction on-the-fly; providing a second non-volatile memory capable of storing accounting data representing the postage meter transactions during a power down cycle of the postage meter; providing a volatile memory capable of storing accounting data which represents the postage meter transactions; updating the volatile memory in real time for each postage transaction to provide a current record of the accounting data for each postage transaction; and transferring the accounting data from the volatile memory to the second non-volatile memory during the power down cycle of the postage meter.
- Other objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention considered in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
- FIGURE 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment for the non-volatile memory system of the present invention; and
- FIGURE 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the non-volatile memory system of the present invention.
- Referring to Fig. 1, a non-volatile memory system for an electronic postage meter in accordance with the present invention is generally illustrated at 10. Preferably, the general architecture of the electronic postage meter is similar to that disclosed in the aforementioned co-pending patent application No. 83 112 364.1, modified as disclosed in Fig, 1. Specifically, a
central processing unit 12, in the form of a microprocessor, e.g., a Model 8085A microprocessor, is operated under program control in accordance with the programs stored in aROM 14. Themicroprocessor 12 is energized by the output of apower supply circuit 16 during a power up cycle to place the meter in an operative condition. Themicroprocessor 12 transmits and receives signals over adata bus 18 coupled to the various meter components. - Generally, the
microprocessor 12 transmits signals to and receives signals from the otherelectronic components 20, thekeyboard 22 and theprinter 24 for the actuation of stepper and bank motors andsolenoids 26 to accomplish the printing of postage on a document. Each such postage operation or printing transaction is referred to as a trip cycle. - During each trip cycle, a certain amount of postage is used. A volatile
random access memory 28, such as model 8155 with the appropriate input and output and timing circuits, contains an ascending register (AR), a descending register (DR) and appropriate cvclic redundancy codes (CRCs) and control sums. During each trip cycle, and under control of themicroprocessor 12, the descending register is decremented the appropriate amount for the postage used during the trip and the ascending register is incremented the appropriate amount for the postage used during the trip. Thus, the AR provides a running or current total of the amount of postage that has been used through completion of thelast trip cycle and the DR provides a running or current total of theanount of postage remaining in the meter for subsequent use. - Also coupled to the
data bus 18 to receive accounting data from themicroprocessor 12 is afirst NVM 30. Preferably, the NVM 30.is a SEEQ 5516A electrically erasable read only memory (EEROM) having an endurance of 1 million write cycles. However, it should be understood that other NVMs which have high endurances may also be utilized, such as a battery backed CMOS integrated circuit chip or other similar integrated circuit chips. Under control of themicroprocessor 12 the accounting data for each meter postal transaction, i.e., AR and DR, and other accounting data, as desired, is written into theNVM 30, as well as thevolatile RAM 28. 'Thus, a permanent updated record of the accounting data is maintained on-the-fly in real time in theNVM 30. - A
second NVM 32, such as an ER 3400 MNOS integrated circuit chip, is also electrically coupled to thedata bus 18. Under control of themicroprocessor 12, accounting data which is temporarily stored in theRAM 28 during each meter transaction is transferred from theRAM 28 and written into thesecond NVM 32 upon detection of a power down signal indicating commencement of a power down cycle. - During normal operation of the postage meter, the second NVM32 is held in a non-write condition by the output signals from the
microprocessor 12 overdata bus 18. However, during a power failure (power down cycle), themicroprocessor 12 initiates a power down cycle routine in which the accounting data which has been temporarily stored in thevolatile RAM 28 is transferred or written into thefirst NVM 32. Upon completion of the transfer of accounting data into the second NVM32, thesecond NVM 32 is disabled by a power down detection circuit 34 to prevent further writing therein by themicroprocessor 12. - Advantageously, the
power supply circuit 16 and the power down detection circuit 34 may be of the type disclosed in United States Patent 4,445,198, issued April 24, 1984, entitled Memory Protection Circuit For An Electronic Postage Meter. Upon receiving a first low power signal from thepower supply circuit 16, the power down detection circuit 34 applies predetermined bias signals to thesecond NVM 32 to allow the transfer of accounting data thereto from theRAM 28 under control of themicroprocessor 12. Thereafter, the bias voltages are removed from thesecond NVM 32 to disable the same and prevent any further writing of data therein from themicroprocessor 12. Alternatively, thepower supply circuit 16 and the power down detection circuit 34 may be of the type disclosed in co-pending European Patent Application No. 84 104 709.5, filed April 26, 1984. - Output signals from the
microprocessor 12 are also electrically coupled to a power downprotection circuit 36 such as disclosed in co-pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. , entitled "Data Protection System - for Electronic Postage Meters Having Multiple NVMs", a copy of which is filed together with this application for reference. The power downprotection circuit 36 inhibits any further writing in thefirst NVM 30 upcn detection of a power down condition by themicroprocessor 12. - A flowchart for the operation of the memory system of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 2 at 50. Considering this
flowchart 50 and theapparatus 10 illustrated in Fig, 1, after power up of the postage meter, prior to undertaking a transaction or commencing a trip cycle, the meter is in its quiescent or steady state condition. In this condition, if themicroprocessor 12 senses a power down condition, i.e., power failure, themicroprocessor 12 immediately transfers all the accounting data from theRAM 28 to thesecond NVM 32 by writing it into thesecond NVM 32. Thereafter, the power down detection circuit 34 disables thesecond NV M 32 to preclude any further writing of spurious data therein by erratic operation of themicroprocessor 12 during the remainder of the power down cycle. After the transfer of accounting data from theRAM 28 to thesecond NVM 32, thefirst NVM 30 is disabled by the power downprotection circuit 36 to prevent any further writing of spurious data therein by erratic operation of themicroprocessor 12 during the remainder of the power down cycle when the voltages applied to the various circuit elements are degrading towards zero volts through unspecified and undefined bias conditions. - If no power down condition is present, the
microprocessor 12 waits for a trip signal indicating that a trip cycle is being commenced. When a trip is present, the accounting data in theRAM 28 is updated to reflect the results of the most recent postage transaction or trip cycle. Additionally, the accounting data for the postage transaction is written into thefirst NVM 30. - After writing the accounting data for the most recent transaction in RAM and the
first NVM 30, themicroprocessor 12 looks for a power down condition. If such a condition is present, the previously described operation is undertaken to transfer accounting data from theRAM 28 into thesecond NVM 32 while at the same time preventing any further writing of data into thefirst NVM 30. If a power down condition is not present, themicroprocessor 12 looks for a trip completion signal after writing the accounting data in theRAM 28 andfirst NVM 30. Upon detection of a trip completion signal, the meter returns to its steady state condition where the aforementioned process may be repeated. - From the foregoing description, it should be apparent that "permanent" storage of accounting data is provided on-the-fly in real time on a transaction by transaction basis to provide a first accounting data file during one cycle of meter operation, i.e., during the trip cycle, and that "permanent" storage of accounting data is also provided during the power down cycle by transferring accounting data from temporary storage to "permanent" storage to provide a second accounting data file during another cycle of meter operation, i.e., during the power down cycle. Advantageously, the second accounting data file is permanently constructed during a period of the meter operation, i.e., the power down cycle, when spurious signals are at a minimum.
- It should be understood for the purpose of the present application that the term postage meter refers to the general class of devices for the imprinting of a defined unit value for governmental or private carrier delivery of parcels, envelopes or other like applications for unit value printing. Thus, although the term postage 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. For example, private, parcel and freight services purchase and employ such meters as a means to provide unit value printing and accounting for individual parcels.
- Further, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as described in the specification and defined in the appended claims.
- The disclosure of copending European Patent Applications No. and No. (Our Refs: 42 513 and 42 514)
Claims (15)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US64321984A | 1984-08-22 | 1984-08-22 | |
US643219 | 1984-08-22 |
Publications (4)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0173249A2 true EP0173249A2 (en) | 1986-03-05 |
EP0173249A3 EP0173249A3 (en) | 1987-01-21 |
EP0173249B1 EP0173249B1 (en) | 1991-05-29 |
EP0173249B2 EP0173249B2 (en) | 1998-07-08 |
Family
ID=24579875
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19850110530 Expired - Lifetime EP0173249B2 (en) | 1984-08-22 | 1985-08-22 | Non-volatile memory system with real time and power down data storage capability for an electronic postage meter |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0173249B2 (en) |
JP (1) | JPS6162161A (en) |
DE (1) | DE3582982D1 (en) |
Cited By (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2181579A (en) * | 1985-09-11 | 1987-04-23 | Pitney Bowes Inc | A method and apparatus for locating and displaying historical information within an electronic postage meter |
EP0222197A2 (en) * | 1985-10-16 | 1987-05-20 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Systems for non-volatile storage of data and postage meter systems |
US4805109A (en) * | 1985-10-16 | 1989-02-14 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Nonvolatile memory protection arrangement for electronic postage meter system having plural nonvolatile memories |
US4817004A (en) * | 1985-10-16 | 1989-03-28 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Electronic postage meter operating system |
US4845632A (en) * | 1985-10-16 | 1989-07-04 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Electonic postage meter system having arrangement for rapid storage of critical postage accounting data in plural nonvolatile memories |
WO1989011134A1 (en) * | 1988-05-09 | 1989-11-16 | Ascom Hasler Ag | Electronic computing and storage system for franking machines |
EP0376488A2 (en) * | 1988-12-30 | 1990-07-04 | Pitney Bowes, Inc. | EPM having an improvement in accounting update security |
EP0409780A2 (en) * | 1989-07-21 | 1991-01-23 | Frama Ag | Franking machine |
AU626611B2 (en) * | 1988-12-30 | 1992-08-06 | Pitney-Bowes Inc. | Epm having an improvement in non-volatile storage of accounting data |
AU631580B2 (en) * | 1988-12-30 | 1992-12-03 | Pitney-Bowes Inc. | Epm having an improvement in non-volatile memory organization |
US5276844A (en) * | 1991-08-05 | 1994-01-04 | Ascom Autelca Ltd. | Protection system for critical memory information |
FR2700043A1 (en) * | 1992-12-30 | 1994-07-01 | Neopost Ind | Franking machine allowing to memorize a history. |
US5559992A (en) * | 1993-01-11 | 1996-09-24 | Ascom Autelca Ag | Apparatus and method for protecting data in a memory address range |
US5668973A (en) * | 1995-04-14 | 1997-09-16 | Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems Ag | Protection system for critical memory information |
US6546545B1 (en) | 1998-03-05 | 2003-04-08 | American Management Systems, Inc. | Versioning in a rules based decision management system |
US6601034B1 (en) | 1998-03-05 | 2003-07-29 | American Management Systems, Inc. | Decision management system which is cross-function, cross-industry and cross-platform |
US6609120B1 (en) | 1998-03-05 | 2003-08-19 | American Management Systems, Inc. | Decision management system which automatically searches for strategy components in a strategy |
CN103235215A (en) * | 2013-04-08 | 2013-08-07 | 上海久创电气自动化设备有限公司 | Multi-functional instrument |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6876991B1 (en) | 1999-11-08 | 2005-04-05 | Collaborative Decision Platforms, Llc. | System, method and computer program product for a collaborative decision platform |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0085385A2 (en) * | 1982-01-29 | 1983-08-10 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Electronic postage meter arrangement controlled by a microprocessor system |
US4445198A (en) * | 1981-09-29 | 1984-04-24 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Memory protection circuit for an electronic postage meter |
EP0111322A2 (en) * | 1982-12-08 | 1984-06-20 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Electronic mailing machine |
-
1985
- 1985-08-22 JP JP60184998A patent/JPS6162161A/en active Pending
- 1985-08-22 EP EP19850110530 patent/EP0173249B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1985-08-22 DE DE8585110530T patent/DE3582982D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4445198A (en) * | 1981-09-29 | 1984-04-24 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Memory protection circuit for an electronic postage meter |
EP0085385A2 (en) * | 1982-01-29 | 1983-08-10 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Electronic postage meter arrangement controlled by a microprocessor system |
EP0111322A2 (en) * | 1982-12-08 | 1984-06-20 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Electronic mailing machine |
Cited By (24)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2181579A (en) * | 1985-09-11 | 1987-04-23 | Pitney Bowes Inc | A method and apparatus for locating and displaying historical information within an electronic postage meter |
EP0457114A1 (en) * | 1985-10-16 | 1991-11-21 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Postage meter system for non-volatile storage of data |
EP0222197A2 (en) * | 1985-10-16 | 1987-05-20 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Systems for non-volatile storage of data and postage meter systems |
EP0222197A3 (en) * | 1985-10-16 | 1987-12-16 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Systems for non-volatile storage of data and postage meter systems |
US4805109A (en) * | 1985-10-16 | 1989-02-14 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Nonvolatile memory protection arrangement for electronic postage meter system having plural nonvolatile memories |
US4817004A (en) * | 1985-10-16 | 1989-03-28 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Electronic postage meter operating system |
US4845632A (en) * | 1985-10-16 | 1989-07-04 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Electonic postage meter system having arrangement for rapid storage of critical postage accounting data in plural nonvolatile memories |
WO1989011134A1 (en) * | 1988-05-09 | 1989-11-16 | Ascom Hasler Ag | Electronic computing and storage system for franking machines |
AU626611B2 (en) * | 1988-12-30 | 1992-08-06 | Pitney-Bowes Inc. | Epm having an improvement in non-volatile storage of accounting data |
EP0376488A3 (en) * | 1988-12-30 | 1991-11-06 | Pitney Bowes, Inc. | Epm having an improvement in accounting update security |
EP0376488A2 (en) * | 1988-12-30 | 1990-07-04 | Pitney Bowes, Inc. | EPM having an improvement in accounting update security |
AU631580B2 (en) * | 1988-12-30 | 1992-12-03 | Pitney-Bowes Inc. | Epm having an improvement in non-volatile memory organization |
EP0409780A2 (en) * | 1989-07-21 | 1991-01-23 | Frama Ag | Franking machine |
EP0409780A3 (en) * | 1989-07-21 | 1992-03-11 | Frama Ag | Franking machine |
US5276844A (en) * | 1991-08-05 | 1994-01-04 | Ascom Autelca Ltd. | Protection system for critical memory information |
FR2700043A1 (en) * | 1992-12-30 | 1994-07-01 | Neopost Ind | Franking machine allowing to memorize a history. |
EP0605313A1 (en) * | 1992-12-30 | 1994-07-06 | Neopost Industrie | Franking machine with history recording |
US5444631A (en) * | 1992-12-30 | 1995-08-22 | Neopost | Franking machine with record storage facility |
US5559992A (en) * | 1993-01-11 | 1996-09-24 | Ascom Autelca Ag | Apparatus and method for protecting data in a memory address range |
US5668973A (en) * | 1995-04-14 | 1997-09-16 | Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems Ag | Protection system for critical memory information |
US6546545B1 (en) | 1998-03-05 | 2003-04-08 | American Management Systems, Inc. | Versioning in a rules based decision management system |
US6601034B1 (en) | 1998-03-05 | 2003-07-29 | American Management Systems, Inc. | Decision management system which is cross-function, cross-industry and cross-platform |
US6609120B1 (en) | 1998-03-05 | 2003-08-19 | American Management Systems, Inc. | Decision management system which automatically searches for strategy components in a strategy |
CN103235215A (en) * | 2013-04-08 | 2013-08-07 | 上海久创电气自动化设备有限公司 | Multi-functional instrument |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0173249B1 (en) | 1991-05-29 |
DE3582982D1 (en) | 1991-07-04 |
EP0173249A3 (en) | 1987-01-21 |
JPS6162161A (en) | 1986-03-31 |
EP0173249B2 (en) | 1998-07-08 |
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