Patent WO1981001363A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3635297A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Postage calculator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-08-06
•
Granted: 1972-01-18
•
Expires: 1990-08-06
Abstract
Abstract A postal scale and computer for calculating the exact postage for a parcel to be mailed according to its weight, destination zip code, and class of handling. The computer includes a read only memory which stores the postal zone information according to the first three digits of the destination zip code, and the postage rate information according to the combined parcel weight, zone and class of handling. The computer also includes a control logic which searches the memory, first for the proper zone as established by an upper limit prefix for a series of zip code numbers falling within the same zone, and secondly for the proper rate for the weight of the parcel being mailed to the zone determined. The memory is broken down into separate sectors, each mounted on an easily replaceable circuit board to accommodate for changes in postal rates and for different points of mailing origin.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger F Salava
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:52
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/04; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/002; G01G19/005; G01G19/40; G01G19/413; G01G19/414; G01G19/4148
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A postage calculator for determining automatically the correct postal rate for a parcel to be mailed having a scale for weighing the parcel and comprising; a self-contained special purpose computer for determining the postal rate; electrical means for converting the scale weight into digital code for processing by the computer; electrical input means for entering a signal corresponding to the first three digits of the parcel mailing destination zip code for processing by the computer; and readout means for displaying the postal rate determined by the computer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A postage calculator for determining automatically the correct postal rate for a parcel to be mailed having a scale for weighing the parcel and comprising; a self-contained special purpose computer for determining the postal rate; electrical means for converting the scale weight into digital code for processing by the computer; electrical input means for entering a signal corresponding to the first three digits of the parcel mailing destination zip code for processing by the computer; and readout means for displaying the postal rate determined by the computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The calculator of claim 1 wherein: said computer contains a first memory sector which stores at a plurality of locations the mailing zone numbers according to an upper limit code for the first three digits or zip code prefix of one or a group of serial zip code numbers falling within the same zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The calculator of claim 2 including: a control logic connected to said memory sector which successively commands the reading of each location within the first memory sector and commands the advancing of the address to read the next location.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The calculator of claim 3 including: electrical comparitor means interconnected with said electrical input means, with said control logic, and with said memory sector and operable when the signal read from the memory sector equals or exceeds the signal corresponding to the zip code prefix to provide an output signal to the control logic to halt the address of the memory sector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The calculator of claim 4 including: a second memory sector interconnected with said control logic which stores at a plurality of locations the postal rates for all weight-zone combinations as established by the Post Office within certain prescribed limits for parcels to be mailed by priority mail.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The calculator of claim 5 including: a third memory sector interconnected with said control logic which stores at a plurality of locations the postal rates for all weight-zone combinations as established by the Post Office within certain prescribed limits for parcels to be mailed by parcel post (4th class).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The calculator of claim 6 wherein each of said memory sectors are separately mounted on an easily replaceable circuit board or chip for accommodating changes in postal rates and for calibrating said calculator for various points of mailing origin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The calculator of claim 6 including: binary adder means interconnected with said scale and with said control logic and operable on a command from said control logic to direct the reading of the postal rate from the proper memory sector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The calculator of claim 6 including: electrical zone selector switch means interconnected with said memory sectors and with said control logic and effective when actuated to designate either zone or local mailing for a parcel to be mailed and thereby cause the reading of either the zone or local postal rates from said second or third memory sectors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The calculator of claim 8 including: electrical class selector switch means interconnected with said binary adder and effective when actuated to designate either parcel post or priority mail class of handling.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
130 words
A multiple terminal postage calculator comprising: a plurality of mailing stations, each having a scale for weighing the parcels to be mailed; electrical means connected to said scales for converting the weight of a parcel into digital code; a plurality of switch means at each mailing station for entering the first three digits of the destination zip code, the designation of zone or local mailing, and the class of handling; a single central special purpose computer connected to all of said terminals and operable to determine the proper postal rate for a particular parcel according to its weight and designation as to destination and class of handling; and a multiplexing network interconnecting said computer with said terminals and operable to direct the proper postal rate to the proper mailing terminal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
130 words
A multiple terminal postage calculator comprising: a plurality of mailing stations, each having a scale for weighing the parcels to be mailed; electrical means connected to said scales for converting the weight of a parcel into digital code; a plurality of switch means at each mailing station for entering the first three digits of the destination zip code, the designation of zone or local mailing, and the class of handling; a single central special purpose computer connected to all of said terminals and operable to determine the proper postal rate for a particular parcel according to its weight and designation as to destination and class of handling; and a multiplexing network interconnecting said computer with said terminals and operable to direct the proper postal rate to the proper mailing terminal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3057547A
Cited
US3039686A
Cited
US3290491A
Cited
US3315067A
Cited
US3458692A
Cited
US3459271A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-17 | 1975-07-19 | 1976-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-17 | 1979-07-19 | 1980-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-17 | 1983-07-19 | 1984-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |