Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Generic control system – apparatus or process – Plural variables
Reexamination Certificate
1995-12-14
2001-05-01
Cuchlinski, Jr., William A. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Generic control system, apparatus or process
Plural variables
C700S009000, C700S192000, C700S213000, C700S215000, C700S218000, C700S220000, C700S224000, C700S225000, C700S226000, C700S227000, C700S228000, C700S229000, C700S230000, C382S182000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226559
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to real time machine control systems and, more particularly, to such control systems particularly suited for the control of a postage meter mailing machine.
A known mail processing control system is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,600, entitled “Microprocessor System Controller For Mail Processing System Applications” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,538, entitled “Mail Processing System Controller”. The control system is principally partitioned into two independent systems. The first system is the host microcontroller system for controlling the man machine interface and external communication functions and a motor control system for controlling and coordinating the operation of a number of motors pursuant to sensor input. In order to accommodate the data process control needs of the system motors in real time, the motor control system is divided into control cycles. Each control cycle is set to run at a fixed period. Each period is further divided into a number of intervals which are assigned to perform data process functions for a particular subsystem. For example, each control cycle is set to be initiated every 2 millisecond. During each control cycle, nozzle command generation is allocated 45 microseconds, position servo control is allocated 40 microsecond, sensor input is allocated 30 microseconds, and so forth. At the end of each cycle a 500 microsecond timer interrupt routine is executed during which a system check is performed to assure that the system software is properly executing. The host microcontroller system performs in a conventional manner to control non-real time functions such as keyboard and display communication and external communication. A shared random access memory is used to allow access to necessary information between the two microcontroller systems. The described known mailing machine control system requires a number of microprocessors of sufficient speed to perform all the necessary data processing. Consequently the mailing machine control system represents a substantial cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to present a mailing machine control system which provides both motor control and external system control utilizing a single microcontroller system.
It is a further objective of the present invention to present a mailing machine control system which can perform real time machine control and man machine interface (MMI) control functions within a single control cycle of the microcontroller system.
It is a still further objective of the present invention to present a system control architecture representing a low-cost solution for control of a mailing machine which is flexible enough to be reused for a variety of mailing machine options providing the benefit of software and hardware reusability.
It is a still further objective of the present invention to present a low-cost software control system and software architecture that enables a high performance real-time machine control system that has a discrete time-slice architecture, with fully featured user interface software to drive a low-cost machine application.
A postage meter system in accordance with the present invention includes a mailing machine, which serves as a platform for the meter unit and printing unit. The mailing machine includes a microcontroller system which is responsible for controlling a number of system operations. Preferably, the mailing machine includes a feeder section for receiving a stack of envelopes and presenting a plurality of the envelopes to a singulation station. The singulation station is responsible for withdrawing a single envelope in a seriatim manner from the envelopes presented. An envelope is then transported to an integrated scale where the envelope may be weighed. The envelope is then presented to the printing station. The printing unit then prints a postage indicia and any other additional information, such as, an ad slogan, delivery address or bar code, on the envelope. In a preferred configuration, it is contemplated that printing will occur during relative motion between the envelope and a digital printing unit, such as an ink jet printer. Therefore, the microcontroller system of the mailing machine will be responsible for relatively precise control of the motors responsible for transporting the envelope. It should be appreciated that it is an objective of the mailing machine control system to promote maximum machine through-put.
The mailing machine also contains the man machine interface system which enables interfacing a keyboard and display, non-secure accounting system, communication to external printing devices, modem communication for data center communication and other subsystem functions.
Metering is provided by two independent units which are a meter vault and a printer. The vault accounts for dispensed funds used during posting of each envelope. Communication between the mailing machine, vault and printer is facilitated through a printer interface unit. The printer interface serves as a junction board for the mailing machine, meter vault, graphics interface, if present, and print head. The printer interface provides the connections for a serial communication linkage and unregulated DC power from the mailing machine to the meter vault, transfers print command and status signals between the mailing machine and print head, interfaces the graphics interface to the print head, supports a unique serial link between the meter vault and print head, and regulates logic and print nozzle power from the mailing machine to the print head.
The mailing machine microcontroller system is required to provide machine control as well as interface control. Within the system, machine control and user interface control are combined in a discrete time-slice architecture to achieve the desired functionality. Machine control portions of the system are driven by a discrete timer which causes the control algorithms to execute within a specified time interval. When the discrete time interval occurs, the machine control algorithms execute to completion. These algorithms complete prior to the occurrence of the next discrete time interval. During the time between the completion of the motion control algorithms and the occurrence of the next discrete time event (MMI interval), the software algorithms for controlling the user interface and other subsystem functions are allowed to execute, if required. The algorithms to be executed during MMI interval are not required to be completed during the MMI interval. Completion of the MMI algorithms can await the next MMI interval of the subsequent control cycle. If there are no MMI algorithms presented, then the microcontroller system queues the microcontroller system defaults during that MMI interval to perform a timer interrupt routine to check system operation.
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patent: 4959600 (1990-09-01), DiGiulio et al.
patent: 5367236 (1994-11-01), Salazar
patent: 5374883 (1994-12-01), Morser
patent: 5390351 (1995-02-01), DiGiulio et al.
patent: 5552991 (1996-09-01), Lee et al.
patent: 0177057 (1985-10-01), None
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Felmus Benita J.
Riello Christopher S.
Salazar Edilberto I.
Chaclas Angelo N.
Cuchlinski Jr. William A.
Marc McDievnel
Melton Michael E.
Pitney Bowes Inc.
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