Telephone linked credit franking machine - allows franking amounts to be recorded and transmitted to exchange with facility for changing rates

摘要

A credit franking machine for postal applications is linked by telephone to the central exchange to record every transaction. The central station emits a coded signal that is decoded to activate the franking machine (16). The machine has a selector (34) that allows the amount to be franked to be recorded. Counters (26, 28) of a mechanical type, record the amount entered. A camera (30) at the rear has a lens (31) directed onto a mirror (32) to record the counter states. An adjuster knob at the other side of the machine is coupled to cams to adjust the current franking rates when necessary and allows the end of each transaction to be defined. The credit values are transmitted back to the central exchange.