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(11) | EP 0 177 057 A3 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Postage meter apparatus having microprocessor-controlled D.C. motor and process for use therewith |
| (57) A postage meter includes a rotary drum (38) having a periphery adapted for feeding
a sheet in a path of travel. A first device (56,58) senses a time interval during
which a sheet is linearly displaced a predetermined distance in the path of travel.
A d.c. motor (120) is coupled to the drum for rotation of the drum (38), and a second
device (126) senses angular displacement of the drum (38). A computer (500) coupled
to the first and second sensing devices (56.58.126) and to the d.c. motor (120) responds
to the first sensing device (56.58) for providing respective amounts representative
of desired angular displacements of the drum (38) during successive sampling time
periods, responds to the second sensing device (126) for providing respective amounts
representative of actual angular displacements of the drum (38) during successive
sampling time periods, compensates for the difference between desired and actual angular
displacements and generates a d.c. motor control signal for controlling rotation of
the motor (120) to cause the linear displacement of the periphery of the drum (38)
to substantially match the linear displacement of the sheet during respective sampling
time periods. The computer (500) may also generate a d.c. motor control signal for
controlling rotation of the motor (120) to cause the linear displacement of indicia
printing means of the drum to initially engage the sheet in the path of travel a predetermined
marginal distance from the leading edge of the sheet. |