(19)
(11) EP 0 491 392 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
22.07.1992 Bulletin 1992/30

(43) Date of publication A2:
24.06.1992 Bulletin 1992/26

(21) Application number: 91121790.9

(22) Date of filing: 19.12.1991
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5G07B 17/02
(84) Designated Contracting States:
CH DE FR GB LI

(30) Priority: 19.12.1990 US 629898

(71) Applicant: PITNEY BOWES INC.
Stamford Connecticut 06926-0700 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Doeberl, Terrence M.
    West Redding, Connecticut 06896 (US)
  • Donahue, Patrick J.
    Stratford, Connecticut 06497 (US)
  • Field, Michael E.
    Fairfield, Connecticut 06430 (US)
  • Hunter, Kevin D.
    Stratford, Connecticut 06497 (US)
  • Mitchell, Paul H.
    Danbury, Connecticut 06810 (US)

(74) Representative: Ritter und Edler von Fischern, Bernhard,Dipl.-Ing. et al
Hoffmann, Eitle & Partner, Patentanwälte, Postfach 81 04 20
81904 München
81904 München (DE)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Embedded user-interface having multiple language capability


    (57) A postage meter mailing machine (1) includes an embedded user interface system. The mailing machine includes a programmable microcontroller means having a non-volatile memory for storing data information and executable routine. The microcontroller is in bus communication with a visual display (7) and a plurality of soft keys (8). Stored in the memory are (i) a plurality of system screens for display on the visual display (7), (ii) a data window field and a prompt field and having descriptors for each of the respective fields (iii) a plurality of text strings in a first language and a plurality of text strings in a second language, (iv) a plurality of graphic display run routines, (v) a plurality of routines for enabling the soft keys (8) and for identifying the respective subsequent screen. The user interface is programmed to enable a select one of the text strings in one of the languages for display on the display.







    Search report