Abstract: In an electronic postage meter which has a thermal printer and a control system for causing the thermal printer to print a postage indicia, the thermal printer includes a linear array of thermal elements. The electronic postage meter control system is comprised of a print control circuit for producing lengthwise and serially, during a first mode of operation, a composite image having alphanumeric characters and graphic data. The image is divided into a plurality of widthwise sections. A first widthwise section has highly critical alphanumeric character information and graphic information. A second widthwise section of the image having less critical alphanumeric character information. The control system has a second mode of operation for producing serial test data coupled to the thermal elements such that the thermal print elements are selectively responsive to the serial test data for developing for each of the thermal elements an associated test signal during each second mode of operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling tension on a sheet material in a reel-to-reel transport system. The sheet material is feed along a defined path from a supply reel to a take-up reel. A motor is operatively connected to the take-up reel for applying a torque to the take-up reel while a sensor is positioned to detect rotation of the supply reel. A microcontroller enables the motor with an initial PWM pwm.sub.o to create torque on the take-up reel and then incrementally increases the PWM. When the sensor indicates that the supply reel has moved, the current PWM is stored in memory as pwm.sub.i. This pwm.sub.i is subsequently used by the apparatus to determine a desired tension on the thermal ribbon.

Abstract: The micro-controller system is comprised of a programmable microprocessor, a plurality of memory units having a plurality of addressable memory registers. The memory units are in bus communication with the programmable processor and an application specific integrated circuit. The application specific integrated circuit includes a circuit for dividing the memory units into a plurality of addressable regions in response to programming of the programmable microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed such that the initial address for each of the regions is assigned by the most significant address bits, and the uppermost address for the region being programmably defined by an uppermost address for the respective region. The circuit includes a plurality of addressable registers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for controlling the operation of a mailing machine having a postage meter which includes a thermal printer which transfers wax ink from an ink ribbon to an envelope being fed through the mailing machine, in such a way that the printer cannot operate if the envelope is not is a proper position in the mailing machine to completely cover a feed roller which controls movement of the envelope and the ink ribbon.

Abstract: An improved thermal printing apparatus having a frame for supporting an elongate thermal print head extending opposite to an elongate print roller. The thermal print head being responsive to a microcontroller for printing on an article positioned between the thermal print head and the print roller. The improvement comprises: a drive housing pivotally mounted to the frame, the print roller rotatively mounted to the drive housing, an eject roller rotatively mounted to the drive housing parallel to the print roller, backing means located opposite the eject roller, means responsive to said microcontroller for causing said drive housing to pivotally displace to a first position biasing the print roller in the direction of the thermal print head and against the article for printing, and for causing the drive housing to pivotally displace to a second position biasing the eject roller in the direction of the backing means and against the article when the microcontroller has completed printing.

Abstract: A message control system particularly useful for postage meters of the type having bit-map printers includes encryption means for generating a code in a postage meter based on meter information and the desired information to be included in the message to be printed. The message and other data is furnished to a data center which then generates an authorization code to be furnished to the postage meter. When there is a match between the authorization and internal code, the message can be stored in the postage meter for printing. The messages may also reside in a slogan box which must remain connected to the meter in order for the slogan to be printed.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling a current in a load, the circuit includes: structure for connecting the circuit to a source of power, the power source connecting structure including a power switch having off and on operating modes; structure for connecting the circuit to a supply of a pulse width modulated (PWM) control signal, the PWM supply connecting structure including an AND gate having first and second input structure and an output structure, one of the first and second input structures connected for receiving the PWM control signal, and the AND gate output structure connected to the power switch for operating the switch; structure for monitoring the current in the load, the monitoring structure including a differential amplifier, the differential amplifier having an instantaneous output voltage signal proportional to the load current when the power switch is in the on operating mode, structure for comparing a value derived from the instantaneous signal to a high reference voltage signal and a low reference v

Abstract: Apparatus for testing an NVM comprising, a microprocessor, a plurality of NVMs respectively connected to the microprocessor, each of the NVMs having an address space for storing data therein, and the microprocessor including, structure for selecting one of the plurality of NVMs structure for byte-write-mode writing data having a predetermined page size to the selected NVM for storage in the address space thereof, structure for page-write-mode writing different data having the predetermined page size to the selected NVM for storage in the address space thereof, and structure for counting the number of changed bytes in the address space of the NVM.

Abstract: The improved user interface for a mail processing machine includes a barcode reader and an associated chart having barcodes which are readable by the barcode reader. The barcodes are respectively associated with commands, characters, and accounts such that messages may be constructed by reading selected barcodes from the chart for inputting commands and data into the mail processing machine. The barcode messages are converted into machine commands and data inputs for operation of the machine. Barcode information may also be supplied with batches of mail for ease of entry of pertinent control data for the batch.

Abstract: The electronic postage meter includes a printing unit which is responsive to a plurality of motors for printing of a postage indicia in response to control circuit. The control circuit is comprised of a programmable microprocessor in bus communication with an accounting means having memory units for accounting for the postage printed by the printing unit responsive to the programming of the microprocessor. An integrated circuit includes an address decoding module means for generating a unique combination of ASIC control signals in response to a respective address placed on the bus by the microprocessor. A timer register is responsive to ones of the control signals from the address decoding module to enable writing of the timer data into the timer registers by the microprocessor. The timer unit is responsive to the timer data for generating one of a plurality of timing signal in accordance with timer data. The data also includes motor data.

Abstract: A deterrent to counterfeiting of indicias on mailpieces is provided in a method and apparatus for implementing the printing of the indicia using a customized printhead or customized printer drivers such that the dots of the bit-mapped printing are produced by the printer in unevenly spaced rows or columns. The dot size may also be varied in accordance with data from the meter, printed value, variable data such as the date, and forensic data suitably encrypted. When the indicia is scanned, the variations are readily detectable and the information is easily extracted by Postal Authorities.

Abstract: A programmable timer circuit which is integrated into an application specific integrated circuit includes a programmable timer counter. The programmable timer counter receives count data which is written to registers of the integrated circuit and is caused to initiate a count until that count is reached in response to clock signal. A programmable microprocessor is provided for controlling the programmable timer circuit and reading count data and mode data from non-volatile memory units in response to the microprocessor's programming and writing the count data and mode data into the registers of the application specific integrated circuit. In response to the mode data the programmable timer circuit assumes either a one shot mode or a continuos mode when the programmable timer.

Abstract: A programmable timer circuit is comprised of a programmable timer counter for receiving a count and for counting to the count. A clock signal for driving the timer counter which timer counter generates a signal representative of the count. A microprocessor generates count data in response to programming of the microprocessor. Timer data register receive the count from microprocessor. A first gate is provided having an enabled mode and an non-enabled mode for enabling loading of the timer data from the timer data register to the timer counter input only in the enabled mode. A monitoring circuit is provided for monitoring the timer count and enabling the gate mean to the enabled mode only when the timer has time-out.

Abstract: An envelope positioning assembly for a postage meter. A typical postage meter includes a registration wall, a deck and a printing apparatus for printing a postage indicia on an envelope. The envelope positing assembly includes: (1) a pin fixably mounted to the registration wall and generally aligned perpendicular to the deck, (2) a stop having an obstructing surface and a cutout, (3) positioning apparatus and (4) a microcontroller in communication with the positioning apparatus. The stop is slidably mounted on the pin to move between a first position where the obstructing surface extends above the deck and provides an obstruction to the envelope and a second position where the cutout extends above the deck and does not obstruct the envelope. The microcontroller means causes the positioning apparatus to move the stop to the second position upon initiation of a print cycle.

Abstract: A power stacker provides for receiving lengthwise orientated envelopes projected longitudinally onto the power stacker at a receiving end of the power stacker from an envelope feed device. The power stacker has a base supporting both an elongated deck and registration wall, an envelope transport system for transporting envelopes along the deck from the receiving end to a stack end of the deck. The transport system includes a plurality of friction belts extending partly along the deck and a power stack wheel pivotally mounted to the registration wall. An upper deflection flap at having one end pivotally mounted to the registration wall at the receiving end of the deck at a vertical elevation above that of the longitudinal feed level of the feed device, the upper deflection flap to contact the deck at it other end at a predetermined nominal angle forward of the power stack wheel.

Abstract: The printwheel setting apparatus is used in a postage meter for setting the posting date printwheels. Each settable member of the apparatus includes digital encoding marks thereon. A charge coupled device is arranged to detect the encoding marks of one or more settable members simultaneously. A lens is disposed between the settable member and the charge coupled device to focus the image of the encoding marks onto the surface of the charge coupled device. Thus, the settings of a number of settable members such as thumbwheels may be determined simultaneously. A shutter may be closed across the charge coupled device to protect it from damage, dust contamination.

Abstract: A postage meter control system includes a microcomputer having a programmable microprocessor. The microcomputer is in communication with a decoder integrated circuit (Decoder IC). The Decoder IC has a first write control flip-flop and a second write control flip-flop, as in the preferred embodiment there are redundant non-volatile memories. Each control flip-flop has an output to a respective AND gate. The Decoder IC includes a dual timer which has an output to the control flip-flops. As a result, when the microcomputer enters write routine, the timer releases the control flip-flops to allow the system to be write enabled. If the write routine encounters a error, resulting in the timer timing out, the timer resets the control flip-flop and communicates with the microcomputer to try a retry. A more detailed description, and other features and advantages will become apparent in conjunction with the detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

Abstract: A postage meter mailing machine includes an improved embedded user interface. The user interface is suitable for providing a user interface to the mailing machine and also a direct user interface to an external device in bus communication with the mailing machine. The mailing machine includes a programmable microcontroller for performing hard and soft system functions. The microcontroller includes non-volatile memories for storing data information and executable routine. The microcontroller is also in bus communication with a visual display and a plurality of soft keys. Stored in the non-volatile memory is a plurality of system screens for display on said visual display. Each of the screens has a menu field and a prompt field and contains descriptors for a plurality of screen fields.

Abstract: A process of thermal transfer printing which is accomplished in two printing steps. The process utilizes ribbon including a backing layer and an ink donor layer. The ribbon is drawn from a supply spool through a first printing station at which a first portion of the ink is transferred to the backing layer to form a first image thereon. The ribbon continues to and through a second printing station at which the remainder of the ink is transferred to a workpiece in the form of a second image which contrasts with the first image. All that remains of the ribbon as it leaves the second printing station is the backing layer which continues to and through the first printing station once again for the operation already mentioned. Thereupon, the ribbon is drawn onto a take-up spool for eventual disposal. The ink may be fluorescent.