Abstract: The mailing processing system includes a postage meter for dispensing postage. The postage meter includes having a printing mechanism having value print elements and a postal inscription mechanism. The postal inscription mechanism has a plurality of printing surfaces. Each surface is embossed with a different mail class identifier. The mail processing system inclusive of the postage meter operates under the control of a microcomputer means for accounting for postage dispensed by the postage meter having accounting means for providing department accounting of said dispensed postage and for controlling said printing means. The microcomputer is programmed to enable permitted carrier and carrier fees sets in accordance with operator selected departmental account. The microcomputer is being further programmed to cause said postal inscription mechanism to position said respective printing surface for printing corresponding to the carrier class selected by said operator.

Abstract: An improved thermal ribbon cassette is detachably mounting to a thermal printing postage meter. The thermal ribbon cassette has an opening, a plurality of posts. Some of which posts are located to each side of the opening, a take-up spool and a supply spool rotatively mounted in the housing, and a thermal ink transfer ribbon supply wrapped around the supply spool and extending to the take-up spool threaded from and between the post and extending through the opening. The opening is located to receive a thermal print head therein such that the transfer ribbon traverses below the print element of the thermal print head. Slots are formed in the respective forward and rear wall, a first post to the take-up side of the aperture is positionably mounted in the slots such that the angle downstream of the opening may be selectively changed.

Abstract: A system for controlling the validity of printing of indicias on mailpieces from a potentially large number of users of postage meters includes apparatus disposed in each said postage meter for generating a code and for printing the code on each mailpiece. The code is an encrypted code representative of the postage meter apparatus printing the indicia and other information uniquely determinative of the legitimacy of postage on the mailpieces. The keys for the code generating apparatus are changed to change its code generation at predetermined time intervals in each of the meters. A security center includes apparatus for maintaining a security code database and for keeping track of the keys for generating security codes in correspondence with the changes in each generating apparatus and the information printed on the mailpiece by the postage meter apparatus for comparison with the code printed on the mailpiece.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for providing a meter activity log is usable in a mail processing machine which is adapted to receive a plurality of postage meters. The mail processing machine includes a microcomputer control and nonvolatile memory storage means for storing meter accounting information. The meter accounting information is stored in association with a unique identification of each of a plurality of meters installed in the mail processing machine. Accounting information relating to the uniquely-identified meter activity which has occurred off-line is determined and stored. Information relative to the uniquely-identified meter activity upon the occurrence of each of a plurality of selected events which occur on-line is also stored. The log may be printed and the information cleared by command of the operator.

Abstract: An integrated circuit driver for a brushless motor having an encoder which includes a plurality of Hall-effect sensors operative for providing commutation information to a motor controller includes a commutation decoding section for decoding the commutation information from the Hall-effect sensors and an analog current limiter. The current limiter includes a circuit for dynamically switching the current limit values for current in the motor between a high current limit value and a low current limit value based on the average or RMS value of the motor winding current. The current limit values must be provided externally. A Hall-effect sensor quadrature encoder is provided on the integrated circuit and a selection switch allows for the selection of a quadrature output from an external optical encoder or the internal Hall-effect sensor encoder.

Abstract: Disclosed is an arrangement for connecting a plurality of transistors to a heat sink surrounding one end of a control motor for a mailing machine. The motor is a conventional bi-directional stepping motor which controls various operational functions of the mailing machine. The direction, speed and continuity of the rotation of the motor rotor are controlled by a plurality of transistors which receive appropriate signals from a microprocessor. The transistors generate a substantial amount of heat during operation of the motor and are mounted on a heat sink connected to the motor in order to dissipate this heat.

Abstract: A data verification system including a circuit verifies that unlocking data generated by a microprocessor to be written into the ASIC before a memory write is valid. The microprocessor is programmed to generate an ASIC address when unlocking data is to be written to the ASIC and to encrypt and decrypt that data. The verifying circuit unit receives the encrypted data and decrypts the encrypted data and compares the decrypted data with the encrypted data. The verifying circuit generating an enable signal only if the comparison is true. An address decoding unit is provided for receiving the memory address signal and causing a memory write enable signal to be generated for the memory unit only if the verifying circuit unit has generated an enable signal. Registers unit in communication with the data bus and the verifying circuit unit are provided for writing decryption parameters in the register unit in accordance with the programming of the microprocessor during power-up of the microprocessor.

Abstract: A metering system requires a user to provide periodic, accurate meter readings to a billing authority.The metering system includes a mechanism for dispensing postage or another accountable quantity, an accounting mechanism for updating and storing information regarding the amount of postage dispensed by the dispensing mechanism and an output mechanism for outputting the storing postage information. The system also includes a mechanism for storing a time deadline, a clock that provides a current date signal and a lock that disables the dispensing mechanism when the current date is not before the stored deadline. The system also includes a reset mechanism for extending the stored deadline.A user of the system reads the output of the system to obtain a current meter reading. The user then telephones the billing authority's data center, provides the current reading to the data center and receives back from the center an encrypted combination that reflects the reading provided by the user.

Abstract: Value selection and printing apparatus comprising, structure for printing a value, the printing structure including a rotatable device and a drive shaft therefor, structure for selecting the value, the value selecting structure including a rack gear slidably movably connected to the device, the rack gear including a plurality of gear teeth formed therein, the value selecting structure including a drive gear and a first gear, the drive gear including gear teeth disposed in meshing engagement with the rack gear teeth, the first gear coaxially fixedly attached to the drive gear for rotation therewith and including first gear teeth, the value selecting structure including a value printing wheel, the printing wheel including a circumferentially-extending periphery and a plurality of printing fonts located at spaced intervals thereabout, the value selecting structure including a second gear coaxially fixedly attached to the printing wheel for rotation thereof, the second gear including gear teeth and disposed in me

Abstract: A motor controller is programmed for detecting motor-stall condition of a dc motor under the control of a motor control system. The motor control system includes a programmable microcontroller in connection with the motor controller and a motor driver. The motor driver communicates with a dc motor. The dc motor is coupled to a position encoder which encoder is in communication with the microcontroller. The method comprises the steps of providing an average stall threshold value ASV and providing the motor controller with a time counter for counting each time interval T to a maximum count N. The motor controller is programmed to issue a motor command representing the position error between the desired motor position and the actual motor position for some time interval T. During each time interval T, the motor command is compared to the average threshold value ASV, if the motor command is greater than the ASV then the count in the time counter is compared with the maximum count N.

Abstract: The positioning assembly is used in a thermal printing postage meter having a base supporting a registration wall and a deck, and a thermal print head fixably mounted to the registration wall above a portion of the deck to define a print station for printing a postage indicia on an envelope having a leading edge positioned on the deck in the print station. The positioning assembly includes a stop lever and a position support arrangement. The position support arrangement provides support for the stop lever such that in a first or home position, the stop lever obstructs the longitudinal positioning on the deck beyond the proper print station location. The obstruction is caused by encounter of the stop lever with the leading edge of the envelope. During initiation of the print cycle, the stop lever is repositioned to a second position removing the stop lever from obstructing the leading edge of the envelope.

Abstract: The thermal printing apparatus includes a base supported registration wall. The registration wall has claps mounted thereto for supporting a thermal ribbon cassette. Also, mounted to the registration wall is a thermal print head which extends over the deck of the thermal print apparatus to define a print station. A platen roller support assembly is mounted in the base for supporting the platen roller parallel to the thermal print head and causing the platen roller to bias an envelope against the thermal print head and causing the envelope and thermal transfer ribbon to simultaneously traverse the thermal print head during a print cycle of the thermal printing apparatus under the influence of a drive motor. An encoder is mounted to the registration wall to interact with the thermal transfer ribbon for position encoding displacement of the thermal ribbon of the thermal ribbon cassette relative to the thermal print head.

Abstract: A postage meter comprises a non-volatile memory and a microcomputer in communication with the non-volatile memory. The microcomputer is operatively coupled to a stepper motor. The stepper motor includes a rotor and is arranged for positioning at least one printwheel of the postage meter. The non-volatile memory has stored therein a value corresponding to a predetermined pulse width required for pulsing a coil of the stepper motor to position the rotor to a final position between step positions. The microcomputer pulses the stepper motor coil with a pulse of the predetermined pulse with for bring the stepper motor rotor to a final position for positioning the printwheel.

Abstract: A mailing machine is disclosed which includes an apparatus for scanning the surface contour of mail pieces as they move along a feed path prior to being engaged by the printing device of a postage meter to determine whether the surface contour of the mail piece in the area where printing is to take place is suitable for printing and for actuating an instrumentality intended to prevent printing of the postage indicia in that area if the printing surface is not suitable for receiving a good quality print.

Abstract: The platen roller assembly is particularly suited for a thermal printing postage meter having a base supporting a registration wall and a deck, and a thermal print head fixably mounted to said registration wall above a portion of said deck to define a print station. A linking assembly is mounted in the base for rotatively supporting a platen roller in a home position below said deck when an envelope is to be received at said print station and biasing said platen in a second position above said deck in the direction of said thermal print head through an aperture in said deck during a print cycle. An ejection plate fixably mounted to said registration wall above said deck longitudinally in line with said thermal print head.

Abstract: The thermal printing postage meter includes a base supporting a registration wall and a deck, a micro controller and a thermal tape cassette detachably mounted to the registration wall. A position assembly is provided for causing a platen roller to assume a print position or a non-print position and for causing the ejection roller to assume an engaged or disengaged position. A single motor is under the control a micro controller. A linkage system is provided which communicates with the motor and a take-up spool.

Abstract: The position sensing assembly is employed in combination with a thermal printing postage meter having a base supporting a registration wall and a deck, and a thermal print head fixably mounted to the registration wall above a portion of the deck to define a print station for printing a postage indicia on an envelope. A position sensing-lever is mounted to a positioning support arrangement for providing supporting the position sensing lever support in a first position such that the position sensing lever has a home position where in a portion extending generally perpendicular to the deck to encounter the leading edge of the envelope positioned on the deck. The position lever encounters the envelope leading edge such that the leading edge deflects the position sensing lever when positioned in the print station and for repositioning the position sensing lever in a second position which removes the position sensing lever from encountering the leading edge of the envelope.

Abstract: The envelope drop stacking apparatus receives envelopes ejected from a mailing machine in a seriatim manner to the stacker. The mailing machine ejects envelopes from an exist along an exist plane to which the drop stacker entrance is aligned. The stacker has an elongated deck extending generally parallel to and vertically below the exist plane and an elongated registration wall extending vertically from the deck and lateral to the exist. A bi-sectional deflector strip has at one end pivotally mounted to the registration wall vertically elevated above the exist plane. A skew section translates the first section of the deflector section to the second section to produce a negative skew of the second section relative to the exist plane. The deflector strip is located to cause the deflector strip's second section to encounter an ejected envelope's leading edge and thereby produces a negatively skewed envelope trajectory.

Abstract: The processing system controller is utilized in a mail processing system. The processing system controller provides process control over a plurality of processing subsystems which operate on a mailpiece traversing the processing system. The processing subsystems employing a plurality of prime movers controlled by the processing controller. The processing system controller includes a motor controller in bus communication with the prime movers for control of the prime movers. Sensors monitor the operating conditions and parameter of each subsystems and are in bus communication with a sensor controller. A random access memory (RAM) is in bus communication with the motor controller and the sensor controller. The motor controller and the sensor controller are programmed such that the motor controller can read from the RAM and the sensor controller can write to the RAM. The motor controller reads from the RAM at discrete time intervals and the sensor controller writes to the RAM at other discrete time intervals.

Abstract: An improved platen roller is particularly suited for a thermal printing postage meter. The postage meter includes a registration wall, a print deck, a thermal print head mounted to the registration wall and extending over the deck to define a print station, a platen roller support assembly for supporting the platen roller parallel to the thermal print head and causing the platen roller to bias an envelope against the thermal print head and causing the envelope to traverse the thermal print head during a print cycle of the thermal postage meter. The platen roller is unitary in material construction of cellular urethane. The platen roller has a first and second end section, each section having a conical configuration a surface taper angle of between -2.0.degree. degrees and -3.0.degree. degrees.