Abstract: In a mailing machine including a postage meter, wherein the postge meter includes rotary structure for printing indicia on a sheet fed to the machine, wherein the machine includes apparatus for driving the printing structure, wherein the machine includes apparatus for feeding a sheet fed thereto downstream in a path of travel through the machine, wherein the sheet feeding apparatus includes an impression roller rotatably mounted beneath the rotary printing structure, and wherein the impression roller has an inner end and an outer end, an improvement comprising: apparatus for aligning a sheet fed to the machine with the path of travel, the aligning apparatus including a registration fence aligned with the path of travel, the aligning apparatus including an elongate stop lever and a shaft on which the lever is pivotally mounted outboard of the outer end of the impression roller, the stop lever extending into the path of travel for pivoting a sheet fed thereto toward the registration fence, the aligning apparatu

Abstract: In a mailing machine including a postage meter and means for feeding a sheet through and from the machine, wherein the postage meter includes rotary printing structure for printing indicia on a sheet fed through the machine, and the machine includes apparatus for driving the printing structure, wherein the driving apparatus includes a drive gear for rotating the printing structure, the driving apparatus includes a shutter bar movable into and out of locking engagement with the drive gear, the driving appartus includes an actuating member for moving the shutter bar, and wherein the machine includes trip structure for sensing a sheet, an improvement comprising: a source of supply of d.c.

Abstract: In a machine including rotary structure for printing indicia on a sheet fed to the machine, wherein the machine includes apparatus for driving the rotary printing structure, wherein the driving apparatus includes a drive gear having a home position, wherein driving apparatus includes a locking member movable into and out of locking engagement with the drive gear when the drive gear is in its home position, and wherein the machine includes trip structure for sening a sheet fed to the machine, an improvement comprising: an actuating member for moving the locking member into and out of locking engagement with the drive gear; apparatus for controlling the actuating member, the controlling apparatus including resilient structure for urging the actuating member to move the locking member into and out of locking engagement with the drive gear; and the trip structure including structure for normally latching the controlling apparatus for preventing the resilient structure from moving the actuating member to move the

Abstract: A secure postage dispensing system is provided, which comprises: apparatus for receiving mailing information including a list of addresses, wherein the list is associated with a number of mail pieces to be sent and information indicative of the postage due for the mail pieces; structure for calculating the total postage required for the mail pieces; and structure for establishing communication with a funds control center, which is adapted to receive the total postage and the total number of mail pieces to be mailed and includes instrumentalities for effecting a funds transfer in the amount of the total postage to a carrier service and, upon completion of such funds transfer, returning a cryptographic key and a batch identifier.

Abstract: Apparatus for preparing a letter, including a stationery item. The apparatus includes a structure for printing and for providing a signal representative of letter data corresponding to information having a format. The information includes a plurality of parts. The apparatus also includes a computer. The computer includes a structure for receiving the signal, and is programmed for reformatting the letter data. The reformatted letter data includes a plurality of parts, and each of the information parts corresponds to a different one of the data parts. The computer is also programmed for selecting at least one of the data parts and for causing the printing structure to print on the stationery item each information part corresponding to each selected data part.

Abstract: A vault cartridge having a data storage means for the storage of data therein. The cartridge has a size and a shape which is adapted for insertion within a vault receptacle coupled to a host system. The vault receptacle has a primary portion of a magnetic power coupling means made of a primary core and a primary winding operatively coupled to the core. The vault cartridge further comprises a secondary portion of the core having a secondary winding operatively coupled thereto. The portions of the core within both the cartridge and the receptacle are disposed such that when the cartridge is inserted within the receptacle the two portions of the core are magnetically coupled one to the other. A source of excitation energy applied to the primary winding is magnetically coupled through the core and into the secondary winding of the cartridge. Power conversion means is provided within the cartridge for deriving operating power from the secondary winding.

Abstract: In printing apparatus of the type which includes a ribbon having a backing layer and an ink donor layer supported on the backing layer, wherein the apparatus includes a first thermal printhead for transfer printing a first ink pattern from the ink donor layer to the backing layer at a first printing station, a second thermal printhead for transfer printing a second ink pattern from the ink donor layer to a workpiece at a second printing station, there is provided a process including the steps of: sensing a letter being fed to the second printing station; starting feeding the ribbon; starting printing at the first printing station; moving the second printhead from a non-printing position to a printing position; starting printing at the second printing station; stopping printing at the first and second printing stations; stopping feeding the ribbon; and moving the second printhead from the printing position to the non-printing position.

Abstract: In apparatus for thermally transferring ink from a ribbon, having backing and ink donor layers, to a letter, wherein the apparatus includes a frame, a thermal printhead and a printhead backing roller, there is provided an improvement for urging a ribbon and letter into engagement with one another. The improvement includes the printhead backing roller connected to the frame for rotation in engagement with a letter fed between the roller and a ribbon, and the printhead backing roller including a body portion adapted to flex when engaging a letter for urging a letter into contact with the ink donor layer of a ribbon. Moreover, it is of the invention that the roller body portion include at least one channel formed therein.

Abstract: A value printing system is disclosed which provides for storing the indicia to be printed within a secure vault module. The vault module also provides for securely maintaining the system accounting data. Coupled to the vault module is a host module which in turn is coupled to a printer module, whereby the indicia are printed. The vault module and the host module are coupled together by a high speed communications bus which utilizes a memory interchange, or swapping, technique to transfer blocks of data bidirectionally between the vault and the host.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a moving substrate and a read or write head includes independently controllable rollers for deskewing the sensed skew of a moving substrate and a read or write device that is translatable in a direction fixed with respect to the reference direction of the moving substrate.

Abstract: In apparatus for thermally transferring ink from a ribbon, having backing and ink donor layers, to a letter, wherein the apparatus includes a frame, a thermal printhead, structure connected to the frame for controlling the printhead, and a roller, wherein the printhead is disposable in a non-printing position permitting a ribbon to be located between the printhead and roller and in a printing position in which the printhead is in engagement with the backing layer of a ribbon, and wherein the roller is adapted for rotation when in engagement with a letter fed between the roller and a ribbon, an improvement for urging a ribbon and letter into engagement with one another, the improvement comprising: the printhead controlling structure including structure for resiliently supporting the printhead for urging the ink donor layer of a ribbon into contact with a letter when the printhead is disposed in the printing position; and the roller including a body portion adapted to flex when engaging a letter for urging a le

Abstract: A device applicable for processing batch mail which eliminates the need for on-site inspection. A mail sender purchases postage value and stores the amount purchased in the memory of the accounting device. The mail sender processes batches of mail and reduces the amount of purchased postage value in the memory to account for the mail processed.

Abstract: A system for processing batch mail in which the need for on-site inspection is unnecessary. The mail sender purchases postage from a central station thereby authorizing him to send mail equal to the amount of postage purchased. The mail sender processes batches of mail each of which is accompanied by a statement summarizing the type and number of mail pieces sent and amount of postage for each batch. The statement contains data that allows mail payment verification. The system further provides for postal funds transfer between the various mailroom devices and centralized accounting for the mailing operation.

Abstract: A system is provided for processing a letter for bulk mailing. The system includes structures for printing and for supplying stationery items. In addition, the system includes a computer. The computer includes input structure for receiving letter data corresponding to information for at least one letter. The information for the at least one letter includes a plurality of parts. The computer also includes a program for formatting the letter data for the at least one letter. The formatted letter data includes a plurality of parts. The information parts for the at least one letter correspond one-for-one with the data parts. The computer is also programmed for causing the supplying structure to supply at least one stationery item to the printing structure. The computer is further programmed for causing the printing structure to print at least one information part on the at least one stationery item, and for storing a predetermined code.

Abstract: A portable data storage module, or vault cartridge, having a data storage device and a plurality of conductive members which are disposed beneath an insulating outer surface of the module. In conjunction with corresponding conductive members in a host device, the corresponding conductive members being disposed adjacent to an outer surface of the module and in registration with the conductive members within the module, the portable data storage module when coupled to the host device is operable for having data capacitively coupled through opposing pairs of conductive members.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for processing a stationery item. The stationery item has a code identifying an addressee of the stationery item. The apparatus includes printing and feeding structures. The feeding structure includes instrumentalities for normally feeding the stationery item in a first feed path to the printing structure and for selectively feeding the stationery item in a second feed path out of the first feed path. Further, the feeding structure includes a code sensor. The apparatus additionally includes a computer. The computer is programmed for controlling the feeding structure, and includes a memory device for storing a dispositive data listing for the code. The dispositive data listing selectively includes data defining the second feed path. The controlling program includes a routine for causing the feeding structure to feed the stationery item in the second feed path when the code is sensed, and the dispositive data listing for the code includes the data defining the second feed path.

Abstract: A system for the nonvolatile storage of data, such as a postage meter system, employs a microcomputer coupled to two nonvolatile memories. The first nonvolatile memory requires data be applied to the nonvolatile data terminals for more than a predetermined time for data to be written into said nonvolatile memory while the second nonvolatile memory is of a type wherein data applied to the second nonvolatile memory data terminals for less than the predetrermined time is sufficient for data to be written into the second nonvolatile memory. The microcomputer operates under control of a program store to apply data to the first nonvolatile memory data terminals for at least a predetermined time under particular operating conditions and under other operating conditions to applying data to the nonvolatile memory data terminals and during the predetermined time to the second nonvolatile memory terminals.

Abstract: An improved mailing machine has a switch for incrementally changing the magnitude of a time interval during which ink is applied to the applicator roller. The magnitude of the time interval for ink application is both stored and displayed. The magnitude of the change in the stored and displayed values is incremented by one unit for each unit of time that the switch is actuated.

Abstract: A microcomputerized postage meter has a programmable clock for generating an interrupt output to the microcomputer in the event that it times out before it is stopped or reprogrammed. The timer is suitably programmed for the anticipated duration of the routine to enable swift recovery from the postage meter microcomputer being locked into operation in an infinite loop.

Abstract: A method for aligning a moving substrate and a read or write head includes independently controllable rollers for deskewing the sensed skew of a moving substrate and a read or write device that is translatable in a direction fixed with respect to the reference direction of the moving substrate.