Abstract: An electronically operated postage meter includes a non-volatile memory for the permanent storage of security and financial data utilized in the operation of the meter. In the operation of the memory, a standardized two-bit control signal is employed for providing read, write and word-erase commands in addition to one further command, namely, a block-erase command, wherein the entire memory is cleared. To avoid unintentional erasure of the entirety of the stored data, as might occur in the event of a fault in a control circuit or computation circuit coupled to the memory, a control-line translation unit is coupled within a control line which connects a memory control circuit with the memory. The control-line translation unit comprises a logic gate and a feed forward path, the gate operation being transparent to three out of the total of four control signals. Thereby, only the block-erase signal is translated, or converted, to a harmless one of the other control signals, more particularly, to the read signal.

Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus includes a registration member and an apparatus for compliantly urging a substrate against the registration member such that the effects of thickness variations of and between each substrate transported past the registration member are mitigated.

Abstract: A postage meter system includes a nonvolatile memory and program store coupled to a microcomputer. Postage meter transactional accounting data records are stored in the nonvolatile memory. Each transactional accounting data record includes a header portion having piece count related data and a piece count data field. The most current stored transactional accounting record header includes piece count related data which differs from the piece count data in the piece count field. Other stored transactional accounting records have headers with piece count related data which are the same as the piece count data stored in the piece count field. In this way, the most current record can be rapidly identified. A ring buffer organization of nonvolatile memory locations are utilized for storing postage value setting prior to the commencement of a postage dispensing transaction.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for securing a device from invasive and noninvasive tampering, one such device being a printer assembly for use in a value printing system, such as a postal mailing system. The system is comprised of a Decryption Microcomputer operable for decrypting the input data to be printed in accordance with a valid cipher key, the encrypted data and key being provided by another device, such as a postal meter. The cipher key is stored within a Tamper Latch readably coupled to the Microcomputer for providing the key to the Microcomputer. In addition, the Tamper Latch has a wire of small cross-sectional area connected thereto such that the presence of the wire is operable for defining a portion of the cipher key. To provide further security from tampering the Microcomputer, Latch and wire are embedded within a potting material.

Abstract: A postage metering lock-out security system is disclosed for use with electronic postage meters and for use with a postage metering system that operates in conjunction with a users computer and printer that prints postal value. With the lock out security system, in order for postage to be printed, the postage-metering control unit must receive a valid signal or password. The password may also be used to identify a particular user for accounting purposes. The metering system can also be provided with an internal clock so that metering may take place only within circumscribed times. An additional security feature is provided by an automatic call-back for postage recharging in order to assure that the meter is physically located at the appropriate location.

Abstract: A value printing system, such as a postage metering system, is disclosed wherein the secure meter accounting registers are removably connected to the meter. The registers are maintained redundantly within two dissimilar types of non-volatile memory devices, the devices being enclosed within an accounting vault. The vault may have the form of a small enclosure which may have the dimensions of a typical credit card. The invention provides for the local recharging of the meter postal funds by the removal of a first vault having an indication of depleted postal funds and the insertion of a second vault having an indication of available funds. In addition, by maintaining the meter accounting registers external to the system, the invention provides for a postage metering system wherein the necessity of the complex mechanical security devices of the prior art is eliminated.

Abstract: An electromechanical vault cartridge receptacle has an opening for inserting a vault cartridge, the cartridge passing between a pair of laterally biased rollers which continuously engage asymmetrically contoured sided surfaces of the cartridge. A front surface edge of the cartridge bears upon and causes the backwards motion of a movable frame, the motion of which causes top and bottom surfaces of the cartridge to be securely engaged between an opposed pair of horizontally planar cartridge bearing members. The backwards motion of the movable frame also results in roller supporting members to be locked when the cartridge is fully inserted, thereby preventing lateral movement of the rollers. A cartridge ejecting means comprises electromechanical means adapted for engaging a back surface of the movable frame to move the movable frame in a forwards direction, disengaging the cartridge engaging members and unlocking the roller supporting members, whereby the cartridge is pushed back out of the opening.

Abstract: An electromechanical vault cartridge receptacle has an opening for inserting a vault cartridge, the cartridge passing between a pair of laterally biased rollers which continuously engage asymmetrically contoured sided surfaces of the cartridge. A front surface edge of the cartridge bears upon and causes the backwards motion of a movable frame, the motion of which causes top and bottom surfaces of the cartridge to be securely engaged between an opposed pair of horizontally planar cartridge bearing members. The bearing members comprise conductive plate means which are brought into registration with corresponding plate means beneath top and bottom surfaces of the cartridge for defining signal coupling capacitors. The backwards motion of the movable frame also results in roller supporting members to be locked when the cartridge is fully inserted, thereby preventing lateral movement of the rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for preparing mailpieces. The apparatus includes printing structure and structure; for supplying a plurality of stationery items. In addition the apparatus includes a computer. The computer includes structure for receiving and storing data including different letter datum corresponding one-for-one to different information provided for preparing each of a plurality of different mailpieces. The information for each mailpiece includes a postal zip code. The computer includes structure for identifying respective postal zip codes which each include a plurality of predetermined elements. In addition, the computer includes structure for sorting from the data the letter datum corresponding to information which includes an identified postal zip code.

Abstract: A system for the preparation of items to be mailed, preparation of each item varying in accordance with selected values of pre-determined parameters. The system includes apparatus for marking each item with selected identification code values; apparatus for preparing each item to be mailed in accordance with stored parameters, the preparing apparatus having a detector for detecting and outputting identification values from the items; a data base system for storing selected values of the parameters in associated with the identification codes, a control system responsive to the output identification codes to access the associated selected values for output to the preparation apparatus. The preparation apparatus of the subject system includes an inserted system and the pre-determined parameters include parameters defining the inserts to be assembled with an item.

Abstract: An interactive outgoing and incoming mailpiece processing system is provided. The system includes structure for processing an outgoing mailpiece for mailing to an addressee. The outgoing mailpiece includes a returnable stationery item bearing an identification code identifying the addressee. The system additionally includes a computer. The computer includes a memory device for storing the identification code. The computer also includes a dispositive data listing for the identification code. The listing includes data corresponding to an operation to be implemented by the system, and is programmed for causing the system to implement the operation upon sensing the identification code for the listing. The system also includes structure for processing an incoming mailpiece, including the stationery item when it is returned. In addition, the system includes code sensing structure and structure for changing the dispositive data listing, whereby the data corresponding to the operation may be changed.

Abstract: Apparatus for preparing a letter is provided, which includes printing structure, stationery item supplying structure and a computer. The computer is constructed and arranged for receiving a signal representative of letter data corresponding to information having a format. The information includes a plurality of parts. The computer includes structure 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 also includes structure for selecting at least one of the data parts, causing the supplying structure to supply the stationery item to the printing structure and causing the printing structure to print on the stationery item the information part corresponding to the selected data parts.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided which includes structure for preparing a letter including a returnable stationery item for sending to an addressee, wherein the returnable stationery item includes a code. In addition, the apparatus includes structure for routing the stationery item, when it is returned, to a selected one of a plurality of locations. The routing structure includes structure for sensing the code. Further, the apparatus includes a computer coupled to the routing structure. The computer is programmed for controlling the routing structure and for storing a dispositive data listing for the code. The dispositive data listing includes information defining the selected location. The computer causes the routing structure to route the stationery item to the selected location when the code on the stationery item is sensed. In addition, structure is provided for changing the dispositive data listing, whereby the selected location may be changed.

Abstract: An improved postage meter includes a method for checking the particular operation being carried out by the meter to determine whether it is in the appropriate sequence under the given conditions. A stored program word associated with each routine to be monitored is stored in RAM whenever the routine is operating. The word can be checked as many times as desired during the operation and if a match does not occur between the stored word and the word associated with the executing routine, appropriate error recovery can be initiated.

Abstract: An improvement in combination with apparatus including rotary means, wherein the rotary means includes a periphery having indicia printing means and is adapted for feeding a sheet in a path of travel. The improvement comprises: a first device for sensing a time interval during which a sheet having a leading edge is linearly displaced a predetermined distance in the path of travel; a d.c. motor coupled to the rotary mean for rotation of the rotary means; a second device for sensing angular displacement of the rotary means and a computer coupled to the first and second sensing devices and to the d.c.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing a workpiece having a flexible upper wall. The apparatus includes a vacuum plenum having a bottom wall provided with a multiplicity of apertures. In addition, the apparatus includes workpiece feeding apparatus. The feeding apparatus includes container structure including an evacuatable enclosure made of a flexible air-impermeable material rendering the enclosure contractable upon evacuation. The enclosure has a top wall dimensioned for receiving thereon a workpiece. And the feeding apparatus includes structure for moving the container structure in a predetermined path of travel relative to the bottom wall of the plenum.

Abstract: A mailing system that generates data representative of the total postage value of a stream of mail pieces to provide proof of the debiting of a stored postal value includes a portable device having a processor and a memory.

Abstract: A system for detecting fraudulent imprints on documents is disclosed. The system comprises a metering device, a host and a verifying facility. The metering device provides a validation signal to the host and its associated printer. Thereafter, the printer prints information which includes information from the validation signal. Thereafter the information printed on a mailpiece can be validated at the verifying facility by detecting the validation information provided by the metering device. The system provides a method to make a secure metering device without an integral printer. This value printing system provides for a secure system that will allow for the detection of fraudulent imprints at a veryfying facility.

Abstract: In a machine which includes apparatus for feeding tape and for driving the tape feeding apparatus, there is provided an improvement for controlling the tape feeding apparatus. The improvement comprises the driving apparatus is provided with a d.c. motor having an output shaft for driving the tape feeding apparatus, and apparatus is provided for sensing angular displacement of the motor output shaft.

Abstract: In printing apparatus including structure for changing a value to be printed and structure for selecting a value to be printed, wherein the former includes a plurality of banks, each of which includes a print wheel having a plurality of print elements, and the latter includes structure for selecting each bank and structure for selecting each print element of a selected bank, and structure for driving the bank and print element selection structure, wherein the driving structure includes an output shaft, and structure for selectively coupling the shaft to the bank and print element selection structure, the improvement for controlling the value selection structure, the improvement comprising: the driving structure including a d.c.