Abstract: A device for receiving documents is described and in one example, a device for stacking media in a mail creation inserter system is described including at least one document support member (30), adapted to receive documents and to be moved along a longitudinal axis by its own weight, and an actuator member (32) for allowing said support to move, placed on the path of movement of the documents and adapted to move between a first or blocking position preventing longitudinal movement of said support and a second or released position allowing longitudinal displacement thereof, movement from the first position to the second position being triggered by the contact of at least one document (36) with said actuator member.

Abstract: A postage printing system includes a transport device for feeding an envelope in a path of travel through the postage printing system, a printer for printing a postal indicia and an ad slogan on the envelope, and a control system in operative communication with the transport device and the printer. The control system obtains an indication from an operator of a selected print location for the ad slogan and determines if the postal indicia and the ad slogan may be printed in a single pass through the postage printing system.

Abstract: The present application describes systems and methods for composing and sending facsimile messages using a digital pointing instrument. In further configurations, a user utilizes a pen to indicate a reference to a document that is appended to the outgoing facsimile. In another further configuration, the user utilizes a form having pre-defined regions that are used to correlate a pen stroke with a desired action.

Abstract: An information system includes a plurality of messaging systems, a data center and a control system. The plurality of messaging systems process respective messages intended for recipients. The data center is in operative communication with the plurality of messaging systems and stores transaction data associated with each respective message. The control system is in operative communication with the data center. The control system identifies selected transaction data from among the transaction data corresponding to a defined recipient and uses the selected transaction data to generate a recipient profile of messages intended for the defined recipient that have been processed by the plurality of messaging systems.

Abstract: In paper based user interfaces to machines, a business machine receives user input from a digital pen and paper system and determines if such input is authorized. In another example, a business machine processes a batch of prewritten user inputs from a digital pen and paper system when the digital pen is collocated operatively connected to the business machine.

Abstract: The present application describes systems and methods for creating a document having metadata using a pointing device such as a digital pen. In one configuration, a digital pen captures pen stroke data and processes that data to determine metadata that the pen then writes to metadata storage located on the document.

Abstract: Systems and methods for probabilistic determination of real world events in a sensory environment such as a predicting location in a responsive environment are described. A responsive environment system includes a set of sensors for making probabilistic observations of RFID sensor tags. The system also includes a control system employing a set of possible real world events and statistical processing system for predicting a particular real world event state based upon the sensor observations. In one configuration, a Hidden Markov Model is used for the statistical processing system and may be updated based upon the prediction of the model. The responsive environment will then launch a response based upon the predicted real world event state.

Abstract: A system for independent translational motion on two axes using one motor is described. In one configuration, a modified dual Scotch Yoke using slots resembling the letter J is utilized to drive both the maintenance station and ink jet head of a mailing machine.

Abstract: A method and system for sterilizing mail is provided. A mailbox is loaded with mail and closed. A decontamination process is performed over a predetermined period of time. An indicator communicates the status of the decontamination process.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a tamper resistant envelope comprises a first panel with an interior and an exterior side. The envelope further comprises a second panel attached to the first panel to define an interior portion having opposite side edges, a closed edge portion and an opening portion opposite the closed edge portion to provide access to the interior portion of the tamper resistant envelope; and a flap for sealingly adhering to an exterior surface of the first panel. The flap has an interior and an exterior side and is attached to the second panel at an edge of the second panel opposite the closed edge portion.

Abstract: A method and system for processing shipping labels having postage is described. In one configuration a hidden frame in a secure browser window is used to control printing of an actual shipping label while allowing unlimited sample printing of a sample shipping label having sample postage indicia.

Abstract: A method of processing a check prior to electronically depositing the check includes receiving the check, determining a number of existing check submission indicating marks, if any, that are present on the check, determining whether the number is less than a pre-set maximum number, discontinuing the processing of the check if it is determined that the number is not less than the pre-set maximum number, and printing a new check submission indicating mark onto the check and continuing the processing of the check if it is determined that the number is less than the pre-set maximum number. The existing check submission indicating marks may be printed with an energy emitting ink, such as, without limitation, a luminescent ink. Also provided is an apparatus adapted to implement the method just described.

Abstract: The present application describes systems and methods for composing documents using a digital pointing instrument. In further configurations, a user utilizes a pen to trace a form serial number that is utilized to identify a form template that is used to process input data from a digital pen.

Abstract: A method and system for isolating, transferring and testing potentially contaminated mail pieces. The mail pieces are encapsulated in a sealed package at one location and transferred to another location for testing. During testing, the sealed package is connected to an air sampling system, which directly draws an air sample from the sealed package. At the end of testing, the air pressure in the sealed package is sufficiently reduced, causing the sealed bag to collapse. A septum or a tube with a self-sealed coupler is provided on the sealed package to allow the air sampling system to draw air out of the sealed package. When the air sampling system is not connected to the sealed package, the septum or the self-sealed coupler prevents the air inside the sealed package from escaping into the environment. It is advantageous to disturb the mail pieces during air sampling.

Abstract: Handling of undeliverable mail is improved so that mailers may take appropriate action to respond to nondelivery of mailpieces. Returned mail is received from a postal authority. Each mailpiece of the returned mail was part of a respective mailing and was determined not to be deliverable by the postal authority. The mailer determines for each mailpiece at least one of (a) the respective mailing to which the mailpiece belonged and (b) the reason why the mailpiece was found to be undeliverable. The mailer selects a course of action based on one or both of the results of these determinations. Returned mailpieces may be sorted by the mailings from which they come.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing thermal printhead thermal history temperature management by preprocessing target images are described. In one example, a thermal compensation process is applied to a target image to provide offset values in order to create a compensated image that is later printed without local printhead thermal compensation.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a self-diagnostic process for determining a print shaft contamination condition such as debris build up on the guide shaft in a shuttle head printer is described. The process can be carried out at several points in time including automatically when the printer is powered-up, at a periodic schedule, and/or at the initiation of a user. The process includes a measurement of the print head speed over a travel distance along the guide shaft. If the speed is lower than a predetermined threshold value, the user is notified that a print shaft contamination condition exists.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of printing and preparing mail from a data stream distributed in several pages which are intended to be printed on sheets and enveloped, the number of sheets contained in an envelope being able to vary from one envelope to another, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: selecting from amongst the data stream at least one identification criterion for the various pages intended to be contained in each envelope, analyzing the data stream according to said at least one identification criterion in order to identify, for each envelope, the pages concerned, printing the pages on sheets, enveloping the sheets on which the pages are printed according to the result of the identification, for each envelope, of the pages concerned.

Abstract: An enclosure for protecting at least a portion of a printed circuit board that includes a top and bottom cover each having an insulating layer between an outer conductive layer and an inner conductive layer. Each outer conductive layer and each inner conductive layer are electrically connected to a voltage source to form tamper detection circuits. The enclosure further includes cover switches to detect attempts to lift or remove the covers and a thermal sensor/switch or the like for indicating that a temperature inside the enclosure has moved past a predetermined level due to a tamper attempt. A detection circuit generates and transmits a signal to cause sensitive information contained in one or more electronic components provided on the circuit board to be erased when a tamper attempt is detected.

Abstract: A method and system for selecting an external user interface using spatial information is described. In one configuration the floor space of a mailroom is mapped using a two dimensional grid. At least one machine is located on the mapped grid and an associated control zone is defined for that particular machine. The machine includes a wireless transceiver for providing user interface access. An external portable processor with a wireless transceiver is provided with user interface logic for the machine. A user then moves the external portable processor into the control zone of the machine. An indoor positioning system is utilized to provide relative or absolute position information relating to the machine and the external processor. The system determines that the external processor is in the machine control zone and allows the external processor to function as a user interface for the machine.