Abstract: An electronic scale is disclosed having a device for recalibrating the scale from time to time after the scale is moved from the factory to a site of installation in order to adjust the scale for physical and/or environmental operating conditions which are different from those which prevailed at the factory when the scale was originally calibrated after the completion of manufacture and which have an adverse effect on the accuracy of the scale if the scale is not recalibrated under these conditions. The scale is provded with a device which adds a predetermined fixed weight to the load cell of the scale at any desired time or interval of time, and an electronic count indicative of this weight at the site of installation is compared with an electronic count of the same weight taken at the factory and stored in a memory, and the digital readout of the scale is then adjusted by an amount which is the same as the ratio of the original count of the weight and the count thereof taken at the site of installation.

Abstract: An electronic scale is disclosed which has multiple overload protection features for protecting the load cell and a weight distribution plate from excessive strain due to vertical overload on the scale or from twisting resulting from an article being placed thereon which exceeds the load capacity of the scale, or from excessive forces due to mishandling of the scale. A first overload protection is in the form of a boss molded into the base of the scale on which the free end of the load cell abuts if an excessive load is placed on the platter of the scale. A second overload protection is in the form of a peripheral depending flange on the platter which abuts a peripheral portion of the a top cover to prevent excessive strain on the load cell and a weight distribution plate from excessive loading or mishandling of the scale.

Abstract: An apparatus for properly positioning envelopes in an envelope inserting machine for receiving insert material is disclosed in which the envelope positioning apparatus feeds a first envelope along a prescribed feed path to a predetermined location which is beyond the normal location at which the throat of the envelope can be opened so that the envelope can receive a package of insert material, and then feeds the envelope in a reverse direction until a throat opening device is effective to open the throat of the first envelope.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for centering and aligning sheets. The apparatus includes a D-roller assembly for cyclically engaging and transporting sheets and a centering and aligning mechanism for centering the lining sheets which is synchronized with the operation of the D-roller assembly so that the centering and aligning mechanism acts upon the sheets before the sheets are engaged by the D-roller assembly. The centering and aligning mechanism includes a pair of elements extending parallel to, and symmetrically from the center-line of, the path followed by the sheets and the elements cycle from first positions inward to second positions separated by approximately the width of the sheets so that sheets positioned between the elements are centered a aligned. Movement of the elements is synchronized with the D-roller assembly by a pair of complementary oppositely faced barrel cams mounted on a common shaft with the D-roller assembly.

Abstract: A cost-effective motion control system communication architecture is provided that supports a centralized control node, distributed control nodes, and smart I/O peripheral control nodes. Networks designed using this architecture, which employs a serial bus, may be readily modified or expanded. The architecture supports both real-time highly periodic communications and event-driven peer-to-peer communications.

Abstract: A weigh scale platform having a first, closed position providing a horizontal weighing surface and a second, open position for supporting flats in a substantially vertical orientation. The platform includes a base and first and second portions supported by the base. The first and second portions are horizontal and co-planar in the first position and are connected by a first hinge. The second portion is connected to the rear edge of the base by a second hinge. In the second position the first portion rotates about the first hinge to a substantial vertical orientation and is closed in place. The second portion rotates around the second hinge to support the first portion. The base also includes a ridge and a channel to support and restrain the lower edge of a vertically supported flat.

Abstract: As apparatus for producing items in selected configurations and a system and method for controlling the same. The apparatus includes a laser printer and folding sealing apparatus controlled by a data processor. The folder sealer apparatus combines sheets printed by the laser printer with pre-printed sheets and envelope forms, which also may be printed by the laser printer. The apparatus folds the sheets as necessary and folds and seals the envelope form about the folded sheets to produce a mail piece. A user inputs a configuration for the mail piece which is translated by the data processor and transmitted to the controller of the folder sealer apparatus. The controller controls the laser printer and the folder sealer to produce the mail piece in the defined configuration. Concurrently the data processor transmits text from an output file to the laser printer for printing on printed sheets and envelope forms. The data processor also controls the laser printer to print an address for the mail piece.

Abstract: A biometric is a substantially stable physical or behavioral characteristics of a person which can be automatically measured and characterized for comparison. In accordance with the subject invention an identification card includes an encrypted representation of the biometric characteristic, which may be a finger print or a description of the manner in which the person signs his or her name, including the order and velocity in which strokes comprising a signature are written. The identification card is validated, and the person identified by an apparatus including a scanner which simultaneously scans two fields. The card is position in the first field and the biometric (e.g. a thumbprint) is simultaneously positioned in the second field and both are scanned at once, to produce a composite signal including both the code of representation and the scanned biometric. A microprocessor separates the composite signal, decodes the coded representation, and compares it to the stand biometric to validate the card.

Abstract: A computer-based system, such as a value printing system, has a host data processor having at least one disk drive that includes a first read/write head for reading data from and for writing data to a removable data recording disk. The system further includes a printer, coupled to the host data processor and responsive thereto, for printing indicia indicative of a monetary value. The system further includes a removable data recording disk having an integral data processor including a memory for storing data expressive of a monetary value associated with printed indicia. The integral data processor further includes a second read/write head coupled to the recording medium for communicating with the host data processor through the first read/write head.

Abstract: A cost-effective motion control system communication architecture is provided that supports a centralized control node, distributed control nodes, and smart I/O peripheral control nodes. Networks designed using this architecture, which employs a serial bus, may be readily modified or expanded. The architecture supports both real-time highly periodic communications and event-driven peer-to-peer communications.

Abstract: Apparatus for correcting a list of addresses comprising, computer structure, structure for storing a database of postal addresses in the computer structure, structure for storing a list of shipping addresses in the computer structure, the computer structure programmed for determining whether each address stored in the shipping list storing structure and which was not previously compared to any address stored in the database storing structure compares to any address stored therein, the computer structure programmed for determining whether each postal address to which any shipping list address compares is a post office box postal address, and the computer structure programmed for storing in the shipping list storing structure said each postal address which is not a post office box postal address.

Abstract: A corner buckle feeder has a singulation roller and feed roller for initially separating and feeding glossy paper. The front corners of a sheet stack are unsupported in order to minimize the intersheet frictional forces that are influenced by temperature and humidity. The axis of the singulation roller is disposed at an angle with respect to an edge adjacent to the lead edge of the top sheet. The singulation roller drives the adjacent edge inward and the top sheet deforms along the leading edge to form a buckle.

Abstract: The method for applying rating adjustments includes the storage of transformation data for a number of levels of discount rates which are applied at selected times in accordance with criteria such as time or monetary amounts attained. Each set of transformation data is kept one-to-one with respect to base rate data in respect of a plurality of desired parameters. The method allows changes to be made in the various levels of discounts and surcharges without disturbing other levels. The calculations may be made in real time in a user's system or a final convolution of a rate chart may be accomplished at a data center and quickly downloaded as required to the user's system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting double fed sheets. A sheet passes beneath a roller which is mounted on a lever so that the opposite end of the lever is deflected by an amount proportional to the thickness of the sheet. A magnet is attached to the opposite end of the lever approximate to a Hall Effect sensor fixed to the frame of the apparatus so that the hall sensor produces a signal proportional to the thickness of the sheet. The output of the hall sensor is sampled by an A/D convertor and the signals are input to a computer for processing to detect double fed sheets. Average thicknesses for subsequences of samples distributed over the sheet are computed and compared to reference levels. The length of the sheet is also compared to a reference length. If, for any of these comparisons the measured values are greater than the references a doubled detect signal is generated.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for buffering transport of freshly inked documents. The apparatus has a plurality of opposite, parallel, threaded conical screw conveyers. Each pitch of the screw conveyer creates a drying station for an inked document. As inked documents travel upon the threads of the screw conveyers, the conical shape of the conveyers maintain the document in a substantially central position. A lower deck is provided for receiving inked documents. The buffer apparatus has a pusher mechanism to control document movement from the buffer to a downstream document handler, such as an envelope flapper.

Abstract: A mailing machine with a rotatable drum including a printing die peripherally extending therefrom, structure for intermittently rotating the drum to move the printing die in a predetermined circularly-extending path of travel, a receptacle, and a disposable inking cartridge removably mountable in the receptacle and comprising: a generally rectangularly-shaped hollow housing having opposed side walls and having an edge wall extending between the side walls, the walls defining an aperture formed in the housing; a reservoir roller impregnated with printing ink and rotatably connected to the side walls so as to extend therebetween; a transfer roller impregnated with printing ink and rotatably connected to the side walls so as to extend therebetween; and be accessible via the housing aperture; the reservoir and transfer rollers respectively dimensioned for rolling engagement with each other to cause ink from the reservoir roller to be transferred to the transfer roller, and the transfer roller dimensioned for disp

Abstract: Method and apparatus for verification of documents belonging to selected groups of classes of such documents. The documents are verified to assure that information contained in the documents is authenticated and unchanged. In one embodiment of the subject invention the documents maybe identification cards including both text and an image of the bearer. Each document also includes encrypted information E.sub.i [M] derived from the document, and encrypted decryption key CE.sub.j [Di] for decrypting the encrypted information and information identifying the document as a member of the jth class C.sub.j of a group of classes of documents. Verifying apparatus validates the document by a scanning information from the document decrypting the encrypted decryption key an using the decryption key so obtained to decrypted the encrypted information and comparing the recovered encrypted information with information derived from the document directly.