Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for interfacing with envelope handling accessories for a universal multi-station document inserter for performing predetermined functions with envelopes having documents inserted therein by the multi-station document inserter, comprising the steps of providing an accessory interface microcomputer, arranging accessories responsive to output signals from the accessory interface microcomputer in an array, providing envelope sensing means in the array for providing clock signals to the accessory interface microcomputer, storing data words in the accessory interface microcomputer, certain of the data words indicating particular combinations of enelope sensing means for envelope jams and other data words indicating the type of accessory, its output location and providing clock data relating to the particular accessory, and indicating the accessories to be actuated by an envelope entering the array, storing envelope handling programs in the accessory interface microcomputer, and act

Abstract: An improvement in a document feeding device having a hopper oriented at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane and able to support a pack of documents to be fed seriatim therefrom. The improvement comprises at least one pad having a high coefficient of friction material situated on the upper surface of the hopper whereby the effect of the weight of the documents situated in the hopper above the pad on the pressure of the pack situated below the pad is decreased.

Abstract: A word processing system having foreground and background modes of operation, wherein the full capability of the word processing system is available to both the foreground mode and background mode. The system comprises a display, a processor system for processing information and controlling the display and having foreground/background capability so that two jobs may run concurrently, a first buffer for storing information relating to a first job being run in the foreground mode, a second buffer for storing information relating to a second job being run in the background mode, and an input device for entering textual and command information into the system. Information in the first buffer is displayed on the display.

Abstract: A document stacking and conveying apparatus has a plurality of document stacking and conveying units which are disposed at one end of a third elongate document stacking and conveying apparatus. The third unit has a conveyor for moving a stack of documents while a compressing device holds another stack which is stationary upon the conveyor deck of the third unit so that the moving stack of documents can be added to the downstream stack.

Abstract: An apparatus in a scale for protecting the load cell in a scale from overloads and shock loads is disclosed. A movable element has an inclined projection which projects under the load cell to limit the deflection under load. The clearance is adjusted by placing a predetermined load on the scale then sliding the movable element forward until the inclined projection just touches the load cell. When the weight is removed the appropriate clearance is automatically established. In one embodiment of the disclosed invention the load cell is provided with opposed elongated members and the movable element has a pair of inclined projections projecting under the elongated members to provide downstop protection and a second opposed pair of inclined projections projecting above the elongated elements to provide upstop protection. A load cell assembly having a predetermined overall stiffness and a mounting plate for reducing the apparent stiffness of the load cell to that predetermined level are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system that provides temperature compensation in an optical transducer that uses a prism for the purpose of determining a load applied thereto and which may be used to find the weight of an object. When material such as plastic, glass, crystal and the like experiences a change in temperature, its index of refraction changes. By combining prisms, compensation may be made for the change of temperature.

Abstract: A process for thinning an image, comprising the steps of defining an image in terms of a plurality of discrete picture elements (pixels), convolving each horizontal string of pixels of the image with itself shifted a predetermined number of pixels, weighting each shifted position of each horizontal string, selecting certain of the pixels of the weighted horizontally convolved pixel strings which correspond to predetermined descriptors, convolving each vertical string of pixels of the image with itself shifted a predetermined number of pixels, weighting each shifted position of each vertical string, selecting certain of the pexels of the weighted vertically convolved pixel strings which correspond to predetermined descriptors, adding thee selected pixels from the weighted vertical and horizontal convolutions and the pixels of the original image, retaining those pixels which are common to the original image and the selected pixels of both the horizontal and vertical weighted convolutions, discarding those pixel

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for monitoring the trip status of the trip cycle in an electronic postage meter, comprising the steps of reading the state of a bistable member having a Home and In cycle states, setting a plurality of bits if the bistable member is Home, re-reading the state of the bistable member after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, storing a fatal error bit if the bistable member is in the Home state after the re-reading and attempting to complete the trip cycle, further re-reading the state of the bistable member after a predetermined period of time has elapsed if the re-reading of the state of the bistable member discloses that the bistable member is In cycle, resetting certain of the set bits if the further reading of the bistable member discloses that it is Home, and ending the trip cycle.

Abstract: An optical transducer that uses a prism for the purpose of determining a load applied thereto which may be used to find the weight of an object. In accordance with known optical principals, when a load is applied to a material such as plastic, glass, crystal and the like, its index of refraction changes. By measuring the change of intensity of light internally reflected from a prism made of such material, the magnitude of a load applied thereto can be determined.

Abstract: In a postage meter having structure for printing postage, for displaying numerical values and for entering data, and which includes a computer electrically connected to the printing, displaying and data entering structure, and wherein the computer is programmed for processing data for controlling the operation of the respective printing and displaying and data entering structures, and wherein the data entering structure includes a keyboard having a first plurality of depressable keys, and wherein the computer includes memory for storing a first amount corresponding to all postage then available for printing; there is provided apparatus and a method for changing the first amount to a new first amount.

Abstract: A postage value computing system includes both apparatus and a method for determining the postage of an article to be mailed for various domestic and international classes of postal service. Postal information such as carrier type, class and destination data are introduced into the system and used to access a memory which stores common structured rate data. Major rate structures are defined by weight headers which specify the upper and lower limits of weight ranges and the weight increments within those ranges. To minimize memory requirements, foreign countries are grouped as a function of such common structured rate data including permissible weight limits. Memory space is conserved through the utilization of a common postage computation routine including various equation subroutines for generating requisite postage values in accordance with the retrieved postage rate data.

Abstract: Interface apparatus allows a serial communicating device to communicate with an echoplex communicating device. A first microprocessor coupled to the serial device converts serial data to a parallel format. The parallel formatted data is transferred to a second microprocessor which is coupled to the echoplex device. The second microprocessor converts the parallel data from the first microprocessor into echoplex data for transmission to the echoplex device. When data is to be transferred from the echoplex device to the first device, the second microprocessor converts the echoplex data to a parallel format. The parallel formatted data is transferred to the first microprocessor, for conversion into a serial form and transmission to the serial device. If both the serial and echoplex devices wish to transmit at the same time, priority is awarded to the echoplex device. The interface operates asynchronously on real time basis, and is transparent.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for controlling the erasure and writing of data in non-volatile memory during the power up, power down and normal operating cycles of an electronic postage meter is disclosed. The apparatus monitors the input power signal and provides an enable signal when the input signal reaches a first predetermined threshold. The apparatus transmits a reset signal to inhibit the generation of a write or erase signal to a microprocessor prior to the input power signal reaching a first predetermined threshold voltage. The apparatus provides the erase signal to the non-volatile memory after the input power signal reaches the first predetermined voltage. The apparatus then applies a bias voltage to a terminal of the memory to allow for the erasure of data therefrom. A warning signal is provided to the microprocessor when the input signal falls below a specified value. The output enable signal is removed when the input signals falls below a second predetermined voltage.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for customizing the firmware of an electronic postage meter after assembly, comprising the steps of storing a configuration program within the electronic postage meter which program is capable of configuring the meter in response to configuration input messages, inputting configuration messages into the electronic postage meter to select desired meter functions and provide input data for use with operating programs stored in the meter, storing the configuration input data in the assembled meter under control of the meter configuration program for subsequent interaction with the operating programs of the meter to provide predetermined meter functions, and denying further access to the configuration program prior to placing the meter in service.

Abstract: A document inserter system having an improved control system is disclosed. The system includes a sheet inserter system and one or more web modules for, receiving a web of forms, scanning the forms for information, storing and retransmitting the information, separating the web into discrete forms and feeding the forms for further processing. The information includes control information scanned from a control document for controlling formation of a batch of forms associated with that control document. The control system includes a supervisory control processor which receives the control information and controls the sheet inserter system and the web modules in accordance therewith. The system also includes web control processor systems for direct control of each web module, which web control processor systems are responsive to the supervisory control processor. The system is controlled in accordance with a prespecified configuration which defines the document type for each web module.

Abstract: A document inserter system having an improved control system is disclosed. The system includes a sheet inserter system and one or more web modules for, receiving a web of forms, scanning the forms for information, storing and retransmitting the information, separating the web into discrete forms and feeding the forms for further processing. The information includes control information scanned from a control document for controlling formation of a batch of forms associated with that control document. The control system includes a supervisory control processor which receives the control information and controls the sheet inserter system and the web modules in accordance therewith. The system also includes web control processor systems for direct control of each web module, which web control processor system are responsive to the supervisory control processor. The system is controlled in accordance with a prespecified configuration which defines the document type for each web module.

Abstract: A document inserter system having an improved control system is disclosed. The system includes a sheet inserter system and one or more web modules for, receiving a web of forms, scanning the forms for information, storing and retransmitting the information, separating the web into discrete forms and feeding the forms for further processing. The information includes control information scanned from a control document for controlling formation of a batch of forms associated with that control document. The control system includes a supervisory control processor which receives the control information and controls the sheet inserter system and the web modules in accordance therewith. The system also includes web control processor systems for direct control of each web module, which web control processor systems are responsive to the supervisory control processor. The system is controlled in accordance with a prespecified configuration which defines the document type for each web module.

Abstract: An electronic postal meter has a control unit, an accounting unit and a printing unit, each incorporating a CPU having a separate crystal controlled clock. Communication between the units is serial character asynchronous, bit synchronous, in message form, with the bits of the messages being timed in accordance with a given schedule for synchronous control. The messages themselves, upon receipt by a receiver, are returned bit by bit to the transmitter, for checking, whereupon the transmitter sends a no-error pulse upon successful comparison of the transmitted message and the message received from the receiver. All control and data signals utilize the same pair of conductors in each direction with precisely defined timing for control.