Abstract: A pair of tamper proof postage meter doors which remain closed and locked until the proper combination of numbers is entered using the normal postage keyboard. The doors will not function if there is insufficient postage in the accounting registers. Means are also provided which will cause the ascending and descending registers in the postage meter to indicate zero postage remaining in the meter if an attempt is made to tamper with or force open the doors.

Abstract: A serial number lock is provided for inclusion in a non-volatile memory of an electronic postage meter. The non-volatile memory is arranged to provide a field to accommodate a postage meter serial number. The serial number is entered into the meter at the end of the manufacturing process. The postage meter includes a routine programmed into a read only memory which is used only once during the life of the meter's non-volatile memory. The routine requires the check of a non-volatile memory lock bit location which has been set once the routine has been successfully completed. The setting of this memory location prevents reentry into the one time program. The bit is set by a true comparison of the data included in a received message with the value of the data contained in non-volatile memory. The serial number message format includes an operation binary coded decimal digit as an operational indicator.

Abstract: Automatic postage value computing for individually selected services is described using a replaceable individualized directory memory and a replaceable rate chart memory suitable with all directory memories. Memories are provided with pseudo rate charts that resemble conventional rate charts but serve to either grant or deny access to a rate chart depending upon the user's selection. The use of pseudo rate charts permits an unbundling of the postage value computation services to serve the user's needs, without requiring program changes. With individualized directory memory rate selection the updating of user rate chart memories is limited to those rates he has selected. Several embodiments are described.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling attributes of a plurality of characters on a display. The circuit has a processor for controlling transfer of data associated with characters to be displayed and a communications device connected to the processor. A display controller is also provided for controlling the display of characters. An external controller is connected to the communications device and to the display controller for providing attributes corresponding to the displayed characters. The external controller also has provision for controlling the display of a set of characters in addition to the set normally controlled by the display controller.

Abstract: A postage meter is provided with a mounting bracket with predetermined openings. Openings of the mounting bracket receive projections from an optical sensor to assure proper alignment of the optical sensor. Another opening in the plate receives the shaft of a stepper motor that has an encoder disk mounted thereon. Marks are provided on the optical sensor and the encoder disk through the use of which precise alignment of components and proper setting of the stepper motor may be achieved.

Abstract: Within a copier, a scanning carriage assembly is mounted for reciprocal motion upon a pair of elongate parallel, spaced apart guides. A pair of flexible drive members rotatably mounted in juxtaposition to the guides, and are each separately mounted on opposing lateral ends of the carriage structure. The flexible drive members are driven simultaneously from a common shaft, and there is also a pair of stabilizing cables mounted parallel to the guides and terminally connected to end frames of the copier framework. The cables are guided by pulleys which are mounted on the carriage structure in parallel relationship to the spaced apart guides. The pulleys and spaced apart guides are arranged in parallel relationship to each other and the pulleys, spaced apart guides, belts and cables are positioned and mounted in order to obtain substantially equal and opposite tension within the stabilizing cables on opposing sides of the carriage during reciprocal carriage motion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for controlling access of a user of a postal value computing system to the computation of special fees. A directory memory stores a special fee control byte which is combined with a rate fee screen byte that is generated by the system to represent the special fee computations requested in response to actuation of the keyboard. The combining of the bytes employs a bit for bit AND operation with the result stored as a modified rate screen byte for use in the subsequent special fee computations. Access may then be granted or denied, depending upon the special fee control byte.

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.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus are used for customizing a multi-section document inserter which uses a standard program which defines all the executable routines for the document inserter. The method comprises the steps of providing user inputs as to the desired configuration and operation of the multi-station document inserter, translating the user inputs into a specific data table for use with the standard program in the multi-station document inserter, and incorporating the specific data table into the multi-station document inserter for selecting the executable routines of the standard program to be used in order to provide a multi-station inserter which is customized to accomplished particular user requirements.

Abstract: A postage meter system having a rotary printing drum for printing fixed data is disclosed. Disposed entirely within the drum is an internal print head for printing variable data. The rotary drum contains an opening therein through which the internally located print head prints variable data on a mailpiece. The print head reciprocates between a printing position and a non-printing position. The reciprocation of the print head between these positions is synchronized with and controlled automatically by the position of the rotary drum during its cycle of rotation. The print head operates to print on a mailpiece only when the opening in the drum is between the print head and the mailpiece. The print head may be an impact matrix print head which together with an associated inked ribbon is placed adjacent the mailpiece in a printing position only during the printing portion of the drum's cycle.

Abstract: A device for cutting roll tape, including a frame, a serrated rotary blade pivotably mounted in the frame, the rotary blade having a plurality of cutting teeth formed by grooves running perpendicular to the axis of the rotary blade and a flat surface cut across the rotary blade, and at least one continuous groove at each end of the serrated rotary blade adjacent the plurality of cutting teeth, a serrated stationary blade pivotably mounted on the frame, the stationary blade having a plurality of cutting teeth, the stationary blade cutting teeth being meshable with the cutting teeth on the rotary blade, the stationary blade also having at least one long tooth at each end of the stationary blade adjacent the plurality of short cutting teeth, the long teeth reaching the tangency of the continuous grooves and riding therein, and wherein the cutting teeth are sufficiently shortened to provide the desired clearance at the cutting interface, and a biasing element for biasing the long teeth of the stationary blade int

Abstract: A postage meter printing apparatus for applying postage indicia to a mailpiece having a cyclically operating drum for feeding the mailpiece through the postage meter. The periphery of the drum has an aperture therein. Structure is provided to maintain the mailpiece against the drum as the mailpiece is fed by the drum and to cycle the drum. A print head located internal to the drum has a printing position and non-printing position. The print head is automatically placed adjacent the mailpiece through the aperture in the drum to its printing position when the aperture is between the print head means and mailpiece. The inked ribbon is contained in a replaceable cartridge which is mounted into and rotates with the drum. Structure is provided to activate the print head means when it is in its printing position.

Abstract: A postage meter printing apparatus for applying postage indicia to a mailpiece having a cyclically operating drum for feeding the mailpiece through the postage meter, the periphery of the drum having an aperture therein. The drum means is supported for rotation by a non-rotating shaft. Structure is provided for maintaining the mailpiece against the drum as the mailpiece is fed by the drum, for cycling the drum. A print head located internal to the drum has a printing position and non-printing position. The print head is automatically placed adjacent the mailpiece through the aperture in the drum to its printing position when the aperture is between the print head and mailpiece. Structure is provided to activate the print head hwen it is in its printing position. In one form of the invention the shaft means provides a passageway for electrical wires and cooling air.

Abstract: A postage meter printing apparatus for applying postage indicia to a mailpiece having a cyclically operating drum for feeding the mailpiece through the postage meter. The periphery of the drum has an aperture therein. Structure is provided to maintain the mailpiece against the drum as the mailpiece is fed by the drum and to cycle the drum. A matrix print head located internal to the drum has a printing position and non-printing position. The print head is automatically placed adjacent the mailpiece through the aperture in the drum to its printing position, when the aperture is between the print head and the mailpiece. The print head is a matrix print head of impact or other type and includes a cooperating ribbon either inked or other to print on the mailpiece. The inked ribbon is contained in a replaceable cartridge. Structure is provided to activate the print head when it is in its printing position.

Abstract: A cut tape feed module for use with a mailing machine. The module includes a stationary mounting and cassette support, a driven pinion rotatably mounted on the mounting and cassette support, a drive roller drivingly connected to the driven pinion, and a movable, cut tape cassette slidably mounted on the mounting and cassette support. The cassette includes a gear rack for driving engagement with the pinion and a biased backing plate for urging the cut tape against the drive roller. The downward movement of the cassette causes rotation of the drive roller which in turn effects separation of the forwardmost cut tape and dispensing thereof from the cassette.

Abstract: A system is provided for automatically correcting imaging irregularities in a document scanner which uses an electronic imaging detector. This system avoids the need of expensive correction methods and is accomplished through an electronic system whereby feedback is provided so that corrections may be made in the output to compensate for the irregularities in the system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a stand-alone electronic mailing machine. The entire drive mechanism, setting mechanism, and control devices as well as the postage metering mechanisms are all contained in one housing so that there is no need for a separate base. In the mailing machine of this invention, a reciprocating platen is used for the purpose of driving an envelope against a print head during the applying of postage to the envelope. A stripper is resiliently mounted on the platen to assure the envelope does not adhere to the print head.

Abstract: Organic photoconductive elements with a charge generating layer and a charge transport layer carried on an electroconductive support are disclosed. The invention involves the combined use of a polycarbonate resin having a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 25,000 to about 45,000 as an adhesive in the bonding layer on the electroconductive support and as a binder in the charge transporting layer forming a homogeneous phase to provide a receptive and retentive base layer for the charge-generating layer.

Abstract: A process for color coding of a sintered powder metal part is disclosed. The process comprises contacting said metal part with a color formulation comprising: from about 1 to 10 parts of a colorant, from about 1 to 5 parts of nitrocellulose, up to about 45 parts of an alkyl acetate, and the remainder an alcohol and continuing said contact until a color coating is deposited on said metal part.

Abstract: A load cell for measuring forces applied thereto including an adjusting mechanism for off center load adjustment is disclosed. The load cell comprises a substantially parallelogram structure having a moving section on one side and a fixed section on the opposite side. Upper and lower strips extend between and connect the fixed and moving sections. Flexjoints are located at approximately the juncture of each of the strips and the sections, the flexjoints being adapted to flex in response to the force exerted thereon and facilitate transmission of the force to the transducer portion of the load cell. An adjusting mechanism for off center load adjustment is positioned on the load cell and includes both a vertical and horizontal adjusting mechanism that are adapted to alter the position of a first flexjoint adjacent to the adjusting mechanism relative to the position of a second flexjoint.