Abstract: Postage metering apparatus is provided with a removably mounted print head module such as an inkjet cartridge with an integral ink supply. The module includes means responsive to the number of printing operations performed by the print head and to terminate operation of the print head when a predetermined number of operations have been performed. Upon termination of operation of the print head, a signal is sent to a microprocessor of the postage meter which then transmits information relating to use of the print head, and if desired postal register information, to a remote data center. The remote data center may then send an authorization signal permitting further operation of the print head.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of detection of an imprint of a postal indicium at a location on a mail piece. The method involves utilizing a sensor to scan along a band on the mail piece to detect a sequence of transitions between light and dark reflectance areas within a band extending across the said location. AN indication of the presence of the imprint of the postal indication is generated in response to detection of a transition succeeding a predetermined number of initial transitions at a start of the sequence of transitions. The invention also provides apparatus for imprinting postal indicia on mail pieces. The apparatus comprises a printer operable to print a postal indicium in a required location on the mail piece. A first sensor is provided that is responsive to reflectance transitions between light and dark along a band of the mail piece extending across the said location.

Abstract: An item printing system for printing imprints on moving items, comprising: an item transport path through which items are in use transported in a transport direction; an item transport unit for transporting items through the item transport path; a printing unit (11) for printing imprints on items transported through the item transport path; a free roller (27) driven by respective items transported through the item transport path; and a speed measurement unit for measuring speed of rotation of the free roller, wherein the measured speed of rotation of the free roller is utilised to provide relative control of printing by the printing unit and speed of transport of items by the item transport unit.

Abstract: In a method of preparation of a series of mail items in which postal indicia are printed on the mail items when creating an indicium for a mail item after the first mail item, a determination is made as to whether an indicium created for a previous mail item in the series has not been used for example because the mail item was spoiled or removed. If a previously prepared indicium remains unused, a substitute indicium is created. The substitute indicium is a modification of the unused indicium and contains an indication that it is a substitute indicium.

Abstract: An item handling system, comprising: at least one item preparation station for printing machine-readable symbols on items; and at least one item handling station for receiving items from the at least one item preparation station and being operable to machine read and process information contained in the symbols printed on the items; wherein: the at least one item handling station includes a messaging unit for generating messages representative of the readability of symbols read thereby and transmitting the messages to the at least one item preparation station; and the at least one item preparation station includes an indicator for providing an indication of a readability of symbols printed thereby in response to messages received from the at least one item handling station.

Abstract: A method of accounting for postage charges in respect of batches of mail items is disclosed. The method includes storing an accumulated aggregate value of postage dispensed in applying postage charges to mail items and storing an accumulated pending value of postage dispensed in applying postage charges to mail items of a batch of mail items which has not been completed. In response to completion of the batch of mail items, the accumulated pending value is decremented by a value of postage relating to the completed batch of mail items.

Abstract: A method of printing a report sheet using a printer of a postage meter in which the printer is capable of printing only in a print field smaller than required to print the report sheet and in which first and second edges of the sheet are required to be located at predetermined positions is described in which printing of the report sheet is effected in a sequence of printing operations and the report sheet is folded in such a manner as to permit an area thereof intended to receive an imprint in the print field of the printer.

Abstract: A mail opener comprises a cuffily device which is movable between an operating position and a retracted position where it is inoperative. The position of the cutting device is controllable by a drive device controlled by the postage meter. The arrangement is such that a single post station can be provided for both applying postage and opening mail. The post station incorporates a safety measure to prevent newly franked outgoing mail from being inadvertently opened or damaged by the mail opener.

Abstract: Mail location apparatus for a postal meter is disclosed in which a required location of a mail piece to receive a postal indicium imprint is defined by guide walls which are engaged by adjacent edges of the mail piece when the mail piece is in the required location. A sensor is provided to provide an indication when the mail piece is in the required location. The sensor includes a sensor element having a face inclined to both guide walls. When a mail piece is inserted, a corner of the mail piece between the two edges of the mail piece engages the face of the sensor element and displaces the sensor element to output an electrical signal when the mail piece is in the required location with the edges thereof engaging the guide walls.

Abstract: A secure electronic circuit on a printed circuit board is disclosed. The electronic circuit is enclosed in a housing comprising two shells located in abutment with opposite faces of the printed circuit board. One shell is provided with a first element that extends through an aperture in the printed circuit board and the other shell is provided with a second element that irreversibly engages with the first element and thereby secures both shells to the circuit board and inhibits removal of either shell. The construction is such that removal of either shell results in irreversible damage to the housing.

Abstract: A method for printing on a smart card using the printer of a postage meter is disclosed. The postage meter has a feed mechanism for feeding mail items past a print head and the construction of the feed mechanism is such that the spacing of adjacent feed rollers is greater than the length of the smart card. As a result the feed mechanism is incapable of feeding smart cards. Therefore in the method a carrier is provided for the smart card, the carrier being of sufficient length as to be engaged by the feed rollers during feeding thereof. Preferably the carrier comprises a sheet having a recess therein to receive the smart card so that the print receiving surface of the smart card is approximately co-planar with the surface of the carrier sheet.

Abstract: A method of printing a report sheet using a printer of a postage meter in which the printer is capable of printing only in a print field smaller than required to print the report sheet and in which first and seconfd edges of the sheet are required to be located at predetermined positions is described in which printing of the report sheet is effected in a sequence of printing operations and the report sheet is folded in such a manner as to permit an area thereof intended to receive an imprint in the print field of the printer.

Abstract: Apparatus for retaining a mail piece includes first and second elements, said elements having an open state in which the first element is spaced from said second element for insertion of a mail item therebetween into a required position and a closed state in which at least one of the first and second elements is displaced toward the other of the first and second elements to clamp the mail piece and further including mail piece retention means mounted on the first element and effective during displacement of the element to retain the mail piece in the required position to which it has been inserted.

Abstract: A print head transport mechanism of a postage meter for printing postal indicia which are of greater height than a printing height of a print head comprises a carriage to traverse the print head in a first direction over a band of a print receiving area and a guide to displace the print head from a home position to an index position during a second traverse of the print head in a reverse direction whereby the print head traverses over a second band, adjacent the first band, of the print receiving area during the second traverse.

Abstract: A construction of ink dispensing roller is described in which a porous ink metering layer extends around a peripheral surface of a porous ink reservoir. To prevent relative movement between the ink metering layer and the ink reservoir, the ink metering layer is securely located relative to the ink reservoir by means of elements of the ink metering layer extending beyond each axial end of the ink reservoir and being clamped between end cheeks and the axial end walls of the ink reservoir. The ink metering layer is manufactured from sheet material joined by welding along opposite edges into a tubular form. After welding the tubular form is manipulated so that an inner surface becomes a radially exterior ink dispensing surface.

Abstract: Data identifying a print head of a postage meter is registered on the print head by allocating a number of printing elements of the print head to represent a code identifying the print head. The allocated printing elements are not used for printing postage indicia. The print head may be an ink jet print head having resistive elements energisable to eject ink droplets from nozzles. In order to represent the code, the resistance of selected ones of the resistive elements allocated to represent the code is altered for example by fusing the resistive elements.

Abstract: A construction of packaging such as an envelope is disclosed that comprises a wall surrounding contents of the packaging and electrically conductive tracks extending over the wall. An electronic control device is mounted to the wall and includes a plurality of output ports to which one end of each conductive track is connected and an input port to which an opposite end of the conductive tracks are connected. The control device outputs from the output ports pulses which are distinguished from one another and monitors the input port for receipt of these pulses to provide an indication of integrity of the wall of the package.

Abstract: A tamper evidence device for a secure housing containing electronic circuits includes a zinc air cell and a bi-stable latch circuit connected to be powered by the cell. The zinc air cell requires a supply of oxygen for activation of the cell. Normally when the secure housing is intact and unbreached, a pad seals an aperture for ingress of oxygen to the cell and the cell does not generate any electrical power. However if the secure housing is opened or otherwise breached the pad is displaced and oxygen enters the cell and electrical power is generated to power the latch circuit and thereby set the bi-stable latch circuit to provide evidence of the breaching of the secure housing.

Abstract: A print head transport mechanism of a postage meter for printing postal indicia which are of greater height than a printing height of a print head comprises a carriage to traverse the print head over a band of a print receiving area. The print head is mounted in a sub-carriage mounted on the carriage and the sub-carriage is displaceable in the direction of printing height of the print head. A cam connected between the sub-carriage and the carriage is operable to displace the sub-carriage. The cam is provided with friction surfaces that engage with friction pads during traverse of the carriage to operate the cam and thereby displace the sub-carriage so that printing is effected in a first band during traverse of the print head in one direction and printing is effected in an adjacent band during traverse of the print head in a second direction opposite to said first direction.

Abstract: A postage meter includes a printing device which is removable by a user of the postage meter. The printing device may be an ink-jet print cartridge including an integral ink supply. When the ink supply is depleted the ink-jet print cartridge must be replaced to enable further printing to be effected. The printing device has electrical contacts which interface with corresponding electrical connections of the postage meter when the printing device is mounted in the postage meter. In order to prevent unauthorized access to the print device, access to the printing device for replacement of the printing device is provided by means of an aperture in a housing of the postage meter and the aperture is closed by a member which can only be unlocked and opened in response to input of a coded signal to the postage meter.