Abstract: Apparatus, for example postage metering apparatus is described as being provided with tamper detection means. The tamper detection means may comprise an electrically conductive or resistive first layer extending between a wall of a secure housing and components critical in the proper functioning of the apparatus. An indicator may include a second electrically conductive layer extending adjacent and electrically isolated from the first layer and means responsive to completion of an electrical path between the layers or means responsive to change in resistance of the resistive layer. In an alternative construction, the tamper detection means includes a sealed enclosed space containing gaseous substance at a pressure above ambient air pressure and means responsive to a decrease in the pressure in the space to permit a mechanical interposer to engage an operable mechanical element of the apparatus to inhibit operation thereof.

Abstract: A postage meter provided with a credit register is also provided with a debit register. When credit value in the credit register is insufficient for a postage charge to be applied to a mail item in a franking operation, the debit register is incremented by an amount equal to the excess of the postage charge amount over the credit value. Accordingly the postage meter is enabled to be operated even when there is insufficient credit.

Abstract: Thermal transfer printing apparatus is provided with a driven impression roller movable into an operative position to urge a print receiving medium into engagement with an ink layer of an ink transfer ribbon and the ribbon into heat transfer engagement with a thermal print head. Rotation of the impression roller feeds the ribbon and print receiving medium past the print head. A drive roller for a ribbon take-up drive is located so as to be engaged directly by the impression roller or by the print receiving medium when the impression roller is in the operative position so as to impart drive to the ribbon take-up.

Abstract: A mail item is disclosed comprising a cover for carrying contents and formed of flexible electrically insulating material. The cover acts as a substrate on which semi-conductor elements and electrical connections are formed or deposited. The electronic circuit comprises semi-conductor elements interconnected to provide at least a memory and an interface to said memory and electrical connections are formed to be flexible. Mail handling apparatus is disclosed for communicating with the interface of the mail item and for writing information to and reading information from the memory via the interface.

Abstract: Apparatus for franking mail items is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a computer with a diskette drive for receiving magnetic diskettes for the recording of data therein and a device having the external shape and form of a magnetic diskette located in the diskette drive in place of a magnetic diskette. The device includes an interface magnetically coupled to a magnetic head of the diskette drive and includes a processor and memory for carrying out accounting functions and storing critical accounting data respectively. A printer is connected to the processor.

Abstract: A postage meter having facilities for departmental accounting is disclosed. A non-volatile department memory is provided for each department, each department memory storing data relating to a specific department. An additional single non-volatile memory is also provided. During each franking transaction in respect of a department, current data is read from the associated department memory and is written to the additional memory. Current data from the department memory is updated in respect of the transaction and the updated data is written to the department memory. The provision of the single additional memory enables department data in respect of each department to be recovered in the event of a fault occurring during the transaction.

Abstract: A method of identifying a franking machine used to print franking impressions is disclosed. Ink used by the franking machine contains an identification tag unique to each franking machine, or to a group of franking machines, and the impression printed by the franking machine is sensed to determine the identity of the tag and hence to determine the identity of the franking machine used to print the impression. The tag may be chemically unique or may be physically unique. The physically unique tag may have a unique shape or size or may bear a unique marking.

Abstract: A thermal print head has thermal print elements located along an edge of a substrate between two faces thereof. An impression roller resiliently urges a print receiving medium, for example a mail item in a postage meter, into ink transfer engagement with an ink layer of a thermal transfer ink ribbon and urges the ink ribbon into heat transfer engagement with the thermal print elements. The print head is mounted to be adjustable as to location of the line of print elements relative to the impression roller and the angular disposition of the print head. The resiliently pressure exerted by the impression is adjustable. Adjustment of the print head and of the pressure may be effected automatically in response to sensing of compressibility of the print receiving medium.

Abstract: A postage meter system including a postage meter is provided with recognition means to recognise a personal characteristic. The recognition means is operated in an initial phase to read a personal characteristic of a person and generates and stores a personal code corresponding to that personal characteristic. In operation of the postage meter the recognition means generates an input code in respect of the personal characteristic of a potential user of the meter and compares the input code with previously stored personal codes. If the input code matches one of the previously stored codes the postage meter is enabled for operation to carry out postage transactions. Information including the personal code may be included in a printed franking impression on mail items which can then be checked by the postal authority.

Abstract: Apparatus for franking mail items is disclosed. The apparatus includes a display constructed for co-operation with a photocopier in which the display is controlled to display a franking pattern to be printed, the display being located as an original image in the photocopier, and the photocopier is operated to copy the displayed pattern and to print the pattern as a franking impression on a mail item. A sensor detects scanning of the display by the photocopier and the output of the sensor is utilised to control the display to ensure that only a number of mails items are franked with postage which has been accounted for.

Abstract: Secure printing apparatus, for example printing apparatus of a postage meter, is disclosed in which an ink jet print head with integral ink supply is removable by a user of the apparatus. In order to maintain security of the apparatus, a parking station remote from a printing station is provided for the print head and removal of the print head can be effected only at the parking station through an aperture in a secure housing at the parking station. When the print head is moved to the parking station electrical connection to the print head are disengaged from the print head and means are provided to prevent access to those electrical connections at the parking station.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method of forming a franking indicium on a mail item is disclosed. An area of ink is deposited on the mail item at a first station and at a second station the deposited ink is selectively removed to leave a required franking indicium on the mail item. The removal of the deposited ink may be effected by scanning the area with a laser beam and switching the laser beam on to impinge on and remove unrequired portions of the area of ink and switching the laser beam off when the scanning would otherwise cause the laser beam to impinge on portions of the area of ink required to form the franking indicium.

Abstract: Methods of verifying use of postage charges in respect of mail items are disclosed. An authentication code is derived from a secret identification of a sender and a part of the destination address of the item. The code is printed on the mail item together with a sender account reference. On receipt of the mail item, the postal authority is able to use the account reference to access the secret identification and thereby determine if the destination address derived corresponds to that printed on the mail to verify the payment for the postage charge. In a modification, each time a postage meter effects a transaction with a remote center, the remote center generates and transmits to the meter a transaction number. The meter utilises a unique key to generate an encrypted code based on an item count and the transaction number. The code and a meter identification are printed on the mail.

Abstract: A franking machine stores first data relating to a first impression second data relating to a second impression. Printing of both impressions or omission of the first impression and printing of only the second impression may be selected by a user. When both impressions are to be printed, the printing means is controlled to print the first impression in a first location on a mail item and to print the second impression in a second location on the mail item adjacent said first location. When omission of printing the first impression is selected the printing means is controlled to print the second impression in the first location.

Abstract: A franking machine is provided with means to communicate with a postal authority station and with sensors response to mis-treatment or mal-function of the franking machine. The machine is operated periodically to establish communication with the postal authority station periodically and if any sensors have been set by mis-treatment or mal-function, a signal indicating mis-treatment or mal-function is transmitted by the franking machine to the postal authority station. The communication may be effected each time the machine is operated to frank a mail item or may be effected less frequently, for example in respect of a franking operation in which a plurality of mail items are franked or each time the machine is powered up.

Abstract: A mail transport for a franking machine is disclosed in which mail is fed toward a printing head by input rollers, is fed past the printing head by an impression roller and is ejected from the franking machine by ejection rollers. Drive to the input rollers is controlled to initially feed the mail at a transit speed toward the print head, to feed the mail item at a printing speed, during a printing period, lower than the transit speed and initially in an ejection period after the printing period to feed the mail item at the transit speed. When the mail item is released from the input rollers, the ejection rollers are driven to feed the mail item at a higher speed than the transit speed.

Abstract: A mailing system is disclosed in which a mail item includes or carries a smart device. The smart device stores data relating to postal information and destination address. A mailing machine similar to a franking machine is used by a user to enter data in the smart device and to account for postage charge used. The postal authority uses the data recorded in the smart device to handle the mail item from a mail receiving station to its destination address and to track passage of the item to its destination address.

Abstract: A franking machine is provided with display means capable of retaining and displaying information even when power supply to the franking machine is terminated. Part of the display means may be utilised to display information to be inspected only by authorised service personnel. Accordingly that part of the display means is hidden behind a sealed door.

Abstract: A method of identifying a franking machine used to print franking impressions is disclosed. Ink used by the franking machine contains a chemical tag unique to each franking machine, or to a group of franking machines, and the impression printed by the franking machine is sensed to determine the identity of the tag and hence to determine the identity of the franking machine used to print the impression.