Abstract: Methods and systems using a single centralized database to manage postal accounting data are provided. The central database may interface with remote postal meters by way of one or more transient data collectors, which cache data from associated meters and transmit the data to the central database. The data collectors also validate postage accounts to the associated meters. The use of local transient data collectors allows for a single centralized database to be used without requiring data replication among databases local to each computer that manages postal meters.

Abstract: An inserting system has an envelope feeding station, an enclosure feeding station, and a folding station having a first and a second folding nip for folding documents. Documents are inserted into envelopes, which are held in an inserting position. Envelopes are transported through an envelope transport path from their feeding station to the inserting position, and enclosures are transported through an enclosure transport path from their feeding station to the inserting position. The enclosure transport path comprises a diverter, a first enclosure transport path part between the enclosure feeding station and the diverter and a second enclosure transport path part between the diverter and the inserting position. The second enclosure transport path part passes through the first and the second folding nip. A third enclosure transport path part is present between the diverter and the inserting position and bypasses the first folding nip and passes through the second folding nip.

Abstract: A method of determining the dimensions of a parcel, in which method the parcel to be measured is placed against an orthogonal reference support made up of at least two perpendicular vertical side panels, each of which is provided with a grid, and an image of the support and of the parcel together is acquired so as to determine at least three perpendicular edges of the parcel, and then the number of intervals of the grid that form each of the edges is counted so as to obtain the dimensions in mm of the parcel.

Abstract: An inserting apparatus, for inserting documents into envelopes, comprising: an envelope holder for holding an envelope at least in a document inserting position, a document inserting path arranged upstream of the envelope holder for feeding a document to the envelope, an envelope opening device comprising an opening element adapted to be inserted in the envelope to move an envelope throat and an envelope body away from each other, the opening element comprising an opening element inserting finger arranged to be inserted in an inner space of the envelope, a sensor device with a primary sensor part mounted to the inserting finger and a secondary sensor part mounted to a base part or to the inserting finger of the opening element, wherein the sensor device is adapted to detect if the inserting finger is positioned in between the throat and the body.

Abstract: System for remote firmware updates of mail processing device from a remote data server including: file download servers connected to the remote data server for receiving encrypted files encrypted from a list of binary files corresponding to firmware of a mail processing device to update; web servers providing a web service application for downloading files and connected to the remote data server and the files download servers for retrieving the encrypted files associated with a personalized files catalog retrieved from the remote data server; and a user computer system connected to the web servers for receiving the encrypted files for download onto a storage device to plug into the mail processing device. The mail processing device decrypts the encrypted files with file decryption keys previously provided with the personalized files catalog and installs the files before connecting to the remote data server for report the outcome of the installation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and traversing test cases trees are provided. A test case tree indicates an order of execution for multiple test cases, where setup and tear down or equivalent steps are not required before and after execution of each test case in the tree. The tree may allow for generation of virtual test cases to encompass multiple test cases which ordinarily would have mutually exclusive execution requirements.

Abstract: A system for detecting double-feed flat item conveyed in a mail processing machine, including a detection for directing a beam of radiant energy toward the moving flat items, scanning them with the beam and receiving at least a portion of the beam of radiation reflected from them. The detector includes a triangulation sensor for providing an output proportional to the position at which the reflected portion of the beam is received, and means for determining from the output, the distance (d) between the radiation source and the point of reflection of the beam on the moving flat items, and providing a signal (S) representative of said distance; and a controller configured to receive the signal (S) and generate an output signal (V) indicative of a flat item profile and a double-feed condition when it detects a significant break point or slope change of the signal from a first direction to a second direction.

Abstract: A hand-held handle dispenser comprising: a main frame (12) having a handle (14), an adhesive tape roll (16) provided at a rear side of the main frame for delivering an adhesive tape, an application roller (18) provided at the front side of the main frame for applying the adhesive tape on a parcel and a cutting blade (20) for cutting the adhesive tape, a cartridge (22) for storing at least one insert strip (24) and transport and affixing means (26, 28) for conveying said at least one insert strip from the cartridge to the application roller and affixing it against the adhesive tape to form a handle.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided that allow for comparison of an automatically-generated form to an original form to identify discrepancies efficiently. Portions of the form, such as those expected to contain dynamic data, may be masked, allowing for more efficient and accurate comparison with a predicted form and an actual output form. Further, testing of the form may be automated, allowing for more accurate and efficient generation of each form considered.

Abstract: A blank for folding a box is proposed that allows folding a box of which the only seams substantially parallel to a bottom and a top plane of the box are a seam for attaching a first side panel to a first top side panel, a seam for attaching a second side panel to a second top side panel, and a seam for attaching a top end panel to a second end panel so that the seams are formed on an external surface of the box and are situated at a same distance from the bottom panel.

Abstract: A system for securely controlling deposition and retrieval of shipments (40), including a managing distribution centre, at least one electronic locker unit connected to the managing distribution centre through a communication network, and having several lockable compartments (28i) of different sizes, wherein said at least one electronic locker unit comprises a weighing shipment module (50) located inside each compartment (28i) and made up of an arrangement of several thin flexible force sensors, linked together to circuit board, located under upper bearing plate and attached to bottom of the compartment within respective active measuring areas.

Abstract: A hybrid system for securely controlling deposition and retrieval of shipments, including a managing distribution centre, at least one electronic locker unit connected to the managing distribution centre through a communication network, and having a control desk and several lockable compartments of different sizes, wherein the electronic locker unit comprises a shape measurement module located inside each compartment for acquiring the shipment content's shape.

Abstract: Printed documents containing messages are processed into mail pieces using a system for preparing mail pieces. Data representing images of at least some of the documents are obtained by an imaging device of system for preparing mail pieces. The mail pieces are delivered to a postal service for delivery of the mail pieces to addressees and data sets representing at least some of the images in digital form are transmitted electronically. A system for carrying out such a method is also described.

Abstract: A method of franking a mailpiece that is to be put into a letter box associated with a mail-receiving office, including, in a portable communications device of a sender of the mailpiece, firstly an operation of inputting an identifier of said letter box, and secondly an operation of transmitting the identifier together with other postal data, including at least one franking amount and an unique identification code relating to the mailpiece, to a server of a franking service having the function of issuing a franking authorization for the sender.

Abstract: A presence detection device (10) for detecting the presence of an object (24) in a determined detection area, comprising at least one RFID tag (12A, 12B) that emits an identification signal at a determined RFID frequency; an RFID interrogator (16) receptive of the identification signal via at least one antenna (18); and an insulating plate (20) electromagnetically shielding the antenna from a direct emission of the identification signal, wherein the presence of the object in a determined detection area results from the reception by the RFID interrogator after being reflected by the object of the identification signal emitted by the corresponding RFID tag.

Abstract: A conveyor system for identifying RFID tags on parcels A conveyor system for identifying an object (16) on which an identification tag (26) is affixed, comprising a conveyor frame (12) for supporting between its two opposite sides (12A, 12B) a plurality of transverse conveyor rollers (14) each having a roller shaft (14A) and an RFID interrogator exciting a radiant antenna for reading information from the identification tag, the radiant antenna being a first magnetic loop (22) to formed by the conveyor frame and two adjacent roller shafts and excited by an excitation circuit (18) connected to, but distinct from, said RFID interrogator.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the thickness of passing mail items M conveyed on a conveying deck (12) of a mail processing machine (10) comprising a deflecting element (18) which is positioned to successively contact without active compression each conveyed mail item, measures a parameter that indicates a change in a resistivity of the deflecting element, and generates a signal indicative of the measured parameter; and a processing unit (24) which receives the signal from the deflecting element and determines a thickness value for each conveyed mail item based on the measured parameter.

Abstract: A method of generating a digital signature at a postage meter, in which method a postal imprint is printed on a mail item once said mail item has been weighed and once its postage amount has been determined, said postal imprint being associated with a digital signature generated by means of a secret key on the basis of constant data and variable data, said variable data comprising only a fingerprint code extracted upstream of the weighing from a three-dimensional structure of the fibers of the mail item.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed that allow a mailer to obtain confirmation of a current address from a recipient, and/or an express request from the recipient to update a mailing address stored by the mailer. In an embodiment, a mailer may send a first mail piece to the recipient, which directs the recipient to access a website or other electronic resource to verify his or her address. Upon receiving express confirmation of the recipient's address, a second mail piece may be sent to the current address, and/or the recipient's address may be updated in the mailer's records.

Abstract: In an apparatus for inserting a postal item into an envelope, the envelope is fed with its flap fold trailing its envelope body and its flap along a flap opener. A free flap opener edge enters between the flap and the envelope body until the flap fold abuts the free flap opener edge. While holding the flap against the flap opener, the flap is pivoted relative to the envelope body about the flap fold to an open position and subsequently the postal item is inserted into the envelope body. An apparatus for carrying such a method is also described.