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 value printing device, such as a postage meter, is provided with a switch for automatically signaling when a new inking member unit has been inserted into the device. The switch has a piercing member that closes the switch when a membrane or cover over an opening in the inking member is overcome by the piercing member.

Abstract: A power control method and apparatus maintains a constant average power at an electrical load, such as a fuser in an electrophotocopy machine. A power monitor measures the average power delivered to the load and compares the measured power to a predetermined power. A digital network receives an input signal from the power monitor and controls the coupling of power from an ac source to the load. When load power is less than a predetermined level, the digital network couples every half cycle of the ac power source to the load. When the load power is equal to or greater than the predetermined power, the digital network couples every third ac half cycle to the load. As a result, only half cycles of sequentially opposite polarity are coupled to the load.

Abstract: A system for automatically setting a postage meter as a function of package weight and destination includes a scale mechanism for generating weight-representing signals. The package postage can be established by converting the destination zip code to a destination zone. The destination zone used in retrieving a minimum postage and incremental postage amounts is applicable for that zone from data storage. The weight-representing signal is successively decremented and the postage amounts synchronously incremented until a signal checking circuit establishes that the decremented weight-representing signal is equal to zero.

Abstract: An electronic postage has a working memory and a non-volatile memory. A voltage sensing circuit senses low power conditions, and, in response thereto, controls a data transfer circuit to transfer data from the working memory to the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: An electronic postal meter, adapted to be driven by a meter base has a shutter for controlling the application of drive input to the meter, and a solenoid driven interposer for blocking operation of the shutter until conditions for printing postage are met. The solenoid is energized by way of a pair of serially connected transistors, which are in turn controlled by separate micro-processing systems. The separate micro-processing systems continually exchange messages concerning the operational status of the postal meter, whereby each of the controlling systems is responsive to conditions under which the postal meter should not be operative, to thereby control its respective transistor.

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 printing control system includes a printing mechanism having settable print members. A gear is rotatably mounted and operably connected for selectively setting the print members. The gear is connected to control inhibiting the printing mechanism from being energized to print. The gear may also be connected to control inhibiting the selective setting of the print members.

Abstract: An electronic postal meter is provided with a date setter having an access door coupled to a switch. The position of the switch is signalled to the internal computer, in order to effect a warning indication if the access or dater door is open. The computer further inhibits operation of the postal meter upon the initial application of power to the postal meter, until the dater door has been opened and closed at least once.

Abstract: An electronic postal meter is provided with a field service switch, a display, a keyboard and control display keys enabling the display of given values in a display mode for field service, such as the maximum settable amount and a low postage warning, as well as a dollar unlock value. In the service mode, a further switch for changing of the values stored in the postage meter for these parameters.

Abstract: An advanced electronic postage meter system is described, which is built around a micro computer set. The micro computer set is of LSI design, and comprises a single chip central processor unit (CPU) which performs all control and data processing functions. Auxiliary to the CPU are ROM's which store the program of the postage meter system; RAM's which provide the system with a working memory; and Shift Registers which expand the I/O capacity of the system and provide multiplexing capability. The postage meter system comprises componentry such as a non-volatile memory for postage accounting purposes; a display for visually monitoring the functions of the system; a keyboard for instructing the system; and a modified postage meter with motorized setting means for printing postage upon pieces of mail. These peripheral devices communicate with the micro computer set through ports, and means are provided to expand port capabilities for these peripheral devices.

Abstract: An electronic postal meter includes a unitary structure having a settable printing device, an electronic accounting unit and a control unit preferably having a keyboard. The meter includes a mechanical input for drive by a conventional mechanical meter base, as well as a shutter controlled by the shutter lever of the meter base, for blocking the drive input. An interposer for also blocking movement of the shutter is operated by a solenoid, and a sensor is provided to indicate lack of operation of the interposer for a given period of time, to provide an indication that the interposer is jammed against the shutter, necessitating a resetting of the meter base.

Abstract: A postal meter includes a postal meter assembly adapted to be driven from a base, for in turn driving the drum of a settable printing mechanism. The meter has an electronic accounting system with a register, and means setting the register during the printing cycle. A mechanical latch is positioned to stop rotation of the gear assembly at a home position if an electronic accounting has not occurred during the previous printing cycle. The gear assembly further includes a cam surface for driving the mechanical latch to this position following initiation of a printing cycle. A detent has a tooth selectively engageable with a pair of notches on the lever corresponding to the two lever positions, the detent being displaced in one case by a cam surface of the gear assembly and in the second case by a lever system responsive to the operation of the accounting system.

Abstract: A postage meter has a printing mechanism positioned on a drum, and a driving gear for rotating the drum to imprint postage on a mailpiece. The driving gear is adapted to be externally driven. The meter also has a shutter bar engageable with the driving gear, and an interposer coupled to the shutter bar for inhibiting movement of the shutter bar. An electronic accounting system is also provided within the meter. A latch, which may be the interposer, is operative in response to the operating voltage for inhibiting more than a determined number of printing cycles. A counting device is incorporated to count printing cycles that were not registered, to thereby enable the electronic accounting system to bring the printing data up to date in the event, for example, of restoration of power following a power failure.

Abstract: A system for automatically setting a postage meter as a function of package weight and destination includes a scale mechanism for generating weight-representing signals. The package postage can be established by converting the destination zip code to a destination zone. The destination zone used in retrieving a minimum postage and incremental postage amounts is applicable for that zone from data storage. The weight-representing signal is successively decremented and the postage amounts synchronously incremented until a signal checking circuit establishes that the decremented weight-representing signal is equal to zero.

Abstract: A copier of the type which includes a photoreceptor on which an electrostatic latent image may be formed, a movable applicator which carries developer from a working supply of image developer and applies it to the image, and developer dispensing instrumentalities for replenishing the working supply of developer, is provided with a system for controlling the developer dispensing instrumentalities and thus replenishment of the working supply of developer. The control system responds to the optical density of developer on the applicator to generate a signal indicating whether or not the working supply of developer is in need of replenishment, and this signal is utilized for energizing the dispensing instrumentalities. The control system also includes circuitry for preventing energization of the dispensing instrumentalities for a predetermined time interval after commencement of movement of the applicator, to be sure that the applicator has picked up a sample of the developer from the working supply.

Abstract: A remote postage meter charging system using a third generation electronic postage meter. Like one of its predecessors, the present postage meter of this inventive system is built around a microcomputer set. This advanced computerized meter comprises a working memory which contains seed numbers for generating postage funding combinations. The remote postage meter charging system has the capability of adding variable amounts of postage into the postage meter.

Abstract: An advanced electronic postage meter system is described, which is built around a micro computer set. The micro computer set is of LSI design, and comprises a single chip central processor unit (CPU) which performs all control and data processing functions. Auxiliary to the CPU are ROM's which store the program of the postage meter system; RAM's which provide the system with a working memory; and Shift Registers which expand the I/O capacity of the system and provide multiplexing capability. The postage meter system comprises componentry such as a non-volatile memory for postage accounting purposes; a display for visually monitoring the functions of the system; a keyboard for instructing the system; and a modified postage meter with motorized setting means for printing postage upon pieces of mail. These peripheral devices communicate with the micro computer set through ports, and means are provided to expand port capabilities for these peripheral devices.

Abstract: A high volume mailing installation is disclosed in which the output of a programmable high speed electronic digital computer provides destination and postage amount information, a high speed chain printer driven by the computer prints the destination information on address labels, and an authorized postage printing meter is mounted piggy-back fashion on the chain printer and responds to the same computer for automatic printing of authorized postage impressions of the calculated amount on the same mailing labels. The meter includes a fast, rugged solenoid-actuated segmented flat bed postage printer unit and fixed-program electronic digital postal accounting circuitry, with appropriate security features to prevent or detect postal fraud.