Abstract: In an electronic postage meter which has a thermal printer and a control system for causing the thermal printer to print a postage indicia, the thermal printer includes a linear array of thermal elements. The electronic postage meter control system is comprised of a print control circuit for producing lengthwise and serially, during a first mode of operation, a composite image having alphanumeric characters and graphic data. The image is divided into a plurality of widthwise sections. A first widthwise section has highly critical alphanumeric character information and graphic information. A second widthwise section of the image having less critical alphanumeric character information. The control system has a second mode of operation for producing serial test data coupled to the thermal elements such that the thermal print elements are selectively responsive to the serial test data for developing for each of the thermal elements an associated test signal during each second mode of operation.

Abstract: The micro-controller system is comprised of a programmable microprocessor, a plurality of memory units having a plurality of addressable memory registers. The memory units are in bus communication with the programmable processor and an application specific integrated circuit. The application specific integrated circuit includes a circuit for dividing the memory units into a plurality of addressable regions in response to programming of the programmable microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed such that the initial address for each of the regions is assigned by the most significant address bits, and the uppermost address for the region being programmably defined by an uppermost address for the respective region. The circuit includes a plurality of addressable registers.

Abstract: A message control system particularly useful for postage meters of the type having bit-map printers includes encryption means for generating a code in a postage meter based on meter information and the desired information to be included in the message to be printed. The message and other data is furnished to a data center which then generates an authorization code to be furnished to the postage meter. When there is a match between the authorization and internal code, the message can be stored in the postage meter for printing. The messages may also reside in a slogan box which must remain connected to the meter in order for the slogan to be printed.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing an NVM comprising, a microprocessor, a plurality of NVMs respectively connected to the microprocessor, each of the NVMs having an address space for storing data therein, and the microprocessor including, structure for selecting one of the plurality of NVMs structure for byte-write-mode writing data having a predetermined page size to the selected NVM for storage in the address space thereof, structure for page-write-mode writing different data having the predetermined page size to the selected NVM for storage in the address space thereof, and structure for counting the number of changed bytes in the address space of the NVM.

Abstract: The electronic postage meter includes a printing unit which is responsive to a plurality of motors for printing of a postage indicia in response to control circuit. The control circuit is comprised of a programmable microprocessor in bus communication with an accounting means having memory units for accounting for the postage printed by the printing unit responsive to the programming of the microprocessor. An integrated circuit includes an address decoding module means for generating a unique combination of ASIC control signals in response to a respective address placed on the bus by the microprocessor. A timer register is responsive to ones of the control signals from the address decoding module to enable writing of the timer data into the timer registers by the microprocessor. The timer unit is responsive to the timer data for generating one of a plurality of timing signal in accordance with timer data. The data also includes motor data.

Abstract: A deterrent to counterfeiting of indicias on mailpieces is provided in a method and apparatus for implementing the printing of the indicia using a customized printhead or customized printer drivers such that the dots of the bit-mapped printing are produced by the printer in unevenly spaced rows or columns. The dot size may also be varied in accordance with data from the meter, printed value, variable data such as the date, and forensic data suitably encrypted. When the indicia is scanned, the variations are readily detectable and the information is easily extracted by Postal Authorities.

Abstract: A programmable timer circuit which is integrated into an application specific integrated circuit includes a programmable timer counter. The programmable timer counter receives count data which is written to registers of the integrated circuit and is caused to initiate a count until that count is reached in response to clock signal. A programmable microprocessor is provided for controlling the programmable timer circuit and reading count data and mode data from non-volatile memory units in response to the microprocessor's programming and writing the count data and mode data into the registers of the application specific integrated circuit. In response to the mode data the programmable timer circuit assumes either a one shot mode or a continuos mode when the programmable timer.

Abstract: A programmable timer circuit is comprised of a programmable timer counter for receiving a count and for counting to the count. A clock signal for driving the timer counter which timer counter generates a signal representative of the count. A microprocessor generates count data in response to programming of the microprocessor. Timer data register receive the count from microprocessor. A first gate is provided having an enabled mode and an non-enabled mode for enabling loading of the timer data from the timer data register to the timer counter input only in the enabled mode. A monitoring circuit is provided for monitoring the timer count and enabling the gate mean to the enabled mode only when the timer has time-out.

Abstract: A data verification system including a circuit verifies that unlocking data generated by a microprocessor to be written into the ASIC before a memory write is valid. The microprocessor is programmed to generate an ASIC address when unlocking data is to be written to the ASIC and to encrypt and decrypt that data. The verifying circuit unit receives the encrypted data and decrypts the encrypted data and compares the decrypted data with the encrypted data. The verifying circuit generating an enable signal only if the comparison is true. An address decoding unit is provided for receiving the memory address signal and causing a memory write enable signal to be generated for the memory unit only if the verifying circuit unit has generated an enable signal. Registers unit in communication with the data bus and the verifying circuit unit are provided for writing decryption parameters in the register unit in accordance with the programming of the microprocessor during power-up of the microprocessor.

Abstract: A postage meter comprises a non-volatile memory and a microcomputer in communication with the non-volatile memory. The microcomputer is operatively coupled to a stepper motor. The stepper motor includes a rotor and is arranged for positioning at least one printwheel of the postage meter. The non-volatile memory has stored therein a value corresponding to a predetermined pulse width required for pulsing a coil of the stepper motor to position the rotor to a final position between step positions. The microcomputer pulses the stepper motor coil with a pulse of the predetermined pulse with for bring the stepper motor rotor to a final position for positioning the printwheel.

Abstract: A method and system for accessing a non volatile memory for writing data therein, wherein the memory has a write accessing input. A control circuit produces successive enable signals, and a hardware device is connected to apply signal to the write accessing terminal of said memory only in response to a plurality of successive enable signals.

Abstract: A postage meter comprises a non-volatile memory and a microcomputer in communication with the non-volatile memory and a plurality of stepper motors. Positioning commands from the microcomputer are directed to the plurality of stepper motors and includes a plurality of respective stepper motor drivers. Each of the stepper motors are arranged for positioning at least one printwheel. The non-volatile memory has stored therein data for associating each of the stepper motor drivers with a respective printwheel wherein the positioning of a selected printwheel is commanded in accordance with the data relating printwheel to stepper motor driver stored in the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: In an electronic postage meter, two accounts are maintained in non-volatile memory. One account represents the funds available for the postage meter and the other is an account representing operational funds. The operational funds account is accessed and updated in meter trips. The other is accessed when operating funds reach a predetermined level. In a first embodiment, the first register is disposed in a low endurance non-volatile memory while the second register is disposed in a high endurance device which has lower retention capability. The non-volatile memory in which the first register is disposed may be maintained at power-down or power-savings condition during trip cycles and other system operations in order to protect the funds stored in the first register.

Abstract: A postage meter includes a printwheel setting mechanism which allows shortest path setting of the printwheel. Stepper motors are provided for each printwheel which drives the printwheels through a transfer gear having a large diameter and greater number of teeth so that there are multiple positions of the transfer wheel which correspond to a particular character to be printed by the printwheel. The stepper motors are microprocessor controlled and a routine calculates the shortest rotational path of the setting of a new character for printing.

Abstract: In a postage meter which includes a computer, a power supply for energizing the computer, a non-volatile memory for storing postage meter operating data, and wherein the computer includes a microprocessor adapted for processing the operating data, there is provided an improvement for protecting the operating data.

Abstract: A system for detecting fraudulent imprints on documents is disclosed. The system comprises a metering device, a host and a verifying facility. The metering device provides a validation signal to the host and its associated printer. Thereafter, the printer prints information which includes information from the validation signal. Thereafter the information printed on a mailpiece can be validated at the verifying facility by detecting the validation information provided by the metering device. The system provides a method to make a secure metering device without an integral printer. This value printing system provides for a secure system that will allow for the detection of fraudulent imprints at a verifying facility.

Abstract: A postage meter has a print drum with print wheels which are shiftable to select the value of the postage. The positions of the print wheels are controlled by the positions of associated gears which in turn are controlled by a value setting drive mechanism. A unitary motor effects movement of a pinion from gear to gear and of the individual gears to set the values of the print wheels and also other drive functions of the meter.

Abstract: A system for detecting fraudulent imprints on documents is disclosed. The system comprises a metering device, a host and a verifying facility. The metering device provides a validation signal to the host and its associated printer. Thereafter, the printer prints information which includes information from the validation signal. Thereafter the information printed on a mailpiece can be validated at the verifying facility by detecting the validation information provided by the metering device. The system provides a method to make a secure metering device without an integral printer. This value printing system provides for a secure system that will allow for the detection of fraudulent imprints at a veryfying facility.

Abstract: A postage meter system of the type having postage value input selection means, a postage printing means with a settable printing element and a drive means coupled to said postage printing means for setting the postage printing element including a print element setting system. The element setting system employs the drive means such that the drive means is operable to drive said printing element at different operating speeds to set said postage printing element to a selected postage value. The print element setting system further includes a position detecting means and a control means. The position detecting means detects the actual position setting of the printing element.

Abstract: An electronic postage meter which has a computer and apparatus for printing a postage value, wherein the computer includes instrumentalities for authorizing printing the postage value, and has shutter apparatus which is operable for alternately preventing and permitting operation of the postage printing apparatus, and has interposing apparatus which is operable for alternately preventing and permitting operation of the shutter apparatus, is provided with an improvement for controlling the operation of the interposing apparatus.