Abstract: A system and method of event ticketing utilizing an article dispensing machine is disclosed. A ticket order transaction related to an event is managed at an article dispensing machine by presenting a series of simple and easy to understand interface pages on a user interface. A user interacts with the interface pages to make decisions on aspects of the ticket order transaction. A listing of events available for ticket ordering on the article dispensing machine is curated by reviewing prospective events. The listing is curated based on the location of the article dispensing machine, the priority ranking of the event, the date and time of the productions, the category of the events, the location of the venue relative to the article dispensing machine, and/or other factors. A hyper-local listing of events can be presented so that the events that are most likely relevant to users.

Abstract: Predetermined print control signals are provided to a digital printing mechanism that responds to the print control signals to print an image on a substrate. A reference signal is derived from said print control signals. The image is scanned to generate a post-print signal. The reference signal is compared with said post-print signal. If the reference signal and the post-print signal do not compare within predetermined standards, an output signal indicative of poor print quality is generated. The print mechanism can be incorporated into a postage metering system and the image can be a postal indicia. The postage meter is responsive to a signal generated as a function of the output signal to inhibit further printing of postal indicia. Prior to printing the image, a substrate upon which the image is to be printed is scanned to generate a reflectance signal, the reflectance signal being used to correct the post-print signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing items in selected configurations and a system, and method for controlling the same. More particularly, an apparatus for producing mail pieces and a system and method for controlling it to produce mail pieces in a variety of configurations are disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser printer and folding sealing apparatus controlled by a data processor. The folder sealer apparatus combines sheets printed by the laser printer with pre-printed sheets and envelope forms, which also may be printed by the laser printer or may be windowed envelopes, folds the sheets as necessary and folds and seals the envelope form about the folded sheets to produce a mail piece. A user inputs a configuration for the mail piece which is translated by the data processor into a data structure and transmitted to the controller of the folder sealer apparatus.

Abstract: Method for tracking creep and drift of a digital scale after a load has been placed upon a scale pan. The tare weight is determined at a time before a load is placed upon the pan and is stored. After the pan comes to equilibrium, the gross weight of the scale is determined and stored. Variance in the gross weight as a result of creep and drift is tracked and after an incremental amount is determined the value of such variance is added to the stored tare weight so that upon removal of the load from the pan the true tare weight is maintained.

Abstract: A peripheral interface board establishes a communications link between a postage value determining system processor associated with a postage scale and a plurality of peripheral devices. The interface includes a microcomputer which receives data and command signals from the system processor. A multiplexer interconnects the peripheral transmit line of the microcomputer with a selected peripheral device, while a further multiplexer interconnects the peripheral receive line of the microcomputer with the selected peripheral device. Typical mailing system peripheral devices include electronic postage meters, an electronic accounting system, a scale computer interface and a printer. In response to command signals from the system processor, the microcomputer establishes a communications link with a selected peripheral device.

Abstract: A control system is employed to selectively inhibit false signal transmissions between a communications processor and a plurality of peripheral devices during transient power states. The control system includes a comparator which detects a decrease in the unregulated power supply voltage as compared to the regulated voltage to anticipate an impending loss in regulated voltage. In response to a detected drop in unregulated voltage, a transistor interrupts the power supply to communications lines. Simultaneously, the transistor interrupts the power supply to a light source of an optically coupled relay which is employed to actuate a peripheral such as a mailing machine. In order to assure that the communications processor will initiallize after a transitory drop and a recovery in line voltage, a processor reset signal is also generated by the control system as a function of a detected decrease in unregulated voltage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for reproducing an original gray scale image that may be divided into an array of discrete picture elements. The method comprises the steps of scanning each of the picture elements in the array on the original image to determine its gray level and location in the array and generating sequential signals that contain data indicative of the gray level and location in the array of each of the scanned picture elements. The gray level of the entire array is calculated from the data on each of its individual picture elements in accordance with a gray scale function. On a reproduction medium in an array of reproduction locations corresponding to the picture element array, locations are sequentially darkened in order of decreasing gray level, beginning at the location that corresponds to the scanned picture element having the darkest gray level, until the gray level of the reproduction array substantially equals the calculated gray level of the scanned picture element array.