Abstract: In an insertion machine a track 20 moves groups of items past feed station 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, during respective machine cycles. The feed stations selectively feed items onto the tracks 20 for inclusion with a group of items and eventual stuffing into an envelope. A master control item 46 fed from station 31 for each group has indicia 50 thereon which provides an indication from which of the feed stations items can be fed. In order for data processor 102 to calculate the amount of postage appropriate for the stuffed envelope, an operator uses a keyboard and display 110 to input predetermined per item weight values for items held at select stations. A data processor 102 uses the predetermined values indicative of the per item weight of items held in the stations to obtain a calculated total weight for each group of items.

Abstract: In a document insertion machine, third-party advertising documents are fed from downstream insert stations (36, 37, 38, 39). The third party insert stations include an optional insert station (39) from which documents are to be fed only if the additional weight occasioned by the feeding does not cause an increase in the postage for a customer's stuffed envelope. The other third party insert stations (36, 37, 38) are chargeback stations which feed documents regardless of the impact of feeding upon the weight of a customer's stuffed envelope. The insertion machine apportions, among the chargeback stations (36, 37, 38), any increase in postage cost which occurs when the feeding of documents from the chargeback stations causes a customer's stuffed envelope to be classified in a more expensive postage category.

Abstract: In an insertion machine a track 20 moves groups of items past feed stations 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, during respective machine cycles. The feed stations selectively feed items onto the track 20 for inclusion with a group of items and eventual stuffing into an envelope. A master control item 46 fed from station 31 for each group has indicia 50 thereon which provides an indication from which of the feed stations items can be fed. In order for data processing means 102 to calculate the amount of postage appropriate for the stuffed envelope, an operator uses a keyboard and display 110 to input predetermined per item weight values for items held at select stations. A data processor 102 uses the predetermined values indicative of the per item weight of items held in the stations to obtain a calculated total weight for each group of items.

Abstract: Processing events of an insertion machine are managed by a first data processor (DPS1) 100'. The DPS 100' is connected to a second data processor (DPS2) 700 by a data transmission cable 703 whereby the DPS1 sends data formatted in accordance with a plurality of 95-TO-PC COMMANDS to the DPS2 700 and whereby the DPS2 700 sends data formatted in accordance with a plurality of PC-TO-95 COMMANDS to the DPS1 100'. Some of the PC-TO-95 COMMANDS are used for downloading values for insertion machine input parameters and are generated in response to user input via a keyboard 720 as prompted by appropriate displays on a monitor 718. Other PC-TO-95 COMMANDS are generated in response to user input for interrogating the DPS1 100' and prompt the DPS1 100' to generate an answering 95-TO-PC COMMAND which includes insertion machine-related operating output data.

Abstract: In an insertion machine a track 20 moves groups of items past feed stations 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, during respective machine cycles. The feed stations selectively feed items onto the track 20 for inclusion with a group of items and eventual stuffing into an envelope to which postage need be applied. A master control item 46 fed from station 31 for each group has an indicia 50 thereon which provides an indication from which of the feed stations items can be fed. In order for data processing means 102 to calculate the amount of postage appropriate for the stuffed envelope, an operator uses a keyboard and display 110 to input predetermined per item weight values for items held at select stations. A data processor 102 uses the predetermined values indicative of the per item weight of items held in the stations to obtain a calculated total weight for each group of items.