Abstract: A dual redundant electronic postage meter and associated method is provided for increasing the reliability of meter operation, comprising a first meter module including triple redundant memory technique/dual redundant means and dual redundant microprocessor means, a second meter module including triple redundant rechniques/dual redundant memory means and dual redundant microprocessor means, the dual redundant microprocessor means of the first meter module selectively communicating with a data entry means and external output means, and the dual redundant microprocessor means of the second meter module selectively communicating with the data entry means and the external output means, the second meter module being activiated in response to a failure in the operation of the first meter module.

Abstract: A bit structuring apparatus having a font memory for storing alpha-numeric characters and/or tonal definitions in a window representing a pixel space. The alpha-numeric characters thus stored can include both the character and required character spacing. The font memory is addressable by coded address data to output a stream of pixels representative of the characters selected. The apparatus includes a programmable divide-by-N counter selectively operable to reduce the frequency of the pixel stream and expand the characters along the X-axis, line buffers for buffering the pixels pending discharge to a remote output, a return bus for re-circulating pixels in the line buffers, a multiplexer for selectively coupling individual line buffer outputs to the remote output and a programmable counter for controlling the number of times each line buffer discharges pixels to the remote output, each additional discharge expanding the characters along the Y-axis. Additionally, data from other sources, i.e.

Abstract: A solid state multiple mode stylus array capable of printing, copying, or transmission, the various operating components of which are integrally formed on a substrate to provide a monolithic device. The array components include plural printing styli arranged in one or more rows to form a printing array; a shift register, the output of successive shift register stages being coupled to successive styli, the shift register having input and output ports for the receipt and discharge of image pixels; plural scanning elements arranged in one or more rows to form a scanning array for scanning images and producing image pixels representative thereof, the output of successive scanning elements being coupled to the input of successive shift register stages; clock means for driving the shift register; and control means for selectively routing image pixels from either the input port or the scanning array to one of the printing array or the output port, or both.