Abstract: Signal load due to ping-pong of a wireless device between a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) and a cellular base station is reduced. The wireless device operates in a geographic region with signal coverage from more than one radio access technology (RAT) type of cellular serving cell as well as potentially coverage from the AP. An IP address used for incoming calls and the RAT serving the wireless device are part of a context. In some instances, when the wireless device changes context from the AP to a cellular base station and back to the AP (“ping-pong”), the context changes and a new IP address may be obtained via network signaling. Ping-pong is reduced by determining a quality estimate of cellular signals that relies on cell measurements from a mix of cellular base stations, where the mix of cellular base stations supports different cellular RATs.

Abstract: A punch press includes plural dies and plural punches, and punches a work by a punch and a die that are set at a work position. The punch press includes a lifter for lifting the die to be set at the work position up to a path line of the work, a die-support member movably provided on a die-side of the lifter, and a die supporter provided on the die-support member for supporting the die set at the work position in a state where the die has been selectively lifted up to the path line by the lifter. According to the punch press, contacts between a work and dies while conveying the work can be prevented.

Abstract: A removable single-block assembly for an ink circuit of a continuous inkjet printer, including a plate having a plurality of fluid inlets and a plurality of fluid outlets, this assembly further including a first pump called a pressure pump, a second pump called a recovery pump, and a filter, fluid connection means to allow fluids to flow: between said fluid inlets, the first or second pumps, and said fluid outlets, and means for mounting and dismounting the assembly on the ink circuit.

Abstract: A device for inscription of identification units, wherein each identification unit has an identification plate or several one-piece contiguous identification plates, wherein each identification plate has an inscription surface and wherein the inscription surface or several inscription surfaces of each identification unit spans or span an inscription plane, includes: a magazine for holding a number of identification units bearing against one another with inscription planes oriented parallel to one another, the magazine having two guide walls for the identification units, which walls are spaced apart and extend parallel to one another or along a conveying direction extending perpendicular to the inscription planes and reduce the reciprocal spacing; a contact surface for the identification unit, which surface is disposed after the guide walls in the conveying direction; an inscription implement for inscription of the inscription surfaces; a chute which is accessible via an inlet opening in the contact surface ac

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for filling a thin-walled transport container (12) with notes of value. The device (10) comprises a supply unit (100) for supplying the notes of value and a stacking unit (200) for stacking the supplied notes of value. Further, the device (10) comprises a receiving unit (400) for receiving the thin-walled transport container (12), a holding unit (600) for holding a first closing element (18) and a second closing element (20) for closing the thin-walled transport container (12), a displacement unit (700) for displacing a value note stack created by means of the stacking unit (200) into the thin-walled transport container (12), a retaining unit (500) for holding notes of value transported into the thin-walled transport container (12) in the orientation in which they have been supplied to the transport container (12) and/or a closure unit (300) for closing a closing unit (16) for closing the opening of the thin-walled transport container (12).

Abstract: A printer apparatus has a contact pressure device for flat articles on a continuously moving transport belt, in particular letters in a franking and/or addressing machine. In order to increase the usable region and/or of the throughput of the printer apparatus, flat articles of different thicknesses are processed with predetermined speed, without slippage, in succession with arbitrarily small gaps between successive articles. An elastic, bellows-shaped, resiliently supported air bag has a low-friction, wear-resistant cover surface that is in non-positive contact with the transport belt. With its associated retention and air supply devices the bellows serves as a mobile contact pressure module.

Abstract: A parcel processing system and method, The system includes an automated unloading apparatus, a singulation apparatus, a scan apparatus, and a sorting system. The automated unloading apparatus is configured to unload parcels from a trailer substantially without human intervention. The singulation apparatus is configured to singulate parcels unloaded by the automated unloading apparatus. The scan apparatus is configured to read from the parcels identifying information relating to the parcels. The sorting system is configured to sort the parcels according to the information read from the parcels by the scan apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method are described for managing friends within an online stationery/card service. For example, a method according to one embodiment comprises: connecting to an external social networking service on behalf of a user; retrieving the user's friend data from the external social networking service, the friend data specifying friends of the user; filtering the friend data to arrive at an inner circle of friends based on user input; associating address data with one or more friends retrieved from the external social networking service; creating a personalized item in response to input from the user; and mailing the personalized item with one or more of the friends in the inner circle of friends.

Abstract: A postage label dispensing system for dispensing adhesive-backed labels includes a conveyance system for displacing a supply of label material along a feed path wherein the label material includes a face material having an adhesive backing and a liner material detachably bonded to the adhesive backing. The adhesive backing defines a pair of longitudinal adhesive strips and a non-adhesive region disposed therebetween. The liner material has a longitudinal cut disposed adjacent to, and aligned with, the non-adhesive region to define a pair of liner strips. A peeler plow is disposed downstream of a bending means which induces a bend in the label material along an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal cut, i.e., in an area corresponding to the non-adhesive region, which bend produces an opening between the face material and the liner strips.

Abstract: An item handling system includes a vacuum source, a transport element defining a plurality of vacuum openings in fluid communication with the vacuum source to create a securing force on an item proximate to the transport element for holding the item in contact with the transport element, and a drive element for driving the transport element to transport the item. The transport element further defines a plurality of sensor openings arranged in two substantially parallel arrays along a longitudinal direction of the transport element. The system further includes a sensor associated with each array of sensor openings for sensing energy passing through the sensor openings to thereby sense the item on the transport element. Each sensor is disposed at a common longitudinal position relative to the transport element. Sensing the item corresponds to a condition where the sensor associated with each array is blocked.

Abstract: This invention relates to a printer that can feed, seal, and print an indicia (Postage Stamp) directly on a mailpiece or tapesheet using an inkjet printhead. Printer will be capable of feeding mailpieces either by hand, semi-automatically or a stack of mailpieces automatically; sealing each mailpiece if needed, and printing an indicia directly on the mailpiece using Internet-Based USPS approved software.

Abstract: In a mail-handling system comprising computer processing means associated with first print means so as to place at least one unique send number on an empty envelope and with second print means for printing at least one document, and an envelope-stuffing machine for inserting said at least one document into the empty envelope, said mail-handling system further comprises a signing set for writing, by means of a writing instrument, a recipient's address on each of the envelopes bearing said unique send number and delivered to the signing set. Said recipient's address is extracted from a database connected to the computer processing means and being indexed in the database with the unique send number borne by the envelope. The envelope-stuffing machine includes read and decode means for extracting the single send number borne on the empty envelope and for ensuring that it matches the document on the basis of the database.

Abstract: The present invention provides a destination dedicating apparatus including a destination information reading section and a destination information recording section. The destination information reading section is configured to read destination information from a storage area mounted on a consumable good when the consumable good is first mounted into a printing apparatus. The destination information recording section is configured to record the destination information read above into a storage area provided in the printing apparatus to thereby set the printing apparatus to a dedicated machine for the consumable good having the specific destination information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a destination dedicating apparatus including a destination information reading section and a destination information recording section. The destination information reading section is configured to read destination information from a storage area mounted on a consumable good when the consumable good is first mounted into a printing apparatus. The destination information recording section is configured to record the destination information read above into a storage area provided in the printing apparatus to thereby set the printing apparatus to a dedicated machine for the consumable good having the specific destination information.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to address data maintenance services using a mail processing system. The present application discloses techniques and equipment to update address information and usage of mail processing equipment to print delivery point barcodes that represent the current and accurate address information available for the addressee. The present application also provides a new approach for storing and searching address and name run time directories as part of a mail processing system using address reader technology.

Abstract: A system for generating printed mail pieces, starting from a print file, having: a printer for printing; a processing device for processing printed items into mail pieces; a control unit for controlling the printer and the processing device, and memory. The memory contains processing code for controlling the control unit for processing the rough pint file into a processed print file, and representation code for causing the processing instructions of the processing code to be represented in humanly perceptible form. The representation code is editable for changing at least the representations of the processing instructions and convertible into the processing code. Alternatively, the memory can contain a set of processing subroutines with which processing subroutines representation codes can be composed which differ from each other at least as regards processing instructions included therein, and which are each convertible into corresponding processing code.

Abstract: A method and device for locking and unlocking a print head assembly along a shaft in an addressing machine. The print head assembly is fixedly mounted on a locking mechanism, which comprises a flange and a collet, wherein the collet has an inner circumference for slideably mounting on the shaft, and a tapered outer circumference having a first threaded section and a second threaded section. The flange has a threaded opening larger than the first threaded section but smaller than the second threaded section. When adjusting the position of the print head assembly, an operator turns the collet so that flange is engaged with the first threaded section. When locking the position of the print head assembly, the operator turns the collet so that the flange is engaged with the second threaded section, causing the collet to exert a frictional force on the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention describes a double belt transport system for moving a mailpiece into a printing area of a digital printer. The transport system includes an upper belt and a lower belt. The upper belt has a straight section to form a nip with the lower belt to ingest the mailpiece. The straight section also defines a registration plane to register the upper surface of the mailpiece with respect to the print head of the printer. In order to make sure the registration is consistent regardless of the thickness of the mailpiece, an up-lifting mechanism is used to push the bottom of the mailpiece in an upward direction against a shield plate, which is positioned substantially on the registration plane. A velocity measurement device, such as an optical encoder, is used to measure the moving speed of the belts so that the printing speed of the digital printer matches the moving speed of the mailpiece in the print area.

Abstract: An image input section inputs an image of a letter P and stores the same into an image memory. A stamp detecting section detects a stamp by a luminance projection value based on the image of the letter stored in the image memory, determining that an area is not an external area of the stamp and determining the area as an internal area of the stamp if the length of the area is smaller than a stamp internal gap permissible threshold value used for determining a stamp internal gap even in a case where the area which is partly determined as an external area of the stamp is present in an area which is determined as the internal area of the stamp affixed to the letter P based on the thus derived projection value.

Abstract: The elements of a printing mechanism, including a platen, print head and drive motors, are constructed and arranged to provide a clearance permitting an envelope to remain entirely in a flat condition in a plane tangent to the platen at the location of the printing line while the envelope is being printed by the print head. The housing of the printing mechanism is constructed with specially configured slots. First and second opposite end walls of the housing, and a third wall, extending from one end wall to the other, provide at least partial coverage of the print head and platen. The third wall has a slot extending from one end wall to the other, the slot being arranged to receive an envelope and to allow the envelope to be inserted in a flat condition between the print head and the platen. The end walls have parallel slots, meeting and continuous with the slot of the third wall.

Abstract: This invention relates in general to the handling of mail and, in particular, to an improved document transporter for use in a forwarding address system for mail sorting machines.

Abstract: A matrix printing apparatus of the type having a path for sequentially transporting a series of documents to be printed between a plurality of dot matrix ballistic print heads and back-up platen rollers opposite each print head, the dot matrix ballistic print heads adapted, when actuated, to simultaneously impact an ink source and one side of each document as each document passes the print heads to apply printed material to each document in a pre-programmed array. The improvement of the present invention comprises moving the back-up platen rollers from a first position adjacent the print head when the print head is actuated, to a second position at a distance from the print head when the print head is not actuated.

Abstract: A machine for printing addresses on envelopes or cards from a plurality of master cards each having an address and other indicia imprinted thereon with heat conducting material, such as carbon. Master cards and envelopes or cards to be printed are delivered to a printing zone in face-to-face relationship together with a length of printing tape interposed between each master card and its respective envelope or card to be printed. The tape has one surface coated with heat-transferable printing medium disposed in face-to-face relationship with the envelopes. The master cards, tape and envelopes or cards to be printed are pressed together at the printing zone where heat is applied to the heat conducting indicia on the master cards.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing and delivering a label-receipt type tape member which displays the results of a variable number of operations of a computing scale including the value of items weighed on the scale, the value of fixed price items not weighed on the scale, and the total value of a group of items including fixed price items and items required to be weighed, the apparatus comprising a supply reel of continuous laminate tape coated on one side and protected with a cover web, a printing including a printing head responsive to the operations of the computing scale to print the information supplied on successive lines of the tape, a stripper bar, a take-up reel for pulling the cover web over the stripper bar under tension and to separate the cover web from the printed tape, and a tear surface adapted to permit the separation of the presented portion of printed tape from the continuous tape as a label-receipt.

Abstract: An improved printing apparatus control system regulates the operation of a sheet feed assembly which sequentially moves sheets of material to and from a printing station and a plate feed assembly which sequentially moves printing plates to and from the printing station. A photocell detects initial movement of a leading end portion of the printed sheet of material away from the printing station under the influence of the sheet feed assembly. This photocell is also utilized to detect when the printed sheet of material has completely exited from the printing station. A second photocell detects the presence of the succeeding sheet of material at the printing station. The control system also includes a sensor which detects the removal of one printing plate from the printing station, the absence of a printing plate at the printing station, and the subsequent arrival of the next succeeding printing plate at the printing station.