Abstract: A router instruction processor for a digital document delivery system 10 interacts with one or more electronic inserts and a bill processing server to function as a general document fulfillment server. The router instruction processor makes use of the electronic inserters and bill processing server to ensure that documents as contained in Send Request objects are presented to their destinations according to sender requirements and recipient preferences. The router instruction processor further ensures the sender requirements are not compromised by recipient preferences to the extent that conflict may arise.

Abstract: Ink compositions described are suitable for ink jet printing (ink jet inks) and are highly effective for simultaneously imparting visible and fluorescent images. In the preferred forms, both a dark, visible image and a complementary fluorescent image will be visually discernable as well as machine readable to enable efficient hand and automated processing or handling of the objects printed. These results are achieved by ink formulations that moderate the natural phenomena of quenching while possessing the physical properties necessary for an ink jet ink.

Abstract: An enclosure feeder system (500) and corresponding method for use in combining collations in a sequence of collations with a given number of respective corresponding specific enclosures, the enclosures for each successive collation ordinarily being separator by a divider indicator, the enclosure feeder system (500) including: an enclosure feeder (210) for feeding the enclosures, and a supervisory controller (300) for providing to the enclosure feeder (210) a dynamic over-count number, corresponding to a specific collation, equal to one more than the expected number of enclosures for the collation, with the enclosure feeder (210) implemented so as to continue feeding enclosures for a collation until either encountering a divider indicator or until the number of enclosures actually fed is equal to the expected number of enclosures for the collation.

Abstract: A weighing system and a postage metering system including such a weighing system. The weighing system includes a transport assembly having a transport for receiving and outputting mail pieces to be weighed and for supporting mail pieces while they are weighed, and a feeder for successively feeding the mail pieces to the transport. A transducer supports the transport and generates and output representative of the load presented by pairs of mail pieces on the transport. After a current item and a previous item are weighed together on the transport, the transport is energized to output the previous item and replace the previous item with the current item, and the feeder is energized to input a next item to the transport as a new current item.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically optimizing the amount of an automatic refill of a shared virtual postage meter is disclosed. A desired time between refills is predetermined based on the capacity of the system to perform refills, the time required to process a refill, and the impact of performing a refill on the overall performance of the system. A refill amount candidate is then determined based on the predetermined desired time between refills, the elapsed time since the last refill and the amount of the last refill. The determined refill amount candidate is then further validated to insure that it falls within a range of a predetermined minimum and maximum refill amounts. Once validated, the refill amount candidate is the optimal refill amount, and the shared virtual postage meter is refilled accordingly.

Abstract: A method and system for regenerating misprocessed mailpieces and the like. Control documents are produced by a data processing system and transported to an inserter system. The inserter system inputs the control documents and assembles mailpieces in accordance with coded information on the documents. If the inserter system controller identifies a misprocessed mailpiece it writes a record, which can be a separate zero byte file, to a common data store. The data processing system accesses the record in the common data store and regenerates the control document. The inserter system processes the regenerated control document to regenerate the mailpiece.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for feeding a mailpiece along a feed path in a mailing machine. An endless drive belt has a lower belt run adapted to feed a mailpiece in a downstream direction. A plurality of pivot arms are mounted in a sequence below the lower belt run. Each pivot arm has a respective roller mounted on a free end of the pivot arm. A respective bias mechanism associated with each pivot arm biases the pivot arm in an upward direction such that the roller contacts the lower belt run. A first pivot arm actuates a second pivot arm in a downward direction when the first pivot arm is actuated in a downward direction by a mailpiece fed by the endless belt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for stacking mailpieces received from a mail-processing machine in consecutive order. There is a receiving conveying section positioned at a greater height than the following stacking conveying section. A stacking ramp extends from the downstream portion of the stacking conveying section. The receiving conveying section has a single continuous belt extending along the receiving conveying section in a first direction and positioned centrally along a second direction of the conveying section. The continuous belts of the stacking conveying section are positioned substantially at equal intervals extending along the first direction of the stacking conveying section and have top surfaces which extend above the stacking conveying section and which contact the mailpieces received from the mail processing machine.

Abstract: A mail sorter (22) includes an imaging device (60) to generate a plurality of images each corresponding to one of the plurality of mail pieces (36). The mail sorter (22) performs a character recognition routine on each of the images to sort a number of the mail pieces (36) and identify one of the mail pieces as being unsortable by the routine. An operator input processing subsystem (24) includes a number of stations (74). These stations (74) each include a display and a voice input device. The subsystem (24) responds to the mail sorter (22) to route the images to the stations (74). One of the stations (74) is operable to display one of the images on its corresponding display device and receive vocal input from an operator with its corresponding voice input device in response to viewing the image. The subsystem (24) executes a voice recognition routine to determine address information from the vocal input and provides this information to the mail sorter (22) to sort a corresponding one of the mail pieces (36).

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: A method and system for reading a two-dimensional barcode symbol on a mailpiece. The barcode symbol may be distorted during the printing process or the image acquiring process, rendering it difficult to recognize by a conventional template matching method. Typically, a two-dimensional barcode symbol is composed on a two-dimensional array of visually contrasting blocks. Any group of four adjacent blocks sharing a common corner may form an identifiable pattern. These patterns can be used as internal landmarks. When the barcode symbol is distorted, the distances between the internal landmarks change accordingly. Using an Lp-norm algorithm to measure the distances in the transform domain, distortion can thus be determined and the global geometry of the barcode symbol restored based on the distance measurements.

Abstract: A production mail system for producing a mailpiece including an inserter system for feeding a document in a path of travel and into an envelope. The document includes a control code printed thereon. The inserter includes a scanner located adjacent the path of travel for reading the control code on the document and a printer for printing a selected message on the envelope corresponding to the control code.

Abstract: A method and device for improving the efficiency of a postage meter by using a sensing to detect the edges of an incoming envelope in order to initiate a multi-speed profile for transporting the envelope with different speeds through the postage meter. With the multi-speed profile, the postage meter is allowed to have sufficient time to process mail related data and provide mail related data to a print head before the envelope reaches a print zone where the print head starts printing an indicia on the envelope.

Abstract: A postage metering system includes a plurality of computers operatively connected as part of a computer network and operating as client computers on the computer network. At least one postal security device (PSD) is coupled to at least one of the client computers (local client computer). The PSD includes unique identification the ability to store postal value and generate digital signatures. The client computers function as a postage metering network wherein a client computer other than the local client computer (remote client computer) requests evidence of postage payment from the PSD for concluding a postage metering transaction. The local client computer functions as a meter server and the remote client computer functions as a meter client on the postage metering network. The remote client computer initiates a postage metering transaction in the PSD by sending a request for evidence of postage payment to the local client computer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing information, such as postal indicia and other information, on a medium. The system is implemented by detecting a type of medium and entering a printing mode as a function of the type of medium detected. The printing mode is either an envelope printing mode or a tape/label printing mode. When in the envelope printing mode, a print module is positioned at a first position, and prints postal indicia data on a first area of the envelope. The print module is then positioned at a second position. Additional data is obtained and the additional data is printed on a second area of the envelope. The print module is then positioned at a third position and recipient address data is obtained and printed on a third area of the envelope. The print module is positioned at a fourth position, and sender address information is obtained and printed on a fourth area of the envelope.

Abstract: A method for communicating a re-keying message from a postage meter to a registration authority includes the steps of determining at the postage meter that a current key needs to be replaced with a new key; generating in the postage meter the new key; creating in the postage meter the re-keying message, the re-keying message including at least a device identifier and the new key; using the postage meter for printing the re-keying message in a machine-readable form on a recording medium; and mailing the recording medium to the registration authority.

Abstract: In a processing station for a mail processing machine, a housing is formed by parallel housing side parts, standing opposite each other at a distance corresponding to the width of the conveying track of the mail processing machine, a housing part connecting these across the conveying track and a supporting partition fixed to the connecting housing part, situated in a vertical median plane relative, to the distance between the housing side parts and parallel to the housing side parts, and restricted to a prismatic or cylindrical space above a level at a distance from the surface of the conveying track. The supporting partition serves to support bearings for axles and shafts of an actuating apparatus arranged in the processing station in question, in such a manner that the space immediately above the conveying track surface is kept free of drive members and control members for the actuating apparatus in order to enable large-format inserts or sets of inserts to be passed through the processing station.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for mating a first gear and a second gear, such as those utilized in drive mechanisms of mailing machine modules. A gear frame can mount a first gear on a first annular gear mount. A first end of a link can be pivotally mounted on a fulcrum and a second end can have a second gear mounted on a second annular gear mount. A normal force can be provided on the link in a direction opposing pivotal movement of the link. When the first gear and the second gear are brought together for mating, the link can pivot to allow the first gear and the second gear to mesh. The second annular gear mount can be guided into a channel in the gear frame to secure the second gear in a meshed position with the first gear.

Abstract: A method and system for printing an image such as a postal indicium. A sequence of graphic data blocks is formed, the sequence forming a bitmap representative of the image. The blocks are randomly reordered to form a new sequence, and the blocks are printed in the new sequence without substantial distortion. The blocks may be printed in varying directions, and the printhead may move at varying rates of travel and print at proportional rates as the blocks are printed so as to print the image without substantial distortion. The system may include a motor responsive to a programmable controller and mechanically coupled to the printhead for positioning the printhead, and the programmable controller and the motor can be enclosed in a secure housing so that no signals for controlling the motor are available outside of the housing.

Abstract: A system and method for managing overflow of moistening fluid in a mailing machine is provided. An overflow pipe is provided in the reservoir, positioned over a sump located beneath the reservoir. The top of the overflow pipe in the reservoir is located slightly above the moistening fluid normal operating level in the reservoir. In the event the level of the moistening fluid rises above the normal operating level to a point above the top of the overflow pipe, the moistening fluid will flow through the overflow pipe and into the sump. The sump contains an absorbent material to absorb any moistening fluid that flows into the sump, thereby preventing the moistening fluid from sloshing out of the sump if the mailing machine is moved. The moistening fluid absorbed by the absorbent material will eventually evaporate, thereby preventing any leakage of the moistening fluid from the mailing machine.