Abstract: A handheld mailing system that is easily portable while still maintaining the functionality and security necessary for a complete mailing system is disclosed. A handheld device, such as, for example, a Personal Data Assistant (PDA), is provided with a rating engine and metering device functionality. The weight of an item to be mailed can be input manually, or provided via a communication link from a scale. The rating engine in the PDA will determine the necessary amount of postage, and the metering functionality will provide the authorization and funds for the necessary postage. A printer coupled to the PDA provides a printed label. A security device, such as, for example, a dongle, is provided to ensure security for the mail processing functionality.

Abstract: A system and method for instantly printing PC postage before establishing a postage meter account. The method includes the steps of a meter vendor obtaining a first meter license from the Post for a first meter; loaning the use of a first meter licensed in the customer's zip code to a customer; requesting a second meter license for the customer; initializing the first meter for use by the customer; and transferring the first meter to the Customer's meter license when the second meter license is received. Alternatively, when the second meter license is received a second meter is assigned to the customer and the first meter is reassigned to the meter vendor.

Abstract: The invention is a method and system for providing a standard interface between a client and a plurality of peripheral devices. The interface is established through creating an interface object and/or a peripheral object in an object oriented development environment of a data processing system. The method and system includes both the object creation environment and the method of object utilization. In one embodiment, the client requests and stores an interface object from a server and establishes an interface object by storing object methods and object properties within the interface object by utilizing a programming interface. The user selects a peripheral device from a collection of devices; the client then request; the server to create a peripheral object corresponding to the selected peripheral device. The peripheral object is created and stored within the client. Communication between the client and the peripheral device is established by implementing the created object's methods and properties.

Abstract: A mailing machine that includes a docking system for the User Interface Controller (UIC) that provides a safety interlock to protect the user from accessing potentially hazardous voltages when the UIC is removed is provided. A docking board provides a connection between the mailing machine and the UIC. The UIC mates with a docking connector on the docking board. Potentially hazardous signal levels pass through a relay on the docking board to the docking connector. A supply voltage for the relay's coil passes through docking board to the UIC and back to the relay on the docking board. If the UIC is removed, the supply voltage for the relay's coil will be removed, causing the relay to open and preventing any of the potentially hazardous signals from being transmitted to the docking connector on the docking board.

Abstract: A method of controlling a microstepping motor is disclosed. Logic circuitry is initialized by a microcontroller. A logic sequence to determine a motor use profile, a system profile, and a program flow is performed, followed by a step sequence to establish the timing pattern of electrical impulses to be directed to an integrated circuit. A predetermined acceleration table is then accessed to implement acceleration. The logic circuit returns a delay constant from the acceleration table and places a set of data relative to the delay constant in one or more registers. A timing sequence is delivered to the integrated circuit that includes a set of interrupt service routines corresponding to a state of the motion profile. Each one of the interrupt service routines reloads a timer with a next delay constant and sends the next delay constant to the integrated circuit before updating the step count.

Abstract: System and method for performing cryptographic operations include providing at least one processor for performing cryptographic operations, memory coupled to the processor for use in performing the cryptographic operations; and a storage component coupled to the processor for storing and retrieving information calculated and used in the cryptographic operations. The processor, memory and storage component are securely enclosed whereby direct access to the cryptographic operations is prevented. A first power source, which is external to the secure enclosure, is coupled to and supplies power to the processor, the memory and the storage component. A second power source, which is internal to the secure enclosure, is coupled to and supplies power to at least the processor.

Abstract: A method and system for determining if envelopes are properly exiting a mailing machine, and if not, halting operation of the mailing machine before a jam occurs inside the mailing machine is provided. A guide member is placed at the output of the mailing machine. The guide member includes a conductive fiber brush that mates with a corresponding conductive brush to complete a conductive circuit that is monitored by a controller in the mailing machine. An envelope exiting the mailing machine will pass between the conductors, thereby opening the conductive circuit. The controller, by monitoring the status of the circuit, determines if an envelope has properly exited the mailing machine. If an envelope has not properly exited the mailing machine, the controller will halt operation of the mailing machine, thereby preventing a jam from occurring in the mailing machine.

Abstract: A method of remotely accessing a postage security account at a data center from a remote user device begins with a remote user assigning a password to the user's postage security account at a data center. A cryptographic key corresponding to the user's postage security account is provided to the remote user device and is stored at the data center. The password and the cryptographic key are combined at the remote user device and the data center respectively to obtain a user authentication key. An authentication algorithm is performed using the user authentication key to obtain a remote access message. The remote access message is sent to the data center to initiate request for access to the postage security account by the remote user device. The remote user device is authenticated for accessing the postage security account when the data center verifies the remote access message.

Abstract: A method and system for determining if a mail piece contains a loose particulate matter is disclosed. The mass of each mail piece is determined twice utilizing a vibrating tray scale. During one determination, the mass of everything contained within the mail piece, including any type of loose particulate matter, is included. During the other determination, the mass of any loose particulate matter contained within the mail piece is not included. If the mail piece contains any type of loose particulate matter, there will be a difference in the masses of the mail piece as determined by the vibrating tray scale, indicating the mail piece may contain a lose particulate matter. The mail piece can then be diverted from the normal processing path for further inspection, thereby preventing cross-contamination of other mail pieces and processing equipment.

Abstract: A system (10) and method of evidencing postage payment include a local postage printing system (20, 22) requesting to a remote data metering center (30) for the generation of postage evidencing information (220, 320). The request includes a postage amount to be printed on a mail piece. The remote data metering center (30) determines a postal origin (220, 320) corresponding to the request for postage evidencing information (220, 230), then accounts for the postage amount in a general account (220, 320) corresponding to the local postage printing system (20, 22) and in a payment account corresponding to the determined postal origin (240, 340). The remote metering center (30) generates postage evidencing information (220, 320) in response to the request. The postal evidencing information includes a digital token and the determined postal origin (220, 320).

Abstract: An envelope stripping apparatus is disclosed for opening and holding open the flaps of envelopes or mail processed in a mailing machine or other envelope-processing machine. The flaps of the envelopes are held down against a vacuum plenum during transport of the envelope. The envelopes are fed along the feeding path towards a moistening device while the flap is stripped and held by the vacuum plenum. An arrangement of the plenum apertures is such that stiffer portions of the flaps have more vacuum applied than those that are of lesser area, or at the extreme end of the flap. A second arrangement of the envelope flaps will cause additional holding of the end of the flap if it is a larger envelope with a greater area at the end such as a square flap.

Abstract: A method for controlling a postage metering system (1) defines a first set of postage parameters P1, P2, P3 to Pn associated with the generation of postage evidence in a postage metering system (10) and then initializes the postage metering system (10) with a subset of the first set of postage parameters F1, F2, F3 to Fn. The subset F1, F2, F3 to Fn defines a combination of the postage parameters for which the generation of postage evidence is not authorized. When a request for postage evidence is received, the request includes a second set of postage parameters P1, P2, P3 to Pn that are combined to form a postage parameter vector (PPV). The generation of postage evidence is inhibited when at least one of the postage parameters P1, P2, P3 to Pn in the second set matches one of the postage parameters in the first set F1, F2, F3 to Fn.

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 system and method of evidencing postage payment includes a data center with a database storing a plurality of meter records. Each meter record includes meter information corresponding to a metering account. When a request for postage is received, a secure co-processor device in the data center obtains the appropriate meter record and verifies the authenticity of the meter record by verifying a signature in the meter record and comparing freshness data in the meter record to freshness data in the secure device. If verified, the secure device then accounts for an amount of postage to be evidenced, generates evidence of postage payment and updates the meter information, including the freshness data, in the meter record. The secure device then signs the updated meter information, stores the signature in the meter record, and returns the updated meter record to the database.

Abstract: A business reply mail processing system includes a transport module, a scanner module and a control module in operative communication with the scanner module. The transport module feeds a business reply mail piece in a path of travel where the business reply mail piece includes a job ID code and field data. The scanner module is located adjacent to the path of travel for scanning the business reply mail piece reading the job ID code and the field data. The control module includes a mail campaign job database. The control module uses the job ID code to access processing data from the mail campaign job database corresponding to the job ID code and controls the scanner module using the processing data to read the field data from the business reply mail piece.