Abstract: A transport method and system that operates to feed mixed size mail pieces in singular fashion and adaptively controls the velocity of the mail pieces such that overall system performance is optimized is provided. The length of a mail piece is measured and a desired gap time between the mail piece and a subsequent mail piece is calculated. The gap time between the mail piece and the subsequent mail piece is measured, and a difference between the desired gap time and measured gap time is calculated. Based on the calculated gap time difference, the velocity of the subsequent mail piece is adaptively controlled to decrease the difference between the desired gap time and the measured gap time such that the measured gap time is adjusted to be approximately equal to the desired gap time, thereby optimizing throughput of the mailing system.

Abstract: A flexible buffer transport system for staging accumulated documents for transfer to a synchronous downstream transport. Control of movement of accumulations in the buffer being independent of the length of the documents. The system includes a plurality of roller nips in series. The roller nips are spaced a uniform distance apart. Each of the roller nips are driven by an independently controllable motor in communication with a controller. Position sensors also communicate with the controller. The sensors sense positions of lead and trail edges of accumulations of documents within the buffer transport system. For each sampling period in the operating cycle and for each roller nip, the controller determines motion control. First, the controller determines which nips should be slaved together based on which are needed to control a particular accumulation of documents under its control.

Abstract: A buffer transport system for staging accumulated documents produced by an input module of an inserter system. The system including a plurality of roller nips in series. Each of the roller nips are driven by an independently controllable motor in communication with a controller. The series of roller nips form stopping stations along the length of the buffer transport. Each of the stopping stations has a uniform length and is comprised of two or more of the roller nips. The roller nips in any given stopping station are electronically geared together under the control of the controller. The controller controls stopping stations to transfer accumulated documents within the stopping stations to a next downstream stopping station when it is sensed that the next downstream stopping station is open. If the next downstream station from a given station is not open, then the controller does not instructs the station to transfer documents downstream.

Abstract: A method for printing an indicium with a printer coupled to a personal computer includes the steps of collecting indicium data in memory of the PC, generating an indicium bar code relating to the indicium data, creating in the PC memory a printable image of a valid indicium including the indicium bar code, printing the printable image, and destroying the printable image in the PC memory as soon as the printable image has been printed. Messages of the PC operating system can be monitored for printing activity such that the printable image can be modified after a first copy of the printable image has been printed. The step of creating a printable image includes determining if more than one copy of the indicium is to be printed, and changing the number of copies to be printed to one when more than one copy is determined. The step of creating a printable image renders an indicium image to a memory device context. The printable image can be destroyed by overwriting the printable image with other information.

Abstract: A mailing machine base includes a docking system for a User Interface Controller (UIC) that provides a feedback signal to the mailing machine based on the presence of the UIC. When the UIC is inserted into a docking connector of the mailing machine, the mailing machine detects the presence of the UIC. A delay circuit within the mailing machine provides a signal to a power control circuit after a predetermined time delay. The power control circuit, based on the signal from the delay circuit, will provide power to the UIC only after the UIC has been securely docked for the full predetermined time delay. When the UIC is removed from the mailing machine, the mailing machine, based on the feedback signal, will quickly remove the power provided to the docking connector. Thus, the mailing machine can remain powered during removal and replacement of the UIC.

Abstract: Improvements in high-speed machines for inserting sheets into envelopes include a first apparatus for pre-opening envelopes after they are pulled from a hopper and before a blade-like envelope flap opener fully opens them. The first apparatus includes a roller and a roller housing having a top part that defines a small space between them through which a flap-including longitudinal edge of an envelope passes. The edge is constrained to form a curvature as it passes through the small space, causing the flap to open at least to some extent. A second improvement in pre-openers includes a cut out formed in an envelope support plate and a rigid deflector positioned in the path of the envelopes as they leave the hopper. The envelope flaps are partly opened as they are deflected below the plane of the support plate. A third improvement includes a plurality of vacuum dishes formed in an envelope-supporting plate.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for unlocking options in already installed software. The software is provided with all of the options on an installation medium and when the software is first received only a basic version is installed. The options are requested by a user and the customer service system provides a key based on information about the user and about the options requested. The installation software constructs a key from the same information and compares the key received from customer service. If the keys match, the requested options are installed.

Abstract: A buckle chute having a deflector disposed in front thereof to allow a sheet of document to enter the buckle chute channel or to deflect the sheet away from the channel. The deflector is pivotally linked to two actuator arms on the left and right sides of the buckle chute. Each actuator arm is pivotally linked to a bell crank, which is also pivotally linked to a linking member. The linking members are further connected to a lever such that they can be moved in opposite directions from left to right or from right to left so as to cause the bell cranks to rotate in opposite directions. As such, the actuator arms are simultaneously moved toward or away from the front side to control the deflector position.

Abstract: A method and system for aligning a moving stack of sheets. A pair of cams, positioned on opposite sides of the moving stack, rotate synchronously to each other but in opposite directions. When the stack approaches the cams, the distance between the outer surfaces of the cams is wider to the stack width to receive the stack. As the stack moves forward further, the distance between the cam surfaces is reduced so as to allow the cam surfaces push the sheets toward a center line until the distance between the cam surfaces is substantially equal to the width of the sheets. In a sheet collator where sheets are moved by a plurality of finger pairs which are linked to a moving chain, the cam can also be linked to the moving chain so that their rotation is synchronous to motion of the stacks.

Abstract: A method and system for processing intermixed qualified and non-qualified 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 a data base of mailpiece records identified by coded information on the documents. When the system is configured for a mailing, nominally specified operations can be modified in accordance with specified conditions comprising Boolean combinations of tests of mailpiece record fields. In one embodiment intermixed qualified and non-qualified mail can be separated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for re-transmitting an e-mail message transmitted from a sender to a recipient based upon predetermined criteria. The method performing the steps of prescribing at least one time period for performing messaging tasks and defining messaging tasks to be initiated for the e-mail message during the at least one prescribed time period. When an e-mail message is received in a recipients e-mail account a determination is made as to whether if the e-mail message was received within the at least one prescribed time period. And re-transmitting the e-mail message in accordance with the defined messaging tasks if the e-mail message was determined to be received within the prescribed time period.

Abstract: The invention is a client message structure and its method for use in communicating a message between a client and a server in a print stream processing system. The structure comprises a set of elements that facilitate message throughput while minimizing competing client message traffic. The first element comprises message assembly device at the client for producing a message structure in accordance with a protocol established by the server. An interface, such as a TCP/IP socket, is provided for interfacing the client with the server. The interface is linked with socket thread production device for maintaining a link with the server. The structure includes a message structure format which comprises message header segments for identifying the message to the server, and a message property structure format, comprising a set of message header segments for identifying message properties.

Abstract: A method and system for reformatting an ASCII or similar text file is provided, such that the resulting output can be easily manipulated, enhanced and postal coded. Text reformatting of the present invention uses easily defined set up data tables to read the input text file and then to direct extraction of information from the input text file for storage in a set of data base tables. Included in this information may be destination addresses, which can be optionally exported to address quality software for postal coding and presorting. The address data is then re-imported and a report is created using a standard report generator. The report may then be sent to a document finishing program for processing into a mail stream.

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: Sheet collation apparatus is disclosed in which an initial sheet (A1) from a sheet feeder (4) is advanced to a collation station (10), reversed into an accumulation station (8) and then returned to the collation station where it is collated with the next sheet (A2) from the sheet feeder. This process may be repeated any number of times to form a collation of sheets of any required number.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing automated personal messaging assistance with the capability of checking a user's destination for arrival and forwarding messages by a preferred modality. The present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a method of providing personal messaging using a virtual messaging assistant. The virtual messaging assistant has a voice user interface and provides a human-like voice which interfaces with the user' and with callers. The personal messaging assistant provides forwarding of messages to a destination in accordance with user selected preferences. The personal messaging assistant receives incoming messages. The personal messaging checks the user's calendar to find out where the user is expected to be. Then the personal messaging assistant calls the expected destination and inquires whether the user has arrived.

Abstract: A system and method for correcting the timing and spacing between envelopes being serially processed in a high speed mail processing inserter system, whereby a pitch correcting module receives sensor input detecting unwanted pitch variation between envelopes and a transport mechanism in the pitch correcting module accelerates or decelerates an envelope according to a pitch correcting profile calculation performed by the pitch correcting module, the pitch correcting module being dimensioned to optimally perform pitch correction without interfering with high speed mail processing.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a document processing and collating machine having a feeding path leading to at least one document conveying devices having one or more document accumulating bins for receiving a series of documents that are fed downstream in spaced apart collations with documents in shingled relationship. The document accumulator bins have an intermediate conveying and diverting apparatus which is momentarily engaged to cause a leading end of a shingled collation of documents to be diverted into a document accumulating bin where the documents are registered at their common leading end at a nip of a set of downstream conveying rollers that are stopped during the registration process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, in a general aspect, to a method of updating an addressee database in an incoming mail sorting apparatus comprising the steps of: a) providing the addressee database stored in memory associated with the mail sorting apparatus; b) providing a mailpiece to be read and sorted by the mail sorting apparatus; c) reading the mailpiece to determine whether the mailpiece is an update form; d) reading update information from the mailpiece if the mailpiece is an update form; e) updating addressee information as required by the update information on the update form. The method can be initiated by each individual employee using a readily available form and providing information manually or by using a software program resident on the employee's personal computer to generate the update form information. The method provides an easily accessible method of updating an addressee database that reduces database maintenance costs.

Abstract: A method for correctly connecting the wiring for the hall effect sensors and the motor phase terminals of a three-phase brushless DC motor to the corresponding connections on an amplifier, the method using known waveforms that describe the electrical operational characteristics of the motor and amplifier. The method comprising connecting the hall effect sensors in any order, determining two motor phase terminals that correspond to a back-electro-magnetic-force peak in the middle of a waveform for a first hall effect sensor and a third motor phase terminal that does not, determining an amplifier pin that does not carry current during the middle of a wave form for a first hall sensor input on the amplifier. The correct connection is thus determined to be between the third motor phase terminal and the identified amplifier pin. The remaining connections are determined in the same manner by repeating this process, but in relation to the other hall effect sensor waveforms.