Abstract: Apparatus for aligning a document, the apparatus comprising: structure for feeding a document in a downstream path of travel, the document have a downstream edge relative to the path of travel; structure for registering the downstream edge of a document in a direction extending transverse to the path of travel, the registering structure including at least one member extending into the path of travel, the registering structure including structure for moving the at least one member downstream in the path of travel; and structure for controlling the feeding structure to urge a document into engagement with the at least one moving member.

Abstract: A system and process for improving mail deliverability by pre-processing and subjecting mail batches to one or more parameter tests involving addressing and content. A report is generated categorizing the mail in accordance with its deliverability and the degree of difficulty of its deliverability for use by a Postal System or a mailer. Databases can then by updated to increase the percentage of deliverable mail.

Abstract: Document feeding apparatus, comprising: structure for registering an edge of a document; first structure for feeding a document in a path of travel; and second structure for feeding a document from the registering structure to the first feeding structure, the second feeding structure including a plurality of rows of independently flexible members rotatable into and out of engagement with a document.

Abstract: A postage meter is disclosed which determines whether postage was printed while power to the meter was off, and if so accounts for such postage printing. The postage meter also determines whether such printing resulted from tampering, and if so records each instance of such tampering. When the number of instances exceeds a predetermined number, the meter prevents further normal operation thereof. The postage meter is provided structure and programming to accomplish the foregoing because it does not include a print device locking mechanism that locks the print devices when power to the meter is switched off. The postage meter determines print cycles of the postage meter occurring when power to the meter is switched off and whether the print devices were moved to a different postage value setting when the meter was off, and if so, the new setting of the print devices.

Abstract: The transport and storage container receives an ink replenishing system characterized by housing defining a well and having a rim formed around the well opening. An ink tray is slidably supported to the forward portion of the rim. A supply and drain pump are mounted to the bottom of the housing and hoses communication the pumps and ink tray. The transport and storage container includes a housing defining a chamber open at the top, a plurality of support surfaces, and a rim formed around said chamber opening. A support rim is formed within the chamber for supporting the ink replenishing system.

Abstract: A method for the secure communication of messages. A first party is provided with a set of numbers that have the property that when encrypted using an RSA encryption key the resulting set of encrypted numbers is of an order substantially smaller than that of the original set. If the encryption key and the original set of numbers are of the order of 200 decimal digits then the resulting set of encrypted numbers may be of the order of 15-30 decimal digits. To communicate a message the first party selects a number from the original set and applies a hashing function to the selected number to obtain a 64 binary bit DES key. The selected number is then encrypted with the RSA key and a message is encrypted with the DES key obtained. The encrypted message and the encrypted selected number are combined and the combined message is sent to a second party who has the corresponding RSA decryption key and knows the hashing function.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the integrity of mail pieces passing through multiple stages of a mail delivery system. A database is created when the mail piece enters the system that includes its initial weight and destination address. The mail piece is tracked through each of the delivery stages, where its weight and destination address are determined and compared with the initial values. Any discrepancy causes an alarm in the system.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing mail delivery of batch mail. A network is established interconnecting plural batch mailers, a data center, and the Postal Service. Mail data on the mail batches is transmitted to the data center. This enables the data center to generate data to the mailers for merging mail batches to achieve additional postage discounts, to schedule and route mail carriers external to and within the Postal System to increase efficiency of handling, and to interact with the Postal Service for logistics planning and drop-off point and timing of mail batches to expedite processing.

Abstract: A combined PC laser printer and fax reproduction apparatus where the scanning speed and spot size of the laser beam are controlled to be different for the reproduction of signals received from a computer and for fax signals, and the memory of the apparatus is controlled to have two pages when reproducing fax signals, such that the parameters of operation are optimum for both functions.

Abstract: An apparatus and control system for producing items in selected configurations and a system and method for controlling the same. More particularly, an apparatus for producing mail pieces and a system and method for controlling it to produce mail pieces in a variety of configurations are disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser printer and folding sealing apparatus controlled by a data processor. The folder sealer apparatus combines sheets printed by the laser printer with pre-printed sheets and envelope forms, which also may be printed by the laser printer or may be windowed envelopes, folds the sheets as necessary and folds and seals the envelope form about the folded sheets to produce a mail piece. A user inputs a configuration for the mail piece which is translated by the data processor into a data structure and transmitted to the controller of the folder sealer apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing mail delivery of batch mail. A network is established interconnecting plural batch mailers, a data center, and the Postal Service. Mail data on the mail batches is transmitted to the data center. This enables the data center to generate data to the mailers for merging mail batches to achieve additional postage discounts, to schedule and route mail carriers external to and within the Postal System to increase efficiency of handling, and to interact with the Postal Service for logistics planning and drop-off point and timing of mail batches to expedite processing. Scheduling and routing to take into account available resources of available drop-off points for mail for introduction into the Postal System is also described.

Abstract: A detachable belt cartridge for an envelope feeder includes a housing having spaced apart side walls, first and second end walls, and a top. The top has a plurality of lengthwise slots formed therein. A first and second shaft is rotatively mounted in spaced apart relationship in the housing. A plurality of wheels are drivenly mounted on the first and second shafts by a plurality of endless belts respectively extending around a respective one of the wheels of the first and second shafts such that a portion of said belt extends in a respective slot slightly above said top.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying upper and lower webs of material having equally spaced, successive, transverse lines of weakening along a longitudinal path and for separating the webs along the transverse lines of weakening. The apparatus includes: a longitudinally extending support structure; a bottom pair of upper and lower, vertically spaced feed rollers rotatably supported by the structure; a pair of upper and lower, vertically spaced burster rollers, the lower burster roller having a shaft and being rotatably supported by the structure downstream of the bottom feed rollers; a clam shell housing pivotably mounted on the lower burster roller shaft, wherein the upper burster roller is supported by the clam shell housing; and a top pair of upper and lower, vertically spaced feed rollers rotatably supported by the clam shell housing.

Abstract: A platen module is fixably mounted to the base of a modular mailing machine. A support wall is fixably mounted to the base. Also fixably mounted to the base of the mailing machine is a drive motor having an output shaft and plurality of gears fixably mounted to the respective ends of the output shaft. A guide rod is slidably mounted vertically to the support wall and a platen plate fixably mounted to the guide rod. A plurality of rack post are fixably mounted at one end to the platen plate and in constant mesh with a respective one of the gears.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are disclosed that provide a cost effective work-sharing installation for preprocessing mail. The disclosed system includes a data center and postal user inter connected by way of data communications links. The data center maintains a database of user's profiles, and uses that information to provide user's with training materials personalized to the user's needs.

Abstract: A system and method is described for optimizing mail processing by applying a co-mail concept. A network is established involving a data center and plural publishers and inserters of advertising documents. Databases are established at the data center of profiles of the publishers and inserters and their current and prospective activities, and the information used by the data center to match publisher to inserters for particular jobs to reduce mail processing and distribution costs, or expedite mail distribution.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing items in selected configurations and a system and method for controlling the same. More particularly, an apparatus for producing mail pieces and a system and method for controlling it to produce mail pieces in a variety of configurations are disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser printer and folding sealing apparatus controlled by a data processor. The folder sealer apparatus combines sheets printed by the laser printer with pre-printed sheets and envelope forms, which also may be printed by the laser printer or may be windowed envelopes, folds the sheets as necessary and folds and seals the envelope form about the folded sheets to produce a mail piece. A user inputs a configuration for the mail piece which is translated by the data processor into a data structure and transmitted to the controller of the folder sealer apparatus.

Abstract: A device for securing a mechanical drive component to a drive shaft comprises a hub having an extended slotted member and a hub member. The hub member has a knurled surface for securing the hub to the drive component by pressed fit. A clamping collar is used for clamping the slotted member to the drive shaft. The slotted member of the hub includes a rib for aligning the slots in the slotted member relative to a split in the collar.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating, and storing for later retrieval, selected voice messages in response to selected verbal input trigger phrases. The voice signals including predetermined trigger phrases are transmitted from an input device such as a multiline telephone to a voice recognition system. The voice recognition system associates the trigger phrases with predetermined blocks of text message and in response to a sequence of trigger phrases, creates a report. The text is then output to a voice synthesizer system for the creation of synthetic voice signals corresponding to the full text of the report and the synthetic voice signals are output to a voice storage and forward system for later retrieval. The system also provides a printed copy of the full text of the report.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing mail delivery of batch mail. A network is established interconnecting plural batch mailers, a data center, and the Postal Service. Mail data on the mail batches is transmitted to the data center. This enables the data center to generate data to the mailers for merging mail batches to achieve additional postage discounts, to schedule and route mail carriers external to and within the Postal System to increase efficiency of handling, and to interact with the Postal Service for logistics planning and drop-off point and timing of mail batches to expedite processing.