Abstract: A ink that is printed under a printed information-based indicia so that the information-based indicia will not require a Facing Identification Mark (FIM). The ink provides the foregoing result by being both fluorescent and phosphorescent. Current desk top printers and color photocopiers are not capable of duplicating fluorescence and phosphorescence at the same time.

Abstract: A customizable user interface for a mailing apparatus, such as a postage meter or other mailing equipment, provided as input data to a user interface control program, the input data specifying all aspects of the look and feel of the user interface. The invention provides a specific organization of the input data suitable for providing the required specifications. At a high level, the data is organized into a screen tree component, for providing the feel of each screen, i.e. the response by the mailing apparatus (usually the execution of a function) to any key pressed by a user in association with each screen of the user information as well as for providing what screens to display in response to an event so as to communicate the occurrence of the event to a user; and a screen language component, used in conjunction with a font component, for providing the look of each screen, i.e.

Abstract: A method of issuing digital tokens in a open system meter includes the steps of sending a request for digital tokens and predetermined postal information, including addressee information, from a host processor to a vault that is operatively coupled to the host processor; calculating in the vault in response to the request for tokens at least one digital token using the predetermined postal information; debiting postal funds in the vault; issuing the digital token to the host processor; and storing the digital token and the predetermined postal information as a transaction record in the host processor for subsequent generation and printing of an indicia. The method further includes the steps of generating in the host processor an indicia comprising a graphical image of the digital token and the predetermined postal information and storing the indicia in the host processor; and printing the indicia on a mailpiece when requested.

Abstract: A postage metering system that dispenses postage on a mailpiece, the postage metering system including accounting circuitry to account for the postage dispensed; apparatus for providing on the mailpiece evidence of postage paid and third party certified, cryptographically secured, non-shipping information about the sender of the mailpiece. A method implements the postage metering system described above.

Abstract: This invention is a system and method that enables inexperienced or new engineers or engineers that do not have a complete knowledge of the available knowledge to automatically use the experience and designs that have previously been used by experienced engineers in the organization. The engineering user of this system is able to identify requirements, components (product building blocks), documentation, processes, test, historical data, etc., as options for re-use. This is accomplished by parsing the required information automatically from product and component specifications. The “Architecture Wizard” provides the ability to graphically specify architectures from scratch and/or by using existing architectures (components and their associated attributes).

Abstract: A PSD has a private key which is associated with a specific public key that is stored in the host PC. The host PC sends the PSD public key private key to the PSD. If the PSD determines that the received PSD public key corresponds to its private key, the system has determined that the expected PSD is connected to the Host system and the PSD is activated to accept postal value requests from the host PC. Additionally, a PSD state identification, such as a checksum of a PSD transaction log file stored in the host may be verified by the PSD, which also has stored therein a PSD transaction log file. In this manner the PSD verifies that the PSD has performed all transactions with the host PC sending the checksum. Methods for verifying in the PSD that the expected host PC is coupled to the PSD mirrors the two embodiments for verifying the expected PSD.

Abstract: A sheet feeding, folding and accumulating machine has an integral sheet storing and feeding mechanism, and a plurality of feeding inputs from which sheets are fed to a path of travel through the machine from the sheet storing and feeding mechanism or from an external source. A pair of buckle chutes are mounted in the machine, and suitable feeding and folding rollers are mounted adjacent the input ends of the buckle chutes for folding sheets that are fed into the buckle chutes. A movable buckle chute bypass gate is mounted adjacent the input end of each buckle chute, the gates being movable between opposite positions to cause sheets either to enter one or both of the buckle chutes or to bypass the buckle chutes and proceed directly to an accumulating mechanism that is mounted adjacent an outlet end of the machine to control whether each sheet will be folded or not folded before being deposited in the accumulating device.

Abstract: A method for supplying envelopes to an inserter system, including the steps of providing an envelope supply structure having an exit point, providing at least first and second supply paths from the exit point of the envelope supply structure and providing a common path from the at least first and second supply paths. Individual envelopes are fed from the envelope supply structure to a selected one of the at least first and second supply paths wherein the envelope is conveyed to a holding area in the selected supply path and from the holding area of the selected supply path it is conveyed to the common path. The envelope then travels from the common path to an envelope insertion area wherein prearranged documents are caused to be inserted into the envelope.

Abstract: The invention is a method and system for creating an address object, in an object oriented development environment of a data processing system. The address object is utilized during the creation of a document within a data processing system. The method includes both the object creation environment and the method of object utilization. The method establishes an object creation function within the data processing system, and then instantiates the address object by registering an object class within the object creation function, and then naming the class. Instantiation of the object establishes a programming interface to the address object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an input system for feeding one-up sheets from a paper web to a high speed mass mailing inserter system. The input system includes a feeding module for supplying a paper web having two web portions in side-by-side relationship. A merging module is located downstream in the path of travel from the feeding module and is operational to feed the two web portions in an upper-lower relationship so as to reorient the paper web from the side-by-side relationship to an upper-lower relationship. A separating module is located downstream in the path of travel from the merging module and is operational to receive the paper web in the upper-lower relationship and separate the paper web into individual two-up sheets. In order to separate the two-up sheets into one-up sheets, a stacking module is located downstream in the path of travel from the separating module and is configured to receive the two-up sheets, stack the two-up sheets and individually feed one-up sheets from the stack.

Abstract: This invention is a system that enables handicapped and disabled individuals to control and use office photocopiers. The foregoing is accomplished by coupling a interface to a diagnostic communication port on the photocopier. The diagnostic port may be used to simulate the pressing of keys on the photocopier control panel. A software program running on a personal computer is coupled to the interface so that the interface may duplicate the actions of the photocopier control panel. A voice, keyboard and touch screen interface is added to the software program to permit several keys to be issued with a single phrase or touch. The user may use voice or the keyboard or the touch screen or any combination of the above to operate the photocopier. The addition of wireless audio may also be utilized to allow hands-free operation of the photocopier. An audio voice feedback provides information about what command was exactly executed. The system audibly reports the status of the photocopier.

Abstract: A breakaway pusher for a timing belt used as part of a mailing machine. A split lug, having two halves, each with a hole, is affixed to the timing belt. A torsion spring having two legs and an eye, with one leg bonded to a surface of a pusher, is inserted between the two halves of the split lug, with the eye of the torsion spring aligned with the holes in the halves of the split lug. A pin is press fit into the holes of the two halves of the split lug, and pierces the eye of the torsion spring.

Abstract: A system for enabling a user of a computer attached to a computer network, and accessing sites on the network, to manage user-characterizing protocol headers on the user's computer. A particular application of the present invention is to manage so-called Internet cookies on a computer attached to the Internet and using a browser to access websites through the World Wide Web. Such cookies have a type and a value. The managing includes displaying to a user an interpretation of cookies that have been set on the user's computer; the interpretation is made by an interpreter referring to a local cookie dictionary, on the user's computer, having entries corresponding to different types of cookies. In various alternative embodiments, the managing also includes changing the values set by the websites, and fabricating cookies of types not necessarily used by a website in order to express to the website preferences a user wants the website to know.

Abstract: An envelope transport system, for transporting envelopes, flaps opened, along a final common path in a direction at ninety degrees from a feed direction along which the envelopes are provided in two parallel paths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the automation of an envelope opening station wherein a plurality of suction cups are placed over the throat section of an envelope to lift the throat in order to spread open the envelope. The method and the apparatus use an electronic imaging device to acquire the image of the envelope including the width and the throat section thereof. An electronic processor is used to determine the width and the throat profile of the envelope from the acquired image and compute the preferred locations for placing the suction cups on the envelope. A positioning device is used to adjust the location of the suction cups in accordance with the preferred locations.

Abstract: The mailing machine includes a microcontroller system for executing machine control algorithms during each control cycle and user interface algorithms. Each control cycle is divided into first discrete time intervals sufficient to allow completion of the respective control algorithms, and a second time interval for execution of user interface algorithm and, if required, completion of the user interface algorithm during subsequent control cycles.

Abstract: A high speed, high volume mailing machine which utilizes ink jet technology for the printing of postage indicia on envelopes being fed through the mailing machine and on discrete portions of tape fed past the printing device of the mailing machine includes a tape storing and feeding mechanism which stores a roll of tape in the form of a web of indefinite length for feeding a discrete portion of the tape past the feeding device for each printing operation of the mailing machine, and feeds the tape forward to bring the printed portion thereof past and then reverses the movement of the tape to bring the new leading edge thereof to the beginning of the printing area. The tape storing and feeding mechanism provides a fixed support for the portion of the tape being printed on so as to maintain a critical gap between the surface of the tape and the plane of the jet nozzles to achieve a high printing quality.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a nudger for a mixed mail feeder and, in particular, to an apparatus and method of providing and detecting proper position in a stack of mixed mail. The apparatus, generally, comprises a nudger arm for detecting proper positioning of the mailpiece and a lean detection arm for detecting proper lean of the mailpiece with respect to the nudger. The method comprises generally, a determination that when the lean detection arm and the nudger arm are in a position indicating that the lead mailpiece is in the proper position, the stack of mixed mail is decelerated and fed to, for example, a separator, for further processing. The deceleration is performed at a slow rate and provides for a predetermined amount of over travel by the stack of mixed mail. This ensures proper contact of the lead mailpiece with the nudger rollers for feeding the mailpieces for further processing.

Abstract: A postage metering system includes a device to monitor the passage of a unit of time, a calendar profile, a system date and a control system. The calendar profile has parameterized data including day, month, year and leap year information so that dates may be reconciled. The control system is for advancing the system date depending upon the information contained with the calendar profile and the passage of a given amount of time.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for processing a collation in a folding station (100) having a folding roller assembly (106, 108, 110, 112), a first fold plate assembly (102) and a second fold plate assembly (104) downstream of the folding roller assembly and the first fold plate assembly. The second fold plate assembly includes a stop member (126) movable at least between a distal position away from the folding roller assembly and a proximal position in proximity to the folding roller assembly. A portion of the collation is first conveyed into the first fold plate assembly (102) and the collation is then conveyed from the first fold plate assembly, through the folding roller assembly, and into the second fold plate assembly. Once in the second folding plate assembly the collation abuts against the stop member, whereafter the stop member (126) is moved from its distal position to its proximal position so as to cause the collation to convey out of the second fold plate assembly (104).