Abstract: A deactivatable electronic article surveillance marker is produced by placing elongated magnetically soft elements on a support and aligning short sections of magnetically semi-hard wires parallel to one another in bands with the bands being perpendicular to the elongated ferromagnetic materials. In another embodiment a criss-cross configuration of magnetically soft elements are provided and the bands of magnetically semi-hard wires are placed diagonally relative to the crisscross elongated soft magnetic elements.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and method for the presentation of mail to the post office with assurance that postage has been paid for each mail piece. It is more particularly concerned with mail on which there is no evidence of postage payment, such as permit mail. This is accomplished by weighing each mail piece to determine the weight, packaging the mail either in batches with a fixed weight or in batches with variable weight that gives but fixed stack dimension and sending a statement sheet to the post office that gives the number of mail pieces in a batch of mail, the weight of the batch and the postage due.

Abstract: Apparatus for categorizing and certifying a batch of mail by determining parameters of the mail pieces of such batch. The parameters that are determined include the physical dimensions, the weight, the size, class, readability, print contrast and reflectivity of the mail pieces. Based upon these determinations, the deliverability of the mail can be assessed. The mail pieces are also weighed, sized and the class of mail determined and postage amount is checked for the purpose of assuring the accuracy of the postage paid for the mail.

Abstract: A method of felting an open cell polychloroprene latex foam layer to obtain desired properties. Such felting renders the finished foam suitable for controlled ink flow required for printing purposes. The felting is accomplished by reducing the volume of the foam and simultaneously heating at a temperature of 420.degree. to 480 .degree. F. for one half to two minutes, releasing the pressure for ten seconds to one minute and reapplying the pressure for an additional one half to two minutes.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the amount of mail that is submitted to a local post office. A mailer sorts local mail from non local mail, identifies the destination of the non local mail and puts the same in a tray in accordance with the destination thereof. A label is attached to each tray and the tray is weighed. The destination of the mail and the weight thereof is communicated to the post office so that the post office can determine delivery routes and cost of such delivery. The non local mail is then forwarded directly to a common carrier by the mailer who will then deliver the mail to a non local postal distribution center.

Abstract: For speech signals that represent a wave form and include a sequence of samples, a method is provided for modifying the time scale of the speech signals. The method includes estimating the number of the samples that constitutes a pitch period. The estimate is made by a plurality of pitch estimators that operate in parallel and process peak and/or valley measurements of the wave form. The method also includes combining a first group of samples with a second group of samples to form a combined group. Each group consists of the same number of sequential samples from the sequence of samples. The number of samples in each group is equal to the estimated number of samples that constitutes a pitch period. The second group of samples immediately follows the first group in the sequence of samples. According to another feature of the invention, the method includes determininq whether the time scale of the speech signals is to be compressed or expanded.

Abstract: A method of felting porous polychloroprene latex foam to obtain desired properties. Such felting renders the finished foam suitable for controlled ink flow required for printing purposes. The felting is accomplished by reducing the volume of the porous polychloroprene latex foam and heating at a temperature of 400.degree. to 460.degree. F. for five to ten minutes.

Abstract: A deactivatable electronic article surveillance marker is produced by placing elongated magnetically soft elements on a support and aligning short sections of magnetically semi-hard wires parallel to one another in bands with the bands being perpendicular to the elongated ferromagnetic materials. In another embodiment a criss-cross configuration of magnetically soft elements are provided and the bands of magnetically semi-hard wires are placed diagonally relative to the criss-cross elongated soft magnetic elements.

Abstract: A digitally implemented central dictation system wherein users designated as dictators may input Voice Files for later retrieval and transcription by a second group of users designated as transcriptionists. A system Supervisor has the capability to monitor operation of the system and allocate system resources. The system further includes an optional Voice Mail capability.

Abstract: A communication system for processing information for distribution, including: a central data station, a plurality of user stations, a communication link interconnecting the user stations with the central data stations, each the user station including means for accessing the central station, the central station including a data base of distribution information, the user station including means for accessing the central data station data base, the central data station including means responsive to the user usage pattern for providing data to the station which optimizes rate and time of distribution.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a dictation system of the type having a central voice message store for receiving and storing messages dictated by an author and for selectively playing back stored messages for transcription. The apparatus functions to transmit to particular recipients certain ones of the stored voice messages which are identified as priority messages. These priority messages are supplied to desired voice mailboxes which are used to temporarily store and transmit voice mail messages to designated recipients.

Abstract: An integrated records management system having the capability to record and transcribe dictation. The system is particularly useful for the prompt and efficient management of patient's medical records. The system includes a digital dictation sub-system with a number of dictation input units and a number of transcription output units. The dictation system receives dictation jobs corresponding to reports, and particularly medical reports and stores them as voice files for later output for review of transcription. Job records containing information about the dictation jobs is transmitted to a database server which manages and maintains a database of medical records. The transcription output terminals together with word processing stations connected to the data base server form work stations for transcriptionists.

Abstract: A system for processing mail pieces such as letter mail wherein the mail and the mail data are certified during such processing is provided. Information relative to the anticipated weight and thickness of each mail piece is supplied to a processor from a central computer. During processing the weight and thickness of each mail piece is measured, and if there is a difference between the actual determination and the anticipated parameters, the information is fed back to the computer so that corrections can be made for future processing. In addition, print quality of the mail is determined with regard to accuracy of addresses and readability.

Abstract: An ink dispensing device is disclosed wherein the ink releasing member comprises two layers that serve different purposes. The layer which contacts a printing font is made of a porous material that has an open pore size of less than 30 microns and a porosity of 40% to 85%. The second layer is adjacent to the contact layer and is made from an elastic foam with larger pore size, in the range of 80 microns to 1000 microns and a porosity of greater than 70%. The second layer is impregnated with ink and acts as a reservoir for the first layer, the latter serving as a metering member.

Abstract: A rechargeable ink pad having particular use with solution ink. The ink pad has a bottom layer of porous polychloroprene latex foam with pore sizes of 200.mu. to 500.mu. and a top layer of polyethylene foam with pore sizes of 10.mu. to 20.mu.. The two layers are secured to one another by a fusible web adhesive. A method of customizing the porous polychloroprene latex layer to obtain desired properties by felting has been discovered. Such felting renders the finished porous polychloroprene latex foam suitable for controlled ink flow required for printing purposes.

Abstract: A combined microphone bar code sensor includes a hand-held housing and a microphone input mechanism provided in the housing for receiving voice signals and for generating electrical audio signals in response thereto. The microphone bar code sensor also includes a functional switch that is provided in the housing and is manually operable to control dictation functions, including record, play, stop, rewind and fast-forward. The microphone bar code sensor also includes a bar code sensor mechanism that is provided in said housing and is for optically sensing bar code indicia and generating electrical bar code signals representative thereof.

Abstract: A deactivable electronic article surveillance marker having elongated magnetically soft elements on a support in a criss-cross pattern with a plurality of magnetically semi-hard chips parallel to one another in rows with the rows being diagonally aligned relative to the elongated magnetically soft elements. In another embodiment, strips of magnetically semi-hard material are placed diagonally relative to the elongated magnetically soft elements. In both embodiments, the elongated magnetically soft elements can be in the form of a fiber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for certifying the accuracy of postage payments based on the weights of mail pieces. The expected weight of each mail piece is determined and a mail processing unit receives data relative to the contents to be inserted into an envelope that together form the mail pieces. A high speed weighing scale is located downstream from the mail processing unit to receive the mail pieces after the mail processing unit has inserted selected materials into envelopes. A comparison is made between the expected weight of each mail piece and its measured weight. If the measured weight of a mail piece is found different than the actual weight beyond certain tolerances, it could be rejected. If a large number of mail pieces exhibit a divergence between the estimated weight and the actual weight, the mail processing unit will be disabled and an examination made to determine what caused the discrepancies in the weights.

Abstract: A homogeneous ink for use in postage meter inking systems. The homogeneous ink is formulated by dissolving a coloring material composed of fluorescent toner in a non-volatile solution blend consisting of low molecular weight, low viscosity, non ionic surfactants with alcohol or ester terminal groups having an HLB number varying from 8 to 15 and glycols. Viscosity modifiers can be used as thinners and thickeners. A surface tension modifier compatible to the system of the polyether-alkl/polymethylsiloxane copolymers type can be added in trace concentrations. The ink components of this invention are all hazard free, non-hygroscopic and do not adversely affect the materials of the inking system in which they are used.

Abstract: A removable transport mechanism for a vibrating tray scale for conveying flats on off of the platform of the tray. The removable drive mechanism has belts trained about rollers that can be readily replaced after they become worn. The transport mechanism has a floor that supports the conveying mechanism and the floor is attached to the vibrating tray scale by springs so as to be readily removable.