Abstract: An electronic parcel register which prints postage on a tape and includes postage accounting circuitry for accounting for the printed postage. The printing section has a first set of printing wheels that may be selectively positioned to print a value on the tape and a second set of printing wheels that are incrementable for printing consecutive numbers on successive tapes. The system includes a microprocessor for controlling the accounting circuitry, for selecting the position of the first set of wheels for the printing of the postage value on a first tape, and for incrementing the second set of print wheels after each printing to obtain consecutive parcel identification numbers. The system also includes circuitry for selectively inhibiting the incrementing of the second set of wheels upon printing of a tape whereby the same parcel identification number may be presented upon successive tapes.

Abstract: An electro-optical light scanning system using a modulated laser illumination source directed upon a multifaceted rotating polygonal mirror or polygon. The mirrored facets reflect the impinging light toward a moving photoreceptor and forms a raster of scan lines as the photoreceptor moves. The system incorporates sensing optics and closed loop electronics for correcting inaccuracies in the position of the reflected light resulting from defects in the angular relationship between the plane of the facets and that of the rotating axis of the polygon as well as those errors due to inherent angular misalignment between each of the facets of the rotating polygon. The invention also encompasses amplitude modulation for varying the intensity of the laser illumination in conjunction with the acousto-optical modulation for maintaining a constant level illumination and/or for varying the spot size.

Abstract: A bipolar driver controls the operation of a reversible polarity load such as a motor. The driver links one terminal of the motor with either a positive or a negative potential power supply in response to processor command signals comprising a combination of logic levels appearing at a pair of driver input lines. The input lines are monitored to detect the presence of an illegal code combination which would otherwise function to simultaneously interconnect the load terminal with both positive and negative power supplies. The load terminal is linked to the power supplies by a separate power transistor for each power supply. Each power transistor is biased into conduction through a drive transistor. Upon detection of an illegal code, monitoring logic generates a signal which interrupts the emitter circuit of each of the drive transistors to inhibit both power transistors.

Abstract: This invention relates to a drive system for the moving optics of the cable and drum type scanner that may be used in an electrostatic copier. A one piece cable is driven alternately by a pair of drums which are coupled to electromagnetic clutches so that linear document scanning and retracing by an optical carriage is achieved.

Abstract: An interface apparatus and method are described with which an electronic scale system is connected to a storage medium such as a disk or memory of a data processor and whereby scale transaction data related to the mailing of an article with an electronic scale can be automatically preserved as a unified record along with subsequently appended test information such as an invoice number or customer number. The interface has a programmable memory with which a normal operating mode is provided to enable an operator to conveniently and rapidly store scale transaction data and in response to displayed prompts enter data such as the number of an invoice accompanying the article being mailed. The test data is appended to the scale transaction data so that all of this data can be transmitted as a unified record to a storage medium.

Abstract: A coin freed apparatus for franking mail having a cabinet with two entry slots for the introduction of mail and coins respectively. A franking machine is mounted in the cabinet and is automatically operable to mark each item of mail fed through the appropriate entry slot with a stamp of a predetermined value. A mechanism is operable in response to the insertion of a coin of the predetermined value to forward an item of mail introduced into the appropriate entry slot through the franking machine.

Abstract: A phase-fired triac controller used to control the supply of voltage to a load. A system has been devised that controls the level of voltage at the gate triac to avoid breakdown of this element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an address printing machine having a flat printing pad, a printing anvil, and two driving systems. The printing anvil serves as a support for a data carrier with raised characters and for a printing assembly having at least one sheet of paper and an interspaced ink transferring ribbon (carbon paper). One of the driving systems serves to move the printing pad or printing anvil into the operating position, with a minimum of power and the other driving system subsequently causes an electromagnetic impulse printing device to exert a very short impression impulse to achieve the ink transfer with a minimum of movement.

Abstract: A development powder dispensing apparatus that is in the form of a carousel. The apparatus has a generally cylindrical configuration that is divided into a number of chambers such that the development powder toner within each chamber may be supplied individually to a magnetic brush unit. Because of the separation of the toner into chambers, no toner compression is experienced even though large amounts of toner may be stored.

Abstract: Mechanism for selectively inhibiting automatic advancement of the print wheels of a value printing mechanism, such as a postage register printing system having a rotatable printing head, whereby a previously printed value may be repeated on the next, or succeeding, printing cycle. Mechanism for cancelling the inhibiting mode, including an electro-mechanical latch, are provided.

Abstract: A timing system for controlling the timing sequence of a copy machine capable of accommodating variable copy length and having multi-copy, in-transit capability. The copy cycle control system includes two separate timers. A switch is actuated by the leading edge of an original to be copied and enables the first timer. The second timer is enabled by the same switch when it is turned off as a result of the trailing edge of the original passing thereover. This allows multiple copies to be made without the machine ceasing operations prematurely regardless of the size of gap between originals.

Abstract: A high voltage power supply whose output is regulated even though the line voltage input may vary. The power supply comprises essentially a circuit which receives the line voltage and converts it to a square wave form which is supplied to the primary of a step-up transformer. The output of the step-up transformer is directed to a voltage multiplier and feedback unit. The output of the feedback portion of the unit is compared and controlled so that a constant high voltage output is achieved. The balance of the voltage from the multiplier and feedback unit is used to power a load.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical latch apparatus is provided for selectively and sequentially moving and locking a latch member into a desired position, and then unlocking and returning said latch member to its original position, by energizing an electrical pulse means in contact with said latch apparatus.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for compensating for the difference between the actuation and release points of a switch resulting from a document being conveyed across the switch. This difference is brought about by the physical dimensions of a switch wherein it is actuated longer than the time required to indicate the dimensions of the actuating document.

Abstract: A phase fired controller is provided for eliminating large shifts in the firing angle due to line voltage variations. Another advantage of the controller is that variations resulting from parts tolerances are reduced substantially. This is accomplished by controlling the output of a capacitor that supplies a voltage to a comparator. The system has particular utility when used as a dimmer controller of an electrostatic copier.

Abstract: An electro-optical light scanning system using a modulated laser illumination source directed upon a multifaceted rotating polygonal mirror or polygon. The mirrored facets reflect the impinging light toward a moving photoreceptor and forms a raster of scan lines as the photoreceptor moves. The system incorporates sensing optics and closed loop electronics for correcting inaccuracies in the position of the reflected light resulting from defects in the angular relationship between the plane of the facets and that of the rotating axis of the polygon as well as those errors due to inherent angular misalignment between each of the facets of the rotating polygon. The invention also encompasses speed control as well as amplitude modulation for varying the intensity of the laser illumination in conjunction with the acousto-optical modulation for maintaining a constant level illumination and/or for varying the spot size.

Abstract: A charge roller unit for an electrophotographic copier which has a construction that results in a substantially constant charge being imparted to a photoconductive surface independently of ambient temperatures. The constant charge is achieved through the provision of an underlying metallic support having a curvilinear surface such that the overlying conductive rubber material has a variable thickness.

Abstract: A sheet feeding method is disclosed that provides two feed strokes for each feed cycle. Each sheet may be fed during the first stroke. In the event, however, that the sheet fails to feed during this first stroke, the second stroke of the cycle will enable the sheet to be fed. The sheet feeding device comprises an over-head feed roller that is biased into contact with the top sheet of a stack of sheets. The feed roller has forward courses and a backward course of travel during each feed cycle.

Abstract: A pressure fusing apparatus for an electrostatic reproducing machine having a vacuum hold-down plenum across which a sheet is guided before being passed through pressure fuser rollers. It has been found that passing the sheet over such a plenum under vacuum reduces the frequency of creasing in the sheets as they pass through the rollers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a driving and braking system for an electronically controlled embossing machine of the type having a rotatable drum that carries embossing dies. A drive motor is provided for rotating the drum and a brake is included for stopping the drum in selected embossing positions. The brake includes a disk and a brake lining which are in slight engagement with one another during rotation of the drum so that when the brake is actuated the parts thereof have a small distance to travel.