Abstract: Apparatus for verifying an identification card; the card having an imaged of an object or other entity to be identified on a first portion, and a coded representation of an encrypted signal comprising a representation of the image on a second portion. The apparatus includes a controller, a scanner for reading the coded representation, a decoder for decoding that representation, a decrypter for decrypting the decoded signal and a display for displaying the representation of the information. In one embodiment the information includes an image of the object or other entity to be recognized and the card may be verified by comparing the displayed representation with the image printed on the card while the card is held in a card holding station adjacent to the display so that the image is visible to an operator. The apparatus also includes a replaceable memory, printer, or communications link for recording at least a portion of this text message.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a transfer roller in an ink jet printer. In an ink jet printer having a transfer roller on which an image is formed by an ink jet printhead, the printhead is periodically purged to prevent clogging. During purging the ink discharged by the printhead is used to wet the entire surface of the roller to dissolve residual dried ink and the transfer roller is then cleaned with a wipping pad or roller.

Abstract: A method is provided for activating an optional feature in a data processing device that includes a microprocessor and memory. The method includes storing in the memory: a number of applications programs, at least one of which has at least one optional feature; application manager software for controlling access to the application programs; a communications software module, accessed by means of the application manager, for controlling data communication by the device; and a program activation software module, accessed by means of the application manager and including activation data that indicates whether each optional feature is activated or unactivated. The method also includes receiving a request to operate one of the optional features, determining by reference to the activation data whether the feature is activated or unactivated, operating the feature if it is activated and otherwise preventing operation of the feature.

Abstract: In a data processing system that includes operating system software with a messaging capability, a method of transmitting a message between software processes includes a message clearing house that(a) receives a message transmittal request from a sending process;(b) generates a header for the message in accordance with the operating system's requirements; said header includes information indicating the time at which the request is received, and said header is stored in a circular buffer to facilitate debugging;(c) determines an exchange address for the process that is to receive the message; and(d) transmits the message via the operating system to the exchange address of the receiving process.

Abstract: An envelope printing system including a laser printer or similar printer operating under control of a microcomputer to print pairs of envelopes. The envelopes are printed with a FIM mark in a manner consistent with the requirements of the U. S. Postal Service. The envelopes are fed, two at a time, from a cassette which includes an identification mark. The envelopes are positioned in the cassette with their upper edges adjacent to the center line of the feed path and the printer controller is programmed to respond to identification of a cassette feeding pairs of envelopes to form an image containing two sub-images to be printed on corresponding envelopes. One of the sub-images is inverted so that the orientation of the printed information on the envelope will be correct.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for two-sided printing on items such as mail pieces. A printing station includes an ink jet printhead which is spaced from a transfer roller. As the roller rotates the printhead forms a first image on the surface of the roller. A mail piece or other item to be printed is feed through the printing station to pass between the printhead and the roller with the timing control so that the mail piece makes tangential, rolling contact with the transfer roller just as the image is completed on the roller and the image is then transferred from the roller to one side of the mail piece as the mail piece continues through the printing station by an offset printing process. As the mail piece passes between the roller and the printhead the printhead is controlled to print a second image on the opposite side of the mail piece.

Abstract: A system for providing items of value, charging the items to a smart card, and for recharging the smart card. The system includes a station for providing the items of value, which may be postal services, and debiting the cost of the items to a smart card; the smart card being charged with funds equivalent data. The station also communicates with a Data Center for recharging the smart card. Users of the system communicate with the data center to request recharge of a particular smart card and in response to an authorized request the data center generates an encrypted authorization message which includes an identification number, the amount of recharge requested, and control data which preferably includes a control sum formed by adding the amounts stored in a descending register, which stores the amount available on the smart card, and an ascending register which stores the total of the amounts by which the card has been charged since initialization. Thus, the authorization message may be used only once.

Abstract: An identification card and method and apparatus for producing and authenticating such an identification card. An object or other entity for which the identification card will evidence identity, status or characteristics is scanned to produce a digital signal which is compressed, encrypted, and coded as a two dimensional barcode or as some other appropriate form of coding, which is incorporated into one portion of the identification card. The image is also printed or otherwise embodied onto another portion of the identification card. A text message maybe appended to the signal before it is encrypted and also printed as plain text on the identification card. In one embodiment the signal representing the image is encrypted using a public key encryption system and the key is downloaded from a center. This key maybe changed from time to time to increase security. To facilitate authentication the corresponding decryption key is encrypted with another key and incorporated on the card.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing postal indicia and similar images. The apparatus includes two print stations and an ink jet printhead transportable between the stations. The printhead forms images on a transfer roller located at each of the stations and the image is then transferred from the roller to a substrate. At the second station the transfer roller is incorporated in a detachable roller and is used to print remotely located substrates.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for ensuring proper payment by a mailer for postage indicia printed by the postage meter of a mailing machine operated by the mailer. The method includes a series of steps carried out by the mailer in connection with the preparation of a discrete quantity of mail by use of a mailing machine which has the capability of determining and recording in a database various characteristics of the mail that affect the postage required for a postal facility to handle the mail, and generates a product usage profile of the mailer's history of mailing. The Post Office counts the mail, and then calculates an expected cost of the mailing using data from the mailer's product usage profile, and then compares that expected cost with the amount of postage credit funds remaining in the mailer's postage meter to determine whether it is likely that any fraud has occurred in the preparation of the mailing.

Abstract: A method for thresholding a gray scale matrix representative of an image to generate binary matrix representative of the image. Elemental features of the image are determined and characterized, and a plurality of thresholding algorithms is selected. For each algorithm a sequence of binary matrices is generated as scaling factor applied to the algorithm is varied. Features of each binary matrix are determined and characterized and compared to elemental features of the image. For each determined feature which matches a an elemental feature of the image a score is incremented; and for each determined feature which does not match the score is decremented. The binary matrix having the highest score is selected.

Abstract: An envelope is moved along a first path by a first pair of rollers, with the envelope oriented with its lower edge forward, the front panel next to the path, and the flap open. A second pair of rollers is positioned with its nip near the path for capturing the upper edge and flap of the envelope as it clears the first pair of rollers. Preferably the first and second pairs of rollers share a common central roller. A deflector deflects the leading edge of the envelope towards a resilient stop. The stop engages the leading edge of the envelope and urges it back towards the nip of the second pair of rollers. As the upper edge of the envelope clears the nip of the first pair of rollers the force supplied by the first pair of rollers is decoupled from the envelope and force applied by the resilient stop urges the upper edge and flap back towards the nip of the second pair of rollers, which engages the upper edge and folds and seals the flap against the rear panel of the envelope.

Abstract: A portion of an address, such as a delivery point bar code (DPBC), a zip code, or similar postal code definition is stored in a postage meter. The stored address information is compared with an intended recipient's address inputted to the postage meter, and is used to stop users from illicitly using a postage meter to perform personal mailings, or otherwise to use the postage meter contrary to authorization given by a funding customer. The invention may also be used for allocation and tracking of payments for various mail charges in accordance with inputted address information.

Abstract: The invention is a method for measuring the dimensions of a parcel through point determination which is initiated by placing a parcel on a weighing scale within a field of measurement which comprises a first known spatial relationship. In a preferred embodiment, an ultrasonic emitter is positioned at the outermost corner of the parcel. A sensor is placed on a line along each of the three axes ending at the outermost corner of the parcel; the lines representing the length, width, and height of the parcel and comprising the second known spatial relationship. The emitter transmits a pulse to the sensors. Each of the lines is then measured by determining a length of time from emission of the pulse to reception of the pulse by the sensors.

Abstract: The invention is a method for detecting duplicate records on a list or in a file and comprises a number of steps. The steps include entering a list, comprised of one or more records, to a data processing system; then, applying a nickname lookup table to the records to determine a common first name. Once a common name has been determined, the method matches a first record from the list with a second record from the list by comparing the fields of the first record with the fields of at least one other record; the comparison is based on a set of pre-determined criteria. The matching sequence determines a duplicate set, wherein the duplicate set is comprised of at least two records with fields that match. The method then lists matching records sequentially so that the system can create a new record by filling each empty field with a next available corresponding field from a subsequent record within the duplicate set.

Abstract: A dimensional weighing apparatus is disclosed which has a weighing scale for determining the actual weight of a carton placed thereon, and associated therewith is a measuring frame having movable carton contact means for measuring the linear distance of the three axes of a carton positioned on the scale necessary to determine the volume of the carton. A computer processing means determines firstly whether the actual volume of the carton is less or greater than a predetermined threshold volume, and if greater, calculates a dimensional weight of the carton and compares the dimensional weight of the carton with the actual weight to determine which weight is the larger, and sends a signal indicative of the larger weight to a shipping system which calculates a realistic shipping charge for the carton based on the weight determined by the dimensional weighing apparatus to be the larger of the two weights.

Abstract: A sheet separating and feeding device for use as a component of a sheet processing apparatus is disclosed in which a first feeding device acts on the top of a stack of sheets to feed the top sheet toward a take away feeder for removal from the stack, during which a retaining force is applied to the upper surface of the exposed trailing edge portion of the next to top sheet to apply a retaining force thereto and to the rest of the stack, and simultaneously lifts the first feeding device off of the top sheet to remove the normal force from the weight of this device from the stack. When the top sheet is entirely removed from the stack, the first feeding device is lowered to engage the new top sheet and the retaining force is removed therefrom so that it can be fed to the take away feeder.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the generation, transmission, reception and/or use electronically, of parcel manifest and inquiry data over a carrier management or shipping system that utilizes electronic data interchange or EDI. This generation, transmission, reception and/or use of EDI will replace or reduce the current methods of using paper manifests and manual phone inquiries associated with carrier management and shipping systems.

Abstract: A binding device for removably securing bound booklets into a storage binder is disclosed in which an elongate strip of semi rigid material is provided with adhesive or removable securing means by which it is attached to a rear surface edge portion of a bound booklet, and also punched holes or additional removable securing means by which it is attached to the inside of a conventional ring binder or other type of suitable hard cover storage binder.