Abstract: A semi-automatic mail sortation system. The system includes an input for input of information to a processor, and a display and sorting system controlled by the processor. The sortation system also includes a data base of names and associated mail drops accessed through the processor. In operation a mail piece is presented to an operator who inputs the first few letters of the addressee's name and the processor accesses the data base to display a set of records consistent with the input. The operator then selects a record and the processor controls the sorting system to sort the mail piece in accordance with the mail drop in the selected record. If the addressee's name is not displayed at first the operator may use conventional display controls to search further in the data base.

Abstract: A system for conveying information for the reliable authentication of a plurality of documents includes a device for solving a set of polynomial equations to develop a string of characters and having a decryption key therein that, upon application to the string of characters provided, reveals not only a plain text message indicating the source of the authentication but, in addition, provides the decryption key for use with the information provided by the mailer. The solution of the set of polynomial equations requires the accumulation of individual documents, each having a random x.sub.i and a solution f(x.sub.i) associated therewith.

Abstract: Pauses present in an input audio signal are detected and digitally encoded to represent the length of each pause. The audio signals are recorded; but the pauses included therein are replaced by respective pause encoded signals, thereby compressing the audio signals. When the compressed audio signals are played back, each pause encoded signal is sensed and is replaced by a pause whose length is derived from the encoded signal.

Abstract: A device according to the invention is compatible with conventional magnetic tape loggers. Such a device is termed a message repeater, and it records and replays audio signals forming messages on a message channel, such as a telephone line or a radio channel. The message repeater includes circuits for converting the audio signals on a particular channel into corresponding digital signals and circuits for storing the digital signals. The message repeater also includes circuits for selectively recalling the signals that were stored and circuits for converting the signals that were recalled into analog audio signals. Messages on the selected message channel may be recorded and later replayed by the message repeater. Preferably, the message repeater includes a display with indications of the relative locations and lengths of the stored messages as well as a cursor or index.

Abstract: A multichannel communications recorder or logger. The recorder is formed from modular elements which may be configured into a large number of selectable configurations. In each configuration one or more record decks is controlled by a control module which includes a system control microprocessor and a CRT control microprocessor. Control is provided by a user selecting to implement functions defined in accordance with a particular page displayed. Access to various pages is controlled by various levels of passwords with the highest level being used by a service person and lower levels being provided to users of the system. Because of the need to provide physical security for recorded tapes, each tape deck is provided with a door secured by an electro-mechanical lock. Because of the need to maintain continuous monitoring in many applications, the system is provided with the capability to be configured in configurations providing back-up for selected channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying a total value for a batch of items, and particularly a total postage value for a batch of mail pieces. A batch of mail is prepared in a conventional manner in accordance with information generated by a data processing system. The information is also provided to a secure manifest system which generates an output to be marked on each item. The manifest system determines a particular value for each item and generates a message identifying the entire batch. The message is encrypted and expressed as k ordered numbers. The ordered numbers are taken as parameters of a function f(x)=a.sub.o +a.sub.1x +. . . a.sub.k-1 x.sup.k-1 mod p. A unique arbitrary value, x.sub.i, is selected for each item and a value f of x.sub.i is determined. Each item is then marked with indicia including the postage value v.sub.i, x.sub.i, and f(x.sub.i). A party may then sample the batch to obtain k items, determine the parameters, a, from k ordered pairs x.sub.i, f(x.sub.

Abstract: An encryption/decryption key is generated from an identification number ID by first generating two sets of numbers from the identification number ID, based upon known expressions. The first set of numbers are employed as coefficients of a first polynomial to generate N first numbers for x=0, 1 . . . N-1 (N is the number of bits of the key) and a second number corresponding to each first number is generating employing the second set of numbers as coefficients and the generated first numbers as variables. The ordered pairs of first and second numbers generated correspond to addresses of a memory at which bits of the key are stored, the order of the bits being determined by the corresponding values of X. The expressions employ modular arithmetic using prime numbers as bases.

Abstract: The communications monitor and logger preferably uses reel-to-reel tape recorders to continuously record communications over multiple channels such as multiple telephone lines. Each tape recorder uses a pair of capstans and pinch rollers to move the tape during recording and play-back. The pinch rollers are engaged with the capstans by means of a solenoid through a linkage and spring coupling. The spring is stretched by the solenoid only after the pinch roller makes contact with the capstan, thus reducing the force required from the solenoid. The spring is pre-loaded so as to improve the accuracy with which the force applied to the pinch roller is determined. The solenoid is used to apply force to the spring only when the solenoid plunger approaches its seat, so as to make the most efficient use of the solenoid and minimize its size and electrical power usage.

Abstract: A tape drive system for a dictating machine, particularly a portable dictating machine of a size suitable to be held in one hand. The dictating machine has a compartment which receives a tape cassette having a pair of reels, and a pair of driving spindles engage with the tape reels for driving the latter. A tape drive capstan and back-up roller are located adjacent the tape cassette compartment. A motor is located at the opposite end of the dictating machine from the tape cassette compartment, and a multi-stage speed reduction belt and pulley drive system is located between the motor and the drive capstan for simultaneously driving the drive capstan and the tape reel driving spindles at a uniform rate of speed.

Abstract: A multichannel communications recorder with capability to display channel activity, failsafe back-up, and a unique identification code; and apparatus for securing access to the recorder. The recorder is formed from modular elements configurable into a large number of selectable configurations. One or more record decks are controlled by a control module which includes a system control microprocessor and a CRT control microprocessor. Control is provided by selecting functions defined in accordance with a displayed page or moving to another page using softkeys. Access to various pages is controlled by various passwords. Because of the need to provide physical security for recorded tapes, each tape deck is secured by an electro-mechanical lock, which operates under system control. The system is provided with the capability to be configured in configuration providing back-up for selected channels.

Abstract: A programmable telephone/dictation terminal that can be disposed in any one of several different modes of operation including, but not limited to, dictating information onto a recorder, communicating over a telephone network, recording incoming messages received via a telephone line, preventing a telephone dial out operation and communicating "text" messages with a supervisory console. The terminal is provided with several programmable keys each being assignable by the terminal user with a particular function such that, upon the simple operation of that key, the assigned function is carried out. The user may change the function to which a particular programmed key is assigned, as desired.

Abstract: A display for providing visual indications of the lengths of recorded messages, the positions of recorded instructions and the present relative location of a record medium. Three separate arrays are provided for these indications, respectively. Each recorded message may be a letter, note, memo, etc., and is indicated by steady-state energization of segments included in a first (letter) array. "Priority" messages are represented by a distinctive indication, such as by flashing the appropriate segments in that array. Similarly, "normal" and "special" instructions are represented by two different, distinctive indications, such as steady-state and flashing energization of particular segments in a second (instruction) array.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a bit-mapped CRT raster display where a processor stores a bit-map of a CRT display frame in a buffer memory as strings of data words representative of bit-maps for single scan lines of the display. Associated with each string is a pointer which contains the starting address of the string which maps the next scan line. A controller accesses the buffer memory to output the data words of each string to a serializer in synchronism with the raster to generate a CRT video signal. After each string the controller accesses the buffer memory to get the pointer to the next string. In response to a initialization signal from the processor the controller obtains the pointer to the string associated with the first scan line from predetermined locations in memory. Alternatively the processor may directly load the controller with the initial pointer prior to each raster frame.

Abstract: A system for reliably authenticating a document includes a device having a decryption key therein that, upon application to information provided by a user, reveals not only a plain text message indicating the source of the authentication but, in addition, provides the decryption key for use with the information provided by the mailer.

Abstract: A system for storage and forwarding of voice signals. The system includes apparatus for storage and retrieval of voice signals and telephone-like station sets for access to the stored signals. The station sets also include a display and the system transmits text messages corresponding to various stored signals to the station sets corresponding to the addressees of the various stored signals to inform the addressees that they have messages waiting. In one embodiment the text messages identify the originator or class of the voice signals. In another embodiment the station set will respond to an input by a user to automatically contact the apparatus for storage and retrieval of voice signals to retrieve a stored voice signal corresponding to a displayed text message.

Abstract: A multichannel communications recorder or logger. The recorder is formed from modular elements which may be configured into a large number of selectable configurations. In each configuration one or more record decks is controlled by a control module which includes a system control microprocessor and a CRT control microprocessor. Control is provided by a user selecting to implement functions defined in accordance with a particular page displayed. Access to various pages is controlled by various levels of passwords with the highest level being used by a service person and lower levels being provided to users of the system. Because of the need to provide physical security for recorded tapes, each tape deck is provided with a door secured by an electro-mechanical lock. Because of the need to maintain continuous monitoring in many applications, the system is provided with the capability to be configured in configurations providing back-up for selected channels.

Abstract: A computerized partial shipping system wherein transactions related to a plurality of carriers are recorded in a single file. The file has a pair of counters for each carrier, with the first counter storing the total number of transactions recorded for that carrier and the second counter storing the number of closed transaction records for that carrier. The programs enable the archiving of the records, and updating the records of the file.