Abstract: This invention relates to a system for identifying, authenticating and tracking articles of manufacture throughout their manufacturing and distribution channels. The foregoing system utilizes: manufacturing meters that are located at authorized manufacturing locations and produce encrypted data that is uniquely associated with each manufactured article; a printer located at the authorized manufacturing locations so that the printer will print the information encrypted by the meter, which encrypted information is affixed to the manufactured article; a data center coupled to the manufacturing meters and located at a site remote from the manufacturing meters; means for producing information that identifies the manufactured articles; and a plurality of means located where the authenticity of the manufactured articles are checked by comparing the encrypted information on the article with the information produced that identifies the article.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cellular telecommunications systems that utilizes encryption and employs encrypted seed number signals to make it more difficult to make unauthorized cellular telephone calls.

Abstract: An identification card and method and apparatus for producing and authenticating such an identification card. A person whom the identification card will identify, 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. To validate the card the coded message is scanned, decoded, decrypted, expanded and displayed.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing cellular telecommunications systems that utilize encryption and employ encrypted seed number signals to enable various payment plans for access and payment.

Abstract: This invention provides utilizes a centering device located in the accumulation portion of mail production equipment to reduce jamming caused by the insertion of material into an open envelope. The apparatus of this invention is located in the accumulation area of production mail equipment before the inserter. The apparatus of this invention includes: two guides; a solenoid and a flexible wire cable. Two centering guides are actuated through a solenoid and move to a predetermined center position to align and deskew the accumulated enclosure contents (which may include printed and pre-printed folded sheets, business reply envelopes and other insert material). A flexible wire cable is used to provide highly efficient transfer of motion from the solenoid to the centering guides.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self rising cover assembly for use on a machine housing which includes a frame and a plurality of panels connected to the frame to define the machine housing. The cover assembly includes a flat body member which is pivotally connected to a portion of the frame to pivot from a closed horizontal position to an open nearly vertical position to provide operator access to the interior of the machine housing. A spring loaded actuator is interconnected between the body member and the frame which exerts sufficient upward torque on the body member to overcome the downward torque on the body member from the force of gravity to urge the body member upwardly after it has been manually lifted through a relatively short distance, after which the actuator moves the body member to the fully open position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for remote inspection of a smart card or similar apparatus. A smart card includes an antenna and receiver for receiving transmitted messages and a display. The smart card responds to a response request message to display a secure output message prompting a user of the smart card to respond to the party originating the message. When a valid response is received a response confirmation message is transmitted to the smart card. If a response is not received or is invalid a deactivate command message is transmitted to the smart card. If a response request message is not received within a first time period, or if a response confirmation is not received within a second time period after a response request is received, or if an attempt is made to use the card after a response request is received and before a response confirmation is received, the card will deactivate itself.

Abstract: In an envelope inserting system, a method of digitally printing a postage indicia including a barcode on an envelope. The method includes: inserting a plurality of documents into an envelope to form a stuffed envelope; conveying the stuffed envelope to a digital, postage indicia printer; conveying an image of the postage indicia and included barcode to the printer; printing a postage indicia and included barcode on the stuffed envelope with the postgae indicia printer; conveying the printed, stuffed envelope to a barcode reader; determining with the barcode reader whether or not the barcode is readable; if the barcode is readable, determining whether or not the indicia was printed with the correct amount of postage; and if the barcode is not readable or if the indicia was not printed with the correct amount of postage, outsorting the stuffed envelope.

Abstract: A carrier management system includes a scale for weighing parcels to be shipped, a computer connecting to receive data from the scale related to the weight of a parcel thereon, and a keyboard enabling operator input to the computer. The keyboard has a plurality of keys including a plurality of selection keys corresponding to separate ones or groups of the carriers and/or classes. The computer stores shipment charge data for a plurality of carriers and/or classes, on the basis of weight data from the scale. A second memory receives and stores weight range data and handling charge data from the keyboard, corresponding to handling charges applied to parcels for which selected classes of service are selected, and in accordance with the weight ranges. The computer is responsive to operation of the selection keys for applying handling charges stored in the second memory to any class of service to which they are applicable.

Abstract: Apparatus for opening an envelope having a front panel, a back panel and a closing flap. The apparatus includes: a device for supporting the envelope in a substantially horizontal plane wherein the back panel is situated above the front panel; a pair of pivotable paddles located beneath the closing flap and the front panel, each of the paddles having an interior end and an exterior end; a pair of pivotable, hold-down fingers located above and spaced from the pivotable paddles; a device for rotating the interior ends of the paddles downward; and a device for pivoting the hold-down fingers into engagement with the paddles when the ends of the paddles are rotated downward, whereby the front and back panels of the envelope is caused to separate.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for closing and sealing the flaps of envelopes that have passed through an inserting machine in which collations of insert material have been inserted into the envelopes, and for detecting whether or not certain envelopes cannot be properly closed and sealed and for separating such envelopes from those that are properly closed and sealed. The apparatus is constructed and arranged such that if insert material is improperly inserted into the envelope such that the flap cannot turn freely about the crease line that connectes the flap to the envelopem, the flap will remain substantially in the flat, extended position it occupies when the envelope enters the closing and sealing apparatus. That position of the flap is sensed and the envelope is then diverted from the normal path of properly closed and sealed envelopes into a collection bin for retreival by an operator.