Abstract: An electronic scale uses an analog signal from a load cell which is converted directly to a pulse width modulated output signal. This pulse width modulated output signal represents the weight of an object on the scale and is sufficient to be directly read by a typical microcontroller. Therefore, no amplifier or analog to digital converter is required. The microcontroller then converts a signal representing the weight of the object on the scale to a weight value. A method of using the counter/timers on the microcontroller with synchronized overflow, is disclosed to enable a high resolution value of the pulse width modulated signal, which is then converted into a weight value for object's weight given that the pulse width modulated output signal is proportional to the weight of an object placed on the load cell.

Abstract: A method and a printer for printing on a substrate with a plurality of print head assemblies, wherein each assembly includes at least one print head. The printer includes a roller assembly to move the substrate towards the print head assemblies along a feed path, which is substantially perpendicular to the width of the substrate. A movable fence is used to adjust the width of the feed path according to the width of the substrate. A linking arm is used to mechanically couple the print head assemblies with pivot action. The moveable fence is used to manually move the print head assemblies relative to each other via the linking arm in order to properly place the print head assemblies over the width of the feed path.

Abstract: An ink composition suitable for printing machine readable indicia on a substrate with an ink jet printing device is disclosed. The disclosed ink composition comprises water, a water soluble resin, a red fluorescent colorant material mixture comprising C.I. Basic yellow 40 dye, C.I. Basic Red 1 dye, and C.I. Basic Violet 11:1 dye, and a blue colorant material comprising C.I. Acid Blue 9. In the preferred embodiments of the ink composition, the dyes in the red fluorescent colorant material mixture are present in a weight ratio of approximately 1.12 to 1.36 to 1, respectively, and the weight ratio of the red fluorescent colorant material mixture to the blue colorant material is in the range of about 3.8 to 1 to about 46 to 1.

Abstract: A system and method for relating the delivery of a mail piece or package to what is inside the mail piece or package. Thus, when the mail piece or package is received and signed for by a recipient the mailer will have proof that the recipient received the mail piece or package and what was inside the mail piece or package at the time the mail piece or package was delivered to the recipient.

Abstract: A ink that is printed under a printed information-based indicia so that the information-based indicia will not require a Facing Identification Mark (FIM). The ink provides the foregoing result by being both fluorescent and phosphorescent. Current desk top printers and color photocopiers are not capable of duplicating fluorescence and phosphorescence at the same time.

Abstract: This invention is a system and method that enables inexperienced or new engineers or engineers that do not have a complete knowledge of the available knowledge to automatically use the experience and designs that have previously been used by experienced engineers in the organization. The engineering user of this system is able to identify requirements, components (product building blocks), documentation, processes, test, historical data, etc., as options for re-use. This is accomplished by parsing the required information automatically from product and component specifications. The “Architecture Wizard” provides the ability to graphically specify architectures from scratch and/or by using existing architectures (components and their associated attributes).

Abstract: This invention is a system that enables handicapped and disabled individuals to control and use office photocopiers. The foregoing is accomplished by coupling a interface to a diagnostic communication port on the photocopier. The diagnostic port may be used to simulate the pressing of keys on the photocopier control panel. A software program running on a personal computer is coupled to the interface so that the interface may duplicate the actions of the photocopier control panel. A voice, keyboard and touch screen interface is added to the software program to permit several keys to be issued with a single phrase or touch. The user may use voice or the keyboard or the touch screen or any combination of the above to operate the photocopier. The addition of wireless audio may also be utilized to allow hands-free operation of the photocopier. An audio voice feedback provides information about what command was exactly executed. The system audibly reports the status of the photocopier.

Abstract: A system for enabling a user of a computer attached to a computer network, and accessing sites on the network, to manage user-characterizing protocol headers on the user's computer. A particular application of the present invention is to manage so-called Internet cookies on a computer attached to the Internet and using a browser to access websites through the World Wide Web. Such cookies have a type and a value. The managing includes displaying to a user an interpretation of cookies that have been set on the user's computer; the interpretation is made by an interpreter referring to a local cookie dictionary, on the user's computer, having entries corresponding to different types of cookies. In various alternative embodiments, the managing also includes changing the values set by the websites, and fabricating cookies of types not necessarily used by a website in order to express to the website preferences a user wants the website to know.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the location of a mail piece using a code identifier of the mail piece that is read as the mail piece is placed within a mail tray. Determination of the location of the mail tray is thus determination of the location of each mail piece therein. Code identifiers on mail trays are read as mail trays are placed in vehicles. Determination of the location of the vehicle is thus determination of the location of each mail tray placed therein and coded mail pieces within the tray. A database is maintained with this hierarchical location information so as to provide a readily available means for determining the location of any mail piece.

Abstract: A permit mail metering system that preprints the non-variable portion of an indicia. The pre-printed portions may be printed with a fluorescent and phosphorescent ink, while other pre-printed portions may be printed using standard colored or black inks. Some variable printed portions may be printed with a fluorescent and phosphorescent ink, while other variable portions may be printed using standard colored or black non-luminescent inks.

Abstract: An information based indicia (IBI) that does not require a FIM and is able to be read by Advanced Facer Canceller Systems. The foregoing is accomplished by printing on the mail piece an upper layer IBI indicia over a lower layer invisible ink. The lower layer ink is a dual luminescent ink that is invisible to the naked eye and the upper layer IBI indicia is printed with an ink that is visible to the naked eye. The lower layer may also be produced by two inks, one of which is fluorescent and the other of which is phosphorescent. The fluorescent ink will be printed in one area of the lower layer and the phosphorescent inks will be printed in another area of the lower layer.

Abstract: A system that uses a digital postage meter or Postal Security Device to add information to the indicia that indicates that the mail piece has already been scanned. This information will inform the scanner and a human that the postage paid for, as indicated in the indicia, has been used. The foregoing is accomplished by printing a scanner readable data field in the indicia or in the vicinity of the indicia that indicates the mail piece was received. Human readable data is also printed in the indicia or in the vicinity of the indicia that indicates the mail piece was received. For instance, the word "VOID" may be written in coded form and/or in human readable form. Information regarding the canceling of the indicia is transmitted to a data center.

Abstract: A permit mail metering system that preprints the non-variable portion of an indicia. The pre-printed portions may be printed with a fluorescent and phosphorescent ink, while other pre-printed portions may be printed using standard colored or black inks. The postal indicia also includes an encrypted code for added security. Some variable printed portions may be printed with a fluorescent and phosphorescent ink, while other variable portions may be printed using standard colored or black non-luminescent inks.

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 postage meter printer for printing a postage indicia with authentication information. The printer has two printheads. One printhead is supplied with an ink that has the characteristic of being readable by an optical character reader and the second printhead is supplied with a second ink that includes a fluorescent ink. The printer is of a size such that both printheads are able to print in an area prescribed by the postal service as the area to be occupied by a postage indicia.

Abstract: A carrier for holding a conventional envelope in a predetermined position to enable printing near an edge of the envelope with a conventional printer is disclosed. The carrier includes a sheet-like substrate having a leading edge, a trailing edge, a closure flap receiving slot between the leading and trailing edges, and means for holding at least a portion of a bottom edge of the envelope to the substrate. A method according to the present invention includes the steps of providing an envelope, providing a carrier for holding the envelope in a predetermined position, and providing a conventional printer. A closure flap of the envelope is inserted through a closure flap receiving slot in the carrier. Next, a bottom edge of the envelope is held against the carrier. Then, the carrier and the envelope are passed through the conventional printer, which prints on the envelope.

Abstract: A system that tracks when normal digital postage meter mail or digital processor mail is received by an addressee. The foregoing is accomplished by connecting a scanner and control software to a digital postage meter or digital processor that would read incoming digitally metered mail. Instead of printing an indicia, the scanner would read the already existing indicia and other information on the mail piece and then extract the sender data fields that are contained in the indicia or on the mail piece. The extracted mail data would be periodically uploaded to a data center. The data center would compare the extracted data with mail sender data that has previously been uploaded from sending meters and processors to determine if fraud has been committed in the production of the postal indicia.

Abstract: A system that scans and reads IBI in accordance with the United State Postal Service Specification. This invention also improves both the readability and security of the Information-Based Indicia. The apparatus of this invention utilizes a postage meter that prints an Information-Based Indicia, scans and checks the Information-Based Indicia and prints an invisible, secure message, i.e., bar code over the Information-Based Indicia. The apparatus may also audit the franking process by immediately scanning and verifying the bar code that was printed over the Information Based-Indicia.

Abstract: This invention utilizes several coordinating devices that together provide a more comprehensive set of diagnostics which support both on-site and remote diagnostics of the customers equipment. Sensor transitions and profile state execution information will be cross-referenced by a common time stamp. Thus, it will be possible to not only observe the response (sensor transition) to stimulus (motion profiles), but also cross-reference this data to the specific controlling profile state segment. This yields an additional "context" for specific types of errors. The foregoing level of diagnostics will be available on-site with the customers machine for manual processing by a skilled human, when necessary.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cellular telecommunications systems that records in the cellular telephone all the telephone calls made by that particular cellular telephone. This enables the owner or agent of the cellular telephone to compare the telephone calls made by his cellular telephone with the telephone calls that were charged to his assigned number.