Abstract: A web bursting machine is disclosed in which a pair of webs of indefinite length having individual sheets thereon delineated by transverse lines of weakening in the webs are separated therefrom by applying a mementary tension in the webs while drawing the webs over bursting elements while the webs are traveling longitudinally. The webs are fed simultaneously and continuously, but with the sheets of one web offset by one half pitch or sheet length from the sheets of the other so that a sheet is burst from one web or the other with each half pitch of travel of the two webs together, thereby eliminating any down time which would otherwise result from feeding the webs intermittently and stopping one web while the other is being burst.
Abstract: A computer-based system, such as a value printing system, has a host data processor having at least one disk drive that includes a first read/write head for reading data from and for writing data to a removable data recording disk. The system further includes a printer, coupled to the host data processor and responsive thereto, for printing indicia indicative of a monetary value. The system further includes a removable data recording disk having an integral data processor including a memory for storing data expressive of a monetary value associated with printed indicia. The integral data processor further includes a second read/write head coupled to the recording medium for communicating with the host data processor through the first read/write head.
Abstract: An improved mailing machine has a modifiable deck for accommodating a mailpiece feeder. The mailing machine is modified by providing a plate which may be incorporated into the deck. The plate carries a positive drive mechanism for the feeding of mailpieces at the desired speed which comprises a positive drive roller and pulley which are aligned to use the drive mechanism of the mailing machine for belt driven power.
Abstract: A postal finishing kiosk in which a user is provided with a mail piece, such as a postcard. The user supplies the name and address to which the mail piece is to be sent and the kiosk dispenses a finished mail piece to the user with the address printer thereon. A feature of the kiosk is that it stores the mail piece forms on a roll, but delivers a linear mail piece to the user. In an alternative to the invention, the kiosk dispenses a ticket to the user that can be used in activities of the environment in which the kiosk is found.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 29, 1993
Date of Patent:
October 10, 1995
Assignee:
Pitney Bowes Inc.
Inventors:
Ronald P. Sansone, Michael D. O'Hare, Steven M. Kaye, John C. Hamma, John T. Balga, Jr., Fran E. Blackman, David W. Hubbard, Kevin D. Hunter, Wendy F. Jai, Scott Korowotny, Jeffrey D. Pierce
Abstract: A digital voice processing circuit board having use in a voice processing system wherein voice processing functions are run in software. This application of software allows a modular structure since the application software resides in boards that are coupled to a host computer. With this structure, the software can be updated as required and the capacity of the system can be expanded readily to meet increased needs. The digital voice processing board has an interface chip to which random access memories are connected for temporary storage of data and storage of the operating code for the voice processing card. The interface is in communication with an application processor which runs the application programming and database management. The application processor is in communication with and controls a pair of signal processors which are in communication with a time division multiplexer chip which in turn is in communication with the bus.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 29, 1993
Date of Patent:
October 10, 1995
Assignee:
Dictaphone Corporation
Inventors:
Daniel F. Daly, Thomas C. Grandy, Mark N. Harris, Salvatore J. Morlando, Mark Sekas, Shamla V. Sharma
Abstract: An improvement to a postage evidencing apparatus of the type having computer structure and a printer commanded by the computer for printing an indicia for indicating the amount of dispensed postage on a mailpiece. The improvement includes a clock connected to the computer for determining elapsed time between contacts with a data center. The computer including control structure for disabling printing of the indicia and printing a legend in place thereof whenever postage dispensing is attempted in the event that more than a predetermined amount of time has elapsed without contacting the data center.
Abstract: The present invention provides an improvement for a document feeder comprising a feed deck, a separator assembly for separating and feeding individual documents, the separator assembly including a separator wheel disposed above the feed deck, drive structure for driving the separator wheel, and structure for adjustably positioning the separator wheel assembly to a position relative to the feed deck commensurate with the material being fed. The improvement comprises structure for pivotally coupling the document feeder to vertical frame members. The coupling structure is located at one end of the document feeder near the separator assembly. There are a pair of leg members extending below the feed deck, each of the leg members resting on a horizontal frame member at opposite sides of the document feed path. The leg members are laterally spaced so as not to interfere with documents being conveyed by the underlying document transport.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 27, 1993
Date of Patent:
October 3, 1995
Assignee:
Pitney Bowes Inc.
Inventors:
Richard Boughton, Joseph Briggs, deceased, Carlos L. DeFiguerido, Joan Doutney, Sandra Graveson, Joseph H. Marzullo, Walter Wolog
Abstract: A postage metering system includes input means for inputting into the system a value of postage to be imprinted on a mail piece and means storing data concerning appropriate postage value amounts. A printing means is provided for printing a first postage imprint and for printing a different second postage imprint. Print control means are coupled to the printing means and the storing means for causing the printing means to print the first postage imprint for an appropriate postage value and the second postage imprint for postage value which are other than the appropriate postage raise.
Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing mailpieces involve the creation of mailing lists which includes correct and incorrect recipient address information. The list is transmitted to a data center. Received from the data center is a mailing list including addressed hygiened recipient address information and a digital token for each mailpiece with encrypted data. The encrypted data is based on the corrected address information for mailpieces with correct address information on the transmitted mailing list and on hygiened recipient address information the mailpieces with incorrect recipient address information on the transmitted mailing list. The digital tokens for each mailpiece may also be based on the rating parameter information.Selection is provided for utilizing a given one of the incorrect recipient address information and the correct recipient address information is applied to an encrypter generating the digital tokens.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 6, 1993
Date of Patent:
September 26, 1995
Assignee:
Pitney Bowes Inc.
Inventors:
Robert A. Cordery, Steven J. Pauly, Leon A. Pintsov
Abstract: A cost-effective motion control system communication architecture is provided that supports a centralized control node, distributed control nodes, and smart I/O peripheral control nodes. Networks designed using this architecture, which employs a serial bus, may be readily modified or expanded. The architecture supports both real-time highly periodic communications and event-driven peer-to-peer communications.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 6, 1992
Date of Patent:
September 19, 1995
Assignee:
Pitney Bowes Inc.
Inventors:
Peter C. Di Giulio, David K. Lee, David W. Riley, Frederick W. Ryan, Jr.
Abstract: Apparatus for correcting a list of addresses comprising, computer structure, structure for storing a database of postal addresses in the computer structure, structure for storing a list of shipping addresses in the computer structure, the computer structure programmed for determining whether each address stored in the shipping list storing structure and which was not previously compared to any address stored in the database storing structure compares to any address stored therein, the computer structure programmed for determining whether each postal address to which any shipping list address compares is a post office box postal address, and the computer structure programmed for storing in the shipping list storing structure said each postal address which is not a post office box postal address.
Abstract: A mailing machine which incorporates the method in includes a postage meter having a postage meter drum. There is a sensor for detecting tape in the tape path and a knife for cutting the tape and means for ejecting a cut segment of tape. The method for initializing the machine includes the steps of testing for each of the conditions which may indicate that there was a failure to complete a proper sequence of ejection of a cut tape prior to the machine shutting down. A plurality of recovery sequences of steps are provided to eject the cut tape and place the end of the tape roll into a known position.
Abstract: In accordance with the present invention apparatus for stacking flat articles, such as envelopes, on edge, comprises structure for transporting the envelopes on edge along a transport path and a deck plate having an upper side adjacent the transport path. A vertical registration wall, which is mounted on the deck plate, defines a stacking bin in which the envelopes are stacked. A deflector, which is situated between the transporting structure and the stacking bin, pivots between a first and second position, wherein the first position allows the envelopes to be transported past the stacking bin and the second position deflects the envelopes into the stacking bin. There is an urge roller, located in the stacking bin between the deflector and the registration wall for urging the envelopes towards the registration wall. There is a spring loaded paddle slidably positioned in the stacking bin orthogonal to the registration wall and above the deck surface, for urging the stacked envelopes toward the urge roller.
Abstract: A method and improved system for controlling an inserter having a plurality of functional devices, including the steps providing a control system that divides the inserter into a plurality of logical stations each of which control at least one of the functional devices, separating the control system into a top-level, generic supervisor which is operative independent of the functional devices, and a lower level comprising the logical stations, and storing the supervisor and the logical stations in a central processor, the supervisor being operative for selecting an appropriate one of the logical stations at an appropriate time whereby the selected one of the logical stations controls a corresponding one of the functional devices. The method further includes the steps of providing a plurality of distributed processors electrically coupled to the central processor and associated with the functional devices, and controlling the functional devices by the logical stations through the distributed processors.
Abstract: A data center provides a rate table to a user. The rate table is communicated to the mailer along with a hash code that is based on information from the rating table. The hash code provides a unique number based on the rating table. The user within a secure device and to which the rate table is loaded regenerates the hash code based on the information received from the rate table and compares the transmitted hash code with the generated hash code. The comparison verifies that the rate table data has not been intentionally or unintentionally corrupted. The transmitted hash code may be encrypted by the data center and when received decrypted by the mailer. The encryption decryption process provides authenticity of the data center if desired. The generation of the hash code and the comparison with the transmitted hash code can be initiated prior to postage printing and used to insure proper rating. Printing is enabled only after the rating process has been properly implemented.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 8, 1993
Date of Patent:
September 5, 1995
Assignee:
Pitney Bowes Inc.
Inventors:
Leon A. Pintsov, Richard A. Connell, Ronald P. Sansone, Alfred C. Schmidt
Abstract: In accordance with the present invention apparatus for inserting enclosures into an envelope comprises an insertion section and an envelope staging section located upstream and below the insertion section. The envelope staging section includes structure for holding and forwarding an envelope fed from an envelope feeder. Envelope transport structure transports an envelope forwarded from the envelope staging section to the insertion section. The envelope transport structure includes a vacuum deck located at the insertion section and a vacuum drum located between the envelope staging section and the vacuum deck. The envelope transport structure further includes a plurality of envelope transport belts operating in cooperation with the vacuum drum and the vacuum deck. A plurality of backstops are located at the downstream end of the insertion section. A pivoting sucker bar assembly lifts open a top panel of the envelope when the envelope is against the backstops.
Abstract: An apparatus and method have been conceived for using a digital audio tape (DAT) in an audio logger for the purposes of storing and retrieving audio data. This is accomplished in a manner such that the data is received and recorded in a time related manner. Provision is made for accommodating the transfer drive rate of the DAT through use of a buffer between the signal processor of the logger and the DAT. In addition, the method of storing the data results in greater use of the available space on the DAT as the DAT tape only writes for those periods when audio is present on a channel.
Abstract: A corner buckle feeder has a singulation roller and feed roller for initially separating and feeding glossy paper. The front corners of a sheet stack are unsupported in order to minimize the intersheet frictional forces that are influenced by temperature and humidity. The axis of the singulation roller is disposed at an angle with respect to an edge adjacent to the lead edge of the top sheet. The singulation roller drives the adjacent edge inward and the top sheet deforms along the leading edge to form a buckle.
Abstract: A method and apparatus for accumulating two different size documents to form a collation, comprises a first accumulator pocket having first structure for individually transporting, stacking and registering at least one smaller one and one larger one of the documents to form a first collation of the smaller and larger documents. A second accumulator pocket is superposed over the first accumulator pocket, the second accumulator pocket having second structure for individually transporting, stacking and registering at least one smaller one and one larger one of the documents to form a second collation of the smaller and larger documents. Diverting structure is situated upstream of the first and second pockets for diverting the smaller and larger documents to one of the first and second accumulator pockets.