Abstract: A dual frequency field is generated to produce an interrogation zone wherein the higher frequency is substantially higher than the lower frequency. The signal generated by the magnetic marker is detected, filtered and amplified. Time windows are selected at the expected pulse locations of a signal. The signals detected at the time windows are multiplied by a window function. The product resulting therefrom is averaged to produce a demodulated signal and the presence of a marker in the interrogation zone is determined by detecting the demodulated signal at the lower frequency of the dual frequency interrogation zone.

Abstract: An improved thermal printing postage meter includes a base supporting a registration wall and a deck. A thermal print head is fixably mounted to the registration wall above a portion of the deck to define a print station. A thermal ribbon cassette is detachably mounted to the registration wall, the thermal ribbon cassette having a thermal transfer ribbon supply mounted around a supply roller and threaded past the print head in the printing station to a take-up roller. A platen roller assembly supports a platen roller for positioning the platen roller to assume a second position biasing the media against the thermal ribbon and the thermal print head. A first motor drive is provided for rotatively driving the platen roller, wherein rotation of the platen roller simultaneously drives the media and thermal ribbon past the print head. A second motor drive is provided for driving the take-up roller during a print cycle.

Abstract: Thus the present invention provides an apparatus for conveying both individual sheets of paper and a web of forms having equally spaced, successive, transverse lines of weakening along a longitudinal path and for separating the forms along the transverse lines of weakening and merging the cut sheets and the separated forms for further processing. There is a transport section, superposed over the bursting section, including at least one upper and one lower belt and pulley assembly for conveying individual sheets along a second paper path, the second paper path merging into the first paper path, and structure for detaining the individual sheets at a position along the second paper path before the second paper path merges into the first paper path, whereby the individual sheets and the separated forms are thereafter processed along the first paper path.

Abstract: Value selection and printing apparatus comprising, structure for printing a value, the structure including a rotatable device and a drive shaft, structure for selecting the value, the value selecting structure including a first rack gear slidably movably connected to the drive shaft, the first rack gear including a first portion of the length thereof movable internally of the device and a second portion of the length thereof movable externally of the device, the internally movable portion including a driving element, the externally movable portion including a plurality of first gear teeth formed therein the value selecting structure including a rigid guide shaft fixedly mounted within the device and an elongate second rack gear slidably connected to the guide shaft for movement therealong, the second rack gear including a driving element therefor, both rack gears' driven elements disposed in engagement, the second rack gear including a plurality of second gear teeth, the value selecting structure including a

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for enabling an authorized user of the system to automatically apply customized rating adjustments to transaction charges. To this end, a structure is employed for supplying to a central processor information identifying criteria for rating and for customized rating adjustments. The central processor compares data entered through an input device with information stored in memory. The central processor, after correlating the identifying information with the entered input data, generates a base rate and a modified rate (which incorporates a customized rating adjustment) for a particular transaction and user. The calculated charges are made available for output to the user.

Abstract: A system for processing documents with value markings thereon, having a reading element for reading the value markings, an accounting element for accounting for the value, and a marking element responsive to the accounting element for marking the document with information representing successful accounting of the value and uniquely identifying the accounting element. The marking element is positioned with respect to the document so as to cause the mark to be placed on the document. The value information, the reading element, the accounting element and the marking element are all positioned within a secure housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing labels that are to be inserted into mail trays. A label printer is integrated into a mail sorting machine. Upon a specific bin of the mail sorting machine having sufficient mail pieces to fill a mail tray, the label printer prints a tray label for the mail in such bin. This tray label has printed thereon the zip code to which the mail is to be sent and the bin number in which the mail pieces are located. Upon the printing of such tray label, it is be conveyed by the mail sorter to the appropriate bin and is immediately available to the clerk for insertion into a mail tray.

Abstract: Fluorescent Ink formulations have been conceived that result in inks having improved tack and flow properties so that problems relating to ink plugging with contemporary ink pads are reduced. Another advantage to the inks is that they have improved paper dust resistance, shelf life and flow properties. These inks are made of a coloring material having an organic non fluorescent pigment dispersed in a rosin ester and a solid solution of a fluorescent dye in triazine paraformaldehyde aryl sulfonamide resin dispersed in an alkyd resin. The solvent system is preferably composed of non drying solvents such as emollients and higher molecular weight glycols.

Abstract: This invention relates to reading and analyzing the contents of sealed mail. The invention has utility in the sorting of sealed mail and in the matching of mail envelopes and its contents. The contents of sealed mail are read by having a light in the near infrared directed to the sealed envelope and creating an image of the printed matter on the contents by directing the light to an optical detector. The image thus received is analyzed and a determination can be made whether contents are of high value or whether the addresses on the envelope match the addresses of the contents. If the envelopes are not addressed, the address can be printed on the envelope after analysis of the address block of the contents.

Abstract: Ink formulations have been conceived that result in inks having improved shelf life, tack and flow properties so that problems relating to ink plugging with contemporary ink pads are reduced. Another advantage of the inks is that they have improved paper dust resistance. These inks are made of a coloring material having an organic pigment dispersed in a modified rosin ester or dispersed in a modified rosin ester and triazine formaldehyde aryl sulphonamide resin dispersed in an alkyd oil. The solvent system is preferably composed of non drying solvents such as emollients and high molecular weight glycols.

Abstract: A method of changing the sensitivity of a transducer includes applying to the transducer a cyclic excitation signal. The excitation signal has a number of recurring phases of different amplitudes. The transducer's output signal has a like number of recurring phases, each of which corresponds to a phase of the excitation signal. One of the phases of the output signal is selected for data acquisition. Selection of a different phase changes the effective measuring range of the transducer. Preferably, the excitation signal is an a.c. signal, and the output signal is partially demodulated as part of the selection of a phase for data acquisition.

Abstract: An improvement in a stitcher for stapling documents. The stitcher includes a pair of side plates, a stitch head mounting bar secured to the side plates, a clincher mounting bar secured to the side plates, a stitch head mounted on the stitch head mounting bar, and a clincher mounted on the clincher mounting bar. The improvement consists of a fixturing plate secured to the stitch head mounting bar and to the clincher mounting bar.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing the usage of postage meters with respect to the history of meter recharges for the purpose of detecting fraudulent or improper usage of the meters. The apparatus includes an optical character recognition system which scans mail pieces in a stream of mail pieces to recognize postage amounts and meter identification numbers imprinted on the mail pieces. The apparatus also includes inputs for input of data representing the recharge history for postage meters which correspond to authorized identification numbers and thresholds, i.e. parameters against which expenditures and the refill history of a particular meter will be tested. A data processing system compares cumulative amounts of postage expended by a particular meter to determine if the difference between totals expended and total recharges exceeds the thresholds, indicating the possibility of fraudulent or improper use of that meter.

Abstract: A printing system for printing mail pieces including at least one page having an address. The system includes a printer, a controller, and a feeder for selectively feeding an envelope or a cut sheet to the printer. The controller examines the text of each page to identify a destination address, and when the destination address is found prints it on an envelope for the mail piece. The system also has the capability to identify and print return addresses and the capability to print the envelope either before or after pages included in the mail piece.

Abstract: In an inserting machine, guide apparatus for maintaining control of individual sheets and collations that are conveyed along a transport deck by at least one pair of pushers, comprises a mounting beam coupled to a frame member of the inserting machine, and a plurality of guide arms pivotally mounted at one end to the mounting beam and biased against the transport deck. Each of the guide arms has a second end resting against the deck between the pair of pushers. Each of the guide arms has a curved shape for engaging a collation gradually An idler roller is rotatably mounted to the second end of each of the guide arms. The mounting beam is pivotally mounted at one end to the frame member of the inserting machine, whereby the other end of the guide apparatus is pivotable away from the transport deck.

Abstract: A digital voice processing system wherein voice processing functions are run in software. This application of software allows a modular structure because 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 readily expanded to meet increased needs.

Abstract: In a document collating and stuffing apparatus wherein documents are collated along a longitudinally extending transport deck having an upstream end and a downstream end, the documents being fed from a plurality of feeding stations serially positioned above the transport deck, and at least one of the feeding stations including a platform mounted thereto, an improvement to the feeding station comprising structure for adjustably positioning the platform at one of a raised position and a lowered position, the raised position causing the feed station to feed the documents directly to the transport deck before a next upstream collation is transported on top of the fed document by pusher structure, and the lowered position causing the platform to support documents fed thereto until the next upstream collation is transported along the transport deck under the platform by the pusher structure at which time the document is transported on top of the collation by the pusher structure.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam is used in combination with an ink tray having a housing having a first and second chamber. The first chamber has an overflow baffle extending laterally within said chamber to divide the first chamber into an inlet side and an outlet side. An inlet port is provided for receiving replenishing ink in the inlet side of the chamber and an outlet port is provided for removal of excess ink from said ink tray. A plurality of portals extending between the first and second chambers for directing replenishing ink to the second chamber from the inlet side of the first chamber and excess replenishing ink from the second chamber to the outlet side of the first chamber. An elongated inking roller is mounted to the housing. The absorption material is mounted in the second chamber to contact the replenishing ink. The absorption material has a portion extending from the second chamber and contacting the inking roller to allow the transfer of replenishing ink to the inking roller.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for and method of determining the accuracy of mail piece weights. The weight of individual mail pieces during a mail run is displayed in real time. A high speed weighing scale is located downstream from the mail processing unit to receive the mail pieces after the mail processing unit has inserted selected materials into envelopes. As each mail piece is weighed, its weight is stored in memory and a display can be made showing all the weights of the individual mail pieces in real time. This display can be temporary, such as on a monitor, or permanent, such as a print out. With such display, an operator has a fast method of determining if the weights are in an expected range.

Abstract: The drive system for a mailing flat bed postage printing apparatus includes a postage meter cartridge having an indicia plate mounted in the base of the printing apparatus. An inking system is included for inking the indicia plate. The inking system includes a drive motor mounted to the base in driving communication with a first shaft rotatively mounted in the base. A cam is mounted to the first shaft having a cam surfaces. An ink tray is positionable by a linkage system wherein the linkage system includes cam followers in communication with the cam surface to position the ink tray in response to the rotational position of the cam. A platen is reciprocally positionable between a first and print position in the base. The cam is rotated in a first range wherein the cam surface positions the linkage system and a second range of rotation wherein the linkage system is in a dwell mode.