Abstract: A value printing system includes a printer that prints an indicia. The indicia represents a value. The system also includes an apparatus for controlling the printer and an apparatus for accounting for the value represented by the indicia. The indicia includes one or more markers that present numerical data in the form of a diagram. Alternatively, the indicia includes one or more locations in which the presence or absence of a marker authenticates the indicia. An overlay may be provided to aid in interpreting the markers.

Abstract: Apparatus for singulating respective documents fed thereto, wherein each of the documents is uprightly oriented on an edge thereof and has oppositely facing upright surfaces, and wherein each successive document is slidably movable relative to a next successive document against an interdocument frictional force developed therebetween, the apparatus comprising: first document feeding structure including two first belts, the first feeding structure including first structure for moving the first belts downstream relative to a path of travel in vertically spaced first belt runs; second document feeding structure including a second belt, the second feeding structure including second structure for moving the second belt upstream relative to the path of travel in a second belt run, the second feeding structure including structure for resiliently urging the second belt run into interleaving relationship with the first belt runs; and the first belt runs exerting a downstream frictional force greater than the interdocu

Abstract: A postage meter is disclosed which determines whether postage was printed while power to the meter was off, and if so accounts for such postage printing. The postage meter also determines whether such printing resulted from tampering, and if so records each instance of such tampering. When the number of instances exceeds a predetermined number, the meter prevents further normal operation thereof. The postage meter is provided structure and programming to accomplish the foregoing because it does not include a print device locking mechanism that locks the print devices when power to the meter is switched off. The postage meter determines print cycles of the postage meter occurring when power to the meter is switched off and whether the print devices were moved to a different postage value setting when the meter was off, and if so, the new setting of the print devices.

Abstract: A load cell supporting member includes a central portion formed to receive a load cell and to protect a load cell from overloading. A plurality of arms extends radially from the central portion. The supporting member is a single, integral piece of said material.A weighing scale includes a first supporting member, a load cell supported by the first supporting member. The scale also includes a second supporting member, that is identical to the first and supported by the load cell and is identical to the first supporting member. The second supporting member supports a scale platform.Another weighing scale includes three identical supporting members and two load cells. A first supporting member supports a first load cell. The first load cell supports a second supporting member, which supports a second load cell. The second load cell supports a third supporting member. The third supporting member supports a scale platform.

Abstract: A method for the secure communication of messages. A first party is provided with a set of numbers that have the property that when encrypted using an RSA encryption key the resulting set of encrypted numbers is of an order substantially smaller than that of the original set. If the encryption key and the original set of numbers are of the order of 200 decimal digits then the resulting set of encrypted numbers may be of the order of 15-30 decimal digits. To communicate a message the first party selects a number from the original set and applies a hashing function to the selected number to obtain a 64 binary bit DES key. The selected number is then encrypted with the RSA key and a message is encrypted with the DES key obtained. The encrypted message and the encrypted selected number are combined and the combined message is sent to a second party who has the corresponding RSA decryption key and knows the hashing function.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing mail delivery of batch mail. A network is established interconnecting plural batch mailers, a data center, and the Postal Service. Mail data on the mail batches is transmitted to the data center. This enables the data center to generate data to the mailers for merging mail batches to achieve additional postage discounts, to schedule and route mail carriers external to and within the Postal System to increase efficiency of handling, and to interact with the Postal Service for logistics planning and drop-off point and timing of mail batches to expedite processing.

Abstract: A carrier management system includes a scale for weighing parcels to be shipped, a computer connected 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 shipping charge data for a plurality of carriers and/or shipping classes, on the basis of weight data from the scale. A second memory receives and stores discount data from the keyboard, corresponding to discounts allocable to any of the carriers and/or classes. The computer is responsive to operation of the selection keys for applying discounts stored in the second means to any carrier and/or class to which they are applicable.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the integrity of mail pieces passing through multiple stages of a mail delivery system. A database is created when the mail piece enters the system that includes its initial weight and destination address. The mail piece is tracked through each of the delivery stages, where its weight and destination address are determined and compared with the initial values. Any discrepancy causes an alarm in the system.

Abstract: A combined PC laser printer and fax reproduction apparatus where the scanning speed and spot size of the laser beam are controlled to be different for the reproduction of signals received from a computer and for fax signals, and the memory of the apparatus is controlled to have two pages when reproducing fax signals, such that the parameters of operation are optimum for both functions.

Abstract: A parcel processing system provides shipping documents required for a number of shipping carriers and/or classes of service. The system includes a keyboard, a scale, a memory, a printer and a processor. The processor receives carrier/service selection signals from the keyboard and transaction data from the keyboard and/or the scale. The processor determines on the basis of the carrier/service selection signal whether to rate or defer a parcel transaction. Data for a deferred transaction is stored in the memory. The foregoing steps are performed with respect to a number of transactions and a number of deferred transactions are combined into an aggregation. The processor receives a deferred rating signal from the keyboard and performs a rating operation with respect to the aggregation of deferred transactions. The printer prints a manifest reflecting the result of the rating operation.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing mail delivery of batch mail. A network is established interconnecting plural batch mailers, a data center, and the Postal Service. Mail data on the mail batches is transmitted to the data center. This enables the data center to generate data to the mailers for merging mail batches to achieve additional postage discounts, to schedule and route mail carriers external to and within the Postal System to increase efficiency of handling, and to interact with the Postal Service for logistics planning and drop-off point and timing of mail batches to expedite processing. Scheduling and routing to take into account available resources of available drop-off points for mail for introduction into the Postal System is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and control system for producing items in selected configurations and a system and method for controlling the same. More particularly, an apparatus for producing mail pieces and a system and method for controlling it to produce mail pieces in a variety of configurations are disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser printer and folding sealing apparatus controlled by a data processor. The folder sealer apparatus combines sheets printed by the laser printer with pre-printed sheets and envelope forms, which also may be printed by the laser printer or may be windowed envelopes, folds the sheets as necessary and folds and seals the envelope form about the folded sheets to produce a mail piece. A user inputs a configuration for the mail piece which is translated by the data processor into a data structure and transmitted to the controller of the folder sealer apparatus.

Abstract: A detachable belt cartridge for an envelope feeder includes a housing having spaced apart side walls, first and second end walls, and a top. The top has a plurality of lengthwise slots formed therein. A first and second shaft is rotatively mounted in spaced apart relationship in the housing. A plurality of wheels are drivenly mounted on the first and second shafts by a plurality of endless belts respectively extending around a respective one of the wheels of the first and second shafts such that a portion of said belt extends in a respective slot slightly above said top.

Abstract: A platen module is fixably mounted to the base of a modular mailing machine. A support wall is fixably mounted to the base. Also fixably mounted to the base of the mailing machine is a drive motor having an output shaft and plurality of gears fixably mounted to the respective ends of the output shaft. A guide rod is slidably mounted vertically to the support wall and a platen plate fixably mounted to the guide rod. A plurality of rack post are fixably mounted at one end to the platen plate and in constant mesh with a respective one of the gears.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying upper and lower webs of material having equally spaced, successive, transverse lines of weakening along a longitudinal path and for separating the webs along the transverse lines of weakening. The apparatus includes: a longitudinally extending support structure; a bottom pair of upper and lower, vertically spaced feed rollers rotatably supported by the structure; a pair of upper and lower, vertically spaced burster rollers, the lower burster roller having a shaft and being rotatably supported by the structure downstream of the bottom feed rollers; a clam shell housing pivotably mounted on the lower burster roller shaft, wherein the upper burster roller is supported by the clam shell housing; and a top pair of upper and lower, vertically spaced feed rollers rotatably supported by the clam shell housing.

Abstract: A system and method is described for optimizing mail processing by applying a co-mail concept. A network is established involving a data center and plural publishers and inserters of advertising documents. Databases are established at the data center of profiles of the publishers and inserters and their current and prospective activities, and the information used by the data center to match publisher to inserters for particular jobs to reduce mail processing and distribution costs, or expedite mail distribution.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing items in selected configurations and a system and method for controlling the same. More particularly, an apparatus for producing mail pieces and a system and method for controlling it to produce mail pieces in a variety of configurations are disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser printer and folding sealing apparatus controlled by a data processor. The folder sealer apparatus combines sheets printed by the laser printer with pre-printed sheets and envelope forms, which also may be printed by the laser printer or may be windowed envelopes, folds the sheets as necessary and folds and seals the envelope form about the folded sheets to produce a mail piece. A user inputs a configuration for the mail piece which is translated by the data processor into a data structure and transmitted to the controller of the folder sealer apparatus.

Abstract: A weighing cell includes a base, with energy absorbing feet; a load cell supported by the base; a platform supporting member supported by the load cell; a platform for supporting an object to be weighed, the platform being supported by the supporting member; and damping material operatively positioned between the platform and the supporting member. The energy absorbing feet are chosen to substantially dampen the oscillations of a mass spring system consisting of a spring equivalent in total compliant effect to the load cell, the energy absorbing feet and the damping material and a mass equal to the combined mass of the heaviest object to be weighed and of the weighing cell and the damping material is chosen to substantially dampen the oscillations of a mass spring system consisting of a spring equivalent in total compliant effect to the load cell, the energy absorbing feet and the damping material and a mass equal to the combined mass of a relatively light object and of the weighing cell.

Abstract: A device for securing a mechanical drive component to a drive shaft comprises a hub having an extended slotted member and a hub member. The hub member has a knurled surface for securing the hub to the drive component by pressed fit. A clamping collar is used for clamping the slotted member to the drive shaft. The slotted member of the hub includes a rib for aligning the slots in the slotted member relative to a split in the collar.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing mail delivery of batch mail. A network is established interconnecting plural batch mailers, a data center, and the Postal Service. Mail data on the mail batches is transmitted to the data center. This enables the data center to generate data to the mailers for merging mail batches to achieve additional postage discounts, to schedule and route mail carriers external to and within the Postal System to increase efficiency of handling, and to interact with the Postal Service for logistics planning and drop-off point and timing of mail batches to expedite processing.