Abstract: An inserter based mail manifesting system includes a controller that processes sensed information and generates a manifest that can accompany mail to a postal depository.

Abstract: A mail management system (MMS) comprises a host system coupled to one or more operator workstations. The host is operable for receiving from each of the workstations account identification codes. The host, after verifying the validity of the account code, transmits an enabling signal to the workstation which permits the workstation to activate an attached postage dispensing device. The MMS also provides a fallback mode of operation wherein each workstation is operable for verifying that the format of an entered account identification code is correct and to thereby activate the postage dispensing device. This fallback mode of operation allows for the continued operation of the MMS even if the host system is for any reason disabled from communicating with a workstation.

Abstract: A fault tolerant smart card is provided having primary functional units including a standard ISO interface, a first microcontroller, a clock, and main memory. Secondary functional units including a secondary microcontroller, secondary memory with bit checking capability and an alternate battery power source are also provided. A microcontroller error detector is connected to both microcontrollers. Should a discrepancy between microcontrollers occur known test patterns are run on the second microcontroller to determine which microcontroller is faulty. A private access port provides alternate access to information stored in the fault tolerant smart card. Registers for funds remaining, error condition and access account are also provided.

Abstract: In a machine including driving apparatus and structure for sensing a sheet fed to the machine; an improvement comprising: a rotary timing cam; an actuating member movable into and out of locking engagement with the cam; a source of supply of d.c. power; a first circuit connected across the power supply and including a solenoid and a trip switch actuatable for energizing the solenoid; a second circuit connected across the power supply and including a d.c. motor and a motor switch actuatable for energizing and deenergizing the motor; and the trip switch actuated in response to the sensing structure sensing a sheet fed to the machine, and the driving apparatus causing the actuating member to move out of locking engagement with the cam and actuate the motor switch for energizing the motor to drive the cam when the solenoid is energized.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting nozzle malfunction in an ink jet printhead having a predetermined number of nozzles. The printhead is first controlled whereby each of the nozzles is activated once in a manner which is required to print on a print medium a line having a number of ink dots equal to the predetermined number. Then a photodetector detects whether each location on the print medium which opposed one of the nozzles at the time of activation of that one nozzle has an ink dot printed thereat. Each location is photodetected in time sequence by scanning. The photodetector outputs a signal having a first level in response to each photodetected location which has no ink dot thereat and a signal having a second level in response to each photodetected location which has an ink dot thereat. The output of the photodetector is then processed.

Abstract: A system for indicating the balance of stored value includes a computer and a memory having preselected stored values therein, each preselected stored value having an address corresponding to an address of a graphic pattern instruction set.

Abstract: In a mailing machine including a postage meter, wherein the postage meter includes rotary printing structure for printing indicia on a sheet fed to the machine, and the machine includes apparatus for driving the printing structure, wherein the driving apparatus includes a drive gear, the driving apparatus includes a locking member movable into and out of locking engagement with the drive gear, the driving apparatus includes an actuating member for moving the locking member, and wherein the machine includes trip structure for sensing a sheet fed to the machine, an improvement comprising: a source of supply of d.c. power; a first circuit connected across the power supply and including a solenoid and a trip switch actuatable for energizing the solenoid; a second circuit connected across the power supply and including a d.c.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system wherein a mailer is able to send large quantities or batches of mail. The mailer has a secure accounting unit similar to a postage meter in which postage value is placed by a central station which is also in communication with a remote resetting center for accounting for funds transferred to the accounting unit. The central station communicates with the mailing station in order to obtain data relative to the mail processing whenever the funds are to be transferred to the accounting unit. The central station may also serve to lock or unlock the mail processing at the mailing station. Receipts may also be provided for the funding transactions.

Abstract: In a machine including structure for sensing a sheet fed to the machine, an improvement comprising: a rotary timing cam, an actuating member movable into and out of locking engagement with the cam; apparatus for controlling the actuating member, the controlling apparatus including resilient structure for urging the actuating member to move into and out of locking engagement with the cam; and the sensing structure including structure for normally latching the controlling apparatus for preventing the resilient structure from moving the actuating member out of locking engagement with the cam, and the latching structure unlatching the controlling apparatus for permitting the resilient structure to move the actuating member out of locking engagement with the cam when the sensing structure senses a sheet fed to the machine.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for transporting a sheet in a predetermined path of travel. The apparatus comprises a plate having a lower surface extending parallel to and defining the path of travel, and having an aperture formed therein. In addition, the apparatus comprises sheet feeding structure, including a first pair of rollers spaced apart from one another and an endless belt looped about the first rollers, wherein the belt has a lower belt run extending between the first rollers and beneath the plate. Further, the feeding structure includes instrumentalities for driving one of the first rollers for moving the lower belt run at a constant velocity in the direction of the path of travel. Moreover, the feeding structure includes a second pair of rollers which are disposed beneath the plate and are made of a compliant material.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of determining the mass of an article by the shift of the period of oscillation of a flexibly mounted tray. An article whose mass is to be determined is placed upon the tray which is caused to oscillate and the period of harmonic motion is calibrated. This period is compared against the period of harmonic motion when there is no article upon the tray, and the difference, or shift, in frequency, allows a determination of the mass of the article. The tray is supported by a plurality of flexible members having parallelogram configuration that eliminates bending stresses.

Abstract: In a mailing machine including a postage meter, wherein the postage meter includes rotary structure for printing indicia on a sheet fed to the machine, wherein the machine includes structure for driving the printing structure, wherein the machine includes apparatus for feeding a sheet fed thereto downstream in a path of travel through the machine, the sheet feeding apparatus includes an impression roller rotatably mounted beneath the rotary printing means, and wherein the impression roller has an inner end and an outer end, an improvement comprising: trip apparatus including an elongate trip lever and a shaft on which the lever is pivotally mounted, the trip lever extending into the path of travel; the driving apparatus including a trip switch actuatable for starting operation of the driving apparatus; the trip apparatus including a spring connected to the trip lever for normally holding the trip lever in actuating engagement with the trip switch to actuate the trip switch for maintaining the driving apparatu

Abstract: Fluid supply apparatus comprising: a hollow container made of a resilient plastic material, the container including an upper wall, the upper wall including first and second wells formed therein and extending into the interior of the container, one of said wells forming a fluid inlet opening; a pad made of a wicking material, the other of said wells forming a fluid outlet opening, said pad mounted within the other of said wells and extending from said container via said fluid outlet opening; and the container including a side wall having a generally S-shaped transverse cross-section.

Abstract: A forms generating and information retrieval apparatus comprises a compact disc for storing machine readably a plurality of form files and magnetic media for storing machine readably a plurality of information files. A processing means, such as, a computer, communicates with a reader for the compact disc and a reader for the magnetic media such that the processing means directs the compact disc reader to locate a selected one of the form files and transmit the selected forms file to the processing means. The processing means further directs the magnetic media reader to locate a selected one of the information files and transmit the selected information file to the processing means. The processing means merges the selected forms file with the selected information file and transmits the merged files to a printer.

Abstract: An electronic postage meter has an improved memory selection circuit wherein custom memory map decoder circuit with resolution down to a single byte location is used to provide selection enabling signals to insure the selection of an appropriate device only when the addresses appropriate to that device are communicated. In accordance with the invention, at least two nonvolatile memories are provided. Writing to either of these nonvolatile memories is inhibited unless one and only one memory is selected. The circuit also prevents the selection of either of the nonvolatile memories in the event that the write strobe signal to the memories is held active.

Abstract: In printing apparatus of the type which includes structure for thermally transferring ink from a ribbon to a workpiece, wherein the ribbon includes a backing layer and an ink donor layer, there is provided a printing process which includes the step(s) of transferring ink from the ink donor layer to the workpiece and perforating the ribbon. Moreover, it is a feature of the invention to include the processing step of sensing perforating.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for half folding sequentially and nesting a plurality of paper sheets. The apparatus includes a buckle chute folder, the folder having a first pair of feed rollers rotatable at a given velocity, and a device for continuously feeding the paper sheets in shingled relationship at a second velocity greater than the given velocity to the feed rollers. The shingled relationship is defined by an overlap of the sheets of at least one-half of the length of the sheets. By using the apparatus and method, any desired number of sheets may be folded sequentially and nested one inside the other.

Abstract: The motor controller system controls the respective motors of a plurality of cooperative apparatus associated with an article processing system, the article processing system for performing a plurality of functions upon an article traversing the article processing system and comprises a motor driver board having a plurality of input channels and a plurality of respective output channels. The motors are in line communication with a respective one of the output channels of the motor driver board. A programmable microprocessor is in bus communication with the driver board's input channels. A plurality of sensors are respectively mounted to each of the apparatus and in bus communication with the programmable microprocessor, the sensors being strategically located on the apparatus to provide such information to the microprocessor as article size, position and velocity information and to provide apparatus operation information.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying moisture to a flexible document containing water-activated adhesive includes a buckle chute having a pair of opposing plates defining a document path therebetween, a stopping bar situated between the opposing plates, and an adjustable plate slidably mounted on one of the opposing plates. A moistening assembly is secured to the adjustable plate situated adjacent to one of the buckle chute plates on one side of the document path. The moistening assembly includes a reservoir and a wick secured to the reservoir and extending toward the document path. A hammer/gate unit is pivotably mounted to the adjustable plate on the other side of the document path for engaging the wick and urging the document against the wick. The hammer/gate unit is pivotable between a position adjacent to the moistening assembly for moistening operation and a non-moistening position remote from the moistening assembly.