Abstract: Transport and drive apparatus and method for use in determining the weight of an article. An article whose mass is to be determined is transported upon the plan of a weighing scale by a combination of rollers attached to the tray and drive rollers received within an opening of the tray. A reversible motor is used to provide drive to a conveyor rollers for transporting mail pieces onto the tray and for withdrawing the rollers upon reverse drive for purposes of weighing.

Abstract: A weighing instrument is provided with two sets of breakpoints; "generic breakpoints" which fall at the midpoint of successive display intervals, and "postal breakpoints" which fall at or near one of the two successive display intervals. Under "normal" circumstances, the postal breakpoints are in place and the instrument is used as a "weight classifier". When it is sensed that the "weighing history" of the instrument is such that weighing errors due to "creep" will affect the accuracy of the instrument, and will be augmented by the bias inherent in the use of postal breakpoints, the generic breakprints are instituted. An example of a weighing history of a nature that the generic breakpoints should be implemented is the application of a "large" weight (such as 75% of full range) to the instrument for a "long" time (such as in excess of 30 seconds). The postal breakpoints are reimplemented in the instrument upon a return to substantially zero weight on the instrument.Method and apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for mailing bulk mail pieces in which credit rating is relied upon instead of security to assure payment of the mail. A mailer user sends a batch of mail to the post office which is accompanied by a statement sheet indicating the number of mail pieces and amount of postage due. Accompanying this statement is a check in the amount of the postage required for the batch of mail.

Abstract: A magnetic marker is disclosed having characteristics that lend the marker to being useful in the field of theft detection using electronic article surveillance techniques. The marker has a magnetic member that is formed in a rectangular configuration. With such configuration one is able to fabricate magnetic markers of relatively small sizes.

Abstract: A mailer for the delivery of the replacement units and the return of replaced units. Preferably the units include electronic components such as PROM's mounted on printed circuit boards. A replacement unit is held within the mailer by a restraint in a position such that an address for a customer to whom the replacement unit is to be delivered affixed to the replacement unit is visible through a window in the mailer. Insertion of a replaced unit into the mailer causes the restraint to release the replacement unit and secure the replaced unit in such a position that no address is visible through the window. Accordingly, the mailer would be returned to the vendor whose address is imprinted on the mailer with no need for further effort on the part of the customer.

Abstract: A voice coil motor assembly for a voice coil motor printwheel setting apparatus comprises a plate having the voice coil motor coils mounted thereon. The plate is adapted for attachment to a printed circuit board by pins electrically connected to the voice coils. Picker links having voice coil magnets connected thereto are stacked in sequence and the final assembly is completed by enshrouding the voice coil magnets with the voice coils mounted on the plate.

Abstract: A system for the nonvolatile storage of data, such as a postage meter system, employs a microcomputer coupled to two nonvolatile memories. The first nonvolatile memory requires data be applied to the nonvolatile data terminals for more than a predetermined time for data to be written into said nonvolatile memory while the second nonvolatile memory is of a type wherein data applied to the second nonvolatile memory data terminals for less than the predetrermined time is sufficient for data to be written into the second nonvolatile memory. The microcomputer operates under control of a program store to apply data to the first nonvolatile memory data terminals for at least a predetermined time under particular operating conditions and under other operating conditions to applying data to the nonvolatile memory data terminals and during the predetermined time to the second nonvolatile memory terminals.

Abstract: A mechanism for transporting flat articles, such as envelopes, onto and across the tray of a scale. A belt is trained about a combination of rollers received within slots of the tray which in combination with clamps supported by the tray are used to transport a flat onto the weighing scale. When a flat is to be weighed, it is transported onto the tray, the rollers are withdrawn below the tray by the belt and the clamps hold the flat securely against the tray. The tray is then oscillated and the weight of the flat is determined from the harmonic period of oscillation. Upon completion of weighing, the belt is placed into contact with the flat and rotated to remove the flat from the tray.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for securing the tray of a scale during the transporting of flat articles, such as envelopes, onto and across the tray of the scale. When a flat has been placed in a position for weighing, the conveying mechanism is put into an inoperative mode and causes the locking mechanism to release the tray. After the article is weighed, the conveying mechanism is placed into the operating mode and acts upon the locking mechanism to cause it to once more secure the tray.

Abstract: An impression roller assembly including an ejector roller for a postage meter or like machine includes a first member pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis, an impression roller carried at or towards the free end of the first member, a second member pivotable relative to the first member about an axis co-incident with the rotation axis of the first impression roller, an ejector roller mounted at or towards the free end of the second member, and means for driving the ejector roller. In use, rotation of the impression roller by the drive of the machine directly or indirectly causes rotation of an ejector roller.

Abstract: An improved mailing machine has a switch for incrementally changing the magnitude of a time interval during which ink is applied to the applicator roller. The magnitude of the time interval for ink application is both stored and displayed. The magnitude of the change in the stored and displayed values is incremented by one unit for each unit of time that the switch is actuated.

Abstract: A computerized partial shipping system wherein transactions related to a plurality of carriers are recorded in a single file. The file has a pair of counters for each carrier, with the first counter storing the total number of transactions recorded for that carrier and the second counter storing the number of closed transaction records for that carrier. The programs enable the archiving of the records, and updating the records of the file.

Abstract: A microcomputerized postage meter has a programmable clock for generating an interrupt output to the microcomputer in the event that it times out before it is stopped or reprogrammed. The timer is suitably programmed for the anticipated duration of the routine to enable swift recovery from the postage meter microcomputer being locked into operation in an infinite loop.

Abstract: Oscillating and alternatively locking apparatus and method of determining the mass of an article by the shift of the period of oscillation of a flexibly mounted platform. An article whose mass is to be determined is placed upon the platform. The platform 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 platform, and the difference, or shift, in frequency, allows a determination of the mass of the article. A reversible motor is used to provide drive to a conveyor for transporting mail pieces onto the tray and for causing oscillation of the tray for purposes of weighing.

Abstract: A system for processing batch mail in which the need for on-site inspection is unnecessary. The mail sender purchases postage from a central station thereby authorizing him to send mail equal to the amount of postage purchased. The mail sender processes batches utilizing a plurality of work stations. Each batch is accompanied by a statement summarizing the type and number of mail pieces sent and amount of postage for each batch. The statement contains data that allows mail payment verification.

Abstract: A wick cartridge assembly including a cage having openings at opposite ends thereof, a water permeable, mesh surface secured to the interior of the cage and defining an enclosure at one of the openings, and a length of moistening, wick material having one end thereof abutting the mesh enclosure. The assembly is especially useful in moistening apparatus employed with buckle chute folders.

Abstract: Methods and associated apparatus are disclosed for customizing and testing fully assembled postage meters in a secure manner. According to the invention, meters are customized under external, i.e. non-meter resident, program control. The external program control may be used to initialize meters, produce "blank" (unconfigured) meters, and configure either blank or previously configured meters, both at the factory and in the field. The ability to reconfigure fully assembled meters permits devices which have been put into service in one country to be easily reconfigured by authorized personnel, and placed into service in another country. The invention customizes meters in a manner that is transparent to the operator, maxmimizing the security of sensitive meter data by minimizing operator handling and access to such data. The invention also facilitates the "non-destructive" testing of fully assembled meters, i.e.

Abstract: Oscillating and alternatively locking apparatus and method of determining the mass of an article by the shift of the period of oscillation of a flexibly mounted platform. An article whose mass is to be determined is placed upon the platform. The platform 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 platform, and the difference, or shift, in frequency, allows a determination of the mass of the article. A reversible motor is used to provide drive to a conveyor for transporting mail pieces onto the tray and for causing oscillation of the tray for purposes of weighing.

Abstract: Oscillating and alternatively locking apparatus and method of determining the mass of an article by the shift of the period of oscillation of a flexibly mounted platform. An article whose mass is to be determined is placed upon the platform. The platform 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 platform, and the difference, or shift, in frequency, allows a determination of the mass of the article. A reversible motor is used to provide drive to a conveyor for transporting mail pieces onto the tray and for causing oscillation of the tray for purposes of weighing.