Abstract: Apparatus in a microcomputerized postage meter internally generates a finite set of combination of numbers having a specifiable number of digits in each combination. The combinations are used to allow for the addition and removal of postal funds within the meter. The apparatus utilizes a modification of common coding schemes to implement the generation of the combinations. The modification provides for the generation of an intermediate combination of numbers from a seed table located within the postage meter. The modification thereafter provides for the generation of the internally generated combinations from the intermediate combination. Thus, the internally generated combination is generated by using existing code. By use of this modification, less memory capacity is necessary to store combinations than with previous combination generation schemes, thereby allowing for that capacity to be used for other functions within the postage meter.

Abstract: A postage meter is disclosed in which security information is encoded in the printed indicia. The information is encoded in a binary format which is transformed in a predetermined manner such that the information is retrievable by a special reader and decoding algorithm for obtaining the original binary format. The transformed indicia may be in one color or maybe multicolored.

Abstract: A multichannel communications recorder or logger having the capability to display channel activity, failsafe back-up capability, a unique identification code with provision for changing such code, and apparatus for securing access to the communications recorder. The recorder is formed from modular elements which may be configured into a large number of selectable configurations. Possible configurations include provision of back-up record decks and back-up record amplifiers, as well as various selectable auxiliary components. In each configuration one or more record decks is controlled by a control module which includes a system control microprocessor and a CRT control microprocessor, which, in turn, controls a user interface including a CRT for displaying pages of control information and a plurality of softkeys.

Abstract: A method for aligning a moving substrate and a read or write head includes independently controllable rollers for deskewing the sensed skew of a moving substrate and a read or write device that is translatable in a direction fixed with respect to the reference direction of the moving substrate.

Abstract: An unsecured postage applying system wherein the printer and accounting unit are separated from one another by an unsecured link through use of encryption. The printer may be of any off the shelf type that is capable of printing alpha numerics or bar codes. More than one printer can be connected to a single accounting unit to provide a network of printers accommodated by the one accounting unit.

Abstract: An electronic postage meter for printing postage indicia having a postage value and a message, in which the message is stored in a memory and the printer of the postage meter prints the message in accordance with that stored in the memory. The postage meter is provided with a communication port and is responsive to determined signals received at the port for changing the message stored in the memory, thereby to change the message printed in the postage indicia.

Abstract: A mailing machine system, including a mailing machine base and a feeder module secured to the base for conveying envelopes toward a postage meter secured to the base. The feeder module includes a horizontal feed deck and a vertical registration wall adjacent the feed deck and forming a right angle therewith. The system also includes an automatic override circuit for turning the mailing machine system on and off at particular times depending upon the presence or absence of an envelope on the feed deck, and a sensing device having an emitting element and a receiving element. One of the elements is situated in the feed deck and the other of the elements is situated in the registration wall. The sensing device is operatively connected to the on-off circuit, wherein the detection by the sensing device of the presence of an envelope causes the mailing machine system to be turned on and the lack of detection by the sensing device for a predetermined period of times causes the mailing machine system to be turned off.

Abstract: A system for the metering of encrypted postage and similar indicia includes a device for printing such indicia and a device for reading such indicia. The printing is accomplished with a dot matrix printer driven by signals obtained by altering character generation signals with encryption signals. The interleaving is accomplished on a row-by-row basis by inserting delays from an encryption circuit into signals from a character generator circuit. The reading is accomplished by correlating received characters against a stored array of a symbols to determine the presence of a symbol, the extraction of coded data from character data of the received and identified character, and the comparison of the separated coded data with a reference code to determine the accuracy of the printed material. Thereby, forgery and alteration is inhibited.

Abstract: An electronically operated postage meter includes a non-volatile memory for the permanent storage of security and financial data utilized in the operation of the meter. In the operation of the memory, a standardized two-bit control signal is employed for providing read, write and word-erase commands in addition to one further command, namely, a block-erase command, wherein the entire memory is cleared. To avoid unintentional erasure of the entirety of the stored data, as might occur in the event of a fault in a control circuit or computation circuit coupled to the memory, a control-line translation unit is coupled within a control line which connects a memory control circuit with the memory. The control-line translation unit comprises a logic gate and a feed forward path, the gate operation being transparent to three out of the total of four control signals. Thereby, only the block-erase signal is translated, or converted, to a harmless one of the other control signals, more particularly, to the read signal.

Abstract: A driver circuit is under the control of a microprocessor and in communication with a stepper motor. The stepper motor is in driving communication with a mechanism. A power source having a first and second voltage level is in communication with the stepper motor such that the first voltage level is in direct communication with the power terminal of the stepper motor. The second voltage level can be selectively applied to the power terminal of the stepper motor upon instruction of the microprocessor to a gate circuit of the driver circuit. The driver circuit also includes a gating amplifier having a plurality of stages, each stage in communication with a respective one of the stepping terminals of said stepper motor. A coupling circuit means is provided for receiving a series of step commands from said microprocessor and turning "ON" or "OFF" a respective stage of said gating amplifier in accordance with a respective step command in the form of a binary set number.

Abstract: Input coupling apparatus for coupling a telecommunications link, such as a telephone line, to an audio device, such as a recording channel of a telecommunications logger. Input terminals connect the coupling apparatus to the telecommunications link, such as to the tip and ring leads of a telephone line, for receiving audio signals. Voltage, current and remote sensing devices are coupled to the input terminals for detecting an active mode, such as an off-hook condition, during which audio signals are present. When connected to a telephone line, either an off-hook voltage condition or an off-hook current flow is sensed to produce an off-hook signal. When coupled to another communications link, such as a radio link, an external, simulated off-hook signal is detected. A selector is coupled to the voltage, current and remote sensing devices and selects one of those devices to supply the off-hook signal to the audio device, for example, to enable a logger to record audio signals.

Abstract: A voltage regulator fabricated on an integrated circuit chip to provide regulated voltage for the chip assures that the integrated chip is operational before conventionally provided external regulated voltages are available. This enables the integrated circuit chip to be used to monitor the external regulated voltage supplies and prevents latch-up of the integrated circuit due to improper voltages being applied during power sequencing.

Abstract: In an inserting machine for collating inserts and placing a collation of said inserts into an envelope, a method is disclosed of determining the amount of postage to be applied to said envelope into which said collation of inserts have been inserted. The inserting machine includes a feed deck and a plurality of feed station adapted to selectively feed said inserts onto said feed deck.

Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus includes a registration member and an apparatus for compliantly urging a substrate against the registration member such that the effects of thickness variations of and between each substrate transported past the registration member are mitigated.

Abstract: A mail sender processes batches of mail each of which is accompanied by a statement summarizing the type and number of mail pieces sent and amount of postage for each batch. During processing, each mail piece is identified by a unique number for security purposes.

Abstract: A modular dictation/transcription system is described comprising a modular construction wherein the system is composed of a set of modules which are detachably connectable to each other. Connection or detachment of individual modules from the system configures the system to provide such functions as may be required while deleting such functions which are not necessary. Included within the modules are one or more recording/playback modules a display module and a telephone module. All of the modules interact with each other in accordance with preselectable functions to provide for a more efficient utilization of the dictation/transcription system. Clusters of the modules may be arranged as stations, with the stations connected by a digital communication link.

Abstract: A multiline access module for connection of a number of telephone lines to a station set. The station set is controlled by a microprocessor and communicates with the access module through a communications channel to select one telephone line for connection to the station and to read the line status, ringing, on-hook, seized, no connection, or hold, for each line; the microprocessor controlling audible and visual indicators accordingly. The access module monitors voltage levels on each line to determine the line status. Each access module includes apparatus for connection to first and second groups of telephone lines and when two modules are interconnected by an appropriately polarized cable each will activate a different connection apparatus, allowing two modules to be connected in parallel for greater line capacity.

Abstract: An inserting machine which optimizes the final weight of a mailpiece in order to realize the maximum value of a postage category is disclosed. Each of the enclosure types which may be inserted within the mailpiece is assigned a level of priority based on a postage category. In addition, each of the enclosure types is assigned a maximum per enclosure weight. A processing unit calculates an initial weight for the mailpiece due to those enclosures having a priority which indicates that they must be inserted within the mailpiece without reservation. The processing unit then selects other enclosure types for insertion within the mailpiece based upon the priority level of the enclosure type and the maximum weight of the enclosure such that the final weight of the mailpiece is substantially equal to a maximum allowable weight threshold for a given postage category.

Abstract: A postage meter system includes a nonvolatile memory and program store coupled to a microcomputer. Postage meter transactional accounting data records are stored in the nonvolatile memory. Each transactional accounting data record includes a header portion having piece count related data and a piece count data field. The most current stored transactional accounting record header includes piece count related data which differs from the piece count data in the piece count field. Other stored transactional accounting records have headers with piece count related data which are the same as the piece count data stored in the piece count field. In this way, the most current record can be rapidly identified. A ring buffer organization of nonvolatile memory locations are utilized for storing postage value setting prior to the commencement of a postage dispensing transaction.