Abstract: A computing system having a non-volatile memory with locations with store data and are physically accessible such that the locations can be human visually readable to determine the data values stored therein. The non-volatile memory is operatively coupled to the computing system so that the computing means can write data into the non-volatile memory.A postage meter employing this system is adapted to be energized by an external source of operating power and includes a postage printing mechanism for printing postage and a computing system coupled to said postage printing mechanism for accounting for postage printed by the printing mechanism. A non-volatile memory for storing data is operatively coupled to the computing system and includes locations for storing data, critical postage accounting and other data when the postage meter is not energized by the external source of operating power.

Abstract: Apparatus for folding and sealing sheets comprises means for feeding a sheet, means for bulging a portion of the sheet, means for folding the bulged portion, and means for adhering a sheet portion face to face to a portion thereof trailing the fold. Apparatus for enhancing the security of information on a front side of a sheet comprises said apparatus for folding and sealing sheets, where a plurality of folds are provided and the front side of said sheet is concealed from view inside said folds, said folds being sealed along the lateral side edge portions thereof. Address information may be applied adjacent the trailing edge of said sheet, and the trailing edge portion is folded to expose the address information to view.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a fluorescent ink layer for a fluorescent thermal transfer sheet is disclosed. The method comprises first forming a solution of a mixture comprising at least one acidic monomer, at least one basic monomer and at least one fluorescent dye. Thereafter, an emulsion of the solution is formed and the emulsion is polymerized.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for opening the flap of a document having a bent-over flap. The apparatus includes a pair of side frames, a driven, transfer roller rotatably mounted in said frames, a first, rotatably mounted pressure roller disposed against said transfer roller and providing between itself and said transfer roller a first nip for receiving said document, and a second, rotatably mounted pressure roller disposed against said transfer roller, said second roller being spaced from said first roller about the periphery of said transfer roller and providing between itself and said transfer roller a second nip for receiving said document.

Abstract: A postage value determining scale includes a system processor, a weighing device which generates weight indicative signals, a display and a keyboard for operator entry of information relating to the determination of postage and one or more memories which store postage data. The keyboard includes a plurality of nonilluminated multifunction keys with specific keys being assigned for the entry of special services such as certified mail, c.o.d., special delivery and the like. Upon detecting a keyboard entry assigned for such purpose, the processor recalls and sequentially displays indicia of special services previously selected by the operator and optionally the fee amount of each selected service. After displaying indicia of all the special services selected, the processor thereafter re-enters the previously displayed indicia in the display.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for securing a device from invasive and noninvasive tampering, one such device being a printer assembly for use in a value printing system, such as a postal mailing system. The system is comprised of a Decryption Microcomputer operable for decrypting the input data to be printed in accordance with a valid cipher key, the encrypted data and key being provided by another device, such as a postal meter. The cipher key is stored within a Tamper Latch readably coupled to the Microcomputer for providing the key to the Microcomputer. In addition, the Tamper Latch has a wire of small cross-sectional area connected thereto such that the presence of the wire is operable for defining a portion of the cipher key. To provide further security from tampering the Microcomputer, Latch and wire are embedded within a potting material.

Abstract: A postage metering lock-out security system is disclosed for use with electronic postage meters and for use with a postage metering system that operates in conjunction with a users computer and printer that prints postal value. With the lock out security system, in order for postage to be printed, the postage-metering control unit must receive a valid signal or password. The password may also be used to identify a particular user for accounting purposes. The metering system can also be provided with an internal clock so that metering may take place only within circumscribed times. An additional security feature is provided by an automatic call-back for postage recharging in order to assure that the meter is physically located at the appropriate location.

Abstract: An electronic postage meter has a communication port enabling communication between the postage meter and an external device for recharging an internal register of the postage meter. A manual control such as a button on the postage meter effects the application of dialing signals to the communication port. The manual control may effect the automatic dialing of a service center, for oral communication when a funding register in the postage meter has a value above a predetermined amount, and dialing signals of an accounting center to effect the recharging of the register when the register has a value stored down below the predetermined amount.

Abstract: A remote inspection of postage meters that reduces the requirement for an on site inspection. The postage meters are programmed to sense and communicate any tampering attempt. The inspection is achieved either through electronic communication or by the mailing of imprinted post cards.

Abstract: An electronic postage meter system in which an electronic postage meter is coupled to a data center by way of a communication path to enable recharging of the postage meter. The postage meter includes a register having stored therein the amount of postage which the postage meter is authorized to print. The data center is responsive to a request for recharging the postage meter to indicate the time rate of reduction of the authorized value stored in the postage meter register.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for scanning a moveable record medium, detecting the presence of signal information on the moveable record medium and halting the moveable record medium at the detected signal information or automatically rerecording the detected signal information. The method and apparatus is particularly adapted to function in a multichannel logging system, wherein the desired signal information is intermixed with low frequency time and information signals. The method and apparatus is capable of filtering out the low frequency signals while the tape moves at speeds between playing speed and up to 100 times playing speed, detecting if any signal information remains, and either halting the tape at the detected signal information or automatically rerecording it.

Abstract: A postage meter having an improved throughput for processing mixed weight mail. A postage meter is provided with a commnications link for receiving signals from a system for determining postage amounts and transporting mailpieces. A first signal is provided indicating that a next postage amount will be determined, and in response the postage meter performs common, preliminary steps to enable setting indicia to correspond to the next postage amount. A second signal defining the next postage amount is then received and the postage meter sets its indicia to correspond. In one embodiment of the subject invention the meter may then send a signal requesting transport of the next mailpiece. The meter may then implement common enabling steps for printing while the mailpiece is in transport. In still another embodiment the next postage amount is compared to the last postage amount to which the indicia are set, and if they are equal setting of the indicia is bypast.

Abstract: An electro-optical light scanning system using a modulated laser illumination source directed upon a multi-faceted rotating polygonal mirror or polygon. The mirrored facets reflect the impinging light toward a moving photoreceptor and forms a raster of scan lines as the photoreceptor moves to create dot images on the photoreceptor. The invention also encompasses amplitude modulation for varying the intensity of the laser illumination in conjunction with acousto-optical modulation for maintaining a constant level illumination and/or for varying dot size. Other embodiments describe producing dot size variation in an ink jet printer, a light emitting diode printer and a thermal printer.

Abstract: A value printing system, such as a postage metering system, is disclosed wherein the secure meter accounting registers are removably connected to the meter. The registers are maintained redundantly within two dissimilar types of non-volatile memory devices, the devices being enclosed within an accounting vault. The vault may have the form of a small enclosure which may have the dimensions of a typical credit card. The invention provides for the local recharging of the meter postal funds by the removal of a first vault having an indication of depleted postal funds and the insertion of a second vault having an indication of available funds. In addition, by maintaining the meter accounting registers external to the system, the invention provides for a postage metering system wherein the necessity of the complex mechanical security devices of the prior art is eliminated.

Abstract: A dictation transcription system having two or more recording/playback modules and a display module, all of which are detachably connectable to form an integral structure. The display module provides a visual display of the length, locations and types of messages recorded on either recording/playback module by storing and utilizing display data derived from either active module. This display data is generated and displayed during a dictate operation. When one recording/playback module is disposed in an inactive mode, its display data is stored and the display data derived from the other module if active, now is displayed.

Abstract: Apparatus for sealing a postage meter is disclosed. The sealing apparatus includes a member with a cut-out portion. The cut-out portion includes two cover tab receiving openings which are positioned diametrically across from each other. The center of the cut-out portion has a bore hole that runs completely through the thickness of the cover. An insert is provided with is adapted to fit into and mate with the bore hole. The insert contains an opening which will accept a screw and also contains upwardly extending tabs. A screw is used to fasten the sealing apparatus to the postage meter.A cover is stacked over the upwardly extending tab of the insert. The cover is welded to the upwardly extending tabs thereby making it impossible to remove the screw without first drilling a hole in cover and thereafter prying the cover off to expose the screw. A broken or fraudulent cover will indicate that the meter has been tampered with.

Abstract: In a postage meter which includes a computer, a power supply for energizing the computer, a non-volatile memory for storing postage meter operating data, and wherein the computer includes a microprocessor adapted for processing the operating data, there is provided an improvement for protecting the operating data.

Abstract: A reversible collating machine for stacking sheets of paper being fed seriatim thereto from a singulating feeder in the same or reverse order as the sheets appear in the singulating feeder. The reversible collating machine includes a housing, apparatus secured to the housing for rotatably mounting endless, elastic belts, at least one upper, endless, elastic belt rotatably mounted to the mounting apparatus, and at least one lower, endless, elastic belt rotatably mounted to the mounting apparatus. Each of the belts includes an upper and a lower reach, the lower reach of the upper belt being situated slightly above the upper reach of the lower belt to thereby frictionally engage and transport the sheets of paper. The collating machine further includes a frame slidably mounted to the housing, the frame being movable between an upstream and a downstream position, an upper ramp guide block secured to the frame, and a lower ramp guide block secured to the frame.

Abstract: An electromechanical vault cartridge receptacle has an opening for inserting a vault cartridge, the cartridge passing between a pair of laterally biased rollers which continuously engage asymmetrically contoured sided surfaces of the cartridge. A front surface edge of the cartridge bears upon and causes the backwards motion of a movable frame, the motion of which causes top and bottom surfaces of the cartridge to be securely engaged between an opposed pair of horizontally planar cartridge bearing members. The backwards motion of the movable frame also results in roller supporting members to be locked when the cartridge is fully inserted, thereby preventing lateral movement of the rollers. A cartridge ejecting means comprises electromechanical means adapted for engaging a back surface of the movable frame to move the movable frame in a forwards direction, disengaging the cartridge engaging members and unlocking the roller supporting members, whereby the cartridge is pushed back out of the opening.

Abstract: A system for the nonvolatile storage of data, such as a postage meter system, includes a microcomputer coupled to an MNOS type nonvolatile memory and also coupled to an EEPROM type nonvolatile memory, each memory having address lines and data lines. The address lines and data lines of the two nonvolatile memories are coupled to microcomputer ports such that the MNOS memory data lines are always at a high value whenever the EEPROM memory is addressed for the purpose of either writing or reading.The EEPROM nonvolatile memory control terminals and the MNOS nonvolatile memory control terminals are coupled to different ports of the microcomputer. Access to the MNOS nonvolatile memory is achieved by input/output mapping techniques. Access to the EEPROM nonvolatile memory is achieved by memory mapping techniques. In this way, protection is provided against inadvertently accessing the wrong memory or wrong address while executing read/write instructions to a selected memory.