Abstract: A system for the curing of adhesive applied between a strain gauge and a transducer body. The method includes the steps of placing the transducer into contact with a fixed member, applying adhesive to a strain gauge and pressing the adhesive coated strain gauge on the transducer body while heating the fixed member. Heating is provided for by controlling the heat supplied to the fixed member so as to maintain the member at a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A weighing scale capable of weighing articles in a rapid and accurate fashion. The tray of the scale is supported by at least one spring and becomes vertically displaced in proportion to the weight of an article placed thereon. A voice coil is used to bias the tray to its original position, and the weight of the article is determined by measuring the current in the voice coil.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory bank of an electronic memory and retrieval system is partitioned into at least three memory blocks, each block capable of storing an accounting program. The accounting program data is stored in duplicate with one copy of the data in one memory block and a second copy of the data in a second memory block. The remaining memory blocks of the partitioned memory bank are held in reserve status. The integrity of the data is preserved by comparing one data copy with the other data copy. When a difference between the two data copies is detected, a determination is made as to which data copy is the correct data copy. The data in the memory block having the correct data is duplicated into a reserve memory block, forming a new set of data in a new memory block, which is then substituted for the memory block having the incorrect set of data.

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 bearing members comprise conductive plate means which are brought into registration with corresponding plate means beneath top and bottom surfaces of the cartridge for defining signal coupling capacitors. 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.

Abstract: A small mechanical weighing scale capable of weighing relatively light, flat articles such as envelopes. The scale contains a slidable pullout flexible beam that is adapted to hold a thin flat article. The tape will break away in accordance with the weight of a held article as the tape is extended from the housing of the scale.

Abstract: A system for the preparation of items to be mailed, preparation of each item varying in accordance with selected values of pre-determined parameters. The system includes apparatus for marking each item with selected identification code values; apparatus for preparing each item to be mailed in accordance with stored parameters, the preparing apparatus having a detector for detecting and outputting identification values from the items; a data base system for storing selected values of the parameters in associated with the identification codes, a control system responsive to the output identification codes to access the associated selected values for output to the preparation apparatus. The preparation apparatus of the subject system includes an inserted system and the pre-determined parameters include parameters defining the inserts to be assembled with an item.

Abstract: Telephone number information representing a name and a telephone number is entered into the memory of an automatic dialer, either by actuating a telephone dial-type keypad or by reading that information from a magnetic recording medium. When utilizing the keypad to generate telephone number information, actuation of the keys in one mode generates digital signals representing alphabetic characters constituting a name, and actuation of those same keys in a second mode generates digital signals representing numerical characters constituting the telephone number associated with that name. The telephone number information is stored as a telephone directory in record blocks which may be revised or deleted, in whole or in part, to carry out a telephone number edit operation. The stored record blocks may be read out from the memory and written onto the magnetic recording medium of a recorder, such as dictating machine, from which the recorded telephone directory may be downloaded to another automatic dialer.

Abstract: An interactive outgoing and incoming mailpiece processing system is provided. The system includes structure for processing an outgoing mailpiece for mailing to an addressee. The outgoing mailpiece includes a returnable stationery item bearing an identification code identifying the addressee. The system additionally includes a computer. The computer includes a memory device for storing the identification code. The computer also includes a dispositive data listing for the identification code. The listing includes data corresponding to an operation to be implemented by the system, and is programmed for causing the system to implement the operation upon sensing the identification code for the listing. The system also includes structure for processing an incoming mailpiece, including the stationery item when it is returned. In addition, the system includes code sensing structure and structure for changing the dispositive data listing, whereby the data corresponding to the operation may be changed.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying moisture to a flexible document containing a water-activated adhesive. The apparatus includes a reservoir for storing a source of water, a mounting bracket extending from the reservoir, a pivotable hammer pivotably mounted to the bracket and extending toward the reservoir, and a moistening wick extending from the reservoir toward the pivotable hammer. The area between the moistening wick and the pivotable hammer defines a document path. The apparatus further comprises a flexible, one-way gate secured to the lower portion of the hammer for movement therewith, the gate having an end portion extending into the document path. The apparatus also includes a gate deflector secured to the gate and lower hammer portion for movement therewith.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for preparing mailpieces. The apparatus includes printing structure and structure; for supplying a plurality of stationery items. In addition the apparatus includes a computer. The computer includes structure for receiving and storing data including different letter datum corresponding one-for-one to different information provided for preparing each of a plurality of different mailpieces. The information for each mailpiece includes a postal zip code. The computer includes structure for identifying respective postal zip codes which each include a plurality of predetermined elements. In addition, the computer includes structure for sorting from the data the letter datum corresponding to information which includes an identified postal zip code.

Abstract: A die protection device that prevents the taking of fraudulent non-metered impressions from the value printing die surface of a printing member in a postage meter machine. A slug is reciprocally received within the print head of the postage meter machine such that the slug will extend beyond the diameter of the print head when the postage meter machine is inoperative, but the slug will be retracted during operation for the purpose of allowing the printing postage on an envelope. The device is particularly useful in a postage meter having a reciprocating platen.

Abstract: Apparatus for preparing a letter is provided, which includes printing structure, stationery item supplying structure and a computer. The computer is constructed and arranged for receiving a signal representative of letter data corresponding to information having a format. The information includes a plurality of parts. The computer includes structure for reformatting the letter data. The reformatted letter data includes a plurality of parts. And, each of the information parts corresponds to a different one of the data parts. The computer also includes structure for selecting at least one of the data parts, causing the supplying structure to supply the stationery item to the printing structure and causing the printing structure to print on the stationery item the information part corresponding to the selected data parts.

Abstract: A die protection mechanism that prevents the taking of fraudulent, non-metered impressions from the value printing die surface of a postage meter machine. A linkage assembly is pivotally supported adjacent the print wheels of the postage meter machine such that a projecting portion will extend beyond the diameter of the print wheels when the postage meter machine is inoperative, but the linkage assembly will be pivoted during operation for the purpose of allowing the printing of postage on a mail piece. The mechanism is particularly useful in a postage meter having a reciprocating platen.

Abstract: A system for maintaining the security of user postal funding charges and allowing accurate accounting of delivery charges includes the step of and apparatus for printing on a mailpiece or type at the originating station value to cover delivery charges along with encrypted validation information which is later employed to account for postage funds, particularly at the time of delivery. A visual marking is imprinted on the mailpiece at the time of accounting to show that accounting has occurred. The mail deliverer can rely on the visual indication for assurance that processing and accounting has occurred.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided which includes structure for preparing a letter including a returnable stationery item for sending to an addressee, wherein the returnable stationery item includes a code. In addition, the apparatus includes structure for routing the stationery item, when it is returned, to a selected one of a plurality of locations. The routing structure includes structure for sensing the code. Further, the apparatus includes a computer coupled to the routing structure. The computer is programmed for controlling the routing structure and for storing a dispositive data listing for the code. The dispositive data listing includes information defining the selected location. The computer causes the routing structure to route the stationery item to the selected location when the code on the stationery item is sensed. In addition, structure is provided for changing the dispositive data listing, whereby the selected location may be changed.

Abstract: A dictation/transcription system wherein identifying signals are recorded with audio messages. One of at least two different types of identifying signals, such as single or double bursts of cue tones, together with a block of digital data are recorded. The digital data block is comprised of fields of data for providing additional message identifying information, such as message type, time and date of recording, author identification and the location of the message on the record medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the delivery of replacement units, particularly suited for the delivery of replacement electronic components such as Programmable Read-Only Memories (PROM's) mounted on printed circuit boards. The apparatus includes a box-like housing divided into upper and lower regions by a partition. U-shaped track guides containing flexible linkages are fixed to the inner walls of the housing and extend between the upper and lower regions. Each region is accessible through a door which when closed may only be opened by from inside the housing. To deliver a replacement unit the replacement unit is inserted into the track guides in the lower region and the lower door is closed. The housing is then wrapped, with the upper door open, with shrinkable plastic, or other suitable material. A customer's address and any necessary mailing permits are fixed to the wrapping and the whole is mailed to the customer.

Abstract: A telephone terminal or a combined telephone-dictation terminal is disclosed. Such telephone apparatus includes a handset having a microphone and a speaker together with a speakerphone having a microphone and a speaker. Such telephone apparatus also includes a hook switch, which detects on-hook and off-hook conditions of the handset, a speakerphone switch, and a control mechanism, which is responsive to the hook switch and the speakerphone switch. The control mechanism may successively enable and disable at least one of the speakerphone microphone and the speakerphone speaker in response to successive operations of the speakerphone switch during the on-hook condition.

Abstract: A postage meter is mounted to a mailing machine at a location along the feed deck of the mailing machine such that a portion of the postage meter is in spaced relation to the feed deck to define a printing station. An inserter or other type of mailpiece inserter delivers a plurality of mailpieces to the feed deck of the mailing machine in a seriatim manner for the printing of an indicia on each of the mailpieces as it traverses the print station by the postage meter. The mailing machine is provided with a transport system comprising means for capturing each of the mailpieces as it is received from the inserter and controllably transporting the mailpiece along the feed deck and maintaining control during indicia printing by the postage meter and thereafter ejecting the mailpiece from the mailing machine. Also, a control means is provided for controlling the transport speed such that the initial velocity of the transport is generally equal to or greater than the velocity of the fed mailpiece.