Abstract: An electronic postage meter system in which a postage meter is coupled to a data center by way of a communication path, to enable recharging of the accounting register of the postage meter under the control of the data center. The postage meter includes an arrangement for applying dialing signals to the communication path for initiating a request for recharging of the postage meter register, and for interrupting the communication prior to the receipt of recharging authorization. The data center is responsive to a request for recharging the postage meter register to apply dialing signals corresponding to the expected location of the postage meter to the communication path to re-establish communication for the transmission of recharging authorization signals. The interruption and subsequent re-establishment of communication verifies the continued location of the postage meter at the expected location.

Abstract: A mailing system, including a postal scale and a postage meter controlled by the postal scale, and having one step metering capabilities. A postal scale controls a postage meter to set postage values as a function of the weight of an item to be mailed and, possibly, other postal information entered by an operator. The postage meter is physically mounted on the postal scale and the weight of the meter forms part of the tare weight of the scale. In one embodiment of the subject invention a letter placed in the meter will automatically be weighed and metered in a single step. In another embodiment of the subject invention the system also operates in a second mode wherein items placed on the system (i.e. on top of the meter) are weighed and postage values are computed in accordance with the weight and other postal information entered by an operator. Postal labels for packages, envelopes too thick to be weighed in the meter, or other items weighed, may then be printed upon command by the operator.

Abstract: A postal scale having an improved response time to determine appropriate postage amounts and including an improved postal weighing algorithm. The scale includes a transducer which produces a sequence of digital output signals representative of the instantaneous response of a scale and a microprocessor which detects the presence of mail pieces on the scale and determines estimates of the weight of the mail pieces as a function of subsequences of digital output signals, and uses these estimates to determine appropriate postage amounts. The algorithm used in the scale of the subject invention takes advantage of the fact that postal rate charts (i.e. postal rates as a function of weight) are, in general, step-like (i.e. are constant over ranges between predetermined weight breakpoints). The processor examines sequences of digital output signals and makes a first estimate of the weight of the mail pieces and determines the distance from the first estimate to the closest breakpoint.

Abstract: An improved postage meter includes a method for checking the particular operation being carried out by the meter to determine whether it is in the appropriate sequence under the given conditions. A stored program word associated with each routine to be monitored is stored in RAM whenever the routine is operating. The word can be checked as many times as desired during the operation and if a match does not occur between the stored word and the word associated with the executing routine, appropriate error recovery can be initiated.

Abstract: An electronic postage meter is disclosed which includes one or more nonvolatile memories (NVM) for storing a hierarchy of secure data including the meter's unique serial number, accounting information, and various parameters which define its operating characteristics. The portion or portions of NVM containing the serial number and the aforementioned information and parameters may be totally or partially "locked" by firmware that causes one or more "lock bits" to be set. The setting of the lock bits is designed to prevent unauthorized access to a program which can alter the contents of predetermined portions of NVM. The disclosed postage meter is further operable to enable authorized personnel to "unlock" said program in order to initialize, modify and/or reconfigure the meter both during the manufacturing process and after the meter has been placed in the field.

Abstract: A system for processing batch mail in which evidence of tampering with a postage value accounting unit is provided. The accounting unit cooperates with a printer to print postage and the zip code in bar code form on a mail piece. If there is evidence of tampering with the accounting unit, as incorrect zip code in bar code form is printed.

Abstract: A system for accounting for postage on large batches of mail without franking of each mail piece. The system includes an intelligent inserter system or automatic weighing system for generating postage determining information for mail pieces in a large batch of mail and a printer or scanner for serializing the batch by either imprinting each piece with a serial number or scanning for pre-printed serial numbers. The postage determining information and serial numbers are transmitted to a manifest system which generates a manifest (i.e., a matched list of serial numbers and postage) and computes the total postage due on the batch. In one disclosed embodiment, the manifest system then selects a random sample of the manifest, encrypts the serial numbers and transmits this encrypted sample to a data processing center.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: There is an envelope deskewing device provided with a mailing machine having a horizontal feed deck, with an elongate registration guide which extends along one side edge. Mail is fed along a feed path determined by the registration guide and a postage meter located downstream from the deskewing device. A support is mounted over the upper surface of the feed deck with a first rotary frictional drive mounted on the support for feeding the envelopes parallel to the registration guide along the feed path. A second rotary frictional drive is mounted upstream from the first rotary drive for receiving the envelopes in a random orientation ranging from parallel to the registration guide to a predetermined angle with respect to the registration guide. An abutment device mounted on the support adjacent to the second rotary drive prevents an envelope from being fed by the second rotary drive if the envelope is placed on the feed deck at an angle greater than the predetermined angle.

Abstract: A system for detecting fraudulent imprints on documents is disclosed. The system comprises a metering device, a host and a verifying facility. The metering device provides a validation signal to the host and its associated printer. Thereafter, the printer prints information which includes information from the validation signal. Thereafter the information printed on a mailpiece can be validated at the verifying facility by detecting the validation information provided by the metering device. The system provides a method to make a secure metering device without an integral printer. This value printing system provides for a secure system that will allow for the detection of fraudulent imprints at a verifying facility.

Abstract: In a document processing machine, apparatus for urging documents against a registration fence while simultaneously driving the documents along a conveying path determined by the fence. The apparatus includes a housing frame, a registration fence secured to the frame, a deck secured to the frame for receiving the documents seriatim, a pair of cooperating rollers rotatably mounted on the frame, the rollers having crossed axes, one of the rollers being mounted in perpendicular relationship to the fence, and capability for driving the one roller. The one roller includes an elastomeric covering having disk portions separated by grooves the disk portions being radially segmented to thereby form individual petals. The other of the pair of rollers is resiliently biased against the one roller, thereby exerting a normal force acting toward the one roller to provide resultant component frictional forces for causing lateral and longitudinal movement of the document along the fence.

Abstract: An envelope and document feeder is disclosed within which there is a first stationary frame, and a second movable frame. The feeder has a support surface for a stack of articles to be fed seriatim, and has an apparatus which is engaged by the second movable frame to permit feeding. When the second frame is pivotably raised, the engaging apparatus prevents the articles from sliding down into the throat of the feeder.

Abstract: Rotary operated character selection apparatus is provided for postage meters having a rotating print drum and at least one print wheel in the drum for printing a selected character on an envelope or label. One set of print wheels may be provided for value selection, and another set of print wheels may be provided for date selection. The print wheels are turned by rotating print wheel gears, located adjacent an opening in an outside surface of the drum, by rotating the drum to a preselection position to engage the print wheel gear with a mating gear located outside of the drum, and rotating the mating gear until the proper print wheel character is selected. Devices are provided to determine the rotational angle of the drum and the positions of the print wheels, and an appropriate control system is provided, preferably with an input keyboard for selecting the value of postage to be dispensed and printed, and the date.

Abstract: An improvement in combination with apparatus including rotary means, wherein the rotary means includes a periphery having indicia printing means and is adapted for feeding a sheet in a path of travel. The improvement comprises: a first device for sensing a time interval during which a sheet having a leading edge is linearly displaced a predetermined distance in the path of travel; a d.c. motor coupled to the rotary mean for rotation of the rotary means; a second device for sensing angular displacement of the rotary means and a computer coupled to the first and second sensing devices and to the d.c.

Abstract: A postage meter has a print drum with print wheels which are shiftable to select the value of the postage. The positions of the print wheels are controlled by the positions of associated gears which in turn are controlled by a value setting drive mechanism. A unitary motor effects movement of a pinion from gear to gear and of the individual gears to set the values of the print wheels and also other drive functions of the meter.

Abstract: Continuous operation of the conveyor in an inserter system is achieved by providing a lift up station (LUS) between a Document Entry Device (DED) and the next downstream Multiple Document Entry Device (MDED). A controller causes the LUS to remove documents from the conveyor when it is determined that the time, t.sub.2, required by the MDED to complete assembly of an enclosure for ejection onto the conveyor exceeds the time, t.sub.1, required by the conveyor to move the document ejected by the DED to the MDED, and subsequently causes the LUS to replace the documents onto the conveyor at a time substantially t.sub.2 -t.sub.1 later. Apparatus and method are disclosed.