Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for controlling firmware branch points in an electronic postage meter, comprising the steps of storing a program for operation of the electronic postage meter, providing at least one data bit external to the stored program, each such data bit corresponding to a particular branch point in the program, and selecting a branch of the program for use in operation of the meter in accordance with the data bit so that the program may be readily reconfigured based on the presence of a data bit.

Abstract: The ink ejecting portion of an ink jet printer is described, wherein a single ceramic transducer is used to create the pressure for the ink droplets. Unlike prior devices, the transducer is a one-piece member as opposed to use of a crystal and diaphragm. The one-piece member is practical because of the generally spherical configuration of the crystal.

Abstract: An improvement in combination with a postage meter including a rotary postage printing drum having apparatus for changing respective postage values to be printed, and including apparatus for actuating the changing apparatus, there is provided an improvement for indexing the changing apparatus into engagement with the actuating apparatus. The improvement comprises: a d.c. motor coupled to the drum for rotation of the drum; a device for sensing angular displacement of the drum; and a computer coupled to the sensing device and to the d.c. motor; wherein the computer provides respective amounts representative of desired angular displacements of the drum during successive sampling time periods, responds to the sensing device for providing respective amounts representative of actual angular displacements of the drum during successive sampling time periods, compensates for the difference between desired and actual angular displacements and generates a d.c.

Abstract: An improvement in combination with a postage meter including a rotary drum having a periphery 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 is linearly displaced a predetermined distance in the path of travel; a d.c. motor coupled to the drum for rotation of the drum; a second device for sensing angular displacement of the drum; and a computer coupled to the first and second sensing devices and to the d.c. motor; wherein the computer responds to the first sensing device for providing respective amounts representative of desired angular displacements of the drum during successive sampling time periods, responds to the second sensing device for providing respective amounts representative of actual angular displacements of the drum during successive sampling time periods, compensates for the difference between desired and actual angular displacements and generates a d.c.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for controlling the velocity of a portion of a load in accordance with a trapazoidal-shaped velocity versus time profile. The apparatus includes a d.c.

Abstract: A character generator system for dot matrix printers wherein a microprocessor receives an input signal in the form of an M bit digital code, such as ASCII code, and representing a text to be reproduced in dot matrix form as well as other bits of information. The microprocessor converts the incoming code from an M bit code to an N bit code, where N is greater than M, whereby substantially more information may be transmitted. The microprocessor then sends appropriate information to various components of the system that cooperate to control a dot matrix printer in accordance with the input coded information.

Abstract: Printer apparatus for use with a dictation system including a changer device having an input stack, a recording deck for recording dictated messages, and an output stack for storing recording media onto which dictated messages have been recorded. The changer device further includes an optical reading element for reading identifying indicia on the recording medium in the recording deck. This information along with other information such as the number of dictated messages recorded on the recording medium, the time of day, etc. are printed out by the printer.

Abstract: A system for creating font memory banks to be used as look-up tables in a character generator of a dot matrix printer. This system involves the combination of memory and operator input whereby memory banks of individualized fonts may be designed. The print characteristics of the type of printer to be used are simulated to facilitate the font creating process.

Abstract: An ink jet printing head comprising an array of successive pairs of cavity plates and transducer plates. The transducer plates are one-piece elements composed of piezo-ceramic material and can have multiple diaphragms on opposing faces matching with cavities in the cavity plates. Many such pairs of cavity plates and transducer plates can be joined together to form a printing head which can achieve a very high density of nozzles, specifically, on the order of 150 to 200 nozzles per inch.

Abstract: An improvement in a changer apparatus of the type having a recording deck to which individual recording media are transported, one at a time, and an output stack for receiving and storing in stack configuration recording media that have been removed from the recording deck, including a device for laterally transporting a recording medium to the output stack, the improvement comprising a lifting element disposed at the output stack and contacted by the recording medium that is laterally transported to the output stack to raise those recording media then stored in the output stack, whereupon the laterally transported recording medium is positioned as the bottommost medium in the output stack.

Abstract: Novel radiation-curable, liquid vinyl-hydro copolymers and coating compositions which are free of volatile solvent(s) and which are adapted to be applied to a substrate and cured rapidly by exposure to radiation to form release coatings having good release properties with respect to adhesives and methods for producing such polymers and compositions and for applying and curing such release coatings are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for providing a video output signal representing a thinned image from digitized video input signals representing discrete picture elements (pixels) of a scanned image, comprising convolver means for identifying those pixels which are to be retained as part of the thinned image, those pixels which are to be discarded, and contingent pixels which may be part of the thinned image, and matrix filter means electrically coupled to the convolver means for determining which of the contingent pixels are to be discarded and which of the contingent pixels are to be retained as apart of the video output signal representing a thinned image.

Abstract: A process for thinning an image, comprising the steps of defining an image in terms of a plurality of discrete picture elements (pixels), convolving each horizontal string of pixels of the image with itself shifted a predetermined number of pixels, weighting each shifted position of each horizontal string, selecting certain of the pixels of the weighted horizontally convolved pixel strings which correspond to predetermined descriptors, convolving each vertical string of pixels of the image with itself shifted a predetermined number of pixels, weighting each shifted position of each vertical string, selecting certain of the pexels of the weighted vertically convolved pixel strings which correspond to predetermined descriptors, adding thee selected pixels from the weighted vertical and horizontal convolutions and the pixels of the original image, retaining those pixels which are common to the original image and the selected pixels of both the horizontal and vertical weighted convolutions, discarding those pixel

Abstract: An inserter is adapted to insert successive enclosures from a stack carried by an enclosure feeder assembly into envelopes carried by an envelope feeder assembly. Each feeder assembly includes a sloped tray and a pair of side guides which engage the ends of the stack of materials being fed. Both side guides are adjusted by releasing a tab adjacent one of the guides and sliding the guide. An endless belt mounted beneath the tray assures symmetrical displacement of both guides relative to the center of the tray. A feed wheel is carried along a drive shaft which extends transversely above the tray. The hub of the feed wheel includes a one way clutch which permits adjustment of the feed wheel position. A separator stone projecting from beneath the tray in staggered registration with the feed wheel includes a stone shield. Both the stone and the stone shield are adjustable through control knobs accessible at the front of the inserter.

Abstract: Organic photoconductive elements with a charge generating layer and a charge transport layer carried on an electroconductive support are disclosed. The invention involves the combined use of a polycarbonate resin having a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 25,000 to about 45,000 as an adhesive in the bonding layer on the electroconductive support and as a binder in the charge transporting layer forming a homogeneous phase to provide a receptive and retentive base layer for the charge-generating layer.

Abstract: A process for color coding of a sintered powder metal part is disclosed. The process comprises contacting said metal part with a color formulation comprising: from about 1 to 10 parts of a colorant, from about 1 to 5 parts of nitrocellulose, up to about 45 parts of an alkyl acetate, and the remainder an alcohol and continuing said contact until a color coating is deposited on said metal part.

Abstract: A load cell for measuring forces applied thereto including an adjusting mechanism for off center load adjustment is disclosed. The load cell comprises a substantially parallelogram structure having a moving section on one side and a fixed section on the opposite side. Upper and lower strips extend between and connect the fixed and moving sections. Flexjoints are located at approximately the juncture of each of the strips and the sections, the flexjoints being adapted to flex in response to the force exerted thereon and facilitate transmission of the force to the transducer portion of the load cell. An adjusting mechanism for off center load adjustment is positioned on the load cell and includes both a vertical and horizontal adjusting mechanism that are adapted to alter the position of a first flexjoint adjacent to the adjusting mechanism relative to the position of a second flexjoint.

Abstract: A weighing device is disclosed which comprises a frame, a pan element for supporting a load to be weighed, a channel member connected to the pan for retaining a plurality of weight elements in a vertically movable manner, a motor supported within the frame, a shaft member operatively connected to and extending from the motor and a plurality of support members having top end portions adapted to receive and lift one of the weight elements. Two arms are secured to the shaft member and each extends in a direction toward the support members. A switch is provided for energizing the motor when the pan is depressed by a load. The motor turns the shaft member and guides each of the arms alternately into contact with successive support members in a step-by-step manner and thereby lift a corresponding number of the weights substantially equal to the weight of the load.

Abstract: In a tape recording machine having a capstan drive system for driving the tape, an improved slip clutch for allowing the take up reel to be driven at a variable rotational speed while the capstan is driven at a uniform rotational speed. The slip clutch includes a driven spindle, a plastic member fixedly secured to the top of the driven spindle, the member having a lower, elongate cylindrical portion and an upper, outwardly extending flange defining a downwardly facing shoulder and an upwardly facing cam surface, and a substantially annular, plastic hub frictionally engaging the cylindrical portion of the plastic member and having an interior diameter slightly smaller than the external diameter of the plastic member cylindrical portion.

Abstract: A weighing device is disclosed which comprises a frame, a pan element for supporting a load to be weighed, a channel member connected to the pan for retaining a plurality of weight elements in a vertically movable manner, a motor supported within the frame, a shaft member operatively connected to and extending from the motor and a plurality of vertically movable support members having top end portions adapted to receive and lift one of the weight elements. Two arms are secured to the shaft member and each extends in a direction toward the support members. In one embodiment of the present invention, each support member includes a cam track therein and each of the arms include a cam follower adapted to ride in the cam track. In another embodiment, each support member includes a cam follower extending therefrom and each of the arms include a cam track adapted to receive the cam follower such that the follower can ride in the cam track.