Abstract: An electronic postal meter has a control unit, an accounting unit and a printing unit, each incorporating a CPU having a separate crystal controlled clock. Communication between the units is serial character asynchronous, bit synchronous, in message form, with the bits of the messages being timed in accordance with a given schedule for synchronous control. The messages themselves, upon receipt by a receiver, are returned bit by bit to the transmitter, for checking, whereupon the transmitter sends a no-error pulse upon successful comparison of the transmitted message and the message received from the receiver. All control and data signals utilize the same pair of conductors in each direction with precisely defined timing for control.

Abstract: In an optical scanning system for scanning an original document to be copied, in which the system includes a carriage, an array of fiber optics for illuminating the original document with a line of light, a first mirror, a second mirror opposing the first mirror and forming an acute angle therewith, the mirrors being separated by a predetermined distance, whereby one end of the mirrors is more open than the other end of the mirrors and input light rays enter at the more open end of the mirrors upon the first mirror at a predetermined angle, and wherein the light rays are reflected off each of the mirrors a predetermined multiplicity of times and exit the mirrors at the more open end by reflecting off the second mirror at the same predetermined angle the input rays make with the first mirror, and a lens cell for focusing the line of light upon a light sensitive surface, an improved adjustment mechanism for the lens cell.

Abstract: An attribute control system is provided in a word processing system of the type having a keyboard for entering alpha numeric data. A display control circuit is coupled between a display, which displays a plurality of lines of alpha numeric text, and the keyboard. The display control circuit controls the information exhibited on the display. The display control circuit means includes a character attribute control circuit having a latch for latching attribute signal information entered from the keyboard. The attribute signal information remains in the latch until the attribute latch is cleared or another attribute signal is entered from the keyboard.

Abstract: In an electronic postage meter, the setting motors for setting the print wheels in the printing drum are directly controllable externally of the secure portion of the meter. The meter includes a shutter bar arranged to block rotation of the printing drum under determined conditions, the printing drum being rotatable in response to drive from a postage meter base. The postage meter includes first and second interposers controlled by a microprocessor for redundantly inhibiting movement of the shutter bar from a position blocking printing of postage. One of the microprocessor controlled interposers is also mechanically coupled to the print wheel setting mechanism to inhibit release of the interposer at determined positions of the stepping mechanism, and to inhibit operation of the setting mechanism when the interposer is released.

Abstract: A semiconductor strain gauge comprises an elastic member having a surface subject to stress; a semiconductor substrate secured to the elastic member and including at least one PN junction wherein both the P type and N type material is composed of amorphous semiconducting material; and an electrical connection for conducting a signal indicative of strain.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of emulsion polymers having a solid content of about 65% to about 80% is disclosed. The process comprises the step of adding a monomeric mixture to a reaction system maintained at a temperature of from about 60.degree. C. to about 90.degree. C., the monomer addition not exceeding an hourly rate of about one-fourth of the total monomer to be added, the mixture comprising monomers having a particle size of from about 10-100 microns, the system having therein an emulsifier and initiator at the time of the monomeric addition.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for controlling the amount of print material supplied to an electronic printer and, more specifically, for controlling the amount of ink or toner supplied to the sump of an ink jet printer or a photoelectrostatic copier that is used as a printer, respectively. The supply of print material is controlled by a determination of the amount of material that would be required to print a given text. This determination is based upon a knowledge of how much print material is required for various characters and the make-up of characters in the text.

Abstract: A tubular knife comprising a stationary, inner cylindrical member having a slot extending substantially longitudinally thereof, the slot having a longitudinally extending upper edge and a longitudinally extending lower cutting edge, a rotatable, outer tube concentric and substantially contiguous with the inner member, the outer tube having a slot substantially co-extensive with the slot of the inner member, the outer tube slot having an upper cutting edge inclined at a slight angle with respect to the lower cutting edge of the inner member slot, a device for biasing the outer tube to a position wherein the slot of the outer tube is substantially aligned with the slot of the inner member, and means for rotating the upper cutting edge of the outer slot past the lower cutting edge of the inner slot.

Abstract: Within an electrophotographic copier having a moving photoconductor member, a dry magnetic developing apparatus has an endless web for the purpose of transporting dry magnetic developer material from the supply to the developing zone. The web is constructed from a material formed of an inner electrically insulative base and with a textured, electrically conductive outer surface capable of picking up a supply of developer material. The dry developer material is then caused to tumble upon the web and through the gap defining the developing zone, under the influence of fixed magnets located within the developing apparatus. The tumbling action greatly extends the opportunity to provide toner to the charged image along the arcuate path which includes the development zone between the carrier web and the photoconductor.

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 and a shaft member operatively connected to and extending from the motor, the shaft member including a spring for supporting the pan element. A plurality of collapsible support members are secured at one end thereof to the frame and each have at their opposite ends a device that is adapted to receive and lift one of the weight elements when the support member is in an extended and non-collapsed position. A camming arm is secured to the shaft member and extends in a direction toward the support members. A switch is provided for energizing the motor when the pan is depressed by a load.

Abstract: Method for tracking creep and drift of a digital scale after a load has been placed upon a scale pan. The tare weight is determined at a time before a load is placed upon the pan and is stored. After the pan comes to equilibrium, the gross weight of the scale is determined and stored. Variance in the gross weight as a result of creep and drift is tracked and after an incremental amount is determined the value of such variance is added to the stored tare weight so that upon removal of the load from the pan the true tare weight is maintained.

Abstract: A peripheral interface board establishes a communications link between a postage value determining system processor associated with a postage scale and a plurality of peripheral devices. The interface includes a microcomputer which receives data and command signals from the system processor. A multiplexer interconnects the peripheral transmit line of the microcomputer with a selected peripheral device, while a further multiplexer interconnects the peripheral receive line of the microcomputer with the selected peripheral device. Typical mailing system peripheral devices include electronic postage meters, an electronic accounting system, a scale computer interface and a printer. In response to command signals from the system processor, the microcomputer establishes a communications link with a selected peripheral device.

Abstract: A semiconductor strain gauge comprises an elastic member having a surface subject to stress; a semiconductor substrate composed of an amorphous semiconducting material secured to the surface of the elastic member; and an electrical connection on the amorphous material for conducting a signal indicative of strain.

Abstract: An automated mailing system includes a postage value determining system processor, a scale for providing weight indicative signals, a keyboard for operator entry of information relating to a determination of postage, and a plurality of peripheral devices. A peripheral controller interface establishes communications links with the peripheral devices. An incompatible systems interface interconnects a serial communications bus of the system processor and the peripheral controller interface. The incompatible systems interface includes a processor programmed to receive, decode and transmit information from or to the system processor along the serial bus and load or receive information from or to the peripheral controller interface along parallel lines. The communication timing constraints of the serial communications bus for receipt of data signals by the system processor do not permit monitoring of the data transmission by the incompatible systems processor.

Abstract: A two piece articulated stripping device is provided, having an elongate member pivotally connected to a fixed support on a copier so that a free end of the member is in juxtaposition with the outer surface of a heated fuser roll.

Abstract: A removable paper cassette for feeding different lengths of cut paper sheets seriatim to a machine operatively associated with the cassette. The cassette includes a chutelike base having a bottom panel, and a pair of sidewalls contiguous with the front wall and extending only along a portion of the bottom panel. The cassette further includes an upwardly biased paper elevating plate pivotably secured at its rearward section to the base, the plate having a pair of detents situated in the forward section thereof adjacent the sidewalls, and a cassette cover pivotably secured to the sidewalls of the base. The cover includes a pair of inwardly projecting camming fingers integral therewith, one on each side of the forward section thereof. The detents engage the fingers when the cover is raised to the open position whereby the cover is held in the open position and the elevating pate is maintained in a depressed position ready for paper loading.

Abstract: A levitating paper stacking device for stacking different length papers. The device includes a box-like receptacle having a bottom wall, a front wall, and a pair of sidewalls, and a fold-down, four bar linkage, perforated ramp. The ramp is movable between a raised position for stacking a shorter length paper and a stored position for stacking a longer length paper. The ramp includes three hinged segments wherein the forwardmost segment constitutes the rear wall of the receptacle when the ramp is in its raised position and wherein the forwardmost and middle segments constitute an addition to the bottom wall of the receptacle when the ramp is in its stored position.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing device for use with a heat fusing apparatus in an electrophotocopying machine, including a roller movably mounted above a copy paper conveyor associated with and located downstream of the heat fusing apparatus, a moving device for moving the roller into rolling contact with the conveyor when an abnormality is detected in the fusing apparatus during the copying operation, and a device for maintaining the roller out of rolling contact with the conveyor when no abnormality in the fusing apparatus is detected during the copying operation.

Abstract: An improvement in an electrophotographic copying machine having a movable photoconductor web rotatably mounted on at least a pair of rollers, the web having an insulative support layer, an electrically conductive layer disposed on the support layer, and a photoconductive layer disposed on the electrically conductive layer.