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: A tape feeding apparatus is provided for preventing the feeding of successive strips of tape unless and until the manual activator for the tape feeding mechanism has been allowed to return to its manual in operative position. There is a tape feeding apparatus, a drive apparatus for driving the tape feeding apparatus, and a clutch interposed there between. A latching mechanism normally maintains the clutch disengaged to prevent the driving apparatus from driving the tape feeding apparatus. A second clutch is interposed between the latching mechanism and a manually movable actuator for normally engaging and providing a direct connection between the movable actuator and the latching mechanism so as to disable the latching mechanism when the actuator is moved to the actuating position, and thus allowing the first clutch to engage and cause the driving apparatus to drive the tape feeding apparatus.

Abstract: A bus grant circuit for controlling access by a digital device connected to a common bi-directional bus and a bus arbitration system incorporating such circuit. The bus arbitration system comprises a common bus request, a common bus busy line, a bus grant line daisy-chained through each device which may request bus control and a bus arbitrator which asserts a signal on the bus grant line in response to a bus request signal and the absence of a bus busy.

Abstract: In an electronic postage meter having a program for updating accounting memory in a printing cycle, flags are set in the accounting memory at each of a plurality of steps during the updating of the accounting registers, the flags providing an indication in a power-up cycle following a loss of power, of the steps necessary, if any, to complete an accounting that had not been completed prior to the previous loss of operating power.

Abstract: A postage meter has a print drum with print wheels which are shiftable to select the value of the postage. The print wheels are adjusted by displacing respective transmission members; e.g. gears, which are driven by a pinion which is shifted from gear to gear. Control means is provided for controlling the shifting of the pinion so that it is engaged during each value setting only with those gears whose print wheel requires adjustment from its previous setting.

Abstract: This invention discloses a structure for preventing unwanted migration of postage meter ink through the spaces separating various plastic components of the structure.

Abstract: An improved value print device having incorporated within the device improved linkages for imparting a reciprocal motion to the carriage, housing and inking roller.

Abstract: An interface between a system processor of an automated mailing system and selected peripheral devices carries peripheral support hardware and software for communication with the peripherals. The interface includes a board having a memory wherein programs for formatting communications with the peripherals are stored. A working memory for the temporary storage of commands and data for communication to the peripherals and a peripheral controller for establishing a communications link with a selected peripheral are also carried on the interface board. A replaceable PROM is carried on the interface for accessing the output enable pins of the program and working memories. The PROM is replaced in the field when a different program or working memory is to be substituted.

Abstract: A postage meter which includes a thermal print head for printing indicia, postal value, and the like is disclosed. In accordance with the invention, thermal elements in the thermal print head are electronically pulsed in appropriate serially timed patters to provide a complete thermally transferred image on a strip moving past the thermal head.

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: 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 rack gears. The racks are displaced by a pinion which is shifted from rack to rack. The racks are arranged in an arcuate or part annular array around the pinion.

Abstract: A mailing system including a postage meter adaptable to either a high-speed mailing machine capable of parallel postal value selection or a low-speed mailing machine capable of serial value selection is disclosed. The postage meter includes a print drum with printing value members, a rod extends outwardly from the drum, the rod contains linear racks that are axially located above the horizontal center line of the rod, the linear racks interact with the value members to provide the proper value setting. Attached to the postage meter are a plurality of cross-over shafts with pinion gears, the pinion gears engage the racks to facilitate value selection. The postage meter also includes a rotary shutter device, the shutter device prevents unauthorized movement of the rack members and unintended rotation of the drum member. A cam bar arrangement within the postage meter interacts with the mailing machine to produce the above-mentioned actions.

Abstract: In a mailing system including a postage value determining system processor which communicates along parallel channels and peripheral subsystem processors adapted to communicate with a system processor along a serial data bus, an interface is provided between the system processor and the serial bus. The interface includes a first and a second communications processor. The first processor is programmed to communicate with the system processor and with the second communications processor. The second communications processor is programmed to communicate with the first processor and with peripheral subsystem processors through the serial bus. Data and control signals are transmitted between the communications processors through an interprocessor channel. The interprocessor channel includes lines connected to reference voltage levels for providing appropriate signal levels for recognition by the communications processors which operate on different voltage signal levels.

Abstract: A postage meter has a print drum with print wheels which are shiftable to select the value of the postage. The print wheels are adjusted by displacing respective rack gears through an annular drive member and a pinion, and the print drum is rotated for printing the selected value on a workpiece. A shutter bar locks the print drum against rotation during value selection and locks the annular member against rotation during print drum rotation.

Abstract: A monitoring circuit for an electronic postage meter operating under control of a programmed microprocessor, including a transistor switch for receiving an output signal from the programmed microprocessor and generating an output signal in response thereto; timer means electrically coupled to the transistor switch for generating an output pulse in the absence of a signal from the transistor switch within a predetermined time interval, logic gate means electrically coupled to the timer means for holding its output in a first logical state in the absence of a signal from the timer means and capable of changing its output to a second logical state in the presence of an output signal from the timer means, the logic gate means having its output electrically coupled to the programmed microprocessor to advise the same of a change in the logical state of its output.

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 a plurality of axially displaceable rack gears. The racks are displaced by a pinion which is selectively directly engaged with the racks one at a time and the racks are shifted with respect to a fixed position.

Abstract: A load cell having a flexure connector that provides connection between the load beam of the load cell and the sensing beam. The structure has a low profile and provides an adjusting feature that compensates for the variations in resistance of the load cell strain gages.

Abstract: A postage calculator system and method comprising means for introducing postal information to the system; a means for obtaining weight information of the article to be mailed; a memory means for storing information indicative of special feed categories; and means for generating a postage value for the article from the postal information, the weight information and the special fee information. The system selects postal information indicative of the carrier type, class and destination of an article to be mailed, obtains weight information for the article, selects special fee information indicative of at least one of the following special fee categories for use with the article: registered mail, special delivery, return receipt, certified mail, insurance and C.O.D. The system then generates a postage value, adjusted in accordance with the special fees, if any, determined, for the article.

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: A data processing system including a method and apparatus for controlling software configurations. A plurality of software programs and routines are stored in a mass storage device. Which software accessed by the system is controlled by non-volatile information stored in the system. The system also includes a portable media storage device, such as a floppy disk drive, and fixed information which loads a preselected portion of the portable media into the system. Two portable media are also provided. The preselected portion of the first portable media contains a bootstrap program which loads an operating system into the system. The preselected portion of the second portable media contains a program for altering the non-volatile information stored in the system so as to change the software configuration which may be accessed by the system. The program then erases the preselected portion of the second portable media after execution.