Abstract: A franking machine is disclosed which has a thermal printer for printing variable and non-variable information at a single print station. The non-variable information is printed by thermal print elements having a form corresponding to the information pattern and the variable information is printed by arrays of selectable print elements. The elements are preferably heated by passing electric current through the elements. Alternatively, the elements for non-variable information may be heated from a heated substrate.

Abstract: An information transport system for conveying information between a franking meter machine and a Post Office equipment includes a unit having a non-volatile read/write memory which may consist of an EEPROM which can be transported between the meter and the equipment. When the unit is inserted in the franking machine a transaction code is verified by comparison with a registered code and information transfer is effected. The machine then generates a new code and stores it in a register. Upon return of the unit to the Post Office, the equipment responds to the transaction code stored in the unit to generate a new code corresponding to the new code generated and stored in the meter machine.

Abstract: The method utilizes an encoding switch to derive encoded position signals representing the current position of a member such as the print element of a franking machine. The switch has conductive strips and in order to ensure reliable operation of the switch the strips have substantial length. However for correct printing it is necessary that not only is the selected type character at the printing position but that it is precisely positioned to achieve correct printing of the character. In order to obtain this precise positioning of the print element the encoded position signals are utilized to move the selected type character to the print position and the print element is then moved by a predetermined distance to achieve precise positioning of the type character within the printing position.

Abstract: To enable a single motor in a franking machine to set the printing wheels in a printing drum in addition to rotating the drum and feeding items of mail through the machine, four carriages, each carrying a rocker and solenoids are mounted on two pairs of continuously rotating lead screws. Each carriage is connected by a ring shoe to a printing wheel via a selecting bar in the drum arbor. Solenoid moves rocker to engage screw to drive the carriage in one direction. Movement in the opposite direction is by screw controlled by solenoid. Each carriage sets an encoding switch to enable a microcomputer to know the state of the printing wheels. Each new value is fed, for example, by a keyboard, to the microcomputer which determines the movement, if any, of each carriage to set the new value on the printing wheels.

Abstract: An information transport system for conveying information between a franking meter machine and a post office equipment includes a unit having a non-volatile read/write memory which may consist of an EEPROM which can be transported between the meter and the equipment. When the unit is inserted in the franking machine a transaction code is verified by comparison with a registered code and information transfer is effected. The machine then generates a new code and stores it in a register. Upon return of the unit to the post office, the equipment responds to the transaction code stored in the unit to generate a new code corresponding to the new code generated and stored in the meter machine.