Abstract: Apparatus and method for the maintenance of redundant postage accounting datafiles. Redundant postage accounting report data is maintained by the present invention by first creating a datafile on a postage metering device (e.g., an SMD) to store postage accounting data. A second datafile is created on a computer capable of communicating with the SMD (which may be either remote or local to the computer). For every transaction which updates the postage accounting data stored in the SMD, the datafile residing on the computer is updated to reflect the change.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a modular postage accounting system. An open system metering device of the present invention includes a general purpose computer, a digital printer and a secure metering device (SMD). The SMD performs the accounting functions of a postage meter and generates encrypted postage indicia data for transmission by the computer to the digital printer and subsequent printing on a mailpiece by the digital printer. Postage credit data can be entered into the SMD using a computerized meter resetting system just as it is in a conventional postage meter.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for authentication of postage accounting reports. Postage accounting report data is authenticated by first assembling authentication mark data from the postage accounting report data and encrypting the resultant information to form an authentication mark. A physical representation of that authentication mark is then affixed to a postage accounting report generated by a postage accounting report system. The postage accounting report may subsequently be authenticated by communicating the authentication mark to a responsible party (for example, a postal authority or manufacturer) for purposes of decrypting the authentication mark and authenticating the postage accounting report data using the decrypted information.

Abstract: A technique for reconfiguring in the field postage meters having a set of features that may be selectively enabled or disabled by software. The technique provides security so that the meter company will always have a correct record of the configuration of the meter in the field. A technique is provided for reconfiguring in the field of external devices in communication with postage meters, the external devices having an external device feature set that may be selectively enabled or disabled by software. A technique for securely adding postage to a remote setting postage meter without the remote setting code is also provided. A technique for detecting the entry of an invalid code for remote setting the meter a predetermined number at times is also provided. Once detected, a security lock flag stored in memory is set which prevents the meter from being reset until the flag is cleared in a separate procedure.

Abstract: A technique for reconfiguring in the field postage meters having a set of features that may be selectively enabled or disabled by software. The technique provides security so that the meter company will always have a correct record of the configuration of the meter in the field. A technique is provided for reconfiguring in the field of external devices in communication with postage meters, the external devices having an external device feature set that may be selectively enabled or disabled by software. A technique for securely adding postage to a remote setting postage meter without the remote setting code is also provided. A technique for detecting the entry of an invalid code for remote setting the meter a predetermined number at times is also provided. Once detected, a security lock flag stored in memory is set which prevents the meter from being reset until the flag is cleared in a separate procedure.

Abstract: An improved postage scale (2). The scale contains a central processing unit (200) which calculates the amount of postage required for an article to be mailed. The central processing unit inputs rate information from battery augmented random access memory (208). A user programs the random access memory using the same keyboard (6) used for normal weighing operations. In preferred embodiments memory pack, including the battery augmented random access memory (208), is inserted in external slot (10) in the postage scale for added versatility.

Abstract: A postage scale (1) and method of operation. The scale has two or more modes (M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3) of operation. In a first mode the scale outputs the weight of an item to within a first, coarse increment. In a second mode (M.sub.2), the scale outputs the weight of an item to within a second, fine increment. In one embodiment, a third mode (M.sub.3) is selected with a coarse increment depending on the type of carrier and item weight.

Abstract: A multiposition sensor device includes a plurality of inductive-type coils arranged in a first array and a plurality of plates arranged in a second array being juxtaposed and movable relative to the coils, allowing the coils and the plates to register in any plurality of unique couple arrangements. The multiposition sensor device further includes a circuit coupled to each one of the coils, which generates a first signal when a plate is registered with its associated coil and a second signal when no plate is registered with its associated coil. In a preferred embodiment, the coil and plates lie in parallel planes. The coils are angularly spaced along a given circumference in one plane while the plates are angularly spaced along a corresponding circumference in the other plane to allow easy rotation of one array with respect to the other. In one specific embodiment, there are four coils and five plates.

Abstract: A technique for reconfiguring in the field external devices in communication with postage meters, the external devices having an external device feature set that may be selectively enabled or disabled by software. The technique provides security so that any changes to the feature set is authorized. The meter is capable of being put into an I/O configuration mode by suitable entries from the keyboard, in which mode it is inhibited from printing postage. The meter has a storage register for a current or old I/O configuration number (IOCN), and can receive a desired new IOCN via keyboard entry. The meter calculates an encrypted I/O configuration request code that depends on the new IOCN. The I/O configuration request code, when communicated to a data center computer along with other validating identification information, is checked by the data center computer which computes the I/O configuration request code using the same algorithm.

Abstract: A technique for reconfiguring in the field postage meters having a set of features that may be selectively enabled or disabled by software. The technique provides security so that the meter company will always have a correct record of the configuration of the meter in the field. The meter is capable of being put into a configuration mode by suitable entries from the keyboard, in which mode it is inhibited from printing postage. The meter has a storage register for a current or old meter type, and can receive a desired new meter type via keyboard entry. The meter generates an encrypted configuration request code that is partially based on the values of the old and new meter types. The configuration request code, when communicated to the data center computer along with other validating identification information, is checked by the data center computer which generates the configuration request code using the same algorithm.

Abstract: A technique for securely adding postage to a remote setting postage meter without the remote setting code. The technique is readily implemented in the meter software. During this technique, the meter is manually set by a Post Office Clerk by putting the meter into a post office mode by pressing selected keys, entering the desired amount of postage, and exiting the mode. After exiting the mode, the meter is capable of printing postage. After printing some non-zero postage, the customer notifys a data center computer of the manual setting by performing an emergency clear procedure. First, the customer puts the meter into a remote setting mode by pressing selected keys. In this mode, the meter will generate and display an emergency request code. The customer passes the emergency request code with other identifying information to the data center computer. The computer generates its own emergency request code and compares the codes.

Abstract: A load cell weighing apparatus (1) includes a base (7) and a load plate (11) and a load cell (9) mounted between the two. The base (7) includes four load arrestors (17) capable of precise adjustment. Each load arrestor (17) has a pin support (18) with three vertical holes (19) of different depths and a pin (21) which is placed in one of the holes (19). The load arrestors (17) prevent damage to the load cell (9) by limiting vertical movement of the load plate (11) with respect to the base (9). The amount of relative movement is easily and quickly adjusted by simply repositioning the pins from holes of one depth to holes of another depth.

Abstract: A unit drive assembly (2; 84; 102) is used with postage meters (4) of the type which include a stationary base (6; 86; 104, 106) and moveably print head (8; 88; 108). The base and print head are mechanically connected so that input information to the base is mechanically transmitted to the print head. The assembly includes one or more drive tracks (10; 90; 110) along which a series of balls (16; 96; 112) are positioned. A first portion (12; 118; 120) of the drive track is carried by the base while a second portion (14; 116) is carried by the head. The first and second portions are aligned when the head is in the home position; it is at this time a ball drive (28; 42; 92; 102), carried by the base, moves the balls along the track discrete distances equal to one or more ball diameters.

Abstract: A meter base drive assembly (4) is a part of a postage meter base (2), to which a postage meter is mounted. The assembly includes envelope drive (62), a tape dispenser (86) and a print head drive (84) mounted to a base frame (12). The drive assembly includes a motor drive (6), pivotally mounted (10, 14) to the frame, which drive a pulley (8) in a first rotary direction. First, second and third driven pulleys (16, 18, 56) are operably coupled to the envelope drive, print head drive tape dispenser respectively. A dual pulley (20), including first and second ppulley element (28, 53), is pivotally mounted (34, 36; 102, 104) to the frame. One side (30) of a first drive belt (26) engages the drive pulley and the second driven pulley. The second side (32) of the first drive belt engages the first pulley element. A second drive belt (52) engages the second pulley element and the second driven pulley so that the first and second driven pulleys are rotated in opposite rotary directions.

Abstract: A gear lock is moved between a free movement position, at which the gear is freely rotatable, and a locking position, at which the gear and gear lock become self-locking. The gear lock has two locking faces facing one another which fit around one or more teeth with the locking faces adjacent the sides of the gear teeth. The locking faces and the gear sides define tangent contact planes at the positions of contact. The tangent of the angle between the direction of movement of the gear tooth at the contact region and the contact plane is less than the coefficient of friction between the gear and the gear lock. Doing so makes the gear lock self-locking since the component of the gear force parallel to the contact plane does not exceed the frictional force between the two surfaces. The gear lock also provides any final positioning of the gear as it moves into the locking position with the gear teeth opposite the locking faces.

Abstract: An assembly for preventing reverse rotary rotation of a disc includes openings having circumferentially spaced-apart ends formed in the disc. The leading end has an abutment surface perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the disc. The trailing end of the opening is ramped. Pins are mounted to a stationary support opposite the openings in the disc and are biased toward the disc. The outer end of each pin is sized to fit within the openings and has an abutment surface oriented perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the disc and configured for complementary mating engagement with the abutment surface defining the forward edge of the opening. The outer end of the pin is an angled or ramped surface. Forward rotation of the disc causes the two ramped surfaces to engage, biasing the pin away from the disc. The pin then slides along the surface of the disc until another opening is encountered at which time the process is repeated.

Abstract: A value wheel rod lock is used to selectively lock value rods, mounted to a rotatable shaft of a postage meter, against axial movement according to the rotary position of the shaft. The rod lock includes a knife blade pivotally mounted to the shaft for rotation with the main shaft. The knife blade is spring biased away from engagement with the value rods. The knife blade is mounted to a cam follower which engages a circumferential cam surface surrounding the shaft. The cam surface is configured so that over a range of angular positions of the shaft the knife blade is biased against the value rods. This forces the value rods against a high friction backing pad mounted to the shaft with sufficient force to keep the value rods from being moved axially. When the shaft is at its home position, during which the meter values can be changed, the knife blade is biased away from the value rods to allow the value rods to be freely movable.