Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided in which a token is used to manage user access to actions and features within an application platform. The token includes an indication of each action and/or feature to which the user has permission within the platform, thereby allowing for rapid and efficient development and management of user access to features within the platform.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enabling third parties, such as authorized vendors, to reconcile short-paid adjustment requests initiated by service providers such as, for example, the United States Postal Service, in response to customer non- or underpayment for services rendered. In an embodiment, a method includes the steps of storing a short-paid adjustment request from an initiator, identifying a source for the short-paid adjustment request, generating a request to a VBI meter system for a short-paid adjustment request based on the source identified, storing the VBI meter system response to the short-paid adjustment request, and generating a file to the initiator based on the VBI meter system response.

Abstract: A hand-held handle dispenser comprising: a main frame having a handle, an adhesive tape roll provided at a rear side of the main frame for delivering an adhesive tape, an application element provided at the front side of the main frame for applying the adhesive tape on a parcel and a cutting blade for cutting the adhesive tape, a cartridge for storing an insert strip roll and transport and affixing elements for conveying the insert strip from the cartridge to the application element and affixing it against the adhesive tape to form a handle.

Abstract: Assisted manual mail sorting system for assisting an operator in manual sortation of mailpieces in a sorting station including a plurality of destination bins, the system comprising a headset wearable by the operator and connected to a computer comprising an image analysis software for extracting from an image of one of the mailpieces, a name, an address or other relevant information and a sorting application for determining a corresponding relevant destination bin, the headset comprising: a high resolution camera for capturing the image of the mailpiece, a transparent display for signalling to the operator the relevant destination bin where the article is to be placed by highlighting or overlaying a visual artifact on a view of the sorting station while the operator is looking at the sorting station.

Abstract: A method and structure improves a reading efficiency for RFID tags located in a reading zone of a RFID reading apparatus. A structure is interposed between the RFID tag(s) and the RFID reading apparatus. The structure is essentially electrically non-conductive and comprises a network of RFID antennas. The network of RFID antennas network is positioned on the structure in a pattern whose periodicity in two dimensions is less than half an operating RFID wavelength, so as to create a three dimensional interferometric pattern with peaks of electromagnetic field intensities. The RFID reading apparatus or the at least one RFID tag is set in motion, relatively to one another. The at least one RFID tag is read by the RFID reading apparatus during the relative motion within the reading zone so that the three dimensional interferometric pattern shifts and thereby improves the reading efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus for optimizing automated packaging of a shipment set, said shipment set comprising one or more items arranged in an arrangement for being automatically packaged, the apparatus comprising at least one image obtaining device for obtaining three-dimensional image data of said arrangement and at least one computer system and a signaling device, the computer system adapted for processing said image data to obtain information on the dimensions of individual items present in said arrangement and on the orientation and position of said items in said arrangement, performing an analysis of said information with respect to at least one optimization criterion and depending on said analysis, generating signals indicating to either proceed with automated packaging of said arrangement or to modify or to divert said arrangement, and the signaling device adapted for receiving the signals generated.

Abstract: System (10) for automatically packaging items varying in size and number for shipment, comprising a unit (32) for acquiring size information of one or more item(s) to be packaged, an inner packaging material feeding unit (24) for feeding an inner packaging material, an outer packaging material feeding unit (26) for feeding an outer packaging material, a first wrapping station (16) for wrapping said inner packaging material around one or more item(s) to be packaged to create an inner packing surrounding the item(s) in a first direction and a second wrapping station (18) for wrapping said outer packaging material around said inner packing to create an outer packing surrounding the inner packing in a second direction, said second direction being substantially perpendicular to said first direction, wherein the first and the second wrapping stations are adapted to form said inner packing and said outer packing such that the inner and the outer packing form a combined package enclosing the packaged item(s) from all

Abstract: Methods and systems using a single centralized database to manage postal accounting data are provided. The central database may interface with remote postal meters by way of one or more transient data collectors, which cache data from associated meters and transmit the data to the central database. The data collectors also validate postage accounts to the associated meters. The use of local transient data collectors allows for a single centralized database to be used without requiring data replication among databases local to each computer that manages postal meters.

Abstract: A hand-held handle dispenser comprising: a main frame (12) having a handle (14), an adhesive tape roll (16) provided at a rear side of the main frame for delivering an adhesive tape, an application roller (18) provided at the front side of the main frame for applying the adhesive tape on a parcel and a cutting blade (20) for cutting the adhesive tape, a cartridge (22) for storing at least one insert strip (24) and transport and affixing means (26, 28) for conveying said at least one insert strip from the cartridge to the application roller and affixing it against the adhesive tape to form a handle.

Abstract: A feeder (12) for feeding envelopes in a mail handling machine comprising a transport deck (30) for receiving a stack of envelopes, feed rollers (34) for conveying downstream envelopes towards a reference wall (32) leaving a clearance path for the envelopes; a stack sensor (48) for detecting the presence of the stack of envelopes at a predetermined height threshold; and a control unit (46) configured for decreasing acceleration of the feed rollers when the stack of envelopes goes below the predetermined height threshold.

Abstract: Automatic parcel sizing device (10) comprising: a trihedral parcel support (12) having three panels (12A, 12B, 12C) for receiving a parcel (18) to be sized, each panel of which being disposed orthogonal to the other two panels and defining a vertex (20) at an intersection point of said three panels, an optical sensor (14) for obtaining an image of the parcel, and a processor unit (16) in signal communication with said optical sensor for determining from said image of the parcel the respective dimensions of three parcel edges (18A, 18B, 18C) which have a common vertex (18D), wherein said vertex of the trihedral parcel support is disposed upside down such that, thanks to the gravity, the parcel is always correctly placed regarding the trihedral parcel support and said optical sensor is placed below and at a fixed distance from said vertex.

Abstract: A planar antenna comprising: a substrate (10) having opposed first (10A) and second (10B) flat faces; the first flat face comprising a first ground (12), a second ground (14), a feed track (16) there between and an antenna pattern (18) and the opposed second flat face comprising a third ground (20); the third ground being connected to first and second grounds for assuring the continuity of the ground plane with the feeding; and the antenna pattern forms a coil line disposed into the remaining surface of the first flat face and comprises two overlapped loops in such a way that the antenna pattern is substantially auto-complementary.

Abstract: A system for selectively C, Z or half-folding sheet(s) of paper of variable format, comprising: a pocket-like channel (10) with a stop element (12) for defining a paper sheet position and positioning the sheet(s) according to a location of a recipient's address A and a type of fold required; two folding rollers (2, 4) arranged diametrically opposite to each other and forming a folding/nipping area (6); an inducing element (8) movable towards and away from the folding/nipping area for defining a fold line position; and a curved guiding path (14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26) which substantially covers at least one of the two folding rollers for receiving and guiding the sheet(s) completely around one or the other of the two folding rollers without changing their rotational direction during the folding cycle.

Abstract: An attachment assembly on a cylindrical protuberance of an article comprising a flexible cap configured for fitting an outer shape of the cylindrical protuberance, the flexible cap comprising an central recess part, a RFID tag fixedly mounted in the central recess part, the RFID tag comprising identification data relative to the article, and a magnet having two opposite flat faces, the magnet generating a magnetic field perpendicular to the flat faces being fixedly mounted by one of the two flat faces on the RFID tag and configured to be affixed by the opposite one of the two flat faces onto the cylindrical protuberance.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a value of a descending register of a postal security device (PSD) in accordance with a guarantee is disclosed. Mailing data including a guarantee rate, and a public rate of postage disbursed for a mailpiece franked under terms of the guarantee, can be received. The public rate and the guarantee rate can be compared, and if the public rate is equal to or less than the guarantee rate, postage funds can be downloaded from an account corresponding to a lessee of the PSD.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided that allow for comparison of an automatically-generated form to an original form to identify discrepancies efficiently. Portions of the form, such as those expected to contain dynamic data, may be masked, allowing for more efficient and accurate comparison with a predicted form and an actual output form. Further, testing of the form may be automated, allowing for more accurate and efficient generation of each form considered.

Abstract: Methods and systems using a single centralized database to manage postal accounting data are provided. The central database may interface with remote postal meters by way of one or more transient data collectors, which cache data from associated meters and transmit the data to the central database. The data collectors also validate postage accounts to the associated meters. The use of local transient data collectors allows for a single centralized database to be used without requiring data replication among databases local to each computer that manages postal meters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and traversing test cases trees are provided. A test case tree indicates an order of execution for multiple test cases, where setup and tear down or equivalent steps are not required before and after execution of each test case in the tree. The tree may allow for generation of virtual test cases to encompass multiple test cases which ordinarily would have mutually exclusive execution requirements.

Abstract: A method of generating a digital signature at a postage meter, in which method a postal imprint is printed on a mail item once said mail item has been weighed and once its postage amount has been determined, said postal imprint being associated with a digital signature generated by means of a secret key on the basis of constant data and variable data, said variable data comprising only a fingerprint code extracted upstream of the weighing from a three-dimensional structure of the fibers of the mail item.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed that allow a mailer to obtain confirmation of a current address from a recipient, and/or an express request from the recipient to update a mailing address stored by the mailer. In an embodiment, a mailer may send a first mail piece to the recipient, which directs the recipient to access a website or other electronic resource to verify his or her address. Upon receiving express confirmation of the recipient's address, a second mail piece may be sent to the current address, and/or the recipient's address may be updated in the mailer's records.