Abstract: A device in a postage meter that uses dot or drop printing to enhance security. Security is achieved by counting the number of signal pulses that are used to produce ink drops or ink dots that are required to produce the entire document or specific regions of the document. The aforementioned may be accomplished by adding a smart module to digital print head modules. The smart module would capture driver pulses from the print head module and interpret the pulses associated with regions of the image. Thus, the smart module would take data from the printer controller that is used to cut off printing when the ink is consumed and relate “set” values to the drops produced during the production of the document or portions of the document, thereby linking the document to the actual volume of ink produced.

Abstract: A system for generating digital postage stamps wherein a PC requests digital postage stamps from a data center. The data center generates a digital book of postage stamps, which the PC downloads to its hard drive. The digital book of postage stamps includes a read-only software module that prints each digital postage stamp using stamp related information contained within the software module. The software module on the PC verifies that the signature of the PC is identical to the PC signature that was stored in the software module when the software module was configured at the data center. If verified, the software module generates the digital postage stamp and then initiates printing on a printer coupled to the PC. The software module renders the data associated with the digital postage stamp being printed unusable for subsequent generations of digital postage stamps.

Abstract: A method and system for authenticating a postage indicium on a mail piece. The method comprises the steps of providing a first pattern containing encrypted information in a printed area, engaging a mask with the printed area, wherein the mask comprises a second pattern for forming with the first pattern a third pattern indicative of the encrypted information. The method further comprises the step of comparing the third pattern with a template having stored information. If the encrypted information revealed in the third pattern matches the stored information, then the postage indicium is assumed to be an original copy and not a duplicated copy.

Abstract: A method for dynamically determining a motion control profile used in controlling motion of an axis of an overhead transport motor so as to be synchronized to the motion of a collating transport motor of an insertion engine used to insert a collation into an envelope when the collating transport motor causes a collating pusher to handoff the collation to an overhead pusher being driven by the overhead transport motor. The motion profile consists of a finite number of segments and repeats after the finite number of segments, the finite number of segments constituting a cycle.

Abstract: An electronic indicium to be affixed to a mailpiece to be processed by a postal meter and an AFCS unit, and methods of using the electronic indicium in postal processes. The indicium includes a controller, a memory for storing postal funds and postal information, a sensor and transmitter for communicating with an external device, a display unit capable of forming a visible FIM symbol and a cancellation mark when required. Preferably, the indicium also includes means for receiving and storing power from an external source. The FIM is activated when the meter transfers postal fund into the memory. The FIM is canceled when the mailpiece is processed in the AFCS unit and postal fund is removed from the memory. The method of using electronic indicia in postal processes involves the steps of transferring funds and downloading postal information from the sender's meter to the indicia, the reading of the funds and information in a post office, and the cancellation of the FIM.

Abstract: The invention is a low-cost stepper motor drive system comprising a microstepping motor and a logic circuit. The logic circuit includes two integrated circuits for controlling one or more phases of the microstepping motor. Each one of the integrated circuits is a motor driver capable of producing up to sixteen microsteps per full step. Further, each one of the integrated circuits takes a set of analog/digital bits and a phase bit as input. Additionally, within the logic circuit, there is included a microcontroller for controlling the microstepping motor. The microcontroller comprises six control bits, which direct the controller in outputting a set of step sequences to the integrated circuits.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing an information-based indicia program (IBIP) address and postage in a document inserter mailing system is disclosed wherein a third-party word processing software with mail merge capabilities generates text and a matching address is used as the input for a client application in high-volume document processing and mail systems without programmatically altering the word processing program to accommodate the printing subsystem. Addresses are validated and corrected in the printing subsystems prior to creation of the indicia image and address image to be printed on the mailpiece. One or more documents are inserted into the corresponding address matched envelope, which is sealed and has appropriate postage affixed prior to placement in the delivery stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing an information-based indicia program (IBIP) postage in a computer printing subsystem is disclosed wherein a third-party word processing software with mail merge capabilities generates text and a matching address as the input for a client application in high-volume document processing and mail systems without programmatically altering the word processing program to accommodate the printing subsystem. Addresses are validated and corrected in the printing subsystems prior to creation of the indicia image and address image to be printed on the mailpiece.

Abstract: A sheet accumulator of compact design has a circular paper path. Individual sheets moving along a main (linear) path enter the accumulator one by one, and each sheet is then diverted onto and around the perimeter of a set of driven disks. The disks are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the paper sheets. The disks then urge each sheet against a set of stops. Each subsequent sheet enters the circular path between the disks and the previous sheet, so that it too is urged and registered against the stops. When the accumulation is complete, the stops are retracted and a set of rolls is engaged to exit the sheets out of the accumulator. The accumulated stack of sheets is, then diverted back into the main (linear) paper path.

Abstract: A sheet accumulator has a circular paper path and a compact design. Individual sheets of paper moving along a main linear path are diverted into the accumulator one by one, and each sheet enters a gripper having jaws that grip the sheets of paper. The gripper jaws pull the sheets along the circular paper path until the gripper returns to a home location, at which point the gripper stops, opens, accepts another sheet, closes, and makes another rotation. When the accumulation is complete, the gripper jaws open to release an accumulated stack of sheets, and a roller is then engaged to exit the sheets out of the accumulator and into the main linear paper path.

Abstract: A method of reissuing secured postage indicium includes the steps of dispensing from a postage meter an original postage indicium as evidence of postage dispensed for a requested postage transaction, the original postage indicium including postage information and authentication information; storing within the postage meter a transaction record for the dispensed original postage indicium, the transaction record including the postage information and the authentication information; and receiving at the postage meter a request to reissue the original postage indicium.

Abstract: A mailing machine including a base, a registration wall and a stripper blade. The base includes a deck defining a deck plane along which an envelope having an envelope body, an envelope flap and a top edge may be fed in a path of travel. The registration wall is located substantially perpendicular to the deck and parallel to the path of travel and along which the envelope top edge may be aligned during feeding. The stripper blade is located upstream in the path of travel from the deck, the stripper blade including a knife edge that is raised above the deck plane for separating the envelope flap from the envelope body.

Abstract: A postage printing system, comprising a computer, a data center, a control system and a redemption center. The computer is in operative communication with a printer for printing a postal indicium on an envelope. The data center is in operative communication with the computer, which in turn is located remotely from the data center. The data center includes a plurality of user accounts and a plurality of advertiser accounts where each of the plurality of advertiser accounts includes respective ad data including coupon data and restriction data.

Abstract: A method and system that permits artistic works that are accessed on the internet or from a data center to be down loaded pursuant to an agreement with a representative of the copyright owner to users of postal security devices to pay for their use of copyrighted artistic works. A scanner at the post would read the already existing Information-Based Indicia and other information on the mail piece and then extract a unique identifier contained in the Information-Based Indicia that is associated with the artistic or graphical information contracted to appear on the mail piece. The extracted unique identifier would be periodically uploaded to a data center. The data center would compare the unique identifier on the mail piece with information about artistic or graphical information that has previously been uploaded from sending postal security devices to determine if misuse has been committed in the production of the artistic or graphical information.

Abstract: A postage printing system includes a transport device for feeding an envelope in a path of travel through the postage printing system, a printer for printing a postal indicia and an ad slogan on the envelope, and a control system in operative communication with the transport device and the printer. The control system obtains an indication from an operator of a selected print location for the ad slogan and determines if the postal indicia and the ad slogan may be printed in a single pass through the postage printing system.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically transferring information in a data processing system, including setting a counter within a data processing device to a predetermined time period and counting the predetermined time period based upon a real time clock maintained within the data processing device. When the counter reaches the predetermined time period, the data processing device automatically initiates a data center connection and requests an information transfer. The data center transfers information to/from the data processing device. The data processing device activates the transferred information, which can then be used by the data processing device. Typical data processing systems include weighing systems, in which frequently changing postal rates and carrier rates are used to determine mail piece and parcel delivery cost, facsimile or other information accumulation systems.

Abstract: A data center for a postage meter resetting system includes a computer that receives a postage refill request to electronically add a postage refill amount to a postage meter; structure for determining at the computer a rebate value associated with the postage refill request; and apparatus for sending the rebate value to a designated location.

Abstract: A postage meter includes a vault that accounts for postage dispensed by the postage meter; and a printhead module having a printhead for printing the postage dispensed; a smart card chip having a ROM having software code stored therein; an EEPROM having an encrypted key and executable code stored therein, a CPU; a RAM; and a flash memory having an encrypted pointer data file stored therein.

Abstract: A method for verifying that the expected components of a postage metering system includes alternate embodiments for verifying a PSD coupled to a host system is the expected PSD. The method further includes verifying the host system as the expected host system. A first message is encrypted in the PSD using a first cryptographic key to obtain a first encrypted message. The first encrypted message is sent to the host system which decrypts the first encrypted message using a second cryptographic key. The host system then encrypts a second message derived from the decrypted first encrypted message using the second cryptographic key. The host system then sends the encrypted second message to the PSD which decrypts the second encrypted message in the PSD using the first cryptographic key.

Abstract: A method and system for authenticating a postage indicium on a mail piece. The method comprises the steps of providing a first pattern containing encrypted information in a printed area, engaging a mask with the printed area, wherein the mask comprises a second pattern for forming with the first pattern a third pattern indicative of the encrypted information. The method further comprises the step of comparing the third pattern with a template having stored information. If the encrypted information revealed in the third pattern matches the stored information, then the postage indicium is assumed to be an original copy and not a duplicated copy.