Abstract: A system for the metering of encrypted postage and similar indicia includes a device for printing such indicia and a device for reading such indicia. The printing is accomplished with a dot matrix printer driven by signals obtained by altering character generation signals with encryption signals. The interleaving is accomplished on a row-by-row basis by inserting delays from an encryption circuit into signals from a character generator circuit. The reading is accomplished by correlating received characters against a stored array of a symbols to determine the presence of a symbol, the extraction of coded data from character data of the received and identified character, and the comparison of the separated coded data with a reference code to determine the accuracy of the printed material. Thereby, forgery and alteration is inhibited.

Abstract: An advanced electronic postage meter system is described, which is built around a micro computer set. The micro computer set is of LSI design, and comprises a single chip central processor unit (CPU) which performs all control and data processing functions. Auxiliary to the CPU are ROM's which store the program of the postage meter system; RAM's which provide the system wtih a working memory; and Shift Registers which expand the I/O capacity of the system and provide multiplexing capability. The postage meter system comprises componentry such as a non-volatile memory for postage accounting purposes; a display for visually monitoring the functions of the system; a keyboard for instructing the system; and a modified postage meter with motorized setting means for printing postage upon pieces of mail. These peripheral devices communicate with the micro computer set through ports, and means are provided to expand port capabilites for these peripheral devices.

Abstract: Indicia having an encrypted number that is stamped upon a mail piece representative of postage so as to provide a code for authentication of such postage.

Abstract: A system for the metering of encrypted postage and similar indicia includes a device for printing such indicia and a device for reading such indicia. The printing is accomplished with a dot matrix printer driven by signals obtained by altering character generation signals with encryption signals. The interleaving is accomplished on a row-by-row basis by inserting delays from an encryption circuit into signals from a character generator circuit. The reading is accomplished by correlating received characters against a stored array of symbols to determine the presence of a symbol, the extraction of coded data from character data of the received and identified character, and the comparison of the separated coded data with a reference code to determine the accuracy of the printed material. Thereby, forgery and alteration is inhibited.

Abstract: In a postal meter adapted to be connected to a source of supply of power for energization, and having structures for printing postage values and a selected data, for displaying a plurality of segments, and for entering data, and having a computer electrically connected to each of the aforesaid structures and programmed for processing data for controlling the operation thereof, and wherein the postal meter includes structure for selecting one of a plurality of dates; there is provided an improvement for reminding an operator of the postal meter to check the selected date. The improvement includes the computer being programmed for causing the display to start displaying at least one unique segment in response to energization of the postal meter, the data entering structure including a depressable key for entering data into the computer, and the computer being programmed for causing the display to stop displaying the at least one segment in response to the depression of the key.

Abstract: In a postage meter having structures for entering data, for displaying numerical values and other data, and for printing postage, and having a computer electrically connected to each of the aforesaid structures and programmed for processing data for controlling their operation, wherein the data entering structure includes a keyboard having a plurality of depressable numeric keys, and wherein the computer means includes means for storing data and calculating amounts pertaining to the operation of said postage meter; there is provided apparatus and a method of displaying data pertaining to the operation of the postage meter.

Abstract: A postage meter, adapted to be connected to a source of supply of power for energization, is provided. The postage meter includes improved structure for entering data. The data entering structure includes a keyboard having a plurality of numeric keys, a postage setting key, at least one special purpose key and a plurality of display keys. In addition, the postage meter includes devices for displaying numerical values and other data, for selecting one of a plurality of dates, and for printing postage values and the selected date. Further, the postage meter includes a computer which is electrically connected to each of the aforesaid entering and displaying and printing devices and is programmed for processing data for controlling the operation of the same.

Abstract: An electronic postage meter includes a settable mechanism for printing postage with electronic accounting circuits coupled to the printing mechanism and a value selection control circuit for controlling the value set on the printing mechanism. An audible alarm device is mounted within the meter housing and is connected to be controlled by the microcomputer. The audible alarm device is selectively energized by the microcomputer to alert the meter user of the existence of predetermined conditions. The value selection control circuit may include a winding which is adapted to be energized under control of the microcomputer to cause the value selection control circuit to operate to control the value to which the printing mechanism is set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the accounting loss in the case of catastrophic failure of a microprocessor in an electronic postage meter is disclosed. In accordance with the invention a counter, preferably a ring counter, is implemented in a non-volatile memory (NVM). The ring counter is incremented each time a predetermined amount is transferred in an accounting register of the meter. In the ring counter, a specific location of NVM is erased and the next number in sequence is written into the same location upon the transfer. The ring counter field is easily interpreted by a visual inspection for determining the total amount transferred. The method and apparatus in accordance with the invention provides extremely fast transfer time, exhibits high redundancy with ease of interpretation, and overcomes the problem of read/write degradation limitations heretofore imposed by conventional MNOS non-volatile memories.

Abstract: An improved value print device having incorporated within the device improved mechanism for detachably coupling a housing with an inking roller to a reciprocal carriage and new structures on the housing for permitting the convenient removal of the housing and inking roller from the carriage.

Abstract: This invention relates to a stand-alone electronic mailing machine that includes a postage metering device. The invention has particular utility when utilized in a mailing machine of the reciprocating platen type. The entire drive mechanism, setting mechanism, and control devices as well as the postage metering mechanisms are all contained in one housing so that there is no need for a separate base. In the mailing machine of this invention, a single central processing unit is utilized along with memory for the purpose of accounting for the postage value that has been charged into the mailing machine as well as the amount that has been used. Non-volatile memory is provided for permanent storage in case of power failure. A pair of stepper motors is used for the purpose of adjusting the print dies with the amounts that are to be imprinted. One of the stepper motors is also used to trip a single revolution clutch which is utilized to affect the printing operation.

Abstract: In a postage meter having structures for entering data, for displaying numerical values and other data, and for printing postage, and having a computer electrically connected to each of the aforesaid structures and programmed for processing data for controlling their operation, wherein the data entering structure includes a keyboard having a plurality of depressable numeric keys, and wherein the computer means includes means for storing data and calculating amounts pertaining to the operation of said postage meter; there is provided apparatus and a method of operation of the postage meter. The method includes the steps of providing the keyboard with a depressable special purpose key, depressing selected numeric keys for causing the display of a predetermined numerical value, depressing the special purpose key when said numerical value on display, and programming the computer for causing a particular operation of the postage meter to be performed in response to the depression of the special purpose key.

Abstract: An electronic postage meter includes electronic circuitry for providing an accounting of the number of mailpieces imprinted with postage, and the amount of postage imprinted on such mailpieces. An electro-optic sensor connects with a mechanical drive of a printing drum of the meter to sense successive rotations of the printing drum, one rotation occurring for each imprinting of postage. A comparison circuit compares the one-bit signal provided by the electro-optic sensor with the least significant bit of a count of the mailpieces, which count is provided electronically by the accounting function. Any discrepancy between the least significant bit of the mechanical count and the least significant bit of the electronic count serves as a warning of a malfunction, or of tampering, of the postage unit. An error-signal circuit connected to the comparison circuit terminates operation of the meter upon the occurrence of a discrepancy between the mechanical and electrical counts.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for initializing the printwheels in an electronic postage meter is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a printwheel selection mechanism which is comprised of various components. The various components on the printwheel selection mechanism are adjusted to set a plurality of printwheels to a predetermined position. After those printwheels are adjusted a signal is produced which indicates that the printwheels are located at that predetermined position. The various components of the printwheel selection mechanism are sequentially adjusted to set the printwheels so that the postage meter settings are at a known initial point.

Abstract: A postal meter has a keyboard for entering postage values to be set, an electronic digital computer including at least one funding register, and a sealed switch enabling manual recharging of the funding register. A combination, fixed for any given meter, is entered in a further register in the postal meter, whereby the recharging of the funding register is inhibited if a comparison between the fixed combination and that combination entered in the keyboard fails.

Abstract: A reset circuit for an electronic postage meter controls the operation of the reset line of the meter's computing system. The reset circuit operates in conjunction with a non-volatile memory protection circuit. The inter-relation of the reset circuit and non-volatile memory protection circuit protects against the possible loss of postage funds due to spurious data being written into the non-volatile memory. The reset circuit operation is controlled in part by the voltage levels applied to the non-volatile memory. This insures that the reset to the electronic postage meter computing system is released during power-up of the meter after proper voltage levels have applied to the user's non-volatile memory and reestablished during low power or power-down conditions.

Abstract: In a postage meter having structure for printing postage, for displaying numerical values and for entering data, and which includes a computer electrically connected to the printing, displaying and data entering structure, and wherein the computer is programmed for processing data for controlling the operation of the respective printing and displaying and data entering structures, and wherein the data entering structure includes a keyboard having a first plurality of depressable keys, and wherein the computer includes memory for storing a first amount corresponding to all postage then available for printing; there is provided apparatus and a method for changing the first amount to a new first amount.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for controlling the erasure and writing of data in non-volatile memory during the power up, power down and normal operating cycles of an electronic postage meter is disclosed. The apparatus monitors the input power signal and provides an enable signal when the input signal reaches a first predetermined threshold. The apparatus transmits a reset signal to inhibit the generation of a write or erase signal to a microprocessor prior to the input power signal reaching a first predetermined threshold voltage. The apparatus provides the erase signal to the non-volatile memory after the input power signal reaches the first predetermined voltage. The apparatus then applies a bias voltage to a terminal of the memory to allow for the erasure of data therefrom. A warning signal is provided to the microprocessor when the input signal falls below a specified value. The output enable signal is removed when the input signals falls below a second predetermined voltage.

Abstract: An electronic postal meter has a control unit, an accounting unit and a printing unit, each incorporating a CPU having a separate crystal controlled clock. Communication between the units is serial character asynchronous, bit synchronous, in message form, with the bits of the messages being timed in accordance with a given schedule for synchronous control. The messages themselves, upon receipt by a receiver, are returned bit by bit to the transmitter, for checking, whereupon the transmitter sends a no-error pulse upon successful comparison of the transmitted message and the message received from the receiver. All control and data signals utilize the same pair of conductors in each direction with precisely defined timing for control.

Abstract: An electronic postage meter system includes a postage meter in a secure housing enclosing only an electronic accounting system having registers and a printer. All control for the postage meter is effected by way of a connector on the housing for connecting a mailing machine or service unit to the postage meter. In operation, a sole input to the meter is by way of a keyboard of the mailing machine and a sole signal output is to the mailing machine, for example, to a display. The postage meter has a program to continuously read out its registers to the connector upon an initial application of power to the connector and a service unit which may be adapted solely to display such signals.