Abstract: A postage metering system includes a base and a user interface mounted to the base. The user interface includes a micro controller, an internal socket for receiving an integrated circuit chip and a smart card reader interface connector for interfacing with an external smart card. The micro controller is configurable to address either the internal socket or the smart card reader interface connector to access postage metering functionality.

Abstract: A method and device for improving the efficiency of a postage meter by using a sensing to detect the edges of an incoming envelope in order to initiate a multi-speed profile for transporting the envelope with different speeds through the postage meter. With the multi-speed profile, the postage meter is allowed to have sufficient time to process mail related data and provide mail related data to a print head before the envelope reaches a print zone where the print head starts printing an indicia on the envelope.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an envelope processing system system in which a supply of envelopes is placed for moistening and sealing. The moistening and sealing apparatus is designed to receive all types of intermixed mail envelopes with various shaped flaps. The envelopes may be loaded into the supply station in different configurations including intermixed with closed sealed flaps, unsealed open flaps, or closed unsealed flaps. The system is designed.to receive such envelopes, process them so that the flaps are automatically closed prior to moistening if they are not closed. The flaps of the envelopes are then moistened indirectly using capillary action of a sealing agent, and sealed with a sealing apparatus.

Abstract: A method and device for improving the efficiency of a postage meter by using a sensing to detect the edges of an incoming envelope in order to initiate a multi-speed profile for transporting the envelope with different speeds through the postage meter. With the multi-speed profile, the postage meter is allowed to have sufficient time to process mail related data and provide mail related data to a print head before the envelope reaches a print zone where the print head starts printing an indicia on the envelope.

Abstract: A postage metering system includes a base and a user interface mounted to the base. The user interface includes a micro controller, an internal socket for receiving an integrated circuit chip and a smart card reader interface connector for interfacing with an external smart card. The micro controller is configurable to address either the internal socket or the smart card reader interface connector to access postage metering functionality.

Abstract: A method and device for improving the efficiency of a postage meter by using a sensing to detect the edges of an incoming envelope in order to initiate a multi-speed profile for transporting the envelope with different speeds through the postage meter. With the multi-speed profile, the postage meter is allowed to have sufficient time to process mail related data and provide mail related data to a print head before the envelope reaches a print zone where the print head starts printing an indicia on the envelope.

Abstract: A postage metering system includes a base and a user interface mounted to the base. The user interface includes a micro controller, an internal socket for receiving an integrated circuit chip and a smart card reader interface connector for interfacing with an external smart card. The micro controller is configurable to address either the internal socket or the smart card reader interface connector to access postage metering functionality.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an accurate moistening system which provides for less fluid waste and better wetting. This in turn causes better sealing of the envelope flap. The present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a non-contact envelope flap moistening system which can be installed in a mailing machine apparatus. The flap moistening system comprises an array of inkjet print heads and a document scanner for sensing the envelope flap. Envelope flaps can be moistened by the flap moistening system by performing a method comprising the following steps: sensing the envelope flap; profile and/or the glue area of an envelope flap; building a firing sequence for the print head nozzles; and actuating the nozzles to precisely fire discreet fluid droplets onto the glue area of the envelope flap. The system provides precise fluid amounts for envelope sealing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing images. An ink jet printhead forms an image on a transfer roller for transfer to a substrate. The substrate can be an envelope and the image can be a postal indicia. Portions of the image can be interleaved during successive revolutions of the transfer roller to increase the horizontal and/or vertical resolution of the image. A mechanism is provided to deflect the substrate away from the transfer roller after the image is printed so that formation of a new image can begin before the substrate has cleared the print station.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a transfer roller in an ink jet printer. In an ink jet printer having a transfer roller on which an image is formed by an ink jet printhead, the printhead is periodically purged to prevent clogging. During purging the ink discharged by the printhead is used to wet the entire surface of the roller to dissolve residual dried ink and the transfer roller is then cleaned with a wipping pad or roller.

Abstract: A method for ensuring for each postage transaction in a postage meter having a vault subsystem and a printing subsystem that debiting occurs prior to printing of a postal indicia includes authenticating the postage transaction as being valid, performing debiting within the vault subsytem, sending an encrypted debit certificate from the vault subsystem to the printing subsytem, independently recreating the encrypted debit certificate in the printing subsystem, comparing the encrypted debit certificate to the recreated encrypted debit certificate to ascertain if a predetermined relationship exists therebetween, and initiating printing of the postal indicia only upon determination of the existence of the predetermined relationship. An apparatus incorporates the method.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing postal indicia and similar images. The apparatus includes two print stations and an ink jet printhead transportable between the stations. The printhead forms images on a transfer roller located at each of the stations and the image is then transferred from the roller to a substrate. At the second station the transfer roller is incorporated in a detachable roller and is used to print remotely located substrates.

Abstract: A method for printing a postal indicia on a mailpiece includes moving a printing mechanism and the mailpiece relative to each other during a plurality of passes; and printing with the printing mechanism at least a corresponding portion of the postal indicia during each of the plurality of passes, each of the corresponding portions being in overlapped relationship to the other corresponding portions so that the combined effect of the corresponding overlapped portions is a postal indicia which is detectable by a facer/canceler machine as a valid postal indicia. Furthermore, during no more than one of the plurality of passes is its corresponding portion of the postal indicia detectable by the facer/canceler machine as the valid postal indicia. An apparatus incorporates the above method.

Abstract: A method for authorizing performance of a function in a distributed system having first and second subsystems in communication with each other includes the steps of separately generating a mutual session key within the first and second subsystems; utilizing the mutual session key generated in each of the first and second subsystems for authenticating the first subsystem; and authorizing performance of the function only upon completion of the authenticating of the first subsystem. An apparatus performs the inventive method.

Abstract: A method for printing an enhanced postal indicia image on a mailpiece utilizing a postage meter having a printing mechanism including a plurality of nozzles that deposit an ink in a dot-matrix pattern includes moving the printing mechanism and the mailpiece relative to each other over a first swath area on the mailpiece; selectively energizing the nozzles during step A) thereby printing a dot-matrix pattern of a postal indicia within the first swath area; moving the printing mechanism and the mailpiece relative to each other over a second swath area on the mailpiece, the second swath area in overlapping relationship with the first swath area; and selectively energizing the nozzles during step C) for printing a dot-matrix pattern of selected portions of the postal indicia which is complimentary to the dot-matrix pattern of the postal indicia such that a dot-matrix pattern of the enhanced postal indicia is produced by a combination of the dot-matrix pattern of the postal indicia and the dot-matrix pattern of se

Abstract: A metering system includes means for printing postage value. First means are coupled to the printing means for accounting for value printed by the printing means. Second means are coupled to the printing means for accounting for value printed by said printing means. Means determine which of the first and the second accounting means accounts for value printed by said printing means. The system may be arranged where the first accounting means is a smart card chip mounted internal to the metering system and the second accounting means is an external smart card. When the system is operable only one accounting system is rendered operable with priority given to the external smart card.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for feeding a mailpiece into and out of a weighing module. The apparatus comprises a device for feeding the mailpiece; and a device for positioning the feeding device in a first position for receiving the mailpiece from a first direction and feeding the mailpiece into the weighing module. Additionally, the positioning device moves the feeding device into a second position for feeding the mailpiece in a second direction out of the weighing module. The feed device includes a drive roller and an idler roller for keeping the mailpiece in operative engagement with the drive roller. The method comprises the steps of: (a) positioning a feeding device in a first position for receiving the mailpiece from a first direction; (b) feeding the mailpiece in the first direction into the weighing module; and (c) positioning the feeding device in a second position for feeding the mailpiece in a second direction out of the weighing module.

Abstract: A method for printing a postal indicia includes printing a first dot-matrix ink pattern of the postal indicia; and printing a second dot-matrix ink pattern of a portion of the postal indicia in overlapping relationship to the first dot-matrix ink pattern such that a combination of the first and second dot-matrix ink patterns results in a combined dot-matrix pattern of the postal indicia having a first dot density along its length and a second dot density along its height, the first and second dot densities being different from each other but sufficient in combination to permit detection of the combined dot-matrix ink pattern by a facer/canceler machine. An apparatus incorporates the above method.

Abstract: A process of thermal transfer printing which is accomplished in two printing steps. The process utilizes ribbon including a backing layer and an ink donor layer. The ribbon is drawn from a supply spool through a first printing station at which a first portion of the ink is transferred to the backing layer to form a first image thereon. The ribbon continues to and through a second printing station at which the remainder of the ink is transferred to a workpiece in the form of a second image which contrasts with the first image. All that remains of the ribbon as it leaves the second printing station is the backing layer which continues to and through the first printing station once again for the operation already mentioned. Thereupon, the ribbon is drawn onto a take-up spool for eventual disposal. The ink may be fluorescent.

Abstract: This invention relates to locking mechanism for a weighing scale capable of weighing flat articles at a high rate and with a high degree of accuracy. The locking mechanism of the instant invention is applicable to a vibrating tray type scale which requires a mechanism for stabilizing the base of the scale during periods when articles are being conveyed onto and off the tray of the scale. An electromagnetic locking mechanism has been conceived that provides advantageous for a vibrating tray scale. These advantages are simple construction, low cost, self compensating and zero force requirement. With a such locking mechanism, the vibrating tray scale functions more accurately and rapidly.