Abstract: A surgical robotic system includes a control tower and a mobile cart. The control tower is configured to selectively output power and includes a frequency generator and a converter. The frequency generator is configured to generate an electrical frequency signal and the converter is configured to receive the electrical frequency signal and convert the electrical frequency signal to a first optical signal having a unique identifier frequency. The mobile cart is configured to receive the first optical signal from the control tower and includes an optical splice configured to loop the first optical signal back to the control tower as a second optical signal and deliver the first optical signal to a frequency monitor of the mobile cart.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system includes at least one movable cart including a robotic arm having a surgical instrument. The surgical robotic system also includes a control tower including a power supply system coupled to the at least one movable cart via a cable. The power supply system includes: a power supply configured to output a voltage signal to power the at least one movable cart and at least one status signal; a cable state detection circuit configured to detect a connection signal indicative of a connection status of the cable; and a controller coupled to the cable state detection circuit and the power supply, the controller configured to control the power supply based on the connection status of the cable and the at least one status signal.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system including at least one movable cart including a robotic arm having a surgical instrument is disclosed. The system further includes a control tower having at least one component and a power supply system coupled to the at least one movable cart via a cable. The power supply system includes: a tower power supply chassis configured to supply first direct current to the at least one movable cart; a power distribution unit configured to supply second direct current to the at least one component; a first uninterruptable power supply coupled to the tower power supply chassis; and a second uninterruptable power supply coupled to the power distribution unit. The control tower further includes a startup controller configured to control the power supply system to transition between a plurality of power stages.

Abstract: A semi-automated AED with a second shock switch. In an illustrative embodiment, programming running on the AED after prompting a user of the AED to push a shock switch looks to see if an event associated with pushing the shock switch, such as the delivery of a shock, has occurred. If the event being monitored for has not occurred within a given time, the user is prompted to push another button to initiate the event.

Abstract: A semi-automated AED with a second shock switch. In an illustrative embodiment, programming running on the AED after prompting a user of the AED to push a shock switch looks to see if an event associated with pushing the shock switch, such as the delivery of a shock, has occurred. If the event being monitored for has not occurred within a given time, the user is prompted to push another button to initiate the event.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a postal security device (PSD) (10) contains a non-volatile memory (13) which does not depend on battery power such as an EEPROM (13), and contains a nonvolatile memory (14, 16) which does depend on battery power, such as a static RAM. The PSD (10) also contains an encryption engine (12, 14, 22). An encryption key is developed and is stored in the static RAM (14), which is sized to be only large enough to contain the encryption key. A large body of data, too large to fit in the static RAM, is encrypted by means of the encryption engine (12, 14, 22) and with reference to the encryption key, and is stored in the EEPROM (13). This body of data typically includes cryptographic keys and sensitive bit-images. When the PSD is powered, a large RAM (typically a dynamic RAM) (16) is available to receive the large body of data, decrypted using the encryption key. A tamper switch (17) cuts power to both RAMs (14, 16) in the event of tampering.

Abstract: An improved system for protecting cryptographic processing and memory for postal franking machines. Appropriate cryptographic processing and memory resources are contained in a Postal Security Device (PSD), which defines a cryptographic and physical boundary. Cryptographic processing occurs in the PSD, which provides security to these resources, thereby minimizing a successful fraudulent attack on the system. Speed of the cryptographic processing is also increased. The PSD may be in the form of an Applications Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) Card.

Abstract: A postal security device has a secure housing within which are two or more accounting register sets. The accounting register sets are associated with distinct meter licenses. The postal security device can also store a single accounting register set, but is able to transfer the cryptographically signed register set to a nonsecure store such as the hard drive of a personal computer, the register set having been cryptographically signed. The register set may be retrieved from the nonsecure store and cryptographically authenticated, and restored to its location within the secure housing of postal security device. The postal security may provide service under more than one distinct meter license. The single meter license can also be associated with more than one postal security device, each with its own secure housing.

Abstract: An improved postage meter mailing system utilizes a meter vault operated under the control of a microcontroller mounted in a secure housing. The microcontroller of the meter vault has a communication device for receiving and transmitting data messages and non-volatile memory for storing program data and other data. A printer is utilized for printing a postage indicia. The printer operates under the control of a microcontroller mounted in a secure housing. The microcontroller of the printer has a communication device for receiving and transmitting data messages and non-volatile memory for storing program data and other data. An interface provides a communication path between the meter vault and the printer. The non-volatile memory of the meter vault has stored therein a program version number for identifying the control program version. The non-volatile memory of the printer has store therein a software update number for identifying associated meter vault programs which utilize the update software.

Abstract: A mailing system includes a mailing machine having a printing mechanism for printing an indication of postage value on a mailpiece and structure for controlling relative movement between the printing mechanism and the mailpiece to ensure the mailpiece is properly positioned relative to the printing mechanism during printing of the indication of postage value; a meter vault having a securely sealed housing, and apparatus, within the securely sealed housing, for accounting for the printed indication of postage value, wherein the meter vault is removably mounted in the mailing machine for easy removal via a plug-in connector; and a printing mechanism control module for securely controlling printing by the printing mechanism based on data received from the meter vault, the printing mechanism control module being removably mounted in the mailing machine for easy removal via a quick disconnect connector; wherein the meter vault and the printing mechanism control module are in electrical communication via the mailin

Abstract: A power-down circuit includes a power-on reset circuit that determines whether the supplied power falls below a prescribed level and, in response, outputs a reset signal for at least a prescribed period of time. A power supply latching circuit is responsive to the power-on reset circuit for switching on a power supply switching circuit to supply power from a power supply when the reset signal is not output. A power-down shutdown circuit, preferably under software control, and a power cutoff circuit, may be coupled to the power supply latching circuit, or alternatively the power-on reset circuit, for shutting down the power supplied from the power supply.

Abstract: A postage metering system comprising: printing apparatus, the printing apparatus including structure for printing a postage indicia having a first portion including a postage value and a second portion including a town circle; accounting apparatus, the accounting including structure for accounting for the postage value, the accounting apparatus including structure for storing data descriptive of a bit mapped image of the second portion having a predetermined resolution, the accounting apparatus including structure for transferring the descriptive data to the printing apparatus; the printing apparatus including structure for requesting the postage value from the accounting apparatus and receiving therefrom the first portion and thus the postage value, the printing apparatus including structure for generating the bit mapped image of the second portion based on the descriptive data thereof, and the printing apparatus including structure for merging the first portion and bit mapped image of the second portion for

Abstract: A mailing system is includes of a mailing machine operating under the control of a microcontroller having a communication port with a first channel and a second channel. The mailing system also includes a meter vault which operates under the control a microcontroller mounted in a secure housing and having a communication port with a first channel and a second channel. A printer is included which operates under the control of a microcontroller mounted in a secure housing and having a communication port having a first channel and a second channel. A printer interface is included for providing a number of independent communication paths. A first path provides communication between first channel of the mailing machine and the first channel of the meter vault. A second path provides communication between the second channel of the mailing machine and the second channel of the printer, and a third path for providing communications between the second channel of meter vault and the first channel of the printer.

Abstract: A microcontroller is in bus communication with an improved integrated circuit for providing data to the integrated circuit and reading data from the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit selectively processes data by encrypting or decrypting the data. The integrated circuit includes a data register for receiving data from the microcontroller via the data bus and storing the data. A DES key register is also provided for receiving and storing a key (Ks) from the controller via the data bus and a DES control register is provided for receiving and storing control signal from the controller via the data bus. The integrated circuit has a digital encryption engine module for reading the data from the data register and the DES key register in response to specific control signal stored in as DES control register and for processing the data utilizing the key (Ks) and outputting the encrypted data. A second DES key register (Kv) isolated from the data bus stores second key(Kv).

Abstract: A method for securing a postage transaction in a postage meter having an accounting module and a printing module includes A) storing a plurality of data patterns in the accounting module; B) storing the plurality of data patterns in the printing module; C) utilizing one of the accounting module and the printing module to request that a specific one of the plurality of data patterns be sent from the other of the accounting module and the printing module to the one of the accounting module and the printing module; D) sending a return data pattern from the other of the accounting module and the printing module to the one of the accounting module and the printing module in response to the request of step C); E) determining if the return data pattern and the specific one of the plurality of data patterns are the same; and F) initiating printing by the printing module only when in step E) it is determined that the return data pattern and the specific one of the plurality of data patterns are the same.

Abstract: The method for preventing monitoring of postage indicia data which is sent from a postage metering vault to a remotely located digital printer over a communication link between the meter vault and the digital printer. The meter is provided with an encryption engine for encrypting postage indicia data utilizing a encryption key. The digital printer includes a decryption engine for decrypting postage data received from said meter utilizing the same encryption key and then prints a postage indicia pursuant to the decrypted postage indicia data. The postage meter also includes a key manager for generating a new encryption key pursuant to a token which is either randomly generated or generated pursuant to an algorithm by a similar encryption key manager located in the digital printer which token is also used to generate the decryption key for the decryption engine. As a result, the encryption keys are the same.

Abstract: A universal electrical bus connector is disclosed which is multi-functional in serving to connect a power and communications bus passing through the connector to a printed circuit board module to permit tapping into selected wires of the bus for utilization in the module, to connect separate power and communications buses together at any location to extend the bus within a machine harness, and to connect separate power and communications buses together at a printed circuit board module both to extend the bus and permit tapping into selected wires of the extended bus for utilization in the module. The connector includes essentially a housing having a plurality of electrical contact devices which connect between individual wires of a bus and contact areas formed on the surface of the printed circuit board module.