Abstract: An electronic postal meter has an accounting unit with redundant nonvolatile random access memories controlled by a microprocessor system. The redundant random access memories have separate groups of address and data lines to minimize identical errors in data stored therein. The data transfer may occur at different times to and from the memories, with respect to any given byte of data. The system may incorporate redundant microprocessors, and critical parameters may be checked at periodic intervals in the main program of the accounting microprocessor system.

Abstract: An electronic postal meter has an accounting unit with redundant nonvolatile random access memories controlled by a microprocessor system. The redundant random access memories have separate groups of address and data lines to minimize identical errors in data stored therein. The data transfer may occur at different times to and from the memories, with respect to any given byte of data. The system may incorporate redundant microprocessors, and critical parameters may be checked at periodic intervals in the main program of the accounting microprocessor system.

Abstract: An electro-optical light scanning system using a modulated laser illumination source directed upon a multi-faceted rotating polygonal mirror or polygon. The mirrored facets reflect the impinging light toward a moving photoreceptor and forms a raster of scan lines as the photoreceptor moves to create dot images on the photoreceptor. The invention also encompasses amplitude modulation for varying the intensity of the laser illumination in conjunction with acousto-optical modulation for maintaining a constant level illumination and/or for varying dot size. Other embodiments describe producing dot size variation in an ink jet printer, a light emitting diode printer and a thermal printer.

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: A microprocessor controlled postal meter system having a postal meter with a postage printer. An accounting means maintains an accurate record of account of an amount chargeable by the meter and used by the printing means, and a data entry means for entering an amount to be charged to the accounting means, the improvement comprising a data entry medium removable from the postal meter system, the data entry medium having encoded thereon a unique combinational code for data transfer between the card and the accounting means.

Abstract: An electronic postal meter has an accounting unit with redundant nonvolatile random access memories controlled by a microprocessor system. The redundant random access memories have separate groups of address and data lines to minimize identical errors in data stored therein. The data transfer may occur at different times to and from the memories, with respect to any given byte of data. The system may incorporate redundant microprocessors, and critical parameters may be checked at periodic intervals in the main program of the accounting microprocessor system.

Abstract: A postage meter includes a printer adapted to print postage and a computer coupled to the printer to account for postage printed by the printer. A power supply is coupled to the computer for energizing the computer to operate. The power supply includes a winding adapted to energize the power supply when magnetic flux is caused to pass through the winding. The power supply further includes a magnetic circuit for coupling magnetic flux to the winding. A housing encloses the postage meter power supply, postage meter computer and postage meter printer. The housing includes a portion adapted to allow the passage of magnetic energy into the interior thereof to energize the magnetic circuit.The postage meter may operate in conjunction with a mailing machine. The mailing machine is adapted to engage the postage meter and includes a power supply system which energizes the mailing machine.

Abstract: An electronic postal meter system is separated into a meter unit and an input/output control unit. The two units are linked by a communications link which preferably uses light transmitting fibers to transmit data and instructions. The meter unit is used to process and store only that data which pertains to the critical accounting functions of the meter or to the control of the printer driven by the electronics control within the meter unit. Less critical functions, such as zip-to-zone conversions, are restricted to the less secure control unit. By restricting the meter unit to highly critical data and by enclosing only the meter unit in a secure housing, the overall security of the meter system is enhanced. Novel failure detect circuitry for a printer setting detector array and a novel event-indicating signal generator circuit are disclosed. The significant routines employed in the operation of the meter system are described.

Abstract: An electro-optical light scanning system using a modulated laser illumination source directed upon a multifaceted rotating polygonal mirror or polygon. The mirrored facets reflect the impinging light toward a moving photoreceptor and forms a raster of scan lines as the photoreceptor moves. The system incorporates sensing optics and closed loop electronics for correcting inaccuracies in the position of the reflected light resulting from defects in the angular relationship between the plane of the facets and that of the rotating axis of the polygon as well as those errors due to inherent angular misalignment between each of the facets of the rotating polygon. The invention also encompasses amplitude modulation for varying the intensity of the laser illumination in conjunction with the acousto-optical modulation for maintaining a constant level illumination and/or for varying the spot size.

Abstract: A system for automatically setting a postage meter as a function of package weight and destination includes a scale mechanism for generating weight-representing signals. The package postage can be established by converting the destination zip code to a destination zone. The destination zone used in retrieving a minimum postage and incremental postage amounts is applicable for that zone from data storage. The weight-representing signal is successively decremented and the postage amounts synchronously incremented until a signal checking circuit establishes that the decremented weight-representing signal is equal to zero.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for delivering ink to an array of impulse ink jet heads some of which may be at different vertical locations. A flow of ink is established along a supply conduit located vertically below the ink jet heads. Ink feed conduits connect at junctions to the supply conduit to provide the ink jet heads with ink. A plurality of flow impeding devices are employed between the junctions so as to enable the formation of columns of ink in the feed conduits of sufficient height to supply the ink to the impulse ink feed jets. Appropriate spacing of the ink jet heads above the top of the ink columns then provides required small negative ink pressures.

Abstract: An improved input/output channel for linking a computer control unit for an electronic postal meter to input/output units. The invention includes a converter for converting unit-output electrical signals to non-conductive carrier signals and for converting the non-conductive carrier unit-input signals back to electrical signals. Non-conducting means are used to transmit the signals between the meter and the input/output units so that any attempts to interfere with meter operation will, of necessity, involve physical evidence of tampering, observable to an inspector.

Abstract: A communications link between a computer and a remote user is effected by a portable access unit which generates a nonrecurring access code which is a function of a password and a pseudorandomly generated number. The access code is transmitted and compared with an access code generated by a computer access controller. In addition to the access code, the pseudorandomly generated number provides an encryption key which is not transmitted but corresponds to a mating encryption key generated at the controller. The mating encryption keys are utilized to set up data transmission enciphering/deciphering networks successive links are established by incremented pseudorandomly generated access codes.

Abstract: An electro-optical light scanning system using a modulated laser illumination source directed upon a multifaceted rotating polygonal mirror or polygon. The mirrored facets reflect the impinging light toward a moving photoreceptor and forms a raster of scan lines as the photoreceptor moves. The system incorporates sensing optics and closed loop electronics for correcting inaccuracies in the position of the reflected light resulting from defects in the angular relationship between the plane of the facets and that of the rotating axis of the polygon as well as those errors due to inherent angular misalignment between each of the facets of the rotating polygon. The invention also encompasses speed control as well as amplitude modulation for varying the intensity of the laser illumination in conjunction with the acousto-optical modulation for maintaining a constant level illumination and/or for varying the spot size.

Abstract: An electronic postage has a working memory and a non-volatile memory. A voltage sensing circuit senses low power conditions, and, in response thereto, controls a data transfer circuit to transfer data from the working memory to the non-volatile memory.

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 with 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 capabilities for these peripheral devices.

Abstract: An electronic postal meter system is separated into a meter unit and an input/output control unit. The two units are linked by a communications link which preferably uses light transmitting fibers to transmit data and instructions. The meter unit is used to process and store only that data which pertains to the critical accounting functions of the meter or to the control of the printer driven by the electronics control within the meter unit. Less critical functions, such as zip-to-zone conversions, are restricted to the less secure control unit. By restricting the meter unit to highly critical data and by enclosing only the meter unit in a secure housing, the overall security of the meter system is enhanced. Novel failure detect circuitry for a printer setting detector array and a novel event-indicating signal generator circuit are disclosed. The significant routines employed in the operation of the meter system are described.

Abstract: A postage scale includes a directly loaded weight-to-period transducer which provides an oscillating output, the period of which varies as a function of the weight to be measured. The transducer includes a disc of piezoelectrically active material bonded to an inactive substrate base which dishes at its center in response to the weight to be measured. The transducer frequency output is processed to provide a digital period signal. A reference oscillator having matched temperature characteristics generates a high frequency count calibrated for scaling the transducer period to a weight count. The high frequency signal and the period signal are gated to provide an input to a counter which generates a digital weight information signal. The weight information signal is transmitted to a mailing system processor for use in determining the postage requisite for mailing the article.

Abstract: An electro-optical light scanning system using a modulated laser illumination source directed upon a multifaceted rotating polygonal mirror or polygon. The mirrored facets reflect the impinging light toward a moving photoreceptor and forms a raster of scan lines as the photoreceptor moves. The system incorporates sensing optics and closed loop electronics for correcting inaccuracies in the position of the reflected light resulting from defects in the angular relationship between the plane of the facets and that of the rotating axis of the polygon as well as those errors due to inherent angular misalignment between each of the facets of the rotating polygon. The invention also encompasses amplitude modulation for varying the intensity of the laser illumination in conjunction with the acousto-optical modulation for maintaining a constant level illumination and/or for varying the spot size.

Abstract: A high volume mailing installation is disclosed in which the output of a programmable high speed electronic digital computer provides destination and postage amount information, a high speed chain printer driven by the computer prints the destination information on address labels, and an authorized postage printing meter is mounted piggy-back fashion on the chain printer and responds to the same computer for automatic printing of authorized postage impressions of the calculated amount on the same mailing labels. The meter includes a fast, rugged solenoid-actuated segmented flat bed postage printer unit and fixed-program electronic digital postal accounting circuitry, with appropriate security features to prevent or detect postal fraud.