Abstract: A method and system that allows for large amounts of data to be printed utilizing a small memory is provided. The complete image to be printed on the print medium is separated into different regions each having associated print data. The memory device, while being too small to store all of the print data for the full image, is capable of storing the print data associated with each region. The print data for each region is released from the print head controller to the memory device for printing in a timed fashion based on movement of the print medium. The print data for a subsequent region will not be passed to the memory until the print medium has moved a sufficient distance, thereby indicating that printing of the preceding region has been completed.

Abstract: A high speed mail processing system having multiple printing modules is provided with a single printer controller or portion thereof that is used to control the operation of all of the printing modules. Messages that originate from the control unit of the mail processing system include a header that identifies the intended recipient(s) of the message, and the single printer controller can route the message to the intended recipient(s) based upon the identification included in the header. The printer controller can be separated into different parts for performing different functions related to the printing modules and only a single part of the printer controller can be provided to control respective functions for all of the printing modules in the system. By allowing the multiple printing modules to share a controller, the need for duplicated hardware is software is removed, thereby decreasing both the complexity and cost of the system.

Abstract: A mailing machine is provided that determines if entry into a disabled state is coupled with the need for auxiliary information to be entered by the user. If auxiliary information is required to be entered by the user, the print head will not move to the capped position but instead remains in the printing position, and a timer is activated to provide the user with time to enter the information. If the user enters the required information before a predetermined amount of time has expired, the mail piece will be processed without any delay required for the print head to move from the capped position to the printing position. Only if the user has not entered the required information within the predetermined amount of time will the print head move to the capped position.

Abstract: A mailing machine is provided, that when operating in a differential weighing mode, can detect if a user has replaced one or more mail pieces that may have been inadvertently removed at the same time back onto the scale. If the mailing machine detects such replacement within a predetermined time period after the scale has stabilized, the weight calculated for the mail piece can be reduced by the amount added back to the scale, or alternatively the user could be requested to confirm that multiple pieces were inadvertently removed from the scale at the same time and the user is trying to correct that error and a new weight determined.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that reduce feeding and weighing errors in a manually fed mailing machine thereby allowing a very fast throughput to be achieved while a user is taking mail pieces off of a scale and feeding them into the mailing machine. Weights or postage amounts for additional subsequent mail pieces are accepted before the processing of a preceding mail piece has been completed. A queue is maintained for information that has been provided by an attached scale such that the mailing machine can correctly associate each weight or postage amount with the appropriate mail piece when it is fed into the mailing machine. When processing of a previous mail piece has been completed, the information from the next location in the queue is obtained and utilized to generate an indicium for the next mail piece fed into the mailing machine.