Abstract: A high speed mailing system that utilizes a single postal security (PSD) device in conjunction with multiple printing modules is provided. The control unit with which the PSD is associated is coupled to each of the printing modules through a multiplexer capable of switching between each of the printing modules. During initialization of the system for each mail processing session, the control unit establishes a secure communication session with each printing module individually through the multiplexer. Thus, the control unit can generate and provide indicia that can be printed only on the specific printing module that is currently in use. The multiplexer can switch between printing modules during operation of the mailing system, thereby always keeping one printing module in use while allowing the printing module that is not currently being used to perform any necessary maintenance operations, without having to stop the processing of mail pieces.

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.