Abstract: A system and method for allowing multiple postage meters to utilize removable storage media to accurately track and protect data generated during use is provided. A unique identifier is provided for each removable storage medium, and the removable storage medium is associated with a single meter. A catalog of additional meters authorized for use with the storage medium is maintained on each medium. When the storage medium is attached to a meter, the meter determines if the storage medium has been authorized for use with the meter or, if allowable, establishes a new entry in the catalog for the meter. Thus, data for a plurality of meters can be maintained on the same storage medium. Any discrepancies that exist between the data stored in the meter and the storage medium can be reconciled by the user, thereby allowing accurate maintenance of the data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of converting data stored in one or mores files from a first format to a second format. The files include one or more records, with each record including one or more fields of data. Each of the records is associated with a first data map corresponding to the first format and a second data map corresponding to the second format. The method converts each file, record by record, using the information from the first and second data maps associated with the selected record. A determination is made as to whether each field is present in the second format, and if so, the field data is copied to a new record at a field location for the field that is set forth in the second data map.

Abstract: An interface chip is capable of receiving requests from two processors and coordinating the flow of the data therebetween. The chip functions as a dual port controller for interaction of associated RAMs and processors of a voice processing system. A plurality of interfaces of the instant invention can be placed in communication with a host computer (PC) of a voice processing system that determines the priority of requests that are received from units of the system. The interface circuits are in communication with the host computer for the purpose of accepting requests in sequence and outputting data over a bus. The host computer is in communication with a RAM interface of each chip that interfaces local peripheral board processor through a dual port RAM which resides on the peripheral board. The interface chip contains the circuitry that creates communication with the resident RAM.

Abstract: A digital voice processing circuit board having use in a voice processing system wherein voice processing functions are run in software. This application of software allows a modular structure since the application software resides in boards that are coupled to a host computer. With this structure, the software can be updated as required and the capacity of the system can be expanded readily to meet increased needs. The digital voice processing board has an interface chip to which random access memories are connected for temporary storage of data and storage of the operating code for the voice processing card. The interface is in communication with an application processor which runs the application programming and database management. The application processor is in communication with and controls a pair of signal processors which are in communication with a time division multiplexer chip which in turn is in communication with the bus.

Abstract: A digital voice processing system wherein voice processing functions are run in software. This application of software allows a modular structure because the application software resides in boards that are coupled to a host computer. With this structure, the software can be updated as required and the capacity of the system can be readily expanded to meet increased needs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and forwarding voice signals wherein a user has increased control and flexibility in distributing voice signals. In one embodiment the originator of a stored voice signal may restrict an addressee's ability to forward a message to other users. In another, the originator may limit the addressee's ability to use the voice store and forward system until such time as the addressee responds to a stored voice signal.

Abstract: A display for providing visual indications of the lengths of recorded messages, the positions of recorded instructions and the present relative location of a record medium. Three separate arrays are provided for these indications, respectively. Each recorded message may be a letter, note, memo, etc., and is indicated by steady-state energization of segments included in a first (letter) array. "Priority" messages are represented by a distinctive indication, such as by flashing the appropriate segments in that array. Similarly, "normal" and "special" instructions are represented by two different, distinctive indications, such as steady-state and flashing energization of particular segments in a second (instruction) array.