Abstract: Predetermined print control signals are provided to a digital printing mechanism that responds to the print control signals to print an image on a substrate. A reference signal is derived from said print control signals. The image is scanned to generate a post-print signal. The reference signal is compared with said post-print signal. If the reference signal and the post-print signal do not compare within predetermined standards, an output signal indicative of poor print quality is generated. The print mechanism can be incorporated into a postage metering system and the image can be a postal indicia. The postage meter is responsive to a signal generated as a function of the output signal to inhibit further printing of postal indicia. Prior to printing the image, a substrate upon which the image is to be printed is scanned to generate a reflectance signal, the reflectance signal being used to correct the post-print signal.

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: Apparatus and a method for cleaning and maintaining an inkjet printhead with a maintenance head. The apparatus includes: an inkjet printhead translatable in a first plane; a device for translating the printhead to a cleaning station; an inkjet maintenance head translatable in a second plane, wherein the first plane is not parallel to the second plane; and a device for translating the maintenance head in at least two directions in the second plane to engage the printhead at the cleaning station.

Abstract: A mailing machine comprising a printer module, a transport device and a controller in operative communication with the transport device and the printer module. The printer module including an array of ink jet print elements for printing on an envelope and a repositioning device in operative engagement with the array of ink jet print elements for moving the array of ink jet print elements between a maintenance position and a print position. The transport device including suitable structure for feeding the envelope in a path of travel so that the envelope passes in opposed relationship to the array of ink jet print elements when the array of ink jet print elements are in the print position. The controller keeps an indicator of an amount of time elapsed between printing successive envelopes.

Abstract: A method comprising the step(s) of: positioning a print head and a maintenance head of an ink jet printer into proper mating relationship; driving the print head to a hard stop; measuring an indicator of the distance from the proper mating relationship position to the print head hard stop; storing the print head distance indicator in a memory; driving the maintenance head to a hard stop; measuring an indicator of the distance from the proper mating relationship position to the maintenance head hard stop; storing the maintenance head distance indicator in the memory; using the print head distance indicator to repeatably return the print head to the proper mating relationship position; and using the maintenance head distance indicator to repeatably return the maintenance head to the proper mating relationship position.

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 value selection and printing apparatus includes a printing device having a printing wheel which is rotatable into a plurality of positions to present a corresponding plurality of value printing elements into a printing position; a value selecting device including a moveable first rack gear having a driven element thereon, a rigid guide shaft mounted within the printing device, a second rack gear mounted to be slidable on the guide shaft and having a driving element thereon in engagement with the driven element, wherein the second rack gear operatively engages the printing wheel so that rotation of the printing wheel occurs due to transmission of a moment of the first rack gear to the printing wheel via the second rack gear; and a substantially cylindrical security sleeve slidably disposed on the guide shaft and moveable in response to sliding movement of the second rack gear on the guide shaft wherein the guide shaft includes a weakened section such that at times when a force sufficient to disassociate the

Abstract: A value selection and printing apparatus includes a printing device having a printing wheel; a movable rack gear operatively engaged with the printing wheel such that at times when the rack gear moves along a normal linear operative path of travel the printing wheel is repositioned, the rack gear including a stress concentration area where the rack gear deforms when subjected to a force sufficient to disassociate the printing wheel from the rack gear; and a device, interfering with the deformed rack gear, for preventing the deformed rack gear from traversing the normal linear operative path.

Abstract: Value selection and printing apparatus comprising, structure for printing a value, the printing structure including a rotatable device and a drive shaft therefor, structure for selecting the value, the value selecting structure including a rack gear slidably movably connected to the device, the rack gear including a plurality of gear teeth formed therein, the value selecting structure including a drive gear and a first gear, the drive gear including gear teeth disposed in meshing engagement with the rack gear teeth, the first gear coaxially fixedly attached to the drive gear for rotation therewith and including first gear teeth, the value selecting structure including a value printing wheel, the printing wheel including a circumferentially-extending periphery and a plurality of printing fonts located at spaced intervals thereabout, the value selecting structure including a second gear coaxially fixedly attached to the printing wheel for rotation thereof, the second gear including gear teeth and disposed in me

Abstract: A postage meter comprises a non-volatile memory and a microcomputer in communication with the non-volatile memory. The microcomputer is operatively coupled to a stepper motor. The stepper motor includes a rotor and is arranged for positioning at least one printwheel of the postage meter. The non-volatile memory has stored therein a value corresponding to a predetermined pulse width required for pulsing a coil of the stepper motor to position the rotor to a final position between step positions. The microcomputer pulses the stepper motor coil with a pulse of the predetermined pulse with for bring the stepper motor rotor to a final position for positioning the printwheel.

Abstract: A mailing machine is disclosed which includes an apparatus for scanning the surface contour of mail pieces as they move along a feed path prior to being engaged by the printing device of a postage meter to determine whether the surface contour of the mail piece in the area where printing is to take place is suitable for printing and for actuating an instrumentality intended to prevent printing of the postage indicia in that area if the printing surface is not suitable for receiving a good quality print.

Abstract: Value selection and printing apparatus comprising, structure for printing a value, the structure including a rotatable device and a drive shaft, structure for selecting the value, the value selecting structure including a first rack gear slidably movably connected to the drive shaft, the first rack gear including a first portion of the length thereof movable internally of the device and a second portion of the length thereof movable externally of the device, the internally movable portion including a driving element, the externally movable portion including a plurality of first gear teeth formed therein the value selecting structure including a rigid guide shaft fixedly mounted within the device and an elongate second rack gear slidably connected to the guide shaft for movement therealong, the second rack gear including a driving element therefor, both rack gears' driven elements disposed in engagement, the second rack gear including a plurality of second gear teeth, the value selecting structure including a

Abstract: A postage meter comprises a non-volatile memory and a microcomputer in communication with the non-volatile memory and a plurality of stepper motors. Positioning commands from the microcomputer are directed to the plurality of stepper motors and includes a plurality of respective stepper motor drivers. Each of the stepper motors are arranged for positioning at least one printwheel. The non-volatile memory has stored therein data for associating each of the stepper motor drivers with a respective printwheel wherein the positioning of a selected printwheel is commanded in accordance with the data relating printwheel to stepper motor driver stored in the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A postage meter module includes die protector blades to prevent fraudulent taking of postage meter imprints. A first plurality of die protectors are retracted to expose the adjacent printwheels when the meter makes a check on its internal condition. The remainder of the die protectors are retracted under different conditions while the first are still retracted in order to enable an imprint to be taken. Preferably the remainder of the die protectors are retracted only for a predetermined interval after a print signal has been received. The die protectors also serve to align the printwheels when the protectors are retracted.

Abstract: A postage meter includes a printwheel setting mechanism which allows shortest path setting of the printwheel. Stepper motors are provided for each printwheel which drives the printwheels through a transfer gear having a large diameter and greater number of teeth so that there are multiple positions of the transfer wheel which correspond to a particular character to be printed by the printwheel. The stepper motors are microprocessor controlled and a routine calculates the shortest rotational path of the setting of a new character for printing.

Abstract: A postage meter module is removable from the mailing machine base. In order to protect the print die, a shutter is provided to cover the die. The cover can be moved to expose the die only when the meter is installed on an appropriate meter base. At all other times the shutter is locked in position to cover the print die.

Abstract: A printing control system includes a printing mechanism having settable print members. A gear is rotatably mounted and operably connected for selectively setting the print members. The gear is connected to control inhibiting the printing mechanism from being energized to print. The gear may also be connected to control inhibiting the selective setting of the print members.