Abstract: A mailing machine for processing respective sheets including envelopes which each have a body and a flap and including cut tapes which each have a substrate portion and an adhesive tape portion removably connected thereto, the machine comprising, structure for feeding each sheet in a predetermined path of travel extending downstream through the machine, the sheet feeding structure including oppositely spaced input rollers defining a nip therebetween, structure for feeding a cut tape, structure for controlling the feeding structure, the controlling structure including a microprocessor, the controlling structure including structure upstream from the nip of the input rollers for sensing a sheet fed to the machine and providing a corresponding first sensing signal to the microprocessor, the microprocessor programmed for causing the sheet feeding structure to commence feeding in response to receiving the first sensing signal, the controlling structure including a switch connected to the microprocessor and providin

Abstract: A mailing machine base adapted to have a postage meter mounted thereon, wherein the meter has a postage printing drum and a drive gear therefor, and wherein the meter has a shutter bar movable in opposite directions through a predetermined distance for movement thereof out of and into locking engagement with the drive gear, the base comprising, structure for moving the shutter bar, a d.c. motor for driving the shutter bar moving structure, a microprocessor, including a program power switching structure connected between the microprocessor and d.c. motor, the switching structure including four power switches arranged in an H-bridge circuit configuration for driving the motor in opposite directions respectively corresponding to the opposite directions of movement of the shutter bar, and the microprocessor program including means for: (i) energizing the switching structure with a first signal for driving the d.c. motor in a given direction for a first time interval predetermined to cause the d.c.

Abstract: A mailing machine comprising, a base and a postage meter mounted on the base, the postage meter including a rotary postage indicia printing drum, the base including structure for driving the drum at a desired constant indicia printing speed corresponding to a desired reference voltage, the base including structure for controlling the postage printing drum, the controlling structure including a microprocessor connected to the drum driving structure, the controlling structure including structure for sequentially sensing a commencement and a completion of constant printing speed of the drum and providing corresponding successive signals to the microprocessor, the microprocessor programmed for providing a predetermined reference voltage corresponding to the desired drum printing speed, counting a time interval in response to receiving the successive constant speed commencement and completion signals, determining whether the counted time interval and the desired time interval are substantially equal, and storing t

Abstract: A mailing machine base comprising, structure for feeding a sheet having a leading edge and a trailing edge in a path of travel, the sheet feeding structure including a roller, the sheet feeding structure including structure for driving the roller at a desired sheet feeding speed corresponding to a desired reference voltage, structure for controlling the sheet feeding structure, the controlling structure including a microprocessor connected to the roller driving structure, the controlling structure including structure for sequentially sensing the leading and trailing edges of the sheet in the path of travel and providing corresponding successive signals to the microprocessor, the sheet having a predetermined length from the leading edge to the trailing edge thereof; and the microprocessor programmed for providing a predetermined reference voltage corresponding to the desired sheet feeding speed, counting a time interval in response to receiving the successive leading and trailing edge signals, determining whet

Abstract: Apparatus for generating a plurality of pulse width modulated signals for separately driving a plurality of electrical loads, comprising, a microprocessor, a plurality of comparator means, each of the comparator structure including first and second input terminals and an output terminal, digital to analog converter structure connected to the microprocessor for control thereby, the converter structure including a plurality of output terminals respectively connected to a different comparator structure first terminal for providing separate control signals thereto, structure for generating a reference voltage signal having a variable amplitude, the signal generating structure connected to each of the comparator structure second terminals for providing the reference voltage signal thereto, a plurality of power amplifiers, a plurality of electrical loads respectively connected to a different comparator structure output terminal via a different power amplifier for receiving therefrom an amplified comparator structur

Abstract: In a machine including structure for printing an indicia on a sheet at a predetermined printing speed, wherein the machine includes structure for feeding the sheet in a path of travel to the printing structure, apparatus for detecting a malfunction of the machine, the apparatus comprising, structure for controlling the machine, the controlling structure including a microprocessor, structure for sensing the sheet in the path of travel, the sensing structure including a first sensor connected to the microprocessor for providing a first sensing signal thereto in response to sensing the sheet, the sensing structure including a second sensor connected to the microprocessor for providing a second sensing signal thereto in response to sensing the sheet, and the microprocessor programmed for causing the sheet feeding structure to feed the sheet to the sensing structure at a first predetermined sheet feeding speed less than the printing speed, causing the printing structure to commence a printing cycle after a first p

Abstract: A mailing machine base comprising, structure for feeding a sheet in a downstream path of travel, the feeding structure including opposed upper and lower rollers for feeding a sheet into the path of travel, the feeding structure including a d.c. motor connected for driving the rollers, structure for controlling the feeding means, the controlling structure including a microprocessor, the controlling structure including structure for comparing the back e.m.f. voltage of the d.c. motor to a reference voltage and providing the microprocessor with a comparison signal, and the microprocessor programmed for controlling the d.c. motor to drive the rollers at a substantially constant sheet feeding speed in response to the comparison signal.

Abstract: A mailing machine base adapted to have a postage meter mounted thereon, wherein the meter has a postage printing drum having a home position, and the base comprising, structure for moving the drum, a d.c. motor for driving the drum moving structure, a microprocessor, a power switch connected between the d.c. motor and microprocessor for driving the d.c. motor, a power switch connected between the d.c. motor and microprocessor for dynamically braking the d.c. motor, a comparator connected between the microprocessor and d.c. motor for receiving therefrom a signal corresponding to the back e.m.f. voltage thereof and providing a comparison signal to the microprocessor, and the microprocessor programmed for, energizing the braking switch for a first time interval predetermined to cause the d.c.

Abstract: In a mailing machine base including structure for feeding an envelope, having a body and a flap, in a downstream path of travel, and including structure for deflecting the flap, a process for selectively guiding an envelope into and out of engagement with the flap deflecting structure, the process comprising the steps of, providing a baffle upstream from the flap deflecting structure, providing electromechanical structure for moving the baffle, providing a microprocessor for controlling the baffle moving structure, providing a resettable timer having a predetermined time out time interval, operating the baffle moving structure to move the baffle into the path of travel for guiding an envelope fed therein out of engagement with the flap deflecting structure and operating the baffle moving structure to move the baffle out of the path of travel for the time interval for guiding an envelope fed in the path of travel during the time interval into engagement with the flap deflecting structure.