Abstract: Systems and methods for providing funds recovery for mailing machines including integrated circuits such as those used in postal security devices are described, and in certain configurations, systems and methods for recovering data such as postal funds records from a partially disabled single integrated circuit in a postal security device are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing funds recovery for mailing machines including integrated circuits such as those used in postal security devices are described, and in certain configurations, systems and methods for recovering data such as postal funds records from a partially disabled single integrated circuit in a postal security device are described.

Abstract: A board for commutation of a brushless motor having an encoder comprising a plurality of Hall-effect sensors operative for providing commutation information to a motor controller including an output drive section which comprises three high-side power FET's and three low-side power FET's connected to determined stator windings of the brushless motor. A low-side pre-drive circuit is operative to selectively turn on each of the low-side FETs and a high-side pre-drive circuit is operative to selectively turn on each of the high-side FETs. A commutation decode logic circuit is connected to the Hall-effect sensors to receive the commutation position information from the Hall-effect sensors and is connected to the high-side and low-side pre-drive circuits for providing selection signals for selecting the appropriate power FETs for commutating the motor. The board is preferably affixed to the end of the brushless motor.

Abstract: Improved Driver circuitry for multiple combination LED/silicon detector sensors arranged in an array or scattered in a machine, wherein the LEDs and detectors are connected in a matrix arrangement to common busses to reduce the number of connections and minimize interference. Grounding gates are toggled "ON" and "OFF" prior to actuating the driver circuitry to reduce the presence of live voice.

Abstract: A sensor processor for cooperating with a drive controller in a high-speed mail-handling machine. The sensor procesor access periodically a plurality of sensors distributed throughout the machine, and then writes the sensor data to an NVM-RAM shared with the drive controller. Time-critical sensors are accessed more frequently than non-time-critical sensors.

Abstract: A sensor processor for cooperating with a drive controller in a high-speed mail-handling machine. The sensor processor access periodically a plurality of sensors distributed throughout the machine, and then writes the sensor data to an NVM-RAM shared with the drive controller. Time-critical sensors are accessed more frequently than non-time-critical sensors.

Abstract: A sensor for determining position or dimensions of an object comprises an array of detectors and an actuating medium of the detectors configured to cause the detectors to output an absolute Gray binary code.

Abstract: An improved brushless motor apparatus has a first housing section which defines a generally cylindrical chamber enclosed by first and second end walls. A first rotor section is rotatively mounted in the chamber. The chamber has a plurality of formed stators winding in line communication with a first coupler. The rotor having a second rotor section extending beyond said second end wall to which a actuation disk is detachably mounted. The actuator disk has magnetized on one face a commutator ring and a encoder ring. A driver board is detachably mounted to the second end wall and has fixably mounted thereto a second coupler mating with the first coupler. A plurality of commutator sensors are aligned opposite to the commutator ring and a plurality of encoder sensors are aligned opposite the encoder ring. The driver board has mounted to its second face a third coupler and a driver circuit in electronic communication with the commutator and encoder sensors, and the second coupler and the third coupler.

Abstract: In a mail handling machine, mail thickness measuring apparatus associated with a singulator mechanism for measuring mail thickness as soon as individual mail pieces are separated by the singulator from a stack of mail pieces.

Abstract: A moistening arrangement for moistening a flap of an envelope has a nozzle directed to spray a liquid at the envelope flap along a given locus in the plane in response to signals that are a function of the width of the flap for moistening the flap at determined positions thereof. A sensor is positioned to detect the presence of liquid emitted from the nozzle. A control arrangement controls application of liquid to the nozzle while an envelope is adjacent thereto, and liquid is momentarily directed to the nozzle prior to movement of an envelope adjacent to the nozzle for providing an indication of operability of the nozzle and liquid applying arrangement.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for mapping the profile of an envelope flap using an array of sensors of the optical reflective type in which certain optical emitters and certain optical detectors are activated in a sequence to accurately detect and record multiple edge points on a moving flap.

Abstract: Driver cicuitry for multiple combination LED/silicon detector sensors arranged in an array or scattered in a machine, wherein the LEDs and detectors are connected in a matrix arrangement to common busses to reduce the number of connections and minimize interference.

Abstract: An electrostatic copier having a control system wherein switches are used to detect conditions that would lead to paper jams. Such jams could result from sheets that are too short to be conveyed or as a result of overlong originals being copied during a copy cycle of an electrostatic copier of the coated paper type having an automatic document feeder. Circuitry is provided to re-sequence the system if copy paper is in transmit at the time of a power failure and the copy paper is located in a position that would result in a jam or an overlong copy sheet if the copier were to operate from a start mode.

Abstract: A phase-fired triac controller used to control the supply of voltage to a load. A system has been devised that controls the level of voltage at the gate triac to avoid breakdown of this element.

Abstract: A timing system for controlling the timing sequence of a copy machine capable of accommodating variable copy length and having multi-copy, in-transit capability. The copy cycle control system includes two separate timers. A switch is actuated by the leading edge of an original to be copied and enables the first timer. The second timer is enabled by the same switch when it is turned off as a result of the trailing edge of the original passing thereover. This allows multiple copies to be made without the machine ceasing operations prematurely regardless of the size of gap between originals.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for compensating for the difference between the actuation and release points of a switch resulting from a document being conveyed across the switch. This difference is brought about by the physical dimensions of a switch wherein it is actuated longer than the time required to indicate the dimensions of the actuating document.

Abstract: A phase fired controller is provided for eliminating large shifts in the firing angle due to line voltage variations. Another advantage of the controller is that variations resulting from parts tolerances are reduced substantially. This is accomplished by controlling the output of a capacitor that supplies a voltage to a comparator. The system has particular utility when used as a dimmer controller of an electrostatic copier.

Abstract: A charge roller unit for an electrophotographic copier which has a construction that results in a substantially constant charge being imparted to a photoconductive surface independently of ambient temperatures. The constant charge is achieved through the provision of an underlying metallic support having a curvilinear surface such that the overlying conductive rubber material has a variable thickness.

Abstract: Damage to corona wires in electrophotocopy machines is controlled by connecting an electrical resistance in series between the corona wire power supply and the corona wire. The impedance of the resistance is determined in accordance with formulae and empirical methods in order to control potential arcing damage due to resistive heating and ion bombardment.

Abstract: A system for controlling the concentration of developer solution, which includes a toner concentrate and a carrier, to be substantially equal to a predetermined concentration. The system, which is used in conjunction with a photocopying apparatus, comprises a source of light directed through the solution and a photosensor, on which the light source is focused, that generates an output signal proportional to the amount of light reaching it. A reference signal generator produces a reference signal substantially equal to the photosensor output signal that corresponds to the predetermined solution concentration. A comparator receives both the photosensor output and the reference signals and produces an error signal proportional to the difference between the two. The error signal is used to modulate the amount of time during which a servo mechanism is operated to add toner concentrate to the solution and thereby control solution concentration.