Abstract: A network device receives control plane packets and data plane packets from a network. The network device includes a forwarding component that forwards the data plane packets in accordance with routing information maintained by a routing component. The forwarding component directs the control plane packets to a firewall component that processes the control plane packets to apply firewall services and detect network attacks. After processing, the firewall component loops the control plane packets back to the forwarding components for forwarding to the routing component. The firewall component may be a security service card.

Abstract: Techniques are described for mitigating adverse effects of port scanning within a network device. For example, an apparatus, such as a router, responds to all network connection request packets received from a client for all ports on an attached server as if all of the server's ports are open. Once a network connection is established between the router and the client, a network connection request is transmitted to the server for a requested port. Using the router to establish a full network connection with the client eliminates a unscrupulous client from sending numerous decoy network connection request messages in an effort to hide the identity of the client. By responding to all network connection requests by establishing a TCP full connection before a network connection request is forwarded to a server, a client receives no useful information regarding the state of a port on the server before providing a valid and detectable IP address. Stealth port scanning is rendered ineffective.

Abstract: A network device receives control plane packets and data plane packets from a network. The network device includes a forwarding component that forwards the data plane packets in accordance with routing information maintained by a routing component. The forwarding component directs the control plane packets to a firewall component that processes the control plane packets to apply firewall services and detect network attacks. After processing, the firewall component loops the control plane packets back to the forwarding components for forwarding to the routing component. The firewall component may be a security service card.

Abstract: An apparatus processes a video image. The apparatus includes an imaging device, a frame grabber device, and a host computer. The imaging device (20) produces a gray level image representing the video image. The frame grabber device conducts preprocessing functions on the gray level image and produces a plurality of image types from the gray level image. The host computer has a memory for storing the plurality of image types. The plurality of image types are transferred directly from the frame grabber device to the memory of the host computer.

Abstract: A method or technique of operating the LED illumination system within a line scan camera comprises the operation of the LED illumination sources at a relatively high gain control level, less than the one hundred percent maximum or acceptable gain level, and a correspondingly reduced duty cycle level, which is less than one hundred percent (100%), so as to effectively reduce the aging of the LEDs and thereby achieve extended service lives for the LEDs. As the LEDs age with usage, whereby their luminosity levels degrade, the duty cycle percentage level is progressively increased until a maximum output or one hundred percent duty cycle percentage level is reached at which time the gain control percentage is progressively increased up until the maximum acceptable gain percentage level. An end-of-life prediction technique or routine is also capable of being derived from the progressively increased gain control percentages so as to enable the replacement of the LED illumination sources at appropriate times.

Abstract: The invention is characterized in certain aspects by data processing architectures and methods of processing a mail piece having a destination address field through outgoing and incoming mail centers. An illustrative method includes receiving a mail piece at an outgoing mail center for transport to an incoming mail center and subsequent sorting and transport from the incoming mail center to an an addressee. The mail piece includes a destination address field that is divided into a first address portion and a second address portion. The first address portion is interpreted at the outgoing mail center and used to sort the mail piece for transport to the incoming mail center. The second address portion is eventually resolved and used by the incoming mail center to sort the mail piece for subsequent delivery to an addressee.

Abstract: A new and improved line scan camera achieves the proper framing of the image field of view by using a first test card to calibrate the true bottom and leading edge portions of the test card which simulate the true bottom and leading portions of an article being scanned or photographed. Still further, the architecture of the electronic chip incorporated within the charge coupled device (CCD) of the camera effectively divides the linear array of pixels into a plurality of channels, and amplifier gain and black offset adjustments are made with respect to exposure levels, characteristic of the pixels disposed at the channel boundaries, under different degrees of input whiteness signals applied to a test card of a predetermined color shade, so as to achieve channel-to-channel seam matching.

Abstract: Methods and systems for calibrating and aligning Time Delay Integration (TDI) Charge Coupled Device (CCD) sensors. A TDI sensor for linear imaging (line sensor) is calibrated by generating a two dimensional image from the line sensor, analyzing the two dimensional image, and calibrating the line sensor based on the analysis. An alignment correction can then be generated, the correction applied to the line sensor placement and the line sensor re-tested. A calibration system includes means for generating a two dimensional image from the TDI line sensor, means for analyzing the two dimensional image, and means for calibrating the line sensor based on the analysis of the two dimensional image.

Abstract: An apparatus processes a video image. The apparatus includes an imaging device, a frame grabber device, and a host computer. The imaging device (20) produces a gray level image representing the video image. The frame grabber device conducts preprocessing functions on the gray level image and produces a plurality of image types from the gray level image. The host computer has a memory for storing the plurality of image types. The plurality of image types are transferred directly from the frame grabber device to the memory of the host computer.

Abstract: A new and improved line scan camera achieves the proper framing of the image field of view by using a first test card to calibrate the true bottom and leading edge portions of the test card which simulate the true bottom and leading portions of an article being scanned or photographed. Still further, the architecture of the electronic chip incorporated within the charge coupled device (CCD) of the camera effectively divides the linear array of pixels into a plurality of channels, and amplifier gain and black offset adjustments are made with respect to exposure levels, characteristic of the pixels disposed at the channel boundaries, under different degrees of input whiteness signals applied to a test card of a predetermined color shade, so as to achieve channel-to-channel seam matching.

Abstract: A method or technique of operating the LED illumination system within a line scan camera comprises the operation of the LED illumination sources at a relatively high gain control level, less than the one hundred percent maximum or acceptable gain level, and a correspondingly reduced duty cycle level, which is less than one hundred percent (100%), so as to effectively reduce the aging of the LEDs and thereby achieve extended service lives for the LEDs. As the LEDs age with usage, whereby their luminosity levels degrade, the duty cycle percentage level is progressively increased until a maximum output or one hundred percent duty cycle percentage level is reached at which time the gain control percentage is progressively increased up until the maximum acceptable gain percentage level. An end-of-life prediction technique or routine is also capable of being derived from the progressively increased gain control percentages so as to enable the replacement of the LED illumination sources at appropriate times.

Abstract: A line scan camera comprises a printed circuit board upon which a charge-coupled device (CCD) is mounted. A lens component is fixed within a lens mount, and the base of the lens mount is adjustably mounted upon an optical bench. Calibration devices adjustably interconnect the lens mount to the printed circuit board and to the optical bench so as to calibrate the positional location of the lens component relative to the charge-coupled device (CCD) and to an object plane past which objects to be scanned and photographed are conveyed. In this manner, the focus distance defined between the lens component and the charge-coupled device (CCD) as well as the focal distance defined between the lens component and the object plane are fixed and do not need any further calibration. The object plane is defined upon the front surface of a sealed housing enclosure and all of the components are disposed within the housing enclosure so as to prevent dust and contaminants from collecting upon the optical components.

Abstract: A line scan camera comprises a printed circuit board upon which a charge-coupled device (CCD) is mounted. A lens component is fixed within a lens mount, and the base of the lens mount is adjustably mounted upon an optical bench. Calibration devices adjustably interconnect the lens mount to the printed circuit board and to the optical bench so as to calibrate the positional location of the lens component relative to the charge-coupled device (CCD) and to an object plane past which objects to be scanned and photographed are conveyed. In this manner, the focus distance defined between the lens component and the charge-coupled device (CCD) as well as the focal distance defined between the lens component and the object plane are fixed and do not need any further calibration. The object plane is defined upon the front surface of a sealed housing enclosure and all of the components are disposed within the housing enclosure so as to prevent dust and contaminants from collecting upon the optical components.

Abstract: A line scan camera comprises a printed circuit board upon which a charge-coupled device (CCD) is mounted. A lens component is fixed within a lens mount, and the base of the lens mount is adjustably mounted upon an optical bench. Calibration devices adjustably interconnect the lens mount to the printed circuit board and to the optical bench so as to calibrate the positional location of the lens component relative to the charge-coupled device (CCD) and to an object plane past which objects to be scanned and photographed are conveyed. In this manner, the focus distance defined between the lens component and the charge-coupled device (CCD) as well as the focal distance defined between the lens component and the object plane are fixed and do not need any further calibration. The object plane is defined upon the front surface of a sealed housing enclosure and all of the components are disposed within the housing enclosure so as to prevent dust and contaminants from collecting upon the optical components.

Abstract: The invention is characterized in certain aspects by data processing architectures and methods of processing a mail piece having a destination address field through outgoing and incoming mail centers. An illustrative method includes receiving a mail piece at an outgoing mail center for transport to an incoming mail center and subsequent sorting and transport from the incoming mail center to an an addressee. The mail piece includes a destination address field that is divided into a first address portion and a second address portion. The first address portion is interpreted at the outgoing mail center and used to sort the mail piece for transport to the incoming mail center. The second address portion is eventually resolved and used by the incoming mail center to sort the mail piece for subsequent delivery to an addressee.