Abstract: A postage metering system for applying indicia including postage value on mail items, the system including: a keyboard for inputting information; a printer for printing indicia; an accounting module for accounting for postage value applied to mail items; and a security module for requiring a user to input an operating code prior to further operation of the system, the security module being configured to compare the input operating code with at least one stored valid operating code, and, where the input operating code and any stored operating code do not match, one or both of log data relating to such use and report such use to a security center.

Abstract: A postage metering system for applying indicia including postage value on mail items, the system including: a keyboard for inputting information; a printer for printing indicia; an accounting module for accounting for postage value applied to mail items; and a security module for requiring a user to input an operating code prior to further operation of the system, the security module being configured to compare the input operating code with at least one stored valid operating code and cause the printer in a printing operation to print an indicium having a zero postage value where the input operating code and any stored operating code do not match and printing of an indicium is requested.

Abstract: A method of controlling operation of a print head to align imprints printed by the print head in two traverses in opposite directions is disclosed. The print head includes a row of printing elements that are operated selectively in a plurality of print cycles to print each imprint. Upon completion of printing a first imprint, signals corresponding to motion of the print head step the count of a counter. The stepping of the counter is terminated when the print head passes a reference position. During a reverse traverse of the print head, stepping of the counter is initiated when the print passes the reference position and operation of the print head to print a second imprint is initiated when the count reaches a predetermined count.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for controlling energization of a take-up motor driving a take-up spool of used ink ribbon in thermal printing apparatus. Prior to a printing cycle, the take-up motor is energized to rotate the take-up spool until ternsion in the ink ribbon caused rotation of an ink ribbon supply spool. The take-up spool is then rotated a predetermined amount and resultant rotation of the supply spool is determined by sensing means. A function dependent upon the rotation of the supply spool is determined and used during subsequent operation of the apparatus to control energization of the take-up motor such as to wind the used riobbon onto the take-up spool with a desired amount of tension in the used ribbon.

Abstract: A postage meter includes a memory including an ascending credit register to store an accumulated value of credit and an ascending tote register to store an accumulated tote value of postage charge dispensed by the postage meter in franking mail items. Accounting means of the postage meter determines whether the sum of a required postage value to be applied to a mail item and the accumulated tote value is equal to or less than the accumulated total value of credit stored in the ascending credit register and, if the sum of the required postage value and the accumulated tote value is equal to or less than the accumulated credit value, operates printing means to print a franking impression on the mail item and increments the accumulated tote value stored in the tote register by an amount equal to the required postage value.

Abstract: A postage meter having facilities for departmental accounting is disclosed. A non-volatile department memory is provided for each department, each department memory storing data relating to a specific department. An additional single non-volatile memory is also provided. During each franking transaction in respect of a department, current data is read from the associated department memory and is written to the additional memory. Current data from the department memory is updated in respect of the transaction and the updated data is written to the department memory. The provision of the single additional memory enables department data in respect of each department to be recovered in the event of a fault occurring during the transaction.