Pitney Bowes Inc.

Richard P Schoonmaker

Thomas M Pfeifer

Dennis M Gallagher

Alton B Eckert, Jr

Edilberto I Salazar

John R Nobile

David W Beckstrom

Yakup J Igval

Donald T Dolan

Gerald C Freeman

Sungwon R Moh

William A Ross

Kenneth A Schulz

Roger J Ratzenberger, Jr

Christopher S Riello

Joan T Doutney

Christina S Park

James R West

Robert A Cordery

Boris Rozenfeld

Edward J Naclerio

George M Macdonald

Louis J Loglisci

Henry Bleggi

John A Toto

Benita J Felmus

Terence G Beer

Johanna Degroot-Thomas

Wei C Chen

Benita F Felmus

Systems and methods including mailing machines having postage meters including multiple postal security devices are described. In one illustrative configuration, a postage meter having multiple postal security devices for use with different postal carriers is described. In another illustrative configuration, a postage meter is configured to apply two postage payment information indicia to a single mail piece using two separate postal security devices.

Multiple carrier mailing machine

A postage metering system includes a base and a user interface mounted to the base. The user interface includes a micro controller, an internal socket for receiving an integrated circuit chip and a smart card reader interface connector for interfacing with an external smart card. The micro controller is configurable to address either the internal socket or the smart card reader interface connector to access postage metering functionality.

Postage metering system having multiple postage meter configuration capability

A mailing machine comprising a device for feeding an envelope having a width in a path of travel; a device for determining the width of the envelope; and a control device in operative communication with the determining device for using the width of the envelope to ascertain a proper amount of postage to be applied to the envelope. According to a first embodiment, the determining device includes a sensor array located transverse to the path of travel for detecting the presence of the envelope where the sensor array includes an inner plurality of sensors and an outer plurality of sensors located further away from a registration wall than the inner plurality of sensors. According to a second embodiment, the determining device includes a first sensor for detecting a lead edge of the envelope and a sensor line located downstream in the path of travel from the first sensor and at an angle to the path of travel so as to detect a lead corner of the envelope.

Mailing machine including dimensional rating capability

A system controls the downloading of images from a portable device into a postage meter so that the downloaded images can be subsequently printed by the postage meter. The portable device is useable in conjunction with a fixed number of meter serial numbers and can be used for downloading of images into any meter until the fixed number has been met and accounted for by the portable device. At this point in time, the portable device is only capable of downloading the image into the specific meters that previously had the images downloaded from the portable device.

Method and apparatus for controlling use of the downloading of graphical

A mailing machine includes an external communication port, a resident user interface and a control system in operative communication with the resident user interface and the external communication port. The control system detects whether or not an external user interface is connected at the external communication port and, if the external user interface is connected, enables the external user interface and disables a portion of the resident user interface. The external user interface provides additional functionality beyond the resident user interface. A corresponding method of operating the mailing machine is also provided.

Mailing Machine disabling a keyboard/display of a resident user

A power-down circuit includes a power-on reset circuit that determines whether the supplied power falls below a prescribed level and, in response, outputs a reset signal for at least a prescribed period of time. A power supply latching circuit is responsive to the power-on reset circuit for switching on a power supply switching circuit to supply power from a power supply when the reset signal is not output. A power-down shutdown circuit, preferably under software control, and a power cutoff circuit, may be coupled to the power supply latching circuit, or alternatively the power-on reset circuit, for shutting down the power supplied from the power supply.

Power-down circuit

A method for controlling a tape motor using a microcontroller for feeding tape in correspondence to printing of an indeterminate length of printing on the tape by a print drum utilizes a sensor for indicating a tape condition which changes in accordance with the engagement of a printing portion of the print drum with the tape. An optical sensor and slotted disk provide signals indicative of the rotation of a motor shaft of the tape motor. At least first and second counters are provided for counting signal pulses from said optical sensor corresponding to the passage of slots during rotation of the motor. From these counts and the indication of printing by the print drum, the micro controller can develop the timing of control signals for controlling the motor in correspondence to the length of printing on the tape.

Method for control of length of imprint for a mailing machine

A postage meter mailing machine includes a multiplex serial data communication system for providing communication between the postage meter mailing machine and a plurality of internal and external devices. Each device can generate and receive serial messages at a respective device communication port. The mailing machine includes a controller, a UART controller module responsive to control signals from the controller, a message buffer in bus communication with the UART controller and a communication multiplexer. The communication multiplexer provides single channel communication with the UART controller module and selectively with one of a number of external communication ports. The communication multiplexer is responsive to control signals from the controller for establishing a communication path between the UART controller module and the selected one of communication ports over the single channel communication and sequentially alternating the communication path between each of the communication ports. Each communication port of the communication multiplexer is directed to a respective one of the device communication ports. The UART controller module can determine whether a serial message data is presented at a respective one of the communication ports and maintaining communication between that communication port and the single channel communication. Messages are directed to and from a buffer until the messaging is completed in the message buffer. When the messaging is complete, the communication multiplexer resumes its cycling between the various communication ports.

Multiplex serial data communications with a single UART for a postage

A mailing machine includes a digital printer for printing a postage indicia on a mail piece. The mailing machine including a controller for controlling the operations of the mailing machine and a printer transport for transporting the digital printer to a cleaning station when the printer is not in use. A sensor is positioned at the cleaning station for sensing the presents of the printer and generating an output to the mailing machine controller in response. The mailing machine power supply includes a main transformer and a plurality of secondary transformer in parallel electrical communication over first and second electrical lines. A single-pole-double-throw switch has its first input and output stage interposed between the first electrical line between the main transformer and one of the second transformers. The second input and output stage of the switch is in electronic communication with the mailing machine controller such that when the switch is open a first voltage level is received by the mailing machine controller and when the switch means is closed a second voltage level is received by the mailing machine controller. The switch provides an electrical by-pass alone the first electrical line around the first input and output stage of the switch when the switch is open unexpectedly by an operator. A by-pass gate responses to the initial opening of the DPST switch to provide a power by-pass until the mailing machine controller is informed that the printer is properly positioned in the cleaning station.

Power shut down delay circuit for a postage meter mailing machine having

A mailing machine comprising, structure for feeding a sheet in a path of travel, structure for printing indicia on the sheet, structure for controlling the sheet feeding and printing structure, the controlling structure including a microprocessor, the controlling structure including structure for sensing the sheet in the path of travel, the sensing structure including a first sensor for sequentially sensing the leading and trailing edges of the sheet and providing corresponding sequential first signals to the microprocessor, the sensing structure including a second sensor downstream from the first sensor for sensing the leading edge of the sheet and providing a corresponding second sensing signal to the microprocessor, and the microprocessor programmed for causing the sheet feeding structure to feed the sheet, commencing a count of a first time interval when the trailing edge of the sheet is sensed by the first sensor, determining whether the first time interval count is less than a predetermined second time interval when the leading edge of the sheet is sensed by the second sensor, and terminating sheet feeding if the first time interval count is not less than the predetermined second time interval.

Mailing machine including overrideable sheet length discriminating

A method for controlling the speed of a motor for a tape drive in a mailing machine includes providing an optical sensor for signaling the appearance of slots in a slotted wheel connected to the motor shaft. The time intervals between slots are used to make a prediction in respect of expected future time intervals and the motor speed is adjusted in accordance with the predicted value to obtain the desired value. For best results, the data is received at the microprocessor using the 'capture' mode of operation in order to avoid excessive errors due to a 'busy' processor. The invention enables the small motor of a tape drive to avoid over and undershoot even when operating under highly variable load conditions.

Method for controlling speed in a tape feeding, cutting and ejection

In a machine including structure for printing indicia on a sheet, and structure for feeding the sheet in a path of travel to the printing structure, wherein the feeding and printing structure each include a plurality of components, apparatus for accounting for malfunction conditions of the machine, the apparatus comprising, structure for controlling the machine, the controlling structure including a microprocessor, the controlling structure including a random access memory (RAM) and a non-volatile memory (NVM) respectively connected to the microprocessor, the microprocessor programmed for causing a plurality of desired movements of the respective components of the sheet feeding and printing structure and thus of a sheet in the path of travel, a plurality of sensors respectively connected to the microprocessor for sensing actual movements corresponding to the desired movements of the respective components of the sheet feeding and printing structure and of a sheet in the path of travel and providing signals to the microprocessor, the microprocessor programmed for determining whether the differences between corresponding desired and actual movements are acceptable, and the microprocessor programmed for storing data in both the RAM and NVM corresponding to malfunction conditions identifying respective unacceptable differences.

Machine including apparatus for accounting for malfunction conditions

A mailing machine for processing sheets respectively having a leading edge, wherein the sheets include respective envelopes and tapes, the mailing machine comprising, structure for printing an indicia, the printing structure including a rotary drum having a cycle for printing the indicia on respective sheets, structure for successively feeding each sheet in a path of travel to the printing structure, structure for successively feeding cut tapes into the path of travel for feeding by the sheet feeding structure, structure for controlling the feeding and printing structure including a microprocessor, the controlling structure including structure connected to the microprocessor for sensing the leading edge of each sheet in the path of travel and providing a corresponding signal to the microprocessor, the microprocessor programmed for commencing in response to the sensing signal corresponding thereto a different predetermined time delay for tapes and envelopes before commencing the drum printing cycle, each time delay corresponding to a selected marginal distance from the leading edge of the sheet for printing indicia thereon, the controlling structure including structure for independently manually selecting from a different plurality thereof the marginal distance for tapes and envelopes, the controlling structure including a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), and the microprocessor programmed for energizing a different one of the LEDs for each selected tape and envelope marginal distance to permit visual verification thereof.

Growing community of inventors

Wilton, CT, United States of America

Richard P Schoonmaker