Pitney Bowes Inc.

William F Bailey

Robert G Arsenault

Craig J DeFilippo

David W Hubbard

Wesley A Kirschner

Sungwon R Moh

Dale A French

John A Hurd

Joseph M Mozdzer

Christopher D Smith

Sandra J Peterson

William T Lefebvre

Michael J Shukaitis

Edward J Twarog

Beth A Jennings

James R Ralph

Craig J DeFillippo

Michael R Davis

A method of printing a string of characters includes receiving a sequence of character data codes. Each character data code corresponds to a respective character to be printed in the string of characters. The method also includes transcoding the sequence of character data codes to generate a sequence of glyph codes. Each glyph code corresponds to a respective glyph. Each glyph corresponds to at least part of a respective character. At least some of the glyphs correspond to less than a complete character. The method further includes using the sequence of glyph codes to generate print image data and printing an image on the basis of the print image data.

System and method for using divided fonts to achieve proportional spacing

A mail receipt terminal for accepting an envelope having evidence of postage applied thereto. The mail receipt terminal includes a controller module and an input scanner module and a printer module, both in operative communication with the controller module. The controller module includes a control system and a clock module. The input scanner module: (i) receives the envelope, (ii) scans the evidence of postage to determine its veracity, and (iii) rejects the envelope if the evidence of postage is determined to be improper. If the evidence of postage is determined to be proper, then the printer module prints a receipt including data thereon corresponding to the envelope where the receipt data includes a date/time stamp and an ID tracking number that uniquely corresponds to the envelope.

Mail receipt terminal having deposit tracking capability

A value dispensing system includes a vault that accounts for units of a currency type dispensed by the value dispensing system, the vault including a first identifier that indicates one of different first and second currency types the vault is currently accounting for and a second identifier indicative of whether the vault is pending conversion to account for the one of the first and second currency types it is not currently accounting for in lieu of the one of the first and second currency types it is currently accounting for; a printing module which prints an indicium indicative of value, the printing module having a first indicator indicative of which of the first and second currency types the printhead module is set to print as part of the indicium; and an apparatus for determining if a first predetermined relationship exists between the first indicator, the first identifier, and the second identifier and for preventing the printing of the indicium if the predetermined relationship does not exist.

Postage metering system having currency compatibility security feature

A system includes a system time counter associated with a micro controller and a secure clock module having a real time clock and an elapsed time counter. The system synchronizes operation between the secure clock module and the system time counter. The synchronized time entered into the system time counter is utilized in the operation of the system. The real time clock time can be caused to be entered into the elapsed time counter at certain point in the operation of the system. The relationship of the time provide enhanced systems security.

Electronic postage meter system having plural clock system providing

A printing apparatus is disclosed which has various operating components, and which includes a single sensing means for sensing certain operational characteristics of the operating components to monitor the operational status thereof for the purpose of either providing an operator perceptible indication that a certain operational characteristic of one of the operating components is not in a condition for normal operation of the printing apparatus. The single sensing means includes a photo detecting means mounted on the inside surface of the cover of a housing for the operating characteristics of the printing apparatus, and an actuating means mounted on an ink cartridge which is mounted on and movable with a moving print head, such that the sensing means can provided an ink dication of whether the cover is open or closed, whether the ink cartridge is present or absent, whether the print head is in a proper position for commencing a normal cycle of operation, and in one variation of an alternate embodiment of the invention, whether there is sufficient ink in the ink cartridge for normal operation of the printing apparatus, and in another variation thereof, how much ink is in the ink cartridge at all times between full and insufficient for normal operation of the printing apparatus.

Multi function sensing device for printing apparatus

A value dispensing mechanism which prints an indication of value includes a portable accounting device which accounts for the printed indication of value; and a terminal including apparatus for printing the indication of value, a display which displays messages related to functions of the value dispensing mechanism, structure for controlling messages displayed on the display and for initiating operation of the printing means to print the indication of value, a storage device for storing a plurality of display options, and apparatus for removably receiving the portable accounting device such that at times when the portable accounting device is received in the receiving apparatus the controlling structure and the portable accounting device are in operative communication with each other to permit operation of the value dispensing mechanism; wherein the portable accounting device includes means for automatically designating at least one of the display options upon insertion of the portable accounting device into the receiving means for at least one of displaying the selected display option on the display and printing the selected display option as at least a portion of the indication of value.

Value dispensing mechanism, such as a postage meter, having automatic

In a digital postage meter having a housing shell, a display screen mounted in the housing shell, and a removable printhead, a method of transmitting information from the printhead module to the display screen. The method includes: storing the information in a memory device in the printhead module; retrieving the information in a first communication device in the printhead module; transmitting the information from the first communication device to a second communication device external to the printhead module, wherein the second communication device interprets the information; and transmitting the interpreted information to the display screen.

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Guilford, CT, United States of America

William F Bailey