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Patent 2425154 Summary

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Claims and Abstract availability

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(12) Patent Application: (11) CA 2425154
(54) English Title: DISABLING A MAILING MACHINE WHEN A PRINT HEAD IS NOT INSTALLED
(54) French Title: SYSTEME DE MISE HORS FONCTION D'UNE MACHINE DE TRAITEMENT DU COURRIER SANS TETE D'IMPRESSION
Status: Withdrawn
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • G07B 17/02 (2006.01)
  • G06K 15/02 (2006.01)
  • G07B 17/04 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • DAVIES, BRAD L. (United States of America)
  • MONROE, GEORGE T. (United States of America)
  • PARKOS, MARIA P. (United States of America)
(73) Owners :
  • PITNEY BOWES INC. (United States of America)
(71) Applicants :
  • PITNEY BOWES INC. (United States of America)
(74) Agent: SIM & MCBURNEY
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued:
(22) Filed Date: 1998-05-22
(41) Open to Public Inspection: 1998-11-29
Examination requested: 2003-04-24
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): No

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
08/864,942 United States of America 1997-05-29

Abstracts

English Abstract



A method of operating a mailing machine including a printer module
and an accounting module in operative communication with the printer
module, the printer module including a print head controller for producing
print
data signals necessary to print a postal indicia on an envelope and a
replaceable print head cartridge having a plurality of print elements which
are
selectively energized in response to the print data signals, the accounting
module in operative communication with the printer module for producing a
token necessary to generate the print data signals, the method comprising the
steps of determining if a valid print head cartridge is installed and
if a valid print head cartridge is not installed, disabling the accounting
module
for producing the token.


Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.



-15-

What is Claimed is:

1. A method of operating a mailing machine including a printer module
and an accounting module in operative communication with the printer
module, the printer module including a print head controller for producing
print
data signals necessary to print a postal indicia on an envelope and a
replaceable print head cartridge having a plurality of print elements which
are
selectively energized in response to the print data signals, the accounting
module in operative communication with the printer module for producing a
token necessary to generate the print data signals, the method comprising the
following step(s):
determining if a valid print head cartridge is installed; and
if a valid print head cartridge is not installed, disabling the accounting
module for producing the token.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the following step(s):
disabling the print head controller from producing the print data signals.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the mailing machine further includes:
a transport means for feeding the envelope past the plurality of print
elements; and
encoder means operatively coupled to the transport means for
providing encoder signals indicative of the position of the envelope, the
encoder means, the transport means and the print head controller for
synchronizing the feeding of the envelope with energizing of the plurality of
print elements of the print head module; and
further comprising the following step(s):
disabling the encoder means from producing the encoder signals.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the mailing machine further includes:
a motor operatively connected to the transport means; and
a motor controller operatively connected to the motor for transmitting
suitable drive signals to the motor; and


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further comprising the following step(s):
if the valid print head cartridge is not installed, disabling the motor
controller from transmitting drive signals.

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


CA 02425154 2003-04-24
DISABLING A MAILING MACHINE
WHEN A PRINT HEAD IS NOT INSTALLED
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to disabling a mailing machine having a conveyor
apparatus and a print controller when the print head is not installed. More
particularly, this invention is directed to disabling the print controller
from
supplying print data signals and/or disabling the mailing machine conveyor
apparatus when a print head is not installed.
Background of the invention
Io Ink jet printers are well known in the art. Generally, an ink jet printer
includes an array of nozzles or orifices, a supply of ink, a plurality of
ejection
elements (typically either expanding vapor bubble elements or piezoelectric
transducer elements) corresponding to the array of nozzles and suitable
driver and control electronics for controlling the ejection elements.
Typically,
1s the array of nozzles and the ejection elements along with their associated
components are referred to as a print head. It is the activation of the
ejection
elements which causes drops of ink to be expelled from the nozzles. The ink
ejected in this manner forms drops which travel along a flight path until they
reach a print medium such as a sheet of paper, overhead transparency,
2o envelope or the like. Once they reach the print medium, the drops dry and
collectively form a print image. Typically, the ejection elements are
selectively
activated or energized as relative movement is provided between the print
head and the print medium so that a predetermined or desired print image is
achieved.
Zs Generally, the array of nozzles, supply of ink, plurality of ejection
elements and driver electronics are packaged into an ink jet cartridge. In
turn,
the printer includes a carriage assembly for detachably mounting the ink jet
cartridge thereto. In this manner, a fresh ink jet cartridge may be installed
when the ink supply of the current ink cartridge has been consumed.
3o Recently, the postage meter industry and other envelope printing
industries have begun to incorporate ink jet printers having a user
replaceable

CA 02425154 2003-04-24
_'Z_
ink jet cartridge. A typical postage meter (one example of a postage printing
apparatus) applies evidence of postage, commonly referred to as a postal
indicia, to an envelope or other mailpiece and accounts for the value of the
postage dispensed. As is well known, postage meters include an ascending
s register, that stores a running total of all postage dispensed by the meter,
and
a descending register, that holds the remaining amount of postage credited to
the meter and that is reduced by the amount of postage dispensed during a
transaction. Because U.S. Postal Service regulations require that postage be
paid in advance, it had traditionally been required that the user of a postage
1o meter periodically present the meter to a Postal Service employee for
recharging. However, more recently it is possible to recharge a meter
remotely using telephone communications. At the time of recharging, the
user pays to the Postal Service the amount of postage to be credited to the
meter and the meter is recharged by increasing the setting of the descending
1 s register by the amount paid. The postage meter generally also includes a
control sum register which provides a check upon the descending and
ascending registers. The control sum register has a running account of the
total funds being added into the meter. The control sum register must always
correspond with the summed readings of the ascending and descending
Zo registers. The control sum register is the total amount of postage ever put
into the machine and it is alterable only when adding funds to the meter. In
this manner, the dispensing of postal funds may be accurately tracked and
recorded.
Generally, the postage meter may be incorporated into a mailing
machine, which is also well known in the art, for automated handling of the
mailpieces. Mailing machines are readily available from manufactures such
as Pitney Bowes Inc. of Stamford, CT, USA and often include a variety of
different modules which automate the processes of producing mailpieces.
The typical mailing machine includes a variety of different modules or sub-
3o systems where each module performs a different task on a mailpiece, such
as: singulating (separating the mailpieces one at a time from a stack of
mailpieces), weighing, sealing (wetting and closing the glued flap of an
envelope), applying evidence of postage, accounting for postage used

CA 02425154 2003-04-24
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(performed by the postage meter), feeding roll tape or cut tape strips for
printing and stacking finished mailpieces. However, the exact configuration of
each mailing machine is particular to the needs of the user. Customarily, the
mailing machine also includes a transport apparatus which feeds the
a mailpieces in a path of travel through the successive modules of the mailing
machine.
To print a valid postal indicia the postage meter (accounting module)
and the printer must work cooperatively to ensure that the value of the postal
indicia which is printed is properly accounted for. Because there is a
physical
to separation between the postage meter and the printer, there is a risk of
fraud
due to an intruder breaking into the communications between the postage
meter and the printer.
One risk that is present is due to the user replaceable ink jet cartridge.
When the ink jet cartridge is not present, print data signals from the print
head
Is controller are exposed to external interrogation at the ink jet cartridge
connector. Thus, it would be possible to operate the mailing machine without
the ink jet cartridge installed and capture the print data signals and replay
them at a later time to produce fraudulent postal indicias.
Another risk is use of the mailing machine with an unauthorized printer.
2o That is, if the unauthorized printer were capable of producing fraudulent
postal indicias, then the mailing machine could be used to automate the
handling and feeding of the mailpieces. In this manner, the exposure to fraud
would be much greater than for a hand fed printer due to the increased
throughput capabilities of the mailing machine. Thus, numerous fraudulent
Zs postal indicias could be produced.
Therefore, there is a need for a mailing machine including an ink jet
printer having an ink jet cartridge wherein the mailing machine discourages
fraudulent use of the mailing machine. More particularly, there is a need for
preventing unauthorized interception of the print signals from the print head
~o controller to the print head and unauthorized use of the mailing machine to
feed and process envelopes. In this manner, the postal authority does not a
suffer loss of funds.

CA 02425154 2003-04-24
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Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides an apparatus, method and method of
manufacturing a mailing machine which substantially reduces the risk of fraud
as described above.
!n accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of
operating a mailing machine including a printer module and an accounting
module in operative communication with the printer module, the printer
module including a print head controller for producing print data signals
necessary to print a postal indicia on an envelope and a replaceable print
head cartridge having a plurality of print elements which are selectively
energized in response to the print data signals, the accounting module in
operative communication with the printer module for producing a token
necessary to generate the print data signals, the method comprising the
following step(s):
determining if a valid print head cartridge is installed; and
s if a valid print head cartridge is not installed, disabling the accounting
module
for producing the token.
Therefore, it is now apparent that the present invention substantially
overcomes the disadvantages associated with the prior art. Additional
advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which
follows,
~o and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by
practice
of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be
realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations
particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
na Brief Description of the Drawincts
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute
a part of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the
invention, and together with the general description given above and the
detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to
2o explain the principles of the invention. As shown throughout the drawings,
like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts.

CA 02425154 2003-04-24
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Fig. 1 is a simplified schematic of a front elevational view of a mailing
machine which incorporates the present invention.
Fig. 1A is a schematic representation of a plan view of an encoder
pulley and an encoder system in accordance with the invention.
Fig. 2 is a simplified schematic of a perspective view of a printer
module including a print cartridge in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a more detailed schematic of the print cartridge in accordance
with the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the mailing machine in
io accordance with the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Referring to Fig. 1, an example of a mailing machine 10 in which the
present invention may be incorporated is shown. The mailing machine 10
includes a printer module 100, a conveyor apparatus 200, a micro control
~s system 300 and a singulator module 400. Other modules of the mailing
machine 10, such as those described above, have not been shown for the
sake of clarity. The singulator module 400 receives a stack of envelopes (not
shown), or other mailpieces such as postcards, folders and the like, and
separates and feeds them in a seriatim fashion (one at a time) in a path of
2o travel as indicated by arrow A. The conveyor apparatus 200 feeds the
envelopes 20 in the path of travel along a deck 240 past the printer module
100 so that a postal indicia can be printed on each envelope 20. Together,
the singulator module 400 and the conveyor module 200 make up a transport
apparatus for feeding the envelopes 20 through the various modules of the
2s mailing machine 10.
The singulator module 400 includes a feeder assembly 410 and a
retard assembly 430 which work cooperatively to separate a batch of
envelopes (not shown) and feed them one at a time to a pair of take-away
rollers 450. The feeder assembly 410 includes a pair of pulleys 412 having
3o an endless belt 414 extending therebetween. The feeder assembly 410 is
operatively connected to a motor 470 by any suitable drive train which causes
the endless belt 414 to rotate clockwise so as to feed the envelopes in the

CA 02425154 2003-04-24
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direction indicated by arrow A. The retard assembly 430 includes a pair of
pulleys 432 having an endless belt 434 extending therebetween. The retard
assembly 430 is operatively connected to any suitable drive means (not
shown) which causes the endless belt 434 to rotate clockwise so as to
prevent the upper envelopes in the batch of envelopes from reaching the
take-away rollers 450. In this manner, only the bottom envelope in the stack
of envelopes advances to the take-away rollers 450. Those skilled in the art
wilt recognize that the retard assembly 430 may be operatively coupled to the
same motor as the feeder assembly 410.
io Since the details of the singulator module 400 are not necessary for an
understanding of the present invention, no further description will be
provided.
However, an example of a singulator module suitable for use in conjunction
with the present invention is described in U.S. Patent Number 4,7978,114,
entitled REVERSE BELT SINGULATING APPARATUS.
is The take-away rollers 450 are located adjacent to and downstream in
the path of travel from the singulator module 400. The take-away rollers 450
are operatively connected to motor 470 by any suitable drive train (not
shown). Generally, it is preferable to design the feeder assembly drive train
and the take-away roller drive train so that the take-away rollers 450 operate
2o at a higher speed than the feeder assembly 410. Additionally, it is also
preferable that the take-away rollers 450 have a very positive nip so that
they
dominate control over the envelope 20. Consistent with this approach, the nip
between the feeder assembly 410 and the retard assembly 430 is suitably
designed to allow some degree of slippage.
2s The mailing machine 10 further includes a sensor module 500 which is
substantially in alignment with the nip of take-away rollers 450 for detecting
the presence of the envelope 20. Preferably, the sensor module 500 is of any
conventional optical type which includes a light emitter 502 and a light
detector 504. Generally, the light emitter 502 and the light detector 504 are
>o located in opposed relationship on opposite sides of the path of travel so
that
the envelope 20 passes therebetween. By measuring the amount of light that
the light detector 504 receives, the presence or absence of the envelope 20
can be determined. Generally, by detecting the lead and trail edges of the

CA 02425154 2003-04-24
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envelope 20, the sensor module 500 provides signals to the micro control
system 300 which are used to determine the length of the envelope 20 and
measure the gap between successive envelopes 20.
The conveyor apparatus 200 includes an endless belt 210 looped
around a drive pulley 220 and an encoder pulley 222 which is located
downstream in the path of travel from the drive pulley 220 and proximate to
the printer module 100. The drive pulley 220 and the encoder pulley 222 are
substantially identical and are fixably mounted to shafts 244 and 246,
respectively, which are in turn rotatively mounted to any suitable structure
(not
to shown) such as a frame. The drive pulley 220 is operatively connected to a
motor 260 by any conventional means such as intermeshing gears (not
shown) or a timing belt (not shown) so that when the motor 260 rotates in
response to signals from the micro control system 300, the drive pulley 220
also rotates which in turn causes the endless belt 210 to rotate and advance
the envelope 20 along the path of travel.
The conveyor apparatus 200 further includes a plurality of idler pulleys
232, a plurality of normal force rollers 234 and a tensioner pulley 230. The
tensioner pulley 230 is initially spring biased and then locked in place by
any
conventional manner such as a set screw and bracket (not shown). This
?o allows for constant and uniform tension on the endless belt 210. In this
manner, the endless belt 210 will not slip on the drive pulley 220 when the
motor 260 is energized and caused to rotate. The idler pulleys 232 are
rotatively mounted to any suitable structure (not shown) along the path of
travel between the drive pulley 220 and the encoder pulley 222. The normal
?s force rollers 234 are located in opposed relationship and biased toward the
idler pulleys 232, the drive pulley 220 and the encoder pulley 222,
respectively.
As described above, the normal force rollers 234 work to bias the
envelope 20 up against the deck 240. This is commonly referred to as top
3o surface registration which is beneficial for ink jet printing. Any
variation in
thickness of the envelope 20 is taken up by the deflection of the normal force
rollers 234. Thus, a constant space is set between the envelope 20 and the
printer module 100 no matter what the thickness of the envelope 20. The

CA 02425154 2003-04-24
constant space is optimally set to a desired value to achieve quality
printing.
It is important to note that the deck 240 contains suitable openings (not
shown) for the endless belt 210 and normal force rollers 234.
A more detailed description of the conveyor apparatus 200 is found in
U.S. Patent No. 5,740,728; entitled MAILING MACHINE.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 1A, the transport apparatus 200 also includes
an encoder system 270 which is located proximate to the printer module 100
and operatively coupled to the encoder pulley 222. The encoder system 270
includes an encoder disk 272 fixably mount to the shaft 246 and an encoder
to detector 274 fixably mounted to a frame 280. Thus, as the encoder pulley
222 rotates so does the encoder disk 272. The encoder disk 272 has a
plurality of vanes located around its circumference and is of a conventional
type, such as model number HP 5100 available from Hewlett-Packard
Company. The encoder detector 274 is also of conventional type, such as
is model number HP 9100 available from Hewlett-Packard Company, and
includes a light source 274a and a light detector 274b. The encoder disk 272
and the encoder detector 274 are positioned with respect to each other so
that the vanes of the encoder disk 272 alternately block and unblock the light
source 274a as the shaft 246 rotates. The transition from blocked to
?o unblocked or vice versa result in a change of state or encoder signal (also
commonly referred to as a "count") for the encoder detector 274. The
encoder disk 272 has been selected so that 1024 counts occur per revolution.
In this manner, the position and speed of the shaft 246 can be tracked. This
type of encoder system 270 is well known and those skilled in the art will
2s recognize other means for encoding which would serve equally well.
In the preferred embodiment, the printer module 100 includes a first
and second row of nozzles 112 which may correspond to individual print
heads which have been assembled together to form the print head module
100. Generally, the distance between the first row the second of nozzles 112
~o measured along the path of travel is necessary for packaging and
performance considerations. Typically, high performance print heads capable
of high resolution printing at high speeds are only available in linear arrays
of
small length. Thus, to print a wide swath across the envelope 20 requires the

CA 02425154 2003-04-24
_g_
alignment of multiple print heads in end to end fashion as measured in a
direction transverse to the path of travel. The use of multiple print heads in
this fashion increases the print zone over which accurate encoding needs to
take place because encoding must now occur over the print area plus the
s distance between the print heads. Those skilled in the art will recognize
that
any number of print heads can be arranged in this or analogous manners to
achieve a desired print quality and speed. However, it is important to note
that it is possible for the printer module 100 to only include a single row of
nozzles if print quality and/or print speed are reduced or if the print height
is
io sufficiently small.
The transport apparatus 200 and the print head module 100 as
described above are under the control of the micro control system 300 which
may be of any suitable combination of microprocessors, firmware and
software. The micro control system 300 includes a motor controller 310
is which is in operative communication with the motor 260, a print head
controller 320 which is in operative communication with the printer module
100, a sensor controller which is in operative communication with the sensor
module 500, an accounting module 340 for tracking postal funds, a
microprocessor 360, a security application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)
20 370 and a user interface 380 of any suitable design, such as a CRT and
keyboard, for receiving inputs from and communicating messages to the user.
Additionally, the micro control system 300 is in operative communication with
the encoder system 270 via the encoder detector 274. The micro control
system 300 constantly compares the actual position of the envelope 20 with
2a the desired position of the envelope 20 and computes appropriate corrective
drive signals which are communicated to the motor controller 310. The motor
controller 310 then provides energizing signals to the motor 260 in response
to the drive signals received from the micro control system 300. Those skilled
in the art will recognize that the various components of the micro control
3o system 300 are in operative communication with each other over conventional
communication lines, such as a communication bus.
The print head controller 320 provides print data signals to the nozzles
112 of the print head module 100 in response to instructions from the micro

CA 02425154 2003-04-24
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control system 300. As an input, the micro control system 300 receives the
counts from the encoder detector 274 as the encoder disk 272 alternately
blocks and unblocks the encoder detector 274. At each count, the micro
control system 300 instructs the print head controller 320 to energize the
s nozzles 112, appropriately. Thus, a line of print occurs for each count that
takes place during printing.
Referring to Fig. 2, a more detailed view of the printer module 100 is
shown. The printer module 100 includes a carriage 120, an ink jet cartridge
110 detachably mounted to the carriage 120, a maintenance assembly 130
io and an assembly 140 for repositioning the carriage 120 and the maintenance
assembly 130 into and out of operative engagement. The ink jet cartridge
110 is detachably mounted to a connector 124 which is in turn fixably
mounted to the carriage 120. Print data signals are supplied to the ink jet
cartridge 110 from the print head controller 320 via the connector 124. The
~ s maintenance assembly 130 operates to wipe and cap the cartridge 110 in
conventional fashion. The print module 100 further includes suitable
framework (not shown) for supporting the various components of the print
module 100.
The printer module 100 is used for printing a postal indicia on the
2o envelope 20, which travels in the direction indicated by the arrow A. The
repositioning assembly 140 includes a pair of rails 142 and 144, respectively,
on which the carriage 120 rests. A lead screw 146 is driven by a drive motor
148 and threadingly engages a nut 122 fixably attached to the carriage 120 in
order to translate the carriage 120 back and forth along the rails 142 and 144
2s as indicated by a double sided arrow B. A conventional encoder system 150
is operatively connected to the drive motor 148 for providing signals
indicative
of the position of the carriage 120 along the lead screw 146. The carriage
120 can be stopped at various positions along the lead screw 146 depending
upon whether the cartridge 110 is printing or engaged with the maintenance
3o assembly 130.
The repositioning assembly 140 further includes suitable structure for
repositioning the maintenance assembly 130. The maintenance assembly
130 travels along a track 164 having a camming surface 162 as indicated by

CA 02425154 2003-04-24
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a double sided arrow C. A pin 166 engages an aperture (not shown) in the
maintenance assembly 130 to reposition the maintenance assembly 130
along the track 164. The pin 166 is seated in a block 168 which threadingly
engages a lead screw 170 which in turn is driven by a drive motor 172.
Additionally, a conventional encoder system 174 is operatively connected to
the drive motor 172 for providing signals indicative of the position of the
maintenance assembly 130 along the lead screw 170. The maintenance
assembly 130 can be stopped at various positions along the lead screw 170
depending upon whether the cartridge 110 is printing or engaged with the
~o maintenance assembly 130.
Referring to Fig. 3, a more detailed view of the ink jet cartridge 110 is
shown. The ink jet cartridge 110 includes the array of nozzles 112, a supply
of ink 114 and a plurality of ejection elements 116 connecting the array of
nozzles 112 with ink supply 114, respectively. Activation of each of the
is ejection elements 116 is selectively controlled by suitable print data
signals
provided by the print head controller 320 which cause ink 114 to be expelled
from the array of nozzles 112 in a predetermined manner. In the preferred
embodiment, the plurality of ejection elements 116 are bubble jet type
elements. The ink jet cartridge 110 further includes feed back devices in the
zo form of a diode 118 and a resistor 119 which provide calibration
information
to the print head controller 320 as to the operating conditions of the
cartridge
110. Since the diode 118 has a known operating behavior with respect to
temperature, by applying a known voltage to the diode 118 and measuring
the corresponding output current, the print head controller 320 can calculate
zs the ambient temperature. In similar fashion, by applying a known voltage to
the resistor 119 and measuring the corresponding output current, the print
head controller 320 can calculate the sensitivity of the resistor 119
(sometimes referred to as an inherent resistor or a rank resistor). Both the
ambient temperature and the resistor sensitivity are calibration inputs which
~o are used to optimize the print data signals supplied to the ejection
elements
116 to produce quality printed images. In the preferred embodiment, there is
one diode 118 and one resistor 119 mounted directly to the silicone substrate
which comprises the ejection elements 116. Those skilled in the art will

CA 02425154 2003-04-24
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recognize that each one of the ejection elements 116 could have its own
diode and resistor or that the ejection elements 116 could be grouped into
functional blocks with each block having its own diode and resistor.
Each cartridge 110 is initially filled with a predetermined amount of ink
a 114. Since ink 114 is used during printing and maintenance operations, the
ink 114 will be gradually consumed over time and eventually a new cartridge
110 will need to be installed. To keep track of the amount of ink 114
available, the print head controller 320 estimates an amount of ink 114 used
during operation and subtracts this amount from the initial predetermined
to amount to obtain an estimate of an amount of ink 114 remaining. Any
conventional technique for estimating ink used, such as counting ink drops,
may be employed. In this manner, the user can be instructed as to when the
cartridge 110 should be replaced. In the alternative, a system (not shown),
such as a thermistor in the ink reservoir, can be employed for actively
is measuring the amount of remaining ink.
With the structure of the mailing machine 10 described as above, the
operational characteristics will now be described. Referring primarily to Fig.
4
while referencing the structure of Figs. 1, 1a, 2 and 3, a flow chart of
routine
600 summarizing the operation of the mailing machine 10 in accordance with
2o the present invention is shown. Generally, the micro processor 360 and the
security ASIC 370 oversee the operation of the routine 600. At 602, a
determination~is made whether or not the ink jet cartridge 110 is installed in
the carriage 124. This determination is made prior to printing the postal
indicia and also prior to feeding the envelope 20 in the path of travel. This
is
2s achieved by applying a predetermined voltage to the resistor 119 and
measuring the corresponding output current. From this information the micro
control system 300 can determine if an ink jet cartridge 110 is installed and
also calculate the resistance of the resistor 119 that is present. If the
determined resistance of the resistor 119 is within a predetermined range,
3o then the micro control system 300 will determine that the ink jet cartridge
is
valid. If the determined resistance of the resistor 119 is not within a
predetermined range, then the micro control system 300 will determine that
the ink jet cartridge is not valid. This may be due to the absence of an ink
jet

CA 02425154 2003-04-24
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cartridge 110, an authorized but faulty ink jet cartridge 110, or the
installation
of an unauthorized ink jet cartridge 110. In any such scenario, it is
desirable
to disable the mailing machine 10 so that the print data signals will not
reach
the connector 124. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other
s techniques for determining if an ink jet cartridge 110 is installed are
available,
such as providing an interlock switch (not shown) or proximity sensor (not
shown).
Based on the above, if at 602 the answer is yes, then at 604 the
mailing machine continues with normal operations. On the other hand, if at
~0 602 the answer is no, then at 606 the micro control system 300 disables the
print data signals from reaching the connector 124. This can be achieved in a
variety of ways. First, the output from the print controller 320 can be
surpressed so that no print data signals are transmitted to the connector 124.
Second, the accounting module 340 can be instructed not to produce a token.
is Tokens are well known in the field of electronic postage metering. The
token
is a necessary input to the creation of print data signals as it contains
relevant
information with respect to the postal indicia that is to be printed. That is,
the
token serves as a necessary input to the generation of print data signals.
Without a token, no print data signals are produced. Those skilled in the art
2o will recognize still other ways of preventing the print data signals from
reaching the connector 124.
Next, at 608 the micro control system 300 disables mailing machine
10. This is achieved by instructing the encoder detector 274 not to transmit
any encoder signals. Thus, printing is disabled because the encoder signals
Zs are necessary to properly coordinate the firing of the nozzles 112 with the
movement of the envelope 20 to produce a quality postal indicia. Also, the
motor controller 310 does not supply any drive signals to the motors 470 and
260, respectively. As a result, the mailing machine 10 will not be able to
feed
envelope 20. Next, at 610 the micro control system 300 sends a message to
3o the user interface 380 instructing the user to install an approved ink jet
cartridge 110 in the carriage 120 and power reset the mailing machine 10.
Base on the above description and the associated drawings, it should
now be apparent that the present invention substantially reduces the risk of

CA 02425154 2003-04-24
-14-
fraud as described above by inhibiting the print data signals from appearing
in
the open at the connector 124 and by shutting down the mailing machine 10
equipment from functioning.
Many features of the preferred embodiment represent design choices
s selected to best exploit the inventive concept as implemented in a mailing
machine. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that various
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present
invention. For example, the preferred embodiments are described with
respect to bubble jet technology, however, those skilled in the art will
readily
~o be able to adapt the inventive concepts to piezoelectric technology an a
repackaging of the components that embody the ink jet printing apparatus.
Therefore, the inventive concept in its broader aspects is not limited to
the specific details of the preferred embodiments but is defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date Unavailable
(22) Filed 1998-05-22
(41) Open to Public Inspection 1998-11-29
Examination Requested 2003-04-24
Withdrawn Application 2008-07-09

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Request for Examination $400.00 2003-04-24
Registration of a document - section 124 $50.00 2003-04-24
Application Fee $300.00 2003-04-24
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2000-05-23 $100.00 2003-04-24
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 2001-05-22 $100.00 2003-04-24
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 4 2002-05-22 $100.00 2003-04-24
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 5 2003-05-22 $150.00 2003-04-24
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 6 2004-05-24 $200.00 2004-05-10
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 7 2005-05-24 $200.00 2005-05-18
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 8 2006-05-22 $200.00 2006-05-11
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 9 2007-05-22 $200.00 2007-05-18
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 10 2008-05-22 $250.00 2008-05-08
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
PITNEY BOWES INC.
Past Owners on Record
DAVIES, BRAD L.
MONROE, GEORGE T.
PARKOS, MARIA P.
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Abstract 2003-04-24 1 24
Description 2003-04-24 14 764
Claims 2003-04-24 2 49
Drawings 2003-04-24 5 62
Representative Drawing 2003-06-09 1 14
Cover Page 2003-06-11 1 47
Description 2004-01-05 14 751
Correspondence 2003-05-09 1 41
Assignment 2003-04-24 3 121
Prosecution-Amendment 2004-01-05 6 257
Correspondence 2003-06-13 1 12
Prosecution-Amendment 2003-07-14 3 67
Prosecution-Amendment 2004-09-02 3 102
Prosecution-Amendment 2005-03-01 4 178
Prosecution-Amendment 2005-08-29 4 182
Prosecution-Amendment 2006-02-20 4 159
Prosecution-Amendment 2006-10-13 3 132
Correspondence 2006-11-07 1 34
Prosecution-Amendment 2007-08-15 1 24
Correspondence 2008-07-09 1 38
Correspondence 2008-07-21 1 12