Filing Information

Inventor(s)	Martin Müller ·
Assignee(s)	Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems AG ·  View assignee updates
Attorney/Agent(s)	Perman & Green, LLP · James F. McLaughlin ·
Primary Examiner	Karen Masih ·
Application Number	US9368662
Filing date	08/05/1999
Issue date	03/13/2001
Predicted expiration date	08/05/2019
U.S. Classifications	318/68  · 318/601  · 318/603  · 318/573  · 318/540  · 318/561  ·
International Classifications	--
Kind Code	B1
International Classifications	318561 · 318571 · 318603 · 318601 · 318540 · 318 68 ·
Related U.S. Application Data	This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 60/098,584 filed Aug. 31, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Patent Family

Abstract

A mail piece handler defines a paper path having a downstream direction. A first motor is mechanically coupled with the mail piece handler, and an encoder is operatively coupled with the mail piece handler. A mail piece sensor is positioned at the paper path, and a print rotor is positioned at the paper path downstream of the mail piece sensor, the print rotor having a print surface. A second motor is mechanically coupled with the print rotor, and an electronic controller is communicatively coupled with the encoder, with the mail piece sensor, and with the second motor, the controller disposed in the event of sensing of a mail piece by the mail piece sensor to control said second motor so as to cause the print surface of the print rotor to move at substantially a speed measured via the encoder.

Independent Claims | See all claims (20)

1. 1. A franking system comprising: a mail piece handler defining a paper path having a downstream direction; a first motor mechanically coupled with the mail piece handler; an encoder operatively coupled with the mail piece handler; a mail piece sensor positioned at the paper path; a print rotor positioned at the paper path downstream of the mail piece sensor, said print rotor having a print surface; a second motor mechanically coupled with the print rotor; and an electronic controller communicatively coupled with the encoder, with the mail piece sensor, and with the second motor, said controller disposed in the event of sensing of a mail piece by the mail piece sensor to control said second motor so as to cause the print surface of the print rotor to move at substantially a speed measured via the encoder.
2. 11. A method for operation of a franking system, said franking system having a mail piece handler defining a paper path, said mail piece handler driven by a first motor and having a velocity along the paper path, said franking system also having a print rotor with a print surface, the print rotor mechanically coupled with a second motor, the method comprising the steps of: detecting an arrival of a mail piece along the paper path; measuring the velocity of the mail piece handler; driving the second motor so that the velocity of the print surface substantially matches that of the mail piece handler.
3. 14. A postage meter system comprising: a mail piece handler at least partially forming a mail piece path, the mail piece handler being adapted to move a mail piece in the mail piece path; a first driver operably connected to the mail piece handler for driving the handler; a sensor connected to the mail piece handler for sensing movement of the mail piece handler; a controller connected to the sensor; a second driver connected to the controller; and a movable printing device operably connected to the second driver; wherein the controller controls the second driver based, at least partially, upon input from the sensor of the sensed movement of the mail piece handler such that speed of the printing device is controlled relative to speed of the mail piece handler.