Pitney Bowes Inc.

Christopher C Lang

Robert A Cordery

Thomas J Foth

Brian M Romansky

Anand V Chhatpar

Matthew John Campagna

Frederick W Ryan, Jr

Richard W Heiden

Jill Boncek

Pavel A Matskevich

Pavel Matskevich

A mail handling system for handling mail pieces in a mail handling area is presented. The system avoids breaching confidentiality of the mail pieces, and includes a view port device, for providing filtered visual access to a portion of the mail handling area while at least some information contained in the mail pieces is filtered out. The system also includes a manual access area, for allowing manual access to the mail handling area while unfiltered visual access to the mail handling area is obstructed.

System for preserving security while handling documents

A method and system, and computer readable medium for providing instruction for programming the system to carry out the method, for evaluating options based on ratings along various dimensions or characteristics. Type 1 databases are selected and accessed, each of the selected databases including at least one option rating, with respect to a dimension, where the option can differ among the selected databases; and selects and accesses type 2 databases each of the type 2 databases including at least one database rating for at least one of the type 1 databases. Weights are associated with the type 1 databases, the weights being calculated as a function of the database ratings. An overall rating is calculated for an option with respect to the dimension as a function of the weights and option ratings. The calculation is repeated for each remaining one of the options and a list of the options and associated overall ratings is generated. Weights are calculated as a function of the database ratings and master weights for the type 2 databases. In one embodiment of the invention the master weights are adjusted based on a user's evaluation of the list.

Method and system for evaluating options based on one or more ratings along one or more dimensions

A method and system for providing message filtering is described. In one configuration, a trusted third party system affixes an evisa to an electronic message thereby providing an indication relating to a filtering/prioritization procedure. The evisa may utilize cryptographic methods to authenticate a message and provide non-repudiation from the trusted third party.

System and method for message filtering by a trusted third party

A system for facilitating a transaction between a first party and a second party is controlled by a trusted third party system and is programmed to carry out the method by receiving the first party's instructions for fulfilling at least a part of the first party's obligations in said transaction. The system communicates with the second party and provides the second party with perceptible assurance that the second party is in communication with a trusted third party system through the system. The system transmits information to the second party to provide assurance that the first party's instructions have been or will be fulfilled. Thus trust in the third party is transferred to the first party and the second party can trust that the first party's obligations have been or will be fulfilled.

Method and system for facilitating transactions

A system and method including cameras for monitoring objects such as documents, at multiple locations, and for recording the objects' movement through space and time. The objects are marked with unique identifiers, and the invention is adaptable for recording and recognizing the objects' development using character recognition. A center receives the information from the cameras, and that information is searchable. Advantageously, the unique identifiers are printed with ink that is invisible unless it fluoresces or phosphoresces, the digital cameras include an ultraviolet flash to cause the identifiers to fluoresce or phosphoresce at a certain wavelength, and the cameras are equipped with filters to filter out wavelengths other than the certain wavelength. Packages or pads of pre-marked blank paper are adaptable for use with the present invention.

System and method for tracking positions of objects in space, time as well as tracking their textual evolution

A method and system for creating and maintaining databases of user profiles and value ratings for information sources, and for generating lists of information sources having high estimated values. User controlled systems for accessing information sources through the internet or other networks are monitored by a server. The server updates the user profiles and computes value ratings associated with the user profiles for various information sources in accordance with monitored information. Estimated values for information sources to a particular user are obtained as a function of the value ratings associated with profiles of other users and the degree of similarity between the particular user's current profile and other user profiles. Previous profiles are not deleted when updated but are retained and treated substantially as other profiles in computing value estimates. Information sources can be other users.

Method and system for creating and maintaining a database of user profiles and a related value rating database for information sources and for generating a list of information sources having a high estimated value

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Madison, WI, United States of America

Christopher C Lang