Pitney Bowes Inc.

Dictaphone Corporation.

David A Ellis

Jacques E Hasbani

Terri A Carroll

Tom Liu

Lawrence E Bergeron

John D Goldson

The invention is a method and system for providing a standard interface between a client and a plurality of peripheral devices. The interface is established through creating an interface object and/or a peripheral object in an object oriented development environment of a data processing system. The method and system includes both the object creation environment and the method of object utilization. In one embodiment, the client requests and stores an interface object from a server and establishes an interface object by storing object methods and object properties within the interface object by utilizing a programming interface. The user selects a peripheral device from a collection of devices; the client then request; the server to create a peripheral object corresponding to the selected peripheral device. The peripheral object is created and stored within the client. Communication between the client and the peripheral device is established by implementing the created object's methods and properties. The system establishes and utilizes the interface and/or peripheral objects by employing data processing means for manipulation of data; peripheral module means for storing a plurality of data tables for use by the data processing means; input means for inputting data to the system; and, output means for outputting data from the system.

Method and system for establishing a standard peripheral interface server between a client and a plurality of peripherals

The invention is a method and system for sending a print indicia command to a postage meter from a browser under control of a carrier management application in a data processing system which comprises a client node in communication with a provider server. The method begins with a system user logging onto a carrier manager application web site, through a web browser. The user requests that the web site download a set of programs from the web site to the client node while utilizing JAVA script functionality resident in the provider web pages. The script functionality further comprises a set of instructions for performing one or more activities. The programs are installable on a PC located at the client node and are for establishing control of the postage meter. Downloading of the programs further comprises installing and configuring an automation server and a postage meter driver at the client node. The postage meter is configured by identifying a set of characteristics of the postage meter; and, downloading the postage meter driver from the web site to the postage meter in accordance with the set of characteristics. Once the postage meter is configured, the system user logs onto the application:and enters a set of parameters representative of a an item to be shipped. The application identifies a carrier and a print indicia signal is sent to the postage meter, through the web browser, representative of the transaction cost.

Method and system for communicating with a postage meter through a web-browser in a postal or shipping system

The invention is a method and system for inputting the weight of a parcel into a web-based shipping application of a data processing system. The data processing system comprises a web site for a provider server and a client node in communication with the provider server. The web site further comprises web pages and script functionality for linking with a scale driver resident in a weighing scale located at the client node. The weighing scale comprises a scale server resident ultimately at the client node, but callable by the client node under control of the script functionality for allowing the script at the client node to link with the weighing scale by utilizing the scale driver. The method begins with the calling of the web site, from the client node, by utilizing a communications link which includes a browser for accessing the web site. The client node requests that a scale activation routine be activated. The routine includes the use of script to call an Active-X automation server, which is downloaded, together with an appropriate scale driver, from the web site to the client node. The system user then logs onto the shipping application and inputs a set of shipping parameters into the application. The parcel is weighed on a weighing scale under control of the scale driver. The shipping application requests the weight from the scale server by way of the script call and then enters the weight, through the browser into the shipping application.

Method and system for inputting a weight to a browser in an internet-based shipping system

Method and system for establishing a standard peripheral interface server

A method and system for the dispatch of resources to remote sites in response to alarm signals. A preferred embodiment particularly relates to a system for the dispatch of field service engineers to a plurality of remote sites in response to fault conditions detected in systems for the storage and retrieval of voice signals. A processor accesses a database of field service engineers designated to provide services to particular remote sites in response to alarm signals received from those sites and then attempts to establish a telephone connection with the field service engineer. Once communication is established, the processor provides the field service engineer with information by means of synthetic voice messages. In a preferred embodiment of the subject invention, the system may also execute remote diagnostic programs and where the results of the diagnostic programs are not within predetermined limits, the system will again attempt to contact a field service engineer.

Growing community of inventors

Wallingford, CT, United States of America

David A Ellis