Pitney Bowes Inc.

Dapco Industries, Inc.

John H Winkelman

John Rojas

James R Norris, Jr

Kevin L Strobel

Cheryl L Picoult

Kevin W Bodie

Lyle W Shaw

Frank E Seestrom

Kenneth G Miller

Leon A Pintsov

Christian A Beck

Dominick A Pagano

Surya R Sagi

Cornelius S McNab

James R Norris

Melissa Cacace-Bailey

Kwan Cheung Wong

Deborah R McManus

Alberta A Vitale

Suzanne Konstance

A method for controlling transfer of files in a network of inserters at a plurality of sites from a remote command center. The method retrieving inserter data stored at the plurality of inserter sites and storing the data at the command center. The command center further uploading software updates to the plurality of inserters in accordance with a predefined upload/download scheme. The upload/download scheme defined at the command center via a graphical interface. The upload/download scheme identifying one or more of the plurality of inserters for the file transfer transaction, identifying inserter data from the selected one or more inserters to upload to the command center, identifying software updates to download from the command center to the one or more selected inserters, identifying a time for the file transfer transaction, identifying a sequence for the upload and download portions of the transfer transaction; and executing the defined file transfer transaction.

Remote monitoring and software distribution system for servicing inserter systems

A method for enabling a mailer to infer the amount of business reply that he/she is going to receive on a given day and determine the amount of postage that is due. The foregoing is accomplished by placing a planet code that references the mailer's permit number on the business reply so that when a scanner at the USPS reads the planet code, the postage for the business reply will be calculated, and the mailer will be notified of the calculation so that the mailer may deposit sufficient funds in a deposit account to pay for the postage. The mailer may deposit funds in the account by issuing a check, having funds automatically transferred from some account, or automatically having a check issued so that someone may take the check to the USPS and receive the business reply. Thus, the mailer will be able to determine the amount of postage that is going to be charged to his/her account.

Automatic business reply mail funding

An ultrasonic real-time inspection method which is user-friendly in an interactive environment to provide ease of operation, as well as a combination of consistency, thoroughness, and speed of operation in flaw detection not achievable by other methods. The method offers significantly increased pattern recognition capability, which provides greater automation potential and reduced missed detection and false alarm rates.

Method and system for analysis of ultrasonic reflections in real time

The present invention is directed to a method and system for remote receipt of a message, such as a telephone, e-mail, facsimile or paper message. A server or data center is provided for receiving messages from a sender communicating with a recipient mobile device. The mobile device is then prompted to notify the recipient that a message is waiting. If the recipient desires to receive the message, he/she indicates this on his/her mobile device. The mobile device and the device which will receive the message, i.e., the destination device, are provided with a tag for wireless communication. The message recipient is prompted to bring the mobile device in close enough proximity to the destination device such that the tag sends information about the destination devise to the mobile device. The mobile device communicates the information via wireless communications means with the data center. The data center then determines if any translation or transcoding of the original message is required in order for the destination device to receive the message in proper format. Once transcoding or translation is effected, the message is routed to the destination device for output.

Method and system for remote retrieval of documents

This invention creates a hierarchy of radio frequency identification tags that are related to the mail pieces in mail trays and the pallet on which the mail trays sit. This hierarchical method provides a layered approach that is designed to minimize the probability that a mailer or the post office will misassemble or misroute a mailing or elements of a mailing.

Method for maintaining the integrity of a mailing using radio frequency identification tags

The present invention provides a mobile device equipped with a wireless communication capability for generating electronic documents. The mobile device uses the wireless communication capability to communicate with a separate wireless communication tag. The wireless communication tag includes such information as a print device destination address, and the capabilities of the print device matching the destination address. The mobile device receives the destination device information and sends it and a document to a remote data processing center. The document and information may be sent via a network connection or a mobile communication device to a data-processing center. Once the data center receives the information and document the data processing center, the data center determines if any translation or transcoding of the original message is required in order for the destination device to receive the message in the a format which is compatible to the desired destination device. Once transcoding or translation is effected, the message is routed to the identified destination device, which then print the message.

Method and system for remote printing of documents

The present invention is directed to a method and system for remote receipt of a message, such as a telephone, e-mail, facsimile or paper message. A server or data center is provided for receiving messages from a sender communicating with a recipient mobile device. The data center sends the message to the mobile device. If the recipient desires to receive the message, he/she indicates this on his/her mobile device. The mobile device and the device which will receive the message, i.e., the destination device, are spontaneously networked such that the mobile device communicates the information to the destination device without requirement of ensuring the compatibility of programs or networks. Prior to transmission, the mobile device determines if any translation or transcoding of the original message is required in order for the destination device to receive the message in proper format. Once transcoding or translation is effected, the message is routed to the destination device for output.

Method and system for remote retrieval of messages using spontaneous networking technology

The present invention is directed, in a general aspect, to a method of updating an addressee database in an incoming mail sorting apparatus comprising the steps of: a) providing the addressee database stored in memory associated with the mail sorting apparatus; b) providing a mailpiece to be read and sorted by the mail sorting apparatus; c) reading the mailpiece to determine whether the mailpiece is an update form; d) reading update information from the mailpiece if the mailpiece is an update form; e) updating addressee information as required by the update information on the update form. The method can be initiated by each individual employee using a readily available form and providing information manually or by using a software program resident on the employee's personal computer to generate the update form information. The method provides an easily accessible method of updating an addressee database that reduces database maintenance costs.

Method of updating an addressee database in a mail sorting apparatus

This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a method of removing mail from the mail stream using a mail sorting apparatus. The foregoing is accomplished by providing a method that can determine whether mail is wanted or unwanted. Thus, the present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a method of removing unwanted mail from a mail stream using an incoming mail sorting apparatus comprising the steps of: obtaining information from a mailpiece using the mail sorting apparatus; evaluating the information obtained from the mailpiece to determine whether the mailpiece should be delivered; delivering the mailpiece if it is determined that the mailpiece should be delivered to an intended recipient or out-sorting the mailpiece if it is determined that the mailpiece should not be delivered to the intended recipient. The method may also include the steps of collecting data regarding the mailpiece including data regarding mailpieces that should not be delivered and associating the data with the intended recipient. Additionally, the data collected could be used for calculating a cost of sorting the mailpiece. The method may also include the steps of determine whether future mailpieces from the mailer should be delivered; updating the database to include information obtained regarding delivery of the future mailpieces from the mailer.

Method of removing mail from a mailstream using an incoming mail sorting apparatus

The method of the present invention relates generally to a method for sorting mailpieces using a mail sorting apparatus. In one embodiment of the present invention, instructions are provided to the mail sorting apparatus in a machine readable format such as barcode. The instructions are printed on a form that can be fed into the mail sorting apparatus in the same manner that a mailpiece is fed into the mail sorting apparatus. The form is run through the feed path of the mail sorting apparatus. The barcode is read using a scanner. A signal on the form indicates that the mailpiece is a form, and that information contained in the barcode is an instruction. The instruction may be, for example, an instruction to 1) halt may be implemented through use or reprogramming of application software may be presented by using the form. The method provides for sorting of mailpieces with less stopping of the sorting apparatus to provide new instructions.

Growing community of inventors

Southbury, CT, United States of America

John H Winkelman