Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080294457 | Real-time medical records - According to some embodiments, a system and a method are provided to receive a real-time medical entry from a medical professional where the medical entry comprises one or more medical terms, to automatically compare the one or more medical terms with a plurality of data records, each data record associated with a billing code, and to select a coding term if one of the one or more medical terms matches the plurality of data records. | 11-27-2008 |
20080301184 | System and Method for Updating Mailing Lists - According to some embodiments, a system and method are provided to receive an indication from a postal recipient that an unsolicited mail piece is not desired, the indication comprising a digital image of at least a portion of the unsolicited mail piece, store data associated with the postal recipient based on one or more identifiers, and provide the data associated with the postal recipient to one or more mailers to indicate that the postal recipient requests to opt-out from future mailings. | 12-04-2008 |
20090005901 | Payment system for delivery services - According to some embodiments a system and a method are provided to assign a variable receptacle identifier to a mailbox, determine the variable receptacle identifier assigned to a mailbox at the time of delivery, receive delivery data regarding delivery of a mail piece to the mailbox at the time of the delivery, the delivery data including receptacle identification data, and compare the receptacle identification data with the variable receptacle identifier determined as of the particular time. This technique may allow for automatic confirmation that the mail piece was delivered to, or, at least present at, the destination mailbox at the time of delivery claimed by the mail carrier this may provide enhanced capabilities for auditing performance by mail carriers. | 01-01-2009 |
20090165612 | AIR TEMPERATURE NORMALIZATION IN PAPER CUTTING SYSTEM - A paper cutting system includes a cutting assembly, a transport moving a web through the cutting assembly, a vacuum plenum utilizing a vacuum source to control the web moving through the cutting assembly, an air source providing purge air to the cutting assembly for removal of debris, and a heat exchanger normalizing a temperature of the purge air with respect to a temperature of ambient air prior to the purge air reaching the cutting assembly. The heat exchanger may be operated using the vacuum source. | 07-02-2009 |
20090167231 | System and method for controlling electric motors to simulate a mechanical differential - System and methods of controlling a plurality of motors based on a motor motion attribute, such as rotor position, velocity, or acceleration, which simulate the properties of a mechanical differential, including a pure differential, a limited slip differential, and/or a locking differential. The method may be employed in a number of applications, including, without limitation, a paper handling system, such as an inserter, to control the nips of a pinless cutter of an inserter, and in a vehicle. | 07-02-2009 |
20090317216 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING WEAR OF A CONTINUOUS CHAIN - A system for detecting wear in a gripper chain of a chain conveyor is provided. The system includes an optical sensing system having a detection path located vertically beneath a portion of the gripper chain at a predetermined location. The detection path is located such that, when the gripper chain becomes elongated and droops a predetermined amount due to wear of the gripper chain, the sensing system senses the presence of the gripper chain in the detection path. | 12-24-2009 |
20090322275 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING THE POSITION ACCURACY OF A SERVO MOTOR - A method of operating a motor controlled by a closed loop servo control system is provided. The closed loop servo control system employs a digital filter, such as a PID filter, that employs one or more gain coefficients. The method includes temporarily increasing one or more of the gain coefficients by a corresponding first predetermined amount when the motor reaches a coefficient boost motor position that is a predetermined distance before a commanded motor rest position, and decreasing the one or more of the gain coefficients by a corresponding second predetermined amount a predetermined time after the motor reaches the commanded motor rest position. | 12-31-2009 |
20100096802 | HIGH THROUGHPUT SHEET ACCUMULATOR - An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected. When an accumulation is completed, the accumulator stop mechanism allows sheets to be transported from the accumulating region. | 04-22-2010 |
20100110507 | ITEM TRANSPORT SYSTEM WITH PNEUMATIC ALIGNER - An item transport system includes an input transport for receiving items along a first transport path, an angle transport for conveying the items along a second transport path disposed at an angle with respect to the first transport path, an alignment transport for conveying the items along a third transport path disposed at approximately 90 degrees to the first transport path, and an alignment surface for engaging the items while the items are conveyed in the alignment transport. The alignment transport may include an alignment nip comprising a driven element and an idler element for engaging opposing surfaces of the items, a manifold, a source providing pressurized gas to the manifold, and an orifice in the manifold proximate to the third transport path, wherein the idler element is disposed in the orifice. | 05-06-2010 |
20100122514 | ENVELOPE TRANSPORT - An apparatus includes a first feed path configured to transport an envelope from an input at an envelope supply to an insertion location, and a second feed path configured to transport the envelope with a mail piece insert therein from the insertion location to an output. The first and second feed paths intersect at an intersection spaced from the insertion location. The paths are angled relative to each other at the intersection. | 05-20-2010 |
20100153176 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING CARBON FOOTPRINT OF MAIL - A mail production system enhanced for measuring and reducing carbon footprint of mail. The system includes an inserter machine with sensors configured to detect attributes of mail that may contribute to carbon footprint. A controller computer is in communication with the inserter sensors. The controller further receives and stores mail job attribute data from a data file regarding attributes of the mail to be produced. The computer memory includes data correlating particular mail attributes to corresponding carbon footprint. The controller computer is programmed to calculate a carbon footprint for mail to be produced on the inserter by adding carbon footprint contributed by sensed attributes and mail job attribute data. The controller computer stores carbon footprint data for comparison with future mail jobs. The controller computer provides the user with carbon reduction suggestions corresponding to attributes of the mail. | 06-17-2010 |
20100167895 | METHOD FOR CREATING A SINGLE CONTINUOUS WEB FROM WHICH TO FABRICATE MAILPIECES - A method for producing a continuous web of printed material for use in creating mailpieces. The continuous web has a width and a length, the length comprised of a series of attached sheets. The series of attached sheets are comprising envelope sheets and rectangular content pages. The content pages are rectangular in shape and may be oriented relative to the envelope sheets in a number of different configurations. In some configurations, two sets of content pages and/or envelope sheets can be printed across the width of the web. Sheets for forming business return envelopes may be printed in series with the content pages and envelope sheets. BREs may include individualized return addresses. A control code may be printed on one or more of the sheets for a given mailpiece, providing information for controlling assembly of the mailpiece. Two sets of sheets may be printed across the width of the web by printing content pages onto the continuous web such that two end-to-end content pages are printed across the width of the web. Positioning of mail content pages and envelope sheets for a given mailpiece may be optimized based on respective processing times determined for the system. | 07-01-2010 |
20100250186 | SYSTEM FOR MEASURING THICKNESS OF MAILPIECES - A method of measuring a thickness of mailpieces includes calculating, for each mailpiece comprising a unique collation, an estimated mailpiece thickness value, including combining a measured envelope thickness value, a measured insert thickness value for each insert associated with the mailpiece, and a theoretical document thickness value for an input document associated with the mailpiece. The method further includes assembling the mailpiece, obtaining a measured mailpiece thickness value for the mailpiece, and comparing the measured mailpiece thickness value with the estimated mailpiece thickness value. The method further includes, where the measured mailpiece thickness value is within a predetermined tolerance of the estimated mailpiece thickness value, storing the measured mailpiece thickness value as a reference thickness value in a database on a processing device, and where the measured mailpiece thickness value is outside of a predetermined tolerance of the estimated mailpiece thickness value, outsorting the mailpiece. | 09-30-2010 |
20110071944 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING POSTAGE WITHOUT PRINTING - A method of dispensing evidence of postage payment that includes providing a machine readable mechanism, such as a barcode, for being associated with a mailpiece to a customer, wherein the machine readable mechanism includes a first identifier and the customer has a customer identifier. The method further includes receiving first information from a mobile electronic device associated with the customer, the first information including: (i) the first identifier, (ii) the customer identifier, and (iii) mailpiece information, preferably including a postage amount, relating to the mailpiece, the first identifier included in the first information having been obtained based on an image of the pre-printed machine readable mechanism captured by the mobile electronic device, deducting a postage amount based on the mailpiece information from a postage account associated with the customer identifier, and transmitting the first identifier and verification of payment for postage to a carrier. | 03-24-2011 |
20110084710 | ENVELOPE MOISTENING DETECTOR - A mailing system includes a mailing machine having an envelope feed path, a sealing system configured to apply a liquid to an envelope in the envelope feed path, a capacitive sensor located in the envelope feed path downstream from the sealing system, and a controller connected to the capacitive sensor. The sealing system may include a liquid reservoir and a liquid applicator. The capacitive sensor is configured to measure a quantity of liquid on a portion of the envelope applied by the sealing system and to generate a signal based on the measured quantity. The controller is configured to perform an operation based on the measured quantity signal from the capacitive sensor. | 04-14-2011 |
20110128318 | PRINTING ASSEMBLY CALIBRATION - A printing assembly includes a transport system configured to transport items on a transport path and a printer rotatably disposed on a support. The printer includes a plurality of printing elements disposed sequentially along the transport path. A method of calibrating the printing assembly includes aligning a first reference associated with the printer with a second reference associated with the support, transporting an item on the transport path, printing a pattern on the item using a first printing element and a second printing element, determining a correction value from the pattern, and rotating the printer relative to the support in an amount corresponding to the correction value to substantially align the printing elements with the transport path. | 06-02-2011 |
20110132722 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAILPIECE SKEW CORRECTION - A system and method for skew correction of a mailpiece includes moving the mailpiece along a path of travel in a first orientation toward a first drive roller and a second drive roller. Control of the mailpiece is established in the first orientation by the drive rollers. A first skew correction of the mailpiece is implemented by employing the first drive roller and the second drive roller to align the mailpiece with respect to the path of travel. The first drive roller and the second drive roller may be employed to change the orientation of the stopped mailpiece from the first orientation to a second orientation with respect to the path of travel. A second skew correction may be implemented by employing the first drive roller and the second drive roller to align the mailpiece in the second orientation with respect to the path of travel. | 06-09-2011 |
20110137610 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING MAILPIECE THICKNESS IN AN INSERTER SYSTEM - A method of detecting mailpiece thickness includes detecting a leading edge of the mailpiece, moving a detecting roller downwardly over a first predetermined period of time from a first position to a second position where it contacts the mailpiece, increasing a compressive force applied by the detecting roller to the mailpiece from an initial force to a predetermined measurement force over a second predetermined period of time, and applying the measurement force to the mailpiece for a third predetermined period of time. The method further includes applying the measurement force to the mailpiece for a fourth predetermined period of time and making a number of thickness measurements of the mailpiece based on a position of the detecting roller, and determining the thickness of the mailpiece based on the number of thickness measurements. | 06-09-2011 |
20110155010 | ITEM HANDLING SYSTEM WITH PRINTER ALIGNMENT - An item handling system includes a transport system defining a transport plane, a printer assembly defining a printer plane, and a printer alignment system supporting the printer assembly. The printer alignment system includes a plurality of drive elements configured to move the printer assembly. A method of aligning a printer in the item handling system includes moving the printer assembly to a limit position of the printer alignment system distal from the transport system using the drive elements, moving the printer assembly to a limit position of the printer alignment system proximate to the transport system using the drive elements, and driving each of the drive elements at a respective predetermined level to place the printer plane in a substantially parallel orientation with respect to the transport plane. | 06-30-2011 |
20130127968 | REGISTRATION DEVICE FOR MAIL PROCESSING SYSTEM HAVING WIDE PRINT NOZZLE ARRAYS - A registration device for a mail processing system having wide print nozzle arrays that reduces problems associated with printing on variable thickness media. A thin wire, held by guides, is strung across the print nozzle openings in the registration plate to support and guide the top (print) surface of a mail piece and to prevent the mail piece from protruding into the openings. The guides are positioned such that the wire passes between zones where there are no print nozzles located. A tensioning device is provided to adjust the tension of the wire to ensure the wire maintains its position within the openings. The wire acts as a guide to maintain the optimal gap between the mail piece top surface and the print nozzles. | 05-23-2013 |
20140096477 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING/OUTSORTING IMPROPERLY WRAPPED ENVELOPES IN A MAILPIECE FABRICATION SYSTEM - A method and system for identifying and detecting improperly wrapped envelopes for use in a mailpiece fabrication system. The method/system visually images each envelope in predetermined regions of interest (ROIs) to determine the spatial relationship between the internal content material and one or more points of reference indicative of the internal bounds of a sealing adhesive. By examining the spatial relationship, a determination is made regarding the proximity of the internal content material and the sealing adhesive. If the distance, or spatial separation, therebetween is below a threshold value, then an assumption is made that the content material and sealing adhesive are contiguous and that the envelope has been improperly sealed, i.e., with the content material interposing or otherwise inhibiting the proper closure of the wrapped envelope. | 04-10-2014 |
20140096478 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DYNAMICALLY ADJUSTING THE RELATIVE POSITION OF INTERNAL CONTENT MATERIAL IN A MAILPIECE FABRICATION SYSTEM - A method and system for dynamically adjusting the placement of internal content material to optimally position the content material relative to a wrapped enclosure, and obviate the requirement to out-sort the assembled envelope. Upon assembly, a detection system visually images each envelope in predetermined regions of interest (ROIs). A controller captures the image data for comparison with a set of predefined position data and issues a feedback signal indicative of a directional change which drives an error signal to zero. The correction signal is used by the phase nip roller assembly to adaptively adjust the position of the content material by incrementally adjusting, advancing or retarding, the phase-nip roller assembly, i.e., forward or aft. A predefined number of envelopes is selected to acquire a running average of the image data. | 04-10-2014 |