Patents Assigned to Pitney Bowes Inc.
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Publication number: 20140108134Abstract: A method and system for maintaining the privacy of consumers wishing to make a purchase while enabling them to benefit from a group discount is provided. Consumers register with a service provider that maintains their personal information in private. When a consumer is interested in purchasing a product or patronizing a traditional “brick and mortar” establishment, the consumer provides information to the service provider regarding such interest. The service provider can query other registered consumers to determine if there are others that have a similar interest. Using the leverage of all the consumers that respond to the query, the service provider can negotiate with one or more merchants to provide some type of group offer, without having to disclose the consumers' personal information. Upon successful negotiation of a group offer, the consumers will be provided with the offer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: John G. Desmond, Richard W. Heiden, Femi Olumofin, Alla Tsipenyuk, Venkat Ram Ghatti, John A. Merola, Andrei Obrea
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Patent number: 8700894Abstract: Methods and systems for providing confidentiality of communications sent via a network that is efficient, easy to implement, and does not require significant key management. The identity of each node of the routing path of a communication is encrypted utilizing an identity-based encryption scheme. This allows each node of the routing path to decrypt only those portions of the routing path necessary to send the communication to the next node. Thus, each node will only know the immediate previous node from which the communication came, and the next node to which the communication is to be sent. The remainder of the routing path of the communication, along with the original sender and intended recipient, remain confidential from any intermediate nodes in the routing path. Use of the identity-based encryption scheme removes the need for significant key management to maintain the encryption/decryption keys.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2007Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Bradley R. Hammell, Matthew J. Campagna, Bertrand Haas, Leon A. Pintsov, Frederick W. Ryan, Jr.
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Publication number: 20140096478Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2012Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Xavier Padros, John W. Sussmeier
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Publication number: 20140096477Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2012Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: John W. Sussmeier, Xavier Padros
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Patent number: 8676715Abstract: Methods and systems for verification of indicia that do not require key management systems, and in which revocation of key pairs is easily performed without adding costs to the verification process are provided. Indicia are generated and authenticated utilizing an identity-based encryption (IBE) scheme. A key generating authority generates a private key for a PSD, distributes the private key securely to the PSD, and provides public information for use by a verification service when verifying cryptographic digital signatures generated with the private key. The corresponding public key is a string consisting of PSD information that is provided as part of the indicium. The verification service can verify the signature of each indicium by obtaining the public key string from the indicium, and utilizing the key generating authority's public information.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2007Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Cordery, Matthew J. Campagna, Bertrand Haas, Bradley R. Hammell, Leon A. Pintsov, Frederick W. Ryan, Jr.
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Publication number: 20140067756Abstract: Improvement of the quality of name and address matching processes using e-mail domains is provided. A distinction is made between e-mail domains designed to be used by employees of an entity and domains designed to be used by individuals or organizations who aren't employees of the domain owner entity. By analyzing domain names in conjunction with known relationships between e-mail addresses and names of companies, it is possible to differentiate between employee-use domains and public-use domains and maintain a collection of employee-use domains that are associated with the domain owner's business name. When performing a name and address matching process, the e-mail domains of the input records can be checked against the collection of employee-use domains and the records for the input name and address can be supplemented to include the domain owner's name and address as alternative information.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: PITNEY BOWES INC.Inventors: Vadim L. Stelman, Alla Tsipenyuk
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Patent number: 8666806Abstract: Systems and methods for customizing direct marketing mail pieces are described. In one configuration, information relating to an advertiser is customized using demographic, psychographic, addressee, and/or individual profile data. In another configuration, environmental data is utilized to customize direct mail pieces using a two part printing process.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2008Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: John W. Rojas, George M. MacDonald
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Publication number: 20140032807Abstract: Systems and methods that allow a PSD to be physically shared by multiple servers such that if a server fails, another server can be utilized as a backup server for the PSD without any manual intervention or moving of the PSD and without risking loss of data from the PSD. A PSD is interfaced by an interface device to a system level bus that allows for multiple initiators. An initiator is any server that can access and issue commands over the system level bus to access the PSD. When one of the servers fails, the functionality of the server can be rolled to a backup server which will be able to access the PSD over the bus.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2012Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventor: George T. MONROE
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Patent number: 8628080Abstract: In a mail processing machine having a non-staging transport and a downstream staging transport for moving mailpieces, the speed of the non-staging transport is constant whereas the speed of the staging transport is controllable. In normal operation, both the staging and non-staging transports move the mailpieces downstream in the same constant speed. When a jam occurs downstream from the staging transport, the staging transport is effectively slowed down so that the staging transport can hold additional mailpieces before they arrive at the jam site during the jam clearance process. After the jam has been cleared, the staging transport is controlled in order to re-gap the mailpieces already released from the non-staging transport. After re-gapping is completed, the staging transport is sped up so that the mail processing machine is returned to its normal operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2005Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventor: Mark S Hancock
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Patent number: 8630883Abstract: An information delivery system includes a web server in operative communication with a plurality of recipients and a plurality of senders, the plurality of senders desirous of generating messages intended for the plurality of recipients, respectively. The web server includes a plurality of recipient preference profiles corresponding to the plurality of recipients, respectively, and a plurality of sender profiles corresponding to the plurality of senders, respectively. Each of the recipient preference profiles includes respective information directed to the recipient's preferences for receiving messages and the web server provides the plurality of senders with access to the plurality of recipient preference profiles. The web server maintains a relationship between a log of recipient preference profiles out of the plurality of recipient preference profiles that have been accessed by a particular sender.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2010Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventor: Robert A. Law
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Patent number: 8620821Abstract: A method and system for secure package delivery utilizing digital signatures is described. In one configuration, data regarding the weight, dimensions and origination are cryptographically processed to create an authentication digital signature with message retrieval capability. The data is read and independently verified at the package destination.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2003Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Goldberg, Leon A. Pintsov, Mark D. Irwin
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Patent number: 8620783Abstract: A system and method for providing redundant customer communications delivery using hybrid delivery channels is provided. In one configuration, the system utilizes an initial delivery channel to send a batch of customer communications and later utilizes a different, delayed backup delivery channel to resend only a subset of those communications as deemed necessary.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2009Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Surya R. Sagi, Peter L. D'Amato, Dean T DeCencio
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Patent number: 8612346Abstract: A trusted closed loop payment system and method that reduces the liability imposed upon carriers for delivery of C.O.D. shipments is provided. A third party payment system is authorized by the buyer to make payments to a shipper (and, if applicable, a freight forwarder) on behalf of the buyer upon receipt of goods by the buyer. Since the payment for the shipment is being made by the third party payment system, and guaranteed by the third party payment system, the liability imposed on the carrier to ensure the payment is proper and will be honored is removed. In addition, the present invention provides several advantages for shippers and buyers as well, including receipt of payment by a shipper in a much shorter time frame, and multiple payment options for buyers for account reconciliation with the third party payment system for the C.O.D. shipments.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2002Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Foth, Steven Adams
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Publication number: 20130320609Abstract: An automated mail tray filling apparatus for taking envelopes from a vertical stacker output of an inserter machine and placing them in mail trays. A vertical stack of envelopes rests on a long stacker table. The mail tray filling apparatus has a track positioned next the vertical stacker table parallel to the length of the vertical stacker table. A mail tray transport is positioned beneath the track and arranged to transport mail trays beneath the track in a direction parallel to the vertical stacker table. A movable mail tray filler is movably mounted on the track to travel in parallel next to the vertical stacker table and above the mail tray transport, and is arranged to withdraw envelopes from the end of the vertical stack in a sideways direction. Envelopes are then redirected into a downward direction and fed into a mail tray positioned beneath the movable mail tray filler.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Joseph J. Keane, Donato C. Farole, Glenn A. Nester
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Publication number: 20130318929Abstract: A mail tray filler includes a filling mechanism that is vertically movable to be lowered and lifted into and out of a mail tray. With the mechanism in the raised position an empty mail tray is moved into position to underneath the mechanism. The mechanism lowers a feeding arm down into the first mail tray to feed envelopes starting at a forward end of the mail tray. The apparatus detects a pack pressure of the envelopes. When the pack pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold, the relative position of the feed arm is moved towards a back end of the mail tray to make room for more envelopes. After the pack pressure is below the predetermined threshold feeding continues. When the tray is full, the feeding arm is lifted from the mail tray, and a next empty mail tray is advanced.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Joseph J. KEANE, Donato C. Farole, Glenn A. Nester
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Publication number: 20130319819Abstract: The invention can be used with an automated mail tray filling apparatus for taking envelopes from a vertical stacker output of an inserter machine and placing them in mail trays. A take-away feeder is positioned over the vertical stacker table and is arranged to withdraw individual envelopes from the vertical stack in a sideways direction. The envelope is then redirected in a downward direction by ejecting the envelope into an open space. A downward tamping mechanism positioned above the open space moves downward to push on a top edge of the free-floating envelope. A downward transport positioned beneath the open space receives and transports envelopes pushed downward by the downward tamping mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Joseph J. KEANE, Donato C. Farole, Glenn A. Nester
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Patent number: 8596634Abstract: A system for conveying mailpieces along a feed path includes a plurality of conveyances. A first conveyance is operative to convey mailpieces along the feed path and includes a singulating and drive belt. The singulating and drive belts define a throat for singulating a mailpiece from the stack of mailpieces. A second conveyance accepts mailpieces from the first conveyance and conveys singulated mailpiece downstream of the first conveyance. The system further includes a series of sensors extending from the first to the second conveyance for issuing a gap signal indicative of the relative spacing between sequential mailpieces along the feed path. Additionally, the system includes a means, responsive to the gap signal, for developing a variable opposing force between the singulating and drive belts to optimize singulation of mailpieces along the feed path.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2010Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Anthony E. Yap, Richard F. Stengl, Boris Rozenfeld
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Patent number: 8596629Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a collation of sheets for folding operations. The system includes a registration device including multiple registration stations and a conveyance device for transporting the collation to one of the registration stations. Each registration station is adapted to register the edges of the collation based upon a desired edge geometry. A processor determines the fold configuration of the collation and determines the edge geometry thereof based upon the fold configuration of the collation. The processor selects one of the registration stations based upon the fold configuration and then controls the conveyance device to transport the collation to the selected registration station. The registration station selected may also be based upon the thickness of the collation and a desired location for binding the collation.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2011Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Mark S Hancock, Robert F Marcinik
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Patent number: 8596635Abstract: A system for conveying mailpieces along a conveyance path and singulating a mailpiece from a stack of mailpieces along the conveyance path. The system includes a first conveyance for conveying mailpieces at a variable velocity and a second conveyance, downstream of the first conveyance, for conveying mailpieces at a constant velocity along the conveyance path. A series of optical sensors extends from the first to the second conveyance and is operative to issue a gap signal indicative of the relative spacing between sequential mailpieces along the conveyance path. A processor is responsive to the gap signal and is operative to control the first conveyance to decrease the relative spacing between sequential mailpieces when the gap signal exceeds a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2010Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Anthony E. Yap, Richard F. Stengl, Boris Rozenfeld, Steven J. DaCunha
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Publication number: 20130318583Abstract: A network connectivity device that when coupled to a mail processing machine enables a cloud application running on a personal computer or other device to interface with and control the mail processing machine without requiring any software to be installed on the personal computer other than a web browser. The network connectivity device plugs into a standard USB port on the mail processing machine to allow wired or wireless connectivity to a network. There is no software or other code required to run on the personal computer other than a standard web browser running a hosted web application. The network connectivity device allows the mail processing machine to be found and addressed by the hosted web application. This allows a user to control operations of the mail processing machine, as well as giving the mail processing machine network connectivity for outside world communication activities.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2012Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Walter J. Baker, Wesley A. Kirschner, George T. Monroe, Sambasivam Thillaikumaran
