Patents by Inventor Francis E. McDermott

Francis E. McDermott has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Sensor processor for high-speed mail-handling machine
    Patent number: 5178224
    Abstract: A sensor processor for cooperating with a drive controller in a high-speed mail-handling machine. The sensor procesor access periodically a plurality of sensors distributed throughout the machine, and then writes the sensor data to an NVM-RAM shared with the drive controller. Time-critical sensors are accessed more frequently than non-time-critical sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Peter C. DiGiulio, Williams J. Linkowski, Francis E. McDermott, Edilberto I. Salazar, Robert J. Tolmie, Jr.
  • Sensor processor for high-speed mail-handling machine
    Patent number: 5154246
    Abstract: A sensor processor for cooperating with a drive controller in a high-speed mail-handling machine. The sensor processor access periodically a plurality of sensors distributed throughout the machine, and then writes the sensor data to an NVM-RAM shared with the drive controller. Time-critical sensors are accessed more frequently than non-time-critical sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Peter C. DiGiulio, Williams J. Linkowski, Francis E. McDermott, Edilberto I. Salazar, Robert J. Tolmie, Jr.
  • Mail handling machine with mis-sealed envelope detector
    Patent number: 4971686
    Abstract: In a mail-handling machine for processing mixed mail, a flap-stripper for opening the flap of an unsealed envelope is mounted for rotation to intercept and detect a mis-sealed envelope to avoid jamming the machine. A deflecting finger with a small idler roller pushes down on the envelope before it reaches the flap-stripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. O'Dea, Francis E. McDermott
  • Mail handling machine with mis-sealed envelope detector
    Patent number: 4955483
    Abstract: In a mail-handling machine for processing mixed mail, a flap-stripper for opening the flap of an unsealed envelope is mounted for rotation to intercept and detect a mis-sealed envelope to avoid jamming the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. O'Dea, Francis E. McDermott
  • Microprocessor motor controller having discrete processing cycles
    Patent number: 4897587
    Abstract: The motor controller system controls the respective motors of a plurality of cooperative apparatus associated with an article processing system, the article processing system for performing a plurality of functions upon an article traversing the article processing system and comprises a motor driver board having a plurality of input channels and a plurality of respective output channels. The motors are in line communication with a respective one of the output channels of the motor driver board. A programmable microprocessor is in bus communication with the driver board's input channels. A plurality of sensors are respectively mounted to each of the apparatus and in bus communication with the programmable microprocessor, the sensors being strategically located on the apparatus to provide such information to the microprocessor as article size, position and velocity information and to provide apparatus operation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Peter C. DiGiulio, Francis E. McDermott, Edilberto I. Salazar, Mark W. Van Gorp, Ido Weisman