Abstract: A system for preventing abnormal situations in process plants is provided. A polynomial regression model is employed to predict values of a monitored variable based on measured samples of a load variable. An abnormal situation is detected when a predicted value of the monitored variable differs from a measured value of the monitored variable by more than a predetermined amount. The system employs one or more algorithms for automatically determining an optimal order or degree of the polynomial regression model.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing the process of segregating undesired mail using an incoming mail sorter are described and in certain examples, systems including those for using information feed-forward and/or feedback systems for making selective physical delivery decisions in the process of sorting and delivering incoming physical mail are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting abnormal conditions and preventing abnormal situations from occurring in controlled processes. Statistical signatures of a monitored variable are modeled as a function of the statistical signatures of a load variable. The statistical signatures of the monitored variable may be modeled according to an extensible regression model or a simplified load following algorithm. The systems and methods may be advantageously applied to detect plugged impulse lines in a differential pressure flow measuring device.

Abstract: A digital filter design algorithm is implemented directly within a process control field device or other process related equipment. Filter design parameters are exposed so that filter design parameter values may be provided to the digital filter design algorithm so that the digital filter design algorithm may calculate digital filter coefficients for a digital filter having desired frequency response characteristics. The digital filter design parameter values may be provided by a user, or may be provided as process variable data output from a process control field device or other process related equipment. Once the coefficients of the digital filter having the desired frequency response characteristics have been calculated, the digital filter may be applied to process variable data received by the process control field device or other process related equipment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing an image on a print medium using an ink jet print head in an apparatus having an encoder system. The method includes generating a first firing pulse for the print head and starting a timer, waiting to receive an encoder signal from the encoder system and determining whether the timer has reached a preset time limit after the encoder signal is received, generating a second firing pulse for the print head if it is determined that the timer has reached the preset time limit after the encoder signal is received, and waiting for the timer to reach the preset time limit and generating a second firing pulse for the print head when the preset time limit is reached if it is determined that the timer has not reached the preset time limit after the encoder signal is received.

Abstract: A dynamic registration device for a mailing system that reduces the problems of dust generation, ink smearing, and print head contact is provided. The biasing force normally applied to the back panel of a mail piece, such that the front panel maintains contact with a registration plate, is controlled by an actuator such that the force can be removed when the printing module is not performing the actual printing process. Thus, the biasing force can be applied only when the print head is actually printing and the biasing force can be removed once printing has been completed. In other embodiments utilizing multiple printing modules, when one of the printing modules is inactivated, the biasing force can be removed, and the mail pieces pass through the inactive printing module without being registered against the top registration plate.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for handling mailpieces. A mailpiece handling device includes a substantially horizontal deck for receiving a mailpiece. The device also includes a substantially vertical registration wall that extends upwardly from an edge of the deck. The device further includes a disk mounted for rotation in a circular opening in the deck adjacent the registration wall. The disk has a substantially horizontal surface. In addition, the device includes an arm mounted above the disk so as to be pivotable in a horizontal direction. Also, the device includes a steering member mounted at a free end of the arm. The steering member is for applying downward pressure to a mailpiece that is in contact with the disk.

Abstract: A printing system that dynamically adjusts the resolution at which printing will occur based on the lightness or darkness of the medium upon which the image will be printed is provided. The reflectivity of the medium upon which an image is to be printed is determined, and hence the relative lightness or darkness of the medium. The resolution at which the image will be printed is adjusted based on the determined reflectivity of the medium. For lighter colored mediums, sufficient contrast between the printed image and the medium upon which the image is printed can be maintained utilizing a lower resolution, while a higher resolution must be utilized to maintain sufficient contrast for darker colored mediums. Since it is not necessary to utilize the higher resolution for all mediums to ensure sufficient contrast is always provided, the amount of ink used by the printing system is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for handling mailpieces. A mailpiece handling device includes a substantially horizontal deck for receiving a mailpiece. The device also includes a substantially vertical registration wall that extends upwardly from an edge of the deck. The device further includes a disk mounted for rotation in a circular opening in the deck adjacent the registration wall. The disk has a substantially horizontal surface. In addition, the device includes an arm mounted above the disk so as to be pivotable in a horizontal direction. Also, the device includes a steering member mounted at a free end of the arm. The steering member is for applying downward pressure to a mailpiece that is in contact with the disk.

Abstract: In methods and systems that may facilitate detecting abnormal operation in a process plant, values of a plurality of process variables may be analyzed to determine whether any of a plurality of faults associated with the process plant exist. If one or more faults are detected, one or more indicators may be generated. Analyzing the values of the plurality of process variables may include utilizing a coefficient matrix. The coefficient matrix may be generated based on process variable data corresponding to the known occurrences of faults.

Abstract: Detection of one or more abnormal situations is performed using various statistical measures, such as a mean, a median, a standard deviation, etc. of one or more process parameters or variable measurements made by statistical process monitoring blocks within a plant. This detection may include determination of the health and performance of one or more heat exchangers in the plant, and in particular, detection of a fouling condition of the one or more heat exchangers. Among the statistical measures, the detection may include calculation of an overall thermal resistance of the heat exchanger, which may be indicative under certain circumstances of heat exchanger performance and in particularly degradation of heat exchanger performance as a result of heat exchanger fouling.

Abstract: In a method for generating a model for modeling at least a portion of the process plant, M process variable data sets, where M is an integer, may be used to determine statistical data that may be utilized to scale process variable data sets. The M process variable data sets are scaled and then utilized to calculate intermediate model terms. For each additional process variable data set, it is scaled using the statistical data and then utilized to update the intermediate model terms. When an adequate number of process variable data sets have been processed, the model may be calculated using the intermediate model terms.

Abstract: A system for detecting abnormal operation of at least a portion of a process plant includes a composite model for modeling at least the portion of the process plant. The model may be configurable to include multiple regression models corresponding to multiple different operating regions of the portion of the process plant. A new model may be generated from two or more of the regression models, and the composite model may be revised to replace the two or more regression models with the new model. The system may also include a deviation detector configured to determine if the actual operation of the portion of the process plant deviates significantly from the operation predicted by the composite model. If there is a significant deviation, this may indicate an abnormal operation.

Abstract: A system for visually presenting data receives signal processing data generated signal processing data collection blocks corresponding to devices associated with a process plant. The signal processing data collection blocks may generate data such as statistical data, frequency analysis data, auto regression data, wavelets data, etc. The system displays an image representative of the devices and representative of a context of the devices within the process plant. Additionally, data based on signal processing data corresponding to one or more devices is displayed. For example, the signal processing data for the device could be displayed. As another example, data may be generated based on the signal processing data and this generated data may be displayed.

Abstract: A system for visually presenting data receives signal processing data generated signal processing data collection blocks corresponding to devices associated with a process plant. The signal processing data collection blocks may generate data such as statistical data, frequency analysis data, auto regression data, wavelets data, etc. The system displays an image representative of the devices and representative of a context of the devices within the process plant. Additionally, data based on signal processing data corresponding to one or more devices is displayed. For example, the signal processing data for the device could be displayed. As another example, data may be generated based on the signal processing data and this generated data may be displayed.

Abstract: A system facilitates detecting an abnormal operation associated with a level regulatory control loop in a process plant. A model for modeling at least a portion of the level regulatory control loop may be utilized with respect to first and second signals associated with regulatory control of a level of material in a tank. The model may include a first regression model in a first range corresponding to a first operating region of the level regulatory control loop. The model may be capable of being subsequently configured to include at least a second regression model in at least a second respective range corresponding to at least a second respective operating region different than the first operating region. The model may generate a prediction of the second signal as a function of first signal. It may be determined whether the second signal significantly deviates from the prediction of the second signal generated by the model.

Abstract: A number of techniques are disclosed to facilitate process data collection and monitoring. The techniques may involve and support the selection of process parameters to be monitored, including scanning techniques for automated identification of such parameters. The techniques may also involve the management of data storage and archiving operations to facilitate continued process data collection arising from an on-line process. In these and other ways, the disclosed techniques are well-suited for process data collection and monitoring in connection with diagnostic elements of a process control system and other contexts involving process status indicators and the underlying process variables.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting and/or predicting abnormal levels of catalyst loss in a fluid catalytic cracking unit. The method and system measures a differential pressure across portions of a fluid catalytic cracker, such as a reactor cyclone or a regenerator cyclone, and determines abnormal catalyst loss when the differential pressure changes significantly from a baseline differential pressure. The claimed method and system implements algorithms using computing devices to detect or predict an abnormal condition based on the change in a monitored differential pressure in a fluid catalytic cracking unit.