Patents Assigned to Bell & Howell Mail Processing Systems Company
  • Patent number: 6157924
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for delivering information to a user in one or more preferred delivery media are provided. Preferred delivery media includes, but is not limited to, e-mail, HTML, fax, printed copy, and mail. A user profile, indicating a user's preferred delivery medium (or media), is retrievably stored. When a user requests information, the user's profile is searched to determine the preferred delivery medium (or media) within which to deliver the requested information to the user. The requested information is retrieved, formatted for the preferred delivery medium, and then delivered to the user in the preferred medium. If the information is delivered to a user in multiple media, a consistent format among the various delivery media is maintained. The integrity of information delivered to a user is also verifiable, regardless of the delivery medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Bell & Howell Mail Processing Systems Company
    Inventor: Pamela Sue Austin
  • Patent number: 5941516
    Abstract: A method of producing at least one control signal data look-up table for a mail insertion machine having a 360 degree cycle of operation and capable of variable operating speeds within a given cycle. The mail insertion machine possesses predetermined electro-mechanical lag times for extending and retracting mechanical components. The method entails creating a baseline control signal data look-up table for a first operating speed based upon pre-determined electro-mechanical lag times. The look-up table comprises a start angle and a stop angle within the 360 degree cycle of operation. The start and stop angles are then compensated for a second operating speed based upon the pre-determined electro-mechanical lag times for extending and retracting mechanical components and the first operating speed. A second control signal data look-up table is then created by writing the compensated start and stop angles that correspond to the second operating speed into the second control signal data look-up table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Bell & Howell Mail Processing Systems Company
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Emigh, Raymond P. Porter, Motaz M Qutub
  • Patent number: 5901953
    Abstract: A diverter apparatus and method are provided for high-speed media processing for diverting media such as envelopes or envelope inserts including folded sheets of paper from a conveying path and in a divert direction substantially opposite to the direction of the conveying path. In the preferred embodiment, the diverter apparatus includes a rotation member such as a belt which can be moved in opposite directions and which includes a plurality of push members thereon for engaging and conveying media. A closed-loop servomotor or a step motor can be utilized to drive the belt. In an advance mode, the belt rotates so that at least one push member causes media to be conveyed in the direction of the conveying path. In a divert mode, rotation of the belt is reversed so that at least one push member diverts and conveys media in a divert direction opposite to the direction of the conveying path. Diverted media is advanced to a divert chute through which it can pass to a collecting bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Bell & Howell Mail Processing Systems Company
    Inventors: Keith A. Brown, Sr., Gregory T. Lucas, Neal J. Middelberg, Daniel C. Park