Abstract: The present invention relates to a parcel locker system wherein when a recipient opens a locker having a parcel for retrieval, the system checks to determine if there are any other lockers that contain a parcel awaiting retrieval by that recipient. If it is determined that there are additional lockers that contain a parcel awaiting retrieval by that recipient, a notification is triggered to alert the recipient of these additional lockers. Such notification can be provided by an indicator light on the front of the specific lockers that contain a parcel for the recipient, or by the sending of a text message or email, that the recipient will receive while at the locker system. This allows the recipient to retrieve parcels delivered to multiple lockers, as the recipient will now be prompted to open the other non-opened lockers to collect all of their parcels in a single trip.

Abstract: A real-time dynamic API traffic shaping and infrastructure resource protection in a multiclient network environment is provided. A traffic rules engine (TRE) applies traffic shaping only to customers that are utilizing “more than their fair share” of the currently available bandwidth without allowing them to negatively impact the user experience of other users. The present invention takes current API traffic into consideration, allowing one or a few high volume users to utilize most of all available bandwidth as long as other users do not need that bandwidth. This includes dynamically measuring and adjusting which users had traffic shaping applied to them based on the overall traffic during any given second. The solution of the present invention avoids any slowdown of customer API requests unless the maximum allowable TPS limit is near to being reached.

Abstract: A real-time dynamic API traffic shaping and infrastructure resource protection in a multiclient network environment is provided. A traffic rules engine (TRE) applies traffic shaping only to customers that are utilizing “more than their fair share” of the currently available bandwidth without allowing them to negatively impact the user experience of other users. The present invention takes current API traffic into consideration, allowing one or a few high volume users to utilize most of all available bandwidth as long as other users do not need that bandwidth. This includes dynamically measuring and adjusting which users had traffic shaping applied to them based on the overall traffic during any given second. The solution of the present invention avoids any slowdown of customer API requests unless the maximum allowable TPS limit is near to being reached.

Abstract: A postage generating system and method that allows for the generation of postage without the use of a PSD, while still maintaining the necessary data integrity and non-repudiation aspects. The cryptographic and accounting functions are performed separately when an indicium is generated and reconciled to ensure that every transaction is properly accounted for and funds are deducted from the user's account. The cryptographic functions for an indicium are performed utilizing a cloud-based Hardware Security Module (HSM). Transaction records for indicium generated by an HSM are stored in a database. The accounting is performed by a transaction server, separate and remote from the HSM, to make updates to the client's account to account for generated indicia. An Integrity Monitor Server monitors the consistency of the transactions, i.e., that every transaction performed by an HSM is properly accounted for by the transaction server and funds are deducted from the user's account.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrated management and scheduling of events associated with both physical and digital mail are provided. A print stream processor utilizes recipient preferences to determine that a mail piece should be delivered by physical mail. The server then processes the mail piece print stream to extract time sensitive data such as a payment amount and due date. The server utilizes the identity of the physical mail piece recipient and the time sensitive data to provide a scheduling message to the recipient. Here, the scheduling message includes injecting a calendar entry to a centralized mail management system having an account for the recipient. Additionally, reminder messages are provided to the recipient based upon recipient and/or sender preferences. Similarly, entries relating to physical coupons or other offers sent to the recipient are placed on the recipient's calendar including offer deadline entries.

Abstract: Systems and methods that allow only a single PSD to be used for a customer regardless of the number of servers in the system are provided. This is accomplished by allowing each server to communicate with the other servers in the system, such that each server can determine which customer PSDs are coupled to each of the other servers. As requests are routed to a first server by the load balancer, if the first server does not have the specific customer's PSD installed, it can determine which server has that customer's PSD and forward the request to that second server. Once the request has been processed by the second server, the response is sent back to the first server that received the request for return to the customer.

Abstract: A system and method for mobile devices that do not have hardware interfaces to be able to control shipping peripheral devices that are not connected directly thereto are provided. Intermediary hardware devices are utilized that are connected to a local area network. A first device communicates with the user's mobile device using very-short range communication protocols. A second device has the peripheral devices directly coupled thereto, and includes preinstalled drivers and application software for the peripheral devices. The devices allow the mobile device and peripheral devices to communicate with each other over the local area network. Thus, the mobile device can be used to control the peripheral devices even though the peripheral devices are not directly connected to the mobile device.

Abstract: An automated computer geocoding system and method is described having a plurality of geographic datasets stored in a computer memory. The geographic datasets include at least one point level dataset, street level dataset, and geographic level dataset. As output, geocoded data is provided with positional accuracy indicators. In a first step, an address to be geocoded is received by the system. The system determines whether corresponding geocode data exists in one or more of the geographic datasets. A geographic dataset is selected that provides a highest level of resolution and that also includes corresponding geocode data for the address. A geocoded coordinate for the address is output, as found in the geographic dataset that was selected. An offset value for the geocoded coordinate is calculated and output with the coordinates. The offset value is determined as a function of geographic characteristics of the geographic dataset that was selected.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for determining whether a sample point is within a defined geographic area. Indexes for the geographic area of interest are generated in advance. Such indexes complement the traditional spatial indexing techniques such as quad tree and r-tree. The geographic area, as defined by an outer boundary, is subdivided into some regular geometric shape, preferably a rectangle, encoded into a suitable form, and indexed. Then, a simplified comparison of the sample point to the indexed regular shapes is made.

Abstract: An optimized system and method for application of liquid for moistening adhesive on envelope flaps as part of an automated mail production process. Envelopes with open envelope flaps are transported beneath a moistening brush so that an interior side of the flaps, having adhesive thereon, come into contact with a lower end of the moistening brush. A flow of liquid is provided from a liquid supply coupled to the moistening brush to keep the moistening brush wet as moisture is transferred to the envelope flaps. The rate at which liquid is regulated such that moisture is maintained on the brush and a selected quantity of liquid (a dose) is provided for each envelope flap that it moistened. The dose is automatically determined as a function of physical dimensions of the envelope flap, and to optimize sealing of the envelope without excess dripping.

Abstract: An improved moistening brush assembly is provided for moistening opened envelope flaps that are transported below it. Bristles of the brush are enclosed in a housing at an upper end of the brush. The bristles are supported at an inclined angle such that liquid flows from the top to the bottom. The housing further includes an opening that receives a flow of moistening liquid from a liquid supply tube and fitting. At the location where the liquid enters the housing, there is a horizontal channel extending across a majority of a width of the bristles of the moistening brush. As a result of this channel, liquid from the liquid supply opening is distributed evenly across the width of the bristles.

Abstract: An improved method and system are provided for constructing square multi-resolution tiles for use with spatial multi-resolution raster data. This improvement permits more efficient storage, processing and display of raster tiles at different resolutions. A base level cell size is defined for a highest required resolution. Lower resolution cell sizes are defined for lower resolution tiles. The lower resolution cell sizes are integer multiples of the base level cell size. A base level tile size is defined such that the integer multiples, as used in the step of defining lower resolution cell sizes, are all integer factors of a number of cells on a side of the base level tile. Using this technique, tile boundaries for the base level tile and the multi-resolution tiles are coextensive.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing evidence of payment for delivery of a mail piece that does not require the user to have a printer readily available to print a label that includes the evidence of payment for delivery is provided. The mail piece sender utilizes a software application operating on a mobile electronic device to determine the cost for delivery of a mail piece. An indicium that evidences payment for the delivery of the mail piece is generated, and the mobile electronic device is utilized to program a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag that is adhered to the mail piece. When the mail piece is received by a carrier, the carrier can read the information stored in the NFC tag to process and deliver the mail piece. Optionally, the carrier can print a label based on the information obtained from the NFC tag for adhering to the mail piece.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Systems and methods that allow only a single PSD to be used for a customer regardless of the number of servers in the system are provided. This is accomplished by allowing each server to communicate with the other servers in the system, such that each server can determine which customer PSDs are coupled to each of the other servers. As requests are routed to a first server by the load balancer, if the first server does not have the specific customer's PSD installed, it can determine which server has that customer's PSD and forward the request to that second server. Once the request has been processed by the second server, the response is sent back to the first server that received the request for return to the customer.

Abstract: A method of controlling the use of a custom image by a user in a value dispensing system, such as a mail processing system, that enables the system provider to account and charge for the use of the custom image without ever actually receiving the data representing custom image. The method includes steps of receiving a hash generated from at least the custom image at a provider location, such as a data center, generating a digital signature from data including at least the received hash, and transmitting the digital signature and data used to generate the digital signature to the user at a user location. The method may further include additional steps of determining whether the digital signature can be successfully verified, and allowing the custom image to be printed by the user only if it is determined that the digital signature can be successfully verified.

Abstract: An improved method and system are provided for constructing square multi-resolution tiles for use with spatial multi-resolution raster data. This improvement permits more efficient storage, processing and display of raster tiles at different resolutions. A base level cell size is defined for a highest required resolution. Lower resolution cell sizes are defined for lower resolution tiles. The lower resolution cell sizes are integer multiples of the base level cell size. A base level tile size is defined such that the integer multiples, as used in the step of defining lower resolution cell sizes, are all integer factors of a number of cells on a side of the base level tile. Using this technique, the boundaries for the base level tile and the multi-resolution tiles are coextensive.

Abstract: A collation folding device comprising one or more fold rollers mounted in fixed positions. Below and adjacent to the fold rollers are adjustable nip rollers to form nip spacing between the rollers. The adjustable nip roller is mounted on a nip axis shaft. An adjustment mechanism is used for moving the nip axis shaft to adjust the nip spacing. The nip adjustment mechanism includes a bearing block cam follower on which the nip axis shaft is fixedly mounted and supported. An eccentric cam in operative contact with the bearing block cam follower. Rotation of the eccentric cam on the eccentric cam axis drives the bearing block cam follower in its linear motion to adjust the nip spacing.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for determining whether a sample point is within a defined geographic area. Indexes for the geographic area of interest are generated in advance. Such indexes complement the traditional spatial indexing techniques such as quad tree and r-tree. The geographic area, as defined by an outer boundary, is subdivided into some regular geometric shape, preferably a rectangle, encoded into a suitable form, and indexed. Then, a simplified comparison of the sample point to the indexed regular shapes is made.

Abstract: An improved mailpiece fabrication system assembles finished mailpieces from content materials and from wrapping materials. The wrapping materials include printed cut quality marks at predetermined positions relative to cut lines. Content materials are placed on the continuous web. The continuous web is then folded and sealed around the content materials to form a continuous tube enclosing the content materials. A cutter downstream of the conveyance deck cuts individual envelopes from the continuous tube of folded wrapping material. A downstream imaging device captures image data indicative of a cut quality mark on the individual envelopes. A controller receives the captured image data from the imaging device and compares an actual dimension of an imaged cut quality mark with an expected dimension of a cut quality mark. An error signal is produced if the difference is not within a predetermined tolerance.