Patents by Inventor David Helmlinger

David Helmlinger 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).

  • Patent number: 12212722
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing documents is provided. The documents may be conveyed to a feeder for feeding documents to a scanner. The scanner scans each document to obtain image data and then discharges the document to one or more output or sort locations. The system may include a skew reduction assembly for reducing skew in the documents as the documents are fed to the scanner. The system may also include elements for improving image quality and reducing document damage while the document is scanned. The system may further include features for improving the stacking of the discharged documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Sullivan, Kerry O'Mara, John Allen, James Walsh, Dobromir Kamburov, Michael Sparango, David Helmlinger, Peter Patrick
  • Publication number: 20250025919
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing documents is provided. The documents may be conveyed to a feeder for feeding documents to a scanner. The scanner scans each document to obtain image data and then discharges the document to one or more output or sort locations. The system may include a skew reduction assembly for reducing skew in the documents as the documents are fed to the scanner. The system may also include elements for improving image quality and reducing document damage while the document is scanned. The system may further include features for improving the stacking of the discharged documents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: Michael Sullivan, Kerry O'Mara, John Allen, James Walsh, Dobromir Kamburov, Michael Sparango, David Helmlinger, Peter Patrick
  • Patent number: 12139361
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing documents are provided. The apparatus includes a feeder for receiving a packet of a plurality of documents and separating the documents to serially feed the documents to a scanner. A drop feeder conveys the document packets to the feeder. A sensor provides information related to the thickness of the document packets and the drop feeder is controlled in response to the information related to the thickness of a packet in the feeder. The method includes the control of the drop feeder in response to information related to the thickness of a document packet at the feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: David Helmlinger, Gary Miller, Peter M. Chezik, Robert R. DeWitt
  • Patent number: 12138662
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing documents is provided. The documents may be conveyed to a feeder for feeding documents to a scanner. The scanner scans each document to obtain image data and then discharges the document to one or more output or sort locations. The system may include a skew reduction assembly for reducing skew in the documents as the documents are fed to the scanner. The system may also include elements for improving image quality and reducing document damage while the document is scanned. The system may further include features for improving the stacking of the discharged documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Sullivan, Kerry O'Mara, John Allen, James Walsh, Dobromir Kamburov, Michael Sparango, David Helmlinger, Peter Patrick
  • Publication number: 20240333851
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing documents is provided. The documents may be conveyed to a feeder for feeding documents to a scanner. The scanner scans each document to obtain image data and then discharges the document to one or more output or sort locations. The system may include a skew reduction assembly for reducing skew in the documents as the documents are fed to the scanner. The system may also include elements for improving image quality and reducing document damage while the document is scanned. The system may further include features for improving the stacking of the discharged documents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Sullivan, Kerry O'Mara, John Allen, James Walsh, Dobromir Kamburov, Michael Sparango, David Helmlinger, Peter Patrick
  • Publication number: 20240179255
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing documents is provided. The documents may be conveyed to a feeder for feeding documents to a scanner. The scanner scans each document to obtain image data and then discharges the document to one or more output or sort locations. The system may include a skew reduction assembly for reducing skew in the documents as the documents are fed to the scanner. The system may also include elements for improving image quality and reducing document damage while the document is scanned. The system may further include features for improving the stacking of the discharged documents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Sullivan, Kerry O'Mara, John Allen, James Walsh, Dobromir Kamburov, Michael Sparango, David Helmlinger, Peter Patrick
  • Patent number: 11985280
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing documents is provided. The documents may be conveyed to a feeder for feeding documents to a scanner. The scanner scans each document to obtain image data and then discharges the document to one or more output or sort locations. The system may include a skew reduction assembly for reducing skew in the documents as the documents are fed to the scanner. The system may also include elements for improving image quality and reducing document damage while the document is scanned. The system may further include features for improving the stacking of the discharged documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Sullivan, Kerry O'Mara, John Allen, James Walsh, Dobromir Kamburov, Michael Sparango, David Helmlinger, Peter Patrick
  • Patent number: 11973908
    Abstract: A system is provided for processing documents. In particular, the system is incorporates a feeder for feeding documents to a device for further processing of the documents. For instance, the system finds particular application in the field of document imaging in which a variety of documents of varying sizes and orientation are to be fed to an imaging system, such as a document scanner. The system may provide an input mechanism for easily identifying a characteristic of one of the documents and the system may include features for handling packets of documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Sullivan, John Allen, David Helmlinger, Robert DeWitt, Michael York, Robert Esche, Kerry D. O'Mara, Gary Miller
  • Publication number: 20240024921
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing documents is provided. The documents may be conveyed to a feeder for feeding documents to a scanner. The scanner scans each document to obtain image data and then discharges the document to one or more output or sort locations. The system may include a skew reduction assembly for reducing skew in the documents as the documents are fed to the scanner. The system may also include elements for improving image quality and reducing document damage while the document is scanned. The system may further include features for improving the stacking of the discharged documents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Sullivan, Kerry O'Mara, John Allen, James Walsh, Dobromir Kamburov, Michael Sparango, David Helmlinger, Peter Patrick
  • Patent number: 11765290
    Abstract: A system is provided for processing documents. In particular, the system is incorporates a feeder for feeding documents to a device for further processing of the documents. For instance, the system finds particular application in the field of document imaging in which a variety of documents of varying sizes and orientation are to be fed to an imaging system, such as a document scanner. The system may provide an input mechanism for easily identifying a characteristic of one of the documents and the system may include features for handling packets of documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Sullivan, John Allen, David Helmlinger, Robert DeWitt, Michael York, Robert Esche, Kerry D. O'Mara, Gary Miller
  • Publication number: 20230040699
    Abstract: A system is provided for processing documents. In particular, the system is incorporates a feeder for feeding documents to a device for further processing of the documents. For instance, the system finds particular application in the field of document imaging in which a variety of documents of varying sizes and orientation are to be fed to an imaging system, such as a document scanner. The system may provide an input mechanism for easily identifying a characteristic of one of the documents and the system may include features for handling packets of documents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Sullivan, John Allen, David Helmlinger, Robert DeWitt, Michael York, Robert Esche, Kerry D. O'Mara, Gary Miller
  • Publication number: 20220217244
    Abstract: A system is provided for processing documents. In particular, the system is incorporates a feeder for feeding documents to a device for further processing of the documents. For instance, the system finds particular application in the field of document imaging in which a variety of documents of varying sizes and orientation are to be fed to an imaging system, such as a document scanner. The system may provide an input mechanism for easily identifying a characteristic of one of the documents and the system may include features for handling packets of documents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Sullivan, John Allen, David Helmlinger, Robert DeWitt, Michael York, Robert Esche, Kerry D. O'Mara, Gary Miller
  • Publication number: 20210188577
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing documents are provided. The apparatus includes a feeder for receiving a packet of a plurality of documents and separating the documents to serially feed the documents to a scanner. A drop feeder conveys the document packets to the feeder. A sensor provides information related to the thickness of the document packets and the drop feeder is controlled in response to the information related to the thickness of a packet in the feeder. The method includes the control of the drop feeder in response to information related to the thickness of a document packet at the feeder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: David Helmlinger, Gary Miller, Peter M. Chezik, Robert R. DeWitt
  • Publication number: 20210044711
    Abstract: A system is provided for processing documents. In particular, the system is incorporates a feeder for feeding documents to a device for further processing of the documents. For instance, the system finds particular application in the field of document imaging in which a variety of documents of varying sizes and orientation are to be fed to an imaging system, such as a document scanner. The system may provide an input mechanism for easily identifying a characteristic of one of the documents and the system may include features for handling packets of documents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Sullivan, John Allen, David Helmlinger, Robert DeWitt, Michael York, Robert Esche, Kerry D. O'Mara, Gary Miller
  • Patent number: 10906761
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing documents are provided. The apparatus includes a feeder for receiving a packet of a plurality of documents and separating the documents to serially feed the documents to a scanner. A retard adjacent the feeder is operable in first and second positions. In the first position the retard forms a nip with the feeder so that the retard is operable to impede the progress of one or more documents in the packet while the feeder feeds one of the documents in the packet. In the second position, the retard is spaced apart from the feeder to form a gap between the feeder and the retard. The system further includes a sensor for detecting a characteristic of the documents in a packet indicative of whether the number of documents in the packet exceeds a predetermined threshold. A drive mechanism automatically drives the retard pad between the first and second positions in response to the detected characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: David Helmlinger, Gary Miller, Peter M. Chezik, Robert R. DeWitt
  • Patent number: 10855864
    Abstract: A system is provided for processing documents. In particular, the system is incorporates a feeder for feeding documents to a device for further processing of the documents. For instance, the system finds particular application in the field of document imaging in which a variety of documents of varying sizes and orientation are to be fed to an imaging system, such as a document scanner. The system may provide an input mechanism for easily identifying a characteristic of one of the documents and the system may include features for handling packets of documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Sullivan, John Allen, David Helmlinger, Robert DeWitt, Michael York, Robert Esche, Kerry D. O'Mara, Gary Miller
  • Publication number: 20190068812
    Abstract: A system is provided for processing documents. In particular, the system is incorporates a feeder for feeding documents to a device for further processing of the documents. For instance, the system finds particular application in the field of document imaging in which a variety of documents of varying sizes and orientation are to be fed to an imaging system, such as a document scanner. The system may provide an input mechanism for easily identifying a characteristic of one of the documents and the system may include features for handling packets of documents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Sullivan, John Allen, David Helmlinger, Robert DeWitt, Michael York, Robert Esche, Kerry D. O'Mara, Gary Miller
  • Publication number: 20180327204
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing documents are provided. The apparatus includes a feeder for receiving a packet of a plurality of documents and separating the documents to serially feed the documents to a scanner. A retard adjacent the feeder is operable in first and second positions. In the first position the retard forms a nip with the feeder so that the retard is operable to impede the progress of one or more documents in the packet while the feeder feeds one of the documents in the packet. In the second position, the retard is spaced apart from the feeder to form a gap between the feeder and the retard. The system further includes a sensor for detecting a characteristic of the documents in a packet indicative of whether the number of documents in the packet exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: David Helmlinger, Gary Miller, Peter M. Chezik, Robert R. DeWitt
  • Patent number: 9932184
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing documents are provided. The apparatus includes a feeder for receiving a packet of a plurality of documents and separating the documents to serially feed the documents to a scanner. A retard adjacent the feeder is operable in first and second positions. In the first position the retard forms a nip with the feeder so that the retard is operable to impede the progress of one or more documents in the packet while the feeder feeds one of the documents in the packet. In the second position, the retard is spaced apart from the feeder to form a gap between the feeder and the retard. The system further includes a sensor for detecting a characteristic of the documents in a packet indicative of whether the number of documents in the packet exceeds a predetermined threshold. A drive mechanism automatically drives the retard pad between the first and second positions in response to the detected characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Opex Corporation
    Inventors: David Helmlinger, Gary Miller, Peter M. Chezik, Robert R. DeWitt
  • Patent number: 9621758
    Abstract: A system for processing document to scan the documents to obtain optical image data representing the document is provided. The system (10) includes elements that reduce or eliminate the effects of debris that can create streaks in the scanned images. One element is a recess (174) in the lens (170) through which an imaging device (60) scans the document. Another element is a guide (80) having an opening (84) opposing the lens (70, 170) of the imaging device (60). The opening (84) reduces or eliminates light reflecting off the guide back to the imaging device so that the area around the document is scanned as black.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: OPEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kerry O'Mara, David Helmlinger