Patents by Inventor George M. Macdonald
George M. Macdonald 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).
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Patent number: 9536356Abstract: A mailing machine that provides for permanent postage is described. Postage may be purchased at one point of time at a then prevailing rate and used in the future at the same effective purchasing power even if a new more expensive rate schedule is in effect. The mailing machine provides for the accounting of such rate purchased postage using a Postal Security Device and may include multiple rate-table based accounts each associated with a particular postage rate table.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2007Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Richard Horree, Wojciech M. Chrosny, George M. Macdonald
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Patent number: 8806039Abstract: A method and system for selecting an external user interface using spatial information is described. In one configuration the floor space of a mailroom is mapped using a two dimensional grid. At least one machine is located on the mapped grid and an associated control zone is defined for that particular machine. The machine includes a wireless transceiver for providing user interface access. An external portable processor with a wireless transceiver is provided with user interface logic for the machine. A user then moves the external portable processor into the control zone of the machine. An indoor positioning system is utilized to provide relative or absolute position information relating to the machine and the external processor. The system determines that the external processor is in the machine control zone and allows the external processor to function as a user interface for the machine.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2010Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Jean-Hiram Coffy, George M. Macdonald
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Patent number: 8781087Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a simultaneous voice and data user interface for secure catalog orders and in particular for providing a system and method for providing a distributed voice user interface for a remote device having a limited visual user interface simultaneously with a data stream for facilitating secure automated catalog orders for simultaneous electronic fulfillment applied to that device are described.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2012Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey D. Pierce, G. Jonathan Wolfman, Luu T. Pham, Thomas J. Foth, George M. Macdonald
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Patent number: 8719310Abstract: An illustrative data structure is provided using a structured table that uses a split primary key including a first key, referred to as a partition key, and a second key, referred to as a row key, along with a timestamp key, but that does not otherwise utilize uniform columns that can be used as a key. The partition key that is utilized is unusually fine in that it consists of an individual user identifier that is unique to the system and/or across multiple systems used in an enterprise. Additionally, the system can limit access to one session per individual partition key.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2010Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Vladimir Golos, George M. Macdonald
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Patent number: 8666806Abstract: Systems and methods for customizing direct marketing mail pieces are described. In one configuration, information relating to an advertiser is customized using demographic, psychographic, addressee, and/or individual profile data. In another configuration, environmental data is utilized to customize direct mail pieces using a two part printing process.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2008Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: John W. Rojas, George M. MacDonald
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Patent number: 8560457Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing user trust by authenticating an electronic commerce server over an electronic communications channel using information received through an out-of-band communication in a physical communications channel are described. In one configuration, a paper bill is sent to a user by physical mail delivery and it includes challenge and response data used to authenticate the electronic commerce server over the electronic communications channel.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2006Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Andrei Obrea, Arthur J. Parkos, Gary G. Hansen, Matthew J. Campagna, George M. Macdonald
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Publication number: 20120203737Abstract: An illustrative data structure is provided using a structured table that uses a split primary key including a first key (partition key) and a second key (row key) along with a timestamp key, but that does not otherwise utilize uniform columns that could be used as a key. The partition key that is utilized is unusually fine in that it consists of an individual user identifier that is unique to the system and/or across multiple systems used in an enterprise. Additionally, the system may limit access to one session per individual partition key.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2010Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: PITNEY BOWES INC.Inventors: Vladimir Golos, George M. Macdonald
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Publication number: 20120179470Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a simultaneous voice and data user interface for secure catalog orders and in particular for providing a system and method for providing a distributed voice user interface for a remote device having a limited visual user interface simultaneously with a data stream for facilitating secure automated catalog orders for simultaneous electronic fulfillment applied to that device are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2012Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey D. Pierce, G. Jonathan Wolfman, Luu T. Pham, Thomas J. Foth, George M. Macdonald
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Patent number: 8186272Abstract: A method and system for drying printed ink on the face of a substrate material such as a mailpiece. The method comprising the steps of (i) providing a dryer having at least one variable output element for producing a plurality of dryer configurations, (ii) developing data correlating each of the dryer configurations with at least one print characteristic, (iii) storing the developed data in a memory storage device, (iv) obtaining the print characteristic associated with a particular print job and comparing the print characteristic with the developed data to define a desired dryer configuration, (v) adapting the dryer to assume the desired dryer configuration based upon the print characteristic, and (vi) drying the ink printed on the face of the substrate material. The system may include a taggant introduced into the ink and a means for identifying the taggant to determine the type of ink and the desired dryer configuration.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2007Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Jay Reichelsheimer, Richard A. Sloan, Jr., George M. Macdonald
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Patent number: 8160974Abstract: Systems and methods including mailing machines having postage meters including multiple postal security devices are described. In one illustrative configuration, a postage meter having multiple postal security devices for use with different postal carriers is described. In another illustrative configuration, a postage meter is configured to apply two postage payment information indicia to a single mail piece using two separate postal security devices.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2008Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Richard Schoonmaker, Edilberto I. Salazar, David W. Beckstrom, Boris Rozenfeld, Robert A. Cordery, George M. Macdonald
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Patent number: 8139733Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a simultaneous voice and data user interface for secure catalog orders and in particular for providing a system and method for providing a distributed voice user interface for a remote device having a limited visual user interface simultaneously with a data stream for facilitating secure automated catalog orders for simultaneous electronic fulfillment applied to that device are described.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2006Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey D. Pierce, G. Jonathan Wolfman, Luu T. Pham, Thomas J. Foth, George M. Macdonald
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Patent number: 7878615Abstract: A system for detecting failures in a sensitive region of an inkjet printhead is described. The system includes an inkjet printer that uses a printhead for printing an image on a substrate. The image has a sensitive portion that is more sensitive to printing failures than the rest of the image. The printhead includes a first portion that prints an area of the substrate corresponding to the sensitive portion of the image. A radiant energy source is used with a photodetector located downstream from the printhead to detect background florescence from the substrate in the area of the substrate corresponding to the sensitive portion of the image that should be quenched by printing of the image. If background fluorescence is detected, a failure is indicated.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2005Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Jay Reichelsheimer, David B. Wilk, George M. Macdonald
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Publication number: 20100275254Abstract: A method and system for selecting an external user interface using spatial information is described. In one configuration the floor space of a mailroom is mapped using a two dimensional grid. At least one machine is located on the mapped grid and an associated control zone is defined for that particular machine. The machine includes a wireless transceiver for providing user interface access. An external portable processor with a wireless transceiver is provided with user interface logic for the machine. A user then moves the external portable processor into the control zone of the machine. An indoor positioning system is utilized to provide relative or absolute position information relating to the machine and the external processor. The system determines that the external processor is in the machine control zone and allows the external processor to function as a user interface for the machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2010Publication date: October 28, 2010Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Jean-Hiram Coffy, George M. MacDonald
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Patent number: 7769485Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2007Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: John P. Miller, Luis A. Sanchez, George M. MacDonald
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Patent number: 7756988Abstract: A method and system for selecting an external user interface using spatial information is described. In one configuration the floor space of a mailroom is mapped using a two dimensional grid. At least one machine is located on the mapped grid and an associated control zone is defined for that particular machine. The machine includes a wireless transceiver for providing user interface access. An external portable processor with a wireless transceiver is provided with user interface logic for the machine. A user then moves the external portable processor into the control zone of the machine. An indoor positioning system is utilized to provide relative or absolute position information relating to the machine and the external processor. The system determines that the external processor is in the machine control zone and allows the external processor to function as a user interface for the machine.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2007Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: George M. Macdonald, Jean-Hiram Coffy
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Publication number: 20100169241Abstract: Systems and methods including mailing machines having postage meters including multiple postal security devices are described. In one illustrative configuration, a postage meter having multiple postal security devices for use with different postal carriers is described. In another illustrative configuration, a postage meter is configured to apply two postage payment information indicia to a single mail piece using two separate postal security devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2008Publication date: July 1, 2010Inventors: Richard Schoonmaker, Edilberto I. Salazar, David W. Beckstrom, Boris Rozenfeld, Robert A. Cordery, George M. Macdonald
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Publication number: 20100049557Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing postage costs in a direct marketing mail campaign are described. In one configuration, an efficient, advertiser-based direct mail targeting mailing list creation system is described. It may then be utilized to add names to an existing direct mail list in order to optimize postage costs associated with such a mailing campaign. In another configuration, a managed, rolling direct mail campaign is utilized to provide a standby group of mail pieces used over time to optimize postage costs associated with a first mailing campaign.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2008Publication date: February 25, 2010Inventors: John W. Rojas, George M. Macdonald
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Publication number: 20090171861Abstract: A mailing machine that provides for permanent postage is described. Postage may be purchased at one point of time at a then prevailing rate and used in the future at the same effective purchasing power even if a new more expensive rate schedule is in effect. The mailing machine provides for the accounting of such rate purchased postage using a Postal Security Device and may include multiple rate-table based accounts each associated with a particular postage rate table.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2007Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Richard Horree, Wojciech M. Chrosny, Linda S. Lin, George M. Macdonald
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Publication number: 20090165329Abstract: A method and system for drying printed ink on the face of a substrate material such as a mailpiece. The method comprising the steps of (i) providing a dryer having at least one variable output element for producing a plurality of dryer configurations, (ii) developing data correlating each of the dryer configurations with at least one print characteristic, (iii) storing the developed data in a memory storage device, (iv) obtaining the print characteristic associated with a particular print job and comparing the print characteristic with the developed data to define a desired dryer configuration, (v) adapting the dryer to assume the desired dryer configuration based upon the print characteristic, and (vi) drying the ink printed on the face of the substrate material. The system may include a taggant introduced into the ink and a means for identifying the taggant to determine the type of ink and the desired dryer configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2007Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Jay Reichelsheimer, Richard A. Sloan, JR., George M. Macdonald
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Publication number: 20090084713Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Inventors: John P. Miller, Luis A. Sanchez, George M. MacDonald