Patents by Inventor Jeffrey D. Pierce
Jeffrey D. Pierce 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: 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: 8736897Abstract: Printing methods and systems that provide both a secure value label printing mode of operation and a non-secure mode of operation that allows generic printing of non-value items without compromising the security feature of the secure printing mode are described. If the printing system determines the image is a non-secure image such as an address label or other non-value graphic, the printing system utilizes the non-secure mode and disables the use certain printhead elements. In such a system, the enforced print disabled white bands are enforced in non-secure mode such as by actually disabling the print drive mechanism that allows a row to be printed or by populating certain regions of the print buffer with zero values.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey D. Pierce, Steven J. Pauly, Steven M. Kaye
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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: 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: 7832627Abstract: A method of processing a check prior to electronically depositing the check includes steps of (a) attempting to print a cancellation mark on the check using an energy emitting ink, such as a luminescent ink, (b) radiating first energy, such as UV energy, toward the check, (c) determining whether second energy is emitted from the check as a result of the radiated first energy impinging upon the energy emitting ink present on the check, and (d) allowing the check to proceed to electronic deposit only if it is determined that the second energy is emitted from the check. Also, an apparatus for electronically depositing a check that implements the method.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2006Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Megha Sharma, Jeffrey D. Pierce, David B. Wilk, Jay Reichelsheimer
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Publication number: 20100219233Abstract: A reusable envelope includes a plurality of panels defining a pocket having an opening for receipt of the content material. The reusable envelope also includes a flap closure having first and second bond lines and first and second flap folds disposed between the bond lines. The first flap fold and first bond line are adapted to close the pocket during an initial mail delivery while the second flap fold and second bond line are adapted to close the pocket for reuse during a subsequent mail delivery. A tear strip is disposed between the front panel and the flap closure to open the pocket for removal of the mailpiece content material. Upon removal of the tear strip and insertion of content material associated with the subsequent mail delivery, the second bond line connects the panels to close the pocket for reuse of the envelope.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2009Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Alan Rosen, Allison Dahl, Jeffrey D. Pierce
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Patent number: 7609873Abstract: A method of processing checks includes obtaining first information relating to the checks that is compiled by an operator using a calculator, such as by scanning a calculator tape, wherein the first information includes a first number of first dollar amounts, each of which corresponds to a respective one of the checks. The method further includes scanning the checks to create a plurality of check images, obtaining from the check images a second number of second dollar amounts, each corresponding to a respective one of the check images, determining whether the first number is equal to the second number, and providing an error indication if the first number does not equal the second number (which is an indication that a misfeed has occurred).Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2005Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Foth, Jeffrey D. Pierce
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Publication number: 20090144513Abstract: According to some embodiments a system and a method are provided to storing a plurality of data, the data comprising a plurality of original data elements and corresponding modified data elements. The plurality of original data elements may be automatically compared against editable field data in one or more editable fields that are displayed on a display screen by an application program. A determination may be made if the editable field data will be replaced and the editable field data may be replaced with the corresponding modified data elements if a determination is made to replace the editable field data.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2007Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey D. Pierce, Thomas J. Foth
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Patent number: 7526117Abstract: A method of enabling remote deposit of checks includes receiving at a second site a plurality of check images and a plurality of entered dollar amounts, wherein the check images were generated at the depositor site by scanning the checks and the entered dollar amounts were manually entered at the depositor site. Each of the entered dollar amounts correspond to a respective one of the check images. The check dollar amounts are read from the check images at the second site using character recognition, and certain of the entered dollar amounts are used as hints to improve the accuracy of the character recognition. The enhanced character recognition results are provided to the depository bank along with the check images to enable the checks to be deposited in the depositor's account.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2005Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Thomas J Foth, Jeffrey D Pierce, Hillary Carey-Steckbauer
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Publication number: 20090006195Abstract: A method of sending a targeted communication on behalf of an interested party to individuals that access media content through a media service provider includes receiving information regarding particular media content accessed by each of the individuals from the associated media service providers, storing that information in a secure manner, establishing one or more criteria for identifying desired recipients of the communication, identifying selected individuals to receive the communication based on the one or more criteria and the particular media content information, and causing the communication to be sent to the selected individuals by one of one or more communication methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2007Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: Pitney Bowes IncorporatedInventors: Alan Rosen, Jeffrey D. Pierce, Thomas J. Foth, Gary G. Hansen
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Publication number: 20080159498Abstract: 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 fulfillnent applied to that device are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2006Publication date: July 3, 2008Applicant: Pitney Bowes IncorporatedInventors: Jeffrey D. Pierce, G. Jonathan Wolfman, Luu T. Pham, Thomas J. Foth, George M. Macdonald
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Patent number: 7379205Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a method for embedding key information into a printed document is disclosed. The method comprises creating a first section comprising a first ink having a first color under white light; and creating a second section comprising a second different ink. The second ink comprises a fluorescent ink and has a second color under white light which is substantially the same as the first color, and the fluorescent ink has a fluorescence when subjected to fluorescent-exciting radiation. The first section and the second section are visually indiscernible from each other on the printed document in white light. Also, the second section comprises key information, which is selected or highlighted by a user during creation of the document, and the first section comprises non-selected information.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2003Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Judith D. Auslander, Steven M. Kaye, Jeffrey D. Pierce
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Publication number: 20080053329Abstract: Printing methods and systems that provide both a secure value label printing mode of operation and a non-secure mode of operation that allows generic printing of non-value items without compromising the security feature of the secure printing mode are described. If the printing system determines the image is a non-secure image such as an address label or other non-value graphic, the printing system utilizes the non-secure mode and disables the use certain printhead elements. In such a system, the enforced print disabled white bands are enforced in non-secure mode such as by actually disabling the print drive mechanism that allows a row to be printed or by populating certain regions of the print buffer with zero values.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2006Publication date: March 6, 2008Inventors: Jeffrey D. Pierce, Steven J. Pauly, Steven M. Kaye
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Patent number: 7203666Abstract: A virtual postage metering system and method provides value added services corresponding to postage metering transactions. Funds are not stored at a user's site, reducing the risk of unauthorized modification of accounting balances. There is a database record of every mailpiece, thereby improving verification since all valid pieces are known. Furthermore, the present invention enables the Post to know the volume of mail to be processed prior to receipt of physical mail pieces. Since more mailer data is available (e.g. when users usually mail, how much mail per day, average postage amount) the virtual postage metering system enables the postal service to predict mail handling patterns. Additionally, users have the option to pay as they go which contrasts present systems in which funds must be on deposit prior to being downloaded to a meter although such downloaded funds may remain in the meter for weeks before being used.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1998Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Linda V Gravell, Jeffrey D Pierce, Leon A. Pintsov, John G. Rahrig, David W. Riley
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Patent number: 7176900Abstract: A system and method that allows one to mark information with a pencil or conductive ink on paper equipped with a RFID type circuit, and have the marked information provided to the RFID circuit, or have the written information cause the RFID circuit to perform some function. The marked entered information may be corrected by erasing the written information with a pencil eraser and writing new information on the paper with a pencil. Information may also be marked into a RFID circuit or have the marked information cause the RFID circuit to perform some function by utilizing a standard ink jet computer printer to print lines on paper equipped with a RFID type circuit, by having the printed lines perform the function of wires. The aforementioned printed information may be modified by having an individual connect different printed wires by drawing a penciled line between the wires or by punching holes in the printed lines.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2003Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Brian M. Romansky, Thomas J. Foth, Jeffrey D. Pierce, Andrei Obrea, Anand V. Chhatpar
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Patent number: 7042336Abstract: A remote control device that is combined with a modified RFID circuit that allows an individual to enter information into different types of equipment. When an individual touches graphite contacts on the modified RFID circuit with his/her finger, the circuit will activate a RFID reader causing an action on another device.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2003Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey D. Pierce, Brian M. Romansky, Thomas J. Foth, Anand V. Chhatpar
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Patent number: 6970856Abstract: A postage printing system, having a computer, a data center and a control system. The computer is in operative communication with a printer for printing a postal indicia on an envelope. The data center is in operative communication with the computer which in turn is located remotely from the data center. The data center includes a plurality of user accounts and a plurality of advertiser accounts where each of the plurality of advertiser accounts includes respective ad data including message data and restriction data.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2000Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Richard W. Heiden, Steven M. Kaye, Jeffrey D. Pierce, Frederick W. Ryan, Jr.
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Patent number: 6961717Abstract: A method for positioning an indicium for printing on substrate. The indicium can be an IBIP type indicium and the substrate can be the surface of an envelope. The substrate has printable and complementary unprintable areas and a reserved clear area where printing is possible but unacceptable. The unprintable area is determined as function of printer characteristics and substrate dimensions. If the indicium overlaps the reserved clear area the indicium is modified by shifting portions of the indicium with respect to each other so that none overlaps the reserved clear area.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2000Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey D. Pierce
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Patent number: 6869020Abstract: A method that allows one to mark information with a pencil on paper equipped with a RFID type circuit, and have the marked information represent answers to questions or queries. The marked entered information may be corrected by erasing the written information with a pencil eraser and writing new information on the paper with a pencil.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2003Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Foth, Brian M. Romansky, Jeffrey D. Pierce, Andrei Obrea, Anand V. Chhatpar
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Patent number: 6869021Abstract: A system and method that allows one to mark information with a pencil on a label equipped with a RFID type circuit, and have the marked information provided to the RFID circuit, or have the written information cause the RFID circuit to supply information regarding the goods that are contained in a individual container. Individual containers may be placed in a larger container. The marked entered information may be corrected by erasing the written information with a pencil eraser and writing new information on the paper with a pencil. Information may also be marked into a RFID circuit or have the marked information cause the RFID circuit to perform some function by utilizing a standard ink jet computer printer to print lines on paper equipped with a RFID type circuit, by having the printed lines perform the function of wires.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2003Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Foth, Brian M. Romansky, Jeffrey D. Pierce, Anand V. Chhatpar