Patents by Inventor John S. O'Callaghan
John S. O'Callaghan 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: 6964367Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically acquiring and verifying, relative to pre-established rules, information affixed to relatively flat articles transported along a transport path comprises a weighing device for measuring weight of articles being processed, an image acquisition device for acquiring a representation of indicia appearing on an article, a thickness detecting device for measuring the thickness of articles being processed, a processing device for recognition of the indicia appearing on an article, and a processing device for verifying acquired data against the pre-established rules. A number of reports are generated after processing to provide the results of the processing.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2001Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell CompanyInventors: John S. O'Callaghan, Daniel Gibbons, Tony S. Chan, Ann Dawkins, Niren Shah, Jack Bonn
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Publication number: 20040211838Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically acquiring and verifying, relative to pre-established rules, information affixed to relatively flat articles transported along a transport path comprises weighing means for measuring weight of articles being processed, image acquisition means for acquiring a representation of indicia appearing on an article, thickness detecting means for measuring the thickness of articles being processed, processing means for recognition of the indicia appearing on an article, and processing means for verifying acquired data against the pre-established rules. A number of reports are generated after processing to provide the results of the processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2001Publication date: October 28, 2004Inventors: John S. O'Callaghan, Daniel Gibbons, Tony S. Chan, Ann Dawkins, Niren Shah, Jack Bonn
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Patent number: 6575358Abstract: Apparatus for automatically acquiring and verifying, relative to pre-established rules, information affixed to relatively flat articles transported along a transport path comprises weighing component device for measuring weight of articles being processed, image acquisition device for acquiring a representation of indicia appearing on an article, processing device for recognition of the indicia appearing on an article, and processing device for verifying acquired data against the pre-established rules.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Bell & Howell Postal Systems Inc.Inventors: John S. O'Callaghan, Daniel Gibbons, Tony S. Chan, Ann Dawkins, Niren Shah, Jack Bonn
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Publication number: 20020030095Abstract: Apparatus for automatically acquiring and verifying, relative to pre-established rules, information affixed to relatively flat articles transported along a transport path comprises weighing means for measuring weight of articles being processed, image acquisition means for acquiring a representation of indicia appearing on an article, processing means for recognition of the indicia appearing on an article, and processing means for verifying acquired data against the pre-established rules.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Inventors: John S. O'Callaghan, Daniel Gibbons, Tony S. Chan, Ann Dawkins, Niren Shah, Jack Bonn
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Patent number: 6311892Abstract: Apparatus for automatically acquiring and verifying, relative to pre-established rules, information affixed to relatively flat articles transported along a transport path comprises weighing means for measuring weight of articles being processed, image acquisition means for acquiring a representation of indicia appearing on an article, processing means for recognition of the indicia appearing on an article, and processing means for verifying acquired data against the pre-established rules.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1997Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: Bell & Howell Postal Systems, Inc.Inventors: John S. O'Callaghan, Daniel Gibbons, Tony S. Chan, Ann Dawkins, Niren Shah, Jack Bonn
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Patent number: 5934666Abstract: An in-feed magazine apparatus for loading documents includes a magazine feed ramp having one or more document conveyor belts disposed along a bottom surface, the belts being arranged to engage the bottom boundary of the documents. The conveyor belts are configured to effect forward movement of the stack of documents toward a document shingler mechanism along a linear axis defined by forward movement of the conveyor belts. Also included is a backing plate having a lower portion disposed proximal to the conveyor belt, an upper portion disposed vertically upward from the lower portion, and a generally planar face parallel to the plane defined by the face of the documents. An upper and lower sensor sense contact with the front end of the stack of documents while a controller operatively coupled to the upper and the lower sensors determines when the front end of the stack of documents lies in a plane substantially parallel to the face of the backing plate.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1998Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Assignee: Bell & Howell Postal Systems Inc.Inventors: K. George Rabindran, Michael Wisniewski, Thomas Faber, David Fillcicchia, Kenneth Guenther, Joseph Kalika, Mel Kerstein, John S. O'Callaghan
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Patent number: 5829742Abstract: An in-feed magazine apparatus for loading documents includes a magazine feed ramp having one or more document conveyor belts disposed along a bottom surface, the belts being arranged to engage the bottom boundary of the documents. The conveyer belts are configured to effect forward movement of the stack of documents toward a document shingler mechanism along a linear axis defined by forward movement of the conveyer belts. Also included is a backing plate having a lower portion disposed proximal to the conveyor belt, an upper portion disposed vertically upward from the lower portion, and a generally planar face parallel to the plane defined by the face of the documents. An upper and lower sensor sense contact with the front end of the stack of documents while a controller operatively coupled to the upper and the lower sensors determines when the front end of the stack of documents lies in a plane substantially parallel to the face of the backing plate.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1996Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Assignee: Bell & Howell Postal Systems Inc.Inventors: K. George Rabindran, Michael Wisniewski, Thomas Faber, David Fillcicchia, Kenneth Guenther, Joseph Kalika, Mel Kerstein, John S. O'Callaghan
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Patent number: 5783032Abstract: A linerless label applicator for forming and applying a discrete, pressure sensitive adhesive linerless label to a document is adapted to receive and advance a plurality of documents, one at a time, along a document path through the applicator. The applicator includes a label storage and feed section, a label cutting section and a label application section. The storage and feed section stores the label material in roll form thereon and feeds the material through a feed assembly into the cutting section. The label cutting section includes a label drive assembly, a label guide assembly and a cutting assembly. The drive assembly includes a feed roller and a plasma coated idler roller which contacts the label adhesive and prevents adhesion thereto. The guide assembly includes a fan/vacuum manifold which retains the non-adhesive side of the label material in contact with the cutting assembly surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1996Date of Patent: July 21, 1998Assignee: Bell & Howell Postal Systems Inc.Inventors: John S. O'Callaghan, Tomasz Bednarek, Metin M. Durum, Narasimha Swamy
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Patent number: 5538140Abstract: A buffered stacking system for selectively diverting horizontally disposed documents from a generally horizontal main conveying path, stacking the documents in a horizontal orientation and dropping the documents into replaceable receiving receptacles is provided. The system has a primary horizontal conveyor belt with a lower horizontal reach defining a horizontal primary conveying path. A plurality of sorting stations are located serially along and below the primary conveying path. Each of the sorting stations has at least one diverter arm disposed along the conveying path. The diverter arms are selectively movable from a generally horizontal position which allows passage of the documents along the conveying path to an inclined position to divert the document into the corresponding sorting station. The diverter arms divert the document in a downwardly inclined direction into a stacking station.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 1994Date of Patent: July 23, 1996Assignee: Bell & Howell CompanyInventors: Kenneth L. Guenther, Tom Faber, Joseph Kalika, Mel T. Kerstein, John S. O'Callaghan, K. George Rabindran, Michael A. Wisniewski
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Patent number: 5182991Abstract: A bank check endorser is provided that permits endorsement in each of three discrete locations along the length of the reverse side of a check. The endorser unit utilizes a one-way clutch along the drive shaft to permit movement of the drive mechanism for the print cylinder. By releasing a latch mechanism, the housing portion, which contains the drive mechanism and the print cylinder, is moved along the length of the drive shaft to a second position.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1991Date of Patent: February 2, 1993Assignee: Bell & Howell Document Management Products CompanyInventors: Duane R. Patuszynski, John S. O'Callaghan, Andrew Bartoli
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Patent number: 4984008Abstract: A writing system is usable in apparatus in which mirrors in a "V" configuration, split mirrors, a combining mirror and a camera mirror project images of opposite sides of a document in an imaging region to a microfilm in side-by-side relation. The writing system includes mirrors which project alpha or numeric character images from an LED display to the combining mirror to be projected to an otherwise unused portion of the microfilm. A compact folded path is provided having the same focal distance as that provided by the document image projecting mirrors.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1989Date of Patent: January 8, 1991Assignee: Bell & Howell CompanyInventors: Richard Frystak, John S. O'Callaghan, Sr.
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Patent number: 4960273Abstract: A document feeder includes a feed tray which is pivotal about a horizontal axis between an elevated automatic position in which it can be locked and in which the uppermost document of a stack of documents thereon is engaged with an endless belt skimmer to be fed from the stack, and a lowered manual position away from the skimmer for manual feed of a single document. A reverse feed roller is movable with the feed tray and is operative in the automatic position to inhibit feed of documents other than the uppermost document of a stack.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1989Date of Patent: October 2, 1990Assignee: Bell & Howell CompanyInventors: Richard Frystak, John S. O'Callaghan, Sr., Jean-Jacques Colson