Abstract: A mailbox system includes a remote computing device and a mailbox. The remote computing device is configured to communicate with a user device and to receive and review user authorization information and transmit an authorization message indicating successful authorization. The mailbox has a mail piece receiving mechanism, a mailbox identifier, a label printer, a locking mechanism, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to communicate with a user device having received an authorization message, to control the label printer to print a mailing label corresponding to services selected by a user via the user device, to control the locking mechanism in response to communications from the user device to allow the user to place a mail piece in the mail piece receiving mechanism and to lock the mail piece receiving mechanism after the mail piece is placed therein, and to communicate with the remote computing device.

Abstract: A mailbox system includes a remote computing device and a mailbox. The remote computing device is configured to communicate with a user device and to receive and review user authorization information and transmit an authorization message indicating successful authorization. The mailbox has a mail piece receiving mechanism, a mailbox identifier, a label printer, a locking mechanism, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to communicate with a user device having received an authorization message, to control the label printer to print a mailing label corresponding to services selected by a user via the user device, to control the locking mechanism in response to communications from the user device to allow the user to place a mail piece in the mail piece receiving mechanism and to lock the mail piece receiving mechanism after the mail piece is placed therein, and to communicate with the remote computing device.

Abstract: A paperless postage method includes receiving sender electronic mail piece images and storing them, receiving a mail piece, taking an image of the mail piece, comparing the image with the stored sender electronic mail piece images to determine a match, retrieving sender service selections for the mail piece, and processing the mail piece according to the sender service selections. A paperless postage system includes an information reception and storage module configured to receive and store sender electronic mail piece images, an image capture module configured to take an image of a mail piece, an image matching module configured to compare the image with the stored sender electronic mail piece images to determine a match, a service selection module configured to retrieve sender service selections for the mail piece, and a mail piece processing module configured to process the mail piece according to the sender service selections for the mail piece.

Abstract: A robust and low-cost design to add graphics panels to a sun tracking, solar panel mounting system that can be mounted on a wide range of light poles and power poles. This design uses the promotional value of the applied graphics to further improve the economics of the solar installation resource to help speed the adoption of this distributed power generation resource.

Abstract: This invention presents a unique design for a mechanism to be used in conveyors systems to selectively divert or re-direct packages off of the main conveyor and onto a secondary conveyor. This design utilizes a set of discs mounted eccentrically on an axis underneath and perpendicular to the conveying rollers. The discs are positioned edgewise and spaced between the conveying rollers. The rotation of the discs is triggered by the control system to coincide with the presence of the package selected to divert when it is on the conveying surface. The discs are mounted eccentrically in their common axis so when the array of discs is rotated the eccentricity of their rotation makes the edge of the discs extend above the conveying surface to lift the package and change its direction of motion with the tangential speed and direction of the rotating disc(s). A secondary conveyor is positioned next to the main conveyor to receive the package diverted off of the main conveyor.

Abstract: An exercise machine that can simulate the act of paddling a kayak with a spinning flywheel to provide exercise resistance and also produce a gyroscopic force to rock the exercise platform for a realistic effect. The flywheel is mounting on a shaft with moving supports that allow the flywheel and shaft to articulate in one plane only. Paddling inputs from the operator cause the flywheel to spin and also apply a force couple to the flywheel shaft itself in a direction where there is freedom of movement. The force couple applied to the spinning flywheel shaft causes a gyroscopic reaction force that is 90 degrees offset and in a new plane where the mounting method for the shaft does not provide a freedom of motion to articulate. In this plane the forces are transmitted to the exercise platform and cause a rocking reaction due to the gyroscopic force of the spinning flywheel.

Abstract: This invention presents a design for a robotic unloading system that could be used to unload packages from containers. In the basic configuration, a robotic manipulator is coupled with a vision or sensor system and powered conveyor belt. The robot and vision system are used to identify packages and determine presence and orientation. A conveyor belt is positioned in close proximity to the package being removed. The robot and EOAT are used to move the package only a short distance to where the conveyor belt catches the product and carries it away. The greatly simplifies the system design since the robot does not need the precision to securely lift and carry the package. The robot only needs to move the package onto the conveyor that is actively and advantageously positioned for each package removal action. The robot and conveyor work together to simplify the unloading process. The robot is only used to move product onto the conveyor.

Abstract: This invention describes an exercise machine which is operated in a manner similar to paddling a Kayak or other water craft with a double blade paddle. The device incorporates a "T" bar shaped handle assembly centrally positioned in front of a seated operator and connected at its base with an articulating joint to a torque resisting mechanism. The articulating joint allows the operator to manipulates the handle bar in a pattern similar to that of paddling a Kayak as this configuration allows the handle bar to pivot and be positioned from side to side with a similar freedom of movement experienced with a Kayak type double blade paddle. Only the rotational component of the handle bar movement induced by paddle stroke motions are transmitted through the articulating joint and resisted by the torque resistance mechanism.