Patents by Inventor Robert J. Francisco

Robert J. Francisco 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: 5331262
    Abstract: A self-adjusting motor positioning system comprises a motor including a shaft extending therefrom, a disc coupled to the motor shaft and having at least first and second notches, rotating apparatus coupled to the motor shaft whereby the rotating apparatus is intermittently driven by the motor, a sensor adjacent the disc for detecting the first and second notches, and a control processor coupled to the sensor and the motor for receiving detection signals from the sensor and for turning the motor on and off. The control processor includes memory for storing a time delay count representing a time delay for the control processor to turn off the motor after the second notch is detected by the sensor. The rotating apparatus includes a starting position from which the rotating apparatus begins. The first notch in the disc corresponds to the starting position of the rotating apparatus. The control processor turns the motor off when the time delay expires after the sensor detects the second notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Francisco
  • Patent number: 5321602
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a machine. The method includes providing a control panel having a plurality of control switches and respectively associated illumination means, identifying by illumination which of the control switches are selectable for control at any given moment; and choosing an operation by selecting one of the control switches whose associated illumination means is illuminated. The apparatus includes a controller and software for controlling a machine. Control switches and associated illumination means are operatively connected to the controller. Selectable switches are identified by illumination of the illumination means associated with the selectable switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Francisco