Abstract: A scanning camera upgrade adaptor system provides backwards compatibility when an existing scanning camera subsystem is replaced or upgraded in automated sorting equipment with a newer camera having a different data format. The adaptor system allows sorting equipment such as mail sorting equipment to be upgraded or repaired with a new camera while providing compatibility and optional fallback to a previous mode of operation of the existing equipment. The upgrade system enables legacy equipment and newly added sorting/processing equipment to be utilized in conjunction, while reducing cost of upgrade and necessity for completely new equipment as desirable features are added.

Abstract: A scanning camera upgrade adaptor system provides backwards compatibility when an existing scanning camera subsystem is replaced or upgraded in automated sorting equipment with a newer camera having a different data format. The adaptor system allows sorting equipment such as mail sorting equipment to be upgraded or repaired with a new camera while providing compatibility and optional fallback to a previous mode of operation of the existing equipment. The upgrade system enables legacy equipment and newly added sorting/processing equipment to be utilized in conjunction, while reducing cost of upgrade and necessity for completely new equipment as desirable features are added.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining with computing apparatus an adequate number of clusters for summarizing result data that includes a large number of observation data points. The summary data includes a small number of samples of data from each cluster with the number of clusters being large enough to provide a good summary of all the result data without being so large as to make it difficult for one skilled in the art to examine visually all of the summary data generated by the computing apparatus.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing added central processing power upon specific request in a processing system with an emulated processing unit, the method having further advantage by providing the additional processing power without a reboot of the operating system. The method also provides for a billing mechanism providing for increased charges for the added processing power.

Abstract: A process and system for linking, attaching and retrieving video clips on postcards. The process utilizes Quick Response (QR®) codes, computers, smart phones and smart tablets to link, attach and retrieve video clips on a postcard. The system and method will allow senders of a postcard to easily attach a video clip to the postcard. Likewise, the recipients of a postcard will be able to retrieve the attached video clip from the postcard by simply scanning the QR® code on the card.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a computing apparatus in the execution of a plurality of programs in an ordered fashion, the execution performed in a manner that emulates the processing of batch jobs described with a job control language on a mainframe computer system, the method utilizing a standardized user directory and file structure in providing a batch execution environment.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for translating by a computer system of a COBOL computer program into a translated computer program in a readable and maintainable syntax in an object oriented programming language. The translated program including variable names equivalent to the original COBOL variable names and with attributes described in COBOL syntax. The translating method further providing for memory allocation in the translated computer program for storage of “COBOL” variables compatible with that of the original COBOL program; a description of program flow that is readable, and utilizing arithmetic operators to describe operations between COBOL variables. Also disclosed is a special object oriented run-time library for creating and performing operations between COBOL numeric objects, including maintaining storage of variable content in the original COBOL format, and for enabling readability of the translated source code by allowing arguments for variable type descriptions to be expressed in COBOL syntax.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for bringing mail to life by providing a personalized multi-media experience using a camera-enabled mobile device to acquire an image stream of a mail piece. The method includes using the mobile device to process the image stream to generate multi-media content and reproduce the content using the mobile device. The method includes using augmented reality or 3D hologram software applications to provide the personalized experience.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining with computing apparatus an adequate number of clusters for summarizing result data that includes a large number of observation data points. The summary data includes a small number of samples of data from each cluster with the number of clusters being large enough to provide a good summary of all the result data without being so large as to make it difficult for one skilled in the art to examine visually all of the summary data generated by the computing apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for compilation of an original Cobol program with support for improved performance by increased parallelism during execution using multiple threads of processing. The approach includes a two stage compilation process, the first compilation/translation step by a first specialized compiler/translator that takes as input a Cobol source program that includes parallelization directives, and produces as output an intermediate computer program in a second computer programming language, the intermediate program including parallelization directives in the second computer programming language. The intermediate program is then compiled utilizing a selected second compiler that provides support for parallelism described in the second programming language. The approach optionally allows for use of pragmas serving as parallelization directives to the compiler in the original Cobol program or in the intermediate program.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed providing an improvement in performance for arithmetic computations by a computer system for calculations which include decimal numeric variables. The improvement in at least one embodiment includes use of a special compiler in cooperation with a special decimal numeric subroutine library. The compiler provides comparative alignment information based upon comparing alignments of a plurality of decimal variables. The decimal subroutine library can then provide improved performance at run time by utilizing the information compared by the compiler at compiler time rather than making those computations repeatedly at run time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for compilation of an original Cobol program with support for improved performance by increased parallelism during execution using multiple threads of processing. The approach includes a two stage compilation process, the first compilation/translation step by a first specialized compiler/translator that takes as input a Cobol source program that includes parallelization directives, and produces as output an intermediate computer program in a second computer programming language, the intermediate program including parallelization directives in the second computer programming language. The intermediate program is then compiled utilizing a selected second compiler that provides support for parallelism described in the second programming language. The approach optionally allows for use of pragmas serving as parallelization directives to the compiler in the original Cobol program or in the intermediate program.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing peak power usage in a large computer system with multiple nodes by identifying jobs which can be scheduled to run at reduced frequency in order to reduce total power usage during certain time periods. The backfill scheduler of the computer system's operating system performs steps providing for selected jobs on selected nodes of the computer system to be run at reduced frequency such that those jobs are partially processed during previously underutilized holes in the computer system schedule in order to reduce overall peak power during a period of processing.

Abstract: A scanning camera upgrade adaptor system provides backwards compatibility when an existing scanning camera subsystem is replaced or upgraded in automated sorting equipment with a newer camera having a different data format. The adaptor system allows sorting equipment such as mail sorting equipment to be upgraded or repaired with a new camera while providing compatibility and optional fallback to a previous mode of operation of the existing equipment. The upgrade system enables legacy equipment and newly added sorting/processing equipment to be utilized in conjunction, while reducing cost of upgrade and necessity for completely new equipment as desirable features are added.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for managing and responding to receiving of mail items including the capture of a digital image by a mail item recipient taken of the outside of the mail item that includes the recipient and sender address blocks using, for example, a personal mobile intelligent communication device, and decoding a postal service barcode such as an Intelligent Mail Barcode.

Abstract: A secure method, apparatus or computer program incorporates a method for entering private information such as a user identifier, password or other secret code comprising at least one symbol or character. According to method in one illustrated embodiment, the user selects characters for input starting from presentation of an initial suggested character, moving under user control to presentation of a user's desired input character, and then followed by the selection by the user of that presented character as a character for data input. The method includes randomizing the timing of the display and/or reaction time to user input so that the number and timing of the key presses required to select any specific desired character for input is made unpredictable. This makes it difficult during entry of information to determine by covert means what specific information is being entered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for compilation of an original Cobol program and building an executable program with support for improved performance by increased parallelism during execution using multiple threads of processing. The approach includes a compilation (or translation) step utilizing a first compiler or translating program which is a parallel aware translating first compiler. The parallel aware first compiler is a specialized compiler/translator which takes as input a Cobol source program, and produces as output an intermediate computer program in a second computer programming language, the intermediate program including parallelization directives, the intermediate program intended for further compilation utilizing an existing selected second compiler, the second compiler providing support for parallelism for programs described in the second programming language.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for translating by a computer system of a COBOL computer program into a translated computer program in a readable and maintainable syntax in an object oriented programming language. The translated program including variable names equivalent to the original COBOL variable names and with attributes described in COBOL syntax. The translating method further providing for memory allocation in the translated computer program for storage of “COBOL” variables compatible with that of the original COBOL program; a description of program flow that is readable, and utilizing arithmetic operators to describe operations between COBOL variables. Also disclosed is a special object oriented run-time library for creating and performing operations between COBOL numeric objects, including maintaining storage of variable content in the original COBOL format, and for enabling readability of the translated source code by allowing arguments for variable type descriptions to be expressed in COBOL syntax.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed providing an improvement in performance for arithmetic computations by a computer system for calculations which include decimal numeric variables. The improvement in at least one embodiment includes use of a special compiler in cooperation with a special decimal numeric subroutine library. The compiler provides comparative alignment information based upon comparing alignments of a plurality of decimal variables. The decimal subroutine library can then provide improved performance at run time by utilizing the information compared by the compiler at compiler time rather than making those computations repeatedly at run time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for compilation of an original Cobol program and building an executable program with support for improved performance by increased parallelism during execution using multiple threads of processing. The approach includes a compilation (or translation) step utilizing a first compiler or translating program which is a parallel aware translating first compiler. The parallel aware first compiler is a specialized compiler/translator which takes as input a Cobol source program, and produces as output an intermediate computer program in a second computer programming language, the intermediate program including parallelization directives, the intermediate program intended for further compilation utilizing an existing selected second compiler, the second compiler providing support for parallelism for programs described in the second programming language.