Patents by Inventor Simon Franklin Reidel

Simon Franklin Reidel 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: 9704032
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods of detecting a blocked aperture in an image device. In certain embodiments, the system and method is used in mail processing of letters and flats. In certain embodiments, the image sensor captures an image of the front of an item. If the aperture of the image sensor is obstructed, a void will appear on the image of the item. The system can detect the void and increment an alarm count until a pre-defined threshold is reached wherein the system signals an alarm so that the blockage can be removed and the affected items can be re-introduced for correct processing. In another embodiment, images obtained when the aperture is expected to be clear of any items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Simon Franklin Reidel, Anthony Everett Sileo
  • Patent number: 9381544
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention provide for identifying and processing mail using an identification code on a mailpiece as a redundant source of identification information in a mail sorting system. In one embodiment, this information is stored in a temporary database and used for the identification and processing of mail in a Remote Bar Code System (RBCS). In this embodiment, the identification code enables the automation of mail sorting and other processing tasks, reducing costs and delays in mail delivery services. In another embodiment, the identification and processing of mail occurs in an Identification Code Sorting (ICS) system. In this embodiment, a long-term database allows for mail sorting and other processing tasks on a national or global level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Oscar Lee Avant, Ralph William Boldt, Jr., Bruce A. Brandt, Jay David Fadely, Michael Ray Little, Simon Franklin Reidel
  • Publication number: 20140169620
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention provide for identifying and processing mail using an identification code on a mailpiece as a redundant source of identification information in a mail sorting system. In one embodiment, this information is stored in a temporary database and used for the identification and processing of mail in a Remote Bar Code System (RBCS). In this embodiment, the identification code enables the automation of mail sorting and other processing tasks, reducing costs and delays in mail delivery services. In another embodiment, the identification and processing of mail occurs in an Identification Code Sorting (ICS) system. In this embodiment, a long-term database allows for mail sorting and other processing tasks on a national or global level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Oscar Lee Avant, Ralph William Boldt, JR., Bruce A. Brandt, Jay David Fadely, Michael Ray Little, Simon Franklin Reidel
  • Patent number: 8629365
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention provide for identifying and processing mail using an identification code on a mailpiece as a redundant source of identification information in a mail sorting system. In one embodiment, this information is stored in a temporary database and used for the identification and processing of mail in a Remote Bar Code System (RBCS). In this embodiment, the identification code enables the automation of mail sorting and other processing tasks, reducing costs and delays in mail delivery services. In another embodiment, the identification and processing of mail occurs in and identification Code Sorting (ICS) system. In this embodiment, a long-term database allows for mail sorting and other processing tasks on a national or global level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Oscar Lee Avant, Margaret Boldt, Bruce A. Brandt, Jay David Fadely, Michael Ray Little, Simon Franklin Reidel
  • Publication number: 20130308819
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods of detecting a blocked aperture in an image device. In certain embodiments, the system and method is used in mail processing of letters and flats. In certain embodiments, the image sensor captures an image of the front of an item. If the aperture of the image sensor is obstructed, a void will appear on the image of the item. The system can detect the void and increment an alarm count until a pre-defined threshold is reached wherein the system signals an alarm so that the blockage can be removed and the affected items can be re-introduced for correct processing. In another embodiment, images obtained when the aperture is expected to be clear of any items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Simon Franklin Reidel, Anthony Everett Sileo
  • Patent number: 8493444
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods of detecting a blocked aperture in an image device. In certain embodiments, the system and method is used in mail processing of letters and flats. In certain embodiments, the image sensor captures an image of the front of an item. If the aperture of the image sensor is obstructed, a void will appear on the image of the item. The system can detect the void and increment an alarm count until a pre-defined threshold is reached wherein the system signals an alarm so that the blockage can be removed and the affected items can be re-introduced for correct processing. In another embodiment, images obtained when the aperture is expected to be clear of any items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Simon Franklin Reidel, Anthony Everett Sileo
  • Publication number: 20110074952
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods of detecting a blocked aperture in an image device. In certain embodiments, the system and method is used in mail processing of letters and flats. In certain embodiments, the image sensor captures an image of the front of an item. If the aperture of the image sensor is obstructed, a void will appear on the image of the item. The system can detect the void and increment an alarm count until a pre-defined threshold is reached wherein the system signals an alarm so that the blockage can be removed and the affected items can be re-introduced for correct processing. In another embodiment, images obtained when the aperture is expected to be clear of any items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Simon Franklin Reidel, Anthony Everett Sileo
  • Publication number: 20090173672
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention provide for reading an identification code from a mailpiece. In one embodiment, there are a reader unit and a reader head assembly connected by an optical cable, which provide for the identification of a mailpiece in an identification code sorting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Oscar Lee Avant, Bruce A. Brandt, Jay David Fadely, Michael Ray Little, Simon Franklin Reidel
  • Patent number: 7442897
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention provide for identifying and processing mail using an identification code on a mailpiece as a redundant source of identification information in a mail sorting system. In one embodiment, this information is stored in a temporary database and used for the identification and processing of mail in a Remote Bar Code System (RBCS). In this embodiment, the identification code enables the automation of mail sorting and other processing tasks, reducing costs and delays in mail delivery services. In another embodiment, the identification and processing of mail occurs in an Identification Code Sorting (ICS) system. In this embodiment, a long-term database allows for mail sorting and other processing tasks on a national or global level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Oscar Lee Avant, Ralph William Boldt, Jr., Bruce A. Brandt, Jay David Fadely, Michael Ray Little, Simon Franklin Reidel
  • Patent number: 7165679
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention provide for identifying and processing mail using an identification code on a mailpiece as a redundant source of identification information in a mail sorting system. In one embodiment, this information is stored in a temporary database and used for the identification and processing of mail in a Remote Bar Code System (RBCS). In this embodiment, the identification code enables the automation of mail sorting and other processing tasks, reducing costs and delays in mail delivery services. In another embodiment, the identification and processing of mail occurs in an Identification Code Sorting (ICS) system. In this embodiment, a long-term database allows for mail sorting and other processing tasks on a national or global level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Oscar Lee Avant, Ralph William Boldt, Jr., Bruce A. Brandt, Jay David Fadely, Michael Ray Little, Simon Franklin Reidel
  • Patent number: 7121458
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention provide for identifying and processing mail using an identification code on a mailpiece as a redundant source of identification information in a mail sorting system. In one embodiment, this information is stored in a temporary database and used for the identification and processing of mail in a Remote Bar Code System (RBCS). In this embodiment, the identification code enables the automation of mail sorting and other processing tasks, reducing costs and delays in mail delivery services. In another embodiment, the identification and processing of mail occurs in an Identification Code Sorting (ICS) system. In this embodiment, a long-term database allows for mail sorting and other processing tasks on a national or global level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: United States Postal Services
    Inventors: Oscar Lee Avant, Ralph William Boldt, Jr., Bruce A. Brandt, Jay David Fadely, Michael Ray Little, Simon Franklin Reidel
  • Patent number: 6977353
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention identify and sort a mailpiece with destination information by sorting the mailpiece using a code on the front of the mailpiece, if there is a code on the front of the mailpiece. If the mailpiece does not have the code on the front of the mailpiece, and if there is a code on the back of the mailpiece, the mailpiece is identified using a code on the back of the mailpiece. If the mailpiece does not have the code on the front or on the back of the mailpiece, then the mailpiece is sorted in an identification code system. In the identification code system, an identification code is applied to the back of the mailpiece and a postal code is applied to the front of the mailpiece in accordance with the destination information. An identification file corresponding to the identification code is then created. The identification file may be accessed by a plurality of nodes in the identification code system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Oscar Lee Avant, Margaret Boldt, legal representative, Bruce A. Brandt, Jay David Fadely, Michael Ray Little, Simon Franklin Reidel, Ralph William Boldt, Jr., deceased
  • Patent number: 6894243
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention provide for reading an identification code from a mailpiece. In one embodiment, there are a reader unit and a reader head assembly connected by an optical cable, which provide for the identification of a mailpiece in an identification code sorting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Oscar Lee Avant, Bruce A. Brandt, Jay David Fadely, Michael Ray Little, Simon Franklin Reidel