Patents by Inventor Steven W. Lopez

Steven W. Lopez 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: 7190276
    Abstract: A system and methods of the present invention advantageously provide efficient mail processing and handling that, as compared to existing procedures, enhances detection of biological, germ, chemical, or other harmful agents within the mail being processed or handled. A system and methods additionally provide a higher level of quality and consistency for processing and handling mail so that concerns over contamination of postal workers and potential mail recipients are reduced. A system and methods further provide enhanced detection of contaminated mail contents, mail, mail equipment, mail containers, and mail personnel due to exposure or contact with harmful agents associated with mail. The system and methods preferably includes the use of at least one harmful agent sensor associated with mail processing equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Technology Solutions International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Lopez, Jeffrey S. Whittle
  • Patent number: 7019655
    Abstract: A system and methods of the present invention advantageously provide efficient mail processing and handling that, as compared to existing procedures, enhances detection within the mail being processed or handled of biological, germ, chemical, or other harmful agents. A system and methods provide additionally a higher level of quality and consistency for processing and handling mail so that concerns over contamination of postal workers and potential mail recipients are reduced. A system and methods further provide enhanced disabling of contaminated mail contents, mail, mail equipment, mail containers, and mail personnel due to exposure or contact with harmful agents associated with mail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Technology Solutions International, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Lopez, Jeffrey S. Whittle
  • Patent number: 6765490
    Abstract: A system and methods of the present invention advantageously provide efficient mail processing and handling that, as compared to existing procedures, enhances detection within the mail being processed or handled of biological, germ, chemical, or other harmful agents. A system and methods provide additionally a higher level of quality and consistency for processing and handling mail so that concerns over contamination of postal workers and potential mail recipients are reduced. A system and methods further provide enhanced disabling of contaminated mail contents, mail, mail equipment, mail containers, and mail personnel due to exposure or contact with harmful agents associated with mail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventors: Steven W. Lopez, Jeffrey S. Whittle
  • Patent number: 6697703
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing multiple and varied processing and sorting procedures on mixed mailpieces of varied sizes in a single pass is provided. The apparatus further provides a user interface so that as few as a single user can perform the multi-task processing and sorting of mixed and non-machineable mailpieces. Also provided are related methods for performing in a single pass with as few as a single operator multiple processing and sorting steps on mixed mailpieces primarily with the purpose of rehabilitating and improving the characteristics of the mailpieces for the purpose of subsequent high speed processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Technology Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven W. Lopez
  • Patent number: 6610955
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing multiple and varied processing and sorting procedures on mixed mailpieces of varied sizes in a single pass is provided. The apparatus further provides a user interface so that as few as a single user can perform the multi-task processing and sorting of mixed and non-machineable mailpieces. Also provided are related methods for performing in a single pass with as few as a single operator multiple processing and sorting steps on mixed mailpieces primarily with the purpose of rehabilitating and improving the characteristics of the mailpieces for the purpose of subsequent high speed processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventor: Steven W. Lopez
  • Publication number: 20030136713
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing multiple and varied processing and sorting procedures on mixed mailpieces of varied sizes in a single pass is provided. The apparatus further provides a user interface so that as few as a single user can perform the multi-task processing and sorting of mixed and non-machineable mailpieces. Also provided are related methods for performing in a single pass with as few as a single operator multiple processing and sorting steps on mixed mailpieces primarily with the purpose of rehabilitating and improving the characteristics of the mailpieces for the purpose of subsequent high speed processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Steven W. Lopez
  • Publication number: 20030058099
    Abstract: A system and methods of the present invention advantageously provide efficient mail processing and handling that, as compared to existing procedures, enhances detection within the mail being processed or handled of biological, germ, chemical, or other harmful agents. A system and methods provide additionally a higher level of quality and consistency for processing and handling mail so that concerns over contamination of postal workers and potential mail recipients are reduced. A system and methods further provide enhanced disabling of contaminated mail contents, mail, mail equipment, mail containers, and mail personnel due to exposure or contact with harmful agents associated with mail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Steven W. Lopez, Jeffrey S. Whittle
  • Publication number: 20030045945
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing multiple and varied processing and sorting procedures on mixed mailpieces of varied sizes in a single pass is provided. The apparatus further provides a user interface so that as few as a single user can perform the multi-task processing and sorting of mixed and non-machineable mailpieces. Also provided are related methods for performing in a single pass with as few as a single operator multiple processing and sorting steps on mixed mailpieces primarily with the purpose of rehabilitating and improving the characteristics of the mailpieces for the purpose of subsequent high speed processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Steven W. Lopez
  • Publication number: 20020126008
    Abstract: A system and methods of the present invention advantageously provide efficient mail processing and handling that, as compared to existing procedures, enhances detection within the mail being processed or handled of biological, germ, chemical, or other harmful agents. A system and methods provide additionally a higher level of quality and consistency for processing and handling mail so that concerns over contamination of postal workers and potential mail recipients are reduced. A system and methods further provide enhanced disabling of contaminated mail contents, mail, mail equipment, mail containers, and mail personnel due to exposure or contact with harmful agents associated with mail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: Technology Solutions International, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Lopez, Jeffrey S. Whittle
  • Publication number: 20020029202
    Abstract: A system and methods for routing mailpieces undeliverable as originally addressed is provided. The system and methods generate a single scan image of address block attributes that is segmented into discrete indicators for subsequent generation of forwarding addresses and sender notifications so mailpieces are processed in a single operation. The segmented image also provides the information needed to generate sender notifications when such are requested. Mailpieces to be returned to senders are similarly processed in a single operation. Multi-page mailpieces, such as magazines and articles, which cannot be delivered but which are not worth the cost of return postage, are processed by comparing the exposed portion of the mailpieces to a set of stored images to determine who the sender is so that the sender can be notified. These various operations can be performed on the same system and for differently sized mailpieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventor: Steven W. Lopez