Patents by Inventor Timothy J. Walpus

Timothy J. Walpus 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: 7985316
    Abstract: Systems and method are provided for affixing attachments, such as double-sided adhesive slips, to credit cards and other presentation instruments. Exemplary systems include a conveyor configured to transport the article along an article processing path, and an attachment assembly. The attachment assembly may include an advance motor configured to advance an attachment web along a web path, a peeler disposed along the web path and configured to separate an anchor portion of the attachment away from the attachment web, and a positioner disposed along the web path and configured to adjust the position of the web path relative to the article processing path, such that the anchor portion of the attachment is contacted with the article when the positioner moves the web path within sufficient proximity of the article processing path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Jon A. Gates, Fred C. Casto, Jeffrey G. Nowlin, Timothy J. Walpus, Corey Dean Tunink
  • Patent number: 7537204
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sheets, statements, and/or inserts prior to mailing are provided. One sheet processing system includes a receiver adapted to receive first and second single page sheets to be processed. The first sheet originates from a stack of first sheets, and the second sheet originates from a stack of second sheets. In some systems, the first and second sheets are of different sizes. The system includes a first read head adapted to read a first identifier from the first sheet, and a second read head adapted to read a second identifier from the second sheet. A circuit coupled to the first and second read heads is adapted to compare the first and second identifiers to determine whether a match exists. At least one identifier may include a magnetic stripe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Jay E. Greene, III, Jeff G. Nowlin, Fred C. Casto, Scott J. Smith, Timothy J. Walpus, Mark J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7516949
    Abstract: Sheet processing systems and methods are provided, including systems and methods for advancing and organizing sheets. System can include an alignment mechanism having an alignment plate, a first advancing mechanism configured to individually advance each sheet of a series of sheets in a first direction from a lower feeder to the alignment mechanism, a second advancing mechanism configured to individually advance each sheet of the series of sheets in a second direction from the alignment mechanism to an accumulator, such that the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a sensor configured to read an identification code of each sheet of the series of sheets, and a processor configured to control operation of the first and second advancing mechanisms based on sensor readings of the identification codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Corey D. Tunink, Timothy J. Walpus, Jon A. Gates, Ray Stuck
  • Publication number: 20090000997
    Abstract: An automated system for preparing cards for further processing includes an envelope feed hopper configured to receive a plurality of envelopes, each having contents including a card carrier and one or more cards attached thereto. The systems also includes an envelope opener configured to receive envelopes from the hopper and create an opening into each envelope. The system further includes a contents parser configured to separate a card carrier and card attached thereto from an envelope. The system also includes a card carrier alignment device configured to unfold a card carrier and align the carrier for further processing and a separation mechanism configured to receive card carriers from the alignment device and separate the card from the carrier. The system also includes a controller programmed to control operation of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Scott J. Smith, Corey D. Tunink, Timothy J. Walpus, Jeffrey G. Nowlin, Jay E. Greene
  • Patent number: 7389935
    Abstract: An automated system for preparing cards for further processing includes an envelope feed hopper configured to receive a plurality of envelopes, each having contents including a card carrier and one or more cards attached thereto. The systems also includes an envelope opener configured to receive envelopes from the hopper and create an opening into each envelope. The system further includes a contents parser configured to separate a card carrier and card attached thereto from an envelope. The system also includes a card carrier alignment device configured to unfold a card carrier and align the carrier for further processing and a separation mechanism configured to receive card carriers from the alignment device and separate the card from the carrier. The system also includes a controller programmed to control operation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Scott J. Smith, Corey D. Tunink, Timothy J. Walpus, Jeffery G. Nowlin, Jay E. Greene
  • Patent number: 7384040
    Abstract: A delivery system comprises a frame, and a plurality of hoppers attachable to the frame in a vertically spaced apart arrangement. The hoppers are each configured to hold a plurality of sheet-like materials. At least one upper belt is movably coupled to the frame, with the belt being configured to move the sheet-like materials downward from the hoppers. At least one contact roller is disposed below each hopper, and at least one suction apparatus that is associated with each hopper. A moving system is configured to move the suction apparatus toward and away from the hopper to grasp and remove one of the sheet-like materials from the hopper, and to move the removed sheet-like material downward until grabbed by the contact roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Corey Dean Tunink, Timothy J. Walpus, Jeffery G. Nowlin, Jay E. Greene, III
  • Patent number: 7284749
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sheets, statements, and/or inserts prior to mailing are provided. One sheet processing system includes a receiver adapted to receive first and second sheets to be processed. The first sheet originates from a stack of first sheets or a continuous form sheet, and the second sheet originates from a stack of second sheets or a continuous form sheet. The system includes a first read head adapted to read a first identifier from the first sheet, and a second read head adapted to read a second identifier from the second sheet. A circuit coupled to the first and second read heads is adapted to compare the first and second identifiers to determine whether a match exists. In this manner, the sheet processing system is able to confirm that the first and second sheets are both intended to be sent to the same customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Jay E. Greene, III, Jeff G. Nowlin, Fred C. Casto, Scott J. Smith, Timothy J. Walpus, Mark J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7225990
    Abstract: An automated system for preparing cards for further processing includes an envelope feed hopper configured to receive a plurality of envelopes, each having contents including a card carrier and one or more cards attached thereto. The systems also includes an envelope opener configured to receive envelopes from the hopper and create an opening into each envelope. The system further includes a contents parser configured to separate a card carrier and card attached thereto from an envelope. The system also includes a card carrier alignment device configured to unfold a card carrier and align the carrier for further processing and a separation mechanism configured to receive card carriers from the alignment device and separate the card from the carrier. The system also includes a controller programmed to control operation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Scott J. Smith, Corey D. Tunink, Timothy J. Walpus, Jeffrey G. Nowlin, Jay E. Greene
  • Patent number: 7104439
    Abstract: RF devices used in financial and other transactions are moved sequentially to stations of a preparation device that prepares the RF devices for delivery to customers. At one station, an RF reader reads an identification code from the RF device and a label reader reads information on a mailing label. The read information is used to verify the mailing information to assure that the RF device is being delivered to the correct recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Sunil Dewan, Fred Casto, John E. Christensen, Jon Andrew Gates, Jay E. Greene, III, Jeff G. Nowlin, Scott J. Smith, Mark T. Tonack, Corey Dean Tunink, Timothy J. Walpus
  • Patent number: 6953189
    Abstract: A delivery system comprises a frame, and a plurality of hoppers attachable to the frame in a vertically spaced apart arrangement. The hoppers are each configured to hold a plurality of sheet-like materials. At least one upper belt is movably coupled to the frame, with the belt being configured to move the sheet-like materials downward from the hoppers. At least one contact roller is disposed below each hopper, and at least one suction apparatus that is associated with each hopper. A moving system is configured to move the suction apparatus toward and away from the hopper to grasp and remove one of the sheet-like materials from the hopper, and to move the removed sheet-like material downward until grabbed by the contact roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Corey Dean Tunink, Timothy J. Walpus, Jeffery G. Nowlin, Jay E. Green, III
  • Patent number: 6941389
    Abstract: Systems and methods for accepting and producing various I/O. The systems can include a plurality of input connectors and/or output connectors integral to a board, a circuit to disable the output connectors, and a programmable logic controller modular to the board and electrically coupled to the plurality of input connectors and the plurality of output connectors. The programmable logic controller can be associated with a computer readable medium that incorporates instructions executable by the programmable logic controller to configure one or more of the input and/or output connectors, and/or to at least partially control an output timeout state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Christensen, Jay Greene, Jeff Nowlin, Timothy J. Walpus, Scott J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040256785
    Abstract: A delivery system comprises a frame, and a plurality of hoppers attachable to the frame in a vertically spaced apart arrangement. The hoppers are each configured to hold a plurality of sheet-like materials. At least one upper belt is movably coupled to the frame, with the belt being configured to move the sheet-like materials downward from the hoppers. At least one contact roller is disposed below each hopper, and at least one suction apparatus that is associated with each hopper. A moving system is configured to move the suction apparatus toward and away from the hopper to grasp and remove one of the sheet-like materials from the hopper, and to move the removed sheet-like material downward until grabbed by the contact roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: First Data Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Corey Dean Tunink, Timothy J. Walpus, Jeffery G. Nowlin, Jay E. Greene
  • Patent number: 6669186
    Abstract: A delivery system comprises a frame, and a plurality of hoppers attachable to the frame in a vertically spaced apart arrangement. The hoppers are each configured to hold a plurality of sheet-like materials. At least one upper belt is movably coupled to the frame, with the belt being configured to move the sheet-like materials downward from the hoppers. At least one contact roller is disposed below each hopper, and at least one suction apparatus that is associated with each hopper. A moving system is configured to move the suction apparatus toward and away from the hopper to grasp and remove one of the sheet-like materials from the hopper, and to move the removed sheet-like material downward until grabbed by the contact roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Corey Dean Tunink, Timothy J. Walpus, Jeffery G. Nowlin, Jay E. Green, III
  • Publication number: 20030188047
    Abstract: Systems and methods for accepting and producing various I/O. The systems can include a plurality of input connectors and/or output connectors integral to a board, a circuit to disable the output connectors, and a programmable logic controller modular to the board and electrically coupled to the plurality of input connectors and the plurality of output connectors. The programmable logic controller can be associated with a computer readable medium that incorporates instructions executable by the programmable logic controller to configure one or more of the input and/or output connectors, and/or to at least partially control an output timeout state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Christensen, Jay Greene, Jeff Nowlin, Timothy J. Walpus, Scott J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20020195765
    Abstract: A delivery system comprises a frame, and a plurality of hoppers attachable to the frame in a vertically spaced apart arrangement. The hoppers are each configured to hold a plurality of sheet-like materials. At least one upper belt is movably coupled to the frame, with the belt being configured to move the sheet-like materials downward from the hoppers. At least one contact roller is disposed below each hopper, and at least one suction apparatus that is associated with each hopper. A moving system is configured to move the suction apparatus toward and away from the hopper to grasp and remove one of the sheet-like materials from the hopper, and to move the removed sheet-like material downward until grabbed by the contact roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: First Data Resources
    Inventors: Corey Dean Tunink, Timothy J. Walpus, Jeffery G. Nowlin, Jay E. Greene