Patents by Inventor Walter S. Conard

Walter S. Conard 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: 7745754
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for processing a stream of mail pieces from different sources. The steps include detecting information corresponding to the first source from at least a first mail piece of the stream, detecting information corresponding to the second source from at least a second mail piece of the stream, counting a number of mail pieces for each of the first source and the second source, and generating a report detailing a count of mail pieces for each of the first source and the second source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Company
    Inventors: Walter S. Conard, Steven J. Krejcik
  • Patent number: 7741575
    Abstract: Mail processing methods and techniques for sorting and commingling mail from various mail sources including the tracking of the mail pieces through processing. Such tracking entails uniquely identifying each mail piece, received in batches from the mail sources, and recording the unique identification of each mail piece. The received mail is sorted and commingled in a first pass, to form first collections, and each first collection is loaded into a uniquely identified mail container. For each respective mail piece, the tracking entails recording an association of the unique identification of one of the mail containers into which it is likely the respective mail piece is sorted on the first pass. After processing is complete, postal and client reports can be adjusted based on actual first pass counts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Company
    Inventors: Brian C. Bowers, Steven J. Krejcik, Walter S. Conard, Michael R. Swift
  • Publication number: 20100106290
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and an article of manufacture for printing a new postal authority code on a mail piece prepared by and received from an inserter or wrapper. A barcode post-processing system receives a mail piece from an inserter and communicates with the image capture equipment. The barcode post-processing system during performs various functions. The functions can include receiving legacy address block information from the mail piece from the image capture equipment, processing the captured legacy address block information to determine one or more missing parameters of the new postal authority code to create processed data, and supplementing the captured legacy address block information data with the one or more missing parameters of the new postal authority code received from one or more data source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Marvin L. Isles, Mark Gerard Paul, Walter S. Conard, Leondo R. Phifer, Michael J. McIntee, Michael Boston, Roger Spitzig, Robert Richards
  • Publication number: 20100100436
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture that automatically invoke one or more marketing actions directed toward a mail target are shown and described. Real time mail stream event data for one or more mail items intended for the mail target are analyzed to determine when a pre-delivery event in the processing of the one or more mail items intended for delivery to the target through a mail delivery network occurs. When the pre-delivery event corresponds one of a number of pre-assigned triggering actions a command is issued to execute a marketing action associated with the detected triggering action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Leondo R. PHIFER, Walter S. Conard, Marvin L. Isles
  • Patent number: 7663072
    Abstract: A delivery point packaging system and method of preparing and sorting mail pieces sorts, packages and assembles mail pieces into a predetermined delivery point order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Bowe Bell & Howell Company
    Inventors: Walter S. Conard, Rich Wojdyla, Steve Archer, Brian Bowers, John Overman
  • Patent number: 7659487
    Abstract: Today, high density mailings such as “marriage mail,” Advo type advertisements, saturation mail, periodicals, and catalogs often require manual handling by the postal authority. Other than saturation mailings, where every carrier stop gets the same article, these items must be addressed. Verification of production is often desired due to spoilage and damage during production, which requires rework by the mailer. The addition of a data controlled mail collation feeder to existing or new Postal Authority automation equipment or the like eliminates the need to manually handle these difficult mail types and eliminates the need to address specific items. The manual casing at the delivery is eliminated. The data processing system that controls the data controlled mail collation feeder will also perform delivery confirmation and may assess postage due.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Postal Systems Company
    Inventors: Walter S. Conard, Daniel J. Parenti, Richard J. Wojdyla
  • Publication number: 20100027834
    Abstract: The present application relates to a method, apparatus and programmable product for uniquely identifying a document. More specifically, the application allows for the identification of the document through collection of minutiae data at various points throughout the document's lifecycle without reliance upon or requirement for any unique identification characters, barcodes and/or objects that were added to the document specifically for the purpose of identification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Roger Spitzig, Walter S. Conard, Leondo R. Phifer
  • Publication number: 20090313182
    Abstract: The present teachings described herein pertain to mail preparation systems, and more specifically to the processing of mailings to obtain destination entry discounts. The teachings herein also pertain to the processing of mailings by various document processing systems, such as sorters, inserters or vision systems attached to document processing systems, to enable processing of mail articles to maximize destination entry discounts. Still further, the teachings pertain to schemes for the enablement of delivery and logistics information to be arranged respective to a mailing during mail processing to obtain destination entry discounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: BOWE BELL + HOWELL COMPANY
    Inventors: Erik RUNSTROM, Walter S. Conard
  • Publication number: 20090287742
    Abstract: The present application generally relates to address data maintenance services using a mail processing system. The present application discloses techniques and equipment to update address information and usage of mail processing equipment to print delivery point barcodes that represent the current and accurate address information available for the addressee. The present application also provides a new approach for storing and searching address and name run time directories as part of a mail processing system using address reader technology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Mark WOOLSTON, Walter S. Conard, William A. Grady, Brian Bowers, Richard Wojdyla, Gary Van Ermen
  • Patent number: 7607653
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for maintaining density and positioning of a grouped sheet articles, such as for feeding of sheet articles from or into the group. One or more pneumatic sensing systems can be used to monitor and control pressure of sheet articles within the group. Dynamic adjustment can be made to the density and position of the sheet articles in the group such as by controlling a motorized belt to move at least a portion of the group of sheet articles in response to an indication to do so from a controller in communication with the pneumatic sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Company
    Inventors: Frank Shinn, Edward J. Kapturowski, Walter S. Conard
  • Publication number: 20090218262
    Abstract: Processing and tracking of individual mail items processed through a document processing system such as a sorter or inserter utilize a mail item identifier that is unique with respect to each individual mail item. A mail item may have a postal authority approved code representing or containing its associated unique identifier. If not, an identifier is generated and a corresponding postal authority approved code is applied to the mail item. Processing entails associating the unique mail item identifier for each respective mail item with collected metadata for the respective mail item and storing the identifier and associated the metadata. In a sorter example, each mail item is sorted into a postal sort group, and the processing entails identifying the sort group to which each item is sorted and storing the identified sort in association with the unique mail item identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Brian BOWERS, Steven Seburn, Steven Ksiazek, Gary Van Ermen, Walter S. Conard
  • Publication number: 20090159509
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for updating address information and using document processing equipment to print delivery point information, including a barcode or readable text, on mail pieces. The address data is processed and updated by a service provider or by an address service provider. When the mailpieces are processed on document processing equipment, the printed address data is compared with an updated address data record to retrieve the updated address and apply the correct delivery point information. The delivery point information representing the most current and accurate address for the addressee of the mail piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Richard Wojdyla, Walter S. Conard
  • Publication number: 20090057207
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing a mailing including one or more mail pieces. The exemplary systems and method include capturing address data, addressee data, or address and addressee data associated with each respective mail piece of the mailing. A delivery point address code and a unique identifier are determined for the respective mail piece based at least in part on the captured address data, addressee data, or address and addressee data. In addition, a machine readable code is generated comprising at least a mailer identifier for the mailing and the unique identifier. The machine readable code is then printed on the respective mail piece. Also disclosed are exemplary systems and methods for retrieving a delivery point address code from a move data file. A machine readable code is generated from the delivery point address code and a unique identifier, and is printed on the mail piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Wayne Henry Orbke, John Sadler, William Andrew Grady, Richard Wojdyla, Walter S. Conard
  • Patent number: 7498539
    Abstract: A modular bin or pocket has an integrated transport assembly and mail piece diverter assembly and is usable in a bin stacker section in mail handling and sorting systems. The modular bin is individually removable, interchangeable and replaceable from the bin stacker sections of the mail processing system to allow for repair or maintenance of malfunctioning bins leading to reduced down time of the mail processing system. The modular bin further enables vertical and/or horizontal progressive modularity, i.e., vertical and/or horizontal expansion, of the bin stacker sections of the mail processing system which allows for cost-effective expansion of mail handling systems. Further, there is disclosed a tray management system and a tier diverter system that are usable in mail handling systems that use the modular bin with double sided bin stacker sections or single sided bin stacker sections with or without a turnaround section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Bowe Bell & Howell Company
    Inventors: Ed Svyatsky, Walter S. Conard, Tomasz Bednarek, John Overman, Tony Estis, Mike Stollenwerck, Manny Panopoulos, Richard Szewczyk
  • Publication number: 20090014364
    Abstract: A delivery point packaging system and method of preparing and sorting mail pieces sorts, packages and assembles mail pieces into a predetermined delivery point order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Walter S. Conard, Rich Wojdyla, Steve Archer, Brian Bowers, John Overman
  • Publication number: 20080291486
    Abstract: A data engine collects real-time information associated with the operations of hard copy mail processors. In the example, the data engine also aggregates data relating to one or more phases of electronic document generation, e.g. document composition and/or printstream processing (re-composition). Analysis of the data enables conditions, states or events of one or more of the phases of the mail processing lifecycle to influence the operations and execution of one or more phases in real-time. For example, the data engine can apply processing rules to recommend or dynamically execute action in the document composition or printstream phases, to improve operations in the mail processing facility. Furthermore, the data engine may also provide suggestions for standardizing various steps of mail processing or upgrading of equipment of the mail processing facility, so as to increase overall mail processing effectiveness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Marvin L. Isles, Victor Tolomei, Mark G. Mackelprang, Leondo Rasheed Phifer, Walter S. Conard
  • Publication number: 20080272585
    Abstract: The present application relates to a method for authenticating and tracking of documents. More specifically the present application relates to authenticating and tracking of a document throughout its lifecycle without reliance upon or requirement for any unique identification characters, barcodes and/or objects that were added to the document specifically for the purpose of identification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Walter S. Conard, Roger Spitzig
  • Publication number: 20080267510
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to controlling of mail processing equipment. More specifically, the present subject matter allows for unique recognition of a printed document from all other similar documents, without the inclusion of additional purposeful identifying marks, data or barcodes. A document processing system, such as an inserter, printer, postage meter, sorter or other document processing system is controlled based on document identification which does not depend on unique identifiers. Similarly if a document is identified with a unique identifying mark on the first page, the present subject matter allows for identification of each subsequent page in the document without requiring identifying marks on each page. The identification data is then used to control the processing of the printed document based upon the recognition and enables the performance of quality checks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Mark G. Paul, Michael G. Boston, Roger Spitzig, David Rawlings, Walter S. Conard
  • Publication number: 20080179225
    Abstract: Mail processing methods and techniques for sorting and commingling mail from various mail sources including the tracking of the mail pieces through the processing. Such tracking entails uniquely identifying each mail piece, received in batches from the mail sources, and recording the unique identification of each mail piece. The received mail is sorted and commingled in a first pass, to form first collections, and each first collection is loaded into a uniquely identified mail container. For each respective mail piece, the tracking entails recording an association of the unique identification of one of the mail containers into which it is likely the respective mail piece is sorted on the first pass. After processing is complete, postal and client reports can be adjusted based on actual final pass counts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: BOWE BELL & HOWELL COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian C. Bowers, Steven J. Krejcik, Walter S. Conard, Michael R. Swift
  • Patent number: 7396011
    Abstract: A modular bin or pocket has an integrated transport assembly and mail piece diverter assembly and is usable in a bin stacker section in mail handling and sorting systems. The modular bin is individually removable, interchangeable and replaceable from the bin stacker sections of the mail processing system to allow for repair or maintenance of malfunctioning bins leading to reduced down time of the mail processing system. The modular bin further enables vertical and/or horizontal progressive modularity, i.e., vertical and/or horizontal expansion, of the bin stacker sections of the mail processing system which allows for cost-effective expansion of mail handling systems. Further, there is disclosed a tray management system and a tier diverter system that are usable in mail handling systems that use the modular bin with double sided bin stacker sections or single sided bin stacker sections with or without a turnaround section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Company
    Inventors: Ed Svyatsky, Walter S. Conard, Tomasz Bednarek, John Overman, Tony Estis, Mike Stollenwerck, Manny Panopoulos, Gary vanErmen, Mike Swift, Richard Szewczyk