Christopher C Lang

US Patent:

7369681, May 6, 2008

Filed:

Sep 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/664542

Inventors:

Thomas J. Foth - Trumbull CT, US
Brian M. Romansky - Monroe CT, US
Christopher C. Lang - Madison WI, US
Anand V. Chhatpar - Madison WI, US

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G06K 9/00
H04N 5/225

US Classification:

382103, 348169

Abstract:

A system and method including cameras for monitoring objects such as documents, at multiple locations, and for recording the objects' movement through space and time. The objects are marked with unique identifiers, and the invention is adaptable for recording and recognizing the objects' development using character recognition. A center receives the information from the cameras, and that information is searchable. Advantageously, the unique identifiers are printed with ink that is invisible unless it fluoresces or phosphoresces, the digital cameras include an ultraviolet flash to cause the identifiers to fluoresce or phosphoresce at a certain wavelength, and the cameras are equipped with filters to filter out wavelengths other than the certain wavelength. Packages or pads of pre-marked blank paper are adaptable for use with the present invention.

US Patent:

7386518, Jun 10, 2008

Filed:

Dec 16, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/737385

Inventors:

Robert A. Cordery - Danbury CT, US
Christopher C. Lang - Madison WI, US
Brian M. Romansky - Monroe CT, US
Anand V. Chhatpar - Madison WI, US
Thomas J. Foth - Trumbull CT, US
Matthew J. Campagna - Ridgefield CT, US
Jill Boncek - Bridgeport CT, US

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G06Q 99/00

US Classification:

705 78, 726 12, 726 13, 726 15, 726 18, 726 19, 726 21, 705 66, 705 67, 705 75, 705 76, 713150, 713153, 713155, 713182, 713186

Abstract:

A system for facilitating a transaction between a first party and a second party is controlled by a trusted third party system and is programmed to carry out the method by receiving the first party's instructions for fulfilling at least a part of the first party's obligations in said transaction. The system communicates with the second party and provides the second party with perceptible assurance that the second party is in communication with a trusted third party system through the system. The system transmits information to the second party to provide assurance that the first party's instructions have been or will be fulfilled. Thus trust in the third party is transferred to the first party and the second party can trust that the first party's obligations have been or will be fulfilled.

US Patent:

7552141, Jun 23, 2009

Filed:

Aug 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/649485

Inventors:

Robert A. Cordery - Danbury CT, US
Christopher C. Lang - Trumbull CT, US

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

7071041, 707101, 707102, 707103 R

Abstract:

A method and system, and computer readable medium for providing instruction for programming the system to carry out the method, for evaluating options based on ratings along various dimensions or characteristics. Type 1 databases are selected and accessed, each of the selected databases including at least one option rating, with respect to a dimension, where the option can differ among the selected databases; and selects and accesses type 2 databases each of the type 2 databases including at least one database rating for at least one of the type 1 databases. Weights are associated with the type 1 databases, the weights being calculated as a function of the database ratings. An overall rating is calculated for an option with respect to the dimension as a function of the weights and option ratings. The calculation is repeated for each remaining one of the options and a list of the options and associated overall ratings is generated. Weights are calculated as a function of the database ratings and master weights for the type 2 databases.

US Patent:

7724385, May 25, 2010

Filed:

Dec 23, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/744406

Inventors:

Thomas J. Foth - Trumbull CT, US
Christopher C. Lang - Madison WI, US

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G06F 15/00
H04N 7/18

US Classification:

358 114, 348 63

Abstract:

A mail handling system for handling mail pieces in a mail handling area is presented. The system avoids breaching confidentiality of the mail pieces, and includes a view port device, for providing filtered visual access to a portion of the mail handling area while at least some information contained in the mail pieces is filtered out. The system also includes a manual access area, for allowing manual access to the mail handling area while unfiltered visual access to the mail handling area is obstructed.

US Patent:

7263529, Aug 28, 2007

Filed:

Aug 29, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/651911

Inventors:

Robert A. Cordery - Danbury CT, US
Richard W. Heiden - Shelton CT, US
Christopher C. Lang - Madison WI, US

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

707102, 707101, 707103 R, 7071041

Abstract:

A method and system for creating and maintaining databases of user profiles and value ratings for information sources, and for generating lists of information sources having high estimated values. User controlled systems for accessing information sources through the internet or other networks are monitored by a server. The server updates the user profiles and computes value ratings associated with the user profiles for various information sources in accordance with monitored information. Estimated values for information sources to a particular user are obtained as a function of the value ratings associated with profiles of other users and the degree of similarity between the particular user's current profile and other user profiles. Previous profiles are not deleted when updated but are retained and treated substantially as other profiles in computing value estimates. Information sources can be other users.