John A Steinmetz

US Patent:

6347710, Feb 19, 2002

Filed:

Dec 13, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/460150

Inventors:

Kenneth A. Schulz - Bethel CT
Lyle W. Shaw - Southbury CT
John H. Steinmetz - Bridgeport CT

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

B07C 500

US Classification:

209900, 209706, 211 10, 211 592

Abstract:

This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an apparatus that will assist in sorting mailpieces which increases the efficiency of the mail sorting apparatus, provides an organized space for intermediate storage of mailpieces and provides ergonomic features that reduce injury to the mail sorting apparatus operator and increases productivity. The present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a mailpiece storage rack. The storage rack is used to hold partially sorted mailpieces between sorting passes in multiple pass sorting of mailpieces using a mail sorting apparatus or stores mailpieces after sortation and prior to delivery. The storage rack maintains the grouping, sequence and stack quality or alignment of partially sorted mailpieces which provides for more efficient re-feeding. The rack is designed ergonomically for easy transferring of mail into and out of storage and also provides for organized workflow. The storage rack may be configured to accept containers such as, for example, standard tubs used by national posts, and/or custom tubs designed for mailer environments.

US Patent:

6435353, Aug 20, 2002

Filed:

Aug 3, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/922031

Inventors:

Kenneth A. Schulz - Bethel CT
Lyle W. Shaw - Southbury CT
John H. Steinmetz - Bridgeport CT

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

B07C 500

US Classification:

209706, 209900, 211 592, 211 902

Abstract:

This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an apparatus that will assist in sorting mailpieces which increases the efficiency of the mail sorting apparatus, provides an organized space for intermediate storage of mailpieces and provides ergonomic features that reduce injury to the mail sorting apparatus operator and increases productivity. The present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a mailpiece storage rack. The storage rack is used to hold partially sorted mailpieces between sorting passes in multiple pass sorting of mailpieces using a mail sorting apparatus or stores mailpieces after sortation and prior to delivery. The storage rack maintains the grouping, sequence and stack quality or alignment of partially sorted mailpieces which provides for more efficient refeeding. The rack is designed ergonomically for easy transferring of mail into and out of storage and also provides for organized workflow. The storage rack may be configured to accept containers such as, for example, standard tubs used by national posts, and/or custom tubs designed for mailer environments.

US Patent:

56968299, Dec 9, 1997

Filed:

Nov 21, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/560253

Inventors:

Robert A. Cordery - Danbury CT
Thomas A. D'Andrea - Middlebury CT
Jerome E. Jackson - Newtown CT
Wallace Kirschner - Trumbull CT
Richard A. Malin - Westport CT
David T. McPherson - Stamford CT
Edward J. Naclerio - Madison CT
Maria P. Parkos - Milford CT
John H. Steinmetz - Bridgeport CT
Joel I. Wald - Stamford CT

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes, Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

H04L 900
G07B 1702
G07B 1704
G06F 1760

US Classification:

380 55

Abstract:

A mailing system is includes of a mailing machine operating under the control of a microcontroller having a communication port with a first channel and a second channel. The mailing system also includes a meter vault which operates under the control a microcontroller mounted in a secure housing and having a communication port with a first channel and a second channel. A printer is included which operates under the control of a microcontroller mounted in a secure housing and having a communication port having a first channel and a second channel. A printer interface is included for providing a number of independent communication paths. A first path provides communication between first channel of the mailing machine and the first channel of the meter vault. A second path provides communication between the second channel of the mailing machine and the second channel of the printer, and a third path for providing communications between the second channel of meter vault and the first channel of the printer.

US Patent:

60291370, Feb 22, 2000

Filed:

May 29, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/864928

Inventors:

Robert A. Cordery - Danbury CT
Brad L. Davies - Trumbull CT
Louis J. Loglisci - Stamford CT
Maria P. Parkos - Southbury CT
Frederick W. Ryan - Oxford CT
Mark A. Scribe - Southbury CT
John H. Steinmetz - Bridgeport CT

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G06F 1760

US Classification:

705 1

Abstract:

A postage evidencing system including a plurality of domains for partitioning a population of postage meters according to an operating characteristic, a data center, a postage meter in operative communication with the data center and a printer in operative communication with the postage meter. The postage meter is initialized to operate in a particular domain while the printer is capable of operating in each of the plurality of domains. To update or enable a domain in the printer, the postage meter transmits an indication of the particular domain to the data center. Then, the data center encrypts the indication and transmits the indication to the postage meter which in turn forwards the encrypted indication to the printer. The printer decrypts the encrypted indication and using the indication enables a respective domain in the printer corresponding to the particular domain of the postage meter. A method for updating domains in a postage evidencing system is also provided.

US Patent:

49410911, Jul 10, 1990

Filed:

Jun 30, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/067916

Inventors:

Michelle S. Breault - Fairfield CT
John H. Steinmetz - Bridgeport CT

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G06F 1520

US Classification:

364406

Abstract:

A mail management system (MMS) is comprised of a host system communicatively coupled to one or more operator workstations. Each workstation may be further coupled to a postage dispensing device, such as a postage meter. A transaction record for each postage mailing transaction is collected, stored and transmitted to the host system from the workstation. The transaction record comprises a plurality of data fields. Some of the data fields are fixed data fields, that is they are transmitted for each transaction record. Other data fields are optional data fields which are transmitted from the workstation to the host system only if the host system has previously indicated to the workstation that the particular field is to be included within the transaction record.

US Patent:

49087703, Mar 13, 1990

Filed:

Jun 30, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/068696

Inventors:

Michelle S. Breault - Fairfield CT
John H. Steinmetz - Bridgeport CT

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes, Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G07B 1702

US Classification:

36446402

Abstract:

A mail management system (MMS) comprises a host system coupled to one or more operator workstations. The host is operable for receiving from each of the workstations account identification codes. The host, after verifying the validity of the account code, transmits an enabling signal to the workstation which permits the workstation to activate an attached postage dispensing device. The MMS also provides a fallback mode of operation wherein each workstation is operable for verifying that the format of an entered account identification code is correct and to thereby activate the postage dispensing device. This fallback mode of operation allows for the continued operation of the MMS even if the host system is for any reason disabled from communicating with a workstation.

US Patent:

60649895, May 16, 2000

Filed:

May 29, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/864929

Inventors:

Robert A. Cordery - Danbury CT
Brad L. Davies - Trumbull CT
Louis J. Loglisci - Stamford CT
Edward J. Naclario - Madison CT
Maria P. Parkos - Southbury CT
Frederick W. Ryan - Oxford CT
Mark A. Scribe - Southbury CT
John H. Steinmetz - Bridgeport CT
Joel L. Wald - Stamford CT

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

H04L 900

US Classification:

705 50

Abstract:

The apparatus comprises: a first module including a universal key; a second module including a unique identifier and a unique key wherein the unique key is derived from the unique identifier and the universal key and incorporated into the second module during manufacture of the second module. The second module is in communication with the first module. The apparatus further comprises a controller for performing the following subsequent to manufacture of the first module and the second module: initiating a communication session between the first module and the second module; transmitting the unique identifier from the second module to the first module; and deriving the unique key in the first module using the unique identifier and the universal key. A method for synchronization of cryptographic keys between modules of a distributed system and a method of manufacturing a postage evidencing system are also provided.

US Patent:

44531281, Jun 5, 1984

Filed:

Apr 30, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/258870

Inventors:

John H. Steinmetz - Norwalk CT

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G01R 31024

US Classification:

324403

Abstract:

A circuit for testing a segment of a digital display comprising a segment of a digital display having a cathode filament for conducting electrical current and for emitting electrons, and detecting means connected to the cathode filament for detecting electrical current flow across it. Also provided is a method for testing the proper operation of characters or digits of a digital display.