Kevin P Hunter

US Patent:

56825170, Oct 28, 1997

Filed:

Jun 21, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/264125

Inventors:

Thomas A. D'Andrea - Middlebury CT
Kevin D. Hunter - Stratford CT

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G06F 1216

US Classification:

395489

Abstract:

A method of transferring update data from a microcomputer to a memory device having a transportable non-volatile memory median requiring that the transportable non-volatile memory median is divided into a plurality of sectors. Update data is to be written to data sectors of the transportable non-volatile memory median in accordance with a sector map. One of the sectors to be updated is the directory sector and another one of the sectors to be updated is the file access table sector. The microcomputer is programmed to reserve a specified number of sectors as a recovery area wherein some of the sectors of the recovery area are reserved for the sector map and other sectors of the recovery area are reserved for storage of the update data. The microcomputer identifies if a sector map resides in the recovery area. If no sector map resides in the sector map area of the recovery area, the microcomputer proceeds to identify which of the sectors are to be updated and generating a sector map accordingly.

US Patent:

54931061, Feb 20, 1996

Filed:

Oct 24, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/328196

Inventors:

Kevin D. Hunter - Stratford CT

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G06F 1700

US Classification:

235375

Abstract:

The improved user interface for a mail processing machine includes a barcode reader and an associated chart having barcodes which are readable by the barcode reader. The barcodes are respectively associated with commands, characters, and accounts such that messages may be constructed by reading selected barcodes from the chart for inputting commands and data into the mail processing machine. The barcode messages are converted into machine commands and data inputs for operation of the machine. Barcode information may also be supplied with batches of mail for ease of entry of pertinent control data for the batch.

US Patent:

53847083, Jan 24, 1995

Filed:

Oct 26, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/967305

Inventors:

Jacqueline Collins - Bridgeport CT
Terrence M. Doeberl - West Redding CT
Linda V. Gravell - Guilford CT
Kevin D. Hunter - Stratford CT

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G07B 1700

US Classification:

36446402

Abstract:

The method and apparatus for providing a meter activity log is usable in a mail processing machine which is adapted to receive a plurality of postage meters. The mail processing machine includes a microcomputer control and nonvolatile memory storage means for storing meter accounting information. The meter accounting information is stored in association with a unique identification of each of a plurality of meters installed in the mail processing machine. Accounting information relating to the uniquely-identified meter activity which has occurred off-line is determined and stored. Information relative to the uniquely-identified meter activity upon the occurrence of each of a plurality of selected events which occur on-line is also stored. The log may be printed and the information cleared by command of the operator.

US Patent:

55294103, Jun 25, 1996

Filed:

Oct 28, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/331303

Inventors:

Kevin D. Hunter - Stratford CT
Walter J. Kulpa - Trumbull CT

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

B41J 3352

US Classification:

400234

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for controlling tension on a sheet material in a reel-to-reel transport system. The sheet material is feed along a defined path from a supply reel to a take-up reel. A motor is operatively connected to the take-up reel for applying a torque to the take-up reel while a sensor is positioned to detect rotation of the supply reel. A microcontroller enables the motor with an initial PWM pwm. sub. o to create torque on the take-up reel and then incrementally increases the PWM. When the sensor indicates that the supply reel has moved, the current PWM is stored in memory as pwm. sub. i. This pwm. sub. i is subsequently used by the apparatus to determine a desired tension on the thermal ribbon.

US Patent:

51135183, May 12, 1992

Filed:

Jun 3, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/201983

Inventors:

Robert T. Durst - Monroe CT
Kevin D. Hunter - Stratford CT

International Classification:

G06F 1200
G06F 1214

US Classification:

395550

Abstract:

A technique is disclosed for preventing a computer program from being used by a computer system other than a designated system. The values of certain characteristics exhibited by the designated computer system first are stored, and then the values of those same characteristics exhibited by the computer system which is intended to use the computer program are measured and compared to the stored values. If the compared values are substantially the same, the computer program may be executed. However, if they are different, the computer system which was intended to use the program is inhibited from executing that program. The aforementioned characteristics comprise one or more, and preferably at least two, of the following: an identification of the processor included in the computer system, the clock speed of the clock generator included in that system, an identification of the ROM normally provided with the processor, the wait time assigned to the processor for accessing a RAM, the actual rotary speed of a disk drive normally provided with the computer system, the access speed of that disk drive, and the sector interleave value of that disk drive.

US Patent:

55724299, Nov 5, 1996

Filed:

Dec 5, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/349576

Inventors:

Kevin D. Hunter - Stratford CT
Perry A. Pierce - Darien CT
Iiya Shnayder - Norwalk CT

International Classification:

G07B 1702

US Classification:

36446402

Abstract:

An improved electronic meter for accounting for funding and transaction information includes a micro control system for controlling the operation of the meter in response to an operation program. The micro control system utilizes a microprocessor in bus communication with a plurality of addressable memory units and input device in bus communication with the microprocessor. The meter has a first mode of operation for performing transactions and accounting for the transactions and a second mode of operation for accessing the accounting information in response to a first security code. At least one of the memory units has a plurality of accounting registers for storing the accounting information in predetermined categories. The meter has a third mode of operation for accessing the registers of the first memory and initializing the registers in response to the input of a second security code. The accounting information including a REINIT table for creating a selected number of records representative of the accounting information of the accounting register in the respective categories upon each initialization of the accounting registers.

US Patent:

48538698, Aug 1, 1989

Filed:

Mar 13, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/025545

Inventors:

Robert T. Durst - Monroe CT
Guy L. Fougere - Easton CT
Kevin D. Hunter - Stratford CT
Alfred C. Schmidt - Wilton CT

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes, Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G06F 1520

US Classification:

364478

Abstract:

A system is provided for processing a letter for bulk mailing. The system includes structures for printing and for supplying stationery items. In addition, the system includes a computer. The computer includes input structure for receiving letter data corresponding to information for at least one letter. The information for the at least one letter includes a plurality of parts. The computer also includes a program for formatting the letter data for the at least one letter. The formatted letter data includes a plurality of parts. The information parts for the at least one letter correspond one-for-one with the data parts. The computer is also programmed for causing the supplying structure to supply at least one stationery item to the printing structure. The computer is further programmed for causing the printing structure to print at least one information part on the at least one stationery item, and for storing a predetermined code. In addition, the computer is programmed for causing the printing structure to print the code on the at least one stationery item.

US Patent:

52436543, Sep 7, 1993

Filed:

Mar 18, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/670804

Inventors:

Kevin D. Hunter - Stratford CT

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

H04L 900

US Classification:

380 51

Abstract:

A metering system requires a user to provide periodic, accurate meter readings to a billing authority. The metering system includes a mechanism for dispensing postage or another accountable quantity, an accounting mechanism for updating and storing information regarding the amount of postage dispensed by the dispensing mechanism and an output mechanism for outputting the stored postage information. The system also includes a mechanism for storing a time deadline, a clock that provides a current date signal and a lock that disables the dispensing mechanism when the current date is not before the stored deadline. The system also includes a reset mechanism for extending the stored deadline. A user of the system reads the output of the system to obtain a current meter reading. The user then telephones the billing authority's data center, provides the current reading to the data center and receives back from the center an encrypted combination that reflects the reading provided by the user.