John S O'Callaghan

US Patent:

6949710, Sep 27, 2005

Filed:

Mar 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/087446

Inventors:

Walter Conard - Lake Villa IL, US
Patrick Casher - North Aurora IL, US
John O'Callaghan - Skokie IL, US
Daniel Gibbons - Arlington Heights IL, US
Fredrick Hegland - Lake Zurich IL, US
Roy Schoon - Glenview IL, US
George Rabindran - Davie FL, US

Assignee:

Bowe Bell + Howell Postage Systems Company - Lincolnwood IL

International Classification:

G01G019/413

US Classification:

177 2515, 177145, 705407

Abstract:

An apparatus and method to individually weigh continuously fed mail pieces wherein each mail piece is configured in a vertical orientation and fed through the weighing system in seriatim. The apparatus contains a scale transport assembly for transporting mail pieces seriatim, a mail piece channel pathway assembly for maintaining the vertical orientation of individual mail pieces, a load cell assembly for measuring the mail piece weight, an x-y table assembly for allowing position adjustments of the weighing system, data collection circuitry, and a support module. The apparatus can be used in conjunction with bulk mail processing systems or it can be used independently.

US Patent:

6964367, Nov 15, 2005

Filed:

Sep 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/949201

Inventors:

John S. O'Callaghan - Skokie IL, US
Daniel Gibbons - Arlington Heights IL, US
Tony S. Chan - Northbrook IL, US
Ann Dawkins - Bartlett IL, US
Niren Shah - Palatine IL, US
Jack Bonn - Barrington IL, US

Assignee:

Bowe Bell + Howell Company - Durham NC

International Classification:

G06F017/00

US Classification:

235375, 235385, 235470

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for automatically acquiring and verifying, relative to pre-established rules, information affixed to relatively flat articles transported along a transport path comprises a weighing device for measuring weight of articles being processed, an image acquisition device for acquiring a representation of indicia appearing on an article, a thickness detecting device for measuring the thickness of articles being processed, a processing device for recognition of the indicia appearing on an article, and a processing device for verifying acquired data against the pre-established rules. A number of reports are generated after processing to provide the results of the processing.

US Patent:

20020030095, Mar 14, 2002

Filed:

Sep 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/957203

Inventors:

John O'Callaghan - Wilmette IL, US
Daniel Gibbons - Skokie IL, US
Tony Chan - Chicago IL, US
Ann Dawkins - Bartlett IL, US
Niren Shah - Skokie IL, US
Jack Bonn - Barrington IL, US

International Classification:

G06F017/00

US Classification:

235/375000

Abstract:

Apparatus for automatically acquiring and verifying, relative to pre-established rules, information affixed to relatively flat articles transported along a transport path comprises weighing means for measuring weight of articles being processed, image acquisition means for acquiring a representation of indicia appearing on an article, processing means for recognition of the indicia appearing on an article, and processing means for verifying acquired data against the pre-established rules.

US Patent:

63118920, Nov 6, 2001

Filed:

Aug 12, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/909640

Inventors:

John S. O'Callaghan - Wilmette IL
Daniel Gibbons - Skokie IL
Tony S. Chan - Chicago IL
Ann Dawkins - Bartlett IL
Niren Shah - Skokie IL
Jack Bonn - Barrington IL

Assignee:

Bell & Howell Postal Systems, Inc. - Lincolnwood IL

International Classification:

G06F 1700

US Classification:

235375

Abstract:

Apparatus for automatically acquiring and verifying, relative to pre-established rules, information affixed to relatively flat articles transported along a transport path comprises weighing means for measuring weight of articles being processed, image acquisition means for acquiring a representation of indicia appearing on an article, processing means for recognition of the indicia appearing on an article, and processing means for verifying acquired data against the pre-established rules.

US Patent:

49840088, Jan 8, 1991

Filed:

Apr 28, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/344996

Inventors:

Richard Frystak - Park Ridge IL
John S. O'Callaghan - Wilmette IL

Assignee:

Bell & Howell Company - Skokie IL

International Classification:

G03B 2752

US Classification:

355 24

Abstract:

A writing system is usable in apparatus in which mirrors in a "V" configuration, split mirrors, a combining mirror and a camera mirror project images of opposite sides of a document in an imaging region to a microfilm in side-by-side relation. The writing system includes mirrors which project alpha or numeric character images from an LED display to the combining mirror to be projected to an otherwise unused portion of the microfilm. A compact folded path is provided having the same focal distance as that provided by the document image projecting mirrors.

US Patent:

51829916, Feb 2, 1993

Filed:

Aug 27, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/750653

Inventors:

Duane R. Patuszynski - Lincolnwood IL
John S. O'Callaghan - Wilmette IL
Andrew Bartoli - Arlington Heights IL

Assignee:

Bell & Howell Document Management Products Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B41F 500

US Classification:

101216

Abstract:

A bank check endorser is provided that permits endorsement in each of three discrete locations along the length of the reverse side of a check. The endorser unit utilizes a one-way clutch along the drive shaft to permit movement of the drive mechanism for the print cylinder. By releasing a latch mechanism, the housing portion, which contains the drive mechanism and the print cylinder, is moved along the length of the drive shaft to a second position.

US Patent:

57830320, Jul 21, 1998

Filed:

Oct 4, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/725245

Inventors:

John S. O'Callaghan - Wilmette IL
Tomasz Bednarek - Niles IL
Metin M. Durum - Elmhurst IL
Narasimha Swamy - Streamwood IL

Assignee:

Bell & Howell Postal Systems Inc.

International Classification:

B32B 3100

US Classification:

156556

Abstract:

A linerless label applicator for forming and applying a discrete, pressure sensitive adhesive linerless label to a document is adapted to receive and advance a plurality of documents, one at a time, along a document path through the applicator. The applicator includes a label storage and feed section, a label cutting section and a label application section. The storage and feed section stores the label material in roll form thereon and feeds the material through a feed assembly into the cutting section. The label cutting section includes a label drive assembly, a label guide assembly and a cutting assembly. The drive assembly includes a feed roller and a plasma coated idler roller which contacts the label adhesive and prevents adhesion thereto. The guide assembly includes a fan/vacuum manifold which retains the non-adhesive side of the label material in contact with the cutting assembly surfaces. The cutting assembly includes self-lubricating stationary and moveable blades adapted to coact with one another to cut the label material into predetermined, discrete labels.

US Patent:

55381405, Jul 23, 1996

Filed:

Oct 19, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/326122

Inventors:

Kenneth L. Guenther - Park Ridge IL
Tom Faber - Skokie IL
Joseph Kalika - Niles IL
Mel T. Kerstein - Lincolnwood IL
John S. O'Callaghan - Wilmette IL
K. George Rabindran - Morton Grove IL
Michael A. Wisniewski - Bolingbrook IL

Assignee:

Bell & Howell Company - Skokie IL

International Classification:

B07C 500

US Classification:

209552

Abstract:

A buffered stacking system for selectively diverting horizontally disposed documents from a generally horizontal main conveying path, stacking the documents in a horizontal orientation and dropping the documents into replaceable receiving receptacles is provided. The system has a primary horizontal conveyor belt with a lower horizontal reach defining a horizontal primary conveying path. A plurality of sorting stations are located serially along and below the primary conveying path. Each of the sorting stations has at least one diverter arm disposed along the conveying path. The diverter arms are selectively movable from a generally horizontal position which allows passage of the documents along the conveying path to an inclined position to divert the document into the corresponding sorting station. The diverter arms divert the document in a downwardly inclined direction into a stacking station. The stacking station is formed with a lower drop floor assembly for supporting the diverted documents in a stacked generally inclined orientation and for pivoting open to allow the stacked documents to fall into a replaceable receiving bin located below a drop floor which forms a part of the drop floor assembly.