Patricia A Gertner

US Patent:

60497750, Apr 11, 2000

Filed:

May 15, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/079620

Inventors:

Patricia A. Gertner - Raleigh NC
William A. Sterling - Cary NC
Richard C. Nardin - Apex NC

Assignee:

Bell & Howell Mail and Messaging Technologies Company - Durham NC

International Classification:

G06F 1760
G05B 1502

US Classification:

705 8

Abstract:

A system, method, device, and/or computer program product for remotely managing a plurality of remote mail processing devices. The system comprises receiving means for receiving operation related information from each of said plurality of remote mail processing devices. The system also includes monitoring means for remotely monitoring operation related information from each of said plurality of remote mail processing devices. Features of the present invention include the ability to create threshold settings for separate mail processing devices and individual jobs running on the separate mail processing devices. Violations of the threshold settings will result in an alarm indicating deviation from pre-set job goals. A user also has the ability to remotely create, maintain, and communicate valid mail processing device operator lists for specified mail processing devices. A run-tag editor is included which allows the user remotely access a stored database of completed job information in order to correct any job identification errors that may have been input by a mail processing device operator.

US Patent:

60321229, Feb 29, 2000

Filed:

Jan 30, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/016715

Inventors:

Patricia Ann Gertner - Raleigh NC
William Allen Sterling - North Hollywood CA

Assignee:

Bell & Howell Mail and Messaging Technologies Company - Durham NC

International Classification:

G06F 1760

US Classification:

705 8

Abstract:

Systems, methods, and computer program products for managing a plurality of mail processing devices are provided. A mail insertion device is represented on a computer display as an interactive icon. Visible indicia is associated with each icon for displaying in real time operational status information about the mail inserting machine represented by the icon. The indicia changes appearance in response to a change in the operation related information received from the respective mail insertion machine. Each interactive icon is responsive to user actions for displaying selective operation related information about a respective mail insertion device.