US6032122A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Systems, methods and computer program products for monitoring and controlling mail processing devices
Assignee: Bell and Howell LLC
•
Filing: 1998-01-30
•
Granted: 2000-02-29
•
Expires: 2018-01-30
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Patricia Ann Gertner
- 👤 William Allen Sterling
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:22
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/06; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00016; G07B17/00024
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 68
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for remote real-time monitoring of at least one mail insertion device, said system comprising: means for receiving operation related information from said mail insertion device at a location remote from said mail insertion device; a display operatively connected to said receiving means; operation related information display updating means for updating display of the operation related information in real time; and icon display means responsive to said receiving means for representing said mail insertion device as an interactive icon on said display, said interactive icon having an indicium associated therewith which displays the operation related information for a respective mail insertion device and which changes appearance in response to a change in the operation related information.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for remote real-time monitoring of at least one mail insertion device, said system comprising: means for receiving operation related information from said mail insertion device at a location remote from said mail insertion device; a display operatively connected to said receiving means; operation related information display updating means for updating display of the operation related information in real time; and icon display means responsive to said receiving means for representing said mail insertion device as an interactive icon on said display, said interactive icon having an indicium associated therewith which displays the operation related information for a respective mail insertion device and which changes appearance in response to a change in the operation related information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein each interactive icon is responsive to user actions for displaying selected operation related information about a respective mail insertion device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said indicium is displayed in a color selected from a plurality of colors, each of said plurality of colors representing a respective operational condition of a mail insertion device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said icon display means comprises means for displaying a plurality of said interactive icons on said display in a manner depicting geographical location of said mail insertion device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 1 further comprising means for adding and deleting interactive icons from said display.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 1 further comprising means for modifying the location and appearance of each of said interactive icons on said display.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said operation related information display updating means updates display of the operation related information at a rate of at least about one update per thirty seconds.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said means for receiving operation related information receives operation related information from a plurality of remotely located mail insertion devices and said operation related information display updating means updates display of operation related information for said plurality of mail insertion devices in real time.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for remote real-time monitoring of at least one mail insertion device, said method comprising: receiving operation related information from said mail insertion device from a location remote from said mail insertion device; representing said mail insertion device as an interactive icon on a display, said interactive icon having an indicium associated therewith which displays the operation related information for said mail insertion device and changes appearance in response to a change in the operation related information; and updating display of the operation related information for said mail insertion device in real time.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for remote real-time monitoring of at least one mail insertion device, said method comprising: receiving operation related information from said mail insertion device from a location remote from said mail insertion device; representing said mail insertion device as an interactive icon on a display, said interactive icon having an indicium associated therewith which displays the operation related information for said mail insertion device and changes appearance in response to a change in the operation related information; and updating display of the operation related information for said mail insertion device in real time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein said indicium comprises a plurality of colors, each of said colors representing operational status of a mail insertion device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein representing said mail insertion device as an interactive icon comprises displaying said icon in a manner depicting a geographical location of said mail insertion device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 9 wherein updating display of the operation related information includes updating display of the operation related information at a rate of at least about one update per thirty seconds.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 9 wherein receiving operation related information includes receiving operation related information from a plurality of remotely located mail insertion devices and updating display of the operation related information comprises updating display of the operation related information for said plurality of mail insertion devices in real time.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
149 words
A computer program product for use with a data processing system for remote real-time monitoring of at least one mail insertion device, said computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for receiving processing system operation related information from said mail insertion device; the computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for representing said mail insertion device as an interactive icon in a display connected to said data processing system, said interactive icon having an indicium associated therewith which displays the operation related information for said mail insertion device and changes appearance in response to a change in the operation related information; and the computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for updating display of the operation related information for said mail insertion device in real time.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
149 words
A computer program product for use with a data processing system for remote real-time monitoring of at least one mail insertion device, said computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for receiving processing system operation related information from said mail insertion device; the computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for representing said mail insertion device as an interactive icon in a display connected to said data processing system, said interactive icon having an indicium associated therewith which displays the operation related information for said mail insertion device and changes appearance in response to a change in the operation related information; and the computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for updating display of the operation related information for said mail insertion device in real time.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
51 words
A computer program product according to claim 14, wherein said computer readable program code means for representing said mail insertion device as an interactive icon comprises computer readable program code means, embodied in said medium, for displaying selected operation related information about said mail insertion device in response to user actions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
64 words
A computer program product according to claim 14, wherein said computer readable program code means for representing said mail insertion device as an interactive icon comprises computer readable program code means, embodied in said medium, for displaying said indicium as a color selected from a plurality of colors, each of said plurality of colors representing a respective operational condition of said mail insertion device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
A computer program product according to claim 14, wherein said computer readable program code means for representing said mail insertion device as an interactive icon comprises computer readable program code means, embodied in said medium, for displaying said interactive icons on said display in a manner depicting geographical location of said mail insertion device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
A computer program product according to claim 14, wherein said computer readable program code means for representing said mail insertion device as an interactive icon comprises computer readable program code means, embodied in said medium, for adding and deleting interactive icons from said display.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
48 words
A computer program product according to claim 14, wherein said computer readable program code means for representing said mail insertion device as an interactive icon comprises computer readable program code means, embodied in said medium, for modifying the location and appearance of said interactive icon on said display.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer program product of claim 14 wherein said computer program code means for updating display of the operation related information includes computer program code means for updating display of the operation related information at a rate of at least about one update per thirty seconds.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
80 words
The computer program product of claim 14 wherein said computer readable program code means for receiving processing system operation related information includes computer readable program code means for receiving processing system operation related information from a plurality of mail insertion devices and said computer readable program code means for updating display of the operation related information includes computer readable program code means for updating display of the operation related information for said plurality of mail insertion devices in real time.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
163 words
A system for remote real-time monitoring of at least one mail insertion device, said system comprising: means for receiving operation related information from said mail insertion device from a location remote from said mail insertion device; a display operatively connected to said receiving means; an input device operatively connected to said receiving means; icon display means for representing said mail insertion device as an interactive icon on said display, each interactive icon having an indicium associated therewith which displays the operation related information for said mail insertion device and changes appearance in response to a change in the operation related information; mail insertion device operating status input accepting means for accepting selection of said interactive icon via said input device; mail insertion device operating status display means for displaying, on said display device, operating status for said mail insertion device; and operation related information display updating means for updating display of the operation related information for said mail insertion device in real time.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
163 words
A system for remote real-time monitoring of at least one mail insertion device, said system comprising: means for receiving operation related information from said mail insertion device from a location remote from said mail insertion device; a display operatively connected to said receiving means; an input device operatively connected to said receiving means; icon display means for representing said mail insertion device as an interactive icon on said display, each interactive icon having an indicium associated therewith which displays the operation related information for said mail insertion device and changes appearance in response to a change in the operation related information; mail insertion device operating status input accepting means for accepting selection of said interactive icon via said input device; mail insertion device operating status display means for displaying, on said display device, operating status for said mail insertion device; and operation related information display updating means for updating display of the operation related information for said mail insertion device in real time.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 22 wherein said mail insertion device operation status display means comprises means for displaying operating status for said mail insertion device in real time.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 22 wherein said indicium is displayed in a color selected from a plurality of colors, each of said plurality of colors representing a respective operational condition of said mail insertion device.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 22 wherein said icon display means comprises means for displaying said interactive icon on said display in a manner depicting geographical location of said mail insertion device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 22 wherein said data processing means includes means for adding and deleting interactive icons from said display.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 22 further comprising means for modifying the location and appearance of said interactive icon on said display.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system according to claim 22 wherein said mail insertion device operating status display means further comprises means for displaying a window on said display, the window including at least one list of information related to a respective mail insertion device.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 22 wherein said operation related information display updating means updates display of the operation related information at a rate of at least about one update per thirty seconds.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 22 wherein said means for receiving operation related information receives operation related information from a plurality of mail insertion devices and said operation related information display updating means updates display of the operation related information for said plurality of mail insertion devices in real time.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for real-time remote monitoring of at least one mail insertion device, said method comprising: receiving operation related information from said mail insertion device from a location remote from said mail insertion device; representing said mail insertion device as an interactive icon on a display, said interactive icon having an indicium associated therewith which displays the operation related information for said mail insertion device and changes appearance in response to a change in the operation related information; accepting selection of said interactive icon via an input device; displaying, on said display, operating status said mail insertion device; and updating display of the operation related information for said mail insertion device in real time.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for real-time remote monitoring of at least one mail insertion device, said method comprising: receiving operation related information from said mail insertion device from a location remote from said mail insertion device; representing said mail insertion device as an interactive icon on a display, said interactive icon having an indicium associated therewith which displays the operation related information for said mail insertion device and changes appearance in response to a change in the operation related information; accepting selection of said interactive icon via an input device; displaying, on said display, operating status said mail insertion device; and updating display of the operation related information for said mail insertion device in real time.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 31 wherein said step of displaying operating status for a selected one of said mail insertion devices comprises displaying said operating status in real time.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 31 wherein said indicium comprises a plurality of colors, each of said colors representing operational status of said mail insertion device.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 31 wherein representing said mail insertion as an interactive icon comprises displaying said icon in a manner depicting geographical location of said mail insertion device.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 31 wherein displaying operating status for said mail insertion device comprises displaying a window on said display, the window including at least one list of information related to a respective mail insertion device.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 31 wherein updating display of the operation related information of said mail insertion device in real time comprises updating display of the operation related information at a rate of at least about one update per thirty seconds.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method according to claim 31 wherein receiving said operation related information includes receiving operation related information from a plurality of mail insertion devices and updating display of the operation related information includes updating display of the operation related information from said plurality of mail insertion devices in real time.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
202 words
A computer program product for use with a data processing system for remote real-time monitoring of at least one mail insertion device, said computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for receiving operation related information from said mail insertion device; the computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for representing said mail insertion device as an interactive icon on a display operatively connected to said data processing system, said interactive icon having an indicium associated therewith which displays the operation related information for said mail insertion device and changes appearance in response to a change in the operation related information; the computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for accepting selection of said interactive icon via an input device operatively connected to said data processing system; the computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for displaying, on said display, operating status for said mail insertion device; and the computer usable medium having computer readable program code means for updating display of the operation related information for said mail insertion device in real time.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
202 words
A computer program product for use with a data processing system for remote real-time monitoring of at least one mail insertion device, said computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for receiving operation related information from said mail insertion device; the computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for representing said mail insertion device as an interactive icon on a display operatively connected to said data processing system, said interactive icon having an indicium associated therewith which displays the operation related information for said mail insertion device and changes appearance in response to a change in the operation related information; the computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for accepting selection of said interactive icon via an input device operatively connected to said data processing system; the computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for displaying, on said display, operating status for said mail insertion device; and the computer usable medium having computer readable program code means for updating display of the operation related information for said mail insertion device in real time.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer program product according to claim 38, wherein said computer readable program code means for displaying operating status for said mail insertion device comprises means for displaying operating status in real time.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
64 words
A computer program product according to claim 38, wherein said computer readable program code means for representing said mail insertion device as an interactive icon comprises computer readable program code means, embodied in said medium, for displaying said indicium in a color selected from a plurality of colors, each of said plurality of colors representing a respective operational condition of a mail insertion device.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
54 words
A computer program product according to claim 38, wherein said computer readable program code means for representing said mail insertion device as an interactive icon comprises computer readable program code means, embodied in said medium for displaying said interactive icon on said display in a manner depicting geographical location of said mail insertion device.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
44 words
A computer program product according to claim 38, wherein said computer readable program code means for representing said mail insertion device as an interactive icon comprises computer readable program code means, embodied in said medium, for adding and deleting interactive icons from said display.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
48 words
A computer program product according to claim 38, wherein said computer readable program code means for representing said mail insertion device as an interactive icon comprises computer readable program code means, embodied in said medium, for modifying the location and appearance of said interactive icon on said display.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
54 words
A computer program product according to claim 38, wherein said computer readable program code means for displaying mail insertion device operating status comprises computer readable program code means, embodied in said medium for displaying a window on said display, the window including at least one list of information related to said mail insertion device.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
56 words
The computer program product of claim 38 wherein said computer readable program code means for updating display of the operation related information for said mail insertion device in real time comprises computer readable program code means for updating display of the operation related information at a rate of at least about one update per thirty seconds.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
69 words
The computer program product of claim 38 wherein said computer readable program code means for receiving operation related information includes computer readable program code means for receiving operation related information from a plurality of mail insertion devices and said computer readable program code means for updating display of the operation related information includes computer readable program code means for updating display of the operation related information in real time.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
121 words
A system for real-time remote monitoring of at least one mail processing device, said system comprising: means for receiving operation related information from said mail processing device from a location remote from said mail processing device; a display operatively connected to said receiving means; operation related information display updating means for updating display of the operation related information of said mail processing device in real time; and icon display means responsive to said receiving means for representing said mail processing device as an interactive icon on said display, said interactive icon having an indicium associated therewith which displays the operation related information for said mail processing device and which changes appearance in response to a change in the operation related information.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
121 words
A system for real-time remote monitoring of at least one mail processing device, said system comprising: means for receiving operation related information from said mail processing device from a location remote from said mail processing device; a display operatively connected to said receiving means; operation related information display updating means for updating display of the operation related information of said mail processing device in real time; and icon display means responsive to said receiving means for representing said mail processing device as an interactive icon on said display, said interactive icon having an indicium associated therewith which displays the operation related information for said mail processing device and which changes appearance in response to a change in the operation related information.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 47 wherein each interactive icon is responsive to user actions for displaying selective operation related information about a respective mail processing device.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 47 wherein said indicium is displayed in a color selected from a plurality of colors, each of said plurality of colors representing a respective operational condition of a mail processing device.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 47 wherein said icon display means comprises means for displaying said interactive icon on said display in a manner depicting geographical location of said mail processing device.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 47 further comprising means for adding and deleting interactive icons from said display.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 47 further comprising means for modifying the location and appearance of said interactive icon on said display.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 47 wherein said operating related information display updating means updates display of the operation related information at a rate of at least about one update per thirty seconds.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 47 wherein said means for receiving operation related information includes means for receiving operation related information from a plurality of mail processing devices and said operation related information display updating means includes means for updating display of the operation related information from said plurality of mail processing devices in real time.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
101 words
A system for real time remote monitoring of at least one mail processing device, said system comprising: receiving means located remotely from said mail processing device for receiving operation related information from said mail processing device; operation related information display updating means for updating display of the operation related information in real time; threshold receiving means for receiving a threshold from a user associated with the operation related information; threshold exceeded display means for automatically alerting the user when the operation related information crosses the threshold; and interactive icon display means for representing said mail processing device as an interactive icon.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
101 words
A system for real time remote monitoring of at least one mail processing device, said system comprising: receiving means located remotely from said mail processing device for receiving operation related information from said mail processing device; operation related information display updating means for updating display of the operation related information in real time; threshold receiving means for receiving a threshold from a user associated with the operation related information; threshold exceeded display means for automatically alerting the user when the operation related information crosses the threshold; and interactive icon display means for representing said mail processing device as an interactive icon.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 55 comprising filtering means for filtering display of occurrences of threshold crossings according to mail processing device identification or mail processing job identification.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 55 wherein said operation related information display updating means updates display of the operation related information at a rate of at least about one update per thirty seconds.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 55 wherein said receiving means includes means for receiving operation related information from a plurality of mail processing devices and said threshold exceeded display means includes means for automatically alerting the user when the operation related information from any of said plurality of mail processing devices crosses the threshold.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 55 wherein said threshold exceeded display means comprises a pop-up window for displaying a condition that caused crossing of the threshold.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 59 wherein the pop-up window comprises means for identifying a mail processing device for which the threshold was crossed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-02-28 | 2003-08-30 | 2004-02-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-28 | 2007-08-30 | 2008-02-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-28 | 2011-08-30 | 2012-02-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |