Emanuel N Gavrilos

US Patent:

59129794, Jun 15, 1999

Filed:

May 17, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/062033

Inventors:

Emanuel N. Gavrilos - Melrose Park IL

Assignee:

Bell & Howell Mail Processing Systems Co. - Durham NC

International Classification:

G06K 900

US Classification:

382101

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for document surveillance along a transport path in a mail sorting machine includes using a plurality of sequentially positioned photocells affixed along the transport path to detect document separation and jamming events through the application of assigned document identification and message transfer schemes whereby one sensor detects an edge of the document and transfers the document identifier and a shaft encoder count to the next sensor along the transport path in the form of a message. A message queue for each sensor is maintained to detect improper document leading edge and trailing edge conditions. A series of surveillance modules operates on a multi-tasking basis through a primary master processor.

US Patent:

60786787, Jun 20, 2000

Filed:

May 14, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/311747

Inventors:

Emanuel N. Gavrilos - Melrose Park IL

Assignee:

Bell & Howell Mail and Messaging Technologies Co. - Durham NC

International Classification:

G06K 900

US Classification:

382101

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for document surveillance along a transport path in a mail sorting machine includes using a plurality of sequentially positioned photocells affixed along the transport path to detect document separation and jamming events through the application of assigned document identification and message transfer schemes whereby one sensor detects an edge of the document and transfers the document identifier and a shaft encoder count to the next sensor along the transport path in the form of a message. A message queue for each sensor is maintained to detect improper document leading edge and trailing edge conditions. A series of surveillance modules operates on a multi-tasking basis through a primary master processor.