Abstract: A method for providing an indication of authenticity of an electronic image of a document comprises generating a signal corresponding to a profile of at least one of a number of surfaces of the document, converting the signal into a profile signature, and correlating the profile signature with the electronic image of the document. A method for authenticating an electronic image of a document comprises receiving the electronic image of the document and a profile tracing signature of a surface of the document that is associated with the electronic image, and comparing the profile tracing signature with an exemplar profile tracing signature associated with the document. A document processing system comprises a pickup, a signal processing circuit, and a scanning module and is used for producing a profile tracing signature and electronic image of a document and for correlating the profile tracing signature with the electronic image.

Abstract: A reusable mailing envelope includes a plurality of panels which, in combination, define a pocket for receipt of internal content material. One of the panels includes a window adapted to receive printed information to facilitate routing of the mailing envelope during the initial mail delivery. The reusable envelope also includes a means for preventing the readability of the printed information on the window during a subsequent mail delivery such that the routing instructions associated with the initial mail delivery are not interpreted and executed by the automated scanning equipment during the subsequent mail delivery.

Abstract: A method to improve the image of a printed barcode by enhancing coverage of the print pixels within solid printed areas to improve the print uniformity and decrease the graininess of the typical ink jet printing by dissolving a small percentage of the colorant and distributing more uniformly. The parameter improved by the invention is the graininess or uniformity of coverage. The contrast ratio within barcode data elements can be also improved without causing unwanted image bleed into unintended areas. Hence, the printed barcode will contain more clearly defined printed and non printed areas to enable the barcode to be accurately read. The invention prevents also unwanted bleeding in areas where it could lower the quality of the printed material by avoiding application of enhanced coverage facilitators when desired white space is identified within a minimum distance.

Abstract: A system for processing documents having fastening devices includes a document transport system and a fastening device detecting station connected to the transport system that is adapted to detect a fastening device securing together pages of a document. The fastening device removing station is adapted to remove a fastening device securing together pages of a document. A scanning station is adapted to scan the pages of a document. A page flipping station is adapted to flip and position pages of a document to be scanned. A systems controller controls the transport system and the stations based on information provided by the fastening device detecting station for a document to be scanned, to cause such document to be processed by the fastening device removing before scanning of the document or by the page flipping station during scanning of the document to be scanned.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing time-dependent markings in systems including a mail delivery system for utilizing time-limited business reply mail are described. A business reply mail authorization permit is applied to a business reply mail piece using a time-dependent marking such as time-dependent ink. After the time-dependent ink changes state, the mail piece is no longer marked as an authorized business reply mail piece.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing time-dependent dynamic barcodes in systems including a mail delivery system for manipulating delivery charges and/or sorting and delivery processing preferences are described.

Abstract: A method for producing hard copies of electronic information employing a portable personal receiving device includes the steps of selecting information to print and utilizing the receiving device to identify available printers based on the location of the receiving device for printing the selected information in hard copy form. The portable receiving device is connected to one of the available printers and the selected information is printed in hard copy form. A system for producing hard copies of electronic information employing a portable personal receiving device includes a portable receiving device having a program enabling selection of information to print. The portable device includes a program to identify available printers based on the location of the receiving device. A communications link connects the portable receiving device to an available printer.

Abstract: In a mailing machine, an image element included in a postage meter indicium printed on a mail piece is transported past a linear image capture device. The image capture device is operated to produce a smeared image of the image element. The smeared image is then automatically analyzed to detect failures in the print elements of a postage meter that is part of the mailing machine.

Abstract: A sorting system accepts a group of mail pieces at a loading station, sorts them, and then moves them to an unloading station. The system includes a reader for retrieving delivery information associated with each mail piece, and also includes clamps dimensioned for receipt of a mail piece into each clamp. The system has a device for creating an association between the retrieved delivery information of each mail piece and its respective clamp. The system also has a sorter for moving the clamps holding the mail pieces, based upon the association of each clamp with the retrieved delivery information, so that the mail pieces held by the clamps are sorted according to a desired delivery sequence. Additionally, the system includes a mechanism for opening the sorted clamps to release the mail pieces at the unloading station.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting airborne particles and hydrating the collected particles for analysis. The airborne particles, which may be biological contaminants, are collected from a container containing one or more mailpieces. In the collection stage, a dry filter collection assembly is connected to the container and air is drawn out of the container through a dry filter. A hydration solution is then injected into the collection assembly to hydrate the collected particles. Part of the hydration solution containing the collected particles is caused to move out of the collection assembly to a test cartridge for further testing.

Abstract: A computer receives information that indicates viewing and/or skipping of television commercials by a number of viewers. The computer uses the information to compile statistics that summarize viewing and/or skipping of the television commercials within a geographical area. Based on the statistics, an advertising solicitation is selected by the geographic area and is dispatched on paper to recipients in the geographical area.

Abstract: A method that enables the post to deliver mail addressed to a recipient nearest location virtual address to be delivery directly to the recipient's nearest designated location or facility to the place the mail was posted. Mail addressed to the nearest location virtual address (mapping to a street address or post office box) would be captured by the post during the post's sortation process and routed to the nearest location or facility to the place the mail was posted. This enables the recipient to receive their mail more quickly since the amount of delivery time is reduced.

Abstract: An envelope used in voting by mail includes a signature area on which the signature is affixed and a concealing portion structured to cover the signature area thereby concealing the signature. The concealing portion includes a concealing layer that is preferably positioned on top of a protective layer. The protective layer is positioned between the signature area and the concealing layer when the concealing portion covers the signature area. The concealing layer is formed from a material that is normally opaque but becomes at least partially transparent when one or more chemicals are applied to the concealing layer. The protective layer protects the signature from the one or more chemicals since the protective layer is impermeable to the one or more chemicals.

Abstract: A sorter system includes a plurality of sortation bins with a feed path connected to the plurality of sortation bins for transporting media items to destination sortation bins. A controller is connected to control the plurality of sortation bins and is operable during a sortation process to reassign the destination sortation bin into which a media item is sorted. The system operation may employ a method for sorting media items where a plurality of media items are fed onto a transport system for sortation. Each media items is sorted into a destination sortation bin of a plurality of sortation bins connected to said transport system. Destination sortation bins for media items are dynamically reassigned based of the determined status of the media items in the sortation bins. The status of media items is sensed in each of said plurality of sortation bins may be determined based on sensors associated with the equipment or tracked by a controller or other techniques which track the mail pieces being processed.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining an item includes retrieving consolidated data concerning an item from a provider infrastructure, the consolidated data including data elements from a source of the item and data elements concerning a mobile user of the provider infrastructure. Verifiable authorization is retrieved from the provider infrastructure for the mobile user of the provider infrastructure to obtain the item from the source of said item consistent with the consolidated data. The consolidated data may have various data elements specific to the source of the items such as price offers, rebates, incentives and discounts and location of the item and various data elements specific to the mobile user such as gift certificates, loyalty programs, buyers' group participation and location of the mobile user in relation to the specific source.

Abstract: A method of operating a check processing system includes scanning a check on a first occasion to generate a first image of the check. The first image is transmitted to a financial institution. The check is scanned on a second occasion later than the first occasion to generate a second image of the check. The second image of the check is transmitted to the financial institution. The second image of the check is examined to determine whether the check was cancelled prior to the second occasion.

Abstract: A method for detecting whether perforations are present on the edge of an image of a form, such as a check, includes obtaining a bitmap of the image, identifying a selected portion of the bitmap that corresponds to at least the edge and that includes a matrix of a plurality of rows and columns of brightness values, and selecting a particular one of the rows of brightness values. The method further includes performing a Fourier transform of the brightness values included in the particular selected row to generate a Fourier transform output, and determining whether a series of perforations is present based on the Fourier transform output. The method may also include steps wherein the brightness values are low pass filtered and wherein the values in the selected row are high pass filtered prior to the step of performing a Fourier transform.

Abstract: A reusable mailing envelope includes a plurality of panels which, in combination, define a pocket for receipt of internal content material. One of the panels includes a window adapted to receive printed information to facilitate routing of the mailing envelope during the initial mail delivery. The reusable envelope also includes a means for preventing the readability of the printed information on the window during a subsequent mail delivery such that the routing instructions associated with the initial mail delivery are not interpreted and executed by the automated scanning equipment during the subsequent mail delivery.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for sorting mail pieces that may include both standard and higher class mail. The mail pieces are for delivery to various addresses, and the present invention postpones delivery to some addresses if those addresses are receiving insufficient mail. According to this method, data is collected about each mail piece, and that data for each mail piece is associated with a respective holder that holds the mail piece. Mail is withheld from immediate delivery if the collected data associated with the holder indicates that the mail piece is standard class having a non-immediate delivery deadline, provided that the collected data associated with other holders indicates that there are no other pieces having the same address and having either a higher class or an immediate delivery date.

Abstract: A method for determining e-mail address formatting rules corresponding to particular domain names, whereby e-mail address data is collected and sorted based on domains. Based on the gathered data for particular domains, a pattern is identified and an e-mail address formatting rule is determined. Format rule information is stored for future use to assist in correcting and directing e-mail messages so that they may be received by their intended recipients. Gathering of e-mail address data occurs by directly gathering e-mail addresses and e-mail address format data directly from entities responsible for the domain or format are derived based on patterns observed in collected address data for particular domains. Data for developing these patterns may be gathered from e-mail address information resident on the Internet, e-mail address information from e-mail address books, or from public e-mail address listings.