Abstract: A method is provided for processing mail at a sorting facility, which mail includes automation mail that can be processed automatically by automated machines at the sorting facility and manual mail which, due to its physical characteristics, cannot be processed by the automated machines at the sorting facility. Such a method includes the steps of placing a piece of manual mail into a sleeve such that the combination of sleeve and mail piece can be processed by the automated machines at the sorting facility, and processing the sleeve containing the manual mail piece on the automation equipment along with automation mail. Following processing, the sleeve can either be removed from the mail piece, or left in place for delivery to the postal customer.

Abstract: A mail sorting and sequencing system having a number of DPP units cooperating with one another to sort and sequence mail items of three different types of mail. Each DPP unit having: a conveyor system wherein a number of trucks travel along a path; at least three truck feed units communicating with the conveyor system and receiving mail items of a respective type of mail; at least one accumulating device cooperating with the conveyor system to receive mail items released individually by the trucks; and a buffer unit for housing groups of mail items from the accumulating device.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to the field of document material handling in high-speed in-line mailing systems. In particular, the present subject matter relates to a cross track divert device, system and method for diverting a suspect or invalid document from a paper pathway prior to the document entering a raceway conveyor. The cross track divert device is designed to divert and remove the suspect or invalid document without stoppage of the mailing system's operation cycle.

Abstract: A method for processing a batch of mail wherein a mail sorting machine sorts the batch of mail to a plurality of sorting bins according to a predetermined sorting plan includes steps of reading an identification code from an empty mail tray, loading the empty tray in a buffer storage unit associated with one of the sorting bins, activating a switch associated with the buffer storage unit to confirm that the mail tray is positioned in the buffer, assigning the tray identification code to a destination associated with the sorting bin in the sorting plan, and then sorting mail to the sorting bin and transferring sorted mail from the sorting bin into the mail tray.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for combining multiple small stacks of flats mailpieces into a single large stack of mailpieces and then transferring the large stack to a standard flats mail tray, all while maintaining the sequence order of the mail in the accumulated stack. The apparatus is comprised of three primary subsystems: a bridge conveyor, a stack accumulator, and an output tray station. The bridge conveyor carries mailpieces from the exit conveyor of a mail processing machine such as a collator, to the stack accumulator. The stack accumulator combines small stacks of mailpieces into large stacks in a desired sequence. The output tray station provides support for an empty tray as the accumulated mail stack is transferred to the tray, and then releases the filled tray in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A system and method (FIG. 1) for automated handling and identification of parcels sorted by an automated high-speed mail sorting apparatus that identifies parcels that contain hoax or biological threat material comprising an opener (120) and a particle sampler (170) wherein said sampler analyzes air flow created as the parcels are compressed by pinch rollers (140).

Abstract: A postal sorting machine includes an injection carousel (1) and a system (4) for injecting mail items (3) standing on edge into receptacles (2) of the carousel (1). Each receptacle (2) of the carousel (1) is defined by an end wall (7) and two side walls (5, 6). A flexible deflector (12) is secured to a first side wall (5) of each receptacle in such a manner that each mail item (3) injected into the receptacle (2) is guided towards the end wall (7) while being pressed substantially against the second side wall (6).

Abstract: An object sorting apparatus and method using chutes for transporting objects to selected locations. The chutes include one or more openings through which a fluid may be forced to reduce friction between the objects and the chute. Diverters are operatively aligned with the chutes for directing the objects to selected chutes. A momentum mechanism imparts forward motion to the objects to move them along the chutes along the chutes.

Abstract: The method of detecting overlapping postal items in a postal sorting installation (1) consists in detecting variation in the length of each item by causing each item to go past a plurality of proximity detectors (4, 5, 6, 7). The proximity detectors are situated at different points of the sorting installation (1) and they are configured to evaluate the length of each item. As they pass through the sorting installation, overlapping items shift progressively relative to one another due, in particular, to friction. Thus, the total length of a set of overlapping items tends to vary, such that evaluating variation in the length of each potential item serves to provide information that is reliable for detecting overlaps. Since it is relatively easy to evaluate the length of an item, the performance of the installation is improved at low cost.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container for flat objects in a vertical position, comprising a base, two lateral longitudinal sides and two front sides, the flat objects being aligned with their largest surfaces facing the front sides. At least one front side consists of at least one material web, whose axes run parallel to the base, which is mobile in relation to the front side and can be displaced downwards into a gap in the base. The material web is flexible and thin and is suspended by its ends that run perpendicular to the longitudinal sides between two bars. The lower bar is configured in the gap in the base and is displaceable and the upper bar can be displaced between the base and the upper edge along the front delimitation of the longitudinal sides.

Abstract: A postal sorting machine comprises an injection carousel (1) and a system (4) for injecting mail items (3) standing on edge into receptacles (2) of the carousel (1). Each receptacle (2) of the carousel (1) is defined by an end wall (7) and two side walls (5, 6). A blower (13) is interposed between the injection system (4) and the carousel (1). The blower (13) delivers two jets (14, 15) of compressed air that are substantially perpendicular to each other, with each mail item (3) being displaced between the jets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for reading and decoding information extracted from a form. In the system of the present invention, packages are randomly placed on a conveyor belt, with their labels facing a two-camera subassembly. As the conveyor belt moves, the two-camera subassembly continuously takes images of the belt underneath the overhead camera. The design of the camera permits it to take a high resolution image of a non-singulated, unjustified package flow. A digital image of the packages within the field of view of the camera is then transferred to the processing system for analysis. The processing system identifies individual packages in the image, extracts them and then analyzes the information written on the package labels. The analysis process utilizes conventional Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR) techniques to evaluate the information written on the package label.

Abstract: A mail processing system includes a mail processing facility with at least one negative pressure zone which is negative with respect to a positive pressure zone external to the facility. The facility further includes a first area in the facility for receiving mail, a second area in the facility for sorting and inspecting the mail, a third area in the facility for temporarily storing mail that has been sorted and inspected, and a response system for responding to a mail threat being detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting articles to a delivery point sequence includes at least one article sorter adapted to sort articles and a conveying system operable to arrange and convey containers of articles sorted in a first sort pass to an induct of the article sorter for a second sort pass or process of the articles. The conveying system may include at least one transport conveyor and a plurality of zone conveyors or staging zones. The transport conveyor conveys trays from the discharge of the article sorter to the induct of the article sorter, and the zone conveyors are positioned along the transport conveyor. The conveying system is operable to arrange and accumulate trays in a sequenced manner on the transport conveyor. The transport conveyor is operable to discharge the sequenced trays to the induct of the article sorter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sorting, scanning and routing imaged documents are described. In one configuration, incoming mixed white mail is sorted and coded, then extracted and scanned using the code to separate items. The separate imaged documents are then routed using the code. In another configuration, the documents are automatically extracted from the envelopes. In yet another configuration, the intended recipient is sent an identifier used to reference the code and retrieve the imaged document.

Abstract: A system and method are set out for automating the sorting and loading of parcels into a delivery vehicle. While being conveyed from a customer, parcels to be delivered are scanned and information obtained therefrom. The information may be the parcel either or both the identification code and delivery address. The obtaining may be performed by a bar code reader, hand held or overhead, as well as a videocoding device. The parcel information is matched to a sort code, a unique code for a unique delivery address. A list of matched identification and sort codes and delivery addresses and sort codes is then saved for later search, sort, and retrieval. The parcels are then loaded in sequence into mobile racks, which when full, is loaded onto the delivery vehicle. A sequence list of the order in which the parcels were scanned is also saved for later search, sort, and retrieval. An end user enters a select list of addresses in search of possible hits from the saved lists.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for processing flat mailings, according to which two or more piles of mailings, the destination addresses of which are known and which are sorted according to the distribution order, are separated by a separating device, are directed onto a common transport path, and are then jointly stacked in the order in which the mailing have been transported. The separation process is timed in such a way that the joined mailings are transported on the transport path in the order in which they are to be distributed based on the known destination addresses. A unit detecting the destination addresses on the mailings and a sensor arrangement detecting the leading an trailing edges of the mailings are disposed along the transport path.

Abstract: A method for sorting mail to a case having a plurality of slots is described, wherein each slot corresponds to a destination. The method includes steps of loading a mail piece to be sorted into a delivery robot, determining for the mail piece a destination slot the mail piece is to be delivered to, moving the delivery robot along a rail disposed at the front of the case near the slots into proximity with an open end of the destination slot, inserting the mail piece from the delivery robot into the associated slot, and returning the delivery robot to a loading station whereby the cycle may be repeated. Such a method, when using a large number of robots moving along a common rail system, can sort a large volume of mail in carrier delivery order.

Abstract: A method for sweeping mail pieces from pockets of a sorter including the steps of (1) sorting mail pieces to a plurality of pockets based upon a preselected sorting criteria, (2) positioning an unloading robot adjacent to a selected one of the pockets when the pocket has received a predetermined volume of mail pieces, the robot carrying a tray having upright side walls and bottom wall, (3) engaging the pocket with a sweeping apparatus, (4) removing mail pieces in the pocket with the sweeping apparatus, (5) loading the removed mail pieces into the tray carried by the robot, and (6) carrying the tray containing the removed mail pieces to a destination with the robot. An apparatus for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for separating flat postal items according to thickness classes. A rigid system of overlapping lamellae (5) on two continuous traction mechanisms (3) revolving on two deflection rollers (4) provides a lamella-type conveyor belt. The lamellae (5), in the end zones of the belt, are inclined outward at the same angle, thereby forming inward-leading gaps in between them. The lamella-type conveyor belt is inclined with respect to the horizontal to such an extent that postal items (10) that are conveyed to the lower part of the belt transporting the postal items upwards can slide, due to their gravity, into the interior of the lamella-type conveyor belt through the downward leading gaps if they are thinner than the gap width. The sorted out postal items (11) slide onto a transport device (7) by means of rigid guides (6) in the interior of the lamella-type conveyor belt. Said transport device transports the postal items laterally outward from the lamella-type conveyor belt.

Abstract: A single pass sequencer having a transport system for transporting the mail pieces and a character recognition system proximate to the transport system for reading destination information associated with the mail pieces. The system includes a first carriage system and a second carriage system with a a plurality of holders slidable between the first carriage system and the second carriage system. Each of the plurality of holders holding a mail piece of the mail pieces received from the transport system. A sorting device stores information from the mail pieces and assigns a code to: (i) the mail pieces based on the destination information, (ii) the plurality of holders on the first carriage based on an initial sequence of each of the plurality of holders on the first carriage, and (iii) a position on the second carriage which corresponds to the initial sequence and a destination sequence of the mail pieces.

Abstract: The combination of a first and a second product mail streams wherein the first stream includes wrapped products and the second stream includes unwrapped products.

Abstract: A method to arbitrate between results obtained from observationally derived data by several procedures, where the results are items characteristic of the observationally derived data is disclosed. Each procedure is given a ranking according to the confidence on the procedure. The results and characteristics derived from the results are used in a plurality of rules, where the rules are used to arbitrate between the results.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing and sorting discrete items into a large quantity of discrete groups is provided. The system includes multiple sorting steps including an upstream sorting step that sorts items into both discrete and non-discrete groups and a downstream sorting step that sorts the non-discrete groups into discrete groups for further processing.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention provide for processing mailpiece information in a mail processing device using sorter application software. In one embodiment, a mail processing device uses the sorter application software to communicate with an identification code server. In this embodiment, different types of mail processing devices can use the common sorter application software to communicate with the same or different identification code servers.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a method of calculating sorting costs for incoming mail. The foregoing is accomplished by providing a method that can determine the number and types of mailpieces being sorted and associated that number with addressee information. The combination of the number and types of mailpieces being sorted for the addressees can then be used to calculate a charge back amount by using a predetermined cost per mailpiece.

Abstract: A system including a mailpiece sorting apparatus which includes a feeder, an OCR scanner, a mailpiece deliverer, a diverter and output module, compartments or bins for receiving sorted mailpieces, an optical character recognition system for reading addressee information, an addressee database, and microprocessor based control system is described. In an illustrative example, harmful materials are detected in mailpieces and such mailpieces are diverted from the mail stream. In another example, the system is contained in a detection area and clean room; and/or the system uses x-ray technology to determine the content of the mailpieces. The system provides for detection of harmful materials in mailpieces so as to help deter delays in incoming mail delivery caused by the presence of life harming material and to sanitize the mail so as to protect the intended recipients from harm.

Abstract: In the present invention a sorting machine in a distribution order is made to process a substantially higher number of distribution order points, within a sorting process, than necessary for sorting in one or several real distribution orders based on the available pigeon holes. Real distribution order points with large quantities of mailing pieces are distributed between several virtual distribution order points with a minimum quantity of mailing pieces. The quantity of mailing pieces statistically determined for each real distribution order point of a defined distribution order are distributed between the virtual distribution order points, as regularly as possible, for the sorting passes preceding the final sorting pass. Then, the sorting passes preceding the final sorting pass are executed. The final sorting pass is thus executed, such that the mailing pieces of a distribution order are sorted into adjacent pigeon holes.

Abstract: A method and system for encapsulating mail containers delivered to a building so as to prevent possible contaminants in the mail containers from contaminating the building. An opening is provided on a building wall that substantially separates indoor air circulation from the outdoor air for receiving the mail containers. A plastic tube having a closed end and an open end is used to encapsulate the mail containers. The open end is securely attached to the opening in the wall for receiving the mail containers into the tube, while preventing air circulation outside the building from entering the opening. A sealing device is used to seal the plastic tube for keeping the mail containers in separate sealed sections. A severing device is used to separate the sealed sections in the encapsulated packages so that the encapsulated packages can be tested for the possible contaminants.

Abstract: The sorting and packaging system comprises an induction and scanning system, a single pass sorting and packaging system for automatically sorting and packaging a plurality of mailpieces based on a single scan by the induction and sorting system, and a control unit connected to and controlling the induction and scanning system and the single pass sorting and packaging system. The single pass sorting and packaging system comprises at least one cell rack, at least one packaging system, and at least one delivery system. The cell rack is connected to the induction and scanning system by a transport sorting system. The cell rack comprises a plurality of cells and a purging system. The packaging system is connected to the cell rack and comprises a transport packaging system and a packaging unit. The delivery system is connected to the packaging system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing confirmation and messaging relating to the distribution of a mail piece within a mailing system. Information including a mailer's address is included in a digital post mark or printed directly on the mail piece. During delivery of the mail piece, the information is read, and the mailer's address is captured. A message, which may include a mail piece image, a recipient response and physical image of a recipient, is sent to the mailer in accordance with read information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing mail is provided. The mail is serially fed from a stack of mail into a system transport. The system transport conveys the mail to an imaging station, which scans the mail to obtain image data corresponding to at least a portion of each piece. From the imaging station, the mail is conveyed to a buffer, which selectively maintains the mail while the address printed on the mail is determined. After the address for a piece of mail is determined, the piece is conveyed out of the buffer to a printer, which prints a POSTNET barcode onto the piece. The POSTNET barcode corresponds to the address that was determined for the piece. Optionally, the apparatus may include a labeler for applying a blank label onto the mail, and the POSTNET barcode can then be printed onto the label after it is applied to the mail. After the POSTNET barcode is printed on a piece, it is conveyed past a verifier, which scans the printed POSTNET barcode to ensure that the barcode was printed properly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sequencing articles via a single sort pass or process includes a plurality of article receivers or collators positioned along a conveying or transport path and a plurality of carriages movable along the path. The carriages receive articles from at least one induct in a generally random manner and discharge the articles at the appropriate collators. The collators are operable to selectively receive the articles at an appropriate one of a plurality of bins of the collators, such that the articles are positioned within the bins of the collators in a sequenced manner. The articles may be unloaded to a plurality of collecting devices and/or manually unloaded and placed or stacked in a container in the desired sequence. The collecting devices may be manually unloaded while the collators simultaneously selectively receive articles during a subsequent sort wave or process.

Abstract: The video-coding station for an installation for sorting postal items, in particular packets, steering each packet towards a sorting outlet on the basis of an automatic reading of a postal address (AD) of the packet in a digitized image of the packet, includes a central processor unit, a screen (EC), and a keyboard (CL), and is programmed so as to display an image (IP) so that a video-coding operator (OV) can perform semi-automatic processing of the reading of the address (AD). The station further includes a pointing device (JS) for positioning a reticule (RE) on the center of a zone of the image displayed, and a trigger button (BT) for recording the current position of the reticule so that the operator can rapidly identify the location of the postal address (AD).

Abstract: In order to eliminate addressing errors on postal articles in a process (8, 10) of sorting, routing, and delivery performed by a postal operator on mail articles (3?) handed over to the operator by a sender of mail articles constituting a client of the postal operator, respective mail article identity numbers (I) are generated for the mail articles to be processed in the sorting, routing, and delivery process, said identity numbers (I) being applied to the respective mail articles in machine readable form (5) and being recorded in an electronic file (F) in association with data (A) giving the postal addresses of the mail articles. These mail article identity numbers (I) or “extended client codes” are generated by the mail article sender and they are applied by the sender to the mail articles prior to handing them over to the postal operator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, in a general aspect, system including a mail sorting apparatus which generally comprises a feeder, a line scan camera, an in-line printer, a control system which may be the microprocessor based personal computer system, at least one addressee database and sort plan, a mailpiece transporter, a bin module with compartments or sort bins for receiving mailpieces. This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by enabling a mail sorting apparatus to address sort internal mailings (business to employee mail). The foregoing is accomplished by addressing and sorting employee mailpieces in one process by using information from one or more databases of the mail sorting apparatus, including the addressee database and sort plan, and an in-line printer for printing employee and/or delivery information on the employee mailpiece. Thus, the method of the present invention provides a less costly, simplified way to prepare internal mailings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting articles to a delivery point sequence includes at least one sortation assembly adapted to sort articles and a buffer. The buffer is operable to arrange and convey containers of articles sorted in a first sort pass to an induct of the at least one sortation assembly for a second sort pass or process of the articles. The buffer automatically arranges the containers in an arranged manner prior to conveying the containers and articles to the induct of the at least one sortation assembly for the second sort process. The second sort process is then performed to sort the articles to a delivery point sequence or carrier walk sequence depth of sort. A conveyor assembly may be operable to convey containers to an appropriate one of multiple sortation assemblies and/or buffers to increase the sequencing matrix capability of the apparatus.

Abstract: The mail sorting systems and methods of the invention can be used to provide a mail carrier with a batch of mail that is arranged in delivery point order and separated by delivery point. Advantageously, the systems and methods employ an expandable, transportable container having a number of expandable compartments. Each expandable compartment holds the mail for a single delivery point.

Abstract: A mail sequencing system has, its top surface part, a tray storage. A non-standard-size mail supplied from a mail supplying unit is read by a bar code reader. The mail is stacked in a predetermined sorting bin based on the information. A tray onto which the mail is stacked is carried sequentially from the sorting bin to the tray storage and is supplied via a spiral chute to the mail supplying unit again to perform the second sorting. The destination of the mail can be automatically further sorted.

Abstract: A method and system for automated sorting machines is provided in which a feedback between OCR and ABL takes place. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a loose coupling between ABL and OCR is proposed in which the ABL system is asked for a further address block potentially present on the letter's surface when the first one being passed from ABL to OCR yielded that no destination ZIP code could be extracted from it. The confidence of the actual OCR and the ABL result, the address block contents supplemented with some additional criteria based on general knowledge, further, the sort plan actually loaded on the concerned sorting machine and the postmark information found in the stamps of the postmark can advantageously be used to make the ABL restart decision. Further, the ABL system can continue to search further address blocks while the OCR system processes one or a plurality of address blocks being passed to it from ABL in a preceding procedure related to the same letter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for the marking sections of a stack of items, such as mail items, to be sorted in sorting machines according to a distribution order. After reading and allocating a destination address to the stopping points of the distribution order, the last or the first and the last mail item of a section of a stack to be distinguished in a stack is automatically provided with an easily removable sticker, well visible in the stack, by an sticker dispenser, which is placed in the sorting machine after the reading unit for the distribution information and before the distribution unit. The stickers are then removed again during the distribution of the mail items to the receivers of the mail items.

Abstract: Pre-packaging of flats mail by mailers, printers, and binding houses is provided by a carrier assembly that provides optimum shipping volumes while requiring reduced handling at postal facilities at elevated rates while supporting both manual and automated mail processing. The carrier assembly consists of a substantially rigid carrier body of rectangular cross section and includes a plurality, at least two, of generally flat, rectangular side walls and at least one end wall, two or more of which have one or a pair of banding guide slots formed in respective outer edges thereof in mutual registration for receiving banding or other strapping means in either parallel or cross-banding arrangements for securing mail loaded therein.

Abstract: A method using a single pass sequencer having a transport system for transporting the mail pieces to a transport system having a first carriage system and a second carriage system with a plurality of holders slidable between the first carriage system and the second carriage system with packaged output. Each of the plurality of holders holding a mail piece of the mail pieces received from the transport system. The method includes assigning a code to: (i) the mail pieces based on the destination information, (ii) the plurality of holders on the first carriage, and (iii) a position on the second carriage which corresponds to the initial sequence and a destination sequence of the mail pieces.

Abstract: A method using a single pass sequencer having a transport system for transporting the mail pieces to a transport system having a first carriage system and a second carriage system with a plurality of holders slidable between the first carriage system and the second carriage system with packaged output. Each of the plurality of holders holds a mail piece received from the transport system. The method includes assigning a code to: (i) the mail pieces based on the destination information, (ii) the plurality of holders on the first carriage, and (iii) a position on the second carriage which corresponds to the initial sequence and a destination sequence of the mail pieces. The method instructs movement of the plurality of holders from the first carriage to the second carriage so that they are in sequential order of delivery destination, ready to be packaged. Once the mail pieces are in sequential order on the second carriage, they are dropped into a container for a delivery point.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for receiving envelopes, or stacker, for a mail handling machine, comprising a conveyor belt arranged at the exit of the mail handling machine, for receiving these envelopes and conveying them perpendicularly to a direction of advance of these envelopes towards an inclined transfer surface from which these envelopes are then directed by guiding means mounted directly at the exit of the inclined transfer surface towards a first post storage bin of standard dimensions disposed beneath the conveyor belt. There is preferably provided, upstream of the conveyor belt, a motorized sorting flap adapted to be switched depending on the format of the franked mail item and which, in a first position, serves as support for the mail item when it is ejected towards the conveyor belt and, in a second position, forms an obstacle to the mail item which then drops loose directly in a second post storage bin disposed just at the exit of the mail handling machine.

Abstract: A method and system for reading an address of a mail piece is set out wherein the address face of the mail piece is scanned and decoded to generate an electronically recognizable or readable destination address. If the destination address is not completely decoded, the image of the address face is temporarily stored in a grouping in a database. The grouping is then forwarded to an encoding clerk who has the highest priority and is available for the grouping. The priority of the deck is based on data such as the clerk's measured professional competence. Herein, factors include experience with a particular destination region, success rate, and the like.

Abstract: A mail sorter, which can reliably sort mail while avoiding the breakage and the recovery mistake of mail released from conveyor baskets, which move on the mail sorting line in circulation. The mail sorter has a conveyor line with a conveying forward run and a conveying return run closely arranged back to back with each, and layered mail recovery box groups are disposed along a lower region of the conveying return run in parallel to each other. The mail recovery box groups comprise lowest stage boxes for recovering mail M released from conveyor baskets on the conveying forward run through a transverse deflection chute, middle stage boxes for recovering mail M released from the conveyor baskets on the conveying forward run through a discharge chute, and uppermost stage boxes for recovering mail M released from the conveying baskets on the conveying return run through a buffer chute.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing mail is provided. A stack of mail is placed in an input bin in a feeder module. A feeder serially feeds the envelopes into a transport path. The envelopes are then examined to determine if the contents are qualified for extraction. Envelopes that are qualified for extraction are opened in a cutting module and then conveyed to an extraction module to extract the contents from the envelopes. The contents may then be scanned and reoriented as desired so that the contents are in a pre-determined orientation. The contents are then sorted into a stacker.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention provide for reading an identification code from a mailpiece. In one embodiment, there are a reader unit and a reader head assembly connected by an optical cable, which provide for the identification of a mailpiece in an identification code sorting system.

Abstract: The invention relates to sorting items of mail in a plurality of sorting passes. In order not to have to read the address in each sorting pass and also not to have to print any machine-readable identification code on each item of mail, features characteristic of the items of mail are additionally determined during the first sorting pass and are stored together with distribution codes determined in the reading process. During the subsequent sorting passes only the characteristic features of the items of mail are measured and compared with the stored features. In the event of agreement, the item of mail is assigned the associated distribution code. A particular feed regime with defined orders ensures that in each case only n items of mail have to be compared, where n=maximum multiple delivery rate to be expected.