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: A method that enables the USPS to be aware of the contents of mail and the identity of the party who licensed the postal meter that paid for the mailing. The foregoing is accomplished by placing human readable postal meter indicia on the mail that contains information that uniquely identifies the mail and the licensee of the meter in addition to incorporating a radio frequency identification tag on the mail that identifies the contents of the mail and the information that uniquely identifies the mail. Additional security will be obtained by knowing the identity of the mailer and the contents of the mailing. The radio frequency tags may be remotely read, enabling the USPS to be aware of the contents of the mail permitting different content mail to be handled differently.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting an ingestion assembly within a singulating apparatus operative to singulate and convey sheet material along a feed path. The mounting arrangement includes a radial bearing pivotally mounting the ingestion assembly to a stationary support structure of the singulating apparatus. The radial bearing is operative to pivot the singulating assembly from an operating position to an idle position about a pivot axis which is substantially orthogonal to the feed path of the sheet material. The mounting arrangement also includes an over-center mechanism disposed in combination with the radial bearing for biasing the ingestion assembly about the pivot axis such that the ingestion assembly is forcibly held in each of the operating and idle positions. Optimum space utilization and ease of use is provided by the radial bearing which cantilever mounts the ingestion assembly to the singulating apparatus.

Abstract: A sheet handling device having at least one sheet feed path therethrough from an inlet to an outlet, the sheet feed path defined by a guide for directing sheet material from the inlet to the outlet. The sheet handling device comprising a plurality of processing sections located along the sheet feed path for performing a plurality of operations on sheet material being handled by the device. The processing sections including a central accumulator section, a collation section, a sheet folding section and at least one inserter section which are collectively located within a main chamber of the sheet handling device. The accumulator section is centrally located relative to the other processing sections and employs a vertically-oriented feed path to facilitate accumulation of sheet material while minimizing the spacing/gaps between adjacent sections. Furthermore, an access doorway is disposed over the processing stations to facilitate jam clearance.

Abstract: A method of processing a check issued by a payor includes creating a check image at a payor location, obtaining positive pay data from the image at the payor location using OCR and transmitting the positive pay data to a payor bank of the payor. Alternatively, the positive pay data may be generated by the payor bank from the check image received from the payor. The positive pay data includes at least a name of a payee of the check and a payment dollar amount of the check, but may also include one or more of a date of the check, a serial number of the check, and an account number of the account on which the check is drawn. The positive pay data is stored by the payor bank and used to detect potential fraud when the check is later presented to the bank for payment.

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 method, system and article for producing an envelope having improved seal integrity. A method includes the steps of: disposing at least one material at the interface of the adhesive seal between the flap and the body portion of the envelope, which material radiates thermal energy when combined with an activating agent. The envelope is then sealed by closing the flap onto the body portion of the envelope and combining the material with the activating agent at the sealing interface so as to change the thermal energy radiated therefrom. The seal is then inspected to determine whether the thermal energy radiated from the activated material has changed thereby confirming that a seal has been produced between the flap and body portion of the envelope. The system and article are directed to the various modules of a mailpiece fabrication system employed to produce the mailpiece including an inspection module for confirming that a seal has been formed.

Abstract: A linkage arrangement for handling sheets in a sheet accumulator including an accumulation gate and a locking over center mechanism. The accumulation gate pivotally mounts to a support structure of the accumulator and includes a stop surface for traversing the sheet path. The stop surface is movable between an interference position and a release position wherein the interference position inhibits the travel of sheets along the sheet path, and the release position releases the sheets for continued travel along the sheet path. The locking over center mechanism includes longitudinally aligned actuating and connecting arms. The actuating arm pivotally mounts to the support structure about a rotational axis while the connecting arm pivotally mounts to the accumulation gate at one end and pivotally mounts to the actuating arm at the other end. The locking over center mechanism inhibits motion of the accumulation gate in response to a force applied to the accumulation surface.

Abstract: A method for feeding a shingled stack of sheet material to a downstream processing device includes the step of identifying a discontinuity in the shingled stack of sheet material wherein the discontinuity has a length dimension from an aft end of a downstream portion of the shingled sheet material to a forward end of an upstream portion of the shingled sheet material. In a next step, the motion of first and second serially arranged conveyors are controlled such that the length dimension of the discontinuity is substantially equal to a prescribed gap of known length dimension. The first conveyor supports the upstream portion of the shingled sheet material and the second conveyor supports the downstream portion of the shingled sheet material. The deck of the first is advanced over the deck of the second conveyor toward the aft end of the downstream portion by the length dimension of the prescribed gap.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first feed path configured to transport an envelope from an input at an envelope supply to an insertion location, and a second feed path configured to transport the envelope with a mail piece insert therein from the insertion location to an output. The first and second feed paths intersect at an intersection spaced from the insertion location. The paths are angled relative to each other at the intersection.

Abstract: A method of controlling a motor to cause it to execute a move toward a target position including calculating a deceleration position, wherein when the deceleration position is reached, the motor will be caused to execute a deceleration in a manner that will result in the motor stopping short of the target position, and determining whether the requested move is a first move type after the motor has reached the deceleration position and the deceleration is complete. If the requested move is a first move type, the method includes causing the motor to move toward the target position at a first velocity, and if the requested move is a second move type, the method includes causing the DC motor to move toward the requested target position at a second velocity, wherein the second velocity is greater than the first velocity. Settling time is also varied depending on move type.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by enabling a sender to easily and automatically track mail. The foregoing is accomplished by first requiring the sender to register the sender's acquisition and possession of a booklet of tracking labels. Sender may indicate to the system the nature of the automated tracking sender wishes (delivery only, failure only, mailing events forwarding, etc.) Sender may override the system for specific mail. Sender is in possession of the labels contained in the booklet which may be wrapped with tamper evidencing material, may register the labels by entering the booklet security code as well as the first sequential label tracking code in a system. The booklet security code is not obtained until the tampering evidencing material is opened.

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 print interface system including a printer integrated in combination with a sheet handling system such as a mailpiece inserter. The print interface system facilitates the handling of sheet material in various operating modes, including conventional printing, duplex printing, and mailpiece creation modes. The system includes a printer having multiple feed paths for printing on opposing face surfaces of a sheet material. One of the feed paths directs sheet material to a staging tray and another feed path directs sheet material to a downstream module of the sheet handling system. The system further includes a positionable diverter for directing sheet material to one of the feed paths and a sheet sensor for determining when a sheet of material has been directed along the feed path leading to the output tray. A controller is operative to alternately reposition the diverter from one of two positions.

Abstract: A Right Angle Turn (RAT) module for processing multi-sheet collations includes opposed belt segments defining a conveyance channel for capturing multi-sheet collations therebetween and for conveying multi-sheet collations from an input and to an output end of the conveyance channel. The opposed belt segments define a first re-directing bend, a second re-directing bend, and a twist section disposed therebetween. The first re-directing bend includes a rolling element for re-directing the opposed belt segments about a first axis of rotation while the second re-directing bend includes a rolling element for re-directing the opposed belt segments about a second axis of rotation. The first and second axes of rotation are orthogonal to each other so as to effect a twist section therebetween.

Abstract: A mailing list is created including destination addresses for mailpieces to be submitted to a carrier service for delivery. A unique mailpiece identifier associated with mailpieces on the mailing list is generated by the carrier or other trusted third party. The unique mailpiece identifier is printed on the mailpiece with which it is associated. The mailpieces with the printed unique identifier are submitted to the carrier service. The carrier service obtains the printed unique identifier from the mailpiece. The obtained unique identifier from each said mailpiece is utilized to verify that data associated with the mailpiece has been processed by the carrier or trusted third party. When the unique number has been obtained from the mailpieces, the carrier service, if desired, may note this fact in the carrier records to prevent reuse of the unique identifier.

Abstract: A mailing machine for processing mailpiece envelopes, wherein a print station thereof is reconfigurable to process envelopes in two operating modes. The reconfigurable print station includes a displacement device having an integrated cutting mechanism to perform both printing and cutting operations. The displacement device includes a displacement surface for urging the mailpiece envelopes against a registration surface to facilitate print operations and a cutting mechanism coupled to the displacement device for cutting the sheet material in a direction substantially parallel to the processing path of the mailpiece envelope. The cutting device is adapted to be repositioned relative to the displacement surface such that, (i) in a first operating mode, the cutting device is retracted beneath or below the plane of the displacement surface, and (ii) in a second operating mode, the cutting device is extended above the plane of the displacement surface to cut the sheet material as it traverses the processing path.

Abstract: A page buffer for receiving and holding, in queue, pages prepared by a printer and subsequently processed by mailpiece inserter. The page buffer includes pairs of vertically-aligned rollers defining a plurality of page stations therebetween. Each pair of rollers is spaced-apart and defines a nip for driving printed pages along a feed path. Furthermore, each page station is defined by and between a first pair of rollers disposed downstream of an adjacent second pair of rollers. A drive means is also provided for independently driving the pairs of vertically-aligned rollers. The drive means is controlled such that, in a first operating mode, the pairs cooperate to drive printed pages along the feed path. In a second operating mode, the drive means is controlled such that at least one of the page stations causes its respective first pair of rollers to retain and hold a leading edge portion of a printed page while the adjacent second pair drives and releases a trailing edge portion of the printed page.

Abstract: A vacuum conveyance/manifold system is provided for processing mailpieces. The vacuum conveyance/manifold system includes at least one conveyor belt and a compliant deck disposed beneath and supporting an underside surface of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt has rows of aligned apertures disposed therein and a drive surface for engaging a face surface of each of the mailpieces. The compliant deck defines a neutral axis in bending and has a high elongation, low modulus material in a portion of the deck which is distal from the bending neutral axis, and a high yield strength, high modulus material in a portion of the deck which lies coincident with the bending neutral axis. Furthermore, the compliant deck has a plurality of elongate slots formed in the high elongation, low modulus material, which elongate slots are aligned, and in fluid communication, with the rows of apertures in the conveyor belt.