Abstract: A method and system for providing address change notification in an e-mail forwarding system by providing a pre-generated e-mail address change notification to recipients selected during registration in the e-mail forwarding system. The e-mail forwarding system operating when a message is received at an e-mail forwarding computer, the message identifying the first disfavored e-mail address. The e-mail forwarding computer parses the first e-mail address from the message to determine if there is a second preferred forwarding e-mail address associated with the first e-mail address. If there is a second e-mail address associated with the first e-mail address, the e-mail forwarding computer sends the e-mail message to a third computer associated with the second e-mail address.

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.

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 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 is provided for identifying mail pieces which may contain a suspicious (biohazardous/chemical agents or hoax materials). The method includes the steps of (i) causing particulate material to collect in a first region of the mail piece; (ii) producing a first content profile indicative of the internal contents of the mail piece; (iii) comparing the first content profile to a predefined baseline profile for determining whether the first content profile indicates the presence of a particulate material in the first region of the mail piece; and out-sorting a mail piece in response to the indicator. To ensure that other mail piece print, or physical characteristics, are not mistakenly identified as particulate material, steps (i)-(iii) may be repeated with certain modifications.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a mailpiece contaminated by hazardous agents/materials including at least one contaminant sensor for detecting the presence of a hazardous agent/material and a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device in communication with the contaminant sensor. The contaminant sensor issues an alert signal to the RDIF device indicating that a hazardous agent/material has been sensed. The RFID device communicates a signal concerning the current status of the RFID device i.e., indicative of whether the RFID device and, consequently, the mailpiece has been in, or proximal to, the hazardous agent/material.

Abstract: A method for forwarding an e-mail message from a disfavored e-mail address to a forwarding e-mail address via a remote e-mail forwarding computer having a unique e-mail address. An e-mail message is sent from a user to the remote e-mail forwarding computer. The remote e-mail forwarding computer parses the intended e-mail address from the e-mail message to determine if there is a disfavored e-mail address associated with the intended e-mail address. The e-mail message is sent from the remote computer to a computer associated with at least one forwarding address if there is determined at least one disfavored e-mail address is associated with the intended e-mail address. If there is not a determined forwarding e-mail address than the remote computer stores at least the disfavored e-mail in archival for forwarding in the event a forwarding address is subsequently stored in the remote computer which is associated with the disfavored e-mail address.

Abstract: A method for processing mail pieces having information thereon includes scanning the mail piece information and storing scanned mail piece information. Stored information is accessed when a scanned mail piece information is incomplete to obtain previously stored complete mail piece information. The previously stored complete mail piece information is employed in processing the mail piece with the incomplete information. The information may be a code or text that is scanned and stored during the processing of the mail. Fragmentary information from various sources on the scanned mail piece may be combined to access a previously stored mail piece record. The accessed information may be displayed.

Abstract: A method and system for processing of media items includes a separator system feeding a series of media items onto a transport system. The separator system is controlled to feed onto the transport system groups of sequential media items having similar information and to separate and feed onto the transport system sequential media items having dissimilar information spaced apart on said transport system from the group of media items having similar destination information. The separator system may be controlled to limit the thickness of each group of media items not to exceed a predetermined thickness. The separator system may also be controlled to separate and feed onto the transport system any subsequent media items which would cause said group of media items to exceed the predetermined thickness. In one arrangement, a series of media items are fed onto the transport system transport path for sortation into two or more sortation bins.

Abstract: A method and system for providing address change notification in an e-mail forwarding system by providing a pre-generated e-mail address change notification to recipients selected during registration in the e-mail forwarding system. The e-mail forwarding system operating when a message is received at an e-mail forwarding computer, the message identifying the first disfavored e-mail address. The e-mail forwarding computer parses the first e-mail address from the message to determine if there is a second preferred forwarding e-mail address associated with the first e-mail address. If there is a second e-mail address associated with the first e-mail address, the e-mail forwarding computer sends the e-mail message to a third computer associated with the second e-mail address.

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 and system for reading various codes such as codes imprinted on an item includes a first and a second code reader each scan the code on the item to read the code. The data obtained by the first and the second code reader is merged to reconstruct the code on said item. The position of the one or more of the code readers may be adjusted such that the maximum reading efficiency of said code by each code reader occurs at different points of the scanned code. This helps to facilitate merging the data obtained by the first and the second code reader to reconstruct the code on the item. By adjusting the position of one or more of the code readers, degradation of the reading of the item code due, for example, to beat frequencies occurs at different points in the code for each code reader. The method and system may be employed in various applications such as with sortation systems and other paper handling equipment.

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: An ink supply system for a printer including an inner chamber comprising a controlled security ink; an outer chamber comprising a chemical; an ink conduit from the inner chamber through and out of the outer chamber; and a rupture wall at a junction between the inner chamber and the outer chamber. The ink conduit keeps the chemical away from the ink when the ink travels from the inner chamber out of the ink supply system. When the rupture wall is ruptured, the chemical is adapted to interact with the controlled security ink to indicate that the rupture has occurred.

Abstract: A display apparatus creates a modifiable three-dimensional image. The apparatus includes a plurality of non-planar pixel units arranged substantially on a plane. Each of the non-planar pixel units has a visual impact that is a function of direction. An electronic device is provided for modifying said functions to change the three-dimensional image.

Abstract: A printed barcode including first basic barcode information stored in a first basic mode of printed data storage, and second additional enhanced barcode information stored in a second enhanced mode of printed data storage. The second information is printed, at least partially, as a component of the first information. The first information is adapted to be read by a basic barcode reader. The second information is adapted to be read by an enhanced barcode reader and cannot be read by the basic barcode reader.

Abstract: A method for retrieving mail tracking details of a mailpiece sent to a recipient using a stored image of the mailpiece. A mailpiece is provided with a unique mailpiece tracking identifier and the identifier is stored in a database. An image of the mailpiece is then acquired and also stored in the database in association with the unique mailpiece tracking identifier. Mailpiece tracking details for the mailpiece are then acquired as the mailpiece is delivered to a recipient, which tracking details are stored in the database in association with the mailpiece tracking identifier and stored image. A user seeking the particular tracking details is then presented with at least one stored image of a mailpiece, and when an image is selected by a user, the user is presented with the mail tracking details that were stored in association with the selected mailpiece image.

Abstract: A method for retrieving mail tracking details of a mailpiece sent to a recipient using a stored image of the mailpiece. A mailpiece is provided with a unique mailpiece tracking identifier and the identifier is stored in a database. An image of the mailpiece is then acquired and also stored in the database in association with the unique mailpiece tracking identifier. Mailpiece tracking details for the mailpiece are then acquired as the mailpiece is delivered to a recipient, which tracking details are stored in the database in association with the mailpiece tracking identifier and stored image. A user seeking the particular tracking details is then presented with at least one stored image of a mailpiece, and when an image is selected by a user, the user is presented with the mail tracking details that were stored in association with the selected mailpiece image.

Abstract: A method and system for isolating, transferring and testing potentially contaminated mail pieces. The mail pieces are encapsulated in a sealed package at one location and transferred to another location for testing. During testing, the sealed package is connected to an air sampling system, which directly draws an air sample from the sealed package. At the end of testing, the air pressure in the sealed package is sufficiently reduced, causing the sealed bag to collapse. A septum or a tube with a self-sealed coupler is provided on the sealed package to allow the air sampling system to draw air out of the sealed package. When the air sampling system is not connected to the sealed package, the septum or the self-sealed coupler prevents the air inside the sealed package from escaping into the environment. It is advantageous to disturb the mail pieces during air sampling.

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.