Abstract: A system for printing markings along the top and bottom of mailpieces, using a print head in a fixed position. The print head receives print instructions either from a print module or an inverted print module and prints one or more first markings onto the mailpiece, the mailpiece being in a first orientation. The mailpiece is rotated so that it is in a second orientation, which is approximately 180 degrees from the first orientation. The print head prints on the mailpiece one or more second markings that are oriented 180 degrees with respect to the orientation of the one or more first markings printed onto the mailpiece. The one or more second markings shares the same upright orientation as the one or more first markings when printed onto the mailpiece and when subsequently read.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, in a general aspect, to a method of updating an addressee database in an incoming mail sorting apparatus comprising the steps of: a) providing the addressee database stored in memory associated with the mail sorting apparatus; b) providing a mailpiece to be read and sorted by the mail sorting apparatus; c) reading the mailpiece to determine whether the mailpiece is an update form; d) reading update information from the mailpiece if the mailpiece is an update form; e) updating addressee information as required by the update information on the update form. The method can be initiated by each individual employee using a readily available form and providing information manually or by using a software program resident on the employee's personal computer to generate the update form information. The method provides an easily accessible method of updating an addressee database that reduces database maintenance costs.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating an amount of time required to complete a mail processing job. A control module receives and maintains real time data of quantity of mailpieces and time to sort the quantity of mailpieces during a first sort. A progress module processes the data to determine an estimated time to complete one or more second sorts of the mailpieces. Depending upon the estimated time of completion of the one or more sorts, the progress module advises an operator on whether to change the job schedule.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, in a general aspect, to a method of updating an addressee database in an incoming mail sorting apparatus comprising the steps of: a) providing the addressee database stored in memory associated with the mail sorting apparatus; b) providing a mailpiece to be read and sorted by the mail sorting apparatus; c) reading the mailpiece to determine whether the mailpiece is an update form; d) reading update information from the mailpiece if the mailpiece is an update form; e) updating addressee information as required by the update information on the update form. The method can be initiated by each individual employee using a readily available form and providing information manually or by using a software program resident on the employee's personal computer to generate the update form information. The method provides an easily accessible method of updating an addressee database that reduces database maintenance costs.

Abstract: A system for printing markings along the top and bottom of mailpieces, using a print head in a fixed position. The print head receives print instructions either from a print module or an inverted print module and prints one or more first markings onto the mailpiece, the mailpiece being in a first orientation. The mailpiece is rotated so that it is in a second orientation, which is approximately 180 degrees from the first orientation. The print head prints on the mailpiece one or more second markings that are oriented 180 degrees with respect to the orientation of the one or more first markings printed onto the mailpiece. The one or more second markings shares the same upright orientation as the one or more first markings when printed onto the mailpiece and when subsequently read.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, in a general aspect, to a method of updating an addressee database in an incoming mail sorting apparatus comprising the steps of: a) providing the addressee database stored in memory associated with the mail sorting apparatus; b) providing a mailpiece to be read and sorted by the mail sorting apparatus; c) reading the mailpiece to determine whether the mailpiece is an update form; d) reading update information from the mailpiece if the mailpiece is an update form; e) updating addressee information as required by the update information on the update form. The method can be initiated by each individual employee using a readily available form and providing information manually or by using a software program resident on the employee's personal computer to generate the update form information. The method provides an easily accessible method of updating an addressee database that reduces database maintenance costs.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating an amount of time required to complete a mail processing job. A control module receives and maintains real time data of quantity of mailpieces and time to sort the quantity of mailpieces during a first sort. A progress module processes the data to determine an estimated time to complete one or more second sorts of the mailpieces. Depending upon the estimated time of completion of the one or more sorts, the progress module advises an operator on whether to change the job schedule.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an apparatus that will assist in sorting mailpieces which increases the efficiency of the mail sorting apparatus, provides an organized space for intermediate storage of mailpieces and provides ergonomic features that reduce injury to the mail sorting apparatus operator and increases productivity. The present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a mailpiece storage rack. The storage rack is used to hold partially sorted mailpieces between sorting passes in multiple pass sorting of mailpieces using a mail sorting apparatus or stores mailpieces after sortation and prior to delivery. The storage rack maintains the grouping, sequence and stack quality or alignment of partially sorted mailpieces which provides for more efficient refeeding. The rack is designed ergonomically for easy transferring of mail into and out of storage and also provides for organized workflow.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an apparatus that will assist in sorting mailpieces which increases the efficiency of the mail sorting apparatus, provides an organized space for intermediate storage of mailpieces and provides ergonomic features that reduce injury to the mail sorting apparatus operator and increases productivity. The present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a mailpiece storage rack. The storage rack is used to hold partially sorted mailpieces between sorting passes in multiple pass sorting of mailpieces using a mail sorting apparatus or stores mailpieces after sortation and prior to delivery. The storage rack maintains the grouping, sequence and stack quality or alignment of partially sorted mailpieces which provides for more efficient re-feeding. The rack is designed ergonomically for easy transferring of mail into and out of storage and also provides for organized workflow.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an apparatus that will assist in sorting mailpieces which increases the efficiency of the mail sorting apparatus, provides an organized space for intermediate storage of mailpieces and provides ergonomic features that reduce injury to the mail sorting apparatus operator and increases productivity. The present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a mailpiece storage rack. The storage rack is used to hold partially sorted mailpieces between sorting passes in multiple pass sorting of mailpieces using a mail sorting apparatus or stores mailpieces after sortation and prior to delivery. The storage rack maintains the grouping, sequence and stack quality or alignment of partially sorted mailpieces which provides for more efficient re-feeding. The rack is designed ergonomically for easy transferring of mail into and out of storage and also provides for organized workflow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for nest folding at least one smaller document of a collation while folding larger documents of the collation comprises the steps of: providing a buckle chute folder having a plurality of buckle chutes with one of the buckle chutes including a kicker structure adjacent a buckle chute stop; transporting to the buckle chute folder a collation having documents of at least two sizes; feeding the collation into the buckle chute having the kicker structure; buckling the larger of the documents into a nip of fold rollers as the lead edge of the collation hits the buckle chute stop; bouncing the smaller of the documents out of the buckle chute as the larger of the documents enter the nip of the fold rollers; and completing the first fold of the larger documents with the smaller documents nested within the first fold.

Abstract: A character feature detection system is provided for reliably reading alphanumeric characters. An information field is scanned by sensor array and the sensor responses are digitized to form a binary character image. The image is traced from boundary point to boundary point. A transition from one boundary point to another is defined by one of eight equally divergent vectors which are indicative of the local slope of a boundary between connected points. The sequence of vectors in their xy locations recorded in the boundary slopes are indicated by averaging vectors representative of the cell to cell transition. Character features are detected from the sequence of boundary slopes to form a feature set. The feature decision logic analyzes the primary features to form a set of secondary features based upon the occurrence and order of the features. The set of secondary features are then analyzed in a sequential logic decision tree to identify the character.