Abstract: A mail piece processing apparatus and related method. A mail piece processing apparatus includes a base, a table connected to the base by a vertical member, a camera mounted above the table and positioned to take an image of a mail piece on the table, and a data processing system. The data processing system is configured to receive the image of the mail piece from the camera; determine address information and address information of the mail piece according to the image; determine a disposition result for the mail piece according to the image; and cause a label to be printed for the mail piece according to the disposition result.

Abstract: A mail piece processing apparatus and related method. A mail piece processing apparatus includes a base, a table connected to the base by a vertical member, a camera mounted above the table and positioned to take an image of a mail piece on the table, and a data processing system. The data processing system is configured to receive the image of the mail piece from the camera; determine address information and address information of the mail piece according to the image; determine a disposition result for the mail piece according to the image; and cause a label to be printed for the mail piece according to the disposition result.

Abstract: As automated screening system and method. A method includes receiving a personal identifier from an individual at an induction kiosk and issuing a scanning unit at the induction kiosk. The method includes associating the scanning unit with the personal identifier and inducting the scanning unit, including at least one item added by the individual, at the induction kiosk. The method includes conveying the scanning unit to an imaging device, and imaging the scanning unit and the item to produce a scanned image. The method includes receiving the personal identifier at a return kiosk and returning the scanning unit and the item to the individual based on the association between the scanning unit and the personal identifier.

Abstract: Mail processing system, methods, and computer-readable media. A method includes detecting and reading a tray label of a tray being placed on or in the mail processing machine to determine a tray identifier. The tray is a mail item container containing a plurality of mail items to be processed by the mail processing machine in a current mail processing function. The method includes validating the tray identifier for the current mail processing function. The method includes, when the tray identifier is valid for the current mail processing function, activating a valid-tray indicator, and otherwise when the tray identifier is invalid for the current mail processing function, activating an invalid-tray indicator.

Abstract: System, methods, and computer-readable media. A method includes receiving a voice input, from an operator, corresponding to a mail item. The method includes performing a voice recognition process on the voice input to produce spoken data, and producing a system result corresponding to the spoken data. The method includes analyzing the system result to produce feedback information, and audibly sounding the feedback information to the operator.

Abstract: Mail processing methods and systems. A method performed at a local delivery unit includes receiving an image of a mail item at the local delivery unit from an imaging and virtualization facility (IVF) that is geographically separated from the local delivery unit. The image and the mail item are associated with a mail item identifier. The method includes displaying the image to a user at the local delivery unit and receiving address information corresponding to the mail item from the user. The method includes associating the address information with the mail item identifier. Related apparatuses and systems are discussed.

Abstract: A system and method for automated address directory updating. A method includes determining address information corresponding to a destination address for a parcel, the address information including a digitized address. The method includes determining if a previous address entry proposal, corresponding to the address information and having a counter, exists in a database. The method includes, if the previous address entry proposal does not exist, then storing the address information in a new address entry proposal and initializing a counter for the new address entry proposal. The method includes, if the previous address entry proposal does exist, then adjusting the counter for the previous address entry proposal. The method includes adding the address information to a first addressing database when the counter has reached a threshold.

Abstract: Mail processing system, methods, and computer-readable media. A method includes detecting and reading a tray label of a tray being placed on or in the mail processing machine to determine a tray identifier. The tray is a mail item container containing a plurality of mail items to be processed by the mail processing machine in a current mail processing function. The method includes validating the tray identifier for the current mail processing function. The method includes, when the tray identifier is valid for the current mail processing function, activating a valid-tray indicator, and otherwise when the tray identifier is invalid for the current mail processing function, activating an invalid-tray indicator.

Abstract: A system and method for automated address directory updating. A method includes determining address information corresponding to a destination address for a parcel, the address information including a digitized address. The method includes determining if a previous address entry proposal, corresponding to the address information and having a counter, exists in a database. The method includes, if the previous address entry proposal does not exist, then storing the address information in a new address entry proposal and initializing a counter for the new address entry proposal. The method includes, if the previous address entry proposal does exist, then adjusting the counter for the previous address entry proposal. The method includes adding the address information to a first addressing database when the counter has reached a threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for automated address directory updating. A method includes receiving a parcel having a destination address and determining address information from the destination address. The address information includes a digitized address and an address image. The method includes determining if a previous address entry proposal exists in a database, and if not, then storing the address information in a new address entry proposal and initializing a counter. If so, then incrementing the counter for the previous address entry proposal. The method includes, when the counter has reached a threshold, adding the address information and an address image to the first addressing database, updating a wide-area address management system to include the address information, and propagating the address information to a plurality of local addressing databases. Only one address image corresponding to a destination database is stored as an address entry proposal.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for parcel address recognition. A method includes receiving an address input and producing candidate address results corresponding to the address input. The method includes receiving operational scheme knowledge describing the mode of operation of a parcel processing system, and receiving at least one operational rule corresponding to the operational scheme knowledge. The method includes applying the at least one operational rule to the candidate address results and producing and storing a finalized result according to the operational rule and the candidate address results.

Abstract: As automated screening system and method. A method includes receiving a personal identifier from an individual at an induction kiosk and issuing a scanning unit at the induction kiosk. The method includes associating the scanning unit with the personal identifier and inducting the scanning unit, including at least one item added by the individual, at the induction kiosk. The method includes conveying the scanning unit to an imaging device, and imaging the scanning unit and the item to produce a scanned image. The method includes receiving the personal identifier at a return kiosk and returning the scanning unit and the item to the individual based on the association between the scanning unit and the personal identifier.

Abstract: Mail processing methods and systems. A method includes receiving a mailpiece at a local system and scanning the mailpiece by the local system to produce an image. The method can include receiving payment information from the customer by the local system for mailing the mailpiece. The method includes applying an identification code to the mailpiece by the local system, and after the mailpiece is delivered to a central processing facility, processing the mailpiece, using the image, by a central server system at the central processing facility. Related apparatuses and systems are discussed.

Abstract: System, methods, and computer-readable media. A method includes receiving a voice input, from an operator, corresponding to a mail item. The method includes performing a voice recognition process on the voice input to produce spoken data, and producing a system result corresponding to the spoken data. The method includes analyzing the system result to produce feedback information, and audibly sounding the feedback information to the operator.

Abstract: Mail processing methods and systems. A method performed at a local delivery unit includes receiving an image of a mail item at the local delivery unit from an imaging and virtualization facility (IVF) that is geographically separated from the local delivery unit. The image and the mail item are associated with a mail item identifier. The method includes displaying the image to a user at the local delivery unit and receiving address information corresponding to the mail item from the user. The method includes associating the address information with the mail item identifier. Related apparatuses and systems are discussed.

Abstract: A method for detection of fraudulent postage indicia such as a stamp or permit marking includes an initial step of introducing a mail piece for processing on an automated facing and canceling machine and imaging the mail piece as it is being processed on the automated facing and canceling machine, which image includes an image of the postage indicia. The image is analyzed according to predetermined criteria stored in a database to determine if the postage indicia meets the predetermined criteria and therefore has an enhanced probability of being valid. If the analysis is step results in a determination that the postage indicia as an enhanced probability of being invalid, then the method involved determining that the information corresponds to counterfeit postage indicia; and storing the resulting information and decision in the database.

Abstract: A system and method for automated address directory updating. A method includes receiving a parcel having a destination address and determining address information from the destination address. The address information includes a digitized address and an address image. The method includes determining if a previous address entry proposal exists in a database, and if not, then storing the address information in a new address entry proposal and initializing a counter. If so, then incrementing the counter for the previous address entry proposal. The method includes, when the counter has reached a threshold, adding the address information and an address image to the first addressing database, updating a wide-area address management system to include the address information, and propagating the address information to a plurality of local addressing databases. Only one address image corresponding to a destination database is stored as an address entry proposal.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for parcel address recognition. A method includes receiving an address input and producing candidate address results corresponding to the address input. The method includes receiving operational scheme knowledge describing the mode of operation of a parcel processing system, and receiving at least one operational rule corresponding to the operational scheme knowledge. The method includes applying the at least one operational rule to the candidate address results and producing and storing a finalized result according to the operational rule and the candidate address results.

Abstract: A method for detection of fraudulent postage indicia such as a stamp pr permit marking includes an initial step of introducing a mail piece for processing on an automated facing and canceling machine and imaging the mail piece as it is being processed on the automated facing and canceling machine, which image includes an image of the postage indicia. The image is analyzed according to predetermined criteria stored in a database to determine if the postage indicia meets the predetermined criteria and therefore has an enhanced probability of being valid. If the analysis is step results in a determination that the postage indicia as an enhanced probability of being invalid, then the method involved determining that the information corresponds to counterfeit postage indicia; and storing the resulting information and decision in the database.

Abstract: The present invention comprises apparatus for identifying, intercepting and forwarding incorrectly addressed mailpieces having either a machine readable or non-machine readable address. The apparatus reads (either mechanically or manually) the addressee name and the mailpiece destination marking address for processing in a database and comparison to a list of names and former addresses in the USPS National Change of Address database of persons who have requested mail forwarding service. If the read name and address match a name and former address in the database, then the mailpiece is identified as having an incorrect address and intercepted from the mail stream. The apparatus then searches the NCOA database for a forwarding address and delivery point ZIP code corresponding to the address. The forwarding address and delivery point ZIP marking number are printed on the mailpiece in place of the incorrect address and the mailpiece is returned to the mail stream for delivery to the addressee.