Abstract: An attribute-based system and method for mail piece identification includes generating and storing, during a first mail sorting operation, a first set of attribute information that can include an image fingerprint derived from a portion of an image of the mail piece. Then, in a subsequent mail sorting operation, a second image of the mail piece can be obtained and used, in part, to generate a second set of attribute information that may be compared to records in a mail piece database in order to identify the mail piece.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus inspect whether a surface of an article has a valuable document, in particular whether a piece of mail is provided with a franking mark. A computer-available image of the surface region to be examined is generated. An inspection determines whether the image contains an object image which corresponds to an object image stored in a valuable document data memory. When the image contains a corresponding object image, it is determined that the surface region has a valuable document. When the image does not contain such an object image, then an inspection is carried out to determine if a predefined inspection region has a predefined security feature. When a security feature has been determined, a valuable document is sought in the inspection region using the image. When a valuable document is found in the inspection region, an image of the valuable document is generated and stored.

Abstract: In a mailing machine, an image element included in a postage meter indicium printed on a mail piece is transported past a linear image capture device. The image capture device is operated to produce a smeared image of the image element. The smeared image is then automatically analyzed to detect failures in the print elements of a postage meter that is part of the mailing machine.

Abstract: A software tool referred to as a “mailman” monitors certain folders on a network for new scanned documents. A user places a stamp on a document, then uses a digital copier to store the scanned document to one of the monitored folders on the network. When the mailman sees a new scanned document in one of the folders it is monitoring, the mailman retrieves the document, processes the document to determine the number on the stamp, queries a Post Office application for document processing instructions corresponding to the stamp number, performs any required processing of the document, then delivers the processed document to the Post Office. When the Post Office receives the processed document, the processed document is stored in a document repository in the Post Office, and is processed by the Post Office according to document processing instructions corresponding to the stamp number.

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 and system is provided for identifying and recognizing products such as mail pieces and, more particularly, a method and system of object recognition based mail piece fingerprinting is provided to be used with sorting and/or sequencing processes. The system for identifying product transported through a machine includes a first system configured to extract one or more unique features from each of a plurality of product and a data storage system configured to store the extracted one or more unique features for each of the plurality of product. The system further includes a second system configured to identify each of the plurality of product by matching the stored extracted one or more unique features with subsequently extracted unique features from each of the plurality of product as the plurality of product continue to be conveyed through a transportation system.

Abstract: A method is provided for reprinting damaged mailpieces for use in a mailpiece inserter. The method comprising the steps of producing an object-oriented data file of the mailpiece content material including a scan code and storing the object-oriented data files in a reprint repository. The status of a mail run is tracked as mailpieces are fabricated and the results are recorded in a reprint file. The results record whether a mailpiece was successfully fabricated and reprint files are generated in connection with unsuccessfully fabricated mailpieces.

Abstract: A method for processing a document, including performing one or more processing steps with the document, such as printing, franking, assembling mail pieces, or opening received mail pieces. The method further includes defining a first possible location of a marking on a document; and searching a first part of a document for the marking, the first part corresponding to the first possible location. When the marking is not found in the first part a further possible location of a marking on a document is defined and a further part of the document for the marking is searched. The further part corresponds to the further possible location. The location of the marking with respect to the document is stored in the memory in case the marking is found in the first part or the further part. Information about the document is derived from the found marking. The derived information is presented at an output, for further processing of the information.

Abstract: A method of processing postal items in which an image is formed of each item, the image including address information (1), and on the basis of the image of the item and a reference address base (6), OCR is used to perform automatic recognition of the destination address information (8, 9), is characterized in that during automatic recognition of destination address information, use is made (10) of a database (11) in which there are organized ordered lists of delivery points for delivery rounds in such a manner as to take account of an estimated extra cost for destination error associated with processing the item should the item be delivered to an erroneous delivery point.

Abstract: There is provided a system for determining sorting information for a mailpiece. An exemplary system comprises a control unit that is located in a first mail center. The control unit is configured to send reading requests based on received mailpiece images to a reading unit in which the sorting information can be determined The control unit comprises a first standard interface for feeding mailpiece images. The system also comprises a transmission unit that is configured to receive a mailpiece image of the mailpiece in a second mail center and to transfer the mailpiece image to the control unit via the first standard interface. The control unit generates a reading request for the reading unit pertaining to the mailpiece image.

Abstract: A feeder control system and method are disclosed. The system includes a feeder information detector, and a feeder information leverager to provide integrity verification, system control and/or reporting. The method includes the steps of detecting feeder information, and leveraging the feeder information to provide integrity verification, system control and/or reporting.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus transport an article of mail. During a first decision-making process, an image of the article is generated and evaluated to generate a first vector. Further, a transport attribute is measured and stored together with the first vector. The transport of the article is continued on the basis of the measured transport attribute value. During a further decision-making process, an image of the article is generated and evaluated to generate a second vector. The transport attribute value is determined with the aid of the second vector. The transport of the article is continued on the basis of the stored and determined transport attribute value. The article is provided with an optically detectable element. The first vector is generated such that it contains that value assumed by the feature for the article if the surface of the article had already been provided with the optically detectable element.

Abstract: A method of enabling mailpieces to be distributed and consulted in electronic form, including the steps of scanning each of the mailpieces and transmitting the images of the mailpieces to a first server; displaying the images on a first viewing screen associated with the first server, and assigning each of the images to a recipient by “dropping ” the image into one of the pigeonholes of a virtual sorting rack associated with the recipient and displayed on the first viewing screen or on a second viewing screen also associated with the first server; and displaying a dynamic dialogue box on at least one consultation screen of a final recipient.

Abstract: A handheld device is disclosed generating a tagged image of an indicator on an object. The tagged image may include an image of the indicator and a location associated with the object. A processor receives the tagged image and responds by performing Optical Character Recognition (OCR) on the image to create an indicator code. A database may be updated based upon the indicator code and the location and a report may be generated. The handheld device and processor may communicate directly and/or through a communication device and/or a server. Revenues may be generated by authenticated access to the processor, the OCR operation and/or the operations of the database. The object may be a container at least twenty feet long and/or a chassis configured to haul the container. Alternatively, the object may be a small object configured to fit in the container.

Abstract: A system and method for processing mail and other documents. A method includes scanning a document to produce a document image and analyzing the document image. The method includes determining that there is a condition of the data processing system that requires maintenance based on the analysis. The method includes notifying at least one user of the condition that requires maintenance based on the determination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing mail is provided. Mail is placed into an input been having a conveyor that conveys the mail towards a feeder. The feeder serially feeds the envelopes to a cutter that severs the top edge of the envelopes. A transport conveys the envelopes from the top cutter to an extractor. The extractor opens the edge-severed mail and presents the contents of the envelopes to an operator who manually extracts the contents. From the extractor, the operator manually feeds the extracted documents to a document input. From the document input, the documents are fed to a document transport that conveys the documents past an imaging module to obtain image data for the documents before sorting the documents to output bins.

Abstract: A method for sorting mail includes performing an automatic address recognition process on a digitized image of a mail piece and generating a plurality of conditional address recognition results and a plurality of confirmation values each associated with one of the plurality of conditional address recognition results. The method can include sending the digitized image, the plurality of conditional address recognition results and the plurality of confirmation values to a video coding system. The method can include detecting a possible error in a first video coding result, the possible error detected using error correction information including information from the automatic address recognition process. The method may include indicating the possible error to a video coding operator, and performing a video coding operation to obtain a second video coding result and arbitrating or selecting one of the results as output.

Abstract: A video object identification system used to identify an object, to locate its position in the view, and to determine its angular orientation. It digitizes a field of image view and subdivides the viewed area into a grid pattern of small cells. It then encodes the angle of a tangent line segment within each cell (when present) at the boundary of objects in the view. It determines rate-of-curvature of the boundary to develop a linear signature for the object. The system breaks the linear signature into segments that can be normalized to be constant regardless of the scale of the image. It then generates identification numbers to identify the object through a mathematics process. The system utilizes pipeline processing to the point where the results are applied to a microprocessor. The microprocessor analyzes a stored image field of view in encoded format to determine object perimeter cell locations (a chaining process).

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe an electronic method for processing stranded payments and lockbox payments at the same designated payment location. The method includes receiving a stranded payment at a non-designated payment location, and electronically scanning the stranded payment at the non-designated payment location. The scanned information is transmitted, in a secure manner, to a designated payment location remote from the non-designated payment location. The stranded payment and a lockbox payment are cleared, in the same electronic workflow, the transmitted information is used in the clearing process. Embodiments of the invention also include updating, for each stranded and lockbox payment, the accounts receivable system of the customer receiving the stranded or lockbox payment, and transmitting a response indicating the final status of the clearing of the stranded payment to the non-designated payment location.

Abstract: A method of one aspect may include receiving an encapsulated image acquisition device having an internal memory. The internal memory may store images acquired by the encapsulated image acquisition device. The images may be transferred from the internal memory to an external memory that is external to the encapsulated image acquisition device. An image analysis station may be selected from among a plurality of image analysis stations to analyze the images. The images may be analyzed with the selected image analysis station. Other methods, systems, and kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: A feeder control system and method are disclosed. The system includes a feeder information detector, and a feeder information leverager to provide integrity verification, system control and/or reporting. The method includes the steps of detecting feeder information, and leveraging the feeder information to provide integrity verification, system control and/or reporting.

Abstract: The method of processing postal items comprises the following steps: causing the postal items to advance in series past a camera (120) for the purpose of generating an image (1) of one face of each postal item, which face bears postal address information; filtering the image of a current postal item for the purpose of isolating, in the image, at least one region of interest (ROI) containing the address information; and sending the filtered image to an automatic recognition unit (130) for automatically recognizing postal addresses by means of OCR so as to extract the postal address from said filtered image and so as to direct the current postal item to a sorting outlet. In order to construct a filter mask, the method further comprises causing a card (20) of the “separator” type to advance past the camera (120), which card has a face on which said region of interest (ROI) is represented.

Abstract: Secure stamping of multimedia document collections is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises adding an image to a collection of media objects, and producing a visual representation of the collection that includes the image, where the visual representation has an identifier to identify the collection and graphical content representing the media objects.

Abstract: System, methods, and apparatuses. A method includes receiving a voice input from a user, the voice input corresponding to printed information on a mail piece. The method includes performing a voice recognition process on the voice input to produce a voice address result, the voice recognition process using voice attributes from a database, and performing an optical character recognition process on an image of the printed information to produce recognized text and a confidence value. The method includes storing updated voice attributes corresponding to the voice input and recognized text in the database when the confidence value meets a first threshold, and combining the recognized text and the voice address result to produce a combined OCR result. The method includes sending the combined OCR result to a sorting system that sorts the mail piece according to the combined OCR result.

Abstract: A method is provided for printing and regenerating mailpiece content material in a mailpiece creation system having a controller for modulating the flow of data a printing device. The method comprising the steps of producing an electronic version of the mailpiece content material and generating print stream data indicative of the mailpiece content material. The print stream is then segmented into data sets/packets indicative of a self-contained pages of mailpiece content material. The data packets each include page-based data and an object-data dictionary associated with the page-based data. The data packets are then stored as electronic files in an electronic buffer and, from the electronic buffer, transmitted during a first data transmission to the integrated printer. After the pages are printed, the electronic files of self-contained pages are moved from the electronic buffer to a storage device.

Abstract: A sensor is paired with an emitter, such as in a postage metering machine, and the sensor is calibrated for ambient light conditions. Ambient light is measured with a sensor while the emitter is unpowered. If the measured ambient light is less than a current trip level (voltage level at the sensor), then a current level of light is measured with the sensor while the emitter is powered. If the measured current level of light exceeds the current trip level, then the signal output from the sensor indicates that an object such as an envelope awaiting postage to be printed thereon is present at the sensor. The current trip level may be determined by measuring light at the sensor when the emitter is on and adding some voltage margin to it, but if the sensor is blocked during this calibration a default threshold is used as the current trip level.

Abstract: A method for determining the postage associated with the delivery of an article including the steps of receiving an acquired image of the article over a network from a web enabled device (ii) comparing the acquired digital imaged to a plurality of stored digital images to ermine the identity of the acquired digital image, (iii) determining at least one characteristic of the identified digital image useful to determine a delivery cost associated with the identified digital image of the identified article, (iv) calculating the estimated cost of delivering the identified article to a destination address, and, (v) transmitting the estimated cost to the web enabled device. The method also determines the postage associated with the delivery of an article by means of a wireless communication network using a wireless mobile device having an optical imaging device. Furthermore, a system also determines the postage associated with the identified article.

Abstract: In a method for sorting mail items which are unaddressed and held in a number of batches each batch is obtained and registered by recording at least one graphical feature of a mail item which uniquely describes the batch (i.e. clearly identifies the batch from other batches). The graphical reference feature is linked to a batch of unaddressed mail and an associated sorting plan. In a subsequent sorting of all batches, each batch is recorded once again and its reference feature is detected and it is distributed according to the sorting plan, if necessary to an end delivery point.

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 for sending an e-mail message. The system comprises comprising a printed form having a plurality of location-indicating tags printed thereon. Each tag contains coded data identifying a location of the tag on the form and an identity of the form. The system further comprises an optically imaging pen for writing a message on the form. The pen comprises a marking nib for writing a handwritten message on the form, an image sensor for imaging the tags when writing the message on the form, and a processor for computing positions of the nib using the coded data contained in the imaged tags, an inferred multiple degree-of-freedom perspective transform of the imaged tags and a known geometry of pen optics. A computer system receives indicating data generated by the processor and initiates sending of the e-mail message to a designated recipient address.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a postal indicium detection method includes detecting whether or not one of a first face and a second face of a sheet corresponds to a picture card specific face, detecting a postal indicium candidate from the second face based on a first detection result indicating that the first face corresponds to the picture card specific face, and detecting the postal indicium candidate from the first face based on a second detection result indicating that the second face corresponds to the picture card specific face.

Abstract: A method for sorting mail that may include performing an automatic address recognition process on a digitized image of a mail piece and generating a plurality of conditional address recognition results and a plurality of confirmation values each associated with one of the plurality of conditional address recognition results. The method can include sending the digitized image, the plurality of conditional address recognition results and the plurality of confirmation values to a video coding system, and selecting a video coding task corresponding to one or more of the plurality of confirmation values.

Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods of detecting a blocked aperture in an image device. In certain embodiments, the system and method is used in mail processing of letters and flats. In certain embodiments, the image sensor captures an image of the front of an item. If the aperture of the image sensor is obstructed, a void will appear on the image of the item. The system can detect the void and increment an alarm count until a pre-defined threshold is reached wherein the system signals an alarm so that the blockage can be removed and the affected items can be re-introduced for correct processing. In another embodiment, images obtained when the aperture is expected to be clear of any items.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing mail is provided. Mail is placed into an input bin having a conveyor that conveys the mail towards a feeder. the feeder serially feeds the envelopes by engaging the lead envelope in the stack of mail and displacing the lead envelope transverse the stack of mail. The mail is then cut on a side edge and the top edge to cut open each envelope. A transport conveys the cut envelopes to an extractor. The extractor opens the edge-severed mail and presents the contents of the envelopes to an operator who manually extracts the contents. The operator drops the extracted contents onto a conveyor that conveys the contents to an imaging station. The contents are automatically separated and imaged to obtain image data for the contents. The contents are then sorted into a plurality of output bins.

Abstract: A mailing machine that optimizes throughput by reducing the amount of time necessary for the PSD to generate the digital signature and indicium for each mail piece is provided. The debit operation performed by the PSD, i.e., adjusting the PSD registers, is separated into three different sections, a pre-debit operation, a perform debit operation, and a complete debit operation. In addition, the calculation of the digital signature can optionally be pre-computed, or, alternatively, computed in stages, i.e., partial signature calculation. Utilizing this granularity, the cryptographic operations associated with generating the digital signature can be shifted between the three debit operations such that the execution time of the time critical portion of the debit operation (perform debit) can be optimized to meet the performance requirements of the mailing machine in which the PSD is deployed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for verifying the match of envelopes and documents in an automated matched mail system, by for a first envelope and a first document, scanning a face of the envelope and extracting envelope-addressee data indicative of the human-readable addressee information on the envelope; scanning the document so as to extract document data indicative of the content of the document; searching through the document data to locate a match to the envelope-addressee data and designating an area of interest within the document at the location at which the match occurs; for a further envelope and a further document, scanning a face of the envelope and extracting envelope-addressee data indicative of the human-readable addressee information on the envelope; scanning the document so as to extract document-addressee data at a location within the document corresponding to said designated area of interest and comparing the envelope-addressee data and the document-addressee data so as to verif

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. The method may also include steps wherein the brightness values are low pass filtered and wherein the values in the selected row are high pass filtered prior to the step of performing a Fourier transform.

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 for detecting failures in a sensitive region of an inkjet printhead is described. The system includes an inkjet printer that uses a printhead for printing an image on a substrate. The image has a sensitive portion that is more sensitive to printing failures than the rest of the image. The printhead includes a first portion that prints an area of the substrate corresponding to the sensitive portion of the image. A radiant energy source is used with a photodetector located downstream from the printhead to detect background florescence from the substrate in the area of the substrate corresponding to the sensitive portion of the image that should be quenched by printing of the image. If background fluorescence is detected, a failure is indicated.

Abstract: A method for automarking presorted postal mail includes scanning a mail piece in a first sorting pass at a presort facility and then printing an automark code on the mail piece indicating the type of postage applied. The automark code includes a horizontal line of seven consecutive characters improved in that one character, for example the fifth character, is a redundant code for one or more other characters representing postage type paid for the mail piece. To improve machine readability of the code, the line of characters may be printed with increased spacing between the fifth and sixth and/or between the sixth and seventh characters.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a system and methodology for sorting and/or distributing items and articles being shipped to a receiving party through private and/or commercial delivery systems. Various characteristics of an article being shipped are obtained and assembled in a database. In an exemplary embodiment, the descriptive characteristics of the article are acquired at a first site and the processing and desired disposition of the article is determined at a second site which is physically separate from the first site. The descriptive characteristics of the article being shipped are displayed at the second site and are sufficient to identify the article to a processing individual located at the second site. The processing individual is then enabled to indicate a desired disposal of the article from the second site without being exposed to the physical article located at the first site.

Abstract: In a sorting apparatus, an image on the paper sheet is read by a scanner, and from the read image on the paper sheet, characters of the destination information are recognized by a character recognition unit. If the address information included in the destination information as a character recognition result obtained by the character recognition unit matches with the address information having an out-migrant included in relocation information previously registered in a database, it is judged by a judgment unit whether the receiver on the paper sheet is the out-migrant. If it has been judged that the receiver on the paper sheet is the out-migrant, a label on which the address information of a new address of the out-migrant is written is attached to an attaching position considering a description area of the destination information on the paper sheet by a label attachment unit.

Abstract: An authenticating system includes an object, an authentication service, a segmentation system, and an analysis system. The object includes a plurality of steganographic instruments on a visible portion of the object. The authentication service is configured to receive a digital image of at least one of the plurality of steganographic instruments. The segmentation system is configured to extract the at least one of the plurality of steganographic instruments for analysis. The analysis system is configured to determine if the at least one extracted steganographic instrument corresponds to at least one registered steganographic instrument.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of creating and printing a postal indicium incorporating a dynamic, image-dependent watermark including receiving and storing a transformed image and metadata from an electronic device, inserting a watermark or portions of a watermark into the transformed image at one or more watermarking zones specified in the metadata, performing a transform on the transformed image with the watermark or portions of the watermark inserted therein to create a printing image, and printing the postal indicium wherein the postal indicium incorporates the printing image, a barcode and human readable text.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing a mailing including one or more mail pieces. The exemplary systems and method include capturing address data, addressee data, or address and addressee data associated with each respective mail piece of the mailing. A delivery point address code and a unique identifier are determined for the respective mail piece based at least in part on the captured address data, addressee data, or address and addressee data. In addition, a machine readable code is generated comprising at least a mailer identifier for the mailing and the unique identifier. The machine readable code is then printed on the respective mail piece. Also disclosed are exemplary systems and methods for retrieving a delivery point address code from a move data file. A machine readable code is generated from the delivery point address code and a unique identifier, and is printed on the mail piece.

Abstract: A method of detecting bunched-together overlapping postal items includes the steps of moving the postal items on edge above a camera, forming grayscale images including the bottom sides of the postal items, and analyzing the image for the purpose of detecting the presence of any overlapping postal items. The method further includes the steps of transforming each grayscale image into a binary image that causes a boundary defined by a “pale” zone to appear that represents the bottom side of at least one postal item and that extends between two “dark” zones, the boundary having a “right” first profile and a “left” second profile, and the method further includes the step of analyzing the right and left profiles for the purpose of detecting any profile discontinuity that is indicative of the presence of overlapping postal items.

Abstract: A method for processing mailings comprising wrong recipient addresses, according to which the wrong recipient address is determined from a detected copy of a mailing surface. The inventive method is characterized in that a) a code containing data on instructions given ahead of time is detected on the surface of the mailing, and the instructions that were given ahead of time are determined based on the detected code; b) the wrong address is compared to address data in at least one database selected among a plurality of databases in accordance with the instructions that were given ahead of time; and c) a pieced of forwarding data is applied to the mailings in accordance with the result of the comparison and the instructions given ahead of time.

Abstract: A system for detection of doubles in a stream of flat items such as mail pieces being conveyed on a conveyor includes an electronic imaging camera positioned to receive an image of a side face of conveyed items over a first portion of its field of view, a reflector positioned to reflect an edge view of the items to the imaging camera, which edge view is received by the imaging camera over a second portion of its field of view, and a computer that receives image data from the camera. Program logic used by the computer determines whether the image shows one item, or more than one item.

Abstract: A feeder control system and method are disclosed. The system includes a feeder information detector, and a feeder information leverager to provide integrity verification, system control and/or reporting. The method includes the steps of detecting feeder information, and leveraging the feeder information to provide integrity verification, system control and/or reporting.

Abstract: In a method of processing mailpieces, signatures are derived from images of the mailpieces and serve as identifiers for the mailpieces in the sorting process. The signatures are grouped together into signature categories or graphical classes on the basis of a certain criterion of graphical similitude so as to compute a mean signature value for each graphical class. For each graphical class in question, activity of the mean signature value is analyzed for detecting significant activity of an information block in the digital images. The results of this activity detection are used for searching for a match, in a second sorting pass, between a current signature and signatures recorded in the first sorting pass.