Abstract: In the present invention information is first defined as a complete description of the meaning of the content, in addition to the required layout of the characters, words, delivery addresses or images of the entire delivery surface, which contains the delivery addresses, as sample elements. The images of the sample elements belonging to the defined reference information are then generated with the aid of type libraries for the defined character fonts and languages and said images are then stored, after having been assigned to the reference information, in the form of a pixel representation for the sample. The images of the sample elements that have been generated in the previous step are subsequently varied by means of known image processing algorithms to create at least one statistical variation corresponding to the previously collected, grouped deliveries, according to the defined sample scope.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering alternative material to a designated recipient of a mail piece. A user system scans a mail piece to read an identifier affixed thereto. The system uses information in the identifier to access a database and download alternative digital material provided by a mailer. The alternative material is then delivered electronically to a designated recipient of the mail piece.

Abstract: Transmission and receiving of image data recorded on a digital still camera to and from a server are controlled by a portable telephone set. At the time of transmission, communication between the portable telephone set and the digital still camera and communication between the portable telephone set and the server are established. A reading command is issued from the portable telephone set to the camera. Image data are transmitted in packet units to the portable telephone set from the camera in response to the reading command. The image data is transmitted to the server from the portable telephone set. At the time of receiving, when the communication is established, all image data are transmitted to the portable telephone set from the server. All the image data are transmitted to the camera from the portable telephone set and are recorded in the camera. It is possible to control the transmission and receiving of the image data by the portable telephone set.

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: A method and system provide measures of the performance of a region of interest identification algorithm. The method includes obtaining known region of interest data for an object. A candidate region of interest for that object is identified using the region of interest identification algorithm to be evaluated. Candidate region of interest data is then obtained. The known region of interest is superimposed on the candidate region of interest. The area of the overlap between the known region of interest and the candidate region of interest is determined. Finally, a measure of performance based on the area overlap is obtained. The method is implemented in a system including one or more processors and or memories.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling an inventory of a plurality of point-of-care diagnostic devices. The plurality of devices includes at least one type of device. Each device is configured to perform at least one sample analysis. Each device has a usable lifetime. The inventory includes a main inventory and at least one subinventory. The inventory control system comprises a data input interface for entering data associated with the devices and a data output interface for displaying data associated with the devices. A memory stores data associated with the devices and stores steps of a computer program to automatically update the current number of devices in the at least one subinventory in response to an occurrence of an event that causes a change in the current number of devices in the at least one subinventory. The inventory control system comprises a processor for accessing the memory to execute the computer program.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring the delivery of workpieces to a position by: storing a digital reference image of the position prior to the delivery of workpieces; storing a digital operating image of the position during delivery of workpieces; performing image arithmetic on the reference image and the operating image to produce a digital evaluation image comprised of a plurality of pixels establishing a threshold image condition for the evaluation image that correlates to the existence of an operating condition relevant to the control of the delivery of workpieces; and examining the pixels in the evaluation image to determine whether the threshold image condition is met.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying alternate contact information of a specific type; particularly, by providing an inputted Email address in a query, one or more alternate Email addresses can be returned to the query, using an automated database. The system is queried using an entity's known Email address, which, in turn, is associated with other contact information for the entity, such as name and postal address, and the other contact information is then used to identify alternative Email addresses for the targeted entity either at the time of the query or in preparation of the database, and the alternative Email address(es) are then outputted to the requestor from the system. The method uses knowledge of contact points of different types for the same entity to identify alternate contact points of a single type, within a database of contact information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of printing and preparing mail from a data stream distributed in several pages which are intended to be printed on sheets and enveloped, the number of sheets contained in an envelope being able to vary from one envelope to another, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: selecting from amongst the data stream at least one identification criterion for the various pages intended to be contained in each envelope, analyzing the data stream according to said at least one identification criterion in order to identify, for each envelope, the pages concerned, printing the pages on sheets, enveloping the sheets on which the pages are printed according to the result of the identification, for each envelope, of the pages concerned.

Abstract: The method of processing images (IN) including address information by video coding consists in identifying, for each image rejected by a process for automatically evaluating addresses by OCR, a rejection category corresponding to the rejected image by means of a cascade of filters (F1–F4) applied to confidence ratings in the image attribute vector associated with the rejected image, and when the rejection category corresponding to the rejected image is identified at a filter, in causing said filtering to be followed firstly by operator encoding (VC1–VC4) specific to the rejection category so as to add to or modify the image attribute vector associated with the rejected image, and secondly by evaluating (E) the image attribute vector associated with the rejected image so as to be able to decide when to stop video coding for the rejected image.

Abstract: In order to render information contained in images more detectable in the presence of noise, the present invention discloses a system and method to binarize the images in the presence of noise. The method of this invention comprises the steps of applying a dynamic range reducing filter to the digitized image values, obtaining a range reduced image; applying an edge detecting filter to the range reduced image, obtaining a filtered image; and then, adaptively binarizing the digitized image utilizing the corresponding filtered image to obtain an adaptive threshold.

Abstract: A method and system of security screening of packages before packages are shipped by a commercial shipper. The method and system compares the configuration of the contents of the package when it is packed to the configuration of the contents of the package just prior to placement of the package on a commercial carrier. A first image of the configuration of the contents of the package is created when the package is packed. A second image of the configuration of the contents of the package is created by scanning the package at the shipping station. The images are compared to determine whether the images are the same within preset parameters. The package is segregated if the image differs beyond a preset amount.

Abstract: The invention relates to the reading of addresses on mailings whereby the images with the addresses are videocoded in several video-coding sites by means of a job distribution device. At fixed intervals a current individual error rate, for first-pass video coding for each video-coded addresses which are not successful on the first pass in the video coding units with the highest current individual error rates, is determined with respect to the total coding error rate to be maintained, by means of the video coding units coming free which have the lowest current individual error rates.

Abstract: A system and method (FIG. 1) for automated handling and identification of parcels sorted by an automated high-speed mail sorting apparatus that identifies parcels that contain hoax or biological threat material comprising an opener (120) and a particle sampler (170) wherein said sampler analyzes air flow created as the parcels are compressed by pinch rollers (140).

Abstract: A method for printing a large invisible luminescent bar code on a mail piece addresses the problem of obscuration of modules by printed text such as the address. The bar code is printed large enough so that the line width of the characters is substantially less than the module size of the bar code components. Overprinting does not then completely obscure any module and so the bar code is still readable. The readability is especially enhanced by the high contrast of the luminescent image. When a fluorescent bar code is viewed under UV illumination, the bar code emits fluorescence in the areas of printed modules without text overprinted. Because the modules are wider than the text line width, the text does not completely obscure any module. The contrast of the bar code is reversed in fluorescence—that is, printed areas emit light.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for reading the addresses of mailings with an OCR device and a video coding device. On an ambiguous reading result from the OCR device an extract is automatically generated with specified extraction rules from address alternatives as a partial result of the OCR process and the number of concurrent or non-concurrent extracts determined. When the number of the address alternatives does not exceed a maximum value, an extraction coding with the specified extraction rules is carried out with predominantly or only different extracts and a selection coding, for the address alternatives transmitted to the video coding device with the image, is carried out with predominantly or only the same extracts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for reading and decoding information extracted from a form. In the system of the present invention, packages are randomly placed on a conveyor belt, with their labels facing a two-camera subassembly. As the conveyor belt moves, the two-camera subassembly continuously takes images of the belt underneath the overhead camera. The design of the camera permits it to take a high resolution image of a non-singulated, unjustified package flow. A digital image of the packages within the field of view of the camera is then transferred to the processing system for analysis. The processing system identifies individual packages in the image, extracts them and then analyzes the information written on the package labels. The analysis process utilizes conventional Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR) techniques to evaluate the information written on the package label.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recognizing alphanumeric characters in which a set of unknown characters is received from an imaging system and a set of known characters from a storage device. A first set of pairs of characters is created from the set of unknown characters (302) and a second set of pairs of characters is created from the set of known characters (304). A matrix is generated having a plurality of cells, each cell containing a pair of characters. The matrix is interrogated with the first set to generate a first result, and the matrix is interrogated with the second set to generate a second result (302, 304). The first result is compared with the second result (306). A first predetermined action is taken if the first result matches the second result, while a second predetermined action is taken if the first result does not match the second result (308).

Abstract: A method for providing a common framework for area of interest (AOI) specification and access. The method includes providing a first set of instructions which generates an area of interest (AOI) defined by a first geometric shape and defining the first geometric shape by one or more coordinates. The one or more coordinates are then converted to a second set of coordinates for use with a second set of instructions. The second set of coordinates is defined by a new AOI which includes information associated with the first set of instructions and which is interpreted by the second set of instructions.

Abstract: The method of handling mail items (1) in a mail handling machine (2) comprises steps consisting in delaying printing of an identity code (19) on a mail item until address information is determined by deriving a digital imprint (9, 13) characterizing the mail item from the image (4) of the mail item, thereby making it possible to avoid printing an identity code on mail items that have foreign destinations. An extended identity code is printed on all of the mail items that do not have foreign destinations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sorting, scanning and routing imaged documents are described. In one configuration, incoming mixed white mail is sorted and coded, then extracted and scanned using the code to separate items. The separate imaged documents are then routed using the code. In another configuration, the documents are automatically extracted from the envelopes. In yet another configuration, the intended recipient is sent an identifier used to reference the code and retrieve the imaged document.

Abstract: A method and system for a virtual stamp dispensing metering system is provided wherein indicia of varying values are calculated at a data center and downloaded to a mailing machine on a periodic basis. The mailing machine securely stores the indicia and dispenses the indicia as needed. At the end of the period, any unused indicia are returned to the data center, the user's account is credited, and a new set of indicia are downloaded to the mailing machine. Accordingly, the processing requirements of the meter are reduced, as there is no longer any need to generate digital signatures, an attacker is prevented from generating indicia indefinitely if the security of the meter is compromised, as the cryptographic key is not resident at the meter, and tracking requirements of the meter are reduced, as the meter alone can not be used to generate postage funds.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for associating postmark information with digital content. Content is created or otherwise selected from available content selections. Information is received at the mobile device from a radio frequency (RF) transponder. The information may include postmark information to allow the mobile device to associate the postmark information with the content, or may include information to allow the mobile device to send a message to a network service to associate the postmark with created or selected content.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of processing an image containing written information include the steps of (a) scanning a surface of an object to obtain an image of the surface represented by first image data, (b) creating second image data from the first image data, the second image data having a lower data density than the first image data, (c) analyzing the second image data with first image analysis logic to decode the written information, and (d) if the written information cannot be decoded to a desired extent from the second image data, analyzing the first image data with second image analysis logic different from the first image analysis logic to decode the written information. Steps (a) and (b) preferably use a single scanning device to create the high data density image (e.g., color or grayscale) from which the lower data density image (e.g., binary or black and white) can then be created. The resulting two-stage image analysis provides a significant improvement in OCR results.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing postal matters in an automatic address-reading system, an image of the surface of each article of mail having address information being obtained and delivered to a first automatic evaluation system, and incorporately evaluated address information being delivered for evaluation to a first video coding system. It is provided that the address information of those images which have not been completely evaluated in the video coding system are delivered, using the results of the video coding system to another automatic evaluation system.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for rapidly capturing images in an automated identification system to effectively extend one dimension of a field of view of an image system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the image system captures and processes multiple images of at least a portion of a surface of a component in the automated identification system in response to a trigger signal communicated from a triggering device configured to sense a location of the component. Various embodiments of the invention include multiple sources for capturing images, and/or multiple user-specified schemes for effectively extending the field of view of the image system along the axis of component travel in the automated identification system.

Abstract: In order to segment a digital image of a postal packet in order to read a postal address (AP) automatically on said packet, the method consists: in subdividing (20) the image into image blocks of identical size; in applying (30) processing based on a Hough transform to each image block in order to identify in the image block in question a privileged direction for the distribution of image points in the block under consideration; in grouping together (40) contiguous image blocks within the image having a common privileged direction in order to define (50) a rectangular zone of interest (ZI) containing the group of said contiguous blocks having a common privileged direction in such a manner that said rectangular zone of interest has a longitudinal edge parallel to said common privileged direction; and in applying the automatic address-recognition algorithm to said zone of interest in the image in order to read a postal address automatically.

Abstract: A system and method that enables early detection of hazardous materials, such as explosives and biological materials, in the early phases of mail handling or processing, is disclosed. The early detection of such hazardous material utilizing the system and method of this invention can be performed while the mail is being processed. The system includes at least two primary elements: an activation sub-system and a sense and analyze sub-system.

Abstract: A method of processing barcoded tickets in a document processing device including receiving a stack of barcoded tickets in an input receptacle of a document processing device. Each barcoded ticket includes a document-identifier or ticket number that identifies the barcoded ticket. At least one specific document-identifier is inputted by the operator to search for a specific document in a stack of documents. Each of the documents are transported, one at a time, past a detector, which detects the document-identifier of each ticket. A determination is made whether a detected document-identifier matches the specific document-identifier requested by the operator, and if so, the ticket in question is directed to a pre-programmed or user-specified output receptacle.

Abstract: A method to arbitrate between results obtained from observationally derived data by several procedures, where the results are items characteristic of the observationally derived data is disclosed. Each procedure is given a ranking according to the confidence on the procedure. The results and characteristics derived from the results are used in a plurality of rules, where the rules are used to arbitrate between the results.

Abstract: A method that enables the recipient to receive notification of the letters, flats and/or packages (mail) that the recipient is going to receive prior to the delivery of the mail. The recipient is then able to inform a post or courier, e.g., Federal Express®, Airborne®, United Parcel Service®, DHL®, etc., of the manner in which the recipient would like the mail delivered if the sender elects to permit the recipient to divert the mail. The post and courier hereinafter will be referred to as “carrier”. For instance, the recipient may want the mail physically delivered to their house faster or slower, or the mail physically redirected to the recipient's temporary address, or physically delivered to the recipient's agent, or physically delivered to the recipient's attorney, or physically returned to the mailer, or have the carrier open the physical mail and have the post e-mail or fax the contents of the envelope to the recipient and/or parties designated by the recipient.

Abstract: A method identifies edges of an object in an image by analyzing an accumulator array produced via a Hough transformation of the image. The method includes the step of identifying a first cell in a first row of the array associated with a first edge of the object. The first is then searched for a second cell in the array associated with a second edge of the object, the second edge being parallel to the first edge. A second row shifted ninety degrees from the first row is then searched for a third cell in the array associated with a third edge of the object, the third edge being perpendicular to the first edge. The second row is then searched for a fourth cell in the array associated with a fourth edge in the image, the fourth edge being parallel to the third edge.

Abstract: The method of processing postal objects of large size in order to read automatically a postal address (AD) on each object consists in acquiring a digital image of each object at a certain level of resolution; in detecting in the image one or more zones of interest (ZI) apparently containing a postal address; in performing automatic address recognition on each zone of interest in order to extract a postal address (AD) of the object, and in the event of the automatic address recogition failing, in displaying each zone of interest (ZI) on a screen so that a video-coding operator can read the postal address (AD) of the object. Each zone of interest (ZI) is displayed on the screen on a screen context background (F) that is representative of the object but at a level of resolution that is lower than the level of resolution of the digital image and the zone of interest.

Abstract: A method for determining a region of interest on an object includes the step of producing an image of the object. The method also includes the step of identifying regions of adjacent pixels on the image. The method also includes the step of identifying which of the regions of adjacent pixels are positioned within a predetermined distance of each other on the image. The method also includes the step of grouping in a cluster regions determined as being positioned within a predetermined distance of each other. The method further includes the step of identifying the cluster as a region of interest on the object.

Abstract: A method and system for checking a franking mark (28), comprising at least an identification code and a unique bit string, said system comprising means for: a) reading the franking mark (28), b) decoding the franking mark (28), c) checking whether the identification code is correct by comparing it to data stored in a memory (40), d) checking whether the unique bit string is valid by comparing it to data stored in said memory (40).

Abstract: A postal assembly and method of making the assembly. The assembly includes an official postal product have a designated area which is modified so as to provide a desired visual affect with an personal image that is to be placed in said designated area.

Abstract: In a postal information input apparatus in which when a postcode to be read by a reader of a postal matter sorting machine cannot be normally read, a correct postcode is reentered manually from an input device, a first display means which displays on a display device of the input apparatus a first display so as to indicate that the postal information input apparatus receives a data to be input from the postal matter sorting machine, and also displays an unprocessed number in the postal information input apparatus, is provided.

Abstract: A workpiece authentication technique is provided. The technique bases workpiece authentication upon intrinsic physical characteristics of the workpiece, including one or more images of topographical appearance of at least one portion of the workpiece.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for remote addressing of an item of mail that include obtaining remotely produced address information. The address information includes a digitally represented graph of a handwritten address and sending the graph to a device adapted to apply the graph to the item of mail.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a self-orthogonal character recognition engine for executing an iterative method employing a database of predetermined character strings. The method receives a digital representation of a character string. It then generates a proposed result string by applying to the captured digital image a predetermined recognition routine including one or more recognition subroutines. Each recognition subroutine employs an initial parameter setting. Next, if the proposed result string does not match any of the predetermined character strings in the database, the initial parameter setting of a recognition subroutine is changed to a next setting. The recognition process is then repeated using the next parameter setting to generate and test a next result string. The process can be repeated iteratively until a result string is verified or the process times out.

Abstract: A method and system to identify mail pieces that have similar attributes to mail pieces suspected of being contaminated are provided. A data center communicates with each postal unit where mail enters into the postal system. When a postal unit detects a mail piece that may be contaminated, a record of the mail piece is made and sent to the data center. The data center archives the record of the suspect mail pieces in a database, and provides each record to all postal units on a real-time basis. As mail is inducted by each of the postal units, an image is taken of each mail piece and the image is compared to the records of suspect mail pieces stored in the data center. If a mail piece has similar attributes to a suspect mail piece, it will be immediately identified, regardless of the postal unit where it is entering the postal system.

Abstract: For measuring the three-dimensional shape of an object of measurement using a phase shift method, a three-dimensional measuring instrument is provided which is capable of shortening the measurement time. A printed state inspection device 1 includes a table for placing a printed circuit board K printed with cream solder H, an illumination device 3 for illuminating three sine wave light component patterns with different phases on the surface of printed circuit board K, a CCD camera 4 for picking-up images of the illuminated part of the printed circuit board K, a white light illumination unit L for illuminating a white light on the surface of printed circuit board K, and a laser pointer for measuring the standard height. A control device 7 determines the existing area of the cream solder H from the image data obtained by the illumination of the white light, and calculates the height of the cream solder H from the image data obtained by the illumination device 3 by using a phase shift method.

Abstract: A method for detecting a copy of a composite image that includes a first image and a second image that has information embedded in the second image that will change in appearance when the first and second images are scanned or photocopied. The foregoing is accomplished by scanning the first and second images, and detecting a change in appearance of the second image that indicates the first and second images were scanned or photocopied.

Abstract: A mail article transportation and stabilization system, and a method of operating the same, for use in conjunction with a camera-based optical character recognition (OCR), bar code reader (BCR), or similar image capture scanning system, comprises a conveyor drive belt for conveying the articles, pieces, or units of mail across a platen assembly within which an optical character recognition (OCR), bar code reader (BCR), or similar image capture camera or the like is positioned and in conjunction with which there is provided a serial array of air plenums for effectively creating an air bearing or air layer upon which the conveyor belt and the articles, pieces, or units of mail are conveyed in a relatively frictionless manner.

Abstract: The video-coding station for an installation for sorting postal items, in particular packets, steering each packet towards a sorting outlet on the basis of an automatic reading of a postal address (AD) of the packet in a digitized image of the packet, includes a central processor unit, a screen (EC), and a keyboard (CL), and is programmed so as to display an image (IP) so that a video-coding operator (OV) can perform semi-automatic processing of the reading of the address (AD). The station further includes a pointing device (JS) for positioning a reticule (RE) on the center of a zone of the image displayed, and a trigger button (BT) for recording the current position of the reticule so that the operator can rapidly identify the location of the postal address (AD).

Abstract: A method and system for identifying records with a valid address, but invalid name information automatically determines if an address is in a set (file) of known valid addresses, and that the name is not in the subset of names associated with the address by calculating the acceptable probability of a match between the addresses and names. In order to calculate the acceptable probability of a match heuristics may be determined for various operating systems, applications, application environments, etc. Integration of the method and system of present invention may be determined by a particular condition, configuration, and/or environment at any given period of time and may, for example, be incorporated in environments such as a computer controlled printer (Inkjet, Laser, etc.) environment or database ETL (Extract, Transform and Load) environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reading document entries and addresses. In this context, automatic reading is effected using the intermediate steps of layout analysis, classification of the segmented regions and interpretation of the results in a reader, and if necessary video coding. According to the invention, during the reading mode, when information has been clearly read automatically, the image data and the associated reading results and intermediate results, and/or, when information has been clearly ascertained using video coding, the image data and the reading results and intermediate results clearly ascertained in a second automatic reading process including the video coding results are stored for a current random sample. This current random sample is used to readapt the automatic reader.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the recorded images with image-accompanying data of the postal articles or documents to be read of different customers are furnished. For each customer, master data are stored in a searchable manner. The master data includes at least the origin of the images, the range of the agreed services and, in a cost model, includes their costs according to established image attributes. Before each reading process, the respective customer and the respective reading job including the necessary image attributes are determined from the image-accompanying data are determined from the image-accompanying data and from the master data. After conducting the reading process, the customer, the procesing information concerning the reading steps with the reading and processing results, the established image attributes and the image-accompanying data are stored for each image in a searchable, sortable and time-related manner.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention identify and sort a mailpiece with destination information by sorting the mailpiece using a code on the front of the mailpiece, if there is a code on the front of the mailpiece. If the mailpiece does not have the code on the front of the mailpiece, and if there is a code on the back of the mailpiece, the mailpiece is identified using a code on the back of the mailpiece. If the mailpiece does not have the code on the front or on the back of the mailpiece, then the mailpiece is sorted in an identification code system. In the identification code system, an identification code is applied to the back of the mailpiece and a postal code is applied to the front of the mailpiece in accordance with the destination information. An identification file corresponding to the identification code is then created. The identification file may be accessed by a plurality of nodes in the identification code system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring the delivery of workpieces to a position by: storing a digital reference image of the position prior to the delivery of workpieces; storing a digital operating image of the position during delivery of workpieces; performing image arithmetic on the reference image and the operating image to produce a digital evaluation image comprised of a plurality of pixels; establishing a threshold image condition for the evaluation image that correlates to the existence of an operating condition relevant to the control of the delivery of workpieces; and examining the pixels in the evaluation image to determine whether the threshold image condition is met.