Bar code synchronization process for scanning mail envelopes and their contents
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for processing mail items, comprising the steps of:
- separating said mail items into an envelope batch and a contents batch;
applying a first set of labels to said envelope batch, said first set of labels further comprising a first sequential series of alpha-numeric characters;
applying a second set of labels to said contents batch, said second set of labels further comprising said first sequential series of alpha-numeric characters;
scanning envelopes in said envelope batch and generating a first list of alpha-numeric characters read from said first set of labels, and images of the envelopes in said envelope batch;
scanning contents pages in said contents batch and generating a second list of alpha-numeric characters read from said second set of labels, and images of the contents pages in said contents batch; and
merging said envelope images with said contents pages images having common alpha-numeric characters so as to create a combined mail item image for each said mail item.
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Abstract
Disclosed is a method and system for enabling the high speed processing of physical mail articles to convert the same into electronic documents that may be electronically distributed to the original intended recipient without requiring the recipient to come into contact with the original, physical mail article.
47 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for processing mail items, comprising the steps of:
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separating said mail items into an envelope batch and a contents batch;
applying a first set of labels to said envelope batch, said first set of labels further comprising a first sequential series of alpha-numeric characters;
applying a second set of labels to said contents batch, said second set of labels further comprising said first sequential series of alpha-numeric characters;
scanning envelopes in said envelope batch and generating a first list of alpha-numeric characters read from said first set of labels, and images of the envelopes in said envelope batch;
scanning contents pages in said contents batch and generating a second list of alpha-numeric characters read from said second set of labels, and images of the contents pages in said contents batch; and
merging said envelope images with said contents pages images having common alpha-numeric characters so as to create a combined mail item image for each said mail item. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for processing mail items, comprising:
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a scanner; and
a control program operative on a microprocessor in electrical communication with said scanner, said control program being operative to print a first set of labels comprising a first sequential series of alpha-numeric characters and a second set of labels comprising said first sequential series of alpha-numeric characters, said control program being further operative to;
receive a first list of alpha-numeric characters read from said first sequential series of alpha-numeric characters and images of envelopes associated with said first sequential series of alpha-numeric characters;
receive a second list of alpha-numeric characters read from said second sequential series of alpha-numeric characters and images of contents pages associated with said second sequential series of alpha-numeric characters; and
merge said envelope images with said contents pages images having common alpha-numeric characters so as to create a combined mail item image for each said mail item. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification