Method for obtaining a random sampling

• US 20040078111A1
• Filed: 09/02/2003
• Published: 04/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Amonette, Thomas, Reese, Margaret
• Granted Patent: US 7,039,497 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/213
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00435 Details specific to central, non-customer apparatus, e.g. servers at post office or vendor
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00467 Transporting mailpieces postal sorting B07C
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00483 Batch processing of mailpieces

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of obtaining a random sample. The method includes randomly selecting a sample of a mailing at a DMU. This sample is then analyzed for conformance with United States Postal Service standards.

Claims

1. A method of obtaining a random sample from a plurality of mail pieces, the method comprising:

determining at least one of the following for the plurality of mail pieces;

the type of mail pieces; and

the number of mail pieces in the plurality of mail pieces;

determining the location of the mail pieces;

determining a random sample of mail pieces based on at least one of

the type of mail pieces; and

the number of mail pieces;

specifying the location of the mail pieces in the random sample; and

pulling the random sample of mail pieces from the plurality of mail pieces.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of mail pieces includes at least one of letters, flats, and packages.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of mail pieces is located in a production line.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of mail pieces is located in a staging area.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of mail pieces is located in a mail delivery vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the amount of time available to obtain a random sample of mail pieces.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein random sample determining comprises determining a random sample of mail pieces based on at least one of

the type of mail pieces;

the number of mail pieces; and

the amount of time available to obtain a random sample of mail pieces.

8. A system for obtaining a random sample from a plurality of mail pieces comprising:

a first determining component configured to determine at least one of the following for the plurality of mail pieces;

the type of mail pieces; and

the number of mail pieces in the plurality of mail pieces;

a second determining component configured to determine the location of the mail pieces;

a third determining component configured to determine a random sample of mail pieces based on at least one of

the type of mail pieces; and

the number of mail pieces;

a specifying component configured to specify the location of the mail pieces in the random sample; and

a pulling component configured to pull the random sample of mail pieces from the plurality of mail pieces.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of mail pieces includes at least one of letters, flats, and packages.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of mail pieces is located in a production line.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of mail pieces is located in a staging area.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of mail pieces is located in a mail delivery vehicle.

13. The system of claim 8, further comprising a fourth determining component configured to determine the amount of time available to obtain a random sample of mail pieces.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the third determining component is further configured to determine a random sample of mail pieces based on at least one of

the type of mail pieces;

the number of mail pieces; and

the amount of time available to obtain a random sample of mail pieces.

15. A computer readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method of obtaining a random sample from a plurality of mail pieces, the method comprising:

determining at least one of the following for the plurality of mail pieces;

the type of mail pieces; and

the number of mail pieces in the plurality of mail pieces;

determining the location of the mail pieces;

determining a random sample of mail pieces based on at least one of

the type of mail pieces; and

the number of mail pieces;

specifying the location of the mail pieces in the random sample; and

pulling the random sample of mail pieces from the plurality of mail pieces.

16. A system for obtaining a random sample from a plurality of mail pieces, comprising:

a first determining means for determining at least one of the following for the plurality of mail pieces;

the type of mail pieces; and

the number of mail pieces in the plurality of mail pieces;

a second determining means for determining the location of the mail pieces;

a third determining means for determining a random sample of mail pieces based on at least one of

the type of mail pieces; and

the number of mail pieces;

a specifying means for specifying the location of the mail pieces in the random sample; and

a pulling means for pulling the random sample of mail pieces from the plurality of mail pieces.

17. A method of verifying mail information comprising:

presenting a plurality of mail pieces to a mail unit;

determining at least one of the following for the plurality of mail pieces;

the type of mail pieces; and

the number of mail pieces in the plurality of mail pieces;

determining the location of each mail piece;

determining a random sample of mail pieces based on at least one of

the type of mail pieces; and

the number of mail pieces;

specifying the location of the mail pieces in the random sample;

pulling the random sample of mail pieces from the plurality of mail pieces; and

verifying the random sample of mail pieces for conformance with a specified standard.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of mail pieces includes at least one of letters, flats, and packages.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of mail pieces is located in a production line.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of mail pieces is located in a staging area.

21. The method according to claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of mail pieces is located in a mail delivery vehicle.

22. The method of claim 17, further comprising determining the amount of time available to obtain a random sample of mail pieces.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein random sample determining comprises determining a random sample of mail pieces based on at least one of

the type of mail pieces;

the number of mail pieces; and

the amount of time available to obtain a random sample of mail pieces.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the specified standard is the United States Postal Service standard.

25. A system for verifying mail information comprising:

a presenting component configured to present a plurality of mail pieces to a mail unit;

a first determining component configured to determine at least one of the following for the plurality of mail pieces;

the type of mail pieces; and

the number of mail pieces in the plurality of mail pieces;

a second determining component configured to determine the location of each mail piece;

a third determining component configured to determine a random sample of mail pieces based on at least one of

the type of mail pieces; and

the number of mail pieces;

a specifying component configured to specify the location of the mail pieces in the random sample;

a pulling component configured to pull the random sample of mail pieces from the plurality of mail pieces; and

a verifying component configured to verify the random sample of mail pieces for conformance with a specified standard.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the plurality of mail pieces includes at least one of letters, flats, and packages.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of mail pieces is located in a production line.

28. The system of claim 25, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of mail pieces is located in a staging area.

29. The system of claim 25, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of mail pieces is located in a mail delivery vehicle.

30. The system of claim 25, further comprising a fourth determining component configured to determine the amount of time available to obtain a random sample of mail pieces.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the third determining component is further configured to determine a random sample of mail pieces based on at least one of

the type of mail pieces;

the number of mail pieces; and

the amount of time available to obtain a random sample of mail pieces.

32. The system of claim 25, wherein the specified standard is the United States Postal Service standard.

33. A computer readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method of verifying mail information, the method comprising:

presenting a plurality of mail pieces to a mail unit;

determining at least one of the following for the plurality of mail pieces;

the type of mail pieces; and

the number of mail pieces in the plurality of mail pieces;

determining the location of each mail piece;

determining a random sample of mail pieces based on at least one of

the type of mail pieces; and

the number of mail pieces;

specifying the location of the mail pieces in the random sample;

pulling the random sample of mail pieces from the plurality of mail pieces; and

verifying the random sample of mail pieces for conformance with a specified standard.

34. A system for verifying mail information comprising:

a presenting means for presenting a plurality of mail pieces to a mail unit;

a first determining means for determining at least one of the following for the plurality of mail pieces;

the type of mail pieces; and

the number of mail pieces in the plurality of mail pieces;

a second determining means for determining the location of each mail piece;

a third determining means for determining a random sample of mail pieces based on at least one of

the type of mail pieces; and

the number of mail pieces;

a specifying means for specifying the location of the mail pieces in the random sample;

a pulling means for pulling the random sample of mail pieces from the plurality of mail pieces; and

a verifying means for verifying the random sample of mail pieces for conformance with a specified standard.

35. A method of determining whether to obtain a sample from a plurality of mail pieces, the method comprising:

determining at least one of the following for the plurality of mail pieces;

the type of mail pieces;

the number of mail pieces in the plurality of mail pieces; and

the entity who prepared the plurality of mail pieces;

assigning a risk factor to the plurality of mail pieces based on one of the type of mail pieces, the number of mail pieces in the plurality of mail pieces, and the entity who prepared the plurality of mail pieces, and

obtaining a sample number of mail pieces if the risk factor exceeds a predetermined risk level.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein obtaining a sample number of mail pieces comprises:

determining the location of each mail piece;

determining a random sample of mail pieces based on at least one of

the type of mail pieces; and

the number of mail pieces;

specifying the location of the mail pieces in the random sample; and

pulling the random sample of mail pieces from the plurality of mail pieces.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the plurality of mail pieces includes at least one of letters, flats, and packages.

38. The method according to claim 36, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of mail pieces is located in a production line.

39. The method according to claim 36, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of mail pieces is located in a staging area.

40. The method according to claim 36, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of mail pieces is located in a mail delivery vehicle.

41. The method of claim 36, further comprising determining the amount of time available to obtain a random sample of mail pieces.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein random sample determining comprises determining a random sample of mail pieces based on at least one of

the type of mail pieces;

the number of mail pieces; and

the amount of time available to obtain a random sample of mail pieces.

43. A system for determining whether to obtain a sample from a plurality of mail pieces, comprising:

a determining component configured to determine at least one of the following for the plurality of mail pieces;

the type of mail pieces;

the number of mail pieces in the plurality of mail pieces; and

the entity who prepared the plurality of mail pieces;

an assigning component configured to assign a risk factor to the plurality of mail pieces based on one of the type of mail pieces, the number of mail pieces in the plurality of mail pieces, and the entity who prepared the plurality of mail pieces, and

an obtaining component configured to obtain a sample number of mail pieces if the risk factor exceeds a predetermined risk level.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the obtaining component is further comprises:

a second determining component configured to determine the location of each mail piece;

a third determining component configured to determine a random sample of mail pieces based on at least one of

the type of mail pieces; and

the number of mail pieces;

a specifying component configured to specify the location of the mail pieces in the random sample; and

a pulling component configured to pull the random sample of mail pieces from the plurality of mail pieces.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the plurality of mail pieces includes at least one of letters, flats, and packages.

46. The system of claim 44, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of mail pieces is located in a production line.

47. The system of claim 44, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of mail pieces is located in a staging area.

48. The system of claim 44, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of mail pieces is located in a mail delivery vehicle.

49. The system of claim 44, further comprising a fourth determining component configured to determine the amount of time available to obtain a random sample of mail pieces.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the third determining component is further configured to determine a random sample of mail pieces based on at least one of

the type of mail pieces;

the number of mail pieces; and

the amount of time available to obtain a random sample of mail pieces.

51. A computer readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method of determining whether to obtain a sample from a plurality of mail pieces, the method comprising:

determining at least one of the following for the plurality of mail pieces;

the type of mail pieces;

the number of mail pieces in the plurality of mail pieces; and

the entity who prepared the plurality of mail pieces;

assigning a risk factor to the plurality of mail pieces based on one of the type of mail pieces, the number of mail pieces in the plurality of mail pieces, and the entity who prepared the plurality of mail pieces, and

obtaining a sample number of mail pieces if the risk factor exceeds a predetermined risk level.

52. A system for determining whether to obtain a sample from a plurality of mail pieces, comprising:

a determining means for determining at least one of the following for the plurality of mail pieces;

the type of mail pieces;

the number of mail pieces in the plurality of mail pieces; and

the entity who prepared the plurality of mail pieces;

an assigning means for assigning a risk factor to the plurality of mail pieces based on one of the type of mail pieces, the number of mail pieces in the plurality of mail pieces, and the entity who prepared the plurality of mail pieces, and

an obtaining means for obtaining a sample number of mail pieces if the risk factor exceeds a predetermined risk level.