Method and device for processing postal articles
First Claim
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1. A method for processing mailpieces, the method comprising:
- (a) sorting the mailpieces by at least one automated sorting installation;
(b) carrying out an automated checking procedure to ascertain whether the mailpiece has the expected postage;
(c) applying a code onto the mailpiece to complete the checking Drocedure, wherein the checking procedure comprises checking whether the mailpiece is marked with a payment assurance code with a processing machine and in case the mailpiece had not already been provided with a payment assurance code, applying to the mailpiece the payment assurance code by the same processing machine.
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Abstract
Disclosed herein are a method and device for processing postal articles. According to the disclosure, the method includes automatically verifying whether a postal article has an expected prepayment and placing a verification on the postal article where the postal article has the expected prepayment.
54 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for processing mailpieces, the method comprising:
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(a) sorting the mailpieces by at least one automated sorting installation;
(b) carrying out an automated checking procedure to ascertain whether the mailpiece has the expected postage;
(c) applying a code onto the mailpiece to complete the checking Drocedure, wherein the checking procedure comprises checking whether the mailpiece is marked with a payment assurance code with a processing machine and in case the mailpiece had not already been provided with a payment assurance code, applying to the mailpiece the payment assurance code by the same processing machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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- 6. A device for processing mailpieces comprising a unit for recording information that is present on at least one surface of the mailpieces, the unit comprising an image management module and a reading unit capable of checking the presence of a payment assurance code.
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8. A system for payment assurance, the system comprising:
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(a) incoming mail centers; and
,(b) outgoing mail centers for a preliminary sorting of mailpieces for the incoming mail centers;
wherein the incoming and outgoing mail centers each comprise;
(i) several devices for processing mailpieces, wherein the devices are capable of checking the presence of a payment assurance code on the mailpiece, and the devices are each connected to (ii) a unit for recording information present on at least one surface of the mailpieces. - View Dependent Claims (9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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10. A system for payment assurance. the system comprising:
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(a) a franking database capable of compiling its own data as well as data that has been transmitted bv a central payment assurance unit at pre-definable time intervals;
(b) a comparator that allows a comparison of (i) a cumulative postage amount used for all of sender-franked mailpieces of a customer with (ii) a cumulative amount of paid value cards and value charges. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification