Apparatus and methods for identifying and processing mail using an identification code
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention provide for identifying and processing mail using an identification code on a mailpiece as a redundant source of identification information in a mail sorting system. In one embodiment, this information is stored in a temporary database and used for the identification and processing of mail in a Remote Bar Code System (RBCS). In this embodiment, the identification code enables the automation of mail sorting and other processing tasks, reducing costs and delays in mail delivery services. In another embodiment, the identification and processing of mail occurs in an Identification Code Sorting (ICS) system. In this embodiment, a long-term database allows for mail sorting and other processing tasks on a national or global level.
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Citations
123 Claims
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1-104. -104. (canceled)
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105. A method of identifying an identification file for a delivery item image at an image control unit, comprising the steps of:
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receiving the delivery item image from an optical character reader at an input subsystem;
transmitting the delivery item image to a remote computer reader;
receiving an identification file corresponding to the delivery item image from the remote computer reader, if the remote computer reader obtained an identification file for the delivery item image; and
creating the identification file, if the remote computer reader did not obtain the identification file, wherein the creating step includes the substeps of;
transmitting the delivery item image to a keying site; and
receiving the identification file corresponding to the delivery item image from the keying site. - View Dependent Claims (106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112)
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113. A system for identifying an identification file for a mailpiece image at an image control unit, comprising:
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a mailpiece image receiving component configured to receive a mailpiece image from an optical character reader at an input subsystem;
a remote computer reader transmitting component configured to transmit the mailpiece image to a remote computer reader;
a remote computer reader receiving component configured to receive an identification file corresponding to the mailpiece image from the remote computer reader, if the remote computer reader obtained an identification file for the mailpiece image; and
a creating component configured to create the identification file, if the remote computer reader did not obtain the identification file, wherein the creating component includes;
a keying site transmitting component configured to transmit the mailpiece image to a keying site; and
a keying site receiving component configured to receive the identification file corresponding to the mailpiece image from the keying site. - View Dependent Claims (114, 117, 119, 120)
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121. A system for identifying an identification file for a mailpiece image at an image control unit, comprising:
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means for receiving a mailpiece image from an optical character reader at an input subsystem;
means for transmitting the mailpiece image to a remote computer reader;
means for receiving an identification file corresponding to the mailpiece image from the remote computer reader, if the remote computer reader obtained an identification file for the mailpiece image; and
means for creating the identification file, if the remote computer reader did not obtain the identification file, wherein the creating means includes;
means for transmitting the mailpiece image to a keying site; and
means for receiving the identification file corresponding to the mailpiece image from the keying site.
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122. A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for identifying an identification file for a mailpiece image at an image control unit, the computer readable code comprising:
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a mailpiece image receiving module configured to receive a mailpiece image from an optical character reader at an input subsystem;
a remote computer reader transmitting module configured to transmit the mailpiece image to a remote computer reader;
a remote computer reader receiving module configured to receive an identification file corresponding to the mailpiece image from the remote computer reader, if the remote computer reader obtained an identification file for the mailpiece image; and
a creating module configured to create the identification file, if the remote computer reader did not obtain the identification file, wherein the creating module includes;
a keying site transmitting module configured to transmit the mailpiece image to a keying site; and
a keying site receiving module configured to receive the identification file corresponding to the mailpiece image from the keying site.
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123-158. -158. (canceled)
Specification