Apparatus and methods for identifying and processing mail using an identification code

• US 20090046892A1
• Filed: 09/25/2008
• Published: 02/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1999
• 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: Avant, Oscar Lee, Reldel, Simon Franklin, Boldt, Ralph William JR., Little, Michael Ray, Brandt, Bruce A., Fadely, Jay David
• Granted Patent: US 8,227,718 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/101
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 3/10 Apparatus characterised by the means used for detection ofthe destination methods or arrangements for reading and recognising printed or written characters or geometric figures G06V30/00
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 3/18 Devices or arrangements for indicating destination, e.g. by code marks applying data to information carriers G06K1/12
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 3/20 Arrangements for facilitating the visual reading of addresses, e.g. display arrangements coding stations

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.

Claims

1-132. -132. (canceled)

133. A method of storing a delivery item image in a buffer, comprising the steps of:

receiving a file from a remote computer reader, wherein the file contains a delivery item image;

storing the delivery item image in a buffer;

receiving a prompt from the remote computer reader; and

transmitting the file from the buffer to an image control unit, upon receipt of the prompt.

134. The method of claim 133, wherein the buffer is an identification code sort image buffer.

135. The method of claim 133, wherein the prompt is an end-of-run message.

136. The method of claim 133, wherein the file is a buffer file.

137. The method of claim 133, wherein the file received from the remote computer reader further comprises a priority designation.

138. The method of claim 137, wherein the storing step further comprises the substep of:

storing the delivery item image in the buffer according to the priority designation.

139. The method of claim 138, wherein the transmitting step further comprises the substep of:

transmitting the file from the buffer to the image control unit in order of priority designation, upon receipt of the prompt.

140. A system for storing a delivery item image in a buffer, comprising:

a file receiving component configured to receive a file from a remote computer reader, wherein the file contains a delivery item image;

a delivery item image storing component configured to store the delivery item image in a buffer;

a prompt receiving component configured to receive a prompt from the remote computer reader; and

a file transmitting component configured to transmit the file from the buffer to an image control unit, upon receipt of the prompt.

141. The system of claim 140, wherein the buffer is an identification code sort image buffer.

142. The system of claim 140, wherein the prompt is an end-of-run message.

143. The system of claim 140, wherein the file is a buffer file.

144. The system of claim 140, wherein the file received from the remote computer reader further comprises a priority designation.

145. The system of claim 144, wherein the delivery item image storing component further comprises:

a priority storing component configured to store the delivery item image in the buffer according to the priority designation.

146. The system of claim 145, wherein the file transmitting component further comprises:

a priority transmitting component configured to transmit the file from the buffer to the image control unit in order of priority designation, upon receipt of the prompt.

147. A system for storing a delivery item image in a buffer, comprising:

means for receiving a file from a remote computer reader, wherein the file contains a delivery item image;

means for storing the delivery item image in a buffer;

means for receiving a prompt from the remote computer reader; and

means for transmitting the file from the buffer to an image control unit, upon receipt of the prompt.

148. A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for storing a delivery item image in a buffer, the computer readable code comprising:

a file receiving module configured to receive a file from a remote computer reader, wherein the file contains a delivery item image;

a delivery item image storing module configured to store the delivery item image in a buffer;

a prompt receiving module configured to receive a prompt from the remote computer reader; and

a file transmitting module configured to transmit the file from the buffer to an image control unit, upon receipt of the prompt.

149-158. -158. (canceled)