METHOD AND SYSTEM TO INDICATE BIN SWEEP STATUS ON DOCUMENT PROCESSING EQUIPMENT
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for enhancing subsequent pass sorting operations at a mail sorting facility, the method comprising steps of:
- (a) determining a number of mail items expected at each of one or more bins by analyzing delivery point data associated with each of a plurality of mail items;
(b) sorting the plurality of mail items to the one or more bins in accordance with the delivery point data;
(c) maintaining a count of mail items at each of the one or more bins when the plurality of mail items are sorted; and
(d) triggering an alert associated with a bin when the number of mail items expected at the bin is reached by the count of mail items at the bin.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present application relates to a method and system for mail item processing. More particularly, the present application relates to a method and system alerting document processing operators when all mail items have reached a designated bin in order to improve accuracy and efficiency during document processing as well as improving the overall efficiency of the document processing facility.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for enhancing subsequent pass sorting operations at a mail sorting facility, the method comprising steps of:
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(a) determining a number of mail items expected at each of one or more bins by analyzing delivery point data associated with each of a plurality of mail items; (b) sorting the plurality of mail items to the one or more bins in accordance with the delivery point data; (c) maintaining a count of mail items at each of the one or more bins when the plurality of mail items are sorted; and (d) triggering an alert associated with a bin when the number of mail items expected at the bin is reached by the count of mail items at the bin. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A mail processing system having an enhanced subsequent pass sorting operation, the system comprising:
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a server for receiving and processing mail data, wherein the mail data includes at least delivery point data associated with each of the plurality of mail items, and wherein the server determines a number of mail items expected at each of one or more bins by analyzing the delivery point data associated with each of the plurality of mail items; and at least one sorter for sorting the plurality of mail items to the one or more bins in accordance with the delivery point data, wherein the sorter maintains a count of mail items for each of the one or more bins when the at least one sorter sorts the plurality of mail items to the one or more bins, and wherein a sorter triggers an alert associated therewith when the number of mail items expected at the bin is reached by the count of mail items at the bin. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for enhancing subsequent pass sorting operations at a mail sorting facility, the method comprising steps of:
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determining a number of expected mail items directed to each of one or more bins in accordance with a sort scheme, wherein the number of expected mail items is determined in advance of subsequent pass processing of a plurality of mail items using a sorter associated with the one or more bins; detecting delivery point data associated with each of the plurality of mail items; sorting the plurality of mail items in accordance the delivery point data to the one or more bins; maintaining a count of mail items at each of the one or more bins; determining whether all the expected mail items have been received at a bin by comparing the number of expected mail items of the bin and the count of mail items received at the bin; and setting an alert indicating that all mail items should be swept from the bin based on the determination. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A method for enhancing subsequent pass sorting operations at a mail sorting facility, the method comprising steps of:
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(a) determining a check-off list of unique numbers for mail items expected at each of one or more bins by analyzing delivery point data and the mail item unique number associated with each of a plurality of mail items; (b) sorting the plurality of mail items to the one or more bins in accordance with the delivery point data; (c) maintaining a record of mail item unique numbers at each of the one or more bins when the plurality of mail items are sorted; and (d) triggering an alert associated with a bin when all of the mail item unique numbers expected for the bin have been processed and sorted to the respective bin. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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Specification