DISTRIBUTED IMAGE ACQUISITION FOR POSTAL PROCESSING
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A mail processing method, comprising:
- receiving a mailpiece from a customer at a local system;
receiving payment information from the customer by the local system for mailing the mailpiece;
scanning the mailpiece by the local system to produce an image;
applying an identification code to the mailpiece by the local system;
after the mailpiece is delivered to a central processing facility, processing the mailpiece, using the image, by a central server system at the central processing facility.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Mail processing methods and systems. A method includes receiving a mailpiece at a local system and scanning the mailpiece by the local system to produce an image. The method can include receiving payment information from the customer by the local system for mailing the mailpiece. The method includes applying an identification code to the mailpiece by the local system, and after the mailpiece is delivered to a central processing facility, processing the mailpiece, using the image, by a central server system at the central processing facility. Related apparatuses and systems are discussed.
37 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A mail processing method, comprising:
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receiving a mailpiece from a customer at a local system; receiving payment information from the customer by the local system for mailing the mailpiece; scanning the mailpiece by the local system to produce an image; applying an identification code to the mailpiece by the local system; after the mailpiece is delivered to a central processing facility, processing the mailpiece, using the image, by a central server system at the central processing facility. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15)
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13. A mail processing local system apparatus, comprising:
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a transport mechanism configured to receive a mailpiece from a customer and transport the mailpiece for processing by the local system; a payment apparatus configured to receive payment information for mailing the mailpiece; an imaging device configured to create an image of the mailpiece; a first printing device for applying an identification code to the mailpiece; and a communications interface configured transmit the image of the mailpiece to a central server system.
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16. A mail processing system, comprising:
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a central server system at a central processing facility; a plurality of mail processing local system apparatuses, each in a different geographic location, configured to communicate with the ventral server system, each mail processing local system apparatus having a transport mechanism configured to receive a mailpiece from a customer and transport the mailpiece for processing by the local system apparatus; at least one of a payment apparatus configured to receive payment information for mailing the mailpiece and a geographic location receiver; an imaging device configured to create an image of the mailpiece; a first printing device for applying an identification code to the mailpiece; and a communications interface configured transmit the image of the mailpiece to the central server system. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A mail processing method, comprising:
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receiving a mailpiece from a customer at a local system; scanning the mailpiece by the local system to produce an image; applying an identification code to the mailpiece by the local system; transmitting from the local system to a central processing facility the identification code and an associated geographic reference corresponding to the location of the local system; after the mailpiece is delivered to a central processing facility, processing the mailpiece, using the image, by a central server system at the central processing facility. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification