Method and apparatus for categorizing and certifying mail
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus for processing mail having an address, comprising:
- means for obtaining a sample of mail pieces from a batch of mail pieces,means for scanning the sample mail pieces to produce data representative of at least one of the following parameters of each sample mail piece,(a) readability of the address,(b) deliverability of the mail piece,(c) dimensions of the mail piece,(d) presence on the mail piece of certain codes,(e) correct postage,congruence among mail piece printings, and means for storing said data.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for categorizing and certifying a batch of mail uses a random statistical scheme. The mail will be categorized in terms of print quality, accuracy with the statement sheet accompanying the mail, deliverability, and the like so that the Post Office is relieved of having to manually inspect the mail and can arrange scheduling, equipment and manpower for the processing of such batch of mail. The mail will be certified with regard to the correctness of postage for mailing the batch.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. Apparatus for processing mail having an address, comprising:
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means for obtaining a sample of mail pieces from a batch of mail pieces, means for scanning the sample mail pieces to produce data representative of at least one of the following parameters of each sample mail piece, (a) readability of the address, (b) deliverability of the mail piece, (c) dimensions of the mail piece, (d) presence on the mail piece of certain codes, (e) correct postage, congruence among mail piece printings, and means for storing said data. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. Apparatus for certifying and categorizing a batch of mail, comprising;
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means for obtaining a random statistical sample of mail pieces from a batch of mail pieces, means for individually transporting said sample mail pieces, means for identifying each of the sample mail pieces, means for weighing each sample mail piece, means for scanning the sample mall pieces to determine the address and readability of the address line of said mail pieces, and means for storing data obtained from said weighing and scanning. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus for certifying and categorizing a batch of mail, comprising:
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means for obtaining a random statistical sample of mail pieces from a batch of mail pieces, means for storing post office regulations with regard to acceptable mail sizes, weight and address readability, means for individually transporting the sample mail pieces, means for identifying each sample mail piece, means for scanning the sample mail pieces to determine the size and readability of the address line on each sample mail piece, means for comparing the obtained weight, size and readability of the sample mail pieces with the stored regulations, and means for determining the number of sample mail pieces that do not conform with the stored regulations. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. In a system for categorizing and certifying mail, the combination comprising:
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means for obtaining a random statistical sample of mail pieces from a batch of mail, means for conveying the sample mail pieces in series, means for assigning an identification number to each sample mail piece, means for measuring the dimensions of each sample mail piece and comparing them to acceptable dimensions in the postal regulations. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A process for increasing efficiency of a mail deliverer in the handling of batch mailings comprised of mail pieces addressed to different parties, comprising, before subjecting said batch to mail processing for delivery of the individual mail pieces to the addresses printed on each mail piece:
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(a) sampling said batch to obtain a representative sample, (b) assigning an identification code to each sample mail piece, (c) determining physical parameters of each sample mail piece by subjecting same to at least one of the following steps; (1) determining its weight, (2) determining its size, (3) determining its mail class, (4) determining the amount of postage applied, (5) determining address readability, (6) determining address print contrast, (7) determining address font type, (8) determining mail piece reflectivity at the print address, (9) reading the address, (10) determining address deliverability, (11) reading the address and comparing the city/state designation with the zip code, (12) determining whether the zip code is present, (13) determining whether a zip code+4 is present, (14) determining whether a bar-coded address is present, (15) determining whether a bar-coded address is present and comparing same with the human recognizable address, (d) generating a report summarizing the results of step (c) extended to the batch, (e) restoring the sample mail pieces to said batch, and (f) delivering the mail batch together with a copy of said report to the mail deliverer. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. Method of certifying and categorizing a batch of mail, the steps comprising:
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(a) obtaining a random sample of mail pieces from a batch of mail pieces, (b) individually transporting said sample mail pieces, (c) identifying each of the sample mail pieces, (d) weighing each sample mail piece, (e) scanning the sample mail pieces to determine the address and readability of the address line, of said mail pieces and (d) and storing the data obtained from steps (e). - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. Method of certifying and categorizing a batch of mail, the steps comprising:
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obtaining a random statistical sample of mail pieces from a batch of mail pieces, storing post office regulations with regard to acceptable mail sizes, weight and address readability, individually transporting the sample mail pieces, identifying each sample mail piece, weighing each sample mail piece, scanning the mail pieces to determine the size and readability of the address line on each sample mail piece, comparing the obtained weight, size and readability of the sample mail pieces with the stored regulations, and determining the number of sample mail pieces that do not conform with the stored regulations. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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31. Method of categorizing and certifying mail, the steps comprising:
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obtaining a random statistical sample of mail pieces from a batch of mail, conveying the sample mail pieces in series, assigning an identification number to each sample mail piece, measuring the dimensions of each sample mail piece and comparing them to acceptable dimensions in the postage regulations, weighing and comparing the weight of each sample mail piece against a standard, determining the OCR physical characteristics of each sample mail piece, identifying and reading the last line of each sample mail piece address, reading the zip code of each sample mail piece, determining if the zip code is included in the national zip+4 data base, and determining if the city and state printed on each sample mail piece matches the zip code printed thereon. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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Specification