Identification coder reader and method for reading an identification code from a mailpiece

• US 6,894,243 B1
• Filed: 08/31/2000
• Issued: 05/17/2005
• 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: Reidel, Simon Franklin, Brandt, Bruce A., Fadely, Jay David, Avant, Oscar Lee, Little, Michael Ray
• Primary Examiner(s): Walsh, Donald P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RODRIGUEZ, JOSEPH C
• Application Number:
  US09/652,708
• Time in Patent Office: 1,720 Days
• Field of Search: 382/102, 382/101, 385/119, 385/116, 385/117, 385/120, 209/584, 209/900
• US Class Current: 209/584
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/06 the relative position of the fibres being the same at both ends, e.g. for transporting images
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10683 Arrangement of fixed elements
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10851 Circuits for pulse shaping, amplifying, eliminating noise signals, checking the function of the sensing device basic electronic circuitry H03
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00709 Scanning mailpieces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 209/90 Sorting flat-type mail

Abstract

Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention provide for reading an identification code from a mailpiece. In one embodiment, there are a reader unit and a reader head assembly connected by an optical cable, which provide for the identification of a mailpiece in an identification code sorting system.

Claims

1. A method of reading an identification code from a mailpiece, comprising the steps of:

generating a signal in response to the mailpiece being placed in front of an infrared receiver at a reader head assembly;

sending the signal from the reader head assembly to a microprocessor in a reader unit over a signal cable;

illuminating a light source to scan an identification code from the mailpiece;

focusing the identification code at a fiber bundle;

transmitting the identification code via the fiber bundle to a light filter unit;

sending an output signal from the light filter unit to a signal converter that converts the output signal to a digital signal;

transmitting the digital signal from the signal converter to the microprocessor;

processing the digital signal at the microprocessor to obtain the identification code; and

outputting the identification code from the microprocessor to an output port.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal from the reader head assembly is a light barrier signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the output port is a synchronous serial port.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the synchronous serial port uses transistor transistor logic.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the synchronous serial port uses differential logic.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is a reader logic unit.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal converter is an A/D converter.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the focusing step further comprises the substep of:

focusing the identification code through a lens.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

displaying monitoring data on the reader head assembly.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

displaying monitoring data on one or more light emitting diodes on the reader head assembly.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

receiving instructions from an operator via a set of push buttons on the reader unit.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

displaying monitoring data on one or more light emitting diodes on the reader unit.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

receiving instructions from an operator via a set of push buttons on the reader head assembly.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the light source is part of the reader head assembly.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the light source is part of the reader unit.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is a digital signal processor.

17. A system for reading an identification code from a mailpiece, comprising:

a generating component configured to generate a signal in response to the mailpiece being placed in front of an infrared receiver at a reader head assembly;

a response signal sending component configured to send the signal from the reader head assembly to a microprocessor in a reader unit over a signal cable;

an illuminating component configured to illuminate a light source to scan an identification code from the mailpiece;

a scanned identification code focusing component configured to focus the identification code at a fiber bundle;

a scanned identification code transmitting component configured to transmit the identification code via the fiber bundle to a light filter unit;

an output signal sending component configured to send an output signal from the light filter unit to a signal converter that converts the output signal to a digital signal;

a digital signal transmitting component configured to transmit the digital signal from the signal converter to the microprocessor;

a processing component configured to process the digital signal at the microprocessor to obtain the identification code; and

an outputting component configured to output the identification code from the microprocessor to an output port.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the signal generated in response to the mailpiece being placed in front of the infrared receiver is a light barrier signal.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the output port is a synchronous serial port.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the synchronous serial port uses transistor transistor logic.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the synchronous serial port uses differential logic.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the microprocessor is a reader logic unit.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein the signal converter is an A/D converter.

24. The system of claim 17, wherein the scanned identification code focusing component further comprises:

a lens focusing component configured to focus the identification code through a lens.

25. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

a reader head assembly displaying component configured to display monitoring data on the reader head assembly.

26. The system of claim 25, further comprising:

a light emitting diode displaying component configured to display monitoring date on one or more light emitting diodes on the reader head assembly.

27. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

a reader head receiving component configured to receive instructions from an operator via a set of push buttons on the reader head assembly.

28. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

a reader unit displaying component configured to monitoring data on one or more light emitting diodes on the reader unit.

29. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

a reader unit receiving component configured to receive instructions from an operator via a set of push buttons on the reader unit.

30. The system of claim 17, wherein the light source is part of the reader head assembly.

31. The system of claim 17, wherein the light source is part of the reader unit.

32. The system of claim 17, wherein the microprocessor is a digital signal processor.

33. A system for reading an identification code from a mailpiece, comprising:

means for generating a signal in response to the mailpiece being placed in front of an infrared receiver at a reader head assembly;

means for sending the signal from the reader head assembly to a microprocessor in a reader unit over a signal cable;

means for illuminating a light source to scan an identification code from the mailpiece;

means for focusing the identification code at a fiber bundle;

means for transmitting the identification code via the fiber bundle to a light filter unit;

means for sending an output signal from the light filter unit to a signal converter that converts the output signal to a digital signal;

means for transmitting the digital signal from the signal converter to the microprocessor;

means for processing the digital signal at the microprocessor to obtain the identification code; and

means for outputting the identification code from the microprocessor to an output port.

34. A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for reading an identification code from a mailpiece, the computer readable code comprising:

a generating module configured to generate a signal in response to the mailpiece being placed in front of an infrared receiver at a reader head assembly;

a response signal sending module configured to send the signal from the reader head assembly to a microprocessor in a reader unit over a signal cable;

an illuminating module configured to illuminate a light source to scan an identification code from the mailpiece;

a scanned identification code focusing module configured to focus the identification code at a fiber bundle;

a scanned identification code transmitting module configured to transmit the identification code via the fiber bundle to a light filter unit;

an output signal sending module configured to send an output signal from the light filter unit to a signal converter that converts the output signal to a digital signal;

a digital signal transmitting module configured to transmit the digital signal from the signal converter to the microprocessor;

a processing module configured to process the digital signal at the microprocessor to obtain the identification code; and

an outputting module configured to output the identification code from the microprocessor to an output port.

35. A method of reading an identification code from a mailpiece, wherein the identification code is printed in fluorescent ink, comprising the steps of:

generating a signal in response to the mailpiece being placed in front of an infrared receiver at a reader head assembly;

sending the signal from the reader head assembly to a microprocessor in a reader unit over an optical cable;

illuminating a light source to scan an identification code from the mailpiece;

focusing the identification code at a fiber bundle including a plurality of bundle sections;

transmitting the identification code via the fiber bundle to a set of photo sensors at a light filter unit, wherein the transmitting step further comprises the substeps of;

filtering a first fiber bundle section through a first light filter in a first photo sensor at the light filter unit;

filtering a second fiber bundle section through a second light filter in a second photo sensor at the light filter unit; and

filtering a third fiber bundle section through a third light filter in a third photo sensor at the light filter unit;

multiplexing an output signal from the set of photo sensors to a signal converter that converts the output signal to a digital signal;

transmitting the digital signal from the signal converter to the microprocessor;

processing the digital signal at the microprocessor to obtain the identification code; and

outputting the identification code from the microprocessor to an output port.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the first light filter, the second light filter, and the third light filter each respond to a different light frequency.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the signal generated in response to the mailpiece being placed in front of the infrared receiver is a light barrier signal.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the output port is a synchronous serial port.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the synchronous serial port uses transistor transistor logic.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the synchronous serial port uses differential logic.

41. The method of claim 35, wherein the microprocessor is a reader logic unit.

42. The method of claim 35, wherein the converter is an A/D converter.

43. The method of claim 35, wherein the focusing step further comprises the substep of:

focusing the identification code through a lens.

44. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of:

displaying monitoring data on one or more light emitting diodes on the reader head assembly.

45. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of:

receiving instructions from an operator via a set of push buttons on the reader head.

46. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of:

displaying monitoring data on one or more light emitting diodes on the reader unit.

47. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of:

receiving instructions from an operator via a set of push buttons on the reader unit.

48. The method of claim 35, wherein the output port comprises a plurality of ports.

49. The method of claim 35, wherein the light source is part of the reader head assembly.

50. The method of claim 35, wherein the light source is part of the reader unit.

51. The method of claim 35, wherein the microprocessor is a digital signal processor.

52. A system for reading an identification code from a mailpiece, wherein the identification code is printed in fluorescent ink, comprising:

a generating component configured to generate a signal in response to the mailpiece being placed in front of an infrared receiver at a reader head assembly;

a signal sending component configured to send the signal from the reader head assembly to a microprocessor in a reader unit over an optical cable;

an illuminating component configured to illuminate a light source to scan an identification code from the mailpiece;

a scanned identification code focusing component configured to focus the identification code at a fiber bundle including a plurality of bundle sections;

a scanned identification code transmitting component configured to transmit the identification code via the fiber bundle to a set of photo sensors at a light filter unit, wherein the transmitting component further comprises;

a first filtering component configured to filter a first fiber bundle section through a first light filter in a first photo sensor at the light filter unit;

a second filtering component configured to filter a second fiber bundle section through a second light filter in a second photo sensor at the light filter unit; and

a third filtering component configured to filter a third fiber bundle section through a third light filter in a third photo sensor at the light filter unit;

a multiplexing component configured to multiplex an output signal from the set of photo sensors to a signal converter that converts the output signal to a digital signal;

a digital signal transmitting component configured to transmit the digital signal from the signal converter to the microprocessor;

a processing component configured to process the digital signal at the microprocessor to obtain the identification code; and

an outputting component configured to output the identification code from the microprocessor to an output port.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the first light filter, the second light filter, and the third light filter each respond to a different light frequency.

54. The system of claim 52, wherein the signal generated in response to the mailpiece being placed in front of the infrared receiver is a light barrier signal.

55. The system of claim 52, wherein the output port is a synchronous serial port.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein the synchronous serial port uses transistor transistor logic.

57. The system of claim 55, wherein the synchronous serial port uses differential logic.

58. The system of claim 52, wherein the microprocessor is a reader logic unit.

59. The system of claim 52, wherein the converter is an A/D converter.

60. The system of claim 52, wherein the scanned identification code focusing component further comprises:

a lens focusing component configured to focus the identification code through a lens.

61. The system of claim 52, further comprising:

a reader head assembly displaying component configured to display monitoring data on one or more light emitting diodes on the reader head assembly.

62. The system of claim 52, further comprising:

a reader head assembly receiving component configured to receive instructions from an operator via a set of push buttons on the reader head assembly.

63. The system of claim 52, further comprising:

a reader unit displaying component configured to display monitoring data on one or more light emitting diodes on the reader unit.

64. The system of claim 52, further comprising:

a reader unit receiving component configured to receive instructions from an operator via a set of push buttons on the reader unit.

65. The system of claim 52, wherein the output port comprises a plurality of ports.

66. The system of claim 52, wherein the light source is part of the reader head assembly.

67. The system of claim 52, wherein the light source is part of the reader unit.

68. The system of claim 52, wherein the microprocessor is a digital signal processor.

69. A system for reading an identification code from a mailpiece, wherein the identification code is printed in fluorescent ink, comprising:

means for generating a signal in response to the mailpiece being placed in front of an infrared receiver at a reader head assembly;

means for sending the signal from the reader head assembly to a microprocessor in a reader unit over an optical cable;

means for illuminating a light source to scan an identification code from the mailpiece;

means for focusing the identification code at a fiber bundle including a plurality of bundle sections;

means for transmitting the identification code via the fiber bundle to a set of photo sensors at a light filter unit, wherein the transmitting component further comprises;

means for filtering a first fiber bundle section through a first light filter in a first photo sensor at the light filter unit;

means for filtering a second fiber bundle section through a second light filter in a second photo sensor at the light filter unit; and

means for filtering a third fiber bundle section through a third light filter in a third photo sensor at the light filter unit;

means for multiplexing an output signal from the set of photo sensors to a signal converter that converts the output signal to a digital signal;

means for digital signal transmitting the digital signal from the signal converter to the microprocessor;

means for processing the digital signal at the microprocessor to obtain the identification code; and

means for outputting the identification code from the microprocessor to an output port.

70. A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for reading an identification code from a mailpiece, wherein the identification code is printed in fluorescent ink, the computer readable code comprising:

a generating module configured to generate a signal in response to the mailpiece being placed in front of an infrared receiver at a reader head assembly;

a signal sending module configured to send the signal from the reader head assembly to a microprocessor in a reader unit over an optical cable;

an illuminating module configured to illuminate a light source to scan an identification code from the mailpiece;

a scanned identification code focusing module configured to focus the identification code at a fiber bundle including a plurality of bundle sections;

a scanned identification code transmitting module configured to transmit the identification code via the fiber bundle to a set of photo sensors at a light filter unit, wherein the transmitting module further comprises;

a first filtering module configured to filter a first fiber bundle section through a first light filter in a first photo sensor at the light filter unit;

a second filtering module configured to filter a second fiber bundle section through a second light filter in a second photo sensor at the light filter unit; and

a third filtering module configured to filter a third fiber bundle section through a third light filter in a third photo sensor at the light filter unit;

a multiplexing module configured to multiplex an output signal from the set of photo sensors to a signal converter that converts the output signal to a digital signal;

a digital signal transmitting module configured to transmit the digital signal from the signal converter to the microprocessor;

a processing module configured to process the digital signal at the microprocessor to obtain the identification code; and

an outputting module configured to output the identification code from the microprocessor to an output port.