Method and device for monitoring stamps on mail
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for checking a postage indicium applied onto a mailpiece, comprising:
- detecting graphic information in at least one selected reading area of the mailpiece by a symbol recognition unit;
subsequently comparing the detected graphic information to stored representations of postage indicia;
evaluating the results of the comparison;
when impermissible symbols are recognized, a first device for checking the presence of a security feature checking whether, in spite of the recognition of an impermissible symbol, a legitimately generated postage indicium is present, and for this purpose, checking whether the symbols are contained in a database;
stamping and conveying mailpieces that have been recognized as being valid into a compartment for permissible mailpieces;
conveying symbols that are not contained in the database to a second device for checking the presence of a second security feature, wherein checking for the presence of a second security feature comprises irradiating the mailpiece with light and detecting superfluorescence caused by the irradiating light;
if a second security feature is present, stamping and conveying the mailpieces into a compartment for permissible mailpieces; and
,rejecting and conveying remaining mailpieces into a compartment for impermissible mailpieces.
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Abstract
The invention relates to a method for monitoring postage indicia on mail items. According to the invention, graphic information is captured in at least one selected read area of the mail, whereupon the stored graphic information is compared to the graphic representation of the postage indicia. If the graphic information does not match one of the stored images, said mail is subjected to another monitoring step. The invention also relates to a device which is suitable for carrying out the inventive method.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for checking a postage indicium applied onto a mailpiece, comprising:
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detecting graphic information in at least one selected reading area of the mailpiece by a symbol recognition unit; subsequently comparing the detected graphic information to stored representations of postage indicia; evaluating the results of the comparison; when impermissible symbols are recognized, a first device for checking the presence of a security feature checking whether, in spite of the recognition of an impermissible symbol, a legitimately generated postage indicium is present, and for this purpose, checking whether the symbols are contained in a database; stamping and conveying mailpieces that have been recognized as being valid into a compartment for permissible mailpieces; conveying symbols that are not contained in the database to a second device for checking the presence of a second security feature, wherein checking for the presence of a second security feature comprises irradiating the mailpiece with light and detecting superfluorescence caused by the irradiating light; if a second security feature is present, stamping and conveying the mailpieces into a compartment for permissible mailpieces; and
,rejecting and conveying remaining mailpieces into a compartment for impermissible mailpieces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification