Apparatus and methods for processing mailpiece information in a mail processing device using sorter application software

• US 7,826,922 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2007
• Issued: 11/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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: Brandt, Bruce A., Fadely, Jay David
• Primary Examiner(s): Karmis; Stefanos
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUTLER, MICHAEL E
• Application Number:
  US11/896,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20080035535A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,160 Days
• Field of Search: 700/223, 700/224, 382/101, 382/102, 209/584, 209/583, 209/900, 235/380, 235/385
• US Class Current: 700/223
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 3/00 Sorting according to destination collating the pages of a book B42C1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 3/18 Devices or arrangements for indicating destination, e.g. by code marks applying data to information carriers G06K1/12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/60 Business processes related to postal services shipping G06Q10/083; franking apparatus G07B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/22 by selection of a specific region containing or referencing a pattern; Locating or processing of specific regions to guide the detection or recognition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 209/90 Sorting flat-type mail

Abstract

Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention provide for processing mailpiece information in a mail processing device using sorter application software. In one embodiment, a mail processing device uses the sorter application software to communicate with an identification code server. In this embodiment, different types of mail processing devices can use the common sorter application software to communicate with the same or different identification code servers.

Claims

1. A system for identifying a mailpiece having an illegible first identification code using a second identification code and sorter application software, comprising:

a receiving component configured to receive a first prompt from an operator of the mail processing device;

an initiating component configured to initiate a connection between the mail processing device and an identification code server, via the sorter application software, in response to the first prompt;

a processing component configured to process mailpiece information between the mail processing device and the identification code server, based, at least in part, on the second identification code and via the sorter application software;

a receiving component configured to receive a second prompt from the operator of the mail processing device; and

a terminating component configured to terminate the connection between the mail processing device and the identification code server, in response to the second prompt;

wherein the first identification code is printed on a front of the mailpiece and the second identification code is printed on a back of the mailpiece; and

wherein the identification code server is a one of a set consisting of a PICS server and a SICS server.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mail processing device is a bar code sorter.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first prompt is a start-run message.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second prompt is an end-run message.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing component includes:

a transmitting component configured to transmit information from the mail processing device to the identification code server; and

a receiving component configured to receive information from the identification code server at the mail processing device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the mail processing device is a Mail Processing Bar Code Sorter.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the mail processing device is a Delivery Bar Code Sorter.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the mail processing device is a Carrier Sequence Bar Code Sorter.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the mail processing device is an Output Subsystem/Bar Code Sorter.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the mailpiece information includes an identification code.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the mailpiece information includes a postal code.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the an identification code is an ID tag.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the postal code is a POSTNET code.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a passing component configured to pass a parameter from the sorter application software to the identification code server to indicate a mail processing device type.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the sorter application software is on a network.

16. A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for identifying a mailpiece having an illegible first identification code using a second identification code and sorter application software, the computer readable code comprising:

a receiving module configured to receive a first prompt from an operator of the mail processing device;

an initiating module configured to initiate a connection between the mail processing device and an identification code server, via the sorter application software, in response to the first prompt;

a processing module configured to process mailpiece information between the mail processing device and the identification code server, based, at least in part, on the second identification code and via the sorter application software;

a receiving module configured to receive a second prompt from the operator of the mail processing device; and

a terminating module configured to terminate the connection between the mail processing device and the identification code server, in response to the second prompt,

wherein the first identification code is printed on a front of the mailpiece and the second identification code is printed on a back of the mailpiece; and

wherein the identification code server is a one of a set consisting of a PICS server and a SICS server.

17. A system of identifying a mailpiece having an illegible first identification code using a second identification code and sorter application software, comprising:

means for receiving a first prompt from an operator of the mail processing device;

means for initiating a connection between the mail processing device and an identification code server, via the sorter application software, in response to the first prompt;

means for processing mailpiece information between the mail processing device and the identification code server, based, at least in part, on the second identification code and via the sorter application software;

means for receiving a second prompt from the operator of the mail processing device; and

means for terminating the connection between the mail processing device and the identification code server, in response to the second prompt,

wherein the first identification code is printed on a front of the mailpiece and the second identification code is printed on a back of the mailpiece; and

wherein the identification code server is a one of a set consisting of a PICS server and a SICS server.

18. A system for identifying a mailpiece having an illegible first identification code using a second identification code and sorter application software, comprising:

a receiving component configured to receive a first prompt from an operator of the mail processing device;

an initiating component configured to initiate a connection between the mail processing device and an identification code server, via the sorter application software, in response to the first prompt;

a processing component configured to process mailpiece information between the mail processing device and the identification code server, based, at least in part, on the second identification code and via the sorter application software;

a receiving component configured to receive a second prompt from the operator of the mail processing device; and

a terminating component configured to terminate the connection between the mail processing device and the identification code server, in response to the second prompt;

wherein the first identification code is printed on a front of the mailpiece and the second identification code is printed on a back of the mailpiece; and

wherein mailpiece information includes an identification code that is an ID tag.

19. A system for identifying a mailpiece having an illegible first identification code using a second identification code and sorter application software, comprising:

a receiving component configured to receive a first prompt from an operator of the mail processing device;

an initiating component configured to initiate a connection between the mail processing device and an identification code server, via the sorter application software, in response to the first prompt;

a processing component configured to process mailpiece information between the mail processing device and the identification code server, based, at least in part, on the second identification code and via the sorter application software;

a receiving component configured to receive a second prompt from the operator of the mail processing device; and

a terminating component configured to terminate the connection between the mail processing device and the identification code server, in response to the second prompt;

wherein the first identification code is printed on a front of the mailpiece and the second identification code is printed on a back of the mailpiece; and

wherein the mailpiece information includes an identification code that is an ID tag.

20. A system for identifying a mailpiece having an illegible first identification code using a second identification code and sorter application software, comprising:

a receiving component configured to receive a first prompt from an operator of the mail processing device;

a passing component configured to pass a parameter from the sorter application software to the identification code server to indicate a mail processing device type;

an initiating component configured to initiate a connection between the mail processing device and an identification code server, via the sorter application software, in response to the first prompt;

a processing component configured to process mailpiece information between the mail processing device and the identification code server, based, at least in part, on the second identification code and via the sorter application software;

a receiving component configured to receive a second prompt from the operator of the mail processing device; and

a terminating component configured to terminate the connection between the mail processing device and the identification code server, in response to the second prompt;

wherein the first identification code is printed on a front of the mailpiece and the second identification code is printed on a back of the mailpiece.

21. A system for identifying a mailpiece having an illegible first identification code using a second identification code and sorter application software, comprising:

a receiving component configured to receive a first prompt from an operator of the mail processing device;

an initiating component configured to initiate a connection between the mail processing device and an identification code server, via the sorter application software on a network, in response to the first prompt;

a processing component configured to process mailpiece information between the mail processing device and the identification code server, based, at least in part, on the second identification code and via the sorter application software;

a receiving component configured to receive a second prompt from the operator of the mail processing device; and

a terminating component configured to terminate the connection between the mail processing device and the identification code server, in response to the second prompt;

wherein the first identification code is printed on a front of the mailpiece and the second identification code is printed on a back of the mailpiece.