Stamp testing and monitoring
First Claim
1. A method for detection of fraudulent postage indicia, comprising:
- introducing a mail piece for processing on an automated facing and canceling machine;
imaging the mail piece by the automated facing and canceling machine to produce an image that includes an image of postage indicia on the mail piece;
comparing the image of the postage indicia to a catalog database that stores a plurality of valid images and a plurality of counterfeit images;
determining, based on the comparison, that the image of the postage indicia does not correspond to any of the plurality of valid images;
determining, based on the comparison, that the image of the postage indicia does not correspond to any of the plurality of counterfeit images;
storing the image of the postage indicia and determinations; and
based on the determinations that the image of the postage indicia does not correspond to any of the plurality of valid images and does not correspond to any of the plurality of counterfeit images, inhibiting cancellation of the postage indicia and presenting the image of the postage indicia for human analysis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for detection of fraudulent postage indicia such as a stamp or permit marking includes an initial step of introducing a mail piece for processing on an automated facing and canceling machine and imaging the mail piece as it is being processed on the automated facing and canceling machine, which image includes an image of the postage indicia. The image is analyzed according to predetermined criteria stored in a database to determine if the postage indicia meets the predetermined criteria and therefore has an enhanced probability of being valid. If the analysis is step results in a determination that the postage indicia as an enhanced probability of being invalid, then the method involved determining that the information corresponds to counterfeit postage indicia; and storing the resulting information and decision in the database.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for detection of fraudulent postage indicia, comprising:
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introducing a mail piece for processing on an automated facing and canceling machine; imaging the mail piece by the automated facing and canceling machine to produce an image that includes an image of postage indicia on the mail piece; comparing the image of the postage indicia to a catalog database that stores a plurality of valid images and a plurality of counterfeit images; determining, based on the comparison, that the image of the postage indicia does not correspond to any of the plurality of valid images; determining, based on the comparison, that the image of the postage indicia does not correspond to any of the plurality of counterfeit images; storing the image of the postage indicia and determinations; and based on the determinations that the image of the postage indicia does not correspond to any of the plurality of valid images and does not correspond to any of the plurality of counterfeit images, inhibiting cancellation of the postage indicia and presenting the image of the postage indicia for human analysis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for detection of fraudulent postage indicia, comprising an image processor, at least one camera connected to communicate with the image processor, and a catalog database accessible by the image processor;
- the system configured to perform the steps of;
imaging the mail piece by the at least one camera to produce an image that includes an image of postage indicia on the mail piece; comparing the image of the postage indicia to a catalog database that stores a plurality of valid images and a plurality of counterfeit images; determining, based on the comparison, that the image of the postage indicia does not correspond to any of the plurality of valid images; determining, based on the comparison, that the image of the postage indicia does not correspond to any of the plurality of counterfeit images; storing the image of the postage indicia and determinations; and based on the determinations that the image of the postage indicia does not correspond to any of the plurality of valid images and does not correspond to any of the plurality of counterfeit images, inhibiting cancellation of the postage indicia and presenting the image of the postage indicia for human analysis. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- the system configured to perform the steps of;
Specification