Process and system for tracking of mail
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented process of tracking mail during postal handling at a postal processing facility, comprising:
- initially sorting an incoming stream of mail on an automated sorting machine to a series of pockets based on a sort scheme;
during sorting,introducing RFID-tagged, machine-sortable markers into the incoming mail stream at intervals and sorting the RFID-tagged markers with the mail into pockets of the sorter,optically scanning identifier data on the mail pieces and RFID-tagged markers in the stream as the mail pieces and markers are transported along a conveyor system in the sorting machine,identifying a marker based on the result of the optical scan, thereby distinguishing markers from mail pieces during sorting, anddiverting a marker to a sorter pocket determined by a sort scheme that causes at least one marker to be swept to each of the set of trays;
sweeping the mail and RFID-tagged markers from the pockets into trays, wherein the markers are introduced such that at least one marker is swept to each of a set of trays containing the sorted mail;
transporting the trays containing the mail and RFID-tagged markers from the automated sorting machine; and
during a postal operation subsequent to the initial sorting, scanning one or more of the RFID-tagged markers; and
identifying mail from the initial sorting from the scanned RFID-tagged markers.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A process of tracking mail during postal handling includes an initial step of sorting an incoming stream of mail on an automated sorting machine to a series of pockets based on a sort scheme. During sorting, RFID-tagged, machine-sortable markers are introduced into the incoming mail stream at intervals and the RFID-tagged markers are sorted with the mail into pockets of the sorter. Mail and markers are swept from the pockets into trays, and the markers are introduced such that at least one marker is swept to each of a set of trays containing the sorted mail. The trays containing the mail and markers are then transported away from the automated sorting machine. During a postal operation subsequent to the initial sorting, one or more of the RFID-tagged markers are scanned to identify mail from the initial sorting.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented process of tracking mail during postal handling at a postal processing facility, comprising:
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initially sorting an incoming stream of mail on an automated sorting machine to a series of pockets based on a sort scheme; during sorting, introducing RFID-tagged, machine-sortable markers into the incoming mail stream at intervals and sorting the RFID-tagged markers with the mail into pockets of the sorter, optically scanning identifier data on the mail pieces and RFID-tagged markers in the stream as the mail pieces and markers are transported along a conveyor system in the sorting machine, identifying a marker based on the result of the optical scan, thereby distinguishing markers from mail pieces during sorting, and diverting a marker to a sorter pocket determined by a sort scheme that causes at least one marker to be swept to each of the set of trays; sweeping the mail and RFID-tagged markers from the pockets into trays, wherein the markers are introduced such that at least one marker is swept to each of a set of trays containing the sorted mail; transporting the trays containing the mail and RFID-tagged markers from the automated sorting machine; and during a postal operation subsequent to the initial sorting, scanning one or more of the RFID-tagged markers; and identifying mail from the initial sorting from the scanned RFID-tagged markers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer-implemented process of tracking mail during postal handling at a postal processing facility, comprising:
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initially sorting an incoming stream of mail on an automated sorting machine to a series of pockets based on a sort scheme; during sorting, introducing RFID-tagged, machine-sortable markers into the incoming mail stream at intervals, wherein each marker has a unique ID code in its RFID tag and also has an optically scannable code which is correlated to the ID code of the marker in a database accessed by a computerized control system; optically scanning identifier data on the mail pieces and the optically scannable code on the markers in the stream as the mail pieces and markers are transported along a conveyor system in the sorting machine; identifying a marker based on the result of the optical scan, thereby distinguishing markers from mail pieces during sorting; diverting a marker to a sorter pocket determined by the sort scheme; associating the ID code of the diverted marker with mail sorted to that pocket in the database accessed by the computerized control system; sweeping the mail and markers from the pockets into trays, wherein the sort scheme diverts markers to pockets such that at least one marker is swept to each of a set of trays containing sorted mail; transporting the trays containing the mail and markers from the automated sorting machine; and tracking the mail by reading the RFID tag of the markers when the mail is being transported in the trays; during a postal operation subsequent to the initial sorting, scanning one or more of the markers; and identifying mail from the initial sorting from the scanned markers by referencing an ID code of a marker to determine associated mail in the database. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification