Method and system for image processing
First Claim
1. A method of sorting a series of mail pieces, comprising the steps of:
- (a) conveying a series of the mail pieces on a conveyor having a pair of upright belts holding each mail piece from either side for transport on edge and scanning a surface of each mail piece with at least one imaging camera to obtain at least one image of the surface represented by image data;
(b) analyzing the image data to locate a destination bar code in the image;
(c) analyzing the bar code to recognize a first destination code;
(d) if the first destination code meets predetermined criteria, then sorting the mail piece to one of the sorting destinations in a manner dependent on the first destination code;
(e) if the first destination code cannot be recognized or fails to meet the predetermined criteria, then analyzing the image data to locate destination address lines in the image, analyzing the address lines to determine a second destination code, and sorting the mail piece to one of a series of sorting destinations in a manner dependent on the second destination code, or a result determined by arbitrating the first and second destination codes; and
(f) carrying out steps (a) to (e) concurrently for more than one mail piece at a time as the mail pieces are moving on the conveyor, wherein the conveyor transports the mail pieces past a series of diverters used for sorting the mail pieces to the sorting destinations, and completing steps (a) to (e) for each mail piece before each mail piece reaches a first one of the diverters.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides an improved method and system for processing mail items on bar code sorting machines. Such a method includes the steps of scanning a surface of each mail piece with at least one imaging camera to obtain at least one image of the surface represented by image data, analyzing the image data to locate a bar code in the image, and analyzing the bar code to recognize a first destination code. If the first destination code meets predetermined criteria, then the mail piece is processed further in a manner dependent on the first destination code. If the first destination code cannot be recognized or fails to meet the predetermined criteria, the image data is analyzed to locate destination address lines in the image, and the address lines are analyzed to determine a second destination code. The mail piece is sorted according to the second destination code, or a result determined by arbitrating the first and second destination codes.
32 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of sorting a series of mail pieces, comprising the steps of:
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(a) conveying a series of the mail pieces on a conveyor having a pair of upright belts holding each mail piece from either side for transport on edge and scanning a surface of each mail piece with at least one imaging camera to obtain at least one image of the surface represented by image data; (b) analyzing the image data to locate a destination bar code in the image; (c) analyzing the bar code to recognize a first destination code; (d) if the first destination code meets predetermined criteria, then sorting the mail piece to one of the sorting destinations in a manner dependent on the first destination code; (e) if the first destination code cannot be recognized or fails to meet the predetermined criteria, then analyzing the image data to locate destination address lines in the image, analyzing the address lines to determine a second destination code, and sorting the mail piece to one of a series of sorting destinations in a manner dependent on the second destination code, or a result determined by arbitrating the first and second destination codes; and (f) carrying out steps (a) to (e) concurrently for more than one mail piece at a time as the mail pieces are moving on the conveyor, wherein the conveyor transports the mail pieces past a series of diverters used for sorting the mail pieces to the sorting destinations, and completing steps (a) to (e) for each mail piece before each mail piece reaches a first one of the diverters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 17)
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12. An apparatus for sorting a series of mail pieces, comprising:
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a conveyor having a pair of upright belts holding each mail piece from either side for transport on edge. which conveyor transports a series of mail pieces; a series of diverters which are each operable to divert mail pieces from the conveyor to one of a series of sorting destinations; an imaging camera positioned proximate the conveyor for scanning a surface of each mail piece to obtain an image of the surface represented by image data; and a computerized control system for analyzing the image data to locate a destination bar code in the image, analyzing the bar code to recognize a first destination code, if the first destination code meets predetermined criteria, then sorting the mail piece by actuating one of the diverters in a manner dependent on the first destination code, and if the first destination code cannot be recognized or fails to meet the predetermined criteria, then analyzing the image data to locate destination address lines in the image, analyzing the address lines to determine a second destination code, and sorting the mail piece by actuating one of the diverters in a manner dependent on the second destination code, or a result determined by arbitrating the first and second destination codes, wherein the computerized control system completes the foregoing steps before the mail piece reaches a first one of the diverters. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification