| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 382101000 | Mail processing | 74 |
| 20080273749 | IMPLICIT VIDEO CODING CONFIRMATION OF AUTOMATIC ADDRESS RECOGNITION - A method for sorting mail that may include performing an automatic address recognition process on a digitized image of a mail piece and generating a plurality of conditional address recognition results and a plurality of confirmation values each associated with one of the plurality of conditional address recognition results. The method can include sending the digitized image, the plurality of conditional address recognition results and the plurality of confirmation values to a video coding system, and selecting a video coding task corresponding to one or more of the plurality of confirmation values. The method can include comparing a video coding result with each of the plurality of confirmation values and, if one of the plurality of confirmation values matches the video coding result, then selecting a confirmed address recognition result from the plurality of conditional address recognition results, the confirmed address recognition result being associated with the confirmation value matching the video coding result. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080298635 | Method for identifying images using fixtureless tracking and system for performing same - A method and system for fixtureless vision tracking of a target image for use by the vision system when processing subsequent sheets/documents in a sheet handling apparatus. A sheet of material is passed through the sheet handling system to acquire image data within a field of view of the initialization sheet. The acquired image is then filtered and stored/saved in a filtered image data file while an unfiltered image is also retained for the purposes of additional analysis. The filtered image is modified by an erosion technique to form blob images while the unfiltered image is substantially unchanged from the original optical image, i.e., retains the various character strings in their original form. The vision system then performs a dual tier analysis on the blob images and character strings to identify the target image. Additionally, the spatial location of the target image is determined to provide location data for processing subsequent sheet material. That is, the location data serves to rapidly locate the region of interest to identify and read the target image on the remaining sheets to be processed. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080304704 | SYSTEM FOR VIRTUALLY DISTRIBUTING MAILPIECES - A method of enabling mailpieces to be distributed and consulted in electronic form, said method comprising the following steps:
| 12-11-2008 |
| 20090028383 | Method and Device for Monitoring the Transportation of a Number of Objects - The transportation progress of a number of objects that are provided with an identifier of a destination address, in particular mail items, are monitored. Each object passes through a sorting unit at least once. The sorting unit generates an image of the object and identifies the destination address of the object by evaluating the image. Each object is transported to the identified destination address. The sorting unit examines each object passing through the sorting unit within a predefined time period to determine whether or not the object has at least one predefined optically detectable characteristic. To this end the sorting unit evaluates the image of the object generated by the sorting unit. The sorting unit is connected to a database. The sorting unit only stores an image of an object in the database, if the object has the characteristic. The images stored in the database are evaluated according to a predefined evaluation criterion. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090046892 | Apparatus and methods for identifying and processing mail using an identification code - Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention provide for identifying and processing mail using an identification code on a mailpiece as a redundant source of identification information in a mail sorting system. In one embodiment, this information is stored in a temporary database and used for the identification and processing of mail in a Remote Bar Code System (RBCS). In this embodiment, the identification code enables the automation of mail sorting and other processing tasks, reducing costs and delays in mail delivery services. In another embodiment, the identification and processing of mail occurs in an Identification Code Sorting (ICS) system. In this embodiment, a long-term database allows for mail sorting and other processing tasks on a national or global level. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090097703 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CAPTURING IMAGES MOVING AT HIGH SPEED - An image of a moving object, such as a postage indicium barcode on a mail piece, is captured with the object in motion (e.g., while being transported through a mailing machine). An array of CMOS picture elements is held in a reset condition. A signal asserted on control pin ends the reset condition and places the picture elements in an image capture condition. With the picture elements in a picture capture condition, a strobe light is actuated at a time when the barcode is predicted to be present at the picture element array. After the strobe light has been actuated, the signal on the control pin is de-asserted to initiate a read-out of the image data from the picture elements. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090154766 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING MALFUNCTIONING PRINT ELEMENTS IN POSTAGE METER INDICIA PRINTER - In a mailing machine, an image element included in a postage meter indicium printed on a mail piece is transported past a linear image capture device. The image capture device is operated to produce a smeared image of the image element. The smeared image is then automatically analyzed to detect failures in the print elements of a postage meter that is part of the mailing machine. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090154767 | IMAGE COMPARING METHOD, APPARATUS AND PROGRAM - Disclosed is an image comparing method for comparing plural first images and a second image, includes: converting the second image to generate a second numerical data; dividing each of plural first numerical data corresponding to the plural first images into plural parts, and dividing the second numerical data into plural parts; comparing a first part of the divided parts of the plural first numerical data and a first part of the divided parts of the second numerical data; outputting a first result, when the first part of the divided parts of the plural first numerical data satisfies a first condition; and comparing a second part of the divided parts of the plural first numerical data and a second part of the divided parts of the second numerical data, when the first part of the divided parts of the plural first numerical data satisfies a second condition. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090161910 | Method and Device for Reading Addresses of Mail Items - In a method of reading addresses of mail items, images of mail item surfaces are recorded, and subjected to video encoding at video encoding stations of a video encoding facility. Distributing corresponding encoding tasks to the video encoding stations occurs in a job distribution facility. A respective encoder generates a confirmation after encoding according to specified encoding rules. At predefined time intervals, an error rate and a read rate of the video encoding facility, and, for each encoder, a current individual error rate with and without generation of the confirmation are determined, and stored in the job distribution facility. To vary the error and read rates of the video encoding facility specifically, the method specifies in the job distribution facility for the encoders performing with higher individual error rates, whether an encoding result is to be confirmed. A corresponding decision about confirmation is transmitted to the video encoding station. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090285447 | CORRECTING VIDEO CODING ERRORS USING AN AUTOMATIC RECOGNITION RESULT - A method for sorting mail includes performing an automatic address recognition process on a digitized image of a mail piece and generating a plurality of conditional address recognition results and a plurality of confirmation values each associated with one of the plurality of conditional address recognition results. The method can include sending the digitized image, the plurality of conditional address recognition results and the plurality of confirmation values to a video coding system. The method can include detecting a possible error in a first video coding result, the possible error detected using error correction information including information from the automatic address recognition process. The method may include indicating the possible error to a video coding operator, and performing a video coding operation to obtain a second video coding result and arbitrating or selecting one of the results as output. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090285448 | Stamp testing and monitoring - A method for detection of fraudulent postage indicia such as a stamp pr 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. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20100014706 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VIDEO CODING BY VALIDATION MATRIX - The present invention relates to a system and method for resolving non-address attributes on a mail piece. The present system uses a mail sorter for sorting and facilitating the obtaining of a scan of the mail piece. The image is then scanned by automatic means to determine whether the non-address attributes can be automatically resolved. In the event of an unsuccessful scan, the image is forwarded to a processor which makes a functional resolution of the non-address attribute, locates example attributes and ranks them, and creates a matrix with the example attribute in the cognitive zone. The matrix is displayed to a coder who then quickly identifies whether or not the attribute and example attribute match. In the event of a non-match, a matrix with a next highest rank example attribute is created and forwarded to the encoder until no more example attributes remain, wherein the entire image is forwarded to the encoder. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100040256 | MAIL PIECE IDENTIFICATION USING BIN INDEPENDENT ATTRIBUTES - An attribute-based system and method for mail piece identification includes generating and storing, during a first mail sorting operation, a first set of attribute information that can include an image fingerprint derived from a portion of an image of the mail piece. Then, in a subsequent mail sorting operation, a second image of the mail piece can be obtained and used, in part, to generate a second set of attribute information that may be compared to records in a mail piece database in order to identify the mail piece. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100054532 | Apparatus For Acquiring Images of Mailpieces Bearing Both Fluorescent Marks and Marks in Contrast - Image acquisition apparatus ( | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100086173 | Method and Device for Identifying Objects - In a method and a device for identifying objects, a signature is generated for each object in a first step, including characteristic features of the object and the objects are collected into object groups. In a subsequent step, after the completion of the first step, a distinguishing condition is derived from the signatures of the objects in the object group only for the objects of the group. In a subsequent step for identifying the objects of the object group, the distinguishing condition determined in the previous further step is used, wherein with specified matching of the distinguishing conditions, the object is identified in the subsequent step. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100092029 | LINEAR IMAGE LIFT ARRAY FOR TRANSPORTED MATERIAL - The subject matter presented herein relates to a method, system and program product for performing image capture of items. In particular the image capture occurs during transport of the items by a high-speed transport device. The image is captured by a linear array imaging sensor as a face of the item is transported at a continuous production speed in near proximity to the linear array imaging sensor. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100098291 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OBJECT TYPE IDENTIFICATION - Method and system for identifying object type. In one embodiment, the method and systems of these teachings utilize a group of object measures and a decision algorithm in order to identify object type. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100150398 | MULTILINGUAL ACCEPTANCE INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD AND SYSTEM BASED ON IMAGE RECOGNITION - Provided is an image recognition-based multilingual acceptance information processing method and system. In the case of processing incoming mail, when a domestic address is written in a foreign language, it is converted into a correct native address written in a native language that is then mapped on an attached barcode or a newly generated barcode. Also, when it is impossible to analyze the characters through character recognition, the read image information is transmitted to a remote video coding center, and a specialist converts it into a native language to map the information on the barcode. Further, when a mailman reads the barcode in the final delivery process, a detailed native address is displayed on a display device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA). | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100202655 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARING MAIL PIECES - For preparing a series of mail pieces using a mail preparation apparatus, a scanner ( | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100232642 | Method of Processing Mailpieces, The Method Including Graphically Classifying Signatures Associated With The Mailpieces - In a method of processing mailpieces, signatures are derived from images of the mailpieces and serve as identifiers for the mailpieces in the sorting process. The signatures are grouped together into signature categories or graphical classes on the basis of a certain criterion of graphical similitude so as to compute a mean signature value for each graphical class. For each graphical class in question, activity of the mean signature value is analyzed for detecting significant activity of an information block in the digital images. The results of this activity detection are used for searching for a match, in a second sorting pass, between a current signature and signatures recorded in the first sorting pass. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100296696 | PAPER SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS AND PAPER SHEET PROCESSING METHOD - In a sorting apparatus, an image on the paper sheet is read by a scanner, and from the read image on the paper sheet, characters of the destination information are recognized by a character recognition unit. If the address information included in the destination information as a character recognition result obtained by the character recognition unit matches with the address information having an out-migrant included in relocation information previously registered in a database, it is judged by a judgment unit whether the receiver on the paper sheet is the out-migrant. If it has been judged that the receiver on the paper sheet is the out-migrant, a label on which the address information of a new address of the out-migrant is written is attached to an attaching position considering a description area of the destination information on the paper sheet by a label attachment unit. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20110033083 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED ADDRESS DIRECTORY UPDATING - A system and method for automated address directory updating. A method includes receiving a parcel having a destination address and determining address information from the destination address. The address information includes a digitized address and an address image. The method includes determining if a previous address entry proposal exists in a database, and if not, then storing the address information in a new address entry proposal and initializing a counter. If so, then incrementing the counter for the previous address entry proposal. The method includes, when the counter has reached a threshold, adding the address information and an address image to the first addressing database, updating a wide-area address management system to include the address information, and propagating the address information to a plurality of local addressing databases. Only one address image corresponding to a destination database is stored as an address entry proposal. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110091067 | POSTAL INDICIUM DETECTION METHOD AND POSTAL INDICIUM DETECTION APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, a postal indicium detection method includes detecting whether or not one of a first face and a second face of a sheet corresponds to a picture card specific face, detecting a postal indicium candidate from the second face based on a first detection result indicating that the first face corresponds to the picture card specific face, and detecting the postal indicium candidate from the first face based on a second detection result indicating that the second face corresponds to the picture card specific face. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110150270 | POSTAL PROCESSING INCLUDING VOICE TRAINING - System, methods, and apparatuses. A method includes receiving a voice input from a user, the voice input corresponding to printed information on a mail piece. The method includes performing a voice recognition process on the voice input to produce a voice address result, the voice recognition process using voice attributes from a database, and performing an optical character recognition process on an image of the printed information to produce recognized text and a confidence value. The method includes storing updated voice attributes corresponding to the voice input and recognized text in the database when the confidence value meets a first threshold, and combining the recognized text and the voice address result to produce a combined OCR result. The method includes sending the combined OCR result to a sorting system that sorts the mail piece according to the combined OCR result. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110182468 | VERIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A DOCUMENT PROCESSING ENVIRONMENT - A feeder control system and method are disclosed. The system includes a feeder information detector, and a feeder information leverager to provide integrity verification, system control and/or reporting. The method includes the steps of detecting feeder information, and leveraging the feeder information to provide integrity verification, system control and/or reporting. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110206235 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING ENVELOPES CONTAINING DOCUMENTS TO OBTAIN IMAGES OF THE DOCUMENTS - A method and apparatus for processing mail is provided. Mail is placed into an input been having a conveyor that conveys the mail towards a feeder. The feeder serially feeds the envelopes to a cutter that severs the top edge of the envelopes. A transport conveys the envelopes from the top cutter to an extractor. The extractor opens the edge-severed mail and presents the contents of the envelopes to an operator who manually extracts the contents. From the extractor, the operator manually feeds the extracted documents to a document input. From the document input, the documents are fed to a document transport that conveys the documents past an imaging module to obtain image data for the documents before sorting the documents to output bins. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110228974 | OBJECT OCR AND LOCATION TAGGING SYSTEMS - A handheld device is disclosed generating a tagged image of an indicator on an object. The tagged image may include an image of the indicator and a location associated with the object. A processor receives the tagged image and responds by performing Optical Character Recognition (OCR) on the image to create an indicator code. A database may be updated based upon the indicator code and the location and a report may be generated. The handheld device and processor may communicate directly and/or through a communication device and/or a server. Revenues may be generated by authenticated access to the processor, the OCR operation and/or the operations of the database. The object may be a container at least twenty feet long and/or a chassis configured to haul the container. Alternatively, the object may be a small object configured to fit in the container. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110235854 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING AN ARTICLE TO BE PRINTED - A method and an apparatus transport an article of mail. During a first decision-making process, an image of the article is generated and evaluated to generate a first vector. Further, a transport attribute is measured and stored together with the first vector. The transport of the article is continued on the basis of the measured transport attribute value. During a further decision-making process, an image of the article is generated and evaluated to generate a second vector. The transport attribute value is determined with the aid of the second vector. The transport of the article is continued on the basis of the stored and determined transport attribute value. The article is provided with an optically detectable element. The first vector is generated such that it contains that value assumed by the feature for the article if the surface of the article had already been provided with the optically detectable element. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110255737 | System for determining sorting information for mail - There is provided a system for determining sorting information for a mailpiece. An exemplary system comprises a control unit that is located in a first mail center. The control unit is configured to send reading requests based on received mailpiece images to a reading unit in which the sorting information can be determined The control unit comprises a first standard interface for feeding mailpiece images. The system also comprises a transmission unit that is configured to receive a mailpiece image of the mailpiece in a second mail center and to transfer the mailpiece image to the control unit via the first standard interface. The control unit generates a reading request for the reading unit pertaining to the mailpiece image. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110262000 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND DATA STRUCTURE FOR PROCESSING DOCUMENTS AND KIT FOR FINDING AND READING MARKINGS ON A DOCUMENT - A method for processing a document, including performing one or more processing steps with the document, such as printing, franking, assembling mail pieces, or opening received mail pieces. The method further includes defining a first possible location of a marking on a document; and searching a first part of a document for the marking, the first part corresponding to the first possible location. When the marking is not found in the first part a further possible location of a marking on a document is defined and a further part of the document for the marking is searched. The further part corresponds to the further possible location. The location of the marking with respect to the document is stored in the memory in case the marking is found in the first part or the further part. Information about the document is derived from the found marking. The derived information is presented at an output, for further processing of the information. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110286626 | Virtual Remote Encoding System - Mail processing methods and systems. A method performed at a local delivery unit includes receiving an image of a mail item at the local delivery unit from an imaging and virtualization facility (IVF) that is geographically separated from the local delivery unit. The image and the mail item are associated with a mail item identifier. The method includes displaying the image to a user at the local delivery unit and receiving address information corresponding to the mail item from the user. The method includes associating the address information with the mail item identifier. Related apparatuses and systems are discussed. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110293135 | DOCUMENT PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A software tool referred to as a “mailman” monitors certain folders on a network for new scanned documents. A user places a stamp on a document, then uses a digital copier to store the scanned document to one of the monitored folders on the network. When the mailman sees a new scanned document in one of the folders it is monitoring, the mailman retrieves the document, processes the document to determine the number on the stamp, queries a Post Office application for document processing instructions corresponding to the stamp number, performs any required processing of the document, then delivers the processed document to the Post Office. When the Post Office receives the processed document, the processed document is stored in a document repository in the Post Office, and is processed by the Post Office according to document processing instructions corresponding to the stamp number. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110299726 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSPECTING WHETHER A SURFACE OF AN ARTICLE IS PROVIDED WITH A VALUABLE DOCUMENT - A method and an apparatus inspect whether a surface of an article has a valuable document, in particular whether a piece of mail is provided with a franking mark. A computer-available image of the surface region to be examined is generated. An inspection determines whether the image contains an object image which corresponds to an object image stored in a valuable document data memory. When the image contains a corresponding object image, it is determined that the surface region has a valuable document. When the image does not contain such an object image, then an inspection is carried out to determine if a predefined inspection region has a predefined security feature. When a security feature has been determined, a valuable document is sought in the inspection region using the image. When a valuable document is found in the inspection region, an image of the valuable document is generated and stored. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20120008824 | METHOD OF PROCESSING IMAGES, WITH THE RESULTS OF THE PROCESSING BEING OVERLAID IN THE IMAGES - A method of processing digital images, in which method a digital image is taken of a mailpiece, which image includes certain information, and certain OCR processing is applied to said image for the purpose of recognizing said information using OCR, the method is characterized in that it further includes a step of applying other OCR processing to said image for the purpose of recognizing said information, and a step of overlaying in said image results of said other OCR processing in a form recognizable by said certain OCR processing. This method makes it possible to obtain reinforced processing capacities by enriching the capacities of the first processing with the capacities of the other processing without calling into question the logical and physical interfaces of the first processing. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120057744 | ARTICLE-PROCESSING DEVICE HAVING A SYSTEM FOR MONITORING THE QUALITY OF IMAGES OF THE ARTICLES IN REAL TIME, A SORTING MACHINE, AND A METHOD - The invention relates to an article-processing device comprising a conveyor ( | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120076352 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DYNAMIC SPEED CONTROL ON A MAIL PROCESSING SYSTEM - The present application relates to a mail processing system and related method containing dynamic speed control which uses real time and historical system parameters to dynamically control the cycle speed of an inserting or wrapping system to optimize system efficiency, and maximize throughput and performance. A document processing system with dynamic speed control analyzes system parameters. When the operational conditions are favorable the system will increase cycle speed of one or more of the mail processing components of the system in increments until an optimal speed is reached. Likewise, if conditions are unfavorable the system will decrease cycle speed of one or more of the mail processing components of the system in increments until an optimal speed is reached. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120140979 | WORD RECOGNITION APPARATUS, WORD RECOGNITION METHOD, NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM STORING WORD RECOGNITION PROGRAM, AND DELIVERY ITEM SORTING APPARATUS - To improve the recognition accuracy even when a plurality of words including a matched portion are selected as candidates for recognition. A word recognition apparatus according to the present invention includes input means for inputting a word image representing a plurality of characters; word candidate selection means for recognizing the word image input by the input means and selecting a first word candidate and a second word candidate based on a plurality of words registered in a word dictionary; and verification means for comparing the first word candidate and the second word candidate character by character and verifying a likelihood of the first word candidate based on an evaluation value obtained when the word image is recognized by characters determined as unmatched. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120140980 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, SORTER, AND PROGRAM - An image processing device of the present invention is an image processing device that reads an address of a piece of mail, comprising: a storage section that correlatively stores image data of the piece of mail containing an address region in which the address of said piece of mail is present and region data that represent a position of said address region of the piece of mail; an obtaining section that obtains image data of said piece of mail; a search section that searches said storage section for image data that match the image data obtained by said obtaining section with respect to regions other than said address region; an extraction section that extracts a region represented by region data correlated with image data retrieved by said search section as an address region of said piece of mail from the image data obtained by said obtaining section; and a read section that reads an address from the address region extracted by said extraction section. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120201416 | Method and Apparatus for Processing Mail to Obtain Image Data of Contents - A method and apparatus for processing mail is provided. Mail is placed into an input bin having a conveyor that conveys the mail towards a feeder. The feeder serially feeds the envelopes by engaging the lead envelope in the stack of mail and displacing the lead envelope transverse the stack of mail. The mail is then cut on a side edge and the top edge to cut open each envelope. A transport conveys the cut envelopes to an extractor. The extractor opens the edge-severed mail and presents the contents of the envelopes to an operator who manually extracts the contents. The operator drops the extracted contents onto a conveyor that conveys the contents to an imaging station. The contents are automatically separated and imaged to obtain image data for the contents. The contents are then sorted into a plurality of output bins. | 08-09-2012 |
| 20120243728 | Bulk Region of Interest Learning - A system and method for mail processing. A method includes receiving an image of a mail piece, and identifying multiple regions of interest of the image. The method includes determining a classification key for the image based on a plurality of relationships between the multiple regions of interest and identifying a most-changing region of interest of the multiple regions of interest. The method includes processing the mail piece using the identified most-changing region of interest as the recipient address block. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20130094693 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR PROCESSING A PACKAGE FOR SHIPPING WITH A COMMON CARRIER ON A WIRELESS COMPUTING DEVICE - Various embodiments of present invention provide systems, methods, and computer-program products containing executable code for processing a package for shipping with a common carrier. Various embodiments include a wireless computing device that may be one of several types of devices such as smartphones, mobile telephones, mobile computers, portable digital assistants, laptop computers, gaming devices, electronic tablets, or other types of similar devices. In particular embodiments, executable code is installed on the wireless computing device that, when executed, causes the device to perform certain functionality. For instance, in particular embodiments, the wireless computing device records an image of a shipping form being placed on a package, verifies the image is suitable for analysis and transmission, and extracts a tracking number from the image. Further, the wireless computing device transmits the image to a common carrier so that the carrier may process information extracted from the image to facilitate shipping the package. | 04-18-2013 |
| 20130182886 | REMOTE RECOGNITION PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A computerized method for intelligently distributing computer processing of mail piece scan images across a plurality of mail piece scan image processors. The method can include receiving a mail piece scan image from a mail piece scan image job requestor and selecting one of a plurality of scan mail piece scan image processors to process said mail piece scan image. The mail piece scan image can be transmitted to said one of a plurality of plurality of mail piece scan image processors and a mail piece scan image processing result can be received from said one of a plurality of plurality of mail piece scan image processors. Post-processing operations can be performed based on said mail piece scan image processing result. The mail piece scan image processing result can be transmitted to said mail piece scan image processing requestor. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130182887 | ELECTRONIC LOCKBOX TRANSACTION PROCESSING - Methods, computer readable media, and apparatuses for electronically sorting and managing mail within an electronic lockbox are described. Mail may be routed from a mail delivery service to a first location. The mail may be scanned at the first location and information may be extracted from the envelopes and items within the envelopes. The information may be verified and grouped into electronic transactions. The electronic transactions may be classified and sorted into batches based on identifiers contained within the information extracted from the mail. The batches of electronic transactions may be processed and information relating to the transactions may be stored. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130216091 | System and Method for Automated Address Directory Updating - A system and method for automated address directory updating. A method includes determining address information corresponding to a destination address for a parcel, the address information including a digitized address. The method includes determining if a previous address entry proposal, corresponding to the address information and having a counter, exists in a database. The method includes, if the previous address entry proposal does not exist, then storing the address information in a new address entry proposal and initializing a counter for the new address entry proposal. The method includes, if the previous address entry proposal does exist, then adjusting the counter for the previous address entry proposal. The method includes adding the address information to a first addressing database when the counter has reached a threshold. | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130259296 | ADDRESS RECOGNITION DEVICE AND ADDRESS RECOGNITION SYSTEM - An address recognition device includes a recognition information acquisition unit for acquiring information from deliverable pieces, a search unit for searching the positional information of the pieces received from the server, a correction coefficient storing unit for storing the positional information and a correction coefficient based on information acquired from the recognition information acquisition unit, a correction coefficient changing unit for changing the correction coefficient stored in the correction coefficient storing unit, an image acquisition unit for acquiring images pieces, an evaluation value calculation unit for calculating the evaluation value before the correction for the positional information based on the images, an evaluation value correction unit for correcting the evaluation value before the correction with the correction coefficient and calculating the evaluation value after the correction, and a recognition unit for recognizing the address of the receiver of the piece based on the evaluation value after the correction. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130308819 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DETECTING A BLOCKED APERTURE IN LETTER OR FLAT MAIL IMAGE SENSOR - Embodiments include systems and methods of detecting a blocked aperture in an image device. In certain embodiments, the system and method is used in mail processing of letters and flats. In certain embodiments, the image sensor captures an image of the front of an item. If the aperture of the image sensor is obstructed, a void will appear on the image of the item. The system can detect the void and increment an alarm count until a pre-defined threshold is reached wherein the system signals an alarm so that the blockage can be removed and the affected items can be re-introduced for correct processing. In another embodiment, images obtained when the aperture is expected to be clear of any items. | 11-21-2013 |
| 20140050351 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECEIVING UNMANNED MAIL - Provided is an apparatus for receiving an unmanned mail capable of automatically acquiring the address information even though the user does not directly input the address information. The apparatus acquires address information of an addressee by automatically recognizing the address of the mail when the address is written on the mail, and acquires the address information of the addressee through the paper on which the address is printed or written, identification, and biometric recognition when the address is not written on the mail. The apparatus may acquire the address information of the addressee through a mail sender's voice. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140072167 | METHOD OF SORTING MAILPIECES WITH RECIPIENT SORTING - A method of sorting mailpieces, in which the mailpieces are sorted automatically in a sorting system with a view to being delivered to a recipient by a mail carrier, and are fed back into a sorting machine for additional sorting in order to re-sequence the mailpieces in a certain classification established by the recipient. This method is characterized by the following steps:
| 03-13-2014 |
| 20140093124 | MAILBOXES AND MAILBOX SYSTEMS ENABLING ENHANCED SECURITY AND LOGISTICS, AND/OR ASSOCIATED METHODS - A system is presented that enhances mail security and logistics. The system in certain example embodiments provides image capturing units to capture images of both the user and the items being mailed and tracks the items while maintaining some identity of the individual mailing the item. The system can in certain example embodiments perform facial recognition on the user and/or optical character recognition on the items being mailed in order to enhance the security of the mailing process. | 04-03-2014 |
| 20140105452 | SORTING / SCANNING SYSTEM CAMERA UPGRADE APPARATUS WITH BACKWARDS COMPATIBILITY - A scanning camera upgrade adaptor system provides backwards compatibility when an existing scanning camera subsystem is replaced or upgraded in automated sorting equipment with a newer camera having a different data format. The adaptor system allows sorting equipment such as mail sorting equipment to be upgraded or repaired with a new camera while providing compatibility and optional fallback to a previous mode of operation of the existing equipment. The upgrade system enables legacy equipment and newly added sorting/processing equipment to be utilized in conjunction, while reducing cost of upgrade and necessity for completely new equipment as desirable features are added. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140133696 | METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR CLASSIFYING, PROCESSING, AND/OR GENERATING AUTOMATIC RESPONSES TO MAIL ITEMS - A computerized method of classifying a received mail item in real time. The computerized method comprises identifying a unique identifier (ID) by analyzing a new mail item from a certain sender, identifying, according to the unique ID, a matching correspondence session which is held with the certain sender, the matching correspondence session comprises a sequence of previously sent mail items, selecting a mail class from a plurality of mail classes, using a processor, the mail class is selected according to an analysis of the sequence of previously sent mail items and as a mail item that continues the sequence of previously sent mail items, and forwarding the new mail item or a visualization thereof according to the mail class. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140140571 | DOCUMENT FINGERPRINTING - An automated document processing machine may comprise an electro-mechanical transport subsystem configured to convey a document through the machine, and a camera arranged adjacent the transport and configured to capture an image of a front side of the document. A fingerprinting software component may be configured for processing the captured image of the document to create a unique digital fingerprint of the document based on the front side image, and a software interface may be configured for storing the digital fingerprint in a database of document identifiers in association with a unique alphanumeric identifier so that the document may be subsequently identified in a second processing machine that has access to the database. The digital fingerprint may be responsive to indicia that otherwise appears on the front side of the document, and may comprise data that identifies a document as being unique based on the front side indicia. | 05-22-2014 |
| 20140169619 | Mail Run Balancing Using Video Capture - A method and system for mail run balancing of critical documents on a sorter machine that comingles both critical and non-critical documents. A plan identifying a set of critical documents to be processed as part of a mail run is received at the sorter. The plan includes an individual identifier code for each critical document. Sets of critical and non-critical documents are sorted as part of the comingled mail run. A camera scans the documents for the individual identifier codes on the critical documents during sorting. The camera captures an image of the scanned critical documents. A list of scanned individual identifier codes of sorted critical documents is stored for later use, along with the captured images of the documents. The list of scanned individual identifier codes is compared to the identifier codes of the critical documents in the plan. Based on the comparison, a first comparison list of scanned identifiers that do not match any identifiers in the plan and a second comparison list of identifiers in the plan that are not matched to pieces scanned are generated. The first comparison list is reconciled with the second comparison list by, at least in part, displaying the captured images to assist in matching corresponding documents from the lists. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140169620 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING AND PROCESSING MAIL USING AN IDENTIFICATION CODE - Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention provide for identifying and processing mail using an identification code on a mailpiece as a redundant source of identification information in a mail sorting system. In one embodiment, this information is stored in a temporary database and used for the identification and processing of mail in a Remote Bar Code System (RBCS). In this embodiment, the identification code enables the automation of mail sorting and other processing tasks, reducing costs and delays in mail delivery services. In another embodiment, the identification and processing of mail occurs in an Identification Code Sorting (ICS) system. In this embodiment, a long-term database allows for mail sorting and other processing tasks on a national or global level. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140185863 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A REGION OF INTEREST ON A DELIVERY OBJECT - A device and method for detecting a region of interest on a delivery object. In the method cluster identification data is stored. An item of the cluster identification data represents a cluster of image data items in a training set of image data items. A group of heat maps is stored. A heat map is associated with a cluster represented by the cluster identification data, and provides for cells of a grid a probability distribution for a probability of the cell belonging to a defined region of interest given the number of blobs in the cell. When a new image data item of the delivery object is received, the cluster identification data may be used to associate the input image data item with at least one cluster, and the heat map of the associated cluster to determine at least one region of interest in the image data item. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140211981 | IMAGE ACQUISITION SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING AND TRACKING MAIL PIECES - An image acquisition system for processing and tracking mail pieces in a mailing system ( | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140211982 | ENROLLMENT APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD - An apparatus for enrolling a package is disclosed including: a receiving surface for receiving the package; at least one weight sensor in communication with the receiving surface which generates a weight signal indicative of the weight of the package; at least one video camera which generates a video signal indicative of an image of the package on the receiving surface; and a processor in communication with the at least one weight sensor and the at least one video camera. The processor includes: a weight module which produces, in response to the weight signal, weight data indicative of the weight of the package; and a dimension capture module which produces, in response to the video signal, dimension data indicative of the size of the package. In some embodiments, the processor further includes a recognition module which produces, in response to the video signal, character data indicative of one or more characters present on the package. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140241569 | AUTOMATIC EXAMINATION OF VALUE LABELS - The invention relates to a method for the automatic verification of the authenticity of a postage indicium that has a value indication and that has a luminescent area, whereby the postage indicium has been applied onto the surface of a mailpiece, and whereby the surface of the mailpiece is illuminated with light having wavelengths from a spectral region, then a first image of the surface of the mailpiece is taken with a camera system and this first image is evaluated regarding the place of the postage indicia applied onto the surface of the mailpiece, subsequently the postage indicium is irradiated with light having wavelengths from a second spectral region, whereby this light is capable of exciting the luminescence of the luminescent printing ink. | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140247962 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MARKING VALUE LABELS - The invention relates to a method for the automatic verification of the authenticity of a postage indicium that has a value indication and that has a luminescent area, whereby the postage indicium has been applied onto the surface of a mailpiece, and whereby the surface of the mailpiece is illuminated with light having wavelengths from a spectral region, then a first image of the surface of the mailpiece is taken with a camera system and this first image is evaluated regarding the place of the postage indicia applied onto the surface of the mailpiece, subsequently the postage indicium is irradiated with light having wavelengths from a second spectral region, whereby this light is capable of exciting the luminescence of the luminescent printing ink. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140270341 | DOCUMENT FINGERPRINTING - An automated document processing machine may comprise an electro-mechanical transport subsystem configured to convey a document through the machine, and a camera arranged adjacent the transport and configured to capture an image of a front side of the document. A fingerprinting software component may be configured for processing the captured image of the document to create a unique digital fingerprint of the document based on the front side image, and a software interface may be configured for storing the digital fingerprint in a database of document identifiers in association with a unique alphanumeric identifier so that the document may be subsequently identified in a second processing machine that has access to the database. The digital fingerprint may be responsive to indicia that otherwise appears on the front side of the document, and may comprise data that identifies a document as being unique based on the front side indicia. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20150016665 | MAIL BOX INDICATOR SYSTEM - A system for indicating a contents change and transmitting a related wireless signal, the signal including a movement detecting and signal transmitting member for mounting on or proximate to the object whose movement is to be detected, a signal receiving and alarm generating member for receiving a signal from the movement detecting and signal transmitting member and producing a response, a remote control for actuating and deactuating the signal receiving and transmission generating member, an environmental monitoring member for sensing an environmental condition inside the mailbox and providing a signal to the signal receiving member, a visual information gathering member for gathering visual information and location identifying data and providing a signal to the receiving and signal interpreting member, an output member for receiving a signal from the signal receiving and generating member and generating a selected output, and components for delivering an object movement data notification to remote recipients. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150110343 | SORTING SYSTEM USING WEARABLE INPUT DEVICE - Methods for sorting mail pieces and corresponding systems and computer-readable mediums. A method includes determining that a camera of a wearable device is directed at a mail piece and capturing an image of the mail piece by the camera of the wearable device. The method includes transmitting the image from the wearable device to a mail processing system and notifying a user wearing the wearable device of a sort location of the mail processing system that corresponds to the mail piece. | 04-23-2015 |
| 20150117702 | METHOD OF SORTING MAILPIECES USING A SORTING FRAME, WITH A VIRTUAL STACK OF MAILPIECE IMAGES BEING DISPLAYED - A method of sorting mailpieces into a sorting frame having sorting slots where, in a sorting pass, and in a memory of a monitoring/control unit with a display screen, recording digital images of mailpieces to be sorted, each image including a delivery address; on the basis of each digital image of a mailpiece, generating a sorting code identifying a sorting slot of the sorting frame, and, in the memory, organizing the mailpieces into virtual stacks of images, each virtual stack of images corresponding to a stack of mailpieces placed in a stack in a sorting slot of the sorting frame and the images in each virtual stack of images being sequenced in the same order as the mailpieces in said stack of mailpieces; and in a subsequent sorting pass, displaying on the screen the images and a sorting code of said mailpieces organized in a virtual stack. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150306634 | DELIVERY SORTING PROCESSING SYSTEM AND DELIVERY SORTING PROCESSING METHOD - A delivery sorting processing system of an embodiment recognizes recognizable semantic information from an image of a delivery, extracts a candidate for a delivery destination area from the semantic information, and determines priority according to a possibility of being relevant to a candidate for a delivery destination area of the delivery. The system determined a delivery destination of a delivery based on information included in a candidate for a delivery destination area selected by an operator's operation and stores the candidate for a delivery destination area determined to have the high priority and a candidate for a delivery destination area selected by the operator's operation in association with each other in a storage section, in a case where a predetermined condition is not satisfied. The system determines whether there is a match between the candidate for a delivery destination area determined to have high priority. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150324665 | Identification of packing units - For an identification of packing units, data resulting from an optical recording of at least one surface of a packing unit undergo a text recognition to recognize individual characters. A plurality of characteristic values is determined, each characteristic value being based on another predetermined statistical analysis of the recognized characters. The plurality of characteristic values forms at least one part of an identification of the packing unit. The characteristic values are provided for storage and/or for comparison with previously stored characteristic values. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150339862 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING A PACKAGE TYPE USING AN IMAGING LOGISTICS RECEPTACLE - Methods and systems that detect a package type of a package deposited within a logistics receptacle having an entrance chute that receives the package, an image sensor within the entrance chute, and an interaction sensor. The interaction sensor detects when the package is provided to the receptacle. After detection, the image sensor is activated to capture an image corresponding to at least a part of one side of the package. The image is processed to determine a pattern match related to the package type, and the package's type is identified based upon the determined pattern match. The system may also include a dispatch type of server notified with a pickup request from the receptacle. The server may update analytics information related to the receptacle, determine a future pickup schedule for the receptacle based upon the updated analytics information, and transmit a schedule update message based upon the future schedule. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20160155008 | REMOTE RECOGNITION PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD | 06-02-2016 |
| 20180025552 | Systems and Methods for Parcel Dimension Measurement | 01-25-2018 |
| 382102000 | ZIP code | 6 |
| 20090141934 | Method of Processing Postal Items Using a Separator Representing a Region of Interest (ROI) - The method of processing postal items comprises the following steps: causing the postal items to advance in series past a camera ( | 06-04-2009 |
| 20130022231 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MOBILE IMAGE CAPTURE AND REMITTANCE PROCESSING - Systems and methods are provided for capturing and processing images of remittance coupons using a mobile device and obtaining data from the captured image which is used to set up or carry out payment of a bill that corresponds to the remittance coupon. Optimization and enhancement of image capture and image processing are provided on the mobile device to improve the initial quality of the captured image and provide a user with real time feedback. The image is then sent from the mobile device to a remote server, where additional image processing is performed to improve the quality of the image and then extract data from the image that is relevant to paying the bill. The extracted data may be verified through comparisons with databases which store information on billers, bill formats and other relevant content that will appear on the bill. | 01-24-2013 |
| 20130182888 | REMOTE ENCODING CENTER AUTOMATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A nontransitory computer readable medium having stored thereon software instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform operations. The operations can include intercepting a request for manual processing of a mail piece image. The request can be transmitted by an originating MPE having failed to resolve the mail piece image. The request can be ignored and the mail piece scan image can be forwarded to an automated mail recognition system (AMRS). If the AMRS successfully resolved the image, a response, including a plurality of addressing data corresponding to the mail piece scan image, can be received from the AMRS. If the AMRS successfully resolved the image, at least a portion of the plurality of addressing data can be transmitted to the originating MPE. If the AMRS did not successfully resolve the image, the request can be forwarded to a manual mail recognition processing system. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130182889 | REMOTE ENCODING CENTER AUTOMATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A computerized method for retrofitting a legacy manual mail recognition processing system (MRPS) with an automated MRPS without substantial changes to the configuration of the legacy manual MRPS includes detecting a request by a keyer desk software component to display a mail piece scan image on a computer display connected to the keyer desk computer. The image can at least temporarily be prevented from being displayed on the computer display and the image can be read from memory. Automated recognition processing can be performed on the image to resolve the image and create an automated recognition processing results data. If said automated recognition processing was successful the automated recognition processing results data can be sent to the keyer desk software component and the image can be permanently prevented from being displayed on the computer display. Otherwise, the image can be displayed to the human user for manual processing. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20140086447 | REMOTE ENCODING CENTER AUTOMATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A nontransitory computer readable medium having stored thereon software instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform operations. The operations can include intercepting a request for manual processing of a mail piece image. The request can be transmitted by an originating MPE having failed to resolve the mail piece image. The request can be ignored and the mail piece scan image can be forwarded to an automated mail recognition system (AMRS). If the AMRS successfully resolved the image, a response, including a plurality of addressing data corresponding to the mail piece scan image, can be received from the AMRS. If the AMRS successfully resolved the image, at least a portion of the plurality of addressing data can be transmitted to the originating MPE. If the AMRS did not successfully resolve the image, the request can be forwarded to a manual mail recognition processing system. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20150302265 | REMOTE ENCODING CENTER AUTOMATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A nontransitory computer readable medium having stored thereon software instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform operations. The operations can include intercepting a request for manual processing of a mail piece image. The request can be transmitted by an originating MPE having failed to resolve the mail piece image. The request can be ignored and the mail piece scan image can be forwarded to an automated mail recognition system (AMRS). If the AMRS successfully resolved the image, a response, including a plurality of addressing data corresponding to the mail piece scan image, can be received from the AMRS. If the AMRS successfully resolved the image, at least a portion of the plurality of addressing data can be transmitted to the originating MPE. If the AMRS did not successfully resolve the image, the request can be forwarded to a manual mail recognition processing system. | 10-22-2015 |
