Canada Post Corporation

Joseph Frank Ulvr

Barbara Lynn Critchley

Adrian T Kho

A postage stamp which has a unique identifier bar code is provided which allows the prevention of various fraudulent stamp usages. A system for identifying mail pieces with stolen stamps is provided in which a database of unique identifiers of stolen stamps is maintained, and in which the unique identifiers of stamps on originating mail pieces are compared to the unique identifiers in the database and with the mail piece being segregated if one of the stamps has been stolen. A method of preventing stamp reuse is also provided in which at an originating mail processing apparatus unique identifier bar codes on stamps are read and sent to a national circulation database together with an identification tag applied to the mail piece and information identifying a destination mail processing plant. The national circulation database makes a determination of whether the stamp has been reused, and if so sends a message to the destination mail processing plant which segregates the mail piece when it arrives. The invention also provides a mechanism for identifying short paid postage by providing stamps which each include a value in an identifier bar code, A mail processing apparatus then can determine the value of the stamp, and can determine if the mail piece has been short paid for its weight and destination.

Unique identifier bar code on stamps and apparatus and method for monitoring stamp usage with identifier bar codes

A system for identifying mail pieces with stolen stamps is provided in which a database of unique identifiers of stolen stamps is maintained, and in which the unique identifiers of stamps on originating mail pieces are compared to the unique identifiers in the database and with the mail piece being segregated if one of the stamps has been stolen. A method of preventing stamp reuse is also provided in which at an originating mail processing apparatus unique identifier bar codes on stamps are read and sent to a national circulation database together with an identification tag applied to the mail piece and information identifying a destination mail processing plant. The national circulation database makes a determination of whether the stamp has been reused, and if so sends a message to the destination mail processing plant which segregates the mail pieces when it arrives.

Unique identifier bar code on stamps and apparatus and method for monitoring stamp usage with identifier bars

A bar code for mail pieces uses bars each of which has four possible states. Two different bars indicate the start of the code and the same two bars in the same order indicate the end of the code. A data content identifier follows the start bars and this indicates the structure and length of the following data field so that when the code is read it will be recognized and read properly. The use of the data content identifier allows the code to be used for different customer and Post Office applied applications in which the code structure, length and content varies. The data field may contain a postal code with or without an address locator, a machine ID, customer information and service information. The code may include a country code field for mail pieces that are being mailed to a different country. The code may also include a field indicating whether the codeword is complete or whether it has to be concatenated with a preceding or subsequent codeword. Error protection in all cases is provided by a Reed-Solomon parity field following the data field. For customer applied codes this parity field may be made shorter than for Post Office applied codes because the potential for error in printing the code by the customer is less in view of the fact that he has more control over the paper quality, colour, extraneous markings, etc.

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Carp, Canada

Joseph Frank Ulvr