Trinity Technical Group, Inc.

Siemens Industry, Inc.

Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.

Siemens Dematic Postal Automation, L.p.

Shahrom Kiani

Ben F Bruce

Carlos Macia

John J Mampe

Alan O'Martin

Wayne Sipe

Gary Allen

Gert Seidel

Linda J Kessler

Brenda J Bishop-Jones

A computerized method includes sorting mail that comprises a multiple pass mail sort operation, wherein the multiple pass mail sort operation for a mail piece that is undeliverable as addressed comprises performing a first pass of the multiple pass mail sort operation, wherein performing the first pass comprises capturing data to identify a feature of the mail piece. The multiple pass mail sort operation also includes generating a first fingerprint for the mail piece between performing the first pass and performing a second pass of the multiple pass mail sort operation. The multiple pass mail sort operation also includes performing the second pass of the multiple pass mail sort operation. Performing the second pass includes determining a final disposition of the mail piece that is undeliverable as addressed.

Processing of undeliverable as addressed mail

Some embodiments include a machine-readable medium including instructions which when executed by a machine causes the machine to perform operations. The operations include sorting mail. The sorting of the mail includes reading an encoded value located on the mail piece. The sorting of the mail includes decoding the encoded value to determine a delivery point for the mail piece, an identification of a sender of the mail piece, an identification of a recipient of the mail piece, an identification of a class of the mail piece and an identification of a service type of the mail piece. The sorting of the mail includes determining whether the mail piece is a candidate undeliverable as addressed mail piece using the identification of the recipient of the mail piece within the encoded value and the identification of a delivery point for the mail piece within the encoded value.

Determining disposition of undeliverable as addressed mail

A computerized method includes sorting mail that comprises a multiple pass mail sort operation, wherein the multiple pass mail sort operation for a mail piece comprises performing a first pass of the multiple pass mail sort operation, wherein performing the first pass comprises capturing data to identify a feature of the mail piece. The multiple pass mail sort operation also includes generating a first fingerprint for the mail piece between performing the first pass and performing a second pass of the multiple pass mail sort operation. The multiple pass mail sort operation also includes performing the second pass of the multiple pass mail sort operation. Performing the second pass includes determining a final sorting of the mail piece.

In some example, a computerized method includes sorting mail, wherein sorting mail for a mail piece comprises reading an encoded value located on the mail piece. Sorting the mail also includes decoding the encoded value to determine an identification of a class of the mail piece and an identification of a service type of the mail piece. Sorting the mail includes performing the following operation in response to determining that the mail piece is undeliverable as addressed: performing final disposition of the mail piece using at least one of the identification of the class of the mail piece or the identification of the service type of the mail piece derived from the encoded value, in response to a determination that the mail piece is an actual undeliverable as addressed mail piece.

In some example, a computerized method includes sorting mail that comprises a multiple pass mail sort operation. The multiple pass mail sort operation for a mail piece that is undeliverable as addressed comprises performing a first pass of the multiple pass mail sort operation, wherein performing the first pass comprises capturing data to identify a feature of the mail piece. The multiple pass mail sort operation comprises generating a fingerprint for the mail piece between performing the first pass and performing a second pass of the multiple pass mail sort operation. The fingerprint is derived from the feature of the mail piece that is identified during the first pass. The multiple pass mail sort operation comprises performing the second pass of the multiple pass mail sort operation, wherein performing the second pass comprises determining a final disposition of the mail piece that is undeliverable as addressed, wherein the fingerprint is used to identify the mail piece during the determining of the final disposition.

A computer-implemented system for maintaining a set of databases includes a first server that stores a master database of records that is updated on an intermittent basis, a second server that stores a computer-searchable, enhanced database of the same records as the master database, means for receiving intermittent updates from the master database and incorporating the updates into the enhanced database, means for electronically inputting information from sources other than the master database into the enhanced database, the information from other sources is more recent than information in the master database means and for revising the enhanced database to contain such more recent information and means for distributing information from the enhanced database to one or more subscriber servers.

Method and system for information distribution

A method for providing address change information to subscribers wherein a national postal service maintains a master change of address database that is updated on an intermittent basis by the national postal service includes the steps of: (a) receiving intermittent updates to the master change of address database and incorporating the updated change of address information into a computer-searchable, enhanced change of address database, (b) receiving change of address data from sources other than the national postal service and postal patrons who are submitting address change information, (c) incorporating the change of address information received from such sources into the enhanced change of address database; and (d) distributing information from the enhanced database to one or more of the subscribers.

Method and system for address information distribution

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.

Method and system for image processing

The invention provides a method of processing an image containing written information include the steps of (a) scanning a surface of an object to obtain an image of the surface represented by first image data, (b) creating second image data from the first image data, the second image data having a lower data density than the first image data, (c) analyzing the second image data with first image analysis logic to decode the written information, and (d) if the written information cannot be decoded to a desired extent from the second image data, analyzing the first image data with second image analysis logic different from the first image analysis logic to decode the written information. Steps (a) and (b) preferably use a single scanning device to create the high data density image (e.g., color or grayscale) from which the lower data density image (e.g., binary or black and white) can then be created. The resulting two-stage image analysis provides a significant improvement in OCR results. Further, when a pre-printed bar code is present but does not result in a destination bar code, using the methods of stepdetermining the destination address zip code using OCR techniques, printing the resultant ZIP Code and sorting the mail based on the new OCR derived data.

The invention provides a method of processing an information form such as a postal change of address form. Such a form includes various data elements, such as a name of a person submitting the form and the information on which action is to be taken. In the case of mail forwarding, these data elements would include, for example, the name of the person that wishes mail to be redirected, an old address to which mail for that person was previously sent, and a new address to which mail for that person should be sent. Such a method includes the steps of scanning a sheet having written information thereon reflecting the data elements to obtain an image, processing the image with character recognition logic to obtain text data corresponding to the written information, analyzing the text data with a computer to determine a scanning error probability therein, if the scanning error probability exceeds a predetermined limit, attempting to correct such error by editing of the text data by at least one of a computer using predetermined correction criteria and a human operator viewing the text data, checking one or more elements of the text data (such as a new address and an old address) against a first database of valid data elements (e.g., a postal address database), if the element is found in the first database, updating a second database such as a National Change of Address (NCOA) database to include at least new or revised text data, and rejecting the text data and aborting updating the second database for such text data that cannot be corrected. The invention further provides a system for processing a series of change of information forms such as COA forms, which system is capable of carrying out the foregoing process.

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Arlington, TX, United States of America

Shahrom Kiani